-1In The Maze of Mirrors
by: Jenni M.
Chapter 4: Broken Glass, Pins and Needles.
Harry's POV
The hours pass by quickly; I have spent my time on the floor in front of the newly started fire. I know no one will find me here, not even that meddlesome fool Dumbledore; the reason being, I cast warding charms around the room, they probably make this room as protected as or even more so than the headmaster's office, it's self.
I have been sitting here in the warm glow from the flames, I have been trying to warm myself, my skin, even after hours in the sweat inducing heat, is chilled, icy as if some winter sprite had placed their freezing kiss upon my brow. Though I know sprites are only mythical, like elementals, anything that directly deals with the elements seems to be only in legend. That is everything except for dragons of course.
This train of thought leads me back to the dragon, which has been plaguing my existence since I first set foot in Madame Malkins. How could he, even as a child, emit such command and authority? Maybe it has something to do with being a Malfoy, or those stupid rules they have, a code of conduct.
I have over heard his talking of these to others in Slytherin house before. The rules follow as thus: Malfoy's fear nothing; they do not cry, weep, or other such nonsense. Malfoy's have a birthright to power and authority; no one dares strike a Malfoy; Malfoy's are ice, stone, we feel no pain, fear no hurt, we are unmoving and will one day rule over all. These things must have been ground into him since birth, no bloody wonder he is such an asshole.
I wonder if he has told anyone what happened earlier. Oh well no time to think of that now, I am going to go get my breakfast this morning, directly from the kitchens, even if everyone else in the castle is still sleeping.
I walk down the hall and down a flight of stairs to my right; the kitchens are much closer to my new rooms than I had thought. I tickle the damned pear and walk in, and sit down at my usual spot from the great hall above. Immediately five or six house elves come up to, me and start offering their services, but dobby and Winky shoo them off saying they are my personal elves and will not have any other elves serving me.
"Hello dobby, Winky, what was that all about?" they look up at me and dobby has a gigantic grin on his little green face.
"Dobby and Winky have been told, we is to be your personal elves now that you have your own rooms and all."
"WHAT! How could he know? How, I mean I placed wards and everything; how could the stupid piece of shit know?"
"Mr. Potter I would hope that you weren't speaking of the headmaster in such a way." Shit its Snape.
"No sir of course not, as if I would ever speak of someone who has ruined my life, in such a disrespectful manner." I say in an overly earnest manner, the sarcasm not lost on the oversized bat, I wonder if he ever sleeps.
"Of course not and by the way it was not Dumbledore that told."
"You." I accuse, he answers with a smirk. ".how could you know, and why on earth would you care?"
"I know, because I have seen three different teens this evening, two of them were running around the halls looking for you, the other I will not name but you probably can guess who I am speaking of." So he knows, Saint Mungos Mental Ward here I come.
"They were only looking for me because I walked off earlier, they probably only wanted to have solid piece of mind so they wouldn't be forced to worry about me, or at least pretend to worry about me." I scowl. "And as for Draco, I can't believe he told you what happened, it wasn't his to tell, stupid prick."
"Mr. Potter I will not have you use such language around me. And by the way Mr. Malfoy only wanted you to get help; since when have you started calling him Draco?" Shit. I stand up to leave. The edge of my vision begins going black, sparks rim what is left of my sight. My knees give out and I feel my head connect with something solid, in fact a few something solids. Warm, my head is warm and I see my eyes reflecting in red turning the green to a muddy brown, and I know no more.
Snape POV
As I go up the steps to the kitchens, I notice the door closing; I think that maybe it is one of the students, so I follow. However, as I enter I realize who it is as I hear his reaction to my orders, though most students would love to have personal elves, he probably realizes the only reason I gave him these were so Dobby and Winky would keep an eye on him, and make sure he does not do anything rash, again.
The confrontation that follows is short lived once my presence becomes apparent. I continue to engage him in conversation him accusing and despairing, me with my cruel ways. I only snap out of the usual routine as he passes out hitting his head on the edge of the table, the bench, and then finally with a sickening crack, the floor.
As I run him up to the hospital, all I can think of is how I cannot get him there fast enough.
Draco's POV
I was out on my usual morning run before the imbeciles woke. When I got back to the common room, I notice it is exceptionally busy, and whispers and loud conversations spread across the room. Then -she- comes over, that disgusting whore and the grin she wears this morning is exceptional disturbing, almost triumphant.
"Oh Drake isn't it wonderful?" I quirk an eyebrow, and she notes I am in a running suit.
"Oh, then that means you haven't heard, well it is an honor to be the first to tell you." Stupid cow why does not she just say it, brains of a puff skein really.
"What are you on about Pansy? Either tell me or get the fuck out of my way you piece of trash." Oops, did I actually say that aloud? Oh well fuck it I do not care I am a Malfoy I can say whatever I want.
"Anyways, as I was saying, Potter is in the hospital wing, it appears he won't be able to play in the game against you next week, all the Gryffindorks could come up with as a replacement was the Weasliette." Fuck.
I turn around and mumble something about forgetting something as I make haste to the hospital wing; I just have to see if he tried what I dread, I have to know he is okay. When the realization of this statement hits me, I am almost at the door to the hospital wing. I simply dropped everything I was doing for Potter, Harry fucking Potter; I could not have just done that.
Then I realize I just did.
I grab the handle and jerk the heavy oak door open. No one is in the room, though I notice that a screen pulled in front of one of the beds. My steps, towards what can only be potter, are sluggish and hesitant. My doubts mount, thoughts racing through my mind.
'What if Harry is awake? What if he hates me for what I told Snape? What if… Wait why should I care, it is only Potter after all.' However, I realize he is much more than just a name as I finally see the other side of the screen.
"Snape." I acknowledge as I see the dark man sitting in the too white surroundings. The setting seems surreal, Snape sitting like a worried father beside the bed of the Wizarding World's savior, who in and of himself looks out of place.
Tucked under white blankets, sheets, and his head resting on white pillows; Harry is very pale perhaps under the now visible layer of bruises, and lacerations that cover his face. His jet-black mop flows like water across his pillow, I did not notice until now how much he had grown it. He has a muggle I.V. in his hand.
"He seems to be a master at using glamours." Snape's voice cuts me off from these thoughts.
"Has the headmaster been informed of this?" I ask in reply.
"No, and I have no intention of letting the fool hear about it either. Madame Pomfrey agreed with me on this matter, he has less tact than even Weasley. I remember when I had a similar case with one of my Slytherins. Albus insisted on making them go through a retelling of every detail to him, as if he gets off on it or something; then he forced them to go through a trial against the very person who inflicted the pain, making them sit within ten feet of their attacker. The man is a blubbering idiot."
"Ah Severus, how is the patient doing?" Oh fucking hell, I do not think I have ever seen someone, other than Lucius, get so angry so fast.
Harry's POV
Warmth, light, noise, am I in heaven or hell?
".YOU IDIOT, YOU CAN'T MAKE HIM GO THROUGH ALL THAT!"
"Severus I may do whatever I see fit to see justice for what has been done to one of my students."
"JUSTICE, IS THAT WHAT YOU CALL THAT? THAT TORTURE YOU WOULD BE PUTTING HIM THROUGH WOULD BE LIKE RELIVING THE TORMENT A THOUSAND TIMES! AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THE PRESS WHEN THEY FIND OUT?"
"He will be giving more publicity and therefore sympathy so then maybe I will be believed when I say that Voldemort has returned." I hear muttered swearing in a familiar drawl as a cool clothe is placed on my warm forehead. I feel the urge to speak and get my opinion out there for all to hear.
"Dumbledore you are a selfish bastard." I say this as I open my eyes and try to sit up, a comforting arm is placed behind my back to help me, I look up and see Draco.
"OUT I don't care if you are the headmaster you are upsetting my patient, now out before I have to curse you." Saved by the nurse once again; they leave the headmaster by far in the lead, he seems upset at loosing his pawn, aw poor asshole.
After the excitement poppy fixed me up pretty quick, or at least the visible injuries, since I had had some of the lacerations for quite a while they left scars but that's alright I have enough made by myself anyways.
Poppy's POV
"Mr. Potter? Potter? HEY ARE YOU DAFT BOY!" I reach my hand out and touch the boys should when I say the last part. The reaction is instantaneous; he scrambles to the top of the bed and hugs his knees, tears streaming down his face.
"I am sorry Dudley, Vernon please? I won't scream again I promise please!"
"Harry dear please snap out of it, you are at Hogwarts please boy?" as I say the word boy the glass cabinet behind me cracks as does the window behind Mr. Potter's bed. It has been a very long time since I have seen a student above second year that was able to perform wandless magic.
"Harry?" I ask in my most gentle voice hoping it will snap him out of it. It works and his eyes clear he looks around and cries harder I softly wrap my left arm over his shuddering shoulders while my right gives him a calming potion through the I.V.; muggle technology really makes life easier sometimes.
"Thank you again, Aunt Petunia." I jump back as he says this, it was not just a dream after all. he falls asleep before I even realize to question him.
Shout Outs--- Tewks- you are so sweet, but you are wrong I am slow; I may be smart but I can still be slow, rather sloth like really.
Wavy Avey- you are fastidious (weeee I learned a new word, or rather the meaning of the word), and I understand about being bored, my life is odd it is extremely hectic but at the same time soooo boring.
Alternativelyspliced- Thanks for the review, and do not worry I LOVE reviews.
Willow60- stop saying you aren't good at reviews, it doesn't matter how well you write them just that you are one of the few awesome people who take the time to write them.
Jes9- See Sev confronted him. anyways, thanks for the review, much appreciated.
Oh and check out my gallery http/morosemordant.