Chapter 7

Harry woke up the next morning to the sound of slamming drawers and muttering. "Ron?" he called out sleepily.

"No, Potter, it�s me," Severus replied, slamming another drawer on his dresser shut and then cursing. Where the hell had he put that damned vial?!

Harry sighed quietly as he realized where he was. Right. Snape�s chambers. He sat up and saw the men at his dresser, still in his black silk pajamas, his hair messily pulled back out of his face. Inexplicably, Harry blushed. "Um, sir? What are you looking for?"

Severus turned to face Harry, an unreadable expression crossing his face. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Potter," he replied after a short pause.

"Harry," Harry corrected him quietly.

Severus blinked. "Sorry?"

"It�s Harry, remember?" the young man reminded him.

"Right. Sorry�Harry," Severus amended before turning back to his search.

Harry looked at his watch. It was a little after five in the morning; no wonder he was still a little sleepy. Sighing, he got out of bed and stood in front of his own dresser.

"What are you doing?" Severus asked from the other side of the room. "You don�t have to be awake for a couple more hours."

Harry shrugged. "I�m not all that tired anymore," he lied, then added an element of truth with, "Besides, I�d never be able to get to sleep with you banging around like that."

Severus mumbled an apology, but didn�t stop. Harry shrugged, turned to his dresser, and pulled out his clothes for the day. At least he�d have plenty of time to compose his explanation for Ron and Hermione.

Severus and Harry once again walked up to the Great Hall together, breaking off to go to their respective tables once they entered.

As Severus sat down at the Staff Table, he saw Dumbledore give him a grave look. That wasn�t a good sign, and Severus had to wonder what he did wrong.

"Severus, I�d like to speak with you privately in my office immediately after breakfast," the old man leaned over and whispered. Severus simply nodded.

Harry sat toward the very end of the Gryffindor table, not at all looking forward to giving his explanation. He mentally prepared himself as the other students began filing into the Great Hall. When Ron and Hermione entered, he sent a silent prayer up to anyone who would listen before forcing a weak smile onto his face as they sat down on either side of him.

"Hey, Harry," Ron quietly greeted his friend, smiling weakly. He�d never been much of a morning person.

"Hello, Harry," Hermione said from his other side. Harry couldn�t help but notice the slight chill in her voice.

"Hi," Harry replied. He waited until they�d both served themselves breakfast before taking a deep breath. "I�m sorry. I owe you both an explanation," he began. His two friends turned to look at him, but said nothing. Harry swallowed hard, then continued. "The reason why I�m living with Snape is because I�" he trailed off into uncertainty.

"Go on, Harry, you can tell us," Ron encouraged, placing a hand on his best friend�s shoulder. Harry gulped but nodded.

"I tried to�hurt�myself Friday night," he concluded. He looked down at his hands in shame.

"Oh, Harry�" Hermione said, throwing her arms around him and holding him tight. She fought back her tears as she squeezed him gently. "Harry, why?"

Harry tensed slightly at her question, but didn�t answer. He let out a quiet sigh instead as Hermione finally pulled away.

"Hey, mate," Ron finally spoke up from his other side. Harry turned to face him only to be pulled into a fierce, brotherly embrace. "Don�t scare me like that again, Harry. Don�t hurt yourself like that," he whispered before pulling back. "We love you, you know, Hermione and me, and Dean and Seamus and Neville�and Ginny and Fred and George and Mum and�" he trailed off, grinning sheepishly. "Well, you get the idea." Harry smiled weakly.

"Harry," Hermione spoke up again. Harry turned back to look at her. She smiled at him, blinking back tears. "I understand if you don�t want to tell us why just yet, but please, Harry, remember that we'll always be here for you. We�re your friends and we love you." Her lower lip began to tremble, before she finally allowed the tears to fall. "Oh, Harry!" she sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck once again, sobbing into his shoulder. Harry, having grown accustomed to this thanks to Hermione�s monthly mood swings, gently stroked her hair. He felt horrible. He never meant to hurt anyone, and certainly didn�t want to make Hermione cry. Finally, Hermione composed herself and pulled back, granting Harry a big smile. Harry couldn�t help but smile back.

Severus sat, sipping tea apprehensively across from the headmaster. Very few good things ever came out of these meetings, and judging from Dumbledore�s expression in the Great Hall, this would not be one of them.

Dumbledore folded his hands in front of him, a pained expression crossing his face. "Severus, I have bad news."

"So I gathered," the Potions Master said, setting down his tea cup. "Well, what is it?"

Dumbledore sighed deeply. "Sirius Black is dead."

A flurry of emotions made their presence known in Severus�s chest at the news. This was what he�d been praying for years to happen, yet he couldn�t bring himself to jump up and dance through the corridors in celebration as he had once planned. Rather, a feeling of deep concern for Harry�s well being was the first thing to cross his mind, as well as an inexplicable feeling of sorrow. Okay, so maybe he had grown to gain some respect for the man�he had, after all, saved Severus�s life in the final battle. But that didn�t mean that he forgave him. �Focus, Severus,� his inner voice commanded. �The boy. Worry about the boy.� After telling his inner voice to shut up and that he was perfectly aware of what needed to be done, Severus turned back to the headmaster, who had begun speaking again.

"Severus, I�m not sure how to tell Harry, given his condition," Dumbledore admitted. "I daresay it would have been hard enough if the boy were well, but�"

"I understand, Albus," Severus assured the older wizard. "I suppose you want me to be the one to tell him?"

Albus shook his head. "No, no�I just want you present when I break the news to him."

Severus looked at him oddly. "Why?"

Albus�s eyes regained a little of their twinkle. "I believe, Severus, that he and you are kindred spirits."

Severus scoffed at the absurd notion. "What on earth would give you that idea?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly, but didn�t answer. "Nonetheless, Severus, I would appreciate if you could be present to help support the boy. At the very least, you can relate to his sense of loss, probably better than anyone else can." Dumbledore sighed. "I understand, however, if you don�t want to be present. I expect his reaction will not be a pleasant one, and quite frankly, I�m not looking forward to breaking the news to him myself�"

Severus shook his head. "No, it�s alright. I will stay when you tell him." He inwardly sighed. "Shall I fetch him now, then?"

"If you would be so kind," Albus replied, then smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Severus."

Severus didn�t respond as he strode out of the office and headed back toward the Great Hall.