Title: Harry Potter and the Search for the Meaning of Life at Hogwarts, or The Hogwarts School Band
Chapter: Eleven: This Ain't the Summer of Love
Rating: M for mature content, and adult conversations
Original Character: Alastor Daker
Reason for Edit: Noticed that the formatting had been screwed up, so decided to re-submit with correct editing. Plus I wanted to change a few of the things, as it was bit odd in places.
Notes: Please note that this was written waaay before 'Order of the Phoenix' so, the OWL grades and subjects for NEWTs don't tally with the canon. Best read this as an alternative 'book 7'. Also, check out my prequel 'The Gospel, according to Gilderoy Lockhart or The Hogwarts Gazette'.

Eleven: This Ain't the Summer of Love

Dumbledore guided Harry Potter into his office. Dumbledore had used the long walk from the Quidditch pitch his office in order to calm down. He doubted that he had ever felt this close to loosing his temper with anyone before. Harry was beginning to feel extremely apprehensive, he severely doubted that Dumbledore was taking him to his office to tell him about Voldemort's latest plans - this was something else.

To Harry's relief he say that his godfather Sirius Black, and his friend Remus Lupin were sitting in Dumbledore's office, however, he saw their faces - severe disappointment - and his relief turned to something that mildly resembled fear.

"Sit down." Dumbledore said coldly, still trying to control his anger. Harry sat. "I don't think I quite need to tell you how upset and disappointed I am in you."

"It doesn't matter, I hit Ron because he was being a jerk." Harry shrugged, "he had it coming."

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore shouted, causing everyone in the room to jump. "That is NOT the reason you are in here, and you very well know it." Dumbledore was enraged.

Lupin cleared his throat, "perhaps, if you told us what happened, Albus?"

Dumbledore sat down. "He started a fight between himself and Mr Ronald Weasley. The fight was broken up by Madame Hooch, she immediately enforced the school rules and Harry here, attempted to hit her."

"Good god… Is she alright!" Lupin gasped, shocked.

"Attempted to hit her, Remus."

"Well, that's not as band." Sirius replied.

"Sirius, it's worse!" Lupin retorted. "Madame Hooch is a teacher, Harry is a student…"

"But the point I was making, Remus, was that Harry didn't actually hit her!"

"He still attempted to though!"

"Gentlemen! Please!" Dumbledore had managed to compose himself during their argument. "This matter is a most serious, and I am afraid that there is only one option of action that I can take."

"You're going to expel him?" Remus asked.

"I wish I didn't have to."

"Albus, I know what Harry did was very wrong, but do you have to expel him? In his last year?"

"I know it's a bad course of action, but I cannot change the school rules."

"I agree that expelling him is the right course of action, but this is the year that really matters. Can't you give him another chance?"

"I'm afraid that he has had all his chances."

"Alright, erm." Remus thought for a moment. "Instead of giving him another chance, let him finish his exams here under strict conditions."

"Remus!" Sirius snapped.

"Be quiet!" Dumbledore snapped back. "Go on, Remus."

"Disqualify Gryffindor house from the Quidditch Cup and from the House Cup. Put Harry in isolation."

"I agree that would be a better course of action, however I do not want to inconvenience my staff. I understand that you two would rather Harry stay's in school, but he has become a problem."

Sirius leaned forward, "look, Albus, you have given people second chances before. Hagrid, Remus, me, and that bastard Snape, why not give Harry a second chance?"

"Those people you listed, including yourself, deserve second chances. However due to Harry's increasing bad behaviour and attitude, he is one person who does not deserve a second chance. May I also point out, that Hagrid and yourself were innocent of the crimes you committed, Harry is most certainly not innocent."

"I am sorry Sirius, I stand by my decision. I want Harry off school property by tomorrow afternoon."

"Wait," Remus said, "yes Harry has been an idiot and yes he deserves to be kicked to Hell and back, but I think he should be allowed to continue his education, otherwise he will have no future."

Dumbledore considered for a moment, "since I agree with you that Harry needs to complete his education… I will not expel him, BUT he will be under strict observation and anymore instances of serious rule breaking or otherwise then he will be out of this school. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes." Remus said, stamping on Sirius' foot.

"Do you understand, Harry?"

"Yes." He said gloomily, "but does Gryffindor have to be disqualified from the cup?"

"Yes." Dumbledore said, "I am going to show everyone that I will not tolerate rule breaking of his severity from anyone, and I also believe you need to learn that your actions have consequences. Sirius, Remus, I shall leave you two to speak to Harry alone." Dumbledore stood up and turned to leave.

"Thank you, Albus." Lupin said grateful.

----

Daker was hung-over. Last night he had drunk rather more than he had originally meant to. He knew that his rooms were a mess, as he tended to get violent and angry when drunk. He sighed and sweep up the shards of glass that he knew was on the floor.

Someone tapped on the door. "Go away!" Daker shouted back. However, whoever it was pushed open the door. "I thought I told you to go away!"

"I just came to see if you were alright." Hermione said, looking round at the glass littering the floor and numerous smashed objects. "What happened?"

"I'm fine, and nothing happened." Daker snapped.

"That's a bit of a understatement." Hermione muttered, "looks like a small hurricane came through." Daker didn't reply, but continued to sweep the shards of glass. He put his hand on the floor in order to push himself to his feet, many sharp splinters of glass jabbed into his hand.

"Shit!" Daker said, standing. He could feel the blood running out of his hand. He grabbed an old tea towel off the back of his chair and tried to wrap it round his bleeding hand.

"Here, let me help." Hermione said, trying to take his hand.

"I can manage!"

"Alright." Hermione let go. "At least let me help tidy up, there's lots of glass around."

"I can manage, Hermione, I am not a baby!"

"Look, you obviously can't tidy up on your own, you've already cut your hand. Let me help." Hermione bent down and started to gather up the larger shards of glass.

"Will you get out!"

"I'm just trying to help."

"I don't want your help." Daker was hung-over, angry and upset. He just wanted to be left alone.

"I hope you don't mind me saying so, but you do need my help."

"Because I'm blind?" He said though clenched teeth.

"No, not because of that…"

"Do you know, I am sick to death of people trying to help me. I am NOT an idiot! Blind people are perfectly capable of getting on with their lives without the help of annoying busy-bodies who think they can help because they can see and you can't."

"I understand how you feel about it, but let me help okay?"

Daker seized Hermione roughly on the arm. "No, you don't understand. That's the thing, all seeing people are alike, they think they understand that you're going through, but they don't. Now, unless you want me to really loose my temper, I suggest you get out of my rooms."

Slightly alarmed Hermione agreed. "Sure… Let me just put this glass in the bin first."

"Do it quickly."

Hermione went over to the bin as quick as she could. She was scared and didn't want to anger Daker more than she already had done. Her hands shook as she put the glass into the bin - how could someone so nice have such a nasty temper? As she straightened, her eyes caught something behind the bin. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Daker was slumped in a chair, his head in his hands. Carefully, she bent down to retrieve the object. It was a hypodermic needle! She nearly dropped it in shock. No matter how much she wanted to help Daker at this time, she knew that she had to tell someone about this. Carefully wrapping the needle in her handkerchief she put it in her pocket, ready to give to Professor McGonagall later.

She paused before leaving the room, "if you've got any sense you'll go and see Madame Pomfrey about that hand."

----

Snape sat in his office preparing his lesson plan for his lessons that coming week. He would have preferred to work on his plans in the staff room where it was warm and comfortable, but unfortunately there was more chance of him encountering sharp glances from the staff and of meeting Alastor.

He drained his mug of tea and ran a hand over his stiff neck before picking up his quill to continue his lesson plan.

"Blast!" He swore as he broke the nib on his quill. He wished he hadn't left his fountain pen in his jacket pocket, he hated using a quill, and they had a tendency to break… He opened the bottom draw in his desk and poked around in it, hoping to find another quill. He caught his breath as he pulled out a slightly tattered photograph. It was of himself and Alastor - when they had been much younger. Snape even had short hair in the picture. Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat he put the picture back and closed the draw.

----

"Professor McGonagall?" Hermione said, running to catch the woman before she left her office.

"Hello, Ms Granger. Can I help you?" McGonagall replied with a smile.

"Er, yes. Can we talk? In private?"

"Of course." They went into McGonagall's office. "Now, what can I help you with?"

Hermione took her handkerchief from her pocket and placed it gingerly on McGonagall's desk. She unwrapped it and turn to face the teacher. "I was… well, trying to help Professor Daker tidy his rooms and I found this." She showed McGonagall the hypodermic needle. "I thought it would be better if I brought it to you… rather than ignored it."

McGonagall seemed shocked, "thank you, Ms Granger. Have you mentioned this to anyone else?"

"No."

"Good, don't. I'll sort it out."

"You're… You're not going to sack him, are you?" Hermione said tentatively.

"That's up to Professor Dumbledore, but I don't think so."

----

"Professor Snape!" Dobby the house elf cried when he saw the potions master enter the kitchens. Instantly, the other house elves stopped what they were doing and hurried over to meet him. "This is such an honour sir! You come to play for us?"

"No, not today." The house elves looked disappointed. Snape always had to smile at himself whenever he visited the house elves - he wondered what the other pupils and staff would say if they found out that he often went down to the kitchens to play the guitar and sing for the house elves. They were a splendid audience!

"You come another day, though?"

"Yes, I'll come another day. Erm, is there any chance I could have a sandwich?"

"Certainly, professor!" Instantly some house elves, carrying a plate with some sandwiches on hurried over. It always amazed Snape how fast the house elves worked and were willing to work!

"Thank you." He said warmly, taking the plate of them. "I'll try and free up some time to come down and play for you soon." Some of the house elves squeaked and clapped their hands in delight. "Thanks for the service."

----

"Would you care to explain this?" McGonagall said, standing in the doorway to Daker's office. She closed the door before holding the hypodermic needle up. She sounded angry and disappointed.

Daker didn't look up from his book, "I can't see what you're holding…" he closed the book, "but I think I have a pretty good idea."

"I'm really disappointed in you, Alastor."

"I know." Daker sounded near tears, it wasn't McGonagall's words that had hurt him; it had been the tired and completely disappointed tone that she had uttered them in. "But I swear to you, I didn't take anything."

"You lied to us, you lied to Severus."

"I know, but you have to believe me, I did not take anything!" He sounded frantic and scared.

"Then how do you explain this?"

He shook his head miserably, "I don't know."

"It just happened to be here did it?" McGonagall was getting angry with him.

"No!" He looked up at her, his eyes wet with fresh tears. "When I decided to come clean I got rid of everything… except that…. I don't know why I kept it! Probably to test myself…" He sound disappointed and bitter with himself.

"Does Severus know?"

"No! Please don't tell him."

"He deserves to know."

"I know…. I just don't know how to tell him." He broke down. He had tried so hard over the years, he didn't want to ruin anything with Severus, not while there was still a slim chance that they could get back together… If he found out that for sixteen years his lover had been lying to him, then it would have broken him! Alastor would have no chance of getting back with him.

----

Hermione, Neville and Draco Malfoy sat together round one of the smaller tables in a small point in the library. Neville was looking through some old photo albums and yearbooks that Madame Pince had lent him. He and Hermione had decided that they were going to make Hogwarts Year 1991 - 1998 the best yet. They had decided to include photographs of the current staff when they were students and photographs of the staff as they are now.

Hermione was helping Draco with his Arthimacy assignment. Draco's best subject (aside from Potions) was Arthimacy; it surprised Hermione that Draco had been worried about his marks. She had always believed that Draco couldn't have cared less about his schoolwork, it seemed as though she was wrong.

Neville suddenly laughed and passed the photo album he was looking though over. The photograph he was laughing at had obviously been taking with muggle methods, since the picture was not moving. The picture showed a group of students throwing another into the lake. Underneath the picture was the writing "Evans, Lily (5th year), Daker, Alastor (5th year), Lupin, Remus (5th year) and Quirrel, Quentin (3rd year) get even with Snape, Severus (5th year)."

"That can't be Snape!" Draco said.

"Say's under the picture that it is." Hermione looked closer, "but I see what you mean. Short spiky hair is not exactly what I'd imagine him with."

----

Harry had been left alone with Sirius and Remus for over an hour now. They had both expressed bitter disappointment in him, but Sirius had been more relaxed about the whole thing.

"Sirius, it isn't funny." Remus reminded his friend.

"Oh, alright, it's not funny." Sirius replied, he sighed and then looked at Harry. "So, kiddo, what work have you got to finish?"

"Well I need to start my Potions coursework… Oh, and I've got an assignment for Daker to do." Harry replied. "Daker is really anti-Gryffindor, and I don't think he likes me. He sets really tough assignments and he doesn't seem to think about those of us who have Quidditch practice to organise." He complained.

"I wouldn't worry about that old druggie, he's harmless." Sirius replied.

"Sirius!" Remus suddenly snapped.

"What!"

"Will you just think before you say things?"

"Remus, relax." Sirius said with a laugh

"Don't you think Alastor has been through enough without you telling the world about his previous problems?"

"How do you know that, that morphine addiction of his is a 'previous' problem? For all you know it could be a current problem."

"Let's just drop it now." Remus said, "we can't talk about this in front of Harry. Just be careful what you say in the future."

However, the damage that Remus had been afraid of doing was already done.

----

"Er… Ron…" Neville said nervously, shuffling slightly.

"Yup?" Ron replied, looking up from his Defence against the Dark Arts essay.

"Can I ask you something?" Neville asked as he slipped into the chair next to Ron.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Er… Well, I was… was wondering how you would… er… feel if… I er…"

"Just spit it out, okay?"

"If I asked Ginny out."

Ron stared at Neville for a moment, "hell I wouldn't care." He said with a shrug, "providing that you take good care of her." He added with a grin.

"Thanks!" Neville gave Ron a huge hug.

"Wow, be careful there!"

----

Snape sat in the staff room, listening to his CD player. It was true that usually muggle objects didn't work around Hogwarts, but that didn't apply to battery operated objects. Anything that ran off main's electricity, transmitting devices or radios (muggle) didn't work - other things did.

"Severus…" Sinistra said looking for something on the coffee table, Snape however didn't respond, as he was lost in whatever music was listening. Sinistra sighed, reached over and turned the CD player off.

"Hey!" Snape said, looking round.

"Sorry, just wanted to ask if you'd seen my copy of 'Astronomy Monthly'."

"Er," Snape took the headphones out his ears, "I think I have. Have you tried asking the headmaster?"

"Why would Albus have my magazine?"

Snape shrugged, "he seems to have a tendency to grab anything off the coffee table."

"Oh well." Sinistra sat down. "What are you listening to?"

"Blue Oyster Cult." Snape said somewhat sheepishly.

"I can remember seeing them in concert once."

"You have?"

"Yeah! It was fantastic."

Snape smiled, "Alastor's elder brother likes them. Sort of got hooked - you know me."

"Ahh, yes the guitar playing."

"Oh, it's not just that, I like their songs. Very provocative."

"Um, I've always associated you with opera and classical…"

"Hey, just because I sing opera doesn't just mean I like opera. I like other music as well… well, apart from that pop crap that teenagers today think is music." They laughed.

"How about musicals?"

"I love musicals! I saw The Phantom of the Opera in Australia - with Rob Guest."

"I've always wanted to go to Australia." Sinistra said dreamily. "Never been able to afford it."

"Neither have I - Alastor's family was going, and they asked me if I wanted to tag along since they felt it would be wrong if they didn't ask their sons lover along." He smiled sadly.

"Sorry."

Snape laughed gently, "it's alright…"

----

Monday morning dawned bright and early… Or at least that's what the weather wanted you to think. It started off bright and sunny, but as they learnt during Herbology the weather was just playing tricks.

"Jesus Christ!" An extremely soggy Professor Snape said as he said slipping under the umbrella Professor Sprout had. They had decided to cancel the lesson the moment the skies opened up.

"Hello, Severus." Sprout said with a small grin. "Told you to take a coat."

"You can say it you know…"

Sprout smiled slightly evilly, "I-told-you-so." She looked at him, "so, did you manage to get those ingredients?"

"Just. Next time some kid blows something up and destroys some ingredients, I'm going to make them pay."

"Bit mean that?"

"I waste half my wages on restocking after explosions!"

"Could make their parents pay…"

"And receive twenty howlers per week? No thanks."

----

Daker loosened his tie and leaned back in his chair. His neck and back were killing him and he had a splitting headache. He blamed the headache on the three noisy classes he had taught today (why couldn't first, second and third years be QUIET?) and the sore back and neck from falling asleep at his desk the night before.

"Afternoon, sir." Dean Thomas said as he entered the classroom. "Can we talk about vampire's today?"

Daker laughed, "sure."

"Great!" Dean sat down with a happy grin on his face. Daker grinned to himself and shook his head.

A couple of minutes later the rest of the class entered, chatting and grumbling about the weather outside. Five minutes after the class was settled; Daker stood to take a register.

"I'm going to apologise now if I seem to spend the entire lesson sat down - my back hurts." He said. "Right…" he looked down at his register and began to read the names off. This time Hermione noted that whilst his finger was following the words, his eyes did not. "Anyone see Mr Potter?"

"He was in Herbology." Ron said.

"Um, anyone know why he's not here?" A few people shook their heads. "Oh well. May as well start the lesson. Since Mr Thomas is er… quite desperate to discuss vampires and has asked every single lesson, I thought it was time to give in. So, who would like to start the discussion of with what exactly a vampire is…? And not Christopher Lee."

Instantly Dean started, "a vampire is the un-dead."

"Really?" Daker leaned back on his desk, "and how can someone be un-dead?"

"Er…"

"Technically speaking, a Vampire is a dead body animated by it's own extremely corrupted and empowered soul or spirit, like a demonic Fiend can possess and control a body, the Vampire's own spirit will become vastly more powerful, and at the same time corrupted. The spirit's energy will enhance the body of the Vampire to super-human levels, giving it great strength, quickness, senses, and the ability to ignore almost any wound."

"So, someone who dies full of hatred and corruption could become a vampire?" Hermione asked.

"Er… To be perfectly honest, I have no idea. I can probably find out though…" At that point Harry Potter entered the room. "Ah, Mr Potter I presume." Daker said without turning to look at who had entered.

"I know I'm late." He muttered.

"Extremely. Where've you been?"

"Not going to tell you!"

"Fair enough… Take a laxative next time though." The class sniggered. "Take your seat please, Mr Potter and prepare to take notes. The discussion topic for this lesson is vampires." Harry didn't move. "Stop standing there like a lemon and take a seat, I would like to continue with my lesson."

"I refuse to do work for a drug addict." Harry said boldly. The class exchanged puzzled looks and Hermione looked worried.

"And I refuse to be spoken to in that manner. Sit down." Daker said calmly, without raising his voice.

"I don't have to take orders from a druggie!"

Daker turned to face him, his voice low, almost a whisper as he continued in a voice that was deadly calm. "I have been clean for sixteen years, Mr Potter. You think you've been through hell, well kid, you ain't got no idea." His eyes looked dangerously at Harry. "Now, either apologise for your outburst and sit down, or get the hell out of my lesson."

Harry looked at him, "don't worry, I'm leaving." He stormed out of the classroom slamming the door behind him.

Daker turned to his class, "maturity in action, people. I do apologise that you had to hear that second hand, and as I am in doubt you will leave this lesson with that little revelation on your lips, be my guest." He made a gesture with his hands which plainly said 'go ahead, do your worst.' Some of the class couldn't believe how calmly Daker was taking all this! "Now, shall we continue with our lesson?"

----

"Can you believe it?" Dean said as they left the classroom at the end of Defence against the Dark Arts. "And I thought vampires were interesting!"

"I don't think we should say anything." Neville muttered.

"Come on, this is big news!"

"But it's not very nice…"

"Aw, don't be such a softie!"

Lavender and Parvati conferencing as they lelt the room, "Professor Trelawny said that someone with dangerous passions would emerge!"

"Oh knock it off." Hermione snapped, "give the guy a break!"

"Hermione, drugs in your world are bad, right?" Ron asked; she nodded. "Well in this world, drugs are just as bad. Daker… well, he's got it worse off than Lupin. Lupin can at least prove that he can be safe - you know, with the Wolfsbane? - Well, Daker can't prove that…"

"What are you trying to say, Ron?"

"That… that…" He shrugged, "I don't know what I'm trying to say. I sort of admire him in a way, being so calm and actually admitting it in front of us? That takes courage… Another part of me is repulsed…"

"I know what you mean." Seamus muttered. "Why did Dumbledore hire him?"

"He likes to give people a second chance." Ron said.

"And he wasn't actually hired for the Defence job." Hermione added.

"He wasn't?"

"No, Dumbledore hired him to replace Professor Vector."

"Vector's leaving?"

"No, I think she's going away or something, not permanent."

"So, there weren't any other applicants for Defence job this year… Do you think Snape applied?"

"I don't even think Snape wants the job." Hermione admitted glumly. "What I want to know though, is how did Harry find out?"

----

"I might have known." Daker said as he stepped into Dumbledore's office, "that Sirius Black had something to do with Harry Potter knowing my secrets."

"How the hell do you know I'm here?" Black asked.

Daker stepped further into the room, "I may be a blind boy Blackie, but I got a pretty decent sense of smell."

"What the hell are you trying to say?" Black muttered dangerously.

Daker shrugged, "nothing, why what did you think I said?" Daker found a seat and sat down. "So, Blackie, what else did you tell him?"

"Don't call me Blackie." Sirius snapped.

"Fine." Daker leaned back casually. "Are you here as well, Remus?"

"Yes." Lupin replied.

"Good… At least I can get someone to tell me the truth. How does Harry know?"

"Sirius got a little carried away."

"I did not!" Black snapped.

"Must have done, otherwise Harry wouldn't know… Oh, and the entire school knows now."

"What!" Said both Black and Lupin together.

"He came in late into my lesson, and then refused to sit down or do any work. He decided to announce it."

"Jesus…" Black gasped, "look, I'm sorry, okay?"

"I don't doubt you are. So what else did you accidentally tell?"

"I swear that I didn't say anything about you being gay." Black was ashamed of himself somewhat. He hadn't meant to tell Harry about Daker, he may have been a Slytherin and a friend of Snape's, but he had stood Sirius some good turns in the past.

"Well, that's a good thing at least." Daker appeared to have calmed down. "Sirius, I didn't mean to snap."

Sirius shrugged, "it's alright… You got every right to be pissed off with me."

"Hey, I never said I wasn't pissed with you anymore, I just said I didn't mean to snap." Daker smiled.

"It's a pity you were not a Gryffindor."

"Yeah, curse my bad blood eh?" Daker joked.

Lupin cleared his throat, "er… you and Severus… is it true…. That…"

"We split up? Yes."

"Well done!" Sirius said.

"No! Look, I really love Severus and I wish I hadn't broken up with him, I miss him…"

"Why'd you do it then?" Lupin asked.

Daker shrugged, "I didn't want to get him hurt."

----

Snape was in the shower. After every potions lesson (when it was convenient) he ended up in the shower… It wasn't just if the kids blew something up or invented some strange new potion, it was just general. He was usually soaked with sweat by dinnertime.

He heard a sharp knock at the main door to his rooms. "Come in!" He shouted through the noise of the water, convinced it was one of the house elves that he'd asked to bring him something to eat. "Just put it on the table, will you?"

"Are you sure you aren't going to join us for dinner?"

Snape jumped when he heard the voice of Professor McGonagall. "Professor!" He gasped.

She winked at him; "I can see why Alastor's attracted to you." Snape blushed, realising he was completely naked. She handed him a towel; "you might want to cover yourself their lad." Snape took the towel from her with a feeble 'thanks'. "So, I see that you're once again hiding."

"I am not hiding!" He snapped, wrapping the towel around his waist.

"Then why aren't you joining the rest of us for dinner?"

"Because I don't feel like it." He replied, padding softly out of the bathroom.

"Or is it because you don't want to see Alastor?" He ignored her. "It's been a week."

"So what?"

"Albus is thinking about introducing a new rule."

"Really?" Snape said, pulling on an old grey T-shirt.

"Aye, a rule which states that all members of staff must be present for evening meals, including Potion's masters." She looked hard at him.

"Is that really true?"

"Yes, so you might want to put some clothes on, or you could cause a stir by coming down to dinner in the buff."

"I'll get dressed." He said weakly.

"Good, because I don't think Madame Pomfrey will be too pleased with you."

"Pardon?"

"If you came down nude, you'd get a lot of girls fainting at the well equipped man they see before them."

Snape blushed a deeper colour of crimson. "You've had your fun, can I get dressed in peace?"

----

That evening, Snape and Daker sat at opposite ends of the table, both eating in silence. Snape was aware of the numerous whispers coming from each table. Could it be true that Alastor had admitted to his problem in front of class?

"Annie," he said to Professor Sinistra, "is it true that…"

"Harry Potter told Alastor's class?"

"Yes."

"Unfortunately. It's a pity you two aren't together, he needs you more than ever now."

"Yeah…" Snape muttered, looking down the table. Alastor was picking at his food and not really paying much attention to what was going on around him. He swallowed the sudden rise in emotion that threatened to overcome and instead concentrated on his plate.

Further down the table, Professor McGonagall was sitting in her usual place - next to the headmaster.

"Albus, are you all right?" She asked concerned.

He grimaced slightly before replying, "I must confess, Minerva, I do feel a little under the weather." He said in an undertone.

"You've been working to hard."

"That's a may… be." He swallowed hard, "you'll have to excuse me a moment." He made a move to stand, but fell into a dead faint.

"Oh my God!" Minerva gaped. The hall had gone silent. Snape immediately took charge.

"Prefects, get your house members out of here… NOW!" He roared; they didn't need to be told twice.

Madame Pomfrey was already at Dumbledore's side; "we have to get him to the Hospital Wing." She said. "Severus, would you…" Snape didn't need telling twice either, immediately he conjured a stretcher. He and Hagrid gently lifted Dumbledore onto the stretcher. In a flash, Madame Pomfrey and Hagrid were gone, taking Dumbledore on the stretcher.

"Oh god…" McGonagall gasped again, in tears.

"It's alright." Snape said softly, touching her arm with his hand briefly. He looked up and saw Alastor still sitting at his place. A reassuring nod from McGonagall sent Snape down the table to talk to him.

"Hey." He said softly. Alastor shrugged slightly, Snape sat next to him. "Look, I'm… I'm sorry."

"You've got nothing to be sorry about," Daker replied, "it wasn't your fault. You needed me then, I'm sorry."

"We both seemed to have made a balls of this… Do you… er… think we could start again?" Instantly, Daker burst into tears and hugged him tightly. Snape held him tight and soon became aware of his own tears.

"We're both complete fucking idiots." Daker managed to sob.

"Yeah." Snape replied.

Daker pulled away slightly, "I think we… we need to be honest with each other."

"Agreed."

"Listen, Spike… I have a confession… I never got rid of the needle."

Snape looked at him for a moment before laughing. "You idiot," he hugged Alastor again, "I've always known!"

"You have?"

"Yes." They both laughed and hugged again.

"Perhaps you two should spend the night together." Professor Sprout suggested with a slight grin.

"She's right, Spike, we should." Alastor agreed.

"I suppose so… Er… do we have to have sex? Can we just sleep together?"

Daker was suddenly serious, "you mean because of Albus?"

"No, I'm sure he'd want us to it's… that well… I'm a little frustrated and I don't want to wake the whole castle up." They laughed.

"It's strange how something that good can come out of something this bad." McGonagall commented to Sinistra.

"It is… Nice though, to see them friends again." She replied.

McGonagall sighed, "I'm going up to the Hospital Wing."