Bound by Blood (and Faith)

Chapter 11

Harry and Hermione made it back to class from the dorms with about thirty minutes left in the period. Snape was relieved to see Harry back, but scowled when he watched Hermione reach over and squeeze Harry's arm with a sympathetic look. His scowl deepened when Harry didn't shrug off her touch. “Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, thank you for joining us. If you're finished pawing each other, perhaps you would like to bring your attention back to the task at hand?”

Harry jumped at the accusatory tone and jerked his arm away from Hermione, not noticing the strange look Hermione gave him. His face flushed red and he had to stop his hand from reflexively curling toward his chest as a lance of pain shot through him. Hermione pulled her hand away from Harry and focused on working on their potion.

When the bell finally rang, releasing them from class, Hermione reached for Harry's arm to guide him out into the hall but was interrupted by Snape. “Mr. Potter, I trust you have not forgotten about your appointment in detention. Miss Granger, you may go.”

Hermione looked to Harry and he nodded toward the door. “I'll be fine, Hermione. Just go or you'll end up with detention too.”

Finally, Harry was alone with Snape, who had a foul expression on his face. “Professor?”

“So, you have decided to allow anyone with a mind to touch you simply paw all over you?” Snape asked, venom dripping from every word. Harry stared at him, shocked.

“No... she was worried about me, that's all. There wasn't anything else to it. Is that why you've been glaring at me today?” he asked, hurt.

“It is not her job to worry about you, Potter, do you hear me?” Snape hissed. Harry nodded, still stunned that he was being yelled at for this.

“Is it yours then?” he asked quietly. Snape, who had just opened his mouth to continue berating Harry, stopped suddenly. The two stared at each other for a long, tense moment. “Well?”

“I am the one bonded to you, Harry. It would follow that yes, it is my job to worry about you. Either way, I do not appreciate the way she was looking at you. Did you do something completely foolish and tell her?” Snape responded finally. His voice was softer than it usually was, even when they were alone. Harry felt his eyes fill with tears again.

“I didn't tell her anything, Severus.” Harry murmured, looking down. Snape's heart fluttered at the sound of his given name on Harry's lips. He reached over and lifted Harry's chin with one finger.

“What happened, Harry?” he asked, unable to stay mad when Harry looked so pitiful. The boy's eyes were full of tears and he was trying so hard not to let his lower lip quiver. Snape could barely contain his desire to kiss him. “Look at me, please.”

Harry reluctantly met Snape's eyes and opened his mouth to start explaining. Snape had to take a half-step back to keep from giving in to his urges. “When we were going to the infirmary, Hermione thought she saw some of that acid on my shirt, so she pulled it up to see if I was burned anywhere other than my hand...”

Snape's eyes went wide. “You showed her?! You stupid boy...”

“Please, it wasn't like that! It was an accident!” Harry exclaimed. Snape turned away, shaking his head.

“You don't understand the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in, do you?” he asked sharply. Harry, reached for his arm, tears now running freely down his face. Snape pulled his arm back.

“I understand it just fine, Professor. I promise! I didn't tell her everything, and I convinced her not to go to Dumbledore. Please, don't be mad at me...” Harry begged, trying again to touch Snape's arm.