Chapter Forty-Three: Severe and Serious

Everything was soft around Daphne, and yet she felt like she herself was made out of lead. She tried to move, but everything was sluggish. She felt as if she'd been running and exercising for days on end. Even her eyelids didn't want to work.

Eventually, however, she managed to get her eyes to open. By the looks of it, she was in the hospital wing.

She turned her head to the side. Harry, Hermione, and Ron were in the beds next to her, and by the looks of it they were just waking up as well.

Madam Pomfrey came striding across the dark hospital wing, carrying a monstrously large block of chocolate.

She noticed the four of them looking at her. "Ah, you're awake!" she said briskly.

She placed the chocolate on Harry's bedside table and began breaking it apart with a small hammer.

"What happened?" Harry asked apprehensively.

"Hagrid brought you in," Madam Pomfrey said. "He said he saw you and the Dementors, but when he reached you, you were already unconscious."

"Where's Sirius?" Harry asked, sitting bolt upright now.

"Locked away upstairs," Madam Pomfrey said soothingly. I imagine they'll be bringing in the Dementors any moment, now, to give him the Kiss…"

"WHAT?"

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Daphne all leapt up at the same time.

"Get back in your beds!" Madam Pomfrey said angrily. "You'll be staying here until–"

"You don't understand!" Harry interrupted. "We need to talk to Professor Dumbledore, please!"

"I quite agree, Harry," Dumbledore said, walking into the hospital wing followed by Snape, who was wearing an interesting expression that was a mix between intense loathing and supreme smugness…and Sirius, who just looked bewildered to be there at all.

"Headmaster!" Madam Pomfrey said aghast, with a look at Sirius. "What are you playing at, bringing in this– this–"

"That will do, Poppy," Dumbledore said soothingly. "Professor Snape, Sirius, and I have some things to talk about with Harry and his friends. It's rather urgent, so I would prefer to have this done as soon as possible."

Madam Pomfrey wanted to protest, but a piercing glance from Dumbledore made her incline her head and strode away to her office, angrily slamming the door shut behind her.

"Professor…what's going on?" Harry asked.

"Let's get the most important information out of the way first," Dumbledore said. "Sirius's name has been cleared…thanks to the testimony of Professor Snape."

The silence that followed that statement was deafening.

"But…you hate Sirius," Daphne said. She looked at Sirius. "And I'm fairly sure that feeling is mutual."

Snape nodded curtly. "Yes, I do. And I assure you that it was not for his sake that I saved his life. But I saw Pettigrew. I heard the truth. My hatred for him exceeded my hatred for Black enough to make sure the Ministry will commit their…talents…to chasing him down. Sadly, that involved clearing Black's name, but I will settle for the satisfaction that I have now done for you what Potter once did for me. Any and all debts have been settled, and I shan't be doing it again."

"Oh, you've ruined my life enough just by saving it, but…thanks," Sirius growled. Especially the last word sounded like he was going to be sick just saying it.

Dumbledore gave the two of them highly amused looks.

"But…how did you see Pettigrew?" Daphne asked. "You weren't with us, were you?"

"I knew you had gone outside to look for Lupin, Miss Greengrass, and I had an idea–"

He shot a glare at Sirius.

"–where you might have ended up. You were shouting loud enough to wake the dead, and I was, of course, Disillusioned, so I could stand near the door and listen in on the conversation. Knowing Lupin would leave the building first so he could transform, I left as soon as I had confirmed Pettigrew's guilt. I had seen Pettigrew was subdued and expected there would be no trouble bringing him in, but I appear to have overestimated Black," Snape said with a sneer.

"It was because of the Dementors!" Harry said angrily.

"Yes," Snape said with a mocking smile. "Tell me, Black, how does it feel to not only owe your life to me, but also a thirteen-year-old?"

"Harry is as brave as Lily and James," Sirius said proudly. "I'm not ashamed to owe my life to him. To you, though…"

"Perhaps you wish I would have let the Dementor Kiss you, instead?"

Sirius looked like he wanted to give a sarcastic answer, but then looked at Harry and said, "No."

He glared at Snape. "I've already thanked you. I won't do it again."

Daphne chuckled, in spite of the situation. Both of them were acting too childishly not to.

"It wasn't just me," Harry said. "There was another Patronus, but I couldn't see who cast it… If it hadn't been there, I could never have summoned mine. It was a doe, I think."

Daphne saw Dumbledore shoot a lightning-quick glance at Snape, who'd clenched his jaw.

"Do you know anyone with such a Patronus, Severus?" Dumbledore asked neutrally.

"No, Headmaster. I wasn't there when it was cast. Perhaps Hagrid knows. He was the one who found them, after all," Snape said.

Daphne frowned, and Snape gave her a subtle, warning glare, which she only recognized because she'd spoken to him so much. Daphne looked at the others, and by the looks of it, not even Hermione had realized what she had: the doe Patronus belonged to Snape, but no one was supposed to know it. And when she thought about the form Harry's Patronus had taken, and what he'd called it…she understood.

She was sure Harry would realize it on his own at some point, but if Snape wanted this to remain hidden, even in a meeting that was already private, there was most likely a reason for it, even if she didn't understand it.

"I will ask the other Heads of House if they know anything, then," Dumbledore said, looking slightly disappointed. "But whoever it was has done a good thing. Five innocent lives were saved by their actions."

"I don't know about 'innocent'," Snape said, glaring at Sirius again.

"Be that as it may," Dumbledore said, before Sirius could counter, "Pettigrew has escaped. Professor Snape and Sirius have informed me of the prophecy Professor Trelawney made, Harry."

Harry bowed his head. "It's my fault," he said. "If I'd let Sirius and Professor Lupin kill Pettigrew…"

"The ways of fate are unfathomable, Harry. In time, you will realize this. The nature of prophecy has been a subject of debate for many years. Many prophecies never come true. Others become true because people seek to fulfill or deny them; their actions become influenced by knowing the prophecy, for better or worse. Yet other prophecies come true long after those who made them pass away, and are fulfilled by people who've never heard them. Predicting the future is extremely complicated. Professor Trelawney, bless her, is living proof of that…You did a very noble thing in saving Pettigrew's life," Dumbledore said kindly.

"But if he helps Voldemort back to power–"

"Pettigrew owes his life to you. You have sent Voldemort a deputy who is in your debt. When one wizard saves another wizard's life, it creates a certain bond between them…and I'm much mistaken if Voldemort wants his servant in debt of Harry Potter."

Behind Dumbledore, Sirius looked at Snape and shuddered.

"I don't want a connection with Pettigrew!" Harry said. "He betrayed my parents!"

"This is magic at its deepest, most impenetrable, Harry. But trust me…the time may come when you will be very glad you saved Pettigrew's life. I knew your father very well, both at Hogwarts and later, Harry. He would have saved Pettigrew too, I am sure of it."

Snape's expression darkened, and it was clear he hated hearing James Potter being praised for anything, even years after his death, ignoring the fact that Dumbledore had just praised him as well, just not by name, when talking about the doe Patronus.

It was interesting to see how that kind of intense dislike worked. She wondered if she would still hate Malfoy twelve years after his death.

"So…" Harry said hesitantly. "Does that mean I can live with Sirius from now on?"

"Alas, no," Dumbledore said gravely. "I understand why you want to, Harry, I really do. However, when I left you at your aunt and uncle's home, I invoked very powerful defensive magic. Through your aunt's connection with your mother, whose protection lives in you, I have made it so Voldemort and his followers cannot harm you while you are there.

"Keeping the enchantment alive, however, requires you to stay there for at least a few weeks each summer. It will break once you come of age…or when you leave there knowing you will never call it home again."

"But sir, Harry has been away from there in earlier holidays," Daphne said. "To Ron's place, and to mine. Does that mean he's not safe there, then?"

"The bond of blood is ancient and powerful magic that even Voldemort cannot break," Dumbledore said. "While it won't keep Harry alive outside of his relatives' home, it will make it harder for Voldemort to hurt Harry directly. His fight with Quirrell was one example of that. Lily's sacrifice, which kept Harry alive at that moment, was stronger because the bond of blood was also active. Without it, Harry might have succumbed.

"It is essential that the protection remains active as long as possible…however, this does not mean that Harry will need to spend his entire summer holiday with his relatives. Three to four weeks should be enough to keep the enchantment alive."

Harry looked disappointed, but then he smiled at Sirius anyway. "Second half of the holidays, then?" he asked.

Sirius grinned. "You bet," he said.

"The Ministry has issued a full pardon for Sirius immediately, and the Dementors will be removed from the Hogwarts grounds as soon as possible," Dumbledore said. "However…Professor Lupin's identity has leaked out. Through…certain circumstances…"

Dumbledore glared at Snape.

"…a number of students discovered the nature of his affliction. Consequently…he has resigned from his post."

"How? He's in the Forbidden Forest right now," Daphne said.

"Professor Lupin asked me to consider him resigned the moment a student discovered his secret and revealed it to the staff. I…waited a little bit longer than that, but several independent students have come forward with the theory. I feel I can no longer ignore his explicit wishes, though it grieves me to lose him as a teacher," Dumbledore said.

Daphne frowned. It made sense, she supposed. It would've been strange if only Hermione and Daphne herself had discovered the secret, after all. And given the reputation of werewolves, it was only natural that at least some people would talk to the staff.

Snape didn't look remotely guilty, though everyone in the room save Dumbledore — who'd given his glare earlier — was glaring at him. Daphne was sure that his essay had tipped many people off.

"When…when will he leave?" Harry asked.

"I presume he will pack his bags as soon as he finds out," Dumbledore said soberly.

"Don't worry, Harry. Despite the Firebolt I bought you–"

"Ha! I knew it!" Hermione interjected triumphantly.

"–I still have a lot of money. I'll make sure Remus will be fine."

He smiled sadly. "Just like the old days. James and I supported him any way we could, because he couldn't find a job due to his furry little problem."

"Well, I think I have kept Madam Pomfrey from her patients long enough," Dumbledore said. "Severus, Sirius…say, have you considered becoming a double act, incidentally? Severe and Serious. I imagine it would be quite a hit…"

Snape scowled, Sirius cringed, and Dumbledore winked at Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Daphne, who all laughed. The three of them left the hospital wing and closed the door behind them, after which Madam Pomfrey returned to force them to eat their chocolate.

The next day, Madam Pomfrey allowed them to leave the hospital wing, and Daphne and Harry made their way over to Lupin's office to say goodbye.

He was busy packing when they arrived. "Ah, Harry, Daphne. Good to see you," he said with a sad smile.

"Do you really have to leave, Professor?" Harry asked.

"It was one of my own conditions, Harry. Professor Dumbledore has been extremely generous, giving me this job. Should anyone discover my secret, I would not want to discredit him."

"You sound almost like me," Daphne said. "Getting yourself in trouble just so those you care about won't."

Lupin nodded. "I saw that trait in you when I saw your boggart. I'm not one to talk, but be careful how far you take things. There's a fine line between nobility and foolishness, as James and Sirius were always quick to remind me."

Harry and Daphne exchanged a glance and grinned. "It's good to know I can at least make it into my thirties with tendencies like that," Daphne said.

"But it's not mere nobility that drives me away," Lupin said. "Last night, I forgot to take my potion. Had I encountered a student, someone could have gotten bitten or worse. It was only because you brought that vial that I was able to prepare and flee into the Forest while my mind was intact. I cannot risk that happening again."

"We can't convince you to stay, can we?" Daphne asked sadly.

Lupin shook his head. He looked at Harry. "From what the Headmaster told me this morning, you saved a lot of lives last night, Harry. If I'm proud of anything I've done this year, it's how much you've learned…tell me about your Patronus."

Harry told the story, including the appearance of the mysterious doe.

"I cannot tell who cast the doe, if even Professor Dumbledore didn't know," Lupin said, though Daphne had a feeling he wasn't quite telling the truth. "But you guessed correctly about yours. Your father was always a stag when he transformed. That's why we called him Prongs."

He pulled out the Marauder's Map and held it out to Harry. "I am no longer your teacher, so I don't feel guilty about giving this back. It's no use to me, and I daresay you and your friends will find uses for it."

Harry took the map and grinned.

"Besides," Lupin said, smiling warmly. "I have no hesitation in saying that James would have been highly disappointed if his son had never found any of the secret passages out of the castle."

He finished packing and picked up his suitcase and the empty creature tank.

"Well…goodbye Harry, Daphne," he said, still smiling. "It has been a real pleasure teaching you. I feel sure we'll meet again sometime."

With a final nod to Harry and Daphne, Lupin left the office, leaving Daphne and Harry alone.

"Wonder what we'll get next year," Harry said glumly.

"Cheer up, Sirius said he'll be helping him out. You can probably meet up with both of them this very holiday," Daphne said.

Harry smiled at her. "That's true."

His expression got more serious. "In the Shrieking Shack last night, when you were accusing Pettigrew…"

He trailed off, and Daphne nodded slowly and unwillingly.

"Well, I did promise you," she said ruefully. "Yes, I saw Pettigrew in the crystal ball, the first time I looked. I also saw Voldemort coming back and a number of things I can't even begin to understand yet…but both times I looked in the crystal ball — really looked, and not pretended like I did most of the time — it ended with the same scene."

She looked into Harry's eyes. "I saw you, walking into some kind of forest clearing, where Voldemort and some other people, who I suppose are his followers, are waiting for you…and then…"

She paused and steeled herself by taking a deep breath. "Harry, I saw him killing you."

Harry paled. "Just like that?" he asked. "I…I didn't even fight?"

Daphne shook her head. "No. You walk up to him, and he kills you. I…I never saw beyond that. I refuse to believe it's real, except…"

"The first part of what you saw came true," Harry finished.

Daphne nodded silently.

After a few moments of silence, she said, "Harry…I don't want you to tell this to anyone. I-I'm afraid that telling too many people will somehow make it real and I…" She trailed off.

"I won't," Harry said. "Not the part about me dying, anyway."

He smiled weakly. "I've had my death predicted so many times now the novelty's worn off. But the rest of it…I think you should tell Ron and Hermione about it as well, at least."

"I don't even want them to know that…" Daphne said softly. "You know Hermione doesn't believe in Divination anyway."

"She'll believe in evidence, though," Harry said. "And I get the feeling you're a bit better at actually seeing things in crystal balls than Trelawney is."

"I'd rather see nothing at all," Daphne said. "Ugh, why'd I pick Divination…"

"Because I think you already knew there was something to your 'guesses' in some way," Harry said.

Daphne shook her head. "I honestly didn't. Yes, I chose it because I found it interesting that I made a few accurate remarks, but it was mostly just for fun. I didn't expect anything to really come from it.

"Look…the vision I saw…you looked at least a couple of years older than you do now. Whenever this might happen, if it will at all, won't be for some time yet. And we both know by now that not everything is as it seems. Just…please don't tell anyone, regardless."

But despite Daphne's own reassuring words, when she looked into Harry's eyes, she couldn't help but be afraid that in this instance, what she saw was exactly what it seemed to be.

Some pretty unlikely things, as the title suggests. Still, I believe all of them can be made…acceptable. Snape's breakdown in canon is because he already loathes both Harry and Sirius, and hasn't seen Pettigrew, nor is he inclined to believe any of them. In my fic, he's less hateful of Harry because of first year, though he still dislikes him, and has seen Pettigrew, as he explained. Since Pettigrew is the one who betrayed Lily (aside from himself, of course) I figure Snape would hate Pettigrew more than Sirius, at least at that moment. Since Pettigrew never saw him or his Patronus, the worst he'll hear about Snape's involvement in clearing Sirius's name is rumors, because obviously, it won't be publicized that way. The Prophet was never big on fact checking and that stuff, anyway, so merely printing 'Black has been cleared, Pettigrew found to be alive' would be enough. Apparently wizards don't ask critical questions of their news sources.

As for the bond of blood…even with the wiki open, I don't really get how it works. It keeps Voldemort from killing Harry at the Dursleys. But Deathly Hallows implies that even his Death Eaters can't get in, for reasons, since Moody says he has them patrolling the skies in the area. Since Harry also spends quite a bit of time in other places than at the Dursleys in his summer holidays, I decided to make the bond of blood act like some kind of buff to Lily's protection, just to give it some reason to need to remain active.

Lastly, I didn't originally intend to have Daphne have any affinity for Divination…but I liked the idea, so I'm running with it. Rest assured it won't be limited to showing her canon events only.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure someone will have written an entire fanfic called 'Severe and Serious' centered on Snape and Sirius, but if so, this wasn't a shoutout. I just wrote the line and thought of the bad joke, and figured Dumbledore would be the kind of guy to make it.