Chapter two

Kingsley and Minerva were talking quietly as they led Harry, Hermione and Ron up the stairs and into the large circular office.

'You four need to see that memory that's in the pensieve. It will explain everything and it will let you see the truth about Snape. But the part about me I don't want anyone to know, everything else is fine, just not that. You'll know what I'm talking about the moment you see it. I've seen it, so I'll wait here.'

'Let's get this over with,' Kingsley said and then entered the memory with Minerva, Hermione and Ron.

'He's alive Dumbledore, I thought he died, but I went to see him and felt his heart barely beating.'

'Is Severus going to be alright?'

'Yes, Madame Pomfrey said he will, it will be a long recovery though. He gave me that memory Dumbledore. But do you realise what would have happened if he died before I got it. I wouldn't have known and nothing would have killed him. I think you should have told me yourself.'

'I was trying to stop you going through anything more Harry. Hearing you had to die would have been hard on you, but you still had to find and destroy the rest first. Surely you understand why I never told you earlier?'

'Yeah, I get that, but it was such a huge risk to take. I know he would have told me when he got a chance, but I was making sure no one knew where we were, not even him, it was too dangerous. But that's another thing, both of you should have explain the truth so I knew he really was helping. I called him a coward and tried to curse him when he didn't deserve it, you should have told me.'

'No he didn't deserve that but he had to keep up the pretence of hating you and also he had to keep his mind clear of any real feelings. You know how dangerous his life was. He was considered Voldemorts right hand man, it was too risky.'

'I get that, but if he died, he would have believed I really thought of him as a coward when he wasn't.'

'My god,' Minerva said the moment she stepped out of the pensieve with Kingsley, Hermione and Ron.

'Oh Harry,' Hermione started to cry and threw her arms around Harry but so did Ron and they all looked pale.

'It's fine, I'm alive remember. But now you see Snape was really on our side, he just had to act the part. He kept any student from being killed, Neville told me. The Carrows wanted to kill some, but Snape wouldn't let them and you know why.'

'We know the truth now. So I can have his name cleared Harry and I understand why you don't want anyone to know that about you. Just answer me this, did you know that was inside you all these years?'

'No, I found out when he called a halt in the fighting. I came up here to talk to Dumbledore, but every portrait was empty, so I watched the memory. After that, I went to face him and just let him kill me, lucky I survived though. So you will let it be known he really was trying to help?'

'I will Harry, but he still will need to answer some questions. Children got tortured while he was in control of the school, he must have known.'

'Yes, but look at the alternative. Being tortured is nothing to being killed and he stopped them being killed. I know what Amycus Carrow was like, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill any student. Neville told me that they were going to kill him when they found out he was one causing most of the trouble. He was taken down to the dungeon but Snape appeared, spoke to the Carrows, then Snape left. All the Carrows did was hit him and used the cruciatus. I know that's not a nice thing for Neville to go through, but at least he's alive.'

'Yes, he is,' Minerva said sadly.

'I do understand Harry, but why are you so concerned about Snape? After everything he put you through over the years. It sounds like you care about the man.'

'I finally understand him Kingsley and realised how much danger he was in due to what he was doing was. He deserves recognition for that,' Harry walked over to the pensieve, took the memory out and placed it in the vial before putting it inside his pocket. He knew he'd have to tell the truth about everything soon, but not yet, he needed to speak with Severus Snape.

'There's more, but I'll explain another time, after he's awake,' Harry kept staring down into the pensieve, 'I really can't believe any of this.'

'What do you mean Harry?' Hermione asked softly as she stepped over to him.

'Snape's alive, Voldemorts dead, it's so hard to believe that it's really over. What do I do now? All my life has been about him, now it's not. I'm not sure what to do anymore.'

'You need to give yourself time Harry, like all of us, you more than everyone else because he has been after you all your life. You need rest and you need time to think about everything that has happened. When you do, then you will find your purpose in life,' Minerva said.

Harry turned slowly and he wished he could tell everyone, but he needed to speak with him before he did or said anything else.

'Yeah, I suppose. Just so you know though, I'm going to stay here, I want to help Snape recover,' Harry staggered a bit then sat down heavily.

'Are you okay Harry?' Kingsley asked looking concerned.

'I will be, some injures, sore all over and I'm absolutely knackered.'

'Then you should go see Madame Pomfrey Harry, she can heal you.'

'Yeah, but she's busy at the moment,' Harry pushed himself to his feet, but kept hold of the desk, 'I thought of something Dumbledore. People heard what I said, so what I believe is if they wanted to find it, they would look at you. So I've changed my mind, I'll work on somewhere else to put it.'

'Very wise Harry especially since word has spread that it was Tom Riddle that broke open my tomb. Any supporters of his will surely work out why.'

'Yeah, they will,' Harry groaned a little as he winced.

'That's it mate, I'm taking you to Pomfrey now,' Ron put his arm around Harry who he felt sag against him, 'Blimey, you're really weak.'

'Let me help Ron,' Kingsley went over and put his arms around Harry and the three of them walked slowly down through the school with Minerva and Hermione following. They placed Harry gently on one of the bed as Poppy hurried over, just as Harry fell back unconscious. 'He's worse than he let on.'

'That's Harry, he wasn't going to take Madame Pomfrey's time when there were seriously injured people that needed her. Um Kingsley, can you let us know how Harry is, dad want's to head home?'

'I'll send you an owl Ron and he'll be fine.'

'Thanks, come on Hermione.'

Hermione bent over and kissed Harry's cheek, 'Try to make him rest Madame Pomfrey.'

'Oh he will Miss Granger, even if I have to bind him to the bed.'

'He won't like that,' Ron grinned then left with Hermione.

'How is he Poppy?'

'He lost a lot of blood and he also had a few broken ribs along with some breaks in his feet.'

'Voldemort probably tortured him first. We should get all the injured into a room so they won't be disturbed.'

'I was organising that right before you asked me to go up to the office. So I'll finish doing that now.'

'Abner, you don't need to guard Severus, he really was helping. But I want you to stay with Harry and Severus until the room is fixed up. They will get a lot of attention.'

'Yes Sir.'

'Poppy, let me know when Severus is awake, I will need to speak with him. I'll talk to Harry tomorrow.'

'As long as you don't upset them Minister, they need to heal.'

'I won't Poppy, if they need anything, let me know.'

'I will,' Poppy finished her examination and administering potions before checking on her other patients.

Harry slowly woke up and saw he was in what looked to him like a classroom. He fumbled around and felt his glasses, stuck them on his face before looking around and saw a pair of dark eyes staring at him.

'Hey,' Harry said softly, 'You're still very pale.'

'Considering the alternative Harry, I'll accept pale. So what happened to you?'

'Voldemort, he decided to play for a while.'

'It's a wonder I haven't felt my mark burn.'

'He's dead Severus, I killed him.'

'You…' Severus Snape's mouth actually fell open before slamming it shut, 'How?'

'After seeing your memories I realised what I had to do, die, so I did. But I woke up and we faced each other again, then he died, because there were none left. I nearly didn't watch that you know, I wasn't going to, I went to speak with Dumbledore, his portrait was empty, so I was getting desperate and thought why not. After what I thought about you, I wasn't interested, I thought you betrayed me and Dumbledore, it hurt that you didn't trust me.'

Severus nodded but looked sadly at Harry, 'I know, but I had no choice. He couldn't know or would have used the truth, you know how he worked, more than most.'

'Severus, I'm having you moved to some staff quarters to give you some privacy.'

'Thank you Poppy, but I would like Harry to stay in those rooms with me for the same reason. Can you see to it please?'

Poppy Pomfrey stared in amazement at Severus Snape then at Harry, but she nodded curtly before leaving as Harry smiled. The two men just stared at each other knowing things were going to be very different from now on.