Tell me what you're up to and I'll tell you who you're with.
It was class with McGonagall , oh yes sir. To his luck he found that Hedwig didn't affect him at all, not a sneeze. Theoretically the first thing he would do would be to put her in the tower.
- Well dear students, today we will be transforming animals into glass goblets. One, two, three. Vera Verto. Now it's your turn.
- Do you find the subject interesting? Ron asked Harry.
- Shhh.
- Let's see you Mr. Weasley, do you want to try it?
- 1...2...3 vera verto... Unfortunately for Ron it turned into a cup with a tail.
- Mr. Weasley, you have to change that wand.
Hermione raised her hand
- Yes, tell me Miss Granger.
- MMM, Professor, could you tell us about the chamber of secrets?
- That's all right. Okay everyone knows of course that Hogwarts was founded over 1000 years ago by four great wizards and wizards of the time. Godric Gryfindor, Helga Huffelpuff, Rowina Ravenclaw and Salazar Slytherin. Three of the founders lived together in great harmony and one did not .
- Ah, who do you think.
- Shut up Ron.
- Salazar wanted to be more selective with the students he admitted to Hogwarts, he wanted the teaching of magic to be only for the families of wizards, the purebloods. And as he did not convince them he decided to leave the school and according to legend Slytherin built a hidden chamber in this castle, known as the Chamber of Secrets. But before he left he sealed it until such time as his true heir arrived at the school. Only the heir will be able to open the chamber and release the horrors it holds and thus purge the school of those who Slytherin thinks do not deserve to study magic.
- The impure ones... Hermione said sadly.
- Agreed. Of course we have looked for it many times and such a chamber does not appear.
- Professor according to legend, what lives in the chamber?
- It is said that the chamber houses something that only the heir of slytherin will control. A monster.
- Too risky. We'd break a thousand rules...
-Here is the polyjuice potion. Properly made, the potion allows the drinker to temporarily transform into the physical form of another.
- So if we drink it we will be like Crabble and Goyle.
- Yes, excellent, exactly, but I don't know ...I've never thought a potion was so complicated.
- How long will it take to make?
- A month.
- A month? If Malfoy is the heir, he'll be attacking Muggle-born students by then.
- I know, but it's the only plan I have.
Harry and Snape were walking through a secluded corner of Hogwarts walking towards the stadium, before the Quidditch match. The corridor was in semi-darkness, and they were talking in whispers so that no one else would hear them.
Snape gave Harry a sharp look and stopped him at a corner as he took Harry by the shoulder. He had noticed a change in his behavior over the past few days and he didn't know exactly if it was because of the scolding he had given him about not messing with Malfoy, the hours of training, or the horrible grades he had ( or his asthma?).
Already Snape did not know what the reason was, the relationship with Harry was like a roller coaster. It went up and down in favor of various things, some of them inexplicable. Maybe it was age, what they say about teenagers.
- Harry, I've noticed you've become a bit distant lately," he commented in his characteristic voice. Is everything all right?
Harry, aware that Snape had a knack for detecting when something wasn't right, responded cautiously. "Everything's fine, da...Professor, I've just been busy."
Snape nodded, but he wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, remember you're the seeker for your Quidditch team, and everyone is counting on you."
- I know, the boys are giving me a chance this year , even with the few hours of training. Harry couldn't resist rolling his eyes and grimacing wickedly.
- You know why, don't you?. Severus laughed lightly and ruffled Harry's hair in the process.
- Yes dad, I'm sorry.
- Yeah, don't apologize so much anymore. Take advantage of these moments to shine on the field, especially knowing you're grounded."
Harry chuckled softly and nodded in thanks.
- How are you feeling today?
-Im fine
- Yeah, but you know what I mean..
- My asthma is under control, so it shouldn't be a problem for the match.
- You know... any sign and I'll be there in the blink of an eye.
- Yessssss, you don't have to be such a helicopter, you know?. Severus pressed a kiss to Harry's forehead.
- Please, you have to keep up the illusion of a Golden Boy.
- Inhalers?
Harry pulled the blue container out of his pocket.
- See you .
- As you wish. Mr. Snape.
- Do you train ballet, Potter?
The Quidditch match was in full swing, and Harry was flying in his Nimbus 2000 as the Gryffindor team's seeker. The crowd roared with excitement as they watched the thrilling competition on the pitch. At one point, Harry saw the golden flash of the Snitch, the ball that would determine the outcome of the match, and launched himself in its direction.
- You'll never catch me , Potter! Malfoy shouted at him as they zigzagged away from the bludger.
However, just as Harry reached out to catch the Snitch, a ball intercepted him abruptly. The collision was violent, and Harry felt a sharp pain in his left arm as it fell from the sky.
Gryffindor retrieved the Snitch at that moment, giving them victory in the match, but all eyes were on Harry, who lay on the ground, holding his injured arm.
Snape, who had been following the match from the stands, hurried onto the pitch to get to his son. Concern on his face, but he tried to conceal it as he went downstairs. Appearances, blessed appearances.
- Harry, are you all right?" he asked urgently. Ron said to Harry.
- No, I think I broke my arm.
- Don't worry, I'll fix your arm right away. He said as Lockhart walked over to his broken arm and grabbed it.
- No, not you.
You're not touching the Potter Boy, Lockhart. You are not touching MY BOY. Unexpectedly all the people were getting in Snape's way.
Before Snape could reach him, Lockhart had his wand at Harry.
- Poor guy doesn't know what he's talking about. Now this won't hurt, Braquiam Enmendo.
And there stood a frightened looking Harry without a bone in the middle of the quidditch pitch , perfect. Harry looked at Snape and grimaced, please. Misfortunes "registered trademark Harry Potter."
- Oh yeah well, see that happens sometimes. You won't feel pain anymore. Sure, you don't have broken bones.
- But it's a boneless arm! Hagrid shouted at him.
- It's more flexible now, isn't it?
Harry gritted his teeth in anger and shook his head in disappointment even though it was clear that his arm was seriously injured. Harry just watched as his dad, making the best effort of his life, approached him with a look of disapproval to Lockhart, that would scare Voldemort himself.
Snape, calmly helped his son carefully to his feet.
- Give Potter some space. Even if he's hurt he doesn't have to get all the attention.
- How arrogant Severus! Pomona shouted at him.
- I'll take him to the infirmary, Professor Snape. Hooch said as he approached Harry.
Hooch put his healthy arm around her shoulders to support him as they walked towards the infirmary.
As Snape walked close to Harry through the castle corridors, Hooch spoke reassuringly to the boy, "Don't worry, Harry, you'll be in good hands. Pomprey will see to you soon and have you back in shape in no time."
- I hope so Madame Hooch.
- Oh yes. You know there's nothing that woman can't fix and you know very well what I mean.
- Mr. Malfoy! Enough drama. Go away!
- Get out of the way, get out of the way. You should have brought him to me right away, I can replace bones in seconds, but to make them appear...
- You can, can't you?
- Of course I can, but it's going to hurt. Get ready, Potter. Making them appear is hard work.
Let's be honest, Harry almost threw up while tasting the skele-gro.
- Oh what do you expect, grape juice?
-I am allergic to grapejuice.
- Oh yes, I know that perfectly.
The nurse rushed to conjure spells to heal the broken bone, while Harry was in pain. The atmosphere was tense, and the other Gryffindor students, worried about their seeker, looked on, talking back and forth. Snape pulled them all out with a shout.
"Potter, why didn't you take the Skele-Gro when Poppy offered it?" asked Snape in a serious tone.
Harry, frowning in pain and discomfort, stammered an excuse. "It's... it just tastes awful, Professor. I couldn't..."
Snape, without softening his words, replied firmly. "Magic often requires sacrifices, and quick recovery from a broken bone is one of them. Next time, you can't avoid it, no matter how unpleasant."
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry"
Snape was unfazed and instead raised his voice in reprimand. "Potter, you can't afford to neglect your health like this! If you had taken the Skele-Gro in time, we wouldn't be facing this problem now."
"Harry, it's not your fault, I just want you to get better and so far that's the only potion that exists." Poppy said trying to confort the situation.
"I said I was sorry, it just tastes gross...."
At that moment, his chest tightened, and his breathing became labored. Gasping and crying for every gasp of air, Harry looked around in alarm.
- Shut up Severus! Now is not the time. Shee said while shaking the various medications.
- I'm sorry, it's just...
- It's not even his fault for God's sake.
- I'm going to kill Lockhart. Snape muttered as he made soothing circles on Harry's back.
Madam Pomprey immediately intervened. She administered a soothing potion, healing spells and filled Harry with a dozen inhalers until Harry knew nothing but bitter taste. After a few minutes, Harry calmed down and could breathe more easily, but his face still showed the exhaustion of the asthma attack.
Poppy Pomprey shot Snape a reproving look before speaking in a firm voice. "Severus, please wait outside while I attend to Mr. Potter. I need room to work."
Snape reluctantly nodded and retreated to the infirmary lobby, where he waited with a grim expression. The nurse kept busy, performing additional checks to make sure Harry was stable and comfortable.
Harry was still struggling for breath, but tried to follow Poppy's directions. He breathed in and out slowly, his eyes fixed on the door where Severus had gone. Although the asthma attack did not immediately subside, Harry began to feel some relief as his breathing became more regular.
After a few minutes that seemed like forever, the asthma attack finally subsided, and Harry was able to breathe more easily. Snape entered with Poppy's permission and sat down next to Harry.
Snape leaned over to his son and stroked his forehead tenderly. "You're all right, Harry. But next time, don't let that jerk touch you . I can't let him . Sorry, you know ...I'm not very skilled at this parenting thing."
Harry just laid his head against Severus and quickly fell asleep.
Harry had spent about three nights in the infirmary recovering from his broken arm. As he stared at the ceiling and reflected on his bad luck, he heard a soft, peculiar sound near his bed. He turned toward the source of the sound and found a house elf, with large beady eyes and pointed ears.
The house elf, who had a somewhat disheveled appearance, seemed anxious and nervous. He looked at Harry and spoke in a squeaky, hurried voice. "Dobby wants to help young Master Potter, but young Master must not go back to magic school!"
Harry, puzzled by the sudden appearance of this elf and worried by his warning, asked, "Why shouldn't he go back to school, and who are you?"
Dobby, his eyes full of concern, explained his fear for the danger lurking at Hogwarts. "Dobby hears terrible things, things that threaten young Master Potter. Dobby wants to warn and protect the young master."
Harry, unfamiliar with the world of house elves and surprised by Dobby's sudden appearance, did not know how to react. He was frightened at the prospect of not returning to Hogwarts, but he was also intrigued by the elf's words. He only knew Winny and didn't know who to tell about what was happening. Who the heck was this elf.
- Harry Potter should have listened to Dobby. Harry Potter must have gone home when he missed the train.
- Was it you? Did you stop Ron and me from passing?
- But sir...
- I almost got expelled and almost died!
- So at least I would be away. Harry Potter must go home. Dobby thought his Bludger would be enough to make Harry Potter ...
- You sent that Bludger to hunt me?
- Dobby felt very sorry, sir.
- I don't believe you.
- Dobby had to iron his hands, sir.
- You'd better go because I'll be back soon and I could strangle you.
- Dobby always gets threatened, he gets threatened five times a day at home.
- And I don't suppose you'll tell me... why you want to murder me?
- Murder you? no sir, I would never do it.
- Sir I would never do it forget what it was like before Harry Potter triumphed over he who must not be named. House elves were treated like vermin. Of course Dobby is still treated like vermin.
- Why do you dress like that Dobby?
- It is the mark of House Elf slavery.Dobby can only be freed if he is given a gift of a garment. Listen, listen. Terrible things are about to happen at Hogwarts. Harry Potter must not stay here now that history has to repeat itself.
- Repeat itself again? but this has already happened?
Dobby dissapeared.
After hearing about Colin's event Harry knew he had to do something, even if he was on the edge of : stay out of things like his dad had told him to (and break hundreds of rules in one go) or try to find out what was really going on.
Perfect...
TBC