Unruly

The entrance of the Chamber of Secrets closed itself behind him in a soft rumble. But Harry didn't move. The horror of what he had just learned was still creeping in his mind and he was feeling so numb he wasn't thinking straight. The sound of the footsteps of a group of students running in the corridor pulled him out his thoughts and he decided to go back to his dormitory. He didn't want to write to Sirius anymore, he didn't care about Dumbledore or the war anymore, he just wanted to stop thinking. Fortunately for him, he had enough homework to keep him busy during the whole weekend. It was maybe the first time he ever enjoyed studying with Hermione and Ron.

He didn't set foot in the Room of Requirements or the Chamber of Secrets.

He stayed in this quiet state until Monday morning when, inadvertently, he misread one of the lines while concocting his Deflating Draught which caused his cauldron to shrink until it reached the size of a galleon. Harry looked quickly around him, hoping than nor the students or Snape had noticed anything. If he was fast enough, he could put the cauldron back in shape using wandless nonverbal magic and he would just have to start the potion over again. But the professor was already in front of his bench, a wicked smile on his face. Harry refused to look at him while the teacher motioned his wand to give its size back to the cauldron.

'Mr Potter,' he said in a voice as soft as threatening, 'it seems that your abyssal level has discovered new depths.'

Harry swallowed, ignoring the chuckles of the Slytherins. He breathed deeply and focused on letting go his growing frustration. Snape raised an eyebrow, almost disappointed to not hear the boy's retort that would have caused him another detention.

'You'll make use of the remaining class time to write and explain the reasons you failed the potion,' said Snape before turning his back to Harry and inspecting Ron's potion who had doubled his effort under the stern gaze of his professor.

Harry refrained an exasperated sigh and pulled his quills out of his bag. What he wrote was mediocre at best, but he didn't care at all. Not that the request had been completely unfair, for once, but what was the point of trying if, in the end, there was no hope for him. He still hadn't decided what he would do about his situation, but one thing he was certain of is that he wouldn't spend more time than needed in a stupid paper he had no interest in.

When the class was over, Snape beckoned him to bring his parchment to the teacher's desk. Harry handed it over and was about to turn away when Snape intervened.

'I didn't say you could leave,' said the teacher while reading Harry's essay. The boy didn't say anything and waited for the professor to review his poor work.

Snape put the parchment on his desk and considered Harry for a few seconds.

'I have stopped expecting anything of quality from you for a long time now,' said Snape slowly, 'but what happened today is a new low, even for you.'

'I am sorry,' replied Harry feeling his jaw clenching. 'I'll be more careful next time.'

'I hope so, as I won't tolerate any of your attention-seeking behaviour anymore,' threatened Snape.

'Believe me that whether it was your own or that of others, drawing any attention wasn't my intention at all,' couldn't refrain Harry.

'Please, you've been craving for it ever since your set foot in this school!'

'You're wrong!'

'Watch your tone Potter,' smiled Snape. The boy had taken the bait. 'Your father had this habit too. Couldn't walk into a room without making sure everyone had noticed his presence. You are the same, thinking you're so special.'

'But I am special!' Blurted Harry, who couldn't control himself anymore. 'Do you think I enjoy it? Do you think I enjoy risking my life every year with the sole reward of being called a cheater, a liar, or a murderer? Oh wait I had forgotten it was way better when everyone was thinking that my favorite hobby was to launch a monster on the students!'

Harry was fuming. He was used to Snape's unfairness, but it was one time too many. He hadn't the patience to deal with this anymore. If his fate was to die, he wouldn't live the remaining of his life while being subjected to the abject behaviour of his professor.

'So, you do think it is all about you,' replied Snape with a cold voice. The tone of the boy was highly displeasing.

'But it is about me!' Exclaimed Harry. 'Why would anyone take so much precaution to hide my family while other lives were at stake? Why would Voldemort need my blood, yes mine and no one else's, to resurrect? Why can't I set foot outside of the castle without being watched by the members of the Orders?!'

'Well, you don't seem that special to the leader of this very Order,' said Snape with spite. 'Seeing how he avoids you…'

The pain that the words caused was so stinging that Harry stood quiet. The man knew exactly where to hit to hurt him. Snape sighed slowly in the deafening silence of the room. Why couldn't he control his bitterness with the boy? Even he had to recognize that he had gone too far. Beside the boy was right. Even if he had no idea how and why, it was about him. Leaving Harry in the shadow was a mistake in Snape's opinion, but it wasn't his choice to make, and he respected the one who had taken it too much to disobey. Even if he disagreed.

'Where is he anyway?' Finally asked Harry with a low voice.

'You already know the answer to that question,' replied Snape.

Harry shrugged.

'Is there anything else, professor?' The voice was now blank.

Snape noticed the change in Harry's tone but nodded. He couldn't hold the student any longer. He observed him leaving the classroom with a dark look. Something had changed in the boy, and he had seen it too late. Harry Potter was many things but not one to dare screaming at his teachers. He wasn't that insolent. He glanced at the pathetic essay the boy had given at the end of the class. He had never read something so meaningless and empty. He frowned while crumpling the parchment. He would need to have a word with the Headmaster.

Speaking of the devil. He glanced at a torch near the fireplace which was softly lighting his desk. Its color had changed from a subtle orange to a warm red. Finally!

The flames in the chimney just had the time to turn green before he rushed in to burst a few seconds later in the Headmaster office. Dumbledore had just returned as his travelling cape was still on his desk.

'Will you receive the boy now?' He asked bluntly without saluting the old wizard.

'Good morning, Severus' smiled politely Dumbledore. 'I trust everything went well in my absence?'

'There was no new decree since you left if this is what you mean,' sighed Severus whose patience had been depleted since his altercation with Harry. 'However, I suggest you see Potter soon.'

'Is it worse than I thought?' Asked Dumbledore with a hint of worry in his voice.

'Not necessarily,' replied the Potion Master. He held the Headmaster's gaze why clarifying his answer. 'I don't think his late behavior, though disturbing, has anything to do with the Dark Lord.'

'What happened?' Asked the Headmaster inquiringly.

'The boy found again an opportunity to be noticed,' snarled Snape. 'I held him back after dismissing the class to warn him about his behavior.'

'A fruitful discussion I suppose?'

'I already told you about the boy's arrogance,' replied Snape while ignoring the sarcasm. 'It seems that what little restraint he had is gone.'

'Bold of him knowing the tendency you have to put him in detention.'

'Because he deserves it,' spit Snape feeling his anger boiling.

'Does he?' Retorted Dumbledore. The Potion Master glared at him. The Headmaster sighed and went on with a softer voice. 'Severus I have always respected you and always will for I know the considerable work you achieve day after day for the Order. But when it comes to Harry Potter, can you look me in the eyes and tell me that you have always treated him fairly or benevolently?'

Snape considered the older wizard who was observing him above his half-moon shaped glasses. He hated that look that seemed to have the ability to pierce through anyone's soul. A look you could not hide any secrets from. He turned his eyes away, disgusted.

'My dear Severus,' continued Dumbledore, 'I have told you this before and I will say it again. You look at that boy seeing what you expect to see. I can assure you the day you will look at him and consider him for what he truly is, your opinion will change.'

'And what is he exactly?' Hissed Severus.

Dumbledore raised his look on the window near his desk. The Sun was high in the sky, bathing the castle in its light on this cold morning.

'A talented young man, battered in a flow of events he never asked for. A young wizard who joined his World too late and was neglected until then. Even worse, I fear.' He turned his gaze toward Snape again. 'Someone I am failing to protect despite my efforts and who I should let in before it becomes too late, if it is not already the case.' He paused a few seconds and finally added. 'And I highly suggest you do the same, Severus.'

The Headmaster went to his desk and Severus understood the silent order. The impromptu meeting was over. As he was climbing down the stairs to go back in his dungeon, Dumbledore's words danced in his mind.

"You see what you expect to see."

He arrived in his office, closed the door behind and went straight to his private room to splash cold water on his face. It stung and it felt good. His eyes closed, he focused on his breath and regained control of his thoughts. When he opened them, he saw his distorted reflect on the old mirror hanging above the sink. When was the last time he had ever considered his face in a mirror? He looked closely. The face he was seeing was the same one he remembered. Maybe with one or two new wrinkles. Especially at the center of his forehead. He let his hand touch the cold glass and wondered what she would have looked like today.

'What would she say if she saw what you were doing to Harry?' Whispered a voice in his head.

He heard footsteps in the distance. His second-year students from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were getting ready for their afternoon class. He took a deep breath and rearranged himself before heading toward the classroom with a sure and stern step.

Hello there!

I am very sorry for the time it took me to write this chapter. Inspiration went on a trip and didn't invite me!

It seems to be back so I will make good use to it.

Tell me what you think :) (If you feel like it, of course)

The author who was starting to loose hope