Author's Notes: Personally, I think Snape is an evil rat-bastard who murdered Dumbledore in cold blood.

For the sake of this story, though, Snape's… well not a good guys, but not evil.


Chapter 11 The Truth Can Set You Free

"Mom… Dad… you know how I went globe-hopping trying to find happiness? Well, it turns out I didn't have to go so far. No, that doesn't sound right. Um…. You know how I thought Remus Lupin was my destined mate? Well, I was close… Oh, I can't do this!" Silver shouted in frustration as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror. Two days after Narcissa Malfoy's funeral and Silver was trying to think of what to say to her parents when they arrived later that day.

Seeing his fiancée's face at the memorial service, Sirius had decided to call Suzanne and Michael Agentus and invite them down for the rest of the summer months through the wedding at the end of August. The main thing that he hadn't factored in was the fact that Silver hadn't told her parents anything about coming back to England. Furthermore, Silver hadn't even spoken to her family in almost 20 years.

"Silver, they'll be here in an hour. I just heard from Lily," Sirius said, poking his head in the room. "What're you doing?"

Silver looked nervously at Sirius. "Trying to think of a good way to tell my folks I'm engaged."

"I'm sure they'll be happy," Sirius said, leaning against the doorframe as Silver threw on a set of rose colored robes over her jeans and tank-top.

"They haven't seen me in 25 years, Sirius!" Silver shouted. "Now I'm suddenly settling down to get married and have three kids!"

"Just three?" Sirius asked, head cocked to the side.

Silver started laughing as she stepped into Sirius's arms. "I just mean that I'm going from Miss Wild-Child to Mrs. Mom. They might be a bit shocked and…" A spot of movement in a corner made Silver jump up, wrapping her legs around Sirius's waist. "RAT! RAT! Kill it! Kill it!"

Sirius spun around, Silver still in his arms, looking in the corner where she'd pointed. "It's just a little…" But two more rats entered the bathroom from a hole in the corner, and Sirius whispered, "Follow my lead." He set Silver down and in a second had transformed into a black, shaggy dog just as Silver became a grey wolf. The three rats ran out of the bathroom, two canines charging after, chasing after the rodents down the stairs barking and growling loudly.

Draco ran onto the landing by the door to his room, looking down at a shaggy black dog and a grey wolf running around the living room. Suddenly, the lift banged and an older man and woman stepped into the open area followed by Lily Potter. The man held up a hand as the two canines ran at him saying, "Heel!" Instantly, Silver and Sirius stopped, though Sirius's reaction seemed to be more out of surprise than obedience. "Sit," The older man commanded and Silver sat quickly, Sirius taking a moment before sitting down.

Draco went downstairs and cleared his throat lightly. Silver and Sirius changed back, Silver looking curious. Draco hesitated before speaking. "I… I-I hope I'm not interrupting."

Silver's father, Michael, looked over Draco Malfoy with a look that was not quite disapproval. "Ahh. I see my daughter has graciously allowed you to continue living here, despite your… unsavory family and past."

"Yeah, I owe her a lot for that," Draco said, nervously.

"Now," Silver's mother- Suzanne- interrupted, cheerfully, trying to change the subject. "What kinds of wedding details have you figured out?"

"Starting with why you were with him—" Michael added, looking at Sirius. "—when you're marrying Remus Lupin?"

"I'm not marrying Remus," Silver said, taking Sirius's hand. "I'm engaged to Sirius."

"Okay," Suzanne said, recovering from the surprise. "As long as you're happy, honey. Now let's plan a wedding."

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July 31st

The Great Hall of Hogwarts was decked out in Gryffindor gold and red, with lion banners hung from the ceiling and walls. One long table stood in the center of the hall, draped in a red and gold checked tablecloth. On it were plates and plates of food and at one end was an enormous mound of birthday presents for Tobias and Harry. Tobias thought the Hall looked wonderful. But to Harry, the decorations hardly mattered. The giant squid could be in a corner of the room juggling house elves dressed in Slytherin boxer shorts for all he knew. Still, the gesture was appreciated.

At the table, Mallory, Ginny, and Hermione were sitting together talking with Tobias, Ron, Neville, and Draco.

There was something that had been bothering Harry ever since that night last year… and there was only one person who could provide Harry with the needed answers. "Hey, Neville. I need…. I need your help."

"Sure, Harry," Neville said, getting up and following Harry out of the Great Hall. "What's going on?"

Harry stopped, his right hand nervously playing with his cane. "Neville… I need to know what… what happened that night. Everything…. I want to—well, not see but I want to go into your memory."

Neville sighed deeply. He didn't want to experience that again. It was senseless… why would Harry want to revisit Dumbledore's murder? "Okay."

They headed up to Dumbledore's office and Neville went to the cabinet where Dumbledore's Penseive still resided. Setting it on Dumbledore's desk, Neville pulled out his wand and paused before putting it to his temple. "Harry… are you sure you need to do this?"

Harry detected a note of pleading in Neville's voice, but Harry's own voice was strong when he replied, "Yes. I can't explain why… but… there's something I have to know."

Neville touched the tip of his wand to his temple and focused on the memory of that May night. Pulling the wand away, there was a silvery memory clinging to the wand tip. Neville put the shining memory in the Penseive and then looked at Harry. "You ready for this?"

"Let's get on with it," Harry said, as he felt for the edge of the stone basin.

"Just, uh… plunge in, Harry. I'll be right behind you," Neville said, watching Harry plunge into the Penseive. After a second's pause, Neville finally followed.

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Snape couldn't sit still and he certainly couldn't stay with the Death Eaters. He was restless, feeling something pressing in on him, threatening him…. For almost the past two months, Snape had taken to prowling the English countryside during his walks. Something was slowly driving him mad….

Potter. Harry Goddamn Potter and his stupid words at Dumbledore's memorial! Potter's forgiveness!

He, Severus Snape, had destroyed hundreds of lives! He'd tried to send Sirius to his death. He'd killed Albus Dumbledore!

How could that- that BRAT forgive him?!

No…. Snape had to make Potter see the truth. There was no good in Snape anymore. No hope….

Then Snape would be at peace with himself. Once Potter knew the truth, everything would be right again.

Apparating to the edge of Hogsmeade, Snape stared at Hogwarts Castle and carefully planned how he would get inside. Hogsmeade Village seemed to be all but abandoned, but Wormtail had provided valuable information regarding the hidden passageways from the village to the castle. Carefully sneaking over to Honeydukes, Snape used Alohomora to enter the store and head to the store room downstairs. However, just as Snape passed the counter, he saw a bag of sherbet lemons next to a card. Picking it up, Snape's breath caught in his throat as he read Congratulations on 100 years at Hogwarts! The date was the date of Dumbledore's death.

Snape set the card down and headed towards the entrance to the passageway. Once in the tunnel, Snape tried to think what he'd say to Potter.

Wait… Snape stopped as he finally saw the upslope of the tunnel, signaling that he'd soon be inside Hogwarts once more. But why was he going to confront Potter? Snape sat down for a moment as he tried to think about what he was doing. Potter and Longbottom had been right about him all along. Snape worked for Voldemort now. And it wasn't like Snape could slip messages to the Order because no one would believe him.

On the other hand if Snape confronted Potter and didn't kill him, the Dark Lord would take it as a sign of betrayal and have Snape killed.

'Damned if you do… and damned if you don't,' Snape thought as he stood and headed for Hogwarts.

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When Neville and Harry returned to Dumbledore's office, they were greeted by Severus Snape staring at them from Dumbledore's chair.

Neville stepped in front of Harry, wand out and ready for anything… Hopefully…. "What are you doing here, Snape?" Neville asked, trying to think of a way to keep Harry out of danger. Training or no, Harry was still blind and if Snape used nonverbal spells he'd be dead.

Snape sighed and slowly pulled out his wand, making Neville tense for an attack. However, Snape set the wand down at the far edge of the desk and leaned back, crossing his arms. Neville quickly grabbed the wand and pressed it into Harry's hand. "Contrary to what you might believe… Mr. Longbottom… I have not come here to harm you… or you, Mr. Potter," Snape said, calmly. "I have come here at great personal risk. When I leave here and return to the Death Eaters I will likely be killed for betrayal."

"Then why did you come here?" Harry asked. He'd heard no deception in Snape's voice. And even after reliving Neville's memory of Dumbledore's death, Harry had a sneaking suspicion that even after everything… Dumbledore would still trust Snape.

"I was working under Dumbledore's orders," Snape replied, flatly. "It was… his plan all along. For me to kill him… and forever cement my loyalty with the Dark…" Snape took a breath before continuing. "With Voldemort." It was the first time Neville and Harry had ever heard the former Potions master use Voldemort's name. And that meant that Snape apparently no longer cared what happened to him. "I came here…" Snape said, standing and walking around the desk. "… to thank you for forgiving me, Harry. It makes my death easier to accept."

With that, Snape swept out of the room and was gone before either student could stop him.

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The next morning, Severus Snape's body was found in the Forbidden Forest, the Dark Mark hanging over the treetops marking the spot.

The strange thing was that the killing curse hadn't been used… nor was there any trace of poison in his system…. Rather the cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the head—self-inflicted.

Snape's body had been laid to rest with his parents in a small grubby cemetery outside of London and only a few people had shown up for the service, Harry included.

Later that day, Harry found himself kneeling before Dumbledore's tomb. "I tried," Harry said, reaching out a hand to touch the white marble. "I forgave Snape. I know why he did it… why he had to kill you. But it still hurts." A shoe nudged Harry's hand and he caught the flowery scent of Ginny's perfume. "How long have you been here?" Harry asked, standing.

Ginny had been perched on the edge of the tomb, waiting for Harry to return from London. "Not long," she lied. "You're a good man, Harry. And a great Wizard."

Harry held out his hand and Ginny took it, hopping down. "Thank you, Miss Genevieve Weasley. Would you mind coming with me for a moment?"

---

In Dumbledore's office, the former headmaster was wide awake and looking expectantly at Harry and Ginny as they sat before Dumbledore's portrait. "You have come for the final answers," Dumbledore said, matter-of-factly.

"Yes," Harry said and Ginny squeezed his hand.

"It begins with a prophesy," Dumbledore began. "Neville is a rather private young man, and so he only told you that the prophesy foretold that Neville would have to kill Voldemort…" Dumbledore paused as he tried to collect his thoughts. "However, there is more to the prophesy." Harry and Ginny were on the edges of their seats as Dumbledore continued. "The prophesy spoke of the one who would defeat Voldemort. It said that a boy would be born at the end of July to parents whom had defied him three times. That Voldemort would mark the boy as his equal but the child would have power 'the Dark Lord knows not'. The curious thing about the prophesy, Harry… is that while Voldemort chose Neville… it could very easily have been you."

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