Chapter One

The night of the final battle, after the students and their families had left Hogwarts to return home, the members of the Order of the Phoenix loitered in the Entrance Hall, unsure what to do with themselves now that everything was over and their organisation disbanded.

Several of the Professors trooped into the Entrance Hall after a visit to the kitchens.

"The house elves are bringing whiskey, wine, champagne, and anything else we want." Piped up Professor Flitwick. "Tonight is a celebration; do not grieve when there is so much to rejoice in. You are all welcome to stay at Hogwarts for as long as you wish."

Mr and Mrs Weasley excused themselves and returned to the Burrow, too caught up in their sorrow to celebrate, no matter how great the reason. George was nowhere to be seen; everyone assumed that he too had returned home.

The remainder of the large group returned to the Great Hall and fell upon the alcohol that the house elves had provided. Someone charmed music to play, and everyone grew merry on the alcohol.

Harry and Ginny sat in a corner talking quietly and not drinking anything, and George turned up during the evening and joined them. Tears trickling quietly down his cheeks, he picked up a bottle of whiskey and steadily made his way through it until he finally passed out on his chair. Ginny and Harry exchanged a quick glance, and summoned Madam Pomfrey to see him safely to bed in the hospital wing.

Lee Jordan was reminiscing about Fred with Kingsley, recalling their times recording 'Potterwatch' with Fred and George, and everything the pair had done to keep everyone's hopes up.

Minerva McGonagall and the other faculty members sat gathered around the Head Table, listening to Minerva's retelling again and again of how the students had risen against the Carrow's. The pride in her voice was clear for all to hear.

"You have taught them well." Professor Sprout agreed. "They will go into the world good people, after all they have seen tonight, and helped to fight against."

"We have all taught them well. We should all be proud of how our students rallied for the light tonight. As a Head of House, I feel a great satis – satisfaction in –"

Minerva's voice started to slur as the champagne she was drinking started to go to her head.

"Severus Snape, on the other hand." She snorted in derision. "If he weren't dead already it would give me great pleasure to curse him until he never saw the light of day."

"Stop it!" Harry had suddenly risen to his feet, as Minerva's words trickled into his conscious. "You have no idea what you are talking about."

Silence fell over the Hall as everyone turned to look at him, but for once Harry did not abhor the attention.

"Severus Snape's loyalties were true to the end. He was in love with my mother, and was on the side of the light since her life was first threatened at the very beginning."

Ginny did not look surprised; clearly this was what Harry had been explaining to her in their private corner. Everyone else in the Great Hall was shocked to the core.

"He killed Albus." Minerva hissed, struggling to prevent the tears which came unbidden to her eyes as she remembered her mentor and her friend.

Harry shook his head stubbornly.

"They had planned it from the beginning. Professor Dumbledore was already dying. I was there that night, and Professor Dumbledore had to beg Snape to do it. I only realised that he was begging for the end, and not to live, when I saw Professor Snape's memories earlier this evening after he died."

Minerva looked dumbstruck for a moment, before she continued. "Harry, you've suffered a great deal tonight, you don't know what you've seen. Professor Dumbledore was a great man, he would never have begged for death. Sit down, let me get you a drink."

"No!"

Minerva looked startled, as did everyone else in the Hall. Harry began to wish he didn't have an audience for this sudden outburst, but something was clawing at his insides, desperate for the truth to be known.

Ginny stood up next to Harry and placed a hand gently on his forearm, calming him without words. Harry took a deep breath.

"Professor Dumbledore was dying, I can say that with absolute certainty. He did not fear death. Everyone dies, it is just a matter of how and why. Let me show you!"

Using magic he did not know how he possessed, for he had never heard of it until it came unbidden to his mind, Harry pointed his wand at himself. The memories that he had seen in Professor Snape's pensieve were instantly amplified, in what was almost a giant bubble above Harry's head for everyone to see.

Shocked, Minerva fell back into her chair and fumbled for a sobering-up potion.

Severus' voice rang out, and several people jumped, despite knowing that this was his memory, and the man in question lay dead in the Shrieking Shack.

"Are you intending to let him kill you?"

"Certainly not. You must kill me."

Hagrid blew his nose loudly, and Professor Sprout patted him reassuringly on his gigantic arm. The spectators watched the scene play out, many looking aghast as Severus' true loyalties sank in.

"But – he was on You-Know-Who's side all year." Stammered Professor Sinistra.

Harry waved his wand again, letting his memories do the talking. An image of Severus in the Headmaster's office played before them, showing Professor Dumbledore's portrait giving him instructions to bring Harry the sword undetected.

When the memory was finished, everyone sat in stunned silence. Professor Vector reached for a bottle of whiskey and took a large swig straight from the bottle. Surprisingly, Neville was taking it all in his stride.

He jumped to his feet and clambered on to his chair and then stood on the table and raised his glass.

"A toast for Professor Snape, the hero behind the scenes, who died for the light."

Kingsley stood up first.

"To Professor Snape." He said in his gravelly tones.

Everyone else followed suit and stood up to drink a toast to the man.

Slowly, chatter began to return to the Great Hall, as everyone digested the news.

Hermione looked at Ron. They had already been told the truth about Severus by Harry, but it was still a shock to see the memories in person.

"No one has moved his body!" She gasped. "He still lies in the Shrieking Shack, and he should be here with Remus and Tonks and Fred, and everyone else. He deserves better than that!"

"Talking about me?" A hoarse voice interrupted, and Hermione looked up at the door and screamed. Everyone else's attention turned to the door, and more than one person shrieked as they took in the sight of Severus Snape leaning heavily against the doorframe, his hand held tightly to his neck. His pallor had taken on a greenish tinge, and he was clearly about to collapse.

"Where is Poppy?" He gasped, looking questioningly for the Medi-Witch. Poppy Pomfrey jumped to her feet and started to run across the Hall as Severus staggered several steps into the Hall and then collapsed.

Ron suddenly cried out in alarm and scrambled for his wand. Three masked Death Eaters were at the doors to the Great Hall.

"Enjoy your last moments together." One of them spat out.

Several people jumped at the sound of a female voice coming from beneath the horrific mask, and at once a dozen wands threw curses at the closing doors.

Kingsley bellowed out a spell but to no avail; the doors remained firmly sealed.

Hermione sprang up and ran to help Poppy with Severus, who was not going to survive without urgent medical attention. She was suddenly thrown across the room, as the windows all shattered and a deafening explosion rang out, bringing down the Great Hall on all its occupants.

This is my second HGSS fic - my first, the Gap Year Programme, is still a work in progress.

I hope you all liked this introduction, I will hopefully update soon.

Please review!

Lehayim