21

Chapter 21: Hurting

Nathan felt his mouth become dry and darted his tongue out to wet his lips. He took a deep breath but didn't open his eyes. He stretched and yawned, and something was odd; that, his numb brain registered. He rolled over and stretched some more. What was odd? Of course, this bed was fluffy and endless. Good, he thought, just like mum's. Mum? He opened his eyes and assessed his surroundings. He was not in his bed. Why am I not in my room? He rubbed his eyes, forcing his mind to work.

And he regretted the effort.

Last night's events came rushing with his consciousness, and Snape was again his father. Where am I? He sat in bed, now worried. Nathan didn't remember leaving the trophy room. He looked around and finally found out where he was. He closed his eyes and threw himself back on the fluffy pillow. That could only mean his mother was here. Who called her? He didn't want to see her!

Nathan opened his eyes to stare at the canopy of his mother's bed. He needed to get out of there. He sat up in bed again, searching for his clothes. He found them on a chair and moved to put them on quickly. He was dressing with his back turned to the door when he heard it open. Damn!

"Nathan," he heard his mother say.

He stopped buttoning his robes and stood still, never turning in Hermione's direction.

"I didn't want to wake you," he heard her voice saying, closer now. "You seemed very tired last night. Are you feeling better?" Her soft voice was only increasing his anger.

Then a hand landed on his shoulder. Nathan stood stiller yet before shrugging her hand off him.

"I'm fine," he said simply and restarted buttoning his robes.

"Nathan, we should talk about what happened yesterday."

"I don't want to talk about it," he informed her.

"I know you have many questions, and for the first time, I can give you the answers." His mother's words made him turn to face her.

Nathan wanted to tell her how much he didn't need any of her answers now, but he just said, "I know what I wanted to know, I must be late for class."

Nathan passed by Hermione and went for the door, but it slammed shut. He turned, annoyed, to glare at her.

"You are excused from your classes," she told him. "We have all morning to talk."

"To talk about what!" he spat, tired of her. "So Snape is my father. Big deal!"

"Yes, it's a big deal. You know it's a big deal," Hermione said back, glaring at him. She sighed. "Please, let's talk about it."

Nathan was holding her eyes with his for a moment before saying, "I don't see the point."

Hermione frowned. "Don't you want your father to be part of your life? Don't you want to get to know him and spend time with him? You can do all of that now, that's the point."

Nathan had dreamed of all those things his mother was telling him. He'd wanted a father for so long, and now he had one. He knew who his father was, and knew he would never have that. I don't need them.

"I don't want any of this anymore. I don't want and I don't need. I don't need any of you," Nathan said.

"Do you want to know how worried about you he was yesterday?" She slowly walked his way. "He was very worried. And I was very worried, too. Severus cares for you, Nathan."

Nathan was shaking his head, refusing to believe what she was telling him. She's a liar, he reminded himself. You don't need her lies.

He gritted his teeth and said, "I don't believe you. Everything you say is a lie. You never wanted me to know that Professor Snape was my father; you never wanted me to be happy with him."

"Nathan, it's not true." She got closer, and he circled the room away from her.

"You could have told me. He was no threat to us! He was not in Azkaban, he was not dangerous. You even said he was honorable and good. You should have told me! You knew I wanted to know. I spent a month with him, asking stupid questions about my father, making a fool of myself! Were you laughing? Was he telling you how pathetic I was every time I asked him about my father?" Nathan was shouting now.

"Nathan," she tried to interrupt.

"It must have been good to laugh about me, or you would have told me before. Would you tell me sometime soon? Were you planning for me to find out like this and make me yet more miserable? Because that is exactly how I felt. Are you happy now!" He was panting. Nathan wanted to physically hurt her, so she could feel how painful it was.

Hermione quickly went to him, not giving him a chance to escape. She hugged him hard. Her hug was suffocating, and the pain in his chest was getting unbearable.

"I'm not happy, I'm not happy. I'm miserable, too. I never wanted to hurt you. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," she was whispering in his ear.

He didn't want to hear her excuses, Nathan wanted her to go away; he wanted the pain to subside. He struggled, and she hugged him harder. He growled and fought with new resolve, until she couldn't hold him anymore.

He looked at her, breathing hard. She was on the verge of tears and he didn't pity her.

"Don't touch me again," he said. "I don't want to hear your lies ever again. I hate you!" Nathan took his wand, took some deep breaths, and intoned the incantation that opened the door for him. Before leaving, though, he turned to his dumbfounded mother and calmly added, "From now on, I'll live with Uncle Harry."

And he turned and heard her sob. And he didn't back down. He didn't even turn to glance at her. She would feel how bad he felt, and that's what he wanted. Only then, Nathan left.

Severus spent what had been left of the previous night thinking about what had passed. With one declaration, he had taken his place as Nathan's father and he was sure damned by now. He cursed under his breath, but had no escape this time. He'd claimed, his heart had claimed, and he was now officially Nathan's father, regardless of what was best and prudent.

Like Severus had predicted when he first realized who the boy really was, the situation urged him to take action, and his need for making new decisions, thus enhancing the number of mistakes he committed in life, was paying off already. What passed through his mind while he'd carried Nathan to bed revolved around the pain he was causing his son already, that he knew was only a sample of what was to come. The terrified look on Nathan's face in his office, he taking the necklace off, the way he took refuge in the trophy room, were all actions that spoke volumes to how likely it was that everything would be all right, like Granger kept saying.

Severus rolled his eyes. The woman was delusional, but she loved the boy. If her previous reactions to Nathan's foul behavior were to be taken for granted, she'll be miserable the moment the boy woke up.

He knew Nathan's foul behavior would be getting to him as well. What will the boy do? Severus knew it was useless to try and predict Nathan's behavior, he'd learned that through their month of detentions. There was no way to know what Nathan would do.

But there was no way to convince his mind of that.

The last thing Severus thought Nathan would do was take the news nicely, although images of his son smiling at him while working on a potion, exactly where that Hufflepuff was now, crossed his mind, and he could see himself nodding approvingly to acknowledge the perfect brew just to see the smile grow into a wide grin.

"Mr. Carson, keep your mouth shut for the rest of the class. Five points from Hufflepuff," Severus said dispassionately to the third-year talking for what seemed the millionth time with his classmate while brewing the assigned potion of this morning's double class.

Nathan accepting him was also troubling in many ways. He didn't know how to be a father. What if the boy expected more than he could give? Severus wasn't about to start hugging and petting, like he'd seen Potter do. He couldn't imagine himself taking broom rides, playing Exploding Snap, or any of those silly things. Would Nathan want that? Was that what he longed for in a father? Severus suddenly realized he didn't know Nathan at all, and it felt oddly sad.

Instead of thinking over everything he missed of Nathan's life, Severus chose to concentrate on what was more probable to happen. If his son was already awake, he might be yelling at his mother, blaming her for everything that had gone wrong in his young life. He'd seen Nathan do as much before, and Severus wouldn't condemn him for that. In Nathan's position, he would do worse than that. Shouts of accusations were a light breeze in the storm of his life.

Severus blinked longer than usual to erase the image that brought to mind, and when he opened his eyes again, he saw only the Ravenclaw girl stirring a cauldron with great concentration at the workbench nearer his desk. The class would soon be over and he would find out what would become of his life from now on. Surely Granger would be expecting him for a chat, with or without Nathan.

Hermione stared out the window at the cold white morning. The beautiful view of the snowy grounds had helped to calm her after Nathan's departure a few hours ago. Everything had gone wrong. Nathan wasn't only upset and hurt, he was furious, and his fury and resolve to pull away in this difficult and confusing time was heartbreaking for her; he'd preferred to stay alone.

A child who went through what he just did shouldn't be alone, but her presence seemed to bring out the worst in him at the moment. It hurt. Knowing your own child couldn't stand looking at you without feeling angry, betrayed, vulnerable… It hurt deeper than Hermione could have imagined. The things he'd said…

She was glad Severus hadn't been with them when Nathan woke up. After things went quiet the night before, Hermione had replayed the last scenes of Severus with Nathan in her head and she'd wished Severus could have been with them then. Now, all she could think of was how much bigger the disaster would have been if he had stayed. She didn't know how prepared Severus was to deal with this level of hatred from someone he cared for, knowing how fragile this feeling still was for him and how reserved towards his feelings he was. Severus wouldn't have understood…

Hermione had taken these hours to be pessimistic for a change. It hurt, but now she felt prepared to fight and make things right as they should have been since the beginning. It was all her fault this situation had achieved such proportions, and she would fix it. Hermione would not let their happiness fly from her hands now that all the cards were played. She had nothing to lose anymore.

Taking a deep breath, Hermione left her quarters at Hogwarts. She wanted to believe she had really nothing to lose, but deep down inside she knew it only hurt because it was all about to be lost. Hermione wanted the feeling to go away. Her anxiety wouldn't let her stay waiting any longer. She would start right away, and the only waiting she would do was for Severus in his office.

Harry stared at the report he was supposed to be filling in. Hermione had lost her mind and was taking him with her into insanity. He rubbed his forehead, trying to alleviate the pain there.

"Having a bad day, boss?" Tonks asked in a tone of chide.

Harry only sighed.

When Harry didn't say a thing, she asked more seriously, "Feeling all right there, Harry?"

Harry sensed Tonks preoccupation. "Headache," he said simply, not lifting his head to look at her; she now had taken a chair and was sitting on it backwards across from Harry.

"Do you know what's causing it?" she pressed.

"Yes," Harry said, and then finally looked at her. "Your husband."

Tonks held the back of the chair with both hands at arms length, withdrawing from Harry's table but still facing him with a frown.

"And Hermione," Harry added.

Tonks' eyes widened and Harry realized his mistake. "No, no. You're getting me wrong."

Tonks' face relaxed, now curiously eyeing Harry for an explanation.

"I went to Hogwarts yesterday. Since Christmas I've been intending on clearing some things up. Now I took care of what I went there to, but everything else is as clear as mud."

"Harry, you're making no more sense than Scrimgeour," Tonks commented.

"How much you know about Nathan's father?" Harry asked.

Tonks eyes straightened.

"I know Remus knows, if that's what you're wondering," he answered her unspoken question.

"I know Remus knows, too, but he tells me it's not his secret to tell. What did you find out?"

"I found out," Harry stated.

Tonks approached Harry's table again, now holding the back of her chair under her chin. "You did," she commented conspiratorially, her eyes darkening a shade.

"Yes, but your husband wants me to keep it quiet."

Tonks rolled her eyes, straightening in her chair again. "Remus is no fun. Are you going by him?"

Harry sighed, throwing his head back for a while and bringing it forward again. "I don't know. Hermione is completely insane! I can't believe she-" he stopped ranting and took a deep breath. All this anger was adding to his headache. "I think Remus might be right about this." He closed his eyes tight, holding the bridge of his nose.

"It's Snape," Tonks declared.

Harry snapped his eyes open and stared at her.

"Only Snape or You-Know-Who are capable of giving you such a headache, and let's face it, Nathan has Snape written all over him."

There was no denying that. "I thought Snape could be his father, of course, but to know for sure…" Harry admitted.

"What made me think twice were Hermione's actions, with her moving to the Muggle world and all. That didn't make any sense, knowing all she did for him, which in a way supported the theory of them having something romantically…" She analyzed the possibilities. "But seriously, Harry. It's not as if the world is ending," Tonks added after only a moment, placing a slap on his arm.

"Tonks, you don't understand. Nathan found out, too. He was there when Snape yelled he was his father. You should have seen his face; the boy was horrified, and with reason," Harry pointed out, making clear that the situation was grave. "And Hermione is nurturing the mad idea of making Nathan and Snape interact; she left him alone with Snape. She's lost her mind!"

"Snape yelled that at Nathan?" Tonks seemed shocked.

"He yelled at me and we didn't know Nathan was there, but still…" Harry said dismissively. "How can Hermione trust Snape like this? It's Snape!"

Tonks shrugged. "If he's the father…" She took notice of the clock hanging on the wall behind Harry and stood, placing the chair to its place. "I've got to run. We can talk more later, Harry." She left the office, calling for another Auror who had just passed the door.

Can't they see? he thought, annoyed. It seemed Harry was the only one thinking about Nathan in this situation. Hermione had lost her mind, Remus was not interfering, as always, and now Tonks didn't care at all. Well, he cared.

Severus entered his office and wasn't surprised to find the woman staring blankly at the snowflakes falling by the high round window, maybe a little disappointed that she was alone, but not surprised at all.

"Severus," she acknowledged his presence, seeming a little startled but also relieved.

He walked to his desk, taking his seat behind it, facing the armchair she occupied. "Granger," he said then, not knowing what else to say.

Silence fell upon them while he observed her struggle to construct her sentences in her head.

"He was very upset," she told him finally. "He doesn't know what to do with the news."

Severus didn't say anything. That was expected as he had told her before, but he preferred to listen more before throwing that at her.

She continued, "He's trying to pretend it's not important, and he got very defensive when I tried to tell him the contrary. He didn't let me explain anything, either." Her eyes hardened when she finished saying that, but any other changes were lost to him when she lowered her gaze to her lap.

"Did he tell you how much he hates you already?" Severus asked after a while.

She took a deep breath and looked at him, chin up. "He doesn't really hate me," she said, "or you."

So he'd said he hates me as well, Severus concluded. "How much doesn't he hate us?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

She sighed. "A very great deal," Granger admitted.

"Can I say it now?" he dared to tease.

"No, you cannot!" she countered firmly, her tired eyes regaining some of their usual shine. "If you had listened to me, this wouldn't have happened. You can absolutely not say a word, Severus Snape!"

Severus reclined in his chair, arching both eyebrows to convey a surprise he didn't really feel over her outburst. "He hates us that much?"

"He said he'll live with Harry. That's how much he hates us!"

Those words really surprised him, making him frown. "He'll not live with Potter."

Hermione rolled her eyes. "I'm here saying that Nathan is upset, confused, and withdrawn, and you only care when you hear Harry's name!" She was beyond annoyed and nervous and distressed. "It's well past time you get your priorities sorted, Severus!"

Severus narrowed his eyes at her tone, but instead of answering her accusations, he finally decided to use his next words to put some sense in the woman. "You obviously know that this is all your fault, Granger. You brought this boy to life and decided to raise him inside a bubble of lies and false hopes. How could you expect he wouldn't hate you?" And sensing her will to interrupt him, he quickly added, "Yes, he truly hates you, and he hates me as well, of course, but there is nothing new about that. Grow up, woman! You can't live your fairytale anymore!"

Her lower lip trembled with the retort he knew she was struggling to hold back. But it was true; all he'd said was nothing but the truth.

After some tense silence, she spoke in a surprisingly controlled voice, "Do you know Nathan, Severus?" she asked and made a pause. "I know you don't and I'm not happy about it, but I'm happy, yes, with the fact that I do know him. I know how big his heart is, how sensible and loving he truly is." The truth she delivered with her eyes made it impossible for him to doubt her words.

"He's angry, feeling betrayed. Nathan is hurting." Her voice lost some of its earlier steadiness. She stood to pace the room and, after some deep breaths, she continued, "He's also confused, Severus. As prudent as he is, I don't think he had anything prepared for this scenario." She threw her arms in the air to emphasize her point. "He needs us right now, to help him sort things out. He won't make it easy for us, but if we leave him to his own devices, he'll nurture the wrong ideas and might come to truly hate us, then. Nathan is too introspective, Severus. If we don't act now, there will be no coming back. He's too stubborn and once he has made his decision, it'll be really hard to make him see reason."

Granger was still pacing, but she stilled her movements for a short time. She seemed disturbed by a memory of some kind. She closed her eyes and said, "I don't want to hear Nathan say he hates me ever again," and looking at him, she added, "especially if the feeling is really there." A haunted look filled her face. "I know you care for him, Severus. You won't want to hear it, either, believe me."

Severus could have told her he was used to the hatred people felt towards him, or try to dissuade her from knowing that he cared for Nathan, but he didn't feel like it. It was a strange realization, but he actually wanted to care for the boy and wanted people, or at least this woman here, to know he cared for his son. "Stop rambling and tell me what your plan is."

And the smile that filled the woman's face was obfuscating.

"Smiling like a mad woman will not reassure me." Annoyingly, that only made her smile more authentic, now reaching her brown eyes.

She took her seat again. "You two need to have some time together, outside the classroom, of course. He needs to see you as more than his teacher." She tapped her lips with a finger, obviously thinking.

Severus made use of that time to understand what she had just said. Spend time with Nathan outside classroom? That meant he would be acting like… a father! And the reality of the moment crushed him. I am a father.

"Books!" Granger exclaimed, startling him. "He loves books and you have an amazing collection in your quarters." She smiled again.

"I can't do this," he found himself saying.

She sobered. "Of course you can," she assured. "All you have to do is tell him you have a book to give him, and he'll follow like a bee after honey."

"I just can't," he reaffirmed, and stood, turning from her to satisfy the need for privacy of his thoughts. Severus could feel her eyes on his back, but images of failing were dominating his senses. He would fail his son, he knew he would. Damned time Potter showed up! Everything was perfect before that nuisance decided to defy him. Stupid Potter!

Nathan didn't need him. His son had been doing fine without knowing the truth. Severus replayed the night before in his mind again and remembered how helpless his son had been. When he'd carried Nathan to bed, Severus had thought about how vulnerable the boy in his arms was. When he had helped prepare him for bed, Severus had been reassured by the weight of his boy resting against his chest; the way Granger so lovingly handled Nathan… Now he could only think of how fragile his son was... Expressions unguarded, raw; Nathan had seemed peaceful when he slept, so innocent…

And now, Severus would certainly destroy what good was left in his son's life. He couldn't do that, but he couldn't help it from happening – he was no father. Severus closed his eyes, regretful. He couldn't repeat what his father had done with him.

A hand landed on his right shoulder, and Severus almost flinched. "You'll be a good father, Severus. You are, already." Her voice was a caress, but her words brought no comfort. Severus couldn't believe her. "I know you don't think so, but being a good parent is all about caring and wanting what's best for your child, and you do that, already." The hand lifted from his shoulder after a reassuring squeeze, only to touch his face, tugging his hair behind his ear and effectively startling his eyes open again. "You can do this, Severus. I have faith in you," she added, and her voice, hand and words caressed his senses, and this time they were all effective.

Severus was confused by Hermione Granger once again. How can she believe in me like this? And oddly, it felt like he should believe her in kind. Could he? Severus turned his head and saw her gazing at him with open concern. Who is this woman? He could only stare at her.

Granger smiled. "Come, let's find some other ways you can lure Nathan into talking with you," she said, tugging at his arm, beckoning him to his desk. "He loves potions, but that's out of question since that's all you do together during class."

Severus followed her lead to the desk, and watched her, fascinated by the faith she had in people and how courageous she actually was. Maybe those threads that had always made him think of Gryffindors as foolhardy imbeciles were indeed something to admire in them. Granger was still talking animatedly, as if all the problems in her life were about to be solved in the best way imaginable, when the truth was that they were only getting worse.

"…but I'm not sure. He might get interested in talking about-"

"I'll try," he caught himself interrupting her rambling account of the many ways to get to Nathan. What the hell am I doing? I lost my mind!

She was staring at him now, searching, making him uncomfortable under such scrutiny, until she finally nodded. "That's all we need."

Severus lowered his eyes to the table top, wanting the silence that followed that short statement, as well as this whole conversation, to end already. Damn! He was committed; there was no turning back now.

"As much as I don't want to, I need to go back to London," she blessedly answered his silent prayers. "I'll be in touch with you for news or anything," Granger added.

Severus heard her stand up to leave and stood as well. He kept silent while accompanying her to the door of his office, which she waited for him to open for her and he complied. She was passing by him at the door when she turned to face him again, a disturbing luminosity to her big brown eyes. "Thank you, Severus." And she gave a half smile before making her way down the corridor towards the Entrance Hall.

He accompanied her path until he no longer could see her. By the time he'd noticed he wasn't alone there, it had been too late. Severus looked at the Slytherin observing him oddly. "Lost something, Miss. Yaxley?" The girl shook her head in answer and quickly left. Severus banged the door closed.

"Nathan!" Andy exclaimed upon seeing him standing by the dormitory window.

"Hey, Andy," Nathan answered, not as enthusiastically

"What happened to you? Harry Potter was looking for you last night, and then you didn't come back to sleep. Professor Lupin came here to tell us you were excused from classes this morning, but he wouldn't say why. Are you in trouble?"

"No." Nathan had forgotten about his friends. He couldn't tell them that he had finally found out who his father was. He wouldn't say he was Snape's son. "I…" Think of something! "I was with my mother," he choked out.

Andy was still looking at him, waiting for the rest of his explanation. Nathan opened his mouth to say whatever would come to mind, but Kevin arrived at the same time. "Nathan! Where have you been?"

"He was with his mother," Andy advanced in answering.

"Your mother? Was that why Harry Potter was after you last night?" Kevin complemented his questioning.

"I was with my mother. She… came to visit." Nathan bought more time for coming up with something else to explain his absence.

"Is there something wrong?" Andy asked carefully.

Nathan thought of using his mother being ill as an excuse, but running the possibilities of that lie in his head, thought better of it. They would see her on the weekend, anyway. "Not really," he answered. "My mother is fine, but… she wanted to see me."

"But she's here every weekend, isn't she?" Kevin commented. "Can we be excused from classes if our parents come to visit us?" Kevin's expression changed from confused to thoughtful. "That would be useful…"

"You know how mothers are," Nathan shrugged. "Anyway, it got late and I stayed in her quarters for the night. She was staying here all morning today, so she asked Professor Lupin to excuse me from classes." There you have it. It was true, but not the whole the truth. Excellent! he congratulated himself.

"Lucky you!" Andy said. "Maybe I can convince my parents of visiting me on a Monday morning. It would be great to be excused from Snape's class."

Snape. Nathan sobered. "Can we go to the Great Hall for lunch? I didn't have much at breakfast; I'm hungry," he said, wanting to forget about the man and move on with his normal life.

There was no objection to his suggestion, and they talked about what he had missed that morning in class while descending to the Great Hall. Nothing unusual happened on their way there, as expected. Of course that nothing has changed with the school life! Nathan thought, annoyed with himself. Why would something change in the castle because Professor Snape was his father? It wouldn't. But he couldn't face those passing by them in the halls. Nathan walked watching his steps.

Only when Nathan saw Andy's feet step in what he knew was the Great Hall's floor was it that he realized Professor Snape would be there. He didn't follow Andy or Kevin. Other students passed by him, and only after some time convincing himself that he was being a coward baby did he look up. His eyes went straight to the seat left of the Headmistress' – the empty seat. Alleviated, Nathan looked to the remaining staff joining the Headmistress for lunch and found Professor Lupin observing him. That made him uneasy again.

"Weren't you hungry?" Kevin called, and Nathan finally went to the table, sitting by him. Kevin was staring at him, and so was Andy. But entertained by the conversation around them, they forgot Nathan's awkward behavior.

Nathan ate little. He could still feel Professor Lupin's eyes on him from time to time. What does he want? Mum must have told him to keep an eye on me, he thought, angered with Hermione again. He didn't take a bite of his dessert. The others finished and they were ready to leave for the afternoon classes when Andy, sitting across from Nathan, acknowledged, "Good afternoon, Professor Lupin."

"Good afternoon, Andrew, girls, boys," came the retort from over Nathan's head. "How are you today?"

Various answers followed Professor Lupin's question, but Nathan kept silent.

"What about you, Nathan?" he heard, then. "Don't you like apple pie?"

"Not really, sir. There is no chocolate in it."

"I always have chocolate in my office, if you need some," Professor Lupin said, his eyes conveying the real meaning of that offer.

Nathan wanted to accept Professor Lupin's offer, but knew he was working on his mother's orders. He felt the need to thank, anyway, "Thank you, sir."

Lupin nodded solemnly and left the Great Hall by its main doors. Nathan lowered his gaze to the untouched pie. He wanted to trust Professor Lupin, but… He truly had no one.

"I've seem you eat apple pie before. The problem is not the pie, is it?" Kevin asked him.

"I don't want to eat the stupid pie! Can't I have a no-pie day!" Nathan spat, angered with his parents again, but having only Kevin on whom to release his frustration.

"Okay, okay!" Kevin retreated away from him. "Don't eat the pie."

Nathan took a fork and stabbed the offending pie. He didn't care about his friends flinch; he only needed a time for himself.

After Nathan left the Great Hall, Josephina turned to Andy and asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know, Jose. He's been like that since he came back from spending some time with his mother," Andy answered.

"Maybe we should go after him…" she suggested.

"Good luck!" Kevin said.

Jose was looking recriminatory to Kevin. "Was that why Harry Potter was here yesterday?" she asked, then. "He's Nathan godfather, isn't he?"

"Maybe," Kevin answered, furrowing his brows. "I think something is wrong, but he's not telling us."

"Do you think it has to do with Malfoy? Harry Potter was talking with him about it yesterday, remember?" Andy suggested.

"Yes, you might be right, but why wouldn't he tell us, then?" Kevin countered.

Andy shrugged. Jose stayed silent for a while, but soon turned to talk about something else with the other girls. Kevin was puzzled, but was brought back from his musings by a discussion of the latest Professional Quidditch results.

Nathan went to the library. It was quiet, only a few older students there, most Ravenclaws. He chose a secluded table in a dark corner and sat holding his head in his hands, elbows leant on the table top. They can't get to me like this! Nathan berated himself. How would he get his life back to normal if he couldn't ignore his parents? And Professor Snape wasn't even there! Nathan cuffed the table in frustration drawing curious looks from the others in the library. He scowled at them, but then sighed. Damn!

It was harder than Nathan expected, but he would succeed. He didn't need them and he would live his life very well without them. He just needed to try harder. Nathan had a whole afternoon to ignore his parents and be only himself, with his classes and friends. He stood and walked determined out of the library, ready to face a Troll, or so he thought.

The afternoon classes went by uneventfully for him. His problems resurfaced when he arrived in the Great Hall for dinner. He was there – his father. Nathan couldn't go in. He wasn't looking, but he knew Professor Snape was staring at him. He had to go.

"I… forgot something in the classroom. I'll go to the library after that, I'll talk to you later," Nathan hurriedly told his friends, and not leaving room for questions, left the way he'd come.

Two flights of stairs later, he stopped, breathing heavily. "What's wrong with me?" he muttered. As much as he was chastising himself, Nathan didn't go back to the Great Hall that evening.

The morning after, he woke up with a new resolve. He would take breakfast no matter who was in the Great Hall. He didn't sleep well, he was hungry and he wouldn't have any staring bat to make his day any worse!

Nathan smiled when he didn't find any bats in the hall. Great! Better yet! He was in the middle of his breakfast when the overgrown bat arrived through a side door. They locked eyes when Snape stopped on his way to his seat. Nathan gulped his juice with difficulty. The moment passed in seconds, but it had seemed hours for Nathan. Feeling a crushing force in his chest, Nathan stood. Snape didn't take his eyes off of him. The crushing increased and Nathan had to leave the Great Hall for air.

Severus watched Nathan leave, sighing and finally getting to his seat. The boy was still running from him, proving to be as unpredictable as Severus thought. Who would have thought a Gryffindor, one of the only in his teaching history to never fear him, would be fleeing from the Great Hall upon seeing him? His son, a coward? He knew Nathan wasn't a coward, but…

Severus' reasoning was interrupted by the Owl Post. To be more specific, by the letter one of the owls dropped in his scrambled eggs. Severus rolled his eyes when he noticed the sender.

Dear Severus,

How are things at Hogwarts? I hope you have spoken with Nathan and that he's feeling better. Please send me some news.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

How can I speak with the boy if he's running from me? And she would be at Hogwarts by that afternoon; she could assess the situation herself then! Severus crumpled the letter without a second thought. He knew he had lost his mind when he'd agreed to join her crazy plan. But the truth was that Severus wanted to talk with Nathan, he just didn't know how.

Severus shooed the owl that had been surely waiting to take a reply he wouldn't be writing. He looked back to his plate to find his meal was spread all over and ruined. Muttering under his breath, he left the Great Hall for another morning of classes. At least he wouldn't have to put up with dunderheads in the afternoon.

During class, Severus had decided he wouldn't show up for lunch in the Great Hall. He had told himself it was because he didn't want to face people after the class he had had, but if he would be honest, he knew the reason was other: Severus didn't want to disturb his son with his presence.

Choosing to spend the afternoon in his lab, he summoned a house-elf and ordered a sandwich and tea. Severus was going through some notes of research when Granger arrived later that day.

"Why didn't you answer my letter?" she asked, skipping her customary polite good afternoon.

"Why answer a letter if you would be here to ask me in person?" Severus answered.

She took a deep breath. "Did you talk to him?"

He looked at her, contemplating his options, then lowered his head to resume his notes. "I didn't."

The light was blocked by her body standing right in front of his desk then. He didn't give her his attention, but it became impossible to avoid her when she crouched and came face level with him, holding the edges of the desktop.

"Don't wait too long, Severus. He won't come to you. I told you he wouldn't make it easy for us." Her voice was soft, etched with sadness.

Severus rested his kill on his desk and faced Granger. "I'm already doing this against my will. Don't push me."

"I didn't want things to get to this, either. I'm not pushing-" He narrowed his eyes, cutting off her words. "Okay, so I am pushing, but we don't have time, Severus." His eyes gained more force of reprimand to her words. "Don't look at me like that! You messed up this time, you fix it! It doesn't matter what you want anymore, don't you see? You said you were his father, now you are."

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do, woman!" he spat back.

She stood in front of his desk. "Then you tell me what you can and cannot do, Severus."

"I can't approach someone who's not ready to face me, without blowing your perfect plan! I can't be someone I'm not from night to day just because you are deluded! I can't fix your mistakes!"

"And what you can do, Severus?" Her voice was strong, but not harsh.

Silence followed that question, but her eyes kept speaking, strong, incisive, boring into his. He could hex her into next week. He could expel her from his lab. He could ignore she ever came into his life. He could, but he wouldn't. And he didn't have to, because she chose to leave on her own. Perfect! he thought sarcastically.

Nathan spent all weekend in his dormitory. He didn't want to accidentally run into his mother in the halls or in the library. He didn't even want to be occasionally found in the common room, if any of them dared to come looking for him there. Yes, them, because Professors Lupin and Snape were on his avoidance list as well. If he was to be true to himself, he would have to admit that even his friends were making him uneasy these days. It was as if everyone was looking at him and seeing Snape written on his forehead. Nathan knew they were not, but… He could see it every time he looked in the mirror or in a window reflecting him, like now.

He turned from the window and went back to his bed. Books were keeping him busy this weekend. It was almost over; almost lunch time on this boring Sunday. He was frequenting the Great Hall for the meals, but he only entered when he was sure none of them were there. He had to wait during last night's dinner until his mother left, but the other meals were uneventful.

He heard laughs. The other boys were coming to the dormitory.

"…and didn't do anything! Imagine Professor Flitwick, running with those tiny legs of his, and saying: 'Don't touch the furry thing! Don't touch the furry thing!'" Malcolm Lesner squeaked in an imitation of Professor Flitwick. All the boys laughed. "It was just too funny!" Malcolm added.

"Layla was lucky," Kevin commented. "Can you think of what Snape would do if she made a mistake like that in Potions?"

Various demonstration of sorrow followed that statement and they turned serious at once. Nathan observed the boys with the corner of his eyes while pretending to read his book.

Andy decided to lighten up a bit. "You're destroying my classroom you stupid girl! A hundred point from Gryffindor!" he said, trying but failing to imitate the Potions master. The boys chuckled at that.

"You forgot the eyebrow," Kevin said, and repeated Andy's phrase complete with an exaggeration of eyebrow movements. Everybody laughed at that.

Well, not everybody. Nathan didn't laugh. In fact, he was very serious and concentrated in not calling their attention to him. And failed.

"Nathan does it much better!" Kevin pointed out. "Show them, Nathan."

All present turned to Nathan, waiting. Nathan stared at his book, not knowing what to do. Well, what he knew was that he would definitely not be imitating his father. No way!

"Not now, Kevin. I'm trying to study here," he said, and pretended to be concentrated in the reading.

Nathan could see out the corner of his eyes that they were looking at each other. He could even hear some of them commenting on something, but he didn't take his eyes from the book.

The movement in the room soon ceased when most of the boys went back downstairs. In the dormitory with Nathan remained only Andy and Kevin.

"What's wrong with you?" Kevin asked in an accusatory tone. "Can't you joke anymore? Where is Nathan, and what have you done with him?"

Nathan sighed, finally deviating his gaze from the book. "I'm not in the mood for jokes, all right? I'm sorry if people trying to study in a school bother you," he said harsher than he had intended. Nathan couldn't bring himself to look at his friends after that.

"I don't think we're wanted here, Andy. Let's not disturb the genius," Kevin said, tugging at Andy's robes, pulling him to the door. Andy resisted, but finally gave in.

As soon as he was alone again, Nathan closed the book and threw it to the foot of the bed. He wanted to pretend nothing had changed. He wanted, but couldn't. What would happen when his friends found out? And he still had to go to Potions class… Tomorrow was his first class after what he'd heard in Snape's office, and he didn't know what to expect.

He decided not to think of it right now, and prepared to go down to the Great Hall for lunch. It was still in the middle of lunch time when he reached the top of the last flight of marble stairs that lead to the Entrance Hall. And he stopped. At the main doors of the Great Hall stood his mother, and she'd seen him.

Nathan contemplated turning back to Gryffindor Tower, but when she didn't come in his direction right away, he was at a loss for what to do, of what to think. He then decided that if she didn't talk to him, he didn't need to talk to her, either. As if Hermione wasn't there, Nathan resumed making his way to the Great Hall.

When he arrived at the Entrance Hall level, he heard, "Nathan." He ignored it and kept walking, ignoring his mother. Nathan never looked away from his goal, the Gryffindor table, and only knew Hermione hadn't followed him when he was seated. He relaxed his shoulders and sighed. Chicken pie was the only thing he wanted to think about right now.

Monday morning arrived, and Nathan could see the first rays of light invading the room. He hadn't slept at all. Not even the nice afternoon he had spent the day before had taken his mind off the class he had this morning. Yes, after what he'd called a successful encounter with his mother in the Entrance Hall, Nathan had regained some of his freedom back and had joined the other Gryffindors in the common room the afternoon before. He didn't think Professor Snape would come after him in his common room, although he'd done that in the past.

But nothing that had passed the day before mattered now. Not when he would be the one going to Professor Snape's encounter now, and not the other way around. What would Snape do? What would Snape say? How could he face the man? Nathan didn't know and wasn't much interested in finding out.

The room was brighter now. The more the time passed, the less Nathan knew what to do. The first of his roommates stirred in slumber, awakening for the day that had started. More movement. Voices. Nathan didn't move, though. He could see through the gap of his curtain that some of his roommates were up and dressing for the day. I can do this. He rose from the bed and started dressing in his uniform as he did every week day. I'm a Gryffindor. I can do this.

He entered the bathroom. All that was left of his morning rituals was brush his hair and teeth, and he would have nothing else to do to postpone breakfast and class with his father. He felt a flutter in his stomach when he tasted the toothpaste. He spent more time than usual washing his mouth and face, and when Nathan finally faced himself in the mirror, he couldn't hold his dinner in his stomach anymore. He ran to a toilet.

Nathan didn't hear Andy come in. He was still concentrating on breathing, wanting the nausea to go away.

"Nathan?" Andy called. "Are you ill?"

Nathan was about to answer when another surge of nausea took him.

"I'll call Cornwell," Andy said, and after minutes he was back with the Head Boy.

"What are you feeling, Mr. Granger?" the older boy asked.

"Nausea," Nathan managed between quick breaths.

"What class do you have this morning?" Nathan heard the boy ask.

"Potions," Andy answered.

"Professor Snape won't believe you are ill," the Head Boy told him, and Nathan lost control of his stomach again. "Go for Professor Lupin." It was a command to Andy, who left right away.

Nathan sat, eyes closed, resting on the wall next to the toiled when his Head of House arrived.

"He's really ill, sir," Cornwell informed the professor.

"Thank you, Michael," Professor Lupin dismissed the Head Boy.

Nathan didn't open his eyes; the flutter in his stomach was still there. He felt a cool hand touch his forehead.

"Do you know what made you sick?" Lupin asked.

Nathan slowly shook his head no. Soon he felt the tingling of magic hitting his body; Professor Lupin was casting some charm on him. Nathan sighed when his stomach settled, feeling calmer than he'd been in a long time. He enjoyed the feeling for a while and then opened his eyes to find Professor Lupin studying him, as if contemplating what to do with him.

"Better?" Lupin asked.

"Yes, thank you."

Professor Lupin offered his hand and Nathan took it. His Head of House helped him stand, waited while he washed his mouth and followed him out the bathroom. "Do you think you can go to Potions?"

Nathan stopped, turned and was back inside the bathroom in an instant. His body ignored the fact that there was nothing else left in his stomach. Professor Lupin conjured a towel and offered it to him, and Nathan accepted without a word. When he had calmed a little, Professor Lupin spoke again, "I know it must be hard for you, Nathan, but you can't avoid your father much longer."

Nathan focused on the wall across from him. Why was this happening with him? Why did it have to be so hard?

"Even if you could keep avoiding him, he's a professor here," Professor Lupin continued. "What would you do? Would you drop Potions?"

Nathan looked at his Head of House with hopeful, pleading eyes.

"No, you can't drop Potions," Lupin said, frowning at Nathan. "Why are you avoiding him in the first place is what I might ask. I thought you wanted to know who your father was, to meet him, to talk with him. Am I mistaken?"

"No, you're not," Nathan answered in a mumble.

"Then what are you waiting for?" the professor persisted.

"I don't want any of that anymore," he answered and took a deep breath.

"Are you feeling better?" Professor Lupin asked. "Do you think it's safe to leave the bathroom? It's not my favorite place to chat…" Lupin teased.

Nathan took another deep breath before nodding he was feeling better. They left for the dormitory, where they sat on Nathan's bed. Professor Lupin was again staring at him in a most uncomfortable way. Nathan shifted on his bed.

"Why are you avoiding your father, Nathan?" his teacher asked once again.

Those brown eyes were relentless on him, and Nathan felt obliged to answer. "I'm not really avoiding him," he said and knew he was being ridiculous the moment it left his mouth. He kept quiet then, not wanting to make things even worse.

"What if Severus came here looking for you? What would you do then?" Lupin asked.

Nathan finally looked at his teachers face. "He won't come." It was a wish he would like to remain true.

"Why do you think he won't?"

And Nathan was again faced with the truths he's been building since the day he found out Professor Snape was his father. He wouldn't look for him because he didn't care at all for him. "Professor Snape won't come after me, because…" It hurt to think of that again, and it would hurt even more to admit it aloud. "He doesn't want anything to do with me, sir." The knife that had been lodged in his chest since he found out, twisted.

"How can you know that?" Lupin insisted.

"I've spent a month of detentions with him, sir. I know." Nathan didn't want to discuss that. He didn't want Professor Lupin to come with any excuse of the sort he knew his mother would come up with.

"I've known Severus since we were your age," Professor Lupin started. "He cares for you as I dare say he never cared for anyone before. It might not be evident. As I've told you, he's not an easy man to deal with, and he's far too complicated for simple understanding. Whatever has passed during that month of detentions, it might not be what it seems."

Nathan was skeptically listening to his professor's opinion. No one knew what had passed with his father during those detentions.

"Wouldn't it be better to actually ask him, to actually hear from him what he thinks of you? I can't believe you are afraid of doing that, because you're the Gryffindor in charge," his Head of House told him, inclining his head to convey his utter disbelief in Nathan not being courageous enough to do so. "Maybe you should try. Maybe Severus will surprise you; he's done this before." Lupin smiled at him.

"I won't make you go to Potions today, but don't expect to be excused next week," the teacher added more seriously. "Don't think of what could go wrong, when there is so much that can go well." Lupin stood. "I'll see you in class." And with that, he left Nathan with a lot to think about.

Even with Remus words, Nathan was still avoiding Severus the whole week, never looking his way, always avoiding the dungeons so as not to cross with him in the halls, although he could feel those cold eyes on him whenever they were in the same room. At least he had convinced himself that he would go to Potions class no matter what. It wasn't as if he had any other choice, but he wouldn't let Snape turn this into a nightmare.

The same went for his mother, especially after the letter he'd gotten from his godfather. The library was a place he liked to visit, and he wouldn't stop going there on weekends because of her. She had caught him in there on Saturday morning; it had been awkward, but Nathan had managed to dismiss her attempts in talking with him.

Faith renewed in his strength, Nathan left the Great Hall for his very first encounter with his now known father. He entered the Potions classroom as if nothing was amiss, taking his usual place in the front row. Nathan was very confident, until the Potions master entered the room through the door. Nathan didn't look his way. He caught his breath and stared at the stained workbench.

"Open your books to page two hundred and ten," Professor Snape said and started lecturing as he usually did.

Nathan couldn't place the empty feeling that normal behavior brought to him. He had put so much expectation into this encounter that he was somewhat disappointed with the man's ability to act as if nothing had changed. As the class progressed, Nathan's confused frustration built into displeasure and hatred for his father's apparent indifference.

Nathan's anger with the man only grew when they were set to brew the day's potion. There was no grace in Nathan's movements while he chopped and sliced and grinded. He mechanically followed the recipe, not even thinking about why he was actually putting all those roots and animal pieces together in a cauldron.

Severus was walking between the aisles, commenting on the procedures of every student like he did every class. He was also taking points when necessary. He didn't want Nathan to feel things would be different now that he knew Severus was his father. He was the same professor that he met in the first class, who his mother had met in her first class. That wouldn't change.

Nothing had gone amiss up until now. Severus had not asked him any direct questions, and Nathan hadn't volunteered to answer any of them either, what Severus thought was consistent with the ignoring game the boy had been playing since that evening. He was almost at Nathan's cauldron now. "The potion won't stir itself, Miss Parks," he commented to the girl now frantically stirring her cauldron's contents, and continued to the first row of students, stopping behind his son.

Severus immediately noticed the lack of care Nathan had used in the preparation of the ingredients sitting all mixed on a corner of the workbench. The boy sliced the root with an unnecessary force, taking uneven chunks of it and not caring about it. Severus peered inside the cauldron, still silent. Its content was a horrid brownish color, as he'd presumed.

"What color was the potion supposed to be at this point of the brew, Mr. Granger?"

"Light yellow, sir."

Of course his son knew that, and the correct answer didn't surprise him, although the tone in his address had called his attention.

"And what color is yours?" Severus asked then.

"You can see for yourself, sir," Nathan answered without taking his eyes from the roots he was dilacerating.

Severus bypassed the workbench to stand in front of him. "Five points from Gryffindor. What color is your potion, Mr. Granger?" he asked again.

Nathan looked inside the cauldron. "Brownish, I think, but you knew that already, sir," the boy said, and as if nothing was happening, took a bunch of dilacerated root and threw in his cauldron, making the mix hiss. When he was about to throw a whole salamander tail in it, Severus held his hand. Nathan finally looked at him, pure anger firing from those deep black eyes.

The whole class was pretending to work while observing the exchange.

"What will happen if I let you add this to that soup you're making?" Severus inquired holding his son's eyes and hand.

"Let's find out," Nathan said, forcing his hand towards the cauldron.

Severus held him firmly. "I won't let you blow my classroom up just because you feel like it." He took his wand from his robes and Evanesco'ed the cauldron's contents. "Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr. Granger, and you failed this assignment," he added in a hiss, finally releasing his son's wrist. "I want an essay on the possible reactions these ingredients can produce if mixed improperly, on my desk, by the end of this class."

Severus scolded the other students, who more than quickly went back to work. What is he playing at? he thought when settling on his desk again. He would really explode the cauldron. That was a disturbing thought, especially when Severus knew his son was completely aware of that. Vengeance? It was a possibility. Severus observed Nathan scribing with a concern he didn't show in his face.

Sooner than Severus expected, Nathan was in front of his desk, handing over a piece of parchment and turning back to grab his things and leave.

"You're not excused from this class yet, Mr. Granger," he told him. "Sit down."

Nathan looked enraged, but he didn't need to be told twice. Severus looked at the parchment in his desk. It was far from being a proper essay. All it contained were lines of ingredient x plus ingredient y equals something. They were all correct, but that was not the point. This was another affront to Severus' command.

The class was over and Severus had reached to a decision. "You're dismissed," he said, but added, "Not you, Mr. Granger."

Soon they were the only ones in the classroom. Severus approached his son, who was deliberately not looking at him. "I don't know what you expected to achieve with such behavior, but rest assure you that it will not be tolerated."

Nathan didn't react. Severus placed his hands on the workbench. "If I had let you drop that salamander tail inside the cauldron, I, you and several of your little friends would be in the Hospital Wing now, but I believe you haven't thought of that." He made a pause to let that sink in Nathan's head. "Of course you haven't, everyone's safety is not your concern, but mine."

Nathan was refusing to look at him. It was unnerving. "Look at me," Severus commanded. Nathan didn't move his head, but his eyes shifted to meet Severus'. "Ignore me as you please, be as mad as you want, but don't try to explode a cauldron in my class." Severus' voice was dangerously low. Nathan had his mouth in a thin line. "Now, go. You're already late."

Nathan took his things, stood, and before turning to leave, he said, "What do you care?"

Severus watched the boy hurriedly leaving. Apparently more than I should, Severus answered to himself.

Each day that passed, the tension between father and son grew. Severus was being charged not only by Nathan's foul behaviors, but also by Granger's daily letters. The third weekend after his slip of the tongue approached, and the only words he'd spoken with his son were those exchanged in class.

At least one thing had changed after that day; Nathan now wasn't ignoring him like before. No, they didn't talk, but they could be seen in the same room, especially in the Great Hall for meals, such as now. Severus had made a matter of power struggle to pass by the Gryffindor table on his way out of the room every meal. He wanted to make sure Nathan knew he was being watched, that he was around.

The first time he'd done that, he felt Nathan's stillness. The following times, he could only feel the anger his son directed at him. Today, though…

When Nathan saw that Professor Snape was leaving his seat, he stood as well. That new routine of passing by the Gryffindor table every time Professor Snape left the Great Hall was unnerving Nathan to no end. But Nathan had had enough of that dance, and today he would pay back.

Nathan's friends stood with him; they went to the main doors and were almost there when Nathan felt his father was close enough to hear what he would say. "I have something to tell you," he told his friends. "I found out who my father is."

"You did!" Andy exclaimed.

Nathan could see with the corner of his eyes that he had his father's full attention. "I did," he nodded. "But unfortunately, he's dead." His friends lamented the news as he'd expected, and he added, "It's okay, really. It's not as if my life would change much if he were not. He was just a nobody."

And the reaction it brought to the Potions master, Nathan hadn't predicted. In seconds he was being grabbed by an arm. "This is just silly! Stop this nonsense right now," his father hissed.

"Or what?" Nathan asked back. "What will you do?" he defied.

"You can't talk to me like that, boy! I've lost my patience with your little hide and seek game, and I won't tolerate more of your disrespect!"

"As if I owe you any respect! You mocked me every time I entered your classroom, watching me make a fool of myself. You could have told me, but all you did was to treat me like a stupid dunderhead!"

"Then give me a reason not to treat you like one! Ten points from Gryffindor!" Snape growled.

"Take ten, take a hundred, take how many bloody points you want! I don't care!" Nathan's voice was loud enough to call the attention of the whole school. "You are the monster everyone says you are! I will never respect you! I hate you!" Nathan growled. "I HATE YOU! Let me go!" he bellowed and pulled his arm free.

Severus released his son, eyes lost in the expression of true hatred in Nathan's face even after his son had left running. He just stood there, Nathan's words hurting his shattered soul. He felt a hand on his elbow, and for a ghost of a moment he wished it was Granger's and not Minerva's.

"Severus, what has just happened here?" The seriousness in the Headmistress tone brought him back to his brooding, scolding persona, and Severus realized all the eyes on him.

"It's a long story, Headmistress. If you'll excuse me," he told her, leaving the Great Hall.

Minerva followed. "Professor Snape," she called. He stopped, annoyed. "I want to know what is happening right now." She was using her classroom tone with him. "I'll be waiting in my office," she told him and left.

Severus felt someone approaching coming from the Great Hall. "I don't want to hear what you have to say, Lupin," he dismissed, not even turning to face his colleague, his presence only building in Severus' irritation.

"I'll take care of Nathan," the werewolf told him nonetheless and left for the stairs.

Severus sighed and followed Minerva's path.

"You're telling me that Hermione… that she… with Snape! This is just gross!" Ron exclaimed in his outrage to Harry's news.

"Say it louder! I don't think the passing Muggles heard you!" Harry admonished.

Ron was still astounded. "She dated me! Why would she want to go out with Snape?"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Ron, that's not the point. I'm worried about Nathan here."

"Of course, I'm sorry. It's just that… It's Snape. Poor Nathan, he didn't deserve being related to that bat!"

"Yes, and Hermione wants them to interact. We can't let Snape have any influence in Nathan's life. Hermione is just deluded if she thinks I'll sit and watch just because Snape is Nathan's father," Harry commented. "She came to my house to tell me to leave it to her and Snape. I think she really believes Snape is capable of being a good father!"

"She told you that?" Ron asked incredulous.

"She was really out of herself when I told her Snape wasn't capable of caring for a rat."

"But what can we do if she decides to bring Snape into Nathan's life? I mean, Hermione is his mother and… and Snape is his father." Ron contorted his face again. "I still can't believe she was capable of that!"

"Well, there have to be a way to convince her. Nathan sent me a very disturbing letter. I showed it to her, and all she did was cry," Harry's tone was more lenient now. "I just want to help her see the mistake she's making."

"We'll find something, mate," Ron assured, patting in Harry's shoulder.

They finished their drinks and left the Leaky Cauldron.

But even after their departure, a quill scribed frantically, enchanted to take note of every said detail. A smug witch waited the quill with some impatience. "Maybe we can get the front page, my dear. Yes, definitely front page material."