"Are you all right?" Harry stared at the man bewildered. Had he heard right? Had Snape gotten a blow to the head as well?
"Huh?" was all he managed to say. Harry could practically picture the man's eyes roll, even though his back was still to Harry.
"Articulate as always, Mr. Potter. I repeat, are you all right?"
"Oh… um... yes, I'm...fine" Harry finally managed to say, his thought running wild. Why would Snape care if Harry were all right or not?
Uncorking a vial, and putting it down on the desk in front of Harry, Snape sat down as well. "Drink" he commanded. Harry stared at the blueish liquid warily, refusing to even touch it, not to mention drink it, considering who had given it to him.
"A healing potion, Mr. Potter, I assure you. After all those visits to the Hospital Wing, surely you recognize it?"
Harry didn't want to admit it, but he did recognize it. Sighing, Harry downed the potion, knowing all too well how horrible it tasted. Grimacing slightly, he put the vial down, doing his best to ignore his professor's deadly stare. However, he heard his professor take a deep breath and sigh.
"I apologize for striking you, Mr. Potter. It was highly inappropriate"
Harry gaped at his professor in shock. Many people had hit him throughout his life. Vernon, Dudley and his gang, even Petunia if a frying pan counted. Now, Snape was a member of the list, but he was the only one who had ever apologized.
Severus Snape, nasty, sarcastic greasy git never apologized to anyone, and yet Harry knew he had not heard wrong. Hell must be in the midst of an ice storm right now.
"Shocking, yes I know. Do not get used to it, however. I will not say it again!"
"It's okay" Harry muttered, unsure of what else to say.
"No it is not" Snape answered simply, shaking his head. He then studied Harry's wound. "That needs cleaning" he muttered, standing up and grabbing a cloth. Harry pushed back in his chair as the man approached him.
"For heavens sake, I'm not going to hurt you" Severus said impatiently. Harry gave him a doubtful look with a silent glare.
"Again" Snape added, upon seeing the look on Harry's face.
"I can do it myself" Harry muttered, not wanting the man to come near him.
"No you can't. Now, hold still" he muttered darkly, as he knelt before Harry, grabbing his chin and pressing the cloth against the blood, wiping it away. Harry sat there uncomfortably, stealing glances to the door he so desperately wanted to escape through.
"If only I had walked a little faster" he thought darkly.
"The bruised should fade by morning", Snape stated, standing up again. Harry did the same, thinking he was allowed to leave. Snape, however, had other intentions, as he signed Harry to sit back down. With a lump in his throat, Harry did as he was told.
"We need to talk" Snape started grimly. Harry did not like the sound of that. But if he wanted to get out of this alive, hell if he wanted to get out of expulsion, he would have to stay calm, and do the right thing, even though it meant to swallow all of his pride.
"I am sorry" Harry finally said, finally able to look his potions master in the eye. Snape could almost not hide his surprise. "Potter? Sorry? Those were two words which would never fit together"
"Whatever for?" Snape muttered, raising one brow suspiciously. Harry swallowed hard.
"For yelling at you. For being disrespectful. For calling you that stupid, stupid name"
Snape did not believe the words coming out of his student's mouth. Still, he knew he hadn't heard wrong.
When Snape still didn't answer, Harry continued.
"I suppose I'll see you tomorrow then. Is eight o'clock all right? I have quidditch at five, so I would really appreciate it if-"
"What are you babbling about, Potter?" Snape interrupted, impatiently. Harry frowned, wasn't it obvious?
"My detention, sir" Harry answered rather lamely.
"Have I signed you any detentions, Potter?" Snape retorted. Again, Harry frowned.
"No, well not yet. I just assumed that I would have at least a week worth detention?"
"Do you not think I have anything better to do with my precious and valueable time, rather than spending it on dunderheads as yourself?"
"No! I mean, yes off course you have something better to do with your time, but-"
"Then you may leave, Potter" Snape finished, turning his attention to the ungraded papers on his desk. Harry gaped at the man. Was he really not getting assigned any detentions? What was happening with the world?
"Potter, did you not hear me?" Snape barked impatiently as he saw the brat was still there. "Get out of my sight"
Frowning, but deciding not to linger for a second longer, Harry bolted for the door.