Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.

Web of Lies: Revelations.

Three days had passed since his confinement to Snape's chambers. Lessons had resumed that same day, and Harry was grateful for it. While his time locked up in his uncle's rooms wasn't as bad as it could have been, it wasn't much fun either. He had continually been reading, because at the slightest hint that he was bored, his uncle would usher him to the lab and make him spend hours cutting up the most disgusting ingredients. After the first time that had happened, Alec had made sure to always keep his head in a book. Not that he thought that is uncle didn't know that half of that time he was lost in thought instead of reading, but as long as he wasn't forced to work in the lab it was fine with him.

The only bright spots in his forced seclusion had been the two visits he had done to his grandfather and the lesson he had had with Rowena about mind magic. So, after two days of that, he was more than happy to return to a normal school schedule, even if it was in first year lessons. When he appeared at breakfast that morning, there were many questions about his continued absence of the Ravenclaw Common Room; it seemed that Professor Flitwick had only told the prefects that Alec would be staying with Professor Snape due to family problems. Harry had been grateful to stick to that story; there was no need to tell everyone that he had been grounded by one of his professors.

Lan hadn't changed her behaviour around him, for which he was grateful. There were times in which he even doubted if she knew the truth, but then one look in her bright eyes convinced him that she knew. The last class of the day was potions, Harry made sure to pay attention, there was no need to annoy his uncle more than he already seemed. Wondering what had his uncle in such a foul mood, Harry stayed behind after they were dismissed. Sensing his presence, Severus warded the doors and sank back in his chair.

"Is there something you wanted to ask, Alec? Else you should head back to our rooms, there is still some time till dinner and you could get started on your homework."

The boy approached him. "Are you alright, Uncle?"

The man nodded tiredly. "Everything is fine, Alec, you don't need to worry."

Harry cocked his head. "If everything is fine, then why are you in such a bad mood? Something must have happened."

Severus looked up sharply, a glare evident in his dark eyes. "I don't think I need to explain my actions to you, young man."

Harry flinched at the sharp tone; it had been a while since it had been directed at him. "No, Uncle."

The soft tone he had used didn't appease the older man. Trying to refrain his temper, least he said something he might regret later, he sharply motioned towards the direction of their rooms. "You're still grounded, Alec, go now."

The boy nodded once and quickly left the room, deciding to give the man wide breath until he had calmed down.

The evening passed in tense silence. Alec tried to read but couldn't concentrate on his book while the Potions Master corrected essays, seemingly oblivious to the uncomfortable silence. Finally, unable to take more of it, Alec quietly bid his goodnights and went to the room his uncle had given him, thinking that if things continued as today his time with the man was going to be even more miserable than he had expected.

The man finally looked up when the boy quietly closed the door behind him. Sighing, he put his quill down and rubbed his tired eyes. He knew he owed the boy an apology; he hadn't deserved the sharp words, but he didn't know if he would be able to speak rationally yet, so he had preferred the strained silence. Today had been a bad day for all the professors. The Board of Governors had met and unanimously decided that Dumbledore was too old to continue in his position as Headmaster; the last attack had severely harmed his health and while he was expected to make it out without further problems, the Board had decided that the strain of leading Hogwarts would be too much for him now, so, next year they would have a new headmaster.

Minerva had been appointed as Headmistress in functions until such a time in which Dumbledore, the Heads of Houses and the Board of Governors could meet and appoint the new headmaster. That, coupled with the fact that the new Minister would be visiting them in a few days was putting a strain on all the teachers, and while most of them were able to continue without signs of stress, he had had to revert to his former facade to keep it together.

He was about to give up and go to bed when someone knocked on the door. Sighing, he went to greet his visitor and wasn't very surprised to see Minerva standing there. She had taken it upon herself to go tell Albus about the news and while she hadn't said anything, he had half expected her to come down and talk to him when she returned.

Silently, the two professors sat down and Severus served them a fresh cup of tea. Once they were settled, the Potions Master decided there was no sense in beating around the bush.

"How did he take it?"

The Gryffindor head of house looked pensively at her cup. "To tell the truth, much better than I thought he would. I think he was expecting it."

Severus nodded. While none of them had thought of the possibility of such a thing happening, he had no doubts that Dumbledore, as usually, had taken such a thing into account. "I guess that's good."

Minerva smiled lightly. "You don't sound very convinced."

Snape snorted. "Don't take offence on it, Minerva, I'm sure that you will be appointed and that you will do a wonderful job of it, but he is Dumbledore."

The woman laughed lightly. "I know what you mean. I don't think anyone will be able to take his place."

Severus looked with a slight smile towards the closed door where his charge was probably sleeping. "Not yet at least."

Minerva nodded, knowing what her colleague was thinking. Also looking towards the door, she softly said. "I think it also might have something to do with Harry."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What makes you think that?"

McGonagall looked a bit reluctant to discus it since she was only guessing, but in the end, she told him her thoughts. "I don't know what the legal situation about Alec's guardians is, but I wouldn't be surprised if Albus tried to get guardianship over him. After all, the two of them really care about each other. I don't know if the Ministry would be very willing to grant him guardianship of the boy if he remained Headmaster of Hogwarts; after all he would barely be able to spent time with the boy and there could exist problems with conflict of interests."

Severus nodded. "You might be right about that. It's about time that the old man has some time for himself and those he loves." The Potions Master remained silent for a while before speaking again. "Have you thought what will happen to Harry if Albus doesn't apply or is denied custody?"

Minerva didn't move her gaze from the fireplace. "I already have the papers to apply myself should it come to that." As in an afterthought, she added. "I got copies of the papers for you if you want them."

Not looking at her either, Snape nodded. "Give them to me tomorrow, I also wish to be ready to fight for him if necessary."

They both remained silent, sipping on their tea. After nearly an hour, the woman left and Severus retired to his rooms, leaving the mountain of essays where they were to be corrected tomorrow.

Barely three hours after he had gone to sleep, Severus was woken up by sharp screams coming from somewhere in his rooms. Cursing, he put on a night robe and flew out of his room to the one placed just next to his. When he entered, he saw that Alec was trashing on his bed. He had kicked the blankets off and was shivering madly, crying out. Severus immediately went to sit next to the boy and drew him in his arms, trying to comfort him as good as possible.

"Hush, Harry, it's just a nightmare. You're fine, you're safe, no one is going to hurt you here."

For long minutes, he continued to speak softly in the boy's ear and rubbed his back gently, trying to calm him down. Finally, Alec opened his eyes and latched onto him. Severus silently held the crying boy, trying to reassure him that he was not alone and that everything would be alright.

Finally, after ten minutes, Harry was able to get his bearings back and drew himself away from the concerned man. Drying his tears, he looked up apologetically. "I'm sorry for waking you; I should have put silencing charms around my room, but I haven't had a nightmare in so long that I forgot all about it."

Severus narrowed his eyes. "I think your grandfather told you that you would be grounded for years if you did that again, and I quite agree with him on this. If I find out you have done such a foolish thing you will be in a lot of trouble, young man."

Harry flinched lightly at that. Having had this same argument enough times with Dumbledore, he knew that there was no reasoning with the man, so he didn't even try. "Yes, Uncle."

Not entirely convinced, the man quietly chanted a charm that would warn him about silencing charms put around the room. Not that he thought that Harry couldn't break it, but he would know if the boy did that. Alec, who had noticed, only rolled his eyes, having no intention of antagonizing the man for now. Settling back into his pillows, the boy curled up in a small ball.

Severus watched this with a small smile and drew the blankets up to the boy's shoulders. "Will you have problems sleeping?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't think so, it was just one of my regular nightmares, today was just a stressing day."

Severus nodded and gently brushed the boy's hair away from his face. "Okay, go to sleep, I'll stay with you till you're asleep."

Alec closed his eyes, comforted by the gentle touch. "You don't need to."

"I know, I want to. Now hush."

With a small smile on his lips, the boy fell into a peaceful sleep, feeling safe under his mentor's vigilant gaze.

To be continued...

A/N: Thanks for all reviews and thanks to Vinnie for beta reading this.