Disclaimer: I own nothing. Harry, Hedwig, Severus (as much as I love him), and everyone else, all belong to JKR and whoever else is in the long list of Harry Potter owners. Tidmag owns the basic plot as he/she (which?) gave me the idea for this story. Also, this is another answer for Severitus' challenge. This story has no relation to my other story written partly in answer to Severitus' challenge because there is no Saerry (except for yours truly). I also do not own Heart or their lyrics.
Summary: Fifth year and Harry finds himself changing. But are they for better or for worse? And what secret lurks behind these changes? A secret only Remus Lupin seems to know.
These Dreams-Saerry Snape-
* Shooting in the Dark*
~*~
Caught you in the act – can't put up with that
Messing where you shouldn't be
I wanna hear you say you're sorry
Cause nobody takes advantage of me
~*~
Harry wandered into the Gryffindor common room at almost one in the morning and found a bleary-eyed Hermione and Ron sitting in front of the fire. They had obviously been waiting on him.
"Harry?"
Hermione rose from her seat and walked towards him but he took a step back. She stopped and watched him with sad brown eyes.
"Harry, what's wrong?"
Harry shook his head and choked out, "Nothing's wrong, Herm. Nothing at all."
Hermione reached out to touch his shoulder as she began, "Harry . . ."
Harry jerked back from her hand and hissed, "Don't. Don't touch me."
Tears pricked at the corners of Hermione's eyes and Harry kicked himself mentally.
Ron rose from his chair and said, "Harry, mate."
Harry looked at him and saw a crumpled piece of paper in his friend's hand. A paper that looked startlingly familiar.
Then it hit him.
Oh shit.
"Ron . . ."
"Couldn't tell us the truth? Couldn't stand it?"
Harry choked out, "Ron, please. I didn't know."
Ron rolled his eyes and spat, "Sure you didn't."
Harry clenched his hands and growled, "I didn't! Ron, you've got to believe me!"
"Why should I?" asked Ron, stubbornly.
"FOR GOD'S SAKE, RON! WHY WOULD I LIE TO YOU?"
Ron frowned at him and muttered, "You've done it before."
Harry forced down tears that were threatening to rise. It was too much, too much in one night.
"Ron, please. I swear I didn't know."
Ron looked at him skeptically and Hermione asked, "What are you two talking about?"
"Here."
Ron shoved the sheet of paper into Hermione's hands and she blinked.
"What? Ron? Oh my God . . ." She looked up at Harry and their eyes locked. Her's blurred with tears as she said, "Oh Harry . . ."
Harry turned away from her and glared at Ron. He said slowly, "If you think for one moment that I knew about this, you're damn wrong. And if you're going to blame me for not knowing, then DAMN YOU!!" With that Harry turned on a heel and stormed up the steps to the boy's dorm. The door slammed behind him and Hermione winced. She turned to Ron and said, "Ron . . ."
Ron shook his head and turned away from her, returning to his seat by the fire.
Hermione looked after him, the tears that had blurred her eyes before now falling.
************************
The next morning Harry and Ron avoided each other like the plague. Hermione didn't try to force them to apologize. She didn't feel Harry needed to.
After all, Ron had been the one to accuse Harry, not the other way around.
Their first class that day was Transfiguration. Harry sat in the back, his head turned away towards the wall. Ron sat directly at the front, not looking back once, and Hermione sat beside Harry. She was too angry at Ron at the moment.
"Harry?"
Harry turned his head toward her and asked in a hollow voice, "What is it, Herm?"
"I – I just wanted to know if you're okay."
Harry laughed harshly and Hermione winced.
"No, Herm. I am far from being okay."
They had not talked any after that and did not speak again until lunch.
************************
At lunch Harry had the misfortune to run straight into Snape as the Potions Master left the hall.
The older man blinked and said, "Harry. Harry, I have to talk to you."
Harry glared up at him and snarled, "Well, I don't want to talk to you, professor."
Snape frowned and said, "Harry . . ."
"No."
"Harry, just for a moment. Please."
Harry's eyes narrowed and he spat, "No," then plowed past Snape into the hall. Snape looked after him for a moment then cursed under his breath and walked away towards the dungeons.
Hermione watched all this and felt sorry for Snape. The man really was trying. She could see that.
But Harry didn't want that.
With a sigh she entered the hall and sat down beside Harry. The two of them said nothing to each other and the only time Harry looked up from his plate was to glare down the table at Ron.
~*~
You're missing the mark – shooting in the dark
I'm pulling the wool from my eyes
Baby don't you push me further
It's gonna hurt you if it happens twice
~*~