AN: I'm sure you've all heard this by now. But today we lost Richard Harris, Professor Dumbledore will never be the same without him.  I dedicate this chapter in loving memory of him.

Disclaimer: See Part 1.

Part 15

When Harry woke the second time it was early evening, judging by the small clock on the bedside table that showed the time as being "After Tea, But Before Supper." Harry squeezed his eyes closed again and snuggled into the pillow resting under his heavy head.

There was an argument going on outside his room. He heard a high feminine voice and several lower male voices. In the back of his mind he recognized each of them but he was to tired to think that much at the moment. He was comfortable in a big warm bed, wrapped in the heavy blanket. He sighed, relishing in the fact that he actually felt much better than he had before he had fallen asleep. 

The voices rose in volume and Harry regrettably opened his eyes. Harry sat up slowly, rubbing at the top of his head, mussing his already messy hair. He smiled at the Headmaster who watched him from and armchair in the corner. Harry stretched his arms out in front of himself and carefully swung his legs off the side of the bed. He looked at the Headmaster, rubbing absently at his right hip.

"Severus thinks he can help me," Harry stated simply. The older Wizard smiled, then began to twinkle again.

"I know. I'm very happy for you, Harry. We should have told him when everything first happen.. One of many mistakes I have made in this life and one I regret most terribly. I apologize," his expression turned solemn.

"Don't be sorry, Albus. I didn't want anyone to know. You were only doing as I asked of you. Besides, the past doesn't matter anymore. That's something we all need to start realizing." The last remark came after a particularly loud shout of "Greasy Git!" from the main room. Harry deflated a little and shot a pointed look at the door. "Suppose I should go out there..." Dumbledore merely looked at him. Harry nodded and looked around himself. There was a warm looking green robe laying across the end of the bed. Harry picked the fabric up. It was soft and proved to be very warm when he pulled it on over the pajamas someone had changed him into at some point. He looked over to see Dumbledore, summoning a pair of slippers to himself. He placed them on the floor in front of Harry. "Thank you, Albus" he said quietly sliding down off the high bed and onto the floor. He winced, touching his hip as he wobbled a little. He felt weak, slightly shakey. Nothing unusual. The Headmaster stabilized him with a helping hand.

"Are you sure you're up to this, Harry. They can wait until you are stronger." Albus asked, looking at him contemplatively. Harry sighed.

"If I don't go out there now and put a stop to this it will either end up with a trip to the infirmary or a trip to the morgue. Possibly both. Severus isn't going to let anymore people come traipsing through his bedroom than necessary. So I must go out there," he replied.

"Ah, yes. You're quite right of course," Albus took his arm and helped the un-sturdy man walk toward the door, that lead back out toward the sitting room. Harry's mouth dropped open at the sight greeting him through the open doorway.

Half of the staff of Hogwarts stood and sat around the living room, along with several old friend, he hadn't seen in a very long time. There were more red heads littering Severus Snape's living room than in all of Muggle London, or so it seemed.

All talking stopped at his appearance in the doorway. Severus and Ron stood in the middle of the room. Harry closed his eyes as he realized just who had been shouting. Harry looked up again. Ron looked at Harry with a strange expression on his face. Severus had turned around as well and looked from Harry to Albus and back again.

The sudden silence was stifling. Harry locked eyes with several people littering the room. He saw concern in their eyes. And, was it, Pity? Harry took a step backward.

"Why are you all here?" he asked. He didn't want pity. He wanted to go back to his bed and hide until they all forgot he existed or he died of malnutrition and dehydration. They knew and he didn't want them too.

Ron stepped toward him and offered a weak smile.

"We heard you were sick. We worried about you..." he said stepping closer again. Harry moved away, skirting around the edge of the room, away from Ron and toward the fireplace. He let one nondescript hand trail along the stone wall for balance. "Harry?"

"As you can see, I am just fine. No need to worry..." Harry's voice was flat and strange to all those who heard it.

"Maybe we should leave, let Harry get some more rest. We didn't mean to disturb you, Harry." Harry looked at Remus gratefully. The Maurader smiled at him and stood. "Everyone out!" he called to the people littering the room. Most of the Faculty and All of the Weasley's stood as well. Only Ron hadn't moved toward the door.

"I'm not leaving without Harry." he spite angrily. Harry's face hardened at the words.

"I'm not going anywhere with you Ronald Weasley. Not if you asked me too, and definitely not fi you demanded. As soon as I am well enough I am going back to my own rooms. As I said before, you needn't worry." Harry spoke evenly.

"But, Harry! You can't want to stay here. With Snape of all people?" Ron spat.

"As opposed to who? People who punch first and ask questions later? I've had quite enough of that  kind of attention thank you very much!" Harry leaned back against the wall. He watched as Ron's eyes narrows. He was beginning to turn red again. That had never been a good sign.

"Come on Ron. Harry'll be fine." Hermione. She nodded at Ron and reached out for Ron's arm. Ron yanked the appendage away from her.

"Fine!" he growled. It was a low whisper. He turned and left the dungeon apartment without a backward glance, slamming the door behind him. Hermione stared after her husband, frowning.

"I'm sorry, Harry." she said quietly. "I... if you want to talk about anything. Owl me okay?" she asked. Harry nodded, looking away from her. She sighed and quietly left the apartment. Dumbledore followed the two out. Waving goodbye and smiling at them.

"Get some rest, Harry. You too, Severus!" Albus called the words out over his shoulder.

Harry sighed and leaned against the fireplace mantle for support, his brow furrowed.

"You should be in bed. Whatever possessed you to get out of bed and why didn't Albus stop you?" Severus asked moving toward him. Harry watched him almost wearily. Sev had remained suspiciously silent for the entire episode.

"I'm sorry for bringing unwelcome theatrics into your personal quarters. It was never my intention to." Harry said, allowing himself to be supported and led back to the bedroom. The pain eased in his legs as half of his weight was supported.

"While playing host to a dozen and a half Gryffindors isn't something I count on my top 10 list of most anticipated experiences, it is however better than having them all camped out in the hall for My Slytherin's to see," came the smooth reply. He settled Harry back into the bed, and covered him up. They were alone now, with Albus and everyone gone.

"Do they all know?" Harry asked, after a moment, looking up at the ceiling.

"Yes," the reply was quietly spoken. Almost sympathetic.

"How much do they know?"

"Everything."

"The students?"

"They suspect" he seemed almost reluctant to tell him. Harry understood why.

Tbc.