AN: Well, here's the next chapter! I'm actually kind of proud of this one, not gonna lie. I was worried that it would take longer to edit, but it didn't take as long as I thought it would. I hope you enjoy this one as much as you have the previous ones.
Warnings: This chapter will contain the mention of past child abuse, homophobic comments, and Ron being an idiot.
We should figure out what day and time we want to apparate to the twins. Hermione smiled as the words appeared on her paper, knowing for a fact that the privacy charms were keepings the words hidden from everyone else.
Saturday or Sunday would probably be the best for us. She wrote back, thinking of their schedules. It would be easy to apparate there from Hogsmeade. Pausing as a small smirk formed across her lips, she continued. Do you really want to go this week, though? I'm sure Justin would be more than happy to be in your company.
Bloody Hell. He's getting touchier as the days go on! Holding back a laugh at her friends' obvious discomfort, she shook her head. Have I been oblivious until now, or has he always been like this around me?
I would say it's a mix of both. I remember him looking at you a lot last year, especially when we made amortentia. You were busy trying to get out of Dumbledore's control and dealing with Sirius' death. There's no way you would have known with all the things you were dealing with at the time. Not to mention we were both dealing with Ron becoming a complete prick.
And he wasn't one beforehand? Shaking her head, Hermione sighed.
Point. I just want you to understand it's not your fault for not noticing. I didn't put it together until recently. Justin's had a habit of misjudging you in the past, so at the time I wasn't sure if it had to do with that. There was a long pause from the other end and Hermione had a feeling she knew what Harry was writing.
Yeah, that's part of the issue. Sure, we were younger when it happened, but it's something I would worry about regardless. Knowing there was more that Harry wasn't saying, Hermione prompted him for more.
And?
I don't know how he would even handle what I'm doing now, you know? He would call me a traitor for sure when he realizes that I truly don't plan on fighting Voldemort or taking part in the war unless I'm personally in danger, or my friends are. There's no way I could ever tell him my true ambitions. The bushy-haired witch felt a pang of sympathy for her friend at that. Besides, he might be a nice guy and good looking, but he's not exactly my type. That was true enough, Hermione admitted. Justin was sweet and all, but not someone she could picture Harry with.
You need someone who can know the real you without letting your image impact the way they see you. She could swear that Harry was snorting at that.
You're not wrong about that. The hard part is that it's increasingly difficult to find anyone who's willing to do that. That combined with the fact that many people wouldn't accept me for what I refuse to do leaves me at not a lot.
I'm sorry, Harry. Hermione felt the need to comfort her friend, knowing she would never have to deal with that.
No need to apologize, Mione. You kinda get used to it after a while. Harry joked back, clearly not too upset by the conversation. I'm more concerned about being able to let Justin down. I don't wanna hurt him, but I can't picture us together.
Yeah, neither can I." Hermione admitted. The good thing is that he probably won't ask you out for a long while. He's shy and won't do it until he feels like it's the right time. It could give you time to work on a way to reject him without hurting him too much.
I really hate the thought of even doing that. Harry wrote back immediately, and Hermione could already picture his slight scowl. I am afraid of him being hurt, though. I want to try and minimize it the best I can.
It'll be okay, Harry. Justin's of age. He can handle it. Hermione gently wrote to her friend, trying to console him the best she could. You deserve to be happy too.
I know, Mione. I just don't like hurting people that have been nice to me…for the most part.
I'll help you find a way to do it easily.
Thank you. Harry wrote back, the gratitude in his written words still potent, as if they had been spoken out loud.
"Merlin, I'm hungry," Harry mumbled at dinner, his stomach growling. He was preoccupied during lunch and skipped the meal, choosing to focus on his studies instead. He was also helping some other students with their spell work, therefor limiting himself even further.
"No wonder you're hungry." Hermione huffed, chiding her friend lightly. "You didn't eat much at breakfast to start with, then didn't even eat any lunch." She was giving him her classical mum stare and it caused Harry to sheepishly rub the back of his neck.
"I know, Mione. I'm sorry. I ended up getting too distracted by my work that I honestly forgot to eat. I also ended up helping some students with a spell after class, so I lost track of time." Her eyes seemed to lose some of the sternness, and she sighed.
"I understand how that can be. I didn't mean to sound so…strict, I just worry." Harry paused at that and sent her a grateful look, smiling.
"And I thank you for that. You're one of the few that bother." He gently took her hand in his own and squeezed it. "I'll make sure to eat plenty right now, I promise." Harry let go of her hand and Hermione seemed pacified with his answer.
"See that you do," She teased. "Otherwise I'll have to do something more drastic." It was a good thing Harry hadn't started to eat yet, or else he would have choked on it due to his laughter.
"That sounds ominous. I hate to imagine what you would do," He laughed again, softer this time. Hermione seemed pleased that she made her friend laugh like that and went back to eating as well, only pausing when Ron showed up, glowering at the two. "Can we help you?" Her tone was crisp but polite as ever.
"Are you two dating now?" The glower on Ron's face turned darker as he uttered those words, gaining attention from a few of the seventh years. Harry and Hermione turned to face each other, trying to maintain their stoic expressions. Lips twitching in amusement, they both erupted into giggles at the same time. "What's so funny!" Ron was seething.
Trying to calm herself, Hermione held a hand to her mouth, letting her giggles die down. Harry was faring a little better, his shoulders still slightly shaking from his own laughter. "Would you two answer me!" Ron was becoming more enraged.
"Why does it matter to you if we're dating or not?" Harry finally asked, slightly breathless from his laughter. He caught the embarrassed flush and had to hold back another bought of laughter. Merlin, could this idiot not be more obvious? Hermione caught on as well and leveled the younger Weasley with a look.
"I agree with Harry. Why does it matter?" She was enjoying this now, enjoying tormenting him after all the vile things he had said about Harry during the summer. It was time for payback and all the Great Hall would see. Speaking of which, they were already starting to gain an audience. She knew Harry wasn't a fan of those, but it would be worth it to embarrass Ron on such a scale.
"Uh…I.." Ron floundered, his cheeks reddening to a new level that neither had witnessed before. "It just does! Harry's not right for you." Hermione scoffed at that, raising an eyebrow.
"And pray tell, Ronald. Who is?" She crossed her arms and was back to staring at him, unamused as the boy (yes, boy. She would only ever see him as such) flustered more. "If you haven't noticed, I'm more than capable of making my own decisions."
But…but.." Hermione rolled her eyes again and nearly groaned.
"Oh, for Heaven's sake," Hermione shook her head, remembering a similar situation regarding herself and Krum a few years back. "Ronald, you don't get a say in who I date, or who I choose to be my friends for that matter!" She shot him a look, but it seemed to the wizard had managed to find some of his Gryffindor courage.
"But you belong with me!" Harry bit his lips hard enough to draw blood to stop himself from laughing at the absurdity of those words, his face red with concealed laughter. It wasn't just him, though. Many of the other seventh years were openly snickering at Ron now, including those from other houses.
"And who says that? You?" Hermione made a face at that, staring at Ron with contempt. "I don't care what you think of that matter, Ronald. In the end, this is my decision to make, not yours. I have never, and will never, feel that way about you." Hurt flashed through his eyes as he looked at her.
"Why not? I'm a true Gryffindor!" He puffed his chest out-causing Hermione to make a face.
"You're a true something, alright. I won't say what, since we're eating dinner." She went back to her food, ignoring the sputtering boy who had yet to leave the spot. The laughter grew louder as the Slytherin table joked about Granger standing up to the Weasel. It seemed that Ron wasn't done.
"But it's him." He spat out, as if Harry were worse than a disease. "He's a traitor! He's not fit to be in this house-Hell, he belongs in Slytherin! I bet he would fit right in with those slimy gits." Ron sneered at Harry, who laughed.
"Oh, believe me, Ron. I'd love to be over there instead of hearing your prejudiced nonsense. At least the Slytherins are decent company, as opposed to you." Harry took a sip of his pumpkin juice, humming. "You know what? I think you deserve a House all of your own. We can send all of the idiots there." If Harry were to look over at the staff table, he would find Professor Snape's lips turned upwards in clear amusement.
"C'mon, Ron. Stop making an idiot of yourself and sit down. Hermione clearly doesn't want anything to do with you, so let it go." Seamus huffed. Ron turned his anger towards the Irish wizard, glaring.
"Why should I listen to you, you ponce?" There was a gasp and Harry immediately stood up, his magic rolling off of him in waves.
"Care to repeat that, Ronald?" Harry's voice was dangerous as his eyes flashed darkly, making Ron swallow hard, body frozen.
"It…d-doesn't concern y-you." Ron stuttered, not being able to look away either.
"That's where you're wrong." He said calmly, smiling coldly at the nervous wizard. "I find that it does. After all, that word is applied to me too." Ron's eyes practically bulged out of his head, opening and closing his mouth like a dying fish. "What? Nothing to say about it now, Ronald? I wonder how Charlie or Fred and George would take to being called such a thing." Ron was practically sweating now.
To his surprise, Draco Malfoy and Blaise Zabini joined him, as well as Justin and Ernest Macmillan. It wasn't long until Terry Boot joined him, eying Ron distastefully. Seamus and Dean then stood up, all glaring at the redhead.
"I'm in agreeance with Potter." Malfoy sneered at Ron, holding hands with Zabini. "If you have something to say of the regard, then you should say it to all of us." Malfoy took pleasure in watching as Ron squirmed, terrified beyond words.
"You better watch yourself, Weasley." Zabini gave a crooked grin, flashing his perfectly white teeth.
"I've gotten better at charms thanks to Harry. I would love to put them to good use." Justin grinned darkly, sliding up to claim his spot beside the said man.
"And we've learned some new tricks." Dean smiled with Seamus, eyes promising pain.
"Is…is this a threat?" Ron squeaked out. The group looked at each other and grinned.
"That's for you to find out later," Harry smirked, eyes flashing again. "Or do we need a repeat of the other night?"
Ron was out of the great hall in seconds flat, laughter chasing him from the room.
"I must say, Potter. That was quite the show this evening." Harry outright laughed at that, giving a small shrug.
"I wasn't expecting to have so much support from my peers, but it was nice," Harry admitted, having finished his homework earlier than the other night. "I do regret not hexing him afterward."
"Don't worry, Potter. He's serving another months' worth of detention with Filch." Lighting up at that, Harry grinned.
"Good. He deserves it after what he said to Seamus. Apparently, he's said worse." Harry wasn't pleased with that, but he knew there wasn't much else he could do. "Wait, you gave Ron more detention?"
"That's what I said, Potter." Severus rose an eyebrow at the question. Resisting the urge to rose his eyes, Harry grinned.
"Shouldn't you give me more detention as well? After all, I was clearly out for attention today." Snape barely had time to control his own smirk.
"Very well, Potter. An extra month of detention. Same time." Pleased with that, Harry went back to focusing on his spell work and other spells he could make.
"Sir? When did you want me to show you my version of the protection shield?" He eventually asked after a while, earning the older wizard's full attention.
"Whenever you'd like," Snape spoke up, watching as the younger wizard soon smiled.
"Can we do it now? I've been excited to show someone who wasn't the Twins, or Hermione for a while now." Inclining his head, Snape nodded.
"Now would be acceptable." Grinning at that, Harry pulled out his book of spells and laid it down on his desk. Snape eyed it, curiosity filling him. "Do you mind if I-"He gestured to the book and Harry smiled.
"I'd be insulted if you didn't." Harry teased. Lips twitching upwards into a smirk, Severus took the book and opened it.
Multa manus- creates up to ten hands that hold down opponents
Flagella- invisible whip yanks target back up to twenty feet, unless they hit a solid object.
Disparitas- causes the target to constantly lose balance. Best if used with Vertiginem
Vertiginem – makes your opponent dizzy and lightheaded. It can cause severe headaches if left on long enough.
Scutum a morte – protection spell against the killing curse
Toroquent corporis - more effective than a body bind curse, especially when combined with torpens.
Repulsa- counter to Toroquent corporis
Torpens – numbing hex. It lasts for approximately thirty minutes.
Tenebris – makes room dark, can only be reversed with a strong Lumos maxima, or a strong finite incantatem
Caecus- temporarily blinds the target. Lasts up to five minutes
Deceptio- will cause the target to experience hallucinations until the curse is lifted.
Excutite- target shakes uncontrollably
Auxilium- Counter for the stinging hex. It can also be used to heal burns.
Vlépeis- Can cure blindness permanently. Can be used as a counter for Caecus
Anapnéo- Cure for choking. It can be used for reviving someone. Counter for the choking curse.
Na akoúso- Will enhance hearing up to an hour.
Xýpna- Counter for bewitched sleep, and Ypnos. Can wake up anyone.
Ypnos- Causes the victim to fall asleep for approximately one day, or until the charm is lifted.
Aichmirós- Sharpens a blunt object to be as sharp as a razor.
Alítheia- Will make the target incapable of lying for roughly one hour.
"Merlin…" Snape couldn't suppress his surprise at seeing the number of spells. These weren't just ordinary spells either. Some of these would change the entire wizarding world. "Cures blindness permanently." He read out, shaking his head. "Pot…Harry," Snape said instead, shaking his head. "How did you create this?"
"That one was more so trial and error. I found an injured snake that couldn't see at all. I know they already don't have the best sight, but she was so young, and I had to help her out." Harry explained, missing the way Severus looked at him. "I finally created a spell that permanently fixed her eyesight and she was so grateful." He had a small smile on his face, thinking about the small serpent. "I was able to find a nice spot for her in the woods and let her go."
"What about the burn healing spell? Why would you need that?" Snape questioned, and Harry rubbed the back of his neck slowly, not meeting his gaze.
"That spell is one that I would perform without my wand," Harry mumbled, biting his lips. "I would perform it on myself during the summers at the Dursley's household." He looked up and met dark, furious eyes. "They didn't like it when I overcooked their food. They'd lock me up in the cupboard afterward." Harry shrugged. The atmosphere turned thick and Severus laid the book down on the desk.
"And Dumbledore kept sending you back there." Severus sneered at that, finding himself hating the man even more.
"Sadly. I wouldn't come out with fewer scars, had I been allowed to stay at a building that was technically mine." Harry sighed. "Doesn't matter anymore. I'm free from them and I never have to see those monsters again."
"They deserve to suffer for what they put you through." Harry felt his face flush slightly at the dark tone, suddenly finding it hard to swallow.
"I've never had many people say that to me. Most of the wizarding world never bothered to check-in and find out if I were okay. They turned a blind eye to their supposed 'savior' and forgot that I existed. It's part of the reason I have no desire to fight. Why should I fight for people who never bothered with me over the years? Even after the Triwizard tournament, no one bothered." Harry sighed again, feeling a lot older than his age. He was so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed Severus approach him, or two strong arms gently pull him into a hug.
Taken aback by the sudden affection, Harry found himself melting into the embrace and hugging back.
"Sir?" He asked quietly, afraid to ruin the moment.
"I don't feel like you've had enough of these lately, Potter." Smiling into the sturdy chest, Harry sighed.
"Can I call you Severus, sir? During our detentions, that is."
"Of course, Harry." For some reason, the younger wizard felt his heart flutter in his chest.
I really enjoyed writing the last part of the chapter *grins*