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Chapter 13 - CH.13

As much as Severus Snape hated Harry Potter, he'd never once mentioned that moment of weakness during the days that had followed the event. Or how he had folded his own arms around the boy drawing him closer still and smothering the distressed sounds Harry was making as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing. Nor had he ever commented on the low voiced humming he was doing to try and calm Harry down. Nor had he ever mentioned his ruined robes and the two sets of five very obvious claw made rips in the black fabric gained when Lupin had grabbed onto them preparing to rip him away from Harry.

Sirius had abandoned the chase for Peter and come roaring back to save his friend from further attacking the children, knowing Remus well enough to know if he hurt any of them he'd never forgive himself even if they did. Which considering they'd either be dead or turned, they probably wouldn't. Together, the Grim Dog and Werewolf took off into the Forbidden Forest to chase each other and hopefully run across the rat Sirius wanted to find more than anything else in the world. Just as they'd done long ago when they themselves had been students walking the Hogwarts Halls.

Harry had no illusions as to the reason Sirius had abandoned the chase of Scabbers to come distract Remus. He never did have any. Even then he'd known Sirius only did so because Remus was his friend and Remus wouldn't have been able to live with himself knowing he'd hurt someone while in his cursed state.

Snape had waited only for the duo to clear the open area before hustling all three teens back towards the Castle and it's relative safety. Due to his supposedly broken leg, Ron had to be carried there via magic but both Harry and Hermione walked there under their own power. Snape kept a tight grip on the back of Harry's neck as if he expected him to go harrying off after the others at any second. He didn't seem to notice Harry was sticking as close as he could to the Potion Master's side, practically trying to hide himself in the billowing material of his robes or that Harry had a death grip on the material of Snape's own billowing robes. But Harry had noticed he didn't touch either Hermione or Ron, choosing to use magic to transport Ron and bark at Hermione to follow them to the safety of the Castle. This was far different from the way he chose to treat Harry since he kept a grip on the neck of his robes insuring Harry didn't wander far from his side. Maybe he'd realize Harry was the only one of the three that actually was in shock and needed the human contact most. Harry didn't know and hadn't asked. Because he didn't care. Then or now.

All three teens spent the night in the infirmary. Ronald was treated for his supposedly broken leg and given a sleeping potion when Madam Pomfrey got tired of his loud, angry accusations against Harry. It was very clear Ron blamed Harry for the loss of his pet, Scabbers. He claimed Harry hadn't defended Scabbers as he should've. But instead, had turned his pet over to an escaped convict. An escaped convict who openly admitted he wanted to kill the rat. He was so angry over what he saw as Harry's betrayal, the fact that their defense teacher was apparently a monster in human skin took a backseat to everything else. And he was determined to wring an apology from Harry for failing to be a real friend to him. He wouldn't get it.

Hermione was treated, like Harry, for shock and allowed to fall asleep under the effects of a slightly less powerful sleep aid than Ron had been given once she had told the story from her point of view. And it was while he was listening to her tell her story, that Harry had finally come to the conclusion she was no more his friend than Ronald. She told the story succinctly, not sparing anyone in the telling. Her voice was cold and analytical during the rendition of the night but Harry had to admit she had hit all the high points in her telling.

Of course, she made it a point to mention it was Harry and only Harry who had attacked and knocked out Professor Snape. She claimed she told him to knock out Pettigrew and Black as well but he didn't listen to her. Which was a lie since she'd said no such thing. No one bothered to point out she had her wand on her and if she really thought those two should be knocked out there was nothing stopping her from doing it herself. They weren't on staff here and didn't have permission to be on the grounds.

She also neglected to mention the only reason they were outside of the Castle after hours was because she had bullied the boys into visiting Hagrid to sit the vigil with him over Buckbeak who was to be executed that evening. Rather, she allowed her listeners to draw the conclusion that Harry had wished to visit and offer comfort to the grieving half-giant. While not outright lying about the matter, she was freely lying by inference and a cynical part of Harry's mind knew it was only so, if there was to be trouble over the incident, it would be Harry who would be blamed. Not her.

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