I know this chapter's a bit crud, but bear with me people, I have plans... ((cackles evilly))

Chapter 3

Snape knew, as he woke up again, that the potion had worked. Not that he'd ever doubted himself, but venoms were tricky things. He no longer felt as though he'd been clubbed round the head and forced to drink vinegar. He no longer felt cold and stiff. He sat up, his head spinning, anti-venom or no. He looked around, once he ceased to see stars, and saw his surroundings were less comfortable than they had previously been. Instead of the warm wooden panelling and polished oak floors of the Three Broomsticks, he realised he was seeing the grubby, greying wood of the Hog's Head, a back room, it seemed. There was a threadbare carpet on the floor and a small fireplace, above which hung a single large oil painting of a blonde girl who gazed out at the room with a vapid expression. Snape wondered idly who she had been. He wondered also at the change in surroundings, but only briefly. No doubt Aberforth had his reasons. The man could be quite as unfathomable as his brother, when he wanted to be.

As if summoned by a thought, the younger Dumbledore entered, casting a glance over at the couch upon which the Potions Master sat. He gave no indication of any surprise that Snape was awake. He just sat himself on a greying armchair opposite him, gazing ahead with his piercing blue eyes. After a moment, he spoke.

'I suppose you want to know why we came for you.' He grunted. As Snape had a chance for a closer inspection, he realised the barman looked worn-out and haggard. Maybe he'd had a rougher time than he'd thought.

'Mm.' Said Snape, trying not to seem too interested. He didn't like to give anyone the satisfaction of knowing more than him. Unfortunately, Aberforth didn't seem fooled.

'I suppose you assume my dear, departed brother confided his whole and complete plans in you and only you, hmm?' Aberforth's smile was strange and alien in the firelight, almost a leer. 'You thought only you knew what was going on?' He gave a harsh, derisive laugh. 'Well you weren't. Much as I disliked him, my brother was clever. He knew he'd need to tell someone else, just in case it all went wrong. And guess who he turned to? Me. I had to sort out his mess again.' He looked disgusted, from what Snape could see of his expression. He could sympathise, from recent experience.

'So you watched and you waited and you saw things go wrong.' He said, his voice cold. He wasn't about to start falling on his knees in gratitude. 'And you came and took me out, because you saw me enter and not leave. Well done. I suppose you were happier hiding out here in Hogsmeade than joining in the real fighting.' A sneer played about Snape's lips as he spoke. His voice was laced with cold amusement, but his eyes were sharp and hard with anger. He had views on cowardice.

Aberforth rose from the chair, his eyes blazing, and for a moment Snape thought he saw his hand reach for his wand. There was a moment's silence. Then Aberforth sank back heavily into the chair, looking defeated.

'If it wasn't for the fact you're an injured man,' he said matter-of-factly, 'I would hex you so hard you wouldn't know what hit you. But I'm under orders, me, against my better judgement. And those orders don't include you being a ferret, so I'll withhold… for now.' He grunted, seemingly disappointed at this particular order.

Snape, who hadn't moved during the whole of this outburst, raised one eyebrow quizzically. 'Whose orders?' He asked, though he already suspected the answer.

'My brother's of course.' Said Aberforth, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. 'Ariana,' he indicated the portrait of the blonde girl, 'has been visiting another portrait of her in the castle so she could go and talk to him, and keep up with events, of course.' The girl nodded vigorously, her hair bobbing up and down in her enthusiasm. 'And much as I hate it, I've been well and truly cornered into helping, pointless though it is. Hmph.'

Aberforth looked as though he was about to continue speaking, but was interrupted by a loud crack as someone apparated in the middle of the room. They looked around, a little dazed, then their eyes fell on Snape.

'You!' said Lupin, his eyes wide with hate and disgust. 'What are you doing here?'

'Bloody King's Cross Station in here…' muttered Aberforth. Then a little louder, 'I brought him here, so don't go killing him.'

'But… but… he killed your brother! How can you let him live? He's a traitor and a coward and-'

'I AM NOT A COWARD!' yelled Snape, cutting Lupin short as he stood from the sofa. 'I hated what I had to do, but I did my job. I did as I was told.' He seemed disgusted, and the last comment was said with a nasty twist to it. Lupin seemed to catch on to the implication, and glowered at Snape, drawing his wand.

'At least I-' he began, pointing his wand at Snape's chest, but Aberforth cut him off.

'Enough!' he yelled. 'I have had enough of this! First my bar gets turned into a bloody railway station, with every Tom, Dick and Remus apparating in, going to their deaths at the school, just because that old fool would've wanted 'em to, now it's a duelling arena. Well I've had it. Get out, both of you!' He brandished his own wand, and the portrait of Ariana swung open. 'Go on! Get out of it!' He yelled, red blotches appearing on his cheeks.

Snape and Lupin both scarpered into the tunnel, hearing Aberforth grumbling behind them, until the painting swung shut, leaving them in the gloom and the silence.