Chapter 12
The days following Harry’s conversation with Snape were... strange, to say the least. It felt like there was something that changed which left him constantly on edge, unsure of how to act, what to say, or even how to feel.
Their nightly Occlumency and warding lessons continued, but Harry found it increasingly difficult to focus. There was always a lingering tension in the air now, and Harry knew it was entirely of his own doing.
He had never thought of Snape much at all before, but now, every time they were in the same room together, Harry felt... aware. Too aware. Of Snape’s presence, of the way his voice would lower when speaking directly to him, of how his dark eyes seemed to linger on Harry during their lessons.
It was making Harry’s head spin.
The awkwardness bled into other areas of Harry’s life. When he returned to Potions class for the first time since the incident, he couldn’t seem to focus. Snape hadn’t changed his demeanor in class—he was as sharp and demanding as ever—but Harry found it hard to ignore his strange feelings and was even scolded for his inattention.
It made his chest clench tight.
Harry had barely managed to finish the Draught of Peace they’d been assigned when he heard Ron’s voice behind him.
“Mate, what’s going on with you and Snape?” Ron asked as the class filed out. His tone was laced with concern and a hint of suspicion.
Harry winced but kept his face neutral. “What do you mean?”
Ron exchanged a glance with Hermione before continuing. “You’ve been acting weird lately. I mean, you’re spending more time with him than with us! And don’t think we didn’t notice how awkward you’ve been around him.”
Hermione nodded, her brows furrowed. “We’re worried, Harry. Ever since that day... you’ve barely said anything about it.”
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t know how to explain it—he barely understood it himself. “It’s complicated,” he muttered, avoiding their eyes. “Snape’s been… caring for me. Just… keeping me safe, I guess.” He added, attempting to rationalize his thoughts.
Ron raised an eyebrow. “Snape? Caring? About you?”
“I know how it sounds,” Harry replied, frustrated. “But he’s... not like he used to be.”
Hermione gave him a searching look but said nothing. Ron just looked confused.
“I was lucky that he was there that day,” Harry admitted quietly, thinking back to the incident where Voldemort had nearly taken over his mind. “But I can’t always rely on him to be around. I’ve got to get stronger. I’ve got to be able to fight Voldemort on my own, if I have to.”
Hermione’s expression softened, and Ron’s confusion was replaced with concern. “You don’t have to do it alone, Harry,” Hermione said. “We’ll help you.”
“Yeah, mate,” Ron added, clapping a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “We’re in this together. Always.”
Harry gave them both a small, grateful smile. “I always know I can count on you, but sometimes I may have to face a situation on my own, perhaps, not by choice."
"He's right," Hermione admitted. "There's already been many instances where you, or any one of us had been forced to defend ourselves alone."
Ron nodded.
"Exactly." Harry continued. "That’s why I think we need to start training. All of us."
"But we don't have a proper professor to teach us." Ron said.
"Not with Umbridge as our teacher..." Hermione trailed off, her lips twisting in disgust thinking of the woman's severely lacking curriculum. "Harry... You’re thinking about what we talked about before, aren’t you?” Hermione asked, her eyes brightening. “About forming a group to teach ourselves Defense Against the Dark Arts?” she whispered.
Harry nodded. “We need to be ready. Voldemort’s getting stronger, and if he tries to come after me again... I don’t want to be caught off guard.”
Ron and Hermione exchanged a look, and then Hermione smiled. “We’ll help you, Harry. We’ll get some of the others together and meet up somewhere out of the way. A place Umbridge can't spy on us.”
The three Gryffindors nodded in agreement, and set to work the first moment they had, discreetly spreading the word among their most trusted classmates. Within a few days, they had gathered a small but dedicated group at the Hog’s Head, ready to form what would now be known as 'Dumbledore’s Army'.