Chapter two.

I thank you all for the reviews and for increasing my confidence in my own writing. May they continue to roll in to spur me on, though regardless, I will be continuing with this. Please have patience with the regularity of my output. I tend to think each chapter through pretty thoroughly and am somewhat of a perfectionist. Next chapter will be up within a week and is already planned, so hold tight.

Oh, and just for safety, none of the characters within are of my own making, that honour belonging to J K Rowling.

The dungeons of Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry stood as cold and grim as they had for time eternal, their labyrinthine corridors devoid of the life that had inhabited them only weeks before. The oppressive silence was broken only by a solitary set of hurried footsteps, as Severus Snape, Potions Master, strode purposefully towards his destination, inky black robes billowing behind him, as though caught in a swift gust of air. It did not take a genius to ascertain his mood was one of complete fury, his lips set in a thin line, his obsidian eyes glittering dangerously in the low torchlight.

For the second time in as many days, his precious research time had been interrupted by Albus' summons and it was only too clear that the reason for the interruption was Harry Bloody Potter. He had learnt over time to deduce the nature of the requests from the subtleties in the Headmaster's tone and his choice of words when requesting Severus' presence. This single minded obsession with the Boy Who Lived To Torment Him was beginning to get irksome, to say the least, especially when it infringed on his personal time and the little freedom he had these days.

As he reached the stone Gargoyle guarding the entrance to his personal Chamber of Hell, he spat out the embarrassingly juvenile password and stepped forwards, curling his fingers in irritation as the circular stairway made it's ascent. The large, imposing entrance door already stood open, depriving him of the opportunity to vent some of his anger on it's aged wood. Gliding in, he flashed his most piercing glare at the aged Wizard seated before him, before noting a second presence in the room. Remus Lupin reclined in one of the two leather armchairs before the Headmaster's desk, hands folded in his lap as he calmly observed the new arrival's reaction to the situation.

"Headmaster, with all due respect, I cannot see what could possibly be so important that it requires the presence of both myself and Lupin" , Severus said coldly, as his dark eyes bore into those of the man directly opposite him.

Albus Dumbledore leant forward, his chin coming to rest on interlaced fingers as he studied the imposing figure of the one he regarded not only as an employee, but also as a friend. He knew that the reaction to his request would be extremely negative, if not downright explosive, but there was little other choice in the matter. Under such circumstances, discretion was the best policy and if nothing else, Severus knew when to keep his silence, being an infinitely private man by nature. The same could be said for Remus, and regardless of their mutual animosity, the two would have to work together on this one. Gesturing to the chair beside the latter, Albus, with great effort, directed a stern gaze at the Potions Master and spoke in a voice that invited no refusal,

"Severus, please take a seat. You should know by now that I do not make demands of you unless they are of the utmost importance, and this situation is such that it requires the both of you"

Grudgingly, Severus stiffly seated himself, his dark gaze coming to rest on the myriad papers littering the desk, before coming to rest once more on the currently distressed visage of his mentor. After a few uncomfortably silent moments, the Headmaster continued, his voice both steady and yet tired.

"It has come to my attention that sending Harry Potter back to his relatives might not have been the best course of action, considering recent events." he was cut off sharply by a snort of derision as Severus raised his hands skywards,

"Please, Albus, are you telling me the Golden Boy can't survive a few months without the simpering attention of his many admirers?"

Albus, having anticipated some such outburst, unlaced his fingers and placed both his wrinkled hands flat upon the smooth wood of his desk, intently staring at the other, until Severus relented and resigned himself to hearing the full story.

"As you are aware, Harry was to be retrieved from his relatives in three day's time, and taken to Headquarters for the remainder of the holidays. Remus owled him to inform him of such, only to receive this in return. "

A crumpled sheet of parchment was pushed across the desk and Severus leant forwards to peruse the contents, his lip curling in disgust at the barely legible scrawl. Even by Potter's standard, the quality was appalling and he did his best to ignore the stilted wording of the note, pushing it back towards the Headmaster,

"I do not see why this is reason to remove me from the little peace I get all year, Albus. So what? Potter is obviously being praised and pampered like a prize pet by his relatives and has no wish to be removed from that comfort".

Even as he spoke the words, Severus knew from his recall of what he had seen of the boy's memories, that this could not be the case, but it was far easier to maintain his hatred than to start feeling pity. He glanced sharply to his right as Remus, for the first time in the duration, added his own voice to the discussion.

"For your information, Severus, Harry has never been pampered or spoilt to any degree by those relatives of his; far from it, in fact. Had you seen his response to having had to spend so long there last year, you might realise how totally unlike him this note is. The fact is, Harry hates living with the Dursleys."

Amber eyes bore into black as he spoke, each caught up in a battle to see who would look away first, until a voice interrupted and each returned their attention to Albus , who showed no amusement at the display.

"I am more disturbed by the fact I received this very morning a letter from Petunia Dursley, regarding Harry's behaviour these past few weeks and her wish that he be removed, lest she get the blame for his condition. It would seem that young Harry is not coping well with the loss of Sirius.". Dumbledore broke off, removing his half moon spectacles to rub at his eyes, before looking intently at Severus, a look of utmost sorrow glazing his features as he spoke more quietly,

"I fear we're losing him, Severus."