Chapter - 69 : Tempers and Tensions

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"Fluffy?" Ron repeated, voice going higher with disbelief. "That thing has a name."

"Course he's got a name, he's mine!" Hagrid said proudly. "Bought 'im off a Greek chappie I met in a pub las' year. Lent him to Dumbledore to guard the-"

Harry leaned forwards eagerly. "Yes?" he urged.

"No, don' ask me anymore," Hagrid said gruffly. "Tha's top secret that is."

"But Snape's trying to steal it!" Harry insisted.

"Rubbish," Hagrid insisted. "Like yer sister said, Snape's a teacher! Why would he do a thing like that?"

"Wait," I cut in. "Harry, what makes you think Snape was trying to steal it?"

"I saw his leg!" Harry said triumphantly. "He's been limping since Halloween, haven't you noticed? I went to ask for a book back that he'd confiscated and I saw him in his office with his robes lifted up. Filch was helping him bandage claw marks on his leg. He said something about 'how are you supposed to watch all three heads at once.' That proves it!" he insisted.

"That only proves he went near the thing," I disagreed. "Not that he was going to steal anything."

"Oh, and why else would he want to visit it?" Ron asked like it was obvious. "Wanted a nice chat about the weather?"

"No," I said shortly. "Maybe he came to the same conclusion I did and realized that whoever let the troll in meant for it to be a distraction and tried to head them off. If I can figure that out I'm sure someone as smart as Professor Snape can too."

"What about Harry's broom?" Ron demanded, looking like he'd scored the winning point.

"What about it?" I countered. "That's simple prejudice. Tell me, if it had been McGonagall staring at the broom and muttering, would you have assumed she was the one cursing the broom? You would have assumed she was trying to save him. But because it's Snape you've already made up your minds!" I ranted.

I was getting very defensive and I knew it. I also knew how stupid the idea of Snape trying to kill my brother was. I knew he wasn't fond of Harry, but I also knew that the only reason the Gryffindors were insisted Snape was part of some kind of convoluted plot to steal from Dumbledore and kill my brother is because of their own prejudice.

"That's different," Ron said, like that set the matter to rest.

"How?" I challenged. "Because she's not a Slytherin?" I dared him to agree, fingering my Slytherin scarf pointedly. "Face it, your argument's weak. Even if Snape did loathe Harry – and I'm not denying he does – I doubt he hates you enough to risk his job and his freedom on some half-arsed plot to hurt you – in front of an entire box of teachers who would immediately rush to your aid the moment you fell, may I add! He's smarter than that."

"Then how do you explain the fact that the broom stopped trying to throw Harry the moment I set Snape's robes on fire?" Hermione demanded.

I stood up and smacked my hands down on the table, staring at her incredulously. "You set my head of house on fire?" I demanded. "That was your plan to break his eye contact? Are you stupid?"

"Don't talk to her like that!" Ron said sharply.

"I'll talk to her however I like if she's going to go around setting people on fire," I retorted. "Did it ever occur to you that a man on fire would distract most people? I'd imagine half the box looked away from the match to try and put him out! That's still no guarantee that it was Snape who did anything!"

"Lorena, calm down," Hagrid said, reaching out to pat me on the shoulder comfortingly. He nearly knocked it out of joint.

"I am calm," I insisted, letting out a long breath through my teeth. "Thanks for the tea, Hagrid, it was lovely. Sorry I ruined the visit," I grumbled, tossing back the last of my tea and wrapping my scarf tighter around my throat. "I've got things to do. See you later."

I stomped for the door and yanked it open. I was about to storm through when something made me stop. I grit my teeth and mumbled, "I'm glad you're not hurt, Harry." Then I was gone, slamming the door behind me and striding back up the hill towards the school.

It wasn't time for me to meet Fred and George yet, and I knew trying to start on my homework for Monday would just end in frustrated page flipping and ripping holes in my parchment with the tip of my quill. I headed down to the Slytherin Common Room and went inside.

The mood was, in a word, depressed. The team was already back, slumped around the fire looking disappointed. Some of the older students were patting them on the shoulder and offering condolences.

"It's not fair," I heard Flint mutter spitefully. "Potter didn't catch the Snitch."

I rolled my eyes and mentally added him to the tally of people on my 'to hit' list.

As far as people in my year, I saw Nott curled up in an armchair in one corner. I wanted over to him and sat down on the arm of his chair, looking over at his book.

"What're you reading?"

"Nothing," Nott said, shutting the book sharply. I stared at the back and realized that it was a novel of some sort. I hid my smirk – never thought Nott would go in for that stuff – and shrugged.

"Alright fine. Touchy." I stuck my tongue out at him. "Hey, you didn't go to the game, did you? At least I didn't see you in the stands."

Nott shook his head. "No, I didn't. I stayed here. The Common Room's quiet when everyone's gone."

"Good environment for reading?" I guessed, gesturing to his book.

"Something like that," he agreed.

"I'll leave you to it," I said, standing up and heading to my dorm. If nothing else, I could grab a quick nap while I waited for my appointment with the Weasleys.

"Potter! Come here!"

I scowled and turned around. "I'm not a dog, snowflake, don't order me around," I ground out, glaring at Malfoy. He was sitting in one of a pair of armchairs, a table set up in front of him. Once again his chess set was out, and it looked like he was playing himself.