Chapter 3 23rd - 27th June, 1996

Severus Snape was frustrated. It had been four days since Minerva McGonagall had seen fit to drug him and he had yet to forgive the impudent woman. He had woken after the disastrous evening to find himself sprawled uncomfortably across his sofa. It was only after he'd returned from a thirty-minute shower, with the irritating feeling that he could not quite recall the previous evening, that he'd spotted her note – undoubtedly delivered by a House Elf whilst he had been unconscious.

Severus,

If you ever physically harm one of my Gryffindor's again, it won't be an Elixir to Induce Euphoria that I spike your drink with.

Minerva.

Several profanities had escaped him, most directed at Poppy and her insufferable habit of gossiping with Minerva before he'd realised that Minerva had mixed the Euphoria Elixir with Muggle alcohol. His fury had increased tenfold, as any rudimentary Potioneer understood that mixing an Elixir to Induce Euphoria with Muggle alcohol would enhance both the duration of the potion and its more unsavoury side-effects. He had been so enraged with Minerva that he had not hesitated to send her a rather explicit Howler questioning not only her intelligence but her integrity as a teacher at Hogwarts. The following morning he had received a rather contrite reply from Minerva. However, she maintained that Severus had been much more pleasant under the influence of the Euphoria Elixir, and perhaps he should consider "lightening up" more often. Despite his anger with Minerva she was not the cause of his frustration.

Harry Potter was.

The boy was avoiding him.

He had been so distracted with Minerva's deception that it had been late afternoon by the time he'd realised he hadn't seen Harry since the staff party. Feeling somewhat remiss Severus had gone in search of the boy. He had found him in Gryffindor Tower but had been surprised by the cool greeting he had received. Harry's behaviour had been so out of character that Severus had come to suspect something untoward had occurred the previous evening but despite his insistent questioning Harry had been adamant that he was "fine" and "nothing was the matter". Perplexed Severus had left the boy to his own devices, returning to his own rooms.

Since then Harry had barely spoken two words to him. He spent his days either with Hagrid or flying on the Quidditch Pitch. In fact Severus did not doubt that Harry would have avoided him entirely if he hadn't been forced to stay in the Potion's master's quarters. That particular... conversation...had not been pretty Snape recalled with a grimace.

It was close to curfew and Severus was beginning to lose patience. He'd sent a House Elf to find Harry half an hour ago to inform the boy that dinner was being served in his quarters but Harry had not yet appeared. Instead a rather reluctant House Elf had returned several minutes ago to inform Severus that Harry had already eaten before promptly disapparating back to the kitchens. Keeping a tight hold of his temper Severus took several deep breaths before leaving his quarters to locate the Boy-Who-Lived.

As expected he found Harry ensconced in Gryffindor Tower. The boy startled as Snape stepped through the portrait hole, promptly closing the photo album that was open on his lap. Standing, Harry faced Severus with a determinedly blank face.

'Can I help you sir?' the boy asked politely.

'Merlin Harry,' Snape bit out, unimpressed with the boy's diversionary tactics. 'If I've done something to offend you spit it out. In all honesty I remember very little of last night's...activities.'

For a moment Severus thought the boy was going to speak. The blank mask slipped for an instant, and Severus watched as unspeakable anger and hurt flitted across the boy's facade. But no sooner had Severus recognised the barely contained emotion it was gone; hidden once more behind the blank mask.

'It's nothing sir,' Harry said flatly, the effort of constraining his emotions obvious in the boy's hesitant speech. 'Just a...misunderstanding.'

Severus considered demanding an explanation but he thought better of it. Harry was obviously angry about something and was attempting to keep his emotions under control. Besides nothing good had ever come from Severus confronting the boy when he was so obviously angry – the last time he'd done so he'd ended up being stunned.

'As you wish,' he began carefully. 'However, I must now ask that you return to my quarters. With the staff gone there is no reason for you to remain in Gryffindor Tower.'

His announcement was met with stony silence.

Eventually Harry broke the silence.

'Why can't I stay here?' he asked tersely, clenching his fists tightly in frustration.

Severus was taken aback by the blunt question. Harry's careless words cut mercilessly at him – it was the same pain he'd felt the moment Lily had walked out of his life: 'I can't pretend anymore. You've chosen your way, I've chosen mine.' As he had always done though, he shoved the feelings away, determined not to show weakness.

'You cannot stay here now that Professor McGonagall has left the school,' he explained tiredly, although he was unsuccessful in keeping the bitterness out of his voice.

His explanation was met with a blank look. Sneering slightly he bit back the sharp retort that would normally have come forth automatically.

'A Head of House is always aware of the happenings within their House dormitory,' he said tightly. 'It is part of the protection of Hogwarts, as you would have known if you had ever taken the time to read 'Hogwarts: A History'. Whilst Professor McGonagall was here you were under her protection by residing in Gryffindor Tower. That is no longer the case. You are now under my protection and I will not ask you again,' he finished sternly.

Harry was not happy. He could see it in the boy's mannerism; he was very close to losing control.

'Fine,' the boy bit out angrily, before marching out of the portrait hole.

By the time Severus reached his quarters Harry had already shut himself inside the spare room.

The only time Severus had seen him since that conversation was when he'd check the boy's room late at night. Each time Harry had been in his bed, sleeping peacefully. He suspected the boy was using his infernal Invisibility Cloak to allow him to enter and leave his quarters without alerting Severus, but he was relieved to always find the boy in bed.

Snape leaned forward tiredly, stoking the dying embers of the fire. He'd been so caught up in his musings that he'd lost track of time. It was well past midnight he noted absentmindedly as he picked up his abandoned tea cup, standing to take it into the kitchen. He'd barely taken two steps though before a loud CRACK cut through the silence. The cup fell from Snape's grip, shattering as it hit the ground. The man turned on the spot, wand at the ready, but was brought up short as he noticed the House Elf before him.

'Master Snape sir,' the terrified creature squeaked, rushing forward and attempting to drag Snape towards his fireplace. 'You must hurry sir! You must hurry! Headmaster Dumbledore, sir, he needs you now!'

XXXX

Harry was bored. He was currently lying spread-eagled across his bed in Snape's quarters, trying to fall asleep. His self-imposed avoidance of Snape was becoming tiresome. There was only so much of Hagrid's food he could inflict upon himself and he was horrified to realise that as much as he loved flying, doing so by oneself for hours at a time became rather tedious. Not to mention the ridiculous methods he was employing to sneak out of Snape's quarters in the morning. The truth of the matter though, Harry reflected was that he missed talking to Severus.

Harry had found that one of the benefits of prolonged periods of flying was that it had given him time to think. The rash anger had all but disappeared. Instead it had been replaced with a desire to know the truth. For the past day Harry had considered confronting Severus – asking him outright if he was the Death Eater who had listened at the door. But each time he had approached the dungeons he'd stopped short and turned away. He'd realised then that his desire to know was overshadowed by a much stronger emotion: fear.

He was scared – scared that Severus' answer would be yes.

He hated that he was being such a coward; he could see that his behaviour was hurting the man, but he could not face the possibility that it was Severus. He could not bring himself to believe that Severus Snape had brought his family to the attention of Voldemort.

Deep down though Harry knew it was the truth.

Snape had been a Death Eater; Dumbledore trusted him; He was a spy for the Order of the Phoenix; His best friend was Lily Evans; He had a debt to repay.

They were all facts Harry had been given. It was only when he'd put them together though that he'd started to realise that something about Snape didn't add up. What had caused him to turn from the Death Eaters? Why did Dumbledore trust him implicitly? Why had he turned spy for Dumbledore? Above all though - to whom did he owe such a debt that he was prepared to give his life to see it paid?

They were all questions that had occurred to Harry over the past few days and eventually he had found his answer. It was the only logical explanation that fit the facts. Snape had been the Death Eater at the door.

Harry let out an exasperated sigh. He knew Snape was in the sitting room. The man had to be less than ten steps away from him but he couldn't bring himself to get off the bed. Besides he wasn't sure what he wanted to say to Snape yet.

Letting out another loud sigh he pummelled his pillow into shape before resolutely shutting his eyes and ignoring his tumultuous thoughts. Within minutes he'd drifted off to sleep.

XXXX

CRASH!

The sound of breaking china woke Harry instantly. He felt as though he'd only just closed his eyes, but a glance at his wristwatch showed him it was close to one in the morning. Without hesitating Harry slipped off his bed and silently approached his bedroom door, intent on investigating the source of the crash. Reaching the door he realised a House Elf was outside with Snape.

'You must hurry sir! You must hurry! Headmaster Dumbledore, sir, he needs you now!'

Harry frowned in confusion, the House Elf sounded distraught. What was going on? Carefully Harry eased his bedroom door open. Through the gap he could see a dishevelled looking Snape, five o'clock shadow obvious upon the man's visage.

'Where is he?'

Snape sounded tired but Harry could hear the urgency and worry in the man's voice. He watched as Snape strode towards his adjoining office, the House Elf following behind him.

'In his office sir, please hurry!'

Harry heard Snape snap an annoyed reply at the Elf before dismissing it apologetically. He watched as Snape returned from his office, carrying a satchel. The man looked haggard without his school robes on and the sleeves of his blue button down rolled to his elbows. Without wasting another moment, Snape grabbed a handful of floo powder, throwing it dismissively into his fireplace. The green flames roared to life and within moments Severus had disappeared from the grate.

Harry let out the breath he hadn't realise he'd been holding. Slowly he eased the door open further, allowing the dim light from the sitting room to seep into his own room. For a long moment he stood indecisively in the doorway, staring at his bed. Snape had warned him against eavesdropping but now that he'd heard Dumbledore was back, he couldn't stop himself from wondering about what was happening.

His decision made he moved deliberately towards his trunk. Crouching down he pulled out his Invisibility Cloak. Harry had spent an entire year being kept in the dark...he wasn't prepared to do that anymore. He'd made his decision to fight in this war and if that meant he had to sneak around the castle to get answers, then that was what he would do he thought resolutely. Although he did feel guilty that he was ignoring Severus' advice.

He pulled the Invisibility Cloak on before leaving his room, shutting the door behind him. Approaching the fireplace he grabbed a fistful of floo powder. He threw the powder into the fireplace, causing green flames to roar to life in the hearth. Hesitantly he stepped into the flames, suddenly apprehensive about what he was about to do. He hadn't the faintest idea about what was occurring in Dumbledore's office...for all he knew he was about to floo into a private conversation. The green flames were bound to make for a spectacular and obvious entry, he thought dryly. He considered going back to bed then, but the memory of Snape's slightly panicked look gave him pause. It was just as likely that both Severus and Dumbledore would be too busy to notice his arrival. Besides, he'd wanted to talk to Dumbledore all week. He knew it was a weak excuse, but he needed to know what was going on. So without further thought he called out his destination, steeling himself for what was to come.

XXXX

It seemed that luck was on his side though. A roaring fire had already been burning in the Headmaster's fireplace, which masked the sound of his arrival. The green flames had lasted less than ten seconds and Harry doubted that either of the men in the office would have noticed them, even if they hadn't been so thoroughly distracted. Stepping out of the fireplace Harry had to stop himself from audibly articulating his surprise as he slowly made sense of the scene before him.

Dumbledore was slumped sideways in his throne-like chair, clearly unconscious. Snape stood before the man and was plainly working on Dumbledore, although Harry's view was blocked. Edging forward slowly Harry could hear Snape was muttering incantations at a furious pace, all the while manoeuvring his wand in intricate patterns over Dumbledore's arm. It was only as Harry moved past Snape that he was able to see exactly what the man was doing. Dumbledore's right hand dangled uselessly over the edge of the chair, burned and blackened.

Harry recoiled in horror at the sight of the limb. It looked dead.

Snape's muttering was becoming more insistent and Harry was alarmed to hear a slight note of panic creep into the man's tone. The sweat was obvious on Snape's brow as he laboured to fight the curse. For it was clear now to Harry that something so sinister could only be a product of the Dark Arts. Harry watched with morbid fascination as the blackness and decay crept further up Dumbledore's hand, seemingly with a life of its own. The curse destroyed the healthy tissue with apparent ease despite Severus' persistent counter-curse.

Harry shifted uneasily as minutes passed and the curse still seemed to be progressing. The next moment though Snape was smiling slightly and Harry could hear the relief in his tone as he continued to mutter continuously. He sounded more confident now and Harry realised he'd trapped the curse at Dumbledore's wrist. Snape's counter-curse must have worked because moments later Dumbledore began to stir feebly.

Snape was still muttering incantations, his wand pointed unwaveringly at Dumbledore's wrist, but with the realisation that Dumbledore was returning to consciousness he picked up a goblet containing a thick golden potion from the desk. Deftly he held the potion in his left hand before tipping it down Dumbledore's throat – all the while maintaining his counter-curse.

Suddenly Snape was silent and Harry watched as the weary man took a step back from Dumbledore's chair, wiping the sweat from his brow. He looked careworn but he wore a grimly satisfied expression as he fixed his gaze expectantly upon Dumbledore. Within moments Dumbledore's eyelids flickered and opened as the man returned to consciousness.

'Why,' said Snape without preamble, and Harry could tell he was furious, 'why did you put on that ring? It carries a curse, surely you realised that. Why even touch it?'

It was only now that Harry noticed the ring lying before Dumbledore. Curiously the stone embedded in the ring seemed to be cracked. Even more bizarrely the Sword of Gryffindor lay beside it, its rubies throwing impressive reflections across the room.

'I ... was a fool. Sorely tempted ...'

Harry looked up in alarm at the sound of the hoarse voice, barely recognising it as Dumbledore's. The man looked dreadful; his expression pallid, a light sheen to his forehead. He was studying the stone with obvious distaste.

'Tempted by what?'

Snape's scathing tone cut through the silence but Dumbledore ignored him. Harry watched as instead the Headmaster fingered the broken stone, his features taking on a satisfied expression.

'It is a miracle you managed to return here!' Snape said angrily, annoyed that Dumbledore was ignoring him. 'That ring carried a curse of extraordinary power, to contain it is all we can hope for; I have trapped the curse in one hand for the time being – '

Snape broke off, suddenly seeming unsure. With a start Harry realised the man was worried. Snape's words abruptly made sense and Harry took a step back in shock as understanding washed over him. Dumbledore was dying! It was such a foreign thought that he struggled to comprehend the magnitude of Snape's explanation. How could Dumbledore die? He wouldn't stand a chance against Voldemort without Dumbledore, he thought desperately. The Headmaster had always been there for him, he couldn't die.

The rational part of Harry's mind though, which always seemed to speak with Hermione's voice, accepted Dumbledore's mortality. Not even Dumbledore can live forever, Hermione's voice reminded him. Still it was hard for Harry to accept that Dumbledore now had a finite period of time left. With effort he pushed his chaotic thoughts away as he heard Dumbledore address Severus.

'You have done very well, Severus. How long do you think I have?'

Harry felt his jaw drop in surprise at Dumbledore's conversational tone; he might have been asking for a weather forecast. Snape took a moment to reply and Harry could tell he too was uncomfortable with Dumbledore's light tone.

'I cannot tell. Maybe a year. There is no halting such a spell forever. It will spread, eventually, it is the sort of curse that strengthens over time.'

Dumbledore smiled, seemingly unaffected by the news that he had less than a year to live. Harry frowned, a year was better than a few months but even so it was too little time.

'I am fortunate, extremely fortunate, that I have you, Severus.'

'If you had only summoned me a little earlier, I might have been able to do more, buy you more time!' said Snape furiously, although Harry could tell most of the fury was directed inwardly. Dumbledore did not seem to notice the guilt-ridden tone. Snape let out an exasperated breath at Dumbledore's indifference and Harry watched as the man's eyes focused on the broken ring and the sword lying across the desk.

'Did you think that breaking the ring would break the curse?' he demanded in a derisive tone.

'Something like that ... I was delirious, no doubt ...' said Dumbledore dismissively.

Harry could tell he was being deliberately misleading though; it was a tone he had often taken with Harry when he'd asked impertinent questions. He wondered at Snape's question though, why had Dumbledore broken the ring? Particularly when it seemed Dumbledore knew very well that breaking the ring would not break the curse. His musings were interrupted as Dumbledore spoke up once more, having pushed himself into a more upright position.

'Well, really, this makes matters much more straightforward.'

Harry frowned in confusion. Looking towards Snape he found the man looked utterly perplexed. Dumbledore smiled before continuing.

'I refer to the plan that Lord Voldemort is revolving around me. His plan to have the poor Malfoy boy murder me.'

This time Harry had to physically bite down on his lip to stop himself from giving away his position. What in Merlin's name was Dumbledore talking about? He sent a questioning look towards Snape, forgetting he was invisible, only to find the man's countenance had darkened significantly. Harry was about to look back at Dumbledore when he realised Snape was moving towards him, intent on taking the seat across from Dumbledore. With the agility of a Seeker, Harry managed to backtrack quickly enough that he avoided coming into contact with Severus. Hastily, Harry moved around to the other side of Dumbledore's desk, deliberately positioning himself so that he could observe both men's expressions with ease.

It was only when Fawkes let out a petulant squawk that he realised he was standing directly in front of the majestic Phoenix. To his absolute horror Fawkes call drew Dumbledore's attention. The man's blue eyes examined Fawkes closely before coming to rest deliberately on Harry, who was standing just beside the Phoenix. His breath caught in his throat as he realised that Dumbledore knew he was there. As always he felt as though he were being X-rayed as the Headmaster studied him closely, seemingly assessing the situation. Harry felt for sure that Dumbledore was going to demand he reveal himself but no sooner had the thought crossed his mind then Dumbledore was turning away. He'd given Harry the smallest of smiles before turning back to face Severus, his blue eyes twinkling knowingly.

Harry let out a surprised breath. He'd expected Dumbledore to send him away but it seemed the Headmaster wanted him to stay. Snape's voice interrupted his thoughts and he once more returned his attention to the conversation before him.

'The Dark Lord does not expect Draco to succeed. This is merely punishment for Lucius's recent failures. Slow torture for Draco's parents, while they watch him fail and pay the price.'

Harry listened with rapt attention, attempting to keep up with the conversation. Snape sounded rather put out but his words did not seem to surprise Dumbledore, giving Harry the impression that the two men had discussed the topic before.

'In short, the boy has had a death sentence pronounced upon him as surely as I have,' said Dumbledore. 'Now, I should have thought the natural successor to the job, once Draco fails, is yourself?'

There was a short pause.

'We have discussed this Dumbledore,' Snape growled, sounding truly angry for the first time that evening. 'I will not take your life.'

There was desperation to Snape's tone, which Harry had never heard. The Headmaster appeared unmoved though, simply studying his spy with something akin to disappointment. Harry wondered how Dumbledore could be so callous. He could hear the self-loathing in Snape's tone. The man despised himself for even considering the proposition. Dumbledore seemed content to ignore Snape's protests though, instead seemingly changing tack with barely a pause.

'Lord Voldemort foresees a moment in the near future when he will not need a spy at Hogwarts?'

Snape did not reply immediately, but when he did his tone was wary.

'He believes the school will soon be in his grasp, yes.'

'And if it does fall into his grasp,' said Dumbledore, almost, it seemed, as an aside, 'I have your word that you will do all in your power to protect the students of Hogwarts?'

Harry thought he could see where this was going. Dumbledore was weaving an intricate web around Severus; trapping the man in the centre by extracting seemingly harmless promises. Snape seemed oblivious to the walls closing in around him though as he nodded stiffly, accepting Dumbledore's terms and binding himself more tightly in the web. Harry wanted to stop him, make him see what was coming but a warning look from Dumbledore held him in place.

'Good. Now then. Your first priority will be to discover what Draco is up to. A frightened teenage boy is a danger to others as well as to himself. Offer him help and guidance, he ought to accept, he likes you –'

' – much less since his father has lost favour. Draco blames me, he thinks I have usurped Lucius's position.'

'All the same, try. I am concerned less for myself than for accidental victims of whatever schemes might occur to the boy. Ultimately, of course, there is only one thing to be done if we are to save him from Lord Voldemort's wrath.'

Snape raised his eyebrows and his tone was sardonic as he asked, 'Are you intending to let him kill you?'

Harry almost groaned aloud. He doesn't realise where this is going.

'Certainly not. You must kill me.'

There was a long silence, broken only by the sound of Fawkes rustling his feathers uneasily. Harry looked over at the sound, to find the Phoenix studying him curiously and for a moment he felt sure that Fawkes could feel and understand his anger.

'You cannot ask this of me Albus,' Snape whispered, staring forlornly at the ground.

His tone was defeated and Harry realised the defiance was only an act now. The fight had gone out of Snape.

'The school cannot be left to the Death Eaters, Severus,' Dumbledore said quietly, his tone compelling. 'You know what Lord Voldemort expects, you must pass this final test Severus. You must become Lord Voldemort's most trusted. Hogwarts must pass to you. There are no other choices Severus. Given what has happened tonight,' he indicated his withered hand, 'we can be sure that my death will happen within a year.'

'If you don't mind dying,' said Snape roughly, his voice raw with conflicting emotion, 'why not let Draco do it?'

'That boy's soul is not yet so damaged,' said Dumbledore seriously. 'I would not have it ripped apart on my account.'

Harry felt his anger flare. What about Severus, he thought furiously.

'And my soul, Dumbledore? Mine?' Snape demanded fiercely.

Dumbledore waited for Severus to regain his composure before answering the man.

'You alone know whether it will harm your soul to help an old man avoid pain and humiliation,' said Dumbledore quietly. 'I ask this one, great favour of you, Severus, because death is coming for me as surely as the Chudley Cannons will finish bottom of this year's league. I confess I should prefer a quick, painless exit to the protracted and messy affair it will be if, for instance, Greyback is involved – I hear Voldemort has recruited him? Or dear Bellatrix, who likes to play with her food before she eats it.'

His tone was light but his blue eyes pierced Snape just as they had pierced Harry's mere minutes ago, as though the soul they discussed was visible to him. Harry watched with horror as Snape's resolve cracked. Severus was going to accept and Harry knew that once Severus gave his word the man would not break it – no matter how much he hated his task. Dumbledore's words had created a web around Severus from which it seemed he could no longer escape. Not without completing Dumbledore's request.

Why is Dumbledore so determined to do it this way, Harry thought desperately. There has to be another way... there's always another way! Severus had raised his eyes from the ground and Harry knew he was about to agree. Throwing caution to the wind, Harry moved to pull off his Cloak.

He'd barely raised his arm to remove his Cloak though before Fawkes had taken flight from his stand. The tension in the room was broken as the Phoenix let out a mournful call before gracefully perching himself upon Severus' shoulder. Severus startled violently, almost unseating Fawkes, but the proximity of the Phoenix seemed to calm him. It took Harry a moment to realise that Severus' defeated expression was gone. The arrival of Fawkes had changed something and Harry knew immediately that Severus would not give in yet – not while Fawkes was there. Dumbledore seemed to realise that as well.

A weary expression crossed the man's face and his eyes once more came to rest unwaveringly upon Harry. There was a tinge of pride in the Headmaster's gaze as he studied Harry with a searching look. Finally he tore his gaze away returning it to his Potion's master.

'It would seem that Fawkes has taken quite a liking to you Severus,' Dumbledore said fondly. 'He has also reminded me that it is unwise to discuss such delicate matters late at night. We are both tired and I fear we are unlikely to come to a mutually agreeable arrangement tonight.'

Snape nodded stiffly, but said nothing.

'I ask only that you consider my request, Severus,' Dumbledore added quietly. 'We shall talk again soon.'

'As you wish Albus.'

Fawkes took leave of Snape's shoulder the moment the words passed the man's lips and Harry watched as the Phoenix returned to his perch. Snape stood and without looking back left Dumbledore's office.

'It would seem that Severus is more upset with me than he cares to let on,' Dumbledore observed softly, reminding Harry that he was still invisible.

Hastily he pulled the Cloak off himself, taking the seat which Snape had just vacated. Seeing Harry's confused look Dumbledore explained further.

'Severus almost invariably walks back to his quarters when he needs time to think.'

'Oh...right,' Harry said awkwardly, shifting beneath Dumbledore's penetrating gaze.

Fawkes let out a soft call, causing Dumbledore to chuckle slightly.

'Well Harry,' he said amusedly, although Harry could hear the weariness in his tone, 'you have certainly got Fawkes riled up. He does not often involve himself in the happenings of this office but it would seem he felt compelled to prevent Severus making a...' Dumbledore paused, searching for an appropriate word, 'hasty decision. Much like yourself, perhaps?'

Dumbledore studied Harry over the top of his half-moon glasses, a curious expression on the old man's face.

'You mean Fawkes wanted to stop you?' he asked embarrassedly. 'Because of ... me?'

'It would seem he wished to make me aware of your...discomfit.'

Seeing Harry's abashed look Dumbledore smiled kindly before continuing.

'Do not be ashamed of your loyalty to your friends, or your impeccable sense of justice, Harry. They do you great credit.'

There was a short pause.

'I confess that I never expected that Severus could truly look past his preconceptions concerning you Harry, but I can see now that you have both proved me wrong. Only your fierce loyalty to Severus could have prompted Fawkes to act as he did,' said Dumbledore, looking fondly towards the majestic Phoenix. 'I thank you Harry, for you have taken the time to remind an old man that sometimes simply 'for the greater good' isn't a good enough reason.'

Dumbledore broke off, fixing Harry with such an intense gaze that he was forced to look away in discomfit.

'And other times it is the only choice,' Dumbledore all but whispered. 'Do you understand, Harry?'

Meeting Dumbledore's gaze once more Harry could see that the Headmaster was willing him to understand the difficult situation...to accept what must happen.

'I think so,' Harry replied softly. 'But I don't agree... it's not the only choice.'

Harry rushed on before Dumbledore could interrupt him, his tone becoming more confident as he warmed to his subject.

'Professor Snape said you had maybe a year, sir...anything could happen in a year. For all we know Voldemort could have been defeated. I mean, I'm not going to sit around waiting for Voldemort...I'm not going to let him call the shots anymore. I'm going to fight him every step of the way and not because of the prophecy. I'm going to fight him because he killed my parents and because he'd be happy to murder my friends... Merlin! I can't even talk to Professor Snape normally without it endangering all of our lives. Voldemort's had too much control over my life. I'm not going to let him dictate my life anymore.'

Harry broke off suddenly, aware that he'd digressed significantly from his original point. Sheepishly, he raised his gaze to meet Dumbledore's.

Dumbledore stared with pride down his crooked nose at the boy sitting before him. He still looked like a boy of sixteen but the speech Harry had just given, albeit rather passionate, displayed the wisdom and understanding of a much older man. Albus had hoped that after viewing the memories he had gathered so far, Harry would realise that his life did not have to be ruled by the prophecy. To understand that it was his choice to fight Voldemort – even with the possibility of numerous Horcruxes. The fact that Harry had reached that conclusion without his help caused Albus to question whether he needed to rethink his plans.

'Do continue Harry,' Dumbledore said amicably, breaking the silence.

Albus bestowed a kind smile upon the abashed teenager which seemed to restore Harry's confidence.

'Well...' Harry began hesitantly. 'Even if Voldemort isn't defeated there are other options... You've created fake memories before with Professor Snape; surely you could do the same now? Or make it seem as though he killed you...?'

Harry paused, letting out a sigh as he absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair in frustration.

'I just don't think you should ask Professor Snape to give his word...not until you're sure it's the only option. You saw the way he reacted sir, you can't ask this of him. It's too much. He's done enough already,' Harry continued, his voice trailing away as he seemed to lose himself in thought, forgetting that Dumbledore was in the room with him, '... he shouldn't owe you... or me, anything... and he certainly doesn't owe my mother anything...'

'Professor Snape owes me nothing Harry,' Dumbledore said gently, although his eyes were alight with curiosity. 'As to what Severus perceives he owes your mother...that is something you must discuss with him.'

Harry frowned at the Headmaster's cryptic words. He had been so caught up in his own thoughts that he had unintentionally raised the topic which he had been meaning to discuss with Dumbledore all week. It seemed though that the Headmaster would remain as aloof as ever regarding the subject of Severus Snape's loyalties and so Harry decided to cut to the chase.

'It was Severus, wasn't it...' he asked grimly, although it wasn't really a question, more a statement. 'The night you interviewed Professor Trelawney, the Death Eater who overheard the prophecy was Professor Snape.'

Dumbledore's ill-concealed surprise told him all he needed to know. He'd been right. Dumbledore looked as though he were about to say something but before he could green flames roared to life in the fireplace depositing an unsettled Severus Snape upon Albus' hearth rug.

'Albus,' Severus said urgently, his agitated state revealing his anxiety. 'Harry's gone –'

Severus broke off as he noticed Harry seated at the Headmaster's desk. Albus watched as the concern disappeared from Severus' features, deliberately forced behind a blank mask as the man stared impassively at Harry. Intriguingly, Harry seemed to be wary of Severus' sudden appearance, raising Albus' suspicions that something had happened between the pair. He wondered if it had something to do with the information Harry had just revealed to him.

'Perhaps you should return to your room Harry,' Dumbledore suggested, breaking the tense silence which had descended upon his office.

Harry agreed immediately and Albus watched as the boy hurried to the fireplace, ignoring Severus completely.

'Good night sir,' the boy said hastily before clumsily flinging a fistful of floo powder into the flames.

With a whoosh the boy had disappeared back to Severus' quarters.

'One moment, Severus,' Albus called imperiously as his Potion's master made to follow directly after the boy.

Severus seemed to consider ignoring his request but reconsidered, once more seating himself across from Albus. The blank mask had disappeared with the removal of Harry and Albus noticed with concern that Severus seemed troubled.

'How long has he been here?' Severus asked tiredly, running his hands through his hair in a gesture of weariness.

'I believe he followed you up here not long after you arrived, although I only became aware of his presence after I regained consciousness.'

Albus noted that Severus did not seem particularly surprised by the information; instead he seemed to accept it, his shoulders sagging as though the knowledge were a burden.

'He heard everything?'

Dumbledore only nodded, watching as Severus' head fell forward into his hand – the universal action of defeat.

'If I might ask, Severus,' he said gently. 'Has something untoward occurred between you and Harry?'

Severus' head snapped up.

'What has he been saying?'

'Oh nothing terribly important, Severus,' Albus said dismissively. 'He was much more interested in the conversation he'd just overheard.'

Severus' head dropped back into his hands and silence fell on the pair. Albus studied his Potion's master with concern.

'I do rather think Harry wishes to talk to you Severus,' he prompted, for it was obvious to Albus – as an outsider – that both Harry and Severus needed to talk.

Severus let out a rather undignified snort before once more raising his gaze to Albus'.

'I think not,' the man said sourly. 'The boy has barely spoken two words to me since Sunday. He has been avoiding me like the plague.'

Indeed... Suddenly Harry's odd behaviour made sense. Somehow he'd found out about Severus and had clearly decided to avoid the man. Although Albus was surprised the boy had not lashed out at Severus the moment he'd learnt the truth... clearly Severus has rubbed off on Harry, he thought contentedly. The tendency towards avoidance and taking time to think rather than outright confrontation was something he would have expected from Severus.

'Oh I'm sure he had his reasons, my boy,' Dumbledore said benignly, 'but I think you'll find he's ready to talk now.'

Severus looked rather scandalised at his announcement but the stoic man hid his emotions quickly before abruptly getting to his feet.

'If that is all...?'

'Of course,' Albus said graciously. 'Good evening, Severus...and thank you.'

Snape nodded stiffly before deliberately moving towards the fireplace. In a whirl of green flames he was gone from the office, leaving Albus to marvel at the reality of Severus Snape and Harry Potter getting along.

XXXX

Severus stepped once more into his sitting room. Albus' words had given him much to ponder, and not for the first time he found himself wondering just how much the Headmaster knew. It had taken Severus almost half an hour to walk back to his rooms after seeing to Albus. The deadly curse which had infected the Headmaster's hand had taken an inordinate amount of concentration and energy to contain and by the time he had reached his rooms the expected exhaustion was beginning to catch up with him. It could only be the lingering effects of Fawkes's presence which had enabled him to contemplate sleep when his mind was so preoccupied.

He had been on his way to his own room when he'd stopped outside Harry's closed door. As he had done every night that week he'd opened the door to check the teenager was within, and sleeping peacefully. To his alarm, Harry's bed had been empty. With a flick of his wand he'd lit the lamps in the room but the boy had still remained elusive. After the week he'd had and Dumbledore's fatal injury, misplacing the boy was the straw that broke the camel's back. Angry and anxious he'd not hesitated to floo directly back to Dumbledore's office – only to find the source of his worry already with the Headmaster.

Despite his anger that the boy had deliberately evaded him once more he could not help but recall the relief he had felt at finding Harry safe. His thoughts having returned to Harry he automatically looked towards the boy's room, expecting to see the door shut now that Harry had returned. Snape felt his heart clench in his chest at the sight of the open bedroom door. Harry had been deliberately shutting the door each evening of his stay – a message to Snape that he wanted to be left alone. Seeing the door open now, Snape's mind jumped to various scenarios, each involving either the capture or removal of Harry from Hogwarts.

Surely he returned to bed, he thought angrily, although he knew it was really worry for the boy's safety. Stepping into the bedroom Snape let out a relieved sigh as he found the teenager asleep, sprawled on top of the bed covers. Wondering at his own ridiculous reactions he let out an exasperated sigh before stepping into the room properly. Muttering about 'insufferable teenage boys' and their 'inability to pick up after themselves', he gently pulled the covers down and positioned Harry in a slightly more comfortable position. Reassured that the boy was not like to die of a chill during the night he stood back, staring unguardedly at the boy for a long moment.

'I'm sorry,' he whispered, '... not just for whatever happened on Sunday... for everything.'

Snape let out a sigh, casting his gaze up to the ceiling. Harry stirred in his sleep but Snape, lost in his own thoughts, did not notice. Why was it so hard for him to admit his fault to this boy? He'd told Dumbledore...why should Harry be any different?

Because his Lily's son, the little voice in the back of his mind reminded him. The son of the woman I murdered...

Still, he knew he could not hide it much longer; he would have to disclose it to Harry before they discussed the boy's guardianship. That was proving difficult though, what with Harry avoiding him. Looking down once more Snape considered how easy it would be to wake the boy and tell him now. Harry was here before him, he could not disappear...he would have to listen...

His hand hovered indecisively above the boy's shoulder and Snape willed it to move...to cover that small distance and wake the boy. He cursed himself for a coward though when it remained stubbornly four inches above the boy. Forming a fist he shoved the offending hand into his trouser pocket.

He was about to turn away when something stopped him. Some sixth sense that he needed to admit his wrongdoing now...or perhaps his subconscious had realised that Harry was no longer asleep, had felt him stirring. Whatever it was, in years to come Snape would always wonder what had prompted him to tell the boy at that precise moment.

Staring unseeingly at the opposite wall he finally summoned the courage to admit to his own role in the events that had destroyed Harry's family.

'The Death Eater...,' he began hoarsely. 'The one who listened at the door... it was –'

'I know.'

The simple admission cut Snape off before he could finish and the man took a hasty step backwards as he looked down in alarm to find Harry was no longer asleep. Instead the boy was sitting up in bed, his messy hair standing up at all angles and the green eyes of Lily Evans staring directly at him. Snape met the gaze for a moment, but the boy's expression was unreadable. For once he could not discern what the boy was thinking. He dropped his own gaze, unable to hold the intense gaze of those particular green eyes so soon after his confession.

The silence stretched out and Snape felt as though each minute were an hour as he waited for Harry to say something. When the boy remained silent, Snape became uncomfortable. Instinctively he wanted to slip away, as he had always done since he was boy. Escape from the accusations which were sure to come. He wondered what in Merlin's name had ever prompted him to say it aloud. What was I thinking! Without looking at Harry he turned around and walked away.

He was almost at the door when Harry's voice stopped him once again.

'You made a mistake. I forgive you.'

Snape stood frozen in the doorway. Harry's words seemed to reverberate around the room as he attempted to make sense of them. He forgives me? The thought was preposterous. He had expected anger...accusations...hate...not forgiveness. Forgiveness meant acceptance and acceptance meant understanding. How could the boy understand? Does he not realise that I am responsible for his parent's death? Confused, Severus turned to look at the boy. Harry stared knowingly at him and in that moment Severus realised that somehow Harry understood completely. Bewildered, Snape inclined his head stiffly, acknowledging Harry's words before fleeing the boy's room.

Dropping wearily and fully clothed onto his own bed he wondered if he'd simply imagined that entire conversation. It certainly seemed surreal enough, he thought tiredly as his eyes closed of their own accord. Within seconds he was asleep.

For once, he slept through the night.

XXXX

It would take him several days to realise but with Harry's forgiveness, the nightmares which had so often manifested from his guilt over Lily's death no longer haunted him.


A/N: Thanks for all the reviews. Let me know what you thought of this latest chapter - I certainly found it interesting to write. Exams are in the next few weeks so updates will be a bit slow. Until then!