[a/n]I liked the Guest review that offered a different, probably positive outcome, but we'll that tale stand as it is. Up next an idea that popped way to the head of the line while that was going on.

Harry Does Different DXXXVu

Snape's Guilt

Harry had just finished venting, and been all but wrestled, into believing he actually did some good when it came to his Godfather. No, he couldn't walk the streets a free man, but at least he was as safe as Buckbeak could make him. That was when the state of Remus' quarters settled in, snapping "You've been sacked!"

"No Harry, I resigned. Headmaster Dumbledore is mere hours away from being bombarded by owls demanding it, anyway." The worn looking werewolf sighed, bowing to the inevitable "No so bad, really, I got to meet you."

The student snorted "That the best an inventor of the Marauders' Map can do? In't Mooney itching for revenge?"

"I was intemperate in my youth. All four of us were. An intemperance that had consequences." The professor asserted himself.

"He's the one not letting it go." Pointed out Harry "Why should we? Although I don't think a twins' prank is the way to go. Fight fire with fire…somehow. I'm pretty sick of being punished for stuff I didn't do." And that started a conversation that meant Harry skipping the pre-departure breakfast, all but having to run to the Express; in which Remus learned more about his best friend's son than in the prior months and together planned quite the revenge.

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Which was initiated on the train after excusing himself from his friends to go for a walk. As he was instructed, virtually scripted, sought out a redhaired Hufflepuff, who was able to greet him before the compartment door opened "How did you manage that?"

"Magic of course." She answered lightly "What could the famous Harry Potter want with lil ole me?"

He greeted the blonde neutrally "Hannah." Then went into it "You, and not meaning only you, Susan, were wrong about me being the Heir of Slytherin last year." His hand shot up to forestall an interruption "My mistake was before that in just talking to a few people, mostly all Gryffindors. Gave myself a bad reputation."

"Impressive bit of self-analysis there, Potter." Hannah observed.

Harry preferred to focus on the redhead, shrugged and smiled "I was led to it by Professor Lupin. And it's him, who told me who your aunt was that led me to you."

"I do not see any connection, and I'm not really impressed." Said Susan after exchanging a look with her friend.

Harry didn't bother "You heard Professor Lupin quit. Do you know why?"

"Everybody does. He's a werewolf." Hannah replied.

Harry nodded "Ok. And is that a reason to force someone out? Was he a good teacher? Can't imagine anyone worse than Professor Hair and Teeth, even Professor Voldemort was better than him." To the baffled looks he commented "Guess the Quirrell story is more of a secret than Dumbledore said. Stay on Lupin for now. No werewolf attacks all year, none during his seven years as a student."

"Auntie might be the most powerful witch in Britain" Susan's attitude softened, despite Hannah's disapproval "but no Wizarding family wants a werewolf around its kids. I'm not even sure how she would feel about it."

To that, Harry frowned but apologized "Sorry, that's just how Lupin put it. Anyway, a related question: Susan, as the sole Hufflepuff in a class with Gryffindor and Slytherin, do you think you're treated the same as every other Hufflepuff? Especially when considering you are Harry Potter's best friend's lab partner?"

"Professor Snape is a Hogwarts teacher!" exclaimed Hannah "But he's harsh to everyone. Has to be because of how dangerous Potions can be."

The wizard laughed at the witch "Funny, you don't look like Hagrid. But, Susan seriously, haven't you seen Snape hand out points to Malfoy or Greengrass for being on time? Does Hufflepuff have a Percy Weasley? How many points have you lost in Potions?"

"What? You want to turn Professor Snape neon pink or some silliness?" Susan was contemptuous, as much as a barely teenage girl could be.

Fresh from his talk with Remus, and a premature maturity, Harry answered "No, my dear Miss Bones, such would be the realm of the Weasley twins. While certainly amusing, would cause no lasting harm. What we worked out is of a permanent nature and, truthfully, in complete agreement with the Statutes. To be specific, Statute#3 Clause#3."

"Dangerous Magical Creatures of course" the redhead answered the blonde's blank expression "though being the niece of the Law Department's head doesn't grant complete knowledge of every word." After a moment, she shot the boy a look.

Harry was jolted by it, he flushed a bit "Oh, right! Sorry. So it's a crime to engage in collusion to conceal a werewolf's identity when he or she is employed in a job that requires contact with the public. It's punishable by up to a year in prison. Of course, you can't work for Hogwarts in even Hagrid's or Filch's jobs with a prison record."

"And how is Professor Snape involved in that?" Susan used her Auntie's interrogation voice.

Harry grinned at that, countering with a Dumbledoreism "Recognize your enemy's ability, my dear girl. Snape's a piss-poor teacher, but like my Youngest-Seeker-in-a-Century title he holds the title Youngest-Potion Master-in-a-Duocentury. More than good enough to make Wolfsbane."

"A compelling circumstance." The redhead had to admit. "But really, calling him an enemy? Overkill much?"

Harry badly performed a sneer and demanded "What would I get by adding asphodel to wormwood, Potter?"

"Dunno." Hannah shrugged, followed by her friend. Though Susan briefly seemed to remember something.

The boy smirked at the girls "Lucky Percy Weasley got into NEWT Potions. The Draught of Living Death is about halfway into Seventh Year. Now why would a basically Muggleborn First-Year know that in his first class? And while I might grumble about some of Professor Sprout's deductions, when did Snape award me ANY? I don't remember you getting any Susan, but I could be wrong. Harry Potter's best friend's partner. How about you, Hannah? So yeah, don't know why, but Snape is my enemy."

"But then Professor …well… ex… Lupin would goto prison too." Hannah concluded "He was actually good. I liked his classes."

Harry couldn't help a dig "Got over Lockhart did you?" then waved a hand "Sorry, should've seen your friend drooling next to Hermione. Funny thing about that Clause, no provision for it to be a crime for the Werewolf himself. Don't take my word for it, check with Auntie, as you call her. Send me a note over the hols? #4 Privet Dr."

"Is dating going to be like this?" Hannah deadpanned after the compartment door closed behind him "Because THAT was the weirdest train ride ever."

Susan grinned, replying "Now I'm sure writing to him meant about whatever happens on the Snape front, BUUTT I don't see any reason to restrict ourselves."

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"Have you any idea what a firestorm you have caused, Harry?" was the first remark that greeted the boy on arrival at #12 Grimmauld Pl.

He almost growled in reply at the old man, and others "Wait your turn, Albus." Grinned at his Godfather and embraced him warmly "Sirius!" then extending it for certainly longer than bystanders' patience, finally broke. Taking in his 'friends' with a disgusted wave "No thanks to you two, I am well aware. By the way, had a decent summer, despite the Dursleys. Thanks for asking. Somehow got two girlfriends …I think. But, puerile childhood aside, as Snivilus would put it, I know a good deal about who stands where; here."

"I raised you better than this, Harry Potter!" snapped Mrs. Weasley.

Equal parts gratitude and annoyance, the boy countered "I owe you and your family a lot, but thanks to Albus, here, I raised myself cooking meals for fatsos from being able to walk. Snivilus went on to teach me how I needed to be punished for his fights with Dad. Once I explained things to Hannah and Susan, they did everything I asked, which wasn't more than the truth. Thank you Professor Lupin." He finished with a bow to the Werewolf.

"Harry I completely trust Professor Snape. But this affair is costing me and the Light more than you can possibly understand." The Headmaster was fully grandfatherly.

The teen wizard spoke with the contempt of any cynical adult "I never sit in Snivilus' class again. And if nothing else, I'm sure Headmistress McGonagall will see to it. Sirius, got a bed for me in this place?" He was in a room before the chaos erupted.