He landed on the floor with a thud. He got up and looked around, recognising his surroundings as a compartment in the Hogwarts Express. Sitting alone, huddled against the corner, was a small, greasy haired boy. He was very skinny and already wearing his school robes, and had a massive, tatty trunk that looked bigger than his whole body. Mini- Snape's eyes were appreciatively scanning the pages of a large book, hungrily storing all the information as his pale fingers stroked each word.

Suddenly the door slid open, and a red-haired, green-eyed girl popped her head round. "Can I sit here? Everywhere else is full," Mini-Lilly said sheepishly, reminding Harry wonderfully of Ron on his first train ride. Snape was staring at her as though he'd never seen a girl before, and nodded quickly. Smiling, Harry took a seat next to Lilly. She was quite a cute child, but Harry wondered why Snape was showing him this scene.

Mini- Snape had turned back to his book, looking uncomfortable. Lilly was swinging her legs excitedly, staring at everything in wonder; the seats, the scenery out the window, Snape's trunk, her own tawny owl, Snape's robes, Snape himself…

"I'm Lilly Evans," she announced, beaming. Harry beamed too. Snape's eyes darted to Lilly and then back to his book. "Are we supposed to change into our uniform yet?"

Snape shook his head.

"Oh, good. I don't know much, see, because no-one else in my family is magic. My parents were thrilled when I got the letter. My sister wasn't though, she was grumpy. She'll get over it though." When Snape didn't say anything Lilly glanced out the window. "What's your name?"

"Severus Snape," he croaked. Lilly's head snapped up.

"Wow, cool name! I've never heard a name like that before."

Snape looked mildly pleased. "It's a wizard's name, they're a bit different to muggle names," he said, louder than before.

"Can I call you Sev?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess." Lilly beamed again. Harry got the impression she was a very happy-go –lucky person.

"What's that you're reading, Sev?"

"Nothing," he hurriedly stuffed the book away, but not before Harry saw the title: The Dark Arts for minors. "So, you're from a muggle family? Do you know any magic?"

"No. Well, I can do some card tricks-"

"No, I mean real magic." He pulled out his wand and a quill. "Wingardium leviosa!" Nothing happened. Snape looked embarrassed. "Hold on, let me try again. Wingardium

leviosa!" he scrunched up his face in concentration and the quill fluttered above their heads.

"Wow!" Lilly's green eyes sparkled with wonder and amazement. "That's incredible!"

Snape blushed, grinning.

Suddenly the scene dissolved and re-appeared as a corridor in Hogwarts. Students were walking by, some right through him, and Harry spotted a vibrant red head of hair next to a greasy black one. He followed his mother and Snape, who were chatting comfortably, outside to the Hogwarts grounds. The talked about their latest transfiguration class as they sat down on the grass and Snape pulled out a bag of sweets, offering Lilly one.

"Ooh, peppermint imps, my favourite," she said, taking one.

"You like peppermint imps, huh, Evans?" Harry hadn't noticed four first-year boys approach them, and he recognised them as James, Sirius, Remus and Peter Pettigrew. "James can be your pet imp, if you like," Sirius grinned.

"Excuse me?" Lilly blinked.

"He's got a question for ya, ain't ya Potter?" The other three sniggered.

"Shurrup, Siri," James muttered, and then turned to Lilly, grinning cheesily. "Wanna go out with me?" Snape looked outraged.

"Oh!" Lilly looked surprised, "oh, I'm sorry, but, err, no." She said it politely enough.

James's smile faded slightly. "Why not?"

"Er, well, I'm sure you're really nice and all, but I hardly know you."

"Aww, c'mon! You can get to know me."

"Look, I'm really sorry, but-"

"Please! Just one chance!"

"Sorry, but no!"

"Go on! I'm really quite-"

"Are you deaf?" they all turned to Snape, whom they had been ignoring until now. "She said no!"

"And who asked you, you little Slytherin?" James spat. He said Slytherin as though it was an insult. Snape puffed his chest out.

"So what if I'm a Slytherin?"

"It means you're nasty, and slimy, and greasy! You don't want to hang around him, Evans."

"Come on Severus, let's go." Lilly glared at James furiously.

"See you later, Snivellus!" said Sirius, and the others roared with laughter as they stalked away. Once again, the scene dissolved…Lilly and Snape were walking around the Hogwarts grounds again, there were little groups of friends scattered over the grass where they were walking.

"Oh, I forgot, Professor McGonagall wanted to see me!" Lilly moaned. "Get that spot over there; I'll see you in a bit."

Snape sat down by a tree by the lake, right next to the water. Harry joined him and looked around. A few yards away a group of giggly Slytherin girls were chatting, laughing at something a girl with long, blond hair had said, and in the opposite direction (Harry groaned), James and his friends had spotted Snape. Quietly, they creeped over to him and James whispered, "Heyer Snivellus," before pushing him in the lake. It wasn't very deep, but Snape was soaked and the other boys laughed.

"What's going on here?" said a voice. Two of the Slytherin girls had come over. The one that had spoken was the blond girl. She looked about fourteen or fifteen, and was very pretty. Her skirt was shorter than the other girls, and the first three buttons were open on her shirt.

"Oh no!" Sirius groaned, "go away Narcissa!" It was then that Harry recognised the girl: she was a teenage Narcissa Black; Malfoy's future mother. Sure enough, her face contorted into her trademark expression of having something nasty under her nose as he spoke.

"Oh, now, is that anyway to talk to your cousin?" she looked at Snape, who looked very embarrassed and stood up. "Is this little twerp causing trouble, Sev?"

"Why don't you shut your fat mouth, Cissa!?" snarled Sirius.

"Careful," Narcissa flashed her prefect badge. James, Remus and Peter looked scared, but Sirius looked unafraid.

"Why have you got a prefect badge? You're not a prefect."

"Draws attention to my cleavage, don't you think?" she smirked at Snape. Her friend, who had the same pug face as Pansy Parkinson, shrieked with laughter. Snape, Remus, Peter and James turned very red, and Sirius looked revolted.

"Ugh! Narcissa, go away, you're embarrassing me!" Sirius whined. "Besides, we have some business to sort out."

"Oh, that's right." Narcissa, eyes flashing cruelly, turned to James. "That Evans girl rejected you, didn't she? So you're taking it out on Sev." James blushed. "I thought Gryffindors were brave? Four on one, how noble." She smiled nastily. "Hey, Siri, I wonder what Uncle Orion will say if I tell him you've been bullying?" She leant on Snape's shoulder.

"Why don't you go and snog Parkinson?"

"Oh, wake up, Sirius, I dumped him ages ago," Narcissa snapped, and her friend smirked.

"Yes, Black, even your feeble mind should have comprehended that," drawled a voice. Harry wondered what Malfoy was doing in Snape's memory, and why he could talk to them, but then realised that this was not Draco, but Lucius Malfoy. Like James was with Harry, Lucius was a mirror image of Draco with slight adjustments; his hair was longer than Draco's, his shoulders were broader and his voice slightly higher. Either side of him was a Crabbe or Goyle sized boy, though they were defiantly not Crabbe and Goyle's fathers. He had an air that suggested he thought he owned the place, and he walked with a swagger.

"What are you doing here Malfoy?" growled Remus.

"Temper, Lupin, or I'll put you in detention." When they stared at him quizzically he held out his hand and Narcissa, a bit reluctantly, gave him his badge.

"C'mon," Sirius muttered to James, looking at Narcissa and Lucius, who were standing either side of Snape protectively. "It's not worth it." They slinked away. Narcissa's face softened as she turned back to Snape.

"They're just jerks, Sev."

"Yeah," Lucius leant against the tree, looking both lazy and superior at the same time. "If they bother you again, I'll make them clean out the girl's toilets," he smirked. Snape, Narcissa and her friend laughed, and Lucius's goons chuckled stupidly.

"Oh, that'd kill Sirius," cackled Narcissa.

"Haven't you got Potions now, Severus?"

"Oh, yeah. Uh, thanks," he beamed at them, turning, and ran off.

In the next scene, Harry found himself in a place he had only been once before; the Slytherin common room. The first year Snape had just walked in, looking absent, and headed to the boy's staircase.

"Oi! We want a word with you!" Two gorilla-like boys had just ambled over, looking menacing. "What 'choo think you're playing at, Mudblood lover?"

"What?" said Snape tiredly, "What do you mean?"

"We've seen you 'anging round that Evans mudblood!" the boy snarled. "You know what we think of mudblood's 'round 'ere-" he poked Snape's shoulder roughly.

"Goyle! Leave Severus alone or you'll have Lucius to answer to!" Narcissa Black had strode over, hands on hips.

"But Black- he was 'anging out with a mudblood!"

Narcissa sighed impatiently. "See, this is why you're not one of Malfoy's mates. I'd have thought it was obvious he's only hanging out with her so he can copy her charms grade. Clever, Severus- he's much cleverer than you, Goyle."

"Wait, that's not-" Snape started.

"He was telling me all about his little plan," Narcissa gave him a play-along-look. "He's just using her for her brains. Now, if you ever bother Lucius's favourite first-year again, he'll break your necks. Come along, Severus."

Snape looked like he was about to protest, but followed her to a quieter part of the common room. "I'm Malfoy's what?" he hissed.

"Favourite first-year," Narcissa said simply. "It means he likes you. Lets you hang around him. Do his homework and stuff."

"Why? Why does he like me?"

"Because you're clever and slightly weird," Narcissa shrugged, "You're good for his image."

"Ok, whatever," Snape shook his head, "But why did you say all that stuff about me using Lily? You know that's not true!"

"Severus, I just practically saved your life. You know how everybody feels about mudbloods, and I can't have you getting beaten to a pulp. You're lucky people know you're tight with Lucius, everyone's terrified of him." She paused to pick up a book, "Parseltongue for beginners". "You'd better not let him find out about Evans, he'll mutilate you."

"Are you going to mutilate me?" asked Snape quietly.

"I don't care, you're a half blood." She nodded pointedly at him. "It's only when Purebloods and Mudbloods start mixing that disturbs me. But as I say, don't let Lucius know, it's not good for his reputation. He'll have half the school on you."

Snape looked slightly paler, but made his way to the boy's dorm.

In the next memory Harry found himself in the Library. Lily and Snape, who were a bit older now, were studying together, quite peacefully, and Snape stood up to get a book.

"Look, Pandora, I have homework to do, go and flirt with Burke by yourself!" Narcissa Black had just swept into the Library, her pug-faced friend following. Pandora scowled and left.

Narcissa strode over to where Lily, whose face was completely buried in a book, sat, and took a herbology book from the shelf. She sat a few seats from Lily, and Harry noticed Snape had stayed behind the shelf, watching them. They both studied in silence for a while, Lily glancing round to see where Snape was, until Lucius Malfoy burst dramatically into the Library.

"Shh!" hissed Madame Pince, and Lucius swore at her back, before strutting arrogantly to where Narcissa was sitting. He threw himself in a chair, pushing a strand of waist-length platinum blond hair from his eyes robustly.

"Heyer, Cissa," he said casually, earning another glare from Madame Pince. He shot a curse behind her back, causing her to shriek and run out, face in boils. "What's up?"

"Herbology homework," said Narcissa stiffly.

"We had homework?" said Lucius blankly. "Oh, Merlin… can I copy yours?"

"Why don't you do your own homework, for once?" she snapped.

"Aww… what's the point of you being my fiancé if you won't do my homework?"

"That doesn't make sense, Lucius," Narcissa shot him a look of annoyance. "Now leave me alone, I'm working."

"I never thought I'd hear those words from your lips, Cissy."

"Bite me, Malfoy," she snarled.

"I would, but not where everyone can see." He smirked greedily at her, "later, perhaps…"

"I wasn't hinting at that, you pillock!" Narcissa blushed and hid behind her book, though she was giggling. They stayed silent for some time, the girls reading, Snape behind his bookshelf and Lucius looking haughtily bored. He sighed, and made a popping sound with his mouth. Narcissa twitched. Noticing the effect it had on her, Lucius moved closer and did it again and again until she hit him hard with her book.

"Ouch!" Lucius rubbed his head. "Thanks for the concussion!"

"As if you didn't already have it!" she said spitefully. Lily couldn't stifle a giggle.

Malfoy glared furiously at Narcissa, before his grey eyes roamed over to Lily, whom he had been successfully ignoring till now. "What are you laughing at, Mudblood?"

Harry groaned. Lily looked extremely offended by the name.

"You know, I don't think I want a Mudblood sitting at my table. You're polluting the air, you know. Move!"

"Wha- No!" Lily flushed angrily, emerald eyes slits. "Why should I?"

"Because, I'm telling you to! Move!" But Lily stood her ground. Harry glared at Snape. Why didn't he do something?

"You'd better do as he says," Narcissa looked at her with an expression of loathing.

"Yeah! Get off my table!" he kicked her bags from under the table. Her face as red as her hair, she shot Malfoy a despising look and moved tables, nose in the air. Harry also shot Malfoy a disgusted look.

"In fact, I think I want you out of the Library all together."

"Ok, Lucius, that's enough now," said Narcissa calmly.

Lucius rounded on her. "Just because your cousin's such a mudblood lover."

His fiancé glared at him, offended, before snapping her book shut and storming away. Lucius shot Lily one contemptuous look, before hastily following the Black.

Once he had gone, Snape cautiously stepped out from behind his bookcase. He looked apprehensively around the Library, before returning to Lily.

"Are you alright?" he asked nervously.

Lily glared at him venomously, still bright red. "Thanks for helping!"

"I'm sorry, Lily."

"Sorry? You just stood there and let him- let him-"

"You don't understand! If he caught me hanging around you, he'd murder me! You know what my house is like. That's why we have to keep it secret."

"Yeah? Well, perhaps you should decide what's more important, your friend or some arrogant hooligan."

"No! It's not like that-" but she had already stalked off, leaving Snape looking confused and sad.

The scene dissolved again. Harry was in the Great Hall, but there were lots of little desks instead of the four house tables. Harry's heart sank. He had seen this scene before. He watched his Father and his friends complete their O.W.Ls and go outside. He watched James and Sirius picking on Snape. He watched Lilly go to help, and Snape uttering that filthy word: mudblood.

Finally, the memory dissolved around him. Harry was in a little urban street, with small, pokey houses lining the rubbish-strewn roads and flickering lampposts that left half the street in shadow. It was around six o'clock, not properly dark, but not really light either. Suddenly, the door burst open on one of the small houses.

"FINE! I'll go then, shall I?! I'm sick of this filthy dump anyway, muggle!" a seventeen year old Snape stormed out of the house, his usually pallid face crimson with anger, and his long coat billowing behind him in the same way his wizards robes did in the present. He was heaving his school stuff along, and as he got to the end of the road he turned on the spot and apparated.

Harry whizzed along in the air with him. When they finally landed Harry fell face first into the mud, and Snape stepped forward coolly. He surveyed his surroundings, Hogsmeade village, through dark, angry eyes. With a snarl, he lashed out at his school trunk, yelping in pain as his foot collided with the trunk and sending it skidding down the dark street. He sat down, pulled his knees up to his chest and remained motionless, breathing rapidly and staring moodily at the trunk.

He stayed like this for a while, until a bell tinkled. Harry turned around to see Narcissa Malfoy striding haughtily out of Madame Malkin's, trailed by an exhausted looking house elf, which was carrying several bags of expensive-looking robes. She stopped short when she saw Snape, who hadn't turned around. She eyed him critically, signalling for the house elf to apparate away, and walked over to him. He looked up at the sound of her heels on the pavement, and gave her a weak, artificial smile.

Wordlessly, she turned around and summoned Snape's trunk, so it landed almost in his lap. She tilted her head slightly, smiling, and Snape nodded.

They apparated to a place Harry had never been before. Harry could see an enormous and magnificent manor silhouetted against the moon. The grounds around it had glistening fountains, and two pure white peacocks were strutting around majestically. At the far end was a pair of solid-gold looking gates, with a large M in the middle. Snape and Mrs. Malfoy strode into the Manor, Harry following. The hairs on the back of his neck rose. It was very weird to walk into the house were Draco Malfoy was raised. It was large and grand, and the colours were mainly green, gold and silver. Several expensive looking ornaments and statues were placed here and there. Harry and Snape followed Narcissa through the corridor, until they came into a large living room.

A house elf poured them each a cup of tea and bought a platter of dainty little cakes, which Snape had to repress a sneer at.

"Finally got away from that muggle, have you, Severus?" she said quietly.

Snape shrugged moodily. "I couldn't stand living with him for another six weeks," he muttered. "I only wish I could have taken my mother. Don't understand what she ever saw in him."

They carried on chatting for a while, and Harry studied the Manor. It was every bit as pompous and aristocratic as it's inhabitants, and had a very Slytherin feel to it. Harry turned back to the conversation Snape and Narcissa were having, and realised they were talking about Lily.

"…And we haven't been on speaking terms since," said Snape gloomily, sloshing the dregs of his tea about in his cup.

Narcissa stared at him critically again, a slight grimace forming on her lip. "Perhaps it's for the best," she said. Snape gave a grunt and a shrug. "After all, you're from completely opposite backgrounds. Plus the fact that she's a mud-"

She stopped abruptly as Lucius Malfoy entered, folding his travelling cloak neatly in a perfect triangle.

"Cissa, could you get my riding crop, I'm going to take the horses out- Oh, Severus!" He noticed Snape slumped in the chair by Narcissa, and his eyebrows shot up his forehead. "Long time no see. Shouldn't you be at school?"

"It's the summer holidays, Lucius," said Snape meekly.

"Is it? Hell, time flies in that school." He sat on one of his lavish sofas, snapping his fingers for an elf to bring him a large glass of brandy. "So, what's happening?"

"Nothing much," said Snape with mock impassiveness, "just that I've ran away from home."

Malfoy smirked into his glass. "About time too. Do you have any idea where you're going to stay?"

Snape shrugged. "I thought, perhaps, the Three Broomsticks…"

"That mangy little pub? And at this time of night? Certainly not." Narcissa wrinkled her nose. "Why don't you stay here?"

Snape blinked in surprise. "W- well, I wouldn't wish to intrude-"

"Nonsense!" Narcissa waved him off airily. "You may stay as long as you wish!" She stood up, beckoning for him to follow her upstairs.

"Well, if you're sure…" Snape mumbled.

"You know you're always welcome here, Severus," Lucius called as they clambered upstairs and Harry felt his surroundings dissolve…

This time he was in Dumbledore's office and a much older Snape was slumped in a chair, swaying tipsily. He looked as though he'd died a thousand deaths: his face was hollow, his cheeks tear-stained and there were dark bags under his eyes. He was holding a cup of tea, which sloped over him as he rocked.

"Dead," Snape choked to Dumbledore, who still had a tinge of auburn in his hair, "you said… you… could…protect her." He was struggling to talk, and his whispers were slurred. He seemed a bit drunk.

"I gave them a fidelius charm. But Sirius Black has betrayed the Potters," said Dumbledore solemnly. Snape broke his teacup, sending the liquid down him. All signs of his previous drunkenness were abandoned.

"I'll kill that little rat!"

"If you hadn't told Voldemort about the prophecy none of this would have happened!"

With a wounded cry, Snape dropped to his knees and covered his head with his arms, lying face down. His shoulders shook violently but no sound escaped. Snape's fingers uncoiled and he clawed at the ground, looking simply pathetic as he wallowed in his own misery. Harry sniffed: this was indeed a powerful scene, a scene Harry could relate to.

"The Potter's son lives. Lilly died to save him."

"Why?" Snape bellowed suddenly, banging his fist on the ground hard enough to shatter his bones. "How could someone as beautiful… as precious and pure… how could she die to save that little brat? Why?! He'll be just like his father, I know it!"

"Lilly Potter loved little Harry!" roared Dumbledore, "and you… you still love her."

"Yes!" wailed Snape, "more than life itself! I tried to forget her. I followed Narcissa's advice, but I… I…" he looked directly at Dumbledore, his eyes filled with such a cutting sorrow Harry was surprised Dumbledore didn't flinch. "I wish I was dead."

Again the scene dissolved, and the next memory was of again of just outside Dumbledore's office. But quite a few years seemed to have passed, as Snape looked almost as old as the present day Snape. He knocked on the door.

"Enter."

"You wanted to see me, sir?"

"Yes, Severus. Take a seat." Snape sat. "Firstly, I would like to thank you once again for treating my arm." He held up his withered arm and smiled pleasantly. "But, you see, I have knew information on Voldemort's plans."

Snape looked hungry. "How did you get them?"

"You remember Sirius?" Dumbledore pulled a smallish portrait out of a draw in his desk and Snape groaned loudly. It was the portrait Snape had bought Harry.

"Whew! It was hot in there! Oh," Sirius looked at Snape, his lip curling. "Hi Snivelly."

Snape said nothing.

"By accident, it appears, Sirius has a portrait at Malfoy Manor. I have asked him to spy there for me ever since he died."

"Humph, right boring, too. All I've been doing is staring at that Draco kid's bedroom, ducking behind my tree every time he comes in."

Dumbledore ignored him. "Now, this new plot of Voldemort's involves… well, killing me."

Snape's eyebrows rose. "He thinks he can do it?"

"Oh, he's not doing it. Young Draco Malfoy is."

Snape sighed. "I feared he might do something like this." He shook his head. "He does not think Draco will succeed, this is punishment for Lucius's failure. He will be killed for sure."

"Then you must do it."

Snape spluttered and Sirius stared at him. "Wha- What?" Snape gasped.

"The only way to ensure Draco's life will be if I die."

"No!" most of the portraits, including Sirius, yelled.

Dumbledore shook his head at them. "No, I know that I am not long for this world," he said quietly "You may not be able to see it, but my bones grow weary and my organs weak. I can feel it."

"No. I will not be responsible for your death! There must be some other way," Snape hissed.

"Severus, I'm sorry to put such a burden on you, but I am going to die anyway, I may as well make it useful." Harry gaped at how calmly he discussed the subject of death, how well he accepted his own life's end. "Now, once you have killed me-"

"NO!"

"Severus, it is ether an old man's life, or a teenager's, and possibly his mother's"

"His mother's? Narcissa?"

"Oh, yes," Dumbledore's expression turned grave, "I do believe you will be having a visit from her. If you refuse to aid Draco, she will help him herself. Her husband is in jail; after all, Draco's all she has left."

"I might hate her for all she's worth," piped in Sirius, "but if I know my cousin, she'll do anything to keep her precious little prince alive."

"It'll be Lilly and Harry all over again." Dumbledore muttered softly, his eyes shiny with tears. Snape looked helplessly from Dumbledore to Sirius's portrait.

"Ok," he breathed, voice thick. "I feel like a dirty murderer, but I'll do it."

"Thank you, Severus." Dumbledore sounded satisfied. "That also puts you in Voldemort's good books. You understand about horcruxes, I imagine?"

"It is a subject I have read about once or twice, yes," Snape sighed heavily.

"Voldemort has seven." Snape gasped, almost sliding off his chair. "Now, I want you to retrieve one, in the form of Hufflepuff's cup, from the Lestrange's vault at Gringotts. Mad-eye Moody will help you in this mission. The instructions to get in the vault are…"

But Harry didn't hear the instructions, as the scene changed again.

This time Harry was in a dark, secluded room, and Snape had just thrust the door open. He was carrying a limp figure which he lay down on the bed. It was Narcissa Malfoy: she looked in a bad state, very frail, as if she had just been tortured. Snape bustled about with a cauldron, creating a steaming potion.

Narcissa's eyes fluttered open.

"Narcissa!" Snape rushed over to her, holding her hand delicately and taking her temperature.

"Lucius?" she whispered. Her eyes looked slightly unfocused.

"No. Severus." He was breathing his words, as though speaking too loudly would damage her somehow. "Where does it hurt?"

"Everywhere." She looked like she was in pain. Snape went to the sink and wrung out a cloth.

"Is Lucius ok?"

"Yes," Snape dabbed her forehead. "Upset by his actions, but physically fine."

"And Draco?"

"He's…very distressed."

"I didn't want him to see that."

"Why did you do it?"

Narcissa looked shifty. "Do what?"

"You and I both know it was Draco's choice to disobey the Dark Lord. Why did you say you told him to?"

"Do you think I'd have let him put Draco in the condition I'm in?" Snape said nothing, and gave the cauldron another stir. "Severus…he doesn't belong here. He never liked confinement and taking orders. Everyone thinks he's just like Lucius, but he's not. He's not."

"I know, I know."

"Severus… you're leaving soon."

Snape gasped. "How did you know?"

"You're clever. You've managed to convince even the Dark Lord of your loyalty. But I've seen you when they're abusing mudbloods. You still think of her." She smiled sadly, which Harry thought was odd. "Take Draco."

Snape sighed, shaking his head. "He's safer here. I'm not even sure they'll trust me again."

"Please, Sev!" She sat up slightly, wincing. "He'll only end up hurting himself if he stays here any longer!" she took Snape's hand, her eyes pleading. "I know if anyone can hide him, you can."

They spent a long time staring at each other, Snape chewing the inside of his cheek. Harry was getting weary, but then Snape opened his mouth.

"I will do all in my power to find Draco a hiding place," he murmured. Narcissa's whole body relaxed and a soft smile graced her features. "Now drink this. It'll put you in an enchanted sleep." He scooped a flagon of steaming potion and Narcissa sipped it. In seconds she was asleep.

Snape was looking at her with a mixture of sadness and worry. He slowly raised her hand, and brushed his lips softly against her fingers. He went to the door, and then stalked away. "Wow," thought Harry, looking at Narcissa's restful face. He had defiantly seen a new side to her. He hadn't really thought the Malfoys were the type of people who really… cared about each other.

The scene dissolved, but didn't reappear. Instead, Harry landed back in the Weasley's sitting room with a jolt. Snape was staring out the window, his hands behind his back. There was a long pause until he spoke.

"I hope you understood some of the things I showed you." He sighed, not turning from the window. "I loved your mother. God, I loved her." He rested his hands on the windowsill and bowed his head. "But she didn't love me."

Harry stood there awkwardly. He didn't know what to say. The man he had hated for years was pouring his heart and soul out; what could he say?

"I pleaded with the Dark Lord to spare her. He nearly murdered me when I asked him to let a muggle-born live. I was heart-broken when she died." He turned to face Harry, and he saw Snape's coal black eyes were sparkling with tears. "I regret that you'll never know her, because you couldn't know what kind of person she was unless you did." He sighed, staring out the window again. "She always had time for anybody, especially those who needed her help."

Harry smiled in spite of himself. Snape's description reminded him a lot of Hermione helping poor, clueless Neville Longbottom in potions. A warm, fluttering feeling filled his stomach to think Lilly had been as encouraging and patient as that.

"If she was so important to you," Harry's throat had gone dry, "why do you hate me so much?"

Snape's lip curled.

"Don't you understand anything?" he snapped, sounding much more like the old Snape. "Your father," Snape's eye twitched "oh, he couldn't leave me alone, could he? Always the bully, always picking on me, I didn't hear a nice word from him, not one!"

Harry's fists were shaking, but he forced himself to understand how Snape was feeling.

"And look at you," whispered Snape, his voice was suddenly racked with emotion. "You look just like him. It's only when I look at your eye's I see her." He stared out the window again. "Isn't it obvious I expected you to act like your fathers as much as you look like him?"

"Perhaps I look like him," Harry put a hand on the man's shoulder, "but I'm not James."