A Change of Heart

Chapter Thirty Two

Harry sat in Grimmauld Place with a sinking feeling in his stomach. His dream had been really weird. It was Tom's snake that attacked Mr. Weasley, he was sure of it. But why did Tom send his snake to the ministry? Why did he ask it to attack Mr. Weasley? And why did Harry see everything as the snake?

He looked at Ron and Ginny and Fred and George and Sirius, all huddled in their own chairs. Dumbledore had sent Sirius with them to Grimmauld Place. Sirius looked quite happy about it. Being with Snape couldn't have been fun.

Harry closed his eyes. He needed to talk to Tom. He had to find out what actually happened. But first, he had to know Mr. Weasley was all right. Harry was confused about his dream still. How could he have been the snake? He was not, was he? He did not attack Mr. Weasley, did he?

He rubbed his eyes. He had to see Tom. Or Dumbledore. Tom and Dumbledore were the only ones who were likely to know anything about what happened. He hoped that Dumbledore would come to Grimmauld Place and explain to him. But he was likely to be busy.

Just then, someone rang the doorbell and they all sat up, only to huddle back when they saw it was Snape. He was levitating their luggage behind him.

"Dumbledore asked me to bring these over," said he, his voice quiet. For once, there was no sneer in his tone.

Sirius thanked him as he levitated the trunks upstairs.

"Professor," asked Fred, "Is there any news of our father?"

"He's in St. Mungo's." Replied Snape. "The healers are working on him. I'm sorry I don't have more definite news."

He turned to Harry. "Potter, our mutual friend would like to have a word with you."

"Is he here?" Asked Harry weakly. He would not have been surprised, though he knew it was not possible.

Snape shook his head. "He's at Hogwarts. But Dumbledore felt it too risky for you to go back there since Umbridge is getting too curious about the sudden disappearance of five students. He asked that a meeting be arranged when you go to St. Mungo's."

Harry nodded. "All right," said he.

He was aware of the Weasleys all staring at him and Snape in perplexity. But they were too anxious about their father to pay much attention and so he was spared any questions.  Sirius came down, rubbing his eyes and stretching his back.

"I can't find Kreacher anywhere. I'd told him to be here when I left with you."

"I don't know why you want to find that elf anyway," remarked Snape. "It's not as if he's of any help around the house."

Sirius shrugged, "You're leaving?"

"I do have a class to teach in the morning. And, please try not to get yourself killed while I'm away, Black."

"Oh Severus!" Exclaimed Black. "Could you be really concerned about me?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "That'll be the day,"

The door closed and Snape was gone. But Harry was surprised that Snape and Sirius were really civil to each other. Maybe they felt that the circumstances warranted some civility.
He closed his eyes. He did not want to look at anyone right then, but he wished they could get some news of Mr. Weasley.