"Harry!"
Harry grunted as he was hugged tightly by the strong werewolf.
"Do be careful, Lupin. You do not want to damage him. Madam Pomfrey would not be amused."
Remus let go of the boy and studied him. "You are so thin and pale," he said sadly.
Then he turned to the dark man and extended his hand.
"Severus, I am so sorry. For Azkaban, and for, well, for everything."
After a brief sneer, Snape accepted the handshake. "I suppose you made amends by believing in our innocence," he grudgingly admitted.
"Thank you, Severus," Remus said earnestly, "I am very sorry I could not get you released."
"Well, you tried," Harry said cheerfully, "it's the thought that counts. But we're not exactly released, just moved to a different prison."
Remus flinched. "I – I don't pretend to know why Albus is doing this," he looked away, "I assume his intentions are good, but I think he is making a mistake by keeping you here against your will. At first I thought you wanted to be at Hogwarts, you know, considering it's been home to both of you most of your lives."
"They all betrayed us, Lupin," Snape scoffed, "what gave you the impression we wanted to be anywhere near them?"
"I don't know," Remus hesitated, "Albus says he hopes you will forgive us – I thought that perhaps…well. I don't know what I thought."
"We might, perhaps, have considered eventually forgiving them had they asked for it and apologised," Harry said angrily, "but they didn't. They made us prisoners here and are using blackmail to get us to forgive them. Whatever chance there was of us talking to them and listening to their apologies is gone, now, and it's their own fault!"
"This does not go for you, Lupin," Severus noticed how much the other man had paled, "you supported us. There is no need for you to apologise, you did what you could."
"I'll continue to do what I can," Remus promised, "starting with getting you the supplies you need. You look dreadful in those clothes, Harry."
The boy shrugged. "They're what I've worn most of my life. But yes, a new set of clothes would be good."
"For me as well," Snape nodded, "and perhaps you could persuade Ollivander to come here. We need new wands and I doubt we shall be permitted to visit the Alley anytime soon."
Remus nodded. "I'll try to persuade them, but if I can't, I will bring him here. Now…what's this I hear about making candy in potions class?" he grinned brightly at the two.
sssssssss
Later that day, when he was leaving the castle, Remus was stopped by the Headmaster, his former friend and now DADA professor Sirius Black, and Harry's former friends.
"Well, Remus?" the Headmaster twinkled, "are they making any progress? Have they come any closer to accepting their situation?"
Lupin snorted. "Headmaster, locking them up in the castle was the biggest mistake you ever made, except for the unfortunate decision to lock them up in Azkaban! Forgive me, sir, but apparently you don't learn from your mistakes and you are incapable of empathy. They need time, and they need freedom after being confined for so long, and they need a place where they are not forced to see their betrayers daily."
The teens flinched, but the Headmaster sighed. "I fear I cannot allow that. They must learn to understand and be happy here."
"They also need supplies, and wands," Remus responded, "you have left them basically defenseless. They need to visit the Alley."
"We cannot risk that," the Headmaster shook his head, "not only would they escape, but we cannot be seen detaining them in public – the wizarding world would never understand it is for the greater good. Ollivander could come here, and you can pick up whatever else they need."
Realising this was as far as he was likely to get, Remus nodded curtly and left the castle.
sssssssssssss
"Tell me again, Severus, why we do not simply escape this place? Dobby would be happy to help us."
"Yes, but then we would be fugitives, wouldn't we? The Order would never stop hunting us down. It is best to play this by their rules, and legally regain our freedom."
Harry sighed. "You are right, of course. It is just that it takes so long, and pretty soon they are going to drug me and haul me into Defense class."
Severus put down his book and turned fully to Harry. "I understand that you do not wish to see the mutt, but it could be quite…interesting…if he volunteered you for a duelling demonstration. You have recovered from Azkaban…"
Harry studied his body. Yes, it was far less puny than it had been. The nutrient potions Severus brew and good food Dobby kept sneaking them paid off. Physically, both he and Severus had recovered for the most part.
"We have practiced everything I have taught you about in Azkaban," Snape continued, "you are quite capable of defeating Black. Even the Headmaster would be hard pressed if he were to fight you right now, and that is only because of his many years more experience. He simply knows more tricks than you do, but tricks can be learned."
Harry pulled up his lip in disgust. "I wouldn't mind a chance to beat the crap out of that mutt. Perhaps there are advantages to being dragged to class. I still hope those lawyers of yours hurry, though."
"They will. Once we find one, we will be out of here in no time at all. Until that day, however, there is no reason we shouldn't amuse ourselves, is there?"
Had Dumbledore and Black seen the two frightening smirks, they would have let them go and run for the hills immediately.
ssssssssssss
"Harry."
Harry looked up to see Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Harry, you will attend Defense Class. Nevermind the clothes. You will be there, or you will be in detention with myself and Sirius for a month."
Harry smiled happily. "Alright."
Suspicious, McGonagall had to ask. "No protests, Mr Potter?"
"I was already planning to attend Defense Class today. I was actually hoping that there would be a Dueling Club too sometime, but I guess Professor Black won't have the time…"
"I am sure he will be delighted with the idea," the Headmaster twinkled, believing he had half won Harry over already.
sssssssssss
Harry entered the Defense classroom and sat at the very back of the room, glaring at anyone who even dared to eye the place next to him.
Sirius Black entered last, excited and nervous about having his godson in the class, finally.
"Good afternoon class. Today we will be doing full blown wizard duels. I will give you a short reminder of the rules and then we head off to the Great Hall."
Harry sat satisfied in the back. So. They were trying to placate him. The divide and conquer strategy. Good to know – he would have to discuss with Severus how they would be able to use this to their advantage…
The class had arrived at the Hall, Harry deliberately towing behind.
Sirius beamed. "Well class, you will each get a turn at duelling. The ones not duelling sit there," he pointed at some comfy chairs protected from the platform by a shield charm.
"As we are an uneven number, Mr Potter will duel me," he said happily.
Harry kept his face impassive, but his hand twitched. He would enjoy this. Fortunately Ollivander had come with Remus immediately and both he and Severus were fitted with proper wands again. It had taken some time to find a proper match, but he felt sure he could learn to love this wand as much as his first one.
Beating the mutt in a perfectly legal duel would be an outstanding way to test it.
His duel with Sirius would be the last of the class. He retreated to a quiet corner, called Dobby and asked him to give a message to Severus. He felt sure Severus wouldn't mind watching.
Sirius Black had no idea yet what was in store for him. He cheered for the students, gave advise, graded and kept an eye on Harry, who was hanging in a chair, to make sure he wouldn't disappear halfway through the proceedings.
Finally, near the end of the class that had lasted longer than it was supposed to, Snape slinked into the room. Harry smiled at him, suddenly a bit nervous, and Snape nodded.
"You know you can take him, Harry," he whispered quickly, "make it slow and painful."
Finally, Harry and Sirius stepped onto the platform and raised their wands.