Snape swooped into the Great Hall like a dungeon bat (which was a quite ridiculous nickname, Harry thought), his robes swooshing around him. Without sparing a look to either side, he strode up to the High Table - the Headmaster was already there, Harry saw. As Harry proceeded at a level walk (he didn't want to seem too upset, or too much in a hurry), he heard a voice purring in his ear - which, as no one was actually there, was nearly enough to make him scream, whirl, and try to deck whomever was in his personal space. Harry was so occupied in not flinching that he hadn't actually listened to what was said. He took a deep breath, and then another, mentally replaying it as he did:
"Potter," Snape said in his characteristic smooth voice, "If anyone asks about the detentions, make something up and stick with it."
Harry Potter nodded slowly, turning the assent into part of his sitting at the table.
"Oi! What'd old man Snape want?" Ron asked, still stuffing his face full of food.
"Nothing much, only I talked back to him, and so I've got detention." Harry Potter said, letting the affability of the Weasel wash over Harry himself, mentally pulling it in so he could harness it.
"Rotten luck, mate." Ron said, still eating pancakes, although it was certainly not breakfast. Ron Weasley was disgusting, Harry Potter thought somewhat apathetically, Why couldn't I have picked a better Gryffindor?
Looking down the table, Harry saw his other yearmates. Dean and Shamus were already fast friends (and though they were less repulsive than Weasel, they seemed like... it would be interrupting if Harry clung to them like the lifesaver he needed). Nevile was, well, at least he hadn't blown his potion up. He didn't seem confident enough to be a Gryffindor, and the other boys seemed to be treating him like so. It wasn't that he was being bullied, exactly, but they definitely kept a distance, as if afraid that cowardice was catching.
Harry Potter knew far more about cowardice, and the particular variant of bravery that it tends to spawn, than anyone expected. As if he hadn't just been wallowing in his thoughts, he turned to Ron Weasley and asked, "What'd I miss?" The rest of the meal descended into a discussion of Quiddich that Harry definitely didn't follow, but watching everyone so lively (even Neville and a few of the girls were chiming in) was passing fun. Nobody seemed to mind that Harry simply listened avidly, which was nice. Harry'd not like making a fool of himself in front of everyone, after all.
[a/n: Snape likes his practical jokes same as the next person. His may be a little more... hard-edged than some. Ce la vie.
Write a review, up next: more Ron! Yes, I know, but it has to be done. Does anyone like Ron?]