Harry didn't even try to sleep. Granted, very few other students at Hogwarts were trying to sleep either. They were all holed up in the Great Hall with their purple sleeping bags like it was some magical summer camp. Everyone started by whispering across the room to their friends, much to the displeasure of the teachers walking around them. But after a couple hours it seemed to die down. Even Ron, next to Harry, was snoring loudly.
Harry curled up in his sleeping bag, knowing it was useless to even try to sleep. Sirius Black had attacked the Fat Lady, practically shredded her trying to get into the dormitory. Luckily no one had been there, with everyone at the Halloween feast.
The false ceiling glowed with stars, though the moon had set hours ago. Harry closed his eyes, pretending to sleep, but someone walked by him. It was Snape, he knew. He had been checking on Harry almost every half hour. Though Harry wasn't sure what the man was looking for. It's not like Harry could leave the Hall without someone noticing.
"Severus?" Professor McGonagall spoke in a soft voice.
"I believe he is asleep."
"Yes, but…I want to apologize. When Colin was attacked I was…I was wrong to snap at you like that."
Snape was quiet for a moment. "It is of no importance," he whispered.
"But I see now that it was important. Even thinking for a second that Sirius Black couldn't break into the school…I was putting Harry at risk…Ah, Pomona, how was the west wing?"
"Secured. Dumbledore and Hagrid are still searching the grounds, but once they return we will have another meeting," Professor Sprout whispered.
"Ah, I see."
"Minvera…Severus…I'm afraid I just don't understand all this. What could Sirius Black hope to gain from attacking the school? He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is long gone."
"A personal vendetta, undoubtedly," Professor McGonagall answered. "Sirius Black deceived us all, but the moment he revealed himself, You-Know-Who fell." She hesitated. "You do remember how he and James Potter were such close friends?"
"It…it was so long ago…"
"They were the best of friends. Closer than brothers, I used to think. Also got into more trouble than the Weasley twins…" There was an awkward silence and Harry could hear his heart beating in his ears. McGonagall continued. "He was the best man at James Potter and Lily Evan's wedding, I believe. But they were marked by You-Know-Who, had to go into hiding. Dumbledore himself offered to be their Secret Keeper, but Potter insisted on Black…"
"Oh my," Professor Sprout gasped. "I had always wondered how they were discovered."
"Keep your voice low," Snape muttered and Harry remembered that he was even there.
"He betrayed them, and Peter Pettigrew, poor stupid boy, he went off to catch Black himself."
"I had heard that they only found a finger."
"Well, the entire block was destroyed. Powerful dark magic…but Black must see Harry as the reason for his downfall. He probably would have been You-Know-Who's right hand man if Harry hadn't defeated him."
Heavy footsteps suddenly were heard outside the wall. "That would be Hagrid. Severus, you are staying here, correct?"
"Yes."
The women shuffled away, but Harry could still feel Snape hovering over him. It was taking all of Harry's strength not to tremble. With anger or fear, he wasn't sure, but he kind of wanted to blow something up. Sirius Black had been friends with his father? Had betrayed him? Sirius Black was the reason that Harry hear his mother pleading for their lives? Had heard his father crying out against Voldemort? He had been their best friend. He had been trusted. He had ruined Harry's life.
He hadn't been interested in 'finding' Sirius Black for himself, like so many adults assumed he was. But now Harry just didn't want to find him. He wanted revenge-
"Potter?" Snape's voice was soft, right next to him. He was kneeling next to Harry, putting a strong hand on his shoulder. "Potter, you are dreaming. Wake up."
Harry realized that he had been trembling, eyes squeezed shut. He opened them to the dark room and Ron's snoring profile. He turned over, seeing Snape looking at him. He hadn't been dreaming, but he kind of wished he had.
Snape reached into his robes, pulling out a small vial. "There is only a few more hours in the night, so this will only help you relax."
Harry reached out and took it quickly before Snape could see how his hands trembled. "Th-thanks." His voice felt trapped somewhere in his throat. It was too dim to really see Snape's expression. "Uh, will we have to sleep here tomorrow night?"
"Unlikely. Drink, then try to sleep."
Harry drank the potion. It filled him with a soothing warmth in his stomach, like he was holding some electric heating pad. But he did not sleep.