CHAPTER 5

Anastasia had handed Harry his invitation after a Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson one Friday afternoon a week before the end of term. He read it in the common room, Ron reading over his shoulder.

'You? At Snape's wedding?' Ron was incredulous. 'Do you think he knows she's invited you? It must be a joke.'

Harry would have agreed, if it weren't for the note accompanying the invite.

'Dear Harry,' it said 'I hope you will accept this invitation, even if Professor Snape is hardly your favourite teacher!

As you may know, your mother and I were very close friends at school, and I would have dearly loved to have seen her at my wedding. Alas, this is not possible, but I would be honoured if you were to take her place.

Yours Sincerely

Professor Moss.

PS. I thought you might like to have this photo of your parents and their friends.

He looked inside the envelope; there was a photo there that he hadn't noticed before. He took it out. The figures in the picture waved at him. They looked around Harry's age, and were sitting on and around a table in a familiar looking room. Harry looked around him, then back at the picture. It had been taken in this room, right where he was sitting now. The people in the picture were as easy to identify as the room. There was Sirius, sitting next to Remus Lupin on the table. The Remus in the photo was making rude gestures behind the back of another figure. Harry realised with a shudder that it was Peter Pettigrew. There were three more figures in the picture. The one sitting on the floor in front of the table was obviously Professor Moss. She had pink hair, even back then. As he watched she turned abound and noticed what Remus was doing and slapped his leg. Harry then turned his attention to the couple sitting on the armchair next to the table. A pretty girl with bright green eyes was sitting on the lap of a boy with messy hair and glasses.

While Harry had been looking at the picture, Hermione had come over and read the invitation and letter.

'So, are you going to go?' Ron asked.

'I suppose I should, really.' Harry replied 'I reckon mum would have wanted me to.'

The three of them fell silent. Hermione and Ron never knew what to say when Harry mentioned his parents. Ron tried to lighten the mood.

'You have to go, just to see Snape saying his vows! I can't imagine him saying all that soppy stuff. You never know, he might even smile-if he can manage it without his face cracking, that is' Harry laughed.

'True. Hey, I'll wonder if he'll wash his hair, as it's a special occasion?'

'You two are so cynical!' Hermione complained. 'I think it's sweet!'

Harry and Ron exchanged glances. Had she gone mad?

'Well, it is!' She protested, seeing their looks. 'Being married might be good for Snape. You have to admit that he has been nicer lately.'

Harry conceded this. It was true. Snape had only taken thirty points from him this term. He was still a miserable git though, and Harry doubted that that would ever change.

'I've had an idea.' Ron said. 'We don't live too far from Tintagel-why don't you come and stay with us over Easter? You too, Hermione. I mean, I know my parents are awful, but you don't mind for a fortnight, do you?'

'Your parents aren't awful!' Harry protested. 'I think your family are great!'

'That's easy for you to say' Ron replied 'you don't have to live with them. They can be so embarrassing.'

Harry looked back at the photo, at the young couple on the chair.

'At least' he said quietly 'you have parents.'

Ron went quiet. 'Harry, mate, I'm sorry, I didn't think…'

'You never do, do you?' Hermione said, then added, brightly 'honestly, I don't know why me and Harry put up with you.'

Harry smiled at her, grateful for her diffusing the situation.

She leaned over and kissed Ron on the cheek.

'Thanks for inviting us, it's going to be great, won't it Harry?'

He nodded in agreement and looked away, so they couldn't see how quickly his smile faded. It wasn't fair, he thought. Ron didn't realise how lucky he was. He had a brilliant family, a girlfriend…it wasn't that he liked Hermione (not in that way, anyway), but it seemed to him that everybody he knew had someone who loved them. Even Snape, who seemed to have no redeeming qualities whatsoever, had found someone who wanted to marry him. And what did he have? Relatives that had kept him locked in a cupboard for nearly eleven years, and pretended that he didn't exist.