December
The map, gifted by the twins, guided Harry to Hogsmeade. Hiding under his cloak he enjoyed a day with his friends, snacking on junk food, exploring stores and the coup de gras: throwing muddy snowballs at Malfoy. But that is when it all went wrong. Harry's hood slipped down and Malfoy saw him. Malfoy, who had teased Harry about his lack of a permission form hightailed it back to the castle to tattle.
Harry likewise hightailed it back, but through the secret tunnels rather than overground. He ripped the invisibility cloak off and did his best to appear nonchalant as he strolled through the hall away from the statue of the humped back witch.
Lupin was wandering the castle when his wolf nose picked up the scent of his cub and the scent was full of nerves.
"Potter!"
That was definitely Snape and he didn't sound happy. Not that he ever did. But he sounded particularly not happy. Lupin hurried his steps. As he came around the corner he heard Snape again.
"Care to tell me where you've been?"
"I've been here, sir. In the castle." Harry's voice came out raspy and with a squeak at the end.
"Why hello, Severus," Lupin approached, "Harry I really enjoyed that cup of tea we shared. We shall have to do that again soon."
Harry looked up at Lupin gratefully.
Snape glowered at Lupin then glanced down at Harry, "Go to the potions lab. Start cleaning."
Harry's face fell.
"Immediately."
Harry gulped, "Yes, sir." Harry turned and moved at a half jog toward the dungeons.
Snape turned to Lupin, "I know it's your instinct to protect members of your pack," Snape stated snidely, "But you may want to consider putting more effort in protecting him from your murdering pack member rather than from a few hours of scrubbing. No one knew Potter had left the castle, which means no adult was watching his back."
Lupin stared slack jawed as Snape billowed toward the dungeon. Then a weight of guilt hit Lupin's gut. He'd gone with instinct, lying for his friend's son; but he hadn't given even the slightest thought to Harry's welfare, while it seemed Snape had.
Harry had a rag and was scrubbing old crusty bits of dried potion off one of the lab tables. BANG! The door slammed and a whirlwind of magic sealed the doors and silenced any noise from within to those without.
"You call that lying!? How do you ever expect to be able to pull off something big if you can't even manage a jaunt to Hogsmeade!"
Harry was staggered, first by Snape's entrance, then by the fact that he was being berated for being a crappy liar.
"A six year old could lie better than you!" Snape ticked off his fingers, "Squeaky voice. Short of breath. Looking gratefully at someone covering for you. Sweat for Merlin's sake. You do remember you're a wizard don't you? Use a drying spell if you must, but don't you ever fail so miserably again at concealing your illicit activities!"
Harry still couldn't get his tongue wrapped around a word so Snape continued his tirade.
"You need acting lessons. You'll be joining the theater class after winter break. Don't question me on this Potter, you're dong it. Do you know what visualization is?" Without even a moments breath Snape went on. "Of course you don't. From now on before you do anything like you did today you will practice a visualization of how you will handle getting caught. It needs to include what you'll say, how you'll say it, and your body language. You must predict the questions they will ask you so you will be able to answer them." Snape's finger pointed accusingly at Harry, "Consider yourself warned that you best have plausible answers when I ask for them. Now get cleaning. When I get back your responses had better have improved."
The magical barriers dissipated and Snape exited in a swirl of robes.