A Memory Found
by: Mystical Dragon
Dumbledore, wondering who this Ivan was, glanced at the doorway to see a bit of Draco's robes. So the boy was eavesdropping, Dumbledore should have counted on that. Draco didn't trust them anymore, and Dumbledore couldn't blame him. But was Draco right about him favoring the Gryffindor's? And if the other houses felt the same way, why did taking points off them still work but not for Slytherin. Or did it?
Ravenclaw hadn't won the house cup in over twenty years, and Hufflepuff, before last year, hadn't won it in forty years. How did Flitwick and Sprout keep their students in line when there was no hope of them getting the house cup?
Dumbledore looked at Severus, who was smiling at nothing. Smiling? Severus rarely ever smiled.
"Why are you smiling?" Dumbledore asked.
"Ivan," Severus said softly. "He's telling me a silly story about a goose."
"Oh," Dumbledore said softly, not sure if he should inquire further.
It wasn't unusual for someone under a mind-ensnaring potion to see things or to hear voices, usually things that they had heard or seen before that mixed themselves up to form 'new' memories.
"Why Ivan?" Dumbledore asked. "Why do you call him Ivan?"
"That's his name," Severus said, as if Dumbledore should know that.
"But why did you pick the name Ivan?" Dumbledore persisted.
"I didn't. That's his name," Severus insisted and then glanced at Dumbledore. "Why won't you give me the Defense Against the Dark Arts position?"
Dumbledore, though Severus was ill, felt his patience wearing thin. "We've covered that. Many times. I appreciate that you haven't asked me that question for over five years now. I thought we had an agreement."
Severus's eyes narrowed. "And I don't appreciate how you treat me like a child. I'm not one. If I want to drown myself in the Dark Arts I have every right to do that."
"Severus, I'm only trying to help you," Dumbledore defended himself as Severus shakily got up.
"Help me? A little too late for that. Where were you when I needed you?" Severus asked, his eyes looking so haunted that Dumbledore could only stare at him, his mind going numb.
"With your precious Gryffindor's, of course. You know, it's actually a good thing I did join the Dark Lord. If it hadn't been for him I wouldn't have this job," Severus said as he teetered over the table and sat down heavily.
Snuffles slunk away, being careful not to let Severus see him as he went into the bedroom. Draco pulled himself a bit further into the room too but the door was left open.
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore asked, staying seated.
Severus glanced at him, his face slightly angry. "My OWLS were horrible. I was playing catch-up my entire school life, except for the Dark Arts," he said, grinning. "I knew them real well. My NEWTS were terrible too. If it hadn't been for the Dark Lord offering me a job between my sixth and seventh year I would have had stay on the streets of Knockturn Alley after I graduated. I might have been able to find a job in one of the stores there but it wouldn't have paid me enough to ever leave that wretched place. But the Dark Lord came through," Severus smiled and his eyes shone the same they often did when he spoke of Voldemort, "he bought me a house, a small one, near Scotland. I still live there. It's nice. No neighbors, no one to bother me. He didn't even make me pay him back. I then became your spy and you got me this job as payment for my help. But without having joined the Dark Lord first I wouldn't have this job," and Severus's face fell and he buried his face in his hands. "Why was the Dark Lord the only one to ever try to help me out?"
"I tried...." Dumbledore faltered.
Severus laughed, his voice sounding hoarse and desperate. "You? You only wanted to use me as your spy. You never cared about me. And now... I'm trapped. You're the only person on this planet who would hire an ex-Death Eater and I don't have good enough qualifications to ever get another job anyway. I don't like teaching. I'm terrible at it. I don't have the patience," Severus sighed. "You go through life hoping the future will get better. No matter how bleak the present is, you cling to the vain hope that the future will be better. But then," Severus glanced around, "you realize it is the future and nothings going to get better. Well," Severus said, straightening up, "at least the Dark Lord is back and maybe this time, I'll get killed for being a spy. I should have been killed last time but I guess I got lucky," Severus laughed at his own joke though Dumbledore was having trouble keeping the tears back. Severus suddenly quit laughing. "It's all Potter's fault. All of it. My joining the Dark Lord, the stupid Dark Mark I'll have to carry around like a brand for the rest of my life. It's all his fault."
"Severus, it's not James's fault," Dumbledore said, his voice quavering.
"Isn't it," Severus snarled, snapping his head around to glare at Dumbledore. "If that fool hadn't gotten in the way, pulled me out, I would have died like I had planned! But no! Potter had to be the hero! Save someone's life even if they didn't want it saving! Potter had a great future ahead of him. Great OWL and NEWT scores and with his money he didn't even need a job. I tried doing what was right. No drugs, no drinking, went to school, but it never worked out. Nothing ever worked out. And now, thanks to owing Potter that stupid life debt, I can't even commit suicide. I guess I should have just taken a potion but I, like an idiot, wanted to take Potter's little gang down with me. Might as well make them suffer, I figured. I couldn't do it in life so I was determined to do it in death. Everyone would laugh at them for being expelled and they'd never get to have a job, ever, like me. They would get to see how it felt like to be gutter trash," Severus said as he stared at his shelves of potions. Dumbledore was numbly rooted to the spot. It had never, not once, occurred to him that Severus might have been trying to commit suicide that night.
"You're not gutter trash, Severus," Dumbledore said.
Severus suddenly shook his head. "No, I didn't want to kill myself. Suicide is wrong and I didn't want to do it. I didn't know Lupin was a werewolf. Most certainly not. Life is great, everyone wants to live," he said, as if repeated something he had drilled into his head. "But I was just so tired of it all. I'm still tired of it. And it's never going to get better."
"Yes, it will," Dumbledore said, finally able to move, as he walked over to Severus. He reached a hand out to touch Severus's back when he flinched away.
"No, don't touch me there. I don't like it when people touch the burns."
"What burns," Dumbledore demanded, wanting to know everything he could.
"The burns from the fire," Severus said, looking back at his shelves for potions.
"What fire?" Dumbledore asked, refusing to give up.
"The fire in the orphanage," Severus said softly.
"What fire in the orphanage?" Dumbledore asked.
"When I was six there was a fire. Some rich kids started it. Rich kids often went into Knockturn Alley to see what it was like or to smoke little sticks. When their parents would come to drag them away they would throw the burning little sticks into a window in the orphanage. Usually one of us kids would stamp them out but.... we were sleeping once... and... we didn't know... I slept under the bed... I was scared of the noises at night.... I woke and saw the flames... the other kids wouldn't wake up. I yelled and yelled but they stayed asleep. I don't remember much else, just seeing the flames eating one of the kids... and then... I was in a lot of pain and in another bed... the flames were gone... ten kids died that night. My friend Michael died and his little sister, Elizabeth. She was three. I wish I had died that night too. Why did I have to wake up?"
Dumbledore placed his hand on Severus's shoulder, gently. How could he have missed this? Why had he ignored Severus when he was a student? It had been obvious, from that first day, that there was something wrong with him. The way Severus always had his hair in front of his face (he still did that), his knowledge of the Dark Arts, the way he rarely spoke even when spoken too, how he wouldn't let anyone touch him, and how closely he watched everyone and everything, but Dumbledore had just figured someone else would find out what was wrong and it looked like everyone else had figured the same, leaving no one to help Severus out.
"I'm sorry, Severus," Dumbledore said. "I really failed you."
Severus shrugged. "Don't worry about that. It's not like I'm worth saving."
"You are to me," Draco blurted out as he came into the room. His eyes were bloodshot and his face wet. "I like you."
Dumbledore stood there, unsure about what he should do. Should he leave so Draco and Severus could be alone or stay?
"I'm sorry," Severus mumbled. "I don't know why I said all that. I didn't mean any of it."
"Yes, you did," Dumbledore encouraged him, sitting down next to him. "Severus, I'm human, I make mistakes. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me. I was always trying to do what was best but I know I let many people down. I just expected someone else to take care of you and I guess someone else did, Voldemort. It must have been very hard for you to go against him."
Severus looked away, staring at the table. "It was," he whispered. "He never acted like he liked me, I don't think he liked anyone, but he did care. He wanted all of his followers to be happy and he rewarded us, very nicely, for our support. My house, most of my furniture, half my books, are from him. If he saw I needed something he would always give it to me," his head came up. "You do that now, though, don't you?" he asked, glancing at Dumbledore.
"I do try," Dumbledore said, managing to smile a tiny bit. "I'm very sorry. You are right, I should have been there for you. I'm sorry I wasn't."
Severus looked away, a faint red tinge to his cheeks. "But I wouldn't have this job if it wasn't for the Dark Lord. How can I hate the man when he's the only reason I'm not living in the streets of Knockturn Alley? I guess I shouldn't have joined him, but I had no one else to turn to. You didn't care about me and there was no one else that would have either. But the Dark Lord cared."
Dumbledore decided to lay the blame where it belonged. "Severus, it was my fault. I should have been more observant of the Slytherins. I knew Voldemort was getting recruits from there and I knew how easy it is for teenagers to be swayed by him. He's very good at lying and deceiving...."
"But he didn't," Severus interrupted, looking confused. "He gave me exactly what he promised he would. At least the other Death Eaters didn't look at me with disgust like everyone on this side does. I can't even walk down Diagon Alley without getting nasty looks. I hate it. And everyone will hate me the minute they find out I was a Death Eater. There's no excuse for that. Nobody cared that those rich kids killed ten orphans, though. They didn't get into any trouble at all. I saw them a couple of years later, smoking and laughing about the fire they had caused. If I had killed ten people as a Death Eater I would be hated, spit on, and driven out of town. I guess it just depends on who you murder, then, not if you murder," Severus snorted. "What's so bad about the Dark Lord anyway? Who cares if he's killing people. People are dying all the time in Knockturn Alley and no one cares. What's worse? Killing an adult who can fight back or letting a child starve to death because no one wants to part with their money so they can buy themselves another robe to put in their already stuffed wardrobe? Your side is killing people just like the Dark Lord's is. But you all don't call it murder, do you? You probably have a fancy term for it like 'population control' instead of calling it what it is."
Dumbledore glanced at Draco. This was getting difficult. He hadn't realized Severus had so many doubts about being on their side. And, unfortunately, all of them were founded.
"Why did you come to me, then?" Dumbledore asked.
Severus shrugged. "I know its the right side. The Dark Lord isn't the way to go but neither is the Ministry. I went to you because I figured you were as close to it as I was going to get."
Dumbledore smiled. "Thank you. And I know the Ministry isn't perfect and it needs reforming, but that will only happen when the people want it to. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," Dumbledore said again.
"I'm being stupid. I don't want to die," Severus sighed. "I didn't mean any of that. And this side is the best side, of course."
Draco looked confused but Dumbledore didn't. Severus was very confused and for good reason. He had seen the worst of what society had to offer and to him, and people like him, it actually probably wouldn't matter if Voldemort was in charge or not. Their lives would be messed up either way and they knew it.
Dumbledore was getting some very valuable insight through what Robertson and Morton had done and planned on using this information as best he could when Severus was back to normal.
"Severus, it's okay," Dumbledore assured him. "I know you're confused. There's nothing wrong with that."
"I'm tired," Severus suddenly said, and pushing up, stumbled into the bedroom, shutting the door.
Snuffles came out of the bathroom door just then and looked at the door. Figuring he wanted to go to Lupin, Dumbledore let him out, and then turned his attention on Draco.
"I'm sorry you had to hear all that," Dumbledore softly said.
"Why did he say he wanted to die and then say he wanted to live?" Draco asked, looking very confused.
"Draco, some people cling to the hope that their future will get better so, like Severus said, they tolerate the present, but depression often sets in and they wonder what's the point. Severus wants to live but he also wants to die. From what I've heard, I don't really blame him. Life hasn't been easy on him."
"The Dementors don't affect him," Draco declared. "I saw him pass by them and he didn't even flinch or get pale. Why not?" Draco demanded.
"People who have no happy memories or happy feelings aren't affected by them," Dumbledore explained heavily. "There's nothing for the Dementors to feed on. Severus isn't the only one out there the Dementors can't affect."
Draco chewed on his bottom lip. "Well, I'm going to make sure he does have some happy memories so the next time a Dementor comes around he'll get shaky and pale, like he's supposed to," and with that, Draco went into Severus's bedroom, keeping the door open.
Dumbledore didn't bother to route him out despite it getting quite late. Maybe, just maybe, Draco could give Severus something to live for, a future for himself. Especially since Draco, very likely, could be disowned from his family for not supporting Voldemort like his parents expected him to.
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Snape was at his desk, just staring at the candle there, when Draco entered.
"Ivan's crying," Snape said, looking at his bed. "I didn't mean to make him cry. He's very upset with me trying to kill myself. I didn't really, that would be wrong, so I didn't do it, but it was all so hopeless right then."
Draco walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. Everyone gets upset once in awhile. You know, when I first got my letter my mum told me that you would be nice to me. She said you had had a crush on her when you were in school."
Snape blushed and Draco grinned. "She always liked you but mum only wanted to marry a rich man," Snape frowned and fingered his rather poor robe and Draco nudged him a little. "I know that's not fair but mum said she doesn't have any desire to be a wife. She's father's showpiece and she likes it like that. She does what she wants, goes where she wants, and often spends months on the continent traveling around. She's very selfish and she admits it. You deserve a better wife than what my mum could give you."
Snape frowned up at him. "Draco, no woman's going to want anything to do with me. Not with the way I look or the burns on my body. And being an ex-Death Eater doesn't help," he muttered bitterly. "And I have no hope for a good paying job, either. There is no chance."
Draco was determined to get Pansy in on this. Surely, there had to be a woman for Snape. Gregory and Vincent's parents had found spouses and none of them were good-looking and Gregory's mum was quite fierce looking even.
"You better go to bed," Draco said, noticing how much Snape's eyes were closing.
"Ivan's there," Snape said. "I think. I heard his voice from the bed. Oh, he's on the desk now."
Draco glanced at it. Nothing there.
"Let's go to bed," Draco encouraged.
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Sirius, sitting in the chair by Remus's roaring fire, sighed. He had just gotten through explaining everything he had overheard to Remus. He sill couldn't believe Snape was so confused on whether or not he wanted to live or die. And he really couldn't believe Snape had been trying to commit suicide. He had only been sixteen.
"I've really been a git. First I tell Snape he should have been abandoned and then I tell him he deserves to die. What kind of idiot am I?"
"Sirius," Remus said from the other chair by the fire, "you, I, James, and Lily all had good childhood's. Loving parents and most of us had friends. We were shielded from the harsh realities of life. We had no basis to understand why Severus acted the way he did. I didn't even know parents abandoned their own kids until you joked about it. And I didn't even know there was an orphanage in Knockturn Alley until I was seventeen. We just thought Severus was acting the way he did because he was mean."
Sirius glanced at him. "But I still felt that way after I had left Azkaban and you didn't. I mean why didn't I change my opinions. I'm I really that immature?"
"Yes and no," Remus said.
Sirius snorted. "I'll take that as a yes."
"It's not one," Remus defended. "Sirius, you went into Azkaban when you were twenty-two. You hadn't matured fully yet, I hadn't either then, and people don't mature in Azkaban. When you came out, you were still, mentally, twenty-two. And your hatred of Severus wouldn't have dimmed any. I'm sure you had recurring thoughts about him."
Sirius shook his head. "Not really. I had a few but the ones that kept at me where the ones about Pettigrew. How nice I had been to him, how I had told him about James and Lily and made him the Secret Keeper, and our duel in the street. When did you stop hating Snape?"
Remus looked at the fire. "It was gradual. I got older and realized that people like Snape aren't born that way, usually. And I went into Knockturn Alley and saw two little kids there, they couldn't have been more than eight, just standing there. Hair in their faces, robes threadbare, no shoes, remember how often Severus would take his off during class, like he wasn't used to them," Sirius grinned a little. "And their eyes, were just like Severus's; dead, cold, and they watched. I didn't know if Severus had been from Knockturn Alley but I realized that whatever childhood he had had would have been just as bad. I gave those two boys some money. You should have seen their faces light up. I saw them later, after I had purchased the rat repellent I came in for, eating a large sandwich together. I wanted to help but... I barely have enough to live of off myself. I read things and heard things that just made me understand more and more why Severus may have acted the way he did and I just gradually quit hating him."
"Why doesn't anyone help those kids out?" Sirius asked.
Remus stared at him. "Why didn't you? You had plenty of money and you knew there was an orphanage there."
Sirius was taken aback. "Me? I just never thought much about it... I mean those aren't..."
"Those aren't your kids and therefore aren't your problem. Nobody wants to have to pay for those kids. That's why they don't get adopted. Nobody cares," Remus shrugged sadly.
Sirius let out his breath. "Now I can't get to that money. Getting Harry that Firebolt almost gave me away. Lucky the Goblins didn't care about my withdrawal but the Ministry heard about it and are keeping taps on it now. They, apparently, didn't realize I had an account there. Why doesn't Snape help them out?"
Remus leaned back in his chair. "He does. I saw him there that day. He lets the kids pickpocket him. I could tell he knew that was what they were doing but he didn't say anything so I didn't press him. He can't afford to do much, though. He makes the same amount that I do. Because we get free room and board we don't get paid but what the board feels our summer lodgings will cost and some extra for a few wants. No one at Hogwarts teaches because of the money."
Sirius leaned back in the chair, enjoying the warmth of the fire. "That must be hard on him. Not being able to help those kids that are in the same situation he was in."
Remus didn't comment but looked into the fire. Sirius wasn't sure how he felt about Snape anymore. He had hated him plenty during Harry's third year and had, still, felt like Snape deserved to die. But during the summer and Harry's fourth year he had calmed down a bit as he thought about Snape. Sure Snape had been annoying but that was just about it. Remus was right, and his experience in Azkaban had made Snape seem much more sinister than he had been. Now that he had been away from the Dementors for quite some time, he was beginning to wonder why he had tried to kill Snape in the first place. Sirius couldn't blame it on Snape's desire to kill himself, Sirius had told him where Remus went so it was partly his fault but what had prompted him do that in the first place? It just didn't make sense. In Azkaban and for a year afterwards, it had made sense; Snape had deserved to die, but now that Sirius could think clearly it made no sense at all. It didn't seem right, didn't seem like something he would do either. A fist fight, yes, a duel, definitely, but to send him to be killed by Remus? Not only would he have killed another human being but destroyed Remus. It made no sense.
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Harry inwardly groaned as he felt his scar begin to twinge and could feel his mind flying towards wherever Voldemort was. Thankfully, he hadn't had one of these nightmares for quite some time, not since Cedric had died, but, thanks to Trelawney's help, Harry was prepared to meet Voldemort, even if it was in a dream form.
Harry flew into a closed window and wondered about the scene. Voldemort was standing by Lucius Malfoy and looking... slightly fearful? Maybe it wasn't just Voldemort's murderous feelings that Harry could pick up on, maybe it was any strong emotions he felt. But what would make Voldemort so afraid. And why did Malfoy look scared?
Harry turned around.
A man, one of the men from Dumbledore's Pensieve, was standing there. He was standing in the midst of a table that had been completely blasted apart.
"You told me you would get him," he hissed. "You promised me!"
"It will take some more time," Voldemort assured him, his voice silky, with only a tiny hint of fear. "Severus is being closely guarded."
The man spit. "So. Why don't you just break into Hogwarts?"
"They can't," came Wormtail's squeaky voice. He was cowering in a corner. "They have the Marauder's Map. Harry Potter has it."
"You mean that stupid map you and your pathetic friends made?" he asked. "Why don't you just get a Slytherin to burn the thing."
"They have to find it," Malfoy said. "And I doubt Potter is going to show it to them."
Whoever this man was, Harry was beginning to get scared. He didn't seem to have trouble talking down to anyone, not even Voldemort and if Voldemort was scared of him, what was the man capable of?
"Use an invisibility cloak and follow him," the man said slowly. "I swear, if you people were any slower you'd be dead," he spat out, glaring at Voldemort. "I really hope you don't screw up again by letting a pretty face detract you from our business. You should have killed Lily Potter outright and not tried to save her. Or...," he said, glancing at Wormtail, "is there a reason why you didn't want to kill her."
Wormtail cringed and the man laughed, it sounded like fingers on a chalkboard. "What were you going to do, Wormy? Put Lily under the Imperious Curse? For that is the only way she would have ever looked at you with anything but pity. But you," he said, snapping around to stare at Voldemort, his face filled with venom, "had better not mess up again. My patience is wearing thin. You could have killed Potter if he you hadn't foolishly let him go. Don't every do that again."
"I'm your master," Voldemort angrily said, his wand in his hand. "Don't you speak to me in that tone of voice."
The man just sneered. "I have no master," he softly said, his voice low and dangerous. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have Severus's bedroom to prepare for when you finally kidnap him. Unless you're to stupid to do that," he said, looking at Malfoy. "Don't mess up again or your pretty wife won't be so pretty anymore."
"We need to get rid of him," Malfoy said urgently. "He's insane. You should have left him in Azkaban were he belongs."
"Nathan isn't insane," Voldemort said, his red eyes fixing themselves on Malfoy. "And he's much more valuable to me than you are. I can trust him not to change sides when things go wrong, unlike you."
"He threatened you," Wormtail squeaked.
"I don't really care right now," Voldemort angrily said. "He and the man who raised him are the only reason why I've gotten as far as I've had. Their advice and plans are invaluable."
"What about Severus?" Malfoy. "He's valuable. Are you really going to just give him to that nut, Lestrange?"
Lestrange? That was Lestrange? He was out?
"Severus was valuable to me at sixteen. And in ten years, Severus will be sixteen again. And, if Nathan and Florence are good enough parents, I might have him back at twelve. Only six more years. They served me well and I will reward them for that."
Malfoy shook his head. "I still don't know why they want a child."
"They can't have one," Voldemort said impatiently. "Now, what are we going to do?"
Harry woke up, his scar not hurting that badly and winced. The Lestranges were out? He grabbed his robe and ran out the door, not bothering to answer Ron as he rushed down the stairs. It didn't take long, at the speed Harry was going, to make it down to the dungeons and Snape's room.
Harry pounded on the door, aware of Ron coming up behind him.
"Really bad news," Harry explained to Ron as the door opened. Harry turned his attention to Dumbledore. "The Lestrange's are out. And they want Snape. I think, to turn him into a child."
It wasn't long before the room was full of people. Snape was in his bedroom with Filch and the door was charmed so Snape couldn't hear what was being said or come out.
McGonagall, Dumbledore, Lupin, Snuffles, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Draco were sitting around Snape's table. Harry was glad Dumbledore had let him invite Ron, Ginny, and Hermione. He hated keeping secrets from them, but why had Draco been included?
Harry filled everyone in on the way Lestrange had acted, disrespectful to Voldemort, and mentioned his threat about Narcissa Malfoy. He didn't tell anyone about Wormtail and the insinuation Lestrange had made about his mum.
"There has been activity at Azkaban," Dumbledore said. "I was afraid of this. Voldemort won't risk breaking it open quite yet. The whole Wizarding world would know he was risen again if he did that but to slowly let his supporters out while making it appear like nothing is happening is genius. He'll have us split in two, one side claiming he's come back and the other side maintaining he's not, and then, when were are at our weakest, he'll attack."
Harry worriedly looked at Ginny.
"Why does Lestrange want to raise Snape?" Draco asked. "That makes no sense."
"There has to be something to it," Hermione said.
"Maybe he just wants a kid," Lupin said, shrugging. "He knows Severus so maybe he just wants to raise a child that he already knows quite a bit about."
Harry didn't want anyone, not even Draco, being raised by that kind of person. Lucius Malfoy seemed normal next to him.
McGonagall glanced at Dumbledore. "Should we contact the former Head of Slytherin. The one that was around when Severus and Nathan were at school. Maybe he could tell us a bit about how they acted towards each other."
Dumbledore looked thoughtful. "I think Mr. Logan would know. He kept pretty close taps on his students, though, he didn't seem to care if they joined Voldemort or not."
"He was a cynic," McGonagall agreed. "Seemed to think we deserved to have a Dark Lord stirring up things considering how badly we had let things do."
Harry didn't like the sound of this person.
"How's Severus," Dumbledore asked, looking at Draco.
"Fine. He woke up and didn't remember anything about today. Thought it was mid-afternoon."
"Good," Dumbledore said. "And don't tell him what he admitted."
Draco shook his head. "I won't."
Harry's interest was piqued. What did Draco know? "What did he admit?" he asked.
Draco looked angrily at him and Dumbledore shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harry. This matter is solely between Draco and myself. It doesn't concern you."
Harry still wanted to know. He already knew Snape was a Death Eater, why couldn't he know other things about him too? But Harry didn't press it.
They glumly went back to their rooms, Harry and the rest going first to Lupin's.
"I wonder what Draco admitted," Harry mused.
Sirius looked bewildered and shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe what flavor toothpaste he prefers. I prefer dandelion."
"Dandelion?" Ron choked out. "They make that?"
"No, but I did," Sirius grinned and started to explain how to make different flavored toothpaste. Harry didn't even notice that Sirius had completely sidetracked him as he thought of what flavor he wanted to try. His mint toothpaste was okay but it was awfully boring after a lifetime of it. Sausage, Harry's favorite food, sounded interesting, but Harry wasn't sure how clean his mouth would feel if he had that flavor lingering around.
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Draco gratefully looked up at Dumbledore after everyone, including Filch, had left. "Thank you for not telling Potter."
"Severus is your friend, not Harry's. Though I do think Remus would like to try to be his friend. Don't push him away. Severus could use some friends."
Draco had actually been thinking that. He didn't like Remus, personally, but Remus was sedate and Severus seemed to prefer sedate people. Besides, maybe Remus wasn't that bad.
"Can I stay here tonight?" Draco asked.
Dumbledore slightly smiled. "Yes. I don't think I could get rid of you if I tried. But, Draco, be warned, you may be asked to do some things under threat of violence to your parents. Tell me if that happens. I'll help you. And be careful with that schedule. Only trust us adults. The kids can be threatened. Harry, you can trust, he'll tell me, he's learned that, but Ron and Hermione might not have."
Draco nodded his head, aware of how serious this was. "Why do you trust me?"
"You care a great deal about Severus, Draco. I can trust you when it comes to him."