Disclaimer: I am a starving college student - I own nothing.

Proof that I've ventured to far into Snape's mind. The other day at work, I went to say goodnight to my boss before leaving. She said she hadn't realized that I was still there, that I must have been 'hiding in my dungeon.' Okay, so the 'dungeon' is a corner office (and so a bit out of the way) in which I habitually leave the lights off, but still, I was amused…

Thanks to everyone who reviewed.

John Steppenwolf: As for Harry's reaction: He was trying to control his temper: which means that when he finally does go off, the explosion will be oh so much more spectacular. (Ok, maybe not spectacular, but definitely more fun to write).

Ezmeralda: Yup, you guessed it. But shh, Harry doesn't know yet.

Chapter 20: Angry as an Affronted Hippogriff.

Harry was livid, as, he was sure, was the man currently choking him. Harry tugged at his collar, trying to loosen the restriction on his windpipe. He would have cursed Snape if he could have uttered the proper incantation.

"In," said Snape as they reached the headmaster's office, finally loosing his grip on Harry's robes.

"Ah, Severus, Harry, it is good to see that you are safe," said Dumbledore. "I will alert the others," with that, Dumbledore left his office, clearly intent on giving Harry and Snape some time alone, the Conniving Old Coot…

"Idiot boy!" bellowed Snape. "What in Merlin's name was going through that thick Gryffindor head of yours? Have you any idea what could have happened?"

"As a matter of fact I do!" Harry shot back. "Let's see. I could have been found by Voldemort, and tortured and then killed. I could have been found by Lucius, and been turned into his plaything, and then tortured and killed by Voldemort. Or, perhaps, I could have finally been free of you all - you, Dumbledore, the whole sodding lot of you!"

"You dare to disrespect Albus? After all that the man has done for you?" Snape was now advancing on Harry. "How dare you be so ungrateful, knowingly endangering your life after the lengths we have all gone to in order to protect you? After your mother sacrificed herself for you! To say nothing of James Potter…"

Harry drew his wand. "How dare I? How dare I?" Harry shouted. "How dare you even speak to me of them, Father?" Harry spat. "How dare you stand there, speaking of James's sacrifice, knowing that it is because of you that James died, for Lily and your son that he gave his life? He's probably turning in his grave, knowing the truth!"

"Fool boy! Put that away!" growled Snape, but Harry was not about to relinquish his advantage.

"NO! I've had enough! I have nothing to say to you, nor will I listen to anything you have to say. NOW GET THE BLOODY HELL OUT OF MY WAY!" Harry yelled, for Snape was blocking the exit.

With that, the door to Dumbledore's office flew open: Harry had apparently been angry enough to perform a bit of accidental magic. Unfortunately, the way was still blocked by one Severus Snape.

Snape slammed the door shut again. "Will you never learn to face your problems like a man? Do you intend on running from your problems for the remainder of your life, which I assure you will be a short one if you don not learn some sense soon?"

Harry glared. He would have loved to yell something back at Snape, but he seemed to be to angry to put the appropriate words together.

Perhaps, said an annoying little voice in Harry's head, that's because you know he's right.

If you don't shut it I swear I will find a way to rid myself of you, once and for all, Harry growled back at the voice.

"When will I face things like a man? What about you? You find out you have a son and your reaction is 'let's ignore this!' Don't you think it's about time you took responsibility for your actions, Father?"

Snape sighed. "Harry, you know why I cannot."

"Yes," said Harry. "I understand perfectly. It doesn't excuse you though! But don't get me wrong, Father, I'm not saying I want anything from you. But don't lecture me on 'facing things like a man,' it's a tad hypocritical of you, don't you think?"

Harry didn't wait for a response. He was out the door before Snape could stop him, and heading back to the dungeons, where he intended on changing his password and finally finding some peace.

Snape made to follow Harry, but the boy was already being dragged back into the office by an extremely irate Remus Lupin.

"Explain," said Remus once he, Dumbledore, Tonks, and Moody were once again inside the office.

"I don't think I will, thank you," said Harry coolly.

"Harry," warned Lupin.

"I don't owe you an explanation," said Harry, though he felt guilty for being short with Lupin.

Realizing that their presence was no longer necessary, Moody and Tonks made their excuses and took their leave.

"You most certainly do owe everyone in this room an explanation, not to mention an apology, now explain yourself, Harry." said Remus. "I'm disappointed in you."

That stung. Everyone had all these expectations of him Harry felt, yet no one seemed to give two shits what he thought of all this. And then they went and judged him when he didn't fulfill said expectations, despite not having the remotest idea what drove him to do the things that he did.

"You think I owe you an explanation?" Harry shouted. "No! You owe me an explanation. Why didn't you tell me that James wasn't my dad?"

"Harry, we just discovered this. This wasn't some grand conspiracy to hide things from you, as you seem to think."

But Harry wasn't listening anymore. Now he had rounded on Dumbledore.

"And you, Headmaster. Why do you still avoid me, when you said that you would stop doing that?"

"And you!" Harry said to Snape, saving the best for last. "Why don't you explain to me how you can still treat me like shit when you know that I'm your son!"

"What did you do to him?" demanded Remus, now turning his attention to Snape.

"I didn't do anything to your precious boy," growled Snape. "He just doesn't seem to be dealing well with the fact that I'm his father. Did you expect anything else, werewolf?"

"Calm yourselves, all of you!" said Dumbledore.

"Harry, I have not been avoiding you, and it saddens me that you thought I was doing so and haven't said anything until now. I have been busy, that is true, but my office is always open to you, if you wish to speak to me," said Dumbledore.

"Not avoiding me? You only speak to me when it can't be avoided! Why aren't you filling me in on what Voldemort is up to? I am the one who's going to have to kill the bastard, after all!" said Harry, all of his frustrations having now bubbled to the surface.

Dumbledore looked at Harry sadly. "Yes, you will have to, my boy."

"And don't call me your boy! I'm. Not. Yours." Harry yelled.

"Perhaps we should discuss this when we have all had a good nights rest and are a bit calmer," suggested Dumbledore.

"That sounds like an excellent idea," said Remus.

"I haven't filled you in on what the Order have been up to, Harry, because nothing of import has happened. Updating you on the mundane goings on seems an unnecessary risk, as you have not yet mastered Occlumency. Though if you wish to know the details, I do believe it is your right. You are welcome to come back here in the morning and we can discuss things over tea. It is up to you, Harry," Dumbledore added before Harry and Remus left.

* * * * *

Remus walked Harry back to the dungeons and to Harry's own room. "May I come in for a moment, Harry?" asked Remus.

Harry, who had already been feeling guilty for snapping at Remus, the only one around who actually hadn't done anything to deserve Harry's ire, nodded, allowing Remus to enter before him.

Once they were settled before the fire, Remus began speaking. "Harry, I know all of this has come as quite a shock to you. Though it is good to see that you haven't bottled your emotions up," said Remus with a hint of a smirk, referring to Harry's earlier outburst. "If you want to talk about it, I'm willing to listen."

Harry sighed. "Thanks Remus, but I'd rather not talk about just yet." Or ever, Harry added to himself.

"The offer stands, Harry," said Remus, squeezing Harry's upper arm in a reassuring manner.

Once Harry was in bed, his mind wandered back to the days events. Harry sighed: there was no way he would be getting any sleep tonight.

Just as Harry was debating getting out of bed and trying to do something productive in order to take his mind off of everything that had happened, there was a tapping at his door.

Harry opened the door, and an owl flew in, a small pouch tied to it's leg.

Harry took the pouch, and gave the owl and Owl Treat. Opening the leather bag, Harry found a glass vial with a note attached to it. Harry read the note, which was written in Snape's Untidy Scrawl, which was an improvement over the Illegible Scrawl which Snape generally reserved for notes to Harry.

Harry,

Drink this. We will speak tomorrow.

S. Snape

Wondering what color his hair would be in the morning, Harry downed the sleeping potion, thanking Merlin for small mercies.