Snape had left the room, and after hearing nothing for several minutes, Harry stood up slowly and stepped out of the cupboard.

Glass crunched under his feet, and he had to avoid stepping on the two-headed snake.

He looked around the office, now silent and empty.

What had he heard?

Lupin was right about one thing. This wasn't the truth. This was demented.

Where was it that his mother had been seen? What meetings? And who took her away?

What child? Was that him they were talking about? Lupin, whom he had up until now counted as a friend, had actually suggested that. . . But that was crazy.

Harry laughed, the sound coming out harsh and hoarse. There was a mirror on the wall right in front of him, and it told him all he needed to know.

Lupin was mad.

And Snape? Was it even necessary to comment?

His head pounded. He must have inhaled something in that cupboard. He didn't dare touch his neck, whatever had fallen under his collar had dried on his skin and felt slightly prickly. He'd go up to the dormitory. Wasn't it past dinner now? Ron and Hermione would miss him.

He laughed shakily again.

He had somehow made it out of the office and into the corridor, but between the pounding in his head and his blurred vision, he couldn't even recall which way led to the staircase. To the right, he finally chose.

"Mr. Potter," a voice behind him made him stop in his tracks, "did you perhaps forget the way to my office?"

Harry turned to face Snape, who continued, not waiting for him to answer.

"As it turns out, I don't have time to see you today," he glared down at Harry for a moment. "You will begin serving your detention tomorrow after classes. Be prompt."

Harry turned to go.

"Where do you think you're going, Mr. Potter?" Snape stopped him.

Harry turned to look at him.

"The staircase is in that direction," Snape was looking at him with disdain. "Or did you wish to visit the Slytherin common room?"

Harry could feel Snape watching him all the way down the corridor and up the stairs.

It wasn't until he was in the entrance hall that Harry felt like he could breathe again. To his left, the Great Hall was filled with students.

"Did Snape keep you that long?" Ron asked him as Harry sat down.

"Detention starting tomorrow after classes," Harry nodded, filling his plate before realizing that the sight of food made him nauseous.

"Oooh, sorry Harry," Hermione said pityingly from across the table.

"It's nothing new, is it?" Harry shrugged.

Now that he was out of the gloom of the dungeons, his brain was starting to work again. It was like shaking off a strange nightmare. He looked around the Hall and noticed that Lupin's seat at the staff table was empty.

Something pulled him, an irresistible urge.

"I need to find Professor Lupin," he said to Ron and Hermione. "I'll see you in the common room later."

He found Lupin in his temporary office on the seventh floor.

Lupin smiled when he saw Harry, until he took a better look at Harry's perplexed face.

"Is something wrong, Harry?" he asked, motioning for him to come inside the office.

"I heard your conversation with Snape just now," Harry said, feeling strangely calm. Why pretend he hadn't?

Lupin's face paled slightly and he ran his fingers through his hair, looking at Harry helplessly.

"You eavesdropped?"

"Are you going to lecture me?"

"I suppose not," Lupin continued to look at him with a strangely drawn and anguished expression.

"What was that all about?" Harry asked. "If you have a right to know, don't I?"

"Maybe I should call Professor Dumbledore. . ."

"What for? He's always said the truth is preferable to lies."

"Are you sure you want to hear this, Harry?" Lupin certainly didn't look like he wanted to discuss it.

"I already heard it," Harry reminded him, "now I just want the truth."

"If you heard us, then you know that my knowledge of the truth is limited," Lupin said wearily.

"It doesn't matter. I want to hear where it came from. With Sirius it's always 'James Potter this' and 'James Potter that'. Not with you though. Every time I mention my father you cringe."

Lupin sighed and leaned back against his desk, and finally, against his better judgment, launched into his story.

Most of it was exactly as Harry had already known or imagined. His parents had gone into hiding. Snape was spying for Dumbledore. So far, nothing against Harry's mother.

"She was seen, several times, at a house used as a meeting place by the Death Eaters,"

"How does that prove anything?" Harry exclaimed. "There are a hundred explanations!"

"Yes. . ." Lupin frowned, "but on one occasion she was seen with Severus Snape. You heard him deny that he ever spoke with her."

Harry felt like Lupin was still holding back a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"At the same time, James was here at Hogwarts," Lupin shook his head sadly. "There's no question about that. Dozens of people can verify, including Dumbledore."

"And you think that during that time, I. . ." Harry frowned as the pieces struggled to fit.

Lupin only nodded.

"But that would make me. . ."

"Busy spreading the cheer, Lupin?"

Snape stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Come here to tell more lies, Severus?" Lupin took an angry step in Snape's direction.

"Come to make sure you don't tell the poor boy something that will torment him," Snape retorted, smiling nastily, "but I see it's too late."

"Will someone just tell me. . ." Harry looked angrily between Lupin and Snape.

"You are not my son," Snape spoke to Harry, but his eyes were locked with Lupin's, "if that's what worries you."

The words hung between them.

"But don't take my word for it," Snape continued, glancing over his shoulder, "here's Dumbledore."

Dumbledore was indeed approaching. They waited in silence until he reached the office.

"Albus," Snape said in a suddenly silken voice, "do tell them, they don't seem to believe it coming from me."

Dumbledore looked at all three of them in turn, frowning.

"I can confirm that Severus was at Hogwarts for the time period in question," he finally told them.

Snape's mouth curved into a satisfied smile as he watched Lupin's face.

"He was delivering crucial information," Dumbledore continued, "and James temporarily took his place."

"Polyjuice?" Harry interrupted.

"Something like that," Snape nodded. "Now, I think this conversation. . ."

"Wait!" Lupin began pacing across the room. "I already confirmed my suspicions. Just after our conversation. The test was positive!"

All three of them turned to look at Snape.

"Of course it was," the sneer returned to Snape's face."You," he turned his dark eyes on Harry, the corner of his mouth twitching in anger, "are an abomination."

"Severus!" Dumbledore looked shocked.

Harry didn't understand any of it. By the looks of it, neither did Lupin. Dumbledore seemed to be the only one not thoroughly confused.

"I apologize," Snape leaned back against the doorframe, not looking the least remorseful.

Behind them, a group of students came down the corridor on the way to the Gryffindor common room.

"Perhaps Mr. Potter should be allowed to return to his dormitory," Snape suggested. "Safe in the knowledge that he is the product of James and Lily Potter."

That was it for Harry.

"Do you have to talk in riddles?" he yelled. "He says I'm not, you say I am! Which is it?"

"Both!" Snape looked disgusted. "But I had nothing to do with your conception," he glared in Lupin's direction, "as some are so intent on accusing me."

Harry gave up trying to make sense of it. He pushed past Snape into the corridor, and without turning to look back headed towards the safety and sanity of Gryffindor Tower.