He simply ran. He ran as far and as fast as he could. He pulled his invisibility cloak around him and ran. He wasn't sure why he wasn't wearing the cloak to begin with, but he decided in mid run it was better now than never. He wasn't looking ahead, but back. He didn't know if his pursuers were giving chase and he didn't want to be followed. He was still small enough that the cloak fit him completely. Not a leg nor arm nor hair was hanging out. He ran until he came to a door and he slowed. He opened it quietly and peered in, and since he didn't notice anyone, he took one last look back and slipped in. He kept the cloak pulled close to himself and made his way to the back of the room under a table, completely from view of anyone. When his hammering heart finally slowed, he dared a glance around. He was in Professor Snape's least used classroom. How he managed to end up in the dungeons, he didn't know. He felt his head spin from the running and started taking slow, deep breaths to get his bearings back.
He felt like a coward sitting under a desk in the far back reaches of a classroom of the professor that hated him most. Oh, it wasn't because of where he was, per say. It was because of why he ran. Ever since word got around about his passing out on the train, the whole school seemed to be against him. A reality check made him note that it was mostly just a few Slytherins, but sometimes everything just seemed to run together. Whenever he was taunted about the Dementors, it brought back the memory he didn't know he had. He knew now that it was in fact his mother's last moments he relived. He was mostly able to choke back the feeling of dread when taunted, but after the Quidditch match, he couldn't control it anymore. So when Malfoy and his body guards stalked down the hill with their hoods up and snuck up on him, he did the only logical thing. He ran.
Still safely surrounded by invisibility, he made to get up until he heard a door creak open. He stilled and made himself as small as possible and made sure he was still well hidden. Then he heard voices. Two voices that should not be together, let alone civil.
"Severus, are you going to tell him yet? I think you don't give him enough credit." He recognized the voice immediately. He felt much safer, especially if he were to be found out. The owner of that voice would no doubt protect him from Snape's wrath.
"Remus, this is not about the credit he does or does not deserve. I, myself still cannot seem to get my head around this. I would prefer I knew where to go from here before we approached this subject." All Harry had to do was scoot to his right and he had a full view of the two men in question. His favorite and his least favorite. Harry watched as Snape ran his hand over his face and began pacing while Remus leaned against Snape's large desk, his arms crossed at his chest.
"I certainly hope when you say 'we' you mean you and Harry." Harry's heart stopped. What could they be talking about that would have anything to do with him? Especially if it had Snape in such a state that he wasn't sneering or glaring at Remus.
"I did have hope that you would assist me in this endeavor. He trusts you completely. Our past dictates that there is no way I can tell him and he react in a way I would favor." If Harry didn't know any better, he would say he heard jealousy in Snape's voice and saw defeat in his eyes. Remus apparently noticed it as well.
"I will lay the ground work for you, but this is something best laid between family. The longer you go with knowing and him not, the worse it will be for the both of you. You will have had time to adjust and will then not be patient enough while he figures it out." Snape paused in his pacing to look at Remus.
"Remus, your basis on this being between family nullifies you not being involved. Also, you pointing out my lack of patience is yet another factor of you needing to help me with this." Harry was sure Snape couldn't be implying that Remus was like family. That would just make no sense. Harry was in the process of contemplating that when the world dropped from beneath him.
Remus took a deep breath and watched Snape. He knew the man had a point. He also couldn't deny Snape referring to him as family tugged at his heart strings just a little. He knew it was better to get it done, and soon. He closed his eyes and took another deep breath.
"Very well, Severus. But heed my warning. It would be better that he hears that he is your son from you. He is a strong young man. You should be very proud of him." With that, Remus stood and walked out of the room, stopping momentarily to place his hand on Snape's shoulder. Harry had never been so still in life. He wasn't even sure he heard that correctly. He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard talking again. He thought for sure he was found out.
"I am proud of you, Harry. So proud. I'm so sorry for these last few years of hostility, and I'm sorry for not knowing sooner. I hope we can get through this." Snape didn't move for some time. He just sat with his head in his hands. Then like a flash he was on his feet, usual sneer in place and out the door, robes billowing behind. Harry wasn't sure how long he sat crumpled under that table in the potions classroom. His first reaction was to flee immediately, but then he would run the risk of running into Snape. So he sat. When he finally thought he was safe, he uncurled himself from the ball he was formed in and stretched his legs, careful to keep the cloak around him just in case. He headed out the door and made his way up from the dungeons. He kept to the wall, more so to hold himself up than to avoid other people, but he was grateful for it after he rounded the corner.
Heading straight toward him was Draco Malfoy and his sidekicks. Directly behind them was his potions professor. He thought about thinking of him as his father, but he couldn't manage it. He leaned against the wall as much as he could and he held his breath. The younger Slytherins passed him without a second glance. Snape, however, slowed his steps and looked directly at Harry. Harry mentally checked himself over until he was certain he couldn't be seen as Snape stopped directly in front of him. His eyes held curiosity, as if he could sense a presence. Mere moments went by, but Harry held his breath for fear Snape would smell the chocolate he ate earlier. With a quirked eyebrow and a slight shake of his head, Snape turned and followed his students down the corridor. Harry slowly released his breath. He watched the man walk out of sight and waited a few moments until he was certain he heard the click of a door and then made his way out of the dungeons. He knew his friends would be looking for him, but he wasn't sure he wanted company. He knew he couldn't tell them yet. He had to figure it out for himself. He knew Ron would be furious and would refuse to believe him. He knew Hermione would be completely understanding, and for some reason, he didn't want that right now. He also knew he could talk to Remus about this, but he just wanted time to think. He made for the safety of the seventh floor. He remembered in first year that Dumbledore told him about the room that would be whatever the person wanted it to be. It had been where he found the Mirror of Erised. He wondered what he wanted the room to be.
The door appeared after his third passing, just like always. He made sure there was no one around and opened the door. What he saw floored him.