Severus Snape was currently engaged in a staring contest with Lupin. If Albus was fool enough to let the werewolf, who had already proved himself incapable of remembering to take his required potion, back into the Dark Arts professorship, there had to be at least one teacher to make sure the school was safe for the students. And that protector of the student populace would be none other than Severus Snape, the cruel and vicious Slytherin potions master.

Remus Lupin, for his part, was staring in an obviously bemused way at Severus. He obviously didn't take his... condition... seriously enough. Thought himself as above the rules as Potter ever had. "You will take the Wolfsbane now. Not at your convenience, Lupin."

"Severus," drawled the werewolf, "Could it not wait until after I have marked these tests? I assure you, I will take it before the moon's effects begin."

"As you did the night Black was found on Hogwarts grounds? No, Lupin, you will take it now, and in my presence."

The werewolf sighed and reached for the goblet with a faint smile. "I say, Severus, you simply must relax about these things." Severus scowled and watched as Lupin brought the potion to his lips, only to pause before drinking it. "Your hair looks different today."

"I did not come here to ask for tips on how to improve my image."

Lupin nodded benignly, canines showing sharp in his mouth. "Yes, we both know that you would hate to project anything other than a stern and forbidding countenance to the students." Severus nodded sharply. "And we both know that you try too hard to cover the fear you have for it to be effective on anyone other than students."

Severus grit his teeth. "Drink your potion, Lupin."

"A werewolf can smell these things, you know..." He drank. "All done," he said, turning the goblet over to show that nothing remained of Severus' proffered potion. "Your new hairstyle suits you."

"I will see to it, then, that it is returned to its prior state as soon as possible," said Severus through his teeth. He grudgingly grabbed the goblet, fingers fastening about it in a fiery rush.

"Severus, I'm only teasing."

"We are not close friends, and I see no reason to banter. Kindly keep your provocations to your boggarts."

Lupin attempted to smile disarmingly. Severus scowled and left the room in a great fluster of robes.

The arrogance of that werewolf, thought Severus grimly as he began the walk back to his rooms. Does he think I need him to comment on my appearance? Even if I did, how could he possibly think that he should speak of it instead of taking a medicine that is the only reason he is permitted to work at this school... Severus had always known that werewolves were irresponsible. It was one of the reasons he feared them, even given the potions they were required to take. And Lupin was worse than most, being Potter's friend and therefore used to being an exception to every rule...

"Severus!" The headmaster's voice boomed down the hall, and Severus looked up. "Has a student made light of your hair?"

Severus frowned and moved a hand to his hair. It felt a little bit odd, as though he'd been touching something with with too much magical energy, what the muggles called static. "I didn't catch anyone," he said uncertainly.

"Perhaps just a trick of the light then," said Albus agreeably. "Have you given Remus his potion?"

"Yes," said Severus with a grim smile. At least the headmaster was taking it seriously. "Just now. I'll be taking the rounds tonight?"

"Yes, yes, of course Severus. He's being quiet?"

No need to ask who he was. There was only one person to whom the headmaster would refer to so quietly. "I've heard nothing."

The headmaster nodded. "Thank you, Severus." He moved on just as quietly as he'd come.

***

Remus rubbed his eyes. He hated that damnable potion. It gave him migraines, and they were never worse than when Severus Snape was involved in the preparation of the Wolfsbane.

And he still had tests to mark, to find out if the students remembered anything after the year with Umbrige. He still couldn't determine whether she'd actually tried to teach any of them anything, or if the students were just not paying attention all of last year...

"Remus! How are you?" asked Albus, walking into his office quietly.

"Headache coming on. The moon..."

"Yes, yes... Did you notice anything... different about Severus when he came down tonight?"

"He was his usual pleasant self. There isn't anything wrong, is there?"

"No, no," the headmaster said distractedly. "I was just wondering what might have provoked the change..."

"Change?"

"His hair, dear boy."

"Ah..." Remus said. His hair? What's so interesting about him forgetting to slick his hair back?

"I'm quite excited. It's progress, you know. I've been waiting years. It's very exciting, don't you think?"

"I suppose..."

"Oh yes, very exciting. Although, I do hope that his progress might speed up now that we've seen the first signs of it. Did you see it happen?"

Remus blinked. "See what happen?"

The headmaster blinked. "Oh, Remus," he said, as if just noticing who he was talking to. "I suppose you don't know then... no, I never told any of you, did I... Did you see when his hair changed?"

Remus shook his head in confusion. "I think it was some time after he gave me the potion, Headmaster."

"So you triggered it! How wonderful!"

"Triggered what, exactly?"

***

Harry knew he shouldn't have been so rude to Lupin. Having thought about it for an hour while lying awake in his bed, magic working all around him, had woken him to the idea that Professor Lupin missed Sirius too. That, in fact, he might know more about Sirius, might be able to tell him... something. Anything. Maybe he could even tell him what the veil was. Obviously, everyone thought that Sirius was dead, but then, they'd all believed Voldemort was dead, too. It wasn't as though no one came back to life. It was just... rare.

And if there was anyone who knew how to accomplish the impossible, it was Harry Potter.

So he'd stolen away from Gryffindor tower, his mind alight with possibilities of what he could ask. He'd had to be careful not to wake Hermione or Ron, who would have only counseled him to wait until daylight. They were taking their duties as Prefects a little too seriously, as far as Harry was concerned.

That was how he found himself outside of Remus Lupin's office, overhearing (and a small part of his mind corrected with eavesdropping) the conversation between his professor and his headmaster.

"Triggered what exactly?" asked Professor Lupin.

"Ah... how much do you know about maladies of the mind, Remus?" asked Dumbledore.

"The mind?"

"Yes. The magical mind, more specifically." Harry heard Dumbledore walking to and fro. "He had a great trauma when he was young, and his mind... was damaged. This caused some complications that were quite unusual."

"Well, I can believe his mind was damaged, headmaster, but what exactly do you mean by that?"

Dumbledore continued as though Remus had not spoken. "You see, when muggle minds fracture, they often have voices in their heads. Sometimes, they do things they don't later recall doing. It is much the same with wizarding children, though the signs are much more difficult to detect." Dumbledore took a deep breath, and Harry heard his robes moving as though he were trying to illustrate a point. "With wizarding children, when the mind becomes fragmented, sometimes an alternate personality is created. What's more, that personality is given shape and form."

"So... you're saying he's a part of someone else, or that someone else is a part of him...?"

"Yes, and no. It is very... complicated. It took quite some time for the concept to be explained entirely to me. Suffice it to say that he is a very ill man, and after over 20 long years, he is finally showing progress towards reintegration of his mind's fragments. And somehow, you triggered that." Headmaster Dumbledore paused. "I want you to try to continue, if you can."

"Ah... well..."

"For a sick colleague, Remus." Harry could hear the smile in Dumbledore's voice. "Don't hold grudges."

Harry shifted. "I believe you have company," said Dumbledore, opening the door and smiling at Harry. Harry turned his eyes away. He wasn't angry at the man, but he did still feel a little bit embarrassed about how he'd behaved at the end of the last school year. "Harry, shouldn't you be in bed?"

"I wanted to..." Harry stopped, feeling even more embarrassed by having to say exactly what was on his mind.

Remus came out. "It should be all right for a little while, Albus. No more than half an hour, though..."

Dumbledore smiled and nodded. "A few minutes shouldn't harm anyone. Please think on what I've said, Remus."

Professor Lupin nodded and motioned for Harry to come in. Harry entered and sat down as Dumbledore left. "Well, Harry, did you come to talk about Sirius?"

Harry nodded, but couldn't bring his eyes to meet his godfather and father's last remaining friend. "You said... before... that he would have wanted to go that way. How do you know?"

Lupin sat back and crossed his arms. "He loved you Harry. As a Griffindor, you must realize that we would all die for the things we truly love. Griffindors are, perhaps, not the most sensible of Wizards. Slytherins would plan things better, and more likely they would not have to die for what they loved..."

Harry was already starting to question the wisdom of coming. "That doesn't really make me feel better, you know," Harry said, and even he could hear the petulance in what he'd said.

"No, I don't suppose it does." Remus looked at him with kind eyes. "But the truth of things is that Sirius would have given the world to keep you safe."

Harry shook his head. Why should I expect comfort? He probably blames me for the whole thing. Sirius was his friend, not just my godfather, and he probably doesn't see that the whole thing is Snape's fault. If only he'd told me about how Voldemort might control the visions! Or if he'd not taunted Sirius... Even if he'd come and told us that Sirius was safe, instead of making me think that he didn't understand a word I said...

This was getting him nowhere. "The veil... would it have hurt?" asked Harry quietly.

Remus shook his head. "I don't think so. No one knows much about it though." Harry let the hope flow through him, and Remus obviously saw it. "Harry, no one has come back through it. Whatever fate awaits someone behind the veil, it is not one that they can return from."

"Everyone thought Voldemort was dead, and he came back! Why can't Sirius?" Harry looked up and caught Remus' eyes.

Remus stared intently at him for a few moments. "There is nothing to say he can't except for what has happened before. But you will not bring him back through there. I want your word that you won't try."

Harry sat back, stung. "I wouldn't try anything that would hurt me."

"Harry, you haven't displayed the best common sense where these things are concerned."

"No one trusts me with anything!" Harry got up. "Dumbledore, you, Sirius... no one trusts me. And none of you ever have..." He shook his head. "Why do I even bother talking to any of you? All anyone ever gives me is half truths and pieces of the picture!"

"Harry, none of us ever has the full picture." said Professor Lupin reasonably.

Harry didn't want to hear reason. "I'm going back to bed."

He heard Professor Lupin sigh and close the door after he stormed out. It was definitely time to go to bed.




Author's notes
Sorry, I said I'd put one chapter out a day, but it hasn't worked out. Well, I'll have to go with something a little easier to maintain.
Thanks for all the comments, hope I get some more. I'm taking my inspiration off of Severitus fic challenges, but of course, these things are dull without a twist, so I think you've already seen what mine is. Still, hope you've had fun reading this.

Send me feedback, please! ^_^