Chapter 2:

AN: This chapter has been updated

As Severus filed into the room behind Poppy and Minerva with Dumbledore behind him, he could immediately tell that something was wrong. Looking past Lupin and towards the middle of the classroom he spotted the unmistakable form of Potter on the floor shaking and whimpering. Looking at Lupin with a questioning eyebrow raised Severus stepped forward to the werewolf.

"What's wrong with the brat? Didn't get the grade he wanted so he's throwing a tantrum? Lupin you really do need to learn to say no to the spoiled boy." Severus sneered at the man as said man's face flushed in rage and shame.

"Now Severus, don't jump on Remus before he has explained." Poppy reprimanded, frowning at the spy.

"Merlin knows you pamper your snakes." Minerva said pointedly.

"Remus my boy, do tell us what made you summon us so urgently?" Dumbledore asked, eyes twinkling. If Severus didn't know better than he would have said that Lupin had looked at Albus as if he had been betrayed. But now why would Lupin question his precious leader of the light?

"I'm afraid some horrible news has come to light about Harry." Remus started, hesitantly.

"Oh I knew it! The spoiled boy is whining about not having the quill he wanted or some such nonsense." Severus snarled. Remus promptly glowered at the dark clad man.

"You'll regret those words once you know what I know, Severus." Remus growled. "The only way you can properly understand is if I show you the memory." Turning toward the left he summoned his pensive and pulled a strand of silver from his temple, placing it in the swirling liquid. "Go and see." Remus said solemnly. The DADA teacher watched as his four colleagues submerged themselves in the past. Sighing heavily he rubbed his eyes tiredly. If only they could have prevented this from happening. He was alerted to the return of the others by the sound of crying, which was coming from Poppy, Minerva was tight-lipped in her fury. Severus was paler than usual with a shocked look on his face, Dumbledore looked grim but looking closely Remus could see signs that indicated the emotion was false. Oh how he wanted to hex that bastard into the next era.

"Wished you'd been nicer now, don't you Severus?" Lupin jibed. Severus just couldn't believe what he had witnessed.

"How could we have missed this?" Poppy said through her tears.

"Yes, how indeed." Severus said, looking at Albus. "If I recall correctly, headmaster, you told us that the boy was being well cared for in a loving home. Also I distinctly remember you telling me that you had someone aside from yourself monitoring the boy. Now am I supposed to believe that your methods for watching the boy failed as have the wards you placed to protect him? Or is it actually that you haven't done any of those things, and instead you were aware of this the whole time? Surprisingly enough the latter is more believable to me. So, which was it? Did you fail in you duties or are you a lying, child-abuse enabling, crazy old man?" The tone in which Severus said this shocked the occupants of the room, for the tone he used was deadly and quiet. It was so lethal sounding that it took all Albus had not to turn tail and run.

The others in the room looked at the old man expectantly, waiting for an answer. Whether the one they wanted to hear or the truth they didn't know but they needed an answer.