A/N: for all those reviewers who didn't leave a possibility for me to reply: thank you very much! And for those (most of you) who were asking when the next chapter would come up: here it is! I believe the cliffie is mostly explained by the title.

Chapter Eight: Snape Finds Out.

After having seen the greeting between Potter and his aunt, and receiving his instructions, Snape felt like stalking around the castle, to soothe his own worries and fears. After all, shouldn't he have known of the plans? But perhaps not, it wasn't so unusual for the Dark Lord to keep plans known only to a few. So he had just walked out of his quarters when he noticed two small forms making their way from the Slytherin dorms into the hallway. Frowning Snape followed them around the corner, and hides himself in the shadows.

He saw they were two first years, Evelyn and Zahra. It looked as if they were crying. Just when he wanted to make his presence known, to find out what was going on, he saw them stopping, and to his surprise he heard them mutter 'home' to a snake carving on the wall. The wall slides open to reveal a well lit tunnel. Snape is surprised as he didn't know there was a tunnel there. He turns himself invisible and follows his students, who quickly walk through the tunnel. Snape notices the ground rising slightly and wondered where they would end up. It was obvious the students knew where they were headed though.

They finally come to a wooden door, and the girls push it open, revealing a very large room. Snape makes sure to come in silently, and looks around in wonder.

The room breaths light and freshness, and seemed to contain elements from all four houses. He nearly gasps when he sees the portrait above the fireplace, and wonders about it. He can't make out the words beneath it, and doesn't dare walk forward, as the only sounds in the room are the two students and the soft sounds of the fire, that had started as soon as the girls sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace.

It seemed Evelyn and Zahra were waiting for someone. Then a door opened, and in stepped Potter. Snape nearly wanted to reveal himself and demand an explanation from the boy, sure he was the source of their tears, but stopped himself when the girls hurried up to Potter and hugged him. And he hugged them back.

Wondering even more to what was going on, Snape decided to wait and see. Potter leads the girls to the couch and seated himself in the middle. Snape noticed they curled into his sides right away, crying softly. After a few minutes of this, Potter started talking softly.

"Now then Evelyn, Zahra, what has made you so upset? You usually seem to manage your problems fine on your own?"

Evelyn raised her head slightly. "It was because of the message you got today. It made us sick to watch it, and then, when we were walking back to the common room, some Gryffindor 7th years were saying that really, it was all the Slytherins' faults, and that we needed to be punished. And then in the dorms, some older Slytherins started talking about how happy they were to see you brought down a bit. That you were so arrogant, and needed to be taught a lesson." Evelyn cried again.

Harry lifted them both up and placed them on his lap.

"Now listen Evelyn and Zahra. I will most certainly tell those Gryffindors to shut up, or they will have to deal with me. If they even dare to lift a finger to a Slytherin, I will hex them seven ways to hell." The girls snickered. "However, I cannot do much about the older Slytherins. But if you take this up to Professor Snape, he can do something about it. He is to be trusted at all times, you understand me?"

It was a good thing Snape was invisible, as his mouth was hanging up right now. Potter, defending him?

Then Zahra asked him "Aren't you very sad about your uncle and cousin? After all they were your family. But you don't seem to be so sad."

Harry sighed. He seemed to be struggling with himself and then started talking. "No, Zahra, you're right. I'm not very upset. They found me on the doorstep, and Uncle Vernon hated things that were unnatural and didn't fit in his picture of normal. So naturally he hated me. He made sure I was kept in the cupboard under the stairs, where I stayed until I got my Hogwart's letter. He wanted to keep it from me, preventing me from going, he was sure he could get the magic out of me. He encouraged my cousin to beat me and be a general big bully to me. That's why I hate bullies so much. They weren't very pleasant to me and no love was lost between us. I am only worried about my aunt. After all she loved Vernon at one point, although I am not sure when she stopped loving him. It must have been some time ago at least."

He looked at the girls half-asleep on his lap. "I think this was enough exitement for you two. So up for a moment."

They obeyed and he transfigured the couch into a very large bed. Then he tucked the girls in (they were wearing pyjama's). He pulled a soft chair towards the bed, and started singing a soft song to help them sleep. It helped, as they fell asleep within a few minutes.

Snape had been quite shocked by the entire display and story, but was even more surprised to find Potter looking straight at him.

"Please Professor, you can come out of the corner now, they sleep quite deeply."

Snape cancelled the spell and walked forward. Harry waved his wand, and another chair appeared before him. Harry gestured for him to sit. "Please take a seat professor. I'm sure you have several questions to ask me."

Snape went and sat down, only blinking when a tea tray suddenly appeared in between them. Harry shrugged and while pouring him a cup of tea murmered "The house elves are very attuned to what is needed in this room, sir."

Snape took the offered cup of tea, and sipped it. It was just the way he liked it. He took a good look at Potter in the meantime. It seemed the boy had matured and grown during the summer, but he felt there was something off about him. He just didn't know what it was. Of course, as it was Harry's wandlessly cast glamour, he wouldn't know it.

Harry put his cup on the tray again. "So Professor, what would you like to know first?"

Snape thought it over, as there were many things he wanted to know. Finally he decided on one. "What exactly is this room?"

Harry sighed and sat back in the chair. "Well, during some wondering around I found myself in a very dusty corridor, and saw a big nearly black door. Being rather curious (Snape snorted) I opened it,and found a very dusty room behind it. Then I called Dobby to ask him about it, and he told me this room used to belong to the Lady Ravenclaw. Later this room belonged to Ravenclaw's Head of House, however when they stopped bringing in their families, this room became too big. Then it became a potions classroom, but eventually a Slytherin Potions Master came here and decided that the dungeons were better for brewing potions. Ever since then this room has been forgotten."

"And what about the portrait above the fireplace?"

"That's actually a painting of all the four Founders. It workes well with my idea that I got when seeing this room."

"Just what is your idea then? As far as I know, you're ideas usually aren't so great."

Harry ruefully smiled. "Yes well, we could debate about that, however I rather like this idea. I have always found it quite a shame that there is so little union between the houses, though Malfoy and I aren't exactly good examples, and I wished for a room where all houses could meet each other in neutral territory. When I found this room I asked the house elves to please clean it from dust and make it usable. Then I gathered all the first years, as they have less prejudices, and lead them here. Together we have arranged the room,and collected all articles in here. Whenever they want they can enter this room. It's used for making homework, helping each other, playing games, reading, resting, and also to come here if they have a problem, like Evelyn and Zahra did tonight. I am very glad to say that it's working, and this Thursday we will have some older students with us as well."

Snape processed this news, and slowly nodded. It sounded very good. "I saw you are quite good with handling the children. How come?"

Harry shrugged. "I have no idea, sir. I just seem to know what to do. It was the same this summer when I needed to watch some of the children in the neighbourhood." He yawned a bit, though he tried to cover it up.

"I believe you should try to opt for a bit of sleep Mr Potter. I will keep this secret for now as well, because I am worried about the reaction of some of the older students if they find out too early about this. However, if I find students who would be open for this idea, I will suggest their names to the first years, and they can take the student here. And perhaps, I will call on you if a student has a problem."

Harry smiled and nodded at the man. He was pleasantly surprised by this. "Thank you sir, that is very much appreciated."

Snape stood up and nodded. Then he looked over to the two girls. Suddenly he had a piece of paper in his hands. "I believe I will give you this permission slip to miss your first class of the day tomorrow, as it is very late, and I am sure you're going to stay awake whether or not I tell you to sleep."

Harry thanked him again, and took the paper. He wondered for a moment if he should tell the man about his involvement in the SL, but decided against it. He was sure the professor had enough shocks for today.

"You can use the door with the snake on it, sir. It opens by touch from this side. From the other side you just say 'home' and the door will open."

Snape nodded, and walked away, knowing the boy obviously trusted him, if he gave that sort of information.

Back in his quarters, Snape thought it over some more, and finally when he went to bed, he even smiled a little and his hopes rose, it seemed something was finally going right.