Sorry for the delay. I'm back at work now and I don't have the free time
as I used to have. But I promise I will finish this before I go on leave.
How does that sound?
And before you ask...Snape is NOT Harry's father...that will come in a later fic, but not this one. Though...you can never REALLY be sure..hehe...just kidding...or am I?
Here's a long one for ya. I probably won't post till the weekend. Tomorrow is 9-11 and I have things to do here on base.ceremonies and memorials and such. Thanks and R&R!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing Harry noticed when he awoke was that the burden that had been lifted from his chest. Then he remembered why. He shifted uncomfortably, getting the attention of someone nearby. Remus Lupin moved into his view.
"Professor?"
He chuckled, "I no longer work at Hogwarts, Harry. Call me Moony." Harry cringed, and Lupin's face fell. "I'm sorry Harry," he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Harry resisted the urge to flinch under the touch.
"It's not your fault, Moony," he said, trying out the nickname. "It just hurts." He let a tear roll down his cheek, and Remus wrapped his arm around the boy, letting him sob into his shoulder.
"It'll get better, Harry; but it will take time. I know it hurts because I feel it too. He was my brother."
Harry looked up with shock in his eyes, and Remus chuckled.
"Not biologically Harry. But we Marauders were all brothers, well, we had a little sister too." He winked at Harry, who smiled.
"Moony, that's illegal," he tried to keep himself from laughing, but failed at Remus' confused look. Then it clicked.
"Okay, so she was our sister-in-law. Picky aren't we?" The man smiled down at the boy, whose face fell again in thought.
"What about Wormtail?"
Remus sighed, "Even Wormtail was a brother Harry. Don't doubt for a moment that I wouldn't kill him on sight now, but then it was so much different. In Hogwarts, all we had to worry about were exams, Filch, and Snape."
"Professor Snape? Why did you worry about him? Wasn't he in the same year as you?"
Remus looked over at the sleeping form, which Harry had just noticed, and leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Back in our day, Snape was a bigger prankster than the Weasley twins. But don't tell anyone." Harry's eyes went wide and drifted over to his sleeping potions professor. Remus chuckled again.
"Harry, didn't you ever wonder WHY Padfoot sent him after me? To the Whomping Willow? It was revenge."
Harry looked up at Remus, matching his volume, "What did Professor Snape do?"
"That, Potter, is something for a later time." Both of them froze, Remus mid-smile, and turned to see Professor Snape, who had awoken and sat up in the seconds Harry's eyes had been off him.
"Severus! Good to see you back to your old self. How do you feel?"
"I believe it is Mr. Potter who is currently IN the Hospital Wing, Lupin. I am merely here as a visitor." He turned to Harry, "Well, how do you feel?"
Harry was shocked into silence. Had Snape just asked how he felt? Again? He stammered for a moment, then regained his composure.
"Alright, sir. I've been through worse." Clouds formed behind Snape's eyes, something that did not go unnoticed by Lupin. He sensed there was something neither was telling him, but he decided to let it go. Severus had it under control; well, he had a plan anyway. Lupin knew that look anywhere. He had seen that exact same look just before Sirius.he shuddered remembering. Padfoot had been furious to say the least, mad with vengeance to say the most. Whatever Severus had planned, it was not going to bode well for the recipient.
He decided to change the subject, going with much safer territory. "How are classes this year Harry?" Harry didn't miss the small smirk Snape threw his way.
"Alright. I dropped Divination. I was fed up with her phony predictions of my death." Lupin smiled a little.
"What about Transfiguration?" he prodded. Harry tried to hide a smile, but Snape caught it and furrowed his brow.
"It's going well. Professor McGonagall says we've got the best chance for the Quidditch cup we've ever had."
"I believe he asked how classes were, not that silly game."
"It's alright, Severus. Harry likes the game, and likes to talk about it. Let him be."
With an indignant "hmpf" he stood and excused himself.
"What's with him?" asked Remus, slightly amused.
"I think he wanted to know what I thought of Advanced Potions."
Remus paled, "How on earth did you get into that class?" Then he laughed, "Well, come to think of it, Lily was quite the know-it-all." Harry picked up on what he was trying to do and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess know-it-alls aren't that annoying. I mean Ron and Hermione have only been dating a week or so, but he hasn't snapped and started using Unforgivables on everyone yet."
"Ron and Hermione? Why does that not surprise me?" He shook his head. "What about you? Any special someone lurking in that brain of yours?" He ruffled Harry's unruly hair, which really didn't change its appearance any.
Harry's cheeks flushed crimson, and Remus broke out into the biggest smile Harry had ever seen on the man. He fell back down on the bed, throwing the covers over his head in exasperation. Remus patted what he guessed was the boy's shoulder and left the room.
He found Severus sitting in a chair outside the Wing. He took the seat next to him, ignoring the glare he received from the other man.
"How are you Severus?" Remus looked at his friend in concern. Then he froze; had he just called Severus Snape his friend? He mentally shook it off, storing that interesting bit of psychology away for another time. He refocused his attention on the man sitting beside him.
"I'm perfectly fine, Lupin. Why do you ask?"
"I know," was his only reply.
"You know what, Werewolf?" he snapped. The stress was finally beginning to take its toll; or he was returning to normal.
"I know about Samantha. I was at her memorial," he finished quietly.
Snape stood, bringing down upon Remus the full force of his fury. "What? Why were you there?" He wasn't upset that he'd come; Merlin, he was a little grateful. He was really upset that Remus Lupin, his one-time enemy and best friend to his enemy, had seen him break down. Well, as close to a break down as a Snape gets.
"I told Albus I wanted to come. I told him that I wanted to check up on Harry after Padfoot.you know. But I think he saw through it; I never could get anything by him." Snape sank back into his chair, placing his head in his hands.
"I don't know what to do, Remus. It's just all so sudden. I had just gotten over the shock of seeing her again when." he trailed off. Now it was Remus' turn to be shocked. This was the most this man had ever opened up to anyone, save Albus Dumbledore.
Snape waved in the vague direction of the courtroom, "And then all this happened. I don't really know how much more I can take."
"Listen to yourself Severus. I know I did not just hear those words come out of the mouth of the only person who ever got the better of Sirius Black. I know things may seem a little," he paused, looking for the right word, "difficult at the moment, but you have to move on. Albus told me that when Samantha came, you seemed less.Snape-ish. And when she died, you really didn't know how to handle it. You finally acknowledged that something was missing in your life. Every man desires to one day be a father; that's the way of life."
Snape interrupted him, "You don't seem to have this 'desire.'"
"I have already lived that dream. My son, Jaren, was a year behind Samantha at Brisham, and I have heard nothing but great things from him about her. Be proud of what she accomplished in this life, and look forward to telling her so in the next."
Snape was too overcome with shock to hear the last part properly, "You have a son?"
"Yes, though no one knows, as werewolves aren't supposed to reproduce. As such, the only ones who know his true parentage are his closest friends and his family." He smiled, reveling in the similarities in his mind. "Amazing how history repeats itself, no?" Snape seemed to have caught on as well, as a vicious smirk crossed his face.
"Are you suggesting that my daughter became an animagus illegally?"
A rich voice interrupted them, "Actually, it was quite legal. Went about it in the right fashion." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Remus, who hung his head in mock-shame.
If Snape was speechless before, he was completely and totally flabbergasted now. Remus would later described it as "a fish out of water, desperately trying to breath." Lupin himself laughed.
"Is there anything that girl couldn't do?" he smiled.
"Actually, I believe no one knew the depth of the power she carried; not even herself." He smiled down at Severus, who had regained a little composure, though not much. Remus, on the other hand, was almost doubled over with laughter. This, of course, brought Snape from his trance.
"Quiet, Remus, or I'll conveniently forget to concoct your potion this month," he sneered, which of course shut the werewolf up. Snape's head shot up, "Speaking of, who was making your son's wolfsbane potion?"
Dumbledore smiled, and just when Snape was about to fall over, he chuckled, "Aelyn made the potion. Seems he has a knack for it." Remus nodded, and mischief shone behind his eyes.
"What is so amusing, Lupin?"
"The Marauders live!" he whisper-yelled. He didn't want to disturb Harry, who was intently trying to listen in on the conversation.
He thought he'd heard "Samantha" a few times, and he had definitely heard when Professor Snape had snapped at Moony. He'd clearly made out the word "animagus" and discerned "potion" from the small talk. The rest was a blur of sounds, and the nearby nurse humming an annoying tune didn't help matters.
"What was she?" Snape asked.
"She was an eagle, though that hardly surprises me. Aelyn helped, and turned himself into a bear."
Snape nodded in understanding. "One to be the lookout, the other to watch the werewolf."
Dumbledore chuckled, "I had always thought those roles would have been switched. She was always the most out-spoken; the leader of the group. Aelyn was just a quite boy, shy to say the least." Remus chuckled.
"Aelyn's is terrified of heights. He won't even attempt Teeba."
"Teeba?" Snape queried.
"That is the name of the sport they play at Brisham. They tried Quidditch on the boards, but the Beaters couldn't get the leverage they needed and the Keeper kept falling off the board."
The three men heard an exasperated cry come from within the Hospital Wing. "I've had it!" They ran in to find Harry climbing out of bed. All three were at his side in an instant.
"Harry, you're not yet strong enough to be released," Dumbledore urged. Remus patted him on the back, generating a slight flinch at the touch, only noticed by Snape.
"Harry, calm down. You need rest; you've been through a great ordeal."
"I don't need rest Moony; the medi-witch says I'm perfectly fine. The only reason I'm still here is because Fudge is keeping me here." Snape's head whirled around to the medi-witch, who was now trying adamantly to look busy. He stormed over to her, with Remus close behind.
"Is he well enough to return to Hogwarts?" Snape demanded. Even disheveled and worn-down, Snape could make a seventh year soil his trousers, and this young witch was not spared the brunt of his assault. Remus flashed her a sympathetic look.
"Calm down Severus; you'll only make matters worse."
"Yes," the medi-witch stumbled. Both of them looked at her.
"What?" Snape barked.
"He's well enough to return to school; only I have strict orders to keep him here for a few weeks." Remus admired her bravery. She must have been a Gryffindor, he thought to himself.
Well, Snape had scared plenty of Gryffindors in his time; what was one more? He brought all his anger, frustration, stress, and aggression up to the surface and loomed over her. Lupin, who had seen him building, quietly slipped back over to Harry's bedside.
"This boy WILL be returning to Hogwarts immediately. If your brainless excuse for a Minister contests my decision, tell him to take the matter up with Albus Dumbledore. Do I make myself PERFECTLY clear?" He was snarling and yelling at the same time, and Lupin watched in amazement. Snape had never been this angry in his life. He looked to see what Harry thought, but the boy wasn't in his bed. He looked around confused, but could not find the boy in sight.
The young medi-witch couldn't speak, couldn't even move. He took her silence as an affirmative, and with a curt nod, she vanished. Lupin held back his smile until she had disappeared from sight.
"Severus, did you have to do that?"
"Of course," he snarled with his back to Lupin. "Besides," he said turning with an evil smirk, "That felt good." He then noticed the empty bed. "Where is Harry?"
After the initial shock of hearing Severus call the boy by his first name, he shrugged. "I'll go look out in the hallway. He probably tried to run off while you were, uh, occupied." Lupin, knowing full-well the boy hadn't left the room, swept out of the Wing. Snape's eyes narrowed after him, and he heard a small sound coming from UNDER the bed. He knelt down, and his hard glare softened. Harry was curled up into a ball under the bed, almost shivering.
"Harry?" The shivering stopped, but the boy would not look at him. Snape knew he was crying, but he really didn't know why, or how to handle it. "I'll go get Lupin," he began to stand, but Harry's hand shot out and latched onto his arm. Realizing what he'd done, his eyes widened and he slowly removed his hand.
"I'm sorry..I didn't mean to..please..don't be angry." He was choking through his sobs, trying desperately to stop crying, only succeeding in bringing forth more tears. Then he understood.
"Harry, I'm not angry at you. You can rest assured that I would never harm you, nor let harm come to you. I understand how my outburst may have frightened you, but it was not directed at you. The only one that should worry about physical harm from me is Lupin." His small joke got the desired response, and Harry chuckled.
"What about Fudge?" He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Him too. Come out from under there. It can't be at all comfortable," he held out his hand, palm up, and Harry grabbed it. He sat back down on the bed, and laughed. At Snape's quizzical frown, he pointed to the door. Lupin had fainted.
Snape smirked and looked back at Harry. "I always wondered what it would take," he half-joked. He called one of the witches who had just come in and alerted her to her newest patient. She woke him with a simple spell, and he sat up shaking his head.
"Thought I'd seen everything." he mumbled, looking at Harry and Severus. Fudge chose that moment to burst in, trailed by a frightened Sara.
"What is the meaning of this Snape? I'm starting to think I was right."
Lupin hid a smirk at Snape's glare, and rose.
"I assure you, minister, Harry will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts. No harm will come to him," he threw a sidelong glance at Snape, who merely nodded tersely.
"Am I now to take the word of a werewolf and a murderer?" Lupin thought he would have to physically restrain Severus, but he was holding it all in. He would need a serious stress-reliever when they returned to Hogwarts. He feared for any student that crossed him in this state.
"You may take my word, Minister," came a familiar voice. Amos Diggory entered the Wing, followed closely by Arthur Weasley and Mad-Eye Moody.
"Amos! How have you been? How is your dear wife holding up?"
"I am just fine, Minister. However, I am displeased that you are making Harry stay in this place. He is clearly recovered from his ordeal, and Hogwarts is far safer."
"You got that right," grunted Moody.
"I think Harry should stay as close to the professors as is possible. Not to mention there are about 900 wizards and witches in training who would protect him. They may not be much alone, but together they are stronger." Weasley added, impressed that he had managed to get all that out without stumbling from Snape's gaze. At that moment, Dumbledore entered with McGonagall, and her face flooded with relief when she saw Harry.
"So this is where you have been hiding, Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger were worried about you, as was I." She gave him a reproving glare, but it softened when she noticed the puffiness and redness around his eyes. Lupin winked at Harry.
"I think we should take him back to Hogwarts now. Poppy can take a look at whatever is irritating your eyes. I suppose she knows you best Harry." Harry smiled and nodded.
Fudge, knowing he was outnumbered, grunted in disgust, "Fine, take the boy. This is not over Snape. Make the slightest err, and you'll go away for good." He stormed out, leaving a shaking Sara. All Snape had to do was smirk, and she bolted the other direction. Lupin stifled a laugh, and patted Harry on the back.
"Come on, Harry. Let's go home."
And before you ask...Snape is NOT Harry's father...that will come in a later fic, but not this one. Though...you can never REALLY be sure..hehe...just kidding...or am I?
Here's a long one for ya. I probably won't post till the weekend. Tomorrow is 9-11 and I have things to do here on base.ceremonies and memorials and such. Thanks and R&R!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first thing Harry noticed when he awoke was that the burden that had been lifted from his chest. Then he remembered why. He shifted uncomfortably, getting the attention of someone nearby. Remus Lupin moved into his view.
"Professor?"
He chuckled, "I no longer work at Hogwarts, Harry. Call me Moony." Harry cringed, and Lupin's face fell. "I'm sorry Harry," he placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Harry resisted the urge to flinch under the touch.
"It's not your fault, Moony," he said, trying out the nickname. "It just hurts." He let a tear roll down his cheek, and Remus wrapped his arm around the boy, letting him sob into his shoulder.
"It'll get better, Harry; but it will take time. I know it hurts because I feel it too. He was my brother."
Harry looked up with shock in his eyes, and Remus chuckled.
"Not biologically Harry. But we Marauders were all brothers, well, we had a little sister too." He winked at Harry, who smiled.
"Moony, that's illegal," he tried to keep himself from laughing, but failed at Remus' confused look. Then it clicked.
"Okay, so she was our sister-in-law. Picky aren't we?" The man smiled down at the boy, whose face fell again in thought.
"What about Wormtail?"
Remus sighed, "Even Wormtail was a brother Harry. Don't doubt for a moment that I wouldn't kill him on sight now, but then it was so much different. In Hogwarts, all we had to worry about were exams, Filch, and Snape."
"Professor Snape? Why did you worry about him? Wasn't he in the same year as you?"
Remus looked over at the sleeping form, which Harry had just noticed, and leaned in, whispering conspiratorially. "Back in our day, Snape was a bigger prankster than the Weasley twins. But don't tell anyone." Harry's eyes went wide and drifted over to his sleeping potions professor. Remus chuckled again.
"Harry, didn't you ever wonder WHY Padfoot sent him after me? To the Whomping Willow? It was revenge."
Harry looked up at Remus, matching his volume, "What did Professor Snape do?"
"That, Potter, is something for a later time." Both of them froze, Remus mid-smile, and turned to see Professor Snape, who had awoken and sat up in the seconds Harry's eyes had been off him.
"Severus! Good to see you back to your old self. How do you feel?"
"I believe it is Mr. Potter who is currently IN the Hospital Wing, Lupin. I am merely here as a visitor." He turned to Harry, "Well, how do you feel?"
Harry was shocked into silence. Had Snape just asked how he felt? Again? He stammered for a moment, then regained his composure.
"Alright, sir. I've been through worse." Clouds formed behind Snape's eyes, something that did not go unnoticed by Lupin. He sensed there was something neither was telling him, but he decided to let it go. Severus had it under control; well, he had a plan anyway. Lupin knew that look anywhere. He had seen that exact same look just before Sirius.he shuddered remembering. Padfoot had been furious to say the least, mad with vengeance to say the most. Whatever Severus had planned, it was not going to bode well for the recipient.
He decided to change the subject, going with much safer territory. "How are classes this year Harry?" Harry didn't miss the small smirk Snape threw his way.
"Alright. I dropped Divination. I was fed up with her phony predictions of my death." Lupin smiled a little.
"What about Transfiguration?" he prodded. Harry tried to hide a smile, but Snape caught it and furrowed his brow.
"It's going well. Professor McGonagall says we've got the best chance for the Quidditch cup we've ever had."
"I believe he asked how classes were, not that silly game."
"It's alright, Severus. Harry likes the game, and likes to talk about it. Let him be."
With an indignant "hmpf" he stood and excused himself.
"What's with him?" asked Remus, slightly amused.
"I think he wanted to know what I thought of Advanced Potions."
Remus paled, "How on earth did you get into that class?" Then he laughed, "Well, come to think of it, Lily was quite the know-it-all." Harry picked up on what he was trying to do and smiled.
"Yeah, I guess know-it-alls aren't that annoying. I mean Ron and Hermione have only been dating a week or so, but he hasn't snapped and started using Unforgivables on everyone yet."
"Ron and Hermione? Why does that not surprise me?" He shook his head. "What about you? Any special someone lurking in that brain of yours?" He ruffled Harry's unruly hair, which really didn't change its appearance any.
Harry's cheeks flushed crimson, and Remus broke out into the biggest smile Harry had ever seen on the man. He fell back down on the bed, throwing the covers over his head in exasperation. Remus patted what he guessed was the boy's shoulder and left the room.
He found Severus sitting in a chair outside the Wing. He took the seat next to him, ignoring the glare he received from the other man.
"How are you Severus?" Remus looked at his friend in concern. Then he froze; had he just called Severus Snape his friend? He mentally shook it off, storing that interesting bit of psychology away for another time. He refocused his attention on the man sitting beside him.
"I'm perfectly fine, Lupin. Why do you ask?"
"I know," was his only reply.
"You know what, Werewolf?" he snapped. The stress was finally beginning to take its toll; or he was returning to normal.
"I know about Samantha. I was at her memorial," he finished quietly.
Snape stood, bringing down upon Remus the full force of his fury. "What? Why were you there?" He wasn't upset that he'd come; Merlin, he was a little grateful. He was really upset that Remus Lupin, his one-time enemy and best friend to his enemy, had seen him break down. Well, as close to a break down as a Snape gets.
"I told Albus I wanted to come. I told him that I wanted to check up on Harry after Padfoot.you know. But I think he saw through it; I never could get anything by him." Snape sank back into his chair, placing his head in his hands.
"I don't know what to do, Remus. It's just all so sudden. I had just gotten over the shock of seeing her again when." he trailed off. Now it was Remus' turn to be shocked. This was the most this man had ever opened up to anyone, save Albus Dumbledore.
Snape waved in the vague direction of the courtroom, "And then all this happened. I don't really know how much more I can take."
"Listen to yourself Severus. I know I did not just hear those words come out of the mouth of the only person who ever got the better of Sirius Black. I know things may seem a little," he paused, looking for the right word, "difficult at the moment, but you have to move on. Albus told me that when Samantha came, you seemed less.Snape-ish. And when she died, you really didn't know how to handle it. You finally acknowledged that something was missing in your life. Every man desires to one day be a father; that's the way of life."
Snape interrupted him, "You don't seem to have this 'desire.'"
"I have already lived that dream. My son, Jaren, was a year behind Samantha at Brisham, and I have heard nothing but great things from him about her. Be proud of what she accomplished in this life, and look forward to telling her so in the next."
Snape was too overcome with shock to hear the last part properly, "You have a son?"
"Yes, though no one knows, as werewolves aren't supposed to reproduce. As such, the only ones who know his true parentage are his closest friends and his family." He smiled, reveling in the similarities in his mind. "Amazing how history repeats itself, no?" Snape seemed to have caught on as well, as a vicious smirk crossed his face.
"Are you suggesting that my daughter became an animagus illegally?"
A rich voice interrupted them, "Actually, it was quite legal. Went about it in the right fashion." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Remus, who hung his head in mock-shame.
If Snape was speechless before, he was completely and totally flabbergasted now. Remus would later described it as "a fish out of water, desperately trying to breath." Lupin himself laughed.
"Is there anything that girl couldn't do?" he smiled.
"Actually, I believe no one knew the depth of the power she carried; not even herself." He smiled down at Severus, who had regained a little composure, though not much. Remus, on the other hand, was almost doubled over with laughter. This, of course, brought Snape from his trance.
"Quiet, Remus, or I'll conveniently forget to concoct your potion this month," he sneered, which of course shut the werewolf up. Snape's head shot up, "Speaking of, who was making your son's wolfsbane potion?"
Dumbledore smiled, and just when Snape was about to fall over, he chuckled, "Aelyn made the potion. Seems he has a knack for it." Remus nodded, and mischief shone behind his eyes.
"What is so amusing, Lupin?"
"The Marauders live!" he whisper-yelled. He didn't want to disturb Harry, who was intently trying to listen in on the conversation.
He thought he'd heard "Samantha" a few times, and he had definitely heard when Professor Snape had snapped at Moony. He'd clearly made out the word "animagus" and discerned "potion" from the small talk. The rest was a blur of sounds, and the nearby nurse humming an annoying tune didn't help matters.
"What was she?" Snape asked.
"She was an eagle, though that hardly surprises me. Aelyn helped, and turned himself into a bear."
Snape nodded in understanding. "One to be the lookout, the other to watch the werewolf."
Dumbledore chuckled, "I had always thought those roles would have been switched. She was always the most out-spoken; the leader of the group. Aelyn was just a quite boy, shy to say the least." Remus chuckled.
"Aelyn's is terrified of heights. He won't even attempt Teeba."
"Teeba?" Snape queried.
"That is the name of the sport they play at Brisham. They tried Quidditch on the boards, but the Beaters couldn't get the leverage they needed and the Keeper kept falling off the board."
The three men heard an exasperated cry come from within the Hospital Wing. "I've had it!" They ran in to find Harry climbing out of bed. All three were at his side in an instant.
"Harry, you're not yet strong enough to be released," Dumbledore urged. Remus patted him on the back, generating a slight flinch at the touch, only noticed by Snape.
"Harry, calm down. You need rest; you've been through a great ordeal."
"I don't need rest Moony; the medi-witch says I'm perfectly fine. The only reason I'm still here is because Fudge is keeping me here." Snape's head whirled around to the medi-witch, who was now trying adamantly to look busy. He stormed over to her, with Remus close behind.
"Is he well enough to return to Hogwarts?" Snape demanded. Even disheveled and worn-down, Snape could make a seventh year soil his trousers, and this young witch was not spared the brunt of his assault. Remus flashed her a sympathetic look.
"Calm down Severus; you'll only make matters worse."
"Yes," the medi-witch stumbled. Both of them looked at her.
"What?" Snape barked.
"He's well enough to return to school; only I have strict orders to keep him here for a few weeks." Remus admired her bravery. She must have been a Gryffindor, he thought to himself.
Well, Snape had scared plenty of Gryffindors in his time; what was one more? He brought all his anger, frustration, stress, and aggression up to the surface and loomed over her. Lupin, who had seen him building, quietly slipped back over to Harry's bedside.
"This boy WILL be returning to Hogwarts immediately. If your brainless excuse for a Minister contests my decision, tell him to take the matter up with Albus Dumbledore. Do I make myself PERFECTLY clear?" He was snarling and yelling at the same time, and Lupin watched in amazement. Snape had never been this angry in his life. He looked to see what Harry thought, but the boy wasn't in his bed. He looked around confused, but could not find the boy in sight.
The young medi-witch couldn't speak, couldn't even move. He took her silence as an affirmative, and with a curt nod, she vanished. Lupin held back his smile until she had disappeared from sight.
"Severus, did you have to do that?"
"Of course," he snarled with his back to Lupin. "Besides," he said turning with an evil smirk, "That felt good." He then noticed the empty bed. "Where is Harry?"
After the initial shock of hearing Severus call the boy by his first name, he shrugged. "I'll go look out in the hallway. He probably tried to run off while you were, uh, occupied." Lupin, knowing full-well the boy hadn't left the room, swept out of the Wing. Snape's eyes narrowed after him, and he heard a small sound coming from UNDER the bed. He knelt down, and his hard glare softened. Harry was curled up into a ball under the bed, almost shivering.
"Harry?" The shivering stopped, but the boy would not look at him. Snape knew he was crying, but he really didn't know why, or how to handle it. "I'll go get Lupin," he began to stand, but Harry's hand shot out and latched onto his arm. Realizing what he'd done, his eyes widened and he slowly removed his hand.
"I'm sorry..I didn't mean to..please..don't be angry." He was choking through his sobs, trying desperately to stop crying, only succeeding in bringing forth more tears. Then he understood.
"Harry, I'm not angry at you. You can rest assured that I would never harm you, nor let harm come to you. I understand how my outburst may have frightened you, but it was not directed at you. The only one that should worry about physical harm from me is Lupin." His small joke got the desired response, and Harry chuckled.
"What about Fudge?" He sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Him too. Come out from under there. It can't be at all comfortable," he held out his hand, palm up, and Harry grabbed it. He sat back down on the bed, and laughed. At Snape's quizzical frown, he pointed to the door. Lupin had fainted.
Snape smirked and looked back at Harry. "I always wondered what it would take," he half-joked. He called one of the witches who had just come in and alerted her to her newest patient. She woke him with a simple spell, and he sat up shaking his head.
"Thought I'd seen everything." he mumbled, looking at Harry and Severus. Fudge chose that moment to burst in, trailed by a frightened Sara.
"What is the meaning of this Snape? I'm starting to think I was right."
Lupin hid a smirk at Snape's glare, and rose.
"I assure you, minister, Harry will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts. No harm will come to him," he threw a sidelong glance at Snape, who merely nodded tersely.
"Am I now to take the word of a werewolf and a murderer?" Lupin thought he would have to physically restrain Severus, but he was holding it all in. He would need a serious stress-reliever when they returned to Hogwarts. He feared for any student that crossed him in this state.
"You may take my word, Minister," came a familiar voice. Amos Diggory entered the Wing, followed closely by Arthur Weasley and Mad-Eye Moody.
"Amos! How have you been? How is your dear wife holding up?"
"I am just fine, Minister. However, I am displeased that you are making Harry stay in this place. He is clearly recovered from his ordeal, and Hogwarts is far safer."
"You got that right," grunted Moody.
"I think Harry should stay as close to the professors as is possible. Not to mention there are about 900 wizards and witches in training who would protect him. They may not be much alone, but together they are stronger." Weasley added, impressed that he had managed to get all that out without stumbling from Snape's gaze. At that moment, Dumbledore entered with McGonagall, and her face flooded with relief when she saw Harry.
"So this is where you have been hiding, Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger were worried about you, as was I." She gave him a reproving glare, but it softened when she noticed the puffiness and redness around his eyes. Lupin winked at Harry.
"I think we should take him back to Hogwarts now. Poppy can take a look at whatever is irritating your eyes. I suppose she knows you best Harry." Harry smiled and nodded.
Fudge, knowing he was outnumbered, grunted in disgust, "Fine, take the boy. This is not over Snape. Make the slightest err, and you'll go away for good." He stormed out, leaving a shaking Sara. All Snape had to do was smirk, and she bolted the other direction. Lupin stifled a laugh, and patted Harry on the back.
"Come on, Harry. Let's go home."