Mutare

Title: Mutare
Author: selene
Rating: will be NC-17, PG-13 for the moment
Pairings: Harry Potter/Dudley Dursley (Don’t freak! It’s just at the start!), Harry Potter/ OMC, Draco Malfoy/OMC, Harry Potter/Lucius Malfoy, Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy, Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy/OMC, Harry Potter/Lucius Malfoy/Draco Malfoy
Category: angst, romance, drama
Disclaimer: If they were mine, Harry wouldn’t even PRETEND to be straight.
Summary: After doing something both irreparable and irreversible, Harry finds himself on the run. He finds safety and understanding in the most unlikely of places. After all, when the world as you know it changes, all you can do is to change as well. Mutare…to change.
Archiving: AdultFanFiction.Net
Warning: Directly after OotP… I don’t know if anyone actually hasn’t read the fifth book yet, but hey, to each his own. Also, major hints of prostitution…I don’t like calling it that, though.
A/N: Here’s the second chap. Hope you like it. It sheds a bit of light on Magnum’s character, but not enough to burst the bubble open. Also, no worries. I’m not going to get tired of writing this and suddenly leave all of you hanging. I’ll get this thing done. Even if it kills me! But…hopefully not.
Feedback: Please…pretty please. I’d really like to know what you guys think of it. Plus, I need suggestions for the next chapters.
Dedications: To all those kindred spirits that decided to review, I love you all.

“speech”
‘thoughts’
{setting}

Chapter Two: Actus Reus ~ Guilty Act

Harry followed Magnum out into the street and the raucous noise that reached his ears startled him for a moment. The streets did not seem this loud or this boisterous merely a few moments ago. Then again, he had not been paying that much attention, so intent was he on getting his Firebolt back. Shaking his head, he hurried to catch up with Magnum. He fell into step with him and began to stealthily observe him out of the corner of his eye.

As he had said before, Magnum could be considered as attractive, especially to women. Even he had noticed the enigmatic boy’s charms. However, there was something else about his countenance that encouraged you to trust him and put your faith in him. He had this air of nobility about him that didn’t have the rudeness of arrogance or boastfulness. Magnum was temperance and intensity, sincerity and stealth, mystifying and clear. He was a complete enigma.

A voice startled him out of his thoughts, “ Have you finished trying to sort me out?”

Harry started; he hadn’t realized what he thought was stealth was actually quite blatantly obvious to the other boy. He sheepishly grinned at Magnum, abashed, “ I’m sorry, I didn’t notice…that you noticed…I was…noticing you.” Harry blinked.

‘Urgh! I sounded like a complete prat! What in Heaven’s name did I just say? I’m like a babbling moron! Harry! Get a grip!’

Magnum smiled, as if reading what was going on in Harry’s mind, “It’s all right. I don’t mind being watched. It happens a lot. After all, I’m sure you have a lot of questions for me.”

Harry nodded, not knowing what else to say. The way Magnum seemed to know exactly what he was thinking was quite disconcerting.

“You can ask me the questions then. I’ll answer them as truthfully as possible. Given I know the answer, of course,” Magnum smiled again, his white teeth flashing.

Harry thought of what to ask him. There were a million questions to ask, a million and one answers he felt he needed, and a million and two things he needed cleared up.

“Why did you offer to help me? Why are you letting me stay with you? What about my cursing my cousin? Doesn’t that make me guilty of something?” Harry asked, wondering if he would be told the truth as so many questions clamored for attention.

‘Why do I trust you? What’s making me trust you? Merlin, I’m so confused. So many uncertainties.’

“For your last question, you weren’t guilty of doing something wrong. The only thing you’re guilty of is standing up for yourself. That’s a guilty act I’d willingly carry all my life. As for the rest of your questions,” Magnum looked at Harry for some time, as if deciding what to say, before replying, “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

Harry frowned, “You think I need a second chance? For what?”

“Everyone knows you, Harry Potter. You’re the Boy-who-Lived. The Saviour of the Wizarding world. No matter where you’ve been or where you go, people will always see you as this image. Even people close to you see the Boy-Who-Lived. And if it’s not that, they see…your parents in you. You’re the son of the brave, defiant James Potter and the noble, self-sacrificing Lily Evans. You’re no longer Harry but a name. No longer yourself but someone else’s likeness. Am I wrong?” Magnum asked.

All those times people saw someone else in him. Someone who never existed or was already dead.

‘Ron and how my first actual friend had looked at my scar instead of me. Draco Malfoy and that moment on the train when he extended his hand to me, simply because I was Harry Potter. Neville and how he had reacted when he heard who I was. The entire Gryffindor house when the Sorting Hat screamed out Gryffindor. Snape and all those times he was spiteful to me because I am my father’s son. Siri and the way he saw my dad in me.’

“No, you’re not,” Harry agreed.

They walked in silence before Harry asked, “How did you know? About what I was thinking? My friends never saw it, neither did my professors.”

“People never expected to see more than the façade they created for you so they never bothered to look. I, however, know what it’s like to be judged for what one isn’t. I saw it in you.”

“But that doesn’t explain why you’re doing…all of this,” Harry gestured wildly around him, nearly hitting a passing wizard, “for me.”

“I’m doing…all of this,” Magnum smiled as he recalled Harry’s words, “because no one did it for me. And I know the difference it would have made if someone did. People like us need to stick together,” he finished, winking at Harry.

As mysterious and as philosophical as it all sounded, Magnum, with his freely spoken words, had done what Harry couldn’t even begin to do: Magnum had eased his spirit.

“Thank you,” Harry quietly said.

Magnum looked at Harry, smiling slightly, “Harry, just remember, ‘It’s better to be hated for what one is, than to be loved for what one is not.’”

Harry absorbed these words, the beauty of them finding a place in his soul.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

They walked in companionable silence for a while before Harry commented, “You sound like a philosopher. Did you actually study on how to talk to disillusioned would-be heroes of the Wizarding world?”

Magnum laughed, “Nope, just deflated my ego a bit so that all the air that comes out of me doesn’t sound like air, but something closer to the truth.”

Harry was surprised at that answer but started to laugh when Magnum winked at him. After controlling his laughing fit, he asked Magnum, “Where are we going?”

“We’re heading to my…home, if you could call it that. It’s not really that…traditionally ‘homey’,” Magnum replied.

“Oh…where is it?”

“It’s quite a ways away but it is in Knockturn,” he said apologetically.

“I don’t mind that it’s in Knockturn. You’re probably right. This is the safest place for me to be right now. So…what does your house look like?” Harry curiously asked. He wanted to know what this new place would look like, especially if he was going to be staying there.

Magnum laughed, a rich, melodious sound that filled Harry’s ears, “It’s not exactly a house. It’s where I…work. But I live there, too. We all do. The other boys with me, I mean.”

“You don’t live there alone?”

“No, it would be quite lonely. Don’t you think? We all need friends. Besides, they work with me.”

“Right. Well, if you work there, what’s the place called?” Harry couldn’t help asking.

“Have you heard of Dante Alighieri?” Magnum replied.

Harry nodded, confused, wondering where the connection was.

“Well, as I’m sure you know, Dante wrote ‘La divina commedia’ or ‘The Divine Comedy.’ Everyone knows that there are three sections but what people don’t know is that there is another section that wasn’t included in the published version. This section is called ‘Cervello’ or ‘Mind.’ In this section, Dante explains how everything is possible within the confines of our mind and the possibility of this transcending even the realms of death. My…employer, who read this section of the book, liked it so much that he called his establishment, Dante’s Cervello.” Magnum explained to him.

“Whoa…that was…something else. I’ve actually read the book and I really liked it, especially ‘Inferno,’ but I’m curious. You said your employer read it? I’m assuming he’s a wizard?” Harry enquired.

Magnum nodded, sidestepping two witches who looked ready to pounce on each other and hex one another ‘till someone lost a limb.

“Why did he read a Muggle book then?” Harry questioned, following Magnum’s example in evading the clashing witches.

“Well, you see, Dante isn’t actually a Muggle. He was a Squib and Beatrice, both in the book and in his own life, was a pureblooded witch. He never married her because her family wouldn’t let allow a Squib to marry into their family. He sort of embraced the Muggle culture after that. But, he wrote the book to remind himself of the world, and the woman, he left behind.”

Harry was about to comment on how romantic that sou whe when someone called out Magnum’s name. They both turned around.

A wizard with long brown hair was approaching them and Harry could tell by the clothes he wore that he was quite affluent. He wondered how he knew Magnum.

They both stopped, Harry frowning in confusion. The monkey on Magnum’s shoulder climbed down his shoulder and settled on the ground beside him.

“Magnum,” the unknown man said to his companion, not even glancing at Harry, “I’ll be by later. I’ll have to cancel tomorrow’s appointment, though. My wife is insisting that I accompany her to her parents. As you know, I can’t decline what she wants or she’ll throw a fit and start demanding I tell her where I am most nights.”

Magnum nodded and smiled slightly, “Of course, I understand. I don’t mind at all. You will be missed though.”

The man smiled again, “Really, Magnum! You jest too much. Thank you, though. What would I do without you?”

“Shrivel up and die, I suppose,” Magnum laughingly replied.

Harry just stood there, wondering what on earth they were talking about. He decided to say something as not to look stupid just standing there, when the man suddenly leaned down and kissed Magnum lightly on the lips, embracing him as well.

Harry gaped.

“Merci. Mon amour. I’ll see you later,” he murmured. With one last kiss, the man disentangled himself from Magnum and walked away.

Magnum stood there, a half-smile lingering on his lips. He then turned to Harry and said, “Sorry for that, I didn’t know I was going to get waylaid there. Shall we continue?” gesturing to the street. He beckoned to his monkey and the animal went back to his perch.

Harry blinked and nodded quickly. They continued on their way.

Harry snuck a look at Magnum.

‘Come on, Harry! Just ask him! I’m sure he won’t be offended if you ask properly. But how do I ask him properly? Argh! Gather that infamous Gryffindor courage and ask him!’

“Magnum,” Harry started, “umm…who…is…was…he…er…a friend???”

“Harry, if you want to ask me something, go ahead. I told you that I’d answer you as truthfully as possible. Besides, I’m afraid you didn’t make any sense whatsoever,” Magnum said.

“Oh…’kay. Ummm…you…who was that?”

“One of my…customers. I…service him,” Magnum answered.

“You service…him…you’re a…er…a…an…” Harry faltered.

“I prefer the term…courtesan. Seems more dignified,” Magnum replied.

Harry blinked and his eyes widened, “Right…Umm…Magnum?”

“Yes?”

“If I go with you, am I expected to work as well?”

“Of course. Alexander, my employer, expects that the strays we pick up do things for the Cervello now and then. Why?” Magnum enquired.

“Nothing! It’s just that,” Harry halted both in what he was about to say and his walking, “I’m sort of…a…”

“You’re a virgin. I know. That’s why you’ll work as a server,” Magnum informed him, an amused smile alighting on his face.

“Oh!” Harry exclaimed.

Magnum started to laugh, “You thought I’d make you do what I do? No, of course not! I wouldn’t do that to you. Besides, Alexander sort of waits until you proposition him…to work, that is.”

“You?” Harry started.

“Yes, I did,” Magnum affirmed.

Harry was left with that to ponder.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After some time, they stopped in front of an iron gate. Beyond this gate was a lush garden that looked straight out of the pages of a story. Magnum opened the gate with some sort of password and it swung gently open. They headed inside, walking past willow trees and blooming flowers.

There were stone benches under several trees and a swing under one. He could actually hear hummingbirds as they zipped near the bougainvillea and the soft rush of a flowing stream. A stately cream house with a colonnade that seemed to extend around the house loomed in front of them. Harry gaped at the quaintness of the scene and he couldn’t help thinking that if he ever saw a plantation, it would look like this.

He called out to Magnum, “Magnum, is it just me, or is it a bit warmer here?”

Magnum looked back at him, “Oh! There’s a weather spell around this entire place, to make it a bit warmer for the greenery. It’s quite cool though, especially at night.”

“It’s nothing. I just noticed is all,” Harry said.

“Come on, then. I’ll introduce you to Alexander,” Magnum said, taking Harry’s hand and leading him through the front doors.

A quiet sort of stillness greeted him upon entering and it seemed a bit cooler in here. Magnum’s monkey scampered of his shoulder and disappeared into one of the rooms.

Magnum let go of Harry’s hand and called out, “Alexander! Can you come here for a minute? I have someone I want you to meet!”

A few moments later a handsome man climbed came down the grand staircase they were standing in front of. He approached them and nodded to the both of them.

“Yes, Magnum? I believe you yelled,” the man said in a mellifluous baritone. His startling hazel eyes rested on Harry before once again turning their attention to Magnum.

“Alexander, this is Harry. He’ll be staying with us for awhile,” Magnum informed him.

“Oh…he’s your first, isn’t he? You haven’t taken anyone in before?” Alexander asked.

Magnum shook his head.

“He must work, you know that. Well, he’s quite attractive and the customers will like a new face, especially a pretty one,” Alexander gently caressed Harry’s cheek. There was no malice in his eyes though, just a calculating gaze. He dropped his hand.

“He may stay. He’ll have the empty room that adjoins to yours. Inform him of the rules as soon as possible. And Magnum, get him out of those awful rags he’s wearing.” With that, Alexander once again swept off.

Harry spoke up after snapping out of the half-daze Alexander had put him in. “I don’t know what insulted me more, the fact that he talks ifs if I wasn’t here or the fact that he called me ‘pretty,’” Harry grumbled.

Magnum smiled, “Don’t take it too personally. Alexander treats all the new ones like that. Come on. I’ll show you your room. And…we’ll get you out of those awful clothes.”

Magnum led him up the stairs and down the corridor to the left. They walked past lovely pieces of furniture and closed doors.

“Where is everyone? I thought you said there were other boys here?” Harry asked.

“There are but they’re all resting right now. Gathering energy for tonight. We normally wake up late and nap in the afternoons because we’re busy all night. That includes you. As the server, you get the men drinks and refreshment. I think you’re the only…real server at the moment. The last one we had turned into our latest courtesan,” Magnum thoughtfully replied.

Harry couldn’t help but worry about that.

“Oh, here we are.” Magnum lead him into a lovely room that he assumed was his.

A wide brass bed stood against the center of the main wall; white gauze drapes making up the canopies that hung above it. There were balcony doors opposite to the door he just entered and the curtains were gently moving in the wind. A plush couch sat to the right of the balcony doors with a low table in front of it. A desk faced the wall with the adjoining door that he assumed would lead to Magnum’s room. There was another door to the right of the bed and he assumed it was the bathroom.

He looked around, amazed at the beauty of the room. Not even his dorm room in Hogwarts looked this nice.

“I assume you like it?” Magnum amusedly asked.

Harry only nodded as he continued to survey his surroundings.

“Hmmm…wait here. I’ll get you something to wear,” Magnum went into his room using the adjoining door and he came back a few moments later with clothes.

Harry turned to him and the outfit was placed into his arms.

“Change,” Magnum ordered, “You have pants, a shirt, underwear and boots there. I’m sure they’ll fit. If not, we’ll just resize them afterwards. Oh, in fact, take a bath. By the time you’re done, it’ll be time to go down; it’s nearly sunset. I’ll introduce you to the other boys later.”

Harry was ushered into what he had earlier assumed was the bathroom and Magnum closed the door behind him.

“Get in the tub! The water will fill in a few seconds!” Magnum’s muffled voice instructed through the door.

Sighing, Harry began to take off his clothes.

He knew this was going to be a long night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

{Back to Privet Drive, a few moments after Harry boarded the Knight Bus}

Mrs. Arabella Figg opened the front door of her house, greeting all her cats. She placed her groceries in the kitchen and was about to make herself a cup of tea when she noticed something was wrong. She rushed to the living room and found that the alarm for # 4 Privet Drive had gone off. Dark magic, no less.

“Merlin, what on earth happened?” she whispered to herself. With that, she promptly dashed out of the door of her house and sprinted quite unbecomingly, with her housedress flapping around her and her hair blowing every which way, to the Dursley household.

She reached the front door of their house in record time and she rapped sharply on the door. When no one answered, she rapped again, this time calling out, “Mr. Dursley! Mrs. Dursley! Is something the matter? You left…your car doors opened! Hello! Is anyone in there? Harry!! This is Mrs. Figg! Is anything the matter ---” she was abruptly cut off as the door suddenly opened.

Standing before her was Vernon. His face was an extremely pale shade of white and he looked like he was going to keel over. His eyes were wild and a vein throbbed at his temple.

“What do you want?” he asked harshly.

Arabella was surprised; for all his unpleasantness, Vernon had always treated his neighbors with courtesy. “I just wanted to see if there was anything wrong,” she trailed off.

“My son, he’s…hurt. I…don’t know…what to do,” Vernon confided quietly.

Arabella could see that he was telling the truth and for the life of her, as much as she couldn’t stand the Dursleys, she knew she had to help. “I’m not a doctor but I might be able to do something. May I come in?” she gently asked.

He nodded, unable to speak. He opened the door for her and she came inside. What she encountered shocked her beyond words.

Dudley was trembling and he was currently cradled in his mother’s arms. Petunia had tears streaming down her face and sobs racked her frame.

Arabella had seen enough of the Wizarding world to know what curse had caused this. The Cruciatus. She froze, her mind instantly going to Harry.

“Mr. Dursley,” she began, treading lightly on what must be hostile ground, “I don’t see Harry anywhere. Were he and your son attacked while you were out and these attackers somehow took him ---” she was again cut off.

“That good for nothing, insolent, freakish nephew of mine was the one who did this to my son! An was was lucky I just kicked him out!” Vernon yelled, his face turning a disgusting shade of purple. “Seeing that you’re of no help at all, I’d ask that you leave!”

As she was pushed out the door, the one thought on her mind that this was possibly one of the worst things, no, the worst thing that had ever happened in her life.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

{Headmaster’s office, Hogwarts}

Albus Dumbledore was enjoying a cup of tea with Professor McGonagall when the fireplace burst to life in green flames. Startled, he nearly dropped his cup. He set his teacup down and turned to Minerva. She shook her head, indicating that she was not expecting any firecalls.

“Albus! It’s me, Arabella! I believe we have one giant-sized problem on our hands!” Arabella’s face appeared in the green flames.

Both professors got up and went to the fireplace.

“What in Merlin’s name are you talking about Arabella?” Minerva crossly demanded.

“It’s Harry Potter. He’s just used his wand on his cousin. He cast…the Cruciatus Curse.”

With that bomb dropped on them, Minerva’s eyes widened and she sat herself on a chair to prevent from falling over.

“Oh, sweet Merlin,” she whispered, the expletive the only thing coming to her mind.

Albus didn’t say anything but his mouth stretched into a grim line and his normally twinkling eyes dulled.

“That’s not the only thing,” Arabella continued. “He’s missing. Apparently, his uncle kicked him out after what happened. I searched all over the neighborhood. He isn’t here.”

Albus looked at Arabella and grimly said, “The Ministry will have heard about this incident already. I’m sure they’re on their way. I need you to stay there and do damage control. The Minister will have a field day with this. Also, find Mundungus. He was supposed to be watching Harry. This is the second time he’s failed the Order. We can’t have him do it again.” After giving those orders, he cancelled the firecall.

A tense silence reigned in the room before Minerva broke it, “Oh, Albus. I can’t believe it. Harry would do no such thing. We must have taught him better than that.”

“Believe it we must, Minerva. Arabella cannot be mistaken,” Albus countered.

“Where do you think he could have gone?” Minerva anxiously asked.

“He might have gone to the Burrow or to Ms. Granger’s home. He’s a clevoy. oy. He would have found a way to reach his friends. I need you to Floo to those places right away and see if he’s there. In fact, get Severus and tell him to go to Grimmauld Place. We must find Harry before the Ministry does. I will handle Fudge if he comes barging in here, demanding that we hand the boy over to him,” Albus instructed.

Minerva nodded and made her way to the door, “Albus, what if he’s not in any of those places?”

“Then we have a problem, Minerva. He is already wanted by the Ministry and for him to be running makes things only worse,” he gravely answered.

Minerva blinked, as if chasing away tears, and heaved a great sigh. She nodded once more and made her way out of the room.

‘Harry, you foolish boy. Don’t think you can run away so easily. You’ve made a mess of things and we do intend to find you,’ Albus’s mind called out to the boy whom he was sure was already running.

‘He no longer trusts me after that fiasco with Sirius and he won’t be running to us for shelter. That’s for certain.’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

{The Burrow}

Minerva Flooed into the Weasley home only to be surrounded by noise. She was immediately greeted by the infamous Weasley twins.

“Hello,” one twin started.

“Professor McGonagall,” the other twin finished.

“Not now, boys, I need to speak to your mother,” she tersely said.

“She’s in the garden, fighting the garden gnomes,” one said.

“Do you want us to get her?” the other asked.

“No, boys, thank you. I’ll go to her,” Minerva nodded at the twins and set out towards the garden. She found the Weasley matriarch roundly hexing several gnomes. She slowed down and waited until Molly Weasley finished with her chores.

Molly turned around and looked surprised to see Minerva there. “Minerva, you surprised me. I didn’t hear you Floo in. Do you need something for the Order?” Molly asked.

Minerva tried to smile and failing at that, said, “Molly, I know this is going to sound strange especially if the answer to my question is no but I promise to explain. I just need you to be honest with me.”

“You know I’m always honest with you, dearie. Go ahead, ask me what you need to ask,” Molly encouraged, smiling to ease the apprehension she felt.

“Molly, is Harry hiding here? At the Burrow?”

“Harry? That dear boy? No, Albus didn’t allow us to take him in this summer. Isn’t he with his Muggle relatives? Ahat hat do you mean…hiding?” Molly asked, confusion showing on her face.

Minerva sighed, “Harry’s missing, Molly. Albus assumed he would have come here after…what happened.”

“Minerva, I’d really like it if you stopped talking in riddles and tell me straight out what in Merlin’s name is going on here.”

“Harry cursed his cousin. The Cruciatus curse. He’s running now,” Minerva bluntly said.

Molly’s eyes widened and she gasped, as if receiving a strong blow. “Harry? No, that’s impossible. He wouldn’t have done that,” Molly disbelievingly protested.

“I’m afraid it’s true. Arabella confirmed it. I’m here now because we want to find him before the Ministry does.”

“The Ministry…they’ll be after his blood. Especially with that awful Minister behind it all. Oh my, he’s a…convict now?” Molly asked despairingly.

She received a grave nod in reply.

“Just like Sirius…” Molly trailed off. “He could be on the run for a long time, like his godfather. Or…he could get caught by the Ministry. I shudder to think what those Aurors will do to him. He’s just a child.”

“He is. That’s why I need you to promise that if Harry comes here or contacts you in any way, you’ll tell us immediately. We need to find him before the Aurors do.”

“Of course,” Molly replied, still reeling from the turn of events.

“I better get going. I still need to contact Ms. Granger. We’ll keep in touch,” she murmured softly. With a gentle touch on the downcast woman’s shoulder, she set off towards the house.

Molly stood in the garden for some time, mind wandering to the bleak turn of events that seemed to circle around Harry’s life.

She never realized that her youngest son had heard the entire conversation.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

{Grimmauld Place}

Professor Snape entered Grimmauld Place, shuddering at the abject despondency that surrounded him when he did. He did not like being the one tasked to come to this forsaken place to talk with the werewolf. Lupin had not seemed…right since Black’sth. th. Knowing that he couldn’t delay the inevitable, he went in search for Lupin.

The air that surrounded the Black ancestral home was that of the air in a tomb, oppressive and still. He looked around, wondering why Black’s fiend of a mother had not already started to scream. He spotted the painting that housed the woman, or at least, what was left of it. Eyeing the charred remains of it, he decided it was best not wonder what happened.

“Lupin? Lupin? Are you somewhere in this infernal, pitiful excuse of a house? Stop hiding and come out! I do not desire to play hide-and-go-seek with you!” Snape snapped.

A few moments later he heard a shuffling noise, only to be followed by the sight of Lupin turning around the corner. He looked like a hurricane had just swept him up and tossed him into the Mediterranean, looking ass if he had been dropped here and there on the way. Snape sneered, wondering when was the last time Lupin took a bath or changed his clothes for the matter. He looked more unkempt than a prisoner in Azkaban, and knowing what those miserable prisoners actually looked like was saying something.

“Good grief, Lupin! When was the last time you looked into a mirror?” Snape asked, lips curling in distaste.

“Severus, I didn’t know you were here. Had I known I was going to have guests…I would have freshened up,” Lupin said, not even looking at Snape.

Snape sneered, not liking that someone’s attention wasn’t fully at him, “More like scrubbed until clumps of dirt fell off.”

Lupin didn’t even acknowledge that he had heard his comment.

Snape huffed, “We have to talk Lupin. It would be better if you were sitting down. Can’t have you breaking any of the mutt’s things.”

Lupin looked up at his derogatory comment of Black, eyes darkening momentarily in pain, but didn’t say anything. He nodded and led Snape to the kitchen.

They reached the kitchen and Lupin offered him a seat. Snape sighed and decided that he might as well be comfortable if he was going to face an unstable creature.

“Do you want a cup of tea, Severus?” Lupin politely asked.

“No…thank you. I’d rather not be poisoned by your shabby excuse of cooking skills,” Snape sneeringly replied.

Lupin merely nodded and sat down opposite of Snape. “What do you want to tell me?”

“I don’t want to tell you anything. I was merely ordered to,” Snape waspishly said, annoyed that Lupin thought he’d voluntarily come up here without being told to. “I need to know. Are you harboring Potter?”

Lupin looked surprised, the first true emotion Snape had seen, “No! Why would I need to harbor him?”

“Well, Potter has just managed to get himself into a load of trouble. Not only did he break the ‘no under-age magic’ rule, he broke it in a fantastical way,” Snape sneered. “He cast the Cruciatus on his cousin.”

Remus eyes widened before standing abruptly, knocking his chair over and startling Snape. “No! Harry would not do that!” Lupin vehemently said.

“I’d hate to burst that lovely little bubble of yours that thinks Potter is actually a misguided little boy who needs help, but the truth hurts. He willingly cast an Unforgivable on his helpless cousin and knowing how much trouble he would be in, he ran from it. Ran from the responsibility. Ran from the guilt. He’s a coward…just like his father,” Snape hissed.

With one swift movement, Lupin grabbed the front of Snape’s robes and shoved him up against the wall. “Don’t you dare bring James into this…Snivellus. You were always jealous of James, of us. You’ve been trying to destroy the Marauders for years. Now that you’ve gotten rid of most of us, you’ve moved on to James’s son,” Remus hissed, his werewolf’s eyes looking feral as they glinted in the dim light.

Snape stiffened, out of fear, hate and anger. “Let me tell you this, Lupin. I didn’t have to destroy you and your precious Marauders. You did that yourselves. Pettigrew betrayed James, didn’t he? I had no part in that! As for Sirius, he was an idiot who was awaiting death all along.”

“Pettigrew? You were a Death Eater! You knew what was going on but you did nothing! Sirius? You taunted him until he felt helpless enough to do something drastic! You sent them all to their deaths!” Remus roared.

“No, Lupin. Only one person sent them to their deaths and it wasn’t me,” Snape mockingly said.

Lupin’s grip on him loosened, allowing Snape to tear himself out of the werewolf’s grasp. Snape saw the denial in Lupin’s eyes and smirked.

“Lupin, yan dan deny it all you want but the fact that you’re actually thinking about it right now, the fact you mulled over it when you couldn’t sleep, the fact that you feel the tiniest spark of anger when you don’t realize it, says all you need to know. Potter sent all your friends to their deaths. His parents were killed because the Dark Lord was after him. Black was killed because Potter wasn’t strong enough to resist. Potter, our Saviour? More like our Scourge. He’ll be the death of us all,” Snape said.

He turned to leave but stopped and glanced at Lupin. He was standing there, a lifeless look in his eyes.

“Lupin, remember this. I may be guilty of a lot of things but the only guilty person regarding the deaths of so many innocents is your precious Potter,” he sneered. With that, Snape swept out the room.

Remus sank down to the floor, the perfect example of absolute dejection.

‘Harry, what’s happening to you?’

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I know most of you want Remus to defend Harry and all but my head was just telling me to write this. No worries though. There’s still enough room to maneuver out of the position I put Remus in. As for Dumbledore, he’s shaping out to be a bad guy ‘coz as one of my reviewers said, it’s not possible for him to not have known what was going on at the Dursleys.

Next chapter delves into the minds of Harry’s best friends and how they react to what’s happening. Plus, a Malfoy finally comes into the scene! As for Magnum, I was actually intending for him to be a…courtesan. There will be more explanations regarding that entire set-up. Hope it doesn’t seem so…unoriginal. Although, I’m sure you’re all curious about my OMC’s past.