Love, Lies & Loneliness

Chapter 9
(Bathroom Mayhem)

The week had certainly become better as it went on compared to how it had begun. The routine of spending his days in Snape’s office had become almost comfortable. When Snape had classes in the room next to his office Harry would listen to the professor teaching and smile at the sarcastic comments he sent to the students who had yet to master the subject. His evenings had been spent talking to Hermione and Ron in the Gryfindor common room while doing their homework. Harry had taken the time to get Hermione’s notes as well ensuring that he indeed was ahead of all his subjects, despite his absence from classes. He was determined to do as Snape had asked of him, even if meant some sacrifices. The only class he had actually attended was the sixth year potions class. Admittedly Snape had not allowed him to brew the potion they’d been making but he had been permitted to sit in the back and pretend not to be learning as he took notes. The night times had been difficult; Harry had learned quickly that lingering in the Slytherin common room on his way to his own room was not recommended. Twice now he’d been caught by Malfoy, the little blonde boy ensuring his hexes were well aimed. With no magic Harry had been defenseless against the boys attacks and despite Snape’s warning Malfoy had still continued if a little less obviously. It hadn’t been as bad as Harry would have predicted though and the boy was cautious that the Slytherins were planning something else. Harry however thanked Merlin for small mercies in that none of the Slytherin’s had attempted to enter his room.

Now though it was the end of the week and like Dumbledore had said earlier he needed rest for tomorrows hearing at the Ministry of Magic. Apparently Fudge had requested Harry be under the influence of Veritaserum while he was defending himself, and thus Dumbledore had asked for the assistance of Snape, who was the only qualified professor to administer the potion safely. The enormity of the situation seemed worrying and that was all Harry could think about as he made his way into the Slytherin bathrooms for his shower before bed.

So far this week he’d been left in peace during his trips to the bathroom, the Slytherin’s tending to keep to themselves during their daily showers unlike the Gryfindors who chatted and joked as they bathed. Harry walked over to the privacy of the corner shower he’d taken to using and sat down on the bench and began to get undressed. The bathroom was quiet as it was close to curfew. Harry supposed he’d have just enough time to relax in a warm shower before bed. He was wrong though. Just as he was stepping out of his boxer shorts the sound of a wicked little laugh echoed around the silent bathroom. It was Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle.

“Well, well, well what do we have hear. Potter, all alone and naked.” Malfoy laughed nastily as he stuck out his pinkie finger and waggled it in Potters direction, its rude meaning not lost on Harry who hastily grabbed for his towel and held it in front of him.

“Merlin’s beard Harry that’s small. Wonder what Granger sees in you, but then I suppose she gets that from Weaselbe.” Harry clutched the towel tighter to his body as Malfoy stepped up to him his face mere inches from Harry’s. “You scared Potter?” Draco looked down his nose at Harry with a look of victory as Crabbe and Goyle grabbed Harry by the arms and pushed him up against the wall. The towel that Harry had clutched to his body fell away leaving him naked and struggling against the two large boys holding him down.

“Fuck off Malfoy, you touch me and Snape will have your arse.” Harry felt stupid relying on a teacher’s word to prevent what was inevitably going to happen but without magic he had no defence. Before he could brace himself Draco hit him square in the stomach causing Harry to heave in pain.

“He’s not going to do shit to me Potter.” Another blow to the ribs this time and Harry squirmed fruitlessly against his attackers. “He’s my fathers friend.” Again another blow this to the face sending Harry’s head cracking into the tiles behind his head. “Snape’s my godfather did you know that?” That was something Harry didn’t actually know but the moment he had to register that was gone when Malfoy struck again this time with a well-aimed knee to Harry’s groin.

This time Harry cried out in pain and crumpled to the floor Crabbe and Goyle letting the boy go with wicked sniggers. Harry hurt but didn’t flinch as another well-aimed kick to his side send him face down to the floor. After the beating from his Uncle, Harry knew nothing Malfoy could do would hurt as much as that had but still his injuries from that beating hadn’t quite healed completely and each blow brought renewed agony. “You shouldn’t be here Potter, go back to your own fucking house before we send you there in a box.” Harry attempted to lift himself from the floor but someone pushed him and he slipped in a pool of water on the floor sending him sprawling to his knees much to the amusement of his tormentors. “Come on grab his stuff and lets get back before curfew.” Crabbe and Goyle grabbed Harry’s clothes and towel from the bench; Malfoy picking up Harry’s wand and throwing it at the naked boy sprawled awkwardly on the cold wet floor. “You can keep that, you can’t do magic anyway unless you want to get kicked out. That’s the difference between you and I Potter, my family don’t bow to the likes of Fudge, the ministry don’t mean shit to us.” With that Malfoy ran after Crabbe and Goyle leaving Harry alone again in the bathroom.

When he was sure they’d gone Harry slowly crawled over to the bench and pulled himself to his feet. Shuffling painfully over to the sinks, Harry stared at his blurry reflection as he leant against the porcelain bowl. Blood dripped from his nose and a cut above his eye and bruises were already forming on his chest and side. The worst injury however was the ache in his groin where Malfoy had kneed him. Reaching down Harry adjusted himself hissing in pain as he assessed if there was going to be any permanent damage. When he was sure it was unlikely anything was irreversibly damage Harry leant heavily against the sink and sighed.

He was angry more than anything that he’d been so helpless to the attack. If only the stupid ministry had not prohibited him from using magic he could have hexed Malfoy into a flobberworm. He was angry too that it had all started with Dudley and the picture, the Dursley’s still ruining his life even when he’d been taken from them. His anger began to become irrational, he became angry with himself and with Snape for not protecting him like he promised, he became angry with his friends who sat blissfully unaware of his pain in their safe dorm rooms, he was angry at Dumbledore for just being his meddlesome self and finally he was angry with Voldomort.

The very moment Harry thought of the dark lords name the room shook violently and Harry watched as his blurry reflection shattered into a million pieces as the mirror broke and exploded, Harry barely had chance to duck the flying glass before his anger subsided and the room stopped its shaking. Looking up from the floor Harry surveyed the damage he’d done. Every mirror had broken and the tiles beneath his feet had cracked. Standing slowly up again Harry closed his eyes and cursed his life. When Snape saw this mess he was going to hit the roof, not that Harry would be in any more trouble now that curfew had well and truly passed and he wasn’t in his room. But the worse thing was that he didn’t want to be caught naked, punishments and anger he could handle but humiliation he couldn’t. Shuffling to the door of the bathroom Harry looked both ways down the corridor. The entrance into the Slytherin common room was just down the hall a little way and Harry knew that if he could just get there he’d be safe, not that it was going to be easy with no glasses. Checking once more for any lingering blobs in his sight that might have been students Harry scuttled painfully down the hall and into the side corridor. At the end of the corridor was the painting and with another check for anyone nearby Harry ran down the corridor to the portrait.

“Aspindodle” Harry whispered the password to the painting but nothing happened. The snake looked up from where it had curled itself around the sword and eyed Harry with a contemptible glare just as Snape might if disturbed from his work. “Aspindodle.” Harry repeated more urgently this time as a cold draft swept down the corridor and over his wet naked skin. The door didn’t move though and Harry could hardly believe it as the Snake unwound itself from the sword and disappeared from the portrait completely. “Oh come on, please. Aspindodle, Aspindodle, Aspindodle.” Harry ran his hands over the painting uselessly trying to call back the snake that had disappeared from view. When it didn’t work for the tenth time Harry slid down the wall on his right and sat down on the cold stone floor. Bringing his legs up to his chest to try and keep warm.

Harry had only been sitting there miserably for five minutes before a familiar figure appeared at the end of the hall. Harry had to squint to see whom they were his glasses taken by Crabbe with the rest of his stuff.

“Professor?” Harry squinted up at the person who had literally run down the hall to him and now hovered about him.

“Potter?” Snape’s voice was both a comfort and a source of torment as Harry blushed at the professor who helped him to his feet. Harry wobbled unsteadily and Snape’s robed arm automatically wrapped around the boys naked waist making Harry even more uncomfortable. No one had ever seen him fully naked before save Ron but they were practically family and so it hadn’t bothered him so much, but now both Malfoy and Snape had; two of the people Harry disliked the most. Harry felt Snape pull him towards the wall and barely heard the whispered words Snape muttered before an entrance way appeared in front of him. A warm glow emanated from the room and although Harry couldn’t see much of it he knew it was Snape’s private chambers.

Walking into the room Snape deposited Harry on his couch and dutifully summoned a blanket from his bedroom, which he wrapped about the boys shivering shoulders. Harry instantly snuggled into the warmth of the blanket and hastily covered himself over. “Are you alright to sit for a moment, I have to contact Dumbledore and inform him of your whereabouts.” Harry nodded at the blurry figure above him and listened as Snape opened a tin from above the fireplace. “Albus Dumbledore.” The bright green flash of the fire made Harry jump but then Dumbledore’s calm voice washed into the room.

“Ahh Severus, have you found Harry yet?”

“I have headmaster, although he is not in any state to return to his room.” Harry blushed crimson knowing that Snape had glanced back at him from where he was talking to Dumbledore in the fireplace.

“Good as long as he’s found. I will talk to you in the morning.” With that the green flame that Harry had assumed had contained Albus’s head was gone and the blurry shape of Snape moved towards him.

“I’ve summoned a house elf to retrieve your night things, you may use my bathroom to dress.” Harry squinted at professor Snape and although he was sure the potions professor was pointing at something Harry couldn’t see what it was. Not wanting to irritate Snape more than he already sounded Harry squinted a little harder as he rose from the sofa in an attempt at going where Snape pointed. His first two steps were fine but in the unfamiliar room Harry completely missed the coffee table and stumbled over it when his legs ran into it. Snape caught him before he could fall, a strong arm wrapping around his waist and pulling the blanket back up over the boy’s shoulders from where it had slipped.

”Sorry sir, I can’t see much without my glasses.” Harry winced a little as Snape’s arm loosened from around his waist, and the blanket caught one of the bruises on his chest.

“Ah, forgive me Potter I didn’t realise your eyesight was so poor.” Harry resisted the urge to roll his eyes, knowing already that Snape knew very little about Harry’s person at all. “Accio glasses.” Snape’s voice sounded so commanding when speaking a spell, something, which Harry hadn’t noticed until now when the professor was pressed against his back. Harry smiled in thanks as Snape handed him the glasses he’d just summoned. By the feel of them they were his old pair but not that it mattered they’d do the trick even if they were ugly compared to the new pair he’d brought himself last summer. Slipping the eyewear onto his face Harry sighed in relief as everything came back into focus and he blinked a few times to clear what remained of the fuzz.

“Thank-you.” Snape’s hold on Harry’s waist fell away and Harry turned around and watched as Snape moved over to the fireplace. Harry had never been in the private chambers of a teacher before and although he tried to keep his eyes to himself he goggled at how strangely homely Snape’s quarters felt. Unlike how he’d imagined it Snape’s rooms were warm and comfortable, the shelves and surfaces furnished with small items personal to Snape. The furniture was dark wood and although the floor was stone a fluffy cream rug dispelled it’s cold.

“If you’ve done inspecting my taste in home décor Mr Potter, perhaps you’d like to get dressed so I can inspect those injuries of yours.” Harry jumped as he snapped out of his musings about Snape’s room and turned to head for the doorway, which he now realised, had been what Snape had pointed to earlier. With a nod Harry disappeared into the bathroom giving him time to think about Snape and his professors unexpected tastes in home furnishings.

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

(A/N) Hey everyone thanks for taking the time to review it\'s much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, cause it was damn hard to write a nasty Malfoy into this story. Be assured the little shit will get his dues as we move on but that\'s another chapter.... Now to answer some of those niggling questions....

Cannon? Yeah I fucked with it good this time.... usually I\'m pretty good but I just can\'t handle writing a story without my favourite characters, thus Sirius and the weasley twins are still with us until further notice, be assured the cannon should reconverge at some point but I\'m not going to tell you when cause that will ruin all my cliffhangers...

Oh and yeah you will find out about the spell harry threw at Dudykin\'s as well as what wonderful fate befell Harry\'s relatives, but like above you\'ll have to wait an see.

Anymore questions feel free to ask them, I\'m not completely dense and if I can\'t answer them I\'ll forward them to my alter ego who\'s sure to know the answer, cause she\'s a complete knowitall.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, more soon.

Thanks
RIFFRAFF