Snape opened his mouth to say a spell, but Harry whipped out his wand and stood quickly.
"EXPELLIARMUS!" Harry cried with such ferocity that saliva flew out of his mouth.
Snape deflected it easily. "Nonverbal, Potter!" He shot back, and sent a disarming spell back at him.
Harry's wand flew from his hand and he suddenly felt completely powerless. He backed away from Snape slowly, his gaze never leaving Snape's wand.
Finally, he stared into Snape's eyes. When he did, his hatred for the Potions Master intensified, and he was almost blinded by rage.
"What are you here for? To kill me like you did Dumbledore? To betray me like you did my parents? To fulfill Voldemort's orders? ANSWER ME, YOU FILTHY COWARD!" Screamed Harry, who now was so hysterical that he didn't see Snape slip his wand back into his robe pocket.
"I did not come to kill you, Potter. I came to warn you. The Dark Lord is sending Death Eaters to capture you tonight, Potter, you had better mount your broom and leave," he replied.
"And which Death Eaters are those? You and who else? Why aren't you with dear Bellatrix Lestrange, or whoever else you were sent with?"
"I am not with Bellatrix. I am with NO ONE. I am sent on Remus Lupin's orders to retrieve you and take you to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, or so I am told, your new inherited home."
"WHAT? You can't expect me to believe that rubbish! I know you killed Dumbledore!"
"But I didn't. Professor Dumbledore is now at Grimmauld Place. We set up a scheme to make sure the Dark Lord thought he was dead. It worked. And that is why Death Eaters are coming for you."
"How can I trust you?"
"Read this. It is a letter from Molly Weasley. If you can't believe this, then you can just stay and be captured by Death Eaters."
Harry took the paper. He unfolded it and stared at the message. There was no mistaking Mrs. Weasley's loopy handwriting. Harry read it bitterly.
Dear Harry,
Professor Snape is being sent to get you. Trust him, he is telling the absolute truth. Dumbledore is here and safe. Hurry!
Stay Safe,
Mrs. Weasley
Harry looked again at Snape.
"Alright," he said through clenched teeth, "I'll go with you."
Snape said nothing; he just turned on his heel and marched toward Number Four. He strode through the Dursley's door with so much as a knock on the door. Uncle Vernon purpled when he glimpsed a billowing robe sweeping through his living room and up his stairs, followed by a skinny 17-year-old boy. Somehow, Snape knew where Harry's room was. He walked in without a thought and grabbed his trunk.
"You know how to Apparate, I trust?" He said.
"Yes, I took my test a week ago," replied Harry.
Harry grabbed Hedwig's cage and lugged it downstairs after the professor. Snape suddenly stopped.
"We Apparate, three…two…one…now," said Snape, and then disappeared with a crack.
Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia shouted with alarm. Harry couldn't help but smile as he readied himself to leave.
He looked back at the tidy living room one last time, and then felt the familiar sensation of being pressed in from all sides.
When he resurfaced, he looked around and found himself in a homey kitchen.
"HARRY!" Screamed a familiar voice. Harry turned, and smiled widely.