The following week, Harry's class after lunch was Care of Magical Creatures and as he walked down the slope towards the forest he heard the unmistakable voice of Draco Malfoy and the laughter from his two goons just behind him. He had been waiting for something to happen for the last few hours, seeing the looks that he had been given during breakfast and lunch, he had the awful feeling that something bad was coming his way. He was now wondering why, why had he gone to class alone? It was too late now, so he decided just to keep to himself and make his way down towards the forest.
"Why so tense, Potter?" Malfoy cried out and the laughter from his side kicks grew louder.
He ignored it though and kept walking, only to have Malfoy catch up with him and his goons block his way.
"What's wrong poofter poo?" Malfoy continued. "Eaten your tongue?"
"Don't just ignore me, Potter." Malfoy spat.
There was another bout of laughter and Harry sighed as he looked away from them and up the hill to see if anyone was coming who could rescue him. He felt a push from his left and his right foot caught on something, which made him lose his footing and he crashed down, feeling something cracking in his right shoulder. Shit. He closed his eyes at the pain and bit his lower lip to silence any cries, not that the other three would have been able to hear that over their loud cries of laughter.
"Stupify!" Harry heard a male voice shout from a distance and there was a loud boom as the spell hit the ground near where all four of them were.
"Oi, what are you doing?" Malfoy yelled but Harry couldn't open his eyes, therefore couldn't see the astonished faces and the scene unfolding around him.
"Harry, are you okay? I can't believe they did that. Can you sit up?" The male voice said and Harry was struggling to identify who it was.
Harry groaned as he tried to sit up but the pain in his shoulder was even more painful when he did this and he winced as he cried out. He briefly heard the male voice yelling at someone however Harry blacked out from the pain.
A couple of hours later, Harry woke up in the Infirmary with his right shoulder throbbing and he couldn't move it and groaned at the discomfort. Just my luck, he thought and went to open his eyes to look over at the door. What he hadn't expected to see was Blaise Zabini sitting next to him and someone on his other side holding his hand.
"Harry?" It was Hermione's voice but he couldn't bring himself to turn his head the other way as he stared at Zabini. What's he doing here? He thought and frowned a little.
"Wha - ?" He started to say but just then Madame Pomfrey came through the door with a goblet of something, no doubt a potion, and stood next to his bed, blocking his sight of the Slytherin
"Afternoon, Mr. Potter." She tutted and then helped him into a sitting position so he could drink the liquid.
"Now, this will help with the pain and your bones are all healed. You'll just need to keep your arm in the sling for a few more days for the muscles to heal and you'll be back in business." She said stiffly and he nodded.
"Okay." He croaked out and he settled back under the covers.
As she moved, Harry moved his head over to Hermione and gave her a drowsy look that meant, 'tell me every thing' and she sighed before looking over at Zabini and then back at him.
"Well… I don't, really… I mean…" She was lost for words, Hermione was never lost for words.
"Malfoy attacked you, I saw it and intervened." Zabini's voice came from his right and he turned his head back to the boy.
"Ho – Why?" Harry tried to string together words but it just wasn't happening.
"His actions lately have been appalling. He's gone too far and I couldn't let him hurt you further." Zabini continued and gave Harry a small smile.
He would be lying if the smile didn't look good on the boy and he was momentarily confused by his thoughts, but he was able to manage a small smile himself and thanked him before turning his head back to Hermione.
"We were so worried about you, Harry. Ron and I were coming out of the Great Hall and we saw Professor Dumbledore looking rather stricken as he levitated you through the castle." Hermione said, still holding his hand and Harry frowned.
"Where is Ron?" He said, suddenly aware that his best friend wasn't there.
The silence from the two of them spoke volumes and he twisted and turned his head both ways watching their facial expressions, but their faces were blurring a little because he was feeling so tired.
"Ron uh… He found out what happened and…" Hermione trailed off.
"He got into a fight with Crabbe and Goyle." Zabini continued.
"It didn't end well." Hermione added.
Harry remained silent. He didn't really know what to say, and quite frankly he couldn't make out all of it as it was all foggy in his mind but he was able to nod a little and then he closed his eyes. Madame Pomfrey came back into the room and announced that visiting hours were over and that they were required in the Great Hall for dinner. Harry hadn't realized that he'd been out for all of the afternoon but all he wanted to do now was to get some sleep and hopefully wake up in a better state of mind.
He felt Hermione squeeze his hand gently and then her footsteps, but he felt a warmth on his other before the other set of footsteps walking away from him, he could only guess that Zabini had touched his hand before leaving, and it felt odd. He didn't think much else however, because as soon as their footsteps died out Harry fell into a restful sleep.
Snape was seething. He was currently standing in front of his office desk looking at a very indignant Malfoy yelling at him for his incompetence. Never, in all his life apart from his years with Potter Senior had he seen such vile behaviour from his Slytherin's. Usually it was a stubborn Gryffindor with a grudge or a rampant Ravenclaw who was having a meltdown, but never a Slytherin. He was more than disappointed in the Malfoy, he did admit that if it had been anyone else but Harry as the victim, he may not have acted so rashly as to pull Malfoy aside in front of everyone with such a murderous look on his face, but fact was it had happened and he wasn't feeling guilty about his actions.
He let the boy go after his severe warning about punishments and the like, before he slumped down in his chair, resting his head on his palm that was supported by his elbow on the arm of the chair. He sighed, he knew the message had got through to the boy judging by how pale he was when he had been informed that his father knew. He sighed again, he now had to go and give his house a speech to remind them about what was expected from his house. It was a tiring job some days, but he couldn't really complain about it. He remembered back to the day previous where he had cautiously pulled Malfoy aside to warn him of such behaviours, he'd obviously thought that Harry had run to the Headmaster and therefore his retaliation, just as he had predicted, had sent Harry to the Hospital Wing.
He stood suddenly, and headed out of his office and down the corridor to the Slytherin common room with the intention of getting his speech out of the way and going up to see Harry. He was sure no one would be up there now as it was only half an hour before curfew and the students supposedly all in their common rooms. He stepped into the Slytherin common room and the place went silent. Snape had a look of true disgust as he marched over to the fireplace and ordered for their attention. He was pleased to see that Malfoy still looked pale and he glanced at Crabbe and Goyle to find scratches and bruises on their faces. In that moment he was secretly proud of Harry's friend, dear he say it a Weasley, for putting up such a fight. At least no one else had been sent to the Hospital Wing, but if he knew the Gryffindor Head of House as well as he thought he did, the boy probably wished he was in the Infirmary.
After making his snakes sweat and think about their actions he stalked out of the room and up the flights of stairs to find Harry. He hoped now that the threat of expulsion for such a display of behaviour would set them straight, but he knew Malfoy and after a period of time he knew he'd have to deal with him again.
He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he was at the Hospital Wing faster than he thought and he peered through the doors to see one bed occupied. He saw the bound arm and knew it was Harry, so carefully and quietly he walked over to the bed in the dark and stood over him, watching his sleeping form. It seemed that Harry was having some kind of dream because his face was flashing with all sorts of emotions and he found it almost endearing to see him so peaceful. He heard Harry whimper softly and he was about to reach out and take Harry's hand when the boy tensed before he had even touched him and his eyes flew open with a sharp in take of breath. He slowly moved back into his seat and prayed that Harry didn't see him.
Harry found himself panting, it wasn't an unpleasant dream but it was one that had his blood pumping fast through his body and his mind dazed. He had been having flashbacks from his childhood and the incident that day, but towards the end of it, Snape had been there and was comforting him. What made him wake up was when he had nearly kissed Snape in his dream, the feelings so real at the time and he could still feel, now that he was awake, desire pooling in the bottom of his stomach and he had to smile to himself.
Suddenly aware of where he was and able to take in his surroundings, he felt someone's presence and he looked towards the door to see a black figure sitting a couple of feet away. It was Snape; that he was sure of and he raked his eyes over the figure trying to work out his face but he couldn't quite see it because of the dark.
"Professor Snape?" He said hoarsely but he received no reply and then the man stood and went to walk away.
"Sir?" Harry cried quietly again but the man didn't stop.
In Harry's dazed state, either from the potions of the fact he was still on some kind of high from the dream, he sobbed, and loudly too as he saw the form retreating and he called out again with a tear rolling down his cheek. He couldn't believe the man would just walk away and not say anything. He was now confused and upset, this hadn't been how the man treated him in his dream. As soon as it started, however, it ended and this time Harry fell into a restless sleep that was filled with doubts and sadness.
The next morning, Harry woke confused. He had had several dreams that night and he wasn't sure if Snape had come to see him that night or not. He decided that he had in fact dreamt it although he couldn't bring himself to believe the man would be so cruel as to leave him without saying anything because that wasn't how he'd reacted when Harry had been staying with him.
Harry was drawn from his thoughts as the Medi-Witch walked into the room and gave him the once over and worked his shoulder to see if it was in place and nothing else was wrong with it. He was glad to hear that he would be discharged so he could attend classes and was given a couple of potions and his arm back tightly wrapped to his chest before he was set on his way.
He bumped into Hermione and Ron as he was leaving the Infirmary and they escorted him to the Great Hall for breakfast. His stomach rumbled loudly at the prospect of this and he had to laugh with his friends as it did. His appetite somewhat dwindled however, when he walked into the hall and he spotted Malfoy looked pale as anything and the hall deathly quiet. He felt like he'd missed something but he was sure someone would fill him in. He was still somewhat cautious though as he looked at Malfoy and when the boy looked at him as he walked past he was given the best sneer that could possible flash across his face. Harry gulped, and disregarding what his friends thought he was going to be sitting up the front of the room right in front of the Head table.
When he looked up to the Head table as he went to sit down he saw that Snape wasn't there and he felt a little let down, he couldn't explain it though. He looked down at his plate and found Hermione piling on some soft food that he wouldn't have to cut and he was grateful for this and gave her a smile. They had been sitting there for a few minutes when Harry sensed Snape walk into the hall and out of the corner of his eye, saw the man go past him. Less than a minute later, a green and black robe sat down next to Harry and he turned his head to find Zabini sitting there looking at Harry. All three of them gaped at him.
"You lost?" Ron spat as he eyed him carefully, but found Hermione's elbow firmly planted into his ribcage.
"I just came to see how you were, Harry." He replied, still looking at him.
Harry had to blink a couple of times, before narrowing his eyes and looking over his shoulder at Malfoy who looked equally surprised, but still pale. He looked back at Zabini still confused but couldn't look away from him.
"Thanks. I'm okay now, Zabini." He said politely, and smiled back.
"Please, it's Blaise. Did you need some help there?" He motioned to Harry's plate but he just shook his head.
"You just missed it, by the way. Malfoy received a howler from his father. It wasn't pretty. Anyway I will see you in class, Harry. Granger. Weasley." And with that he stood and walked out of the hall.
Harry just stared after him, still wondering why he was putting his neck out but thought it had to be something to do with Malfoy. He's a fellow Slytherin they'll be playing a trick on me, Harry concluded. But there was something about his actions and the caring look in his eyes that Harry wonder if there was something else.
"I can't believe him, what's he playing at?" Ron scoffed with a mouth full of food and Harry had to grimace at the sight.
"He's just being friendly, Ron. Honestly, he saved Harry yesterday and didn't you hear what he said about Malfoy?" Hermione scolded and Harry decided to tune out, he had more important things to be worrying about right now.
Speaking of which, he turned his head slightly towards the Head table and spied Snape sitting there and was surprise to see he was looking at Harry with a strange expression on his face. Once they locked eyes however, the man frowned before looking away and Harry felt something unpleasant bubbling in his chest. Something didn't feel right.
Harry was nervous as he stood outside the Potion's classroom with everyone else. It was the last class of the day and Harry was hoping that they weren't going to be brewing, that would be an interesting experience seeing as his arm was still bound and he was intrigued to see how Snape would react. His heart leaped into his throat as he heard the door bang open and he caught sight of black robes flickering out in front of the group.
"Stop gawking and get in." Snape barked and the students started filing in.
Harry waited for the rush to be over so he could wander in without further injury. Bad move.
"Mr. Potter, you have an injured shoulder not legs. Move it." Snape bellowed from beside him.
Harry looked to his side and gave Snape a confused looked, he knew the man had a reputation to uphold but he didn't think he'd be exactly the same. He felt his heart, for the second time in a matter of days shatter and he looked down as he made his way to a chair up the front of the room and his stomach did a weird flip when he saw Blaise come and sit next to him.
"Now, today you will be brewing Draught of Living Death. Ingredients and methods are shown on page thirty eight. You have until the lesson is over. Go." Snape said stiffly and went to his desk as he watched everyone in the room scramble to get ready.
Harry looked around and found Hermione at the back with the other Gryffindor's, she shrugged and he looked at her worried. There was no way he would be able to brew today with his arm so tightly strapped to his chest and he felt all hope leave his body. He noticed Hermione's eyes flick past him and he turned around to see Snape looking at him sharply. He swallowed. He would have to say something, but was afraid of Snape shaming him.
"Problem, Mr. Potter?" Snape said as they locked eyes.
"No, sir." Harry mumbled and went to the cupboard to get his ingredients that he nearly dropped on the way back.
With his dominant hand out of action he was pretty much helpless but he managed the first couple of steps relatively easy with the subtle help from Blaise and he was concentrating extremely hard. He was halfway through when he decided just to give up and he turned the heat off on his potion and sat there looking at the ingredients. He saw Snape coming around the classroom and closed his eyes as he felt the man come to stand behind him.
"And you have stopped… because?" Snape purred in his ear and he had to resist a shiver that wanted to travel down his spine.
"I can't prepare the ingredients, sir." He said quietly and then mumbled, "thought that was obvious."
"Well, Mr. Potter. If you cannot complete this in the allotted time, you will be completing this in detention after class." Snape said standing upright.
"Fine." He said and went to stand up, only to find himself face to face with Snape and he was looking down at Harry in interest.
"Detention it is then, Potter." He went to walk away before adding, "And ten points from Gryffindor for incomplete work."
Harry gaped at him, is he serious? This was totally unfair. Harry wanted to run away and cry. That man had been there for him, seen and heard his secrets and was now acting like a total asshole towards him. He was so confused and he briefly wondered if he had been to see him last night in the Infirmary. He sighed and turned to sit back at his desk, and stared out at the rest of the class who were working hard on their potions and Blaise gave him an understanding smile. He risked another glance at Snape but the man simply ignored him in favour of watching over the rest of the students. Harry was starting to regret bothering to show up at all today.
Class seemed to drag after this and he huffed as Snape finally let the class go after a quick lecture on how appalled he was at the efforts he witnessed in class. Odd thing was though he didn't direct any of it at Harry, but the Slytherin's smirked and snickered at him as Snape made the announcement. Harry had to smirk to himself though, Snape was referring to them as well.
"Class dismissed." Snape spat and sat at his desk.
Harry sat at his desk not moving as he waited for the students to leave and Blaise quietly said he would meet him later and Hermione and Ron gave him a sympathetic look as they walked out. When the door swung closed after the last person he heard footsteps coming towards him. He visibly shrunk as the man closed in on him, his face like thunder and Harry swallowed hard wondering what on earth the man was going to do and say. What happened next completely surprised him as he felt a hand on his chin and his eyes locking with the concerned ones of Snape.
"You handled yourself well, Harry. I'm impr – "
"Are you serious?" Harry growled and both Snape's eyebrows rose in surprise at the out burst.
"Harry – "
"No! Don't act all 'I care about you, I'm worried about you' and then revert to being an asshole." Harry said angrily making a fist with his hand.
"You knew that I wouldn't be able to brew, yet you embarrassed me in front of everyone." He continued and then turned to leave.
He didn't care that he didn't have his bag with him, he would be able to get that later. He was too wound up to think properly and he needed to get out of there and was suddenly frustrated that he couldn't transform into Jade with his shoulder still sore. He wrenched the door open and stormed out into the corridor and immediately wanted to seek the company of Blaise. He didn't know why, but the boy made him feel something, much like warmth that spread through him and he wanted that again.
Snape on the other hand was still rooted to the spot, his once placid and cautious Harry that he'd spent the summer with was now just as fiery as he had been. He knew he should have taken points or at least stopped him from leaving but he couldn't move. He blinked a couple of times and then took a step towards his desk but Harry's bag caught his attention and he sighed as he bent down to pick it up. He wasn't sure if Harry knew he'd left it behind or even if he was going to come back and get it so he just took it up to his desk and placed it on the top as he went round to sit behind his desk. He had marking to do, so he got started on it, but Harry's bag was becoming distracting after a while and he rubbed his temples in frustration.
What's happening to me?