Darkness. Pain. Freezing.
A tense breath echoed through the overbearing silence of the shadowed room. Harry whimpered as he curled into a tighter ball, taking comfort in himself.
"Why?" He choked. "Why did he do this?"
There was a slight creak as the door to the room opened. Harry flinched and closed his eyes against another attack.
He's come back. He thought frantically. He's going to do it again, he's going to hurt me.
"Please no." He whimpered.
Cool hands, gentle, touching, touching the hurt spots, soothing.
Harry's scattered mind could only recognize these minute things, but they were enough. All he understood was that someone was touching him.
Touching, he found, was bad.
Harry's eyes widened in fear, his pupils were so dilated that only a thin line of green could be seen. His threw his body into action and forcibly shoved away the offending presence.
"Don't touch me!" He screamed, eyes wide and unseeing, relying only on his instinct of fear.
"Harry, listen to me, I'm going to help you." The voice soothed gently. "Let me help you."
"No." Harry shook his head, tears falling and blurring his already hindered vision. "Don't do it again, don't touch me again."
A soft sigh brushed against Harry hearing and he wrapped his arms around his torso in fear.
"Please no more." He hiccupped.
"Damn him." The man cursed. "Harry you must listen to my voice and come with me. I will not hurt you."
The broken child stared at the man, the shadows hid his face but a comforting feeling was radiating from his presence. He nodded slowly and reached out his hand.
"Please, don't let him hurt me again." He whispered as he was pulled into an embrace, tensing at first but then relaxing.
"He won't come near you Harry." The voice said sadly, taking pity on the trampled spirit the Gryffindor once held. "I promise."
"Twenty points from Gryffindor Mr. Potter! Apparently you find my class dull enough to fall asleep and not pay attention!" Snape scowled. "Stay after class and I shall decide on your punishment."
Harry blinked back to consciousness and blurrily glanced around the room. He groaned silently as he realized he had gotten lost in his memories again.
"Hey mate, are you alright?" Rom nudged him from his side. "You seem out of it today."
Harry smiled wanly. "I'm fine Ron, just a little tired." He assured.
"You're not having nightmares again are you?" The redhead questioned fearfully.
Harry laughed softly. "No, I'm not having nightmares, just having trouble getting to sleep."
"You should ask Madam Pomfrey about taking dreamless sleep potion." Hermione mentioned as she continued writing down the notes appearing on the board. "I'm sure if you speak with Dumbledore he will agree."
"I'll see about that." Harry nodded.
He looked back toward the front and watched as Snape continued pointing toward the board and giving instructions for their potion assignment. He allowed his eyes to wander and found himself on the receiving end of an angry glare.
Shit, what does Malfoy want now. He narrowed his eyes and returned to harsh look.
The Slytherin smirked and glanced away, throwing his arm around Pansy who was sitting at his side.
Harry felt his insides clench with disgust. He didn't care if he was with Pansy, Malfoy's little show wasn't going to make him jealous in the least.
He angrily looked away toward the front and began to pay rapt attention to the lesson of the day.
"Class is dismissed, bring up your finished product and place it on my desk." Snape instructed. "Potter, stay a moment."
Harry sighed as he gathered his supplies together. I knew today was going to be bad. He waited until everyone had left and then proceeded toward the front.
"Yes Professor?" He asked dully.
"Are you alright?"
Harry relaxed minutely and nodded. "I'm fine." He murmured.
"Are the rumors true then?" Snape raised a brow.
"Sev." Harry whined. "Do we have to talk about that of all things?"
Severus frowned at the slip of name and nodded. "Yes we do if it's true." He glanced toward the door and quickly cast a silencing spell.
Harry smirked. "A bit protective aren't we?"
Severus scowled. "Harry, I need to know the truth, you could be in danger if the wrong people find out about this." He warned.
"I think it's a bit late for that." Harry's expression turned grim. "The entire wizarding world knows now."
"So it is true." Severus breathed. "What are you going to do about it?"
Harry shrugged. "I don't really have a choice, I don't want to keep it, but then again I don't want the wizarding world to think of me as a killer."
"Has Albus spoken to you yet?"
"No, but I know he'll call me in soon." Harry rubbed his head ruefully. "I was kind of hoping this would all blow over."
"You're the Boy Who Lived." Severus snorted. "This will be the subject of talk for a while yet."
"I know." Harry sighed. "Well, I better be going, don't want to be late for Transfiguration."
"Of course not Mr. Potter. And by the way, you will be serving detention with me tonight at seven." Severus informed.
Harry nodded with a small smile. "Alright, see you then Professor."
He stepped out of the classroom and closed the door behind him. He waited a moment to gather his thoughts and turned, suddenly finding himself faced with the point of a wand.