~~O-O~~

Another month had passed and Teddy was developing rapidly. Harry was astounded by the baby each and every day, from eating solid foods to scooting around on his belly. Caring for Teddy took up most of Harry's day.

A note from Hermione called his attention to a new policy from the Ministry. Students who had been unable to take their Newts due to the events of the past year were given an exception for independent study. The tests would be held at Hogwarts twice; once before the Winter holidays and then usual time at the end of the school year.

Giving up his plan to fix up Grimmauld Place, Harry began to revise for his Newts. He would care for Teddy and study when the baby napped. Wanting to earn Newts in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology, Harry cleared a desk in the library and found the proper textbooks.

After Teddy's bedtime, Harry found himself studying instead of drinking. Even when George dropped by for a visit, the two men found themselves drinking tea and perfecting Harry's lackluster transfiguration work.

Despite his reluctance to leave his house, Harry did make an exception. On an unusually sunny day, Harry and Teddy headed at the Burrow for lunch with intentions of being home by naptime. Molly gushed over Teddy while filling Harry in on the latest exploits of her children. George was working regularly now and had asked a few old classmates to help him out in the store. Percy was thrilled to be back at the Ministry. Charlie was back with his beloved dragons, Molly shook her head as if she still couldn't believe the life choices her son had made. Clapping Teddy's hand together, she shared the news she couldn't hold back any longer, "Fleur is pregnant. I'm going to be a grandma!"

A few days later, an owl came through with a letter from Andi. She had written that she was doing well, living with her sister and nephew. Given her better state of mind, she wished to visit Teddy.

Harry was beyond thrilled. He had never been comfortable with the idea of Andi being unable to even look at Teddy but he certainly didn't want to visit her at Malfoy Mansion. He couldn't even consider taking Teddy to that hateful place. Penning an invitation for tea at Grimmauld Place for the next day, Harry sent the owl back.

Andi Tonks arrived through the floo, looking tired but healthier than last time. She still had dark circles and an unhealthy pallor but she stood tall, her voice strong. After hugging Harry, she cradled his face in her hands, "Thank you."

She sat right down on the floor to play with Teddy, smooching and hugging him as he tried to crawl. Giggling, he pulled at her long hair and turned his turquoise hair to an ebony black to match his grandmother. Andi shared a few silly stories of Nymphadora as a baby with them before Teddy went down for his nap.

The adults enjoyed tea, chatting about the new ward at St. Mungos, staff mostly by muggleborns who had returned to the muggle world to learn about mental health. Andi related that the mind healers were wonderful and she was on the path to becoming a whole person again, "every day is still a struggle but it seems a bit easier."

"Are you still staying with your sister?" Harry asked diplomatically.

She nodded as she saw through his politeness, "Narcissa has been quite kind to me. She is aware that she cannot make up for her past actions so she is trying to be…" Andi fluttered her hand then wiped away a single tear. "Anyway, you should see Draco. He has cleared out almost everything on the first floor of the mansion and is removing all traces of dark magic. He's studying for his Newts with intention of becoming Potion Master. Which makes me wonder about you, Harry. Are you getting a chance to revise while taking care of Teddy?"

Giving her a tight smile as she talked about his school rival, Harry was distracted by thoughts his old potions master. Snape had always favored Malfoy. It was more than just being a Slytherin and a family friend, Draco Malfoy had always shown true talent in potions.

Recalling that she had asked him a question, Harry cleared his throat, "Ah, yes. I do have time to revise for my NEWTs. I think I'll be ready to take them by next month."

"Which ones are you taking?" Andi grinned, "Well, outside of Defense Against the Dark Arts, that is..."

"Transfiguration, Charms, and Herbology."

Refilling their teacups, Andi passed the cup to Harry, "you don't want to try for the Potions NEWT?"

She had been open and honest about painful things so Harry felt safe in confiding in her, "I can't stop thinking about Snape and the sacrifices he made for me, for our world."

They were quiet, both lost in thought until Gussy brought Teddy to them.

"How was your nap, Teddy?" Andi cuddled the sleepy toddler as his hair became more vibrant as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. Soon, she was chasing him around the living room, kissing his fat cheeks when she caught him.

~~O-O~~

With the Death Eater trials finally completed, the Ministry formally announced Snape was cleared of all charges. The Daily Prophet ran a scathing article, the headline screaming "Wizengamot Under Confundus Charm?" when they found out he had been awarded Order of Merlin, First Class.

The trial of Severus T. Snape began in the court of public opinion. Reporters hounded the Golden Trio, the Malfoys, Headmistress McGonagall, and past Slytherin students for information.

Kingsley Shacklebolt and the members of Wizengamot gave the Daily Prophet statements but it wasn't until the Auror office issued their report on Dumbledore's death that public opinion turned. Irrefutable affidavits from Dumbledore himself, released through his estate at Gringotts, as well as a statement from Narcissa Malfoy, proved that Snape had not committed murder. He had been bound by magic to save Draco Malfoy's life and release Dumbledore from a mortal curse.

Suddenly, Snape was a tragic hero. Harry rolled his eyes as he vanished yet another request for an interview.

Settling on the couch, Harry sipped his tea, contemplating his old professor. Snape was still an enigma. He was a hero and a bastard. He wasn't black or white, Severus Snape was gray.

The same could be said about Dumbledore, Harry thought. Both of them manipulated people and skirted the line between truth and lies to achieve their goals.

~~O-O~~

A/N: A nod to JK Rowling's explanation on Snape on Twitter:

"Snape is all grey. You can't make him a saint: he was vindictive & bullying. You can't make him a devil: he died to save the wizarding world"