"I'm out on the edge and

I'm screaming my name, like

A fool at the top of my lungs

Sometimes when I close my eyes

I pretend I'm alright…

But it's never enough"

-Echo

Chapter 22: Betrayed

Disclaimer: Potter isn't mine guys, sorry.

"What do you think you're doing?" Harry shouted furiously, backing away from the Potions Master whilst feeling as if he were going to explode at any minute. Never had he been so angry…so violated in his entire life.

"You had no right," the teen went on, not allowing his Professor to get a word in. "But I suppose I had this coming, didn't I?" he asked, sarcastically as well as rhetorically. "An eye for an eye," Harry spat, recalling an old muggle phrase. "This is revenge for last year, right? This is why you agreed to these lessons again, isn't it?" he kept on ranting, thoroughly peeved off to the point where he was shaking in resentment towards the older man. "You were hoping to find something like that, weren't you?" his emerald eyes shined with betrayal and pain as he recalled the memories Severus just viewed. "Well, congratulations," he ran for the door, "Now you have it."

"Harry, I-"

But it was too late. Not even acknowledging that the Professor had called him by his first name for once, the Gryffindor had left.

Snape remained, deciding against chasing after the teen. He felt it would be best to allow Potter some time in order to calm down before attempting to speak with him again. Because, whether or not he wanted to do so, another meeting between the two would definitely be held.

For now, however, he stood feeling entirely ill.

Harry's home life was far from what he expected it to be like.

And he could relate all too much to that…

…

It was around one o'clock in the afternoon when Harry had finally made his way back up to the tower. Still feeling angry and slightly anxious towards what had taken place between him and Snape, he intended on lying in bed for a bit in the hopes that it would relax him.

"Harry," a voice called from behind as he approached the stairs that led into his dorm. Sighing in disappointment, he turned around to see a quite nervous looking brunette standing before him.

"Oh, I'm sorry," the girl told him, taking his exasperated breath the wrong way. "If you don't want to talk-"

"No," he reassured her, "I've actually been wanting to speak with you for a while," Harry smiled. All of his previous distress faded, if only a little.

The opposite Gryffindor beamed back at him, "Let's take a seat then, shall we?" she suggested, walking over to the comfortable-looking sofas in the room.

After soon agreeing, Harry followed and sat beside her.

"Mione, I'm sorry about last night-" he went to apologize.

"No, it was my fault," she corrected. "I shouldn't have been pushing you about the Slytherins," Hermione sighed, remembering Ginny's earlier advice. "I know that you just need time in order to cope with all of these changes…" she shook her head when a sudden picture of Ron popped into her head. That was one change she, herself, was still dealing with.

"But you were right," Harry insisted, using the newly formed silence to his advantage. "I should have at least realized that they didn't mean any harm," he took a deep breath, not entirely believing the words he just said.

"They still don't," Hermione informed him almost inaudibly. She really didn't want to get into it again with her best friend.

"I know," he surprised her by agreeing. "It's just going to take a while."

Hermione smiled at him and repeated his previous words, "I know," the prefect then took his hand as a means of comfort.

Happy for the first time since he had woken up, Harry laced their fingers together contentedly.

After several moments of not talking passed by, Hermione spoke up again. "So, how did your detention with Professor Snape go?"

All happiness abruptly vanished for Harry at that. Desperate to change the subject, he removed his hand from hers and stood up.

"Fine," he answered shortly.

Not believing that for a second, the other teen wisely let the matter drop for now. Standing up beside him, she suggested, "Care to take a walk?" for it was a nice day out and Hermione truly wanted to spend some quality time with her friend after the tension that had been going on between them.

"Sure, why not?" Harry forced a grin, trying to get his mind off of Snape now.

Hermione retaking his hand made that a lot easier to do as the two exited through the Fat Lady's portrait.

…

As they began descending the grand staircase, Hermione was ambushed with the guilt that had been eating away at her ever since their return to school. She had yet to be truthful about what she had discussed with Pansy their first night back and still hadn't explained why she stayed behind to talk with her the following day. The brunette could tell Harry wanted to know, but kindly refrained from asking (which she was immensely grateful for).

Still, it wasn't fair of her to keep this information to herself. Harry had told her of his run-in with Malfoy, afterall.

Also, it couldn't remain a secret forever…especially with Ginny so intensely involved. Each time she and the Slytherin girl spoke, her friend was nearly always the main topic.

But she couldn't bring herself to tell him just yet. They had barely made up and Hermione could tell he hadn't been having the best of days thus far...

Then, the prefect looked at the peaceful expression upon Harry's face and quickly made up her mind.

'It will just have to wait,' she decided. Until when…well that was still a mystery.

…

Upon exiting the entrance hall, the two Gryffindors found Ginny, along with Neville and Luna, all sitting beside the lake.

Having not spoken to them as a group for a time, Harry and Hermione decided to join them.

"Hello everyone," the brunette greeted as they walked over.

Noticing her friends' intertwined hands, Ginny smirked somewhat triumphantly and watched as they each sat down next to her.

"How have you been, Luna?" Hermione asked as she hadn't seen the blonde since Sunday evening.

"Oh, I've been rather well," the Ravenclaw smiled dreamily. "Although, I am afraid I will forever have this scar," she held out her hand, showing her friends the precise spot where Arnold had bitten her a few months back. It was small, yet still noticeable.

Carefully examining the younger girl's hand, Hermione informed her, "You know, Madame Pomfrey could easily remedy that for you. Just one potion later, it would completely vanish," she smiled.

"I truly don't mind all too much," she replied, then looked to the teen beside Hermione with a questioning expression. "If you don't mind me asking," she went on without a response, "Why haven't you looked into this for your scar, Harry?"

Noticing the sudden stiffness in his posture, Hermione answered for him, "Luna," she gave her a disappointed look, "Harry's scar is…different," she said a bit clumsily. That had always been a sore topic and, normally, it was never brought up.

Although, since when had Luna ever been considered normal?

"Tryouts are still being held tomorrow, yes, Harry?" Ginny asked, strategically turning the topic over to something much lighter.

Thankful, he reassured her, "Of course. I wouldn't cancel twice in the same week." Originally, tryouts were to be held that Saturday morning, but were postponed due to his detention with Snape.

"Katie and Dean would probably fight over which got to land the first punch if you had," the red-head joked. Those who wanted to make the team had no more time to waste. They all needed to know so practice could begin being that their first match would be held within the next short month.

Harry laughed, "How is Dean these days?" he asked, not having received wind of their break up. Thomas had always been quiet about his personal affairs and Harry never listened to the ongoing gossip that always flooded the common room.

"Well, we haven't talked much lately," Ginny replied casually, "But from what I've heard, he seems to be doing alright." There was no bitterness laced into her voice which was probably due to the fact that she and her ex decided to keep their friendship.

Before Harry could interrogate whom he considered to be his sister, two things happened: Hermione shook her head, silently saying that she would fill him in later, and Neville decided to jump into the conversation.

"I spoke with him last night during our detention," he let Ginny know, "He actually asked me to tell you something," Neville's face was tinged pink for his short-memory had always been an embarrassment to him. "I must've forgotten…" he drifted off.

At this point, the young blonde by his side had taken it upon herself to place a comforting hand over his. "I'm sure you aren't to blame, Neville," she soothed, "Wrackspurts do have a tendency to show up at the worst of times."

After everyone chucked at Luna's words, Neville's face returned back its natural color, no longer feeling bad, but rather amused and lighthearted. He took her hand with a smile, just a moment prior to Ginny catching his attention.

"So, what was it he wanted you to tell me?" she asked him.

"Oh, right," the prefect cleared his throat, "Dean wanted to know if you'd like to join him at the Three Broomsticks next Sunday afternoon. He would've asked you himself, but he told me he hardly ever sees you nowadays."

Ginny looked slightly taken aback, but nonetheless, pleased, "I'd like that," she nodded her head, "Tell him to meet me in the common room tonight around seven so we can discuss the times and such, please."

Neville agreed without hesitation, but his face soon fell afterwards as he caught sight of those standing behind the youngest Weasley.

Curious about their friend's sudden mood swing, the group turned to see three Slytherins heading towards the castle, one of them, more so focused on Ginny than the others.

"This ends now," the girl said angrily, her eyes trained on the blonde teen once behind her. She stood up, wand drawn, and made her way over to the trio despite the group's many protests.

"What's your problem, Malfoy?" she demanded, having approached him but a second earlier. Hermione and Harry were closely behind while Neville and Luna stayed standing from a further distance, still prepared to step forward at any given moment.

"I don't know what you're going on about," Draco responded, uncharacteristically flustered. He had been planning on speaking with the girl at some point…perhaps through post at first. The two hadn't interacted much so all she knew of him was surely given from her brother's experiences.

Needless to say, he was definitely not one of her most favorite people in this world.

Not by a long-shot.

"Give it up," Ginny rudely advised, "I've been tolerant this past week, but you're really starting getting on my nerves," she glared at him, "What are you playing at?"

Hermione was feeling exceedingly anxious now, for one of her worst fears was in the process of unfolding and there not a thing she could say to prevent it. All she could do now was berate herself for not telling Harry about this earlier on when she had the chance. The brunette glanced at the teen to her left, guiltily taking in his confused expression.

Standing on either side of Draco, Blaise and Pansy were being oddly quiet throughout this dispute. However, the two still had their wands pulled out, at the ready, all the same.

"Nothing," the Slytherin answered shortly, not sure what else he should say.

"Get off it," Ginny took a small step closer, still eyeing him down, "I already know that Parkinson came to Hermione our first night back on your behalf," she went on, ignoring the two girls' widening eyes. Neither of them, not even Pansy, had told their other friends of what had been discussed. The Slytherin girl had gone out of her way to make sure this would never get out, as well. Thinking she and Granger had formed an agreement that it wouldn't, clearly, she was wrong.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in who I am, or am not dating?" she demanded answers for the second time.

"I can honestly say that I have absolutely no idea what you are referring to," Malfoy said, truthfully. He then shot a look at Pansy, eyes filled with much dislike, but more so betrayal, at the very moment Harry had done the same to Hermione.

The girls peered at one another instead, not capable of facing the others anymore.

Having both her boyfriend and best mate shooting her such intense stares was just as bad compared to what the opposite brunette was enduring. Hermione may have had an extra set of eyes on her, but the pain she felt was just the same as Pansy's.

And it was a strange feeling…weakness, because both females were typically confident and headstrong in situations such as these.

Now, they were each currently displaying the complete opposite of those traits with much shame.

Finally realizing what she had done by allowing her temper get the best of her, Ginny immediately looked to Hermione, ready to apologize.

About to do so, a Professor's appearance silenced her, intending to put an end to this small, yet loud, spat.

"What, may I ask, is going on here?" Snape questioned the group, his stern, obsidian eyes directed more so at the two Slytherin prefects and his godson.

"Sir," Blaise spoke up, breaking the awkward silence, "We were just on our way back to the castle when Pansy caught sight of Granger, here" he wisely came up with this cover. It was widely known that the two girls had been on more friendly terms. Many had seen them talking with one another on various occasions and formed this conclusion.

"Yes," Pansy cut in, going along with it, "I wanted to ask her something," she then turned to the Gryffindor, not sure where to go from here.

"It was about our Potion's assignment, Professor," Hermione used her fast, always clever, way of thinking.

Snape looked away from his Slytherins and gave her a hard look, searching for any trace of deception. Granger was hardly recognized for her lying capabilities, so seeing through her façade was all too easy.

"Hmm," he looked away, "I find this quite hard to believe, Miss Granger."

Befuddled for a moment, Hermione soon realized just why that was so. There was no Potions assignment. Since their last class had ended in such a disaster, the Professor handed out detentions…not homework. She must've overlooked this whilst her brain was clouded from all that was taking place amongst her friends.

"Care to explain?" he asked the lot of them. Neville and Luna had come forward earlier, just after their friend and Parkinson had been found out.

All eight students kept their lips tightly sealed.

"Well, then," Snape now had to punish their disobedience, "I shall see you all Monday evening, in my office, at precisely seven o'clock," he continued, preventing the arguments that were to come, "Five points shall also be taken," the Professor looked at the lot prior to finishing his statement, "each."

With that, the man gestured for them all to return to their respective rooms without any words of disagreement unless they wished for two detentions, instead of just the one he had given so far.

"Mr. Potter," Severus held the teen behind. His friends could only give a concerned glance as they were forced to leave him.

"What?" Harry asked, harshly. He was still outraged with what had taken place earlier (not just with Snape, but with his Hermione as well), and had no respect whatsoever for his Professor at that point.

"Mind your tone-"

"No," he took his long-awaited turn in interrupting the greasy-haired git for once. "You've already given us all our detentions," the Gryffindor pointed out. "There's nothing more to talk about."

"Ten points for your cheek, Potter," Snape informed him, losing what little patience he may have had. "Whether you like it or not, what took place earlier this morning needs to be discussed."

"No, it doesn't," Harry firmly disagreed, through gritted teeth. "It's all in the past and isn't a problem of mine now."

"That is of no importance and surely is not an excuse for their behavior towards you," he reminded the boy.

"Why do you even care?" he ground out, still seriously wanting to know. "You didn't before." Harry went on, "What's the purpose of starting now when it doesn't matter anymore?"

Snape sighed in utter frustration and pinched the bridge of his nose, "It does matter," he corrected, "Despite the fact that you may no longer be residing with your relatives, they should not be allowed to get by with what they put you through."

Harry felt his face grow hot, "That's none of your business."

"Unfortunately for the both of us, Mr. Potter, I am afraid that it is. The headmaster shall need to be informed of this and I will require your cooperation in doing so."

Fear abruptly overrode his past resentment, "No," Harry shook his head, "I'll keep going to these lessons," he said, referring to their occlumency sessions. To him, anything was better than word getting out about his previous home life with the Dursley's. Sure, they had treated him rottenly, but that wasn't a problem anymore. He was living with Sirius now.

Besides, having managed to keep the mistreatment a secret for the past five years around his friends, Harry planned on keeping it that way.

"Just don't tell anybody else," emerald eyes begged the Professor to agree. He felt terrible, acting like this in front of Snape…but he didn't see any other choice in the matter. He couldn't let everybody find out about this. The teen would be mocked and made fun of for the next two years, he just knew it. Harry was supposed to be 'the chosen one', not 'the weak one who allowed his muggle family to use and abuse him'.

"Harry-"

"Please," he tried once more, again not registering the usage of his first name.

Without sticking around for another rejection, the Gryffindor fled back to his dormitory, hoping that Snape would keep his mouth shut. Because, maybe if he went to their meetings and did better in class, the Professor wouldn't feel so inclined to tell…Harry told himself.

Severus, on the other hand, knew that the headmaster would have to be informed sooner rather than later. Regardless of what the Potter brat wanted, the elder man would be let in on this disturbing information so that they could all handle this situation properly. He would let his student know of his intentions Monday evening after detention, giving the Gryffindor one last chance to further explain himself.

Remembering the memories he had the displeasure of seeing…Snape thought back:

A little boy forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs

A kid made to serve and fulfill his relative's every whim and desire while clothed in material much too big for his all too small body

The beatings, the shouting's, and the lies that seemed to endlessly go on…

The man grimaced at it all.

For now, the Potion's Master chose to head back to his rooms in order to clearly think things over. He would not tell a soul in regards to what he had discovered earlier that day until Monday evening when only the headmaster would be told. Until then, it would be a secret between Potter and himself. (Which would've relieved the teen, had he stayed put and learned of this).

Still, while Severus and Harry most certainly did not know it, their little secret was not one that would be kept between just the two of them.

…No.

Because after both males had gone their separate ways…Hermione came out from her hiding place, only slightly surprised (for she had her suspicions) yet feeling terribly heartbroken, as well

Despite the fact that she and Harry's friendship had just been ripped to bits, Hermione was determined to do something about the information she had overheard.

Knowing that she couldn't possibly turn to the opposite teen at this point…the prefect could think of only one other person who could help her:

Professor Snape.

A/N: So…

What did you think of chapter twenty-two?

Please, let me know! :)

(Also, the chapters to come will be somewhat longer as the plot is beginning to thicken.)

*Big thanks to nicholsndimes08, TsukiyoTenshi, pawsrule, and god of all for reviewing since my last update. It means a great deal and I truly love hearing from you all.

P.S: If you have any questions that weren't already answered in any of the previous chapters, just let me know and I'll respond here the next time.

Next: Hermione and Pansy seek forgiveness from their friends while Harry tries dealing with a flurry of conflicting emotions. Meetings, tryouts, and unlikely conversations are also soon to be held.

Until then…

"Cause my echo, echo

Is the only voice coming back

Shadow, shadow…

Is the only friend that I have"

-Echo (cont.)