A/N: Sorry for the long wait, guys! I actually wanted to make this chapter much longer, but I figure I've made you all wait long enough... so, here you go! Enjoy!

"Wait, so that stupid cat is really dead?" a gleeful voice drifted across the Great Hall the next morning at breakfast.

Harry's head whipped around to glare at the Slytherin table, where he was almost certain that voice must have come from.

"Harry, just ignore them," Hermione said from the other side of the Gryffindor table, momentarily looking away from her copy of the Daily Prophet.

Harry slowly turned back around to face the small plate of eggs and bacon in front of him that he had yet to even touch. But unfortunately, no matter how much he tried to block it out, he could still hear the conversation going on behind him.

"Nah, I don't think she's dead. We wouldn't be that lucky."

"What was it that the message on the wall said?" someone else asked. "The Chamber of Secrets is open? What's that?"

"I don't know, but I heard the Bloody Baron talking earlier. He said that the message also said something about 'Enemies of the Heir'. That doesn't sound good."

"Only if you're a mudblood," a new voice broke in, and Harry didn't even need to turn around to figure out who that was. "Anyone want to bet on who the next victim is? My money's on Granger."

Harry immediately shoved his plate of food away and jumped to his feet, with every intention of hexing Malfoy into oblivion in front of the entire school right then and there.

That is, until a soft, silky voice came up behind him and sent a shiver straight down Harry's spine.

"Going somewhere, Mr. Potter?" Snape asked, in his usual demanding tone.

Harry was suddenly aware of just how many eyes were on him now. Shooting up from his seat so fast seemed to have drawn quite a lot of attention.

Unless of course it was the foreboding presence of Snape standing there that had everyone's eyes glued to the scene. The man took a moment to sneer at a few of the nosiest students nearby, and soon after, everyone quickly averted their gazes and pretended to once again be interested in their own breakfasts.

"Well judging by your lack of response, Potter, I will simply assume that you do not in fact have anywhere important to be at the moment, shall I?" the man asked then, turning his attention back to Harry.

Harry frowned in confusion. "No, sir?" he said uncertainly, hoping that he was giving the right answer.

Snape looked as though he was barely resisting the urge to roll his eyes.

"Then you will meet me in my office directly after breakfast," the man said, his tone sounding nothing short of ominous to all those who could hear him.

"Yes, sir," Harry answered nervously. "I'm finished now, sir."

Snape glared down at the full plate of food Harry had shoved away just moments before. "After breakfast," he emphasized, before turning on his heel and stalking away.

"What was that about?" Hermione asked, as she watched her friend sink slowly back to his seat.

Harry sighed as he used his fork to poke disinterestedly at his food. "I guess I'll find out after breakfast," he grumbled.

"That wasn't what I was referring to," Hermione replied, still looking concerned. "What were you doing before Professor Snape showed up?"

"Nothing," Harry said, glancing down to the end of the Gryffindor table, where Ron was doing his best to cheer up a very distraught Ginny. It seemed that the young girl was the only other member of the student body besides himself that was the least bit upset about what had happened to Mrs. Norris.

"That didn't look like nothing," the girl pressed.

"Well, that's what it was," Harry answered firmly. Because there was no way that he was going to tell Hermione what he had overheard Malfoy say about her.

And for once, thankfully, Hermione let the subject drop.

Severus could see the apprehension in Potter's eyes just as soon as the boy entered his office that morning. He normally enjoyed the terrified expressions on his students' faces when they were unlucky enough to have to come see him here. It was, in his opinion, one of life's greatest pleasures.

But these were Lily's eyes that were staring back at him. And so of course it was impossible for him to feel any joy at the small amount of fear he saw there.

The little brat ruins everything, the man thought bitterly to himself.

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Harry finally asked, still standing just over the threshold.

"Close the door and sit, Potter. This shouldn't take long."

"I'm not in trouble, am I, sir?" the boy asked, obediently pushing the door shut and making his way towards the potions master's desk.

But before he got the chance to sit down, a sudden look of panic crossed the child's face and he looked imploringly at Severus.

"My grades have been really good, sir. I've been working really hard and everything—"

"I did not bring you here to discuss schoolwork, Mr. Potter. Now sit."

The boy breathed a sigh of relief as he sank onto the indicated seat. No doubt the little miscreant had thought he was about to be informed that his assistance with brewing potions in the evenings was no longer required.

And it was certainly interesting, Severus thought, how much those sessions seemed to mean to the boy. Was it possible that Minerva and the headmaster were right then?

Had Potter really developed some misplaced sense of… trust in him?

He intended to find out.

"I must say, Mr. Potter," he began, in his silkiest of tones, "that I find myself rather… disappointed today."

Harry frowned, suddenly feeling his insides twist in nervousness. "Disappointed, sir?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter," the man answered, taking a moment to rearrange a small stack of parchment on his desk. "Very disappointed."

There was silence then, as the young Gryffindor's eyes dropped to his lap. "I'm sorry, sir," the boy said, suddenly very quiet.

Severus raised an eyebrow at this behavior. "For what, Mr. Potter?"

Harry shrugged, causing a dangerous sound not unlike a growl to emit from the professor's throat.

"Sorry, sir!" Harry said quickly, his eyes shooting up to meet the potions master's. "I didn't mean to—"

Severus held up a hand to stop the boy, his eyes still locked with the child's. It was a moment before he spoke again.

"Do you know why I am disappointed, Mr. Potter?"

Harry bit his lip, the uncertainty clear in his expression. "No, sir," he finally answered, seemingly determined now not to avert his eyes.

Severus did his best then to morph his features into a mask of discontent before he uttered his next statement.

"Well, you'll have to forgive me, Mr. Potter, but I was under the impression that you possessed some modicum of respect for me."

"But I do respect you, sir!" the boy immediately responded.

And there it was, Severus thought. The expression in those eyes that both Albus and Minerva had been so quick to point out.

A look of complete and utter trust.

Severus didn't like it one bit. And eventually, the man reassured himself, as he suddenly became aware of the sound of his own heartbeat pounding in his ears, he would do everything in his power to erase that look from Potter's face.

But not now. Not just yet. Because first, he intended to use this piece of information to his advantage. To carefully extract any information the foolish brat may be hiding.

It shouldn't be too difficult to manipulate the young Gryffindor.

"Really, Mr. Potter?" the man responded scathingly. "Because in my experience, people do not ordinarily lie to those they respect."

Harry instantly felt sick. "But, sir. I didn't—"

"And now you are about to tell me yet another lie," Snape interrupted, his voice barely above a whisper. The man sighed then, and gave a small shake of his head in what he hoped would be a fairly convincing display of sheer disappointment.

Harry looked down at his lap before speaking again, suddenly terrified about what Snape was going to say next. "When did I lie to you, sir?" he asked, the question barely audible. But he feared he already knew what the answer would be.

"My eyes are up here, Mr. Potter. Do not talk to your knees."

"Yes, sir," Harry answered quietly, looking up to meet the professor's gaze.

"Now, I think we are both well aware that you were not being entirely truthful last night, Mr. Potter."

There was silence, then, as Harry's heart began racing in his chest.

What was he supposed to say? What could he say? Snape was already so disappointed in him. The man didn't think Harry even respected him. What if the man decided he didn't need Harry's help anymore? Would the professor get rid of him?

Like the Dursleys had?

"Do you deny it?" Snape pressed, raising an eyebrow.

And after a short pause, all Harry could do was shake his head no.

Severus had to admit he was surprised. He hadn't expected the child to give in quite so easily. And there was now a good amount of fear evident in the boy's eyes. Far more than there had been just moments before.

"I cannot hear you, Mr. Potter."

"No, sir," Harry said, glancing away for just a moment as he spoke.

"This is a very serious matter, Mr. Potter," Snape said then. "Someone or something has attacked Mrs. Norris."

Harry visibly flinched at those words.

But Snape continued to speak. "How long do you suppose it will be before there is another attack?"

"A-another attack, sir?" Harry asked.

"Yes, you foolish child. There is little chance of this remaining an isolated incident. I believe it is not only possible, but in fact very likely that another attack will soon follow if we do not catch the perpetrator. And next time, the victim is not likely to be a mere cat."

Harry immediately felt sick again at the mention of Mrs. Norris. But now he had something else to think about, as well. What if somebody else got hurt? What if it was Ron or Hermione? He'd never forgive himself for staying silent.

Severus watched the boy squirm in his seat for a few moments before speaking again.

"So, Mr. Potter," that silky voice finally sliced through the silence, "is there anything you wish to add to your story of last night's misadventure? Perhaps you would like to divulge how it was that you and your little friends came to be in that corridor?"

Harry bit his lip, but otherwise remained silent, his stomach now twisted into a million knots.

"You are being absolutely ridiculous, Potter," Snape practically growled. "Are you not bothered by the fact that the entire school may be in danger? Perhaps you want the attacks to continue. It just may give you the perfect opportunity to play hero again."

"No!" Harry finally found his voice. "Of course I don't want—"

"Then answer the question!" Snape interrupted. "What mischief were you involved in last night that led you to that corridor?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his messy hair.

"I – heard something," he finally answered.

"Heard what?" Snape immediately snapped, clearly irritated at the lack of further explanation.

For a split second, Harry considered not answering. Ron and Hermione had told him he shouldn't. But he knew the professor would never accept that.

And besides, the Gryffindor thought to himself, for some strange reason he couldn't help but to feel that he might actually want to tell Snape.

"A voice," Harry responded, then, before he could change his mind. "I heard a voice and I followed it to the corridor."

Then the young boy held his breath and waited.

A/N: So what do you guys think? How will Severus react to this new revelation? Hmmm...

Thanks for reading! :)

-Ailee17