Chapter Twelve

Harry looked away, not wanting to stare into such sorrowful pleading eyes. Something in him wanted to return to the world he had beentold to save. But another part never wanted to return. There was nothing left for him. The one thing that could have made a difference, could have brought him back, was gone. "Did you know that The Veil was actually a doorway for the Greek Goddess Persephone? Did you know it thrives on living souls and could possibly allow one free that has been caught inside? Did you know that it was also a doorway for the dead and lost souls?"

Remus frowned, slightly confused. He wasn't sure what Harry was trying to say, "Harry?"

"It's nothing. Just one of the few things I have learned at the hands of Mama Rhea. Why should I return to a world that no longer believes me? Why should I return to the same people whobetrayed me, believed the lies?"

Severus sneered, trying desperately to hide the hope that Harry Potter had enflamed inside, "Then don't. We shall do this on our own. As we always have."

"How can you stand to serve a world where both your Masters manipulate you? How can you stand to even teach children that honestly believe you are evil and that you would hurt, even kill, them without blinking? How can you live among those who wouldrather see you Kissed?" Harry watched as a stunned Potions Master stared back, not quite responsive. And before the stunned professor could answer, Harry turned to a confused werewolf, "How can you live among those who consider you Dark? How can you serve someone whocannot prove you are harmless? How can you stand knowing everyone fears you, hates you, even wants you dead?"

Both men had nothing to say. They could understand. Harry was seeing things in ways they had only hoped he would. Severus had long ago almost given up believing the Potter boy could even think outside his fame. And Remus was afraid Harry would never see outside the prejudices his friends believed.

Sorrowful tones whispered back, "Nothing matters. I know what Voldemort could do. But why must I protect a world that no longerwants me as their saviour?"

"Because you cannot stand to see the innocence of children vanish as much as we do. I may be jaded to the world around me but I have reasons. Life does that. You should know, Potter. You've lived a life that is common among Slytherins, as well as those few within the other Houses. We've seen the life of the jaded, the abused, the neglected. We know that there are shades of gray among the black and white."

"Shades of gray. Common with Slytherins. So many things have begun to remind me of my First year. Did you know I left because things reminded me? I lost those I cared for, wanted to care for. It also told me I was learning nothing. I couldn't stay. I had to leave. But I couldn't without some idea of what I could go up against."

Remus' eyes widened, "You used us!"

Severus snorted. "He furthered himself to win, Lupin. He did whatever it took to win. Even if it meant losing in the end."

Before another word could spill forth, Harry entered his world again. Talking almost to himself as if he had forgotten there was company, "And with losing I could win again. He could live, whole. But to do so a riddle must be solved." Then he cleared his throat, turning back to his fellow wizards, "Why? Why should I return?"

No one said a word. The two older wizards were lost in their thoughts about a certain dark haired ex-con. Silence reignedfor a few minutes, raising Harry's nerves. Then a soft voice, "They were involved until Fifth Year. Then for some reason Siri thought it prudent to prank Severus."

"The Shrieking Shack? The night of a full moon when a curious Slytherin met a wolfsbane-less Moony, the werewolf." They didn't confirm ordeny the statement. But Harry could see the Slytherin facade slowly cracking, excusing himself. "I shall return. Mama Rhea seems to be calling." And indeed she was, gently calling up towards the Shelter. With his parting words, he left behind two affected males.

"You still love him? Despite what he did to you Fifth Year."

Severus broke. Silent, warm tears gentlycascaded down his pale cheeks. For once he willingly gave into the lost boy deep inside. "Yes. I do. But I don't want to. He tried to kill me. It's not something to forgive. Or forget."

"Ever ask him why? There's always a reason for a possible murder. Maybe if the legends hold true we shall know." Harry had suddenly reappeared.

"Potter!" Severus' defense immediately kicked into gear as he drew himself to his full height, donning theimposing nature of the cold, sneering, feared Potions Professor. "Never hear of a simple thing called knocking or politely calling out? Too much like your father in that case, never worrying about another's privacy."

"We leave."

"You're returning, Harry?" Remus was excited. His young cub was returning to his rightful home and family.

The emerald-eyed youth turned away, listening to the entity deep within his mind, speaking softly, "Only to prove a theory wrong or right. Mama Rhea's helping."