I'm back from self-imposed exile and writer's block, among other things. Let's go!
~Multi-Faceted~
VI: Injury
"You're bleeding."
"It's fine, Professor - only a flesh wound." Harry pushed Albus away, but the silver-haired headmaster merely pushed back firmly, taking the affected arm in his hand. "Move off, Albus! I'm fine."
Albus growled. "Harry... you would say that to me if this arm was missing. You are hurt, and I wish you would admit it to me more often. It is not a show of weakness."
"I - !"
"I am here to help you," Albus said gently. "I want to help you." His blue eyes went steely, then, and his expression darkened. "Now, I will say this once. Let me help you, Harry."
Harry brought his green eyes up to glare into Albus's blue ones. His professor held his gaze, not faltering in the slightest. At last, Harry lowered his eyes, and stretched his arm out a little further for inspection.
"Thank you, Harry."
Albus felt Harry flinch as he tightened his grip on his arm. As soothingly as possible, he stroked the boy's arm up to the injury, getting Harry used to his magic. Harry's pulse quickened as Albus ran one finger over the bleeding cut; he hissed a moment later, watching the sparks of magic travel over his arm and close the cut.
...All right, that wasn't so bad. If I stay still, he might not suspect any other scars...
And then Harry gasped as he felt those other scars, the ones hidden beneath clothes and cloaking spells, heal magically as well. He glared at his smiling mentor.
"You..."
"You were bleeding in more places than one." The blue eyes twinkled.
Harry grumbled, while feeling secretly pleased that Albus had bothered. "Yeah, well... it wasn't your business."
"I beg to differ. I daresay it was."
"Oh, really? Well, then... don't be surprised if I return the favor sometime soon - I'm sure you've got a lot of scars yourself, and I won't take no for an answer either."
"My dear boy, you would have to catch me without robes on first!"
"Wha - ugh! Thank you, Albus, for that all-too-clear, unneeded mental image."