Harry turned to leave, but Snape stopped him with a look. “Draco, I’ve set a cauldron out. Go ahead and start getting out measuring supplies from that shelf there,” Snape said, pointing out the supplies for Draco.
Draco eagerly moved to comply and Snape turned back to Harry. “Whatever your problem is with them,” Snape sneered, gesturing to the door where Ron, Hermione, Pansy and Blaise were surely still waiting. “I suggest that you get it worked out before dinner.”
Snape didn’t give Harry a chance to respond and went to help Draco. Harry looked at him wide-eyed with surprise. Snape was doing this to help him? After treating him lousily during class? Confused once again, Harry turned to leave.
He was thinking about Snape and had almost forgotten about the four people who were waiting for him. When he saw them, Harry wasn’t so sure he appreciated that Snape was helping him, if that was what he was actually doing.
“Where’s Draco?” Blaise asked.
“With Snape,” Harry answered quietly. “I have to be back to pick him up for dinner.”
“Good,” Hermione said, grabbing one of Harry’s hands.
Pansy grabbed his other hand. “Because we are going to talk.”
“But . . .,“ Harry tried to protest and take his hands back, but the girls weren’t letting go and Blaise interrupted.
“No, you’re going, Harry,” Blaise said. “It’s for your own good.”
“Ron?” Harry said imploringly, looking for some help.
Ron shrugged. “Sorry, mate. I want to know what the hell is going on, too.”
Harry sighed heavily and allowed himself to be pulled along by the two girls. They ended up in the Room of Requirement, neutral territory for the Gryffindors and Slytherins. It was a relaxing room that Ron ended up creating, with a large fireplace and comfortable couches.
Hermione and Pansy finally let go of him and Harry flopped down on one of the couches.
“Can I just take a nap?” Harry asked. He received a chorus of “no” for his answer.
“Although, I must admit you look like you could use one,” Hermione said worriedly. “Even after the nap you took in History of Magic this morning.”
“And after Snape allowed you to sleep in,” Pansy added, still stuck on that fact.
“Did you really have a nightmare last night?” Ron asked anxiously.
“Ron, do you really want me to answer that?” Harry asked irritably.
Ron and Hermione looked at Pansy and Blaise nervously.
“You didn’t have a nightmare, did you?” Blaise asked quietly.
“Look, tell me why the four of you dragged me here,” Harry snapped. “Because I don’t remember the four of you even getting along.”
All four of them shifted nervously and looked at Harry warily.
Ron was the one who answered, surprising the others. “I thought you wanted me to get along with the Slytherins. At least them two and Crabbe and Goyle,” he said irritably, gesturing towards Pansy and Blaise. “I still don’t understand it all, but you made it quite clear that I had to try to get along with them because you weren’t about to budge about Draco.”
“And we’re trying to get along with Granger and Weasley because we know they come as part of the package deal with you,” Blaise said quietly.
“I don’t care if you all get along or not,” Harry snapped. “I just want to be able to take care of Draco. That’s it. No hassles, no complications. Why doesn’t everyone just leave me alone?”
“Harry, what’s wrong?” Hermione asked in concern. “This isn’t like you.”
“What do you want me to say, Mione?” Harry exploded.
He glared at all of them. “You tell me what isn’t wrong? I’m stuck between the Gryffindors who resent me for consorting with the Slytherins and the Slytherins who only tolerate me because of Draco,” Harry shouted.
“That’s not true,” Hermione and Pansy both said quickly, but Harry ignored them.
“It’s been a week of this and I kept thinking things were going well, all things considered. But then Snape goes and reminds me I’m just being tolerated because of Draco. And there’s a whole lot more going on with him that’s got me totally confused,” Harry said, his brow furrowing, showing his confusion. He shook his head and his anger took precedence again.
“Then Ron’s all jealous and resenting me because I’m spending time with the Slytherins and deserting him. Pansy reminded me that the only reason they’re speaking to me and being friendly at all is because of Draco. Draco wants me to wear Slytherin robes sometimes and I actually thought it was a good idea,” Harry was shouting out his frustration and anger. “But then, how’s that going to look to everyone?”
Harry paused, glaring at the others and not caring that they looked uncomfortable with his yelling. “No one wants me right now,” Harry said bitterly. “Draco’s the only one who does, but that’s only because he doesn’t fucking remember anything.”
“Harry, what in the world happened last night that’s got you thinking like this?” Hermione asked worriedly.
“Once again, do you really want me to answer that?” Harry asked angrily.
Hermione again looked at Blaise and Pansy uncertainly.
“Exactly,” Harry snapped. “We’ve all barely been on friendly terms for a week. I trust them not to say anything, but do you trust them?”
“Well, how can you even trust them?“ Hermione asked hesitantly.
“I just do. It’s not like they want to go out and actually be little Death Eaters,” Harry sneered.
“But you said they’re only tolerating you,” Ron said angrily. “How can you trust them?”
“Because they’re loyal to Draco and Draco’s with me,” Harry retorted angrily. “They’re not going to do or say anything that would harm him.”
“Oh,” Ron said, the wind taken out of his sails. Obviously something in those words clicked for Ron and Harry rolled his eyes at his friend.
“Harry, we may have started talking to you because of Draco, but I consider you to be my friend now in your own right,” Blaise interjected earnestly.
“Me, too,” Pansy added quickly. “I’ve been trying to apologize to you all afternoon. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings at lunchtime.”
“Really?” Harry asked, recognizing he was playing Draco’s role in the ‘really’ game.
“Really,” Blaise said, quirking a small smile, also recognizing the ‘really’ game.
“It’s all just so confusing,” Harry said, dropping his head into his hands. “I’m sorry I got so upset and angry.”
“It’s all right, mate,” Blaise said quietly.
Ron glanced at Pansy and Blaise and nodded to himself, seeming to come to a decision. “You had another vision last night, didn’t you?” he asked Harry.
Harry looked up in surprise and whipped his head between Ron and the two Slytherins.
