Harry stood motionless for a moment as he contemplated the door, his fists clenched and his breath short. How dare he! Snape had gone, leaving him in the lurch like an old cauldron, without any intention of helping him. And all because he didn't have enough strength? But Harry had it! If only he knew how to Apparate…

Snape had been right about one thing, though: he had to go find Dumbledore. Wasting no time, he threw a handful of Floo powder into the grate and shouted out his destination.

His frantic eyes quickly found the Headmaster, who frowned when he saw him.

"Harry, everything all right? Where is Professor Snape?"

"Went to rest, I suppose," he replied. "Listen, I absolutely have to go back to Little Whinging cemetery right away! Bellatrix attacked us and she might still be there!"

The furrows in the Headmaster's forehead deepened even more. "Sit down, my boy, and explain everything."

"No, you don't understand, we have to do it right away," the boy urged him. But unsuccessfully.

"Harry, if Bellatrix attacked you and failed, she wouldn't stay and wait for reinforcements. I'll send someone to check, though."

He took his turn to thrust his head into the green flames of the Floo, then reappeared a few moments later.

"Tonks and Mad-Eye are on their way to inspect the cemetery. Now, if you'll explain?" he asked as he pointed to the chair in front of his desk.

Harry reluctantly sat down. "Professor Snape agreed to take me to see my parents' graves, and Sirius' and the Dursleys'," he began.

"Indeed, that's what he told me," Dumbledore said. "I assume all went well at Godric's Hollow?"

Harry shrugged. "I suppose. I got to talk to them. It's probably stupid, but I wanted to tell them about Severus. You know, the adoption."

Dumbledore nodded. "I imagine the idea appeals to you?" he asked, but Harry only frowned.

"Yeah, sure. But I thought…I don't know. I thought he really wanted to do it as well. But apparently, that's not the case."

"And what would make you think that?"

"I asked him to take me to the cemetery, now, so I could fight Bellatrix. I told him how important it was to me, and he refused, making the excuse that he was too tired! But he only Apparated us from one place to another; that couldn't have exhausted him so much," Harry protested.

"Apparating with a passenger is exhausting, Harry, especially over long distances. Do you realize that Severus transported you from one end of England to the other? And how many times did you Apparate?"

"From the Manor to Godric's Hollow, then from Godric's Hollow to Little Whinging, and from there back to the Manor again."

"From the south to the north, and back again, then. Harry, must I remind you of his current condition?" Dumbledore asked gently.

Harry lowered his head, ashamed. "No. It's just that…Bellatrix…I could've had her if I'd had the time; she couldn't have done anything to me!"

Across from him, the Headmaster thoughtfully stroked his beard. "Explain to me."

"Well, we got to the cemetery, and Severus pointed out where the Dursleys' graves were. I took off, just ahead of him. I think there was something…a spell that alerted Bellatrix. Severus shouted for me to turn around right before she showed up, and she Apparated just a few feet from me. She literally threw herself and tried to grab me—I think she wanted to kidnap me, but something happened—that green light—and she jumped back like she'd been shocked! The light stayed, and I knew she couldn't do anything to me; I was going to draw my wand, but Severus didn't give me a chance, and Apparated us to the Manor. Afterward, he refused to take me back. He told me to come tell you," the boy finished.

"Impressive, very impressive," Dumbledore murmured. "Professor Snape was right, Harry: trying anything else would've been unwise."

"But capturing Bellatrix…"

"Would've required a fight, however short, which would've been beyond Severus' abilities just then. It had to be done, my boy, and I doubt Severus was any more pleased by the situation than you," the Headmaster said sternly.

"I think I really put my foot in it," Harry said as he ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know what came over me. I wanted so much to see Bellatrix caught…we'd just left Sirius' grave, and…" His voice was suddenly hoarse, and he stopped.

"And emotion took the upper hand," Dumbledore concluded. "I'm sure Severus will understand. After all, who's never had to deal with their child's impulsiveness?"

Harry sighed, distraught. "All things considered, I don't think it was a very good day," he said. "I should've sensed the trap; I should've reacted faster." Snape might not have much power right now, but he did.

"Severus has a particular sensitivity to magic, a very useful talent. And he's had much more experience than you in that sort of situation, Harry; you've nothing to be sorry for," Dumbledore said soothingly. "Now, how about going back to the Manor and fixing things up with the professor? I think he'd be especially happy about that."

"I'd best apologize, yeah," Harry sighed. "I really reacted like a spoilt brat; I don't know what came over me…but when do you think you'll hear from Tonks and Mad-Eye?"

The Headmaster smiled. "I'll let you know if anything interesting comes of their investigation."

"Thanks," Harry said gratefully. With a bit of luck, they'd actually pick up her trail, and Bellatrix would pay! "I'm going. I'll try to convince Severus to eat at the Manor this evening, if that's all right with you. I'd like to ask him some questions…in private."

"Whatever seems best to you, my boy," Dumbledore said good-naturedly. "And take good care of our Potions master."

The boy nodded and, with a smile, left the same way he'd come.

The laboratory, quite obviously, was deserted, but Harry didn't delay. Taking his cat from, he headed up to the next storey, ready to run for the office, but was stopped by a vague premonition as he passed the door to the professor's room. Snape was there, he was sure of it. Jumping up nimbly to maneuver the doorknob, he silently made his way into the darkened room.

True to character, Severus was stretched out on his bed, wand in hand, two empty phials lying on the bedside table. Mildly worried, the cat jumped on the bed, then tapped the pale face with his paw. He didn't like this…not at all. Snape seemed so old, his color so waxen. And what if he'd made a mistake with his potions? What if for once, the infallible Potions master had made a dosage error? Increasingly worried, the cat continued to knead the wizard's chest and face with his paws, earnestly trying to rouse him. Meowing quietly, he was ready to bite his hand when Snape struggled to open his eyes. His glassy stare did nothing to reassure the cat.

"Shadow…stupid cat…leave me alone…need to sleep."

The animal let out a piecing meow, making the Potions master startle.

"I’m here…sleep…an hour…please."

Sufficiently reassured, Shadow settled on the professor's chest and curled into a ball, letting himself be rocked by the man's breathing. If only he could've transferred his powers to Snape. Slowly, the rhythm got the better of his worry, and he fell drifted off too, falling into a chaotic slumber.

It was dark…the shadows danced and everything around him was hazy, except for the figures encircling him. And yet it seemed that he knew this vaguely familiar place. He shuddered as he realized where he was: the cemetery at Godric's Hollow! It was nighttime again, and the Death Eaters surrounded him on all sides. Strangely, he could see their faces through their white masks, and he recognized Malfoy stepping toward him triumphantly, a dagger in his hand.

"You cannot escape us. Never."

A hysterical laugh answered him, and Bellatrix's twisted face appeared over his shoulder.

"Little Potter, lost without his collar! Where were you thinking of going?"

There was a flash of sliver, and the knife came close to his face without him being able to defend himself. Severus, where was Severus? A sharp burning on his face, then another at his throat. He tried to cry out, but no sound came from his mouth…maybe because he was a cat?

Severus!

Was that him coming now, leaving the circle? But no. He knew that figure, that walk…

"Just what he deserves," Uncle Vernon spat scornfully. "Let him rot in the back of a cupboard. In the back of a cupboard, I tell you! But not mine! Never again set foot in my house, you dirty little good-for-nothing! Freak that you are, you've no business with normal people! You should've died along with your parents! Stay away from my house!"

"And away from my family!" the small, bitter, unpleasant voice of Petunia added. "Don't ever come back again, never! And go bleed somewhere else besides on my rug!"

Harry looked down, and realized he was now standing in the middle of the sitting room at number four, Privet Drive, his blood slowly dripping onto her precious carpet.

"Clean it up now!" Petunia shrieked.

"No, I want him to leave!" Vernon roared. "He no longer has a right to be here! I've forbidden him! He's infected Dudley!"

"My poor Dudley," Petunia added furiously, "locked up in the attic because of you! You ruin everything you touch! Why didn't they come to take you earlier?"

But it appeared it wasn't too late, because once again they were there, Lucius with a knife in his hand, and Bellatrix with a mocking smile on her face.

Before they could get to him, though, a green bubble surrounded him, preventing anyone from getting near him. Or just about, for the tall threatening figure of the Potions master stood in front of him now, wand in his hand, seeming furious and determined.

"You will not touch my cat!"

The first curse that sprang from his wand literally sliced through Bellatrix, who collapsed with a scream, while Lucius suffered the same fate, his refined face disfigured by the cuts which seemed to have been made with a razor. Then, seething with rage, Severus turned to the Dursleys, and again the green light streaked out, but different this time. Vernon and Petunia fell without a sound, and even though Harry hadn't heard the incantation, he knew that Snape had just used an Unforgivable.

Unable to get up, Bellatrix and Lucius writhed in agony on the floor, and the only thing Harry could manage to think was that the rug was well and truly ruined for good. Severus turned to him, his black eyes filled with worry, and Harry tried to smile.

He'd come. He'd saved him. But he still hurt so badly, so badly…and it was cold, so cold.

"Harry. Harry!"

Shadow tried to open his eyes. Why was that so difficult? A nightmare, it was just a nightmare.

"Harry!"

The cat opened his eyes. Snape. Snape's room. His bed. Severus had awakened and seemed worried…but why did Shadow himself feel so weak?

"Harry, are you all right?" Snape asked. The question seemed sincere, and Harry saw no other way to answer than to change forms. Gathering all of his courage, he focused, before letting out a cry of pain.

"Merlin!"

This time Snape was clearly panicked, Harry realized. He didn't know just why, but he had an idea that it must have something to do with the lacerating pain in his face and his back…his entire body, in fact. He would've liked to reassure Severus, but an inarticulate gurgling was all he managed before collapsing on the bed, incapable of lifting his head.

"Don't move! Don't try to speak," Snape ordered as he cast several spells, before lifting him carefully in his arms. In a stride that was both fluid and quick, he took the stairs down to the laboratory, holding Harry as tightly against himself as he could. Before he reached the door, though, the boy had lost consciousness, his head resting limply on his chest.

Frantic, Severus placed the body that was much too light on a bed that he'd quickly transfigured. He had to stabilize the boy immediately before calling Poppy; he was losing too much blood, his wounds were too deep. Merlin, how could they have reopened?

Oh, he recognized each and every one of them, and the horror of the situation made him go cold, almost as cold as Harry was. The hideous cut on his cheek, the one foaming at his neck, and all the other ones the Death Eaters had inflicted on him one by one… Not counting the lacerations inflicted by that imbecilic Muggle's belt, ones he'd already healed twice.

Snape considered himself an expert in dark magic, but for all the potions in the world, he was unable to say what curse could've produced such an effect. And who could've cast it? Not Bellatrix, he was sure of that. Certainly not himself either, bloody hell, so who, then? Harry himself? That certainly wasn't impossible; the boy didn't have enough control over his powers yet, and strong emotion tended to overwhelm him.

Swearing, he did his best to heal the boy before throwing a handful of Floo powder into the grate.

"Hogwarts infirmary!"

As he'd expected, Madam Pomfrey was at her usual post, taking care of a teary-eyed Hufflepuff.

"Severus Snape, now's not the time, could you have the decency to—"

"No now!" the professor cut her off. "I need you immediately!"

"Well, well, so much for manners," Poppy Pomfrey said, crossing her arms on her ample chest. "And of course I'm supposed to leave my patients straight away and run to the Slytherin dungeons to—"

"Enough!" Snape roared. "Potter is wounded, he's at the Manor. Hurry or I'll drag you here by force!"

Her indignant expression quickly giving way to one of outright concern, the witch was quick to obey, leaving the wide-eyed Hufflepuff behind.

It took her but a second to spot the boy stretched out on the bed, the blood of his wounds slowly congealing. "Merlin! What happened to him? If this was another of you ideas to thwart You Know Who…" she began threateningly.

"Not at all," Snape retorted. "He was fine when I went to sleep. I was well aware he'd jumped onto my bed in his Animagus form, but he was still perfectly fine then. It was only when he started to have a nightmare that I realized something was wrong, but I don't see how a dream could have this effect. And this isn't the first time…back at the very beginning, when he first transformed, a similar phenomena occurred."

Perplexed, he shook his head. "I stopped the bleeding, and administered a regenerative potion, but I don't know how to treat these sorts of wounds."

"I hardly know any better," the mediwitch murmured. "As long as we don't know what caused the wounds to reopen, it will be difficult to diagnose. But I've got this feeling of déjà vu… Didn't Mister Potter have these very same wounds last month when you arrived?" she asked suspiciously.

"Stop looking at me like that, you old biddy," Severus said curtly. "Whatever you might think, I had nothing to do with them. But I still can't understand how…and why? Set him to rights, Poppy, it's urgent."

"Urgent, urgent," Madam Pomfrey muttered as she continued her treatment. "If it's a miraculous healing you're after, you're sorely mistaken. This boy needs rest, regenerative potions, and constant care until the cause of the problem is found. Harry, my boy, can you hear me?" she asked in a gentler voice.

Harry's eyelids fluttered, but he didn't answer. Without a word, Snape crept closer and placed a hand on the boy's forehead…much too cold, he noted.

"Harry, wake up," he said calmly.

"Uhhh…" the boy let out as he slightly moved his head.

"Everything's fine, you're home. Don't make any sudden movements, just open your eyes if you can."

With a groan, Harry obeyed, blinking several times. "Where…"

"You're at the Manor. Madam Pomfrey's with me," Snape replied. "You were injured, but we don't know how. How do you feel?"

"Uh…I've been better," Harry croaked out.

"Drink this," Poppy ordered as she handed him a potion. "Severus, hold him up in a sitting position. Perfect. Mister Potter, do you remember what happened to you?"

The boy squinted, trying to gather his thoughts. What had happened to him? He really would've liked to know. There'd been the cemetery, Bellatrix, then that argument with Snape…

"I'm sorry," he sighed. "I shouldn't have said that earlier…"

Taken by surprise, it took a moment for the professor to answer. "That's not the issue, Harry. Do you have any idea of how you could've sustained these wounds?"

Harry lifted a hand to his face, trying to feel for the damage. He grimaced when he felt the blood with his fingers, before Severus gently pushed his hand away.

"I vaguely remember how I got them…the first time," he murmured. "Did I do something stupid? Did I go looking for Bellatrix? I don't remember."

Snape let out a sigh of frustration. 'No, nothing of the sort. I would've known." He looked questioningly at Poppy, whose spells were continuing to flow.

"Traces of magic, including some dark magic, but that doesn't tell us anything," she said with a shrug. "I can't find anything that could've caused this. It wasn't a curse. Perhaps something hidden that doesn't show in my diagnostics…there's nothing more I can tell you, Severus. I'd prefer to focus on treatment. A healer from St. Mungo's could perhaps tell you more."

"That's true. Is there something I can do?" Snape asked, his hand still resting on the boy's forehead.

"Keep holdng him up like that. Mister Potter, the next spell will pinch a bit. There, it's done. Nothing remarkable for someone who visits the infirmary so regularly. There won't be any scars if you apply this salve…but if these wounds persist in reopening, I can't make any guarantees," the mediwitch said soberly. "Are you sure no one could've entered your home in your absence, Severus? Left traps specifically for Mister Potter?"

"Completely impossible," the Potions master replied. "No one can harm Harry inside these walls. The answer lies elsewhere, but where?"

"I…" Harry began, but then stopped.

"Yes?" Severus encouraged him.

"No, nothing. Nothing to do with that, I mean. I'd just like…" He fidgeted uncomfortably. "Could we go back to the Dursleys'? Today?"

"Mister Potter, you need rest," Poppy said sternly.

"What do you want to do there?" Snape asked without paying her any mind.

"I don't know. Just an idea. But it seems really important to me…"

"Harry, you're in shock and that's understandable. Best that you sleep for now; we'll see to that tomorrow," Severus said.

"No, really, I'm not pulling this out of thin air. It's the dream, well, the nightmare…I think it was more than that. It was just so real."

Snape frowned as he studied him for a moment.

"And you were there," Harry went on. 'You came to Privet Drive, inside the house; the Dursleys and Lucius and Bellatrix were there…and you…" he stopped, ill at ease.

"And I swiftly slaughtered the entire charming group of them," Severus murmured.

Harry jerked up his head to try and see the wizard holding him, and as he did so, the wound in his throat reopened.

"Mister Potter, please stay still!" Poppy Pomfrey shrieked.

"Sorry," he quickly offered. "You had the same dream? You really were there?" he went on, turning toward Snape.

"It would seem so," the professor grimaced. "Very well. I'd like you to rest for a few hours, enough time for the potions to work and your wounds to close correctly. After which, we'll go back. I'll alert Albus."

Harry nodded, before leaning back against the man in relief.

"I thought you more rational, Severus," Madam Pomfrey said curtly. "Mister Potter is in no shape to travel at this time."

"He will be," Snape said confidently. "We must quickly find out what could've caused these wounds, and this lead seems as good as any other. You're in agreement with me that we must at all costs stop this sort of episode from occurring again."

"Tomorrow," the mediwitch tried, "tomorrow will be soon enough, after a good night's sleep."

"And it would appear that sleeping is precisely the problem, the reason why I wish to resolve this matter as quickly as possible," Snape retorted.

"You're completely unreasonable," Madam Pomfrey grumbled as she leant towards Harry. "Alert me if you need help. In the meantime: rest, potions and wound-healing salve. I believe you know the dosages?"

Severus nodded, opening a jar of salve and beginning to apply it to the boy's cheeks.

"In that case, I'm going back to Hogwarts and will alert Professor Dumbledore of the events. He'll probably want to speak to you," she said.

"Probably. Tell him to come here; I don't want to take Harry outside these walls for now."

"Do you think he's still in danger?" Madam Pomfrey asked suspiciously.

"Just alert Albus," Snape said shortly.

"Do your duty, and this is the thanks you get," the witch muttered as she headed for the Floo. "I'll stop by again in the evening to see my patient. And get a move on refurbishing my potions stock. Between your little protégé and recent Quidditch practices, my cupboards are dangerously empty. As for you, Mister Potter, I trust you not to let the King of Slytherin manipulate you. Let's be clear that your health is the most important thing."

And with one last threatening look, she disappeared.

"I thought she was only like that with students," Harry murmured.

"I've already seen her treat Minerva in this manner, and that's something even Albus wouldn't permit himself to do," Snape replied. "Very well, the salve. Lie on your stomach and don't move."

As carefully as he could, he stood and turned to lay the boy down onto the bed again.

"Ummmf," Harry said, still noticeably sleepy. "Don't I have my shirt on anymore?"

"You were bleeding," Severus simply said. "Stay still for now. Close your eyes and try to remember what could've caused this."

"The Dursleys," the boy grumbled.

"Despite the antipathy those degenerates inspire in me, I doubt they can be accused of this misdeed. For one thing, they're lying in the cemetery, may the devil take their souls, and also because they never possessed the slightest bit of magic."

"Doesn't matter," Harry muttered, "I know it was them. Privet Drive. Something."

"Hmm," Snape said thoughtfully as he continued to apply salve to the wounds, the simple sight of which was enough to rekindle his anger. He'd not punished Vernon Dursley enough. Death itself hadn't been enough of a punishment. "We'll go back tonight. Whatever happened there was perhaps not as ordinary as I'd thought after all. These bad memories, these flashbacks… Harry, did you expect them?"

"I suppose so. But it seemed really…real. The bedroom…it was like before."

"I'll inspect it again. Perhaps I missed something," Severus suggested.

"Without me," Harry murmured. "Don't ask me to set foot in there again; I've seen enough of it. There's something else in the house I want to see…the attic. I've never gone up there. It's weird, isn't it? I mean, they made me clean and polish that bloody house from top to bottom, but I was never allowed up there. Dudley neither. Still, I know it was there…I want to see it."

"Rest for now," Snape said, setting the jar of salve aside. "But if you can manage it, don't fall asleep. Would you like a book or a magazine?"

"I don't know," Harry yawned. "If you're reading too, I'd really like if you'd read out loud."

"With pleasure. Would a treatise on the history of potions in New South Wales suit you?"

"Um…why not?" the boy said agreeably. Severus laughed softly.

"But since we're trying to keep you awake, and not put you to sleep, I suppose I should ask the Headmaster for the latest issue of a Quidditch magazine. Give me a few minutes, and be good."

Throwing a handful of Floo powder, he dove through the flames, leaving Harry smiling stupidly on his bed.

"You know what?" he said a moment later when the professor had returned. "If someone had told me a few months ago that I'd find myself in a bed…in the middle of your laboratory in your house…and that you were about to read me Quidditch articles, all of it without a death threat? I think I would've asked Madam Pomfrey if I had a case of acute mental illness."

"Oh, personally, I doubt I would waste the time," Snape replied. "The guilty party would found themselves at the bottom of a Hogwarts oubliette before they'd had time to finish that sentence."

The notion made Harry laugh in spite of himself, and then he grimaced. No, his cheeks were in no shape for laughing…and his throat neither.

"Speaking of oubliettes…what's happened with Malfoy? Draco, I mean?"

"According to the Headmaster, it seems he's not very happy with his new accommodations. By the way, it didn't take Lucius long to hear the news; he's already filed a complaint…but that doesn't concern us right now," Snape said.

"No? Why not?" the boy asked.

"More serious news, in fact," Severus began. "It would appear the Chudley Canons have lost both their last match—which in itself is hardly surprising—but also their trousers. In mid flight, I might add. An inquiry is underway to find who's at the bottom of this sabotage, but heavy suspicion lies on the Holyhead Harpies. A romantic breakup between the Canons' captain and the Harpies' Keeper. News of highest importance, it seems."

"Oh Merlin," Harry said, unable to hold back a new round of laughter, "I'm sorry!"

"Sorry? For the Harpies' Keeper or for the Canons' trousers?" Snape asked with humor.

"Actually, for you," Harry replied. "That's not exactly the sort of news that'll improve your day."

"Your vocabulary, on the other hand, seems to have improved considerably since you met me," Snape pointed out. "I suppose that's well worth a few instructive readings about my future son's preferred sport."

"Oh. That's not a stretch…about the vocabulary, I mean. And, um, you don't have to, you know, the Quidditch. I know it's not your cup of tea."

"I don't have to," Severus agreed gently. "But certain topics that are radically removed from my interests have recently found their way onto my shelves, and I must say I'm not entirely unhappy with that. For example, did you know that a cat's skeleton is made up of two hundred and fifty bones, and its jaw contains thirty teeth? Just two less than an adult human. And four more than needed for a growth potion."

"Promise not to count them on me," Harry said, "or try to brush my teeth."

"Hmmm, that makes me think of…"

"No, not flea repellent, not again!"

"That remains to be seen. So, concerning the Canons…" Snape began again.

"Really, Professor, you don't have to; it's not that important," Harry laughed.

"Ah, but that's not Mister Weasley's opinion," Severus retorted. "It would seem that this news is of paramount importance, since he insisted that his own copy of the magazine be provided to you as quickly as possible."

"Ron? This is his magazine?" Harry asked, all of a sudden wide awake.

"Annotated, nothing less."

"Did you see him? They're all right? Ron and Hermione, I mean, and all the others?"

"Everyone is fine, Harry," Snape said soothingly. "I didn't meet up with them, but he left this magazine for you. A very…personalized gift. I only hope he never gets the idea to communicate with you this way, using your class books."

"While we're on this," the boy said cautiously, "promise you'll never inspect my class books too, all right? Especially Potions. I'm not sure you'd still want to adopt me if you did."

It was Severus' turn to laugh, that almost silent laugh that was so familiar to Harry. It was incredible, he realized, how the man could be so different in private than in public.

"Nothing to fear on that account, stupid child," he replied. "I can completely imagine what that book looks like, or rather what's left of it. You wouldn't be the first…one day, perhaps." He shook his head.

"Still," Harry insisted, "I think we were pretty creative in certain parts…and it's not really about Potions notes. Say, would it bother you if I read this magazine? I mean, I love that you'd read to me, really, but with all of Ron's comments…"

"I think I'll survive this ultimate sacrifice," Snape said as he handed him the magazine. Then, after a moment's thought, he added, "Have you ever read The Tales of Beedle the Bard?"

"No," the boy answered, interested. "Wizarding tales?"

"Precisely. Ones that all children in our world hear when they're small. Remind me to find a copy when we have time."

"I'd really like that," Harry said gratefully. "Thanks, Professor."

"Professor?" Snape asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Severus," the boy corrected himself. "Sorry. Old habit." Harry was suddenly aware that he'd blushed. He had to admit that hearing Mafoy call Severus by his first name had put his jaw out of joint a bit. Had the professor noticed it?

"My goodness, it seems you've been using my first name for quite a while now," Snape said casually. "Again, do as you like, Harry. You're certainly not obligated."

"No, I'd like to," the boy rushed to add. "It'd be a bit weird calling my father 'Professor.' Well, you know what I mean."

"I addressed my own father formally," Severus said neutrally, "and I must say the prospect of you doing so hardly pleases me."

"What did you call him?" Harry asked, almost instantly wishing he could take the question back.

"Father," Snape replied. "Although, honestly, I spent more time avoiding him than calling him anything."

"I don't remember my nickname…for James. I wonder if I had a name for him."

"You had one," Severus said gently. "You called him 'Dada." A shadow of regret in his eyes, he ran a hand through the boy's hair, his thumb brushing over the scar on his forehead.

"Thanks," Harry said. "I don't know if that's true or you're making that up just to please me, but thanks."

Snape smiled slightly. "A bit of Slytherin thinking."

"It's a family trait," Harry replied, returning the smile.

"Read your magazine, stupid child," Severus said, with what seemed like a hint of pride.

Feeling strangely happy and safe despite his wounds, the boy buried himself in his magazine, letting the comforting warmth of the laboratory wash over him. He didn't know what the adoption Snape was proposing might mean in real terms, but of one thing he was certain: this very moment was the closest he'd known what a family was like.

A few hours later, happy and relaxed, he threw the magazine to the table, at the same time glancing at Snape still immersed in his potions journal.

"So, anything new with the alchemists? Has someone lost their trousers?" he asked.

Severus raised an eyebrow without looking up. "No, but it appears there's new research in the field of anti-parasitic potions. Interested?"

"No way," Harry grimaced, the motion setting off a sharp pain in his cheek. The professor didn't miss the wince he made, and quickly got up to come to him.

"It's time to reapply the treatment," he said as he held out a potion to the boy. "Another application of salve, and I think your wounds will have healed enough…this time."

"You…promised we'd go back to the Dursleys' this evening," Harry reminded him, unsure of the tone to take. He wanted to go, yes, but didn't want to spoil this great afternoon.

But to his relief, Severus nodded. "Let's take care of this first, have a good supper, then we'll go back to Privet Drive. Dumbledore's been forewarned, and the Order is watching the street. Unwise not to be cautious, though. I'll stay with you the entire time; I hope that's understood?" he asked sternly.

Harry quickly agreed. "I'd like that as well, to be honest. That first experience was enough. Do you want me to make supper?" he asked when Snape was done applying the salve to his back.

"You rest; I'll take care of it," the professor replied. "Finish up with this blasted ointment, and meet me in the dining room. And no claiming a lack of appetite; you'll eat everything I put on your plate or you're not going out."

"Grounded?" Harry laughed. "As long as there's dessert…"

Smiling slightly, Severus headed for the staircase. "I don't know if curiosity will kill the cat, but a sweet tooth, that has a chance of it."

Harry enthusiastically proved him right, devouring his plate of lasagna in less time than it would've taken Shadow to empty his bowl.

"No need to lick your plate," Snape said, watching him disapprovingly. "There's more in the casserole, and there actually is dessert."

"I wasn't planning on…oh, what sort of dessert?" the boy asked quickly.

"Rice pudding. Well, I see I was wrong to worry about your appetite. I'll leave you to finish your meal and do the clearing away. I'm going to alert Dumbledore that we're leaving. Meet me below when you're done. And for pity's sake, eat slower; you're going to make yourself sick! It's high time we address your table manners, young man."

"Hmm, I'm trying to get you an award, that's for sure," Harry said in between two mouthfuls.

"What award?" Snape asked suspiciously.

"Order of Merlin, of course."

"For what honor, if you please?" Severus asked as he folded his arms across his chest.

"I'm torn," Harry said with his mouth full. "For the best lasagna in England, for having saved a stray cat, or for reading the worst Quidditch article ever without laughing."

"Quite a liste," Snape murmured, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "Straight off, a fleabag award."

"Oh, that's mine," the boy confirmed as he lifted his arm to expose the bracelet and medal attached to it. In the space of an instant, their eyes met, and Harry was once again surprised by the gentleness he could read in the professor's eyes, in just seconds. A certain astonishment, too, as if Severus himself were having trouble believing all of this was really happening to him.

A moment later, Snape was off to the laboratory again, leaving Harry contented and full.

It was with a measure of apprehension, though, that the boy joined him in the laboratory, his cloak over his shoulders and ready for another outing. His wounds were nothing more than a slight smarting sensation now, but not knowing where they'd come from was rather agonizing. Despite Severus' reservations, Harry was convinced the Dursleys had something to do with it, and it wasn't just the dull resentment in his heart that told him that.

"Everything's quiet at Privet Drive. I'm going to Apparate us directly into the sitting room," Snape announced.

"Apparate?" Harry asked with a twinge of guilt. "You…will that be all right?"

Severus shot him a cold look. "Definitely. Come here."

"I have to learn how," Harry murmured. "Are there classes for that?"

"Yes, and that certainly wouldn't be a bad idea. We'll practice at Hogwarts during your private sessions. But for now…"

The unpleasant sensation of Apparition settled in Harry's stomach again, and when he opened his eyes, the familiar décor of the Dursleys' sitting room appeared. He staggered a step backward, checked by Severus, before finally regaining his balance.

But it wasn't just the Apparition, he realized; there was actually something here that made him very uneasy and punched him in the gut. An unhealthy presence that seemed to emanate from the walls…

"Bellatrix is here!" he cried out.

"No," Snape answered calmly, "we're alone here, you've nothing to worry about. The house is well-guarded."

"There's something," Harry insisted. "Don't you sense it?"

"The house certainly doesn't exude happiness, but…"

"No, it's something else. There's something. I'll get to the bottom of it. I'm going up to the attic—are you coming with me?"

Severus nodded and fell into step behind him, wand in hand. His heart pounding, Harry climbed the stairs, expecting to see a familiar figure spring out at him at any moment. Dudley, maybe, or Uncle Vernon…or Voldemort. He stopped for a moment, paralyzed, in front of the door to his room. And if the man was really there, behind it? He'd only have to push open the door…

The hand on his shoulder made him jump, but Snape's calm black eyes instantly soothed him. "I don't think it would be a good idea to go in there just now," he said.

"No, me neither," the boy murmured. "The attic. The trapdoor is right up there, but we need something to open it, I don't know what…"

"Alohomora," Severus simply said. The trapdoor opened immediately, revealing a sliding ladder.

"Um, I really have to learn how to think like a wizard," Harry said, irritated. "Accio ladder."

The ladder slid down, opening the way to them. Snape skeptically stroked his cheek with a finger. "Whatever's up there, I doubt it's a matter of well-hidden secrets. That was a bit too easy…but let me go first; I want to check that no traps have been set."

Harry nodded nervously. "I don't know why, but I feel more and more like I'm right. There's something…I can sense it."

Severus gave him a curious look before starting up the ladder, wand still out, and clearly ready for anything. In a few seconds, he was in the attic, out of Harry's sight.

"So?" Harry asked after a moment. "Anything?"

"Yes and no," the professor said. "No traps, you can come up."

The boy hurried to do so, more nervous with each rung of the ladder he climbed. Finally to the top, he quickly brushed off his knees, then stood to look around. The attic stretched the entire length of a storey, but didn't look anything like the rest of the house. The vast room was dusty, filled with boxes, old furniture, and sundry objects that seemed to have been placed haphazardly then forgotten. Weak light filtered in through small skylights made opaque by spiders webs, and Snape's Lumos was just enough to illuminate the space.

"Wow," Harry said after a moment. "It's like…a very old house, don't you think? Not really what I expected."

"No hidden vampire, no," Snape replied. "And yet…"

"Do you sense something too?"

"Yes. You were right. It's weak, old, and very well-concealed…but it's here."

Severus jerked his chin toward a corner of the room. As one, the two wizards headed in that direction, on the lookout. The knot in Harry's stomach pulled a bit tighter as he noticed the dark mass that seemed to have been relegated to the farthest corner of the attic. Nothing moved; he couldn't hear a sound except for their footsteps, and yet, it seemed to the boy that something was there…a rug, two red eyes watching them in the dark. He shook his head. No, of course not. And the mass…was nothing but a rug, he noted, when they were close enough. A rug covering what looked like an old trunk.

With a murmured incantation, Snape made the old carpet slide away. Harry could sense that Snape was tense too, as he made the chest creak open obediently from a distance. The boy stiffened, convinced that something was going to happen this time: a howl or a beast from the shadows…but once again, nothing happened, and both of them moved forward to look curiously into the trunk.

Again, they were disappointed to find nothing out of the ordinary. Bunches of letters, yellowed photographs, a scarf, a box. Harry stopped, unable to look away. The box was pulsating. He could've sworn the thing was beating out a muffled rhythm, a dangerous one that resonated in Harry's chest. One glance at Severus told him he wasn't the only one who'd noticed the object.

"Step away," Snape murmured. Raising his wand, he cast Wingardium Leviosa on the box, lifting it carefully from the chest, before lowering it to land with a dull thump on the dusty floor. The lid lifted up under the effect of the spell, and a yellowed letter could be seen next to a green velvet packet.

"That's it," Harry breathed out. "There…I don't know what it is, but that's it."

"Stay put, don't go any closer," Severus said. "It's oozing magic. Accio letter."

The parchment flew delicately into the professor's hand; he opened it, revealing a fine and eccentric handwriting. All of a sudden, it seemed as if his heart skipped a beat. This writing, he knew it well, oh so well. His eyes darted quickly to the signature, confirming his suspicions. Your Lily. LilyOh Merlin…after all this time.

Taking a deep breath, he began to read from the beginning.

Dear Petunia,

Today was a big day—I'm finally here at Hogwarts, and do you know what? Everything is even more magical than I imagined it would be! First we had to cross a lake by boat to get to the castle. Sev was with me and even though he's more used to magic than I am, I still think he was impressed!

Everything didn’t go nearly as well when we arrived in the huge room that serves as the student dining room. We were separated into our houses, like all the new students. Sev went to Slytherin, and me to Gryffindor. I was so much hoping to be with him. But he told me that wouldn't keep us from still seeing each other often, and we're going to have many classes together.

Oh, Tuney, you should see how beautiful and huge it all is here. There are ghosts too, but they're not dangerous at all. Everything is still a bit strange, but I'm sure I'll settle in soon.

I'm still finding it hard that I won't see you before Yule, Tuney. I'm really sad about that argument at the station—I'm really sorry. I would've so loved for you to be here at Hogwarts too. I know it's not possible just now, but don't lose hope. I asked Sev if it were possible that your powers might show up later than mine. He didn't seem to think so, but after all, it's magic, right?

So listen carefully, and keep this secret, please. Along with this letter, Red Wing is bringing you a packet. It contains a gem, in a pendant. Mum gave it to me, the day I came home after meeting Sev in the park—you remember? I told her everything that'd happened, and she went straight off to get this necklace from the back of her wardrobe. She explained that it was a very old jewel, something that'd been in her family for generations. But it's not an ordinary necklace, Tuney. You'll never believe me, but it was handed down by one of our ancestors, long, long ago, and this ancestor was…a wizard!

Mum explained that this man had wed a Muggle, a woman without magic, and that their children had all been born without powers, even their grandchildren. So he created this jewel that was to be handed down to future generations, so they'd be able to detect at birth if a newborn was magical or not.

Over time, the tradition was lost, but the legend remained, and Mum remembered it when I told her my story. She put the necklace in my hands, and guess what happened? It started to glow! A very bright green light, and warm, and all of a sudden I felt incredibly happy and peaceful.

Mum gave me the necklace and told me it belonged to me, but I don't really need it anymore, now that I know. So you keep it, and check from time to time to see if it's started to glow. If it does, then…you'll be seeing me soon!

Please write right away. You can give the letter to Red Wing, my owl; it knows where to find me. If you could give him something to eat for the trip, that'd really be great.

See you soon!

Your sister who loves you,

Your Lily.

Severus felt his hands tremble as he lowered the letter. Lily…Merlin, it'd been so long. But an impatient voice was quick to pull him from his thoughts.

"So?"

Lifting his head, he met the boy's eyes, so like Lily's that it was almost shocking.

"A matter of a family jewel," he managed to say as presented the letter to him. "An object whose power was probably greatly underestimated down through the centuries."

He reached out to take hold of the little packet, tensing when he felt a streak of cold spread into his joints. Magic, yes, he could feel it…a very powerful magic, and very dark as well. So what had this so-called ancestor been thinking in creating such an artifact? The necklace slid into his hand with a tinkling of metal, and Severus felt time stop at the same time as his breathing.

The locket. The 'S' gracefully adorning the gold cover, the emeralds glittering dangerously in the light of their wands. He knew this design very well, having seen it in numerous texts on the history of magic, and had even dreamt of it when he'd been younger.

The lost locket of Slytherin…and to think that all this time, it'd been here in this trunk, in a Muggle house.

"Everything all right?" Harry asked worriedly at his side. "Do you feel that? That's him, right? He gives me goose bumps…."

Not surprising, Snape thought. Such a powerful and malevolent magic. But what was the jewel doing in Harry's family? Was it possible that…?

"Yes, I sense it," he said as neutrally as possible. "And I don't doubt that this…object has something to do with what happened to you this afternoon. It remains to be seen how, but I think we've done enough for our little visit."

"Wait," Harry protested, "there're a bunch of photos in the trunk, and if the letter's my mum's, maybe the rest of them are too."

"Probably," Snape admitted as he shrunk the trunk until it could be put into a pocket. "Take that with you; we'll look at it at Hogwarts."

"Hogwarts? Aren't we going back to the Manor?"

"No. I must see Albus as soon as possible. This locket is…it's a very powerful gem, Harry. And a well-known relic as well. It's far from being a simple family jewel as your mother thought."

"And you think it could've given me all these wounds by itself?" Harry asked, intimidated.

"I think it could've manipulated your mind, provoked visions and Merlin knows what else. Let's go. No need to tempt fate by staying any longer."

Snape took a step toward Harry, who automatically pressed close against him, ready to face Apparating. To his great surprise, though, it was in Hogwarts' garden where he opened his eyes, clinging to Snape as if his life depended on it.

"Wouldn't it have been simpler to Apparate to the laboratory and pass through the Floo?" he asked when he was sure he wasn't about to vomit if he opened his mouth.

"I don't trust the Manor's protective wards when it comes to this," Severus explained. "This thing has most likely already attacked you. I don't know how the wards would react to it."

"Oh," Harry said, shaken. He'd not really thought of that. How was a necklace able to attack him that way? And his mother's necklace. "Best get up to the castle by foot, then," he said philosophically.

"That won't be necessary. We're near Hagrid's hut. We'll use his Floo."

"Hagrid…still no news, right? No, I suppose not. Do you think the door will be unlocked?"

"It always is," Severus replied. "There's always some sort of beast guarding the door, but that shouldn't pose a problem."

"I don't like going in, but I guess there's not much choice," Harry murmured as he spotted the hut. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, Snape pushed him onward.

Nothing seemed to have changed in the little garden, and as Severus had predicted, the door opened without difficulty. What they saw on the inside, though, caught them totally off-guard, leaving them momentarily stunned speechless.

It took only a second, though, for Harry to regain his senses, and rush into the house with a cry. "Hagrid! You're back!"

The half-giant, clearly as stunned as his guests, seemed flabbergasted for a moment.

"Ah! It's you, Harry…Professor Snape…" he began as he ran a hand through his thick hair. "You, er…oh, Merlin."

Heaving out a huge sigh, he collapsed into a chair, under the professor's piecing eyes, and Harry's worried ones.

"Hagrid, are you all right? You managed to get away? Did they hurt you? Did you take any of them prisoner?" Harry asked, unable to believe his eyes.

"Er, yes…no. It's a long story, Harry. Why don't you sit down, um? And you too, Professor Snape. I don't know what Harry's done, but I'm sure he didn't do it on purpose, right?"

"I didn't do anything," the boy protested. "We just wanted to borrow your Floo to get back to the castle, but we thought…well, we didn't know you were here."

"Ah yes, Professor Snape Apparated you to his usual spot, then? That's good, that's good…" Hagrid said, patting his knees with his large hands. But his expression was so distant and anxious that Harry took a step backward, quickly joined by Severus.

"I regret having to bring this reunion to an end, but we must see the Headmaster at once," he said in a cold tone of voice that surprised Harry.

"The Headmaster?" Hagrid asked, all of a sudden agitated. "Ah. It's just that this isn't a good time. He's very busy…no, he isn't there. That's it—he's left. You can't see him right now, but if you wait a few minutes, I can make you a nice cuppa!"

"Thank you, but we're pressed for time," Snape said as he narrowed his eyes, a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"No, no, you don't understand," the half-giant said, moving to place his bulky frame in front of the Floo. "He needs a bit of time, just a bit of time!"

"He? Whom do you mean by 'he'? The Headmaster?" Harry asked, dumbfounded by his friend's behavior.

"No, Loki. I mean, my friend! I mean…oh, for Merlin's sake!"

"Loki?" Snape hissed, leaving his vantage point to jump toward the Floo. "Where is he?"

"It's not what you think, Professor!" Hagrid assured him with an apologetic gesture. "He just wants to rescue one of his friends who's locked up in an oubliette, a boy whose father wants to find him. He wouldn't hurt anyone, he promised me!"

"Move aside, you degenerate moron!" Snape exclaimed as he knocked Hagrid over with a rapid spell. "Harry, Shadow! Now!"

Still struggling with the shock of Hagrid's confession, the boy took a second to react. Then, shooting a betrayed look at Hogwarts' gamekeeper who hadn't made a move to defend himself, he transformed into the cat and leapt to Snape's shoulder.

"How did he get in?" Snape asked, wand pointed menacingly at Hagrid's throat.

"The underground passage," Hagrid stammered out, his head in his hands, "the one that goes from my hut to Hogwarts. Don't hurt him, he's a good boy, he just needs a bit of help…" With the nudge of his foot, he pushed back the edge of the rug, revealing a wooden trapdoor.

Swearing under his breath, Severus took aim as if it were a target and let loose a string of spells that Harry'd never heard before.

Satisfied, Snape turned and threw a handful of powder into the grate. "Dumbledore's office!" he shouted. "And you, you're coming with us," he ground out at Hagrid.

Without being told twice, the man clumsily stood up and resignedly plunged into the flames. Severus didn't waste an instant to follow, Shadow still on his shoulder.

The scene in the Headmaster's office gave Snape a sense of déjà vu.

"Hagrid? But how…" Dumbledore began, before noticing Snape. "Severus? How did you do this?"

"I did nothing at all," Snape lashed out. "Your gamekeeper was peacefully waiting in his hut. But for now, that's the least of our worries. Loki is in the castle, and he's come for Draco Malofy. Where does the underground passage from Hagrid's hut come out?"

For a second, the Headmaster stood staring at the big man, a rare look of astonishment painted on his face. He came back to himself quickly, though, turning to focus his eyes on the Potions master. "In the kitchens, the corridor door leading to the Hufflepuff common room. He mustn't have arrived yet; I find it hard to believe he could've come through unnoticed."

But he was interrupted by a faint 'pop' signifying the arrival of a house-elf, supplying them with the answer. "Professor Dumbledore, sir!" the elf squeaked. "A wolf just came into the kitchens! He went out through the corridor, sir! He was a wizard, so the elves didn't want to stop him, but Binji thought it best to warn you, Professor Dumbledore!"

"You've done perfectly right, Binji," the Headmaster reassured him. "Hagrid, do not leave this office for any reason. Severus, I'm going to need you…perhaps it'd be best for Harry to go back to the Manor."

"No," Snape quickly replied. "He's staying with me. And out of the question for you to transform, Potter!"

The cat dug its claws into the professor's robe, scratching his shoulder in the process. Was his answer clear enough? It must've been, for the two wizards raced for the staircases, their wands in their fists.

’Expecto Patronum!" Dumbledore was the first to cry out, before giving his message to the silver phoenix soaring around him, instructing it to deliver it to Minerva McGonagall and all the prefects and professors he'd encounter along the way. "Severus, could you notify Professor Flitwick?"

"Expecto Patronum!" Snape took his turn to shout out. The silver wisp escaped from his wand and…the two wizards stopped in their tracks, unable to look away from the form that'd just materialized in front of them.

Shadow, in particular, stared wide-eyed at the Patronus.

A cat. Snape's Patronus had become a cat…and a cat that looked astonishingly like him!

Severus' groan pulled Shadow from his trance.

"All right. All right…a message for Flitwick. Loki is heading for the oubliettes," he hissed in the direction of the Patronus, which quickly sped away for the Ravenclaw rooms.

"It would definitely appear this is a day of surprises," Dumbledore said mischievously in spite of the gravity of the situation.

"No comments, old man," Snape retorted. The two wizards took off again at a pace that surprised Harry. Honestly, the Headmaster might be old, but it certainly wasn't wise to underestimate him.

The phoenix must've quickly found its destinations, because the panic-stricken prefects didn't fail to appear, chasing after the students of their houses.

"In the Great Hall. Everyone in the Great Hall straight away! Sanders, ask your questions later. Dickinson, your makeup can wait, in the Great Hall, move faster!"

"Borkof, leave that bag where it is, head for the Great Hall, quick but orderly! It doesn't help to shove people, Miss June! I want to see everyone with wands in hand, and no stupid nonsense! Mister Carter, a bit of dignity, stop screaming, that's completely unnecessary!"

Shadow couldn't help but smile as he recognized Hermione's voice. If anyone was useful in this sort of situation, it was the girl and her steady self-control.

The news must've spread fast, because very quickly, there was no one in the corridors but a few frightened students and overexcited house-elves.

"This way! This way, Professors Dumbledore and Snape. The wolf went this way!"

His heart pounding, Shadow followed the path of the two wizards, holding on as hard as he could to Severus' shoulder. He admired how impressive they were, neither of them out of breath in spite of the long trek, and both of them perfectly calm, all their senses on alert, each movement calculated. He could sense Snape's magic swirling around them, searching for traces of Loki, protecting the cat on his shoulder.

"He's going to reach the oubliettes," Severus huffed out without slowing down, as they reached another corridor.

"Probably," Dumbledore confirmed, "but he won't be able to get out of them, and I doubt he'll have time to reach young Malfoy."

The thought of this made them proceed even faster, as they went deeper and deeper into the bowels of Hogwarts. The dampness around them was palpable, the stones of the tunnel they were following covered with moss. Shadow shuddered as he thought of what was ahead of them; were they beneath the lake? Were the dungeons of the school all that terrible? And Draco was there…in the company of a wolf! Hagrid had said it'd come to find him, but was that the real reason?

The corridors had narrowed, and Harry sensed Snape becoming more and more tense as they neared their destination. All of a sudden, it seemed he saw movement in front of them, and the two wizards sped up even more, wands raised.

"The dungeons are just to the left," Dumbledore announced. "Harry…"

"He's in no danger as long as he's with me," Snape replied. Beside him, the Headmaster nodded, obviously convinced. Shadow crouched down on his perch, too focused to really be surprised. One last turn, one last door…

"Here! I'm here! Hurry!" a panicked voice cried in the distance. Draco, Harry realized…but what was he playing at?

In front of them, a young man with light-colored hair strode smoothly toward the dungeon, with a quick look over his shoulder. But it certainly wasn't the look of a cornered wolf, nor even a human caught in an awkward position. No, Loki seemed both determined and sure of himself, as he headed for the dungeon, wand raised.

"Expelliarmus!" Snape shouted. But the man sidestepped it with a superhuman quickness, and the spell missed its target.

"Exsomnus."

The response was immediate. Before the spell could reach its target, a green shield formed around the cat, pushing back the assault. At the same instant, Dumbledore and Snape counterattacked, disarming and immobilizing the Animagus on the spot, before he even made a move to defend himself.

Loki tumbled to the ground, his eyes fixed, a slight smile on his face, his wand rolling at his feet.

"Oh, Merlin," a small voice said from the corner of a dungeon. "Is it over?"

"Yes, Mister Malfoy," Snape said tersely. "You may come out of your hiding place."

Cautiously, Draco came out from beneath the bed where he'd hidden. "Merlin, I really thought he was going to get me. Bloody hell, is this how you guarantee my safety?" he exclaimed, his voice trying to sound dignified, but shaking slightly.

"From what I was able to hear, even you yourself were rather glad to see Loki a few moments ago," Snape pointed out. Draco looked down, embarrassed, to Shadow's great satisfaction.

Behind them, the sound of footsteps could be heard, and two professors who were noticeably out of breath put in their appearance.

"Cor, you got him?" Flitwick asked, clearly shaken by the race. "Nice work, nice work."

"See for yourself," Dumbledore said as he moved to the side, all the while stroking his long beard thoughtfully.

As for the second professor, he was noticeably less demonstrative. His wand slightly shaking, he drew nearer to the unmoving body of the young wizard, unable to look away.

"Loki? Can you hear me?"

"He's unconscious, Remus. You'll have to wait until he's in a secure location to speak to him," the Headmaster said gently.

"Please don't call the Aurors," Lupin murmured, his eyes pleading.

"Ah well, that's all that we'd need!" Professor Flitwick said indignantly at his side, but Dumbledore ignored him.

"I've no intention of calling them, my boy," he said, wrenching a groan from Snape, a few steps away.

"If you intend on letting that animal free, don't presume upon me to stay here," the Potions master barked out, his hand on Shadow still perched on his shoulder.

"It's not a question of freedom, Severus, but I believe we'll have to talk about this. After all, we need someone to take over for you," Dumbledore said, giving him a meaningful look.

Snape couldn't help but grimace in anger and disgust, baring his teeth. "You're not still thinking of…"

"I think many things," the Headmaster said firmly, "but for now it seems the most crucial thing is to reassure our students…and gather all the professors. This day has been very eventful, to say the least."

The thought of the object he still possessed, stuck hastily in his pocket of his robes, was enough to quell Snape's anger. Yes, the day had been long and complicated…and Dumbledore didn't yet know the half of it.

Turning his head, his eyes met Shadow's.

Soon, he promised him in his thoughts, soon I'll take you on holiday, so you can rest far away from all this. But for now… "Be a good cat," he murmured into the animal's ear.

The cat blinked, and Snape closed his own eyes for a moment.

Tomorrow…tomorrow would be a new day.