Birthday Surprises Chapter 63

Usual disclaimer:  Not mine, don't sue.  Please.  Wish it were mine though.  Ah, if only…  Lolly, xxx.

Ok people, we know that I haven't updated in ages.  I am really very sorry.  Blame it all on my teachers (especially the evil Maths teacher – grr, don't even get me started on THAT!  Anyways, I'll try to keep up with the updates, but with loads of homework piling up on top of me AND prelim exams coming up, they might be rather slow in getting here.  Having said all of that, I will let you get on with the next chapter.

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Snape sneered over at Potter – perfect Potter.  It made him want to gag.  All everyone ever talked about these days was Potter and his snotty little children.  Little clones of him.  It was bad enough teaching one generation of Potters, he thought to himself, a second would seriously damage his health – not to mention the fact that they were half-Weasley, and that could only mean more trouble.  He saw Harry murmur something from the corner of his mouth, a grin tugging at his mouth. 

"Potter!  I thought you would have realised by now that I do not appreciate you talking in my class!"  He roared.  Harry looked up at him, with barely masked hate. 

"Sorry Sir."  He said, looking about as sorry as Snape felt. 

"I would have thought that you of all people would have learnt not to talk back – didn't your Uncle teach you that?"  There was a soft gasp from Granger, who was sitting between Potter and Weasley.  She had gone pale, while Potter looked as if he was ready to pull his wand.  Surprised muttering filled the room, and Snape smirked. 

"Oh, you didn't tell anyone?  You mean that you didn't want to brag about how you lived through eight years of beatings from your Muggle Uncle?"  He sneered.  Everyone in the class felt the tension in the room as Harry rose to his feet. 

"Funnily enough, I didn't feel it was something to brag about, Sir."  He spat, his face white with rage. 

"His Uncle beat him?"  Several Gryffindors murmured, looking shocked.  Harry was shaking now, and was ready to hex Snape into the next universe. 

"Was it worth it?  Did you get your little buzz?  Let's see how we can make a fool of Potter today?"  Harry was right in front of Snape now, looking down at him.  "You know nothing about it."  He hissed, before storming out, taking the door off its hinges as he did so.  Frantic whispers filled the dungeon for a moment, as Snape stood immobile, knowing that he had gone too far. 

"SILENCE!"  He yelled.  "Granger, tell Mr Potter that he will have detention tomorrow night."  The girl's eyes were full of tears and rage, and he suspected that Gryffindor Tower would be buzzing with hatred for him that night. 

"Tell him yourself."  She spat angrily.  "I hope he draws his wand when you do, you foul, pathetic excuse for a human being.  You had no right to do that."  She said, following Potter's route from the classroom.  Everyone, including Snape, was stunned.  No one had expected the know-it-all swot to come out with an outburst like that.

***

The school buzzed with the news of Harry's being beaten, but no one, except the Slytherins, seemed to enjoy the news.  Harry tried to stay out of the way, with the exception of Quidditch matches, where he felt an increased need to prove himself – he had always been the Boy Who Lived – now he was the Boy Who Lived and Was Beaten By His Uncle.  It was the last thing he needed, and told his grandfather so.  He returned to Potions the next day, sitting in his usual seat and glaring at Snape, daring him to say something…anything.  He didn't say a word unless it was to tell Harry that he was doing something wrong.