Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Harry hovered above the Quidditch pitch, eagerly watching the game as well as keeping an eye out for the snitch. Gryffindor was playing against Hufflepuff and the score was pretty close. Harry knew he needed to find it fast so they could win. He noticed the Hufflepuff seeker, Cedric Diggory, flying back and forth, almost like he was pacing, while looking out for the snitch.

It felt so good to be in the air, to feel free and like he didn't have anything to worry about except the game. After finding the portrait slashed he had been a bit on edge, although nothing like his Dad. Now not only was Harry not allowed to go anywhere alone, the Professor's had to walk their students to each class. It was like second year all over again. Harry really hoped Black was caught soon; he wanted to be able to simply relax and enjoy the year.

Suddenly a golden glint caught his eye and he zoomed forward on his broom in hot pursuit of the snitch. So close, he thought as he reached out his hand. As Harry got closer, he noticed it was getting dark and cold. That's weird, he thought. It had been a little chilly when they started but now it was getting to be freezing. Suddenly, almost as if sensing he was being watched, Harry looked up and froze almost for real. Dementors.

He wanted to try and fly away but it felt like he was a statue. He was so cold and so full of despair. "No." Harry whispered as he began to hear screaming.

"Take Harry and run! He's here!"

"Not my baby!"

"Stand aside foolish girl!"

"No not Harry! Kill me instead but not Harry!"

Harry felt himself falling but after hearing his mother he didn't even try to stay on his broom. He could hear her scream, a flash of green light and cruel high pitched laughter.

Harry vaguely heard shouts and screams, a dog barking, and then a bright light and Harry knew no more.

HPHPHPHP

Harry began to regain consciousness and could hear voices around him though he could not manage to open his eyes yet.

"I want those creatures dismissed from Hogwarts!" Harry heard his Father snap, his voice full of anger.

"Severus, I can try but the ministry wants them here." Dumbledore said, though there was anger clear in his voice. "I assure you, I will do everything I can to make sure this does not happen again."

"They would have been drawn to the pitch because there were so many people and emotions to feed on." Another voice chimed in.

"Why, thank you Professor." Distaste was clear on the last word. "It's not like we could not have figured that out ourselves!"

"Severus, snapping at each other will not help anything." Dumbledore admonished.

Harry finally managed to open his eyes and they met worried black ones.

"Harry?"

"Dad?" Harry wanted to sit up but when he tried, his Dad shook his head and gently pushed him back down. "Wait Harry. Let's have Madame Pomfrey check you over again." He called for Poppy.

"Ah, you're awake. How are you feeling Mr. Snape?" Poppy asked as she stepped in front of Severus to run several diagnostics on her patient.

Remembering what he had heard earlier, Harry shuddered. "Awful." He whispered. His eyes, full of sorrow, sought out his Dad.

Severus immediately moved closer to his son and grasped his hand. "It's okay. After we get some chocolate into you, you will feel better."

Poppy handed a bar over and Harry took it but didn't take a bite. "I heard more this time." He continued to whisper. "I heard James and Mum the night they were killed."

Remus sucked in his breath sharply while Dumbledore and Poppy looked on sadly. Severus carefully sat next to Harry and put his arm around him. "What did you hear son?"

"James was yelling for Mum to take me and run." Harry said softly, wiping away a tear that had escaped. "Mum begged Voldemort not to kill me and asked him to kill her instead. There was a flash of green light and Voldemort gave a horrible laugh." He could feel more tears gathering and didn't want anyone to see him cry so he buried his face in his Dad's shoulder.

Severus shut his eyes and held his son, rubbing circles on his back to help soothe him. "It's okay." He kept whispering over and over into Harry's ear. What could he say that would make Harry feel better after hearing something like that? "If I could take away all your pain, I would."

Harry nodded against his Dad. "I know you would."

Poppy cleared her throat and blinked rapidly. She was not one to get emotional; she kept a very businesslike behavior with her patients, though she cared deeply for all of them. But she could not help feel for this father and son and the pain they were going through. "You really should eat the chocolate. It will help a little."

Harry pulled back and broke off a piece and popped it into his mouth. He kept his eyes averted as he was feeling embarrassed at the way everyone was staring at him.

Severus could sense his son's discomfort. "I'd like to talk with Harry alone, if that is all right with all of you." He said in a soft but firm tone.

"I'll be in my office if you should need me." Poppy said.

Severus nodded and waited until the three of them had left. He turned back to his son and was grateful to see that Harry had managed a few bites of the chocolate and looked better, though his eyes were still filled with incredible sadness. "I'm so sorry Harry. I really wish I could do something to ease your pain somehow."

"You're here." Harry said simply. He was quiet for a moment. "I feel guilty about James. I tend to forget that he died because of me too."

"Not because of you, for you." Severus corrected gently. "James knew the risk he was taking when he did the memory charm. He wanted to help keep you and your Mum safe. I am forever grateful to him for his sacrifice, just as I am to Lily. You have nothing to feel guilty about."

Harry nodded though his eyes were still downcast.

"My heart nearly gave out when I saw you fall. I haven't checked, is my hair white?" Severus teased, trying to lighten the mood a little.

Harry raised his eyes to him and his lips turned a little upward. "Not really. A few silver streaks maybe."

"Hmm, that's not too bad then." Severus said in amusement.

"What happened when I fell? It felt like I slowed down." Harry was curious as the chocolate did its job and he didn't feel so cold and full of despair anymore.

"I slowed you down and cast a cushioning charm on the ground." Severus answered slowly, remembering the fear he had felt at seeing his son fall from such a great height. "Albus cast a charm that drew the Dementors away. It is what I am going to teach you in case you ever run into them again. We will start as soon as you feel ready."

"The Patronus Charm? I'm ready now!" Harry said eagerly, wanting to be able to protect himself.

Severus chuckled slightly. "Tomorrow we will start if you feel up to it. You've gone through enough for today."

"Okay. Oh, what happened with the game?" Harry suddenly asked.

Severus hesitated. "We can talk about that later. I'd like you to sleep in our quarters tonight, if you wouldn't mind."

"No, I don't mind." Harry frowned. "What happened with the game? Did we lose because I fell?"

"Mr. Diggory caught the snitch before he realized you had fallen. He offered to do a rematch but Madame Hooch said it was a fair win." Severus told him. "It wasn't your fault."

Harry sighed. It was his fault because he couldn't control himself whenever the Dementors came near him. But he did agree it was a fair win for Hufflepuff. "I hope no one is mad at me." He murmured. "Did you get my broom? Or maybe Ron did." He mused.

"Harry." Severus sighed as well. "Don't get upset but your broom flew into the Whomping Willow. It was torn apart and cannot be repaired."

"What?" Harry's eyes grew wide. "My broom is gone?"

"Better the broom than you." Severus said gently. "I will look into replacing it, all right?" He knew there was a new broomstick out in the stores and had already been planning to buy one to give Harry for Christmas. "Until I can you may use the school brooms. Unless you would want to borrow the broom my Grandfather used."

Harry's eyes brightened. "You still have it? What kind of broom was it?"

"The Comet 180. It was quite a fine broom in its day and should still be in good shape. I'll check the storage room at Spinners End for it." He would also make sure it was up to date on all safety and protective charms.

"Brilliant, thanks Dad." Harry gave a smile. That would be cool, to use the broom that his Grandfather had used when playing seeker for the Slytherin team.

"Are you hungry? It's past dinnertime." Severus stood up. "What would you like to eat?"

Harry carefully stood up, realized he felt fine and looked nonchalantly at his Dad. "Shepherd's pie might be good." He said casually.

"Hmm, and I suppose Treacle Tart might be good for dessert?"

Harry grinned. "Well, if that's what you want I'm amendable."

Severus rolled his eyes though his lips quirked upwards. "The cheekiness I put up with." He called out to Poppy that they were leaving and then headed out of the infirmary and ran straight into Ron and Hermione who were about to knock on the door.

Severus frowned. "I believe it is now past curfew." He pointed out.

Ron and Hermione looked at him nervously. "We wanted to see how Harry was doing." Hermione answered.

"Professor McGonagall only told us he was still in the infirmary and wouldn't be returning to our dorm tonight." Ron spoke up. He looked at Harry in concern. "You okay mate?"

"I'm okay. Are any of the Gryffindors mad about losing the game?" Harry asked nervously.

"Of course not! Everyone was just worried about you." Hermione assured him.

"Uh, did you hear about your broom?" Ron asked hesitantly.

Harry nodded. "Totally destroyed huh?"

"In pieces! Makes me realize how lucky we were last year when we landed in that blasted tree!" Ron exclaimed. He glanced at Severus. "Uh, I mean, that darn tree."

"Never mind Mr. Weasley." Severus interrupted. "You two need to return to your Tower now. You shouldn't be out without an adult." He cast Harry a look. "Stay in the infirmary while I walk them back all right?"

"Okay Dad. I'll see you guys tomorrow." Harry said, giving his friends a wave as they began to follow his dad down the hallway. He went back inside the infirmary to wait and was surprised when a minute later Draco entered. Draco looked surprised to see him as well.

"Mr. Malfoy, exactly why are you here?" Poppy asked when she noticed the blonde Slytherin. "You know students are not to be out alone."

"I know, but I need a Headache Potion." Draco complained. "Reading my History of Magic book always gives me one. They honestly need to update that text."

Poppy sighed and summoned the potion. "Here you are. Once Professor Snape gets back, I will walk you to your common room."

Draco downed the potion and handed Poppy the empty vial. "Thank you Madame Pomfrey." He said politely. After Poppy turned away to clean the vial, Draco looked at Harry. "So, you're up and about." Draco said casually.

Harry tensed, waiting for an insult. Was Draco going to show his true self now? "Great deduction skills you have."

Draco narrowed his eyes. "No need to be rude." He sniffed. "It's good you are up. You couldn't have been hurt that bad."

"Not physically." Harry muttered, thinking of what he had heard.

Draco paled a bit. "Oh, you heard her again?"

Harry looked at the blonde in shock. "How did you know that?" He asked in a low voice.

Draco hesitated. "I overheard you the other day talking to the weasel and mud- I mean, Weasley and Granger about it." He admitted.

"So are you going to go tell everyone about it?" Harry asked in a hard voice. "Because if you do – "

"No!" Draco exclaimed. He sighed. "I wouldn't. I can't even imagine hearing…" He trailed off and shrugged. "I know we're not exactly friends or anything but I won't tell."

"What are you up to?" Harry asked suspiciously. "You're being, well, sort of nice."

Draco made a face. "Don't say that out loud!" He hissed. "I don't want anyone thinking I've gone all Hufflepuff or something."

"Merlin forbid." Harry rolled his eyes. "So why are you being less Malfoy than usual?"

"Let's just say, Snape, that we are on the same side okay?" Draco responded.

Harry stared. "Uh, no we're not. You want Voldemort back and I don't!"

Draco winced. "Don't use his name! And I don't want him back. Neither do my parents. He tortures even his most loyal of followers. No one sane would want that!"

Harry's mouth fell open. Was this for real? "You're lying. You have to be." He said finally.

Draco's grey eyes flashed. "No, I'm not. Believe what you will, but my family does not want him to return. Well, except my Aunt Bella but she is…well…completely insane and in Azkaban."

Harry couldn't help but shudder a little at the thought of Azkaban. Being around all those Dementors all the time…he shook off the feeling. "It's hard for me to believe you." He said finally.

Draco shrugged. "It's the truth whether you believe it or not. I don't know how to prove it to you."

Harry suddenly had an idea. "I know. Your Dad has a lot of pull in the ministry right?"

"Of course he does." Draco said loftily. "He's a very important man." The pride in his father was evident in his voice.

And a right prat, Harry added silently. "Okay, so get him to convince Nott's parents to back off of Hagrid and Buckbeak."

"I don't know." Draco hedged. He didn't want anyone to think he cared about that oaf and his strange creature. He did have a reputation after all.

"Never mind. He probably couldn't do it anyway. Mr. Nott probably has more influence." Harry said with a shrug.

Draco's mouth dropped open. "Are you mental? Mr. Nott has no influence in the ministry! He is nothing there, unlike my father!" Draco insisted. "You just wait; he'll put a stop to the Nott's with a mere snap of his fingers!"

"Well, if you think he really could." Harry said doubtfully. Inside he was grinning.

Draco's eyes blazed. Everyone knew his father was an important man! "You'll see." He said smugly, already making plans to send his Dad an owl about the matter. A nagging thought plagued him that he had just been out Slytherin'ed by a Gryffindor but he shrugged it off. That was impossible.

"Mr. Malfoy, is there a reason you are here and not in your dormitory?" Severus asked as he walked into the infirmary. He eyed his student sternly.

"He came for a Headache Potion Severus." Poppy answered for Draco. "I'll walk him back to the dorms. You should get Harry some dinner and make sure he gets plenty of rest."

"Thank you Poppy." Severus put his hand on Harry's shoulder to guide him out. "Are you all right? Was Draco starting trouble?"

"No. Actually, I think he is going to be helpful." Harry answered with a grin. "I may have convinced him to have Mr. Malfoy help with the Buckbeak situation."

Severus raised an eyebrow as he let them into their quarters. "And how did you do that?"

"Um, by making it sound like I thought Mr. Nott had more influence at the ministry than Mr. Malfoy." Harry said with a cheeky smile.

Severus snorted. "That should do it. Not a bad idea son."

Harry beamed, feeling better at the thought that Buckbeak might be spared. He just hoped it worked!

TBC: Please review if you get a chance! =)