Author Note – I really hope you enjoy this chapter! I like it quite a bit. (: Please let me know what you think! Even if you think I could have written it better! I just really like conversing with you guys. :)

Enjoy.

Chapter Twenty-Five; Untamed suspicions

"Roast Chicken," Harry murmured as he looked at the menu before him. There were multiple meals to choose from; ranging from roast chicken to lobster.

"Surely you could eat something more interesting?" Commented Severus as a plate of chicken appeared before Harry. The boy quickly picked up his fork, speared a potato and stuck it in to his mouth. He then promptly guzzled water and spluttered. Severus smirked and Harry glared at him.

"Is it too hot?" the Potion Master asked innocently as he ordered his meal, "Chicken Paella."

The rice dish materialized and Harry eyed it with interest. Severus twisted the bowl in his direction but Harry declined the silent offer. He then continued to eat his meal cautiously, his tongue still recovering from its last encounter with a hot potato.

He glanced around the Hall. Ron, Hermione, Rose, Dean, Ginny, Katie, Alex, Jess and Chris were all sharing a table. There was an empty seat next to Rose and Harry looked down to his half eaten meal. He picked up his fork and began to shovel the food in to his mouth. McGonagall and Severus glared at him, but Flitwick and Sprout smiled to themselves.

"Harry," Severus growled, but Harry shovelled his last piece of chicken in to his mouth, grasped Snape by the shoulder, squeezed it lightly and then walked off to his group of friends.

Rose beamed at him as he sat down between her and Hermione. They both smelt of rich perfume, but it was not overwhelming like something Lavender would wear.

"That was a really impressive speech Harry," Hermione whispered in his ear. He thanked her, before he was distracted by Rose slipping her hand in to his.

"Why didn't I get a special mention?" Rose said cockily as she picked up her menu and flicked her eyes over the dessert section.

Harry laughed and was relieved that she was not serious when she laughed too and ordered her dessert.

"Chocolate dipped strawberries," she said clearly before a plate of seven strawberries popped up through the table. Harry glanced to his menu as Rose started munching away on the delicate fruit.

"When do you think the fireworks will start?" Ron asked from the other side of Hermione. Harry shrugged in reply with a small frown on his face.

"I heard that it was after dinner," Chris said and Jess nodded her head, agreeing with him.

The noise around them grew louder and louder as people consumed more and more alcohol. Hagrid was talking enthusiastically to Dumbledore, McGonagall was resting her head on Snape's shoulder, Severus himself was watching over the crowd as if he was the only one paying attention. Professor Sprout was sitting at a table with many of her badgers and Professor Flitwick was engaged in conversation with Kingsley Shacklebolt. Harry sighed as he looked upon the smiling faces; he knew many of them were grieving, knew that they had lost those they loved, but he admired their courage and how strong they all appeared to be.

His thoughts strayed to Remus and his eyes grazed the Hall looking for him. It took a good while, but he eventually sighted the werewolf talking amiably to Mad-Eye Moody, the latter's eye was swivelling wildly. Remus appeared to be drinking water and Harry laughed quietly to himself, whatever Severus had said, had taken a great affect.

The Hall then fell in to muttering as Dumbledore made his way up to the podium and stood looking over the crowd. Harry felt the piercing blue eyes rest on him, so he looked up and smiled.

"I believe that the Weasley twins have organised some fireworks for us all. If you could, kindly, exit the Hall in an orderly fashion, I'm sure they will begin soon," his soft voice amplified through the room.

The sound of chairs scraping the stone floor filled the room and thousands of people stood and made their way over to the exit. Harry and his table remained seated and watched the crowd of people struggle through the doors. He followed Severus from the Head Table until he was out of the door, walking with Minerva, who seemed to have a mug of mead in her hand.

"Is Professor McGonagall drunk?" Ron breathed in shock; he seemed to have noticed the mug of drink in her hand as well.

"Looks like it," replied Harry as the Potions Master and Deputy Headmistress moved out on to the lawn.

"Come on, we should probably head out," Katie said as she stood along with Alex. The table then appeared to move as one as the rest of them stood, linked arms with their dates and then headed towards the door. Rose and Harry were the last to exit.

Candles were suspended in the air above the crowd, fairy lights sparkled in the trees and anyone who was not willing to sit on the grass had conjured their own chairs. This led to an assortment of garden chairs, leather couches or in some cases extremely large cushions.

Hermione and Ron led their group over to a more secluded area that was situated under a mature hawthorn tree. The girls all pulled out their wands before the boys could even give it a thought and had conjured pillows and blankets. They all sat down, some waiting more patiently for the fireworks than others. Harry laughed at the small huffs Ron kept making.

"We'll be back in a minute," Ginny said as her and Dean stood and moved off in to an area that was a lot darker than their current surroundings. Harry and Ron tensed simultaneously.

"Oh, leave her alone you two," growled Hermione as she shook her head at her boyfriend and best friend. The two boys both grudgingly looked away from the direction Dean and Ginny had disappeared off to and focused on to the conversation that the others were having.

"The Ministry are searching everywhere for the remaining DE," Hermione said, adding to the discussion of the search for Voldemort's remaining minions.

"We could go get them ourselves," Jess Sparland said with a ferocity that caused Harry to laugh quietly.

"You're such an idiot," Rose growled, but it was easy to tell by the way she looked at her blonde friend that she was only trying to protect her.

A loud boom cut off any reply Jess was about to give. The crowd around them gasped as a large dragon sparkled to life above them. Reds, yellows, oranges, blues and greens formed its scales. Its eyes were bright silver. The beast opened its maw and thousands of smaller dragons soared out of its mouth and proceeded to fly higher in to the sky. They then exploded in a variety of colours that floated down and rested as fairy lights on the lawn and trees.

The crowd began to applaud before another loud boom filled the night and a hippogriff was flying through the sky above them.

Harry watched with fascination as firework after firework were launched in to the sky and erupted in to beautiful colours and pictures. He'd eventually ended up flat on his back, Rose's head rested on his shoulder and their hands were entwined. Harry felt his eyes close of their own accord.

Hermione sighed and stuck the tip of her wand in the earth beneath Harry and murmured a heating charm. She then looked over her sleeping friend as Rose lifted her head and looked over the lake. The fireworks reflected on to the surface.

"Shall we move him to his dorm, Miss Granger?" Dumbledore said as he walked up behind them and then crouched down next to Harry. His knees popped and he winced.

Hermione went to reply, but Harry eyes opened slowly and he blinked up at the soft, aged face above him. He smiled sleepily and flinched as another boom filled the night, which was then followed by a series of whistles.

"I'm alright Professor," Harry mumbled as he wriggled up and rested on his elbows. Rose shifted beside him and elbowed him in the ribs.

"You should go to bed, Harry" she said with a laugh and Dumbledore chuckled slightly. Harry glowered at them before looking back up at the night sky. A large troll burst above him and then began to plunder around with its club.

"I'll be fine," Harry insisted. His stubborn approach seemed to be enough for Dumbledore because he patted Harry on the shoulder, stood and then walked away. Harry watched after him and his heart leapt when the old wizard stumbled slightly. Before he had the chance to move, the man had righted himself and was now being led away by Hagrid. Harry let out a breath he had not realised he had been holding and looked down at Rose, trying to distract himself from his worry for the Headmaster.

"You okay?" She whispered as she leant further in to his side. He distractedly nodded his head and smiled at her.

They sat that way for a long time and contributed to the conversation that was around them. Their laughs occasionally drowned out the rumble of the crowd and the explosions of the fireworks.

"Here!" Shouted Ron excitedly as everyone's eyes shot upwards towards the sky, "it's the finale!"

Harry watched in fascination as fireworks filled the night. Albus Dumbledore appeared in the night sky, his blue eyes glistening like Harry had never seen them. His white beard crackled as he raised his wand. A collective gasp rose from the crowd as phoenixes soared out of his wand. In a burst of flame each phoenix became an Order member. Alastor Moody appeared in all of his glory, his blue eye swivelling in its socket. Remus Lupin stood with his arms by his side, smiling. Severus Snape had his wand out and was firing spells up in to the night; his cloak billowed around him realistically. Order member after Order member continued on, showing a characteristic of each person.

Harry's fascination then turned to embarrassment and horror as a copy of himself appeared in the night sky. The crowd roared with appreciation as the replica of Harry shot flame out of its wand. Then as one, the Order members and Harry fizzled out and the only light that filled the ground was the waning moon, stars, copious candles and fairy lights.

The crowd then applauded and the sound thundered through Harry's chests. The cheers were deafening and Harry joined in enthusiastically.

When the crowd finally died down, Harry and his friends stood and started making their way over to the castle. Ron and Hermione instructed the others to act as a wall around Harry as they navigated through the crowd, the boy in question kept his head down and eyes averted until they reached the marble stair case and began their way to their designated Common Rooms. They first led Katie to the Ravenclaw Common room, then to Slytherin and finally Harry found himself in his own dorm.

He glanced around at his dorm mates who seemed exhausted. Seamus had already passed out on his bed and he stunk of alcohol. Dean walked over to the unconscious boy and began to tug his shoes off. Harry felt something twist inside of him as he watched Dean pull the covers over Seamus and draw the curtains that surrounded the bed. The muggleborn then looked over to Harry and smiled sadly. The snoring of Ron caused them both to break eye contact. Thankfully the red head had already taken his shoes off and crawled under his covers. Harry drew the curtains and made his way over to his own bed.

He pulled his robe off over his head and dropped it on the floor. He then crawled in to his bed and fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.

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That morning, Harry woke feeling groggy. He squinted in to the light that lit up the room. The sounds of his roommate's snores were muffled by his half drawn curtain. He reached his arm out and grasped his wand and glasses that were resting on his bed side table. Ramming his glasses on to his face he glanced around the room. It appeared that Dean had already left, but Ron and Seamus were still fast asleep. Neville's perfectly made bed was obvious compared to the rest of the messy room and Harry felt his heart ache.

He then stood and was surprised that his body ached in several places. He put it down to the fact that he had fallen asleep on the ground during the fireworks display. He sighed, dressed and headed out of the dorm, his stomach grumbling until he was finally sitting down at the Gryffindor table.

The Great Hall had been converted back to normal and there was no sign that there had ever been a change. The Professors all sat in their allocated spots and so did all of the Houses. Harry looked down the Gryffindor table, only an assortment of first and second years were sitting with him. He suspected that the rest of the lions would have consumed more alcohol than necessary. He shrugged and began to pile eggs on to his plate.

"He would not have liked the firework of himself," Severus commented idly to Albus Dumbledore as they studied the boy in question. He was now looking over the bacon, deciding which slice was the best.

"It didn't hurt him, I'm sure he will survive," Dumbledore replied with a chuckle as he returned to his breakfast. Severus grunted and also returned to his plate.

Yet his eyes kept straying to check on the young lion that was now absentmindedly picking at his meal. His green eyes were focused on a spot on the table and he ignored all those around him.

Severus stood abruptly and began to make his way towards Harry, but before he reached him, Remus Lupin was standing before the boy and talking with him. Severus stopped and watched as Harry stood and exited the Hall with Remus.

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"How are you Harry?" Remus asked as they left the walls of the castle and headed out towards the lake.

"I'm good Remus," Harry replied confidently as he kicked a flower and watched as the pollen floated off in to the air around him. "How're you?"

"I'm well," Lupin replied as he watched the boy with interest, "how're you finding this year of school?"

Harry beamed up at him, thoughts of everything that had transpired since he had been kidnapped to when he saw the pride burning in Snape's eyes last night.

"Brilliant."

"The holidays start tomorrow, correct?"

"Yeah," Harry replied disinterestedly, for his holidays had started the night he had killed Voldemort. He felt as if it was more like recovery time.

"No teachers are causing you trouble?" Remus asked as he sat down at the edge of the lake. His, too sharp, finger nails dug in to the soft soil as he looked at Harry expectantly. The boy sat down before he answered.

"No..." He answered warily, "why?"

Harry's eyes were narrowed suspiciously as he looked up at the werewolf. Remus merely smiled sadly back at him and Harry felt his heart skip a beat.

"I know you're close with Professor Snape, Harry," Remus began, "and I just wanted to warn you off of him. I believe, Harry, that perhaps he is using you."

"I think you might be wrong, Remus," Harry replied with a quiet laugh, yet defence was leaking in to his body.

"Harry, the man was a Death Eater. He had his Mark when your parents were murdered."

Harry was now on his feet and staring down at Remus in fury. His heart was thundering in his chest and he felt betrayal rushing through his veins. How dare Remus say that?

"Calm down Harry, I am merely looking out of you. I have known Severus Snape a lot longer than you have. He may have said he made a mistake in joining the Death Eaters, but I can assure you it was no mistake. He was a cruel, sadistic child that enjoyed harming people, Harry. The man has killed innocent people. That man worked with Voldemort to try and kill you!"

"You've got no idea what're you're talking about!" Harry shouted back, "he is nothing like you'd expect! He is the one that saved me Remus! You did shit all even when I was home!"

Harry glared down at him and he spat his words as if it was venom. Heat crept up his neck with the fury he felt.

Remus looked out across the lake and sighed. He picked up a pebble and fiddled with it in his hands. Harry watched him steadily as anger seethed from his being.

"I'm right, Harry, it will take you a while to believe me, but I am. Severus sees me as a threat, sees that perhaps you may come to me because I was one of your father's closest friends. He'll try and sway you away from me, I promise."

Harry spun on his heel and stormed off, but he could not deny the way distrust and belief wormed its way in to his core. He shook his head of the idea and tried to calm himself as he made his way to Snape's chambers.

Once there he knocked furiously on the solid wood, waiting anxiously for Severus to open the door or at least cancel the wards that protected his chambers.

"Severus!" He yelled as he knocked again on the wood. That was when he heard footsteps approaching further down the corridor. He twisted around to be greeted by a panicked looking Severus Snape.

"Harry? What is wrong?" He question as he reached the boy and grabbed him by the shoulders. Harry was breathing hard and Severus searched deep within his eyes.

The boy merely kept shaking with barely contained rage. Severus could feel the magic sparking on to his skin and searing him, but he held on the Harry as he opened the door and steered him towards the couch.

"Harry?" He tried again as he knelt down before the boy and grabbed his knees. His soft tone caused Harry to look at him and Severus was relieved to hear his breathing slow.

"Remus," Harry snarled through gritted teeth and Severus was surprised as Harry's eyes turned a shade darker and his magic clung to his robes. A breeze whipped through the office as Harry looked down. "He said some terrible things about you."

"Care to elaborate?" Severus asked slowly and was relieved as Harry smiled and looked up at him.

"He said that... said that well maybe you... you were using me. He implied that you were working with Voldemort to kill me," Harry whispered in distaste. Severus merely stared back at the boy, fighting down the urge to hex Lupin in to the next century.

"I can assure you, Harry, that I would never harm you," Severus whispered back and Harry startled slightly as the man's hands slipped off of Harry's knees. The normally fierce black eyes looked defeated as they stared in to Harry's, as if they knew that Harry would believe Remus over him.

"What? I know that Severus!" Harry replied loudly as he grasped the front of the man's robes and shook him slightly. "I don't believe a word he says."

Severus sighed deeply and looked away. His heart was thudding out of beat when he looked back to the boy. The wolf was partially correct, in the way that Harry would need a more protective guardian, one that a large majority of people could trust. The boy was still young, he needed someone who could steer him away from making grave mistakes and Severus was not that person, he had regrets that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

"Severus?" The boy questioned quietly as Severus' eyes flickered nervously over the interior of the room. "He's lying."

The longer the silence drew on the more Harry panicked. He was gripping Snape's robes so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Desperation tore through his body as he watched exposed emotions flash through the onyx eyes that were now staring over at the hearth.

"You should go, Harry," Severus said when he finally turned back to look at the panic stricken boy before him.

Harry nodded his head, stood and quickly exited the room, not wanting to upset Severus further. As he ambled back up to the Gryffindor Tower, he could not help but wish he had not said anything at all.

Author Note – Don't worry, I'm annoyed at Remus too.