The first thing Harry did when he returned to his Gryffindor bed was throw himself on it and groan into the pillow. He couldn't believe he was feeling this horrible about ruining Snape's day.

"Uuuuugh…" He tried to forget the awkward dinner they had together. Well, Snape as always seemed fairly composed, while Harry picked at his food taking only a couple of bites here and there, keeping his eyes down.

He had to pay the other back. He asked how much the ingredients were when Snape let him go but the only answer he got was an unimpressed look and the door closing between them. At least he didn't slam it this time.

"Harry!" Harry turned to see Ron and Hermione rushing in glad to see him feeling better. "How are you feeling?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah mate, you could have written to tell us how you were." Ron said punching Harry's arm lightly. Harry chuckled and rubbed the spot gently.

"I'm fine… I actually only got better this morning, but I wasn't allowed out of bed. Sorry I didn't write." He said.

"Not allowed out of bed? Madam Pomfrey is turning into my mother." Ron grumbled. Harry said nothing, frowning at the slight twist he felt in his chest. Hermione smacked Ron's arm lightly.

"It's important that Harry gets rest! That poison was nothing to joke around with. How's your arm Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry looked down at his hand which had partially returned to normal, only the base of his fingernails remained tinted a dark purple but it was slowly fading.

"It's better, should fade away soon. It really wasn't the worst of it, the fever was a nightmare. It was too cold without a blanket, then too hot with a blanket. I just wanted to pull my hair out halfway through." He chuckled.

"Rough time mate. Let's go eat, eating always makes me feel better." Ron said and Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Of course it does." Harry and Hermione laughed and Ron shrugged.

"Ok, I'm coming." Harry said getting out of bed. On the way to the great hall, they had the misfortune of meeting with Draco Malfoy, escorted by Zambini and Parkinson, Crabbe close behind with Goyle, though seemingly not part of the actual group.

"If it isn't Potter. Did your family actually want you back for Christmas this time?" Draco laughed as did his friends. Harry tensed as they pointed out the first Christmas he was spending out of Hogwarts.

"Shut up Malfoy." Ron scoffed holding his arm and they kept going.

"No wonder they don't want him back, it's thanks to him his parents were killed." The blond mumbled to his friends. Harry felt the words like a shocking wave of ice cold water running over him. In a second he roughly pulled himself away from Ron's hold and threw himself on the unsuspecting blonde. His accidental magic made the air thick and all the lights on the hovering candles above burst into large flames with the intensity of his rage.

The scuffle that followed gathered a large crowd cheering either side on, calling for a fight insistently. Harry barely registered the words as the rage consumed him, trying to do whatever damage he could to the Slytherin prat. He felt arms tugging them apart but he tried to get the final blow to Malfoy, throwing a kick his way and struggling against whoever was holding him back, elbowing them, across the face. Everything stopped as he was released and Harry saw that Filch had been holding him back, but the person he elbowed was Umbridge, who was on the ground, being helped up by Blaise and Pansy.

"Students! Please go to the great hall. You mister Potter, will come with me." Harry was shaking, feeling disgusted, the rage he'd felt making him feel dirty… out of control… it was horrible. He barely registered as he stood up and followed the other to Dumbledore's office. This would be the first time he saw the man since he was given to Snape for Occlumency lessons.

"You will not find the headmaster Dolores. He's away on business I'm afraid." Harry didn't look up as he heard McGonagall coming.

"Well, then I shall inform you, professor, about the horrific behaviour of this vicious hooligan and classes have yet to even start!" Dolores screeched, her grip on his shoulder firm, her nails digging into his skin as she shook him.

"I heard, I am absolutely horrified mister Potter. What possessed you to react in such a way?" McGonagall demanded. Harry couldn't find his voice. Saying it again in front of Umbridge would just make the old woman probably congratulate Malfoy for saying what he said.

"I ask that I set the punishment, seeing as the boy hit me in his vicious rampage." Umbridge said. McGonagall gave an uncertain pause but finally she accepted. "I believe a few detentions ought to teach you a thing or two mister Potter." She said viciously and dragged him away. Harry did not look back at his head of house and did not respond to Umbridge. Getting sat down on the chair he stared at the pink doily.

"I did not mean to hit you." Harry mumbled.

"Don't worry mister Potter… you'll be sorry soon enough." She promised bringing him the quill.

oOoOoOo oOoOoOo oOoOoOo

Harry left that detention hungry and in pain. Umbridge had exceeded expectations yet again. He couldn't even think of going to Snape for more of that honey poultice. Just imagining the other's disappointment at his lack of control made his own stomach twist unpleasantly and he had to blink a couple of times to remove the slight burning sensation from his eyes.

Getting to the common room he was not in the mood to hear any comments from his friends, but Hermione simply led him to the couch and used a new sweet smelling poultice on his hand. Harry blinked surprised. Was this…? "What's this?" He asked softly, Ron sitting down on his other side, watching Hermione work on the throbbing slices on his hand.

"It's a honey poultice… we found it looking for something to help you." She said.

"When?" Harry asked softly.

"During dinner…" She said gently.

"You guys should have eaten." Harry said feeling guilty.

"As if we could eat knowing what you were going through." Ron said placing a hand, meant to comfort, on Harry's shoulder. Harry flinched to it but slowly relaxed, his friends taking care of him. "It was funny though, I was the one that found it, it was scrunched up behind a book in one of the shelves I'd been looking in." Ron said proudly. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Yes, your researching techniques are truly outstanding." She mumbled. "But it was a good find, Ron." Hermione said and started bandaging his hand up.

"Thanks… can I see the recipe? So I can make it myself if something happens." Harry said. Hermione nodded and went to get it. Harry didn't look at it straight away and just put it in his pocket.

"We need to do something about this bloody woman." Ron mumbled, still looking down at his now bandaged hand.

"We can't do anything." Harry said.

"It's just simply outrageous! First the worthless classes and now she tortures you whenever she pleases." Hermione said.

"I deserved it this time." Harry said. His friends didn't say anything at first.

"No you don't mate, are you out of your mind?" Ron said. Harry stood.

"I don't want to talk about this."

"Ok… but we do need to do something about 'defence' at least… she won't teach us… so we need someone who will." Hermione said. Harry looked back at her confused. Who could possibly teach them defence? And why were his friends looking at him in that funny way?