Harry hardly noticed where he was walking the moment he escaped the dungeon, his thoughts were spinning so wild. So many things had happened the last quarter. He had screamed at and cursed a teacher. Then he had tried to run away, unsuccessfully. How was it possible that it ended up with Snape apologizing, and not giving Harry any detentions? Was he really feeling so bad? No, Snape didn't feel bad. He didn't feel at all. He was the most slytherin Slytherin Harry knew! And a true slytherin didn't fe-

OH!

Off course, what was Slytherins famous for? Saving their own skin! Snape wasn't feeling bad about hitting Harry, nor was he worried about him. He was acting it, so that Harry wouldn't file a complaint to Dumbledore.

It was weird, having this dirt on Snape, after all those years where Snape had tormented Harry. Weird in a good way, off course. If the git wasn't so important to Dumbledore, Harry would use it to fire him. It was nothing more than what he deserved.

It was satisfying to realize that this was what happened tonight. The thought of a Snape who was worried about him truly disturbed Harry. He now felt as though things were right again.

Though, for some strange reason, he wasn't completely happy. He hated to admit it, let alone think it, but the thought of Snape regretting that he hit Harry had been a small comfort, seeing how many people who wanted to hurt Harry. He truly didn't need another one. That Snape had taken the time to heal the wound professionally, instead of leaving Harry to deal with it himself as the Dursleys always did. Harry squeezed his eyes shut and pushed the ridiculous thoughts away. Snape didn't care about his wellbeing.

He knew now what Snape's true intentions were, and he wasn't about to be fooled. He had almost been sorted into Slytherin himself, after all. He knew a thing or two about cunning as well.

"What happened to your cheek?" Ron asked through a mouthful of chocolate as Harry sat down opposite to him and Hermione in the common room. Hermione's eyes shot up from the essay she was working on, and studied Harry with worry.

"Nothing important, I was just clumsy" Harry lied easily, as he dug out his own far from finished Astronomy essay from his bag. Seeing Hermione's doubtful face, however, he sighed.

"Fine, if you want the full boring story, I was having Occlumency with Snape and he was about to invade my mind. I was starting to get tired, so on instinct I used protego. It backfired, I was thrown back and hit my chin or cheek or whatever on the edge of the desk. As I said, I was being clumsy" Harry finished tiredly. He knew they, or Hermione, wouldn't believe him if he merely said he fell down the stair, or tripped.

"Oh, good", said Ron with a relieved sigh. Harry frowned slightly. "Not that you hurt yourself. I mean, I thought you got into a fight with Malfoy, or Snape did something or something" he explained quickly. Harry managed to plaster on a small grin.

"None of them did anything" Harry comforted, and Ron relaxed more in his chair as he took another mouthful of chocolate. "Actually… Snape healed me" Harry said thoughtfully. It felt better that he didn't have to lie about the last part.

"He did what?" asked Ron, his brows rising into his hairline, spitting chocolate everywhere, earning a look of disgust from Hermione. Harry chuckled.

"Yeah, weird huh. I guess he just didn't want people to assume that it was his work or something. Because thanks to Malfoy, everyone knows that I'm taking remedial potions. He just did it to save his own skin" Harry answered with a shrug.

"Do have some faith, Harry, to heal you was a part of his job" Hermione intervened. At this, Ron rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe you're still defending him, 'Mione" Hermione frowned at him.

"I'm not defending him, I just don't think that he deserves all the things you say about him"

Ron scoffed, but turned back to his chocolate at the glare she gave him.

"So, the lessons aren't going too well?" she asked sympathetically. Harry sighed and shook his head.

"I just don't know what to do, or how to do it. I don't even think he's trying anymore, if he ever did. He just enjoys watching me suffer. If this continues, I don't know how long I'll last" Hermione shook her head at Harry statement about Snape, but decided she had defended Snape enough for one night.

"But you can't give up, Harry. Dumbledore says this is important, and he's right. You need to learn to defend yourself"

"Yes, I know that, but it's been months and I haven't learned a god damn thing! If it's possible, I think I'm worse!" Taking a deep breath, Harry dragged a hand through his hair. He then shoved his essay back into his bag, and stood up.

"I'm going to bed" he muttered, turning his heel before Hermione could say anything.