:D

Slytherin still did not have permission to start up Quidditch practice and Harry, along with the entire Slytherin House were very sure Harry was the reason behind the extended wait. Harry didn't dwell on this, however, as he was more focused on seeing if Theodore was out of the Hospital Wing or not.

He was incredibly disappointed to find that "not" seemed to be the case and Theo still did not want to see Harry.

"Please, can't I talk to him?" He begged.

"I'm afraid you can't." Madam Pomfrey stated strictly. "If he doesn't want visitors, he doesn't want visitors. Now please, I know you have classes."

Harry was in a foul mood for the rest of the day, casting such a powerful Silencing Charm that it silenced not only the Bullfrog he was working on, but also all the animals at his table and the students themselves. It took Professor Flitwick the remainder of class to undo the disaster and he gave Harry a reproving look as he reprimanded in a squeak, "Mind you watch your emotions when casting Charms as your emotions affect the strength of them. If your emotions are controlling you, your spell will be too powerful to devastating affects. Class, I would like one roll of parchment on how your emotions affect your Charms and give an example of how too powerful a Silencing Charm can be dangerous."

That night, Theo still in the hospital wing, Harry met Dobby, who came to return his owl to him. Though he doubted the elf would be up to the task or that the elf would find it a bad idea, Harry asked if Dobby would find a place for Harry to teach thirty students Defense. To his surprise, Dobby told him excitedly about the Room of Requirement and even offered to show Harry how to get into it right then and there, but Harry thought better of it as he still had Professor Snape's essay to complete.

With the Room of Requirement's location and explanation of entrance, Harry informed Hermione and soon the entire "class" knew about the meeting that night at eight...the entire class except one.

Harry rushed up to the Hospital Wing and was just in time to see Theodore leaving the ward.

"Theo!" He called, but froze at the glare cast his way. "Uh...um...all right, Theo?"

Theodore didn't answer. Instead, he turned and started walking down the hall in a brisk step. Harry rushed after him.

"I wanted to thank you!" Harry found he had to run just to keep Theodore in sight. "I know you did that for me! I was being really stupid, I know, but..."

Theodore wheeled around, eyes on fire and the tendons in his neck popping out from the tension he was putting them under. Harry's heart nearly leaped right out of his chest, he was so scared of this side of his friend he'd never seen before.

"Are the biggest idiot to ever grace these halls, Potter." Theodore fumed at him. "If you were twice as smart, you'd still be stupid!"

"That was..." Harry gaped at his friend. He understood that Theodore was mad, but this was ridiculous! "What a...a condescending thing to say!"

"Am condescending? Do you even know what that means?" Theodore spat on the floor at Harry's feet, causing the shorter boy to jump back. "Blimey, Harry, I don't know what makes you so stupid, but it really works."

Face red, Harry argued back. "I'm not that stupid, Theo! I realized what happened, didn't I?"

"After how long?" Theodore barked. "How many days did it take? Are you sure you've figured it out? Or do you need my notes?"

A tremble of rage shot up Harry's back. "You didn't have to defend me!"

"Oh, for the love of Slytherin, Harry." Theodore snarled. "Do you even listen to the things that come out of your mouth? Think for once in your wretched little excuse for a life! Quit acting like your stupidity is a virtue!"

Now Harry was really going. "Oh, my stupidity is my virtue? You're not all that smart, either, Nott! You didn't have to save me! And it's clear that any reason you can come up with for why you did isn't a worthwhile one! Clearly, this is all for your father!"

"Caught on, have you?"

"So it was your father! You've been acting under his orders, when you know he wants me dead?"

"It's so cute when you try to talk about things you don't understand." Theodore sardonic tone held a hint of poisonous honey to it.

"Oh! Now I don't understand?" Harry roared, waving his arms in his frustration. "I'm just a stupid, idiotic, little boy who only worries about himself and never thinks about what he's saying and just spouts nonsense! Do you believe those lies in the Prophet too than? Do you believe that I'm some nutter, that I'm crazy! You going to go on about me being crazy now too, Theo?"

Theodore calming crossed his arms, his eyes still blazing like a wild fire, but his features bored and his voice collected and cool, "You know, if you bitched anymore I would think it was that time of the month for you."

Harry wasn't sure how much more blood could flow up to his face. He was fairly certain right now his entire body's supply was turning his face a brilliant red. "Can't reply, so you're reverting to insults?"

Theo gave a derisive smirk. "Already said it all, didn't you, Harry? Been working for my father, haven't I? Been looking after a stupid, idiotic, little boy who only worries about himself and doesn't think about his words before he says them and spouts nonsense."

"You..." Harry's brain abruptly froze as he realized the insults didn't bother him in the least, but... "You really are working for your father?"

Theo ran a twitchy hand over his bangs so they covered his eyes some more. The fire was dying in his eyes. "Was mocking you, Harry."

"It didn't sound like it."

Nervousness seemed to enter Theodore's stance and he twitched and shifted. "Wants me to keep you alive. No idea why. Keep you safe and alive...is all. Figured I could do that. Are my friend and doing it only makes him believe me."

"But you're still working for him."

"Is not something like handing you over, is it?" Theo pointed out. "Am protecting you, like I would have done with or without his orders. This way I can do what I want and not get strangled when I go home for it."

Harry swallowed, recalling his talk with Professor Snape. "If being friends with me is dangerous..."

"Things aren't like last year." Theo snorted, bemused and disgusted all at once. "Are in reverse. NOT being friends with you is what's dangerous now."

"So...you are...uh..." He cleared his throat, trying to rid the lump swelling there. "Are you...what's your motives, Theo?"

Theodore gave a light cock of his head, his eyes igniting again. "You know, Harry, sometimes you stumble over the truth, but for some reason you just pick yourself up and keep walking."

And with that he had spun and started to slink off into the castle. Harry, exasperated, gave pursuit.

"Theodore! You're just insulting me without giving me answers."

"Seriously, Harry?" Theodore cast a glare back at him. "Can't figure anything out on your own?"

"I want to hear you say it!" Harry grabbed his friend's wrist and yanked him to a stop. "I want you to tell me what you are thinking! I want to hear the truth from your own mouth!"

Theodore faced him, expression becoming devoid of emotions and the embers in his eyes smoldering to nothing. When he spoke, he had attained a perfectly apathetic tone as unreadable as a book without words. "Telling you will not solve your mistrust of me. Showing you is all I have."

Harry released his friend's wrist and forced down his returning anger. "Than you're going to have to show it. We have...somewhere to be tonight."

Theodore's brow flicked up, though just barely. "Found a place?"

"I had help."

"Never thought once that you didn't."

Sighing as Harry knew that Theodore wouldn't stop insulting him until his anger had gone, Harry just asked that Theodore prove his true intentions by showing up or not and participating or not.

"I really would like you to come." Harry admitted after a long pause then quickly added, "And not just because you're super smart and would be a huge help and not just because it'd make me not the only Slytherin, but also because I want you there...as my friend."

Theodore's face was still stoic. "I am your friend, Harry...or so you keep telling me."

"I'm sorry." Harry mumbled. "I am really sorry I'm stupid."

"Is a start." Theodore turned again. "I have to collect my homework. I'll meet you in the common room."

"All right."

Harry didn't chase Theo this time.

:P