Again, I own nothing. J K Rowling IS Harry Potter. All my 'ideas' are basically ripped from stuff I enjoy; Harry Potter (duh!), Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek, Dragonball saga, The Matrix, The Lion King, 24, and anything else that even remotely looks far to creative for me to just make up! Please don't say I didn't warn you! Yes I'm lazy and can't be bothered writing another 'warning' thingy, so it's the same as my previous ones!
Righto, so this is just a little fic about my potential seventh book taking place after the events in HBP. This story is a stand-alone, and does not fit in with any of my other fics. Again, only some names are mine, everything else is not!
Er, the prologue will pick up almost straight after HBP ended. I haven't written terribly much for this fic, and I'll only be working on this one when I want a break from my other main story (in other words, don't expect me to update this one quickly, ok?). I'll probably keep the title as is, but I might change the summary as I get a better idea of exactly where and how I want this story to go.
Enough rambling, I might as well begin! Oh, a big thanks for supernova for helping me with this bit :D
Prologue – The Conversation
Harry was talking with Hermione and Ginny, waiting for Ron who had, as usual, left the packing of his trunk until the last moment. The three of them were interrupted when Professor McGonagall came through the portrait.
"Potter, the Headmaster's portrait would like to talk to you."
Harry nodded then turned to his friends, "I'll be back soon, guys. And if not, save me a seat on the train."
After getting approvals from Ginny and Hermione, Harry followed his Head of House to the familiar gargoyle statue. Harry had asked her what Dumbledore's portrait had wanted, but she didn't know as it had refused to explain it to her.
Harry noted that the office hadn't changed all that much, and watched as Professor McGonagall left him alone in the office, at the request of Dumbledore.
After a short moment of silence, where Harry felt that all the portraits were scrutinising him closely, a familiar voice spoke up, "I'm sorry, Harry."
"For what?"
"For not being there to help you through this."
"It's not your fault, Professor. I'll make sure Snape pays for what he did."
"That is what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, I have heard what happened from Minerva's perspective, but I would like for you to tell me your version of events. I only have the knowledge of everything up to the point where I agreed with you about coming along when I had found a Horcrux."
Harry nodded, before looking around at the other portraits, all of which seemed to be very interested in what he had to say.
"Er, Professor…"
"No need to worry, Harry, every portrait is sworn to secrecy when it comes to matters such as this," he replied, eyes twinkling.
Again, Harry nodded and retold everything he could remember from that point onwards. About his and Malfoy's confrontation, about how he had run into Professor Trelawney and found out about Snape being the one who overheard the first part of the prophecy. Harry looked up at the portrait at this point, expecting Dumbledore to interrupt him, but found the old wizard waiting patiently for Harry to finish his story.
He finished off with their trip to the cave where they came across the fake locket (though neither of them knew that at the time) and everything that transpired when the two of them arrived back at Hogwarts.
Harry then looked up at Dumbledore's portrait and glared at him. "I could've stopped Malfoy, you know. Why did you do that to me?"
"Because I knew that young Mr Malfoy wouldn't be able to hurt me, Harry."
"But, if I'd have stunned him, we could've helped with the fight!" Harry angrily replied.
"I have no doubt we could have, Harry. I could have easily disarmed Draco wandlessly, but then you would not have found out about him having second thoughts about his current stance of this war," Dumbledore answered.
"Then…"
"I trust Severus and his judgement."
"I don't believe this! You're defending that git after he killed you?'!"
"Harry…"
"He only did it because of that Unbreakable Vow he made," Harry continued, ignoring Dumbledore's attempt to get his attention, though his next comment caught Harry by surprise.
"What Unbreakable Vow?"
"You mean he didn't tell you?" Harry asked.
"No, he did not mention anything about a Vow to me."
"He made one with Malfoy's Mum, that he'd help him with his job."
Dumbledore furrowed his brow, and Harry noticed that his eyes lost all signs of their twinkle. "This changes everything."
"Of course it changes things, you're dead for starters!" Harry scoffed, pointing out the obvious.
Dumbledore gave him a small smile, "Indeed I am, Harry, but that also puts your verbal battle with Severus into more perspective. For if Severus had broken that Vow, he would have…"
"Died," Harry cut in, "I know. I asked Ron about it later."
"I see. Did you happen to overhear anything else?"
Harry was about to ask why, but Dumbledore sensed this. "Please, Harry, just answer my question, and I'll explain afterwards."
Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Malfoy mentioned something about Defence Against the Dark Arts being an act, and Snape told him that that, yes, it was an act, but vital to success. I can't remember all the details, sorry."
"There is no need to apologise, Harry, for I think I can understand what Severus had in mind. His position in this war is critical, so he was not about to tell Draco anything that would compromise himself."
"Then why didn't he tell you about the Vow?"
"Alas, that is something that has me troubled."
"Why?"
"I do not have any answer for why he didn't inform me. Judging by Minerva's reaction, I doubt anyone in the Order will willingly let Severus return."
"Yeah, I got that impression when we were in the hospital wing. Hagrid thought you must have told him to return with the Death Eater's. He didn't believe me until he saw your body on the ground."
"Minerva came to the same conclusion, and that I had told Severus to do whatever he had to, to get back in favour with Lord Voldemort."
"Then did you?"
"I did not. Though, had I known about the Vow, I would have most likely told him to take that course of action if it was required."
"Then why do you think he didn't tell you?" Harry asked, knowing that Dumbledore's answer to this question would ultimately decide which side in this war Snape was on.
"There is only one reason he would not have told me, Harry," Dumbledore replied, before looking straight into Harry's eyes, blue clashing with green, "It would appear that my trust in Severus has been misplaced."
"You mean he's…"
"A spy? Yes he is."
"But…"
"We just don't truly know for which side."
