AN: I know that it was Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, but I combined them into one character.

Severus had taken just three steps when the phone rang again. He picked it up and checked the name. It read R. Goyle. He answered. Just as he had suspected it was Vincent's mother. "I'm very sorry to bother you at home," she explained, "but it's about Harry. Do you want to discuss it with me or do I need to speak with his father?"

"I'm handling this right now. His father's at work. How can I help you?" Snape's voice was calm and polite, but his adrenaline kicked in. Why was this woman calling him and where had her child learned something so abhorrent?

"Vincent explained to me that although Harry threw the first punch, he, that is Vincent, was responsible for the fight?"

"He did?" Severus was surprised

"Yes, he told me that he told Harry that you and Dr. House were going to molest him," she paused.

"That's what Harry told me."

"You must think I'm a horrible mother to have taught something like that to my son, but it was a misunderstanding."

That's exactly what I was thinking, Severus thought, but he said, "I don't follow."

"Vincent's father molested him," Mrs. Goyle said quietly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. It was a very dark time for us. His father is in prison now, but Vince still has flashbacks." Severus thought that it sounded as if Mrs. Goyle was holding back tears.

"That's certainly understandable." Concerned, Snape added, "Is he receiving treatment?"

"Yes and that's why I'm surprised at what he told Harry. Somehow he got it in his head that his father was a molester because he was gay, his dad, not Vince." Severus heard a nervous giggle.

"Oh, I see," Snape said, but he was a bit puzzled.

"Well I've explained to him that his father is not gay, he is a pedophile. Now that he understands the two are not related he feels horrible for confusing Harry."

"I think Harry's okay, but he does not seem very remorseful about hitting Vince."

"Yes, I'm sure he feels justified. Neither Vincent nor I are angry at him. Vince is not sure whether he should feel worse for upsetting Harry or giving him a black eye."

"As you said, it was a misunderstanding."

Mrs. Goyle agreed and added, "Vincent would like to apologize to Harry. I think it would be better in person."

"Would you like to come over here?"

"That would be fine. Let's say in an hour."

"Sure. Do you know how to find us?"

"Vince says that he does. I'll see you in a bit."

"Thank you Mrs. Goyle."

As soon as Severus finished the call, he headed to Harry's room, knocked gently, and entered. Harry was lying on his stomach reading, but looked up as his teacher came in. "Harry, please show me the apology that you wrote to Vincent."

"I didn't write it." Severus could hear defiance in the boy's voice.

"Well, you need to write it now," Severus stated firmly as he crossed his arms.

Harry looked back at his book and said, "No."

Severus couldn't believe that he had heard correctly. "Excuse me?"

"No, sir, I will not write an apology to Vincent." Harry's voice shook a bit.

"Look at me." Harry looked up at the stern face of his teacher. "This is not a choice. You were wrong to hit him and you will apologize."

"Fine," Harry answered angrily as he began to get off the bed.

Severus took hold of Harry's forearms and pulled him so that they were looking eye-to-eye. "You will watch your tone of voice with me, little boy."

Harry felt his face flush with embarrassment. "Yes, sir. Sorry."

Snape nodded and let go of Harry's arms. "I will be back in 10 minutes to check on your progress." With that, he strode out of the room.

Harry sat down at his desk and pulled out a piece of paper. He sighed as he dated the letter and wrote 'Dear Vincent.' Then he put his chin in his hand. He didn't really feel sorry. What Vincent said had been cruel and he deserved the punch. A man of his word, Severus came back to check on Harry in exactly ten minutes.

"Hmm, you haven't made much progress," Severus noted.

"I know, but I don't know what to say." Harry knew he sounded whiny, but he was frustrated.

"It's an apology. Tell him that you're sorry."

"But I'm not."

"Really? You don't feel any remorse at punching another student."

"Well, I guess."

"I'll be back in five minutes and I expect progress."

Harry sighed and began writing. 'I'm sorry that I punched you. That was not the best way to handle my anger. Your Friend, Harry.'

"That's better. Vincent will be here in about half an hour."

"What? No way!" yelled Harry.

Mr. Snape bent down, grabbed Harry's chin, and looked him in the eye. "I believe that I told you to watch your tone, Mr. Potter."

Harry scowled, but nodded. "Sorry, I forgot."

Severus nodded. "Now, as I was saying, Vincent wishes to apologize to you and will be here in about thirty minutes to do so. I expect you to reciprocate and give him your letter. Do you understand?" Harry shrugged. "A verbal answer, please."

Harry said, "Well, I don't really get it. Why is he apologizing? Nobody else knows what he said and I hit him first."

"Apparently Vincent confessed to his mother. He feels bad about upsetting you. His mother set him straight."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Now get yourself cleaned up and come into the living room."

Harry was sitting on the couch with another ice pack when the doorbell rang. He started to get up, but Mr. Snape stopped him. "Just sit there. I'll get it." Harry listened as his teacher greeted a woman who must be Mrs. Goyle, but he didn't hear Vincent. "Well come on in." Harry looked up as a lady he didn't recognize and Vince walked in the door. "Have a seat. Mrs. Goyle would you like some coffee or tea?"

"Please call me Bernadette and some coffee would be lovely. I like it black."

"Vincent, would you like something to drink? I can get you milk, orange juice, or water."

Vince looked to his mother who nodded slightly, "Yes, please, may I have a glass of water."

"Sure, and you," Mr. Snape looked to Harry.

Harry was kind of surprised. Usually he was expected to serve himself. "I'd like water too, please." Snape nodded and stepped into the kitchen.

Mrs. Goyle spoke, "Vincent, please introduce me to your friend."

"Well he's not really…" Harry noticed that Mrs. Goyle shook her head almost imperceptibly. "I mean: Mom, this is Harry, Harry Potter. Harry, this is my mother, Bernadette Goyle."

Harry stood politely and reached out his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Goyle."

Mrs. Goyle smiled, "And I'm glad to meet you, Harry. I'm sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances."

Harry shrugged slightly. "There's that shrug again," Mr. Snape said as he walked in with a tray of drinks. "That seems to be his standard answer."

"My Vinnie does the same thing," she answered as she reached for the proffered cup. They all sat silently and sipped their drinks, trying not to think about the elephant in the room. Finally, Mrs. Goyle said, "Vincent, I believe you had something you wanted to tell Harry?"

"Yes, ma'am," he answered. Then he took another sip of water and turned toward Harry. "Harry, I was out of line with what I said to you today and I'm really sorry. I have to admit that I'm a little bit glad it happened because I learned something new today." He paused and Harry cocked his head. "Well, you see, I believed what I said to you and now I know that it's not true, but even if I believed it, I shouldn't have just come out and said it like that."

Harry looked to Mr. Snape who nodded at him. "Vincent, I forgive you and I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have hauled off and punched you even if I was angry. I wrote you this letter." Harry handed a piece of folded paper to Vince. "Umm, I wrote that letter because Mr. Snape made me, but I apologized to you just now, because I mean it."

Vince reached out and shook hands with Harry. "I forgive you, too, kid. Friends?"

Harry nodded his head and returned the grasp. "Friends," he agreed.

Mrs. Goyle smiled, "Well, we better go. Thank you for having us, Mr. Snape."

"Thank you for coming. And Vincent," Vincent turned to look at the school's strictest teacher. "Thank you for your honesty."

"Yes, sir," Vincent looked down as the tips of his ears flushed pink.

Harry stood up and reached for Mrs. Goyle's cup and Vincent's glass. "I'll take those for you. Then he smiled at Mrs. Goyle. It was nice to meet you, ma'am. I guess I'll see you Thursday, Vince."

"See you then," Vince responded. Harry headed to the kitchen with the dishes as Mr. Snape saw the Goyles to the door.

When Harry stepped back into the living room, Mr. Snape was waiting for him. For just a second, Harry's heart leapt into his throat. What if Snape was mad at him for what he'd said about the letter? "Harry, look at me please," Harry looked up into Snape's dark eyes, "You handled that very well. I'm proud of you."

Harry felt his chest inflate with something, perhaps pride. "Thanks, sir."

"Okay then, back to your room. I'll call you for dinner."