Harry woke up with a start. Someone had shaken him roughly by the shoulders.
He groped for his glasses.
He nearly fell out of bed when he saw Snape standing by the stairs.
Snape. In Gryffindor Tower. In Harry's dormitory.
Harry glanced around the room and found that everyone was gone. He was alone with Snape.
"Get out of bed," Snape said, scowling at him from across the room.
"Why? What's going on?" Harry couldn't help asking, even as he jumped to obey. Whatever was happening, he was going to do what he was told until he had a good reason not to. Maybe the school was being evacuated, maybe Voldemort. . .
"Get dressed," Snape continued, ignoring his question.
Harry sighed angrily as he pulled on his robes and pocketed his wand. No one ever told him anything. They just expected him to follow orders blindly. And since it was Snape who was issuing those orders, that was all the more reason for him to want some answers.
"Follow me," Snape commanded and went down the stairs.
Harry glared at his back for a moment, but followed.
Snape led him through the common room, out into the corridor outside, down to the sixth floor, and into a maze of hallways. They met no one, and Harry quickly lost track of where they were. This part of Hogwarts was unfamiliar to him, and the castle was large enough to easily get lost in. They went down narrow staircases, dark corridors, and through empty rooms. He wondered if they would ever stop. His legs were aching as they went down yet another set of stairs.
They came out in the dungeons. He knew this because the ceiling was low, the passageway dark and winding, and the floor had turned from white marble to gray stone.
Snape led the way through twisting corridors, until they reached a larger, better lit hallway. On the left Harry could see a Slytherin banner on the wall, and guessed that they were somewhere near the Potions classrooms and Slytherin common room. But Snape had turned right, leading him away from the section of the dungeons Harry was familiar with.
Finally, they reached a set of double doors. Snape muttered a password and they swung open silently. He motioned for Harry to step inside.
Harry hesitated, but the look Snape gave him propelled him forward.
The room was pitch black. He turned back toward the door, where light was coming in from the hallway outside, but just then the door swung shut.
He could hear Snape moving around in the darkness, and in another minute a torch illuminated part of the room with its dim glow. Snape proceeded to light more torches, until the entire room was lit with a harsh yellowish light.
"Don't just stand there," Snape looked at him with annoyance, "sit down."
Harry looked around the room for a place to sit. The only chair belonged to the desk in the corner. There was a four poster bed on the other side of the room.
"On the couch," Snape pointed, glaring.
Harry noticed the couch for the first time, hidden by the shadows in the corner. He sat down, finding it hard and uncomfortable. He waited, but Snape had gone over to the desk and seemed to be looking at something intently. Harry craned his neck, trying to see what it was.
Snape looked up.
"Come here," he commanded.
Harry found himself looking down at an ornate frame, in the middle of which he could see the Great Hall as though through a window. It looked like everyone was having breakfast. He squinted, and could see four red blurs at one table that indicated Ron, George, Fred, and Ginny. The image was too small to see any details. He looked up at Snape in confusion.
"So? They're having breakfast. I should be down there. I'll miss my first class."
"I don't think you want to be there just now," Snape told him, smirking. He pointed his wand at the image in front of them, and it zoomed in on the staff table.
Harry looked, still not understanding. Dumbledore was sitting in the center, McGonagall and Flitwick on either side. . . Sirius. Where was Sirius? And why did the staff look so subdued, shell-shocked even, while the students chattered with unusual animation?
"Did something happen to. . ." Harry looked up at Snape, his eyes widening with sudden fear.
Snape snorted.
"Did something happen to Black?" he said in a mocking tone. "You'll wish something had."
"I don't understand!" Harry exclaimed, getting angry now. "You brought me here and you won't tell me what's going on! Either tell me or let me go!"
"I'm not keeping you here," Snape told him, smirking again. "You should be grateful. I warned you about Black's temper."
Snape flicked his wand over the glass and the image disappeared, leaving only a mirror in its place. Harry could see his own face, pale, and his disheveled hair. He tried to smooth it down. Snape looked at him with contempt, then moved away, leaving Harry staring in frustration at his own face.
Left with nothing else to do, Harry moved back over to the couch. He was angry with Snape for ignoring his questions, but something kept him from trying to leave the dungeon room.
Snape came over with a tray, and set it down on the couch beside Harry.
"Eat," he commanded in a voice that caused Harry to lose most of his appetite.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on?" Harry asked after choking down a piece of toast.
Snape stared at him for a moment. Harry was afraid he would decide not to speak.
"Do you recall me telling you that Black was notorious for his outbursts?" he asked.
Harry nodded.
"He had one this morning, just before he left the school."
"He left?" Harry repeated, shocked.
"Pay attention!" Snape snarled at him, making Harry jump and nearly spill the glass of juice he was holding.
"I don't know what you. . . Oh," Harry suddenly understood. "Oh no."
Snape just stared at him without speaking.
"He told everyone?" Harry asked incredulously. "How could he do that?"
"You are surprised?" Snape asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "This is the same person who, in a fit of anger, nearly made one of his best friends a murderer. The same one who broke into the Gryffindor common room carrying a knife. Who intended to kill Pettigrew right in front of you. The man just can't control himself."
Harry was unnerved by the bitterness in Snape's voice. Even more unnerving was the fact that no retorts came to mind.
"So," Snape continued, looking at him with narrowed eyes, "do you still wish you had made it to breakfast?"
Harry considered, and decided that he was very glad he had overslept, and that his relationship with Ron had deteriorated so much that Ron had left the dormitory without waking him.
"No," he answered.
Snape didn't say anything more, so they sat lost in their own thoughts, Harry staring at his empty juice glass and Snape staring blankly at the wall.
"What now?" Harry asked when he could stand the silence no longer.
Snape gave him a grudging look, and shrugged.
"That's why you brought me here," Harry demanded, "so we could sit here and hide?"
"No," Snape glared at him. "I brought you here to give you fair warning."
Another silence, while Harry mulled this over.
"Thank you."
Snape's only response resembled a growl.
"How long do you think we can stay here, before someone comes to find us?" Harry asked.
"Not long enough."
Snape's comment was punctuated by a knock at the door. With a frustrated sigh, he got up to answer.
His expression became even more antagonized when Lupin walked into the room.
"Severus," Lupin began, "I'm so sorry. . ."
The glare Snape gave him caused him to change the subject quickly.
"What will happen to your. . ." at this moment Lupin saw Harry on the couch, ". . . your work?"
"My work?" Snape's eyes narrowed. "It's over."
"What are you talking about?" Harry asked, leaving the couch. "Are you going to lose your job over this?"
"No," Snape explained reluctantly. "My work for Dumbledore."
"Spying?" Harry persisted.
Snape turned on him.
"No. Do you really think Voldemort would have accepted me back?" he demanded. "I was meeting with some of the Death Eaters, trying to see how strong Voldemort's hold on them was, if any of them had returned to him merely out of fear."
"Oh," Harry said.
He turned to Lupin, "Is Sirius really gone?"
"Yes, he is," Lupin confirmed. "I wouldn't expect him back. Professor Dumbledore was not happy."
"I'll bet," Snape scowled.
"Why did he do it?" Harry asked, some part of him still wanting a reasonable explanation.
Snape and Lupin exchanged a look, Lupin's expression pained and Snape's frustrated.
"Spite," Snape said at the same time as Lupin said, "Jealousy."
"Jealousy?" Snape repeated, a short, cold laugh escaping.
"His worst quality," Lupin said, shaking his head unhappily.
"Out of many," Snape added.
Harry shifted his eyes between the two of them.
"What are people saying, Professor Lupin?" he asked, aware even as the words left his lips that he didn't really want to hear the answer.
Lupin sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
"They're just. . . shocked. Some of them don't want to believe it. Sirius certainly turned things upside down."
"I can't stand it!" Harry exclaimed, in his frustration blurting out the first thing that came to mind. "They're all going to stare at me!"
"You should be used to that," Snape commented sarcastically.
Harry pinched his lips shut to keep from retorting. He didn't answer until the wave of anger passed.
"That was not my choice! I never wanted all that attention."
He looked at Lupin for support, but Lupin was looking at Snape rather than Harry. Harry followed his gaze back to Snape's face.
"And this is going to be a lot worse!" he continued, feeling a little out of control now. "Not only do I have to explain that you are my father, I have to explain why you don't want me!" Harry stomped his foot. "I can't stand it!" Another stomp. "I can't!"
"Control yourself!" Snape barked, making both Harry and Lupin jump.
"I do want you," he continued in a lower tone. "I offered to take you. Or have you forgotten?"
"Only to keep me from Sirius. Not because you really wanted me."
"Not true," Snape narrowed his eyes. "It was for your own good, but not the only reason."
"I don't believe you," Harry muttered suspiciously.
"Fine," Snape turned away from him and walked over to his desk. "Tea, Lupin?"
"Yes, thank you," Lupin left Harry's side as well.
Harry watched them as they sat down on the couch, leaving no room for him. Standing on the other side of the room he felt ignored and still angry.
He had every right to be angry! he told himself. His world had been turned upside down and they were just sitting there, drinking tea. And since when were Lupin and Snape best buddies? If Harry had anywhere to go just then, he would have stomped out of the room. But since he didn't, all he could do was stand there staring crossly at the pair on the couch.
"Pull up a chair," Snape finally said, exasperated.
Harry did so, trying to swallow his anger.
Sitting silently with the two men, it suddenly occurred to him that they were as lost as he was. Why had he assumed that they would have the answers? This situation was painful to others besides himself.
"Sorry," he muttered.
Snape shot him a critical glance, but seemed to accept it.
Lupin smiled weakly. "Will we just sit here until Dumbledore comes looking for us?"
"Likely," Snape said, sniffing irritatedly.
Harry sighed. He didn't think Dumbledore had any answers for them either.
They finished their tea, but continued to sit in silence.
They didn't have to wait long, there was a soft knock and the door opened, admitting Dumbledore.
"I'm happy to find you together," Dumbledore managed a smile. "I was afraid I would have to look all over the castle."
Silence met his words, but he continued.
"I realize the situation seems rather bleak at the moment," Dumbledore seemed to be looking at Harry as he said this, "but we must find a way to deal with it. You have two choices." He looked around at their guarded expressions. "You can face this together, or you can face it alone."
That was not the advice any of them were hoping for. Snape sniffed in defiance, while Harry just looked glum.
"Not the most extraordinary advice, I admit," Dumbledore spread his hands in a helpless gesture, "but the only advice I can give."
"My life is over," Harry moaned, dropping his head into his hands.
"Selfish brat," Snape hissed at him, "do you always assume everything is worse for you than anyone else?"
Harry raised his head and gave him a cold look.
"You can glare people into silence. You can take House points and give detentions with Filch. You don't have to listen to people talking about you!" He panted, out of breath. "What am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to tell my friends?"
No one answered him. They sat in silence for a few more minutes.
"I think we better go up now, or you will all miss your first class," Dumbledore's voice was gentle but firm.
They didn't move.
"Come," he said again, and went ahead of them out of the dungeon room.
Lupin got up, and slowly followed, pausing by the door to look back at Harry and Snape, still sitting mutely.
"Coming?"
"Yes," Snape nodded. "You go ahead."
They were alone now. They avoided looking at each other. A minute passed, then another, and finally Snape rose from the couch.
"Lets get this over with."
Harry looked at him. The cold, impassive mask was back on Snape's face. How Harry wished he could do that! To face everyone without blushing crimson, or flinching under their stares, or breaking out in cold sweat at the thought of answering their questions.
He got up reluctantly, and followed Snape to the door. Outside, the hallway lay, long and dim. He felt like a prisoner marching toward the firing squad.
They reached the Potions classroom. Harry glanced at Snape. Snape had a class to teach. Harry would have to walk the rest of the way alone. He paused by the door, not sure how he could go on.
He felt Snape's hand between his shoulder blades, giving him a push forward. He looked up.
"Together, right?" Snape reminded him. He met Harry's eyes, and for a second Harry imagined he saw something besides cold apathy in them.
"Together," he repeated, trying to smile at Snape, not quite managing a convincing one.
They reached the staircase. Just a few dozen steps now. He could already hear the noise upstairs as breakfast was ending in the Great Hall.
"Wait," he said suddenly.
Snape, who had gone ahead, stopped and turned around.
"Before I consent to living with you, there's one more thing that I need to know," Harry's words tumbled out.
Snape nodded, waiting.
"What did you do to Professor Figg?" Harry asked, unable to keep back the suspicious tone.
Snape stared at him. And then, to Harry's shock, he laughed.
"I assure you she is alive and well," he finally said. "I will tell you about it some other time."
He turned and ascended another step, but looked back when Harry didn't follow him.
"Come on," Snape said, and held out a hand.
Harry stared at it, taking a second to comprehend, then took it, and allowed Snape to pull him forward. Forward, toward the light, the voices, his friends and his foes, all the people he would have to face. . .
But not alone.