With A Dragon's Heart

CHAPTER FIVE: The Excogitation


It had been 15 minutes since Ron had walked to the Great Hall for breakfast, only to be stopped by Professor Snape. Ron groaned at the sight of him and Snape scowled in return.

“Tell Mr. Potter that he has exactly one hour to get ready for his session,” he stated. He paused observing Ron’s bemused expression. Snape scoffed at that. “I trust he’ll have taken care of his ‘business’ by then.”

Snape gave one more menacing look at him and turned to leave in the opposite direction.

That was indeed a pleasant conversation for Ron so early in the morning. He just wished he wasn\'t the one to have to wake Harry. Ron was sitting on the edge of his bed, watching him sleep. He looked as if he was finally getting a dreamless sleep. Ron sighed and glanced over to the clock. 18 minutes had gone by now. If he didn\'t wake Harry soon, he wouldn\'t have time to take care of his ‘business’. Ron rolled his eyes as Snape’s words replayed again in his head. Bloody Snape.

Ron raised himself off his bed and took a step toward Harry, then stopped as Harry began to shift in his bed. Not again thought Ron. Now he wanted to wake Harry up so he could end Harry’s coming nightmare. Even though Ron knew Harry wouldn\'t be easy to arouse, he still walked quietly towards him. He reached Harry’s bed and gazed down at his friend. Harry’s muscles were tensing and soon his lips moved as if he was talking in his sleep. Ron flinched as Harry tossed his head side to side suddenly and was clenching his covers, almost as a protection from whatever Harry was afraid of. That changed Ron’s indecisive mind.

He didn\'t know how Harry would react to a rude awaking, since Ron had never purposely revived him. He took a deep breath and gently nudged at Harry’s arm.

“Harry?”

No movement. He tried again.

“Harry?” he said a little louder, giving Harry a harder nudge.

Still nothing.

Taking a few steps back, he shouted, “Harry!”

Harry sprung to life, sitting up, and his eyes frantically searched the room. Sweat started to leak from Harry’s forehead and he gasped for air. The loud noise had caused Harry to wake up, but he still stayed half in his dream. Ron sensed this and immediately started to talk, hoping it would bring Harry back into reality.

“Harry?”

Harry shot his head in Ron\'s direction and blinked a few times.

“Ron?” he asked, wanting to make sure he wasn\'t dreaming.

“Yes, Harry. It’s me.”

“Oh. Uh, all right,” he replied, rubbing his eyes.

Harry reached over to his nightstand and picked up his glasses. He blinked a few more times and Ron came into focus.

“Uh, Ron? Is there something wrong?”

Ron wanted to say ‘Yes Harry. I’ve watched you for months now having nightmares and it’s killing me that you wont talk to me about it.’ But instead, he closed his eyes and sighed.

Opening his eyes, he said, “No, not exactly. Um, Snape says you only have a short time until your... uh… session?” he said the last part as a question.

Harry glanced at the clock then lowered his head. “Shit,” he whispered.

Harry sighed and flung his legs over the side of the bed, letting them dangle. He sat there looking down at his hands that were lying in his lap. He closed his eyes and desperately wanted to flop back down on the bed, but he didn\'t want to go back to sleep. Thank goodness Ron was there. He lifted his eyes and smiled warmly at his friend. Ron didn\'t return the smile. His face was full of sadness.

“All right there, Ron?”

Ron didn\'t realize he held an expression that revealed his heart.

“No. I’m fine,” he lied, mumbling.

Harry arched his eyebrow and gave Ron a questioning look. “Ron?” he asked again quietly.

“Harry. You need to start getting ready or you’ll be late,” he said firmly, ending the discussion.

Ron got up to leave before Harry had time to stop him. Harry glanced again at the clock. He had 20 minutes. He was covered in sweat and stunk profusely. He would rather go without food than feel as dirty as he felt inside, so struggling; he got up and strolled to the shower. Damn. At this rate, he will be seriously late. He stepped in the pouring hot shower and began soaping his body. As usual, he had an erection. Harry pursed his eyes closed. No. Not now. He won’t have time to heal himself. He pulled down hard at his balls and winced. His cock began to descend. Harry sighed with relief. Tugging at his balls hurt less.


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Harry sprinted down the corridors towards the dungeons. Not surprisingly, he was already late, but every second counted. He was approaching the Great Hall and there was Ron standing just outside, holding an apple.

Tossing it to Harry, he shouted, “Here! You’re gonna need all the strength you can get!”

Harry caught it with all the expertise of being a Seeker, and waved it over his head to say thanks.

Ron muttered to himself, “Good luck, Harry.”

Harry skidded to a stop in front of the Potion’s room, catching himself on the doorframe. He paused, took a deep breath, rapped softly on the door, and then flung it open. Professor Snape and Draco were sitting in opposite chairs facing each other. Snape was talking while Draco solemnly nodded. They both instantly looked over to the boy who bolted in.

“Sorry,” Harry mumbled, lowering his head.

“Sorry for what, Mr. Potter? For being 20 minutes late, or for barging in without waiting to be properly invited?” Snape queried, in a low tone.

Harry glanced over to Snape’s clock on the wall behind him. 8 minutes fast. Damn. That’s why he’s always late for class. Embarrassed, Harry shoved his hands in his pockets and slowed down his walk. Snape scoffed.

“Mr. Potter, we’ve already waited long enough, so would you stop stalling so we can begin.”

Harry marched over to them and promptly sat down sneering. Snape raised an eyebrow and shook his head. The seats they were sitting in were arranged in a triangle, and the first row of desks was pushed away, clearly to give them more room. Eyes darting from Draco to Harry, Snape spoke, breaking the silence.

“Now gentlemen, lets begin with why we are here.” Harry snorted. Snape turned to Draco, “Mr. Malfoy?”

Keeping his eyes locked on Snape’s, “I want to know what the hell’s going on with Potter.”

“And that makes you qualified to be my bloody counsellor?” Harry spat, interrupting.

Draco briefly glanced at Harry then furrowed his eyebrows and gawked at Snape. Snape pursed his lips, curled his mouth down, and shook his head at Draco indicating that HE will explain.

“Mr. Potter, I am the only counsellor here,” he emphasized. “The reason, Mr. Potter, as to WHY I am the counsellor, is because you made it very clear yesterday that you did not wish to confide with the headmaster. Am I correct?”

Harry slowly nodded. His eyes widened as he suddenly realized who he was speaking to. “I mean, that’s correct, sir,” he said, catching himself.

Snape smirked with amusement. “So, would you rather have someone else? Professor McGonagall perhaps? Or maybe someone at St Mungo’s would better suit you?” he drawled.

Harry clenched his teeth. “No sir.”

“Then may we begin?”

“Yes, sir.”

Snape curled one side of his mouth. He loved being right and at the same time, putting Potter in his place. “Now, before we get started,” Snape paused, eyeing Harry. “Do you have any questions, Mr. Potter?”

Harry growled in his throat. He had tons of questions.

“Couldn’t it be possible that my behaviour was the result of Malfoy’s taunting? Maybe if HE was to just leave me ALONE and not provoke me, this would never happen again,” he huffed.

Snape narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. Draco, who has been quiet this whole time, finally spoke up.

“How long before somebody else finds out?” he spat. “Do you honestly think you can hide this little secret of yours forever?”

“What do YOU care, Malfoy? Since when have you been so concerned with MY well-being?”

“I’m not! I just don’t want to have another bloody nightmare!”

Harry scooted to the edge of his seat, ready to pounce on him again. “Oh so that’s what this all about!” Draco and Snape furrowed their brows. “Poor little Malfoy had one little bad dream, so everyone came running to his rescue!”

“Mr. Potter,” Snape warned.

“Try having a bloody nightmare every bloody night for four damn years! Where was everyone when I needed it? Who came to MY rescue?” Harry panted frantically. “Well? Where were they?” he demanded.

Harry slid back in chair and crossed his arms. Only then did he realize he confessed something he swore he never would talk about, to ANYONE. Harry tightened his lips and vowed not to open his mouth again. Snape’s face was clearly showing his shock, while anger rose up in Draco.

“If I did what you’ve been doing, I’d have bloody nightmares as well!” he spouted, losing all fear in confronting Harry about this.

Harry’s eyes flared. “That’s none of your business, Malfoy. What I do in my private time is MY business!”

Both boys had their fists clenched, waiting for the other to make a wrong move or say the wrong thing. Snape cleared his throat, bringing their attention back to him, then sighed.

“Mr. Potter. Mr. Malfoy,” he said, clearly annoyed. “I hoped this wouldn\'t be necessary, but one could only hope.”

He took out two phials from his robe and handed each of them one. They took the one offered, and both held it up to the light. It was a sickening colour of green. Harry and Draco both made a horrid face and looked back at their professor.

Answering their unspoken question, he said, “It’s a simple potion that refrains your body from any type of misconduct.”

They still looked confused.

Snape scoffed loudly. This was covered in year three. “In other words, gentlemen, it prevents you from killing each other.”

Harry and Draco glared at each other.

Draco snorted, “I don’t need it. I can control MY temper.”

“Mr. Malfoy,” Snape warned. “You WILL take it,” he said, leaving no room for argument.

Harry smirked at Draco, laughing inwardly at his disappointed face. *Where\'s the teachers pet now, Malfoy? * Harry thought.

“Gentlemen…”

They uncorked the phial at the same time and downed the potion in one quick gulp. Both started hacking and coughing.

“Oh. I forgot to mention,” Snape softly chuckled. “There ARE after effects.”

Harry and Draco shot their heads up in horror. Snape was elated, being the sadistic bastard he is.

“The more you work against the potion, the more pain you will cause yourself after the impulse of violence leaves you.”

Draco stared at his favourite Professor; unable to believe Snape did this to him. How could he? WHY did he? He knew Draco hated pain. He abhorred it. Harry, on the other hand, was used to it.

“Now Mr. Malfoy, we’ll start with you.”


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