Guilty as Sin

CHAPTER 6

Harry sat staring at Draco. The blonde was sitting at the Slytherin table surrounded by his sixth year pals looking his usual self-assured and confident self. Harry had done nothing but think about the blonde’s offer for the past two days, weighing up in his mind the possible consequences of each path he could take. Harry knew Draco’s offer undoubtedly came with a catch but the more time Harry spent surrounded by the people he’d once called friends who were now treating him like a common criminal the more Draco’s offer looked promising despite its obvious flaws. Indeed what Draco was offering was what Harry had craved for years, his body and his mind already processing the delights of what the offer would lead to. It was in his nature to want those things, in fact he needed them if he wanted to survive. It was a purely selfish decision he would have to make, sacrifice himself for his friends and what little family he had left, or sacrifice their lives for the happiness of his own.

It was Tuesday dinner already, with only half an hour to go before he had to either meet Draco or not and Harry still hadn’t made the decision either way. Harry knew he had to talk to Draco and talk to him now. Standing up from his seat on the end of the Gryfindor table Harry wound his way around the Hufflepuff table and the Ravenclaw table. Dinner was practically over anyway and so there were quite a few students moving around, making Harry’s path less obvious. The professors at the head table seemed too engrossed in their own conversations as well leaving Harry’s movement to go unnoticed. Harry was just passing the prefect end of the Ravenclaw table however when Alan Baldric, a seven year Ravenclaw prefect stood up abruptly from his seat. Unable to stop quick enough Harry ran straight into the boy sending the glass of pumpkin juice and bowl of custard tart Alan was carrying all down Harry’s front. Harry looked up quickly from the mess ready to apologies but when Harry caught the other boy’s smug smirk Harry knew the incident had been no accident. The crash of the bowl and the glass shattering on the stone floor brought the entire hall into silence, everyone now staring at Harry and Alan. Harry stared at the taller boy who merely glanced down at Harry’s soiled uniform and smiled.

“Sorry Potter, must have just been my muggle born clumsiness.” Harry’s gaze narrowed dangerously. He’d known eventually it would come to a confrontation like this, someone brave enough to make public the point everyone else was thinking. Harry knew he’d been lucky so far, but that luck had just now run out. Harry continued to stare at Alan, Harry’s fists clenching at his side as he felt the sticky wet juice and tart seeping into his robes and drying on his skin. Behind him there was a scrape of chairs and hurried footsteps before Harry felt the presence of Snape’s looming shadow fall over him and Alan.

“Potter, Mr. Baldric what is going on here?” Snape came to a stand still between the two boys’s but Harry paid him not attention instead continuing to stare at Alan who despite his brazen move was now shifting uncomfortably under Harry’s cold glare.

“Potter ran into me sir, I didn’t see him coming. Sorry” Harry watched as Alan looked apologetically up at Snape who glanced cautiously between the two boys before nodding in agreement.

“You should be more careful Potter, this is how serious accidents occur. May I ask why you were out of your seat when dinner has clearly not ended?” Harry caught Alan’s smug smirk as Snape turned the fault of the situation on Harry. Glancing around at the many other students out of their seats Harry turned back to glare at Snape hardly believing the wizard had just asked him that question. Harry’s anger was just simmering beneath the surface threatening to explode just like it had the night at Privet Drive, with devastating consequences.

“Is it against school policy sir to leave my seat during a meal? I had assumed it was just a basic right not a privilege to be asked for as you’re suggesting it is sir.” Harry watched as irritation flickered in Snape’s gaze the elder wizard taking immediate dislike of Harry’s attitude, which had bubbled to the surface again despite the elder wizard’s warning before term began.

“Mr. Potter, may I remind you again that I will not tolerate that attitude. Further more it is a common courtesy not to leave a meal part way through and I am merely inquiring why you are heading towards the Slytherin table when your own house is on the opposite side of this hall.” Harry met Snape’s glare head on without backing down aware that everyone was listening to them intent on hearing what was being said. “Finally let me also remind you that murderers do not afford any privileges in this school.” Snape’s voice lowered dangerously but Harry wasn’t backing down. This was the final straw and Harry was going to show them just what they’d taken on. Lowering his voice to match Snape’s own growl Harry pushed his face into Snape’s his gaze never leaving the man’s obsidian stare as he replied.

“And you’d know all about that wouldn’t you sir?” Harry wasn’t prepared for Snape’s backhand that struck him hard across the face the slap echoing around the deathly silent hall.

“Severus!” Dumbledore’s stern voice carried around the hall and while the potion professor afforded the headmaster a glance over his shoulder Harry however ignored it. Snape’s ring had split Harry’s lip and undoubtedly there would be visible fingerprints across his cheek. Harry didn’t flinch though and merely huffed a contemptible chuckle as he licked at his split lip before spitting out the blood onto the stone floor. Wiping at his lip crudely Harry looked up slowly at Snape. The man looked almost fearful of what he’d just done as Harry straightened himself and smiled smugly in return.

“Thank-you sir...” Harry paused watching a momentary surprised expression cross over Snape’s face but it was quickly replaced by an angry rage as Harry continued. “…May I have another?” Snape drew his hand back sharply to hit the boy again but before it could happen there was a scream from over on the Slytherin table. Goyle, who had been sitting next to Draco was screaming his head off, a large butter knife pinning his hand to the tabletop and spraying blood all over the place like a crimson fountain. Harry looked over at the chaos as Snape and the other professors went to Goyle’s aid. Harry’s gaze however was locked on Draco who sat smugly beside his screaming friend staring at Harry knowingly. Slowly Harry let out a long heavy sigh feeling his control slipping back into place. Harry watched as Draco casually stood up from the Slytherin table and moved around the chaos of the professors trying to help the still screaming boy. The hall had degenerated into loud conversation over what had just happened no one really paying much attention to Harry now. Draco approached Harry and placed a comforting hand upon the boy’s shoulder before guiding him towards the entranceway. Harry let the blonde’s touch ease his fiery rage. Harry paused as he felt Draco stop behind him. Glancing over his shoulder Harry watched as Draco leant down over Alan Baldric’s shoulder where the boy had sat back down with his friends at the table. Harry didn’t hear what Draco said to Alan but judging from the boy’s pale face afterwards it had clearly been a threat. Draco caught up with Harry and continued to guide him out of the mayhem of the hall and down through the winding corridors of the Slytherin Dungeons.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>

A/N *Laughs wickedly oh I love this chapter, a good slapping never hurt anyone and Draco stabbing people is just amusing.