HARRY'S NEW FRIEND
Harry woke up extremely early the next morning. Surprisingly, this nightmare was different to the other ones he had been having. It had been a strange flashback of the time he had retrieved the philosopher's stone, where, in the dream he hadn't been able to escape the end hall in which Voldemort waited. Harry guessed he would have to start using Dreamless Sleep. But where to get it?
Contemplating this, Harry managed to disentangle himself from Sirius' limbs and slip out of the four poster. He checked his watch; it was four am. Harry tiptoed towards James' bed and carefully opened his trunk. Quickly and silently, he pulled out the glossy invisibility cloak and left the Gryffindor common room. Not really knowing where he was going, Harry roamed the dark halls and corridors of the castle. His mind wandered towards Voldemort again, when he suddenly remembered the snake he had visited. As silently as he could, Harry made his way towards the Entrance Hall. Filch was still his own surly self in this time, and Harry didn't want to get caught. To Harry's great relief, Miss Norris didn't exist in his parents time.
As Harry left the castle, a rush of cold over swept him, and by the time he reached the forest, he was shivering bitterly. He made his way to the place he guessed the snake had been last time; a couple of yards away from Hagrid's cabin. It wasn't too dark, and the trees rustled noisily. Other than that, all was silent.
Harry stood still, listening. No hissing, this time. He crept as quietly as he could into the first clumps of trees; he didn't want to scare the snake off by making too much noise. Harry shivered, and the thought came to him that he must look really stupid hovering around the edge of the forbidden forest at half four in the morning, waiting for a snake that probably wasn't there. But then a sound of rustling leaves not far off caught his attention. He wandered towards the sound, before-
Stay back! Leave my home alone, sneaking human.
Harry sighed in relief; he wouldn't be standing around in the cold all morning after all. Hello again he said.
It is the speaking human again. But what does it want?
I just came to see how you were doing Harry explained. I'm not here to hurt you.
The human could be lying, better to not trust it the snake said to itself.
Harry could hear it start to slither away. He hadn't seen it yet, and pondered on what it looked like. Please come back he said. I only want to talk. What do you look like?
The snake stopped, as if contemplating itself. I do no know, human.
Then come here Harry beckoned. My name is Harry. What is yours?
The snake slowly came towards him. He knelt down. The snake was about two metres away when it stopped. I do not have a name it said.
Harry frowned. Why not?
I have never needed one.
Then what do your friends call you?
We do not have friends, unlike humans. We are too busy to have friends
What about your family, what do they call you?
They do not call me anything. We use signals to communicate. I told you, human; we do not need names.
'Well, that's a new bit of information,' Harry thought. He supposed Hermione would probably find it interesting.
Can I give you a name? Harry asked the snake.
It raised itself to his height (he was still kneeling) and said why?
Harry shrugged. I want to he said. He thought back to all the books he had read on parselmouths; they had had many names of infamous snakes who befriended humans. Voldemort and Nagini had been in there.
The snake was watching him, waiting for an answer.
So I know what to call you Harry explained.
Fine
He thought back to all the snake names, but he couldn't remember any. Then a thought came to him. Tom. He offered the name to snake.
It cocked its head to the side, as if contemplating Harry, who still couldn't make out what the snake looked like in the shadows.
Tom it repeated.
Harry smiled. He wasn't entirely sure, but to him the snake seemed pleased at having a name. It agreed to keep it.
I still don't know what you look like Harry said.
Tom slithered out of the shadows towards Harry, whose eyes widened as he got full view of its body. The snake was quite small, at least half a metre long. Tom was very stunning, Harry thought. He (Harry decided he would have to refer to it as a he now), was a dark shade of grey, with a striking dark zigzag pattern trailing from head to tail. Also, a line of dark oval spots positioned along the sides of his body made Tom look very attractive, as well as the black X shape placed on his head.
You're beautiful Harry complimented him, smiling.
If snakes could blush that was certainly what Tom was doing. It looked sideways at Harry as if to say thanks.
Harry grinned. I'll bring you a mirror next time.
A mirror? Tom asked, confused.
You'll see. Harry checked his watch. It was almost five; he had ages. I know he said suddenly. Why don't I take you up to the castle now? There's a mirror in the dorm somewhere.
The snake turned and slithered a few metres away. No it said. I must protect my home. Then it was gone.
Harry sighed, but returned to the castle. Where snakes always this courteous? He wondered.
"Come on, Harry. It really is not that hard."
"It is! How do you do it without even looking at the instructions?"
"I DO look at the instructions! I do it at the beginning of the lesson when the Professor is speaking."
Harry sighed irritably. He was having his first private lesson with Snape, who he decided was a very impatient tutor. Snape was attempting to teach him how to make some sort of weak veritaserum; a potion that makes one say their deepest, darkest secret. Harry had already forgotten what it was called. He asked Snape.
"Oh, for- look, Harry. Let's start this again, shall we?" Snape left the small backroom to the classroom to return with a clean, empty cauldron.
"Right," he said. "This," he pointed to the black pot. "Is a cauldron."
Harry rolled his eyes. "I know that," he said incredulously.
Snape ignored him and picked up the book they were using. "This," he said slowly, as though trying to make the information imprint itself in Harry's mind. "Is a potions making book."
"Look-" Harry began.
Snape held up a hand to silence him. He opened the book at a random page. "These," he said, pointed to the script at the top of the page. "Are the instructions on how to make a potion, and these," he indicated a list below the script. "Are the ingredients needed to make a potion with."
Harry sighed impatiently.
Snape handed the book to Harry, who was petulantly glaring at him.
"Now, go and find all of those ingredients," he said, indicated a list on a page he had chosen.
"What!" Harry said. "No!"
Snape crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze.
Harry sighed, glowered at him miserably, and went to survey the slimy looking ingredients that littered the shelves.
A while later he threw the ingredients down on the desk Snape was sitting at watching him, and slumped into the chair next to him.
The other boy looked at his watch. "That took you exactly… sixteen point eleven minutes."
Harry scowled at him. "You're meant to be teaching me, not scolding me," he argued.
Snape sighed, although he didn't seem irritated. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself. "What a shame," he said derisively, and once again handed the book to Harry. Much to Harry's dismay, Snape then told him to read out the Instructions.
Forty minutes or so and a bubbling green potion later, Harry let out a sigh of relief as they finished.
"That wasn't so hard," he said, feeling quite pleased with himself.
Snape rolled his eyes. "That was levelled as a fourth year potion. You are in your sixth year," he said.
"So? That's the first time I've ever made a potion without spilling it or putting in the wrong ingredient or blowing up a classmate or-"
Snape laughed at him. "You really are hopeless," he said.
Harry stared at him.
"What?" Snape asked.
Harry shook his head. Not only had he made a potion without any mistakes, he had actually heard Snape LAUGH. Harry checked his watch. His lesson with Snape had ended fifteen minutes ago. He stood up and stretched, when he remembered he still had detention to go to. He asked Snape whether McGonagall had said anything about Harry missing two detentions.
"Yes," Snape answered. "And because you have missed the last two detentions, I didn't have to go either."
Harry stared at him. "Fair enough," he said finally.
"Yes."
"Shall we go now, then?"
"Why? We don't have to be there for another half hour."
"Yeah, but I need you to be there so you can tell the rest of the school how tragically I died."
Snape smirked at him. "Fair enough," he said, mimicking Harry. They made their way towards McGonagall's office.
"Well, well, Mr James. You have come at last."
"Sorry Professor, I… forgot."
"You forgot? Mr. James, have I not already made it clear that I do not accept foolhardiness such as forgetting to attend a well deserved detention?"
Harry winced. "I know, I'm-" He attempted to cover a yawn, "sorry, professor."
McGonagall frowned. "You should not be tired, Mr. James. Didn't you get enough sleep last night?"
"Um…" he said. Should he lie?
"Professor," Snape said, who had been standing quietly next to Harry. "He has been yawning all through our lesson."
Harry scowled. McGonagall raised an eyebrow. "Your lesson?" She asked.
"Professor Stevens is making Snape tutor me in potions after class," Harry said, in attempt to change the subject.
She seemed surprised at this for a moment, but it was quickly gone. "But that still doesn't explain to me why you seem so tired, Mr. James."
Harry struggled over what to say.
"You don't LOOK tired."
"He's using obscuring charms, professor," Snape said.
Harry scowled, anger flaring up at him. He turned to Snape. "How do you know?" He demanded.
"I saw you casting them a couple of days ago, before breakfast. You were hurrying towards the Main Hall."
That was true; it had been one of the days Harry had woken up late.
"Mr. James," McGonagall said, bringing Harry back. "Take off these obscuring charms Mr. Snape seems to think you have."
Harry scowled, and did nothing.
"Mr. James," McGonagall warned.
Harry signed and did as he was told, causing both McGonagall and Snape to gasp.
"Harry," McGonagall said, quite breathlessly. "I suggest you visit the infirmary this instance, before you fall to the ground."
"There's no point," Harry muttered.
"Why is there no point? You need sleep."
"There's no point because I'll just wake up in the middle of the night anyway," he said bitterly. He received questioning looks. "I get nightmares," he said slowly.
McGonagall frowned. She turned to Snape. "Consider yourself lucky, Mr. Snape. Not only have you missed two days' detention because of this boy's forgetfulness, you will no longer have to attend the rest of your weeks worth of detentions." She looked at him sternly. "Although, just because I am letting you off, it does not mean you shouldn't expect severe punishment in the future."
"Yes, professor," Snape answered blankly.
"Now," McGonagall said. "Would you be so kind as to fetch Mr. Potter and Mr. Black before their detention starts? It would be most unfair to keep them in their punishment." She turned to Harry as Snape left quietly.
"Harry," she said, frowning again. "Why have you not told anyone about this? I am sure there is something we can do about it."
"There isn't," Harry said shortly. He glanced at the professor, and knew what she was about to ask. "I can't tall you what my nightmares are about because they are to do with the future," Harry said. "And Voldemort," he added quietly.
McGonagall seemed to gasp, and Harry guessed he didn't say it quietly enough.
"Mr. James, in the Hospital Wing - NOW. I will be there in a couple of minutes; tell Poppy I sent you."
Harry did as he was told without a word.
The Hospital Wing looked the same as it always did.
Harry woke up feeling drowsy, and disliked the idea opening his eyes. Even so, he opened them to the blinding white of the Infirmary. Sighing, he rolled over – to find Sirius sleeping in the chair next to his bed. Smiling, Harry gently shook the boy awake.
Sirius groaned uncomfortably. "Wha-" he began, when he saw Harry looking up at him. "Harry!"
"Hi," Harry said weakly. He felt so tired.
"How could you not tell me?" Sirius asked desperately, leaning on the bed. "You've been in here for almost three days!" he exclaimed.
Harry looked at him in surprise. "Have I? What's the time?"
Sirius glanced at his watch. "It's almost lunch," he said, stretching. "What do you remember?"
Harry shrugged. "Just McGonagall sending me here and then Promfrey forcing this stuff down my throat. Then I fell asleep." Harry wondered what the stuff had been. He asked Sirius.
"Well, according to Snape-"
"Snape?"
"Yeah, he was here with McGonagall-"
"You didn't do anything to him, did you?"
"'fraid not. But according to him Promfrey gave you this weird potion – I can't remember what it was called – which put you in a coma. It's meant keep you comatose until you recover the amount of sleep you missed."
"Well, it didn't work because I still feel so bloody tired."
"Yeah, Snape said that would happen. It's just the after affect." Sirius shrugged. "It should wear off soon," he said.
"Phew," Harry said, relieved. He lay back into the pillows.
Sirius frowned at him. "Why didn't you tell me, Harry? I could've done something."
Harry shook his head; he was too tired to argue. He closed his eyes. "Sorry," he said. He heard Sirius sigh.
"S'ok," the boy said. "But seriously, you looked terrible."
Harry let out a short laugh. He opened his eyes. "Any better now?" He asked Sirius, who grinned at him.
"Yep, you look beautiful, as always."
Harry felt the rush to his cheeks, and smiled. 'Not as beautiful as Sirius, though,' he thought. 'Then tell him so,' Harry told himself. And Harry did.
Sirius smirked at him. "I know, Harry, I know. No one can resist me."
Harry rolled his eyes.
A few hours later, Harry sat in the Room of Requirement, Sirius watching him.
"But what are you making?" Sirius asked him for the fifth time.
"It's a big, big secret, Sirius," Harry said, rolling his eyes. Sometimes, people just couldn't accept the truth. Harry sat with a cauldron in front of him, counting the ingredients he had collected from outside and from Stevens' storerooms. Getting them was easy enough, but making it? Harry could try.
"But, Harry-"
Harry sighed dramatically. He couldn't tell Sirius what it was, because he wanted it to be a surprise. It was the scar treatment for Sirius' back, and he was currently stuck on which ingredients to use first. Then a thought came to him – Snape! Snape could help him, if he asked. But then, would Snape do it if he knew it was for Sirius?
"You'll find out soon enough, dearest."
Sirius continued to whine, and Harry continued to inwardly complain. The directions for making the potion were too complicated. Sighing, he packed the stuff away and decided he would ask Snape for help later.
"Are you finished?" Sirius asked him, and without waiting for an answer – "Come on, let's see if we can figure out your animagus form by the end of the day."
Harry smiled, his excitement immediately growing.
"Hey, wait a minute – Sirius?"
"Yeah?" Sirius asked from the door.
"What day is it?"
"Erm… Sunday, I think. Why?"
"We've missed Hogsmeade!"
Sirius smiled at him. "Don't worry about it; we'll go next weekend. Come on; let's get those books from the dorm."
Half an hour later, Harry and Sirius sat over piles and piles of books on animagi back in the Room of Requirement.
"But that can't be right!"
"Argh, this is so confusing."
Sirius sat back and pushed his hair behind his ears. "Right," he said. "We both think you're going to be a bird, right? And we've picked the bird we think suits your characteristics, right? So what's wrong with it!"
Harry sighed. "I don't know," he said, exasperated.
"Let's try again. Try really, really hard this time."
"I WAS trying really hard!" But he tried again. Closing his eyes, Harry imagined the wings on himself, the claws, th- He opened his eyes. Sirius shook his head. Closing them again, Harry's thought's wandered towards Tom in the forest. When should he visit him again? He needed to take the mirror next time… Harry heard a gasp. Opening his eyes, Harry noticed Sirius staring at him, shocked.
What was wrong? He tried imagining being a bird and heard Sirius gasp at him again. What on earth? Harry attempted asking him but nothing would come out of his mouth.
"Woah," Sirius said.
"What?" Harry wanted to say, but again, nothing came out of his mouth. What was happening? Had it worked?
"Harry, turn back for a minute."
Turn back?
"Think of yourself as a human," Sirius explained.
Ah. Harry imagined himself sitting opposite Sirius. Wondering whether it worked, he asked, "what?"
Sirius was gaping at him. "You have TWO animagus forms!"
Harry stared at him. "What!" He spluttered finally. "What am I?"
"A snake and a-"
"A snake!"
"And a swan. Harry, you're a BLACK swan. I've never seen one before. Well, not until now."
"A- a black swan? And a snake? What type of snake?" Harry asked, astounded. He had two animagus forms? But the snake didn't suit his characteristics. Then Harry thought about it - Voldemort. Harry had part of Voldemort in him, and he was a parselmouth. 'Figures,' he thought.
"I'm not sure," Sirius said with a frown. "I've seen one of them before. Last summer, at James' house. It bit James, and he got really ill. We had to take him to St. Mungo's to dissect the poison."
"I'm poisonous?" Harry asked worriedly.
"Don't worry; it's you, remember? You won't bite anyone unless you want to; you have complete control over your animagus form. Forms," he corrected himself. "Besides, it might come in useful."
"I guess," Harry said. He was still amazed at the fact that he had TWO animagus forms. And a black swan? He hadn't seen a black swan before, only white ones.
"Hey, lets look it up, since we're here. We're in the Room of Requirement, right?" Sirius summoned up a book and flicked through it, while Harry attempted to digest the information.
"Right, snakes… snakes… ah! Here you are."
Harry waited as Sirius read whatever was in the book.
"Ok…" Sirius voiced. "You are… you are a..." He looked up at Harry. "Turn back into your snake form; there are like thousands of different snakes here."
Harry frowned. "How?" he asked.
"Well, what were you thinking when you transformed?"
Harry thought back. "I was thinking about my friend in the forest… He's a snake," he added. Sirius gaped at him. Harry shrugged.
"So… think about him again, then."
And Harry did.
"Hey, you did it."
Harry looked at Sirius from low down on the ground. He was a snake? Turning his head, he gaped at what he saw. At least, he felt like he was gaping.
"Wait," Sirius said, and conjured up a mirror. He turned it to face the poisonous snake sitting in front of him, his friend.
Harry stared. Reflected back at him was a half metre long, black, red and white striped, small headed snake. Harry thought he looked rather cute, if snakes could look cute. He looked up at Sirius, who grinned at him, before turning back to the book. As he flicked through the pages, sometimes glancing at Harry as if comparing his look to one in the book, Harry made his way towards Sirius and began to somewhat slither up his arm. Sirius looked at him wide eyed. Harry grinned inwardly. He travelled around the boys' neck and rested his head on Sirius' shoulder.
"Erm… Harry," Sirius uttered. "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't do that. I don't want you to accidentally bite me, or something…"
Harry rolled his eyes, but generously returned to the floor. Sirius went back to flicking through the book. "Aha!" he said suddenly. Harry looked up.
"You are a… a… milk snake! No, wait… Um…"
Harry changed back into his usual form. "What?" he asked.
"Sirius kept his eyes on the book. "Did you know," he said, and reading from the book –"that 'the milksnake is not venomous. It does, however, mimic the coloration, markings and even behaviour of venomous coral snakes and is easily confused with them in parts of its range'." Sirius looked up from the book. "So, you're either a dangerous coral snake or a harmless milksnake," he said.
"How do we find out which one?" Harry asked.
"I don't know. Why don't you ask your friend?" Sirius joked.
"That's an idea," Harry said.
Sirius stared at him. "I was joking," he answered.
"I wasn't. I'll ask him. You can come along."
Sirius shrugged and grinned. "Alright," he agreed. "Will you turn back into a swan, for me? It looks so cool."
"It?" Harry asked him, amused, but he complied. Sirius sent him a grin, and picked up the mirror.
'Woah,' Harry thought. Modesty aside; he was definitely stunning. Completely black, and there on his forehead in white, for the whole world to see, was his scar. It had been on his snake form as well, but wasn't as blatant. He was rather big, too. Strong enough to break Sirius' arm, he decided. Not that he wanted to. Harry remembered the time he had been at the park with his Aunt Petunia and Cousin Dudley. Petunia had been telling Dudley not to go near the swans in the pond as they had the power to break his arm. At the time, Harry had silently willed Dudley to go as near the swans as he could, but to no avail.
Harry glanced back at Sirius, who was rummaging through one of the books again. Sirius then read out, "'black swans are found throughout Australia with the exception of Cape York Peninsula, and are more common in the south. They prefer larger salt, brackish or fresh waterways and permanent wetlands, requiring 40 meters or more of clear water to take off', blah, blah, blah." Sirius grinned at him again. "Cool," he said. "You're from Australia. I wonder if Australian swans have accents?"
Harry rolled his eyes and resumed his human form. He smiled. "Thanks, Sirius," he said, and he meant it.
The other boy shrugged. "No problem. I got to see a black swan."
Harry laughed at him and they left the room. As they made their way back to the dormitory, Harry wondered what Ron and Hermione's responses would be when they saw his animagus forms.
Once they were back in the dormitory, Sirius jumped onto Harry's bed and dragged Harry in with him, shutting the curtains. He yawned and stretched, falling back into the pillows. Harry made himself comfortable sitting on Sirius' stomach, making the other boy grunt.
"You may have the weight of a very small twig, but you're still bloody heavy."
Harry raised an eyebrow at him. "And how does that work out?" he asked amusedly.
Sirius yawned again, and not to Harry's surprise; ignored the question. Suddenly Sirius leaned up on his elbows and gave Harry a stern look. "Remember Harry, if you have any nightmares, you need to TELL me. Otherwise I can't do anything about it!"
Harry sighed. "You can't do anything about it anyway, Sirius. But alright, if I have any nightmares, I'll tell you." He slid off of Sirius' stomach and lay down beside him. Sirius immediately rolled on top of him.
Once they were face to face, Sirius waited a minute, before asking, "Harry?"
"Hmm?"
"How far have you been with a guy?"
Harry stared at him, before answering slowly, "not very far…" He then added suggestively, "but you're always welcome to present some of your ideas…"
Sirius grinned and kissed him. It was a long, mind-blowing kiss that had Harry moaning and shifting around.
Sirius then said, "So you don't mind if I spend the night shagging you into the mattress? It would be a great way to get rid of your nightmares, you know?"
Harry felt a grin forcing its way out of him. "Be my guest…" he offered.
Harry didn't get any sleep that night.
The next morning, Harry staggered tiredly out of the dorm with one thing on his mind - look for Snape. He hadn't seen him since the time McGonagall had sent Harry to the Hospital Wing. No one in the dormitory was up yet, and only a few people littered the Gryffindor Common Room.
Inside, Harry was still excited at his new animagus forms, but managed to push that out of his mind as he wandered towards the Main Hall. Maybe Snape was in there? In Harry's time the professor was always up early.
To Harry's relief at not having to visit the Slytherin Common Rooms, which he had no idea the location of, Harry noticed Snape eating amongst the few Slytherins in the hall. As he made his way Slytherin table, scowling faces turned to look at him.
'What a cheery table,' he thought, just as Snape turned round to look at him in surprise, which he quickly masked.
Snape stood when Harry reached him.
"Hi," Harry said. "Can I speak to you for a moment?" He glanced at Malfoy who was watching him warily with narrowed eyes from the other side of the table.
"Touch your wand Malfoy and you'll be spending the rest of the day as a ferret," Harry threatened, causing Malfoy to look away, scowling.
Snape's eyes widened at the threat, but he nodded and followed Harry out of the hall. Once they were in an empty classroom, Snape muttered, "Do you know what you've just done? You'll be unconscious by the end of breakfast."
Harry smiled at him amusedly. "No, I won't," he said. "Malfoy won't do a thing."
Snape eyed him critically. "How do you know?" He asked suspiciously.
Harry grinned and shrugged. "Let's just say I've sorted a few things out with Malfoy," he said. "And Bellatrix," he added. "And Avery," he added again.
Snape stared at him.
"Basically every Slytherin in the school," Harry said, eyeing Snape. "Except professor Stevens, of course," he finished.
Snape looked amused.
"Anyway," Harry continued. "I dragged you from the hall to ask you for a favour," he explained.
"Oh?" Snape replied, looking interested.
"Yep, but you probably won't do it so I don't know why I'm asking," he said, inwardly cursing himself.
He turned to leave when Snape suddenly stepped forward and took a hold of Harry's arm. "Tell me," he said quietly.
"It's to do with Sirius," Harry explained. He noticed Snape's eyes narrow, but got no other reaction from the teenager. "Shall I go on?" Harry asked, doubting.
Snape contemplated him. "Tell me what it is, and I'll consider it."
Harry explained to Snape about how he was trying to concoct something for the damage to Sirius' back, and how he needed help making the potion.
"You know how I'm useless at potion making," he continued. "I need your help," this time Harry guessed he sounded pretty desperate.
Snape had that blank look on his face again. "Alright, Harry," he said quietly. "I'll help you. We can make it during our next private lesson."
Harry sighed with relief and smiled at the other boy. Really, Snape wasn't so bad. "Thanks," he said, pleased, and rushed from the room.
Harry needed to find Remus; Remus would tell him when Sirius' birthday would be, without any questions.
That evening, Harry made his way to Dumbledore's office. The day had gone slowly, beginning and ending with Harry's less exciting subjects, but Harry didn't mind; he was in too good a mood to be bothered about anything.
Harry reached the gargoyle, and after five minutes and many sweet-names later, Harry sat in one of the comfy chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk.
The man offered Harry a lemon drop for the fifth time, whilst contemplating Harry's request.
"Please, professor," Harry asked desperately. "I really want to stay for Sirius' birthday, and I'll go straight after that with no ado. Please? Have you even found a way to send me back or are you just doing this to torment me?"
Dumbledore chuckled, delighted at Harry's small tirade. "Of course, you may stay, Harry. And no, I have not yet found another way to send you back."
Harry sighed with relief. "Thanks, professor," he said gratefully. Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a while.
"I believe Mr. Potter has invited you and Sirius to stay at his house for Christmas. Is that so?"
"It is, professor," Harry replied, wondering how on earth the old wizard could have known.
"Well, whether you go or not is your decision, but if you do, I'll let you know if I find anything. And," he added, "I'll make sure to tell you AFTER Sirius' birthday," he said, smiling.
Harry returned the smile. "Thanks, professor," he repeated, and left the room.
For Harry, life seemed to be on his side for the next few days. Until something happened. It hadn't been Harry's intention to come across an unconscious Snape in the Great Hall after dark, and it certainly wasn't his intention to find bruises covering the side of Snape's face and rips in his clothes.
He noticed it with shock as he turned the boy over. Who would do this? His thoughts trailed to the marauders as Harry cast a feather-light charm on Snape and heaved him up. 'Sirius wouldn't do this,' he thought. 'Not after last time.' But Harry wasn't sure. He guessed he would find out when Snape resumed consciousness.
Sighing, and realising he would get into more trouble if he was found wandering the halls after dark, Harry took Snape to the Room of Requirement instead of the Hospital Wing. When he entered the room he found it full of medicines, potions and an overall mini infirmary. Placing Snape in one of the comfortable looking - chairs, he cast a warming spell on the boy and cleaned his cuts and bruises using numerous charms. Snape looked strangely at peace in his sleep. No scowling, sneering, no odd blank looks.
Harry watched him for a moment, before casting a reviving spell on his friend. Friend. Harry considered Snape a friend now. He contemplated this as the other boy slowly woke up and took in his surroundings, looking confused.
"What happened?" He muttered slowly.
Harry frowned. "I was hoping you would tell me," he said.
Snape looked at him for the first time. "Harry?" he asked, even more confused. He looked around again. "Where are we?"
"The Room of Requirement," Harry muttered absently; his mind returning to Sirius.
Snape looked at him as though he was mad, before resuming his usual expression; blankness. "Potter and Black seem to have a problem with me communicating with you in any way," he said sourly.
Harry groaned. "Not again?" He said, more to himself. Harry couldn't understand why Sirius would pester Snape again, even when he knew how Harry felt about it. Harry sighed.
"Let's go to McGonagall," he said suddenly.
Snape scowled. "No; all that going to McGonagall will do is give them more reason to torment me."
Harry stood; his decision made. "They won't once she's finished with them." He yawned suddenly. "We'll go in the morning."
Snape stood, looking irritated. "No," he said. "I'm not going to McGonagall."
"Fine, but I am. I'm fed up with it." With that, Harry turned and left the room.
Snape ran after him. "There is no point, Harry," he argued. "They will just keep doing it."
"That's what you think," Harry said over his shoulder.
Snape must have known that Harry wouldn't change his mind because he said, "Fine. But if they do it again, you will be the blame."
"Whatever," Harry muttered. Did anyone appreciate his help?
"Harry."
Harry stopped and turned with a sigh.
"Don't do this," Snape said, looking somewhat desperate.
"Why?" Harry asked incredulously. "Look," he said, seeing Snape's expression. "I won't tell McGonagall. But the next time they do it, I'm telling every professor in this school to get it into their heads to do something about it."
Snape groaned. "That is even worse," he muttered.
Harry glared at him. "I'll even tell Dumbledore," he added nonchalantly. "Goodnight, Snape." He turned to go when Snape took a hold of Harry's arm.
"Harry… we have been working together for weeks now. Can you at least call me by my first name?"
Harry looked at him in surprise. Be on first name terms with Snape? Why not!
"Sure…" he said. And then grinning slightly, he added, "Severus." He noticed something flicker in the other boy's eyes before he turned and left for the Gryffindor dormitory.