DISCLAIMER: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended
Chapter 12
Severus left the lab several hours later feeling much calmer. If it had not been for the boy, he would not have even testified in the ministry's farce of a trial. It seemed that Fudge was still trying to deny all the mistakes he had made, and downplay the return of the dark lord. But truth won out, and the mutt had been cleared of all charges.
It was now his bleak task to tell Harry that the will would be read the following Monday, meaning the move of the additional children would have to be changed. Truthfully, Snape was not upset about that bit at all. He was not looking forward to hosting 6 teenagers in his home. In addition, Umbridge's trial would begin 2 days after the memorial, and they were all being called to testify.
At dinner, Severus told Harry that they needed to talk. So Harry followed his guardians into the sitting room after dinner. His heart dropped when the tea was brought out. This could not be good. "What'd I do?" he asked."Guilty conscience, Potter?" asked Snape.
"No, it's just that tea in this room always means I'm in trouble for something."
"No, Harry, you're not in trouble. But this is a conversation you might not like," said Lupin.
"You remember the reason I went to the ministry today?" asked Snape.
Harry nodded and Snape continued, "Your godfather's name has been cleared. It took some doing, but between the evidence I gave and the headmaster's influence, Fudge was left with no other choice but to clear his name and allow the validation of his will. The reading will commence next Monday. Afterwards, there will be a memorial service at Hogwarts."
Snape stopped for a moment to allow Harry to digest this information. Then he said, "In addition, Umbridge's trial begins two days later. So we will be leaving for Grimmauld Place Sunday evening, and will be staying there until the trial ends."
Harry sighed. This was so much to take in at once. "Why do they have to do them both the same week?" he asked.
Lupin said, "I don't know, Harry. But we will be here to help you through this."
Harry said softly, "Can I go to my room now?"
Severus said, "In just a moment. First I need you to answer a question. Have you thought about harming yourself at all lately?"
Harry said, "A few times, but I was able to keep myself busy and the thoughts went away."
Remus said, "We need you to promise us again that you will come to one of us before hurting yourself."
Harry reluctantly said, "I promise."
"Very well, Harry. Then you may go."
Severus gazed at Harry as he left the room. "He is still holding a lot of his pain inside, Lupin. We will have to watch him closely."
"I know. I've tried to draw him out, but he is so closed that he very rarely talks. His friends being here might actually turn out to be a positive."
"Yes, I agree, however much I dislike the thought of being surrounded by the monsters."
The next morning, Harry recieved more bad news. Snape had taken the therapist's suggestion that they were to spend some time talking each day seriously. He told Harry that he had not pushed the issue the previous day because of the news he had to impart, but that today there would be no excuse. So after lunch, Harry reluctantly followed the potions master to his private quarters for their first 'talk'.
Snape directed Harry to one of the plush chairs by the fire. Fico brought Harry some Pumpkin juice and Snape what looked like scotch. Harry started by asking, "What do I call you? It feels strange to call my guardian professor, but even stranger to call you by your first name."
"When we are alone you may call me Severus, but around others you will still call me professor or sir."
Harry nodded and said, "What do you want to talk about?"
"Why don't we start with why you didn't know how to research an essay."
Harry said, "I missed a lot of school. Sometimes when the Dursleys were really mad at me they'd lock me in the cupboard for weeks at a time and I missed school because of it. My turn. Were you following me around my first year?"
"Harry, trouble finds you faster than any other student I know. Of course I was following you around. Someone had to watch out for you."
"But why you?"
"Because, Harry, the other professors let you get off because of who you are. You needed someone to keep you grounded so the fame wouldn't go to your head."
"But I didn't even know I was famous until Hagrid came and got me."
"Explain."
So Harry told Severus about how Hagrid had come and got him and taken him to purchase his school supplies, including the incident with Dudley receiving a pig's tail. Severus said, "Those muggles are lucky I wasn't the one sent to retrieve you. The boy would have much more than a tail."
Harry couldn't help it, he laughed. He looked up expecting possibly to be reprimanded, but the potions master's face was calm, and was there a hint of a smile in the man's countenance. No, Harry thought to himself, it's not possible.
Severus said, "I think that is enough for today. I must ensure that I have the ingredient's for Lupins' potion on Monday."
"The full moon's Monday, too?"
Severus said, "I'm afraid so. As Lupin will obviously be feeling 'under the weather' you will need to find me if you are in need."
Harry nodded and quietly left the room, his heart sinking at the thought that the man he was depending on most would not be available on one of the hardest days he had yet to face.
