A/N: Am currently listening to Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne but the song has no relation whatsoever to this chapter's topic so, forget that… Hehehe… Anyways, onto chapter Sais… R&R people!
Chapter 6: Bridgework Clinic
"What – why?" was all Harry could say. He could not avert his eyes from Rose's pleading ones.
"It's… a kinda… 'mergency, Harry," Rose replied, regaining her nasty demeanor. "Just anythin' ya know. How's he when he was at Hogwarts? He was you' teacher, wasn't he?" She sat back down, and Harry joined her.
"Well, he wasn't nice," Harry began. "He… I think everyone can agree that he loved to torment students, except those from Slytherin. He especially loved to make my life miserable – "
"Your life? Mis'rable?" repeated Rose.
"Yeah, well, he hated my father when they were still at school, so he hates me as well," replied Harry.
"Why does'e hate you' fa – " Rose halted midsentence. "Of course…" she breathed. "Of course he would…"
Harry was not able to take anymore. He had to ask. "May I know why you're asking me these questions?" Harry asked bravely. "Is there any problem, Rose?" Rose shook her head rather disorientedly.
"Nothin'," she replied.
"Listen, I just want to know why you're asking about Snape. Have you even met him – "
"Severus is my godfather."
Great. Just great. He had insulted Snape in front of his goddaughter. But everything I said was just the truth, Harry defended himself. Still, it was reckless of you to speak like that.
"G – godfather?" Harry blinked. Rose nodded expressionlessly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to – I didn't know – He was – "
"Am not holdin' it against ya that ya spoke like that 'bout'im. Trust me, am glad. Damn him. Damn the day he became my godfather. Hope he'd – "
"Rose?" Harry interrupted, for Rose was now speaking angrily, her voice shaking because of the anger she felt and also because of the tears she was trying to fight back. When Harry cut her off, tears flowed down her cheeks.
"I hate him…" was all Rose said over and over again as she cried in Harry's arms.
Harry ran a hand down Rose's hair and back again, and his other hand squeezed her shoulder tightly, trying to comfort the girl. He waited for the right time to ask just what Rose was crying about. Apparently, Rose hated Snape for some unknown reason. What had Snape done to her?
Then it hit Harry. Perhaps, it was Dumbledore's death. Perhaps Rose had been fully convinced that Snape was on Dumbledore's side, on the good side. And then, he slew off Dumbledore. Who wouldn't get angry?
"Am sorry…" said Rose, straightening up. "I soaked you' robes," she said with a forced laugh.
"It's fine," Harry smiled back. He looked Rose in the eye. Her tears had stopped flowing, but her cheeks were still wet.
"Sorry to bother ya with this, I know it's nonsense to ya," said Rose, starting to get up, but Harry placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I don't know what you want to talk about, or if you want to talk to me about this," Harry started hesitantly. "But if you need to talk… I'm just… here, I guess."
Harry saw Rose's first true smile at him. It was not a smirk, a grin, or anything near to what she usually does when she's being her obnoxious self. For the first time, Harry saw a real innocent smile form on her lips, and Harry was glad about it.
"Thanks," she said. "We're okay, then?" she asked.
"Friends," Harry answered.
"Am gonna tell ya all 'bout it when I find the time, I can't right now. Y'know, school…" Rose smiled wider, getting up from the couch. "And… Please don't tell anybody 'bout this yet, I mean, wha'ever we talked 'bout. Though it's not much, I just don' want anybody to know 'bout this, not at the momen'."
"Yeah," Harry replied dreamily.
"Ah, hey? You've classes too, don' ya?" said Rose.
"What? Oh! Yeah, yes. Sorry."
Harry got up and followed Rose out of the common room. When they arrived at an empty corridor, Rose halted and turned to Harry.
"I think ya Hogwarts peeps've your classes there," she said, pointing to the end of the corridor ahead of them. "Am taking mah classes there," she pointed to her rightfrom whichanother corridor branched off.
"Thanks," said Harry. "Are Hogwarts and Bridgework students going to have any classes together?"
Rose groaned. "Defense 'gainst the Dark Arts, after lunch. Mah worst subject."
"Really? I mean, how come?" replied Harry.
"You'll find out when we get to the damn class."
"Okay," said Harry, unsure of what to expect at D.A.D.A. than afternoon. "See you, then."
"Harry," Rose said before turning away. "Thanks," she smiled again. Harry smiled back.
Harry entered the room at the end of the corridor and entered it. Inside was a Muggle-classroom. Harry was only slightly surprised since he had gotten used to Bridgework quite well, and knew that the place was bursting with unexpected Muggle technology. He sat down beside a grumpy-looking Ron and a haughty Hermione.
"What's up?"
"Nothing."
"She didn't let me finish my breakfast!"
"Please, Ron! It's only food!"
"It is food! You can't live without it!"
"Studying is much more important than trying to eat everything you can reach!"
"You can't study without eating, Hermione!"
"Can you two shut up?" Malfoy's voice drawled behind them. Harry turned and saw him, legs crossed and arms across his chest.
"Didn't tell you to listen, Malfoy," Harry said.
"It's just that you're talking too noisily, don't you realize that?" he snapped back. Hermione ignored him.
"So, what happened?" she whispered, leaning over at Harry. Ron saw the conversation and leaned in too.
"She – " Harry suddenly remembered his promise to Rose. "I – I can't tell you – "
"Harry!" Ron growled.
"I promised her I won't!"
"And you haven't told us who Malfoy's crush is!" Hermione suddenly remembered. This wasn't Harry's lucky day.
"Shh!" said Harry.
Just then, a door next to black board opened and in came a witch about the same age as McGonagall, though she was obviously Japanese. She was carrying four thick maroon books bearing Japanese characters for titles. She was wearing square spectacles that fell to her nose. She also wore black robes, the usual teacher attire.
"Good morning," she said in a low, snappy voice. Her accent was British. The class did not know how to respond. "I am Professor Zelda Eugene, the Bridgework Potions Master."
"Good morning, Professor Eugene," the class said in unison. Eugene's face broke into a smile.
"I know many of you are wondering why my name does not sound Japanese at all, when my features show I am," she said, placing the books down on her table. "One fact I enjoy sharing with my students is that I am pure Japanese, but I was adopted by a British couple when I was young."
She earned ooh's and ahh's from the class.
"I am also the headmistress of Bridgework," she said suddenly, so that the class stiffened from the shock.
"Your new best friend, Potter," Malfoy whispered in Harry's ear as Eugene talked on. "I mean, Dumbledore's gone so you need a new one."
Harry made to turn to Malfoy but Hermione placed a hand on her shoulder to stop him. Ron faced Malfoy instead.
"Where're your cronies, anyway? Crabbe and Goyle?"
"Why do you worry?" said Malfoy, narrowing his eyes.
"Because if they're not with you, it may only mean one thing," said Hermione.
"And what is that, Granger?" spat Malfoy.
"They've given you up to your girlfriend, Lair," Harry whispered. Hermione and Ron broke into stiffled giggles. Malfoy glared at the three. "I mean, did they fight over you? And did Lair win?"
"What!" Malfoy hissed.
"I didn't know your skull was just as thick, Malfoy," Ron said. "You see, what we're trying to imply here is that Crabbe and Goyle are gay," Ron finished with the tone of a teacher telling his kindergarten class that the color of an apple was red.
Ron suffered a minor blow in the back of the head at the end of the class, but he said it did not really hurt and that it was just the result of Malfoy's frustration to get at him right in front of the headmistress of their new school. The three of them proceeded to lunch with laughter.
Harry was astounded to see Malfoy still hanging out with Lair, after their taunt. He now wondered whether Malfoy really got into a fight with his two best friends, but he hated to think that it was because Crabbe and Goyle were gay. It was just too gross. He was happy, though, to see Malfoy still looking irritated.
Then Rose caught Harry's attention.
"Hey," Rose said, sitting beside him.
"Wh – oh!"
"Caught ya off guard there?" she said.
Harry saw Hermione staring as though sending a warning and Ron stiffling giggles once more. Harry was not able to respond.
"You all right?" said Rose, placing a hand over Harry's forehead.
Harry's eyes flicked over to Malfoy, who was glaring at him probably because Rose was touching him, before he felt suddenly cold.
"Harry?" Harry heard Rose voice inquire.
He had shut his eyes tight, willing the chilled feeling to go away. He felt Rose's hand lift from his forehead, and the cold went away. He opened his eyes and stared up confusedly at Rose, who looked just as bewildered.
"Harry, what's the matter?" Ron now approached him, placing his hand on Harry's forehead. "What the – you're burning, Harry!"
"What?" Harry managed to utter.
"I think you have to go to the hosp – is there a hospital wing here?" said Hermione.
"A clinic. At the far end o' the building. C'mon," Rose grabbed Harry's wrist and Harry felt the chill again.
The two of them walked slowly, Harry blindly following Rose's stirring hand. When she stopped walking, Harry tried to focus his eyes.
"Bridgework Clinic"A sign above a gray metal door bore.
"Seriously, what're ya feelin'?" Rose asked before he fell face forward, Rose catching him in the shoulders. He heard Rose swear under her breath before he lost consciousness, falling into the cold.
A/N: There. Hope you guys like that. Kinda fit in to my schedule. Next chapter will be on the weekend since I've got major exams coming up this week. Sorry and please bear with me! Watch out for it, all right? Don't forget to review, people!