It was over. The battle was won.
Harry stood waiting patiently in Snape's office. He was gazing around the room, the lifeless room that held no hints of its occupants past and regrets.
The door opened and Snape strolled in, looking tired and worn out. He had fought boldly against the Death Eaters he had once befriended.
"Potter," he said sharply when he saw Harry standing by his desk. He did not question Harry's presence but rather walked past him, black robes flapping behind him in usual bat like style and sat behind his desk. "Take a seat."
Harry sat. He leaned forward in his seat. "I know." Harry said simply.
Snape was flicking through pieces of parchment, presumably students potions assignments that needed to be marked. Voldemort was defeated; life was carrying on in a startling normal manner. He didn't look up.
"Yes, I am quite aware." The traces of his usual sneer were gone. His lips did not curl. Maybe his disdain had become too much of an effort. Harry thought it more likely that Snape felt content with his role in protecting Lily Potter's son. He was justified.
"I just wanted to say…you know…thanks." Harry said, struggling to find the appropriate words.
Snape still did not look up. "No need. None of it was for you, I assure you."
Harry was in no way offended. He preferred it this way. He had come here to say thank you, despite Snape's dismissal of it, and now he had done that it was time to leave. He stood up and walked towards the door.
"Oh and before you go…" Snape began quietly. "It is my wish to inform you that contrary to my initial thoughts… you are very much Lily Potter's son."
Harry stopped with his hand on the door knob, slowly turned to look at Snape. For the first time in Harry's entire time at Hogwarts, the professor had the faintest ghost of a it be…. A smile?
"You really did love her, didn't you?"
For the first time since sitting down, Snape looked up into Harry's face.
"Yes. Quite possibly more than you could ever imagine, Potter."
Harry gave him a small nod and Snape went back to his essays. He closed to door quietly behind him, a new found respect for his most disliked teacher who had quite possibly turned out to be the bravest man he ever met.