-ooOoo- Chapter 3: THE MEETING

That Thursday night, Neville hesitantly rapped his knuckles on the door to Snape's office. Much to his shock, Draco Malfoy answered the door. Soundlessly, the blonde stepped back to allow Neville into the room.

"Good evening, Mr. Longbottom." Snape greeted from where he was straddling the chair in the same manner he had when he spoke to Neville after class.

Neville stared in shock at the people in the room. Draco Malfoy, Ginny Weasley, Blaise Zabini, Luna Lovegood and several other Slytherins were there.

"Mr. Finnigan should be joining us shortly." Snape said calmly.

Seconds later, the two Gryffindors entered the room. They sat in the half-circle of bean-bags that surrounded Snape's chair. "So, who would like to start us off tonight?" Snape asked as Neville awkwardly claimed a bean-bag next to Malfoy.

"May I?" Draco asked hesitantly, silver eyes guarded.

"Of course." Severus said calmly, motioning for Draco to begin.

Draco rolled up his left sleeve and presented a fresh set of scratches on his arm. "I cut again last night."

Severus nodded and swept his raven bangs behind the shell of his ear. "Did you have any particular reason, or did you just feel the urge?" He asked mellifluously.

"Um…I just wanted to see the blood. It makes me feel real." Draco responded hesitantly.

Severus exhaled softly and cracked his knuckles one by one. "I see. Would you like me to heal them and leave the scars?"

Draco nodded quietly and presented his arm. "Thank you, Professor."

Snape gently traced the slits with the very tip of his wand, the healing magic gently soothing the irritated skin. Draco swallowed uneasily and rolled his sleeve back down when Snape was finished.

"Who would like to go next?" Snape asked.

Ginny cleared her throat and said, "The antis Madam Pomfrey is giving me are working a little better than last week."

A murmur of congratulations went up throughout the group, everyone putting in their two cents. "Or could it just be that your mood has improved greatly?" Snape prompted.

"Well, I think it might be that I finally got a good grade in Charms class." Ginny offered, nibbling on her bottom lip.

"Very good." Snape praised lightly.

Ginny beamed.

"Mr. Longbottom? Would you like to say something?" Snape asked, directing everyone's attention to him.

Neville reddened and shifted awkwardly. "Um…Yeah, I guess. I uh…I cut. Like Malfoy does. So, yeah." He stammered out, ears crimson.

"Have you done any more today?" Snape asked, looking like he didn't mind much either way.

Neville shook his head. "No sir."

"That's very good, Mr. Longbottom." Snape said softly, onyx eyes warm.

Neville blushed harder and stammered, "Th-Thank you, sir."

Snape dipped his head in response, not unkindly. "Mr. Finnigan?"

"I feel better, sir. I haven't thrown up today." The Gryffindor said proudly.

Snape's lips quirked proudly. "Good job, Mr. Finnigan."

Seamus smiled happily and leaned back in his bean bag.

"Mr. Potter?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Harry snapped, jade eyes closed against who-knew-what as he slouched, arms folded across his chest.

"Oh?" Snape raised one eyebrow elegantly.

"I just don't think it's important."

"You don't think the subject of the matter is important or you don't think you're important?" Snape asked smoothly.

"People are saying I'm lying about not being like Voldemort-" A flinch went up around the room, "-and I hate it because I don't want to be anything like him." Harry grumbled.

"Well, it's unfair that people think that. They're hypocrites." Snape said matter-of-factly.

Harry grinned. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Professor."

They rest of their meeting went by quickly, the other's' problems paling in comparison to the aforementioned ones. By the time it was over, Neville decided Professor Snape was his favorite teacher.

He was finally getting help. And Gods, was he happy about it. For the first time in months, Neville felt good. Like he had hope. And it was all Snape's fault. He grinned.