Chapter five

A Message

The days went by and became weeks, and people seemed to have got used to Harry's looks. They got even more homework than the year before, and Harry didn't have time to go around brooding about his hair anymore. Hermione helped him to put a charm on his robes to make them a little shorter, and after that, Harry soon forgot about the robe incident.

The classes were like they always were, hard work. McGonagall was worse than ever, making them stay on after the lessons if they hadn't mastered a transfiguration, or having them come for remedial Transfiguration if she thought it necessary. This applied to everyone, but to Harry in particular, since she had sworn to make Harry an Auror at any cost.

The only lessons that had actually become easier were, strangely enough, Potions. Snape wasn't his usual self; he didn't humiliate Harry like he had always done; yet he was mean to both Neville and Hermione albeit not quite as much as he had used to. He did make the odd sarcastic remark to Harry, but these remarks were rare and he never kept on harassing Harry during a whole class. Harry found that he succeeded in making potions correctly far more often now than he had before, since he could concentrate on that instead of having to be prepared, constantly, for an attack from Snape. Sometimes, he even enjoyed making potions.

On several occasions, Harry had caught Snape staring at him absent-mindedly, averting his eyes if he realised that Harry had noticed. Harry wondered what was going on; why had Snape changed so much? He didn't have time to think about that, however; he was just thankful that he was being left in peace.

Harry was very much looking forward to the Hallowe'en Party this year, perhaps more so than usual since the workload was so great, and a break was more necessary than it had been during the previous years.

As he was getting ready for the feast, Harry looked into a mirror for the first time since the beginning of the term; normally he was in such a hurry that he had neither time nor any specific reason to look in a mirror. He was surprised, therefore, that his appearance had changed even more since the summer. Once again, he wasn't sure what the difference was – his nose seemed longer... and also – Harry tried to get a glimpse of his profile in the mirror – wasn't it a bit... hooked?

But nobody else had said anything, and they always did if there really was a change... He was imagining things, he must be. He went back to the common room, scanning his friends' faces anxiously in case they showed any sign that they thought he – or his nose – looked odd in any way, but he could see no such signs.

They were a little early for the feast, and on the way there, they met Lupin, who looked even more worn out and worried than usual, his shabby robes torn in new places.

'Ah, hello, you three,' he greeted them. 'I'm glad I met you. I was wondering if you could do me a favour, Harry…' Harry nodded. 'Good... I'd like you to take this letter to professor Snape for me, Harry.'

'OK,' Harry shrugged, looking slightly puzzled.

'And Harry, please wait for a reply... And then bring it straight to me – I'll be in my office. It won't take long, we'll still be in time for the feast, so don't worry!'

'Oh, I can take it, Professor,' Hermione said, seeing the look of discomfort on Harry's face.

'No thank you, Hermione,' Lupin said, smiling, 'I'd like Harry to take it.' With those words Lupin hurried away along the corridor.

'What's up with that?' Ron asked. 'What's he on about? Why Harry?'

'Ah, I don't mind... all that much. It doesn't matter, I'll go.

'We'll come with you, Harry,' Hermione said reassuringly.

'No, go on, you go to the Great Hall and save me a seat. I won't be long.'

Harry made his way down to the Dungeons as quickly as he could; he wanted to get this over with as soon as possible. What a strange thing for Lupin to ask... If he wanted to talk to Snape, why didn't he summon him by floo-powder?

'Er... Excuse me, Professor Snape,' Harry said warily as he knocked at the half-opened door. He heard two quick, loud steps and Snape was there, towering in the doorway. He had been getting ready for the feast, too, apparently.

'Potter,' he said coldly. 'Aren't you supposed to be at the feast?'

'I'm on my way there... Sir. Professor Lupin told me to give you this, and bring back a reply... He said it wouldn't take long, I'd be in time for the feast.'

Snape snorted. 'Oh, did he?' He took the letter and tore it open, glancing through it quickly. 'Well, I suppose you'd better come in...' He looked at the letter again. 'Have you read this, Potter?' he asked icily.

'No, Sir... I wouldn't want to intrude on someone's privacy like that,' Harry said, realising, too late, that it might not sound entirely convincing when talking to Snape.

'Really?' Snape sneered, 'You didn't seem to mind entering my Pensieve last year.'

'I'm sorry... Sir. I shouldn't have done that.'

Snape's eyes widened in surprise. 'No, Potter, you shouldn't have.' He looked at him, coldly. 'So... Let's have it, Potter... What exactly have you done to change your appearance?'

'Nothing, Sir.' What did Snape mean? Did he honestly think that Harry had changed his looks on purpose? To look like this!

'Come now, such a change as this doesn't arise without some manipulation. What have you done?'

'I said, nothing! Give me some Veritaserum if you don't believe me.'

'As much as I'd like to know exactly what offences you are guilty of, Potter, I cannot do that. It's against Ministry guidelines.'

'That didn't seem to bother you last year when you provided Professor Umbridge with it.'

'I never gave that Umbridge woman any real Veritaserum. Even you should realise that, thick as you may be,' Snape said silkily. 'And, in case it had escaped you: she was from the Ministry.' Then his expression altered, and he stared at Harry absentmindedly the way he sometimes did in class. 'Yes, well,' he said after a short while, 'Tell Professor Lupin I'll be there... He'll know what I mean.'

Harry swept out of the room without saying anything.

When he was alone, Snape sat down and read the letter again.

Dear Severus,

I am sending this to you with Harry, because I want you to talk to each other. I think you must realise, deep inside, Severus, that Harry is truly your son. It would be a benefit to both of you to talk to each other – and, some day soon, someone must tell Harry about this. I shall talk to Dumbledore about this, whether you are there or not, on Monday after my last lesson.

Remus Lupin

As much as he hated to admit it, Snape realised that there could be no other explanation for all the strange circumstances around Harry Potter than the fact that he was his son. Looking at him now, there could be no doubt: first there had been the change in his hair and his skin, and now ... his nose was a bit hooked and he even walked the way he did. Deep down he had known this ever since Lupin had first mentioned the possibility to him: that Harry was his son. His ... and Lily's. Snape sighed, pushing these thoughts to the back of his mind. He had to go to the feast, or questions would be asked, so he left the dungeons, determined to avoid thinking of these disturbing matters.

During the Hallowe'en feast, Harry's thoughts kept drifting. In the middle of a conversation, he could hear Snape's voice saying 'such a change as this doesn't arise without some manipulation...' and it made him shiver. He took no pleasure whatsoever in the feast, but sat there, waiting for it to end. Thankfully, Hermione, Ron and Ginny didn't seem to notice his discomfort, but were talking and laughing as usual. Only Neville gave him a concerned look once or twice during the evening, but he didn't say anything.

Harry was worried. Why did Snape keep looking at him the way he did? Up until now, Harry hadn't minded Snape staring at him in Potions, since it had some connection with the fact that he wasn't making life hell for Harry during the classes any longer. But now, as Harry looked over to Snape, sitting in his usual seat, he wondered what it meant... Was there something wrong with him? And if so, what was it?

Author's note: Thanks again for the reviews – Don't worry, you'll be seeing more interaction between Harry and Snape in a few chapters' time, and yes, he will suspect something soon...