Trip Through time

Sleeping

“Harry! Harry!” Cedric screamed as he ran after me.

“I don’t want your help Cedric.” I snapped back as I continued to walk.

Ever since the naming all the so called champions have been trying to look out for me; emphasis on trying. Everything they did either annoyed me or got everyone else to hate me. Honestly, I just wanted them to leave me alone.

“Come on Harry, at least let me teach you some spells. Give you a fighting chance.” Cedric offered as I spun around to glare at him.

“Listen, I know you’re trying to help but I don’t want it! I am perfectly capable of looking after myself so just leave me alone!” I screamed as my magic snapped around me. I closed my eyes as guilt flooded my system. “I’m sorry…”

I felt pathetic with the small apology I gave him but he seemed to smile. “Eh, its fine, probably deserved that. You haven’t been getting much sleep, have you?”

I sighed as I nodded, “I might be a little paranoid.” I place my head on the railing as I closed my eyes.

“Only a little?” I jumped slightly as Viktor and Fleur joined us. Viktor gave me a disapproving look as he spoke again, “you need to sleep.”

“Come on Viktor, leave him alone. It’s not as if the challenge is today.” Fleur defended me as I smiled shyly.

“Sleep is important regardless of what is happening.” Viktor lectured as we laughed.

“Well… I’ve got to go… Nice to see you all…” I mumbled as I got up and left quickly.

It didn’t take long to get to the dungeons as I walked the familiar path.

I walked up to the portrait as I took a calming breath. “Black snake.” The portrait swung open as I walked into the familiar room.

The room was black and green with book lining the back wall. Soft black sofas lined a circle beside the fire. Green pillows decorating the seats. A glass coffee table was placed in the centre of the sofas, its black legs curved and traditional.

I gently sat down on the sofa, preferring to sit in the corner closest to the fire and closest to the door.

I hears a small clatter as a cup of hot chocolate appeared. I smiled softly as I took the cup and savoured the warmth.

“So, Harry, what would you like to talk about today?”

I shrugged at the question. I didn’t mind coming here, but today wasn’t a great day. At first I hated the very idea, the concept, all horrified me but I had got used to coming. That does not mean I’ll talk freely but it did mean I talked… occasionally.

“Tomorrow is your interview, correct? Do you know what you’re going to say?”

I shrugged again as I shyly looked up. He was looking at me, calculating his next move. His eyes showed the faint echo of concern I saw whenever one of his students didn’t respond.

I let off a small sigh as I responded in a smallest voice possible, “I would prefer not to do it…”

“I know, but as you do, have you got any ideas of what you‘re going to say?” He asked me as I shook my head. “Would you like to run it through?” Once again I shook my head as he looked at me. ”Harry, is something wrong?”

“No… yes… maybe…” I stumbled over my words as he watched me carefully. “I’s just I keep going back there… in my mind, I mean… I don’t want to so I don’t sleep… but I it’s bad for me and I can’t focus but I can’t go back there…”  I explained while staring into my mug.

“That’s quite alright. Harry, I mean it. It is natural to want to avoid somewhere that causes you pain, but we don’t want you collapsing in the middle of a corridor and hurting someone while stuck in one of your more extreme nightmares. While at Hogwarts you have help and my door will always be open. If you want, we could arrange a place for you to go if you’re struggling to sleep. I heard you struggled in open spaces. We could arrange for a smaller area then your room, would you like that?”

I nodded shyly as I fidgeted. “If that… if that isn’t any trouble…”

He seemed pleased that I had agreed as he smiled, a rare occurrence only one of us could receive. “No trouble at all. Can I ask why you prefer smaller spaces?”

I bit my tongue, not sure if I should talk about my home. One look and I reminded myself I could trust him. He always helped me, he would help me. “He couldn’t hurt me…” I answered with a soft smile. “He couldn’t hurt me in my cupboard. He didn’t fit. He could drag me out and lock me in but he couldn’t hurt me when I was in my cupboard.”

He nodded as he picked up a notebook. “I can’t give you a cupboard, it’s against school rules to provide ‘inadequate’ spaces but I’ll try to get you somewhere.”

“Will there be others there?” I asked quietly as he shook his head.

“Unless you invite someone in, only you and I will know the password.” I smiled at his answer as I let out a tired yawn.

“Maybe you should rest.” He suggested as I forced myself awake.

“That’s okay, I’m not that tired.” I stated quickly not wanting to waste his time.

“Harry, I’m here to help you. If you end up sleeping in these sessions, then I won’t mind.”

I nodded as he led me to the back room. He sighed as he removed some of the animals that were left over from a younger student. I laughed quietly as he put the items away.

The room was fitted with books ranging from very basic children's books to more detailed novels. I noticed a light which projected the stars onto the ceiling and a small wooden music box on the desk.

The bed was black with green sheets. I knew it was soft and comfy but I didn’t want to go near it without permission so I just stood in the doorway awkwardly.

He motioned for me to come in as I shyly sat on the bed. “When you wake my magic will tell me. If you can’t sleep feel free to look around the room.”

I nodded as he turned to leave.

“Wait!” He stopped at my call as I lowered my head.

“Yes Harry.”

“Professor Snape… thank you…”

“While in here, you can call me Severus.”