Chapter Thirteen
An Issue of Trust
ONE
"Sirius, don't be like that," Harry pleaded with his godfather. "Professor Snape isn't a bad person. He's taken good care of me."
"Yes, and you're well now," Sirius snapped. "You don't need to stay with him any longer."
"I still have visions sometimes, Sirius," Harry reasoned. "I'm not totally proficient at Occlumency yet and it's safer for me if I'm near help when something happens."
"His intentions toward you-" Sirius began.
"Are completely professional," Harry interrupted. "He has a boyfriend."
"A Vent, you mean! What's to keep him from turning you into a slave as well?"
"Honor," Harry replied calmly. "He's not a bad man, despite what you think. He's helped me when he didn't have to. He saved my life, Sirius!"
"Fine, but I'm checking up on you. I'll be damned if I leave you in the mercy of that psychotic Death Eater."
"He's not psychotic, Sirius," Harry said tiredly. "I don't want to fight about this. Check up on me all you like. I have to go pack." Harry stood from his seat at the dining table and crept up the stairs to his and Ron's room. He packed his things away and sat on his bed, thinking about Sirius. He wondered why Sirius hated Professor Snape so much, but he could not think of a decent reason for any of it. They were returning to Hogwarts by Portkey in a half hour and Harry wanted to be in a relaxed mood when he arrived.
Sirius gave Harry a tight hug and said they would see each other soon. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny grabbed the rusty tin that served as the Portkey and were soon standing in Dumbledore's office.
"I trust you all had an enjoyable holiday," Dumbledore said when they arrived.
"Yes, sir," Harry replied. "But why did we have to return early?"
"It's more convenient this way. All those crowds at the station are oppressive, don't you agree?"
Harry had a feeling that Dumbledore was not being entirely truthful, but knew better than to ask.
"Why don't you all head back to your dormitories now?" Dumbledore asked. The small group of Gryffindors departed without comment.
"We'll see you guys back at the common room," Fred said with a grin.
"Yeah, we have things to do," George added and the twins set off down the hall.
Hermione shook her head but didn't say anything.
"What do you think is the real reason for bringing us back early?" Ron asked when they reached the hallway.
"Probably safety reasons," Hermione said. "The Death Eaters are probably looking for you, Harry."
"It wouldn't surprise me," Harry replied. "Voldemort really has a stick up his ass about killing me."
"Mr. Potter," said a sickly sweet voice behind them.
Harry cringed and then turned around. "Hello, Professor Umbridge," he replied with forced cheer.
"Ten points from Gryffindor for foul language, and another week's detention for telling vicious lies. Now, why don't you go on to your common room?" She smiled as she moved passed them and Harry thought he might be sick.
"Ooo, I hate that woman," Hermione whispered.
"Leave it, Hermione," Harry replied. "It's what she wants." They reached the main stairs. "I'll see you guys at lunch." Harry moved down the stairs to the dungeons silently, hoping he wouldn't see Umbridge again. As he opened the door to Professor Snape's quarters, he got a surprise that wasn't as disturbing as he thought it should be.
Snape's muscles were rippling under smooth skin made imperfect by white scars crisscrossing his back as his arms moved over his head. He was in the process of pulling a black tee shirt off over his head. The muscles were flexing as Snape moved and the skin was sliding effortlessly over the well-toned shoulders. Harry caught himself staring and cleared his throat.
Professor Snape turned around, offering Harry a good view of a well-toned abdomen and strong pectorals. "You're back early, Harry."
"Erm, didn't Professor Dumbledore tell you that I would be back today?" Harry asked, pretending he hadn't just been ogling his Potions Master.
"Albus… excuse me, Professor Dumbledore has a tendency to keep me in the dark when it comes to you. I'm going to change." Picking up his robe, he moved into his bedroom and closed the door.
Harry sat on the couch and noticed the journal he had given Professor Snape on the coffee table. As Harry stared at it, he thought about what he'd just seen and felt disturbed. He found Professor Snape attractive, and what was more, he found the scars endearing. Those scars spoke volumes for Snape's bravery and self-sacrifices. He wasn't handsome by any means, but Harry found the sex appeal to be undeniable.
The door to the bedroom opened and Snape emerged wearing his usual fitted under-robes. "That's much better," he said, sitting next to Harry and picking up the journal. He opened it and flipped passed a few pages.
"Why were you in Muggle clothes, sir?"
"I had to go into London today," Snape replied, picking up his quill. "I hate that constricting Muggle garb, which is why I hate going to London."
"Why were you in London?"
"Oh, I just needed to buy a few things. So, how was the rest of your holiday?"
Harry ignored the change of subject and answered as though he didn't notice. "It was all right," he said, shrugging. "Sirius doesn't like the idea of me staying with you."
Snape snorted disdainfully. "That mutt doesn't like anything to do with me."
"Don't call him that. Old habits die hard, you know. It'll take time for him to trust you."
"Like that will happen! I can see it now, he'll fire-call me and we'll be best-friends."
"No need to be nasty. All I mean is that people grow up. You'll never be friends, but you could try to be cordial to each other as colleagues. I know you don't like him, but things would run smoother if you could be in the same room without getting into a brawl."
"Are you practicing on your lecture for your defense class?" Snape asked with a raised brow.
Harry blushed a bit. "Whatever. Do what you want then." They lapsed into silence, the only sounds in the room were the crackling of the fire and the occasional scratching of Snape's quill.
"I want you to avoid Umbridge outside of classes," Snape said after a few minutes of silence. "She's been looking for reasons to punish you since Christmas."
"Now he tells me," Harry muttered.
"Meaning?" Snape asked, looking up from his journal.
"She gave me a detention on my way down here from Professor Dumbledore's office. I'm so giddy, another week of her absolutely delightful company."
"And what was her excuse?"
"She overheard Hermione and me talking about Vol… er… You-Know-Who."
"Perhaps you should be more careful about where such conversations take place."
"How was I supposed to know she was lurking in the shadows?"
"You should always anticipate being overheard. Learn to guard your information more closely."
Harry sighed and nodded. "I guess you're right. I'll try to remember."
"No. There is no 'try'. There is only 'do' or 'do not'. Do not try, because then you have already failed. Guard your words as though they meant your very life, for they might one day."
"Yes, sir," Harry said, feeling chastised. "I'll remember."
"Be sure that you do." Snape turned his attention to his journal again as Harry rose and moved into his own common room.
TWO
The next day, the rest of the student body returned from their holiday. Malfoy went straight to where Harry, Ron, and Hermione were sitting for dinner.
"Meet me tonight," he said. "At midnight in the east tower. No one uses that one."
"We'll be there, Malfoy," Hermione replied. "You'd better not be wasting our time."
"I'll make it worth your while, Granger. Just make sure you show." With that, he walked to the Slytherin table.
"He'd better not be trying to trick us," Ron said, looking toward the Slytherins distastefully. "That stupid sod gets on my nerves."
"Ronald Weasley! Watch your mouth!"
"What?" Ron asked. "He is a sod, Hermione. You can't deny it."
"That's not the point, Ron. Just because you-"
"Would you both please stop? I'm not in the mood to listen to this right now."
Hermione and Ron glared at Harry silently.
"Oh, don't look so affronted. All you guys ever do is bicker. Frankly, I'm tired of listening to it. The two of you should just snog, realize you're not good together and get it over with. As for me, I'm going to bed. Good night." He got up from the table and left Ron and Hermione staring after him.
About five minutes after Harry had arrived at Professor Snape's quarters, said Potions Master arrived looking amused.
"What's funny?" Harry asked, looking up from the Defense book he was reading.
"Your friends were bickering in the halls. Mr. Weasley seemed to think that Miss Granger wanted to kiss him. It was very entertaining."
"Oops, my bad."
"Ah, so you made that suggestion."
"I was tired of their fighting. If they would just get it over with they'd get along better."
Snape poured himself a brandy and sat in front of the fire. "Is the sexual tension between them unbearable then?"
"Here's the trouble. Ron thinks he likes Hermione because she's the only girl besides his little sister with whom he has ever felt comfortable. Hermione knows Ron likes her, but she pretends not to notice because she doesn't like him. Every time they're together they fight, and I'm tired of listening to it. If they'd just kiss and get it over with, Ron would realize that Hermione is like a sister and the fighting would stop. At least, that's my theory. I told them as much. I guess it didn't go over too well."
Professor Snape chuckled and took a sip of his drink. "Ah, the drama of adolescence."
"Speaking of drama, Malfoy wants to meet with us tonight at midnight."
"Where?"
"The east tower. He says he'll make it 'worth our while,' whatever that means."
"If you would be so kind and lend me your invisibility cloak, I will accompany you to this meeting."
"That sounds acceptable."
"Just don't expect me to be so lenient about these late night wanderings in the future."
Harry chuckled. "Of course not, sir." With that, Harry went back to reading his book and Professor Snape got lost in his own thoughts.
THREE
Severus and Harry arrived at the tower ten minutes early. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger were already there along with Miss Brown, both Patil twins, Miss Chang, Miss Edgecombe, Miss Lovegood, Miss Bell, Miss Spinnet, Miss Johnson, both Creevey brothers, Mr. Macmillan, Mr. Finch-Fletchley, Miss Abbot, Miss Bones, Mr. Goldstein, Mr. Corner, Mr. Boot, Miss Weasley, Mr. Jordan, both Weasley twins, and Mr. Smith. It seemed that word about the class had spread.
"Er, Hermione," Harry said, casting his eyes around the room. "Can I talk to you a minute?"
"What's up, Harry?" she asked with a smile.
"Why are there so many people here?" Harry asked, sounding slightly panicked. Severus repressed a snort of amusement.
"There's safety in numbers, Harry," Miss Granger replied, still smiling. "These are all people who would like to learn and who we thought we could trust. That, and Malfoy wouldn't try anything in a room full of armed witches and wizards."
'Good girl,' Severus thought. 'At least one of Harry's friends has a brain.'
"I haven't even officially agreed to teach this class yet!" Harry whispered.
'Occlumency, Harry,' Severus thought at Harry as though Harry could hear him. 'Use your Occlumency.'
As if he had heard Severus, Harry took a deep breath and calmed himself. "Okay, let's just wait for Malfoy to get here," he said, gently pushing Miss Granger back to the crowd of students. As they waited, they discussed what they should call their little group and decided on Dumbledore's Defense League.
'I could have assigned two dozen detentions tonight,' Severus thought, looking around the tower room. 'Ah, if only I hadn't promised to help Harry with this.'
After a few minutes, the door opened and Draco entered. He raised an eyebrow when he saw the gathering, but that was his only visible reaction.
"Good evening, Malfoy," Harry said cordially from his spot by the window. "It's so of good you to join us."
"I came here to talk to Gryffindor's Golden Trio," Draco drawled. "Not the whole bloody school."
"Ah, yes," Harry replied in a business-like tone. "As to that, these are the people with whom we shall be working. It saves time for everyone to hear the information at the same time."
"I didn't agree to this," Draco said. To Severus, Draco sounded a bit miffed, but Severus doubted anyone else noticed.
"Well, if it makes you feel better, neither did I," Harry shrugged. "But since they're all here, we may as well make the best of things, don't you agree? Now, why don't you tell us why you invited us to this little party?"
Draco cheeks tinged a little pink, but he answered nonetheless. "You wanted to teach… these people, I assume, how to defend themselves against Dark Arts. I thought that your job would be easier if they all had an idea what they were up against. The trouble with Hogwarts' curriculum is that they expect you to learn how to defend against something you know nothing about. Now that problem has been compounded by an incompetent teacher, thus the necessity for this little club. Surely even you can appreciate the dire situation in which we all find ourselves?"
"You know, Malfoy," Miss Granger said amicably. "This would go a lot smoother if you kept the insults down to a minimum." She smiled brightly at Draco.
Draco sneered at her but said nothing.
"Tell us why we should trust you, Malfoy," Mr. Weasley said. "How do we know you won't just run to Snape or Umbridge after you leave this meeting?"
"I think that would be detrimental to my health," Draco replied coldly. "I've given my word that I won't tell. That should be enough."
"Your word doesn't mean spit to us, Malfoy," Miss Johnson said heatedly.
"It should. A Slytherin never goes back on his word."
"I think I trust that," Harry said before anyone could protest. "You realize, of course, that you and I will have to work together in order for this little group to work. I hope you don't have a problem with that."
"I know that, Potter," Draco snapped.
"Well," Miss Granger said, producing a parchment, ink and a quill from her pocket. She wrote the name they had decided on at the top. "Now that that's taken care of, I think we should all sign here to make it official."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Mr. Smith asked scathingly. "What if a teacher finds it?" Again, Severus had to repress a snort.
"Do you really think I'd just leave this laying around?" Miss Granger asked with a dismissive wave. "Either you sign it, or you're out. No exceptions." Miss Granger signed it and passed it to Harry, who did the same and passed it on. Some students hesitated, but in the end, all of their names were added to the roster.
"Welcome everyone," Harry said with a smile. "To Dumbledore's Defense League. This brings the first meeting of the D.D.L. to a close. We'll all leave in two's and three's as soon as I've made sure that the coast is clear." He pulled a battered old parchment from his pocket and gazed at it. "All right, it's clear for the first pair." Slowly, the students filed out of the room until only the trio and Draco remained.
"Come on, Harry," Mr. Weasley said, looking at Draco with loathing.
"You and Hermione go ahead," Harry replied. "I'll walk with Malfoy."
Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger exchanged a worried look.
"It's okay, guys. I need to talk to him at any rate."
"All right, Harry," Miss Granger said. "Remember, Malfoy, we know you were the last one with him tonight."
Draco glared at her but said nothing. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger left hesitantly and Harry held the door for Draco to leave first. Severus slipped out behind Draco and the three began the long trek to the dungeons.
"What do we have to talk about, Potter?" Draco asked after a moment.
"I'm curious to know what your motives are for this," Harry replied. Draco turned to look at him, but Harry pretended not to notice. "You just suddenly decided that you were on the wrong side of this war? I find that difficult to believe."
"You don't know what a person has to go through to become a Death Eater," Draco said softly. "I'm tired of my father's tyranny and the Dark Lord's sadistic banter. I'd like for the side where I'll be free to win this war. I do not fancy being the Dark Lord's slave for the rest of my life."
"Completely selfish reasons," Harry commented. "Which is more believable than if you had said you felt sorry for the innocent victims. I wouldn't expect any such thing from you."
"How sweet," Draco said dryly.
"I've spoken for you, Malfoy," Harry stopped right in front of the Slytherin entrance. "I've asked them to trust you. They do so because they trust me. If you go back on your word, you make me look bad. Don't think you could get away with it. I am not as kind and patient as everyone likes to believe."
"Are you threatening me, Potter?"
"Yes," Harry replied, causing Draco's eyes to become very round in the dark. "And don't think for a moment that I'm bluffing. It would be the last mistake you ever made."
"I don't believe this!" Draco exclaimed. "I've switched sides and all I get for my trouble is threats and dirty looks!"
"Don't sound so surprised. You should have seen this coming. I have no reason to trust you and you know it. I'll decide on a time and place for us to get together and discuss our teaching schedule. We have a lot to do and not much time in which to do it."
"You should be grateful I've decided to help you," Draco spat.
"I'm grateful for the extra help, but it's not like I couldn't have gotten it elsewhere. As it is, it's not an issue of gratitude. It is an issue of trust, or lack there of, and the truth is that I don't trust you. A person has to earn trust and respect. When you give me a reason to trust you, then we'll talk again. Good night, Malfoy. I'll let you know when we should meet."
Draco stared at Harry silently for a moment before giving a curt nod. He whispered the password and disappeared into the Slytherin common room. Harry turned and walked farther down the hall as Severus removed the invisibility cloak.
"How did you know where the Slytherin commons are?" Severus asked curiously.
"That, my dear Professor Snape, is a story for another night," Harry replied with a smile.
FOUR
Hermione was sitting in the library, studying Arithmancy, and chewing the end of her quill when Malfoy sat across from her and started staring at her.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" she asked after a moment.
"I need a favor," Malfoy replied.
Hermione put down her quill, folded her hands on top of her book and fixed Malfoy with a piercing stare. "I'm listening."
"I know plenty about the Dark Arts, but I'm not much of a teacher. I was wondering if you'd help me put together my lesson plan."
"You should have thought of that before you offered to teach. What would you have me do?"
Malfoy produced a parchment from his pocket and passed it across the table to Hermione. Hermione began to read.
The Dark Arts
As seen by Draco Malfoy
"You have nice hand writing," Hermione commented absently.
'Magic originated in ancient civilizations where the wizards did their magicks without the aid of a wand. The first people to use wands were the Druids in the British Isles. With the invention of the wand, the capabilities of wizards were increased ten-fold.'
"This reads like a textbook. We already know this from Binns' classes. Your purpose is to explain what makes Dark Arts dark. We don't need a history lesson from you."
"So what do you suggest?" Malfoy asked, sounding irritated.
"Something more along the lines of 'the classification that designates certain magics as "dark" is usually the intent of the caster,' or something similar. We know that Avada Kedavra is dark. What your going to do is explain what's behind it that makes it so. You remember in fourth year when the fake Moody showed us the Unforgivables? He said we could all aim at him and say the words, and he wouldn't get so much as a nose bleed. Your job is to tell us why that is."
Malfoy tapped his finger on his chin as he thought this over. "You think I should re-write it?"
"Truthfully?"
"Yes."
Hermione balled up the parchment and flicked it across the table, hitting Malfoy in the chest. "I think you should just wing it."
Malfoy raised his eyebrows. "Wing it? You don't think I should have a prepared lecture?"
"Not if you want to keep everyone's attention. No, you should go in with a basic idea of what you and Harry are going to do and work from there. Lectures are boring. If you wing it, you won't be lacking in spontaneity."
"Wing it?"
"Wing it."
"All righty then. Wing it." Malfoy stood up and walked away with a mumbled 'thanks'. Hermione watched him leave, wondering, not for the first time, what planet he was visiting from. As she was still looking toward the door through which Malfoy had disappeared, Ron sat down at her table.
"Hey, Hermione," he said.
"Hey," Hermione replied, turning to look at him. "What's the matter?"
"Do you remember the other day at dinner? What Harry said?"
"I remember."
"Do you reckon Harry was right?"
"Right about what?"
"About us not being good together?"
"Oh, that. Frankly, Ron, I think he was. We make better friends than anything else."
Ron seemed to look relieved. "Phew. I was thinking the same thing. I was afraid you'd be mad at me."
Hermione smiled brightly. "No, I'm not mad. Thanks for asking me, Ron, instead of just assuming."
"No problem," Ron replied. A silence descended upon them; soon Hermione was studying again and Ron excused himself to practice some Quidditch. He'd been using Harry's Firebolt since Harry wasn't on the team this year.
Hermione absorbed herself into her Arithmancy work and put all of her other concerns out of her head. She didn't notice the boy watching her from the shadows with a slight scowl on his pointed face. She didn't notice him step into the light, sneering as she left the library to go to bed.
"You're not supposed to be worthy," he said angrily. "You're a Mudblood, goddamn it! You're supposed to be inferior! I'll show you. You won't win out over me again." With that, he turned and walked back down to the dungeons.
Author's Note: Thanks to Victoria Ennis for her hard work on this chapter. Thanks also to…
Volume
Sliver of Melody
LeeLeePotter: I figured I'd keep Harry a bit self-sacrificing. He just doesn't want Snape to worry.
Sh'arra Rie: You're most welcome, m'dear
GD
Shiemi Shimabukuro: We'll see about Jason, love. Can't give away my plot, now can I?
Ktoddhim: I'll just send you another email. Do try not to delete it this time, hm? Hehehehehehehe
JD
Rosiegirl
CogniDi: Harry is doing his best with his Occlumency, but don't worry overmuch. He's still got his emotions in there, as we shall see later on.
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