Disclaimer – Not mine, none of it.
Chapter 7 – Right from wrong.
In Albus' office the headmaster had coaxed Harry out of the corner and onto the sofa, handing the boy a cup of tea and smiling indulgently as the boy sipped tentatively at it.
'You're very sneaky, Albus.' Harry said wryly.
'Why thank you, dear boy. Are you calmer now?' the headmaster responded lightly.
Severus looked curiously between the two before realising the boy could actually taste the calming potions Albus often laced his tea with.
Harry smiled. 'Yes, thank you.' He whispered. Dumbledore nodded his eyes twinkling as Harry shifted closer to him and let the elderly wizard rub his back soothingly. After several minutes Albus spoke up.
'Can you tell us about it now?' he asked gently.
Harry nodded and swallowed, his hands beginning to shake slightly as he closed his eyes and began to recount the vision.
'I didn't see what happened at the beginning. I didn't see anything until Riddle became angry. Lucius was there. He was repeating what Professor Snape said in the hospital.' Harry stopped and looked curiously at the potions master. 'Did you mean what you said?' he asked softly.
Snape glanced at Albus before nodding. 'Every word.' He said sincerely. 'What they did to you Potter was wrong. No one should be treated like that. Not that it excuses your friends however.' He added darkly.
'Severus.' Albus said harshly.
'What happened?' Harry looked curious.
'Nothing, dear boy.' Albus said quickly.
Harry's eyes narrowed. 'Don't lie to me, Albus. What did they do?'
Albus threw a glare at his potions master before responding. 'They attacked young Mr Malfoy.' He said quietly. 'Retribution, I believe.'
Harry paled. 'What did they do?'
'The same things that were done to you apparently.' Albus replied.
The horrified and disturbed expression that came over Harry's face was quite alarming and Albus quickly took both of Harry's hands in his and began murmuring softly to the boy.
'They didn't?' Harry could barely speak. 'Please tell me they didn't…..' Harry trailed off and Snape took pity on the boy.
'No Mr Potter, they didn't do that. It didn't go that far.' He said honestly.
Harry seemed to slump in his seat. 'I can't believe they would do that. I mean, what would make them do that to someone.' His eyes had filled with tears and his hands were shaking so badly the headmaster had to pry the half full cup of tea from his hands before he spilt the scalding liquid all over them.
Snape spoke again. 'Draco apparently said something quite hurtful regarding you.' He said. He didn't know why he was defending the little brats but for some reason he couldn't bring himself to break the tenuous hold on reality that Potter currently had; and his friends were a part of that hold.
'It doesn't excuse them.' Harry whispered vehemently. 'It doesn't excuse anyone. Nothing excuses anyone.'
Snape raised an eyebrow as Albus beamed at the Boy-Who-Lived. After everything that had happened, all that he had been through, the boy's soul was still untainted. There were no thoughts of revenge or retribution. It was unbelievable. It was also worrying.
'Mr Potter, can I ask you a question?'
Harry looked up, his mood having swung once more. 'You mean apart from the one you just asked?' he said cheekily.
Snape looked almost taken aback at the change but Albus just laughed it off. 'He got you there, Severus my boy.' The headmaster chuckled.
'Yes, right, well. What I was going to ask is whether you are capable of killing someone?' Snape asked bluntly.
The mirth in the air died and Harry looked at the potions master in contemplation. It was a strong piercing stared that seemed to reach deep into his very soul.
'Are you?' Harry said finally.
Snape raised an eyebrow. 'Quite capable thank you.'
'Then so am I.'
'But moments ago you said.'
'I said no one should be treated like an animal.' Harry interrupted him. 'What they did to me was wrong but that doesn't mean it should be returned in kind. Riddle will die, I assure you, but I refuse to sink to such a level. He will die quickly and probably painlessly.'
'But what of all the suffering he has caused.' Snape insisted. Albus just watched his two boys, an amused sparkle in his eyes.
Harry yawned and slowly wiped his hands on a napkin before looking up once more. Snape noticed the steely glint of determination in the boy's eyes. 'Do I have the word God stamped on my forehead?' He asked simply. 'It is not my place to judge and punish. My task is to destroy the Dark Lord any way I can. That is all. God himself, will deal with Tom in the afterlife. It is none of my concern. I'm glad that you're safe though, Professor.' Harry finished, standing slowly and squeezing Dumbledore's shoulder tentatively. 'Goodnight, Albus.' He said softly. 'Goodnight, Professor Snape.' He added before opening the portrait and disappearing up the stairs.
Albus watched the boy go before turning to see the younger wizard still gaping at the open portrait. 'Severus?' he asked concernedly.
Snape's mouth snapped closed. 'He's not real.' He whispered in disbelief. 'He can't possibly be real. No one can have been through what he has and still look at things the way he does.'
Albus sighed, lifting his cup and sipping delicately. 'He's an extraordinary young man.' He agreed.
'But how?' Snape was at a loss for words, something he really didn't like.
'That's just Harry.' Albus said, pride shining in his eyes.
Snape shook his head. 'Inconceivable.'
Albus just smiled and patted the potions master's knee. 'Drink your tea, my boy.' He said kindly and Snape, for once, obeyed without thinking.
The next few weeks passed suspiciously quietly which set everyone's nerves on edge. Albus forbade Snape from collecting Draco Malfoy from the hospital the next morning, sending McGonagall and Sprout instead. It turned out to be quite the right decision as when the two professors arrived they found not only Lucius Malfoy there, but the elder Crabbe and Goyle, Avery and Marcus Flint also waiting and neither woman believed them to be there to check on Draco.
Surprisingly Draco said he had no recollection of who attacked him and even more surprisingly his father actually believed him, something that startled Dumbledore, who could see through the boy's lie within minutes of arriving through his fireplace.
Young Draco had seemed quite subdued and spent the next several weeks in what Albus dubbed his pensive stage. The Gryffindors gave the Slytherin a wide berth after it seemed that he had learnt his lesson, even going so far as to call off Justin Finch-Fletchley and Terry Boot when they picked a fight with him.
Harry's sleep improved, not that that was really saying all that much; however his screams could still curdle milk. His friends continued to come by daily to visit although for the first three days after finding out what they had done, he had refused to see them. The dressing down he had given them a week later was something that would stay with Snape forever.
Flashback
Harry had bided his time until they brought it up and then let fly; his anger and disgust clearly palpable. He told them he was flattered that they thought they had to stick up for him but that if they even considered doing anything so offensive and immoral again he would personally hex them two ways from Sunday. That no matter what anyone did or said, they didn't deserve such treatment and that next time listen to their hearts not their heads because deep down they had to know that what they did was wrong.
Ron, Hermione, Neville, Seamus and Dean had all looked sheepishly back at Harry who was actually standing, albeit rather close to the door, his hands on his hips, his eyes both angry and pleading.
'We're sorry if we let you down, Harry.' Hermione said perceptively.
Harry had smiled, quite smugly in Snape's opinion. 'Good, because you are going to apologise.'
'But Harry.' Ron had burst out, unsurprisingly.
'Yes.' Harry's expression could have frozen a hippogriff in its tracks and it was several moments before anyone spoke.
'He never apologised to you.' Hermione offered nervously.
Harry had just looked at them all, one by one, and came out with what Snape decided would have to be the most intelligent thing the boy had ever said. 'Do you really want me to compare you to Malfoy?' He asked honestly.
The five Gryffindors had exchanged resigned looks before nodding. Harry had grinned brightly and sat down. Apparently all had been forgiven.
Snape, who had been standing with Albus in the shadows, had just stared in shocked disbelief at the Boy-Who-Lived. Albus was beaming at the boy proudly and Harry gave him a sly wink.
End Flashback
The next day the five Gryffindors had caught up with Draco in the library and one by one offered their apology for what they did. Ron found it the hardest, grinding out the words through clenched teeth but he still did it, something the Slytherin found astonishing.
After that Draco had gone to see the headmaster and requested to see Harry once again. It had taken Harry two days to decide if he would speak to the Slytherin but eventually he agreed and once again Draco was stupefied and brought upstairs, placed in the armchair by the fire, his wand having already been removed, before being woken.
Silver eyes blinked open to see green eyes staring at him from several yards away. Harry looked a lot more composed since the last time Draco had seen him. While he still had a slightly nervous shine to his eyes and the seemingly flight ready stance had not yet left him, he sat carefully on the edge of the bed, hands folded in his lap as he calmly surveyed the other boy.
'Potter.' Draco rasped, his voice suddenly becoming thick.
'Please don't call me that.' Harry said quickly, his eyes filling slightly as he looked away.
'Sorry.' Draco whispered.
Harry nodded, swallowing heavily. 'Malfoy, before you say anything, I have to apologise; for Ron and the others. They shouldn't have done what they did. I know they have apologised but I had to as well. They did it for me.'
'Pot…Harry,' Draco said, nervously using his name for the first time. 'You don't have to apologise for them, and certainly not to me. I'm the one who should apologise. What I did was wrong.' The room was silent for several moments even Albus and Snape who were standing in the corner trying to be inconspicuous. Harry looked curiously at the Slytherin.
'Why?' Harry whispered and Draco knew what he meant. At least he thought he did.
'Honestly, I don't know.' Draco said softly, looking away. 'My father expected me to do it. To be just like him, and I did it. He said I would be richly rewarded for following the Dark Lord.'
'And were you richly rewarded? Were you richly rewarded for letting them in?' Harry's green eyes were bright.
Draco looked up, his eyes wide in disbelief. 'Severus told you?' he breathed.
Harry shook his head. 'No, Professor Snape didn't tell me. Your father did.'
Draco looked as if he was about to be sick. 'My father?'
'I've known since the night I was taken exactly what part you played in this. Your father took great pleasure in telling me as he raped me.'
Draco flinched hard.
'Telling me that you hated me so much you were happy to hand me over to them. Is that true, Malfoy?' Harry whispered. 'Do you hate me that much?'
'I…I…I…' Malfoy trailed off. This wasn't going how he had planned it.
'Why are you here, Draco? What do you want?' Harry raised an eyebrow. 'Have you chosen between your half bloods yet? Will you stand up for what's right, or will you do what is easy?'
'I…'
'Have you chosen, Draco?' Harry repeated.
Malfoy closed his eyes. 'You don't understand. I can't choose. I have no choice. My mother would disown me. My father would kill me.' He pleaded.
Harry's expression remained impassive. 'And you think I won't.' he stated coldly. There was something in the tone of voice that made Draco realise that Harry would do just that.
'I…I just can't. I am a Malfoy. I don't have a choice. You have no idea what you're asking me to do, what you're asking me to give up'
'Harry.' Severus started but Harry broke in before he could continue.
The boy who lived stood up. His impassive expression gone as his eyes blazed angrily. 'Don't I? I'm not asking you to do anything I haven't already done. No one seems to care about just how much I have had to sacrifice. All they see is their saviour and what he should have done and what, if he fails, this war will cost them, what they will lose. Maybe it is easier for me, I've already lost so much that I just don't notice any more.' Harry finished bluntly, getting up off the bed and crossing to stand by the false window. The last sentence causing both Snape and Dumbledore exchange a pained glance. 'Everyone has a choice, Draco.' Harry continued harshly, adding in a soft whisper. 'Everyone but me.'
'Please Pot…Harry. You have to understand. My father.' Draco began. Harry was at his side in an instant, his anger overtaking his fear as he punched the other boy. Draco looked up, a hand covering his bloody lip as he looked into the horrified green eyes in front of him.
'Oh my god.' Harry whispered in alarm.
Draco glanced at Dumbledore before his eyes narrowed. 'That's all you got Potter.' He sneered. 'My father would be so disappointed.'
Snape began to step forward to stop him but Albus shook his head. 'Just watch.'
'My father will be so pleased. He knew you were weak.' Draco watched the growing anger in the Boy-Who-Lived's eyes with slight apprehension but continued to provoke him. Suddenly Harry lashed out again, catching Draco soundly in the stomach. The air rushed out of his lungs instantly as he struggled to speak again. He couldn't stop now.
'Close but no cigar, Potter. You're hopeless. Voldemort will walk all over you.' It was on then. Harry was smacking and hitting the bigger boy with abandon. Most of the hits didn't really hurt. Harry had never been physically strong but as Draco saw the tears streaming down the other's face he suddenly realised what he had subconciously been trying to achieve. What Dumbledore had simultaneously known. The calm composed façade the Boy-Who-Lived was projecting was just covering all the anger. Harry needed this. He needed to let it out.
After more than five minutes Harry began to tire and Draco managed to get an arm around him and pull him close. In Harry's hurt and despair he didn't even seem to realise that he was being held, let alone who was doing it. Harry knees buckled under him as sobs racked his tiny frame and Draco followed him to the ground and continued holding him as Harry stammered out apology after apology. Draco just sat there listening to him as he cried.
'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.' Harry sobbed.
Finally Harry quieted and Draco handed him a handkerchief and moved away before Harry could realise the position they were in. He stood slowly. 'Don't be sorry, Harry. If anyone deserved that, I did.' He said softly before looking at Snape and nodding. The potions master raised his wand.
'Wait.' Harry burst out, stopping Snape before he could stupefy the Slytherin. 'You…you don't have to choose Draco.' He said softly. 'Just don't stand in my way.'
Draco smiled wanly. 'I have chosen Harry.' He said quietly.
Harry's eyes widened as if he was almost afraid to hear the answer.
'You will protect me when the time comes?' Draco asked. The question was almost pleading.
The green eyes filled with tears. 'Yes.' He whispered.
Draco turned towards Snape once more.
'I can't forgive you, Draco.' Harry said softly. Draco closed his eyes and nodded.
'I don't expect you to. I wouldn't forgive myself either.'
'Stupefy.' Snape said firmly, realising this was the best time to finish this little conversation.
With a nod to Harry the Potions master picked up the young Slytherin and disappeared as Albus came to sit beside his charge. 'I'm so very proud of you Harry.' He said softly. Tearful green eyes looked up at him.
'I won't have to kill him.' Harry said softly. 'I won't have to kill anyone but Tom.'
Albus shook his head, holding his arms out and smiling as Harry crawled into them. 'Just Voldemort Harry; no one else.' The headmaster promised as he gently rubbed the boy's back. Within moments Harry was asleep and Albus stood up and carried him over to the bed and tucked him in, laying a gentle kiss on his forehead before leaving the room.
Snape took Draco back to his chambers before waking him.
'Severus?' Draco looked up at his godfather from his position in the sofa.
'Why did you do that, Draco?' Snape asked, gesturing to the black eye and the split lip.
Draco shrugged. 'Honestly?' Snape nodded. 'I don't know exactly. Afterwards I realised he needed it. He wouldn't have done it to anyone else. Well, not anyone that wouldn't have sent the killing curse at him for trying anyway.' Draco added wryly.
'So, you let your worst enemy beat the crap out of you because you thought he needed to.' Snape arched an eyebrow.
Draco blushed and ducked his head. 'Well, no. Not entirely. I thought I might feel a bit less guilty if he could let some of his anger out on me. Do something to me after all I did to him.' He said quietly.
'Ah, ever the self serving Slytherin.' The potions master sneered.
Draco's head whipped up. 'Yes, that's right. I am a Slytherin. I don't like these feelings. Guilt, remorse, contrition. These are not Slytherin feelings. They aren't Malfoy feelings. And I don't like them.'
'Get used to them Draco.' Snape said quietly. 'Either turn your heart to ice like your father or get used to them.'
Draco was silent for several minutes. 'Is that why you've turned from Lord Voldemort?'
Snape didn't answer straight away, instead crossing the room to pour himself a glass of whiskey and returning to sit in his favourite armchair. 'What did you father tell you?'
'Not a lot.' Draco admitted. 'only that you think Dumbledore is right and that Lord Voldemort is wrong.'
Snape took a deep breath. 'That is an…oversimplification.' He said grudgingly. 'Has your father ever told you about the first rise of the Dark Lord?' Draco shook his head. 'Back then Lord Voldemort was a charismatic man with vision far greater than ours. He realised the dangers of exposing our world to the muggles. Of mixing too much muggle blood with our own. Sure, we do need fresh blood on occasion but the Wizarding World is large enough that the dangers of interbreeding are almost negligent. We just have to get witches and wizards to move throughout the world more readily. You would be quite surprised just how many have never even left their home country.'
'But the rest of the world's only a Portkey away.' Draco insisted.
'To some.' Snape agreed. 'But an international Key can be quite expensive and even then people are afraid. Afraid to try something new.'
Draco seemed to think for a moment. 'What happened? With the Dark Lord, I mean?'
'I don't really know. I think when Potter destroyed him the first time it unbalanced him. And all the experiments he's done to try and become immortal have sent him insane. Back then, when I first met him he was, well. He was nice. He was probably one of the most intelligent people I had ever met. His hatred for muggles was strong but his visions for our future were as sound as any I have heard. I followed him willingly, Draco. He was a visionary and his power was incredible. Unfortunately, as they years passed he became more unstable, torturing his faithful followers for the most ridiculous reasons. The day he sent two fourteen year olds insane with the cruciatus for not greeting him correctly was the day I went to Albus.'
'When was that?'
'Twenty-one years ago.' Snape said quietly.
'Twenty-one?' Draco whispered. 'But that means...'
'Yes, Draco.' Snape broke in as the boy trailed off. 'I have been spying for that long.'
'But what about the Dark Lord's ideas. I thought you agreed with them.'
'I do, or I did.' Snape amended. 'His ideas are still sound and can be brought about by a powerful witch or wizard, but it won't be the Dark Lord that will usher the wizarding world into the new millennium in a few years time, I assure you.'
Draco looked carefully at his godfather for several moments. 'Potter.' He said flatly.
Snape nodded. 'Perhaps.'
Draco was silent from then on until he eventually got up, bidding Snape goodnight before heading back to the Slytherin common room, leaving the potions master in no small quandary. He had known exactly what Draco was thinking and while he was loathe to admit it, Harry Potter deserved better. Draco would have to be watched, and his visits to Potter carefully monitored. Snape had worked too hard towards the destruction of the Dark Lord, and waited too many years. He would not see the wizarding world brought down by a psychotic megalomaniac or a Slytherin child who was having trouble dealing with his feelings of right and wrong.
With a sigh the potions master stood and moved through to his bedroom. Tomorrow was Saturday and he had several people he needed to speak to, Albus being the first.
Things were coming to a head and soon Potter was going to need to fight the Dark Lord and win. Snape was useless now he had forfeited his position as a spy, but that didn't mean he couldn't still help the light. Potter would need to be trained and to do that he would need to trust several knowledgeable wizards. That trust was going to be hard to cement but Snape vowed that he would succeed. Potter would come to trust him and that trust would not be misplaced.
