Sirius returned later that morning, when Hermione had already left for her first class. Remus told Sirius everything about what Snape had said earlier.

'You don't think he is being serious, do you?' Sirius asked worried.

'No, I don't think so. I've told him that he would regret a wrong move towards you. But I am not entirely sure if he took me serious,' Remus said.

'So this means that I have to hide myself from Snivellus? Great. What am I supposed to do now? He knows that I am here, doesn't he?' Sirius asked.

'Yes, I think so. You could stay in the Shrieking Shack or something, but I completely understand if you don't want to be there.'

'I could stay at my parents' house, you know, Grimmauld Place?' Sirius suggested.

'That's a good one. Number 12, wasn't it? I remember yes. Though I was never welcome there, neither were James and Lily,' Remus remembered.

'Don't blame me!' Sirius said defensibly.

'I don't. Now, you have to go there as quickly as…' Remus began.

'I am not going anywhere! I am here to see Harry and I am not leaving this castle before I have spoken to him!' Sirius said.

'Really? Snivellus knows you are here! Don't be so stupid, you need to hide,' Remus said.

'Then go and get Harry now, after that, I will leave.'

'Fine!'

'You will go and get him?' Sirius asked.

'Of course, I know that it's no use arguing with you. The sooner you have seen Harry, the sooner you will be safe,' Remus said and he turned to the door. 'Oh, joy, I just remember, he is in Potion Class right now…'

Sirius smirked at that.

'Well, good luck, my friend,' he said and then Remus left the room to go and get Harry.

'I've told you to let Longbottom figure this out on his own,' Snape snapped as he walked towards the table where Hermione was trying to help Neville with his potion. The boy was scared of professor Snape and he was terrible at potions.

'He did figure it out on his own,' Hermione replied.

'I don't think so, Miss Granger. Longbottom is too stupid to even know what side of the cauldron he has to put on the fire,' Snape sneered.

'He is not! He is just insecure. And I don't blame him. You should encourage him instead of telling him that he is worthless!' Hermione objected.

'Ten points from Gryffindor for your rudeness, Granger. You can't talk to me like this,' Snape said and after that, he walked back to his desk.

Hermione wanted to talk to professor Snape about what had happened earlier. She wanted to try if she could convince him about Sirius' innocence. Snape was being unfair and she wanted to tell him that, even if that would cost her house another ten points. She walked over to Snape's desk and hesitated for a moment. She had to make sure that the rest of the class wouldn't hear them, of course.

'Professor?' Hermione asked carefully.

Snape looked up from his desk and he looked rather annoyed.

'What is it?' he unpleasantly.

'I wanted to tell you something. Not here, if it's possible,' Hermione said quietly.

'Right, come with me,' Snape said and he walked out of the classroom, he hoped that Hermione would tell him something about Black. In the corridor he waited for her.

'Well?' Snape asked impatiently when Hermione appeared.

'It is about Sirius Black, professor. He really is innocent, I don't think you are being entirely fair. He has done nothing wrong and neither has R… professor Lupin,' Hermione said. She blushed when she realized that she had nearly mentioned her Defense teacher's first name in front of professor Snape.

'I don't think you should talk about things you know nothing about,' Snape snapped.

'I know that Sirius is innocent and I'm asking you to believe that,' Hermione said nervously.

'You know what, Granger, I am not going to listen to a student. I don't care what you have to say. I am going to find Black and I am going to make him pay for what he has done,' Snape said.

'But…' Hermione started.

'I don't want to hear it! Go back to the classroom and don't bother me again!' Snape said, raising his voice.

'Professor…' Hermione began again.

'Didn't you hear me? Ten points from Gryffindor. Now go back!' Snape said, getting angry. He was clearly annoyed by Hermione. She still didn't move.

'I don't care how many points you are taking, you need to listen!' Hermione said forcefully, though she didn't feel very brave right now.

'You are not telling me what to do, Granger,' Snape said.

'You are being unreasonable!'

'Don't you talk to me like that, Granger. You will regret it.'

'Then stop blackmailing everyone and just let it go!' Hermione exclaimed.

'Why do you bother? Why are you trying to protect Black? And Lupin?' Snape asked sternly.

'I just don't want innocent people to die, that's all,' Hermione said, she was getting a little bit desperate, Snape didn't want to listen.

'Just stop putting your nose in other's business, Granger,' Snape snapped. 'Now back to your potion. I am sure Longbottom is eagerly waiting for you.'

'Please, professor, don't go…' Hermione tried again, but she was interrupted by a now angry Snape.

'JUST SHUT UP NOW! YOU ARE PLAYING WITH FIRE,' Snape shouted, his face was entirely pale and he looked a little bit frightening like this.

Hermione had tears in her eyes and she decided that she could better return to the classroom. She could not reason her professor. Just when she turned around to go back to the classroom, she bumped into another man.

'Hermione?' Remus asked, totally forgetting to address her with her last name. Snape didn't even notice, Remus called Harry by his first name too. It was not new. 'Is everything alright?'

'Yes, I am fine,' Hermione answered, but her voice was trembling. She was trying to hold back her tears.

Remus shot Snape a glare, he had already heard everything. He had a very good hearing as a werewolf.

'I don't believe shouting at a student is really the job of a teacher, Severus,' Remus said calmly.

'Lupin. What are you doing here?' Snape asked emotionless.

'I could ask you the same question. You are supposed to be in your classroom.'

'What's your problem? Why are you here?' Snape asked annoyed.

'I was here to get Harry. I need to ask him something. I heard everything you've just said, Severus, you are being naïve. You should leave Sirius alone. And miss Granger as well,' Remus said softly.

'Not this again. I've told you, I am not afraid of you,' Snape said.

'Don't you think for one moment that I was making empty threats. You know that I will protect my friends and you should not play games with me,' Remus growled.

Snape cleared his throat, clearly not knowing what to say.

'So… why do you want to see Potter?' Snape asked, changing the subject.

'Just go and get him,' Remus ordered.

Snape shrugged his shoulders and he wanted to go back to the classroom, but Remus grabbed his shoulder forcefully so he couldn't move.

'Your last warning, Severus. Don't go looking for Sirius and don't you threaten others. It might be the last thing you'll do,' Remus said through clenched teeth and then he let go of Snape.

'We'll see,' Snape sneered, but his face was not very certain.

Snape quickly went into his classroom and Hermione followed him after giving Remus a sweet smile. In a minute, Harry came out of the classroom.

'Professor?' he asked curiously. Though he didn't mind that he had a reason to leave the dungeons.

'Harry, good to see you. I wanted to show you something, it is important,' Remus said and he went up the stairs with Harry following him.

'What is it, professor?' Harry asked on their way upstairs.

'Not now, you wouldn't believe me if I told you. You will see,' Remus said.

Harry didn't ask any further questions. He just waited until they reached the third floor. It must be important, he had to skip his class for this. Remus waited a second in front of the door to his office, as though he had to think about something.

'Professor?' Harry asked uncertainly.

'I want to warn you, Harry. It might be a shock for you, but you have to promise me that you won't freak out or something. Can you do that?' Remus asked softly.

'Sure… What is it then?' Harry asked.

'Who is it then, that would be a better question,' Remus said, then he opened the door and Harry followed him closely.

Harry's eyes widened in shock when he saw the man who was sitting on the couch. He knew his face, he had seen it before on the flyers from the ministry. It was Sirius Black.

'Don't be afraid, Harry, I won't harm you,' Sirius said gently and he gave the boy a smile.