Disclaimer: this story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoat Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Chapter 12: Tangled Knots

It was late in the evening when Lucius arrived and Severus felt a sliver of fear at Lucius' troubled look. With the return of the Dark Lord, however spectral he might be, none of them were safe. And for Lucius to come to Hogwarts in the middle of the week like this, something must've happened.

"Lucius, is everything all right?"

Lucius snorted and sank down in a chair. Severus poured him a Firewhisky. After a slight hesitation, he poured one for himself as well and sat down across from his friend.

"I got a letter from Draco a few days ago. In it was a request on behalf of Harry Potter," Lucius said. "He wants the court transcripts of Sirius Black's trial."

Severus cocked an eyebrow and aimed an incredulous look at Lucius. Dear Merlin, what on Earth had the boy gotten into his head?

"Yes, that was my reaction as well. But I thought it would be a good idea to foster a good relationship with the Boy-Who-Lived. Besides that, he wants the transcripts to see if Black gave a reason for his betrayal. Something I can empathize with."

Severus slowly nodded his head. Yes, that made sense; the boy was inquisitive and wanted to know things, and something like the reason for a betrayal would be important to him. But why Harry hadn't gone to the wolf with his question was a mystery to Severus. To have Black's betrayal brought up like this made Severus recall the questions he himself had once had when he'd learned of it. No matter how much he despised the man, he had always believed him to be loyal to James Potter.

"What did the transcripts say?" he asked.

"That, my friend, is the problem. There are no transcripts to be found," Lucius answered gravely.

Severus sucked in a shocked breath. No transcripts meant no trial, and that thought was horrifying. It could so easily have happened to him, shut away in Azkaban with no trial because everyone in the wizarding world had known he was guilty. The same could be said for the blond wizard seated across from him.

"And now I am faced with a conundrum. Do I hide this by rejecting Potter's request for help, thereby possibly cutting off a potentially very valuable relationship, or do I tell him the truth?" Lucius asked.

Severus didn't have to think long about an answer. Harry's words to Theodore about hating to be manipulated came to mind and they left only one option.

"Tell him the truth," Severus answered. "He hates to be manipulated."

"Very well, then that is what I shall do."

Lucius stood to leave. For a moment, Severus debated with himself if he should push Lucius closer to Harry or not. In the end, the mutual benefits both of them might get from a closer relationship won out over Severus' misgivings.

"You could offer to help him with whatever step he wants to take next," Severus said.

Lucius inclined his head in thanks for the advice then disappeared through the Floo. Severus cradled his Firewhisky in his hands, thinking about Black and Harry and Lucius. He wanted to discuss the situation with Albus, to ask his help in figuring out his feelings and thoughts about this tangled knot that had been discovered. But he was getting the growing suspicion that Black might be innocent of betraying the Potters and he was unsure if Albus was aware of that. Surely, Black wouldn't have kept Harry ignorant and ignorance cultivated malleability. But was Albus ruthless enough when it came to the greater good to keep an innocent man in Azkaban and an innocent boy with despicable Muggles?

The whole situation was so tangled up that Severus didn't know who to trust anymore. He realized he might find a good ally in the wolf, but in the end he knew that the only one he could truly trust to be in Harry's corner was himself.

HPHPHPHPHPHPHP

The next day after classes had ended, Severus found himself in a situation he couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams; seated on the couch of Remus Lupin, politely drinking tea and making small talk. Well, the wolf was making small talk and Severus was being polite enough not to say anything snide.

"But I am sure you are not here for a social visit, Severus," Lupin said.

"No, I am not," Severus replied. "I came because Harry Potter has been asking questions about Black."

Lupin's face darkened with rage, which was quickly replaced with sadness.

"I am sorry he came to you about that," Lupin said.

Severus didn't correct the wolf on his assumptions. He couldn't suppress a snort of derision however. Luckily, Lupin took it to mean something else.

"I am sorry, Severus. Our behavior, my behavior, was inexcusable."

"Then why are you trying to apologize?" Severus sneered.

Lupin ignored it, probably because he knew he deserved it, Severus thought.

"He asked me about Sirius as well, he wanted to know why he would betray James and Lily. I couldn't answer him, as I wasn't at the trial," Lupin said. "I should've known he would try to find out another way. I'll talk to him and make sure he doesn't bother you with those kinds of questions again."

"My Slytherins know they can come to me with anything," Severus said. "And make no mistake, Lupin, Harry is one of my Slytherins, no matter who his father was."

Lupin's eyes widened in surprise, but Severus took no heed of it and continued. It was time to see if the wolf was in Harry's corner, as Severus believed, or too much in Albus' pocket to be of much use.

"Harry has in fact pursued the matter more thoroughly than just asking. He thought to go straight for the source and asked for the trial transcripts. What is worrying however, is that there were none to be found."

"Oh Merlin, but then… Why would? I mean, oh Merlin," Lupin stammered.

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He could feel a massive headache coming up. So typically Gryffindor, this reaction, no decorum at all.

"I just thought to warn you there might very well be a trial, if Harry decides to pursue the matter," Severus said.

And really, that should've been the end of the discussion, were it not for the fact that Lupin threw a veritable temper tantrum at the thought of innocent little Harry doing such a thing.

"Harry hasn't been a child since he was placed with those despicable Muggles," Severus roared as he stood up from the couch, completely losing his patience with Lupin's ranting.

Right after he said it, he wished he could simply cast Obliviate. Lupin might be a lot of things, but stupid wasn't one of them. And he had none of Minerva's naivet either.

"Severus, what did you mean by that?" Lupin asked.

His tone was dark and dangerous, and really, what was the point in asking for an explanation if you'd already reached the right conclusion. Severus sighed and sank back on the couch.

"I think you know exactly what I mean, Lupin," Severus said, sounding tired even to his own ears. "And I cannot divulge any more than what I have already said. I am not in the habit of breaching someone's trust, no matter my ill-advised words of just now."

"Why haven't you said anything, done anything?" Lupin questioned, still angry.

Severus gave Lupin a stern look. Perhaps the man was denser than Severus thought.

"And who would be believed? Me, a former Death Eater, or Harry Potter the paragon of light? Do you honestly think I would let him go back to that place if I for one minute thought I could get him out of there? He has not even told me about it, let alone divulge his story to a pair of unfamiliar Aurors."

Lupin shook his head.

"No, you are right. But perhaps I can get him to talk about it, did you think of that?"

The man still sounded angry, but Severus saw a broken man behind the angry faade. A man who had done everything to protect those he would call family and had failed.

"Perhaps you could, but to do so you would have to admit that I told you things that were said to me in confidence. That would lead to a breach of trust between Harry and me that I could never heal," Severus said. "Nevertheless, if I thought it worth the risk, I would have done so, but he is as likely to tell me about the abuse as you."

Lupin shook his head, which made Severus sigh in exasperation. Surely the man could see that he did not yet have the level of trust that would be required for such a conversation? But the wolf surprised Severus with his next words.

"He's far more likely to tell you than me," Lupin said. "We might talk about his parents, but he doesn't tell me anything personal. You're right, telling me wouldn't have done any good."

"So you will keep this information to yourself?" Severus asked, his eyes intent on the other wizard.

"I won't let on that I know," Lupin promised.

Severus accepted the promise, but knew that it would only be good until the foolish Gryffindor thought he knew better. The fault, however, could be laid squarely at Severus' own feet, so it would have to do. He drank down the last of his tea and left. Lupin cordially said goodbye. Merlin, I hope the wolf doesn't think this makes us friends, Severus thought as he walked back to his own quarters.

HPHPHPHPHPHP

The last day of the week brought no disasters and Severus managed to push the memory of being friendly with Lupin away by completely ignoring the man whenever he saw him. Saturday was very productive, with a session with Theodore that actually yielded some progress, tiny as it was, and a pleasant afternoon of brewing with Harry. Sunday saw Severus winning the chess match he had going with Albus and a relaxing tea with Minerva. All in all, it was a very pleasant ending to the week.

It was therefore extremely jarring to be called to the Slytherin common rooms Monday morning before breakfast because of a prank. Apparently somebody had spelled the Slytherin common room entrance to drench the first group of students leaving for breakfast in green goop. Magically resistant goop, that is. Severus ordered the ten affected Slytherins back to the showers and sent the rest of the house to breakfast.

While waiting for his Slytherins to get out of the shower, Severus took the Floo to the kitchen for some breakfast for them. It wouldn't do for them to miss a meal because the Weasley twins were up to their usual terrorism. It wasn't the first time that year, or any year really, but it galled Severus that without proof he could do nothing about it. This time, however, it seemed fairly harmless.

When the students that had been doused in the goop came out of the shower, however, Severus adjusted his initial assessment. The goop might have been washed away, but everywhere it had touched bare skin it had stained the skin a glowing, bright green. Severus tried to glamour his snakes to spare them the humiliation, but the magical resistance of the goop had been transferred to the spots as well. Finally giving up, he sent them to class with a few comforting words and a few pieces of toast.

The rest of the day, Severus quietly stewed. He knew the Weasley twins were behind the attack on his house, but neither Albus nor Minerva would listen to him about it. He had tried so many times before, even going as far as to bring up James Potter and Sirius Black's pranks to make Albus see sense. None of it had phased the man and in the end, all Severus could do was try and level the playing field a bit by making the Weasley twins lives a living hell after each prank by taking points for breathing wrong.

It wasn't enough though, not nearly enough. Not only were the twins wasting their talents in Potions and Charms and even Transfiguration by using them only for pranks, they were just as vicious against Slytherin House as Potter and Black had been in the past. Severus dreaded the results of the 'harmless pranks' as Minerva called them. At least Albus sympathized with his concerns that these pranks could push his snakes to following paths better left alone, but even that didn't compel the man to help. If he thought it would help, Severus would've sat the twins down for a serious chat, but it wouldn't help. And so Severus spent the rest of the day practically stalking them, which resulted in a loss of one hundred and ten points for Gryffindor. But it still wasn't enough.

HPHPHPHPHPHP

The next day, the green spots caused by the prank had cleared up. Severus had tried to catch the twins at anything that could cause him to take points, but they had neatly avoided him all day. So Severus was fairly unhappy when he ceased his pursuit of revenge and adjourned to his office for his office hours. He wasn't expecting anyone, since it was too early for O.W.L. or N.E.W.T. questions and most other questions were taken care of between his snakes, so he was surprised when Harry came in with a stack of parchments.

"I was wondering of you could help me with a question I had about Potions, Professor," the boy asked.

Severus frowned, he couldn't imagine Harry having any problems with his Potions homework since they were working on much more advanced Potions in their private lessons. Yet he also hadn't set any work for their lesson tomorrow. Intrigued at what Harry would be working on, he waved the boy further inside. Harry placed the parchments in front of him. A quick glance told Severus that each parchment held a separate category of potions, all in relation to charms.

"I've been wondering how Charms and Potions could be combined, and I even started researching it, but I'm not having much luck," Harry said.

Severus raised his eyebrow. Not much luck, the child said. He had at least ten different potions in relation to a charm on each parchment, and there were three parchments all together.

"See, there are potions that require charms to be cast when brewing," Harry said, pointing at the first parchment. "And there are charms that can be used in conjunction with potions, like cleaning charms and such that won't cause a reaction. And there are charms that can be used with potions, like spelling a potion into someone stomach when they're unconscious. Actually, most of those charms are medical."

"I fail to see the problem," Severus said, reading the parchments as each was pointed out. "All of this information is correct and you seem to have a good grasp of the matter."

Actually, Severus was quite proud of Harry. Doing his own research besides his normal homework and their private lessons, and at quite a high level as well. Harry however, didn't seem very impressed with his own work. In fact, he blew out a frustrated breath.

"Yes, but see, that wasn't what I was going for. I mean, I wanted to see how charms could influence potions after they were brewed. But all I've been able to find is charms to influence potions while they're being brewed or charms that influence how potions are used but that don't actually influence how the potions works," Harry said, clearly frustrated.

"Hmm, yes, I see where you're going," Severus said. "I have some books on the subject, wait here a moment."

He quickly Flooed to his quarters and retrieved three books on the topic of Charms and Potions. They were also in the Restricted Section of the library, but Severus didn't want to explain to Albus why he had given an eleven year old access. Not to mention that said eleven year old was Harry Potter.

Once back in his office, he handed the books to Harry with the stern reminder not to loan them out to anyone and to preferably keep under wraps that he had them. Another warning not to damage them in any way, or else, and Harry was on his way. Severus didn't think anything of it, except with a bit of pride at Harry's talent and interest in Potions, until that Friday.

The day started off as any regular day, and it stayed that way until dinner. In the middle of dinner though, a sudden commotion at the Gryffindor table drew the attention of everyone in the Great Hall. The Weasley twins were the center of attention, as usual. Severus, seeing his chance to take some more points, quickly made his way to them. The sight that met him, however, made him hard pressed to hold back a chuckle.

All over the skin of the twins were animated, tiny, green snakes. They were very simple in form, but still clearly snakes. It was actually a very hard effect to get, requiring very complicated Charms, so that way was out. The twins surely would have seen someone cast it. So that left a potion. Off the top of his head, Severus could think of three that could cause this, but two required restricted ingredients and the last one was so hard to brew that it wasn't even taught at N.E.W.T. level. That certainly narrowed down the suspects.

By now, Minerva had joined them and was futilely trying to get rid of the wriggling snakes that were roaming over the twin's skin. Exasperated with her lack of success, she sent them to the infirmary. Severus couldn't remember the last time he'd seen the Weasley twins move so fast, the red colour of their shame neatly accenting the Slytherin green snakes decorating them. He was so amused by the prank that he didn't even try to take points of the twins for interrupting dinner.

Back at the Head Table, Severus reviewed the potential suspects in his head, then let his eyes roam over the tables in the Great Hall. Perhaps he could catch someone looking just a little too innocent or too smug. Not that he would actually take points of them, after all, without proof he couldn't punish anyone, now could he? But he might just be a little more kind when checking their next test, or if it was one of his Slytherins, find a way to give them a few points for a job well done.

It wasn't until he looked at the Gryffindor table that he found a suspect. Miss Granger was studiously ignoring everyone around her, and every so often her lips twitched with suppressed laughter. Yet a first year, even one as smart as Miss Granger, couldn't have brewed the potion needed to create the effect. Unless, Severus groaned, he was overlooking the obvious. He let his gaze flow from the Gryffindor table to the Slytherin table, where Harry, Draco and Theo were seated together as usual. Except, they were not sitting in their usual place. In fact, their seats were perfect for watching the Gryffindor table. Specifically the part where the Weasley twins had been enjoying their dinner. While a simple color-changing potion would just make someone turn green, with the addition of the right charms it could produce the simple snakes that had adorned the twins. But the charms were obscure, not easily found, unless one looked in specialized books. Like the ones he himself had loaned to Harry.

Severus snorted, just a project indeed. Slytherin-style revenge, more likely. And a perfect collaboration; Draco had provided the potion, Harry the research, Theo had most likely either helped there or perhaps found a way to slip the potion to the twins, and Miss Granger had been in the perfect position to cast the charms. Yes, a perfectly executed plan.

"Ten points to Gryffindor and thirty to Slytherin for inter-house co-operation," Severus whispered under his breath.

As if his giving the points had drawn Harry's attention, the boy looked up at the Head Table and straight at Severus. He nodded to Harry, who flashed him a quick smile and went back to his dinner. Yes, a perfectly executed plan indeed.