Disclaimer: It's mine. Sure it is. And if you believe that, I've got this bridge I want to sell you…

A/N: This should be a normal-length chapter. Enjoy!

Chapter Nine: Mistakes Brought to Light

Severus Snape wasn't having a good day. Far from it, in fact. His latest experiment needed more mermaid blood, but he didn't have the extra bottle he thought he did in his store-room. He had worked through lunch, and the blasted house-elves ignored his call. A small corner of his mind was trying to explain that that was what he deserved after scaring them so badly when they tried to clean his workroom and quarters, but the rest of his mind was busy conjuring ways to torture the little blighters.

As much as he loathed having to go into Hogsmeade on a weekend where the students had been set loose to run amok, he knew he didn't have any other options. Unless he wanted to wait until Monday to continue his experiment, which he certainly didn't want to do. He was also a bit hungry, and he knew if he went to the kitchens after a plate of sandwiches, the house-elves would be likely to panic so badly that nothing in the castle would be cooked or cleaned for a full three days.

On his way out of the castle, his bad day was compounded by stumbling across Draco Malfoy in a rather compromising situation with a Hufflepuff third year by the name of Euan O'Mallary. Rubbing at his temples, he quickly decided to ignore the children for now. It would suffice to send a letter to Lucius. Draco definitely needed to learn subtlety. In all honesty, Severus was severely disappointed in the recent additions to Slytherin house. The last one that, in his opinion, was truly Slytherin had been Theodore Nott. Crabbe and Goyle were too stupid to deserve the house, Draco wasn't subtle enough, Parkinson was too brash; the list went on and on. The petite Greengrass girl might make a decent Slytherin, but her family was almost as poor as the Weasleys. All the ambition and cunning in the world wouldn't do her a bit of good if she didn't have the gold to fund her plans. She was still planning on going into politics. Severus shook his head. The real politicians will chew her up and spit her out in less than a week.

Lost in his musings on his snakes, he managed to surprise himself when he arrived at the apothecary. A little silver bell over the door jangled as Severus entered the dimly lit shop. Luckily, there were only a couple of students here. Snape recognized all three as sixth year Ravenclaws. He was almost certain they were just restocking their potions kits. None of the ingredients they held were proscribed in any way, and all three had beetle eyes – a common ingredient in the potions he was teaching the sixth years this month. Once the triad of students was gone, Severus located mermaid blood and paid for it, then made his way to the Three Broomsticks. It was late enough that there shouldn't be many people still there for lunch, and was too early for the dinner crowd to have shown. He felt he should have plenty of time to eat before the tavern became crowded once again.

He noticed that only a couple of tables were full when he entered the tavern, and only one of them had any students at it. Much as he would prefer there be no students, he felt that he could ignore them, if they'd ignore him. He sat at the bar and waited patiently for Madam Rosmerta to return from one of the tables. He had only been sitting a few moments when someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Professor Snape?"

Snape mentally growled at the interruption. His mind couldn't place the voice immediately, so he figured it had to be one of the quieter students. Probably one that he had missed in his scan of the room. He turned around. "What?" he sneered.

He was somewhat taken aback to realize it wasn't a student at all. For a split second, Severus thought he was being visited by ghosts from his past. Then he realized the eyes peering out from behind glass were brilliant green, not muddy hazel. And the glasses were rectangular rimless ones, not round black frames. The boy's face, as well, though at first glance was a carbon-copy of his teenage tormentor, was a bit more pointed than James Potter's had been. And in place of a superior smirk, there was a guileless smile, as though the boy was truly pleased to see him. "Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I wanted to thank you again for your book recommendation."

"Pardon?"

Harry laughed softly, "Sorry, I didn't introduce myself, did I? I'm Harry Potter. I wrote you a couple of times for a recommendation of more complete reading material." He offered his hand to the tall man dressed all in black.

A little disturbed that his expectations had been so far off the mark, Severus could do naught else but shake the boy's hand. He refused to allow his surprise to show on his face, however. "Ah, yes. Mister Potter. You're being home-schooled."

"That's right. My tutor doesn't feel that he's qualified to teach potions, so I'm having to learn it mostly on my own, and like I mentioned in the letters, I would rather know what I'm doing before I try to do it."

"Your caution is commendable. If only others your age had that same attitude, accidents in my classroom would be next to nonexistent." Severus was still uneasy that this boy could possibly be related to James Potter. Their attitudes seemed diametrically opposed to one another. Severus subtly checked for glamours, and confirmed that it was indeed his late nemesis' son before him.

Harry felt his skin prickle as Snape's spell washed over him. "What was that?" he asked, his smile fading.

Once more, Severus was surprised by the teen in front of him. Not many people can detect that particular spell. I know Albus can, but he's got more than a century of experience to draw on, as well as a better-than-average magical strength. His mind working overtime, Severus quickly came to a decision. "My apologies. I was rather taken aback by your manner. I had… somewhat different expectations of you."

Harry quirked an eyebrow, unknowingly copying one of Snape's favored nonverbal questions. "Different?"

Severus nodded, "Yes. I had assumed you would be more like your father in attitude, not just looks."

"You knew my Dad?"

Severus nodded, "Unfortunately."

Harry blinked. This was unexpected. Harry bit his lip for a moment, while his brain pulled up some of the stories Remus had told him about when he and his father were still in school. "I see. You're that Severus. The one that was involved in a prank war with my father and his friends." Harry chuckled softly and shook his head, "I don't see how I could be like Dad when I don't even remember him. I didn't even learn the truth about him until I met Remus this summer."

The mystery grows, Severus thought. "I thought you were sent to live with your aunt and uncle."

Harry scowled, "I was, but they didn't tell me anything about my parents. At least, nothing true. They had told me they died in a car accident and that my Dad was an unemployed drunk."

Severus wasn't sure how to react. He had been prepared to hate Harry Potter ever since he realized the 'brat' would be turning eleven and he would likely have to teach him. The anticipation of hatred and preconceptions based on the Potter name didn't stand up to meeting the teen. That quiet corner of Snape's brain that had berated him earlier for his treatment of the house-elves was laughing and chanting told you so in a sing-song voice, interspersed with You should know better than to judge someone by the name they carry. In the short span of speaking with Potter, he came to the conclusion that, though the boy likely didn't remember his mother, either, his attitude was more like Lily's than that of James. Changing the subject back to something he was more comfortable discussing, Severus asked, "Have you had a chance to look through the Compendium?"

Harry nodded, "Yes. I've read the first two chapters. It is precisely what I was looking for. It explains why some ingredients have to be prepared the way they do, why some potions have to be stirred just so, and all those other pesky little details that the other text I looked at didn't include. I'm actually considering having the contents of the book converted into a computer program so that I can 'practice' brewing without risking life and limb until I feel comfortable that I know what I'm doing."

"A computer program?"

Harry nodded, "Yeah. I don't know how familiar you are with technology, but computers are getting to be really advanced. They're also no where near as costly as they were even ten years ago, once you adjust everything for inflation, that is."

Severus made a mental note to look into the status of modern technology. Once he'd determined what could be done, he would then re-evaluate the truth of Potter's claim. "How long do you think that would take?"

Harry shrugged. "A couple of months, or thereabouts. It's not like I need a graphics-heavy program. What will take the longest is simply copying the information from the book to a database. When the program's completed, would you want to take a look at it? I'd be grateful for any additional information or ideas."

Severus slowly nodded, if what Potter was saying was true, then it could become a valuable tool. The only downside he could see would be locating or creating a machine that could run it in a magic-heavy area. Or coming up with a spell that did the same thing.

"Thanks." Harry glanced over his shoulder to where Hermione, Ron, and Remus were watching him from their table. "It was a pleasure meeting you, professor, but I should rejoin my friends."

Severus nodded again, "Likewise, Mr. Potter." The teen hurried back to his table and Severus pondered the many mysteries and questions he had been left with, his bad day forgotten for the moment.

That evening, Harry and Remus returned to the Kellermans' house after leaving Ron and Hermione with promises to attend the next quidditch match at Hogwarts. There were still a few hours before dinner would be ready, so Harry and Remus adjourned to the back yard to practice Harry's dueling skills. A few weeks earlier, Remus had warded the yard to mask all magical activity from muggle eyes. To the neighbors, it would look like Harry and Remus were playing catch.

Bowing to one another, they paced off the required length. "Expelliarmus!" Harry shouted.

"Protego." Remus incanted the shield with a lazy twirl of his wand. "Tarantallegra!"

"Protego!" Harry's shield was conjured just in time. The curse bounced off and hit the ground. "Petrificus totalus!"

Remus sidestepped the curse, and shot a blinding curse back at Harry. Harry saw it coming and dove out of the way, sending another body-bind Remus' direction.

"Concentrate, Harry! That last one missed me by a mile." Remus chided. "Expelliarmus!"

Harry rolled out of the way and scowled at his tutor. "Wingardium leviosa!"

Remus suddenly found himself suspended a good six feet off the ground. He started laughing. "Good show, Harry. Now put me down."

Harry gently lowered Remus back to the ground and the duo took a five minute break before beginning again. The second time they dueled, Remus won by catching Harry with a densaugeo hex. He was laughing hard enough that Harry's teeth had almost reached his collarbones before he could incant the anti-jinx. Harry also lost their third match to a rictusempra that managed to sneak past his shield.

They were about to start their fourth match when Jennifer called them in to dinner. "How was your day out, boys?" she asked while filling their plates with sliced roast beef and potatoes.

"Not bad, Jenn. Met up with Hermione. She also introduced me to one of her friends. Also ran into Professor Snape. He's that teacher I told you about that recommended the Compendium for my potions studies. I let him know that we're working on translating it into a computer program and he agreed to take a look at it when we finish."

"We?" Jennifer questioned, irony thick in her tone. "We, you say? Don't you mean me?"

Harry grinned sheepishly and shrugged. "It was my idea, you know."

Jenn shook her head, "What am I going to do with you?"

After dinner, Remus and Harry cleared the table, setting aside a plate for Allen for when he returned from the shop. They were manually washing the dishes – Harry found the minor chore to be rather relaxing – when Harry asked, "What happened earlier today? When that Azkaban place came up, it looked like you went somewhere else for a moment."

Remus sighed. "Just some bad memories, Harry."

"What memories? Surely you never had to go there, did you?"

Remus put the last plate in the cupboard and conjured a pot of tea. "No, I never have. I just… It's… kind of hard to explain."

"Why don't you try? You'll probably feel better about it if you talk to someone. I'd prefer you talk to me, if only to cure my curiosity, but –"

Remus nodded and interrupted Harry, "You're right. I should probably tell you. It's just that it still hurts a bit."

Harry sat the pot of tea on the table and poured himself a cup. He used his foot to push out a chair. "Sit down, Remus."

Remus did so and took a shaky breath. "You remember what I told you about the night your parents died?"

Harry nodded, "Voldemort killed them."

"That's right. But what I didn't tell you is that he shouldn't have even been able to locate your family. There's a spell called the Fidelius Charm. What that does is hide one secret in the soul of a living being. Whatever knowledge is hidden is completely inaccessible to anyone not told directly by the secret-keeper."

"And my family was protected by this charm?"

Remus nodded, "That's right. You remember me telling you about the Marauders? Me, your dad, a boy named Peter, and Sirius?"

"Yes, though you've not mentioned the other two very much."

"The reason, Harry, is because Sirius was your father's best friend. Those two were more like brothers than friends…" Remus paused, lost in memory for a moment. "He was your family's secret-keeper. The day after your parents were killed, he managed to locate Peter. Peter shouted that Sirius had betrayed you and Sirius ended up killing him. Killing him and a streetful of muggles, too. He's been in Azkaban ever since. When the aurors arrested him, he was laughing." Remus scrubbed a hand across his face, "In the space of twenty-four hours, I managed to lose all my friends. Three to the betrayal of the fourth. You'll pardon me if I haven't quite gotten over it."

Harry didn't know what to say, And I thought my life sucked. He got up and gave Remus a hug before leaving Remus to himself.

Remus was lost in memories. Memories of receiving the news that his life had changed irrevocably in the span of a single day. Memories of pranks pulled in the name of the Marauders. Memories of researching and creating a very special map. Memories of helping the other three study for exams. Half-formed dreamlike visions of running under the full moon with a stag, dog, and a rat. He gasped, his mind drawing a connection that hadn't been there before. That scent from earlier! I remember now that I have smelled it before. Back when I was teaching… I do know it! It smelled like Peter's animagus form! But… That can't be, can it? It was clinging to the Weasley boy like a macabre perfume… I have to be imagining things… It can't be Peter. The implications… Oh, gods. If it is Peter, then Sirius didn't kill him… I need to talk to Dumbledore… Albus will be able to put this to rest… Oh, please. He refused to even think what he wanted to be true, for fear that it wouldn't happen.

"…and I fully believe the investigation can be closed at any time. There's no way for Vernon Dursley to weasel his way out of the charges, and it's likely that Petunia will be charged with neglect, as well. If we do continue with this, there's a better-than-average chance that Dudley will end up in a reform program. He would definitely be removed from the Dursley household as a precaution, even if by some miracle Vernon and Petunia do escape the charges." Andromeda Tonks took a sip of tea.

Her daughter took over the narrative, "If we continue, we need to know if we will be dealing with the Ministry, muggle authorities, or both. I agree with Mum, further investigation isn't needed. Personally, I believe the most damming bit of evidence against them is that they never contacted the muggle police when Harry disappeared. Granted, he did leave them a note that he was going to the Kellermans, but neither the Kellermans nor Harry have had any contact with the Dursleys since before that morning."

Dumbledore stroked his silver beard, lost in thought. "And what is Harry's opinion?"

Andromeda looked to her daughter. Tonks shrugged, "I don't think he cares much what happens to the Dursleys, so long as he's left in peace."

"Perhaps you should ask his opinion. He would have a better idea than I what the best course of action would be from here." Dumbledore sighed. "I find myself regretting ever leaving him with those people."

Andie shook her head, "You couldn't have known, Albus. Most people, when faced with their infant relative and asked to care for him like he was their own, would do just that. You couldn't have foreseen any of this."

"If I had listened to Minerva's suspicions-"

"Don't beat yourself up over it, Albus. I'm sure you thought you were doing the best thing for Harry. Am I right?"

Dumbledore nodded, "Of course. But they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions…"

Andie made a dismissing motion with her hand, "Pshaw. You never cared much for what 'they' say, don't start now. You might want to take the time to talk to Harry directly, though. I'm sure if you give him a chance, you just might find that everything worked out alright in the end."

"Thank you for the information, Andromeda, Nymphadora." Tonks scowled at the headmaster for the use of her first name. "Do keep me abreast of the situation. However, I have a staff meeting in only a half an hour."

"Of course, Albus. We'll keep in touch." Andie lead her daughter to the fireplace and flooed out of the headmaster's office.

He sat for a moment, gathering his thoughts and some paperwork that was needed for the upcoming meeting. He was startled a bit by the mirror in his pocket chiming. He removed it from his robe, "Remus? How can I help you?"

Remus' face was pale and there were stress lines visible around his eyes. The headmaster thought he might be imagining it, but there seemed to be a few more grey hairs, too. "Albus, I…"

Concerned, Dumbledore smiled, "Calm down, my boy. What has you so upset? Is Harry alright?"

Remus nodded, "Harry's fine, sir. It's not to do with him. I just noticed something today that could change everything…"

"How so?" Dumbledore was curious. There wasn't much that could upset Remus.

"Can I come over and explain in person? I just don't know if I'm imagining things or if it really is possible…"

Dumbledore nodded, "Certainly, Remus. Come on over. I'll meet you in the entrance hall. We can talk after the staff meeting is over. I don't anticipate the meeting to take long."

Remus nodded, "I'll be right there." The mirror fogged over and when the fog dissipated, Remus was no longer visible.

An hour later, Remus was explaining the familiar scent that lingered around Ronald Weasley. "Are you certain of this, Remus?" Dumbledore asked.

Remus laughed mirthlessly. "I'm not sure of anything, Albus. It's been so long…"

"I know Mr. Weasley has a pet rat. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to see if it's possible your nose is as keen as you assume."

"Or if I need a stay at Saint Mungo's."

Dumbledore nodded, "Or that." He scribbled a note to Ron on a scrap of parchment and had Fawkes deliver it.

Harry answered his phone on the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hey, Harry. Whacha doing tonight?" Nigel asked.

"Not much. Studying mostly."

"Can you spare a night out?"

Harry shrugged, noticed that he shrugged and mentally berated himself for the action, "Dunno. Probably. Why?"

"It's my night off, and I'm bored out of my mind. I wanted to check out that new club downtown, but I don't want to go alone. Mike and Tim are both working and don't get off for another three hours."

"Don't know about the club – you know I'm not much of a barfly, but I could certainly use a night away from home."

"It's settled then, I'll be by to pick you up in half an hour."

"Whatever, see you shortly." Harry clicked off the phone.

Thirty minutes later, Nigel and Harry were on their way to London. Though not much of a drinker, Harry did manage to have fun trying to dance. A pretty blonde girl about a year older than he was monopolized his dancing, though. When he and Nigel finally left, at a quarter to midnight, he couldn't even remember her name.

Mr. Weasley,

Please bring your pet rat to the Headmaster's office immediately; it is a matter of some urgency.

-Albus Dumbledore

Ron looked from the note to the phoenix that delivered it and back. "What's that, Ron?" Seamus Finnegan asked.

"Note from Dumbledore." He handed his dorm-mate the note.

"What's he want with Scabbers, I wonder?" Seamus handed the note back.

"Dunno." Ron said as he scooped the sleeping rat off his pillow and into his pocket. "I know I'm not in trouble… I've not done anything recently. I also never used Scabbers in a prank."

"Let me know when you find out?"

Ron nodded, "Sure. Will you let Hermione know I'll be late to the study session tonight? I don't know how long this will take."

"Sure. Speaking of Hermione… When are you gonna screw up enough courage to ask her out? You've only been pining for her since fourth year."

Ron scowled. "Have not."

"Riiight. And th' moon's made a'green cheese."

"Whatever. I need to get going before Dumbledore sends McGonagall after me." Ron hurried out of the dorm. He located the gargoyle that guarded the Headmaster's office without too much difficulty, even though he hadn't been there since second year. Thinking of second year brought a lump to Ron's throat. Someday, Ginny, I'll fix what's wrong with you. I promise. He swallowed the lump and jumped a little as the gargoyle moved out of the way.

When he arrived in the office, he saw that Professor Lupin was there, as well as his head-of-house and Professor Snape. He cupped a hand around the pocket in which Scabbers slept on. "What's this about, sir?"

Professor Lupin answered. "I noticed a scent around you earlier at the Three Broomsticks that I thought familiar."

Ron shook his head, "Scent?"

"Werewolf, Weasley. Use your head for something besides keeping your ears apart." Snape drawled. "It seems the wolf here recognized the scent of an old… friend."

"What?" Ron was more confused than ever. "A friend? Headmaster, what's going on?"

The headmaster turned twinkling eyes from his potions master to the redheaded teen standing before him. "What these two," he gestured towards Snape and Lupin, "have been trying unsuccessfully to communicate is that there is the possibility that your rat is actually an animagus in disguise."

Ron paled. "No way!"

"Calm yourself, Mr. Weasley. That is why we called you to the office. There is a simple spell we can use to determine if there is any basis for the suspicion, other than wishful thinking." McGonagall stated.

"It won't hurt him, will it?"

"Rest assured, Ronald, it won't harm your pet. If he is an animagus, then all it will do is force him to reveal his human form. If he is indeed a rat, nothing will happen." Dumbledore reached in his pocket and withdrew something small and yellow and popped it into his mouth.

Ron reached into his pocket and withdrew a small, fat rat. The rat stirred, blinking watery blue eyes up at Ron. "Set him on the floor there," McGonagall pointed. Ron did as he was asked. When Scabbers was on the floor, he rose to his hind legs and craned his neck to look around the room, his whiskers twitching.

Dumbledore stood with his wand in hand, and cast the animagus-detection spell. A flash of light surrounded Scabbers, and when it faded, a balding, chubby man with a rat-like face lay twitching on the floor of the headmaster's office.

A/N2: I hope that satisfies everyone. More Sirius and Snape to come in upcoming chapters.

When I get that far, do you want to see a magic-compatible computer surface, or should a spell be developed to act the same way as Harry's potions program?

Reviews make the world go 'round.