The Friday Boy

CHAPTER 8

Harry sat staring at the chalkboard not really seeing anything that was written on it or listening to anything that Snape was actually saying. His last remaining week of holidays spent at the Weasley’s had been better after the incident in the shed with Ginny. Without Snape hanging around like death Harry’s mind had laid off the topic of his potion professors strange Friday night excursions. Now however with being back at school and having double potions ever second day there was no escaping the oppressive presence of Snape’s looming figure.

It was Friday and although the first school week back was one period away from being over Friday brought with it the constant ritual of Snape’s night out. Harry stared at Snape unashamedly watching as the professor strode up and down the rows idly checking to make sure the students were doing as instructed. Harry made no attempt at bothering to make it look like he was working and instead rested his head on his arms on the bench top.

Harry knew his lack of activity wouldn’t last long and before he knew it Snape’s shadow had fallen over him, the professor standing in front of the bench and glaring down at him in barely concealed disgust.

“Unless you’re sick Mr. Potter, I suggest you sit up and finish copying the work from the board less you wish to write it a hundred more times in detention.” Harry reluctantly picked up his quill and began writing again, Snape hovering over him until he was satisfied the boy was completing the task sufficiently.

When the bell sounded the end of the last period Harry was the first out of the classroom not even bothering to stuff his books in his bag as he strode from the room leaving Hermione behind still finishing her work. Harry ducked into the first boy’s bathroom he came to and having dropped his books and bag carelessly on the floor stepped into the first available shower stall and turned on the cold water full. The icy bite of the water seeped through his clothes to his heated skin beneath, driving away the images of Snape sitting beside another nameless face at the bar this evening. Ignoring everything around him Harry put out his arms and leant against the wall as the water gushed down over his head. It had been him in the first place who’d wanted to know where Snape went on a Friday and so he’d only got himself to blame for his present situation. He’d discovered where the professor went and while not entirely knowing what he did while there he had solved the mystery. Only Harry wasn’t in the least satisfied as he felt he should be. The trip had created more questions than Harry had in the first place, and had only served to irritate him to the point of insanity. He was loosing the plot, and if things weren’t worse it was all over Severus Snape.

“Fucking cunt!” Harry swore loudly as he slammed his hands into the taps turning off the water with a shudder of pipes. Dripping wet Harry turned and slunk out of the shower recess only now realizing that he’d stepped into a Slytherin bathroom and was currently being stared at by a bunch of first year Slytherin boys. “Invigorating.” Harry muttered to the stunned faces as he grabbed his books and his bag, and still dripping stepped back out into the corridor. There was no time to change before dinner and so Harry squelched his way to the great hall, purposefully ignoring the strange looks he was receiving from everyone.

“What happened to you?” Ron picked up one of Harry’s soggy sleeves as his best friend threw his books down under the table moodily before brushing his wet bangs out of his eyes. Hermione sympathetically cast a drying spell on Harry before the boy sat down between Ron and Neville. Already Harry could feel the stares of the faculty from the top table but Harry ignored them and reached for a bread roll to tide him over till the meal arrived.

“Doesn’t matter.” Harry muttered as he felt Hermione lean across to him.

“Snape’s been summoned.” Harry’s head shot up from his chest immediately at Hermione’s whisper his gaze seeking out the faculty table. Sure enough the seat at the far end usually reserved for Severus was empty and Harry got a sinking feeling. Before he could ask how Hermione knew about it, the meal had arrived and everyone was eagerly tucking in. It occurred to Harry on his second barbecue chicken wing that for the first time since he’d found out about Snape’s Friday night ritual the wizard was actually going to miss it. Harry wasn’t sure why that thought made him feel better but it did and settled him for the rest of the night.

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