Harry was in a bad mood because he had no way of knowing what Lupin was going to do if anything at all. Unfortunately it was Potions and Harry was not paying attention.
"Mr. Potter!" Snape barked out.
Harry did not respond.
"If you want any chance of completing your exams and any hope of getting good marks you better pay attention."
There was still no response from Harry.
"Mr. Potter!" Snape tired again to get Harry's attention. "Fifty points from Gryffindor. If you don't get your head into my class more points will be taken away and you will be kicked out of this class for today."
Harry looked up at Snape with a blank look on his face and said, "Did you say something?"
"Is there something more important on your mind than this class?"
"Actually yes there is."
"What would that be?"
"None of your business, it's personal."
"If it's distracting you from my class, which it is, it makes it my business."
"The hell it is!" Harry hollered.
"Detention Mr. Potter, right here, tonight after dinner. And another fifty point from Gryffindor."
* * * * * * *
All through dinner Harry was trying to figure out what horrid thing that Snape was going to have him do. He hardly ate a thing. Harry didn't even notice the talk of the table.
Dean and Seamus were complaining about the loss of points.
Percy looks up from his plate and asks, "What do you mean loss of points? How many points?"
Ron being excited and did not realize that it was Percy asking the questions enthusiastically blurted out, "Harry at first was zoned out and not paying attention in Potions. Snape was being a royal asshole picking on Harry. Snape finally gets Harry's attention, and Harry stood up to Snape."
"But how many points were taken away?" Percy demanded.
"One-hundred in all." Ron replied.
"WHAT!" Percy yelled.
While all this was being said, Hermione leans toward Harry and softly says, "I'm proud of you for standing up to Snape. How good did it feel?"
"Bloody awesome."
Harry then zoned back out, lost in his thoughts, he did not hear one word Percy said about how you should and shouldn't speak to a teacher.
Hermione nudges Harry. Harry looks at Hermione startled.
"Sorry Harry, I didn't mean to startle you, it's just you need to get to the dungeons and quickly. Dinner is over with and you haven't eaten much. You feel okay?"
Harry didn't answer Hermione. He got up from the table and headed to the dungeons. He took his time walking down there. Having this secret of going back in time was beginning to take its toll on Harry. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep it together, with out telling some one about it. And if he didn't tell someone, something was going to slip and he knew it. Harry finally reached the dungeons and walked in.
"Potter, you finally decided to show up. You will be scrubbing out the cauldron's."
Harry didn't ask for how long he knew that Snape would let him know when it was time to go. Snape sat at his desk and kept an eye on Harry not a close eye, Snape was going over essays that had been turned in.
Four hours later Snape looks up from a very poorly written essay and saw that Harry was finishing up with the last cauldron.
"So, Potter what have you learned?"
"I forgot how bad first years are at Potions."
"You are just like your father. Arrogant, self-righteous and insufferable."
"What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?" Harry asked quietly "is it because I look like my father, with the exception of my eyes? I know I have my mother's eyes. I am not my father. He had an easy life with parents that loved him and Grand parents, Aunts and Uncles and cousins that loved him too. What do I have? An Uncle, Aunt and a cousin who think that I am the worst thing on the planet and utterly and completely hate me. I am used to being treated like crap. I had hoped that I could look up to you, maybe have your respect but I can see that what ever the issues you had with my father you are taking it out on me as revenge. My father is dead and you can't get back at him any other way. I'm sorry for whatever my dad did to you, I'm sure it was wrong. Professor, do you think that maybe when you look at me you might be able to see the kindness and caring of my mother?" Harry was pretty choked up by now, but continued to say, "I know when I am not wanted. The Dursleys made sure that I got that down." Tears rolled down his face.
Harry looked directly into Snape's eyes, knowing that Snape knows Legilimens. All Harry had on his mind was the pain he felt finding out that his Aunt and Uncle had lied to him about how his parents had died, how the Dursley's had been treating him, up until recently he had lived in a cupboard under the stairs and locked up in it several times, never getting anything from them. Not having anything of his parents like pictures. Or any family members on his dad's side and all the pain that came from that. Harry pushed it all to the front of his mind and hoping that Snape was getting it all.
Harry turned and left the room with out waiting for Snape to let him go. If Snape called him back he was just going to keep on going, Snape would just have to chase after him.
Snape was so horrified at how wrong he had been about Harry. He could not think of anything to say. When Harry turned and walked out Snape did not try to stop him. He was really appalled about what he had seen from the Dursley's.
* * * * * * *
When Harry got back to the common room he ran up the stairs and straight to bed. He cried himself to sleep.
Ron was the only one awake and heard Harry crying, he didn't know what to do. Ron just lay in bed and said nothing to Harry. Ron began to feel like a royal git, his best friend is crying and he can't bring himself to try and find out what was wrong or see if he could help or get someone for him.
* * * * * * *
First thing the following morning Snape arranged a meeting with McGonagall and Dumbledore.
"Severus, what is gong on?" Asked McGonagall.
"Why do you want to meet with Minerva and myself so early and urgently?" Dumbledore asked.
"As you both know Ha…Mr. Potter had detention with me last night. To make a long story short, he is suffering in pain, it's horrible. He is not being cared for properly at the Dursley's. He feels alone in the world and his family members do not love him at all. He is treated horribly by them."
"Why do you say that he is not being cared for properly?" Dumbledore inquired.
"He let me know, but not verbally."
"But, how would you know all of this, how could Mr. Potter have let you know without it being verbally?"
"Legilimens. But I didn't intrude, Harry looked at me straight in the eyes and it was like he was pushing it all into my head, not just the feelings but the images as well. It was like he knew that I know Legilimens."
"Most of what you have said Severus is interesting. I am not happy about Harry not being cared for properly at the Dursley's. I get the impression that he does not feel and does not call Privet Dr. home. I will be looking into it. In the mean time, would the two of you please keep an eye on Harry? And please keep me posted."
"Yes professor." They agreed and left.
Dumbledore was very concerned about Harry. Snape seemed to be concerned as well, despite how he has been towards Harry. And the fact that Snape was slightly choked up while telling him what he knew, Dumbledore knew something was terribly wrong.
Dumbledore made arrangement to leave the school and get to the bottom of it all. Dumbledore left a note on his desk for Minerva, leaving her in charge in his absence not knowing how long he would be gone.
Just before he left he received a letter through an owl. The letter was from Remus Lupin. Dumbledore read the letter and was intrigued. He now knew that he was going to be gone for a while. First he had to go see Remus.
* * * * * * *
Meanwhile that same morning when Ron woke up he looked over at Harry's bed. Harry was curled up in a ball still dressed in his robes. His glasses were askew and looking like it had been a rough night.
Ron tried to wake Harry up. He received a hoarse, slightly rude 'Leave me alone'. Ron quickly got dressed and went down to the common room hoping to catch Hermione before she left.
Ron saw Hermione talking with Parvati and Lavender. He headed over to them, he really deeded to talk to Hermione.
Hermione looked up and saw Ron walking towards her with a strange look on his face.
"Hermione I really need to take to you as soon as possible, today."
"Ron, what's wrong? Where is Harry?"
"He's still in bed asleep. I tried to wake him up but I only got a 'Leave me alone' response. I need to tell you how he was last night when he got in, but not now too many people around and Harry deserves that much respect and courtesy not to tell you with so many people around. I'll let you know when."
* * * * * * *
At lunch Hermione looked around, Ron had not shown up nor had Harry. She was wondering what Ron wanted to tell her. What could have happened last night? Harry had not been in classes all day so far. Hermione jumped when Hedwig landed right in front of her. It took her a moment to realize that Hedwig had a letter. She wondered if it was Harry. Hermione quickly opened the letter and it was from Ron wanting her to meet him in the common room now.
Hermione got up from the table and went straight to the common room. She ran the most of he way. Once in front of the portrait of the fat lady she breathlessly sputtered out the password, "Catnip". The portrait swung open, Hermione quickly stepped through nearly tripping.
"Okay, Ron what is it? Do you know what happened?"
"I don't know what happened. When Harry got back he was not in the talking mood. He was crying and almost hysterical. I feel so horrible; I didn't even try to find out what was wrong, what if Snape did something to him. He cried himself to sleep. I'm really worried."
"Don't beat yourself up Ron. I bet you were in shock. I'm shocked, Harry crying. We have only seen Harry strong, confident, and smart and he can be brilliant at times and standing up to assholes. What are we going to do?"
"I don't know, well actually I was hoping that maybe you could try and talk to him."
"Why me? You're his best friend."
"I know. I just thought that maybe he'll open up to you. He told me to leave him alone when I tried to wake him up this morning."
"Okay, I'll try."
Ron and Hermione rushed out of the common room and ran to their classes hoping not to be late.
* * * * * * *
Four days had gone by and there had been no change with Harry. Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus were the only one's to see Harry. When any of them tried to get him up he would tell them to leave him alone.
Ron went to find McGonagall. He was going to blow off his first class. He had to talk to her. Ron looked at a clock, at that hour McGonagall would be in her Transfiguration class.
When Ron walked into the classroom he saw that only McGonagall was there and was relieved.
"Mr. Weasley what are you ding here?"
"Sorry Professor but this is important and it can't wait any longer. I should have come to you a lot sooner."
"What is it?"
"Harry has been in bed for four days. He has been there since he got back from his detention with Professor Snape, I think that he might have…."
"Mr. Weasley, be careful what you say! Professor Snape would never hurt a student."
"Yes Professor."
"I do wish that you had come to me sooner. Thank you for doing so now. I will speak with the Headmaster today and I am sure that he will personally see to Harry. Now you need to get a move on it if you want to make it to your first class."
Ron left the room and quickly went to his first class. He was originally going to skip it, talking to McGonagall didn't take as long as he had thought. To his surprise he was not late for class.
* * * * * * *
While Ron went in search of McGonagall and spoke with her, Hermione looked up the stairs towards the boy's dormitory. She decided to skip the whole day and see if she can find out what is going on. When she walked in the boys dormitory she gasped and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw Harry. He was curled up in the middle of his bed; he was in his school robes, his glasses sill on his face but a bit askew and motionless except for the rise and fall of breathing.
Hermione pulled herself together and started walking over to Harry again. She gently sat down on the bed, reached over and gently shook him.
"Harry" she said softly
"Go away. Leave me alone." Harry said in a raw, raspy, hoarse voice.
"No! I'm not going anywhere. Harry, please talk to me or tell me who you would like to talk to and I'll go get that person. What's wrong? Did Snape do something to you?"
"No he didn't do anything."
Hermione was relieved that Harry was actually talking to her. "What's wrong? What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Tough shit. Harry you can't keep it all bottled up inside."
"I had said something in a real smart-alecky way and Snape said that I just like my father, arrogant, self-righteous and insufferable. I asked him what did I do that made him hate me so much, and that I am not my father and that if he could look at me and see the kindness and caring of my mother." Tears were falling down Harry's face. "The Dursley's are horrible. I just got really overwhelmed with intense pain of so much loss. It hurts so much still."
"What do you mean by 'so much loss'?"
"Too many people have died on my account."
"Other than your parents, who do you know have died?"
"Cedric, my Godfather, Moony, Fred, Tonks, Moody, Dumbledore, Dobby and so many more. I keep having nightmares, it keeps replaying over and over. I can't be friends with you or anyone anymore. Every one that I care about dies, it's not safe to be near me. They all died and it's my fault, I couldn't save them." Harry said while sobbing.
Hermione didn't know what to day or do. She was confused and didn't understand what he was saying. It didn't make any sense to her. She wondered if he was loosing it. Suddenly it occurred to Hermione, 'when did Harry eat last?'
"Harry when was the last time that you ate?"
"You were there last night at dinner, you told me that I had to get to the dungeons for my detention."
Hermione sucked in a ragged breath and exhaled heavily. It had been several day's since then. She didn't know if she should tell him. Hermione didn't know what to do, as much as she wanted to stay with Harry she wanted to get him some food as well. She decided to stay with Harry a little longer.
"Hermione you okay? What is it? You had a strange look on you face after the last thing I said."
"Harry, uh…it has been four day's since your detention." Hermione said sheepishly.
Harry just looked at her for a while. He was feeling a little tired. Harry drifted off to sleep only to have another nightmare about all the deaths from the future he knew it to be. His eyes flew open and he began sobbing again. Hermione pulled Harry up and held him. She was going to have to find another way to get some food up there she was not leaving Harry.
* * * * * * *
Fred and George saw Hermione go up to the boy's dormitory. They looked at each other and then followed her. They had just stepped inside the doorway when they heard Hermione tell Harry that he shouldn't bottle it up inside. When Harry was talking about those that had died it didn't make any sense. When Fred's name was mentioned the twins looked at each other with raised eyebrows. They knew something was wrong. They could tell that Hermione was conflicted at first. It was strange seeing Harry sobbing the way he was. Fred and George quickly but quietly left and went to find McGonagall.
They walked into McGonagall's class. McGonagall looked up when she heard the door.
"What are you two doing here? You should be in class."
"Professor it's real important that we speak with you. Can we step out in the hall?" Softly Fred added, "It has to do with Harry. We don't know what you know."
"Let's step out in the hall."
They walked out of the classroom.
"Ronald talked to me this morning, what has changed since then?"
"We just found out that the last time Harry had anything to eat was right before his detention with Professor Snape" Fred said
"Harry had thought that it was last night when he ate last and he was talking strangely." George said.
"Merlin's pants! I'll make sure that food reaches Harry. What did you mean about Harry talking strangely?"
"He was going on about how lots of people had died or dies and some of the names, the ones we recognized we know are not dead. Including me Professor. There were names, or nick names that we did not recognize."
"Thank you for telling me. As I told Ronald I will be speaking with the Headmaster today. I want you two to stay with Harry, I don't think that it would best if he were alone. Did Harry tell you all this directly?"
"No, and Granger is with him now. We over heard them talking." George replied.
Under the circumstances McGonagall was not upset or mad that Hermione was in the boy's dormitory, she was thankful that Harry was not alone.
"Well all the same, I want the two of to stay with him as well. When I see Ronald I will send him up as well. Oh, go to the kitchen and get some food for Harry and, well enough for five."
Fred and George went to the kitchen and got a huge feast, more than enough for five people. Ron was going to be there and the boy could eat. On their way back up to Griffindor tower Fred and George were having a difficult time with all the food even though they were using magic. Fred caught sight of Ron on the stairs.
"Hey, Ron come here and help would you?"
Ron looked over at Fred and saw all the food they had, he climbed down the few steps he had climbed and walked over to his brothers to help.
"All this is for Harry?"
"Not just Harry but the three of us and Hermione as well."
"Oh."
The three of them finally made it to the boy's dormitory. When they had walked in they startled Hermione who had jumped about a foot off the bed.
With some coaxing and convincing they managed to get Harry to eat something. After he had his fill, Harry fell asleep.
Hermione got up off the bed and motioned for the boy's to follow. Once she felt it was a safe distance from Harry she spoke.
"Fred, George how much did you hear? Obviously you heard about when Harry last had any food."
"A bit before that." Fred answered
"Since you told Harry that he shouldn't bottle everything up." George elaborated.
"Did it make any sense to you? Did it sound a little crazy?'
"No it didn't make any sense to us, and yes it did sound crazy."
"What the bloody hell are you three talking about?'
Hermione told Ron what she knew. Ron was very pale by the time she finished. He was scared and a bit freaked out. He was thinking that Harry had lost his mind or gone mad.
* * * * * * *
At her first chance, McGonagall went to Dumbledore's office to find that he was not there. McGonagall was about to leave when she saw the note on his desk. 'Oh great he just had to leave now when I really need to talk to him and this is something that he would want to know' McGonagall thought. She wrote a note telling him he needed to get back to Hogwarts immediately because something was wrong with Harry and had an owl deliver the note to Dumbledore.
