Hi again, this time, I've got a disclaimer in the first chapter. Just for the sake of it though, I would once again like to give full credit for the development of the Harry Potter series to JK Rowling.

With that done, sit back, relax, and enjoy my second chapter.

Chapter 2 – Revelations

Harry bit his lip. His arm was going numb from the vice-like grip on it. He was tired, hungry, and had absolutely no clue what was going on. One thing he did know, however, he was not going to let his cover be blown.

Harry shook his head, creasing his eyebrows into a convincing frown. "I don't know who you're talking about sir. I'm just another kid living in London."

"Nice try, Potter," the man holding him said with a soft chuckle, "but that scar," bending down, he brushed Harry's fringe up, "gives you away."

"So what if I am Harry Potter," Harry asked somewhat defensively, "I've done nothing to you, I've got no connections to you."

The old man sighed. "Just hear us out, Mr Potter, and you may be surprised. Come along with us and we'll explain."

Harry stared at the old man, his free hand tightening on the switchblade at his waist. It was small, but sharp enough to do enough damage for him to escape. "You're insane. I don't know you. Quite obviously, there's no way I'm going with you just like that."

Standing as straight as he could with one arm still gripped strongly by the man, Severus, Harry drawled out, raising an eyebrow sardonically, "Find someone else to play your games, old man, I'm not interested."

The man holding Harry chuckled once more. The woman meanwhile, was glaring disapprovingly at Harry, looking vaguely offended. "Will you stop that?" she snapped at Severus as he continued to smirk.

"If you'll just come with us, Potter," she began before Harry cut her off.

"You're mad," he said flatly, "I've already told you I'm not going to." His hand gripped the knife firmly now.

The old man sighed wearily. "You will hear us out, Mr Potter, whether you want to or not, this is not a time for games."

Harry frowned. It looked as if they would not let him alone until they spoke to him in private. While he might have jabbed at Severus with his blade, the odds of him escaping the other two were still very slim. "Very well then, but I pick the place."

Wrenching his arm out of Severus' grip, Harry spun around, stalking down the deserted streets. "Follow me."

~*~

Severus looked around in interest as he followed the young boy before him. So this was where the Potter boy had spent the last three years, he thought absently, entering a back door just behind Harry and climbing some rickety steps to an abandoned building.

The three adults had gone searching for Harry when Dumbledore had reported that he could not be found at the Dursleys, since the courier owl had returned bearing the acceptance letter, just as it had been sent out.

When they had confronted Harry's relatives, his uncle had merely snapped, "How would I know? Ungrateful little wretch left three years ago!"

If Severus had been expecting to find a James Potter replica, he had been pleasantly surprised. In fact, from what he had seen thus far, James Potter's son acted nothing like his sire. Truth be told, Severus was getting increasingly fond of the boy.

Ducking his head once more to enter the second doorway leading to a single room, Severus studied the peeling wallpaper and scant belongings scattered about the place in mild alarm. A half moth-eaten sofa was in a corner of the room, and a dirty pallet on the floor. What had the boy been doing?

Before he could muse further, however, Harry had turned to face the three adults, his back towards an open, dusty window. Probably so he can escape if anything goes awry, Severus thought in amusement.

"I'll offer you a seat, and some refreshments," Harry drawled, his dark hair falling in front of his eyes once more, "but as you can see, I have none to share."

Clearing his throat, the boy continued, "You wanted to talk. So, talk." He raised an eyebrow expectantly.

Dumbledore cleared his throat. "First off, I believe some introductions are in order. I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is my colleague, Minerva McGonagall, deputy headmistress, and transfigurations teacher. That is Severus Snape, potions master of Hogwarts."

Harry looked unfazed. Absently, Severus wondered if anything would shock the boy. "And? Why should you then need to speak to me?"

Dumbledore smiled broadly at Harry. "Because, my boy, you're a wizard. Had you received your letter at the Dursleys, all would have been well. However, you seemingly disappeared without a trace."

With a shrug, Harry replied, "Yeah well, I had my reasons. So what if I'm a wizard?" the dark-brow hooked upwards once more, "I've known for ages. I mean, I kept doing things no one else could. Things that couldn't be explained."

Dumbledore smiled, "Well, Harry, it's just time to start your education."

"What makes you think I want to go to this school of yours, what makes you think I actually want to leave here?"

McGonagall made a slight choking sound, as though she could not believe her ears. "Potter, the school would be the best place for you."

Harry looked annoyed, "Just because you say so? What is Hogwarts about anyway?"

When Harry turned to Dumbledore, the elderly wizard did not reply however, he was looking at his pocket watch, and frowning as he noted the time. The watch did not quite make sense to Harry, but Dumbledore obviously understood it, for he shook his head abruptly, turning to Harry with another of his smiles.

"I'd love to stay and answer your questions, Harry, but we really have to be going. We can come by tomorrow to explain though."

Dumbledore broke off in surprise as Snape interrupted him, "No need Albus, I can stay. I've got nothing that I can't put off anyway."

McGonagall looked at Snape suspiciously and Harry smiled. It looked like the two of them didn't quite like each other.

Dumbledore clapped his hands together. "Well, if that's all, then we shall be off. Severus, thank you, you can stay. Come Minerva, let's go!"

As the two of them exited the cramped room, leaving Harry behind with Snape, he could hear McGonagall protesting indignantly, "But Albus… Severus?" before the voices faded away.

Left alone, with the sole exception of the adult standing across the room from him, Harry stared back, giving Snape look for look, his chin lifted defiantly, and his eyebrow lifted in a question.

To down-right-mystical: Thanks for the comments! =) haha, I like punk rock too. And Lord of the Rings is very very nice. =) I won't say which I prefer, Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, cos they're both great stories in their own rights. Have you watched PotC yet? And seen Orlando Bloom? *grins*

Do review!!! I get so lonely whenever no one cares to review (sobs) heh. I haven't been posting most of my stuff, like I mentioned before, since I'm still sorting them out, and finals are coming up. However, I figured I'd start writing a fic.

I'll try and update as often as possible, but until I'm done with my finals, I can't promise how often the updates will be. Do stick around and look out for updates though.

See that little button down there? Please review! I love hearing from all you people, and any constructive criticism is, as always, welcome.