Mixed Reactions

"Bitch! That's her best mate and my goddaughter! How dare she!" Sirius started to get up, wanting to protect and defend Harry. Remus restrained him, putting a hand on his shoulder and pulling him back into his seat.
"We said we wouldn't get involved. Harry's got to learn to deal with emotions, as a girl, and she need to learn to deal with people's reactions to who she is. We may be her protectors but we have to let her grow up Padfoot. I know it hurts, but you can't keep her in a bubble." Sirius settled back in his seat scowling viciously. Next to him Severus sat, scowling too.
"Miss Granger is a clever witch intellectually, but she has a lot to learn about friendships and emotions. I dare say that Harry most probably deserved that slap though." Severus stated dryly. Sirius growled at him, his last nerve starting to fray. It appeared to him that Snape was enjoying the scene in front of him.
Meanwhile Harry spun around to stare out the window, hand held to her face. She could feel her skin burning underneath her fingers, and it surprised her that it was Hermione who had done this. She had expected Ron to be most hurt and angry by the revelation, yet it appeared that Ron was more stunned.
"What the hell Hermione!" Ron pulled Hermione away from Harry. Hermione's face was red with anger and she fought against Ron, lashing out, trying to scratch her way out of his grasp.
"This better be some kind of sick joke! We were going out of our mind with worry. First Professor McGonagall talks to you, then you're not in transfiguration, then she won't tell us where you are. Then Professor Dumbledore tells us about you being ill and that we couldn't see you. And now that we can see you, you're stood here in drag!" Hermione's normally calm logical mind was ablaze with confusion, anger & worry. She did not understand how this could have happened.
Harry's green eyes had glazed over and she stared out the window. Severus heard a little voice inside of him say 'Oh Merlin' and he stifled it. It wasn't that he cared for Harry he told himself. It was that he couldn't bear to see girls cry. That's what made it so easy to pick on Harry when she was a boy. He was James' son, not Lily's daughter. Severus always intimidated boys because they didn't cry. He looked back at Harry and felt long buried emotions move in him.
Ron's face turned pale as he saw Harry's face as she stared out the window towards the Forbidden Forest, watching the late morning sun penetrate through the trees. 'Harry's never cried before.' Ron thought. 'He wouldn't cry over a lie either. He was always so modest and secretive, never like the rest of us, never getting dressed in the same room as us.' Ron looked over at Hermione. She had pulled out her wand and had it directed at Harry, her brown eyes filled with rage.
"Hermione! Put your wand away! Your not going to hex Harry, I wont let you! Harry's not lying!" Harry turned around. The sleeves of her top had concealed her wand that she held in her hand and she was grateful. Ron had pulled out his wand and trained it on Hermione. She made no move to put her wand away and Ron didn't want to chance Harry getting hurt. She was already going through a lot, and didn't need this. Harry took her hand away from her cheek; a brilliant red handprint was still burning on her pale face.
'Expelluramus' Harry said, pulling out her wand and disarming Hermione. At the same time Ron had cried 'Stupefy'
"Ron!" Harry was surprised that Ron had found it in him to do that to someone who was his best mate. Ron looked up a sheepish smile on his face.
"Ron I owe you both an explanation. Help Hermione onto the bed. She won't appreciate coming round on the floor. And you know what her tempers are like." Ron looked at Harry and then levitated Hermione's unconscious form onto the bed, after he sat down beside her.
'She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping. I wish I could tell her how beautiful she is' Ron thought. Harry and Ron sat in silence for a few minutes. Harry was trying to collect her thoughts, but her mind was an endless maze. Harry sat on the wooden chest at the end of the bed and stared at the wall.
Ron couldn't help but look at Harry. He couldn't get his head around it although he did believe it. Ron looked at Harry, taking in her beauty. Harry noticed Ron's gaze and shifted uncomfortably.
"Pervert" Sirius muttered. Remus elbowed him.
"What about Ginny?" Ron suddenly asked Harry.
"I never gave her any indication that I liked her, never for a moment did I lead her on Ron." Her voice grew steadily stronger. "If anything I hope she will accept me more as a girl, because it means I can relate better to her."
A few minutes later Hermione came to. Her eyes flickered for a moment before she realised where she was and what had just happened.
"RON! You had no reason to stupefy me! What would Professor Dumbledore say about you using magic against another pupil?"
"Shut up Hermione! Let Harry explain."
Harry shifted uncomfortably again. "Well this has been an erm... shock on you both. I'm sorry I haven't been able to tell you sooner, but it was for protection. See my parents knew that Voldermort was after them and my parents knew that if Voldermort ever killed them he would be more ruthless to a girl then a boy. Voldermort would have given girls over to the 'Dementors' kiss', let them grow up soulless, then use them to create his heirs. My parents would rather have me be dead then face life without a soul, being abused in that way. So they, alongside Dumbledore and Sirius, cast concealment charms over me. Charms that would only be lifted when my true identity could save my life and others, instead of just leading me to that fate."
"You defeated Voldermort though, so why wasn't the concealment lifted when you came to Hogwarts, or when you were left with the Durselys? Do they know?" Ron glared at Hermione as she asked so many questions.
"I still needed to be protected. The death eaters were and are still at large, and Voldermort was weakened not dead. My magic ability was limited and I was still likely to be used if my true identity was revealed. He still might, but my powers are stronger now and I am stronger still without the charms. My magic energy was always trying to fight the charms, so it meant I was always weaker than I should have been. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but if anyone had ever found out and accidentally let slip, I would have been very vulnerable to Voldermort. I wanted to tell you so badly but I couldn't.... and yes...the Durselys know that I'm a girl. Dumbledore informed them, but they are bound by a spell so that they cannot tell anyone." Harry looked up at her friends again.
"But aren't you still vulnerable then?" Ron asked. He suddenly realised that he had momentarily been attracted to Harry, and he realised that Voldermort would be possibly more inclined to use Harry because of her looks, and the fact that she had defeated him previously.
"Yes I am still vulnerable. That's why before they died my parents chose three people to be my Protectors. Sirius, Remus, and Professor Snape. I'll explain more about that another day though. You've had enough to take in recently, what with Sirius and me. And that's also why you can't tell anyone, not even your families!"
Ron on hearing one of the Protectors names went pale. "SNAPE! That cold hearted, greasy haired git! He has the emotional competence of a brick! Not only that but he hates you!"
Severus underneath his invisibility cloak glared. Sirius smirked, laughing at his rival's annoyance.
"Snape's not cold hearted, he just doesn't like to show his emotions. Just because he doesn't show his emotions Ron doesn't mean he hasn't got any! He's a great potions master too!" Harry's temper flared, and Ron immediately backed down.
"Ok Ok, if he's your Protector the he can't be that bad." Ron looked down at his watch.
"Harry look, is there anything else you need to tell me? I know your telling the truth, and I can see this is a big strain on you. If you want to talk more than you know I'm always there for you. It's just that Fred and George have asked to meet me. They say they've got me a present." Ron gulped and Harry laughed. The twins were renowned for being jokers; after all, they had opened their own joke shop. Harry got up and went over to Ron. Ron gave her a long hug. "We're still best mates right Harry? Your being a girl don't change that?"
"Yes Ron we're still best mates." Ron gave Harry another hug, and then left, leaving Harry with Hermione.
"Hermione? Please talk to me. I didn't want to keep this a secret. Especially not from you. I so badly wanted to tell you the truth. You were the one person I thought would understand. But remember when you had that time-turner and you couldn't tell us, it was like that. I didn't want you to..." Harry broke off, giving up. She looked over at her bedside cabinet and walked over to it. She thought maybe leaving Hermione time to thin would help. She unlocked the draw and slipped her non-wand hand inside, her fingers hungrily searching for the metal inside. Her fingers found it and close around it, holding it tightly. She concealed her hand inside her sleeve, took it out the draw, and then tucked the metal into her jeans pocket.
She sat down next to Hermione, and immediately received another slap. Harry reeled back before slapping Hermione back. That was the beginning of a fight. The two girls rolled over on the bed, slapping, scratching, kicking and biting. Hermione flipped Harry and they both hit the ground with a thud. This threw Hermione off course, and Harry seized the opportunity to get to her feet, pulling out her wand. She aimed a hex at Hermione, but she rolled out the way, pulling out her own wand.
Soon red and blue jets were shooting out of their wands. Hermione aimed a leg locker curse at Harry but Harry blocked it, reflecting it straight back at Hermione who jumped it. Eventually Hermione let down her guard and Harry yelled 'Expelluramus' Hermione's wand again shot from her hand, and Harry caught it.
"Hermione? Why are we fighting? I thought you understood?!"
"It's you that doesn't understand Harry! I accept that you're a girl and why you couldn't tell us. It's not that! It's the fact that you're trying to take Ron away from me! I love him! But now you've come along, pretty and famous, and you know that if you asked him, he'd go out with you." Hermione wailed.
"What? I don't like Ron like that! You and him are my best friends. I would never come between you and Ron. I've known you've liked him for ages; I wouldn't ever try to come between you and him! All I want is for you to be my friend!" Harry exploded into tears. Rejection hurt so much. Hermione looked at Harry.
"Harry, I'm sorry." Hermione ran out the room, tears streaming down her face. Harry stood next to her bed. Alone.
The Protectors removed their invisibility cloaks.
"Dumbledore had to leave I'm afraid Harry. He did say that he was very proud of how you were handling the situation though." Remus stood up and started to walk over to Harry. She had gone pale and her green eyes and lost their sparkle. She was shaking and crying and looked so alone. Severus and Sirius both looked at her, stunned. They had never really seen Harry this upset. Remus tried to give her a hug but Harry shrugged him off.
"Go away! Don't pretend you care. Why didn't you help me? Why didn't you break up the fight? How could you just stand there and watch?" Harry was furious. Remus tried to hug Harry again. She backed away towards the door, grabbing her cloak and ran out the door. "I hate you," she yelled.
The Protectors stood, shocked by Harry's outburst. 'Girl's can be so bitchy, Harry's not used to that yet.' Sirius thought. 'She was lucky with Ron. She's used to being one of the guys, but how will she react when they treat her like a girl, and leave her out of their conversations? Will she blame me then, because all I can do is sit and watch her go through these changes?' Sirius thoughts were riddled with guilt and confusion. He wanted to protect her, yet he knew he had to allow her to live in the world. He wanted to keep her in a bubble, but her parents hadn't given their lives for her to live that way.
"I don't think then was a good time to tell her we were sat?" Sirius asked.
"Do you think we should go after her?" Remus asked no one in particular.He failed to realise that the only other person in the room was Sirius. Severus had incredible stealth and had left the room straight after Harry.
"No. Leave her. She needs time. She's got Lily's temper hey, Remus?" Sirius replied. He sat down on Harry's bed, his head in his hands. "She's right though. We should have helped her. We should have done something, not just sat there."
Remus stood in front of Sirius. "Why don't we go back to our room? It appears Severus has left, and if Harry returns here we are not the people she is exactly best pleased with." He walked over to the fire. 'Incendio' the fireplace burst into life. Remus held out the floo powder to Sirius. He got up from the bed begrudgingly and took some. Throwing it into the flames he followed Remus.
Remus was worried about Harry. He was glad that he could be there for both Sirius and her, but wondered if Harry would find it easy to confide in him. He would have no trouble getting Sirius to talk, they went way back, and Sirius was like a brother, they were so close that it was easy to tell what the other was thinking. Harry however may not be able to confide in him, or in Sirius or anyone else. Remus worried about this, and it would mean Harry would be bottling up her emotions, and there would be another explosion like the scene that they had just seen. He made a mental note to offer her extra tuition, in a hope that this special bond may help her to trust and feel more comfortable with him, so that she would want to vent her emotions.
Sirius was concerned also. He was confused, as Harry's femininity both worried him and excited him. He wondered if Harry realised just how much power she had, and if she understood the dangers she faced. He realised that he was attracted to his goddaughter, and wondered what James' would say about it if he were alive. He knew he could talk to Remus about it, but worried that if he got on too well with Remus that Harry may not want to talk to either of them. He hoped she was ok, and that Severus had followed her.
Meanwhile Harry had thrown her cloak over her and started to run. She had picked up her invisibility cloak. She knew she must not be seen and headed for the lake. She ran down the stairs, out the Gryfindor common room and down the stairs to the main doors. She didn't stop running until she got outside. She stopped to catch her breath for a moment then started to walk towards the lake. She didn't know why but it seemed a place of comfort for her, and she knew that there she could guarantee that it would be safe for her to remove her cloak. Few people went to the lake in September, and even fewer went in the first week of term.
She sat down beside the lake and pulled off her cloak. She sat for a moment, letting her emotions flood over her. She didn't know how to handle it all. She was not used to the emotions she was feelings as a girl, so she was left vulnerable to the pain of every emotion that had risen during the confrontation. She felt in her pocket, and found what she'd put in there.
She drew it out. It was a dragon bone knife. A fight broke out in her mind. She hadn't used it since the summer holidays. She'd given it up, put it all behind her. She didn't want to do it again. Did she? It had been a release though. So powerful had it been that it had taken away her pain for days on end. Left her free to live life. She ran her finger down the blade, checking its sharpness.
"Ouch" the blade was sharper than she remembered and she had cut her finger open. She felt the blood escape out the cut and with it her pain.
She made up her mind then. She put the blade against the back of her left wrist and ran it up, making a small yet deep cut. She did it again, making five marks before she felt the crimson blood run down her hand. Her emotions had run out with it too.
The blood had dripped onto the ground in front of her, and it was then she remembered that she should wash her arm. If she let it bleed too much then it could get infected. And the idea of explaining how the cuts got on her arm to Madam Pomfrey, Hogwarts matron was not appealing. She walked over to the edge of the lake and knelt down, lowering her arm into the crystal clear water. It stung momentarily, but then the coolness took over, filling her up with peace. The crimson blood swirled in the water and she stared at it for a moment. In her minds eye she could see intricate patterns in the mixture of blood and water, and as she watched it, her emotions faded.
She watched the giant squid as it came to the surface, as though sensing that someone was watching for it. Harry loved the giant squid, and she loved watching it when she had things on her mind. For some reason watching the squid filled her with memories of the past, both happy and sad. But she liked to remember, well most things she liked to remember. Memories after all were what keep you company at the dead of night, when the people you want most are in your mind, you know that you are never alone.
Unknown to her a shadowed figure watched her from the trees. He had seen the young girl cut herself, and now he stood and watched her as she bathed the cut. He wondered if he should approach her, but knew better. There would be a better time, a better place. She would need to learn to trust him first. He decided to watch her until she returned to the castle, knowing that she was vulnerable being out on her own.
He was caught off guard by the emotions that flooded him about her. He always tried to avoid emotional attachment, but Miss Potter was different. He felt a duty to her, and he also felt that when with her, new emotions that he had only felt a long time ago were stirred. He puzzled over this dilemma as he watched her, checking that she would not try anything stupid, and watching to see if anyone else had seen or could see her.
Harry stayed by the lake for about an hour. She skimmed stones out across the lake, and watched the squid until she finally realised that she had been gone a while, and that given her manor when she had left, her protectors may be concerned, and that possibly she owed them an apology.
She got to her feet reluctantly, threw the cloak back over her, and headed towards the castle. She carefully made her way to the portrait of the fat lady. 'Aladdin's cave' Harry mumbled. The portrait swung open and Harry walked through. The common room was empty with the exception of a few third years. Harry walked over to the stairs that led to the girl dormitories and on reaching the staircase, entered her room.
She looked around, hoping she was alone. No such luck. A large black dog was sat on her bed; it's tongue lolling out its mouth.
"Go away Sirius. I don't want to talk to you!" he pushed him off the bed. Sirius looked at her with puppy eyes and whimpered. "Puppy eyes are not going to work Sirius." She looked into his eyes again, hey were a soft brown colour. She felt her heart melt as he cocked his head to one side. She smiled and affectionately scratched him behind his ears. He wagged his tail and barked, acting like a young puppy.
"I am forgiven then," Sirius said, transforming back into his human form.
"No, Snuffles is forgiven." She smiled and started to walk away from him. He grabbed her round the waist and spun her around, and she fell into his arm. He tilted her head up so their eyes met and he pushed her hair off her face.
"I'm sorry Harry. I didn't want to sit there and watch, but it would have made things worse if I'd got involved. Remus was practically restraining me! You're my Godchild Harry. It was so hard to watch you go through that. I'm so proud of you though; your parents would be too. Especially James."
Harry looked into his eyes and smiled, the thought of her parents being proud of her made her feel warm and content inside.
"Um, Harry, Dumbledore asked me to tell you that he will be announcing your true identity tonight. He wishes for you to be there"
"Ok" she said. "How long have I got to get ready?"
"Half an hour. Dumbledore will come and get you when it's time." Sirius transformed back into his animagus form and let Harry give him a quick pet before he headed for the door. He jumped on the door handle to open it, and he let his long bushy tail close the door behind him.
Harry took a quick shower, reappearing ten minutes later with her hair wrapped in a towel. She was wearing the same clothes as earlier, minus the black top. She walked over to her mirror and looked in it, unwrapping the towel from her head. She picked up a brush and ran it through her hair. It felt weird to brush long, sleek hair, as she was so used to the short, untidy hair that she used to have. Dumbledore appeared suddenly behind where she was stood, and she smiled at his reflection.
"Are you ok child? You look troubled."
"It has to be tonight doesn't it?" Harry asked, unable to hide the fear in her eyes from her oldest mentor.
He looked down at her and smiled, his blue eyes reflecting his honesty. "Yes Harry, they need to know as soon as they can. For united we are strong, and part of unity is there being no big secrets." He watched Harry play with her hair uncomfortably for a moment, as she tried to find a suitable style. "Let me help" he said, and with a flick of his wand her hair twisted itself into gentle curls, showing off the shape of her face.
Harry took a satisfied look in the mirror, and zipped up her boots. She looked self-consciously at her reflection. "Harry, relax. You may not realise it but you are very pretty. Enjoy being the way that nature intended for you to appear, and make the most of what nature has given you." Dumbledore held out his arm, offering for her to take it. She accepted it, smiling as she linked hers around his.
"I expect the Order Of The Phoenix know about me by now?"
"I thought it best they found out, as soon there will be numerous owls informing parents and friends about this revelation." Dumbledore looked at Harry, searching to check that she could take what he had to say. "That means the Death Eaters and Voldermort will know too. And I doubt Voldermort will be happy that you are indeed a witch." Harry regarded Dumbledore and nodded.
"What happens happens."
They walked to the great hall in silence. Each enjoying the others company. Dumbledore enjoyed seeing Lily and James' daughter in the way that she was meant to be, and was as proud of her as though she was his child. Harry enjoyed being in the presence of such a powerful wizard.
Harry was left at the doors to the Great Hall, waiting for Dumbledore to introduce her to her classmates.
In the Great Hall, Dumbledore stood in front his seat. He tapped his goblet with a knife, waiting for the Great Hall to fall silent. It was almost eerie as they did, as the sky of the Great Hall showed a clear and starry night, with a bright half moon. Everyone looked at Dumbledore, and as the last person fell silent Dumbledore began.
"I have an announcement to make about a fellow student." Ron looked at Hermione as a ripple of murmured conversation spread through the room. Several wondered if someone had been killed, others wondered if someone had been expelled. As the hall fell silent Dumbledore continued again. "As I reminded you at the welcoming feast only a few days ago, Voldermort has returned to power, and it is only a matter of time before the horrors that once were will return again. It is not that we look for hope. And hope we have. Here is one witch who has the potential to defeat Voldermort. And now the time has come for her true identity to be revealed. She has been disguised as a boy for her protection, and now I would like you to show support to Harry Potter." With that he raised his goblet. As she entered the room, heads turned, and more goblets were raised.
As she sat down at the Gryfindor table, there were many different reactions. A few of the boys wolf whistled, cheers, hollers, and cries of shock were mixed, along with the stunned silence that said more than words could.
Dumbledore looked over at her, his eyes twinkling with the smile that played across his lips. She hoped Sirius was there, and as she looked around, she could see him sat by Remus' feet, an almost smile could be seen on his dog features. Professor McGonagall looked at Harry over her glasses, and nodded her head. Snape's eyes kept a watchful eye on her, and she wondered how he felt, as his face remained its normal impassive look.
As she tucked in to the food that had appeared before her she was being asked more questions then she knew how to answer. People came over to her, talking to her and asking her questions, about past, present and future. She was amazed by the acceptance of everyone, and more so by the acceptance of some of the Slytherin. She knew they weren't all like Malfoy and his friends, but it still surprised her.
After the feast she went upstairs and stayed in the Gryfindor common room. Lee Jordan and his friends had decided it was an excuse for a party, and had been to the kitchens and returned with plenty of food. No one tried to stop the party, as it was a cause to celebrate. They had new hope in dark times, and what better way to celebrate then with a party. Just as Harry started up towards her room, Hermione caught up with her.
"Harry wait!" Harry turned around to face Hermione. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was just shocked, and I guess I was scared of losing Ron. I would hate to lose you too. We still mates?" Harry looked at Hermione shocked for a moment then smiled at her.
"Of course were mates. Just next time can you just hex me into the next century, because man do your slaps hurt."
Harry found the door to her room and muttered her password. She had been told to change her password on a regular basis, and Dumbledore had charmed her door. Her fireplace was connected to Remus', Snape's and Dumbledore' should she ever need her protectors, and Sirius was staying with Remus.
Hermione followed Harry into her room and sat on the bed. Harry shut her door, and sat down beside Hermione. They started to talk about girly things, and Harry was soon receiving a make over. Hermione gave Harry some make up, and helped her to apply it. Harry chose all natural colours, as she wasn't use to make up, and didn't want to appear slutty. Hermione showed Harry how to plait her hair, and how to put it into a ponytail. After a bit of practise Harry got the hang of it, and was able to successfully put her hair up. When Hermione left the room a few hours later, Harry fell back onto her bed, content that she still had both her best friends.
Something inside her stirred, and she tried to place it as she fell asleep.
She had been asleep a few hours when the dream began. It started slowly and hazy at first, and Harry was not bothered by the dream. Then it began.
Her mother was stood playing with Harry. She would tickle her toes, and Harry would gurgle, making her mum smile. James had come and stood beside Lily, and kissed her as Harry gurgled again. Harry reached out for a large soft toy, a stag. Pwongs it had been called, as she reached out for it. James took his wand and levitated Pwongs over to Harry, and she cuddled it smiling. James then gave Harry his wand, knowing the child was too young to perform magic. "Say Abracadabra" Lily said, and Harry would gurgle and try and say it. This would make Lily smile, as a muggle-born this was a phrase she had heard so often as a child. Harry reached for Pwongs again and hugged it, letting go of the wand. James kissed Lily again and she smiled.
Then there was an almighty crash. Lily's face suddenly looked worried, and James grabbed his wand from beside his daughter, concealing Harry back into a boy. There was another crash and the whole house shook as a manic laugh was heard. James rushed to the door.
"Lily run. I'll hold him off." James' voice sounded desperate.
"No, I wont leave you here to die!" Lily picked Harry up in her arms, as the child began to cry.
The dream flashed, and she was on the floor, her dead mothers arms still around her. She was holding Pwongs and two piercing red eyes were staring at her.

Harry awoke with a scream and her scar burning. She was sweating but was freezing cold. She felt alone, and longed for the comfort of her Godfather. She went to the fire and flooed to Remus' room. As she stepped out the flames she realised that both he & Remus were sound asleep, and that it would be unfair to disturb them. Sighing she flooed back to her room.
As she lay on her room she stared around. Inside her feelings of loneliness and fear started to take over, as she looked around in darkness for a glimmer of hope.
She felt her scar start to prickle with intense pain again, and she quickly got up and ran to the fire. She ran over to the fire, threw floo powder onto the flames, thrust her head into the flames and cried 'Snape's Office' Her head spun but the rest of her remained firm on the ground, and when she stopped spinning she saw Snape pacing the floor of his office. "Snape, help me!" Snape's head immediately snapped round to look at the fireplace. Seeing Harry's pale, fear stricken face, he knelt next to the fireplace. But as he knelt, the flames flickered and she was gone.
He immediately flooed to her room, praying to whatever God would listen that she was ok. When he landed in her room he looked around in the darkness. As his eyes swept the far corner of the room, he saw Harry crouched, arms hugging her legs. Her eyes were tiny and white and he could see her chest rising and falling with quick erratic breaths.
His arm burnt stronger again, and he automatically reached for it. As he did so, Harry screwed her face up in pain.
"Miss Potter...Harry, it's ok. I'm going to help you onto your bed ok?" Harry nodded and Snape helped her to her feet, walking her over to her bed. She lay down on it trembling.
"He knows Professor. I had a dream, he knows I'm a girl and he's angry." She looked at Snape with fearful eyes.
"I know Harry, he tried to summon me. The mark has never burnt with this anger or intensity for a long time." Harry whimpered in pain again, as her scar burnt.
Snape brushed Harry's hair back off her face revealing her scar. It was as red as though it had happened recently, not one she had carried for 16 years.
Snape suddenly felt the pain in his arm reduce. He knew that he needed to help Harry before Voldermort had chance to call him again. He pulled his wand out, and cast a sleeping spell over Harry. Her eyes started to close and Snape smiled as she relaxed as she fell into a dreamless sleep. He settled himself in an armchair near her bed, knowing she should not be left alone.

A/N Sorry this took me so long to upload, I've been really busy, and this chapter is 10 pages on word. I'm afraid that this story is now at the bottom of my priorities as it is taking my focus off God, and I need to focus more on him. I will write, but God is waaaaaay more important. Ok?