Chapter 17

Harry threw another punch, this time his fist was aimed at the red head's nose. When he heard a satisfying CRUNCH he knew that he had broken the boy's nose. Wiping his hand on his pants, Harry looked at Ron and felt a rivulet of blood finding its way down from his eyebrow. Wiping at it angrily, Harry gave an aggressive growl just before he was tackled by Ron.

Feeling his head connect with the stone floor of the hallway, he winced slightly and then bit back a groan as Ron landed another punch to the side of his jaw. Pushing Ron back and off of him, Harry wiped the blood that was splattered all over his face from Ron's now gushing nose.

'You fucking prick! How could you say that?'

'You're the one who's hanging out with those fucking poufs of Slytherins!'

Harry threw himself forward only to ricochet off of some invisible wall. As Ron laughed, Harry looked about for the creator of the wall.

'Potter and Weasley, 10 points from Gryffindor for each of you. I want to see you both in my office.'

As Professor McGonagall spoke, she removed the wards to allow the boys to follow her. Her back was stiff and many of the students who had gathered to watch quickly scurried away.

Harry dusted off the seat of his pants and followed behind the female Professor, scowling at Ron as he did so. But Ron was staring at McGonagall's back, refusing to look at Harry.

Once in her office McGonagall whirled on them, 'I would expect this of first years, but when you reach your seventh, not to mention your final, year at Hogwarts, I expect a lot more from you. Both of you will serve a detention with me, and depending on your behavior in the upcoming weeks you might find yourself quickly on a train headed for home.'

Harry's head snapped up; he had no intention of ever heading back to the Dursleys. And in order to avoid going back he needed his NEWT's in order to get a position in the wizarding world. Ron's face had paled and Harry could only imagine what was going through the other Gryffindor's head. Harry himself was hit with the hilarious image of a howler screaming with Mrs. Weasley's voice.

Ron managed to gulp past a lump and said, 'Yes Professor. I promise you won't be getting any more trouble from me.'

Harry let out a snort which he quickly turned into a cough. Although McGonagall raised an eyebrow, she didn't say anything about it.

'You boys are dismissed, and I advise the two of you to see Madame Pomfrey before heading back to your dormitories. And I don't want either of you forgetting to turn up for detention at 7:00.'

Ron quickly made his way to the door, fumbling with the doorknob in his haste to get out of the stuffy office. But Harry stayed behind; he needed to talk to his Head of House.

Once the door had clicked shut behind Ron Harry said, 'Professor, do you mind if I asked you to do me a huge favor?'

Professor McGonagall looked at him over the top of her spectacles, 'What is it Potter?'

Harry kept his eye contact with her and said, 'Would it be possible for me to be resorted? I know that this is highly unusual, but I need to ask, because I can't continue going on this way.'

As the teacher studied him Harry continued on.

'I don't have anything against Gryffindor's really, but I just don't feel I'm suited for this house. I think everyone would be much better off with me in another house.'

The older woman looked at him and said in a stiff voice, 'You are right Potter, this is highly unusual, but I must say that with recent happenings you may be right. I shall have to speak with the Headmaster over this. I will talk to you as soon as I have. Now you may go Potter, and be sure to see Madame Pomfrey.'

Harry nodded to the woman and said a soft thanks as he exited the classroom. But instead of taking the staircase that lead to the hospital ward, he took another that lead down to the dungeons. Stopping to sit on a set of stone steps, he rested his head back against the cool walls and closed his eyes.

'Bloody hell! Did he do this to you? Did that bastard touch you?'

Harry opened his eyes to look up at the worried face of Pansy and Elizzabeth. But in Pansy's face there was also the look of understanding.

'Don't worry Panse, I got him back just as good as he got me. Broke his nose.'

Lizz laughed slightly and Pansy gave a smile, 'Let's find a classroom, and then we'll get the guys. Since you're a Gryffindor we can't take you into the Slytherin dormitory. And we can't go to the Seventh Year dormitory, too many people to ask questions.'

Elizzabeth helped Harry back to his feet and said, 'You know, if we do it right, you could probably get rid of that nasty cut without getting a scar.'

Harry smiled and said sarcastically, 'What? I don't want another beautiful scar marring my forehead?'

Lizz smirked and said, 'well, sure, but this one intersects your eyebrow, not your forehead.'

Laughing, Harry put an arm on the wall to help steady himself.

'Come on, the Potion's classroom is free. I'll go get Draco while Elizzabeth keeps you company.'

As Pansy ran down the steps and around a corner to go get the male Slytherins, Harry walked with Elizzabeth to the Potion's classroom. Sitting down in one of the front desks, he touched his eye gently. Wincing, he touched his jaw tenderly and let out a breath.

Lizz quirked an eyebrow and said, 'Found something new?'

Harry looked at her and deadpanned, 'Hardy har har.'

Laughing, Lizz said, 'I made a haha.'

Harry smiled as he moved his fingers over his jaw, 'So what do you think of Slytherin?'

Lizz smiled and said, 'I'm really glad I'm in there, I don't mean to sound snobby or anything, but all the other houses just don't seem to be as good. I mean, sure Ravenclaws are smart, but they aren't all that sociably adept are they? And then Hufflpuff, I'm sorry, but their kinda wimps. And then Gryffindors, no offense, but they seem a little big headed for me. Where as Slytherin's -shrug- they just seem normal.'

Harry smirked and said, 'Yeah, I think that about sums it up.'

Elizzabeth smiled at him and said, 'If I didn't already have someone, I would totally be hitting on you right now.'

Harry smiled and said, 'I know, I'm just irresistible, right?'

Smirking Elizzabeth said, 'Right, irresistible.'

The two laughed and then turned as the door opened.

'Room is currently being-'

Lizz cut herself off as she seen the stony face of one very, very angry Malfoy.

'Uhhh….I think that someone needs a little happy pill.'

'Shut it Potter and stop touching your face, otherwise you might further damage yourself.'

Smirking, Harry pulled his hand away from his jaw and watched as three more heads followed Draco in. There was Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise. Pansy was already back at Harry's side, cooing softly to him.

'So Malfoy, are you going to fix me?'

Draco shook his head and said, 'Goyle is the one who is the mediwizard.'

Harry nodded and then looked to Goyle, 'Well doc', my jaw hurts, and I think I might be bleeding.'

Elizzabeth gave a snort and Draco said, 'Very comedic Potter.'

Harry smirked and said, 'I try.'

But he soon stopped talking when Goyle turned to looking over his wounds, gently using his wand to touch and prod Harry. After several minutes Goyle stood up turned to Draco and said, 'His jaw is splintered slightly, and the cut through his brow looks like it would need muggle stitches.'

Draco nodded his head and said, 'Do what you can, if there are any scars or anything, we can have Madame Pomfrey fix it while she fixes his eyes.'

Harry nodded and said, 'I think I might do that fairly soon.'

Elizzabeth smiled and said, 'Without your glasses, you'll look hot.'

Harry smiled at her and then said, 'Are you saying I'm not already?'

Draco sighed and said, 'Sorry to interrupt your silly squabbling, but Harry, your hot, Elizzabeth, he needs to be healed.'

Harry stared at Draco mutely for a second, but the pale Slytherin merely kept a cool face as Goyle lifted his wand and muttered a few words. Harry's eyes moved from Draco to look at Goyle as he felt the pain ebbing from his jaw and eyebrow.

Goyle smirked and said, 'Nice scar Potter.'

Harry made a swish of his wand and looked into the mirror that had appeared, 'I look devilish. But I think that the lightning scar could be gotten rid of.'

Putting down his mirror, Harry looked to the Slytherins and smiled, 'Thanks all of you. But I better get back to hanging out with Hermione now; otherwise I'll need you guys to patch me up several times a day.'

Elizzabeth stood up and was about to open her mouth to speak up when Draco beat her to it, 'Harry, if anyone so much as lays another finger on you, they'll have to deal with all of us. We look out for our kind, and in heart, you are one of us.'

xxxxXXXXXXXxxxx

Ron stalked angrily from the hospital ward, his nose had been healed easily, but his ego was another matter. How dare Potter do that to me? We were supposed to be friends. Why couldn't Harry just act like his normal self?

Ron was about to round the corner when he heard two soft voices speaking hurriedly and urgently.

'Sir, Potter wants to be resorted. He feels that he would be better off in a different house.'

'I feared something like this might happen. And I dare say the Sorting Hat has bee preparing for this for some time now.'

'You aren't suggesting we actually allow this to happen, are you?'

'No Minerva, I am suggesting that we push this to happen, this Friday. If you will inform our Mr. Potter, I will begin to ready the preparations.

Ron quickly hid in an empty classroom in order to avoid having awkward questions asked. In the classroom he thought to himself.

Harry asked to be resorted? When did he do this? Why would he ask for that? Harry can't leave; if he did I don't know what I'd do. Sure, we just had a fight, but he's my best mate!

Ron left the classroom after several minutes and wound away through the school, not heading to any of the usual haunts he would hang out with his friends.

xxxxXXXXXXXxxxx

Harry lay back on his bed and stared at the ceiling miserably, he could hear some Ravenclaw guys fighting on the lower level. Rolling over onto his stomach and moaning, Harry felt his glasses squish onto his face. Looking over to his clock he noticed the clock read '6:45'.

'Urgh, stupid Weasel. Now I have to go serve a detention for something he started.'

Rolling out of his bed, he walked down the spiraling staircase and out past the Ravenclaw males. As he passed the Ravenclaws he heard their excited murmurings.

'…I heard that he and Malfoy had breakfast the other morning.'

'I heard that he isn't friends with the Gryffindors anymore.'

'That has to be false. I mean, he is a Griyffindor, and if he wasn't friends with them anymore, why would he still be in Gryffindor?'

'I dunno…maybe the Slytherins?'

'Haha, that's a good one…'

Harry smirked to himself and walked out, he was already stirring up rumors; he better behave for a couple days.

xxxxXXXXXXXxxxx

Ron stood in front of Professor McGonagall, frowning when he heard Harry shuffle through the door.

'Mr. Potter, you will be helping Professor Snape with whatever he chooses for you to do. Mr. Weasley, you will be going with Mr. Filch to clean up the dung bombs from the Entrance Hall.'

The two boys nodded their head in acceptance; Ron had a face of great distaste while Harry was clear of any emotion.

'Mr. Potter, I need to speak with you before you head off to serve your detention.'

Ron snarled and then left the room. Harry looked at the older woman in front of him and waited for her to speak.

'Mr. Potter, the Headmaster and I have spoken, and we believe that it would be in the best interest for all those involved if you were to be given the chance to be resorted. So this shall take place Friday evening, before the supper meal.'

Harry smiled at the Head of House and said courteously, 'Thanks you Professor.'

Smiling, the elderly woman said, 'There is no reason to be thanking me Potter. This is a decision that was thought to be in your best interest, and anything in the best interest of a student is to be done.'

xxxxXXXXXXXxxxx

After leaving the older woman back in her office, Harry smiled coolly on his way to the Potions master's office. Harry smiled, he actually liked the man, but like the Slytherins, he had to put up appearances.

Getting to the door of the office, Harry knocked and waited for an invite to go in.

'Get in here already. I have lots of things to be done.'

Harry smirked as he entered the room, 'Hello Professor. Eager to see me?'

Snorting, Snape said, 'Don't get too cocky, you need to have an hour and a half in order to complete this detention. Now, I need you to go through these first years' essays and see if they at least include several important keys in their explanation of Gillyweed.'

Harry nodded his head and said, 'Yes, sir.'

For the next hour Harry read through the first year essays, occasionally letting out a laugh here and there. Each time Harry laughed Snape would look up at him until eventually he said exasperated.

'Potter, either tell me what's so damn funny, or stop laughing.'

Harry smirked at the parchment and said, 'Sorry sir, but this person here is saying that Gillyweed is a poisonous plant found in the bogs of Africa.'

Snape's lips curled up into a smirk and said, 'Let me guess, that was Samuel Spicer.'

Harry looked at the top and nodded his head, 'Yes sir.'

Smiling, Snape said, 'Yes, Mr. Spicer has a very imaginative mind. But unfortunately imagination is not that great a thing in potions.'

Harry nodded in silent agreement and said, 'Sir, I've finished these essays.'

Snape looked up from some other marking he was doing. Taking the Gillyweed essays, he looked over a few and said, 'Good Potter, I was slightly worried that you might go easy on them.'

Harry laughed and said, 'Sorry to disappoint you sir.'

Snape smirked and then looked at the clock on the wall. 'I suppose you can go now. But Potter, don't be coming back here again…unless for good reason.'

Harry smiled and said good night; it had been one of his best detentions ever.

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Hey, hope you don't get too mad at me for Harry's statement about his scar, I just feel that it isn't all that manly, and it sort of relays to the thought of him being the saviour of the wizarding world, and him feeling controlled by all of it and...yeah, sorry, I'm babbling.
Anyway, huge props to my beta, she saves me every time.
And send more reviews, I love 'em all.