Things only got worse in the morning, when he had to go down to the Great Hall for breakfast and face Sirius for the first time.

The scene was disturbing. Snape sat at one end of the staff table, Sirius at the other. Somehow, they managed to glare at each other nonetheless. Between them, Dumbledore was looking unusually displeased, and Lupin exhausted and grim. The other members of staff were strangely hushed.

As he sat down, Harry caught Sirius looking at him, and realized what a truly terrible mood Sirius was in. Clearly, Snape was not the only one he was angry with.

Harry kept his eyes down on his plate, and tried to focus on what Ron and Hermione were saying about the upcoming Christmas break. Unfortunately, that conversation quickly turned into questions about his own plans. They assumed that he would be leaving Hogwarts over the holidays, with Sirius. In desperation Harry lied, saying Dumbledore thought he would be safer if he stayed at Hogwarts. It hurt him to realize how often he lied to his friends now, just to avoid their questions. Not too long ago he had shared everything with them, but now even a simple conversation had to be forced.

As soon as breakfast ended, Harry allowed a crowd of students to surround him and carry him out of the Hall before any of the staff had a chance to leave their table. He might not be able to hide indefinitely, but for the moment it was the best plan he had.

Fortunately he didn't have to hide long before morning classes. He wouldn't have to worry about facing either Snape or Sirius until that afternoon, as long as he could avoid going to lunch. He planned to hide out in the library. Even Hermione wouldn't be able to find fault with that, even if she would be suspicious. He went as far as to hope that she and Ron might be persuaded to bring him some food.

He couldn't help laughing a little at the absurdity of the situation.

Next to him, Ron shot him a searching glance. "What's the matter with you lately, Harry?"

Harry shook his head.

"You've been acting strange. . ." Ron frowned, trying to define Harry's strangeness. "You don't even seem to be happy to see Sirius. I saw him walking toward us after breakfast, and when I turned to tell you, you were gone."

"I didn't see him!" Harry protested, feeling his face flush.

Ron just gave him another mistrustful look and dropped the subject, turning to talk to Neville instead. Harry walked silently behind them, feeling dejected and alone.

Though the day dragged, somehow he made it to his last class, which was Potions. He stood at the top of the staircase to the dungeons, letting everyone else pass him. He was considering returning to his dormitory. It wasn't a difficult decision to make. Even his pride was ignoring him now.

He turned to walk back upstairs, then ducked down the staircase when he saw Sirius coming toward him.

He was miserably aware of how obvious that had been.

He stumbled into class, late, and Snape turned wrathful eyes toward him. For a prolonged moment they looked at each other, and he could swear that both Slytherins and Gryffindors were holding their breath, waiting to see what Snape's reaction would be.

Snape turned back to the board, and began to write out the ingredients for their potion. Slowly, everyone returned to chopping their daisy roots, the Slytherins with obvious disappointment on their faces.

So, Snape was back to ignoring him, Harry thought gloomily. He had figured out that silence was a greater indication of Snape's anger than insults and sarcasm.

He lingered for just a moment after class, but Snape gave him no notice.

He managed to avoid running into Sirius until that evening. He might have been able to escape even longer, but McGonagall cornered him with a sign-up sheet for students who wished to remain at Hogwarts over the break. As he stalled for time, Harry felt a hand descend on his shoulder.

"I've been looking all over for you," Sirius said.

Harry gave him the best imitation of a smile he could manage.

Sirius waved McGonagall off.

"It's settled, he'll be coming with me," he said, then turned to Harry. "You're going to love it. I got us the perfect place. . ." his voice trailed off as his gaze fell on someone behind Harry.

"Personally," Snape said, "I think he would be much safer if he remained at Hogwarts."

"Who asked you?" Sirius snarled, his smile and cheerful voice vanishing.

"Maybe you should ask him," Snape fixed his gaze on Harry.

Now they were both staring at him, and Harry stepped back involuntarily. He looked from one to the other, and realized that their anger was mounting with every moment that he stayed silent.

"Is everything alright?" Dumbledore asked, coming out of the staffroom.

Harry and Snape stayed silent. Sirius cleared his throat, and tried to regain some of the cheerful look he had worn earlier.

"We were just asking Harry where he wanted to spend his holidays. I was about to tell him all about my new home, when. . ."

"We discussed this," Dumbledore interrupted, giving him a hard look.

"And that's why we were asking him!" Sirius protested.

"Harry?" Dumbledore turned to him.

"I don't want to go with either of them," Harry told him.

Snape and Sirius glared at him. Dumbledore looked sympathetic.

Unfortunately, Harry realized too late, if he stayed at Hogwarts it would be the same as agreeing to stay with Snape, since Snape wasn't planning to leave the school over vacation. And if Harry didn't go with Sirius. . .

The Dursleys.

"I hate you!" he blurted out, and ran from the entrance hall, leaving the three men staring after him in shock.