Harry hurried down to the Slytherin Common Room sent by the headmaster to get Professor Snape.
The Potion’s Master hadn’t been answering any fire calls to his rooms and the Headmaster needed his help during one of Harry’s lessons with the old man. Armed with the password and not much else Harry used all his Gryffindor bravery to walk into the Snake Pit.
The password was a Latin phrase Harry didn’t recognise but he was sure it had something to do with power. Once the portrait door opened, Harry stepped through it into the underwater common room to look for the head of the house.
It was just after dinner which meant the common room was full of students. Most seemed to be doing homework around two large tables with the older years helping the younger. OWL and NEWT students were working alone or relaxing on the sofas by the fireplace or windows.
Once Harry was noticed it quickly fell quiet as the Snakes observed a Lion in their domain. Younger years looked worried for a confrontation while the older students looked ready for a fight. A 7th-year boy went to stand and take charge, but Malfoy gestured for them to remind seated. Everyone knew he was the one to deal with Harry Potter out of all the Snakes.
Malfoy had been helping some first years with homework along with Nott until Harry walked in. The blonde Slytherin whispered something to his group to reassure them. Harry noticed Draco was dressed casually, shedding his outer robes, with his school shirt rolled up to his elbow on his right arm, the other still hid the Dark Mark that Harry was sure to lie there. His tie was also gone, leaving an open collar.
“Potter, how did you get in here?” Malfoy asked sounding like a mother hen worrying about Harry attacking his chicks.
“The headmaster gave me the password, he can’t find Professor Snape and he is needed in his office now,” Harry explained thinking of the Headmaster's black, shrived hand and short breath from moments ago.
Malfoy looked to the 7th Year from before and nodded, the older boy then stood and spoke to the common room.
“1st to 4th years please head to your rooms, 5th years I’m sure the Library will be a better place for your studying. 6th and 7th years please try not to get in Potter’s way if you choose to remain in the common room,” he announced, and then he sat back on the sofa in front of the fire to return to his book.
The student’s reaction was instant. The sound of chairs being pushed back, books closing, and bags packed, filled the room. Most students headed up the stairs to the dorms, but a few left the common room through the portrait Harry just entered. None of them acknowledged Harry.
Malfoy waited for the students to move and once the common room was empty, but for 6th and 7th years, he spoke again.
“He’s over here,” Malfoy said and led Harry towards one of the windows where on the bay seat lay Professor Snape. He was asleep with a book in hand.
Harry had never seen the man look so relaxed. Like Malfoy, he too had shed his outer robes and was lying there in a waistcoat, a white shirt with an open collar and rolled-up sleeves. Unlike Malfoy, Snape had no need to hide his Dark Mark, as a well-known Death Eater he showed it off to the world.
Malfoy knelt next to the man and tried to shake him awake.
“Professor Snape,” he said and then, “Severus!”
Snape moved, and Malfoy stepped back and pulled Harry with him.
Harry was going to ask what was going on when Snape lashed out until he opened his eyes and recognised where he was and who was standing there.
“Draco?” the man murmured sitting up and putting his head in his hands, long black hair covering his face.
“Yes, sir?” Malfoy said stepping closer to his Head of House again.
“Why is Potter here?” he asked.
“The headmaster let him in, he needs your help apparently and couldn’t get hold of you any other way,” Malfoy explained.
“Very well,” Snape said and with a deep breath, the feared Professor is back. Reaching for his book and outer robes he got dressed and headed for the entrance.
“Coming Potter?” Professor Snape asked, and Harry ran after the man, leaving the Snake Pit behind.