Hermione was still not talking to Ron - actually it was the other way around, as usual. Hermione Granger was in the library, reading books - as she loved to do to get her mind off of things. Ron was stalking Grimmauld Place, as stiff as a board and as ready to snap. Harry Potter avoided both of them, as much as possible. But even Hero In Trainers Harry Potter needed food. And so, he snuck down after proper dinner to grab a quick supper.

Sirius was there, and Harry felt his mouth stretching into an impulsive grin. It felt so good to see him again - he had been wrapped up with work for a while, and Harry had missed having someone there for him (Hermione and Ron being entirely too preoccupied with each other, and neither of them was really willing to listen to him this time).

Mocking clapping (Harry hadn't known that was possible), followed by - in Snape's smooth sardonic drawl, "What a touching reunion."

"Why, if it isn't Snivellius! Don't mock what you ain't got, bastard."

"If I wanted the boy's loyalty, I'd have it." Snape said, with a sneer.

"You haven't a heart, Snivellius, and that's always been what's wrong with you." Sirius managed this with the widest, most "punch me" grin on his face. Beneath Sirius Black's arms, Harry Potter was shaking - he recognized that venomous look on Snape's face - and no good had ever, ever come of it, whether it was on Snape's face or Mr. Dursley's.

"Fifteen minutes until our... palaver. Control yourself, or you won't like the consequences." Snape spat, his shaking hands curled into fists as his robes whirled, a black whirlpool as he strode into the library. Almost despite himself, Harry Potter was impressed - he didn't think he'd manage to pull off a feat of self-control like that.

Harry Potter's ears were pricked, as he listened to Hermione Granger telling Severus Snape that she had something for him. A second later, his mind was filling in what Sirius had just said - as Harry had been staring at the library... "It's okay, you don't need to be scared of slinking Snivellius. He's a coward, is what he is." Harry, relaxing now that the conflict was mostly over, shook his head, suddenly understanding that Snape would have been much less upset to be called a coward than heartless. For whatever reason. Harry Potter mentally told himself not to pry.

Hermione came plunging down the stairs, carrying a thin volume, before dashing into the library (He said he'd be there for fifteen minutes, there's no need to rush - but that's Hermione for you). "Thank you, Professor Snape, it was most helpful."

"You're welcome. I shall be returning it to where it belongs, after this meeting."

Unasked questions gleamed in Hermione's eyes, and Harry Potter bit his cheek to keep from grinning. He didn't protest a whit as Sirius sat him down and began to regale him with edited versions of what he had been doing. Harry didn't particularly mind if most of them involved doing daring deeds in front of buxom ladies. He was rather inclined to think that most of them were made up - as surely Dumbledore wouldn't have Sirius tasked to do that!

[a/n: Nobody sent Sirius to France. He is not Ben Franklin.

Snape's comment feels like Harry should think it over more - but Harry just lumped it in with "people fighting" and shrugged it off.]