A/N: There is some discussion about Serena's death at the end of the chapter that may be a little disturbing. I will remind you of the recent rating change from K+ to T. Just fair warning. Also, this story is taking some interesting turns for me, so let me know what you think.

Harry placed the tea set on the table and wiped his hands together. Pursing his lips, he eyed the table taking in the tea set and biscuits that he had asked one of the house elves to prepare. Everything seemed to be in order. Glancing at the clock on the mantel, he sighed. 7:30. This may be the first that he was actually early for something. Normally, he could barely make it anywhere on time. Picking up the book he had been reading, he settled into one of the chairs and opened it. He had not read more than a page, when he saw the fire blaze green and heard a familiar voice call his name. Dropping the book on the floor, he leaned forward.

"Harry? Are you there?" A floating head looked around the room before its gaze landed on Harry. "Ah, there you are."

"Anthony! It is so good to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?" Harry grinned widely. Anthony Richards had been his partner on several missions back at the Ministry. He had appreciated the man's ability to overlook his 'famous persona' and treat him as one of the guys. Harry might even go as far to say that they had become friends over the last few years.

Anthony shook his head apologetically. "I wish I could say that it was a friendly call, but I'm afraid that it is strictly business."

Harry sobered up. It must be serious for Anthony to contact him via the Floo network. The Floo wasn't necessarily known for its security.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Not here. I need you to meet me at the Three Broomsticks tomorrow after classes." Anthony looked behind him. "I don't trust discussing this over the Floo."

"Not a problem. My classes end about 4:30, so I could meet you at 5:00, if that's all right."

Anthony smiled. "Sounds good, Harry. I shall see you then." Anthony disappeared and Harry sat back contemplating what Anthony would have to discuss with him. He knew that the man had been assigned the Snape case and he thought that it was definitely strange that no arrests had been made. It had been over two months since the abduction and murder and it didn't appear as if the Ministry had any leads. A discontented feeling gnawed at the back of Harry's mind, but he couldn't quite figure out what was bothering him.

A knock sounded onthe door, pulling Harry from his reverie.He pushed the conversation from his mind, knowing that he would find out soon enough. Opening the door, he smiled at Esme who was nervously looking around the empty corridor. 'Oh, no,' he though peevishly, 'she doesn't allow her father to dictate anything at all.'

"Good evening, Esme. How are you?"

"Well, since it's only been a few hours since the last time I saw you, I am doing well."

Harry resisted the urge to grin at her acerbic response. Standing back, he gestured for her to enter. He watched as she stepped into the room, heading straight for the chairs near the fireplace. Her whole countenance seemed to suggest that she couldn't wait to get this over with. Closing the door, he sighed and sat down in the chair opposite her. He settled back and watched as she glanced around the room, never making eye contact.

Leaning forward, he pulled the tea tray toward him and carefully poured two cups of tea. "Cream or sugar?" he asked, gazing up at her.

"Both please," she replied, meeting his gaze for the first time since sitting down. Harry complied, stirring her tea and handing her the cup. She took the saucer, the cup rattling slightly as her hand shook.

"Sorry," she said as she got the cup and saucer under control.

"No problem," he replied, sitting back and taking a sip.

"So," they both said at the same moment when the silence had become overwhelming. Esme smiled shyly at him and Harry laughed.

"Ladies first," Harry said teasingly.

Esme tucked a stray curl behind her ear, and set the saucer down on the table. "I was just going to ask if you were nervous about tomorrow."

Harry raised his eyebrows, "Actually, petrified would be a better word to describe what I am feeling."

"R-Really?" she stuttered. "I would have thought that teaching would be nothing compared to all that you have faced as an Auror."

"On the contrary, I knew how to handle the things I faced in my time at the Ministry. You learn a few spells, know what the creatures are capable of, and it usually worked out well in the end. Students on the other hand, cannot be simply reduced to a standard dossier. Each one is different. Plus, I imagine that all the hormones make for some rather interesting encounters."

Esme laughed lightly, shaking her head. "That is probably true." She reached for her tea cup and took a sip. Harry took the opportunity to study her. The nervousness and stiffness seemed to have left and it was replaced with the warm camaraderie that they had begun to build before her father's interference.

"What about you? Are you ready to change the world one student at a time?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I am terrified. The thought of standing before a group of students who last year were my peers is nauseating. I don't think I will be able to sleep at all tonight. How in the world am I going to maintain any sort of discipline with students who are only a little younger than I am?" She smiled musingly. "Although, my name may help me there a little."

Harry nodded seriously. "So you are going to let them call you Mesmordia? That is a good plan."

Esme looked shocked for a moment, but then dissolved into laughter. "No, you idiot. I was thinking of my surname. But, do you think that would work?"

Harry smiled, thinking that it was very bizarre that he was pleased to be called an idiot. "Sadly, I think your surname has a better shot. Though, you may be able to work the rampant teenage hormones to your benefit."

She gazed at him sideways in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Come now, Esme. I am sure that you have a mirror. You are a very attractive woman, and the boys will be tripping over themselves to help you in any way they can."

She raised her eyebrows doubtfully. "I think you are giving me way too much credit, Harry."

Esme raised the cup and finished drinking her tea. Placing her cup on the saucer, she sat back and smirked at him. Harry felt a sinking sensation at what was coming next.

"Besides, I am not the famous one here. If anyone stands a chance at manipulating teenage hormones, it would be you." She clasped her hands to her heart and batted her eyes at him. "Oh, Professor Potter, you are my knight in shining armor. Your pictures in the Daily Prophet did not do you justice," she said in a high pitched giggle. She stuck out her tongue in disgust. "Oh, they will definitely be fawning all over you," she said, narrowing her eyes at his continued silence.

Harry looked down into the bottom of his cup, catching sight of the grounds. He briefly wondered if he should consult Trelawney about what they meant. Setting his cup down, he realized how pointless that would be. He already knew what she would say.

"Fame is not something I asked for, or something I even want," he replied quietly.

"Harry," she said reprovingly, "I never implied that you did, but you are stuck with it nonetheless. We cannot change the cards that fate deals us. We must simply learn to accept them and not allow bitterness to run our lives," she said, leaning forward, a strange intensity in her eyes.

"I never thought that I would see the day when a Snape would lecture me about fate," he said cynically.

"I did not choose my name any more than you chose yours, and I am certainly not my father," she said, a small smile gracing her face.

Harry gazed at her. "No, you are definitely not your father," he agreed.

The clock on the mantel chimed, causing Esme to jump slightly and look sadly at the clock. Turning back, she said, "It seems as if it is time for me to go." She stood and walked toward the door. Pausing, she said softly, "This was very nice, Harry. Thank you for inviting me."

Harry scrambled out of his seat and hurried to the door before she could disappear. "It was very nice, and I would be honored if you would consider returning tomorrow night. Say around the same time?"

Esme tilted her head and eyed him. Harry got the strange feeling that she was trying to figure out his intentions. Maybe if she figured them out, she could let him know. Swallowing the lump that was forming, he added, "Perhaps you could tell me how that name thing worked out."

She grinned and nodded once. "I will see you tomorrow. Good luck with your classes," she said as she opened the door and swept out of the room.

"You too," he said to the air.

Harry slumped into a seat in the Three Broomsticks feeling exhausted. Running a hand over his face, he looked around the room searching for Anthony. Not seeing him, he raised a hand to catch the attention of the lone waitress in the pub.

She strolled over, her hair sticking up in pointy spikes, her eyes lined with layers of black kohl. "What can I do you for, luv?" she asked, slightly bored.

Harry contemplated ordering something a little stronger than tea. After the day he'd had, no one would have blamed him. Shuddering slightly, he remembered the bored faces, whispering voices, and Merlin help him, the fist fight that had developed during his Slytherin-Hufflepuff class. Since when had the Hufflepuffs become so aggressive? And how in the world did the other professors stand it? Many more days like this and ordering spirits would not be a cause for contemplation.

"Sir?" the waitress questioned, her eyes flying to Harry's forehead. Her mouth dropped open and she started to say something.

Harry quickly held up his hand and said, "A pot of tea, please. And two cups. I am expecting company."

The waitress' mouth shut with a snap and she gave Harry a flirty smile. "Coming right up, sir."

The waitress disappeared and a voice came from behind him. "Still a charmer with the ladies I see."

Harry grinned and stood up, clasping the man's hand in his. "Anthony! How are you?"

"Tolerable," Anthony replied with small smile.

He let go of Harry's hand and sat down. Harry studied his friend, noticing that the last few months had not been kind to him. His blond hair had grown and was sticking up in tufts all over his head, as though he rolled straight out of bed and went to work. Also, he seemed to have lost a great deal of weight. Harry stared in concern at the shadows under his eyes and the prominent cheekbones. The skin was fairly stretched across his face. However, the haunted expression in his eyes was more troublesome.

"How is Alice?" Harry asked softly.

A wry smile settled on Anthony's lips. "She is fine. Always asking me when you are coming to dinner again. Women, huh?"

The waitress chose that moment to bring the tea to the men, setting it on the table and looking at Harry, an adoring expression on her face.

"Is there anything else, Mr. Potter?" she asked, giggling. Her mouth formed an o. "Oh, I apologize. I mean, Professor Potter." She smiled suggestively at Harry.

"No, thank you," Harry replied evenly, waiting for the woman to leave. Once she had, he rolled his eyes at Anthony and proceeded to serve the tea.

"Like I said, still the charmer," Anthony laughed.

Harry smirked and sipped his tea, catching up with Anthony about Alice and the girls. Once the small talk was out of the way, he leaned forward and said quietly, "So what is so important that you would come to see me?"

Anthony's eyes swept side to side, taking in all the customers in the Three Broomsticks. Swiping his wand, he muttered an incantation and looked knowingly at Harry. "Can't be too careful, right Har? I think you taught me that one."

Anthony was acting very nervous, almost jumpy. His calm and rational decisions in the field were what had distinguished him from countless other Aurors. Something was not right. He waited for Anthony to continue.

"Lucius Malfoy escaped from Azkaban."

A stunned expression crossed Harry's face. "What? When?"

"At the end of May," Anthony said quietly, toying with the handle of his tea cup.

"Why haven't there been any reports about his escape and disappearance?" Harry's eyes narrowed, "Wait, I was still working at the Ministry at the time. Why wasn't I told?"

Anthony looked briefly at Harry under his eyelashes. "Under the circumstances, it was thought best not to inform you."

Harry sat back angrily. "And just who determined that it was for the best? That was something that I should have been told." Running a hand through his hair, he continued softly, "If anyone should have known, it was me."

"I know Harry. When I found out, I wanted to let you know immediately, but I was forbidden from telling you."

Harry looked up. "When did you find out?"

"The beginning of July." Anthony set the tea cup aside and gave Harry a hard look.

"The beginning of July," Harry repeated softly, before looking up in shock. "When Serena Snape was…"

"Murdered," Anthony finished.

"Do you suspect that Malfoy had anything to do with it?" Harry asked, already knowing the answer, but waiting to hear it from his friend.

Anthony hedged. "We have no conclusive evidence, but we have enough to consider him the prime suspect."

"Why have there been no bulletins? People need to know that there is a dangerous madman out on the loose."

Anthony laid a hand on Harry's forearm, attempting to calm him down. "We are trying to maintain the peace. If people knew that Malfoy was out of prison, there would be an uproar and the Minister does not want to answer questions about how he escaped."

"You mean, he doesn't want to be forced from office." Harry looked disgusted. "That man is complete moron. You and I both know that, Anthony."

Anthony sighed. "That may be true, but at this moment I tend to agree with his decision." Anthony held up his hand as Harry opened his mouth to retort. "We have no idea how Malfoy escaped, no idea who is helping him, and absolutely no clue as to where he is. If we told that to the public, we would have a widespread panic. Not that I would blame them."

Harry considered this and grudgingly admitted that perhaps it was the best course of action.

"The family should be told though, Anthony. They have that right. And if the Minister doesn't want to tell the family, then he should at least inform Dumbledore, to set up some protection at Hogwarts."

Anthony looked away.

Harry felt sick as the realization hit him. "That bastard already knows doesn't he? How long has he known?" he asked, his teeth clenched tightly.

Anthony just looked at him, a resigned look on his face.

Banging his fist on the table, Harry repeated, "How long has he known?"

"He was the first person that the Minister informed after Malfoy's escape."

Harry couldn't breathe. "He's known since May? And he never told anyone? Did he never consider that after all of Malfoy's threats, Snape and his family may be a target?" Harry dropped his face into his hands, overwhelmed by this revelation.

Lookig back up at Anthony in suspicion, he asked, "Why are you telling me this now?"

Anthony shifted in his seat. "There was information about Serena's death that was not released to the public. Before she died, it appeared as though she were tortured in some ritualistic manner. There were some..." he paused, his face turning white, "there were somewords carved into the body."

"Words? What sort of words?"

Anthony's gaze shifted to the window, though with the layer of dirt he was unable to see outside. Clearing his throat, he said softly, "Traitor, betrayer, and other less kind words. Considering her condition, it was absolutely horrific."

Harry sat back, confusion etched on his face. "What the hell does that mean?"

Anthony sighed. "She was pregnant. Only about three months along, not enough to be showing, but enough to be aware."

"Pregnant? Did her family know?" Harry felt a little lightheaded.

Anthony pursed his lips. "I don't believe that her family was informed, although we did share the information with Headmaster Dumbledore. He assured us that he would handle letting the family know." His mouth twisted wryly, "I assume that he didn't, huh?"

Harry seethed. Once again, Dumbledore was pulling the strings of the people he claimed to care about.

"No, he didn't," Harry suddenly felt drained. "Thank you for letting me know all this, Anthony. At least now I am aware of who and whatis out there." He stood to leave, unsure if he could make it back to Hogwarts without losing the contents of his stomach.

Anthony grabbed his hand to stop him. "That's not the reason I told you this, Harry."

Harry pulled his hand away and looked at him a feeling of dread filling him. "Then why?"

"Because recent intel has seemed to indicate that Malfoy is not done with the Snape family."

A/N: As always, please read and review. Even if you hate it, I would appreciate being told.