"Mr Potter, a word before you go." Professor Snape called as he dismissed the rest of the class, knowing the boy had a free period next. The boy looked up nodded without much other reaction. It was a stark contrast from how the boy would have reacted in the same situation 2 years ago, and showed just how much things had changed in the relatively short period since the war had ended.

Potter approached when most of his peers had left the room, but Weasley and Granger remained.

"Mr Weasley, Miss Granger, your presence is not required. Mr Potter will join you later." Severus remarked pointedly.

The two made no move to leave, instead turning to their friend for instruction and ignoring Snape as he contained his irritation.

Harry spoke lowly to his friends though Severus could hear clearly. "It's fine." He assured. "You guys can head to back to the common room if you like, I'll only be a few minutes."

Weasley still seemed fairly reluctant, looking between his friend and teacher with assessing eyes. Finally, he relented. "We'll wait outside." He said with a surety that brokered no argument, before taking Granger's hand and leaving the room with her.

The door shut behind them and Severus gestured for Potter to take the seat across from him at his desk.

Severus paused as he tried to find the words for what he wished to say. He looked at the young man across from him as he thought but Harry didn't seem at all uncomfortable under his Professor's gaze, merely sitting with serene stillness as he waited patiently for his teacher to speak.

"I find myself bemused by today's events." Snape eventually settled on. "I was hoping you could enlighten me."

"Sir?" The boy seemed genuinely confused.

"I had not expected your interactions with Mr Malfoy to be so civil. And I certainly didn't think that you would be able to duel without one of you ending up in the hospital wing." Severus clarified.

"Ah." Understanding dawned on Potter's face. "I don't have a problem with Draco. We've both agreed to put the past behind us, so, as far as I'm concerned, we're good."

Despite all he had seen in the last 2hrs, Severus was still sceptical. "So I don't have to worry about the two of you blowing up my classroom?"

Harry chuckled. "No, Sir. I'm fine being Draco's partner for the rest of the year. I know some of the others are still a bit wary, which I get, but I have no issues with Draco."

"I see." Severus ran a slender finger across his bottom lip. "And Mr Weasley? I got the impression he doesn't share your opinions on forging an amicable relationship with Mr Malfoy."

Harry grimaced slightly. "Ron doesn't trust easily. I guess he's still a little suspicious."

Severus' brow creased. "Do I need to be concerned about the pair of them sharing accommodation?"

"Oh, no, Sir." Harry assured. "Ron won't start anything, he's just very protective, especially when it comes to Hermione."

Severus snorted remembering the duel he had witnessed a short time previously. "I highly doubt Miss Granger needs any protection from Weasley, she is very capable of defending herself."

For the first time, Potter looked uncomfortable, his eyes on the hands resting in his lap, and squirming slightly in his seat. Severus decided not to push him and allowed him time to gather his thoughts and decide what he wanted to say.

When he did speak, he had returned to the calm, directness he had possessed a few moments earlier.

"I don't know how much you know of what we were doing last year." He spoke softly and without question. "But we were, at one point, captured by Snatchers and taken to Malfoy Manor."

Severus nodded. He was vaguely familiar with this occurrence; firstly, from hearing of the Dark Lord's displeasure with the Malfoys at having had Potter and letting him escape, and secondly, from Draco's trial, where Potter had mentioned Draco's minor act of aid in pretending not to recognise him.

"Well I won't get into details but the long and short of it is that Bellatrix tortured Hermione pretty bad."

Severus' eyebrows jumped up his forehead; he had not been aware of that.

"Cruciatus?"

Harry nodded. "And some…more creative ways."

Severus had to physically shake the imagined images from his brain in order to focus on what Harry was now saying.

"Anyway, she's fine now, but sometimes…she gets flashbacks. And what with it happening in Malfoy Manor, and Draco being there when it happened, it's probably best if they're not paired together."

Severus blinked. "Flashbacks? How often is Miss Granger experiencing flashbacks?"

Harry frowned. "Not that often. Just sometimes."

"And how long do the flashbacks last? Does she become unresponsive during these episodes?"

The crease of Potter's brow grew more pronounced. "What does it matter? She's fine."

"Potter," Severus eyed the boy sternly. "Does anybody else know about this?"

"Everybody who needs to know about it knows." Potter responded stubbornly.

Snape glared. "Potter, this isn't the kind of thing the three of you can handle on your own. If Hermione is having flashbacks she should be seeing someone who really knows how to help her."

"That's not your decision." Potter was calm but firm. "I told you because I thought you should know, as our Defence professor. But that's as far as this goes; the last thing Hermione needs is for the whole school to know."

Severus sighed. "I assure you that will not happen." He said as earnestly as he could, looking straight into Harry's bright green eyes. "But I cannot promise you not to inform anyone else of this. You may be adults, but I still have a duty of care to you all and I am obliged to inform the headmistress of this at least."

Severus couldn't quite tell if Harry's face was more disappointed or disgusted. The boy stood abruptly, shaking his head so his unruly hair flopped around his face. "I should've known. I should've known there's no one I can actually trust." He turned away from the desk and went back to his own table to collect his bag.

"Potter –"

"No, it's fine." He swung his bag over his shoulder as he walked towards the door. "At least now I know how it is. Next time I'll just keep my mouth shut."

"Potter –" Severus tried again, but the boy was gone. He hadn't slammed the door as he exited, merely left it wide open, so Severus could hear him clearly in the corridor. His friends, true to their word, had waited just outside, and though they wouldn't have heard anything from inside the room, Potter's dramatic exit immediately aroused their suspicions and concern.

"Harry?"

"Let's go to the dorm, I need to talk to you guys."

Severus listened to the retreat of their footsteps down the hall. He took a deep breath and dragged one hand down his face. As with most things when it came to Harry Potter, that hadn't gone to plan. Severus only hoped that this latest conversation wouldn't turn the boy against him for good.

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"So, what did Snape want?" Ron asked as he gulped down his first bite of a roast beef sandwich.

Harry left his own plate untouched as he looked at his closest friends, his brother and sister.

"He wanted to know about Malfoy. Why I volunteered to partner with him in place of Hermione." He looked regretfully into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Hermione. I told him about what Bellatrix did to you and about your flashbacks."

Her face paled considerably but Hermione said nothing.

"I'm so sorry, Hermione. I thought we could trust him, but he's going to tell McGonogall. I should never have told him anything." Harry hung his head shamefully.

Hermione reached across the table and placed her hand gently over Harry's wrist. "It's ok, Harry. They were bound to find out eventually. I'm not upset with you."

"You should be." Harry argued mournfully. "We agreed we wouldn't talk about what happened. And on the very first day I go and blab, and to Snape of all people!"

"It's alright, mate. You made a mistake, trusted too quickly. You don't have to be perfect, Harry; we don't expect that of you. And whatever happens, we'll see it through together. Just the three of us, like always." Ron said intently and swung his arm affectionately around Hermione's shoulders.

Ron's support achieved a small smile on Harry's face, but he still turned to Hermione with his concerned eyes.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Honestly, Harry, I don't mind. Like Ron said, we'll face it together." She gave him a warm smile. "And Harry, I don't think you should blame Professor Snape too much either. He's just doing his job, and I think he genuinely does care."

Harry scoffed bitterly.

"No, listen, Harry." Hermione tugged on his hand so he looked at her once more. "Don't let this destroy your faith in him."

Harry's brow furrowed with a pained expression. He never knew what to think of Snape. Even now, when Harry idolized the man and worshipped his heroism, he still found it hard to trust him. It was so difficult to align the two versions of Snape that he knew; the cruel and bitter teacher with the bravest man he'd ever known.

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Harry thought about what Hermione had said for the rest of the day, and he thought about Snape and why Harry even cared so much. It was due to all this thinking, that Harry struggled to pay attention in the rest of his lessons that day; a fact not missed by his new transfiguration professor.

And so, for the second time that day, Harry was asked to say behind.

When his fellow pupils had left, and Ron and Hermione had, once again, assured him that they would be waiting just outside, Harry approached the professor.

"You wanted to see me, Professor Weasley?"

The red-head chuckled. "You don't have to call me Professor Weasley when we're alone, Harry. 'Charlie' is fine."

Harry lips twitched up into a smile. "Alright then. You wanted to see me Professor Charlie?"

Charlie rolled his eyes. "Take a seat." He offered, continuing as Harry sat down. "You seemed distracted during the lesson today. Although admittedly, I don't have a frame of reference. Perhaps you are always that distant in class?" He raised an eyebrow.

Harry looked sheepish. "Er – No, Sir. Sorry."

Charlie sighed. "Really, Harry, there's no need for the formalities. I was just concerned that's all."

"Oh thanks, but I'm fine. I'll pay more attention in future."

"Anything in particular on your mind?" The elder enquired.

"No, there's nothing." Harry waved a dismissive hand. "You don't need to worry."

"Harry." Charlie's tone said he didn't believe a word of it.

The boy-saviour sighed. "Honestly, Charlie. I'm fine."

The red-headed Professor snapped his fingers in response, summoning a house-elf and ordering tea for the two of them. "Harry, you can't keep shutting everyone out like this."

Eyebrows drew close under a dark fringe. "I'm not."

"Really? When was the last time you spoke to someone about how you're actually feeling? Someone other than Ron and Hermione."

"I..." Harry couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Exactly. You're shutting us out. You won't talk to me or Bill or Dad. We don't mean to pry, Harry, but we are concerned."

Harry ran a hand through his already dishevelled hair. "I know." He sighed. "I'm sorry I'm so closed off sometimes. I promise you, you don't have to worry about me though. This time my distraction wasn't caused by anything serious."

"Alright." Charlie accepted. "So what was distracting you today?"

Harry huffed in defeat and frustration. "I had an argument with Professor Snape."

Charlie nodded slowly. "Okay. You wanna tell me what you argued about?"

"No." Harry shook his head adamantly.

"Well, as I understand it, this wouldn't be the first time that you've had an altercation with Professor Snape. What about it is upsetting you this time?"

"I'm not upset." Harry denied. "And I always thought Snape was an evil, Death Eater before."

"Ah," Charlie made a noise of sudden understanding. "You respect him now, which means you care about what he thinks."

"I – I don't know." Harry ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I owe him. I thought this year would be different; that I could make it up to him, but I've already messed it up. And I've let Hermione down in the process as well." He clenched his fists. "Shit! Why couldn't I just keep my mouth shut?"

Suddenly realising that he had just sworn in front of a teacher, Harry looked up guiltily. "Sorry."

Charlie waved the apology away. "God knows you've heard me swear like a sailor. Just keep it clean in class, yeah?"

Harry nodded. "Now, I don't know what you've done, Harry, but the way I see it, no relationship is unsalvageable." Charlie reassured. "If you've done something wrong just apologize. And I've found that the best way to earn Professor Snape's respect is to work hard and stay true to your values. Do that, and you'll be worthy of Snape's respect even if he doesn't give it to you."

Harry bobbed his head in agreement. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Charlie."

"No problem, Harry. And I mean it, you can come and talk to me about anything, whenever you need to." Charlie fixed him with an intense look. "You may not be a Weasley by name Harry, but you're still family."

Harry tried to swallow back down the uncomfortable lump in his throat. "Thanks." He said gruffly. "Umm, I should go. Ron and Hermione are waiting."

"Alright, Harry. Enjoy your evening."

Harry nodded and without another word fled the room for the emotional safety of his dorm.

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"Do come in, Severus. Tea?" Minerva offered congenially.

"Please." Severus sat tiredly across from Minerva and accepted the given tea gratefully.

"So, what is it you needed to see me about?" If there was one thing Severus appreciated about the new headmistress, it was that she never wasted time on idle small talk.

"Hermione Granger."

"Oh? Are you concerned about her workload? I said it was a lot to take on, but she would insist."

"No, it's not that. I discovered today that she was tortured by Bellatrix last year." Severus was blunt.

Minerva put her teacup down with a clatter. "I did not know."

"Few do know by the sound of it."

"Is she well?"

"Physically, I believe so, though I shall check later. Mentally," He sighed. "I think not."

"Why, what has happened, Severus?" Minerva's voice was tinged with worry.

"Nothing. – Yet. Potter told me that she experiences flashbacks of the incident."

"Merlin." McGonagall breathed. "Have they told anyone else? The girl should have help."

"I believe they kept it between the three of them. Potter wouldn't tell me anything else, and I should mention that in informing you of this I believe I have lost what fragile trust the boy had for me."

"Oh, Severus, I'm sure Harry will understand in the long term." The Headmistress sympathised. "In the meantime, we need to help Hermione."

"I propose, if you agree, that we postpone any course of action until I have spoken with Granger at our scheduled meeting. It will give me an opportunity to assess how bad the flashbacks are and whether the girl is willing to be helped." Suggested Severus.

"I trusted your judgement, Severus. Provided nothing untoward occurs in the meantime, we'll wait until you speak with the poor girl. Other than that, has the first day gone smoothly?"

"It has been mostly uneventful, yes. And exhausting nonetheless."

Minerva chuckled. "Yes, the first day always did seem to be the longest."

Severus huffed. "The little hooligans still think they're on holiday."

"I'm sure you'll soon correct them of that notion." Minerva replied with a grin.

"Absolutely." Severus confirmed without a trace of humour. "I do have concerns about the Slytherins."

"They are not settling in well?"

Severus' head tilted. "They are more isolated then the other houses. The other students are still wary of them and they are equally untrusting in return. It makes them vulnerable, and also more susceptible to acting out."

"Well, one encouraging welcoming speech wasn't going to dispel a century's rivalry, but it is only the first day, Severus, there is still time. At risk of sounding like our esteemed predecessor," she chuckled, "You must have a little faith."