Disclaimer: I don't own HP. JKR does. Some details are taken from the fanfiction HP and the Psychic Serpent by Barb that can be found on fanfiction.net.
A/N: Thanks to all the ones who took the time to review, bad or goods your comments always make me improve, so keep leaving them, ok? I wanted to thank my beta Cheryl, too, since I forgot to do it on the first chapter. *bangs head in shame* She always does a wonderful job on my fics, so all my gratitude to her!
Chapter Two
"Hogwarts, sixth time"
On September the 1st the Dursleys gave him a lift to the station, and for the first time ever Dudley had accompanied him. True to his word Dudley continued to treat Harry respectfully for the rest of the summer. Dudley was currently sitting in the back of the car with Harry chatting away, much to his parents' chagrin. Now and then some awkward silences happened but for the most part it was a rather pleasant ride.
Without looking for his friends Harry then charged through the barrier and directly on the train. He arranged himself in a compartment, he was unsure if Ron and Hermione would come looking for him or not. However, they did, and he couldn't help feeling a little guilty over his relief that they did in fact look for him. Hermione's expression showed a bit of worry, but she did not mention the note he had sent her, and Harry was grateful to her for that. His preference was to not have to explain, not in that moment at least, he knew they would never let him isolate himself just to protect them.
Finally the train started to move, they passed a large part of the trip joking, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Each of them intentionally avoided mentioning what happened at the Department of Mysteries, but occasionally Harry's mind would drift back to the memories of when he had nearly led his friends to their deaths and Sirius... `Maybe Snape, for once, had suggested the right thing. The problem was how to make them understand the situation.'
At one point Harry decided to leave the compartment to clear his mind, he made his excuses and quickly left. Upon his return, he found the compartment door locked with a simple alohamora he opened the door a crack, only to be offered a shocking vision: Ron and Hermione snogging very passionately.
Feelings of betrayal coursed through him, he wanted to scream out in rage, and however, he bit down his jealous realising he really should be happy for them. They were his best friends, after all, and its not like Hermione is his girlfriend, he had no right to be angry with them. He would allow himself to be hurt at the minute…
Deciding to not interrupt them, he silently closed the door, he wandered up and down the passage way but after a while he was compelled to look again. He thought they would have given it a rest by now. He was mistaken. They were still going at it and he once again he felt his blood boiling in his veins.
It was so strange, but at the same time so true, he was jealous of his best friend, of Ron. He laughed to himself, it was usually Ron who jealous him and now finally he understood how the redhead felt. He was reminded of fourth year when he and Ron were not on speaking terms.
Taking a deep breath he opened the door fully and announced, "Time to get changed." His friends quickly broke apart and Harry pretended that he hadn't seen a thing. He tried to be the same old Harry they'd been best friends with for the last five years, however, he wasn't succeeding Hermione was on to him, he could tell.
In fact, upon exiting the train, Hermione pulled him aside, "You saw us…didn't you? Does it bother you?" she whispered to him, looking directly in his eyes.
Harry shook his head weakly.
"It just sort of happened, I didn't plan it, but it's for the best really. Don't you think?"
Saying the last words, he bit the inside of his cheek as he turned his back from Hermione; he needed to hide his emotions. When Hermione turned to look for Ron, Harry hopped on a carriage and warded door so he could be alone.
*
As soon as the welcome feast was finished Harry returned to the common room without a word to anyone. He sat in his usual spot in front of the fire until Hermione and Ron arrived then he moved to a far corner of the room to avoid them. He noticed Hermione stare at him and then shake her head. Her look of pity suddenly sparked Harry's anger; he stood up abruptly and stomped up the stairs to his dorm room.
`What did she expect, that I would be immediately love the idea of them being together?' he thought, `If I ever except it, I'll at least need some time.' He choked back the tears that started flowing down his cheeks.
`Sodding hell!' he thought as he laid in bed trying to get comfortable, `So much for a better start to sixth year.' After a long while he fell into a restless slumber.
*
The next morning Harry got up early and went for a run around the Quidditch pitch. He took a quick shower in the Quidditch change rooms and while on the way back to the castle, he unceremoniously vented his bottled up aggression on a small tree. The force of the single punch split the defenceless tree in two pieces.
*
Some students who just happened to be looking out a window caught site of Harry's tree abuse. He then once again became the main topic at breakfast. Although Ron thought he was one of the few people who really knew Harry, Ron was clueless, more so than others, even he thought that kind of behaviour was odd. Then again, Ron didn't know Harry had seen him snogging Hermione, and even if he did, he never would have thought it would upset Harry that much.
At breakfast Harry kept to himself sitting as far away from Ron and Hermione as he could. Ron was a little put out but shrugged it off as his hunger took over his concern. He figured Harry was following Snape's recommendation to keep Hermione and him at a distance; Hermione had told him about Harry's letter. However, Ron didn't want to believe that Harry was actually following directions from Snape.
*
The first lesson of the term was, coincidentally, Potions and for the first time in his life Harry was really attentive in class. He almost chuckled sadly thinking that his only "friend" now was Snape, and even he still treated Harry with the usual coldness.
Snape sensed something was not quite right with Harry and he was concerned. It had been a hard road to travel but Snape had decided to separate his hatred for the boy's father and had settled into a sort of mutual understanding with Harry. He had no desire to seek the kind of friendship Harry had with the likes of Hagrid or McGonagall but he had promised the Headmaster that he would protect the boy and intended to keep his word.
At the end of the lesson, Snape quickly thought up an excuse to keep Harry behind. Once alone Snape told Harry that if anything was troubling him and he needed to talk that he would be available later in the evening and to come by his private office. Although Snape's tone was still brisk and cutting, Harry thanked the Head of Slytherin for the unexpected offer and left the room.
*
He made his way to the History of Magic class, the most annoying of all subjects. He, however, succeeded in concentrating for the entire lesson. It was the same for all his classes, even Divination.
It had had been a natural transition for Harry to bury all his suffering into his schoolwork. He even challenged Hermione in a few subjects to his great satisfaction; though he still avoided her when at all possible.
*
Later that evening he decided he did want to speak to someone, and deciding that Hagrid was a bit too emotional, and McGonagall was too female, he would take Snape up on his offer and made his way down to Snape's office. The Potions Master ushered Harry into his office and offered him a seat.
"So what's troubling you Potter?" Snape asked, while Harry took a seat. "Listen Potter, I know that we have not been on the best of terms these last five years. I have come to realise that you are merely your father's son and not your father and I will make the effort to remind myself of that fact in our future dealings. Of course I will be required to keep up appearances in public, but know that you may approach me privately with any concerns you may have and I will endeavour to help." the Potion Master added, before letting Harry speak.
Harry nodded and for some moments said nothing. "How did you know something is troubling me?" he finally asked, out of the blue.
Snape closed his eyes, he was reluctant to reveal something personal regarding himself, but accepting that in order to get Harry to open up he would have to make the first move. He began, "I once found myself in your shoes Potter. It's a long story; I will give you the abbreviated version. You will recall that the memory you viewed in the Pensieve last year involved your mother and father and his friends." To this Harry nodded and Snape continued, "I despised your father; I harboured a certain affection for your mother and I viewed him as a rival. At the time of the incident your mother didn't think much of your father either and perhaps at that time I may have had a chance of her returning my affection. However, my humiliation over took my good sense and I called her a hateful name. I realised I had lost any hope. After your parents began their relationship, I was chagrined, I buried myself in my studies and poured all my energy into forgetting that I was in love with Lily."
"You… you were in love with my mother?" Harry asked in shock. He didn't think Snape was capable of caring about anything let alone actually love someone.
"Yes, I was." responded Snape then continued, "I need to advise you that I have some slight empathic abilities. It adds to the effectiveness of my Legilimency skill, I pick up emotions emitted from the people around me, as it suits my nature I am more adept at picking up the more aggressive emotions such as anger and hostility above others. Today for instance, for the first time ever you put in a considerable effort into the lesson, the fact that you seated yourself at a purposeful distance from Miss Granger and Weasley did not go unnoticed. I sensed that you were making a concerted effort to ignore the pair. Therefore, I couldn't help but sense that you hold Miss Granger in some regard? She is your problem, is she not, Potter?"
"Yes, sir. She is." Harry replied, he neither confirmed nor denied what kind of problem she was, though. Despite Snape opening up to him and making the offer of help Harry was not ready to trust the Potions Master completely, so he didn't not reveal all his issues.
Snape nodded in acknowledgement, he had not expectation of Harry opening up fully, but it did not take Legilimens to know that Harry felt more than friendship for Miss Granger. "Potter take a page from my book, I buried myself in schoolwork and other interests…I am quite sure you will agree that this attitude did nothing to enrich my good character, I trust you will draw your own conclusions from my example."
Harry nodded knowingly as his emotions swam dangerously close to the surface.
Snape handed Harry a flask that contained a Cheer Up Potion that would help better control his emotions, and then sent Harry back to his dorm.
*
After sampling the Cheer Up Potion over the next few days Harry found that either the Potion was too weak to be effective or simply his suffering could not be countered with a potion, not at this stage at least.
When the day of the first Hogsmeade weekend arrived Hermione and Ron had been dating for nearly three months. Hermione had tried to convince Harry to join her and Ron but he had refused stating that he had some homework to catch up on.
"Really, I don't want to spoil your day together," Harry reasoned and then left to go to the library and study. His concentration was off, and he once again found himself fighting with his emotions. Harry's thoughts turned to Hermione, at that very moment she was with Ron enjoying the day; they were probably holding hands, or worse, walking arm in arm. Harry had been a bit rude to Hermione earlier; he hadn't meant to hurt her. He was struggling to keep his emotions in check.
*
With the passing of the days, he felt his jealousy wane; he still avoided the cause of his angst, not willing to completely make peace with the pair. For two reasons, Harry rationalised: first, he was in love with Hermione; seeing her with Ron pained him beyond belief. Second, that by following Snape's advice and keeping his distance he would be protecting them from danger as well as protecting his heart.
Strangely, something or rather someone disrupted Harry's plan and for a completely unexpected reason. Draco Malfoy, he had seen Ron and Hermione snogging, during the Hogsmeade weekend. Malfoy too was surprised; with the confirmation of the new relationship, he took every opportunity to insult the couple.
Despite Harry's personal opposition to the couple, he wasn't about to let Malfoy get away with harassing them; they were still his friends after all. In a rare moment that Harry actually found Malfoy alone, he confronted him, "What the hell are you on about, Malfoy?" he asked wand drawn and pointed directly at the Slytherin's chest. "Ron and Hermione, leave them alone," his voice full of loathing for the blonde haired classmate.
"What do you care, Potter? The site of the Weasel and the Mudblood snogging makes me sick; I'm just playing with them. By the way, where have you been, the happy couple turned you out? Forgotten their friend have they?" taunted Malfoy with a sneer.
"Why do you care if Ron and Hermione are together? What business is it of yours?" Harry spat, Malfoy was really irritating and Harry was quickly using up all his patience.
For reasons unknown to Harry and the rest of the wizarding world, Malfoy lowered his wand and with a dramatic change in demeanour, and his voice barely above a whisper, Malfoy replied, "Because…because I think I love her,"
"Bollocks!" shouted Harry, "Just stay the hell away from her!"
As he walked away, he wondered, `what if Malfoy's telling the truth? Sodding hell, that's the last thing I need. What am I thinking, Malfoy in love with Hermione…'
"I'm telling the truth Potter!" shouted Malfoy, but Harry didn't acknowledge, he just kept on walking.
`What kind of alternate universe have I stumbled into?' mused Harry shaking his head, `Dudley is suddenly civil; Ron and Hermione together…snogging; Snape being kind and offering advice and now Malfoy…in love with Hermione too? I wonder what will the rest of the year will bring?'
*
Harry made his way to Transfiguration, wherein after successfully transforming a plate into a bird Professor McGonagall awarded fifteen points to Gryffindor. However, an overly distracted Hermione was unable to complete the assignment and was duly chastised by the Professor.
Hermione was smart enough to realise that Harry was struggling to cope with her relationship with Ron, but his attitude towards her failure hurt. Ever since the summer he hadn't been himself, she knew partly the reason, but she didn't think he would really keep his distance she was his best friend after all. He was acting more like Malfoy.
Immediately after the lesson, she ran away tears streaming down her face. Harry didn't completely understand why she was crying he was thinking that she took her failures way too seriously. Perhaps she thought he was happy with her lack of success in the transfiguration; when he simply had been gratified by his own success…
It pained him deep in his heart, if, even though unintentionally, he was the cause of her tears.
Needing to clear his thoughts he decided to go for a walk and ended up at Hagrid's hut. Hagrid invited Harry in for a cuppa and he obliged. Harry sat quietly listening to Hagrid's unsolicited advice knowing the half giant meant well.
*
Over the past few days Malfoy tried every so often to speak to Harry and after several attempts finally succeeded.
"I want to thank you Potter, I took your advice." expressed Malfoy.
"What are you on about?" asked Harry decidedly confused.
"I've stayed away from her," he simply said, "I am quite sure you are doing the same thing."
Harry glared at Malfoy, "You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Don't I?" asked Malfoy arcing his eyebrow at Harry.
"You were telling the truth," stated Harry, "You are in love with her."
"So are you Potter," said Malfoy.
In the moment of an impromptu staring contest Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy formed an unspoken truce. Harry smiled, then he patted Draco's back and to those who witnessed the scene unfold they could not believe their eyes and soon the news that Potter and Malfoy were friends spread.
Harry and Draco were often seen together, studying, flying and generally hanging out. The change did not go unnoticed and the fledgling friends found themselves in a meeting with Snape. They took turns explaining the situation. Draco surprised Snape with his admitted affection for Miss Granger. When they finished Snape responded, "I see…Well this is unexpected, however, I think you may be of help to each other."
*
That same evening, Harry ran into Ron in the common room and the redhead demanded to know what was going on with Harry.
"Ask Hermione, Ronald…She knows why. Strange though, I wonder why she hasn't told you?" Harry responded, losing semi-control of his strongly guarded anger and then stalked off to the dorm. Harry was a little ashamed at his actions, he was still bitter over Ron's relationship with Hermione, he couldn't help lashing out and it bothered him.
*
A few nights later, Harry woke up with a start, his scar searing with pain. After pulling himself together he headed down to his favourite spot near the fire, to think. Harry had been dreaming…about Hermione, she was dead, and he was kneeling wand in hand before Voldemort listening to the pleased voice of his enemy stating, "Very good work, Potter. You have killed the Mudblood. You have confirmed that you are my loyal servant."
From his several late night conversations with Snape, Harry knew that after his mother chose his father, Snape decided to join the Death Eaters. Even though Snape was now on the side of light, Harry had no desire to share the same path. He would learn from the Slytherin's mistakes.
Right there before the calmness of the fire, Harry vowed to protect Hermione; he would not be the one to harm her. He would swallow his pride and offer his two best friends an olive branch, starting tomorrow…
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