Harry sat on top of his bed, curtain drawn and humming the tune Luna was humming earlier that day. It was close to midnight and Harry needed to get his Charms homework done before morning classes. He had his parchment in front of him and was free writing his essay. He had learned about the Caterwauling Charm with Severus over the summer, so far it was a breeze for Harry. The charm was meant to alert the caster of an intruder by means of a sound similar to a cat's in mating season.
Harry thought about Severus and what Hermione said. He did break the rules by going out, and he did get in trouble with Malfoy. Of course Snape would think Harry didn't care about the rules. Maybe I should go explain things to him.. No, its past curfew, he'll just sneer.
Once more Harry looked over his essay and notes, making sure he didn't leave anything important out. This had to be the first time he didn't have to write the second half of the essay bigger to fill it up. Hermione would be proud, he thought with a grin. Closing his book of notes, he put it in his bag and laid down in his bed, looking at the ceiling. It had been three days since Sirius had died, and the funeral would be held tomorrow evening. He wondered who would be there, if Severus would go. He wondered if he wanted Severus to be there.
He had saved Severus..leading to Sirius' death. He was responsible for that curse hitting Sirius. He might as well have cast it. He wondered if Sirius was mad at him for saving Severus, and killing him, his own godfather. Tears stung the back of Harry's eyes, but he allowed none to come out.
He had tried to talk to Ron and Hermione about it, but they said of course Sirius wouldn't be mad. He saved a man's life..and killing another. Harry turned on his stomach and sighed He really wanted to talk to Severus now. He would be honest to him. He didn't care about hurting Harry like Ron and Hermione did. Severus was honest. But its past curfew...But he said he was there for you anytime...I don't need him...Harry argued with himself.
At last he decided he needed to go talk to Severus, even if it was one in the morning. Severus was probably out patrolling anyway, trying to catch students out of bed. Harry got up and put on his invisibility cloak.
He made his way through the portrait, ("where are you going so late at night?"), down to the dungeons before he realized he had no idea where Snape's quarters were, nor how to get in. "Damn." Harry swore softly, and heard a snort and turned around quickly, wand drawn. There was Severus standing against the wall. Harry took off his cloak and grinned. "I knew you'd be out in the halls."
"Indeed?" Severus raised an eyebrow. "Divination was a good choice of subject then."
"Yea. I have 'natural talent.'" Harry mocked. "I was looking for you."
"Yes, that's what I figured when I heard you clomping around in the dungeons."
"I was not 'clomping.'" Harry defended. "I'm not a horse."
"What did you wish to see me for?" Severus asked, changing the subject.
"I just needed someone to talk to." Harry said with a shrug. "Er..Is there somewhere more private?"
"Of course there is, Potter. Follow me." Severus turned around and Harry quickly caught up with him, matching his stride instead of following him. Severus looked over at him with a raised eyebrow, but made no comment.
"A ha!" Harry turned around and saw Filch coming towards him. "Student out of bed!" He said triumphantly.
"He's with me." Severus said to filch.
"He's out of bed, Professor!" Filch exclaimed.
"He's out of bed with a professor." Severus said, irritation lacing his words. "I suggest you go elsewhere to look for students. These are my dungeons, and I am perfectly able to catch students out of bed, as you can see." Filch glared at him for a moment before turning around and walking on. "Menace." Severus muttered under his breath. Harry just grinned.
Five minutes and more turns than Harry cared to count, they were finally at a big mahogany door. Severus put his hand on the knob as if to turn it, but the knob engulfed his whole hand, and after a moment, let it go. Harry heard a faint click and the door opened to expose a living room that seemed warm and inviting. Dark brown, almost black couch and two chairs, book cases galore, and a wooden table that looked as if it was well used. They both walked through the doorway and Harry took a seat by the already lit fire.
"Make yourself at home." Severus said, raising an eyebrow at Harry. "Would you like some tea?"
"Yes please," Harry said grinning. Severus called for a house elf and ordered the tea. A moment later another pop signaled the arrival of the tea.
"Harry Potter!" Signaled the arrival of Dobby the house elf.
"Hey dobby." Harry said, his face burning from embarrassment. Severus was smirking at the scene.
"Dobby heard from Zonko Harry Potter was in Professor Snape's quarters! Dobby came to save Harry Potter if sir wished to be saved!" Dobby exclaimed in his squeaky voice. "Does you need Dobby's help?" He whispered not so quietly.
"Er...No, I'm fine. Thanks Dobby. I just came here to talk to Professor Snape." Harry said, sinking lower in his chair. He saw the amusement in his Professor's eyes.
"Ok.." He said, glancing nervously at Professor Snape, who was still standing. "Just call Dobby if you needing help!"
"Ok. Thanks, Dobby." Harry said, and with a pop the elf was gone.
"How do you know the Malfoy's old elf?" Severus asked sitting down across from Harry.
"I uh, set him free." Harry said, staring at the fire. He saw Severus raise an eyebrow.
"Indeed?"
"Yea. He was responsible for that rogue bludger and he closed the platform barrier so I couldn't get on the train too." Harry grinned.
"Why would he do such a thing?"
"To save me, as he put it. He knew the chamber of secrets were going to be opened that year." They sat in silence for a moment before Harry had the nerve to bring up the reason he had come to find Severus in the first place. "Sirius' funeral is tomorrow."
"Yes, it is. I assume Albus is letting you leave the school to attend?"
Harry nodded. "Are you going?" Harry asked hesitantly.
Severus looked at Harry a moment before answering. "I don't think that would be appropriate. Black and I never got along."
"Oh." Harry said, looking at his knees. "But he died in your house."
"Yes, he did, however, we never liked each other still, Harry. Would you feel comfortable going to Mr. Malfoys funeral?" Severus asked.
"No." Harry said quietly. "I just thought..." Harry didn't know what he thought. "Do you think he's mad...because I saved you and got him killed?"
"You did not fire that curse, Harry."
"I know, but it's like either way, one of you would have died. I just don't want him to feel like I betrayed him, by saving you..because by saving you..he died..."
"Do you know what I believe, Harry?" Severus asked. Harry looked up from his knees at Snape. "I believe that when a person ceases to live, they forgive all. They must, or they become a ghost, wandering about this earth forever. Black is not the wandering type, and I believe he is not upset about being dead." Severus shifted in his chair. "I believe Black..loved" He said this as if it was awkward, "you, and no matter what you did, or do in the future would have ever changed that."
"He's not a ghost than?" Harry had thought about this earlier that day, maybe he would be a ghost in Severus house, and he grinned thinking about it again.
"No." Severus said strongly. "If he was a ghost, I think I would have to find a new residence. There would never be peace in that House again." Harry grinned again. Severus was right. He'd never let him sleep or read, or do anything if Sirius became a ghost. "You're welcome to come down here again if you need to after the funeral." Harry just nodded and mumbled and 'ok and 'thanks.'
They sat in silence drinking their tea. Once Harry's cup was empty, he was yawning. He was extremely tired all of a sudden. "You spiked my tea was sleeping draught." Harry half heartily accused Severus.
"You have not been sleeping." Severus stated. "Take the guest bedroom." Severus pointed to another door that was a little ajar. Harry got up and headed for the door. "Night, Sev'rus." Harry said closing the door.
"Goodnight Harry." Severus said quietly