Chapter 17

"Albus, any luck?"

"No, Minerva. It's been three days since we've uncovered the journals. And with Fudge's continuing floundering, we're losing more innocents. We can't even locate Harry Potter to verify the journals' contents."

"Oh, Albus. What are we going to do?" But the old wizard didn't really know the answer. Nor could he find an answer despite all the research and re-reading of the journals.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deep in the cool air of the dungeons three figures were also trying to answer questions of their regarding memories. "What changed?"

"We don't know, Siri. Memories have been changing for days now. We're still searching for Harry as well as the truth of the journals they left behind."

"And why are we here?" Sirius hated the dungeons, they were reminding him of his stay in a small cell within Azkaban. But he could never discourage Remus, not matter how much he tried.

"Siri, you've been in Azkaban for almost twelve years. You can't just go to Poppy, not while you're still on the run. I brought you to Severus because I know he's willing to help." Concerned amber eyes peered closely at Sirius' thin body, who in return was openly glaring at the quiet Potions Professor.

Severus sneered at the ungrateful ex-prisoner, "Next time, mutt, find someone else."

Remus whirled upon Sirius as he watched the proud man stalk away, "Sirius! What is your problem? He's trying to help!"

"I don't trust him. Never did. Besides, I have yet to see anything to prove otherwise. What did you ever see in him?"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unknown to the future friends, their past selves were having a very similar confrontation. "What do you see in him?"

Remus frowned at the three boys he called friends, his pack. He had Lily help him drag his friends to the library that Saturday in order to finish a project due on Monday. But now he tried to play dumb, "Who?"

"Snape, Remy." Three friends darkly glared at the amber-eyed teen, causing him to flinch beneath the looks

"Why do you care?"

"He doesn't like us." Shy, plump, Peter Pettigrew blushed as all eyes fell on him.

"Look how you treat him!"

"Slytherins are evil! They're no better than their parents."

"Actually, that's not true. Voldemort has recruited from every house. It is people like the so-called Gryffindors that make every Slytherin seem evil. But given the chance some will save your life." Harry had gotten tired of hearing their argument. It was time to end it and finish his reason as to why he ended up in the library.

"Yeah right."

"Never think that, Mr. Potter. There may be a day when you rejoice knowing a Slytherin saved you. I have, on many occasions." Harry smirked at the shocked looks upon the four boys' faces. Then he silently slipped past Remus as quietly as he had entered their conversation.

Behind stared a very confused Remus. He hadn't smelled anything as desirable as Severus, whose scent matched the freedom of the Dark Forest beneath the bitter scents of his passion, potions. But the shockingly sweet smell of ripe strawberries and a hint of musky pine enveloped his senses, sending his body into overdrive. The wolf in him wanted nothing more than to make sure no one ever claimed that scent but him.

Just before he slipped out the door, Harry turned back, "Ah, yes, the reason I came. The Professors have been looking for you, Mr. Lupin. As I was already on my way to the library for this," he held up a dusty gray book with a tarnished lock, "I was sent to bring you to the Headmaster. Come." And without waiting to see if Remus followed, Harry vanished.

And in a lone corner, a curious witch scribbled furiously. For months now Lily Evans had been convinced that her Professor was deliberately uncaring whether anyone picked up things but she couldn't find proof. Yes, they all knew of his Time Jumping, since one had actually caused him to vanish mid-lesson, making the Headmaster finish the lesson until he returned. And when he did, it was too easy to take some advantage of the weary Professor, especially to learn even more ways to fight. But lately Lily had been over-hearing low whispers between the two Professors. Nothing they said added up to what she had already learned from the library. And that was why she had returned that day. For quiet, for peace, until she could piece together what it was she had found.

"Hello, Lily."

Said female barely bit back a surprised yelp but couldn't stop jumping or dropping everything she was working on. Whirling, she sighed in relief at the sheepish grin on Severus' face, "Severus."

He tipped his head. "Sorry about that, Lily." The pale dark-eyed male knew the redhead Gryffindor was a little worried, but he wouldn't hurt her. Besides, all the Slytherins had heard about the spectacular chewing-out of the two Gryffindors and he was sure she knew all about Narcissa's blow-up as well. Seemed Cissa was more worried about finishing Defense class with good grades than something as trivial as a little House rivalry. "Hiding in the shadows?"

"Peaceful. Quiet. Was trying to work something out."

"Need some help?"

"Sure." Severus blinked. Bella was right, Lily was the more mature one of the Gryffindor House of Pranksters. Then again Lily was always known to be a very mature witch.

"What exactly are you working out?"

"I'm not sure. Just some things I've been overhearing. Like our Defense classes; the Professor will take points away for a wrong answer yet there is no proof anywhere, and believe me I have checked," Severus belied that with a smirk, "to even support his claims."

"Are you sure you checked?" At Lily's sudden glare and opened mouth, Severus hurried onward, "Think about it, Lily. He's obviously been using something other than the textbooks here at Hogwarts or even at Diagon Alley. Wouldn't be surprised if he got the answers you're searching from Knockturn Alley or the Ministry."

"Nope." He blinked at the sudden over-confident tone. "He's mentioned several times to the other Professors that the Ministry can't do anything. Something about The Powers That Be."

Severus immediately froze, furthering Lily's curiosity. "Oh for Salazar's fortune! You'll never find anything, Lily. The Powers That Be are well known among all Pure-blood families." She frowned heavily at his smug tone, "And I can promise that not one Pure-blood will tell anyone of such beings. Simply put, stop while you're ahead, Lily."

"I won't!"

"Gryffindors!" He shrugged, retrieving the few textbooks he had selected earlier, "Suit yourself. But if you want anything, I'd go to the source. We all know how foolish you Gryffindors are when you must know everything."

Flashing emerald eyes watched the Slytherin saunter away. "Oh, I will, Severus. You can count on that." She hated how Severus seemed quite sure that she would never find any answers. But she wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing. She would get those answers, even if her life depended on it.