Snape’s Suspicion
Chapter 14: Snape’s Suspicion
Severus Snape was not a fool.
He noticed every change within his House, every slight shift in balance.
And Potter had been the most significant change of all.
The boy who, at the start of the year, had withdrawn from everyone—who had avoided people at all costs—was suddenly everywhere.
Where he once isolated himself, he now appeared more and more in the company of his fellow Slytherins.
Draco, Zabini, Nott, Pansy.
Always with one of them.
Never alone.
Never again in the quiet corners where he used to hide.
But that wasn’t even the strangest part.
It was how they treated him.
How they always seemed to save him a seat.
How they quietly made portions of food disappear when Potter missed a meal.
In class, he almost always sat next to Malfoy or Nott.
And most notably—Potter was never alone.
Not even in the quiet moments between classes, not in the hallways, not in the library.
There was always someone near him.
It was subtle.
But Snape noticed.
They were protecting him.
But why?
That was the question that finally led Snape to take action.
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After Potions class, he waited until the students had gathered their things and Potter had already left.
Then, in a calm, cutting voice, he spoke.
"Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Zabini, Mr. Nott, Miss Parkinson. Stay behind."
The four Slytherins exchanged quick glances but kept their expressions carefully neutral.
Draco raised an eyebrow. "Professor?"
Snape waited until the last students had left, flicked his wand to shut the door, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Sit."
Slowly, they sank back into their seats.
They did as they were told—but not without visible tension.
Snape studied them in silence for a long moment.
Then he spoke.
"What exactly is going on here?"
Draco raised an eyebrow slightly. "Could you be more specific, Professor?"
Snape’s gaze grew colder.
"Save me the game, Mr. Malfoy. You know what I mean."
His dark eyes swept over them.
"Potter."
A single name—yet it was enough for their shoulders to stiffen, ever so slightly.
Snape caught it instantly.
"Suddenly, the boy spends every moment with you. He sits with you, eats with you, studies with you—and what interests me the most, you all treat him as if he is some wounded creature in need of protection."
Silence.
Snape’s voice sharpened.
"Why?"
Another heavy pause.
Then, after a quick exchange of glances, it was Nott who spoke.
"Professor… this isn’t our story to tell."
Snape’s eyebrow twitched. "And yet, you sit here, telling it, Mr. Nott."
Zabini let out a quiet sigh. "It’s complicated."
"Then simplify it for me."
Draco glanced at the others, weighing his options.
Then, leaning forward slightly, he said calmly:
"Potter… has changed."
Snape waited.
"He’s not the same reckless Gryffindor who charges into danger, not the hero who thinks he needs to save the world. He’s… different."
Snape snorted quietly. "I’m sure Potter considers that a great character development. But you still haven’t explained why you treat him like he needs to be protected."
A pause.
Then Pansy said, quietly:
"Because he does."
Snape took his time digesting those words.
Then, with dangerous calm:
"Explain."
Draco took a deep breath.
He knew they weren’t getting out of this.
So he told the truth.
Or, at least, part of it.
"Potter… isn’t entirely human anymore."
Snape’s eyes narrowed.
Draco held his gaze.
"He’s changed. Physically. Magically. And… instinctively."
Snape remained still.
But the tension in his shoulders betrayed how closely he was listening.
"He didn’t tell us right away," Draco continued. "But we figured it out. And… well, he can’t control it. Not yet. So we help him."
Snape studied him for a long moment.
Then, with cold precision, he asked:
"What exactly is he?"
The four Slytherins remained silent.
Not out of defiance.
But because they knew.
That wasn’t their answer to give.
It was Harry’s.
Snape scrutinized them for another long moment.
Then, finally, he exhaled slowly.
"I assume Potter forbade you from telling me?"
Draco gave a small, sharp nod.
Snape’s gaze flickered over them once more.
Then he said, simply:
"Make him come to me."
A flick of his fingers dismissed them.
"You may go."
The four stood up.
But as Draco passed him, Snape stopped him with a quiet voice.
Low enough that the others wouldn’t hear, he murmured:
"You are not a fool, Draco. And I hope Potter isn’t either. But if he is mistaken—if he is a danger…"
He left the sentence unfinished.
Draco held his gaze.
Then, calmly, he said:
"If he was a danger, Professor, you would have noticed by now."
Snape’s lips twitched, just slightly.
He let him go.
"Make sure he comes to me."
Draco nodded.
And then they left the room—knowing that the next move was Harry’s to make.