The rest of dinner went off without a hitch. After eating Dudley went upstairs and Snape retreated into his office. Harry was glad to have some time alone to read the letters from his friends.

He stretched his small frame along the length of the sofa his feet hanging off the armrest. Ron's letter was first and it was surprisingly short even for Ron.

Harry,

I heard about the Dementors. Rotten luck mate! Mum and Sirius had a fit when they heard, but she said that we need to be glad that Snape was there to step in to protect you and your cousin. I think I would rather take the Dementors then deal with that greasy git! Anyway we should be seeing you soon. Hedwigs fine. Sirius seems to be getting a bit antsy though.

Ron

Harry read the letter several times. He couldn't help but feel jealous that Ron had his family and Sirius for company. While he got left with his relatives and Snape. Hermione's letter wasn't of much comfort either.

Dear Harry,
I hope you're well. I was able to convince my parents to let me stay with the Weasley's this summer. I had to promise them that I would return home every holiday during the upcoming school year. Not that I mind of course. I am starting to miss them.

Dumbledore Seems to be right about his assumption about He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. You remember after the final task of the tournament, Dumbledore told the Ministry of Magic that he should remove the Dementors from Azkaban. Dumbledore said that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would recruit them. The incident in Little Whinging seems to support that.

I'm glad you and your family are alright though. I hate to think what would of happened if Professor Snape didn't arrive. The man who was supposed to be watching over you took off. You should of seen Mrs. Weasley. She gave that man a piece of her mind once he turned up again. It was quite the sight.

Anyway while you're with Professor Snape try and keep you temper in check! Be nice to your relatives. I'm sure this isn't easy for any of you. We will be seeing you soon!

Love,
Hermione

Sighing he shoved the letters into his back pocket. Hermione was right. Dumbledore did say that the guards of Azkaban should be removed from their position. It was information that the Minister refused to believe.

Harry had even stopped reading the Daily Prophet. It sickened him to read the lies the paper was printing about Dumbledore and him. He still hadn't figure out why Snape received the paper.

Boredom was getting better of Harry. Snape, though he never seemed to be in a good mood was company. He was no better then Dudley or Aunt Petunia and at that very moment he didn't want to be with his Aunt who was still suffering after her husband's departure.

With his wand in hand he opened the hidden door to the study. He slipped in through the small crack as his eyes locked with Snape's.

"Do you not know how to knock Potter?" Snape asked as he turned his attention back to the piles of parchment that was strewed across the table.

"Sorry sir." Harry muttered, allowing the door to shut behind him.

"Well sit down." Snape snapped after Harry had stood awkwardly just inside the doorjamb.

Startled Harry moved to the table taking his usually seat across from the Professor.

"What is it you want Potter?" Snape asked his eyes never leaving the pieces of parchment.

"What are you doing, sir?"

Snape furrowed his brow as his black eyes slowly looked up at Harry. "I was trying to work, but I can't seem to get anything done as of late. I always seem to get…interrupted. Tell me what it is you want." Snape started shuffling the papers into neat piles, before vanishing them with a jab of his wand.

"I was just…kind of bored." Harry started, his eyes now fixated on his hands.

"If you think that I'm going to entertain you then you're highly mistaken. I'm sure you have yet to finish all of your homework, and if you're really that bored I'm sure I can find some more cauldrons for you to clean." Snape said as he summoned what looked like to Harry to be a glass of whiskey.

"Well I was actually wondering…that is if you have some spare time…" Harry mumbled meekly while running a hand through his disheveled hair. That however just caused Snape to frown more.

"Well what is it? I don't have all day for your nonsense." Snape barked as he straightened in his seat.

"Can you tell me about my mother?" Harry asked in a rather bold voice that surprised even him. Harry watched Snape closely as his fingers tightened around the glass of whiskey. It looked as if Snape wanted to say something, but hesitated. After some time had passed in which Snape had knocked back the glass of whiskey. Snape gave him a curt nod.

Harry wasn't expecting Snape just to give in. Harry had expected he would have to argue with the professor before he would give him any further information. He was pleased with this sudden change, and as he was about to ask his first question Snape held up a finger.

"I will allow you to ask questions, but I will not promise you an answer to them."

Snape didn't seem to enthusiastic about this Q&A session. The man seemed much more relaxed the other evening during their dinner. Now Snape appeared to be tense and his face ashen.

"Alright," Harry said, braving a smile as the professor refused his glass of whiskey. "How did you meet?" To Harry it seemed like a simple question, but Snape took his time answering it.

"At a play park not to far from here."

The answer had surprised him a bit. He couldn't see his mother or his aunt living in such an area. "When?" Harry asked trying to grasp how long the two had known each other. Everyone had always seemed more then ready to tell him stories of his father, but no one had ever told him much about his mother.

Snape looked into his glass staring deeply into the amber liquid. "It was," He started before taking another gulp of his whiskey. "The summer of '68 or '69... I can't be sure."

Harry nodded in understanding, but for some reason felt like the professor knew exactly when the two had met. "So…before you went to Hogwarts."

"Obviously…" Snape droned as he rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," he muttered trying to picture a young Snape. It was hard to believe that his surly professor was ever capable of being a child. Harry wondered what his mother looked like as a child and how she was ever able to befriend someone like Snape. "Aunt Petunia said that you were best friends with her…"

The muscles strained in Snape's face as he tried to look as expressionlessly as possible. "Yes," a wispy replied escaped the professor's lips, but he cleared his throat and carried on. "I suppose we were for a few years."

He wasn't quite sure what to think of this version of Snape. Snape had always been curt and stern with everyone he came in contact with. In front of him now he didn't see the usual persona the man normally portrayed.

"What changed?" Harry asked in a faint voice. It apparently was the wrong thing to say. Snape snapped out his reminiscent trance and was glaring at him.

"That," He barked. "Is none of your business."

"Sorry," Harry muttered, suddenly much more alert then he had been previously. He had been on the bad side of Snape's temper enough to know not to push it.

An uncomfortable silence settled in the room. Both Harry and Snape avoiding eye contact with one another. Harry finally gained enough courage to ask what had been on his mind since Snape left the nights before.

"Sir, when you left the other night at dinner-"

"That too is none of your business." Snape's hand subconsciously went to his left forearm.

"But sir," Harry muttered quickly. "Lord Voldemort-"

"You are not to say his name!" Snape shouted his eyes menacing.

"Right." He muttered, his patients waning with Snape's current attitude. "That night I went to sleep. I had a dream-" He started, but realized that it hadn't really been a dream or a nightmare.

"I'm not sure what you're getting at Potter. If you have something to say then just say it. I'm not going to wait around all night while you try and string some words together."

All at once Harry had the sudden urge to lash out at the man. He had to force himself to take a deep breath before continuing on. "When you left I went to sleep-"

"Yes, Potter you've already said that. Get on with it already."

Harry's green eyes flared as heat surged to his face. "I will if you give me a damn minute to explain!"

Snape was quick on his feet and Harry quickly rose to his own.

"I saw it happen! I saw what he did to you." he yelled ducking away from the man's hand.

Snape stopped in his tracks. His face was pale again. "You saw what?"

"Vold-" Harry stopped and quickly corrected himself. "I saw Him. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named… When I went to sleep that night- it was like I was there. It was as if I was in the room with you when it happened. When I woke I went down stairs just as you were coming in…" He whispered backing himself up against one of the bookshelves. Snape's face was so red now that Harry wasn't sure if it was embarrassment or anger that had caused it.

Snape took a moment to a moment to regain his composure and think about what was just told to him. "I see…" He said returning to his seat. His long fingers pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Sir, how did it happen? Why was I able to see what he did?" Harry asked as he made his way back to the table.

"I don't know. I will speak to the Headmaster about it. In the meantime why don't you go upstairs and do your homework or keep your cousin entertained."

He seemed deep in thought now, and Harry wondered if he should keep pressing his luck or just do as the Professor ordered.

"Sir…that night Vold- He said something…about my mother." His eyes focused on Snape as he spoke. Snape however looked like he was about to be ill. "He said 'I would hate to think that my disposal of that filthy mud-blood girl would discourage you.'"

"Do not say that word." Snape rasped as his hands tightened around the edge of the table making his knuckles white.

"Sorry," He muttered before continuing on. "He went on to say-"

"I know what He said Potter I was there!" Snape promptly stood from his seat turning towards the bookshelves. "Get out."

Snape spun around quickly, causing Harry to topple out of his chair in surprise.

"Sir, I just want to know-"

"It isn't your business to know. Now get out."

Snape had pushed the fallen chair out of the way, and with surprise ease lifted Harry off the floor hurtling him towards the now open door. Stunned Harry laid on the floor as the hidden door shut with a loud thud.

A/N: Reviews always welcomed!