Snape led Harry back to his office. Harry sat in a rather rigid chair in front of the desk, and Snape took his own seat behind it and began looking at Harry with a sneer over the tips of his fingers.

Harry wished Snape would say something. He just kept staring at him, as though waiting for him to crack.

Harry was determined not to show any sign of weakness. He wasn't going to give in.

He stared back at Snape, hoping he looked composed even though his mind was in chaos. 'Oh my God, I'm going to get expelled… they'll snap my wand… I'm going to have to go back to the Dursleys…'

At last, Snape spoke. Despite it all, Harry wasn't quite sure if this was actually a victory anyway, he felt a little triumphant.

"So like your father," said Snape.

Harry said sat up a little more alert. His father…Snape hadn't better say anything.

"So, Mr. Potter, what exactly possessed you to enter my office after hours? Did you actually think you would be caught? Were you so sure of yourself? Or, it is more likely, you simply didn't think the rules applied to you? Well," said Snape," I assure you, Mr. Potter, they do."

Harry was sweating now. It made him sick to think Snape could make him feel this…sick. His stomach lurched, and the lurch was followed by an instant wave of heat that washed over him, accompanied by an icy sweat. As his arms began to tingle, his sight narrowed, tunneled so that the last thing he saw was Snape's sneering face.

Harry was in the Hospital Wing when he came to, but he was quite sure no one expected to be up yet. He could hear voices from figures silhouetted against his curtain. "Severus," came and old, wizened voice he recognized as Dumbledore's, "I understand your anger. Harry deserves to be punished, by all accounts. However, we both know that expulsion is not an option."

"But Headmaster!" said Snape indignantly. "The boy broke into my office in the middle of the night! That is more than enough cause for expulsion for any other student! It is ridiculous that this…boy should get spec—"

Harry saw that taller silhouette raise a hand.

"Severus, you know that Harry Potter is a special boy. He needs an education, more than any other students we've ever had. It seems terrible things are written in this boy's future," prophecized the Headmaster darkly. "We cannot take the risk of expulsion. Detention and house points, however, are yours to give and take as much as you please."

Snape said nothing. He knew the idea of taking points away from his own house had to be killing Snape. He loved winning, after all. All Slytherins did. Harry prayed, silently for him not to take points. His house would kill him.

"Detention," said Snape, "is by no means a fitting punishment. However, I shall do my best to make it so. "

"Do as you see fit, Severus," said Dumbledore. "Now come, let's get you a cup of tea…or some brandy, if you prefer. I suppose you've just suffered a terrible disappointment."

And Dumbledore's shadow led Snape's away.

Harry felt sick to his stomach, again. He knew Snape would do more than fulfill his promise to make the detentions as terrible as possible.

After his original excitement to have the school to himself, Harry even surprised himself with how happy he was to see the halls bustling with students again after the holidays.

He had spent the better part of his last week of vacation hiding as effectively as possible in his canopied bed, doing homework. He only came out when he felt as though he couldn't work effectively without another meal. At such times he avoided the crowded meal hours as much as possible. He didn't want to risk running into Snape, 'lest he remind him about the detentions.

Of course, he knew Snape hadn't forgotten about the detentions. Snape couldn't forget an opportunity to make things hard on Harry. But Harry hoped, hopelessly hopes he would.

It was breakfast a few weeks later, when Harry was beginning to think his plan really had worked, that he received an owl.

Report to Filch's office promptly at 8 to serve your detention.

Prof. Snape

Harry's heart sank and he couldn't eat another bite.

His friends took the letter.

"Wow, Harry, what did you do?" asked Patricia, with a little awe. "It had to be really bad to deserve a late night detention with Filch."

Harry hadn't told his friends about his nighttime excursion or the detention. He had, after all, been hoping they'd disappear.

"I was out of bed after hours," said Harry, hoping this was enough of the truth to satisfy them.

"And you got caught?" laughed Olga. "Wow, Harry. Caught by Snape, too. You're lucky to be here."

"Thanks," said Harry darkly.

"Don't worry," said Sean. "It won't be so bad."

He hold up a piece of parchment. "I've got detention, too."