Family problems are basically resolved since, what was it, May? Well, they're as good as there're gonna get and well, yeah, everything's been better. I've finally graduated, been enjoying my summer so far, got a cell-phone (FINALLY), and been keeping relatively busy. Yeah, I've found out why I'm having trouble writing this: It's because I'm currently in a romance-writing mode. That's why I've been negligent (read: terrible authoress). So yes, I'll try my best, guys, and just keep on writin'!

Chapter 24- The Interrogation

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"And I swear, I don't even need those ugly glasses anymore! My eyes are better than they've ever been!"

Harry bit down on an apple as he listened to a Slytherin girl talking the ear off her friends. She was one of the same who'd been in the hospital, and she looked downright cheery. A little too happy, even.

"Can you see how many fingers I'm holding up, then?" her friend asked her.

There was a gasp and then a resounding smack following the giggling of her friends. "That's obscene!"

Harry laughed to himself as he got up from his seat under the tree by the lake and headed back towards Hogwarts castle. All week the Slytherins had had to stay in the hospital, for good measure, as Madam Pomfrey had said, and since they were released all Harry had heard was how good they felt and how all their aliments were gone. There hadn't been much unpleasantness on their part, as far as Slytherins go, and each seemed to have a rather cheerful disposition. One swore his quidditch injury was nonexistent and that the joint was better than any magical treatments his father had bought. It was strange, to say the least, and all he knew was that Snape had something to do with it. As unusual as the concept of Snape making people feel good for a change was, it put more respect for the man into Harry.

After yet another brief questioning turned strange interrogation from Dumbledore and Snape about what he'd seen regarding the Slytherins in the courtyard, any unsolicited news from the Dractnox or suspicious behavior, and far more questioning about rabbits than he would have thought humanly possible, Harry had escaped to the edge of the lake for some quiet time as well as to think. It was the fifth time they'd called him in that week, or at least the fifth time he'd been to Dumbledore's office. Each time the Headmaster had someone new with him. Sometimes it was a professor, others the token auror or spell expert. And he was sick of it already. The latest questioning with Snape and Dumbledore had been the most confusing and decidedly serious yet, and in no way did it settle his mind.

There were big things happening about him, and most certainly a building air of tension about the castle. He felt it in his very being, and by the way the teachers had been skittering about lately, he knew they felt it, too. And he felt helpless about it, whatever -it- was. Granted, he was becoming more powerful, but he was still wary. And he didn't want to use the Dractnox unless he had to. They were still worrying him as of late, even though Snape assured him- after many more training sessions- that nothing terrible would happen should he decide to use them. But the way they were fluttering about this week, incredibly fast for their slow, gelatinous, syrupy-forms, frightened Harry into not using them.

They were becoming erratic, even, darting about almost as fast as Harry was running across the castle grounds to the hospital wing. Their sheer speed rushing about frightened Harry from using them. It occurred to him that they might be acting that way because of -disuse-, but he wasn't going to chance it.

It was as if they knew something was going down as well.

And that in its own did nothing to calm Harry's nerves. Everything was getting strange, even for the wizarding world, and the morning's questioning hadn't helped his frayed nerves one bit.

If anything, the whole ordeal and its inane questions helped to stress him out even more. He didn't count it among his most fond of times.

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"But what could Potter possibly know about the ordeal that we don't already? Questioning the boy again will only turn up more loose ends...Unless he was somehow responsible-"

"Your apparent affection for the lad does not go unnoticed, Severus," the Headmaster jested, eyes twinkling with the look on the dour potions master's face. The statement had the desired effect and Snape held his tongue as they awaited Harry for more than just questioning. Whatever had gone on that afternoon had nearly caused those Slytherins their lives, and although Snape was still training the boy, albeit accusing him of playing a part to it somehow, Albus knew it was out of concern that the man was extra harsh. Concern and damaged pride.

By now, they had gathered sufficient evidence to prove that what had caused the Slytherins their affliction was tied into a complicated potion and networking of spells that aurors were still trying to find the origin to. The potion used was one of a simple variety, but for the fact that it had been combined with others of its type and difficulty level, making it far more adversible than it would otherwise have been. That small fact in its own had nothing to do with the desired effects. There were many other potions which could have done the job in a similar fashion. The reality of the situation was that the potion used on the Slytherins was brewed not only for its purpose, but to mock Severus.

Such a certainty that such complications were linked to Voldemort and the art of potions put Severus on higher alert than usual. He'd received no word or indication that the Dark Lord was moving plans into motion or for what purpose he'd risked attacking the children other than for information. Information about what, he couldn't readily say. There was no important, superior information to be had in residence of a hospital wing. The whole point had him more than baffled and worried that he couldn't foresee the Dark Lord's plans. Not only that, but since he hadn't been informed, it proved that his life was on the line, and that, if not the Dark Lord himself, then his disloyalty to Him was suspected by the potion brewer. The simplicity of the potion itself proved that much.

Questioning Potter turned up nothing useful of late. Several students were asked if they had seen anything, but other than the snide comment that Slytherins weren't to be trifled with, helpfully or otherwise, no new information was found out.

Ron had been brought in, but he proved as useless as the next student in their consideration of Slytherins. He hadn't seen much more than Harry, and Snape's patience was wearing thin.

"And what of the brewer? They were clever enough to hide their signature, but the blatant simplicity of it was meant as a smack to my face."

"There are chances that someone in His inner circle has their suspicions about you, my boy, that much is obvious, but we must be patient. Once we learn the identity of the culprit in all, certain steps can be taken. Voldemort doesn't yet have reasonable cause to suspect you, otherwise you'd have been summoned by now. Have patience my boy."

Patience. That was something he didn't have.

There came a rap at the door, and Dumbledore bade Harry enter. "Sorry to have you up and about so early, Harry, but I fear this is all rather necessary," Dumbledore said with a kind smile.

"It's alright," Harry replied rather contrarily to his feelings. Dumbledore's office was something of an interest no matter how many times one had been there, but he'd really rather not, given the circumstances. It was the fifth time this week he'd been called in, and like he didn't see the man enough already, Snape was there as well.

"Harry, I want to talk to you more about what you saw in the courtyard that day, and leave out no detail no matter how small and insignificant you may think it to be."

Harry nodded with no surprise whatsoever. This was exactly what had transpired the past few days, and the monotony of it only varied with the audience he had in the telling. He went through him and Ron finding the Slytherins, trying to commune with them, his waiting for Ron to get help, his Head of House showing up and then getting them to the infirmary. He'd told it so many times over that he wasn't the least bit surprised he had it memorized.

Snape huffed from irritation at the ease with which Harry had recited the story. They were getting nowhere with this, that he knew.

"Harry, I'd like to try something different, if I may?"

"Sure," he agreed without question. He trusted Dumbledore, and anything to figure this out and end the damned telling and re-telling of the incident was welcome.

The man in question rose from his seat and came to stand in front of Harry's. "Close your eyes and concentrate. I want you to concentrate on that moment very hard, Harry. I'm going to try a form of Legilimens on you, but I need you to relax and concentrate. It will work something like a pensieve, except I'll be extracting nothing from your mind, but merely observing." Harry nodded and sat back a bit apprehensive, wishing that Snape wasn't in the room. He could deal with that man rummaging about in his head and then throwing him off, but what about Dumbledore? "You'll feel my presence in your mind, but don't fight it," he told Harry with almost mind-reading accuracy. "I need your full cooperation for it to work."

"Okay," he said with eyes closed, listening and waiting for further instruction. Nothing happened, and he opened his eyes a crack, seeing not the Headmaster's office nor Snape's scowling countenance, but the airy stone halls of Hogwarts around him.

He fully opened his eyes, seeing Ron at his side, speaking something about Hermione and jewelry and Harry realized he was re-playing that afternoon in his mind.

It was like a dream. He was saying and doing things he had done days before in perfect accuracy, and yet he had no control over himself to do anything different. He was with Ron, confronting the Slytherins in a circle and trying to get a response out of them. Ron ran off to get help. Harry sat there watching them and chucking stuff at the bush as the rabbit came and went, McGonagall showed up and Ron went away again with distaste, and the two ushered the Slytherins to the hospital wing where they met up with Snape and Ron once more, and then they were dismissed.

Harry blinked and the scene before him was gone, replaced by the thinking face of Dumbledore and that of the scowling potions professor. He was given a glass of water by Dumbledore as he suddenly realized his terrible thirst, and downed it as the man went to seat himself once more.

"Anything useful?" he asked as he set the glass down, which was quickly magicked away.

"I'd like to ask you about that rabbit," the old wizard replied, watching Harry intently. He saw out of the corner of his eye that Snape stiffened suddenly, but quickly regained his composure as his glare turned on Harry.

"Alright," the boy said defiantly, more to Snape's glare than answering Dumbledore.

He'd forgotten about that rabbit, and what the damned thing had to do with any of this was anybody's guess. It made him feel a bit guilty that he'd forgotten to mention the thing, even after so many tellings. It just hadn't seemed important, and he'd forgotten it. It wasn't like a seeing a unicorn inside the castle grounds; it was easily forgotten. There were animals constantly running all over the place: toads, cats, rats, chickens, owls, and the odd weasel or the like that wasn't a pet belonging to a student. It was understandable to have forgotten something like that, but not easily forgiven if it proved valuable information. Harry hoped he hadn't made a mistake.

"Can you describe the rabbit, my boy?"

"Yeah. It was a white rabbit, about as big as a cat, and I think it lives beneath that bush in the North Courtyard." It was a sad description, simple, rather lame, but there's not much in the way of describing something as simple as a white rabbit.

"Why do you think it lives beneath the bush, Harry?"

"Well, it hopped out and ate something, and then went back in-"

"How many times have you seen it, Potter?" Snape interrupted impatiently, growing tired of this inane questioning.

Harry turned his attention to Snape, and answered with furrowed brow. "At least twice. And at the same bush."

"When was the other time, Potter?" he asked quickly, coldly. Harry frowned at the barely-contained eager-impatience to the man's voice. If he ever showed any emotion, it was hardly what one could equate to this. It was almost worry; apprehension, and Harry didn't like it. Especially when it was Snape it came from.

"It was after- or before I was coming to a training session. At the same place." He thought for a minute. "It was rustling in the bushes, and I looked and I saw it there."

"Did it act strange for a rabbit?" Snape took over the questioning and Dumbledore allowed it graciously. He knew that of all people, Severus had the most to immediately worry about.

"No. Just a rabbit. Why?"

"Was anything about it's manner strange to that of a rabbit?" Snape asked coldly, ignoring Harry's inquiry.

"No, it just hangs around that bush," Harry answered with suspicious defiance. What in the hell was so important about a rabbit? "It was there that night I found it, and then I saw it after those Slytherins were found there."

"It might have a burrow," Snape told Dumbledore with a scowl, dismissing his acknowledgment of Harry's presence.

"Was there anything at all strange about that rabbit. Anything that might not have struck you as strange at the time, my boy?"

"No," Harry answered, equally snubbing Snape. "It seemed pretty tame, but most of the animals around the castle are." Subconsciously, he peered over at the great phoenix sleepily watching them.

"Tame?!" Snape veritably spit the word like venom.

Dumbledore asked him a few other questions regarding the Dractnoxes, their behavior, and the courtyard, and smiled in acknowledgment.

"Thank you, Harry. Off you go now," Dumbledore regarded him kindly. Harry happily left, his mind spinning with questions that wanted answering, but he dare not ask at the moment. Not Dumbledore, nor those Dractnox creatures, and especially not Snape. Not until it became imperative, or if he was specifically asked to by the Headmaster.

As the door clicked shut behind Harry, Snape faced Albus with a thinking frown.

"A rabbit. A simple little white rabbit conveniently in the right place at the right time." He paced the office floor as Dumbledore helped himself to some conjured tea, seemingly unfazed by this important information.

"I recall having a promising young student who's animagis form turned her into a white rabbit," Albus said almost nonchalantly as he sipped his tea, "but sadly defected. And she was rather good at potions as well. Almost as skilled as you, my boy."

Snape regarded the ancient wizard before him with a frown of old rivalry and still present loathing. "Belletrix Lestrange."

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There's this really funny site called: potterpuppepals . com (without the spaces, of course) that made me laugh ten times over! You should really check it out! Hilarity at it's best! By the way, I'll work my butt off on this! I swear! It shal be done! Oh yes, yes it shall.

And for those hangers on...

FallenAngel: The whole potion had to be given out before it could take effect:D if that pleases you:)

mrs-osbourne's-class: Yes, it may take me a helluva long time (because damn it all! I'm slow) to get the thing done, but I won't allow it to be one of those fics that just never get finished. It WILL be finished!! Even if it kills me;) Hopefully not:D

I'm not the weakest link: Thanx!

NO NAME, lol: Yes, forever to update, just like this chap:D I know, I'm terrible...but I'll try! I really will!

Xanadrine: OMG I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting this whole time! Hope you found some other fic to occupy yourself with;)

Cornflake: Yeah, hap-hap-happy that last chap...You like angsty stuff, eh?:D

hydrokitty: Who referred you? Give them my thanks, as well as my apologies for taking so damn long:)

Scourge of the 7 Seas: Thankies! Glad you liked that!

divinething: Yeah, the characters are a bit iffy (when I'd started, it was a bit different, but I've become rather slack...sorry!) I think HP fics are easier because you can just come up with new spells, respecting the rules of others already in existence, of course. Having extensive learning in the Latin language helps too:D Everything Rowling has used has it's basis in classical literature and language. The spells have latin (sometimes Italian) roots, some characters are named after Roman senators (Lucius, Severus) and others have their basis in myths, like Argus Filch, for example. Argus was the name of the thousand-eyed monster that watched over Io, I believe it was, to make sure she didn't get into trouble. Kinda like her jailer. And then our Argus Filch watches over the students in a similar fashion. I think it's all rather fascinating:)

doublewats: Hey, just glad you've enjoyed what you've read so far!!

kckfchicks: Thanx a bunch!

S.S.I.: Thankies so much, and damn that that review was lost!:) I get fanfiction confused with actual series a lot, too. It makes me feel such a fool sometimes;) I have to re-read them to be sure of what -has- happened and what hasn't:)

Xestyone: I know, I know. I suck with these infrequent and in-between updates! But I'm workin' hard! I swear to you!!

Snowelf12: Well, I have done some research, and I always try to get stuff right, but thanks a lot, and glad you're enjoyin' it:)

PaddycakePadfoot: Thanks for hanging in there and thinking it's a good fic. I personally think what I write is trash, but whatever:)