Harry took a deep pull of his cigarette and exhaled and watching the smoke sail away on the chilly January air. He watched, from where he was leaning against a tree, as a figure walked briskly up the path from the gates to the main castle, as they got closer Harry recognised the figure as their part time Defence teacher Miles Morton. Harry hadn't spent much time in the new Professor's presence, seeing as he only taught every three weeks for a week or so at around the full moon when Remus was 'incapacitated'.

Morton's eyes focused in on Harry when he neared and he slowed down to stop when he reached him.

"That can't be good for your health." He commented.

"No, not really. Good for my stress levels though." Harry responded, wondering if Morton would take points for Harry smoking on school grounds. He idly wondered if there was a rule against it, after all it was a magical school and only muggles were likely to smoke, and that was usually initiated by high-school peer pressure, which was lacking here.

"Then I won't deprive you of it then." He smiled gently and continued up to the castle. He wasn't that bad really Harry thought as he watched him walk away.

"I will though." Came a gruff voice from behind Harry, as a large hand pulled the cigarette out of his hand and crushed it on the ground with a giant foot.

"Hagrid." Harry complained.

"Wha's got inta' you lad?" Hagrid asked, shaking Harry's shoulder slightly, making him feel nauseous. "Smoking? Where'd ya' pick that up?" he asked, Harry didn't answer. "We're gonna' have ta' do sumthin' about this." he said decisively. Harry sneered.

"What are you gonna' do? Tell my parents? My godfather?" he asked coldly. "You could tell my aunt and uncle but that would just be another reason for them to treat me like shit!" he exclaimed. "I would suggest Dumbledore, but at this point I don't think he'd even talk to me if I was on my fucking deathbed!" he shouted.

Hagrid blinked at him taken aback by his outburst, and at a lost for what to say. Harry felt a pang of guilt as he watched Hagrid fumble for something to say.

"I'm sorry Hagrid." He sighed, sliding down the tree and putting his head in his hands, running them through his unruly hair. "I don't know where that came from." He said quietly, which was a complete lie he realised. He knew exactly where it came from. It came from the little voice inside his head that told him to speak out when Dumbledore told him what to do, to yell at Snape when he unfairly took points, to tell Hermione where to go when she told him to do his homework. The little voice he always silenced, Harry was beginning to realise that it wasn't entirely healthy to do that.

"Don't worry about it Harry." Hagrid said softly, putting a comforting hand on Harry's shoulder. "Want to help me bury gold for the Nifflers to find in my fifth years lesson tomorrow?" he asked. Harry smiled up at Hagrid.

"Sure." He said and followed Hagrid back to his hut.

Hours later, when the light was beginning to fade, Harry made his way back up to the castle. Dirty, exhausted, but feeling much better. A little bit of physical exertion had been exactly what he needed. He managed to take his anger out on the innocent ground, and was feeling much more relaxed for it. Hagrid was really quite clever, Harry thought as he drifted towards the common room.

It was Wednesday before Harry worked up the nerve to go back to the hospital wing. He was beginning to think he was more likely to end up in there the usual way if he didn't go of his own accord soon. But when Hermione announced she was going to the library to complete their Defence against the Dark Arts essay (which Harry had finished the previous afternoon while having tea with Remus), and Ron shockingly voluntarily accompanied her, he was faced with the ideal opportunity.

He pushed the door to the hospital wing open slightly and entered. He heard voices coming from where Snape's bed was cornered off from the rest. He strained his ears to listen, while thinking that this was becoming a nasty habit.

"Severus you have to accept the possibility . . ." he heard a familiar voice, Miles Morton, say.

"I do not!" he heard Snape say angrily.

"I don't think you're being objective." Miles said.

"Of course I'm not, which is exactly the point! I know her, she wouldn't betray . . ."

"You." Miles finished. "Severus, we need to think about all the possibilities."

"I agree, but Jas being a spy is not a possibility." He said. Harry gaped, there was no way, Snape was right. Hang on, did he really just think that?

"I'll talk to you again soon Severus, in the mean time, be careful?" Miles asked.

"Always." Snape said as Miles opened the curtain. "Could you tell Potter if he really has to speak to me I won't object." He said, Harry could hear the smirk in his voice.

"For cryin' out loud, there's a partition between us! You can't even see me!" he exclaimed as he entered the little cornered off area, smiling in greeting to Morton as he passed.

"I have the amazing natural ability to detect people with pathetically below normal intellect, it usually allows me to avoid them quite easily. Unfortunately being confined to a hospital bed restricts one's opportunities to escape."

"Right." Harry muttered as he sat down uncomfortably on one of the chairs, farthest away from Snape as possible.

"Something you wanted?" Snape asked, even Harry could detect the curious tone underneath his usual cold one.

"Just to see how you were doing." Harry said, looking up at him, and quickly away again at his incredulous expression. "So, you're looking better." It was true, he was dressed normally instead of in a hospital gown, although having only ever seen him in robes it didn't look particularly normal to Harry. He was sitting up, on the bed instead of in it, and looked much healthier, for him anyway.

"What would you care Potter?"

"Because," Harry said, taking a deep breath,"Despite the fact that you've been a terrific pain in the arse for the last few years, I may have, might have, uh, grown to admire you a little, I think." he blurted out quickly.

"Now that's touching." Snape said sarcastically after a few moments silence. Harry nodded, frowning and got up to leave, he stopped in his tracks when he reached the curtains as he heard a softly murmured "Thank you." Then, slightly louder, "I'll see you in class on Friday, Potter."

Harry left the infirmary feeling slightly lighter, with a small smile on his face.

Thanks to ariana326 (the slash was hp/fw but it was minimal, as i pointed out at the beginning of the chapter it was in) and Captain Oz for reviewing! It's much appreciated, please REVIEW again and tell me what you thought of this chapter. I quite like this one myself, tell me what you guys think though PLEASE!