Chapter 25

Harry ignored all the questions his friends asked him at lunch. Finally they gave up. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Neville had Care of Magical Creatures for their last lesson of the day. Harry was looking forward to seeing Hagrid. With all of his extra lessons he hadn't gotten to talk to Hagrid as much as he would have liked.

Harry and his friends were among the first to arrive at Hagrids' for the lesson. Crabbe and Goyle were among the last to arrive and looked throughly lost without Malfoy. When Hagrid looked over his class he noticed that one of his students was missing.

"Where's Malfoy?" Hagrid asked. Harry glared a warning at Crabbe and Goyle.

"He's not feeling well." Goyle grunted.

"Alrigh'then, let's get started." Hagrid said giving Harry a suspicious glance.

Hagrid led the class to a table he had set up behind his hut. Sitting on the table was one of the strangest creatures Harry had ever seen. It looked sort of like a cross between a monkey and a frog, had a mouth full of razor sharp teeth which seemed to be smiling and had a large pustule in the middle of its' forehead. Although the creatures appearance didn't bother Harry anymore. After six years in the wizarding world and becoming friends with Hagrid, Harry was used to strange animals.

"Can anyone tell me wha' this is?" Hagrid asked rather excited. As always Hermione raised her hand."Yes Hermione." Hagrid called.

"I think the creature is called a Clabbert." Hermione said.

"Correct!" Hagrid said happily. "Now can you tell me where this creature originated?" Hagrid asked Hermione.

"I believe they originated in the southern states of America, though they are now found world wide. They dwell in trees and swing from branch to branch much like an orangutang. Their main diet consist of small lizards. The pustule on their heads will turn scarlet when they since danger." Hermione finished.

"Very good! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Hagrid said.

The rest of the lesson was spent observing the animal. To the Gryffindors' delight the pustule turned scarlet whenever a Slytherin got to close. The creature was really very interesting and seemed to have taken a liking to Harry. When the creature first jumped on Harry he was a little nervous but quickly relaxed.

An hour and a half later the bell rang and everyone headed back up to the castle. Harry was placing the Clabbert back in his cage when Hagrid said-

"Ah, 'Arry you wouldn't have had anything to do with Malfoy missing class?"

"Why would you think that?" Harry asked.

"I know what happened between Professor Snape and you and I thought that you might've lost your temper at Malfoy." Hagrid answered.

"I've stopped myself from cursing him all year even though he's a Death Eater. I just lost it today alright." Harry said as he turned to leave. "I didn't do anything serious."

"If you ever need to talk 'bout anything I'll listen." Hagrid said as he took the creature back into his hut.

"I know." Harry said giving the big man a small smile.

Harry entered the Great Hall to find Ron telling Ginny all about how the Clabbert wouldn't let any Slytherins' come close. Ron looked like he could float away, he was so happy. It didn't take long for the news to spread around the school that the Clabbert sensed danger every time a Slytherin got close. Everyone except the Slytherins' found this extremely funny.

After dinner Harry headed for Dumbledores' office. He wasn't very surprised to find Lupin there as well. Harry sat down waiting for the nights lessons to begin.

"Mr. Malfoy has a rather amusing story about you ambushing him and causing him to need to stay in the Hospital Wing for the next week." Dumbledore said. "Do you have any comments to add?" Dumbledore asked Harry. Harry winced.

"First off it was Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle that did the ambushing. I really tried to not curse Malfoy but he provoked me. That little Death Eater tried to stun me. I guess that I might have gotten a little carried away. I'm sorry Professor." Harry finished.

"It's alright Harry, just don't let it happen again." Dumbledore said. "Now I want to talk about what went on between you and Professor Snape today."

"What do you mean?" Harry asked trying, and failing, to look curious.

"You know what we're talking about, Harry." Lupin said. Harry let out a sigh. He had a feeling that there wasn't going to be any training tonight.

"Well you see I've been taking it all year, for the last six years actually, and I just sort of snapped." Harry said.

"You've been taking what for the last six years?" Dumbledore asked.

"Snape trying to degrade my parents, my friends, myself and since last year Sirius." Harry said. "I just couldn't take it anymore. He acts like he was a bigger person then my Dad and Sirius but he called my Mum a mud-blood. I know that Sirius and my Dad had their faults but I don't see them calling people mud-bloods." Harry said and then added as an afterthought. "I suppose that you want me to apologize to Professor Snape."

"I think that would be a very good idea." Lupin said.

"Sirius wouldn't have made me apologize. He would've asked me why I hadn't done it sooner." Harry thought sadly. Harry left Dumbledores' office to go and apologize to Snape. "I think I deserve an apology too, but I'm not going to get my hopes up." Harry sighed as he pushed open the door to Snapes' office.

Jake Paul- Thanks for the review;)

samyjoc- I know it went kind of fast when I skipped so much time, but I couldn't think of anything to do during Christmas or until Valentine's Day. I hope you like these chapters more. Thanks for reviewing;)

m-fashion- Thanks for reviewing. Don't worry there is not a lot of romance in this story so you won't have to deal with much Harry/Ginny.