Chapter III
I
'Where were you last night?' asked Ginny. Her voice wasn't cross or angry, merely curious. She stood by the counter with her teacup, dipping biscuits in the golden liquid and sucking noisily at them. Harry had just entered the kitchen, trying to stifle a yawn, and felt his guard promptly rise.
'What do you mean?' he asked, feeling the waterboiler if there was more water left. Just enough for one cup.
'I woke up when you left the room,' informed Ginny. 'I figured you were just going to the toilet, but when I woke up again this morning you were still gone. You never get up before me, usually.'
'I- well,' Harry gave a shrug. He did want to tell her about last night, but where to begin? "You have a dead man in your house Ginny. He's currently telling your daughter how to make Fast Gro' potions. Suck it up." It wasn't responsible. Ginny was tired of Harry not being responsible. And so he lied. 'I was going to the bathroom, but found Snape up so we had a long chat.' Ginny raised her eyebrows and nodded, before stuffing the remainder of her biscuit in her mouth.
'Had to be a long chat indeed,' she commented. 'Speaking of chats, we need to have one, about our current guest.'
Harry had feared this. But of course they would have to talk about it. He had invited a stranger, a somewhat stranger, a known murderer, despite his spying history, into their home without consulting her. Taking his cup of tea over to the table he tried to put on his best "I am listening" face.
'You do understand that at one point we'll have to alarm the authorities?' she asked. Harry opened his mouth to answer, but settled with a nod. 'Of course, he's sound enough of mind to do it on his own,' she continued, 'but we have no idea what all this is. If I hadn't known better I would say some dark magic is involved. Snape doesn't act like he himself is behind it though, because honestly, would your house be the first place he'd go to after being dead for nineteen years? I'd assume he'd rather go to the Malfoys. Or even Hogwarts.' Ginny of course made good points, and Harry couldn't do much but concede to them.
'You mean someone must have cursed him?' said Harry. Ginny shrugged a shoulder and nodded. 'I am pretty certain you're right… Voldemort?'
'It's impossible to say,' answered Ginny. 'At least for now, but I don't know how safe I feel to have him around Lily. Despite-'
'Despite the fact that he dotes upon her and she adores him?' asked Harry, and couldn't help the smile crawling across his face. Ginny had to laugh.
'I wonder if it's a dead giveaway that she might just sort into Slytherin next year,' she mused. 'Well, at least Al will be able to take care of her.' It had come as somewhat of a shock when they received Al's (and James') letters explaining that Al had sorted into Slytherin. Ron had blamed it on the name they had burdened him with. "If you call him Severus he'll turn into a Severus," he'd said, completely forgetting that in such a case, Al was just as much an Albus. Hermione had politely pointed that out, but it had fallen on deaf ears.
'After so many generations of Gryffindors, for someone to sort into Slytherin of all houses seem a bit strange,' said Harry. The clock above the door struck ten. He had to be at the ministry in an hour. Maybe he could call in sick one more day; he really didn't want to leave Snape alone, not after what he had witnessed that night. Ginny poured out the rest of her tea, lumpy with biscuit crumbs, into the sink and made ready to floo to work. Apparently she had an interview with the seeker of Falmouth Falcons. Lately they had risen in popularity together with their continuous winning streak, and where there were popular Quidditch stories to be had there was Ginny. Getting up from the kitchen table Harry had just enough time to crowd her against the fireplace and give her a sound goodbye kiss.
'Love you,' she called over her shoulder as she disappeared in the green flames. Quidditch always made her giddy. Harry smiled.
'So Eve lets Adam into paradise once in a while?' drawled a voice behind him. Turning, Harry gave Snape a weak smile. In daylight the man looked human and alive enough. His complexion was still pallid and he was thin as a wraith, but his eyes glittered and his movements were smooth. 'I chatted with Granger and apparently she has already concocted several theories,' continued Snape as Harry put away the floo powder.
'Oh, that's interest- you what?' asked Harry perplexed. 'You chatted with Hermione?'
'Yes. I was just reading the newspaper when your IM logged on automatically and she popped up.'
'Wait, wait, wait,' Harry made stop motions with his hands. 'You've been gone for two decades. How do you know all this about computers?' Snape gave a deep sigh of impatience.
'It's isn't terribly difficult,' he said, 'it all stands right there. If you just read, all the information one could ever wish for is right in front of your eyes.'
They had been walking back into the family room where the computer stood. Snape sat down in the chair in front of it casually, as if it was indeed his machine, and not Harry's.
'I suppose you are right,' conceded Harry. 'But since I'm stupid, and lazy, could you please decipher that wall of text for me?' He was hanging over Snape's shoulder, who had to scroll quite a bit to get at the top of everything Hermione had typed out. 'I'd swear she didn't actually have a job,' murmured Harry, 'it has to be quiet at the Ministry.'
'Speaking of work,' drawled Snape, 'don't you have one? Or is the Boy Who Lived excused from such otherwise obligatory nonsense?'
'I am the Head of the Auror Department,' said Harry, trying to quell the pride in his voice. 'But you shouldn't talk; you're the Man Who Lived, now.' Something that could only be described as a startled laugh emitted from Snape. He shook his head, vainly covering his grin with a hand, pretending it was just a casual gesture.
'Severus Snape, the Man Who Lived,' he murmured, typing something to Hermione. 'Sounds ridiculous.' A request for a cam conversation popped up and Harry leaned over Snape to accept it. He steadied himself with one arm on the back of the chair, brushing by Snape's shoulder. Upon righting himself he gained eye contact with the other man. His heart skipped a beat, thumping painfully against his chest. Snape's expression mirrored how he felt; perplexed and surprised. A cough interrupted them.
'I'm sorry, but I don't have all day,' said Hermione businesslike.
'This is just like flooing,' observed Snape, and Hermione's bossy expression melted into a wide smile.
'Isn't it wonderful that the wizarding world is finally catching up with electronics?' she chirped. 'I have said it's been long overdue, but it doesn't seem like they quite understood what I meant.'
'It's totally awesome,' conceded Harry, deliberately making his voice overly excited. Either Hermione didn't understand his sarcasm, or more likely, chose to ignore his childishness, for she continued undisturbed.
'Well, as far as Dark Arts go, I am not the expert, you Professor Snape is far beyond even me regarding that,' said Hermione, and Snape inclined his head, taking it as a compliment. Hermione and Harry exchanged a gaze. 'I couldn't really sleep what with all this happening,' she said, 'so I spent the night making a chart, trying to discern what could have happened, and what couldn't. The fact that you seem to not remember anything regarding it, leads me to believe that this was cast upon you, that you were jinxed, so to say. But how, that's a different matter entirely.' She took a deep breath. 'Of course, we'd be stupid not to ask ourselves the question: "is it really Snape?" I am sorry if it offends, but I might just have spent most of the time on that particular question, researching ways to make polyjuice with a dead persons DNA. Again, this gives us yet another series of questions such as "why?"
Snape was leaning back in the chair, stroking a finger across his lips, listening intently to Hermione as she raised theories and beat them down again. Her suggestion that he might be someone pretending to be Snape was merely rewarded by a raised eyebrow.
'I think, at least personally, that there is no doubt that Snape is indeed Severus Snape,' inserted Harry when Hermione made to take another breath. 'I don't have any scientific facts to prove it, merely my intuition, though.'
'Yes heavens, we can't doubt Potter's intuition, now can we,' said Snape. 'If feelings should have factual merit, then it has to be his feelings, after all.'
Harry couldn't help the tug on his lips, and despite himself he broke into a grin. What a despicable man Snape still was, but he had a way of seeing and pointing out things, that really, when you got right down to it, was funny. So Harry shrugged a shoulder at Hermione, still grinning, and she merely nodded.
'We'll just have the idea that it might not really be Snape in the back of our heads, and rather concentrate on figuring out how it really could be him,' she said and begun shuffling some papers on her desk. 'I couldn't thank Arthur enough for the breakthrough he did with muggle technology in the wizarding world. If you go onto the Ministry's homepage I'll give you my password and you'll be able to access the records. This way you can see what Snape's current status is.'
Leaning over Snape again, Harry opened the browser and typed in the address.
'Do you want to sit on the seat instead?' asked Snape, staring levelly at Harry who was balancing delicately on the chair's armrest.
'No, I'm fine,' he smiled, 'but thanks.' He pretended not to hear the vexed sigh emitted from Snape and concentrated on entering the password instead. The register spent some time loading. Both men stared at it, feelings a part of them die, but Hermione cheerfully begun guiding them through all the information until they found the file they were interested in and downloaded it.
"Severus Tobias Prince Snape" it read, followed by dates of birth and death, birthplace, parents and bloodline. There was a short account of his progress through Hogwarts. Harry sucked in a breath upon seeing Snape's above excellent grades. He had only seen such a perfect score once before, and that was Hermione's. Still in amazement Harry continued to read every bit of information collected on Snape as a Death Eater; sightings done by aurors, his short stay in Azkaban during a period, the testimony of Karkaroff and eventually his employment at Hogwarts. Impatiently Snape gestured for Harry to keep scrolling downwards. This was not new information to him; he was interested in what had happened after his supposed death. They read in silence: "Lost his life by the hands of Tom Marvolo Riddle aka Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts. Currently buried on Hogwart's grounds. Case regarding his innocence pleaded open by Harry James Potter: received positive upon application to have Mr. Severus Snape's Headmaster portrait at Hogwarts. Case Status: Still open, no resolution."
Snape had fallen silent, eventually getting up from the chair and leaving the room, after having read his file. Harry had continued to chat with Hermione who had quite a few hypotheses regarding Snape's resurrection. Quietly, leaning close to the mic, Harry had told her everything that had happened the previous night. Hermione had listened with a serious face that darkened slightly when he had finished. 'I haven't told Snape about it,' said Harry, 'it doesn't seem like he is aware of it. I'll check up on him again tonight, to see if it's a recurring thing.' Hermione nodded.
'Be sure that you do, Harry,' she answered just as quietly, 'this does indeed exclude quite a few of my scenarios. To be frank, it nullifies them all." Despite the setback it seemed as if this brightened her spirit somewhat because she straightened her back and smiled. 'A real mystery again, Harry,' she said. 'It's been such a long time.' Feeling lighter than he had in a long time Harry said his goodbyes and turned off the computer. A mystery. His fingers were tingling.
II
Putting on his jacket and donning his wintershoes what with autumn having turned out to be unseasonably cold, Harry searched for Snape both in the kitchen and out in the winter garden. Eventually he walked half way up the stairs and called for him. The man emerged and stood staring down at him, arms crossed.
'What?' he barked.
'I'm heading out to get some groceries and picking up Lily,' informed Harry, 'I was wondering if you wanted to come along? You know, getting out of the house a bit.'
Black eyebrows were raised in surprise. 'I- don't have any shoes,' said Snape at length. Harry had been expecting a quick and sharp decline to his offer, and so the answer took him off guard.
'Of course you don't,' he eventually said. Snape had nothing. Ascending the stairs hurriedly he stood next to the man who still protected himself behind his crossed arms. 'What's your shoesize?' They both stared at Snape's feet held warm by a pair of woolen socks Harry had never used.
'I don't remember,' said Snape. 'I never bought shoes in a muggle shop.'
'Hm,' said Harry and took off his own shoe, placing his foot next to Snape's. 'Yours is slimmer all around,' he pointed out. 'Perhaps… ah! Of course, Ted has some boots laying here; I think they might fit you. Wait.'
Heading into Ted's old room, Snape's now, Harry began rummaging around in the cupboard. It was a complete mess, and he made a mental note that he had to do some tidying up. On his quest he found an old coat he supposed fit Snape rather well, if he would have it.
'Ted?' asked Snape from behind him. Turning around Harry saw the man leaning against the doorframe, watching his progress through the chaos. 'As in Lupin's boy?'
'Yes, that Ted. I am his godfather, so he has spent many a summer here.' Harry held up the coat for Snape's approval and upon his nod tossed it over to him. 'We need to get you your own clothes,' continued Harry, head back in the closet, 'I believe Ted to be your exact size, so until then I suppose his clothes will do- wait; you knew Ted was Remus' son?' His attention snapped back to the man standing behind him. Ted hadn't been born until after Dumbledore's death, so it seemed curious that Snape would know anything about him.
'Remus and Nymphadora's child. I am very well aware,' Snape said. 'I was headmaster when he was born; I saw his name in the book.'
'Huh… 'was all Harry could muster and instead of continuing the conversation he turned back to his self-imposed task. It turned out fruitful mere moments later when he managed to find the boots he'd been thinking of. They were in good condition, regular style army boots, nothing fancy. Harry was pretty certain, no matter how much he would have loved to see it, that Snape wasn't about to walk around with high heeled boots ornamented with little bats. Snape accepted these however and they discovered that Harry's eye measurement was superb.
'It's what happens to you when you get kids,' explained Harry, glad Snape wasn't making a ruckus about having to borrow someone else's clothes or shoes. Just as they were about to head out the door, Harry took a moment to look at him once more. Standing there, studying their family portrait again, dressed in Ted's coat and boots and Harry's trousers and shirt, it seemed like it had been an entirely different world where this man had been capable of killing Dumbledore, of spreading so much fear, hate and ager. He could somewhat remember that dark pit of passionate hate he had felt for the other man. It had seemed endless, about to engulf him completely. The Snape standing impatiently in front of him now and raising a quizzical eyebrow had to be someone else he didn't quite know yet. Involuntarily his mind dived back down memory lane and brought up a picture of the Half-Blood Prince's potionsbook. Yes, this was definitely a different Snape.
The first raindrop fell on the windshield just as they got into the car. It took perhaps two seconds before the sky opened up and buckets of water poured down. The world seemed an unnatural dark grey for being so early in the afternoon.
'Holy crap,' muttered Harry, peering up at the sky through the frantic movements of the wiper. He couldn't help a weak laugh as he got the car going. 'Are you all buckled in?' he asked automatically, reaching for the belt himself.
'Whatever for?' protested Snape, arms arcos his chest again.
'For if we crash you die,' explained Harry with all the patience of a father of three. 'Again.'
'Maybe I can't die,' said Snape, rather smugly.
'Well, you are not testing that theory in my car,' said Harry, turning on him fully. 'I can sit here the entire day if need be, we are not going anywhere unless you wear your seatbelt.'
'I just don't understand why,' said Snape, 'why don't you just cast a protective spell on the car?'
Harry turned back to stare out at the rain through the window on his own side. He was kneading the wheel and eventually just shrugged. 'We don't do it that way anymore. The Ministry feels it was the casual way everyone relied on magic that made them feel superior to muggles. It's discouraged to use magic for everything, and as a public figure I have to set a good example.'
A deep silence lapsed between them. Snape's silence was so acute Harry felt his skin itch and he couldn't but carefully look sidewise at him, trying to gauge the other man's expression. Snape was just staring at him, a light pinch of irritation around his mouth. 'Evans and Potter must be rolling around in their graves at this point,' he said dryly. 'Very well, at last Harry Potter is riding it safe.'
'Yeah,' scoffed Harry and finally put the car in motion. 'And it's fucking boring.'
III
The rain was not stopping Lily. She was running through it together with two of her best friends; the brothers Jack and John Fawcett. They were also expected to be entering Hogwarts in about two year's time and the three of them had made an instant bond. Of course, neither of them were the expert that she was when it came to magical creatures, but they were cool never the less. Gaining momentum by starting the run at the entrance door of the school, Lily had good speed when she closed in on the gigantic rainpuddle she knew to be there. She had seen it from her classroom window and had been awaiting the splash it would make all since then. So now she was running, Jack and John right behind her, as fast as she could, not caring one bit about everyone else who had to dive out of her way. Three meter left, she gathered all of her wiry strength and jumped. She practically flew through the air, she could tell everyone later, and landed in the puddle that splashed up all around her. It must have gotten deeper because she could swear she went under with her head. Splashing around with victory a pair of strong hands suddenly caught her around the chest and pulled her up. She was wet through all her layers of clothes, and vaguely she fretted about the interior of her backpack, but when she saw the thunderous face of her Dad she became more concerned with her own wellbeing.
After Dad had shoved her into the car, the silence got oppressing. Snape sat in the front seat and was the only reason Dad hadn't already begun his scolding. Despite all this, she couldn't help the proud smile from spreading across her face.
'I did magic, didn't I?' she finally asked through the rattling of her teeth. Even if it was warm inside the car, she was cold to her very bones. Dad didn't answer. 'Right?' she prodded; she wanted him to be just a little bit happy for her. 'Dad?'
'When I first met your grandmother she did almost exactly the same magic as you did now,' said Snape. Lily's heart skipped a beat.
'My grandmother?' she echoed, 'you knew her?'
Dad gave Snape the dark glare that Lily had come to know as the "Warning Look", it meant you were saying things you weren't supposed to. But Snape wasn't afraid of Dad, not at all.
'I did,' he conceded, 'a long time ago.'
'Snape,' warned Dad, and Snape turned to him instead.
'Are you going to let your daughter freeze to death, then?' he countered, 'why don't you use a warming spell so she doesn't have to be so cold?'
'I have told you; we don't use magic like that anymore,' growled Dad, 'she'll have to deal with the consequences of her actions.' Mommy used to say Dad had a wicket temper, but in a good way. This was different, she could see by the way he was hunching his shoulders and gripping the wheel. Yet it didn't seem like that was going to deter Snape.
'So you'd rather have her get pneumonia then?' he asked coldly. His voice was so calm and soft Lily felt herself involuntarily lean back in her seat to get away from him. This was not the Snape she knew. Dad had noticed the change as well, he must have, because he was sitting up straighter, alternating his attention between Snape and the road. 'She's a witch, you ought to be proud,' continued Snape, even more deadly. 'Are you going to make her feel ashamed of what she was born to be? I did not sacrifice my life i to free the wizarding world from a dictatorial madman just for them to suppress themselves!'
Something in the air changed. Dad suddenly wheeled the car around, stopping so abruptly that hadn't Lily been wearing her seatbelt she would have crashed into the seat in front of her. Tears threatened to spill, but she valiantly fought them back. Dad reached into his jacket and pulled out his wand. Lily very rarely saw him wield it, and something in the way he pointed it at Snape made her quiver from something quite different than cold. Snape didn't flinch. But Dad turned around and pointed the wand at her. For a half terrified second she was certain Dad was going to hex or jinx her, but when she felt her clothes dry and her skin warm she realized what was happening. Just a warming spell.
'Satisfied?' asked Dad, but Snape didn't answer.
