Harry POV:

I sigh as I make my way toward my first class of the day, transfigurations with McGonagall. I had the oddest night, and my head is still trying to wrap around everything that has happened. One thing I know for sure is that Snape was… he was nice. He seemed generally concerned about what I had told him.

After he ordered up breakfast, we talked for a while about my relatives. I was still pretty nervous to talk about them, but he wouldn't let me sit idle. I don't understand why I felt comfortable talking to him, especially after everything I have heard about him, and even experienced in his first class.

The more I think about it, the more anxious I get. The Dursley's warning swarm my head. I shouldn't have said anything, no matter how comfortable I felt. They are gonna kill me.

Suddenly my breathing gets heavy and I start to panic.

Not here, please, I beg.

Panic attacks are all too common with me. I had my first one when I was seven years old. I had no idea what was happening to me, all I knew was that I couldn't breathe. My uncle found me passed out in the backyard. That was the worst beating I had had yet. Yet another thing I've learned to hide.

Just as my vision starts to fade, I feel a hand catching my elbow, leading me down the hallway to a more secluded area down near the underside of the staircase.

I close my eyes, and try to catch my breath before I face my quiet savior. I hear the students rushing past, talking animatedly. I try and zone in on one voice to clear my head.

After a few moments, my breathing returns to normal, and I notice the pressure is still present on my elbow.

I look up quickly, and see Fred, standing beside me, silently offering me support.

He catches my eyes and smiles slightly, but his eyebrows knit together in concern.

"All right there, Harry" he asks me quietly.

I nod slowly, "Sorry about that, it just happens sometimes."

"Hey no need to be sorry, I'm just glad I caught you when I did."

I look down dejectedly. I have always been embarrassed that this happens to me. Why can't I be normal like everyone else.

As if he can read my thoughts, he starts leans down and cups his mouth, as if to tell me a great secret.

"Between you and me," he whispers, "Ron used to get them all the time. He used to wake up from nightmares screaming about bloody spiders. It used to take mum hours to calm him down."

I laugh, feeling better at Fred's words. Perhaps I'm not so alone.

He looks at me one last time.

"You sure you're good to go to class?" he asks me quietly.

I nod.

"Yeah, I feel good. Thanks for that."

I'm not just thanking him for helping me, but doing it quietly, not drawing attention. I don't need anymore people thinking i'm a freak. I don't tell him this, but for some reason I don't think it matters. He understands.

He nods at me and gives a tight one armed hug.

"Alright mate, I'll see you in a bit. Come see me if you need anything. Me and George are heading to Trawlany's. Absolute rubbish if you ask me, but oh well."

"I will, thanks Fred," I say smiling slightly.

With that he gives me one last squeeze and takes off down the now almost- empty hallway.

I take a few moments to further collect myself before I take off toward McGonagall.

Before I make my way down the hallway, I catch sight of a person standing off to the side, hidden by the shadows.

It's Snape, and he eyeing me concerned.

When he catches my gaze, he raises his eyebrow pointedly.

I give him a small smile and a shake of my head, a silent reassurance that everything is okay.

He gives me a sharp nod in return and turns briskly and begins walking back toward the dungeon.

I can't help but wonder how much he saw.

I make it McGonigal's class without a moment to spare, and get the stern eye from a familiar cat as I make my way to my seat beside Ron. Hermione sits on the opposite side of the isle, and I can see her staring at me.

"Bloody hell, Harry, where have you been?" Ron starts as soon as I sit. "We 'bout sent out a search party when we couldn't find you this morning."

I freeze for a moment. What do I tell him? I cannot possible say I spent the morning dining with Snape.

"I..uh… to the infirmary." I start.

His eyes grow wide and he face morphs into one of concern.

"Why? What's wrong? Are you hurt?" He asks me rapid fire. A feeling of warmth spreads through my entire body at his questioning. No one has ever cared so much about me in my entire life, and I met him three days ago. Ron and his brothers have shown me more care in the last few days than the Duresley's showed me in 11 years of living with them. My eyes start to mist over at the thought, and I will the tears to go away.

"It was nothing" I tell Ron, hoping he doesn't mistake my sentimental tears for something else. "I woke up and didn't feel well. Madame Pomfrey gave me a potion to help settle my stomach."

He doesn't seem to buy it, but thankfully McGonagall had shifted back and promptly began the lesson, cutting off any opportunity for Ron to question my lies.

The rest of the day passes in a blur, and I find myself back in the great hall at dinnertime, surrounded by what I am assuming will be my usual company. Fred, George, and three of their friends sit on the opposite side of me, Ron and Hermione.

Everyone is currently talking about the upcoming Quidditch match, something I can't say I am looking forward too. Although I can't wait to be back on a broom, the feeling of flying and being free still so fresh in my mind, I'm so nervous about the match. What if I can't catch the snitch? I don't want to disappoint anyone.

The twins keep giving me nervous glances as I pick at my food.

"How are ya, Harry?" George asks, keeping his tone cheerful, although I catch the underlying concern.

"I'm good," I tell him, with a genuine smile. Despite everything that has happened, I feel good at Hogwarts. I feel welcomed and accepted for the most part.

They give me a smile, and turn back to talking with their friends about the latest pranks they have been creating.

Ron is chatting away about this and that, and I can't seem to focus on his words, but he doesn't mind, just chats away.

I look around and catch Snape's eye, he is gazing at me from his place at the professor's table. He makes a distinct eating motion with a fork, and obvious order to begin eating my food. I give him a small nod, and pick up my fork.

It is only a few bites later that I put my fork back down, stuffed.

I look back at him, and gives sighs before giving me a stiff nod. He obviously is unhappy, but accepts it nonetheless.

After dinner, Ron, Hermione and I begin to make our way back to the Gryffindor common room.

As we are on one of the staircases, it begins to move.

Hermione shrieks, as we all grab onto the railings.

When it finally moves to a stop, we all look at each other.

"Let's go this way," Hermione says, already leading the way, "I bet it will loop around and we can find our way back."

Ron and I agree and we make our way up the staircase.

We find ourselves in a poorly lit corridor, with statues lining the sides.

"I don't think we are supposed to be here," Ron starts, slowing backing up.

"We're not," Hermione confirms. "This is the third floor, it's forbidden."

"Let's go," I say quickly, not waiting for a consensus.

We turn to leave but are met with Filch's cat. We go to make our way around her when we hear footsteps approaching.

"Is anyone there, Mrs. Norris?" we hear a raspy voice call out.

We quickly make eye contact with each other and begin to run the opposite way.

We run straight into a locked door. Ron jiggles to handlebar repeatedly.

"Now what?!" he cries, "We're done for!"

"Oh move over," Hermione says, pushing him to the side as she steps up to the door.

She points her wand at the door. "Alohomora."

The door swings open.

We rush inside and slam the door, as we all lean against it breathing heavily.

"What was that?" Ron asks exasperated.

"Standard book of spells, chapter 11, it's an unlocking spell," Hermione says, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Good job, Hermione," I praise, closing my eyes and breathing heavily.

All the sudden we feel a giant gust of air, as if a wind were blowing right in our faces.

"What was that," Ron asks, voice cracking a bit.

I open my eyes and see a giant shape moving in the dark.

Suddenly a three-heading dog comes steps into the light, and begins viciously growling at us, bearing horrible teeth and coming closer with every step.

"AHHH!" we all scream as we hurriedly exit the room, all thoughts of Filch or his cat gone, as we try and get away from the beast.

We don't stop running until we have made our way to the common room, and we collapse in a heap.

Hi guys so I'm so sorry this has taken so long, but I'm not really in a great place right now, just climbing one of those tough mountains. I'm going to try to keep up with this though so leave me some positive feedback, just anything that might motivate me or help me with my slump:( Anyway I hope you guys liked this. Love you. -Mack