Disclaimer: I am not J.K Rowling. enough said.
NOTE: This is a trial story that may or may not be continued. It would depend mainly on how it would be received... and my free time. But I am guessing that this would not be more than 10 chapters and this time I really would be sticking to that. The way I am planning to write this story is different from my usual style... I am experimenting. So please bare with me. Also I am not one for beta's so I apologize in advance if my grammar and spelling slips now and again. I am also open to most suggestions and criticisms as long as they are logical and grounded. I don't tolerate stupid ones. And reviews are more than welcome. I am not immune to the excitement a single review can incite. I doubt any writer is. :)
The Biased Grey
(PROLOGUE)
War is one of the most monochromatic events in human history. It is filled with blacks and whites. Heroes and villains- the good and the bad- the victims and the oppressors. However just as there are blacks and whites… there are greys. However, in war there is this need for a clean cut definition of good and bad. It's either you are in or out. Greys are not welcomed in war. Mostly if you are grey, its either you are of a darker shade or of lighter shade. A neutral that has a bias. For no matter how you paint a color… in war it can only be black or white- the dark and the light.
And so enters a well known component of war… well known and yet not spoken of. The unknown element that at often times defines the winner… Those that die and was never mentioned again. Those that sacrifices the most. Those that can loose the most. Those that even at the end… gains mostly nothing at all.
They are the spies, the necessary evil and the sacrifices and the usual casualties of war.
They are those that are hailed and forgotten…
…the unsung heroes…
The biased greys
CHAPTER I
"Am I speaking a bloody different language?!" The Minister of Magic narrowed his eyes at the insolence, glaring down at the youth before him. The Oh so praised hero and savior of their world. "How could you not understand what I am saying?! He . Was. A. SPY!"
"And so you say Harry, however that does not excuse the wrongs he had done. He was a marked Death Eater, caused the death of many, tortured countless innocents and if I may remind you, killed Albus Dumbledore. In the eyes of the law and the public-"
"FUCK the bloody law! And Damn the narrow-minded public!" Green eyes blazed in defiance and anger. He had to admit that he can respect this child for his courage and his insolence. "Without him this war would still be going about! Hell- without him we would have lost more people! No. Actually, I have to say that we would have already bloody LOST! Long ago!"
"You can't say that for certain, Harry. Please calm down and think about what you are asking of me." Kingsley had to give a sigh. Harry is still a child. Even a war cannot completely rid him of naivety. "You are far too naïve if you think what you request is actually doable." Apparently, Harry's anger issues was also not sloughed off by war.
"NAÏVE?!" The teen exploded. He was shaking all over as his magic ran amok in his new office. "You are calling ME naïve?! I've been at the center of a WAR my ENTIRE life! How DARE you call me naïve as if I do not understand?! Fuck!" He watched as Harry breathed in and out slowly… trying to calm down and utterly failing. Once the magic wreaking havoc around the room finally leveled out… he spoke again. "You KNOW how I hate being the Chosen one Kingsley… but no matter how I hate it I am here in front of you asking- demanding for your consideration and your cooperation. As much as you don't believe me-No I know you don't… but Snape deserves to be recognized. You have got to admit… even to yourself that he has done so much."
"I know Harry." Trying to placate him in his most earnest voice. "I actually do know. But you have to understanad… Voldemorts death isn't the actual end. The trauma, the deaths and the fear he left when he died will forever linger. As much as people needs a source of hope-" he nods at the teen before him "-they need people to hate and to blame. As much as Severus has done… his role is not yet over."
"That's… disgusting. Placating the public is now YOUR JOB! He signed up to the task of keeping me alive and thus saving most of us! He did not sign up to be persecuted even after death!"
"HARRY! That saving you was the main thing… I understand. But he was marked even before that. When he returned to the light as a spy he already knew the consequences. Severus was a smart and cunning man, Harry. He knew. This is part of his sacrifice, do understand. Being a spy entails a lot of things. As much as you symbolized the blazing light of hope for the war, and He-who-must-not-be named is the dark, there are people that are painted grey. It is a choice of theirs Harry and as much as it is a good thing… Severus played his part a little too well. You must already know this Harry… you say these things now but you couldn't accept Severus before. No matter how much you trusted Dumbledore… you couldn't trust Snape. How can you expect the public to suddenly change their minds about him? And besides Harry… the greys in war are never accepted… in whichever side. He knew that. As much the dark and the light has equal chances of winning… spies like Severus had forfeited any chance of a happy ending even from the start."
Harry's near crying due to frustration and anger and he knew that that was the most he could get that could indicate an admittance of temporary defeat. He knew Harry would not let this go but as for now… he might have just won this argument. And so, "Harry" he said with the softest tone he can."Severus is already lucky enough that you know the truth. Of everyone, he chose to tell you because he deemed you as important. I believe… that aside from Dumbledore and most possibly his Godson, you were his only link to this world. He fought for you Harry. Maybe in the end, he valued your opinion of him… the general populace did not matter."
"Isn't it unfair? They hail me a hero Kingsley! I didn't even choose to be the hero! Being forced to fuckin save the bloody wizarding world isn't even supposed to be called heroic! If given the choice I wouldn't have been involved in that war! I would have survived as no one important or have died as a common casualty, a name among the many. But Snape! He chose it willingly… to try and do the right thing… to sacrifice everything… for his name to be spat upon and considered as dirt is just not right. They scream of righteousness and doing the good thing and all those self righteous speeches and yet they have done next to NOTHING on that war! Its UNFAIR. It shouldn't be right! "
If Harry was being a bit more observant he would have seen the number of times he flinched as the hero he called a child hit as many sore marks as there was on his being. For after all, he himself did next to nothing on that war… Yes he chose to fight but compared to this boy/man he considered a child… next to Severus and Dumbledore… he hadn't done anything note worthy... his sacrifices can almost be considered laughable. He gave a soft sigh as he warily watched frustrated tears escape Harry's control. Everything was still raw. It had only been four days since they won the war. He almost smiled as he thought, 'How foolish I was. To think I could win a battle against Harry Potter.' He shook his head a bit and tried to smile reassuringly at Harry. "Hey, tell you what. I'd work through giving him a trial. That ok?"
At the surprised look he got, he grinned. "Hey, don't give me that look. I haven't been the Misiter for even a week. I haven't had enough time to develop the sense of self importance thick enough to not listen to you. Besides, no matter how much I inflate my own ego I doubt it could be huge enough to disregard your words. I was your friend first and foremost before I was named Minister Harry…
The teen gave a small nod and an even miniscule smile. He nodded and Harry turned to leave.
"Harry." He called out. "Tis but a warning… please don't get your hopes up too much. Life is unfair… People are unfair… Even if Severus's name is cleared, it does not mean that people would believe. "
Green eyes shone with determination and Harry offered him a smirk. "I know. But according to my track record… I may just get what I want. After all, I have just won a war and although I lost many... I haven't lost a single battle on that war… I can afford to be a bit more conceited." Harry offered a smile and he just had to laugh.
"See you soon, Harry."
"Thank you for listening, Minister."
Harry heaved a sigh of relief as he closed the door behind him. He knew it was going to be difficult but hearing Kingsley's calm patient tone bore on his nerves. He was treated like a child. All his life he hated being forced to grow up too fast and yet he also hated being considered a child just as much. Being reasonable is a whole lot more difficult than just getting up and go. He also hated it that Kingsley, no matter how unfair it was, had a point. a very valid point. But he won the last war with everything against him... logically he couldn't have won. But he did. He can at least try to win this one. He owed Snape too much to give up before trying.
As he walked back to the reception area of the Minister's office he slightly wondered exactly how big did his ego had just gotten. He could almost hear Snape snarking about how conceited and self important he was. He almost smiled. As he regarded the Minister's secretary with a small wave, the office door opened and blond greeted his vision.
"Potter"
"Malfoy"
Dull grey eyes regarded him impassively as a small sneer pulled on the pale lips. He frowned. Expect Malfoy's holy art thou attitude to persevere even amidst being escorted by Aurors and having magic blockers on his wrist. He rolled his eyes at him. "New accessoy, Malfoy? Suits you." he said as his gaze slipped on Malfoy's wrist. Apparently, old habits die hard. He received a raised brow for his effort. "I know. It's the new 'in' among my circle. You can't afford 'em." The Aurors pushed Malfoy forward as they regarded Harry with a small apologetic smile. "It cost quite a bit, too." He scowled at the impertinence then turned to leave before he hit the bloody git.
"Hey Potter! One question."
He turned reluctantly. Malfoy was struggling vainly against the Auror's hold. He gave them a nod of consent. "What?"
"I need to know, how's Severus?"
He regarded Malfoy appraisingly and noted the spark of worry the other tried to hide. His scowl softened into a frown.
"He died."
"I see." His scowl returned full force as the bloody bastard begun to smile. "...pretty damn pricey..."
-TBC-