"I don't think that it would matter either way, Professor." Ron answered after the light of understanding dawned.

"Why so, Mr. Weasley?" Severus asked with an expectant look. "Bonus points for Weasley. I would have thought the know-it-all would have answered first."

"Hermione's not a strategic thinker, her strengths lie in research and knowledge retention. As you've already noted it's really Ron's forte."

"Professor, even if I wasn't friends with Harry, I'd still be a target. Vo..Voldemort will go after me to rock my dad. Hermione's a target because she's a muggle born and frankly she's out scoring every pureblood in the school. That's an embarrassment to his way of thinking." Ron replied after organizing his thoughts.

"Very astute observation, Mr. Weasley. I'd give points, but it may give Longbottom a heart attack." Severus replied with a smirk and watched in amusement as Longbottom struggled not to fall over in shock.

"Besides ruining your reputation, that is, Professor." Granger replied with a smile before turning to heusemusemate. "Why are you heading to the Hospital Wing, Neville?"

"The Headmaster invited me. He said that they caught one of the Death Eaters that tortured my parents. aid aid I had the right to be at the questioning. I'd rather hex him and be done with it." Longbottom replied, shoring up his failing valour when he realized that his least favourite professor was going to be there too.

"Then we'd best get a move on. They won't wait long testiestion the prisoner." Severus turned and resumed his journey to the Hospital Wi Noi Noir was sending waves of anger and hate through the bond and Severus was trying his best to soothe the snake. It wouldn't do to have him wound up and killing the bitch before they could find out where Lupin was.

Their arrival coincided with that of Tonks, Shacklebolt and several Aurors that Severus didn't know. He found himself a position in the shadows as close to the bed as he could get and proceeded to stroke Noir as he waited for the questioning to begin. Noir shifted restlessly and never took his eyes off of Lestrange as they waited. They didn't wait long for the moment they got settled Albus strode through the infirmary doors with the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister of Magic.

"Ah, I see that everyone's here and waiting for everything to begin." Albus chattered cheerfully at the assembled crowd. "Shall we begin then?"

One of the Aurors moved to enervate her, but Severus intervened before the indial cal could move half a step. Fudge puffed up in preparation for one of his infamous fits when Severus stopped the Auror. Albus stepped in to intervene and prevented Severus and Noir from doing the fool bodily harm.

"What is the problem, Severus?" Albus asked while Tonks and Shacklebolt looked on intently.

"Did you search her for additional weapons?" Severus asked in his usual condescending whisper.

"We have her wand, Snape. Stop interfering or are you tryin del delay us? Planning to help her escape?" Fudge insinuated and Severus barely caught Noir as he lunged at the annoying man in anger.

Everyone within range took several steps back, with the exception of Albus. Severus spent several moments calming the enraged snake before turning his attention to the rooms other occupants with a sneer. A small part of warmed as it processed Noir's protective instincts and the overflow of the snake's emotions flowed down the bond.

"Fool! Death Eaters commonly carry two or more wands. One is always used for the Dark Lord's business while the other is kept in reserve for Ministry scrutiny." Severus lectured, still stroking Noir's head as he did so. "Lestrange is also known for her love of knives. She tends to carry dozens of them concealed about persperson. If you wish to be killed or maimed then wake her up with out checking."

Severus watched as Tonks and Shacklebolt quickly searched the witch's stolen clothing and found an assortment of wands, including Lupin's, and knives. They stepped away after doing so and handed everything, except Lupin's wand, which was given to Albus, to the Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Once their task was completed they nodded to their fellow to revive the captive.

"Severus, would you administer the Veritaserum, please?" Albus asked after making sure the restraints were intact.

Severus removed the vial from his robes and made his way to the now conscious and struggling witch. She tried to keep from swallowing after Severus added the drops to her mouth, but with Shacklebolt's help he forced her to take it. Once he was sure she was under the influence of the potion her signaled to Albus, who began the questioning immediat

"What is your name?" Albus started with the most basic standard question.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," was the woman's detached and automatic response.

"Do you serve Voldemort?"

"Yes," Lestrange responded with a wide, manic smile.

"Did you torture Alice and Frank Longbottom?"

"Yes, the filthggleggle-lovers kept the location of my Lord from us. They deserved what they got."

"To spy on the Order of the Phoenix and Severus Snape."

"Did you have any orders concerning Harry Potter?"

"Yes, I was to isolate him from everyone in the school. I've failed my Lord."

"In what way did you fail in your mission?"

"The mudblood and the muggle-loving offspring of Weasley wouldn't talk to me."

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, would you explain?" Albus asked the two Gryffindors.

"We were friends with Harry first. When Professor Lupin started spouting his anti-Harry propaganda we ignored him and made sure to avoid him outside classes." Granger responded quickl"Gin"Ginny and I thought we overheard the Professor telling Harry he was the reason Snuffles died and that everyone that died was his fault. I'm really not sure that's accurate, but felt the need to keep away from the werewolf."

"When was this conversation overheard?" Albus asked with concern.

"It was around Easter holidays, Professor." Ron answered with understanding dawning. Severus snorted quietly to himself. For such a brilliant tactician, Weasley was slow on the uptake on many matters.

Fudge started making a fuss about the delay and trying desperately to find out who died. Severus could see the suspicious look in the man's eyes, but left him for Dumbledore to deal with and turned his attention to his companion. Severus felt a flash of guilt when the student's code name for Sirius was mentioned through the bond with Noir. As quickly as that emotion arrived, it was gone and replacing it was a void. The Temple Snake drew all his emotions inward and locked them deep with in himself. Severus had a small shiver of foreboding and renewed his determination to make the boy open up about his home life.

"Noir, it's not your fault and that wasn't Remus talking for the past two years." He stated fiercely into the snake's mind.

"If I didn't leave the school he would have been safe. He wouldn't have died. It IS my fault."

"It wasn't your fault. He would have gone even if you weren't there. Your actions changed nothing. I spoke to Remus after he and the rest threatened your relatives that year. He was angry at Sirius, not you. You know how he hated being caged after his time at Azkaban."

He didn't receive a response from Noir and he felt the confusion that filled the other's mind as he processed Severus' arguments. Severus figured that a lot of the boy's incessant need to take the blame stemmed from his relative's treatment of him and he was determined to address that issue more and more as he got to know Harry. He idly wondered how far apart they would be able to move apart now that they were getting along and then started planning the 'fight' that would shorten the emoticon bond if it gave Harry too much leeway in escaping his counseling sessions. His inward thoughts blew away when Albus returned to questioning Lestrange after dealing with Fudge's petty complaints.

"What are Voldemort's latest plans?" Albus resumed his questioning and Severus noted that Fudge fumed in the background while the Aurors who arrived with him ignored everything but the questioning.

"He plans on consolidating his hold on his followers as well as recruiting the next generation. He's also attempting to recruit the non-humans, such as the werewolves and the vampires."

"I think w hea heard enough." Fudge broke in and gestured at the Aurors to bind the woman and take her away.

That was a bad move on his part as Noir went mad, hissing a spitting at the overweight man. Severus knew exactly why he was reacting that way and didn't do a thing to restrain him. Venom hissed through the air directly at Fudge, but much to Severus' disappointment, the burning acidic-like poison didn't hit the man in the face. Fudge cursed and was going to de ret retribution, but Weasley and Granger interrupted with angry cries of their own.

"I'm sorry, Cornelius, but there is the matter of my Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher to clear up before you take Mrs. Lestrange."bus bus calmly interceded before matters could escalate.

"Fine, buke ike it quick. I've spent too much time here and I've much to do." Severus felt a flash of disbelief from Noir and couldn't help but agree. The man never lifted a finger to do anything.

"Where is Remus Lupin?" Albus asked the witch after noting the time.

"I don't know."

"Why don't you know Mr. Lupin's whereabouts?" Concern dripped from Albus' voice when the witch couldn't answer the question.

"The filthy werewolf escaped when the Imperious Curse he was under wore off. Wormtail was too weak to hold his former friend. We do not know where he is, only where he has been."

"He's been moving around the werewolf packs!" Noir practically crowed in relief. "Remember when McNair reported that he failed to get the werewolves to join with Voldemort because the Headmaster had a werewolf making overtures also."

"You're right, Noir. I'll let Albus know that we need to talk after Fudge and his stooges leave." Severus caught Albus' eyes and made the 'need to report' sign the two developed so his Slytherins wouldn't find out the truth of his allegiances.

Shacklebolt and Tonks stayed behind as the rest of the Aurors dragged Lestrange way. One of them returned several moments later.

"Why would you need my supply?" Severus asked while looking down his nose at the gaudily dressed man.

"I'm not too sure of what we have on hand. There's always the possibility that we've been infiltrated by Death Eaters. I want a sure source to use on Lestrange and anyone else we manage to get our hands on."

Severus handed the man the bottle and watched with narrowed eyes as the Auror left the Hospital Wing. He turned to Shacklebolt and Tonks and waited when he noticed they were talking animatedly with Albus. Once the Albus left, taking Weasley, Granger and Longbottom with him, Severus stepped up to them and asked them for a moment of their time. When they agreed he led them silently through the halls into his private lab. Once inside Severus insured their privacy with several well placed wards.

"Do you want them to know who you are?" Severus asked Noir, he wasn't too sure himself whether to let the two Aurors know.