This is a bit of a funny chapter as it's Ron, Hermione and Harry's game of truth or dare, which will most likely last all night and day. I have some pretty good ideas for dares too :)
Disclaimer: No I still do not own Harry Potter. That right goes to the amazing J.K. Rowling.
Harry groaned as he emptied the contents of his stomach into the toilet. After coming back from care of magical creatures Harry had rushed for the nearest toilets and vomited most spectacularly all over the floor. Now he was in a cubicle with Ron standing outside who had cleaned up the vomit with a simple cleaning spell Hermione had told him from the doorway of the boys toilets.
Finally when there was nothing left in his stomach Harry wiped his mouth and flushed the toilet before staggering out of the cubicle and over to the sink where he splashed his face with cold water. Merlin he had a massive headache. Turning to Ron who was staring worriedly at him and leaning heavily against the sink he beckoned him over.
"Can you pass my bag please" said Harry shakily.
"Yeah sure" Ron said kindly and rushed over to the door where Harry had dropped his bag.
Walking back over to Harry he handed him the bag and leant against the sinks next to him.
"Thanks mate" said Harry shakily opening his bag and taking out two vials of potions.
"What're they?" said Ron nodding towards the potions as Harry downed them and a look of relief crossed his face.
"Headache potion and Anti nausea potion" said Harry looking visibly better.
"C'mon 'Mione will be going frantic out there chuckled Ron. Harry nodded and picking up his bag followed Ron out of the toilets.
Xx
Later that evening found Harry, Ron and Hermione in the now empty common room sitting in a space they had cleared with an empty butterbeer bottle in the middle of them. They were chuckling at a dare Ron had just had to complete where he went to the top of the astronomy tower and shouted a very rude word causing McGonagall to give him detention for the rest of the week and sent him back to Gryffindor tower.
"Right Hermione your turn to spin the bottle next" said Harry grinning cheekily.
Hermione rolled her eyes and spun the bottle hard, it spun for a few minutes before landing on Harry. A grin marred Hermione's features as she said
"Truth or Dare" said Hermione still smiling mischievously.
"Hmmm dare" said Harry pondering for a moment.
"Right then I dare you to go down to Professor Snapes office and declare your undying love for him"
Harry's jaw dropped at the sneakiness of his best friend. He couldn't believe she'd dared him to do that.
"What! I am not doing that!" exclaimed Harry.
Ron sniggered watching the exchange with amusement.
"You have to that's the rules" said Hermione raising an eyebrow.
Harry sighed inwardly. Scowling at Hermione he nodded.
"Fine fine but wait until it's your turn" said Harry folding his arms and suppressing a smile.
"Give us your invisibility cloak so we have proof you actually did it" said Hermione smart as usual.
Harry huffed and took his cloak from his pocket where he had stuffed it earlier for Ron's dare. Handing it to Ron and Hermione who threw it over themselves. He left the common room and down to the dungeons.
Taking a deep breath he knocked the door ignoring the sniggers of his invisible friends behind him. The door swung open revealing an irate Professor Snape who scowled when he saw Harry.
"What do you want Potter? Come to steal more potions ingredients?" Harry groaned inwardly before smiling sloppily at him.
"No sevvy I have come to profess my undying love for you. You make my heart beat faster and " Harry sighed and wiped a hand over his forehead "Your voice is so sexy"
At that moment Ron let out a snort which thankfully Snape didn't hear.
"Potter!" snarled Snape but Harry put a finger to his lips
"Shh you don't have to say anything. It's ok. I love you to the moon and stars and back" said Harry raising his eyebrows suggestively.
"Be mine?" said Harry getting in the marriage proposal position.
"Potter get up now before I am not responsible for my actions" snapped Snape.
Deciding it was best not to anger the man Harry complied. Snape was seething.
"How extraordinarily like your father you are Potter, he too was arrogant and felt he was above rules" Snape snarled.
Harry raised his eyebrows and stepped back in an act of defiance.
"My father has nothing on me" said Harry winking "I'm better looking for one thing" he continued.
Just then Ron let out a great snort of laughter. Snape looked mutinous as he stepped past Harry and seemingly reached for thin air and pulled of the invisibility cloak revealing a chortling Ron and Hermione. At this time Harry was laughing too clutching his sides as tears of mirth exited his eyes.
"POTTER, GRANGER, WEASLEY IN MY OFFICE NOW!" shouted Snape turning an ugly puce colour. Harry, Ron and Hermione took one look at each other and bolted with Snape calling angrily after them. They were gasping with laughter as they ran through the hallways towards Gryffindor tower.
When they got in the common room and collapsed onto the sofa where they laughed for nearly half an hour. Eventually the giggles subsided and they parted for their dormitories with promises of continuing the game tomorrow. That night Harry smiled in his sleep for the first time in months.
Xxx
Yawning widely Harry woke up feeling sick the next morning. Jumping out of bed he made it to the bathroom just in the nick of time as once again he found himself emptying the contents of his stomach. Sighing Harry went back into the bedroom and picked up the vials of potions that were sitting on his bedside table. He downed them and sat down heavily on his bed.
Looking at his alarm clock he saw that it was just past eight so standing back Harry pulled on his school robes and crept into the bathroom. Spotting a metal bucket underneath the sink he picked it up and filled it with cold water. Slowly creeping to Ron's bed he tipped the entire bucket over him. Screaming a girlish scream Ron jumped out of the bed shivering violently.
"Harry what the bloody hell was that for?" roared Ron shaking the water out of his ears. Harry just grinned and sat down on his bed dropping the bucket.
"What was what for?" he said innocently while his dorm mates chuckled at the dishevelled form of Ron.
"Humph never mind" said Ron grabbing a towel from his trunk and drying his hair. He then pulled on his robes still sulking. As they made their way down to the common room they found Hermione sitting in a corner next to a large pile of books scribbling furiously, her hair stuck up in all directions. As they approached Harry realised how tired she was looking and felt concern stir in his stomach.
"'Mione have you slept at all today?" said Harry eyeing the large pile of books.
"Of course I have" said Hermione rolling her eyes. Putting down her quill she looked up at her two best friends. Ron reached out to touch one of the books and she slapped his hand away.
"Come on lets get to breakfast" said Hermione yawning widely. Harry looked at her with concern.
"Hermione are you sure you're alright?" said Harry slowly.
"I'm fine Harry just drop it ok" snapped Hermione as they entered the great hall and sat down at Gryffindor table
Harry felt tears sting his eyes but pushed them back and sat down at Gryffindor table. Ron squeezed his shoulder and looked apologetically at him. There was nothing but silence as they ate their waffles and fruit. Hermione checked her watch and turned to the two boys.
"C'mon we've got transfiguration first thing then care of magical creatures" both boys nodded and followed her out of the hall. When they entered the classroom they sat down and said nothing for the rest of the lesson, resolutely looking in opposite directions. Harry didn't notice McGonagall eyeing him in concern throughout the lesson. When the lesson ended Professor McGonagall called him to her desk. She shooed Ron and Hermione away who were waiting by the door.
"How are you feeling Potter?" she said taking note of his pale complexion and the way that he was trembling ever so slightly.
"I'm fine" said Harry too quickly.
"Hmm ok now are you going to tell me of the reason of the altercation between you and Miss Granger?"
Harry's eyes widened "How?" Harry began but Professor McGonagall interrupted him.
"Please Mr. Potter I have been a teacher for more years than I care to remember I know when students have fallen out. Especially ones as close of you and Granger" barked McGonagall
"Well it's just I was worried about her and she just snapped at me. I think she's over working herself" explained Harry
"Very well I will have a conversation with her not to worry" McGonagall reassured him.
"I would also like to speak to you because over the summer Molly Weasley contacted me with concerns over your home life. She informed me that your uncle assaulted you. Is this true?"
Harry groaned inwardly before forcing himself to look at his head of house. Sighing he nodded but said nothing.
"Has he ever done anything like that before? It is imperative that I know Potter" Professor McGonagall said sternly.
"No Professor it was a one off" lied Harry
She eyed him suspiciously "Potter first time or not it needs to be dealt with. You may leave" she said nodding towards the door.
Sighing Harry left the classroom and followed his friends to care of magical creatures.
"Oi Potter" came Malfoy's voice from behind him.
"What Malfoy he snapped turning round and clenching his fist.
"Thought you'd want this?" snarled Malfoy chucking the Daily Prophet at Harry.
Looking at the paper Harry read the article Malfoy must have wanted him to read vicious Hippogriff to be executed. He read the article angrily then handed it to Ron and Hermione who both gasped.
"Think it's funny do you Malfoy? Did Daddy threaten them to get buckbeak convicted?" mocked Harry seething with anger.
"Shut it Potter" snarled Malfoy advancing towards Harry with his wand out.
"What are you going to do Malfoy? kill me?" said Harry laughing derisively.
"Well I don't have to Potter, you see in case you haven't noticed you have a madman after you. You'll be with your mudblood mother soon enough" snapped Malfoy.
Harry didn't think at that moment he just dived forward and punched Malfoy in the face causing him to fall on the floor. He proceeded to punch every part of Malfoy he could while Hermione and Ron tried in vain to pull Harry off. He had angry tears in his eyes as he pummelled Malfoy's face causing him to grunt in pain.
He vaguely heard a woman shout and then he felt strong arms wrap themselves round his chest and pull him back. Sobbing angrily now Harry fought to escape the arms but they held tight and dragged him away from Hagrids hut. The last glimpse he got before the mystery person turned him round to face them was Malfoy groaning on the ground with a teacher Harry didn't recognise kneeling beside him while the Gryffindors tried to explain what had happened.
He was turned round to stare into the concerned face of Professor Lupin.
"Harry calm down" he said maintaining his grip on his shoulders.
"He called my Mum a Mudblood" sobbed Harry sobs racking his body. Professor Lupin looked angry for a moment but almost at once it was replaced with a look of sympathy.
"Come with me Harry" he said Harry putting an arm round him and leading him back to the castle.
When they entered Professor Lupins office he gently lowered Harry into a chair. He crouched in front of him and took Harry's hand into his.
"What did he say Harry" he asked gently stroking soothing circles on the back of Harry's hand with his thumb.
"He said Sirius Black will find me eventually and then I'll be with my quote 'mudblood mother'" said Harry who was trying to suppress the urge to cry.
"Harry ignore him he is just a pathetic little boy. He is greatly influenced by his father" said Professor Lupin warmly squeezing Harry's hand.
"I'm sorry" said Harry tears trickling down his face.
Professor Lupin saw and gently led Harry to the sofa and sat down pulling Harry with him. He put his arm round him and gently cupped Harry's face.
"Harry you've nothing to be sorry for. I know you shouldn't have assaulted him but you did it for the right reasons" he said kindly.
Harry nodded tears still sliding down his face "Am...am I in trouble?" asked Harry nervously.
"Not with me Harry but I must ask you to come to me next time anyone says anything ok?"
Harry nodded and wiped his eyes smiling weakly at his Professor Lupin. He squeezed Harry's shoulders and Harry couldn't stop the gasp of pain that escaped his mouth. He covered his mouth horrified.
"Harry? Are you ok?" said Professor Lupin alarmed.
"Yeah" Harry lied. Remus looked as if he was contemplating something for a moment.
"Let me see your shoulders Harry" he said gently but firmly.
Fear filled Harry's eyes but he complied. Shakily unbuttoning his shirt and lowering it off of his shoulders. Professor Lupin almost gasped when he saw Harry's shoulders, they were covered in deep cuts and welts that looked as if they came from a belt. He could tell that they went down his back as well.
"Harry can I see your back?" he said in the same gentle voice. Harry looked at him nervously for a minute before nodding and lowering his shirt even lower. Blushing slightly he turned away from the kind Professor.
He heard Remus suck in his breath and stiffened. Remus was shocked Harry had numerous bruises and cuts across his back, some of them looked to be infected. Tears stung his eyes but he pushed them back he had to be strong for his cub.
Summoning a small jar of dittany Professor Lupin gently applied it to the cuts and watched with relief as there was no trace of scarring as the cuts disappeared. He then picked up the pot of bruise cream and gently rubbed it on the bruises. Fixing a gentle smile on his face he gently turned Harry to face him. He had been awfully quiet up to this point.
"All done Harry you can put your shirt back on now" said Professor Lupin kindly looking at Harry with warm eyes.
Harry gratefully buttoned up his shirt and stared down at his lap not daring to look at his professor as at that moment he felt as if he was going to cry. Professor Lupin put his arm round Harry's shoulders again and Harry felt himself relaxing.
"Harry who did this to you?" he asked gently though he already knew the answer.
"Promise you won't tell anyone" said Harry shakily still trying to rein in his tears.
"Harry I can't promise that I'm afraid but if you tell me I can help you" Harry hesitantly looked into Remus' sincere eyes and suddenly like a dam had burst releasing all of his emotions.
He told him stuff he had never told anyone, not even Ron and Hermione. He told him of the lack of food, the chores, the name calling and worst of all the beatings that left him out of actions for weeks. Harry was all out sobbing by this point wringing his hands together.
He pulled Harry into his arms once more, stroking his hair and rocking him gently.
"You'll be okay Harry. You're never going back to the Dursley's again. I can promise you that"
It starts off quite funny but as you can see it gets rather sad towards the end. There will be a few more sad chapters but not for a while yet. So what did you think? Did you like the chapter?