Chapter 5 - Feeling stupid

Harry drew his knees up to his chest. He was sitting with his head bowed, his black, lank hair framed his face like a curtain.

He couldn't believe in everything that happened. His previous agitation was gone, leaving a numb feeling of hopelessness.

"So, that little prick has taken my place, probably having good time with raving about the awesomeness of James Potter?" he asked flatly, not even bothering to put the usual malice in pronouncing Potter's name.

He could see Snape's raised eyebrow and Dumbledore's pained expression.

"I believe that Mr. Potter is experiencing the same confusion as you are. However, I am sure that both of you will cope with the circumstances you found yourself in," said Dumbledore.

Harry just nodded. Of course he would handle this situation. He was used to fighting against everything, the meddling Headmaster included. Dumbledore here seemed less eager to make him feel miserable, but it didn't mean that he would put his heart on his sleeve. He was a Slytherin and had a natural ability to adapt.

Right now, his major concern was to gain sympathy from Snape. He cringed inwardly, feeling embarrassment. His knuckles whitened from gripping his knees. He acted like he would in his own world and most likely he ruined his one and only chance to find a common ground with the man he cared the most about.

He dreamed of knowing Severus Snape personally, and his aunt did little to help him by telling tales how wonderful his father was. Sarcastic, brilliant, brave and smart. Uncle Vernon did his best to act like father towards Harry, but he was a simple Muggle who couldn't understand magic no matter how hard he tried. He lacked necessary brain cells and ability to comprehend complicated things.

"I'm sure that Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley will be most helpful," said Snape silkily.

He looked very composed to Harry, but if they were a tiny bit alike…Harry would feed him to the Giant Squid, being in Snape's place.

"I don't need, nor want their help, Professor," replied Harry, mimicking the velvety voice he liked from the first second he heard it. "If I'm supposed to count on someone, there would be myself."

Dumbledore just looked at him, adjusting his half-moon spectacles. "I'm sure that you're aware that everyone will be calling you Potter, Harry. We need to keep your identity hidden."

"I know, sir," replied the boy.

"Professor Snape will escort you to the Gryffindor tower. Try to restrain your animosity towards the Weasleys."

Harry stood up and Snape followed him like a shadow. He could barely catch the sound of the footsteps behind him. "And Harry? Tell Miss Granger and Mr. Weasley to visit me after breakfast."

Of course, why his secret would remain secret if Weasel was concerned? The old fool always had his favourites. Potter, Weasley. The only difference was that here he encountered no spiteful Transfiguration master, who had a goal to make his life a living hell just because he was jealous of his father.

He walked through familiar yet foreign corridors, accompanied by the silent Snape. Harry waited until they were far from the Headmaster office before he spoke.

"I wanted to apologize, sir," said Harry, his head hanging in shame.

"There is no need to apologize," replied Snape coldly. "I believe that we've discussed everything in the Headmaster's office and there is nothing more to say."

It stung. Dear Salazar, if anyone else said that they wanted to talk no more, Harry would be glad. He liked to be left alone, and being withdrawn as he was, it was nothing bad. Not this time, though. He rarely apologized to anyone, being smart enough to avoid responsibility most of the time and the only time he sincerely felt sorry, Snape wouldn't listen to him.

Harry felt frustration and tears threatened to fall from his tired eyes. He felt it tightening in his chest and now he believed, that for the first time in his life he was able to feel how it was to be an orphan. He felt lonely as never before. Not because everything was different here. It was because he was rejected by the only man he cared for in this strange reality.

Harry was angry at himself for his half-baked behaviour and wanted to hit his head against the wall for his stupidity.

Repeatedly.

"Sir?" he asked, angry that his voice sounded weak. Snape however gave no indication that he cared about Harry's voice or him speaking. "I know I shouldn't."

Still there was no reaction and Harry felt frustrated as hell. He quickened his pace and spun around to face Snape. "I fucked up, all right? I did it all wrong!" he shouted, his voice hoarse.

Severus should say something like 'language, Potter' or take points from Gryffindor. Instead he remained silent, doing his best to ignore the boy. He wasn't Potter, he was a stranger from other reality and thus – not his concern.

This Harry was different from Potter, yes. More smart for one and he seemed to share Severus' loathing towards Potter senior. They way he overpowered the Potions Mater was remarkable. That was the reason of Severus' silence.

He was still livid, because some scrawny sixteen year old managed to disarm him and deliver him bounded to the Headmaster's office. He fought an urge to snort. For all Slytherin qualities the boy possessed, he seemed naïve enough to believe that Severus would start to develop some fatherly feelings, just because the boy claimed that he was the father in that reality? It was a ridiculous and amusing idea.

Severus smirked, seeing the boy trying to push his transfigured hair behind his ears. Of course they were too short. Back in Dumbledore's office, Harry was livid when he learned that not only his face resembled Potter senior now, but also his hair was too long to act like his counterpart.

They reached the portrait of Fat Lady and she opened the passage. Severus needed no password, as he was the teacher.

Harry stepped inside the Gryffindor common room. All the gold and red there made him feel nauseous. He was used to dingy, greenish Slytherin surroundings and the specific atmosphere. Here, everything seemed too bright, too foreign and contained too many Weasleys for his liking.

He was greeted by the youngest Weasley, a red headed Ginny. He scowled at her and she retreated with pained expression. He shrugged.

It wasn't his fault that these snobs acted like if they had broomsticks up their arses since their day one at Hogwarts.

"Harry, are you okay?" asked Hermione. At least she seemed to be not out of place, although there was a strange air of confidence surrounding her.

"I am," he replied gruffly, being less than eager to start a conversation. "The Headmaster wants to see you and Weasley after the breakfast."

Hermione opened her mouth and then shut it. Calling Weasley by his surname wasn't usual for the Potter boy for sure, but he was past caring right now. He said it quietly, so surely it only reached Hermione's ears.

A/N: Thanks to Artemis J. Halk for correcting my less-than-perfect grammar here :)

I hope that switching between two Harrys isn't confusing. I tried to make Harry Snape in character, adding some different experiences and Slytherin qualities to Harry Potter. I hope that he still seems in-character for you. Any opinions and suggestions are really helpful for me, so don't hesitate to leave a review.