Chapter 2
Harry paced around the Gryffindor common room, trying to piece together the memories he saw. It was clear that his father and his friends had been bullies. They had attacked his professor the same way Dudley and his friends had attacked Harry. Something had happened that night at the shack, though. Something far beyond house rivalry or unprompted duals in the hallways. Harry knew his professor would never tell him. The man buried way too much of the past within himself to dig it out.
Making up his mind, Harry ran up to his room and pulled his father’s cloak out of his trunk. Hiding behind the cloak, he made his way to the headmaster’s office, which contained the only functioning floo network in the school. With Dumbledore away on a mission and the portraits asleep, he should be able to make it to Grimmauld Place with no problem.
When he arrived, he found a startled looking Sirius Black nursing a fire whiskey in the dimly lit room. “What are you doing awake?” asked the younger boy.
“What are you doing out of school?” Sirius retorted, no real heat to his remark. Harry shrugged but took a seat on the sofa next to his godfather’s chair.
“I wanted to ask you something.” Harry said. Sirius nodded. Harry paused, hesitant to continue but finally pushed on. “I saw something in Professor Snape’s memories. He was badly injured. Dad was mad at you. It was the full moon. I didn’t completely understand but I knew Snape wouldn’t give me a straight answer.”
A beat of silence passed as Sirius processed the information. Harry could see realization flicker across Sirius’ face. He slumped forward, burying his face in his hands. Just as Harry was about to reach out, about to end the conversation, Sirius straightened once more.
“What did he tell you?” Sirius asked, attempting to keep his voice under control.
“Nothing. I don’t even know what I saw. I accidentally attacked him during our Occlumency lessons and he kicked me out.” explained Harry. Sirius took a deep breath, not wanting the anger and buried feelings to be seen.
“Whatever happened was between us. I don’t think it’s necessary…” Sirius started.
“But I think it is,” Harry cut in. “What happened then is clearly affecting things today – it’s clearly affecting me. Professor Snape can’t even look at me. He treats me differently because of all of this, whether it's intentional or not. He hates Mooney, too.”
Sirius’ eye snapped up at that last comment, unaware of how that one night was still carrying its consequences. Finally, the older man relented. “Alright. Fine. We never really got along, Severus and I…” Sirius began the tale. He went on to explain how the two took an instant dislike toward one another on their first train ride to Hogwarts. He explained how James’ feelings for Lily had added fuel to the fire and how, in their fourth year, James had publicly humiliated Snape in front of the entire school.
“But then,” Sirius continued, his voice softening, “I found him crying by the edge of the forest. I didn’t expect it, but… we talked. Over the summer, we even wrote letters. When we came back for fifth year, though, he had changed, grown into his awkward features and my feelings…” He trailed off, his expression tightening. “... well, they got complicated. I didn’t know how to handle it. I pushed him away. Made things worse.”
Shit hit the fan later that year when Severus became suspicious of the Marauders' activities and Sirius had challenged him to come to the Shrieking Shack during the full moon. Severus had come, unable to back down from such a dare and ended up in the hospital wing for his troubles. Remus had almost gotten him but James intervened at the last minute and saved Severus’ life. This incident had cemented their relationship into hatred. Nothing could ever change that, according to Sirius. Harry patiently listened to the story, taking in the hidden past he had known nothing about.
“It’s not something I’m proud of,” Sirius finished, his voice barely above a whisper.
Harry absorbed the story, his chest tight. “What happened after?”
“Well,” Sirius replied. “You know. We just hated each other, even when we fought on the same side of the war, he still hated me.”
“No, I mean didn’t you get in trouble?” Harry clarified.
“I mean we couldn’t play Quidditch for a week but that was about it.” Sirius shrugged.
Harry’s jaw dropped. “A week ? That’s it? He nearly died , Sirius! And I got detention for throwing a paper at Draco!”
Sirius gave a half-hearted shrug, but his shame was evident. “It was different back then,” he muttered.
“Did you even apologize?” Harry pressed.
Sirius looked away. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. And for the life of me, Harry… I don’t even remember inviting him there. I know what happened, but I don’t remember doing it . James told me afterward, yelling about how I could’ve turned Moony into a murderer. But…”
Harry’s eyes widened even more. He felt the wheels turning in his brain. “That’s strange. That’s the only scene I saw in Professor Snape’s memory too. Do you think…?” Harry paused.
Sirius leaned in closer. “Do I think what?” he probed.
“Do you think Professor Snape manipulated those memories? Maybe that’s why you didn’t get punished? Because there wasn’t enough proof?” Harry asked, conspiratorially.
Sirius leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his long forgotten whiskey. “I don’t know. He was definitely injured. I remember taking him to the hospital wing after he passed out. He didn’t come back to class for a month!”
“Yeah, but maybe he made up the part about you inviting him. Maybe he lied to dad and actually just followed you out!” Harry exclaimed.
Sirius shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter now. It’s been over 20 years.” Harry nodded, though his mind was already far away, thinking about the possibilities.
“Can I stay here for the night?” he asked suddenly, not ready to leave his godfather just yet.
Sirius’ somber mood shifts into glee. “Oh, yeah! Why not?” Sirius exclaimed. “I was bored and decided to start renovating a room for you. If you want to stay with me over holiday breaks, that is.”
“I’d love that,” Harry whispered, trying to hide the tears in his eyes.
Sirius smiled at him warmly. “Come on, let’s go see your new room.”