Thirty minutes later Harry found himself outside Professor McGonogall's office with a scrap of parchment in his hand. He knocked and waited for a moment. "Come in Potter" came Professor McGonogall's voice from the other side of the door, he pushed open the door and entered. "I have the list Professor, the list of those I think need to hear about what we have been up to this year." he said as he placed the list on McGonogall's desk.
Professor McGonogall scanned the list quickly and placed it back on her desk. "Very well Potter, I think we can accommodate all of the people on this list in the heads office. I'm sure a few of the old Heads would be interested in this tale as well" she said in her usual stern manner. She then rose from her chair and walked around the desk toward harry. She looked older than he had ever remembered, sure she still gave him the impression that she wasn't one to cross and she had proven that last night but still he couldn't help but think that perhaps last night was too much for her. Before he could gather his thoughts properly to say something to her, she did something totally unexpected and caught Harry in a tight embrace.
"I knew you could do it Harry, I knew it from the moment you stepped through those front doors all those years ago." she released him and stepped back, Harry was dazed he hadn't expected Professor McGonogall to do that but she continued to talk. "I see a lot of your father in you Harry, in fact when you came through the doors for the first time I thought James was back. I didn't let on to him when he was here but your father, Sirius and Remus were my favourite students" there was an unusual softness about her voice and Harry could swear he saw a tear glisten in the corner of her eye. "They were pranksters, yes, a handful as well and James and Sirius earned more detentions and lost more house points than anyone in Hogwarts history but oh how they used to brighten up my day. My fondest memory of James though was his relentless attempts too attract Lily's attention, some of the things he did, well lets just say they were outrageous to say the least. I knew Lily would cave in eventually, she liked him from the start but she tried her hardest not to let on. Sometimes at night I can still hear her shouting at him in the corridors for some stunt he had pulled. I remember getting the invitation to their wedding, and then seeing you for the first time. Your father brought you up here when you were just a few weeks old. I held you in this very chair." she said as she stroked the arm of her chair.
"The night they died, it tore my heart in two. They had been so perfect for each other and after all the effort James had put in to winning her around it just didn't seem right that they were taken away so young. I was there, the night Professor Dumbledore left you at your Aunt's house. Lily always loved Petunia so much but Petunia resented magic and anything connected to it, even her own sister." Harry had never heard Professor McGonogall talk about anything personal before, he didn't even know she was so close to his parents. He knew of course that she had taught them but he had never imagined that she was so fond of them. He looked at her sat back at her desk, she looked forlorn something Harry had never seen in her before.
"Professor, I, I never knew" he said as he sat down opposite her. "If you wouldn't mind and don't feel you have too because I'm asking you, but, would you mind letting me have some of your memories of my father, mother, Sirius and Remus?" he looked at her hopefully but pressed on quickly "Its just I don't have much, obviously I have the photo album Hagrid made for me, the memories I have of seeing them in the Mirror of Erised in my first year, my fathers cloak, the memories of their death that both Voldemort and the dementors gave to me but thats it. Oh and last night, I saw them last night. My parents, Sirius and Remus." at this statement Professor McGonogall looked straight into Harry's eyes "Really, but how" her voice and eyes were full of amazement. "I will tell you how later when I go through the story with everyone. So far though you are the only person that knows I saw them." he paused then said in a softer voice "Please give my request some thought Professor" she nodded and half smiled, so Harry continued "I'm going to ask other people that knew them as well to give me their memories. I feel I just need to know them and have some memories of them that aren't of their death."
Professor McGonogall and Harry sat in silence for a while, neither looking directly at the other. Harry felt sure that this was because both were trying not to cry. His thoughts wandered to what he had to do now this was all over. He had to tell the story to the people on the list he had just handed McGonogall, he had to do something about the Elder Wand, he wanted to speak to George and Kreacher. There were a few other things he needed to do but he couldn't quite remember what they were and then suddenly he remember one of them, and possibly he thought the most important one.
"Professor Snape" he blurted out, the name clearly shocked Professor McGonogall because she gasped and then seethed "Do not mention that murderer in my presence" Harry simply shook his head and said calmly "No, no, no. Professor he wasn't a murderer. He was on our side all along don't you remember me telling Riddle that last night?" Professor McGonogall looked confused but Harry didn't give her a chance to speak. "Professor Dumbledore knew he was dying and he had Professor Snape agree to kill him when the time was right. There was a reason for it and again I will tell you that later, but I know now, I know he was on our side all along. He loved my mother, that's why Dumbledore trusted him, he loved her and he never wanted anyone to know. I'm only telling you because I need you to know, because if you don't know you won't help me with what I want, no NEED to do for him." Harry paused and Professor McGonogall raised and eyebrow and said "Yes go on, what do you need to do for him?"
"Well his picture, it isn't in the heads office and it should be. Also I need to retrieve his body, its in the Shrieking Shack. He needs a proper burial. Not anything like Dumbledore's but something fitting for him. He was a hero Professor, a real hero and without him we couldn't have won this war. Professor Dumbledore's portrait told me that the school now recognises you as the head and it requires you to allow the school to create a portrait for Professor Snape. I don't know how you will need to go about it but I'm sure Professor Dumbledore will know." Harry could tell that Professor McGonogall was still a little unsure and so tried to press on and make her see. "Please Professor, talk to Professor Dumbledore and listen to what I tell you later then if you still need proof I will show you, but only the details concerning Professor Snape's loyalty to Dumbledore and the order. He gave me other memories but they are a little too personal and I would think Professor Snape wouldn't anyone else to see. I don't think he really wanted me to see but it was the only way I think he thought I would trust him."
"Very well, I know you wouldn't just say this about him without some sort of proof but you have to understand my hesitation Potter." she had returned to her usual stern tone, and Harry noticed she was using his surname again. Warmth flooded through his body and he knew why, this was the Professor McGonogall he respected, this was the McGonogall that he associated with his time at Hogwarts. "We will go over it again after we have heard your story and after the pair of us have spoken to Professor Dumbledore. As for Severus' body, if you wish to retrieve it and bring it back to the school you may do so. We will meet in the heads office in two hours, that should be enough time for you to move his body and for me to round up the people on this list. Now if you will forgive me I have to get started on a few things Potter, we will talk again later." Harry stood up and smiled at her, "Thanks Professor, see you in two hours." and he left the room.