I apologize for a shorter chapter but I wanted to get this one up as I know a lot of you are likely home and bored :) The next chapter will more than make up for the length of this one. Enjoy! And please feel free to tell me what you love or hate about it! And thank you once again to ethulinda for being my muse :)

"That's absolutely horrible."

Harry looked up to his friend to see the tears rimming her eyes. He found himself swallowing heavily in an attempt to keep his own emotions under control.

"You can't be expelled." Ron shook his head. "You just can't. Dumbledore won't allow that."

"I'm already expelled." Harry shrugged a shoulder miserably. "The trial is to try and get them to change their minds."

"But you said that you can use your memory from that day right?" Hermione's features were serious as she leaned forward slightly. Her elbow rested on her knee as she gave Harry an encouraging grin. "That was really brilliant of Remus to think of."

"It was but I somehow doubt it'll do much. The Ministry hates me. They hate Snape. They hate our arrangement." Harry sighed softly. "They aren't going to care about some stupid memory."

"They don't hate you." Hermione shook her head. "You know that they don't."

"You're right, they don't. They want him. They want control over him." Harry's eyes moved to Ron as he spoke, noticing the annoyance on his best mate's face.

"I don't think that they want-"

"No, Ron is right," Harry cut Hermione off. "They want to be able to control me. They don't like me talking about what happened in the graveyard. You saw the papers after all of that." A frown formed on the boy's face at the very thought of it all. He silently swore that despite how childish it sounded, if the Ministry ever tried to take him he would run away or curse them all until they just gave up and gave him back to Snape.

"I wrote a rebuttal to those articles. A letter to the editor. Twice" Hermione scowled slightly. "They never printed it and I never heard back."

"Thanks for trying." Harry forced a small smile. The smile faded quickly as he sighed once more. "And Snape is being impossible. He refused to let me sit in the meeting tonight."

"Of course he wouldn't," Hermione replied. "He doesn't want you to worry or to get yourself into trouble."

"I don't always get into trouble," Harry scowled at her. "I wouldn't do something stupid. I'm not that thick."

"I wasn't insinuating that you would I just meant -"

"We could listen to the meeting anyway." Ron sat up a bit straighter pulling an extendable ear from his pocket. "The twins made me promise we'd get them first."

Harry didn't want to refuse. He wanted to know what was going on in that meeting. In the same breath, the last thing he needed was to get caught. He was sure Snape would go mental. His eyes moved to Hermione, hopeful that she would be the voice of reason.

"They're in the bedroom down the hall aren't they?" She pushed herself into a standing position. "I can go get them and Ginny as well."

Harry felt his stomach flip over itself at her words. "Okay," he nodded, pushing himself to stand as well.

Remus moved across the room, bidding his goodbyes to several people. It was nearly eleven at night and after dinner, a long meeting, and then a second meeting with Severus and Albus, the man was more than ready to leave.

He had been asked to fetch Harry from upstairs and take him home with the promise that Snape would be only ten minutes or so behind him.

A small yawn escaped the man's lips as he pushed open the door to the main hall. His eyes instantly fell on the small ear that was hanging from a string, very obviously made for the sheer purpose of eavesdropping.

His head slowly rose, following the string up until it stopped on the fourth floor. Every child in the house was gathered around it, leaning over the balcony and looking down at him in shock and fear.

The man heard Ron breath out a sigh of relief as his eyes narrowed in on Harry. Raising a hand he crooked a finger at the boy.

Harry felt his breath catch in his throat as the door opened below them, hearing his best mate breath a sigh of relief as Remus stepped out. Noting the motion, Harry rolled his eyes as he stepped away from the balcony. "Dammit," he breathed, quickly saying goodnight to the group with a grimace. He stepped down the stairs slowly, his frown remaining as he kept his eyes on Remus. His feet hit the ground floor yet his hand remained on the banister.

"Severus asked me to escort you home. He is speaking with Albus and then he'll be along." The man looked down at the teenager. He was sure it was taking every ounce of self control he had not to scold Harry where they stood.

The teenager swallowed, giving a nod as he spared a glance upward and noting that the others had since moved away from the banister. Harry found himself saying a silent prayer that he could somehow convince Remus not to tell Snape about any of this. He was fairly certain that it wouldn't work though. He sighed, looking back up to Remus. "Fine," he muttered softly, tapping his fingers for a brief moment. "Can I say goodbye to Sirius first?"

Remus gave a nod as he moved towards the fireplace. "Quickly please. He's in the kitchen."

Harry nodded, pausing as he took a few steps away. "And where's Snape?" He hardly wanted to see the man right then. Snape could always tell when something was off.

"In the study with Albus." Remus picked up a handful of the floo powder. "To the kitchen and back." He gave the teenager a serious look.

Harry frowned at the look, stepping over to the door that led to the kitchen. He already knew simply by how the man was acting that Remus was not going to be on his side.

Stepping into the kitchen, Harry spared a look over his shoulder briefly before moving so Remus would be out of view completely.

"Harry!" Sirius said cheerfully from his spot at the table. "I assume you came to say goodbye before Remus takes you home."

A grin finally broke across the boy's face as he moved across the room, going straight to the man's side and wrapping his arms tightly around Sirius' neck. "Yeah," he hummed softly.

"I will see you in a few days. Hopefully in the meeting and not upstairs while it is going on." The man wrapped an arm around the teenager.

Harry frowned as he rested his chin on Sirius' shoulder. He hoped so too but somehow he doubted it. "Hope so too," he muttered softly, pulling away to force a small grin once more.

"Are you alright?" Sirius eyed the boy carefully. "You seem a bit off." His arm dropped back down to his side.

"I'm fine," Harry replied, blinking as he smiled. "Tired I guess." He stretched his arms up for emphasis, sighing softly as they dropped back to his sides.

"Alright," Sirius nodded with a small grin. "Go on then, don't keep Remus waiting for you too long."

"Night, I'll see you soon." The teenager turned, his smile fading a moment later once he was sure Sirius wouldn't see. Exiting out of the kitchen, he crossed the hall and to the large parlor where the fireplace was.

"You found Sirius I presume?" Remus looked over at Harry as he motioned for him to step into the fireplace.

"Yeah." Harry stepped into the fireplace, releasing another sigh. "Such a blasted idiot."

Remus raised an eyebrow at the words as he stepped in beside the boy. Stating their destination, he dropped the floo powder at his feet. A moment later Severus' parlor came into view. "What was that?" The man stepped out of the fireplace.

"I'm an idiot," Harry stated a bit more loudly as they stepped into the parlor, shaking his head as he moved to the couch.

"You are nothing of the sort." Remus moved across the room, sitting down beside the boy. "A bit too curious for your own good but not an idiot."

"Are you going to tell Snape?" Harry frowned, leaning back slightly as he looked over to Remus. He was sure that he already knew the answer but he couldn't help but hope that he was wrong.

Remus frowned at the question. Surely the teenager knew better than to think he would hide such a thing. "I am," he nodded. "You know I do not keep things from him. And certainly not when it comes to things concerning you."

Of course.

Harry visibly slouched at the words, shaking his head as he rested his elbow on the arm of the couch to stare off to the far wall. "He won't let me go back now," he muttered softly, disappointment lacing his tone as he crossed both arms over each other.

"I am sure that if you explain this to him, he will allow you to go back." Remus felt absolutely horrible about telling on the child, he always did. However, he wasn't about to lie to his guardian either.

"The whole point was he wanted to trust me so I can join the meetings." Harry shook his head, sighing as he dropped his head down to rest on his arms. "He's going to be furious."

"Then why would you do something to jeopardize that?" Remus looked over at the teenager.

"Like you said, too curious," Harry muttered, pulling his legs onto the couch as he frowned deeply. Of course he just mucked up. Again.

"You will explain to Severus. I am sure that he will understand." Remus reached a hand out, gently patting the boy's knee. "As I said last night, his bark is worse than his bite."

"His bite can be pretty hard too," Harry frowned, sitting back up with an exhale. "He'll never trust me."

Remus frowned at the words, letting out a sad sigh. "I cannot keep this from him Harry."

Harry only offered a shrug, glancing over to the fireplace briefly before back down to his knees. "Didn't think you would."

Remus hummed softly as he patted the boy's leg once more. "Unless you want to tell him yourself or be here when I do so, it may be time for you to go up to your room."

Pushing himself up, Harry only shook his head at the idea of staying down there. He didn't want to face his guardian. He moved across the parlor, going up the stairs at a slow pace while Bane followed him at his heels happily, completely oblivious. Stepping down the hall on the second floor, Harry opened his door and allowed Bane in before closing it and moving to his desk. He was sure that Snape was going to go mental. He was sure that he was going to be walloped and put on restriction and banned from even going to Sirius' let alone to the meetings. Sitting, Harry sighed once more as he folded his arms on the top of his desk and rested his chin down.

Nearly ten minutes passed before the floo roared to life once more and Snape stepped into his parlor. "Is Harry already upstairs? I was going to see if he wanted a quick cup of tea." The man moved across the room, sitting down in his armchair.

Remus sighed as he leaned back, resting both arms across the back of the couch. "He decided to take himself upstairs." The man cleared his throat. While he wanted to choose his words carefully, he simply could not hide what happened. "There was a slight incident that occurred when I went to bring him here."

"An incident?" Snape's right eyebrow rose. "What type of incident?" The man sincerely hoped that Harry hadn't caused any trouble yet from the look on Remus' face he was nearly certain he had.

"Nothing so severe," Remus assured softly, raising his right hand just slightly before lowering it back down on the couch. "But he and his friends did decide to attempt to listen in to our meeting."

"No, nothing too severe." Snape's tone was sarcastic. "He only broke a rule that he is more than well aware of and invaded other's privacy yet again." The man let out an exasperated sigh.

Remus forced a sad smile at the words. "I've said it before, Severus. He is a very curious cub. I am sure that he means no harm. He's quite upset at himself." He made a small nod towards the stairs.

"I am sure that he is upset with himself." Snape practically glared towards the staircase. "He knows what our discussion entailed last night. He knows what the consequences may very well be."

"He mentioned that as well." Remus frowned, resting his arms back to his sides as he leaned forward slightly. "I cannot give an excuse for his behavior, but I'm sure you'll listen well to whatever reasoning he gives." Remus frowned just slightly. While he knew the two received at least one good night's rest, he wanted, no, needed to be sure his friend's temper remained in check.

"I do not intend to storm up there and haul him over my knee if that is what you are thinking Remus." Snape's eyes moved from the stairs to his friend. "I will listen to him. However, there will be a consequence for his poor behavior."

"Of course." Remus gave a nod of understanding, humming as he stood. "Well, he should be upstairs waiting for you. Likely cursing me for telling you about this."

"I appreciate that Remus, as I always do." The man stood moving towards the staircase. "Have a good night."

"Sleep well." The man stepped into the fireplace, dropping a handful of floo powder before disappearing.

Snape was upstairs a moment later, knocking once on the teenager's bedroom door before pushing it open. He had expected to find Harry in bed, not at his desk as he was.

"I just had quite the interesting conversation with Remus." The man looked down at the teenager. "Quite interesting indeed."

"I'm sure it was," Harry muttered softly, keeping his eyes down to his desk and his head bowed. He hated when Snape was like this. He hated when he acted as if he didn't know what was spoken about.

"Did you completely forget the conversation that we had last night?" The man took a step towards the teenager.

"No." Harry sighed, lifting his head up as he turned slightly towards the man.

"Do you have some sort of excuse or explanation that I am unaware of?" Snape moved to sit on the edge of the boy's bed, crooking a finger to call him over.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, the teenager stood and slowly made his way over towards Snape. "Not one you'll accept or anything," he muttered softly, stopping just short of in front of the man.

"Do we need to discuss once again how rude and unacceptable it is to eavesdrop on private conversations?" The man reached out, tapping the teenager's chin firmly.

Harry shook his head, giving a soft, "No," as he leaned his head back slightly. "I just... got curious."

"Certainly not an excuse I will accept." Snape gave the boy a stern look. "Perhaps you need to stay home while I attend these meetings."

"I told you that you wouldn't accept it," Harry muttered, glancing away from the man's stare with a frown. "And I don't need to stay home...really." His eyes settled on Snape's knee, frowning deeply.

"If I cannot trust you to come along and refrain from eavesdropping I can certainly find a nanny to come watch you here like I would a child." The man reached out tapping the boy's chin once more.

"I'm not a child." Harry lifted his head up, shoulders slouching as he stared at the man. "I just... I don't know. I don't." His tone turned to frustration, rubbing at his face before removing his glasses to do so properly.

"You do not know what?" Snape's tone remained stern as he held a hand out for the boy's glasses.

"Why it's so... so difficult... for me. When I know something is affecting me and I'm not part of it. I just don't know why I can't accept it." He placed his glasses within Snape's hand as his shoulders slouched a considerable amount. There was only one reason that Snape ever took his glasses from him. It never ended well for him.

Snape was silent for a long moment before he cleared his throat softly. "I wish you could understand how hard everyone is working to protect you. Have you any idea what it feels like when you turn around less than twenty four hours after promising me that you will follow the rules and break one?"

"Frustrating. But it's not like I set out to do it! Yesterday I didn't think for a moment of doing it... then it... it just happened." His eyes moved down to his guardian's knee to avoid the man's glare.

"If you are unable to look at me while you speak to me, you can certainly spend some time staring at the wall while you stand in the corner." The man reached out tapping the boy's chin once more.

Harry sighed, looking back up to Snape at the words. "Sorry."

"One would think that by fifteen you would be able to follow a simple rule." Snape frowned.

"And I've been trying really hard. It's just one slip up." Harry gave the man a pleading look, studying Snape's face as he did so. "And if I'm in the meetings then you don't have to worry about me ever trying to listen to them."

"Do not." Snape shook his head firmly. "I asked you to give me time to consider you being allowed to attend the meetings. Furthermore, you will refrain from eavesdropping on them regardless of what my decision about your attending them is. Are we clear?" The man's features became sterner yet.

Harry felt a wave of relief wash over him at the idea that Snape hadn't completely decided that he should never be allowed in the meetings. He nearly smiled at the thought before he caught Snape's gaze, nodding once. "Yes Sir."

"And what are we to do about your poor behavior tonight young man?" Snape's eyes narrowed on the boy.

"Forgive me for it?" The teenager tested, attempting a small smile as he did so.

"Perhaps you do not need to go to the Burrow before returning to school?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the boy. "If you cannot behave with the Weasley children you certainly do not need to go be a guest in their home."

"Snaaape..." The whine escaped his mouth before he could stop it and he felt his ears burn in embarrassment instantly. It was the one thing he was truly looking forward to with everything going on. He didn't want that just snatched from him!

Snape was silent for a long moment as he eyed the child carefully. The last thing he wanted was to take away the trip. He knew how much it meant to the child. "You will spend tomorrow on restriction in your room where you can think about why eavesdropping is wrong. You will also complete your summer assignments tomorrow. Should you do so before the day is over you will write me three feet on why eavesdropping is wrong."

Harry released a baited breath, blinking as Snape spoke. He hated every word that the man had just said and yet he couldn't help but feel completely relieved. He wasn't instantly banned from ever attending the meetings. He wasn't about to be walloped. He released another short breath, swallowing with a small smile. "Okay."

"Let me be perfectly clear with you Harry. If you step even one more toe out of line you will not be going to the Burrow. Are we clear?" The man spoke in a dangerously low tone.

Harry could only nod before clearing his throat. "Yes Sir," the teenager whispered softly, his smile fading away at the man's tone.

"Furthermore if I hear of you eavesdropping even once more, I am going to personally see to it that sitting is a mere memory for you. Understood?" The man reached out tapping the boy's chin firmly.

"Understood." Harry swallowed hard at the threat. It wasn't the first time he had ever heard this particular threat. The last thing he ever wanted was for Snape to follow through with it though.

Snape nodded as he stood. "Get changed and get yourself into bed before I change my mind and decide you need harsher punishment." The man moved towards the door.

"I love you." Harry turned as Snape moved away, giving a small smile as he did so. Despite the man not being overly harsh he couldn't help but hate that he had disappointed him. He also hated the idea of the man sending him to bed if he was still cross with him. "And I am sorry...really."

"I love you too." The man stepped into the hall. "I will be back in a moment to tuck you in."

Sighing, Harry moved over to his dresser. He wasn't even close to tired but the last thing he wanted was to test the man's patience. Withdrawing a pair of pajamas, he quickly changed and tossed his dirty clothes into the hamper. "C'mon boy." He patted his bed, encouraging Bane to jump up onto the bed with a huff.

"Old man," Harry smiled as he pulled the covers back, slipping into them and laying down with a soft sigh. He rolled onto his stomach, yawning into his pillow as he closed his eyes.

Snape reappeared several moments later with a cup of tea in his hands. "I am going to leave this under a heating charm for you should you want it." The man placed it on the teenager's bedside table before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Thanks," Harry whispered, turning his head just slightly while tucking his arms under his pillow. Blinking, Harry looked up to his guardian with a faint smile.

"Try and get a good night's sleep without the aid of a Dreamless Sleep." The man tucked the blankets up over the teenager's shoulder.

"You too," Harry hummed once more, eyes closing as he sighed in content. "Sleep is important for you too, you know." He swallowed a yawn as he forced himself to keep his eyes open. "You said you would tell me what Dumbledore said in the meeting tonight...about the trial."

"Professor Dumbledore would like to have a meeting the day after tomorrow. He seems to think that you attending this meeting would be beneficial."

Harry grinned at the words, resisting the urge to make a cheeky remark about how he should have been allowed tonight as well.

"Do not gloat." Snape's hand moved to gently tap the boy's hip. "We will go to Hogwarts and meet him there. Remus will be joining us as well."

"Okay," Harry replied through a yawn.

"Sleep." Snape's hand tapped once more. "We will talk more in the morning."

Harry nearly argued that they could talk now but instead nodded into his pillow. "Night."

"Goodnight. Sleep well." The man stood, reaching out to gently ruffle the boy's hair. "I will bring you up breakfast in the morning."

Harry gave another nod as he rolled over. He hated the idea of being in his room all day. Snape knew he hated being cooped up too.

Snape hummed softly as he moved towards the door. "If you can get your work done with minimal whining and complaining we will see about you joining me downstairs for dinner."

A small grin tugged at the boy's lips as he slipped his hand under his pillow, making himself more comfortable. "Night. Love you."

"Goodnight Harry. I love you too."

TBC...