:) Trying to make these chapters longer, but I have to admit I prefer keeping them short partially because I can get them out sooner and partially because I (as a fanfic reader) always have preferred shorter chapters as it's easier to when I am working to find my place again.

Also, I feel I should point this out that when Severus is talking about the "dogs attacking Slytherins" he at this point has learned of Harry's visit to the Hospital Wing from a broken arm and believes that this is an injury from said "dogs" that Harry was unwilling to admit, thus his bringing it up.

That all said, enjoy!

They arrived at Hogwarts via the Knight Bus, which Theodore swore over and over again that he wouldn't ever use again no matter how desperate he was, and Harry was quick to inform his D.A. members that he wouldn't be having a meeting on Monday as he had Advanced Potions to take.

"Advanced Potions?" Terry Boot exclaimed, giving Harry a look of appraisal. "Snape must like you as he wouldn't give any of us the opportunity for extra lessons."

Harry felt his cheeks redden a little. The last time he'd seen Terry they had...

Theodore excused himself, "Think I'm going to be sick."

"What?" Harry asked, giving Terry an apologetic look as he started to follow his friend. "Do you need to go to the Hospital Wing?"

"No." Theo drawled. "Think I just need some fresh air after being...places."

"I'll come with you."

"No." The haughty tone surprised Harry. "Kind of...want to be alone."

Harry, not wanting to push his friend, dropped it and stayed behind, where Terry finally approached him.

"What's wrong?"

Shrugging, Harry turned to Terry and gave a half-smile. "I don't know. How was your Christmas?"

"Good." Terry shrugged, smiling. "Yours?"

"Not bad."

"So...there's a Hogsmeade trip next month, did you see the notice?"

"N-no. Not yet."

"Yes. It's on Valentine's Day...sadly, but I'd like to go with you anyways. We can try to avoid the overdose of pink and red and...maybe get some time to hang out...just us."

Harry nodded quicker than he probably needed to. "I'd really like that."

"Great." Terry's smile made Harry's heart jump. "It's settled then. See you around, Harry."

"Right..." Harry replied, his heart flipping around in his chest.

Harry didn't run into Theodore again until Defense Against the Dark Arts and noticed he was definitely getting a cold shoulder. After the class, Harry forced the taller Slytherin to talk to him.

"What is going on?"

"Need to change that light bulb in your brain, Harry." Theodore made a twisting motion with his hand. "Think it's gone out."

"Thanks for the insults. They're always so greatly appreciated."

Theodore just crossed his arms and said nothing.

"You're not going to tell me?"

"Don't see any need to."

"That's not fair." Harry pointed out. "I can't read your mind, Theo. I can't understand what's wrong unless you tell me."

"Clearly, you can't figure anything out on your own." Theodore's voice had become significantly bored to the point that it drawled. He sounded so convincingly like Snape that Harry took a step back. "Do need me to write up some notes for you?"

Red splashed across Harry's face. "You know well enough that the only class I ask for notes from you is History of Magic. If it bothers you that much than stop helping me."

Theodore's eyes narrowed, though Harry nearly didn't catch this.

"What's wrong, Theodore?" Harry asked again, glaring pointedly at his friend, knowing his eyes were both vindictive and begging to know the truth.

Images flashed across Harry's mind, twisted and difficult to decipher, pictures of Harry and Terry talking and getting closer...and the words, Stop...don't talk to him...stop...looking at him...get away from him rang garbled together.

Theodore wrenched away from Harry, scowling at him, as Harry stood there, confused and vaguely recalling a similar incident last year, though not nearly as strong nor as long.

"What..." Harry started, but Theodore was walking away.

"Have an extra lesson with Professor Snape." Theo reminded him angrily. "Shouldn't miss it."

Lessons with Snape weren't nearly as bad as Harry had thought and he quickly learned that the incident last year with Sirius and the one this very same day with Theo was him performing Legilimens.

"Legilimens is a very advanced spell." Snape said, almost with congratulations. "Though I am sure your emotions fueled you to perform it...wordless and wandlessly as well..."

Feeling a bit prideful of himself, Harry continued his lesson, but found that Occlumency was significantly harder than Legilimency. Memories flew by, Snape accessing them with ease.

"So you lied." Snape finally growled after witnessing Harry informing Theodore about his fears over his connection with the Dark Lord. "You have been informing Nott of things you should really keep to yourself."

"He's my friend and I trust him."

"Do not place your faith blindly merely because of acts of kindness." Snape spat. "I have already told you my suspicions."

Harry simply glared at the desk.

Snape sighed exhaustively. "Still...the fact you were able to lie to me then shows you are capable of Occlumency and that you are not a total loss as I did perform Legilimens on you that time and I detected no lies."

Perking at this, Harry returned his gaze to the Potions Master.

"But I must point out something I noticed in your memories..." Snape strode around his desk and suddenly smacked Harry upside the back of his head. "Are you a complete dolt? You have the audacity to comment on my inability to understand romance when you are completely blinded to Nott's passes."

Rubbing the back of his head, Harry scowled at his professor. "He said at the beginning of the year..."

"You saw his thoughts, you idiot." Snape smacked him again. "For the love of potions, Potter, you're as thick as one of Longbottom's cemented mishaps."

He turned around and stood once more behind his desk. "We shall practice one more time and then you will be dismissed until your next lesson on Wednesday."

If Harry hadn't suddenly made the connection between the Department of Mysteries and the dreams he'd been having, Harry suspected the rest of the lesson would have gone smoothly, but instead he enraged Snape over the matter and left the class feeling dismal.

Searching for Theodore, Harry found the Slytherin boy in the library and sat down across from him, despite noticing Terry making a vague motion for Harry to join him. Awkward silence settled between the two Slytherins as Harry tried to think up something to say. Surprisingly, Theo spoke first.

"How was it?" Theo whispered. "The lesson?"

"Fine." Harry rubbed his face. "Exhausting."

"Hear it's hard to learn."

"It is." Harry looked over Theodore and finally mumbled, "Do you like me?"

"Snape point that out?" Theodore gave Harry a disgusted glare.

"You said you didn't on the train." Harry reminded him.

"Didn't." The taller corrected, dipping his quill in his ink bottle. "Said I didn't want to date you."

"Same thing."

"Isn't." Theodore cast Harry a baleful look. "Is very different."

Rushing a hand through his hair, Harry tried to work out why Theodore wouldn't have wanted to date him and made a guess, "Your father said something?"

"Sure." Theo rolled his eyes.

Harry's gears, already sticking because of his rough Occlumency lesson, were turning very slowly. "Uh...he wanted you to get close to me, so he probably encouraged a more romantic relationship...and you told me what he wanted you to do...and you...didn't want me to think that you really were following your dad's orders, so you...you...s-settled for just being friends..."

Theo gave a small clap of mock congratulations. "Apparently, it takes brutal lessons in Occlumency to get your brain to work or perhaps Professor Snape tipped you off."

"Give me a break." Harry groaned, shaking slightly. "I had no idea you...felt that way."

"Bit late now." Theo jutted his chin in the direction of Terry. "Going to have a good Valentine's Day?"

Harry abruptly felt very sick. "I...am...going to go to bed."

He stood, grabbed at his bag, but missed it and left it instead as he simply didn't want to try again. He'd pick it up tomorrow before classes if Theodore didn't grab it for him. Being alone in his dormitory had been a mistake as he had suddenly slipped into one of Voldemort's jubilant moments and Harry woke up from it laughing himself. Maybe being alone had been a good thing as he brought the sound under control. His scar was blazing with pain and his mind whirling with emotions.

It wasn't until the next day that Harry learned what had pleased the Dark Lord so greatly: he'd broken some of his most faithful followers out of Azkaban and, worse, the Ministry was blaming Sirius Black as he had escaped before and therefore the only likely person who could help others escape. Harry knew instantly that Black was now in hiding once more, though at least now he had the safety of Grimmauld Place and the Order to help him. The Prophet also reported the death of Broderick Bode. Theodore read the news with a grave look on his face and then walked out of the hall without once looking at Harry. To top off the morning, Harry learned that Hagrid was now on probation.

Things were not going well.

That's it for tonight. Will update more tomorrow.