Disclaimer: Characters and story all belong to the revered J.K. Rowling.

Hello again. I'm back. I'm glad that you all enjoyed the last chapter. I would so love to update sooner than I do, but there are so many things to prevent me from doing so. Thank you so much for reviewing last time. I must warn you, though, I think that the title of this story was originally used for another one, so I may end up having to change it again. (So sorry about that.)

Well, to my reviewers, thank you so much for the positive reviews and everything. Glad that you liked how I made Snape and Isabella's relationship. (I couldn't see a teary-eyed Snape either, Gwenneth.) And to Andromeda Snape-Malfoy, thank you for correcting the Latin. I'm a terrible speller, in any language. I knew what it meant, I just hate spelling. LOL. To the rest of my wonderful reviewers, thanks for your thoughts and opinions.

Well, we leave the tragic story of Severus and Isabella behind now, and focus on the present. You'll soon find out why I changed the title, and what is going to happen to poor Harry next. Please don't forget to read/review.

Chapter 15: OWL results

No matter how much he tried, Harry couldn't confine himself to the Hospital wing. It was so utterly boring, there. He tried to occupy himself with various books that were lying around or that Madame Pomfrey would bring him, but he couldn't find anything interesting to read at the moment. He wanted to know what his scores were from the previous year. He wanted to know what he would be taking during the next term.

Harry took to a slow pacing around the wing. Each step hurt, and it was slow and tedious, as he was still limping drastically, even with the aid of a cane. Finally, he could take it no longer. He would be more careful this time to not get caught, but he was leaving, if only for a little while.

Harry carefully peered around the doorway of the hospital wing. No one was in sight. Madame Pomfrey was probably reading or had taken a nap by now, and Snape had more thank likely barricaded himself in the dungeons again. Harry took one cautious step forward. No one rushed forward to stop him from proceeding, so he took another. Still nothing. Feeling relieved, Harry proceeded down the hallway. He didn't really know where he was going, he just felt like walking. He felt tired, and his legs were so weary, and yet he couldn't stop. He finally was free for a little while, and he was going to use the opportunity if he could.

Harry found his way into the stairway, amid all of the various staircases that changed and the curious pictures that lined the wall. "Good heavens, boy!" A proper, elderly lady chimed. "What in the name of Merlin happened to you?"

Harry glared at the portrait, but did not answer. "A student already? Term doesn't start for a few weeks!" Several portraits conversed. Still, Harry said nothing. "Boy, does the Headmaster know you're here?"

"He knows I'm at Hogwarts. Just, please don't tell anyone that I was out of the Hospital wing!" Harry pleaded. "It's just so dull there."

"Well, I won't say a word." A young witch said. "I know how dull it is to be cooped up like that."

"I'm sure there is a reason that you're not supposed to leave," a red haired wizard reasoned.

"Well, don't tell anyway. Please?" Not waiting for an answer, Harry climbed the stairs that led to the astronomy tower. He entered the tower, and peered around. It was so lonely here. But it was peaceful. The birds and insects sang, filling the air with a feeling of bliss, and for the first time in a long while he felt at peace. True, he was almost constantly in pain, but his mind was at rest.

Not far away in the castle, Snape had gone to the hospital wing to give Harry the results of his exams, and discovered he had gone missing. "Damn that stubborn boy!" Snape raced into the stairway, and addressed the portraits. "Did you see a boy come in here?"

"No," a witch responded promptly. All too quickly, really.

"Don't lie, Eliza," a red haired wizard barked. "A boy came in here not long ago and asked we say nothing of his leaving. I think he went to the astronomy tower."

Roars of protest and some of encouragement came from the various portraits. Some had felt a loyalty to the student who had just trudged up the stairs, while others felt a certain responsibility of telling teachers everything. Snape sneered and trudged up to the stairs, his mind set on getting Potter in trouble. He still loathed the boy, even through all they had been through. He still saw the boy as a "tragic hero" who was too adored by everyone. In other words, he still loathed Potter.

Harry heard someone trudging the stairs to the door, and panicked. In his haste, he stood up far to quickly and nearly fell over. He felt dizzy and sick, as blood rushed to his head. His legs became weak, and he sank into a blissful darkness as Snape entered the room. At first, Snape didn't see the boy laying on the floor of the room, until he looked down. There, having passed out cold, lay Harry Potter. Snape sneered, but conjured a stretcher for the boy to lie down on and levitated him back to the infirmary. Snape then proceeded to give the boy a restorative potion. Not long afterwards, Harry's eyes opened slowly, surveying the area around him, and groaning when he realized he was back in the hospital wing.

"Believe it or not, Potter, rules do apply to you," Snape sneered. Harry shot a nasty glare in Snape's direction, but said nothing in response. "What were you doing out of bed?" No answer came from the silent figure in the bed. "Well, Potter? Are you going to answer, or are you going to play the role of the poor, misunderstood child?"

"I just wanted some fresh air," Harry quietly replied.

"And so you completely disregarded orders to stay in the infirmary? If you cannot learn to control yourself and learn to follow the rules, we will have to result to more, unpleasant measures to ensure your safety."

At that comment, Harry grimaced. He could only imagine the types of restraints they could use to make him stay a prisoner in Hogwart's infirmary. He decided the more pathetic approach may get him farther with his pleading. "Sir, I'm sure you understand though, that I had been kept a prisoner for so long. I hate to be kept locked up. I need fresh air and freedom. Can it somehow be arranged that I leave here sometime?"

"Once you heal properly, I am sure the Headmaster will be more than willing to grant you freedom from the Wing. Until then, it is my unpleasant duty to act as a babysitter for you, and make sure you don't end up hurting yourself."

"I won't though! I can handle walking around the school on my own."

"Oh? Then why did you faint in the Astronomy Tower?" No answer. "It's apparent to me that you cannot handle a venture on your own as of yet."

With those words, spoken in a cold and condescending manner, Snape got up and walked out of the infirmary without a hesitation or glance back. Harry hit his head a few times on the pillow, hating the fact that he was so weak.

He couldn't help not wanting to be a prisoner in what was supposed to be a safe place. He had been a prisoner at Privet Drive, and then a prisoner of Voldemort's. Why did Dumbledore feel it was such a good idea to keep him a prisoner now? It was almost enough to drive Harry to insanity. If only he could convince them he was ready to leave the infirmary. After all, what had the cane been for if not to help him around the school? Harry blinked slowly, feeling tired and depressed. It was so boring, the constant confinement to a single room. As he lay there, assessing his situation, he wondered if anyone even really cared. He wondered if he was condemned to sit in the hospital wing like an invalid until the new school year began.

Harry looked onto the nightstand, where a white envelope bulging with papers lay. The envelope was addressed to Harry Potter, Hospital Wing, Hogwarts, and bore the insignia of the Magical Results Boards. (A/n: I have no clue who would really give him his results. I can't find my book. ;)) Harry picked it up carefully, as though it were a muggle bomb that might explode if handled improperly. Slowly, as though not sure if he really wanted to read the results, he pried open the envelope flap, and allowed the papers to fall into his lap.

Harry's hands shook with a mix of anticipation and forbidding. He picked up the papers and carefully unfolded them.

Dear Mr. Potter, (the letter read)

It is with great pleasure we give you the results of the OWL exams you took in the Spring. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and the courses you will take during the following year.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Rodgers,

Head of the Magical Results Board

London, England

The next sheet bore a list of all the exams and his scores.

Transfiguration: O

Defense Against the Dark Arts: O

Astronomy: E

Potions:

Did he even want to look. Slowly, he reopened one of the eyes he had squeezed shut:

O!

Was it even possible? He had actually done it! He had mastered the potions exams! He was going to NEWT classes after all! He could still be an auror! And oh my gosh, he had to deal with Professor Snape for another two years! Harry took a deep breath and continued down the list.

History of Magic: A

Care of Magical Creatures: O

Divination: E

Harry really didn't care about the rest of his results. He had managed to make it to NEWTS Potions! He could be an auror after all, no matter what anyone thought or said. This news made him want to talk to someone. And yet, there was no one to talk to. He sighed deeply, feeling considerably lonely and wishing for a companion to speak to. Yet there was no one. No Sirius or Lupin, Ron or Hermione, no one. So instead, he silently put his results on the table next to him, got out his book on the history of Quidditch, and resigned himself to reading for the next hour or so.

A/n: Please help me with any classes or details I may have missed. Don't forget to read/review!