I do not own any of this!

Chapter 27

Much to Harry's surprise, the last ten days had passed without any major confrontations with his temporary master. Aside from a few painful welts courtesy of Gray's wooden pointer, Harry had only suffered punishments similar to those Snape doled out, even if they were delivered with slightly more malice. This lack of punishments was mostly due to the fact that Harry had been on impeccable behaviour for the duration, as ordered.

This fact made the longed for chat with his friends that he was finally having all the more enjoyable. Their charms class had just finished, and instead of heading their separate ways, Ron and Hermione had accompanied Harry back to Gray's classroom, though only after being assured by Harry that Gray was securely occupied for the day.

It was for this reason that they were caught unawares when a certain professor stormed into the room. He looked livid, and was practically spitting in anger. Harry quickly slid of the table he had been sitting on, and bowed, keeping his face impassive. Ron and Hermione stepped backwards, fear showing clearly on their features. Harry suppressed the urge to flinch as Gray roared inches from his face.

'I hope you're happy, boy. You finally revealing your true colours. You've cost me time and money, but oh yes, you'll pay.'

Harry frowned for a second in confusion, unsure of what he was being accused of. Unfortunately, Gray noticed.

'Don't try that with me. Only you would have the cheek and the nerve to destroy such valuable equipment.'

Beside him, Ron swallowed.

'We've been with him all afternoon and he hasn't done anything. We would've seen.'

Ron's fists were clenched by his sides.

'Just the words I would expect from an accomplice.'

Gray's eyes flickered onto Ron for only a second, before settling back on the object of his anger. Harry struggled to keep the fear for his friends from his voice, meaning his words came out tired and deceptively defeatist. His reply was swift and clear.

'They didn't do anything.'

Gray's face twisted cynically.

'I thought not. Now, if you will excuse us.'

'He didn't do anything!'

Ron's voice was heated, and standing silently by his side, Hermione supported his words.

'Leave.'

Harry's voice was quiet. Arguments fled Hermione's lips as she looked into his face. It showed understanding. Tears running down her face at the sight of the strap in Gray's hands, she fled. Watching as Ron backed away a few paces, Harry turned around, presenting his back to Gray.

Gray stepped towards Harry, and with his right hand roughly bunched the black t-shirt Harry was wearing up around his shoulders to bare the subtly marred flesh of Harry's back. Gray twisted his shirt around his shoulder blades as Harry reached up and clasped his hands behind his neck, just as he had all those months before, effectively insuring his back would remain exposed. Gray stepped away, allowing himself room to swing.

Ron watched in horror as Harry shoulder jerked in reaction to the first blow. The second drew a thin stripe of blood from tanned flesh. The third made him stagger. Gray noticed this and stepped in close, pushing him hard downwards, exerting pressure on his neck to force him to his knees. He fell, he face twisting to one side as his knees connected with the rug on the old stone floor.

Despite the pain, Harry suddenly noticed Ron was still standing in the doorway. His voice was desperate, full of a pleading Ron could barely decipher.

'Ron for God's sake get out. You don't need to see this!'

Ron hesitated.

'Go!'

Hating himself, Ron stepped out of the door into the corridor, to stand next to a weeping Hermione.

Even after the door had clicked shut, they could still hear the dull thud of leather on flesh. Listening to it, Ron felt sick. At that moment he hated Gray with every fibre of his being, and hated the mastery for allowing it to happen. This was the sound he would hear whenever he closed his eyes for months, haunting his thoughts to remind him of what he had allowed to happen.

After what seemed like hours the door was pulled open, and Gray swept out into the corridor, ignoring Ron and Hermione. That didn't stop them both from noting the pleased look on his face. Were it not for his worry concerning Harry, Ron doubted he could have restrained from sending a few insults at Gray's retreating back.

Suddenly nervous, Ron and Hermione exchanged worried looks as they cautiously pushed open the door, and stepped softly into the room. The sight that greeted them would stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Harry was lying face down on the carpet, his arms either side of his head, seemingly unmoving, almost as if he were simply asleep. Yet it was to his back that Ron and Hermione's eyes were drawn. His t-shirt had dropped down to cover the upper section of his back and shoulders, and they could see a dark liquid seeping through the thin material. The rest of his flesh was smeared with bright red blood, interlaced with darker lines where the strap had bitten deep into the contours of his back.

Hearing them approach, Harry spoke without opening his eyes. They jumped, not realising he was still conscious.

'How does it look?'

His voice was hoarse, though macabre in its cheerfulness at the same time.

Ron's voice cracked as he replied.

'Not so good, mate.'

Hermione fell to her knees beside him, tears falling once again. She reached out to touch him, only to be stopped by his next words.

'That's not a good idea.'

Her hands withdrew, and Ron's voice filed the uncomfortable silence that developed.

'Harry, d'you want us to take you to the hospital wing then? You've got to get those seen to.'

His voice was worried.

'No, I can't have them healed. Not the hospital wing.'

He paused for a moment, obviously thinking.

'Gryffindor Tower. I need to lie down for a bit, rest so I can face Gray in the morning.'

Ron nodded, then jumped at Harry's gasp as he tried to lift himself to his feet. His voice was pained.

'I'm afraid I'm going to need some help.'

Ron and Hermione took his arms without a word, and gently levered him to his feet. As they reached the door, Harry breathed a few words, clenching his teeth against the pain as he did so.

'Ron...my shirt.'

Ron nodded his understanding, and gently lifted the saturated shirt from his back, lowering it gently to hide the wounds from curious eyes as they made their way through the school.

They made their way step by painful step to Gryffindor Tower, Harry supported all the way by his friends. As the portrait hole swung open, he allowed the outermost layer in his defence to fall away, closing his eyes as the comforting babble of conversation reached him.

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Okay, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Unfortunately, this will be the last chapter you get until Monday week, because I am off to go skiing tomorrow, and I'm fairly sure I won't have access to a computer. On the off chance that I'm mistaken, you might be lucky.

Now, I received a huge number of reviews for the last chapter, which I greatly appreciate. From this, I can see I need to do a bit of explaining.

I know Harry's training is three years long, and don't worry, no change gas been made to that. The point is, there is a certain time of year when all the third year apprentices are tested, and that is the 'Time of Testing'. However, all the masters are support to be present for this testing, so obviously all the younger apprentice have to do *something*, as well. That's all the hints you're going to get on this subject, but you shouldn't have to wait too long to find out more.

Another thing, several people have pointed out that they whole Gray/Harry confrontations id getting slightly predictable. It is for exactly this reason that this chapter was the last of this type that I will write about in detail. This did have a point, and you will become aware of it in the next chapter or two. By the way, Gray is not a Death Eater, though he would probably make quite a good one, were it not for the fact that he fights evil.

Okay, that's all I've got to say for now, other than thanks for any reviews - Pose