Snape sat opposite Harry at the table, and the boy stared at his hands silently.
"Have you eaten?"
Harry shook his head, and moments later, dinner appeared on the table in front of him.
"Thanks," he mumbled, though made no immediate move to eat it.
A pause.
"No appetite?" the potion's master enquired.
"I… it's not… am I in trouble?" Harry asked, daring to look up at him for the first time.
"You tell me."
The boy looked confused for a moment. "Huh?"
"As eloquent as ever, Harry. Let us start with the detention you just attended. How was it?" he asked.
Harry shrugged. "Boring."
"Detentions are not there for your entertainment," Severus pointed out.
"I know that, sir. But four hours to answer his stupid fan mail," he grumbled.
Snape sniffed. "Yes, well. A ridiculous waste of one's time by all accounts. However, should you and your little friend come up with any more hair-brained schemes akin to the one at the start of this term, I will not hesitate in returning you to continue your correspondence with Professor Lockhart's adoring fans. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," Harry nodded, but visibly relaxed enough to pick up his fork.
Silence followed whilst the boy took several mouthfuls of food, and then it was Harry who spoke first.
"You… you do believe me, don't you?"
"Regarding what?" Snape asked.
"Mrs Norris. I didn't… I'd never hurt her. And I didn't write that message on the wall either," Harry promised.
"Foolish child, of course I know that you are not responsible," he sighed, and Harry exhaled, relieved.
"Who do you think did write it?" he asked.
"That remains unclear at this time," the potions master responded.