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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance	By : RikuRocks Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 5752 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to Harry Potter, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 24
- 25
- 26
Chapter 25: Unspoken Understandings.
Harry spared a smile and nod to Remus in response to his questioning glance as the bespectacled boy passed the werewolf in the sitting room. Harry quickly made his way back to the guestroom and changed. He barely ran a comb through his unruly hair and decided he�d brush his teeth after breakfast before heading back down the stairs.
As he passed Snape�s potions lab, he remembered that he had told Draco he would inform the sallow-skinned man about breakfast. With a reluctant sigh, Harry turned and knocked on the closed door.
�What do you want, Potter?� Snape said as he opened the door.
�How did you know it was me?� demanded Harry.
�Because neither Draco nor the werewolf sound like they are trying to put their fist through the door when they knock,� replied the potions master smoothly. �I would appreciate it if you would not attempt to damage my property during your stay, Potter.�
Harry needed a few seconds to unclench his jaw before he responded; �Fine. Draco asked me to tell you that breakfast should be ready in a minute.�
�Tell him I shall be a moment and to start without me,� Snape drawled. His tone was marginally less hostile as he asked, �How was he over the remainder of the evening?�
Harry found his anger and irritation with the man ebbing slightly as his thoughts turned to Draco. �He still had nightmares, but they weren�t nearly as bad. He was able to sleep through the rest of the night, but he woke up before me so I�m not sure exactly how long that was.�
�He never was one to lay in late into the morning,� Snape stated as though Harry was expected to know it already. The man�s voice softened very slightly when he added, �His mother was the same way.�
The green-eyed boy was not sure how to respond to that, but he was spared the need to when Snape spoke again in his usual drawl. �Did Draco take any of the potions I left him?�
Harry knew this conversation was going to get much worse. �Er�he took one��
Snape arched a single black eyebrow and regarded Harry suspiciously; ��And?�
The bespectacled boy sighed. �He took some bluish one that made him cold�Remus told me what that meant this morning.�
Snape�s expression was unreadable, �I shall speak to him about that later. Tell him I�ll be a moment.�
The obsidian-eyes man made to close the door, but Harry spoke quickly, which halted the motion. �I already talked to him. His reasoning can�t really be argued, and he said he would tell me before he knowingly put himself at risk again.�
�What is your point?� questioned Snape impatiently.
�Don�t upset him,� Harry stated levelly.
Snape�s lip curled slightly as though he tasted something bitter. �How touching, Potter. It would be even more so if it were coming from someone who has showed any interest in Draco�s wellbeing prior to last week. ...Or if it were coming from someone who did not have any personal uses for him.�
�I am not using him,� Harry replied angrily though clenched teeth. �I understand your concern though,� the bespectacled teen added acidly. �I find it very hard to believe that you would understand someone could care for someone without any personal agendas��
Snape�s eyes were livid, though his voice came out in a cold hiss. �How dare you imply that I would use him? Unlike you, Potter, not everyone thinks in terms of how they are solely affected. I have been Lucius and Narcissa�s friend since before he was born�I have known him his entire life. Unlike you, I have cared for him the entire time I have known him.�
Harry was not sure whether he was more shocked or angered. He actually sputtered for a moment before he heard a familiar mild voice behind him.
�Harry? What�s wrong?� Remus appeared bedside Harry before he had finished his sentence.
�It seems Potter does not like being proven wrong,� drawled Snape. �Of course, considering how arrogant his father was, I suppose that should come as no surprise to those of us who knew him��
Remus looked at Snape with an unreadable expression. His voice was likewise void of emotion when he spoke to Harry, still holding the potions mater�s gaze. �Harry, would you head down to the kitchen and tell Draco we�ll be a moment? Snape and I have something to discuss. It may take a little while.�
Harry glanced between the two men. Remus� expression remained impassive, but his eyes were set and determined. Snape was looking at the werewolf with open loathing. �Er�okay�are you sure you�ll be alright?�
�I�ll be fine, Harry,� answered the lycanthrope in a tone that left little room for argument. �Thank you.�
Knowing a dismissal when he heard one, no matter how politely it was presented, Harry nodded and turned to head to the kitchen. Neither of the men spoke while he was still within earshot.
Harry headed straight to the kitchen, where he found Draco putting all of the prepared food into serving bowls and setting them on the table so everyone could serve themselves.
The blonde glanced at the bespectacled boy before saying, �I take it Severus didn�t simply thank you for passing along the message?�
�No,� answered the bespectacled boy as he sat at the table. �Remus is having another talk with him, so they might be a while.�
The fair Slytherin shook his head as he sat beside the raven-haired boy. �That man doesn�t hesitate to throw himself to the wolves when it comes to you, does he? �Pardon the expression.�
Harry looked at the other boy and waved off the comment upon seeing his sincere expression. �You know, Snape is pretty much the Slytherin version of him when it comes to you.�
�Yes well, whatever you do, don�t refer to Severus that way in his presence,� replied the grey-eyed boy.
The green-eyed boy snorted, �He should feel flattered that I would even consider comparing him to Remus.�
�He won�t see it that way.� The blonde sighed and glanced at the bespectacled boy. ��Actually, you�ll find very few wizards who are pleased at being compared to a werewolf.�
�He�s more than just a werewolf! He�s a good man and a very powerful wizard, if the Ministry weren�t so-� Harry paused when he realized the harshness of his tone and that he had basically just jumped down Draco�s throat. �Sorry�I know you already know all of that. It�s just��
�It�s hard having everyone else see someone you care about as a monster and not being able to prove them wrong. I know that too.� Draco added the last part softly before casually scooping up a spoonful of cut fruit to put on his plate.
Harry sighed and turned to look at the pale boy as he responded with as much sincerity as he could.
�Look, I know there�s more to Snape than just what I see. I shouldn�t have always painted him out to be the villain or tried to convince everyone else that he was. I still don�t like him, but I�m sorry that he�s in the position that he is. Maybe I am a little too quick to judge�� The last admittance obviously took a bit of effort to state aloud.
�Oh yes, it�s entirely your fault, Harry,� Draco replied dryly as he rolled his eyes. �If it weren�t for you, Severus would be holding a position at the ministry while Nymphs braided flowers into his hair. Don�t be daft,� the blonde punctuated his last statement by pegging Harry in the forehead with a grape. �Severus chose his path long ago and it had nothing to do with you.�
�I am not being daft and I know it isn�t all about me,� Harry countered as he tossed a piece of potato at the blonde.
�Harry, no throwing food,� Remus� hoarse voice scolded from the doorway.
�He started it,� the bespectacled boy responded immediately.
Remus snorted and shook his head slowly as he approached the table. �You�re definitely James� son�� he murmured as he sat. �Well you were the one who got caught, so you�re the one getting scolded; next time be sneakier about it.�
The two teenagers blinked at the werewolf before glancing at each other.
�I probably should have expected that from a marauder.� The bespectacled boy commented matter-of-factly.
�Considering what I�ve heard about them, I would think so.� Draco replied offhandedly.
Snape entered the room then, robes billowing and door slamming against the wall as he passed through. He sneered slightly at Remus before sitting down at the table and glancing at Draco as he started serving himself. �Potter mentioned your choice of potions last night. I trust you�ll exercise more caution in the future.�
Harry could not tell whether that was an order or a question -and Draco�s nod of response could have followed either- but the two Slytherins seemed to understand one another, so he decided not to risk starting an argument all over again.
Remus glanced across the table at Harry; �Are you planning to update Ron and Hermione today?�
The bespectacled boy paused for a moment as green eyes widened slightly.
Draco paused as well and offered the Gryffindor an incredulous look. �You forgot about contacting them already?�
Harry drew his brows slightly and hoped he wasn�t sounding as defensive as he felt. �Well I said I�d do it at least every couple of days, so they shouldn�t panic as long as I contact them later today.�
�You should not count on being near a trustworthy Floo that often anyway, Potter,� Snape interjected, �And your owl draws too much attention.�
Both of the adolescents simply stared at the sallow man in confusion.
�We�ve been a bit distracted since our arrival,� stated Remus, offering the potions master a somewhat apologetic expression. �We have our own method of communication, which we intend to fill you in on.�
Draco produced the enchanted Chocolate Frog card from his back pocket and offered it to Snape across the table. �Lupin invented a rather clever alteration of the Protein Charm when all of you were in school�he altered it a bit for our purposes.�
It appeared that Snape was about to make a snide remark about the spell�s creator when he noticed the image of Dumbledore staring up at him with a knowing expression. His voice was much less biting than Harry had expected when he spoke. �I take it this is how your�friends�were able to avoid trouble for passing notes?�
Remus nodded and briefly explained how the spell worked, as well as how to use the cards. Snape never complimented or thanked the other man, but at least refrained from any open hostility or contempt.
Harry watched this with an expression of disbelief before he glanced at Draco, who was smiling softly. �We both need to get each of them something nice for their birthdays after this,� whispered the pallid boy as he met Harry�s eyes.
Harry grinned and nodded before tucking into his breakfast.
After everyone had eaten in silence, Harry offered to clean up while Remus filled Snape and Draco in on the spell he was planning to create to destroy a living Horcrux without killing the being.
The bespectacled boy noticed that Draco must have spelled the all cookware he used to clean itself after he made breakfast, as none of them required any cleaning. He was looking for a rag to dry the dishes with when he suddenly felt something grow warm in his pocket. A quick search determined that it was his own Chocolate Frog card, and that the text had changed from information on Dumbledore�s achievements to a note written to him.

Harry, Hermione reckons she found something useful, and both of us would like to know how you�re doing. No word from Lupin yet on this end; is he still with you? If he is, tell him to make sure he�s alone at four o�clock�he�s going to be contacted by another Order member then. Moody confiscated the Extendable Ears before I could find out why. How�s the ferret? Please write back soon. ~Ron.

Harry pulled his wand from his pocket, intending to respond, but then he froze. Hermione had always cast the Protein Charm for him back in fifth year, and he had not been paying proper attention on either of the occasions when Remus explained how the spell worked. With a sigh the bespectacled boy turned and headed for the sitting room. He was not looking forward to Snape�s snide remarks, Draco�s incredulous expression, or Remus cleverly hidden disappointment when he admitted he hadn�t been paying attention earlier�but he needed to learn.
When Harry approached the sitting room, Remus was explaining one of the finer points of his theory, and looked like his patience on the matter was slightly strained. Snape looked over the werewolf�s notes with a sour expression, glancing at the lycanthrope every now and again. Between that and Draco�s impressed expression as he listened in and looked over a page from one of the texts Remus had been reading, the bespectacled boy guessed that the potions master had been unable to find any flaws in Remus� theory.
That thought caused him to smile as he realized they could do this.
Harry moved to stand beside Draco, who glanced at him and murmured, �I am so glad that man is on our side�this is brilliant. Even Severus cannot find anything to complain about.�
�It looks promising,� Snape drawled out, clearly unhappy about what he was saying�or rather who he was saying it to. Then his dark eyes shifted to Draco and much of the bitterness seemed to fade from his voice. �We will still have to test it before we attempt it on Draco, naturally. I will not risk you tearing his soul apart to test this theory.�
�I would not have that either,� commented Remus calmly. Then his attention turned to Harry as though he knew the boy had come to ask a question. Harry guessed that he somehow did.
�I received a message from Ron and Hermione while I was doing the dishes, and�er, I can�t send one back.�
Rather than appearing disappointed, Remus looked slightly amused. Snape rolled his eyes before wearing an expression that suggested he thought Harry was hopeless and they all were doomed. Draco merely raised an eyebrow slightly and then shook his head slowly.
Remus patiently began teaching Harry how to activate the altered Protein Charm, ignoring Snape�s curled lip and open loathing. Then, Draco approached the sallow man and began asking him questions about something he came across in the text he had been browsing.
After some time, Harry was able to successfully perform the charm and sent a message back to his friends. He informed them of the aeternus noctis curse, their acquired Horcrux, and the news of the remaining ones, although he left out the fact that Draco was the human Horcrux. The green-eyed boy decided that it was enough that he, Remus, and Severus knew. Moreover, he felt he should check with Draco before telling anyone else and he was not about to bring up the subject around Snape.
Harry thanked the werewolf after the message had been received, and then remembered that he was supposed to deliver another message. He glanced at Snape, and found that Draco seemed to be deliberately keeping the potions master occupied.
�Remus;� The raven-haired boy spoke quietly as he sat beside the lycanthrope again and leaned over as though reading from the same book. If Remus was at all surprised or put off by this action, he did not show it. �Ron says that you have to be alone at four o�clock�someone from the Order is going to contact you. He wasn�t able to find out why though.�
The werewolf nodded, expression unaltered; however, Harry thought he noticed a trace of wariness to the man�s warm eyes. �I had expected another day before they did so�thank you for the alert, and please thank Ron for me the next time you contact him.�
�Remus�something�s happening, isn�t it?� questioned Harry quietly, still trying not to alert Snape of the subject of their discussion.
�In these kinds of wars, Harry, it is only a matter of time before trusts start to wane,� commented the lycanthrope softly. He released a wary sigh before continuing, �I believe that time has arrived for this war. I believe Snape�s�betrayal, as everyone else sees it, started it. Dumbledore trusted him so much�so if he could have been wrong, then who�s to say that any of us are right to trust each other?
�Naturally, it�s the half-breeds that are under the most suspicion. The fact that Hagrid and I can go where no one else in the Order can and do what no else can do is useful, but also grounds for the questions: exactly how human are we�and could we be recruited while we are trying to convert others? Focey has been hinting to this, as I�m sure you noticed the other evening.�
With a small glare at the memory, Harry nodded. �So they aren�t going to like it that you just disappeared for a couple days without any notice.�
Remus offered the emerald-eyed boy a slight, comforting smile. �I did inform them that I would be assisting you in any way that I could, so it should not come as too much of a surprise. In any case, there are several members of the order who have learned from our past mistakes. It will be fine, Harry.�
The teenager sighed as he nodded. �I still wish� It shouldn�t be so hard. You always seem to do the right thing and no one seems to care.�
�As I�ve told you before Harry, I�m used to it,� replied the fawn-haired man mildly. �Perhaps one day�well, we�re doing all that we can to improve things, aren�t we? That�s enough for me just now.�
�I feel like I haven�t actually accomplished much since�the end of last semester,� green eyes glanced toward Draco and Snape. When he looked at Remus again, the man was looking at him calmly, but with a touch of incredulousness.
�In less than forty-eight hours form leaving Grimmauld Place, we have procured another Horcrux, discerned the identity of the last Horcrux, started works on inventing a spell that will destroy it, fought off a few particularly nasty hexes and curses, renewed contact with a powerful ally, and paid respects to the graves of our loves ones�that isn�t accomplishing much?�
Harry blinked before smirking slightly at his surrogate godfather; �Well when you say it that way��
�Harry,� Draco�s voice interrupted gently as he moved closer to the named boy. �When did you want to get started?�
Remus made a soft sound of amusement and murmured something that sounded like �kids these days�.
Draco arched an eyebrow and said �You aren�t that old,� just as Harry scoffed and said, �As if you and Sirius weren�t like this.�
The lycanthrope nodded and raised a hand in surrender; �Alright, you both have valid points.� He glanced at Harry with a solemn expression, �So, what is your plan from here?�
The two boys glanced at each other, and something in Draco�s gaze told Harry that he would follow his lead. The raven-haired boy turned back to the werewolf. �We want to start looking for Nagini right away. We�ll leave for the old Riddle house later today and go from there.�
�By yourselves...?� Snape�s gaze flicked to Remus before returning to Draco.
The grey-eyed boy nodded. �Lupin has other duties to attend to, and now a new spell to create as well. You also have your own responsibilities and I would not risk you exposing your alliances by helping us further.�
The obsidian-eyed man�s expression turned sympathetic as he responded. �The Dark Lord and his inner circle have taken up residency in Malfoy Manor since Narcissa�s passing. He has grown comfortable in his belief that there is no longer any opposition worth fearing. Unless your quest becomes known to him, he will likely do nothing until his Death Eaters discover yours or Potter�s whereabouts.�
Draco paled and his breathing had grown heavy; fear, pain, and anger were warring for dominance in his eyes. Harry wrapped an arm around the blonde�s shoulders and waited until he seemed to calm a little before looking at Snape. �No opposition worth fearing? What about the Order or the Ministry?�
The sallow-skinned man scoffed and cast the bespectacled boy a withering glance. Remus responded instead, �Lord Voldemort has never considered the Ministry a real threat, and why should he? They�ve never come close to understanding what they�re up against with him.�
Snape nodded before adding, �And The Dark Lord believes that the Order will be disorganized and disheartened after my treachery and the loss of Dumbledore. While that isn�t entirely true, he is right to assume they cannot harm him as of yet�and he knows you are working alone now. Despite the prophecy, a mere seventeen year old is hardly going to instill any fear in him.�
�The advantage you have now is that he does not know the extent of your knowledge, nor does he know that you and Draco have formed an allegiance. He certainly has never considered just how dangerous Lupin or I could be now.�
The werewolf and the potions master�s eyes met for a moment and neither spoke, but it was obvious that some sort of understanding passed between the two men. Finally, Snape arched an eyebrow just slightly and Remus gave a nearly imperceptible nod. Harry had the inexplicable feeling that something significant had just shifted.
The green-eyed boy exchanged a glance with the blonde beside him. Draco looked from Lupin to Snape afterwards, appearing curious and pensive.
�If you insist on going alone,� Snape drawled as he gazed at the young Slytherin, �Then I suggest you stock up on potions beforehand. I have a few small cauldrons of potions you�ll need to counter the effects of aeternus noctis. You may take anything else you need from my personal stores.�

�Don�t forget to cast unbreakable charms on the bottles,� Remus added before indicating a couple of books that were sitting on Snape�s coffee table. Harry recognized them as the ones he had removed from Draco�s bag of holding the previous day. �Do you mind if I keep those books here?�
�Please do,� Draco murmured, sounding preoccupied. His gaze quickly returned to Snape. �Thank you.�
�Potter;� the obsidian-eyed man glanced at the named boy. �Do you think you can handle assisting Draco in bottling the potions? Naturally, you should leave the rest to him, since you are incapable of recognizing even the most common concoction.�
Harry narrowed his eyes at the sallow-skinned man, but a gentle nudge from Draco prevented him from saying anything before he followed the blonde out of the room.
�What is Snape�s problem?� hissed the green-eyed boy as they entered Snape�s laboratory. �Just because I couldn�t tell the difference between puce and lavender during a moment of crisis he acts like-�
�He was trying to get rid of you, Harry,� Draco interjected thoughtfully as he began bottling a clear potion. �Well, both of us really, but he knows he could have simply asked me to give him a moment alone with Lupin.�
Harry -who had already started bottling the same periwinkle potion he had seen the pale boy drink the previous evening- stopped what he was doing and immediately turned to the blonde. �Why does he want to be alone with Remus? Did you see that look that passed between them earlier?�
The grey-eyed boy paused in his work only to shoot his counterpart a look that clearly stated �are you serious?� �Of course I saw it�and I can only assume that they have decided it�s time to start working on their own as well. It almost appeared that they had some sort of contingency plan all along and they just agreed that it was time to put it into effect.�
Harry considered the fair Slytherin�s words for a moment and then nodded. �Maybe Dumbledore made some sort of arrangement with them before he die-� The bespectacled boy cringed when he saw that Draco grew even paler than usual at his words. �Sorry.�
The blonde sighed, �I have to get used to it sooner or later.� He cast a quick unbreakable charm on the bottles he had already filled before speaking again, seeming to understand that Harry was too afraid he�d say something else uncouth if he tried to continue the conversation. �Granted I didn�t know Dumbledore as well as you, but I think he might be out of tricks. Severus and Lupin are perfectly capable of handling things on their own�I think it might be all them now.�
�Yeah,� Harry nodded and the corner of his mouth turned up ever so slightly. �I don�t think even Dumbledore could have foreseen everything that�s happened since I left Privet Drive.� Green eyes turned to the door; �You�re right about Remus and Snape, too� I wonder what they�re up to.�
Draco had finished with the translucent potion and had moved along to the crimson one. �Just don�t let Severus catch you spying on them. We aren�t in school; he won�t be as forgiving.�
Harry was already halfway to the door when he registered the pale boy�s final words and stopped in his tracks. �That was forgiving?�
The fair Slytherin paused in his work to fix Harry with a serious stare. �If it weren�t for the fact that I know they�d deserve it, I would pity anyone who truly wrongs him.�
Harry gulped, then nodded and turned back to the door. As he snuck down the hall as quietly as he could, he thought about the two men in the sitting room. Not only were they the most impressive wizards that he knew, but both men were incredibly knowledgeable, cunning, loyal, and had a remarkable ability to remain calm and rational in a number of situations that would cause most men to lose their nerve.
�And both had lost nearly everything they held dear because of Voldemort and his followers.
Strangely enough, the idea of Snape and Remus plotting something together suddenly did not sound strange. In fact, Harry found himself growing rather intrigued by the idea as he settled near the sitting room door and vaguely wondered if it would be possible for Ron to send him a pair of Extendable Ears.
Remus� voice reached his strained ears first. The werewolf sounded firmer than he usually did, yet still gentle and kind�or at least kinder than anyone should when speaking to Snape.
�You are still more useful than I am, Severus. If Voldemort does learn of our efforts, or if he manages to locate Harry and Draco, you are the only one in a position to warn them beforehand. You can still assist the Order too, if you like�they don�t like it when I keep my contacts from them, but they�ve learned that I don�t pass along untrustworthy information.�
�That does not stop certain members from questioning your every action, I�m certain,� drawled Snape, sounding almost aggrieved. Harry was surprised by the obsidian-eyed man�s tone, and wondered just what he had missed when he had been away from the Order in the past.
There was a moment of silence, during which the green-eyed boy assumed that the two wizards were having anther brief, silent communication. Soon enough, Snape spoke again. �Do you really believe you can continue to due the Order�s bidding while creating one of the most complicated spells ever attempted, gathering a legion of creatures such as the wizarding world has never imagined, and protecting our incredibly ignorant and brash savior?�
There was another brief pause before the lycanthrope responded. �Voldemort has more followers than the others are willing to believe; you know this as well as I. We can move all the pieces in place but once the final battle begins, we�ll need them, Severus. I have to keep up a line of communication at least, and as you obviously know, I have a hard enough time maintaining the others� trust lately�how will they react when I can no longer excuse my excursions as missions for the Order?�
Harry could practically hear the sneer in Snape�s voice as he replied; �You have never given them a reason not to trust you. McGonagall and Shakelbolt, at least, will take any warnings you offer to heart�the others will follow their lead, in the end.�
�I hope you�re right,� Remus conceded. �I still think its best if you play it as safe as you can. You have potions to brew and alter on top of everything else�and it�s too dangerous for you to be seen doing anything suspicious. Let me take the risks.
�I can come and go easier than you can and we both know I can be just as sneaky as you when I have to be. Voldemort�s followers already know I�m a threat and the Order is under no confusion as to where my allegiances lie. I have some preparations in the works that I need to attend to before I can just limit my cooperation with the Order anyway.�
�That is acceptable, but do not take too many risks�and act swiftly. Draco will not put his survival above The Dark Lord�s destruction. Once he and Potter have acquired and destroyed each of the other Horcruxes, he will only give us so long before he moves.� Snape sounded both irritated and proud as he spoke of the fair Slytherin.
Remus did not mention that Harry had already told him as much. �I�ll return here as soon as I can and saving Draco is just as important to me as protecting Harry. Besides, you�ve created spells in the past as well. Actually, I had planned on asking you to assist me if you can�I think it would be best if we worked on it together.�
There was another brief pause, and this one felt heavier, even to Harry, who could not see either of the two wizards� expressions.
�Of course I will assist in saving Draco. The Dark Lord knows little of potions, and none of his followers have a strong enough grasp of the craft to understand what I�m creating; none will think it odd if I need a few days to work undisturbed. I will simply have to ask Greyback or Wormtail to deliver the final formula.� Snape�s voice took on a tone as he finished, �Though neither are entirely trustworthy, it would be a same��
Remus seemed to pick up the sallow-skinned man�s train of thought. ��If either of them were to let that information leak out. The other werewolves would be disinclined to join Voldemort if they knew what that potion does.�
�They might even turn against him�especially if the one leading the assault was not just a wizard, but an exceptionally powerful werewolf.� Snape continued without his usual tinge of irony or quipping. �One who was actually lived his claims and managed to find a place in the wizarding world; if a small or difficult one.�
Harry was stunned into silence and it seemed that Remus was as well. After a moment, the obsidian-eyed man spoke again, this time with a touch of impatience and challenge. �Assuming, of course, that said werewolf were willing to lead for once rather than stand aside while those that are less exceptional attempt to take charge��
�No one changes the world on their own, Severus;� the lycanthrope replied gently.
�No, but those who are willing need to be led by those who possess the skills required to succeed. Now that Dumbledore is gone, that responsibility has been left to us.�
�Well, I learned long ago, that neglecting my responsibilities out of fear will only lead to regret�especially if causes others to suffer.�
Harry knew the werewolf was speaking of his time at Hogwarts, when he had been too afraid of losing his friends to stop them from tormenting Snape�something he was obviously opposed to. The boy shifted to the seal between the door and the wall, hoping he might be able to see one of the two men. The bespectacled boy sensed that Remus was about to try to make amends, but he doubted Snape would be forgiving in the least.
�Severus, I know-� The scarred man�s tone changed as abruptly as his words. �I agree�I�ll do what I must. And I believe the rest of this discussion should be continued another time�when we have more privacy.�
The green-eyed boy swore under his breath and spun on heels, and then he headed down the hall as swiftly as he could without making too much noise. He found Draco in Snape�s potions storeroom, carefully selecting a few bottles without disturbing any of the others. The blonde turned and arched an eyebrow upon Harry�s sudden arrival.
�Caught in the act by Lupin, I presume?�
Harry nodded; �At least, I�m pretty sure I was. He suddenly changed topics mid-sentence and then said they should continue when they had more privacy. Knowing Remus, that means I was caught.�
The grey-eyed boy nodded as he selected an acid green potion in a tiny bottle and carefully placed it in his rucksack. �Did you overhear anything of interest prior to that, or were they just�exchanging pleasantries?�
The raven-haired boy snorted at the emaciated boy�s choice of phrase before he answered seriously, with no small amount of nervous enthusiasm. �Snape is going to pass along some potion plan to Greyback or Pettigrew and Remus is planning on intercepting them, I think. I know Remus is amazing with this sort of thing, but I don�t-�
�Wait, Harry,� the blonde looked at the darker boy thoughtfully. �What exactly did they say?�
Harry could not quote the two wizards word-for-word, as he was sure Hermione or Draco would have been able to, but he was able to get close enough for his own liking. It seemed to be enough for the pallid boy as well, since he pondered the words for a mere second before looking relieved. �I�m guessing I missed one of those nuances you Slytherins are so apt at catching��
Draco looked as though he were deciding whether to take that s a compliment or a jibe, before he finally nodded once and replied. �It sounds to me like Severus is going to hand over one of the potions we discovered in his notes. Then, Lupin is going to call out the werewolves who aren�t too bloodthirsty to listen to reason and tell them just what the potion does.
�Naturally, this will make the werewolves who were going to fight for V-Voldemort turn against him and might even bring out the fight in the werewolves who were planning on sitting this one out. Lupin doesn�t actually have to be anywhere near Greyback or Pettigrew; neither are particularly clever, so everyone will just assume that they let the information leak somehow.�
�Do you think they�ll be punished?� The raven-haired boy wondered if he should feel at least slightly bad about the prospect. Instead, he just thought it would be Greyback or Wormtail�s comeuppance.
�Yes, but likely not to the extent that my family has been�� A faint quiver and loss of color indicated that the grey-eyed boy did not share Harry�s thoughts on the matter. �The punishment will depend on when V- Vold-emort discovers the leak and how bad the damage is.�
Harry decided not to dwell on that matter further; vengeful thoughts against the man who betrayed his family and the werewolf who bit Remus weren�t going to help him. He thought about the conversation he had just heard and realized something. �I have a feeling that you were right about Snape and Remus having planned this before now.�
�They were the ones Dumbledore asked to investigate Horcruxes originally,� Draco commented musingly as he closed his rucksack. ��And they were spies during the last war as well. They might have decided what to do back then, should some sort of worse case scenario come into play.�
Harry was deep in thought as he followed the blonde to the guestroom. He shook his head slowly as his mind cleared, and noticed that Draco was watching him worriedly while he repacked both of their bags. �I know this might sound bad�but I�m almost glad that is happening now. Not that I wouldn�t rather it didn�t happen, just-�
The grey-eyed boy nodded his understanding, and Harry continued; �I can�t imagine having to live with all this for so long. Most people were able to move on, it seems, but people like Dumbledore, Remus, and Snape�they were just waiting for the other shoe to fall all these years. It must have been awful.�
�That�s why we�re going to end this war as quickly as we can.� Draco turned and met Harry�s gaze; his expression was both determined and heartbreaking. �We�re going to free them all of such burdens.�
�I think Remus and Snape at least would rather take their time if it ensures that everyone they care about survives,� the bespectacled boy stated pointedly. �I know I would.�
�You can�t always save the people you love,� the grey-eyed boy murmured with a sad expression.
Harry knew the blonde was thinking of his family and wished he could think of something to say that would make him feel better. Since he knew nothing would help, he decided to try to argue his own case once more. �You tried, Draco�let us do the same.�
�I am;� came the simple answer, though the pale Slytherin�s tone was anything but simple. It sounded resolute yet pleading, sad but resolved, and frightened but calm all at once. Draco�s eyes looked as haunted as they had the night before, after he had woken up from his curse-induced nightmare.
The green-eyed boy could only stare at the emaciated Slytherin for a moment. He knew all too well what it was like to have Voldemort literally plague your nightmares. He also knew what it was like to fear for your life, although he suspected his situation had never been quite like Draco�s�and in the end, he had never had to make the same choices.
For Harry, it was him or Voldemort�ones death meant the other�s life. For Draco, his own death meant that Voldemort�s demise was possible. The bespectacled boy honestly could not say what he would do if he were in the other boy�s position.
With nothing else to say on the subject, Harry released a tired, slightly frustrated sigh before nodding to the blonde. �Alright; let�s go tell Remus and Snape that we�re ready.�
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Harry Potter and the Unusual Alliance