With A Dragon's Heart

CHAPTER TWO: The Chastisement


Harry Potter rose to his hands and knees shaking his head in an effort to clear his fuzzy head. He had been released from the spell that bound him. He quickly scanned the room, looking for Malfoy. Seeing that he was nowhere around, his heart fell to his stomach, knowing that somewhere Snape was watching him. He slowly lifted himself to his feet and felt Snape’s presence behind him. Harry sighed and lowered his head.

“I’ll go get my things together,” he said despairingly as he walked to the door.

Harry hoped Snape would show an act of mercy, but he knew that was asking too much from this man. If only Snape would say something, anything to him. But there was only silence. Perhaps Dumbledore would show mercy. Of course he would. But, that would mean Harry would have to tell him. Harry’s heart began to race, as he was approaching the door just thinking of his life with the Dursleys full-time. He shuddered. It wasn\'t until he reached for the doorknob that Snape finally spoke.

“Mr. Potter,” he began in a low threatening voice. “I did not give you permission to leave.”

Harry stopped, took a deep breath, and held it. Several emotions washed through him all at once. Was there still was a chance of redemption? Or did Snape just want to prolong his demise? Whatever his intentions were, Harry vowed he’d face it with his Gryffindor courage. So he held his head high and turned back around to face Snape, who was holding out his hand, motioning to Harry to stand before him. Harry took another deep breath and crossed back to his desk. Harry searched Snape’s eyes for any kind of indication of leniency, but Snape had on his typical emotionless expression. Snape held his tongue briefly as he watched Harry standing before him. It was making Harry incredibly uneasy from the minutes of uncomfortable silence, so Harry decided to speak first. But he only had time to open his mouth before...

“Mr. Potter. As much as I hate to admit it, you have never shown this type of behaviour before.”

Harry quietly sighed of relief. Snape was actually going to listen to him. Either that or reprimand him.

“Except, of course, for your USUAL temper tantrums but even those are not as extreme as the ones I just witnessed.”

He paused as if he was searching for the right words. He examined Harry’s face carefully, trying to decide if he should continue, or let Dumbledore handle this. Better he should do this as Dumbledore would be too easy on the boy and he would walk away without any repercussions.

“I will give you a choice, Mr. Potter. Either you, I and Mr. Malfoy settle this between ourselves, or…”

Harry’s eyes and mouth shot open in disbelief. Snape wasn’t going to turn him in? He won’t be expelled? But Harry knew better. This must be some type of trick. Or blackmail.

Snape continued, “Or I will turn you over to Headmaster Dumbledore and you will face the possibility of expulsion.” He paused again. “Is this acceptable?”

Harry thought a moment. He had tons of questions, but which to ask first?

“Yes, Professor. What do you…? I mean, why are you helping me? I thought you would be more than happy to use this opportunity to be rid of me for good.”

Snape’s face softened a bit and he curled one side his mouth into a small smile. To some, it would seem as if he was sneering, but Harry knew all of Snape’s expressions. And he wasn\'t sneering. This made Harry even more suspicious.

“Very perceptive Potter, I’m impressed,” he deadpanned.

A compliment? From Snape? Now Harry was absolutely sure he was up to something. Before Harry could open his mouth to question him, Snape continued on.

“I’m sure you are wondering what my intentions are.”

Harry arched his eyebrow as he nodded; and noted silently that Snape had deliberately avoided his question.

Snape sighed as he interlaced his fingers. “You see, Mr. Potter, if I turn you over to the Headmaster, he no doubt will be lenient with you, thus escaping your expulsion. And by doing so, I do not foresee any,” he paused again. “proper punishment.”

Harry raised an eyebrow again; he knew there was a catch.

“Even if he did, and again I hardly doubt he would, it will not solve this current … situation.”

“Situation, sir?”

Snape was losing his patience. “Attempted MURDER, Mr. Potter.”

Harry’s face turned white and he gulped audibly. “M-M murder, Professor?”

Snape snarled, “You heard me correctly, Mr. Potter. Murder. I don’t know how the outside world handles murderers…” Snape stopped. “Actually I do know. Nonetheless, here in the wizarding world, we take that very seriously. Wouldn\'t you agree, Mr. Potter?”

Harry quickly nodded. “Yes sir.”

“Good. I’m happy to see that you acknowledged that fact,” he said sarcastically.

“Professor, what exactly do you have in mind?” he quietly asked.

Snape smirked and stood up. Harry’s heart skipped a beat as he watched his professor come near him. His heart began to beat rapidly as he came closer. He watched Snape as he walked to the front of his desk and leaned on it with his arms folded. He narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips tightly.

“Mr. Potter. I am only going to ask you once.”

Harry nodded promptly and stuttered, “Y-yes sir?”

Snape darted his eyes back and forth on Harry’s to see if he was just saying yes because he was scared, or if he nodded his answer earnestly.

“What does Mr. Malfoy know?” Harry shot is mouth open in panic. “Do not pretend that you have no idea what I am talking about, Mr. Potter. And may I remind you, I will not ask that question again,” he emphasized firmly.

Harry gulped again and lowered his head. Normally, Snape would have lost his temper at this lack of response, but he wanted an answer. And, he’d wait until he got one.

“He does know, doesn’t he, Mr. Potter?” he asked rhetorically.

Still looking down, he whispered, “Not everything, sir.”

Snape nodded. “Does this have anything to do with you being suicidal?”

Harry snapped his head up. “No I’m not!” he exclaimed.

Snape flinched only slightly.

Harry lowered his head again. “I mean, no sir, I’m not,” he said sincerely.

“I see. So if Mr. Malfoy knows only part of it, which I’m sure he’ll confess to, then your problem must lie deeper than that,” he guessed. “Am I correct?”

Harry remained silent.

“I am waiting for your answer, Mr. Potter.”

“Yes, sir,” Harry muttered.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed. He couldn’t say it. Not to Snape. Not to anyone for that matter. He never spoke of it; even to himself. He has been able to hide this secret for four years and now, to be caught by the two people he cared the least for…

“I-I can’t, sir,” he mumbled. “It’s not that I won’t, Professor. It’s just… just that…”

Harry’s face was on fire with embarrassment. He covered his eyes with one hand while shaking his head.

“Potter, look at me,” Snape stated firmly. “Now.”

Harry slowly removed his hand and peered at Snape through the tears welling up in his eyes. Snape eyed him suspiciously, trying to decide if Harry was telling the truth.

“Will you be able to discuss this with the headmaster?” he asked honestly.

Harry shook his head. “I have never told anyone, sir.”

Snape sighed. He never expected this. “Potter, it’s obvious that whatever it is, it’s causing you to behave irrational.”

“Yes sir. I’m aware of this,” Harry replied softly.

“And you released a type of anger that allowed you to lose control.”

“Yes sir. I did.”

Snape sighed again. “I honestly do not know how to help you without knowing what’s causing this.”

“I know, Professor. I-I don’t know how to … I am truly sorry I hurt Malfoy.”

“I am aware of that, Potter,” he said resolutely.

There was a short silence before Snape spoke again.

“I apologize, Mr. Potter. This is more complicated than I had thought. I will speak with the Headmaster and together we will decide on the appropriate actions. Someone will call for you when it has been decided. I suggest you wait in your dormitory until then. I also recommend you do not speak to anyone until that time. You are dismissed.”

Harry nodded and slowly turned back towards to door. He stopped briefly before he looked over his shoulder.

“Professor?”

“What is it, Potter?”

Harry paused for a moment trying to convince himself that Snape wouldn\'t laugh at his question.

“They will send me to St. Mungo’s, wont they?”

There was an awkward silence. “I do not know the answer to that, Mr. Potter. But you are aware that you do need help, are you not?”

“Sir, if I was just put on suspension, I could handle this on my own.”

Snape rose to his feet and walked over to Harry. “You mean like the way you handled Mr. Malfoy?” he asked roughly.

“That was the first time though! I had never done anything like that before!” Harry screamed.

Snape raised his eyebrow and shook his head. Harry lowered his head and sighed. Yes, he was going to St Mungo’s.

“Mr. Potter. Just look at your behaviour right now. If you erupt to the point of extreme violence just from a disdainful remark from Mr. Malfoy, who’s to say how you will react if something similar happens again? I cannot in good conscience put any other students in danger.”

“I understand, thank you Professor. I will wait in my dorm until I hear otherwise.”

Snape acknowledged with a sharp nod and retreated back to his desk. He watched Harry leave until he closed the door behind him. Snape shook his head. As much as he detested Harry, he was aware of Harry’s importance. Certainly Potter will need the most beneficial assistance. And it will be most certainly be better than anything HE could ever offer him. Still, Snape couldn’t help but wonder what it was about Draco\'s comment that provoked Harry to such extreme hostility. He had ideas, but not one of them seemed logical.

*Potter did say Draco knew only PART the reason, and that it went much deeper…*

Snape shook his head, trying to stop second-guessing. It was time to speak to Headmaster Dumbledore.

~*~*~*~*~

Harry walked along in the quiet corridors of Hogwarts. He couldn’t wait to get out of the dungeons. It always made him cold inside as well as outside. He arrived at the top of the stairs only to come face-to face with Draco Malfoy. Harry snorted and brushed past him without a second thought. If there was another confrontation, Harry knew he would be expelled for sure, unless he could control his temper. He was a few feet away from Draco when he heard his familiar voice.

“You didn\'t tell him, did you?”

Harry spun around, eyes glaring. “So what if I didn\'t? It wouldn\'t have made a difference if I did now, would it?” he spat.

He did NOT want to continue. Deep inside, he knew he would explode again if this conversation kept going. But his fists were clenched at his sides and his jaw locked up. Draco raised an eyebrow and questioned himself if he should try to provoke Harry into talking about it. He knew though, it would end up with Harry’s fists striking at him in any shape or form. He finally decided to let it go. He scoffed, and then turned around to leave.

“And just what is it that you THINK you know, Malfoy?”

Draco shook his head and slowly turned back to Harry. Was this an attempt to start another fight? Maybe Potter had lost it after all. Or did he simply want to punish him simply because they were archenemies. Or was it because of what he witnessed in the showers? Harry probably would want to make sure that no one else knew of his secret. In any case, Draco mentally prepared himself to reach for his wand at any given moment.

“WELL?”

“Forget it, Potter. I’m not going to fight with you.” And with that, Draco headed back down to dungeons.

“I want an answer, Malfoy,” he hissed. “I swear I won’t hurt you. I can control myself,” he said more calmly.

“HA! I don’t believe that for one minute, so you\'re just wasting your breath. I’m not THAT daft to try to encourage you to kill me again.”

“I won’t kill you! I never tried to kill you! I just want to know why you think I’m self-abusive!”

Abandoning his fear, Draco marched over to Harry and stood just inches away.

“I saw you,” he growled.

Harry blanched for a second but then eyed him suspiciously. “And WHAT did you see?”

Draco scoffed. “In the showers. After the Quidditch game.”

Harry’s eyes widened.

“That’s right, Potter. I SAW you.”

Harry darted his eyes around the area, trying to decide if he should admit it or just let it go.

“Why were you there in the first place, Malfoy?” he asked, changing the subject.

Draco smirked. “To play with you, Potter. Just to annoy you. Isn’t that what I do best? But then I couldn’t. Not after what I saw. Now just DROP it!” he huffed. “And don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about your ‘little secret’!”

“How thoughtful of you, Malfoy.” Harry said sarcastically.

“Hurmph. I don’t have time for this,” he mumbled decidedly and walked away.

“Malfoy! I wasn\'t trying to kill myself!”

Draco stopped and stormed back over to Harry. “I don’t give a shit! All right? Now leave me alone!”

But Harry couldn’t. “So let me get this straight. You couldn’t annoy me in the showers because of what you THINK you saw, BUT … you COULD do it hours later before dinner?” he asked, demanding to know.

Draco clenched his teeth and stood fast. All he could do was glare at him. Harry was in denial and Draco was NOT going to play his little game. But at the same time, he truly didn\'t WANT to let this go. Against his better judgement, he finally gave in.

Getting up in Harry’s face, Draco whispered, “Look, Potter. Maybe you were pissed off. Maybe you enjoyed it. Or maybe you just have a fetish…” he paused, taking a deep breath of encouragement to finish his statement. “But I have NEVER seen ANYONE wank off as violently as you did.”

Harry’s eyes widened. So it was true. He didn\'t want to believe it, but it was true. Draco DID see him.

“Are you happy now? Can I go now?” he spouted.

Harry nodded numbly, frozen in time. Draco sneered and stormed off, leaving Harry standing there, red with embarrassment.


~*~*~*~*~