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HARRY POV
Harry had just reached the outside of the dungeons when he saw the door was open. Pushing it further, he saw McGonagall talking to Snape. But he could tell something was wrong. Her shoulders were heaving up and down, as if she was crying. This was an awkward moment. Not knowing what to do or what to think, he cleared his throat, signaling he was there. Snape peered around Harry's head of house and told him to step outside for a moment. Harry looked at him quizzically and did as he was told. He stood on the outside of the classroom, straining his ears to hear what was happening. All he could hear was quiet sniffling and the rumbling of Snape's voice, but it wasn't loud enough so that he could understand what was being said. He wondered, was she really crying? And if so, what for? He heard footsteps disappearing into the dungeons and then Snape telling him he could come in. Harry walked in with hesitation, looking around to see his teacher was gone. Not knowing what to say, he asked
"Is she alright?"
Snape nodded and pointed to a chair in front of the desk. Harry sat down.
"Why was she here, sir?"
"To talk about you." Snape said matter-of-factly.
Harry stilled, his brow furrowing. He didn't tell her did he?
"Did you…" Harry began and Snape interrupted,
"No. Not yet. But that is the reason why I called you here."
He leaned back into his chair.
"She's worried about you. You see, she has noticed lately the way you've been acting, and she saw when I went to fetch you after the break. Professor McGonagall is not stupid. She put all the details she observed together and what really put her over the edge was seeing something on your arm."
Harry lifted his left arm and stared at the scarred flesh. It must've been in class the other day. She had looked at him funny; that had to have been when she noticed.
"She must have seen my scars. In class. I reached up to grab the bird Hermione had just transfigured. I noticed that she gave me a funny look, but that never came to mind."
Snape nodded.
"Why though? Why do I need to tell her?" Harry asked, laying his arm back in his lap.
"Why not, Potter? She's your head of house. You're like a son to her."
Harry bit his lip.
"I don't know…"
"Listen to me." Snape said. He laid his elbows on the desk and looked straight into Harry's eyes. "I've known McGonagall since I went to Hogwarts. I've seen her through the most painful moments in her life, through the most trying. And never once have I seen her cry. Not until today." He paused for a moment. "She was crying because she couldn't help you, because you couldn't open up to her. She felt herself a failure for not being there, as your teacher and head of house, and for not noticing the pain you've been going through."
"It's not her fault, though." Harry said. "I made it so she wouldn't notice, with glamours and other such things."
"Yes, but she does not know this. She blames herself. And the only way she will not is if you tell her."
They were quite for a moment, Harry turning this information over in his head. Gathering his Gryffindor courage, he took a deep breath.
"I'm afraid." He whispered, looking into his lap.
"She won't blame you. She's not going to be angry. And she will not betray you." Snape said.
Harry looked back up and into Snape's onyx colored eyes.
"How do you know?"
"Because, I've…" The potion's professor sighed. "Because I've done it. I've been through the same thing. That's what I thought would happen, I was so afraid that I'd be blamed, or that they'd be angry and even that if I told, I'd be betrayed like I had been so many times by my own father. But it won't be like that. Yes, it will be frightening, and you will ask yourself why you are doing it many times over; and yet, it will all be worth it. That's because McGonagall is not your uncle. She is your professor, your head of house, and your caregiver while you are at Hogwarts. She loves you, and real love will not blame, or accuse, or betray. Real love will heal."
Harry's eyes stung, tears prickling and threatening to overflow. But he did not stop them. He needed to cry. He'd been holding back his tears for much too long. He sobbed into his hands and felt an arm around him. He leaned into Snape's hug and cried for a long time. He wasn't sure how long it was, but eventually the tears began to stop. Snape knew exactly what he had gone through. He'd been abused, too. That's why he always knew what to say, what to do, and how to help.
He pulled back out of the embrace, sniffling quietly. Snape was kneeling in front of the chair, holding a handkerchief out. Harry took it and wiped his eyes.
"W-who? Who d-did you tell?" He asked.
"Dumbledore." Snape said. "He didn't blame me at all. He was a bit angry, but at my father. Dumbledore found me a new place to live, and that's when my life changed, I became much happier. I couldn't believe I never said anything before. And most importantly, he has never betrayed me. Ever. Neither will McGonagall."
Harry handed the handkerchief back.
"I'll tell her." He said.
Snape did his little grimace-smile and said
"Good."
"Will you stay with me? While I tell her?" Harry asked. Snape nodded.
"Of course."
Harry let a small smile creep onto his face.
"When would you like to tell her?"
"Maybe right now." He shrugged. "Before I change my mind." He joked, letting a smile take over his whole face. Snape patted Harry's hand and stood up, holding it out to help him up. Harry took it gratefully and got to his feet, a little unsteady from crying.
They walked down the hallway together in a comfortable silence. Harry was a bit nervous, but he knew it would be okay because Snape was there and he said it would be. They reached the door to McGonagall's office and Harry paused, staring at the door. His nerves were getting the better of him. As he took a deep breath, he felt a hand squeeze his shoulder reassuringly and pushed open the door…
SNAPE POV
It was difficult, to admit this to Potter, his supposedly sworn enemy. However, the boy needed it, and Snape knew it was the only way he could get through to him. He told him how he had been abused, too. Snape had expected a reaction of surprise, and many questions, but like always, the boy-who-lived surprised him by breaking down in tears. Even though this response was sudden, he had expected some tears during the talk, and was well-prepared. When the boy calmed down, he was proud of what Harry said.
"I'll tell her."
Snape couldn't help but smile at this.
"Good." He had said. The boy asked him to stay when he told her, and for that, Snape was glad. Glad that he could be there to support the both of them and help out if needed. Minerva didn't have much experience with this sort of situation, so he was willing to do what was necessary and help however he could.
He had expected the boy to make a time for when he wanted to have the discussion, but Harry decided to do it now, at the spur of the moment. This was perfect. It would allow them to avoid her possibly coming to Harry instead, which would probably be bad for his healing, as it was always better in his experience for the student to seek help than be chased down by it. As they walked down the hallways to the Gryffindor tower, he noticed how comfortable the silence was between them. So much had changed. It seemed surreal, almost, to be friends with Potter's son, and to have gone through the same exact pain as he. Harry was not much different than Snape, and he had long denied it until now.
They reached the door to Minerva's office, and Snape noticed that Harry hesitated. He squeezed the boy's shoulder reassuringly, reminding him that he was not alone. This seemed to encourage him and Harry pushed it open.
The room was lit by late sun coming in through cathedral-like windows. The Gryffindor head of house had her head on the table, her shoulders heaving as she cried. She didn't seem to notice that they opened the door, and Snape walked in quietly with Harry at his side. They stopped for a moment, as if thinking what to do. This was Harry's job now, to find out what to do. Harry looked up at him expectantly, and Snape nodded. He watched as the boy walked over to the desk.
"Hey. Please don't cry." He said quietly.
Minerva lifted her head; hair plastered to her tear-streaked face and looked at the boy.
"Oh, Harry! What are you doing here? I-I'm sorry I didn't expect you to come…" She looked over and noticed Snape standing there. They locked eyes for a moment and then she burst into tears again.
"I'm sorry Harry, I'm sorry that I didn't notice, that I didn't do anything, that I let you suffer…" The rest of her words were muffled because Harry took her in his arms and she sobbed into his shoulder. Harry patted her hair and held her.
"Shh, it's not your fault, professor. It's mine. I didn't tell you and I kept it hidden with glamour charms and other things."
She pulled away from his grip and faced him.
"No, don't you ever blame yourself." She said sternly.
"Only if you don't."
Minerva looked back to Snape.
"I take it you told him what I said?" She asked. Snape merely nodded.
"Harry has something he would like to tell you, but I assure you, it will not be easy." He said in his usual stern tone.
She turned back to the boy and smiled.
"What is it, dear?"
Harry shuffled his feet and his right hand went to his arm. Snape saw him gripping it quite hard, his nails digging into his sleeves. Harry needed him. He went over and put his hand back on the boy's shoulder.
"You can do it Potter." He said. The boy took a deep breath, and then with a shaky hand, pulled up his sleeve, holding it out to Minerva.
"I did it…I…I did it because of my uncle."
She took his arm and held it for a moment.
"Why? What did your uncle do?"
"He's not very nice." Harry said. Snape nudged him and said,
"Come on, now."
Harry pulled his arm back, as if trying to hide it by pressing it to his side.
"He beats me." He whispered.
Minerva's hand flew to her mouth and she choked on a sob.
"Oh my goodness. Those horrible muggles!"
"It's okay." Harry said. "I mean, sometimes I deserved it."
"You deserved nothing of the treatment they imposed upon you." Snape spoke up. "I never want to hear you say that again."
"Yes sir." He said.
"You can't go back." Minerva said.
"But where will I go?"
"We'll worry about that in time, dear. Right now we just need to keep you safe."
Harry nodded.
"I have just one question for you, before you go." She said, sensing that the conversation was coming to an end. It was getting late.
"Yes?"
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
He shrugged.
"I don't really know."
There was a pause and Snape shifted uncomfortably.
"I think it is well past time for bed. I will escort Potter back to the dorms."
"Alright. Goodnight Harry." Minerva said. "And, before you go, I'd like to say I'm proud of you."
"Proud?" The boy asked.
"Yes. For coming to tell me. You are a true Gryffindor. I'm glad to be your head of house."
Harry smiled brightly.
"Thank you, professor. Good night."
Snape led him out and gently closed the door behind them. The boy followed him swiftly. There was a new life in his step, and Snape could see it was hope. When they reached the portrait to the commons area, he turned to the boy.
"I, too, am proud of you. You truly are brave and worthy of the title Gryffindor."
The smile made a second appearance.
"Thank you, sir."
Snape smiled back approvingly.
"And don't you ever tell anyone I said that."
Harry laughed.
"Yes sir. Goodnight!"
And with that, the boy opened the portrait with the password. It closed silently and Snape was suddenly aware of the gentle silence of Hogwarts at night. There was nothing more frightening and more peaceful than the castle's grand stone hallways and towering pillars, lit by flickering torches casting shadows similar to live creatures. For all Snape knew, they could be real moving shadows, filled with life granted by magic. The only sound in the massive stone corridor was Snape's boots echoing as he walked the castle. He was not quite ready to sleep yet. Something strange was emanating from those shadows. A familiar aura.
After walking around the perimeter of the castle and ensuring nothing strange was aloof in an immediate area, Snape made his way to his most popular haunt. The sky was clear and cold air surrounded, blowing gently. Snape quickly looked around and made sure there was no one on top of the tower. After looking behind him for a second time, he turned around, sure he was completely alone. However, he saw a figure that was not there before, or a shadow of one, on the far side of the tower, peering over the edge where Snape usually stood. He approached very slowly, quiet, with caution in his step. Drawing his wand he shouted out,
"Who are you?" The figure did not move.
"Turn around, this instant if you don't want to be hexed into oblivion!"
Snape could hear his heart pounding in his ears. Who was this? It was too tall to be a student. He could see long hair blowing in the wind, so it had to be female. But there was something frighteningly familiar about the shape of her, the length of her hair. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice behind him.
"Why do you always stand up here, Severus?"
He turned around abruptly, Dumbledore standing at the entrance of the tower with his hands behind his back, a long white beard trailing in the wind.
Snape was too stunned to say anything. He quickly turned back, to see the figure was gone. Dumbledore strode past him and went to stand just where it had been previously. He lit the little torch on the wall with his wand and sighed.
"Is it because of the many stars, so clear in the sky making beautiful shapes with their dim lights? Or is it a more sentimental reason?"
He looked over his shoulder, a knowing expression on his face, then back out.
"It's really none of your business, headmaster." Snape snapped.
"I see. But it truly is. I saw you and her."
"Stop. Don't remind me."
But the old man continued on.
"You used to find her up here when she couldn't sleep. When she was crying. You always made her feel better or you brought her a sleeping potion. You'd give her sweet dreams."
"I said stop!" Snape was on the verge of shouting. "That's all in the past now. It's not like she even really cared. I mean, she became Lily Potter, for God's sake!"
Dumbledore turned around and leaned back on the side of the tower.
"Do you hate him for it?" He asked solemnly.
"Yes!" Snape yelled. "I hate James Potter more than anyone else in this entire world! I hate him!"
The old man smiled sadly. This irritated Snape even more. He almost stormed away. But the next thing he said dissolved his irritation and stopped him in his tracks.
"No, you don't. You don't hate him at all."
The wind howled across the tower.
"How could you think that?" Snape spat.
"Because. He made her happy. And when she was happy, How could you not be too?"
Snape didn't know what to say. Or how to say it. How come this man always knew the things that Snape tried so hard to lock away? That man took the love of his life. But…
"Damn you." He said and stomped off of the tower. He barely heard Dumbledore say,
"Goodnight, Severus."