Nothing Lasts Forever

by MadamoiselleMidnight

Before the school year even begins, Harry Potter makes a new friend – a rather unusual dog. At Hogwarts, trouble always seems to be just around the corner for Harry and his dog. Eventually a devastating betrayal reveals some shocking truths. Trust is a fragile thing, and unfortunately for Harry, his trust in someone is about to be broken.

5. Well, That's Strange

Chapter Five: Well, That's Strange

Snuffles was acting… off.

Which wasn't that unusual since Harry knew that Snuffles was different from the average, every day kind of dog. After all, not every dog could understand the English language like Snuffles seemed to. And sometimes the things that Snuffles did… weren't exactly dog-like behaviors.

But that's okay. Snuffles was a unique dog and that's perfectly fine because Snuffles was Harry's friend and that was all that Harry needed to know.

But sometimes, just sometimes, Harry would really like to know what was going on inside his dog's head, instead of having to just guess at why Snuffles was acting the way he was.

In fact, right now would be an excellent example of a time when Harry really wished that he could read his dog's mind.

Because, right now, Snuffles was playing the part of a particularly prickly dragon guarding its hoard to perfection.

With Harry being the hoard.

It was becoming slightly ridiculous.

"Ease up, Snuffles! Madam Pomfrey's just trying to help," Harry said in response to Snuffles growling louder as Madam Pomfrey came closer to them. "You were fine with her just a minute ago when she was waving her wand around me and using magic to stitch me back together, but now you're having a problem with her? She just left to grab a potion for me…" Harry trailed off as he reached for the potion, but when Madam Pomfrey moved to hand the potion bottle to him, Snuffles somehow managed to growl at an even high volume. "…And now she needs to hand it to me, so stop growling at her. I am so serious right now. Knock it off," Harry finished saying with a slightly strained smile in Madam Pomfrey's direction.

Madam Pomfrey was standing just out of reach of Harry and Snuffles. Probably because Snuffles was continuing to growl viciously at her. Harry was starting to develop a headache.

Sighing loudly, because was all of this fuss really necessary, Harry promptly bopped Snuffles on the nose. Snuffles stopped growling with a yelp of surprise and looked up at Harry in confusion. In return, Harry rested his hand firmly on Snuffles' head, a silent warning to quit growling.

Madam Pomfrey took that time to hand Harry a small, uncorked bottle full of a potion that Harry just knew was going to taste disgusting. Harry glanced up at Madam Pomfrey, wondering what the potion was, but unwilling to ask. He wasn't sure if he really wanted to know what it was.

"That is a blood replenisher, Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey said, answering Harry's unasked question. "You've lost enough blood as it is, so I feel that this potion is now necessary."

Under Madam Pomfrey's steady gaze, Harry reluctantly raised the bottle to his lips and swallowed the contents with a grimace. Shuttering in disgust at the taste, Harry handed the empty bottle back to her.

Snuffles started growling again when Madam Pomfrey reached for the bottle in Harry's hand.

"Don't start that again," Harry quickly said as he jostled Snuffles with his elbow. Snuffles stopped growing and was instead baring his teeth at Madam Pomfrey with his ears pulled back.

"Mr. Potter," Madam Pomfrey began sternly as she took the empty potion bottle from Harry. "That dog of yours…"

"I know and I'm really sorry, Madam Pomfrey," Harry apologized sincerely. "He's… it's just… I don't know what's gotten into him, but I think it's to do with the fact that I got injured. He hasn't actually attacked anyone," the yet was left unsaid "and I think this is just his way of trying to protect me from further harm?" Harry raised his voice in a question at the end of his sentence because he really didn't know why Snuffles was acting so aggressive towards everyone. Harry just assumed that it was because he got hurt since Snuffles had been acting fine until the dog ran into Harry as he was leaving Care of Magical Creatures with Ron and Hermione.

Madam Pomfrey looked disapproving as she placed the empty bottle down on a small table near the bed and pulled out her wand once again.

As Madam Pomfrey was preforming a spell that would tell her if the potion was working, Harry subtly shifted so that he could glance around her to see Ron and Hermione awkwardly leaning against one of the closed doors of the Hospital Wing. From his spot on the bed, Harry could make out Hermione biting her lip in concern and Ron's brow furrowed in worry.

Harry truly appreciated their concern, but, honestly, it wasn't like he was dying. It was just a small scratch… that would've likely required stitches had this been a Muggle hospital. Okay, maybe their concern was a bit justified.

"Alright, Mr. Potter. I'll release you on the condition that you take it easy," Madam Pomfrey said, putting her wand away. "I'm serious, young man. I don't want to see you strain yourself and somehow manage to injure that arm again. And if your dog continues to act as hostile as he has been, then I'm afraid I'll have to ban him from entering the Hospital Wing. This is a place of rest and healing, not a place for aggressive animals."

"I understand, Madam Pomfrey," Harry responded quietly.

Madam Pomfrey's eyes soften before she walked back over to her office and shut the door behind her.

Ron pushed himself off of the door that he was leaning on and walked closer to Harry, but still out of range of Snuffles.

"We should probably get going, yeah?" Ron suggested as Hermione also came over and stopped beside him.

"Yeah," Harry agreed, trying to get up but, apparently, Snuffles was having none of that.

Snuffles was firmly curled around Harry and completely unwavering. When Harry tried to get off of the bed, Snuffles curled up tighter around him and made a warning growl in the back of his throat.

Sighing, Harry looked over at his friends and asked, "Do either of you have a crowbar handy? It's likely I'll not be getting up without one."

"… A crowbar?" Ron asked.

"Maybe you should just ask him to let you up? Like you've said before, he seems to listen to you… most of the time," Hermione suggested.

"Come on, Snuffles," Harry said, addressing the dog. "You heard Hermione. Let me up, please."

Snuffles didn't move.

"I'm fine now, boy. Madam Pomfrey fixed me all up and I'd really like to get out of here. The Hospital Wing is not my favorite place to be. If you don't let me up soon, Madam Pomfrey might come back out and decide to keep me here overnight for observation. And I really don't want that," Harry said.

Nothing. Snuffles didn't show any signs of having heard what Harry said.

Harry was starting to feel a bit embarrassed since he was just about begging his dog to listen to him in front of Ron and Hermione.

"Alright. I'm going to get up whether you want me to or not," Harry said in a firm voice. "If I'm forced to pry you off of me, then it's likely I'll strain my arm further, but if that's what it takes, then I'll do it."

After a second or two, Snuffles finally moved.

As Snuffles uncurled from around Harry, Harry quickly leapt up off of the bed, not giving Snuffles a chance to change his mind. Snuffles, looking downtrodden, jumped down and pressed himself up against Harry's legs.

"Ready?" Harry asked, walking up to his friends with Snuffles following close behind him.

"Yup! Let's go!" Ron said enthusiastically as they all walked to and then through the doors of the Hospital Wing. "I've starving!"

"Honestly, Ronald," Hermione sighed in exasperation. "You're always hungry."

...

Later that evening, after they had finished eating their dinner and the sun was starting to set, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Snuffles were walking out of the castle and on their way to visit Hagrid.

Snuffles was shuffling despondently right behind Harry, growling whenever Ron would get within an arm's length of Harry (which is what Snuffles had been doing ever since Harry had left the Hospital Wing, much to Harry's displeasure). Ron and Hermione were walking beside each other with Harry walking a few paces behind them to keep space between Snuffles and Ron. Harry was somewhat ignoring the conversation between Ron and Hermione since the two of them were bickering once again.

"You have to keep your cat away from Scabbers!" Ron demanded. "I was barely able to grab Scabbers before your menace of a cat got to him. Poor Scabbers was scared witless after being chased all around the Common Room."

"Then you should keep your rat away from Crookshanks," Hermione practically hissed. "And quick calling him a menace."

"Well, he's menacing Scabbers!" Ron exclaimed. "When he quits doing that, then I'll quit calling your cat a menace."

Hermione took a deep breath, visibly calming herself down, before saying, "Look, I've been trying to keep Crookshanks contained in my dorm room, but he likes to roam around the castle when I'm not in the Tower and I'm not the only one who lives in my room, so when the other girls come and go, he usually wanders out the door. Maybe you should keep your rat in your dorm room or in your pocket. He doesn't need as much room to roam as my Crookshanks does."

"Just because he's smaller than your cat, doesn't mean that Scabbers doesn't like to wander about the Common Room too! And Scabbers has been here longer that your cat, so he should get to wander around the Tower whenever he wants to and not be afraid for his life," Ron declared.

"Really?! Is this how you want to –"

"Guys!" Harry interrupted, taking a few quick steps to get in front of the fighting duo. "We're here."

Harry walked up to Hagrid's door and knocked three times. He stepped away from the hut to wait by Ron and Hermione for Hagrid to open the door. The lights in the hut were on, so they knew that Hagrid was in there. Also, Fang was barking up a storm from somewhere inside.

'Crap. I didn't think about how Snuffles might react to Fang and vice versa,' Harry thought as he cast a worried glance down at Snuffles who was standing at Harry's feet shifting from looking down at the ground to glaring over at Ron.

Hagrid opened the door while saying, "Back, Fang! Get back!"

Not that it helped anything since Fang came charging out of the door with his tail wagging.

Suddenly, Snuffles was standing at attention with his gaze glued to Fang as the dog came up to greet them. Harry placed a hand on Snuffles' head, hoping to keep Snuffles calm.

"Hello, Hagrid," Hermione greeted.

Fang had finally noticed Snuffles. As Fang was sniffing around Snuffles, Snuffles was once again doing a great impression of a statue.

"Harry, Hermione, Ron! What're you doing here?" Hagrid questioned. "Not that it's not good to see you all again. Come in, come in! You doing alright there, Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry said. Snuffles was dogging him inside, staying as close to Harry as he could while ignoring Fang's attempts to grab his attention.

"We just wanted to come by and see how your first day of classes went. And also, Harry has a question for you," Hermione responded as they all walked into Hagrid's hut.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sat down around Hagrid's big table as Hagrid went about finding cups for tea and, upon finding some, started steeping some tea for them to share. Harry made sure that Snuffles was sitting on the floor between him and Hermione since Harry was seated between Ron and Hermione. Harry didn't want Snuffles to start growling to Ron again.

As Hagrid placed a plate of rock cakes on the table, Harry leaned close to Ron and whispered, "I know what you're thinking, but please, don't feed any of those rock cakes to Snuffles."

"So only to Fang then, got it!" Ron whispered back. Harry sighed and looked to see what Hagrid was doing.

After Hagrid poured the tea, he gave a cup of tea each to Harry, Ron, and Hermione as well as grabbing one for himself as he sat down.

"Hagrid," Harry began tentatively. "I don't know if you've noticed or if you've been told, but this summer, I got a dog. His name is Snuffles."

"I think Professor McGonagall mentioned something about that," Hagrid said, bending down in his chair to look under the table at Snuffles who was sitting quietly at Harry's feet. When Snuffles didn't react to Hagrid's glance, Hagrid sat up in his seat and returned his attention to the three third years in front of him.

"I was wondering if you wouldn't mind keeping an eye out for him whenever you're not too busy. While I'm in classes, I figure that Snuffles would have more fun running around the grounds rather than being cooped up in Gryffindor Tower," Harry said. "And I'd feel a lot better about letting him do that if I knew that you could kind of check up on him every once in a while, whenever you happen to be out and about around the grounds. I wouldn't want you to go out of your way to do this."

"Sure! O' course I can do that!" Hagrid agreed enthusiastically. "He looks pretty well behaved so I doubt it'll be any trouble for me to look out for him every once in a while."

"Thanks, Hagrid!" Harry said, happy and relieved to know that Snuffles wouldn't be entirely unsupervised all the time whenever he was outside while Harry was otherwise occupied with his classes.

"So, how're you all liking your classes so far?" Hagrid asked.

"Well, it's only been the first day, but most of the classes I've had have all been so very interesting. I think my favorite so far is Ancient Runes! It's so very fascinating!" Hermione responded.

"Only most of your classes?" Hagrid questioned.

"Yeah," Harry said. "I think we're all in agreement that Divination was… an experience."

"No joking!" Ron agreed. "She predicted Harry's death. It was pretty grim." Ron said with a cheeky smile.

"Ron," Harry groaned, sounding pained at the pun. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

After a moment of silence, Hagrid spoke up.

"How, err, how's your arm doing, Harry?" Hagrid asked, sounding hesitant.

"Oh, uhh, it's fine now. Madam Pomfrey fixed me right up," Harry said.

All of a sudden Hagrid burst out into tears.

"Wha – Hagrid?!" Harry worriedly exclaimed.

"It's all my fault you got hurt! I shoulda been watchin' ya and Buckbeak closer," Hagrid sobbed. "I'm no good as a teacher. I shoulda known better! I should be fired!"

"Oh, Hagrid, no," Hermione said gently. "You did a great job teaching us today."

"Hagrid, it wasn't your fault," Harry said vehemently. "It was all on Malfoy for insulting Buckbeak. And Buckbeak just responded to the insult like you warned us he would do. If anyone's at fault, it's Malfoy, not you!"

"No, no," Hagrid disagreed sadly. "I shoulda done more. I shoulda… I shoulda…"

"Harry and Hermione are right, Hagrid!" Ron interrupted. "You're a great professor and Malfoy's a slimy tosser who was causing trouble."

"Harry was still in danger though and he…" Hagrid trailed off.

"Hagrid?" Hermione prompted.

"What're you doing here?!" Hagrid demanded, looking scared.

"Hagrid!" Hermione sounded alarmed. "What –"

"You shouldn't be here. Harry! You shouldn't be wandering around the grounds at night with Black on the loose! It's not safe! You're putting yourself in danger!" Hagrid exclaimed standing up and urging them to stand as well.

"But Hagrid –" Harry began to say before being cut off by Hagrid.

"No buts! Come on! Come on!" Hagrid said, urging them all away from the table and to the door.

"I'll escort ya to the castle. We've got to get you inside now!" Hagrid exclaimed, ushering Harry, Ron, and Hermione towards the castle with Snuffles on Harry's heels and Fang on Hagrid's.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were practically jogging alongside of Hagrid to keep from falling behind since Hagrid's strides were longer and faster.

Hagrid stopped at the doors when they finally reached the castle. Harry was panting and his arm was aching but the nighttime chill of the September air felt good against his skin. He felt more than saw that Ron and Hermione were catching their breath beside him. Snuffles was on his paws right behind Harry, surveying his surroundings with a wary eye and looking not even slightly out of breath.

"Come on," Hagrid said. "In you go. I'll see you all in the castle or in class, but don't you be comin' to visit me when it gets dark, you hear! Not that I don't appreciate your visits, but it's not worth your safety."

And with that, Harry, Ron, and Hermione said their goodbyes to Hagrid and, with Snuffles, they entered the castle and walked through the corridors towards Gryffindor Tower.

...

"Merlin! It's been a long day," Harry said as he was turning down the sheets on his bed, already dressed in his pajamas with his teeth brushed.

"Tell me about it," Ron said, sounding a bit muffled as he pulled his pajama shirt over his head.

"First day o' classes is always the worst," Seamus said from across the room, lounging on his bed.

"Although I think that out of all of us, Harry's got the worst of it this time," Dean suggested as he rummaged through his school bag.

Seamus clicked his tongue and said, "That's right, you got trampled by a Hippogriff."

"Not exactly, but close enough, I suppose," Harry said, sitting down on his bed and idly scratching Snuffles behind the ears. The dog was silently laying on the bed, staring up at Harry.

"H-how are you feeling, Harry?" Neville asked, his Herbology book lying temporarily forgotten on his lap.

"I'm fine, Neville," Harry answered. "No real harm done."

"Are you s-sure?" Neville asked.

"Yup, but thanks for asking," Harry said.

Seeing that Snuffles was once again acting like he did right after the Dementor on the train, Harry decided to wrap up his conversation with the guys.

"Well, I think I'm going to call it a night," Harry said, addressing the room in general.

Four variations of "goodnight" sounded out from around the room as Harry started pulling his curtains closed. As Harry reached over to untie the last curtain, he couldn't quite cover the wince that crossed his face as he had to fully stretch out his recently healed arm.

Snuffles whined loudly in response.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Harry asked in a soft whisper as he slowly sat down at the head of the bed.

Snuffles just looked at Harry with a guilty expression.

"Why are you looking so guilty, huh?" Harry asked. "You didn't do anything… did you? You didn't poop in anyone's shoes or something, right?"

Snuffles shook his head, still looking downtrodden.

"Is this about my arm?" Harry asked. "Because if it is, it's no big deal."

Snuffles shuffled towards Harry and dropped his head on Harry's knee.

"I'm fine. I promise. See," Harry offered his previously injured arm towards Snuffles.

Snuffles snorted lightly and lifted his head just the slightest bit, straining forward so that he could sniff at Harry's arm.

"See, no real harm done. I'm fine," Harry said quietly, conscious of the other boys in the room. "But what's not fine is how you were acting once I got injured. You can't act like that, Snuffles. Any type of aggressive actions on your part could get you in some serious trouble. I know that you were just trying to defend me, but I'm afraid that you'll get kicked out or something if you keep up that kind of behavior. I understand that you were worried about me, but I swear, I'm safe here. There's no one out to get me in the castle… Well, actually, Snape is definitely out to get me, but not like, actually injuring me or anything."

Snuffles whined softly and licked Harry's hand in apology.

"You can't act like that, Snuffles," Harry repeated. "I'm probably going to get hurt again in the future. And that's something that I can't completely control. Things happen and sometimes I can prevent them, sometimes I can't. And sometimes I'll jump headlong into danger because someone I care about is in trouble. It's just what I do. But, if I do get hurt in the future – and I'm sure that I will get hurt again – whatever injury I receive will be nothing that I can't handle."

Snuffles was gazing intently at Harry.

"After all," Harry continued. "I've had worse injuries than that cut I got today and I'm sure I'll have to handle worse in the future. I have some stories about my first and second year that would probably give you a heart attack if you heard about what I did and about what happened to me. I have a tendency to end the school year in the Hospital Wing."

Snuffles made an odd panicked sort of noise and, suddenly, Harry found himself with a lapful of worried dog.

"Yeah, maybe I'll tell you about my first and second year sometime later. When you're not already all weird about me getting hurt," Harry said. "But right now, I think it's time for me to go to sleep. I am pretty tired."

As Snuffles got off of him and laid down, Harry pulled the covers out from under himself and took off his glasses, setting them on his nightstand. Snuffles settled down next to Harry as Harry slowly drifted off to sleep.

...

"Would you…

…Would you look after him if…

…If something were to happen to us?"

Hazel eyes dancing as he looked over the rims of round glasses.

Green eyes twinkling as a bright smile lit up her face.

A gummy, giggling smile as small hands reached out for him.

They looked at him. They were happy. They were his family. Not entirely by blood, but by bond.

"Of course I will. I swear it."

The door, broken off of its hinges and on the floor, wobbled under his feet as he walked over it and into the once warm and loving home.

"James?"

"...If something were to happen to us?"

It was cold and dark.

"Lily?"

"Would you…"

It's too quiet.

"Harry?"

"If something…"

When he reached the stairs, he saw him, lying there. Glasses askew. No wand in sight.

"No. No! NO! JAMES! NO! No…"

"…look after him…"

A soft cry came from upstairs.

"Who… Harry?"

"…happen to us?"

He forced himself to run up the stairs, to leave the body of his friend, his best friend, cold on the floor.

"Harry!"

"Would you look after him…"

The hallway stretched out before him.

Another cry. Softer than before.

"…something were to happen…"

"Harry!"

At the end of the hall, he found another door, blown off of its hinges.

"No."

"…look after him…"

Long, red hair pooled around the body on the ground in front of the crib.

"No! No, not… Not Lily too!"

"Would you look after him..."

A whimper. So light he could barely hear it.

He forced himself to look away from her.

"…If something were to happen to us?"

The crib. He had to get to the crib

He stepped around her and stood before the crib.

"…look after him…"

Looking down, he saw…

"Harry."

"…look after him…"

A toddler with black hair and vibrant green eyes.

"Oh, thank Merlin, Harry! You're… You're still… It's okay…

…I'm here…

…You're safe now."

"…look after him…"

The toddler looked up at him with accusing green eyes.

"You did this," the toddler said.

"W-What? Harry?"

The room shifted. The toddler was gone.

"It's all your fault," a voice said from behind him.

He turned.

It was the thirteen year old Harry, glaring at him, covered in blood.

"Everything that's happened. All of this. It's all your fault," Harry accused.

"No. No! Harry! Please! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry."

"They're dead because of you," Harry turned and walked away.

"I-I… I didn't mean… It's… Please! Please, don't leave me!"

"Why?" Harry looked over his shoulder, blood dripping from his forehead, trailing down his face, and falling off of his chin. "So you can get me killed as well?"

"No. No! I'm sorry! Please! I'm so sorry! I'll protect you! I promise! But, please! Please! Don't leave me!"

Harry was gone.

"Please…"

He was all alone now.

"I'm so sorry."

Alone in the dark.

Snuffles jerked awake with a gasp.

It was dark. It was still so dark.

It was… Wait, there was a bit of light. Just enough so that he could see the outline of someone on their back next to him.

Snuffles slowly inched forward to look at the person's face.

It was Harry.

As Snuffles looked down at Harry, Snuffles let out a sigh in relief – a puff of air that went directly into Harry's face. Snuffles froze as Harry scrunched up his nose, but slowly relaxed when Harry remained asleep.

Snuffles was already shaken from the day's events, and this nightmare that he just had was pulling at the edges of his sanity.

He needed to keep it together.

He needed to keep it together for Harry.

He needed to protect Harry.

Ears twitching, Snuffles took in the noises of the room. It sounded like the loudest snorer was in the bed closest to Harry's, so it was probably Ron. There was a whistling type of snore from across the room as well as what sounded like covers rustling before that person settled down again. Apart from the snoring, the room was quiet.

Snuffles slowly calmed his racing heart as he gently dropped his head down on Harry's chest to reassure himself that Harry was fine. Feeling his head lightly rise and fall with every breath Harry took, Snuffles considered his next plan of action.

What had happened to Harry that afternoon was like a wakeup call for Snuffles. Snuffles hadn't been cautious enough. He hadn't really thought through his actions. And it was because of his actions that Harry got injured.

But, from the way Harry had been speaking before he went to bed, it didn't sound like Harry was too troubled about being hurt. Harry even admitted that he'd obtained worse injuries before.

What kinds of injuries did a kid get that caused him to think that a heavily bleeding injury from a raging animal wasn't something to be worried about? And what kinds of things had Harry been through that he almost sounds like he's expecting to get injured again, that he'll consciously decide to jump head first into danger?

Snuffles was very much concerned about whatever hurt Harry had suffered in the past and why the kid seemed almost positive that he would get hurt again.

First, Snuffles would take care of the one threat to Harry's life that he was sure of: the rat. Then, he would learn all about the threats that Harry had had to take on by himself and the threats that Harry could face in the future. And Snuffles would try his best to make sure that Harry never had to face another threat, but if he did, then Harry would not be facing another threat alone ever again. Snuffles would make sure of that.

...

Potions class, as always, was a pain. The lecture was a pain to sit through. The benches were a pain to sit on. The notes were a pain to scribble down. The brewing was a pain to muddle through. And above all, the hateful comments from Professor Snape were a pain to listen to.

It was hard not to take the hurtful comments to heart, but, as the years passed, they slowly became easier to ignore. Harry couldn't entirely tune out the spiteful comments, but half of the time he could, mostly, ignore them. The other half of the time, he usually ended up responding with a mix of anger and sarcasm. And that always landed him with grueling detentions. Which, just like Potions class, were a pain to do.

The only unusual thing about the first Potions class of the term was Malfoy.

Malfoy, who usually took every opportunity he could to put down Harry and to try to throw things in Harry's cauldron to mess him up, did nothing towards Harry. Malfoy talked to his fellow Slytherins and focused on his own potion brewing, but he made no attempts to harass Harry or even Ron or Hermione. He made no attempts at sabotage.

It was a bit nerve-racking, to say the least.

All throughout the lesson, Harry expected Malfoy to do something. Make some comment. Try to trip Harry on his way to the ingredients cupboard. Throw something in Harry's cauldron to ruin the potion.

But, Malfoy. Did. Nothing.

It was as if Malfoy was pretending that Harry didn't exist at all. Which was the complete opposite of what the other Slytherins in the class were doing. Once Harry stopped watching Malfoy specifically, he noticed that the other Slytherins kept looking at him. A few were staring at him, only to look the other way when Harry caught them staring. A few were giving him sidelong glances. A few would give him considering or expectant looks, as if they were waiting for him to do something. And a few were glaring at him.

Of course, there were snide and snippy comments made from the Slytherins to the Gryffindors and the Gryffindors gave back as good as they got. But none of the comments from the Slytherins were directed at Harry specifically. Which was very unusual. But of course, those comments towards Harry were usually spearheaded by Malfoy himself. And since Malfoy appeared to be ignoring him for now, well, the decline in name calling directed at Harry did make some sense.

The only reason that Harry could come up with for Malfoy seemingly ignoring him was that Malfoy was planning something big. Something mean and somewhat evil, but something big. Probably some type of revenge for Harry getting dirt on Malfoy's robes or something stupid like that.

Harry didn't really know what was going on with Malfoy, but Harry was determined to be on his guard. He would be prepared for whatever Malfoy was going to throw at him.

"You've been awfully quiet since we got out of Potions, Harry," Hermione stated.

"Just thinking," Harry said as they were approaching the door to the Defense classroom.

"Were you thinking about how much of a bastard Snape was to Neville today?" Ron questioned.

"Ron! Honestly," Hermione sighed.

"What? He was! But, of course, that's Snape for you. Or are you thinking about your dog?" Ron asked. "Since we have Defense right after Potions, you're not really getting a chance to see him, right?"

"Yeah," Harry said, agreeing to the last statement but not really answering the question of what he had been thinking about. "I was fine with leaving him mostly by himself the other day, but with the way he was acting after Hagrid's class… I'm not entirely sure that leaving him alone is the best thing that I could do at the moment."

"It's not like you really have a choice, though," Hermione said. "You've told us Professor McGonagall said that you can't take him to class with you, so…"

"Yup," Harry said. "I was going to let him roam around the grounds, but I think that leaving him in Gryffindor Tower for today, at least, is probably the best option I have. After Defense is over, I'll have a chance to go check on him."

Although he was worried about Snuffles, Harry was really looking forward to the first Defense Against the Dark Arts class of the term. Especially since, so far, this Defense Professor seemed to know what he was doing. Professor Lupin knew how to defend against the Dementor on the train and how to counteract the negative effects of the Dementor's presence. Also, Harry had heard nothing but praise about his teaching style from a few upper years who had already experienced a class with Professor Lupin.

When they arrived at the Defense classroom, Professor Lupin was nowhere to be seen. There were some other students already seated at the desks as Hermione moved towards a desk in the middle row near the front of the classroom. Harry slid into the seat next to her with Ron following behind him.

"So, what do you think Professor Lupin will be like, teaching-wise that is?" Hermione asked, pulling her Defense textbook out of her schoolbag.

"As long as Lupin is better than Snape when it comes to teaching, then I think he'll be a pretty good professor."

"Professor Lupin, Professor Snape," Hermione resignedly corrected.

"Yeah, them," Ron said.

"And as long as he's not possessed by –" Harry started to say.

"You-Know-Who!" Ron quickly interjected loudly over Harry as he said, "Voldemort".

"– and as long as he's not a complete dunderhead like Lockhart was –"

"Well, I think that Professor Lupin seemed quite knowledgeable on the train," Hermione interrupted.

"True," Harry agreed.

As Harry had been talking with Ron and Hermione, the rest of his fellow classmates had entered the room and filed into the empty desks. All they needed now was for their professor to arrive.

Just as Ron and Harry were pulling out their own textbooks, Professor Lupin appeared.

"Good afternoon class. I'm happy to see that you're all prepared, but I'm afraid you won't be needing your books just yet," Professor Lupin said as he stood near the door and just within the room. "You can leave them here for the time being and I'll ask that you all grab your wands and follow me."

"Where do you think we're going?" Ron quietly questioned Harry and Hermione, but Hermione was already standing up and walking towards Professor Lupin. Harry just shrugged his shoulders in response as he also got up.

In a somewhat orderly fashion, Professor Lupin led his Defense students through the corridors as the third years chattered excitedly, wondering where their professor was taking them and what he was going to have them do.

Professor Lupin slowed to a stop in front of a door where Peeves was focused on shoving what looked to be a wad of gum into the door's keyhole.

"Watch closely," Professor Lupin murmured to his students.

Waving his wand towards the door, Professor Lupin incanted, "Waddiwasi!"

The wad of gum flew out of the keyhole and up into Peeves' nose. Peeves made a shocked exclamation before flying away down the corridor.

Professor Lupin approached the door and opened it.

"Come along. It's this way," Professor Lupin said, holding open the door and indicating that his students should go on into the room.

Since Harry was one of the first students through the door, he saw Snape get up from the chair he had been sitting in with a sour expression on his face. Harry realized that this room was the teachers' lounge.

"Leave the door open," Snape spit venomously. "I don't want to witness whatever ridiculousness happens next."

As Snape glided over to the door, Neville, one of the last students in the group, stumbled through the door.

Sneering, Snape said, "Longbottom is utterly incompetent, Lupin. I'd keep him well away from whatever it is you have planned."

"Actually," Professor Lupin said conversationally. "I was just about to ask him for his assistance."

Ignoring what Lupin had said, Snape left in a swirl of robes.

"Now, Mr. Longbottom," Professor Lupin began lightly. "I believe that you are just the student to help me with the example that I have planned for this class period."

"I-I, ummm… I-I don't think…" Neville trailed off, looking down at his shoes.

"I won't force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, but I believe that you would be a great help," Professor Lupin said quietly.

"Really?" Neville asked, just as quietly.

"Really, really," Professor Lupin assured, before raising his voice to address the rest of the students lurking around the room. "Follow me, what I'm going to be showing you is just over here."

Professor Lupin lowered his voice once more, "Come on, Mr. Longbottom."

Neville fell into step directly behind Professor Lupin and the rest of the class followed along behind the duo. Professor Lupin led the class towards a wardrobe. A rattling wardrobe.

Neville abruptly stopped when he saw the wardrobe shake, as did a majority of the rest of the class.

Seeing this, Professor Lupin said, "No need to worry. Gather around."

Harry slowed to a stop in between Ron and Hermione as he and his classmates formed a semicircle around the front of the wardrobe. Professor Lupin circled around the students to stand at the back of the group.

"Intriguing, isn't it?" Professor Lupin said, putting his hands in his pockets and taking a few steps to the left of the group before stopping. "Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what is inside?"

Hermione's hand immediately shot up in the air, but Dean was quicker to answer.

"That's a Boggart, that is," said Dean confidently.

"Very good, Mr. Thomas," Professor Lupin said with a nod, walking towards the left side of the group. Professor Lupin then stopped and leaned against a desk that had been pushed up against the wall. "Now, can anyone tell me what a Boggart looks like?"

This time, Hermione didn't raise her hand. Instead she just spoke out, "No one knows. Boggarts are shapeshifters. They take the shape of whatever a particular person fears the most. That's what makes them so –"

"So terrifying," Professor Lupin interrupted. "Yes, yes, yes."

Professor Lupin pushed away from the desk and walked towards the front of the group of students, stopping just off to the side of the wardrobe.

"Can anyone tell me why we might already have an advantage over the Boggart?" Professor Lupin asked.

Hermione answered again.

"We're in a group, Professor," Hermione responded. "With so many of us to face, the Boggart could get confused about what it should turn into."

"Yes! That's exactly it, Ms. Granger," Professor Lupin said, slowly walking closer to the wardrobe. "If we were to face it standing clustered together in a group as you all are now, the Boggart would indeed become confused. Should it turn into a giant flesh-eating slug or a headless man? I once saw a Boggart that was faced with that exact conundrum and turn itself into the back half of a slug. Not very terrifying."

Some of the class giggled at that.

"Luckily, a very simple charm exists to repel a Boggart," Professor Lupin said as he came to a stop in between the students and the rattling wardrobe. "Let's practice it now. Ah, without wands, please."

Professor Lupin pulled one hand out of his pocket to emphasize what he was saying as he said, "After me, now: Riddikulus."

As one, Harry and his fellow students chanted, "Riddikulus."

The Boggart made a very loud thump within the wardrobe that had the group of students flinching and taking a step back.

"Very good," Professor Lupin praised. "A little louder and very clear. Listen: Rid-dik-ulus."

"Riddikulus," the students chanted back louder.

Malfoy was standing off to the side of the group with his friends, but Harry still heard Malfoy mutter, "This class is ridiculous."

"Very good!" Professor Lupin encouraged. "Well, so much for the easy part. You see, the incantation alone is not enough. What really finishes a Boggart is laughter. You need to force it to assume a shape you fine truly amusing. Let me explain."

Professor Lupin paused and looked at Neville.

"Ah! Mr. Longbottom, would you join me please?" Professor Lupin asked as the Boggart made another loud thud in the wardrobe.

Neville looked at the wardrobe and then at the students near him.

"Come on, don't be shy," Professor Lupin encouraged. "Come on."

Neville slowly walked up to Professor Lupin, all the while looking down at his shoes.

"Hello," Professor Lupin said when Neville finally looked him in the eyes.

Neville smiled weakly.

"Neville, what frightens you most of all?" Professor Lupin asked.

"P-Prof-Professor Sn… Sna…" Neville trailed off into a whisper.

"Sorry?" Professor Lupin questioned when he couldn't make out what Neville was saying.

Neville took a deep breath and clearly said, "Professor Snape."

"Professor Snape," Professor Lupin said amused. "Yes, he frightens all… And I believe that you live with your grandmother, correct?"

"Y-Yes, but I don't want that Boggart to turn into her either," Neville quickly said.

"No, it won't" Professor Lupin calmly said, shaking his head back and forth before looking back at the thumping and rattling wardrobe. "I want you to picture her clothes. Only her clothes – very clearly in your mind."

"S-She carries a red handbag," Neville started to explain but stopped as Professor Lupin shook his head back and forth again.

"We don't need to hear," Professor Lupin said. "As long as you see it, we'll see it."

Neville nodded his understanding.

"Now, when I open that wardrobe, here's what I want you to do," Professor Lupin said, making his way over to stand at Neville's side. Professor Lupin then whispered something into Neville's ear. Harry couldn't hear what Professor Lupin was telling Neville, but whatever it was caused Neville to look a little shocked.

Professor Lupin pulled back away from Neville and asked, "Can you do that?"

Neville nodded.

"Wand at the ready," Professor Lupin called, reaching into his own robes to pull out his wand.

"One," Professor Lupin said, pointing his wand at the wardrobe. "Two."

When Professor Lupin said, "Three", he flicked his wand at the wardrobe, causing the doorknob to turn and the door to slowly open with a loud creak.

As the wardrobe door opened, out stalked Professor Snape.

"Think, Neville, think," Professor Lupin calmly instructed Neville.

Snape looked particularly malicious as he stalked closer to Neville.

"Riddikulus!" Neville exclaimed, pointing his wand at the Professor Snape Boggart.

Immediately, Snape's black robes transformed into a woman's green skirt and green suit jacket, with a decorative fox hanging over his shoulders, a red handbag in his gloved hands, and a large vulture hat on his head.

The entire class, Neville included, laughed at the image the Boggart presented of Professor Snape wearing Neville's grandmother's clothes and high heels.

"Wonderful, Neville! Wonderful! Incredible!" Professor Lupin praised. "Okay, now, to the back, Neville."

As Neville started walking towards the back of the group, Professor Lupin said, "Everyone form a line."

Harry and his classmates quickly fell into a line. When some of the Slytherins, Malfoy included, Harry noticed, began pushing and shoving everyone, the line moved forward with Ron at the very front. Ron started walking backwards, which caused everyone in line to move backwards as well.

"Form a line," Professor Lupin repeated. "I want everyone to picture the thing that they fear the very most and turn it into something funny."

When Professor Lupin saw that the class had formed a line, he addressed the person at the front of it.

"Next, Mr. Weasley!"

Ron slowly walked towards the Boggart, which was still in the form of Snape wearing Neville's grandmother's clothes.

"Concentrate," Professor Lupin said. "Face your fear. Be brave!"

The Boggart seemed to swirl in on itself as it transformed from Professor Snape into a giant spider.

Ron whimpered and reached into his robe to grab his wand. Ron appeared to freeze as the giant spider moved closer to him.

"Wand at the ready, Mr. Weasley. Wand at the ready!" Professor Lupin instructed.

Ron grabbed his wand, pointed it at the Boggart, and said, "Riddikulus!" just as the Boggart was less than a foot in front of him.

The spider Boggart was suddenly wearing eight skates on each of its legs, causing it to slide all over, unable to get a proper footing.

"Yes!" Professor Lupin laughed, as the class laughed along with him. "You see! Very good! Very good! Marvelous! Absolutely enjoyable!"

Ron strutted towards the back of the line as Professor Lupin called out, "Next, Ms. Patil!"

A large snake appeared and, with an encouragement of "Keep your nerve" from Professor Lupin, Pavarti chanted "Riddikulus" and the snake turned into a big Jack-in-the-Box as the class laughed with her.

"Next, next! Step up," Professor Lupin encouraged.

The Boggart transformed into a mummy.

"Riddikulus!"

And the mummy tripped over its own bandages and fell on its face as the students laughed at it.

Student after student continued to face the Boggart as it transformed into something frightening and then something amusing. Everyone kept up a steady stream of laughter.

Harry happened to be one of the last students in line. But, when he went up to face the Boggart, Professor Lupin quickly stood in front of Harry, completely blocking Harry from the Boggart. The Boggart turned into a glowing orb, like a crystal ball or the moon.

"Riddikulus!" Professor Lupin firmly chanted. The glowing orb turned into a deflating balloon, flying through the classroom and making noise as it lost air.

Professor Lupin pointed his wand at the wardrobe to reopen it and then pointed his wand at the Boggart, directing it into the open wardrobe. Then Professor Lupin used his wand to shut and lock the door of the wardrobe behind it. The wardrobe started rattling again as the Boggart thumped around inside it.

"Oh, well, sorry about that," Professor Lupin addressed that class. "I think that's enough for today. If you'd all like to go back to the classroom and collect your books, that's the end of the lesson. Thank you."

The class made some noises of disappointment to which Professor Lupin responded with, "Sorry, sorry, but you don't want too much of a good thing."

Harry reluctantly turned away from the wardrobe and slowly followed the rest of the class out of the room.

'Why didn't Professor Lupin let me face the Boggart?' Harry wondered, somewhat disappointed.

...

Snuffles was impatiently waiting for Harry in the Common Room. He was sitting up near the fireplace and facing the portrait opening. Snuffles would perk up every time the portrait opened, only to droop down in disappointment when the student entering turned out not to be Harry.

Although Harry was still in the castle, Snuffles wanted to be near him, to make sure that Harry was protected. But Harry had put his foot down this time. Harry thought that all of the noise and commotion in the Great Hall might be too much for Snuffles after the evening that he had had yesterday.

So, Snuffles remained behind in the Gryffindor Common Room, waiting for Harry to return from dinner with some food for him to eat.

The portrait was opening again and Snuffles perked up. Snuffles heard Harry talking to some of his friends before Snuffles actually saw him, but Harry had finally made it back from dinner.

Snuffles raced across the room to greet Harry.

"Hey, Snuffles!" Harry said, scratching Snuffles behind his ears. "I've got some food for you right here."

"Wanna snag those seats by the fireplace before someone else can get to them?" Ron suggested.

"Sure," Harry said as he and Hermione followed Ron over to the armchairs.

Snuffles trotted behind Harry and, after Harry sat down in one of the chairs, Snuffles laid down at Harry's feet. Harry pulled out a napkin stuffed with multiple selections of sliced meats and set it down in front of Snuffles.

As Snuffles started eating, he listened to Harry and his friends continue the conversation they had been having as they walked into the Common Room.

"I'm pretty sure it was nothing against you, Harry," Hermione said.

"I… Are you sure? I mean, it was only me who he stopped from facing the Boggart," Harry asked.

"Well, there were a lot of other students to get through," Ron said. "Maybe he thought you'd already faced it?"

"I don't know… But other than that, I really think that he's going to be an excellent Defense professor," Harry said.

"Yes," Hermione agreed. "Professor Lupin's –"

Suddenly Snuffles choked on the mouthful of food he'd been chewing.

"Woah! Slow down, Snuffles," Harry said. "You alright?"

Snuffles roughly swallowed the food, but the once delicious bite of turkey now tasted like ash in his mouth.

"Sorry, you were saying," Harry prompted Hermione after it was clear that Snuffles wasn't choking anymore.

"Well, Professor Lupin's lesson was really informative and fun!" Hermione quietly exclaimed. "I mean, he gave a great lecture that was very easy to understand and then we got to practice what he spoke about immediately after."

"Yeah, I agree," Ron said. "I really liked it and Lupin."

"Professor Lupin," Hermione tiredly corrected.

"Yeah, Professor Lupin," Ron said.

"I know I'm already looking forward to Professor Lupin's next lesson," Harry said.

"Me too," Hermione said. "So, have either of you started on the Transfiguration essay Professor McGonagall assigned yesterday?"

"Ha!" Ron snorted. "No."

"Ron…" Hermione sighed.

Harry and his two friends continued talking but Snuffles wasn't really paying attention anymore. Snuffles pushed aside his unfinished meal as he considered the problem of Remus Lupin.

In all honesty, Snuffles had no idea about how he was supposed to feel. When he first ran into Remus on the train, he had, admittedly, panicked. And when he was on the train, Snuffles had been a jumbled ball of confusion – he didn't really know how he was supposed to feel, how he was supposed to react in relation to Remus.

He wanted to be so happy.

'Remus is alive! He's teaching at Hogwarts!'

But he was almost enraged over the way Remus looked.

'His clothing is all scruffy and second-hand. Every time I see him, Remus looks exhausted… and sad. What happened to him? Did someone do that to him?!'

After the rage, Snuffles almost felt hopeful.

'Maybe… Just maybe… I could go to him. I could go to Remus and explain everything and he'd help me. He'd help me protect Harry. He'd…'

And then came desolation.

'But would he ever believe me? Why would he even want to listen to me? To him, I'm a criminal. I'm a murderer. I'm… He probably thinks I'm evil. I… Why would he believe me? Why would he even consider listening to the word of an Azkaban escapee?'

Then, came the feeling of something similar to hatred.

'He just left me in there. He left me in Azkaban! He never visited. He just… And he left Harry all alone! Harry needed someone! He needed someone other than those rotten Dursleys! But Remus never… He never did anything!'

And just as soon as the hatred over took him, came the sadness.

'Was he ever really my friend? Why did he never… And what happened to him? He looks so rundown…'

After the sadness, came the concern.

'How is he doing – really doing? Are the transformations taking too much out of him? Does he have enough money? Has no one been hiring him? Until Hogwarts, that is? Did he even have a job before he became a professor here?'

But then Snuffles started feeling frustrated.

'Why does Remus have to be here, at Hogwarts, NOW?! The only person who could probably identify me at a glance is living in the same place as me. Why?!'

And then Snuffles was back to anger.

Then hatred.

Sadness.

Hope.

Concern.

Desolation.

Happiness.

Frustration.

Snuffles knew how he felt about Remus, but, at the same time, he had no clue how he really felt about Remus. He had no idea about how he was supposed to act, no idea about how he was supposed to behave around Remus.

So, Snuffles decided to ignore it.

He'd ignore the whole issue of Remus until he could figure out the best course of action to take – until he could figure out how he truly felt and what he should do about it. In the meantime, Snuffles would avoid Remus.

It was simple. The plan was so simple. Just simply avoid Remus.

If Snuffles didn't see Remus, then Remus wouldn't see him and wouldn't be able to identify him as Sirius Black.

See no Remus, speak no Remus, hear no Remus. That would be his motto from here on out – until he could get his head on straight about it.

Problem averted. Well, at least for the moment.

Feeling much better, Snuffles turned back to his meal.

...

The next few weeks passed in a flurry of classes, assignments, and Quidditch practice.

Just about everyone agreed that Professor Lupin's Defense Against the Dark Arts class was the best class. Harry agreed – Defense was Harry's favorite class. Lupin was an amazing professor. His lectures were easy to understand, he had a practical lesson almost every class, and he was always willing to help. The only person who seemed to not like the class was Malfoy. And even then, the only real complaint Malfoy had against the class was the shabby state of Professor Lupin's robes.

With Quidditch season starting up, Harry had less time to spend with Snuffles. Most mornings, Snuffles would get up with Harry and follow him down to the Quidditch pitch. Snuffles would usually sit on the grass near the bleachers, intently watching Harry flying around after the snitch or practicing team maneuvers on his broom. But sometimes, not often, but sometimes, Snuffles would be too tired to even get up, so Harry would have to leave Snuffles behind on his bed.

Oliver would get the entire team up before the crack of dawn to train. He'd usually spend the first hour lecturing the team on strategies before they could go out flying on their brooms. The only way that Harry usually managed to stay awake during those lectures was by listening to the Weasley twins make offhanded or humorous comments. The twins often said the comments loud enough that Harry could hear them, but quiet enough that Oliver wouldn't. Of course, staying awake by listening to the Weasley twins only worked when Fred and George could stay awake themselves. More often than not, Fred or George or the both of them would doze off, leaning against the wall or each other. Whenever that happened, Harry would usually nod off as well.

After practice, Harry would have just enough time to take a very quick shower and stop by the Great Hall for a bit of toast before heading to his first class of the day. If Snuffles came with Harry to Quidditch practice, then Harry would usually stop by the Great Hall first, if only to make sure that Snuffles got something to eat.

Although almost everyone was excited about the upcoming Quidditch season, just about everyone, third year and up, was even more excited about Halloween coming up. The reason for that being that Halloween was the first official Hogsmeade visit of the school year. The Great Hall, the hallways, the classrooms, and the common rooms were filled with excited chatter about who was going to do what when they finally got to go to Hogsmeade. It seemed like everyone, apart from the first and second years, was going.

Of course, this only served to make Harry more distraught about not being able to go to Hogsmeade. Ron and Hermione were both sympathetic towards Harry's plight and promised to bring him back lots of sweets. Not that that really cheered Harry up, but Harry was happy that Ron and Hermione were thinking of him.

Nowadays, it seemed like the only thing that Ron and Hermione agreed on was their sympathy for Harry's Hogsmeade situation because the rest of the time they were together, they argued viciously about their pets. Especially when, one evening when they were all doing homework in the Common Room, Crookshanks made another attempt to attack Scabbers.

Just about every time that Ron and Hermione started to talk to each other, no matter how the conversation started, they always devolved into an argument about Crookshanks and Scabbers.

At first, Harry would try to play mediator. He would try to stop the argument before it could really get going or he'd try to get Hermione to see it from Ron's side and Ron to see it from Hermione's side. Harry usually failed.

But then Harry's pet priority had shifted. While he was concerned about Ron and Hermione's fights, Harry had his own pet to worry about. Snuffles was behaving strangely. Or, well, more strangely than he usually did.

At first, there were a few incidents that could be explained away as usual dog behavior – running ahead, chasing after a scent, becoming distracted by a passing bird, investigating a new room. But these incidents were happening more and more often.

Two weeks ago, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking down the corridors, kind of meandering, but generally working their way towards the Great Hall for dinner. Snuffles was trotting alongside Harry as the three friends were talking about their latest Care of Magical Creatures lesson.

All of a sudden, Snuffles raced ahead and disappears down a side corridor. Harry looked at Ron and Hermione in askance, but they both shrugged their shoulders in response. Harry, Ron, and Hermione continued walking forward when they began to hear someone walking towards them and talking.

Professor Lupin and Professor McGonagall were in the middle of a discussion as they appeared around the corner at the very end of the hallway that Harry, Ron, and Hermione were walking down. Harry and Ron gave an awkward wave of their hands in greeting while Hermione smiled brightly. Both Professors nodded back at the students, but no words were exchanged because the two groups were still too far away from each other; and neither group wanted to shout.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione turned down the corridor that Snuffles had disappeared to well before Professor Lupin and Professor McGonagall got within talking distance. Although Harry was in the same corridor that Snuffles went down, the dog was nowhere in sight. So, Harry called out Snuffles' name.

A few moments passed, and just as Harry, Ron, and Hermione started walking again, Snuffles appeared out from behind one of the low hanging tapestries on the left side of the hallway. Slowly, Snuffles shuffled over to Harry and they were all on their way to the Great Hall once again.

Then, a week and a half ago, Harry was walking through the castle with Snuffles, intending to take him outside for a while since Harry had some free time (and he wanted to get away from Ron and Hermione fighting over their pets again). Harry and Snuffles were alone in one of the corridors when Snuffles made an odd, almost alarmed sounding noise and ducked into the first room that had a door partially opened.

Confused about why the dog abruptly went into an old classroom, since Snuffles had been excited and overly eager to go outside (the dog had been herding Harry towards the main doors of the castle like an overzealous puppy), Harry called for Snuffles to come to him. But Snuffles didn't come.

Sighing, Harry took the few steps required to get to the entrance of the room when Professor Lupin rounded the corner with a stack of papers in his hands.

"Need some help, Harry?" Professor Lupin asked. And Harry could figure out why the professor assumed he might need some help. Harry was pretty sure that he was making a constipated-looking face at the door that Snuffles just disappeared through.

"Thanks, but no, Professor," Harry responded. "Snuffles just dashed into this classroom, probably to check it out. I was taking him down to the grounds so he could go for a run, but I guess he smelled something and got distracted."

"Well, have fun then," Professor Lupin said, amused, before continuing down the corridor.

Harry pushed the door open wider and entered the room, but Snuffles was nowhere to be seen. Since Harry could see no other exits, aside from the windows, Harry wandered around the classroom, seeing only old, dusty students' desks and then a larger and equally dusty teacher's desk at the front of the room.

Harry approached the teacher's desk and looked under it. And low and behold, there was Snuffles, curled up underneath the teacher's desk.

"You're an odd ball of fluff, aren't you?" Harry mused. "Are you alright, Snuffles?"

In response, Snuffles uncurled from under the desk and trotted over to the door, looking back at Harry as if to ask whether or not he was coming too. Rolling his eyes, Harry followed after Snuffles and together, they went outside to run around.

But then, just this week, there were two incidences with Snuffles that were rather peculiar even by Snuffles' usual odd behavior.

Six days ago, Harry was feeding Snuffles under the table in the Great Hall at lunch. Everything seemed normal since they had just sat down and started eating. Harry had already passed off two slices of turkey to Snuffles when Harry became distracted by Hermione's questions about their recent Defense lesson. Snuffles had put his head on Harry's right knee to beg for some more food, whining a little when Harry didn't respond fast enough for Snuffles' liking.

Harry reached passed Ron for the platter of ham slices when Hermione noticed Professor Lupin getting up from the high table and began to flag him down as the professor walked down the center aisle of the Great Hall.

As Hermione called out the professor's name, Harry felt Snuffles jerk up off of his knee. Harry figured that Snuffles was probably eager for more food.

Professor Lupin slowed to a stop beside them and Hermione started asking her question as Harry was offering Snuffles two slices of ham under the table, but the dog wasn't taking the food. Harry happened to be facing the doors of the Great Hall since he was looking at Hermione as she was talking to Professor Lupin because Harry was also interested in Professor Lupin's response to the question.

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw a large, dark shape race out from under the Gryffindor table and through the doors as if it was being chased.

"Was… was that just Snuffles?" Harry asked himself.

Hermione just gave him a funny look in response, not even pausing her discussion with Professor Lupin.

And then, not even two days ago, Harry, Hermione, and Ron decided to get some fresh air before the truly cold wintery air could settle in. And of course Harry brought Snuffles outside with them as he and his friends settled down near the Great Lake.

As Harry was talking with Ron and Hermione, he saw that Snuffles was having a great time racing around the area. But, Harry noticed, Snuffles always seemed to stay within Harry's line of sight.

When, a little while later, Harry was busy awkwardly staring around as Ron and Hermione were at it again and fighting over their pets, Harry saw Hagrid and Professor Lupin come into view. They were still too far away to be heard, but it looked like they were talking about something and heading towards Hagrid's hut.

Harry was going to interrupt Ron and Hermione's argument to tell them (mainly because nothing else Harry said had gotten the two of them to stop arguing so far), but something else interrupted them before Harry even had the chance to open his mouth. Because, just as he was about to say something, they all suddenly heard a loud splash. As one, the three friends looked over at the lake.

Just off of the shore, Harry can see some ripples in the water, as if something had just went under.

"Was that the Giant Squid saying hello?" Ron asked, addressing nobody in particular.

Hagrid and Professor Lupin were almost completely out of sight now, so Harry saw no reason to tell Ron and Hermione about the Care of Magical Creatures and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professors conspiring together. Harry wondered what creature they'd see in their next Defense lesson if Professor Lupin was involving Hagrid.

So, Harry turned his attention back to the Great Lake and the mysterious ripples in the water since Ron and Hermione had already restarted their argument.

Harry's curiosity about the ripples turned to shock when Snuffles suddenly popped up from underneath the surface of the lake.

"Wha – What in the world? Snuffles?!" Harry exclaimed.

Snuffles looked utterly miserable as he paddled back towards the shore and plodded over to Harry. When Snuffles reached Harry, Snuffles sneezed twice and then started whining. Harry figured that he was cold since the dog was shivering.

"What were you thinking?" Harry asked Snuffles. The dog sighed and seemed to droop inwards on himself.

Harry left Ron and Hermione to their argument as he took Snuffles inside to go dry him off and get him warmed up.

...

Harry walked with Ron and Hermione towards the main doors of the castle since it was Halloween, which meant it was the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. He'd already asked Professor McGonagall if she could sign his permission form so that he could go into Hogsmeade with his friends, but Professor McGonagall kindly, but firmly told him that it wouldn't be possible. So, Harry was just going to walk Ron and Hermione to the doors before turning around and heading back to Gryffindor Tower to hang out with Snuffles. Snuffles had barely moved since they had woken up this morning, so Harry figured that Snuffles wouldn't be the best company at the moment.

"Is it just me or has Malfoy been acting a bit… weird? But in a good way? Well, not exactly good… I mean, he's still a git, but…" Harry asked, thinking about the times when Malfoy would stay silent instead of making an insulting remark like he usually would. Or sometimes Malfoy would give Harry a weird, somewhat indecipherable, but mostly frustrated look whenever Malfoy thought Harry wasn't looking – sometimes Harry caught him at it, but most of the time it was Hermione who noticed when Malfoy was doing it. "Like Malfoy's acting off and when someone's acting off, it's usually bad, but this is actually good, but it could be bad. Like is he planning something? Is it the calm before the storm type of deal? Or… Am I making any sense? I feel like I'm not making any sense."

"You are rambling a bit, Harry," Hermione said, "but I think I understand what you're trying to say."

"Yeah, he hasn't said any mean things about any of us specifically, or at least he hasn't said it to our faces like he usually does," Ron agreed. "…Do you think he's possessed or something?"

"Really. Possessed. That's what you think is happening," Hermione said flatly.

"What? It could happen," Ron defended. "Go on then, what's you're explanation."

"I think it has something to do with us," Hermione said. "Or, more specifically, Harry."

"What? Me?" Harry asked, pausing for a moment to think about what Hermione could possibly be trying to say. "You don't – You think it has something to do with… Well, yes, actually, that would make sense."

"Exactly," Hermione agreed. "I mean, it doesn't really explain his behavior, but it's likely the cause for the way he's acting."

"Uhh, mind filling me in here, guys?" Ron asked.

"Malfoy was being his usual nasty self until –" Hermione started to say.

"Until I tackled him out of the way of an angry Hippogriff," Harry finished. "I mean, what other explanation could there be?"

"I just suggested one, he could be possessed," Ron suggested.

"Ron…" Hermione trailed off uncertainly.

"Oh, relax. I'm just joking," Ron said. "I still know how to joke around… and relax, which, I might add, cannot be said for Scabbers. He can't relax at all anymore and it's all your cat's fault!"

"Oh, not this again!" Hermione said angrily.

"Oh, yes, this again!" Ron disagreed. "When are you going to get that thing under control?! Scabbers has been sick and you're making it worse!"

"I'm making it worse?!" Hermione scoffed.

"Guys," Harry said, trying to cut in.

"Yes! If you hadn't've gotten that bloody menace, then none of this would be happening!" Ron exclaimed, ignoring Harry.

"Don't you go blaming this on me, Ronald," Hermione hissed, also ignoring Harry. "You just said it yourself, your rat was sick – it was sick before I even got Crookshanks! It's you who needs to learn to control your rat! Maybe if you could keep it contained, then my cat, whom, might I add, is just following his instincts, wouldn't chase after him."

"Guys!" Harry interjected loudly, but was once again ignored.

"– your stupid cat is just a –"

"– maybe it's just time for that rat to –"

"– don't you dare say that I haven't been –"

"– so now it's my doing? I can't believe that you'd suggest –"

Harry could barely decipher what Ron and Hermione were saying as they started talking over each other. Well, it was less like talking and more like shouting.

Sighing, Harry decided to just leave them to it and started walking away. They'd shout themselves out eventually, and maybe once they calmed down again and returned from Hogsmeade, they could continue their conversation about Malfoy's weird behavior.

Harry slowly meandered through the halls, feeling a bit sorry for himself since he couldn't go to Hogsmeade with everyone else. As he was walking down a hallway on his way to Gryffindor Tower, he ran across Professor Lupin.

"Hello, Harry," Professor Lupin greeted. "Not going to Hogsmeade?"

"Hello, Professor," Harry said, sounding a bit glum. "And, no, I can't. My uncle didn't sign my permission form."

"Well, that's unfortunate news," Professor Lupin said, sounding sincere. "Say, would you like to join me for some tea in my office. I was just on my way there now to grade some papers, but I think those papers can wait for a little while longer."

"Oh, umm, sure," Harry said, still feeling down and not really wanting to be alone at the moment. Even though he had Snuffles waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower, talking to a dog wasn't the same as talking to a person – no matter how much of a friend and great listener Snuffles was. "That is, if you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind," Professor Lupin responded. "Come on."

The walk to Professor Lupin's office was very short.

"Come in, come in," Professor Lupin said ushering Harry into his office.

"Woah!" Harry exclaimed, looking at the creature in the glass tank that was just to the right of the door, inside of Professor Lupin's office. "What is that?"

"That, Harry, is a Grindylow. I'm planning to introduce it to your class in a lesson later this week," Professor Lupin said. "A Grindylow has a very strong grip, and the trick to breaking out of a Grindylow's grip is to break their fingers. Do you see how long and brittle their fingers are, Harry?"

"Yeah," Harry breathed, still gazing at the weirdly ugly creature. Harry soon shifted his attention to the rest of the room when Professor Lupin moved away from the tank holding the Grindylow.

As Harry took a seat in front of Professor Lupin's desk, Lupin busied himself with making the both of them some tea. When Professor Lupin sat down at his desk with a tray of tea and biscuits at hand, Lupin asked Harry if there was anything he wanted to talk about.

Although a bit stilted at first, Harry and Professor Lupin's conversation eventually developed into a relatively fast paced discussion about the ins and outs of defenses against certain creatures.

After about an hour of really informative conversation, Harry finally worked up the courage to ask Professor Lupin something that had been on his mind since their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.

"You look like you have something heavy on your mind, Harry," Professor Lupin observed after a moment or two of silence.

"I have something that I've been wanting to ask you for a while now," Harry said. "Ever since our first Defense lesson…"

"You want to ask me why I didn't let you face the Boggart," Professor Lupin guessed.

"Yes. That's – I just… I don't know why you didn't give me a chance. Did you think I wasn't strong enough?" Harry questioned, sounding a bit wounded at the thought.

"On the contrary, Harry, I think that you are a very strong person," Professor Lupin said. "You have talent and strength of character. Two very good traits to have, not only when facing a Boggart, but when having to face any creature."

"They why?" Harry asked.

"I thought it would be obvious," Professor Lupin responded. "I was afraid that, when you faced it, the Boggart would turn into Lord Voldemort."

"Oh," Harry was surprised, both at the suggestion and the fact that Professor Lupin actually said Voldemort's name. Almost everyone he knew referred to Voldemort as 'You-Know-Who' or 'He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named'.

"Yes, I didn't think that was something that your classmates should see in their first Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson of the year."

"But, Professor," Harry began slowly. "I don't think that the thing I fear the most is Voldemort."

"Oh?"

"I'm pretty sure that what I fear the most are Dementors," Harry said.

Lupin looked thoughtful for a moment, before saying, "That suggests that what you fear most of all is fear. Very wise, Harry."

Harry was about to respond, but then he almost jumped out of his seat when the door to Professor Lupin's office slammed open. Turning around to see who so rudely opened the door, Harry saw Snape enter the room with a steaming goblet.

Sneering, Snape approached the desk and slammed the goblet down without spilling a drop.

"Drink it, Lupin," Snape said venomously before turning on his heel and leaving the room, slamming the door behind him.

Professor Lupin stared down at the potion and then looked over at Harry with a grimace.

"It's a pity that sugar ruins this," Professor Lupin said, picking up the goblet and then downing its contents quickly.

"Umm… Snape is, err, well he's rather good at making poisons, err, I mean, potions," Harry said, try to subtly hint to Professor Lupin that Snape might have just set down a steaming cup of poison. With the way Snape had been acting towards Professor Lupin, Harry thought that it was very likely that Snape would try to kill Harry's favorite professor in order for Snape to get his coveted position as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

"Yes, he is," Professor Lupin agreed, sounding a bit sad. "Well, Harry, as much as I've enjoyed our conversation, I'm afraid I'm going to have to get back to grading those papers that I told you about earlier."

"Oh! Of course," Harry said, standing up and turning to leave. "Thanks for taking the time to talk with me."

"You're more than welcome to come and talk with me anytime you wish, Harry," Professor Lupin said.

Harry smiled widely in response as he opened the door and left the room.

...

Harry and Snuffles were sitting in the Common Room, watching the comings and goings of the Gryffindors. Well, Harry was sitting in one of the armchairs and Snuffles was laying down at his feet, looking pretty despondent. Now that Harry thought about it, Snuffles had seemed dejected since they both had gotten up this morning.

After a few minutes of noise as a lot of students dropped off the stuff they got in Hogsmeade before leaving again, the Common Room had become quiet since most of the Gryffindors were now at the Halloween feast. Harry wanted to wait for Ron and Hermione, but it was getting later and the feast would soon be in full swing. Also, Harry thought that maybe some food would help cheer Snuffles up since the dog hadn't really eaten anything at breakfast or lunch.

Just as Harry was about to call it quits and take Snuffles down to the feast with him, Ron and Hermione came through the portrait opening. And it looked like Ron and Hermione were friendly towards each other once again. Hopefully they wouldn't start fighting again at the Halloween feast.

"Harry! There you are!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Here I am?" Harry questioned as he stood up from the chair to greet his friends.

"We looked around the castle for you since we weren't entirely sure if you'd be in here or not," Hermione explained.

"Yeah, we thought you might've already made your way down to the feast," Ron said.

"Nope," said Harry. "I was waiting for you guys. Although, if you were any later, Snuffles and I might've went on without you."

"Here," Hermione said, offering him a wrapped bundle. "Like we promised, we brought you some candy."

"Thank you both," Harry said sincerely.

"No trouble at all, mate," Ron said cheerfully.

"So, what did you get up to today?" Hermione asked as she watched Harry look through the candy he just received.

"Nothing much. I mainly stayed with Snuffles. He's been acting kinda sad all day and I'm worried that he might be getting sick or something," Harry said. "But! I did have some tea with Professor Lupin right after you guys left. I sat and talked with him for a little over an hour."

"Really? What'd you and Professor Lupin talk about?" Hermione asked.

"Well, it was mainly about defense, but I did get around to asking him about why he didn't let me face that Boggart," Harry said.

"Yeah? What was his reason?" Ron asked.

"He was worried that the Boggart would've transformed into Voldemort and he didn't think that was something that a roomful of third years should be exposed to," Harry said.

"You know, I hadn't even thought of that," Hermione said.

"Yeah, me neither," Harry said. "Mainly because I think my Boggart would've been a Dementor."

"Wanna head to the feast now?" Ron asked, changing the subject as he rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet.

"Yeah, sure!" Harry said. "Let me just run this candy up to our room and then we can go."

After a quick jaunt up and then down the stairs, Harry returned to where his friends were waiting by the armchair that Snuffles was laying under.

"Come on, Snuffles," Harry said. "Let's go get something to eat."

Snuffles reluctantly got up, so Harry, Ron, and Hermione started walking towards the portrait opening. As they left the Common Room, the three friends walked side by side, but Snuffles trailed along behind Harry, slowly shuffling down the corridors with his head down.

"Also," Harry spoke up. "Right before I left Professor Lupin's office, Snape came in with a steaming goblet of… something. I don't exactly know what it was."

"Poison?" Ron asked. "I mean, Snape's been after the Defense position forever. And he really seems to hate Professor Lupin almost as much as he seems to hate you."

"Yeah, that's what I thought," Harry said. "I tried to kind of hint that it might be poison, but Professor Lupin drank it before I really had the chance to say anything. Professor Lupin only said something along the lines of sugar ruining it. So…"

"Maybe he's sick or something," Hermione suggested. "If he knows that sugar ruins the potion, then that would probably mean he's familiar with it."

"I dunno," Harry said as they finally reached the doors to the Great Hall.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely ready to eat," Ron said, taking bigger steps so that he could enter the Great Hall first. "I'm starving!"

"You're always hungry, Ron," Hermione said, rolling her eyes as she, Harry, and Snuffles followed Ron into the Great Hall.

...

Snuffles laid his head down on Harry's knee, mostly refusing to eat anything that Harry had offered him. Snuffles nibbled a little at one slice of roast pork before refusing to eat that as well. And the only reason he had even nibbled at it was because Harry had been begging him to eat something.

At the moment, the problem with Snuffles was that everything that he put in his mouth to eat tasted like sawdust. He just couldn't stomach anything today.

Today was October 31st. The day when, many years ago, everything changed. The day when his life turned upside down and he lost two friends. The day when he was betrayed. When Lily was betrayed. When James was betrayed. The day that they died and the day that he was thrown into Azkaban.

He just couldn't eat anything. Not today.

Snuffles lost track of how much time had passed, which was something that was happening quite often today. But, eventually, Harry moved to get up which dislodged Snuffles' head from its resting place on Harry's knee.

Snuffles stared up at Harry from under the table as Harry was standing up and saying his goodbyes to his friends. When Harry patted his leg and called for Snuffles to join him, Snuffles shuffled out from under the table.

As the two of them left the Great Hall and started walking down one of the corridors that would eventually lead them to Gryffindor Tower, Snuffles found it difficult to keep putting one paw in front of the other. Harry kept getting farther and farther away from him.

All Snuffles could think about was that, around this time of night on that day years ago, the door to Lily and James' home had been blown of off its hinges. Around this time of night, James had been… Lily had been…

Around this time of night, Harry had been made an orphan.

Every so often, Harry would glance back at Snuffles and wait for him to catch up, asking Snuffles about what was wrong, but Snuffles wouldn't respond. Snuffles would just keep slowly moving forward. Other than Harry asking Snuffles an occasional question or two, the castle was quiet. Almost all of the students were still at the Halloween feast.

Once again, Harry was further away from Snuffles, but Snuffles figured that Harry would look back again soon and wait for him to catch up. Snuffles saw Harry turn the corner to the corridor that would get them to the set of stairs that would then lead them directly to the Gryffindor Common Room.

Suddenly, Snuffles heard a muffled yelp. It came from around the corner that Harry just disappeared behind.

Snuffles, fearing that something was happening to Harry, broke out into a run as he raced down the corridor and turned the corner to get to where he had last seen Harry go.

But as Snuffles looked down the long corridor, Harry was nowhere to been seen.

Everything was silent once again. Snuffles was the only one around.

Harry was missing.

Harry was gone.

...

---

Author's Note:

Dun, dun, dun…

I kind of struggled with the title of this chapter… and I'm still not entirely happy with it. But, hey, I think it'll work for now.

Any mistakes, grammar or otherwise, are my own. Let me know if you see anything that you think needs to be corrected.