Chapter Twelve:

"Your potion should now be a vibrant green. If it is red you did not add enough dragon scales, or you have put in too many squid eggs. Either way the lesson is over. Bottle your potions and bring them up to my desk. I want your working areas to be completely spotless. Potter, I believe I found a Miffle hair under your table last lesson. Please see me after class to discuss your detention."

Harry looked at Hermione in disbelief.

"Twenty points from Gryfindor for that ridiculous scowl. There is no need for that. No, Potter, I believe you face is unpleasant enough as it is. Don't twist your facial expressions up that way or you may be mistaken for Weasley." All of the Slytherins laughed at Snape's comments.

Harry suppressed his anger and helped Hermione clean up her cauldron while she bottled his flask of Sneezing Potion.

"What do you call that, Potter?" Malfoy pointed to Harry's forest green potion.

"What? It was the right shade just a minute ago. Malfoy, if you screwed it up somehow I'll-"

"If you want to blame someone other than yourself, blame Granger. Wasn't she the one bottling your flask? Guess we're not as perfect as we think, huh Granger?"

"Shove it, Malfoy."

"Ten points from Gryfindor. Ms. Granger, watch your mouth."

Malfoy sniggered.

"Malfoy, I believe I have already graded you?" Snape asked.

Malfoy smirked and nodded.

"Then you are excused." Snape dismissed Malfoy.

Snape had been acting extremely unusual. In the past few weeks following the holidays, he had acted far from his usual dismal manner, but he did not seem happier either. It was almost as if Snape was on edge, alert to every minuscule thing that could hinder him from carrying out his daily tasks and routines.

"Unfortunately it is an excellent potion, Granger. Very disappointed," Snape mumbled more to himself than Hermione.

Hermione eyed Snape curiously, but averted her eyes to his desk when he told her she was allowed to leave.

"See you in the Great Hall, Harry."

"See you," Harry muttered. Now it was only he and Snape left in the classroom.

"Sir, I'm not sure how the potion switched shades, but I can assure you that-"

"Quiet, Potter." With a wave of his wand, Snape shut the door and closed all shutters so that the sunlight could not stream in. "This is not about your potion," Snape hissed.

Harry stepped back in attempt to not smell Snape's breath, which stunk of garlic.

"Then, Sir, what is this about," Harry asked as politely as he could manage.

"Have you been practicing Occlumency?"

"Yes. Yes, I have. I tell you during every lesson."

"Shut up, Potter. You will not talk to me with such disrespect."

Harry clenched his teeth. He was ready to verbally lash Snape out. "With all due respect, Sir.."

"Harry, listen to me carefully because I will only say this once." Snape dropped the threatening expression he always carried on his face. Harry's jaw dropped. Did Snape just call him by his first name?

"I am sure that the Headmaster has already talked to you about the importance of Occlumency, but I do not think it has been etched into that tiny skull of yours."

Harry would have spoken up against Snape's poor choice in words, but stopped. He could have sworn that in those cold, black eyes there was a hint of worry. Snape was worried about him?

"Peter Pettigrew has been missing for many months now. He disappeared just a few weeks before Lupin."

"WHAT? Why hasn't anyone said-"

"Use your mind, Potter. Dumbledore has been keeping this under wraps. Only the inner circle of the Order and the Dark Lord's followers know this. The Dark Lord is becoming furious because he sent Pettigrew to attempt to uncover a certain prophecy. He has told everyone Pettigrew is dead, but suspects otherwise because of Lupin's disappearance." Snape paused to let Harry take in this information.

"Mr. Potter?"

Harry looked extremely pale. Snape pulled out a chair in front of his desk and ordered Harry to sit down. When Harry was seated Snape sat down as well.

"Mr. Potter..."

"Sir, the prophecy...you know of it?"

Snape sighed and massaged his eyes with both of his hands. "Yes, the Headmaster informed myself and Professor Mcgonagall of it just recently. I thought the Headmaster discussed this with you."

"No, he didn't," Harry said cooly.

"Potter, I am telling you this because over the past few weeks the Dark Lord has become extremely agitated. He believes Pettigrew knows the prophecy, and retrieved the information from Lupin."

"So now Remus knew of it the whole time!?" Harry's voice cracked slightly.

"It seems to be the case, but I am not certain."

"Professor, why are you telling me all of this. How can I be sure you're telling me the truth. No offense, but you can see how I don't trust you-"

"Which is probably why your Occlumency is so poor. I know you have no reason to trust me, Potter. But I honestly thought that the Headmaster-"

"HONESTLY, PROFESSOR! Do you think Dumbledore tells me anything!?" Something inside of Harry snapped and he stood up, nearly knocking over a few vials of Sneezing Potion.

"Potter!" Snape warned. "If you cannot control your emotions I am afraid I have to ask you to leave. If you have a need to learn more I suggest you pay the Headmaster a visit. In fact, I have some business of my own I need to discuss with him at the moment." Snape stood up, waved his wand so that the door and shutters opened again. Harry thought a silencing charm he cast must also have been lifted.

Before Harry could say another word, Snape left the room and disappeared down the hall with a swift swish of his cloak. Harry stood alone in the Potions room with his mouth hanging open like a cod fish before coming to his senses and leaving.

A/N: A bit shorter than usual, but I felt it was the right place to leave off. Grrr, little ticked off because my email won't let me in, which means I can't visit any yahoo groups, or get my update alerts. Stupid computers....I don't understand these things....