Chapter 32

What The Paper's Say

Walking briskly toward them, dressed in rich embroidered crimson robes with a matching pointed hat was Albus Dumbledore. From his expression he did not appear in the lest bit happy, but he forced a weak watery smile at the two teachers who had just stopped to meet him in the corridor.

"Severus." Dumbledore nodded at him demurely. "Taya." She made something more of a grimace than a true smile. Severus Snape didn't even venture that far of fearing that his face might actually crumble from the fatigue.

The elderly wizard pulled out his pocket watch. "We have thirty five minutes so there is no great hurry. I suggest we stop off at the Leaky Cauldron before going? Yes Severus?"

Professor Snape snarled nastily. "To get me drunk enough so I'll spill all the beans?" Taya clasped his hand.

"No. I don't think he ment it like that, love."

"Of cause not." replied the headmaster gently, but cautiously. From his present state the potions master looked ready to flip at any given moment. "To calm you down before hand."

"My hat," snapped Severus.

"You could always drink a butterbeer if you didn't want anything alcoholic." Dumbledore leaned closer to Taya. "To be perfectly honest I wouldn't recommend anything stronger than a butterbeer or pumpkin juice in his present condition. He needs to be calm, but not out of control." Taya smiled strangely. "You have never seen a drunk Professor Snape then?"

"No." She shook her head. Severus jerked his head over at Dumbledore and threw a look that could kill.

Severus stopped, his feet apparently rooted to the floor. "I'm not going. You can't force me," he said childishly. Resolution was set firmly on his pale face. Taya noticed his was chewing his lip.

"But-"

"Didn't you hear?"

"Yes love, but- Hello Harry," she said with a cheerful smile as the young man stopped by.

"Severus, Taya, Headmaster," he commented quietly. The potions master nodded.

"I just came from the staff room and was heading down here and have bumped into you three."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore reclining his head slightly to see what Harry was holding in his hands.

"What's all this then?" Said a bewildered Harry Potter wrinkling his nose. He held up a rather tatty copy of today's Daily Profit.

The head lines read -

Missing rapist and murderer Dionysius Lorsekruker revealed after thirty years on the run.

Official verdict - awaiting punishment.

Lorsekruker, eighty six, thought to be Voldemort's second, was discovered nearly three months ago at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft And Wizardry, Scotland and was safely removed before he could have possibly caused more harm.

Lorsekruker had been spending the last few months in Azkaban awaiting trial and is still awaiting sentencing.

Remaining victims of his who were subjected to the most unforgivable of non magical crimes will be compensated.

One man, a Professor Snape who actually teaches at that school was keenly known through the Death Eater community now gets a substantial award for bravery and keeping the peace. Pay out due to reasons un known - speculation -possibly a cover up of darker misdeeds?

Is the Hogwarts Potions master one of Lorsekruker's victims?

Severus felt his blood run cold.

"Bloody Rita Skeeta," he spat. "Why can't people just leave me alone?"

"What does that mean Severus?" Harry was glaring intently at him. "Victim?"

How in Gods name was he going to explain all or this? He had only just began to associate himself with Harry Potter, not confess his life story. He was as much a stranger to him as Severus was to Harry. Trust only came later, much much later, and when it concerned this! He knew he wouldn't tell him. He wouldn't.

"There is nothing to discuss," called Severus, but was staring at Harry with intense dark eyes. "And it's non of your business, Harry."

"Ay?"

"Your lack of politeness is disgusting."

"But, you told me about Mum."

"Yes, fool. That much but I am not about to disclose any more of my personal past."

"But you said you loved me." Taya and Dumbledore gazed at both of them surprised. Severus flinched.

"I DID NOT," Severus stated defiantly.

"I thought that you at least liked me now?"

Severus clenched his jaw and leaned down close, close enough so that his face was virtually pressed against Harry's and his right index finger wiggling menacingly close to Harry's nose.

"You listen here, Potter. Do not misunderstand. There are things that even you, the famous Harry Potter should never know about me. Understand?"

"Ye...Yes sir," came a strangled confused voice.

"Good, Miss Matterson? Professor Dumbledore?"

"We're coming Severus," said Taya.

"Be what it may Potter. Ask no more questions." And with a quick shove he muttered, "Get out of my way Potter." Than they were gone.