The Boy Who Found a Home

Days were noticeably longer and the snowdrops, which had flowered in late winter, had given way to bright sunny bunches of daffodils. In the surrounding moors, ewes were lambing. The students had been reminded, by the Headmaster, to use caution if they came across ewes with lambs; students were to be respectful of the neighbouring wizard and Muggle farmers.

As the daffodils began to fade so too did the students' abilities to concentrate on their coursework. Many minds wandered, especially during the lecture portions of classes.

James Potter watched a dust mote slowly float down a sunbeam and land on the floor. His eye was drawn back up to watch the next mote begin its slow descent.

Peter Pettigrew had his head propped on one fist and was staring glassy eyed up at the board in the front of the room. He was thinking of the upcoming summer and spending time doing anything except pretending to study.

Sirius Black had his legs extended into the aisle and he, too, was staring. His eyes were on the vaulted ceiling, wondering when class would be over, so he could have a bit of tea.

Remus Lupin felt the sunbeam slowly move onto one of his shoulders, in an intensely warm and inviting way. He stretched and yawned deeply.

Professor Illingsworth loudly cleared his throat and fixed Remus with a menacing glare. "Lupin, perhaps you'd prefer to just curl up for a nap? Change places with Miss Black," Illingsworth spat in irritation.

Remus horrified to be the centre of attention, froze in his seat.

Narcissa Black rose from her seat and came to stand beside his table, with a scowl on her face, waiting for him to move. She'd been daydreaming about Craig Brocklehurt's profile.

"Lupin, move now unless you'd like a detention and points taken!" said the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor with ice in his voice.

"Sorry, sir." Remus quickly piled his scrolls, quills and books together and moved to Narcissa's empty chair on the far side of the class room.

"Black!"

"Huh?" Sirius was lost staring into his cousin Narcissa's mesmerizing eyes. An arm pulled him up out of his seat and propelled him across the room to Lily Evans table.

"Miss Evans, sit next to Miss Black. I don't think you will be as easily distracted by Miss Black," Illingsworth said, and pushed Sirius down in to Lily's vacated seat. "Black, five points will be taken from Gryffindor for interrupting my lesson plan as well as a detention."

There was a general moaning from the Gryffindors.

"Perhaps Gryffindor has loftier ambitions for today?" Professor Illingsworth suggested, as he glared around the classroom. "You can all thank Mr. Black for the test tomorrow on chapters 20, 21 and 22 from your Mysterious Magical Mutants text."

"Awww..." Sirius groaned loudly.

The Defence instructor's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"But Professor, we haven't studied chapter 21 or 22 yet," Peter protested with a whine.

"It looks as though you will have company in detention, Black. Pettigrew -- detention. That will be a test on chapters 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 tomorrow, Thursday. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Professor Illingsworth," the class chanted in reply. Sirius and Peter got dark looks from the rest of the class as the bell rang.

Back in their room the boys dropped their book bags onto the floor.

"Great, just great, Peter. It was bad enough losing points but then to get two detentions! And, with bloody Illingsworth it is just bloody torture. Thanks a lot!!!" Sirius yelled and stormed out to the common room.

"It wasn't my fault," Peter whined and turned to Remus. "You started it with your stupid whimpering and twitching."

"Hey, I don't whimper, Pettigrew," Remus growled at Peter.

"Both of you shut it! I'm not gonna have my friends at each others throats like this," James snapped sharply at his friends as he pulled off his necktie and loosened the collar button. Peter took up a book and huffed off in a snit.

"Remus, want to go to Hagrid's for a while?" James asked, trying to distract the other boy who was still upset having from been the focus of attention in Potions.

By mid-January, James had begun to see a pattern in Remus' absences, but hadn't put all the pieces together yet. He tried to make life within the group as relaxed as possible, having observed Remus becoming increasingly distracted as the period of a month progressed.

Remus looked at James with haunted, hunted eyes. He licked his lips nervously. "Not now, James."

"Come on let's go to the library, then. We can read over those chapters," James suggested.

"No, let's just study here."

James lay on his stomach on his bed with his Defence text open and a scroll beside it. He took off his glasses, and breathed onto the lenses, and polished them with the corner of his bed hanging.

Peter returned and sat, resting his back on the canopy support of his bed. "Look at the size of the chapters! I'll never learn all this. There must be three hundred pages in chapter 20!" he moaned, flipping through his text.

"Plus the graphs," Potter added sighing sadly. "I really hoped to use some of my free time on Transfigurations and to practice my flying."

Peter let a wave of self-pity roll over him. "I'd rather it had been a Potions test. At least in there you have someone to help in case you forget to add something."

"Unless you happened to have Snivellus as a lab partner; he might just be tempted to purposely ruin his own potion just to get you in trouble," James commented, flipping through his book.

"Only if it were you or Sirius at his cauldron," Remus commented softly.

"Why does that git have to be so bloody good in Potions?" James enquired more bitterly than he wanted.

"At least you're better in Transfigurations," Remus reminded him.

"Who could you possibly be talking about?" Sirius asked as he noisily entered the room and leaned against Peter's bedpost.

"Let's see; Remus said, 'At least you're better in Transfigurations'. James is second to the oily git in Potions and third in Astronomy behind the git and that Ravenclaw. We really can't put History of Magic or Herbology in a league with other classes, even though Snivellus couldn't get mould to grow if he tried." Sirius ticked off on his fingers as he sat down on James bed.

"Snape is awful in Herbology, but what he can do with the plants in Potions is frightening. It's too bad..." James allowed the idea to die before he finished it.

"What do you mean?" Remus asked.

"Well, if he weren't such a bloody Slytherin git, I bet he could brew some amazing potions that could help someone," James said slowly, his eyes never leaving Remus.

"I promise you that will never happen. James, the bloody bastard wouldn't help his mother if she was dying of thirst and he had a pitcher of water," Peter said and looked around at his friends for approval for his wit.

"Did I ever tell you about my conversation with the very lovely Nancy Bones after New Years?" Sirius asked and brushed lint off his robes.

"She'll talk to anyone just for the attention," James responded in a bored voice.

"Well, this time it was choice information. You see, for some reason Nancy was under the impression that I thought she was pretty. Where do you think she got that idea from -- Peter?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Peter giggled wildly, unable to maintain a straight face.

"Anyway, Nancy just couldn't stop talking about how the Headmaster had all of them down to help decorate a tree. It seems that Snivellus hung around, the great bat he his, over by the fireplace."

"What's so good about that?" Potter asked. "We all know he is about as social as a dragon."

"Oh, you haven't heard the best part yet, James. McGonagall asked him if his parents were off researching somewhere."

"Sirius, his father is some sort of Ravenclaw scientist. They're probably gone a lot," Remus said in a bored voice.

"Guys, give me some credit here! His parents were home. They just didn't want him home."

Remus winced. Though his parents loved him, he always secretly feared being cast from his family and left alone and friendless.

"It seems his father is really embarrassed by him," Sirius continued in a conspiratorial rush.

"How do you know that?" James demanded, knowing about Nancy's reliability in conveying facts accurately were highly suspect.

"It seems that Snivellus' father is upset by his grades, disappointed in them even."

"What? That's crazy, Sirius. Snape is at the top of a lot of classes," Remus argued boldly.

"I'm only telling you what Nancy told me."

"My father would be thrilled if I were in the top ten of any class," Peter said dreamily.

"Your father would be thrilled if you weren't in the bottom ten," Sirius sneered condescendingly.

"I don't see what good this information does anyone." James looked thoughtful.

"Think a moment, James. It all fits into place. All we have to do to get rid of the greasy vampire is to make certain he doesn't do well in his classes!" Sirius spoke as if this were the most logical thing on Earth.

"I really don't like you calling him a vampire," Remus spoke in a quiet almost apologetic manner. Sirius ignored Remus' words.

"You're not suggesting we should purposely destroy his class work?" James interrupted. He was uncomfortable with where Sirius might be headed.

"This is a way to ensure we don't have Snape around for six more years."

There was a slight 'pop' and a house-elf entered the room with their laundry.

"Hello, Mimminy," James greeted the house-elf, distractedly.

"Mimminy brings masters your clean clothing. I put away for you."

The boys ignored Mimminy moving around their room and continued their conversation without regard.

"Sirius, I don't think messing with his class work is a very good idea," Remus argued, shaking his head.

"We'd never get caught, James." Sirius looked to James. "We don't have Herbology with Slytherin, so who would ever guess?"

"No, I don't want anything to do with it," James stated firmly.

"If you don't want to help, fine. Just don't tell anyone. But I am going to do my best to get Snivellus sent down."

Mimminy's ears twitched as he 'popped' back out of the room.

"I don't like him, but I'm not going to purposely ruin his work," James argued.

"He's ruined yours! Who do you think made your Shining Potion curdle? Who got Peter in trouble in Charms? Snape," Sirius said vehemently and started to pace the room.

"We don't have Charms with Slytherin," James pointed out.

"I haven't been in trouble in Charms," Peter protested.

"Yes, you have. Remember when everyone thought you knocked Flitwick off his stool?" Remus said through a loud yawn.

"He did knock Flitwick off his stool. I was right next to him when he did it," James sighed loudly.

"No, you were next to Peter when he poked Goyle in the eye," Remus corrected his roommate. "Peter knocked Lily off her stool when Sirius was next to him."

"We don't have Charms with the Slytherins!!!" James said more emphatically.

"I did not knock Lily off her stool --- she just --- fell," Peter whined, his pride a bit battered.

"Look, we're getting off the subject," Sirius interjected.

"Don't do something stupid." James rose off his bed and leaned against Sirius' canopy.

"Honestly, you're nearly as prissy as any girl. Don't worry, James. You'll never be mentioned if I get caught. Which I won't." Sirius smiled broadly.

"He's going to get in such trouble," Remus moaned quietly, watching Sirius leave the room with Peter trailing behind.

***

Several days later in the History of Magic class, Severus Snape's scrolls burst into flames as he handed in his homework on the wizards of Pompey.

"There was no need to illustrate the destruction of Pompey and Rome though your clever illustration of the two methods used by the wizard Nero and his band of rogue wizards was certainly inspired. I award you five points for your creativity in presentation," Professor Binns said in his wispy voice.

Severus looked suspiciously at a certain group of Gryffindors. Remus Lupin was digging through his book bag madly searching for something. James Potter had his eyes on Lily Evans. Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black were both shaking as if trying to fight the giggles.

During the Defence class, it was discovered that Severus' examination had somehow been misplaced. His class had been dismissed but the Slytherin stayed behind to discuss retaking the test, while the Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs entered for their lesson.

"Snape, you will retake your test at two," Professor Illingsworth stated, and looked down his nose at the skinny boy in disgusted irritation.

"Rotten luck," Evan Goyle commiserated sadly at they walked out together. "We were supposed to all watch the Quidditch match. It took me forever to finish that test, last Friday, but you're faster so maybe you'll get to see some of it."

Severus shrugged and gave no response.

The following week in Herbology, Severus found his bloodweed pods had grown anaemic and could not be bled for the sap. His belladonna plants had grown into spindly geraniums. The entire class stood around Severus' trays looking at them.

"I don't understand it," Professor Pulmule mused and looked puzzled. "Which jar did you take the seeds from? Hmmm... Well, I would think the lot was tainted but only your plants appear to be incorrect. Did you use the correct manure?"

"Hippogriff, sir."

"Hmmm... You planted them at midnight on the first week after the full moon?"

"Yes, sir." Severus was growing testy under the questioning.

"It's a mystery then. You'll have to repeat the cycle next month to receive a passing mark. But, how could you manage to raise anaemic bloodweed pods?"

"I don't know, sir," Severus said bitterly.

"What do you mean you don't know? You seem to not know a great many things in my class. Ten points from Slytherin," Pulmule said coldly.

"Why, sir?" Severus demanded.

"Detention, Snape, for your cheek."

Severus' mouth opened in anger.

"You have an additional comment, Snape?"

"No, sir," he snapped bitterly.

The professor gave him a sharp look, "I don't like your attitude, Snape."

Narcissa Black was standing opposite the Slytherin during the review of his work. Her mother had told her some people have green wands and some don't. Severus obviously did not have one.

How was it he grew geraniums? I took my seeds from the same jar he did and used his left over

manure. And, his examination was lost the other day too. I heard about his scroll bursting into flames in Binns class. How can so much go wrong for one person? He doesn't strike me as being clumsy...

Sirius was not willing to risk a prank in Potions class, because Professor Warwick had eyes like a hawk. He would take points and give detentions without regard to the House. The Potions professor was reputed to be among the strictest of all Hogwarts professors, perhaps because students were handling some very dangerous substances. He would give the most disgusting detentions to students who misbehaved. Worst, he seemed to actually almost like Snape.

The same restraint held for Astronomy class. The physical limitations of the Tower prevented his sneaking up on the Slytherin. Students were denied access to the Astronomy Tower unless they had a class. Besides, Gryffindor did not have that subject with Slytherin and getting caught in the Tower out of class result in a huge loss of points and a great deal of detentions. The only chance Sirius would have to destroy Severus' Astronomy work would be to somehow get into Slytherin house.

He felt confident that he could get Severus into trouble easily enough in Transfigurations. He was certain the sallow boy would be reluctant to exact revenge in class because Professor McGonagall was pretty open in her dislike of him. Peter got into the spirit of the thing by helping Sirius annoy Severus by doing seemingly innocent things.

One of them would walk past the subject of their harassment, and accidentally knock the object he was trying to transfigure to the floor, or his books would slide off his table. Sirius would throw wads of paper at Severus' head while Professor McGonagall's back was turned in an attempt to distract him.

Sirius was rewarded when his nemesis' transfiguration went wild and he turned a rabbit into an enraged badger. It ravaged the class room and bit Severus rather severely. The sullen boy lost five points and received two detentions for failing to pay attention to his work. The Slytherin protested loudly that he had been distracted and McGonagall lectured him soundly on trying to place blame on others for his errors. Then , as the class ended, she noticed he had been bitten by the badger and took five more points for failing to mention the injury. He spent the remainder of the day fuming.

Leaving class, Peter felt empowered to taunt the Slytherin further. "Maybe you should watch James' work a little more closely, Snivellus. Then maybe you'd be able to transfigure properly."

James winced; knowing Pettigrew had left himself open to the worst Snape could lob his way. Severus looked ready to retaliate, but he didn't. Peter did not know how to leave well enough alone. Remus and James hurried to their next lesson, leaving Sirius and Peter to verbally pester Snivellus.

"Maybe James could help you to transfigure yourself into something your father isn't embarrassed by," Peter whined nasally.

Severus spun around to fight back but Professor McGonagall was there first.

"I believe you have a class to go to, Mr. Snape." She had a warning tone in her voice. "Go, now." Severus turned and walked down the corridor, anger in every step.

Peter turned to Sirius and began to giggle. They walked down the corridor the opposite direction the Slytherin had taken.

"Don't you think it was rude of James and Remus to run ahead to our next...?"

"Expelliarmus!"

Both of their wands flew from their pockets and into Severus Snape's out-stretched hand.

"Stupify!"

The two Gryffindors fell like lead weights unto the floor. A dishevelled, oily-haired boy stood over them with a malicious sneer on his face.

"I don't know what you and Pettigrew are playing at, but you would be wise to just leave me alone," Severus hissed at them. He rose quickly and walked down the corridor before turning to hurl their wands down the closest staircase.

James and Remus discovered them several minutes later, when their professor asked where the remaining members of their quartet were. Potter shook his head at their carelessness.

"I told you to be careful. Maybe you should leave off for a while," he said logically.

"This isn't over, not by a long shot. If that slimy vampire thinks he can get away with this, he in for a rude surprise." Sirius was livid.

After dinner James and Peter were studying in the common room. Remus was in the infirmary with a stomach-ache. Sirius casually strolled up and sat on the arm of his best friend's chair.

"Could I use your Cloak for half an hour? That Ravenclaw said she'd meet me in the library for a little special study session. I wanted to give her a l surprise she won't," Sirius said and smiled devilishly. "She's really something to look at, don't you think?"

"I guess. Just don't lose my Cloak." James waved Sirius away.

"Don't worry James. It'll never leave my body."

Five minutes later Sirius had the Invisibility Cloak on and was headed to the main corridor. Mrs. Norris

followed him, for a short while, until a second year Hufflepuff dripped water on the floor in the corridor. Sirius froze as he heard Mr Filch grumbling about 'ungrateful brats.' He let the pounding of his heart still, before creeping into the Transfigurations room where Snape was serving detention.

Snivellus was at the front of the room polishing their professor's desk with a large cake of beeswax; it was McGonagall's favourite punishment, having students clean the desks manually. They took an awful beating during Transfigurations lessons. He smiled.

Sirius knew from his own experience that beeswax wasn't easy to rub in. It required a lot of effort to get a good shine. The git had finished McGonagall's desk and moved to the first row of tables, and then began to rub the wood.

Sirius pulled out a stick of coloured wax he had secreted in his pocket. He began to mark up the front of the professor's desk with the Slytherin snake and rude comments on Gryffindor. When she sees this, she'll give Snivellus a month's worth of detentions.

Sirius followed the Slytherin's slow progress around the classroom, destroying his efforts as soon as he moved down the aisle to the next table. Sirius didn't mark all the tables since it took time for the Snape to polish each table and he'd promised James to return the Cloak in a half hour. He snuck back into the corridor and over to Gryffindor House, barely able to contain his laughter. That vampire will be there all night.

***

Severus had the feeling someone else was in the Transfigurations classroom, McGonagall had left him alone in the room an hour ago to work in her office. He paused and surreptitiously looked around the classroom from beneath his fringe of stringy black hair. He noted the coloured wax on Professor McGonagall's desk and several others. Shit!

His eye caught the movement of very familiar a tabby cat running out the door. She was watching me!

***

Sirius whipped off the Invisibility Cloak as he entered Gryffindor and saw James still at the table doing his homework.

"Thanks for the loan," Sirius said breathing heavily from his run back.

"Did you surprise her?"

"Yes, Mr. Potter. He did."

Both Sirius and James turned, surprised to hear their Head of House in the common room.

Professor McGonagall was standing at the portal. "I believe you have some explaining to do, Mr Black."

"W-what do you mean, Professor?" Sirius stumbled over his words.

James looked at the two, standing face to face; Professor McGonagall furious and Sirius shocked.

"I think you know exactly what I am talking about. You will come with me." She turned on her heel so quickly that her robes snapped like a sail. Her nostrils were whiter and wider than either boy had ever seen.

Sirius paused to look at James. He whispered as he pasted, "She can't possibly know anything."

"I may not know now; but you may rest assure I will, Mr. Black!" her voice called back.

The Gryffindor paled considerably.

His Head of House swept down the corridor towards her classroom, with the anxious boy following meekly behind. Entering her classroom, she paused to tell Severus he was free to go.

The Slytherin looked up and saw Sirius Black standing behind Professor McGonagall.

"I'm not...," the black haired boy began.

"Out!" Minerva interrupted, ordering him to leave.

He did not need to be told twice and with a backward glance, saw one of his enemies follow the witch into her office. The door swung shut with a resounding bang.

Sirius Black sat at the Gryffindor table looking morose the next morning. He had lost his House twenty points and had earned himself two weeks detention when he returned from the Easter holiday.

Severus Snape no longer had detention with the Transfigurations professor; she turned him over to Professor Warwick, who needed his assistance in the Potions dungeon.

The Slytherin's mother had sent an owl, informing Severus his father had a chill and that he should remain at Hogwarts for the Easter holidays.

Once the holiday began, Severus felt relief the Headmaster hadn't organized another group session for the stay behinds, nor did Professor Dumbledore put restrictions on his time in the library either.

Madam Pince found him waiting outside the door in the morning, and at night he was the last leave, and she had to chase him from the room. He was quiet and careful with her books; she didn't need to remind him not to turn down page corners or allow the heavier volumes to fall to the tables.

The librarian liked that he tore strips of parchment into even strips to mark pages, rather than folding the corner of a page over. Often forgetting he was there when she was ready to close the doors she'd look over and find the boy still engrossed in a book.

"I need to close the library now, Mr. Snape," Madam Pince stated and yawned widely.

"I'll put these away and leave, ma'am." Severus began to close the books and stack them.

"You may as well leave them since you'll be here soon as I open the doors," she said kindly.

Severus smiled shyly at her; pleased that she didn't yell at him for leaving a mess. Madam Pince was notorious about students leaving her domain tidy.

"Yes, Madam Pince."

It was quiet in the common room as he entered it. The house-elves had lighted the fire and left a bowl of stew on a table. Severus took up the bowl and walked to the fireplace to tip the contents into the flames.

"The stew would be much better in your stomach than in the fire."

Severus jumped and pulled his wand out from his pocket and aimed it at the voice.

"I haven't observed you at either lunch or supper in two days." Albus walked slowly toward the edgy boy. The Headmaster saw the boy's wand hand lower to his side.

"I get lost in my reading sometimes, sir," Severus said and slid his wand into the pocket of his robe.

"You show remarkable patience child," the old wizard said.

"Sorry?" Severus was often confused by the Headmaster's strange and intangible comments.

"What have you been reading so intently and thoroughly?" the Headmaster asked, as he tucked his hands inside the voluminous sleeves and sat on the sofa.

Severus stopped and collected his thoughts. Does he know what I have been reading or is he just curious? If he knows, is he trying to tell me not to?

Albus' blue eyes continued to calmly gaze into Severus' in a gentle sort of way.

"I-I am reading about Magical Beasts," Severus hesitantly stated.

"It's a most interesting and extensive subject. Professor Kettleburn and Hagrid like to keep us amused with their exploits in handling some of the beasts. You had a Crup when you were younger, didn't you?"

"Who told you that?" Severus asked perplexed. An elderly aunt, who was watching him for an afternoon, surprised him with a puppy when he was around four years old. When his mother returned home, she was furious. He never saw his aunt again, either.

"In my position, one learns many things," Albus replied with a hint of mystery in his tone.

"My mother didn't let me keep him, Headmaster," Severus said quietly and looked down at the bowl.

"Are you going to eat that stew, Severus? I see the house-elves have also left you some warm bread and an apple tart with cream."

"I'm not hungry, sir." Severus put the bowl down.

"You must eat."

Severus exhaled heavily.

"I shall expect you at all meals from now on. Try not to remain up all night reading," Albus said and rose from the sofa, then left the common room.

***

Three weeks later, on the 22^nd of May, the Deputy Headmistress stood and clapped her hands for attention during breakfast. She made several announcements before requesting Severus Snape to report to the infirmary before his first lesson.

James, Sirius, and Peter looked at one another. Remus was in the infirmary recovering from the previous night's full moon. James had worked out the meaning of their friend's frequent absences two weeks ago and explained them to his friends; none of them liked the idea of Snivellus being in the infirmary while their friend was there, alone and vulnerable.

"I'm in too much trouble as it is. Poppy will throw me out for certain," Sirius said. "What about Peter? She won't suspect him, 'cause he doesn't get in trouble without us?"

James looked at the plump boy, who took the comment as a compliment. James nodded in agreement.

"I'll see what old Snivellus is up to," Peter said grandly. He began to stand, but James pulled him back down.

"Just make certain Remus is all right. Call Madam Pomfrey if Snivellus goes near him," the bespectacled boy said.

Peter grudgingly agreed to follow James' recommendation, and left the Great Hall. He climbed the stairs toward the infirmary and walked quickly down the corridor. Pushing open the doors with a bang, he strode in, trying to look like he knew exactly where he was going.

"Severus, is that you?" Madam Pomfrey's voice called out from her office.

"No, it's me, Peter Pettigrew. I've come to visit Remus."

Poppy came out of her office in a rush, her face tense. "Young man, you are supposed to be at breakfast and then you have a class, if I am not mistaken."

"I-I just wanted to make certain he's all right. Can't I see him for a few minutes? I brought him a...." he said, holding up his empty serviette. He had it bunched up as though he'd taken something from the breakfast tray.

The medi-witch waved him out of the infirmary door. "Out! Remus needs his rest."

"Y-yes ma'am." Peter scooted out the door and down the corridor, afraid he'd run into Snivellus coming up to the place.

Remus had woken when he heard one of his roommate's voices. He groaned slightly, not ready to have Peter visit him just yet. He lay back gratefully when he heard the witch order Peter from the room.

Then he heard the doors open and the sound of Severus Snape's somewhat erratic walk, crossing the room. The sound of Madam Pomfrey's shoes could be heard crossing the distance from her office to where Remus assumed the Slytherin had stopped.

"Good morning, Severus," she said kindly.

"Good morning, Madam Pomfrey," Snape said somewhat nervously.

"Why don't you come into my office and have a seat? The Headmaster and Professor Illingsworth would like to have a word with you."

"I-I have to go to my lesson," Snape said, sounding a bit odd.

"No need to concern yourself about that, dear. Oh, here is the Headmaster now!" the medi-witch said in relief.

"Good day, Poppy, Severus. Is Professor Illingsworth here yet?" the Headmaster enquired.

Professor Illingsworth dashed into the infirmary. "You told him yet?" he asked.

There was silence for a few moments; the dark haired boy broke it. "Told me what, sir?"

"That your father is dying," the Head of Slytherin said without preamble.

"Frederick!" Madam Pomfrey said reprovingly.

"What?" Severus asked, in a very quiet, shocked voice.

Remus held his breath and carefully rose from the hospital bed. He peeked through a crack in the curtains, into the larger room. Poppy looked livid with the Head of Slytherin and drew the boy into a hugging embrace. The Headmaster guided Poppy and Severus to one of the beds; where the medi-witch pulled him down with her to sit. Snape face's looked positively ashen.

"Severus, your mother Floo'd very early this morning that your father is gravely ill. I informed her that, I would make arrangements to have you taken home; Poppy will escort you," Professor Dumbledore said gently.

"Illingsworth, did you bring Severus' cloak?" Albus asked the Head of Slytherin with such a lack of patience that the Gryffindor gasped. Remus had never heard of the Headmaster reproach a professor. Professor Illingsworth thrust the cloak to Severus, but Professor Dumbledore seized it and draped it gently across the shaking boy's shoulders.

Poppy brushed back Severus' stringy black hair from his face; he looked whiter than Remus had thought was humanly possible. The witch waved her wand at one of the tables across the room, bringing it toward her side. She took up a flannel, dampening it in a basin before running it over Severus' face in a swirling sweep. Poppy poured a glass of water and tipped a small vial into it.

"Drink this, dear." She fussed about him. "That's a good boy. Lie back and close your eyes for a half hour, before we need to leave." She glared at Professor Illingsworth.

Dumbledore leaned down and said something to Severus. The boy nodded his head slightly on the pillow. Remus heard, "Solumbra!", and then saw Snape's eyes close.

"He took that quite well, as I would expect of a Slytherin," Illingsworth said, not looking at Madam Pomfrey.

"You are an insensitive man, Professor. I wonder why Headmaster Dippett ever assigned you to Head a House. Honestly..." Poppy said in a rush of emotion, only to have the Headmaster interrupt her rampage.

"We should talk in a more private area. Severus could waken and hear us arguing. It would not be reassuring him at this very emotional time. Frederick, did you know anything about Severus' father being ill?" Albus asked directing them toward Poppy's office.

"Not a hint anything was wrong. Of course, that boy is as secretive as they come," Illingsworth grumbled.

"Professor, there is no need to read the boy's many faults, aloud. I am only concerned about what we can do to aid him," Albus said firmly, shutting the door.

Remus crept back to his bed and lay down.