"Wow, Harry," Said Fred Weasley. He had opened one of the many letters that had been delivered that morning. "Not only does this fine young woman believe you, she sent pictures."
The pictures in question suddenly burst into flame, and Daphne sat smirking.
"I don't think Harry needs to see that sort of thing." She said casually.
"Oh, this is just filth." Hermione said, crumpling up another. "Really he could have said you made it up."
"Here's another one who believes you." Neville smiled. Tracey also had found a believer.
"Here's another one who wants a go at you. She sent knickers." George grinned as Harry turned red.
"Wow, Harry," Hermione said, reading another. "I think you may have done it. There are a lot of people who believe you."
"Thanks to you, Hermione." Harry said gratefully, opening another letter. "Here guys, more pictures." He smiled, tossing a couple of photographs to Fred and George.
"Good boy." Daphne giggled.
"What is all this?" Professor Umbridge asked, coming to a stop in front of the group.
"Letters." Harry responded simply.
"Letters from whom?" Umbridge asked in her simpering girly voice.
"Readers of The Quibbler. You see, I gave an interview about what happened last June."
"An interview? What do you mean?" She asked him. Harry could tell she was piecing it together already, and handed her the magazine. Umbridge began scanning the article. Harry and his friends watched as the squat professor began trembling with rage. Harry knew she did not read the full article before she lowered the magazine.
"This…This is…" She stammered. Her little fists tore up the magazine. "It seems I have still not gotten through to you, Mister Potter. You are hereby banned from going to Hogsmeade. You will serve detention with me…"
"No, I won't." Harry said. Umbridge was taken aback.
"Yes you will."
"No, I won't. I have not broken any school rules. What I do outside of school on my own time is not within your power to punish me for. Nor is it wrong for me to speak to a reporter who wishes to question me. I have done nothing wrong, and you know it."
"You continue to push me, Mister Potter. Very well, as you are…" Umbridge looked like she had swallowed something very nasty. "Correct in this matter, you shall not serve detention. However, you are still banned from visiting Hogsmeade."
The little teacher strode off, leaving Harry amid a very impressed group of students.
"Yeah, Harry!" Neville cheered first. The others joined in as well. Harry felt on top of the world at that moment. Yet, as he watched the new Headmistress, he knew that retaliation would be coming, and it would hurt him badly.
"You really told her you would not be doing detention?" Sirius barked with laughter. Harry had just finished telling him the entire story. Sirius had read the article and had told Harry it was a bold move. Sirius was very proud of his godson. Harry was beginning to truly fight back, and Sirius knew that the Ministry had made a powerful enemy in Harry Potter.
"She knew she had nothing. She couldn't expel me either."
"Oh, they won't do that. Harry outside of Hogwarts is more dangerous than Harry inside. Inside they can watch your every move." Sirius said. Harry agreed.
"Sirius, I think I may have screwed up." Harry said sadly.
"What do you mean?"
"After my last Occlumency lesson, I asked Snape why he hated me. He never answered me, but he got really angry. I'm actually afraid of going back this week."
"Oh, Harry." Sirius sympathized. "Severus is a very lonely man. He feeds off that hatred of you father, and you look just like him. To him, it must be like seeing his old adversary again. You just worry about what he teaches you. Hate him if you must, but listen to him."
"That's the thing, Sirius. This whole year has been a real eye opening experience for me. I'm learning that people are not what they appear. I think my hatred of Professor Snape was wrong. Sure he treats me badly, but all I've done is to help that by hating him for no reason. I'm trying to move past it."
"A very wise course of action. Can I ask what brought this on?"
"Hermione and Daphne. I told them about how the lessons were going. They got worried that Snape might be abusing me or something, so they looked up Occlumency. Apparently, how he's teaching it is the best method. Attacking brutally at first so the student builds strong mental walls, or something. Then they concentrate on strengthening those walls by having the teacher attack more subtly. The trouble is that I can't seem to repel his brute attacks yet."
"So he attacks your mind?" Sirius asked, his voice getting perturbed.
"It's how it's done, according to Daphne and Hermione. You need someone who is really good at Legillimency to basically pound into your head in order to build up a resistance to those attacks and to recognize attacks. The stronger your mind gets, the more sneaky the attacks become."
"Very interesting. I never would have guessed it."
"It's part of the reason there are so few master Occlumens. No one wants their heads pounded incessantly. But all this got me thinking that Snape is really good at this stuff, just maybe he doesn't like doing it. Like he had other ideas for his life." Harry mused.
Sirius smiled proudly.
"Very insightful. Keep it up, kid. Look, Snape may hate you. You can't expect everyone to like you, and it's silly to try and make them."
"I guess so. Anyway, with OWLs coming up, I'm pretty well devoted to studies. I miss the DA, though. We were all learning a lot together."
"No reason you can't keep researching new stuff. By the way, Dumbledore wanted me to tell you he was proud of you as well."
"Did he actually find you?"
"Aye. We spent a week in Prague together, and then he said he'd see me soon. He and I had a lot to talk about. Things I'd rather say to you in person. Stop with the face…"
Harry had begun looking sullen. Sirius never withheld information unless there was a good reason.
"Don't worry. You keep your head down, you hear? You named people in that article, and there's going to be fall out. I'd make sure you were always with friends when you're not in your common room, got it?"
"Yeah. I got a big trip coming this summer, don't want to miss that."
"You bet your arse. I'll be home in a couple of weeks. Keep your nose in those books and say hello that beautiful lady of yours for me."
"See you, Sirius."
Severus Snape sat behind his desk in his office. He had just finished reading the article in the Quibbler that had the entire school talking. The new Headmistress had helped make sure everyone read the article by banning it. The newest educational decree had appeared this morning, and Snape, as well as other teachers, knew that the students would have it everywhere. Snape himself had procured a copy from a third year Hufflepuff who had it hidden in their textbook, and was trying to read it in class.
Snape was plagued by his own thoughts. The question that infernal Potter had posed to him at the end of their Occlumency lesson the week prior had been rattling around in his head, as well as a conversation he'd had with the former Headmaster.
"He's arrogant, pompous, no regard for rules…" Snape ranted.
"It's strange to hear you say these things. His other teachers tell me is very polite, quiet, attentive…"
"You're playing favorites, Albus."
"And you are holding onto anger like a lifeline."
"All I see is James Potter, every time I look at him." Snape sneered coldly.
"Have you ever looked into his eyes, Severus? They are Lily's. You refuse to see the truth, as you always have. I wonder, will you wait until it is too late again, or will you finally forgive yourself for what was wrought on that boy. One day he will ask, and you will have to tell him your part in his tragic beginning."
The greasy haired man curled his lip as he thought of the conversation that was long overdue. The true reason why he taunted the boy, sought out ways to punish him for the smallest of offences.
Snape knew he was nothing like he'd imagined all these years. He'd seen the boy's memories for weeks now, and knew what the boy suffered at the hands of Lily's sister. Snape had seen how the boy was constantly alienated as he grew up, and how he had never known any sort of happiness until he'd come to Hogwarts.
And the most haunting part of it all was that he, Severus Snape, was responsible for it all.
Snape pounded his fist. He felt his heart thumping hard in his chest. Dumbledore was right. Harry Potter had finally asked the question that Severus Snape had prayed he would never have to answer. And worse still, he knew he owed Lily Evans Potter, to answer her son.
For the first time in many years, Severus Snape wept.
Everywhere they looked were posters telling them about their career counseling sessions. All the fifth year students would meet with their head of house to discuss their options for careers after Hogwarts. Each student was scheduled a time in which they could seek advice on career paths and the courses they would need to follow.
Harry met with McGonagall Thursday morning. He had never given a lot of thought to life after school. But over the week, with his friends going over the array of pamphlets on different jobs, he had a few in mind that sounded quite rewarding to him.
"Ah, good morning, Mister Potter. Please, have a seat." The Transfiguration professor smiled as she pulled out a file. Harry felt himself tense when he saw they were not alone. Sitting in the corner, in her pinkest sweater, was Professor Umbridge.
"Well, Potter." McGonagall began. "Have you given any thought on your career path?"
"I have two ideas." Harry smiled. "I really love Quidditch, and it'd be cool to play professionally."
"An admirable goal, to be sure. But professional Quidditch players don't have long careers. Usually on seven or eight years."
"I know that. Not much for you after that." Harry grinned. "It could lead to a few things, but there are no guarantees. I also like the thought of being an Auror."
"Well, that could be quite promising. You've certainly show aptitude for it. Let's see then."
McGonagall opened the file and looked at it for a moment. "Well, you'll need to pull nothing less than five 'Exceeds Expectations' in your NEWT. There is also a stringent battery of character and aptitude tests, which you should be able to pass with no difficulty.
"Hem-hem."
"I suggest that you continue with me in Transfiguration, as well as Charms. Potions, yes Potter, Potions is necessary for an Auror. They often need to know all about poisons and antidotes. And, of course, Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Hem-hem"
"I know you're marks have improved this year, but I must warn you that Professor Snape only accepts students who receive 'Outstanding' into his NEWT classes. So, if I were you…"
"Hem-Hem."
"May I offer you a cough drop, Dolores?" McGonagall was close to shouting.
"Oh, no." Umbridge gave a little laugh, "I was simply wondering if Mister Potter has quite the temperament for an Auror. He does seem very quick to anger, after all."
"I daresay that anyone who had been pushed as much as this young man, it would tend to make one rather irritable."
"Whatever do you mean by that?" Umbridge looked a little cross.
"Now, Potter, your marks in Transfiguration have improved greatly this year, I am impressed, but I warn you that my NEWT classes are-"
"However," Umbridge said, interrupting the Transfiguration teacher again. "His Defense Against the Dark Arts marks have been very poor this year."
"Well considering the teacher, it is unsurprising." McGonagall stared at the squat Headmistress. Umbridge's false smile fell away, and she began scratching furiously on her notepad.
"Well, that's it then." McGonagall said to Harry. "Do you have any questions?"
"Yes, what are the character tests like?"
"They determine how you would react under pressure, your dedication and perseverance. Auror Training in another three years of study. Very rigorous training."
"You will also be relieved to know, that the Ministry looks critically at each applicant's criminal record." Umbridge said forcefully, cutting into the conversation. "Which means that this young man has as much chance of becoming an Auror as Albus Dumbledore has of returning to this school as Headmaster."
"Oh!" McGonagall brighten up suddenly. "Well then, Potter. It seems your are almost guaranteed to be an Auror."
"The boy is a criminal!" Umbridge shouted.
"On what grounds do you say that?" McGonagall asked.
"The murder of Cedric Diggory!"
"Are you accusing me of murder?" Harry stood. "Do you really want to embarrass yourself?"
"Are you threatening me?" Umbridge glared.
"No, Ma'am. I'm simply telling you that in a criminal trial, I would be given counsel, and I would ask my counsel to make a motion to administer Veritaserum in a court, and then, in front of the Ministry I would tell the same story I have been telling for the past year. It would make you all look like fools, and you would be forced to admit your mistakes, not to mention the fall out.
"Think of it, Professor. As you would be the one responsible for the fall of your precious Cornelius Fudge. Do you think the public would allow him the remain as Minister of Magic when he falsely accused a boy of murder, and was proven wrong?"
Umbridge shook with rage. She eyed the boy carefully as if trying to make her next move.
"You have no evidence that I committed murder except your blind faith that the Ministry is infallible. Bring me before the Wizengamont and it will fall. Throw me in prison without a trial as you did Sirius Black, and it will crumble even faster. Do not mistake this as a threat." Harry held up his scared hand, and McGonagall gasped at the sight.
"It is simply the truth."
"Geez, Harry, You love living dangerously." Blaise Zabini grinned. He and the others had just been told what had happened in Harry's career meeting.
"He's not wrong though." Susan Bones chimed in. "He has the right to asked to be question under truth serum, and the Ministry would be forced to admit that Voldemort is really back."
"But still," Daphne said clutching Harry's hand. "You're pushing the woman into a corner, eventually she's going to strike back."
""What can she do?"" Harry asked. She's tortured me, and god help her if I get my hands on that quill of hers. I'll shove right up her…"
"Harry!" Hermione shouted. "Language."
"Sorry, Hermione." Harry looked slightly shamed.
"Can you believe exams are just a week away?" Neville asked.
"Don't fret, sweetie." Tracey smiled, kissing him sweetly. "You're more ready than you think."
"Has anyone seen the schedule for the exams?" Hermione asked.
"No, but the spread it out over two weeks." Susan said, flipping through her notes.
"The have special examiners come in. We usually take the theory exams in the morning and then the practical after lunch." Blaise said. "Pucey told me about it."
"Well, I have every confidence that we can be fully ready for it." Hermione smiled. "This study group was a great idea, Blaise."
"This isn't a group." Blaise grinned. "Those are illegal. We just happen to be sitting at the same table in the library, studying the same subjects."
"Sir?" Harry asked. He had shown up for his weekly Occlumency lesson, but ten minutes in, Snape had yet to face the boy. He stayed staring into the Pensieve he used each week. Harry just watched him a few more moments.
"Sir, are you alright?" Harry asked again. "Do I need to fetch Madam Pomfrey?"
"Silence." Snape said, but without his usual coldness. He finally turned and looked the young Gryffindor in the eyes. Those emerald green eyes, so like Lily's.
"Last lesson, you asked me a question. One I have hoped you would never ask me. Do you recall?" Snape said slowly. Harry was beginning to be afraid. The Potions professor before him was…reflective, sad even. It wasn't something Harry was prepared for.
"Yes. I asked you why you hated me."
"While I was a student, I had no friends. Even in my own house. No friends, save one. Your mother, Lily Evans."
Harry felt his breath hitch. Snape and his mother had been friends. Harry's mind began spinning.
"Your father was an arrogant arse, and never missed an opportunity to show the whole school how great he was." Snape's voice was back to it's normal cold venomous tone as he spoke of Harry's father. "And I was his favorite target."
"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm not my father, and I don't see what that has to do with me. I…"
"May I finish, Potter?" Snape cut Harry off. Harry nodded.
"As the years went by, I…" Snape paused. He gazed at Harry, then looked away gathering his courage. The boy had to understand, and Snape needed to unburden himself.
"I loved your mother. We were in different house and always made time for each other. Much like yourself and Miss Greengrass. But I let my pride and anger get the better of me. I turned on your mother, in order to fit in. You see, the Dark Lord was recruiting students of pureblood families. Slytherins especially. I wanted a place to fit in, I wanted to belong, and I allowed people like Lucius Malfoy to influence me.
"It seemed more and more Lily and I would argue. I was too blinded by my owe bloody pride to see that she was right. When I took the Dark Mark, I forsake your mother's friendship. But worse still, I was the cause of her death."
The silence was so heavy, Harry felt like it was crushing him. He couldn't breathe at all, his vision began to blur. He finally forced himself to take a great gulp of air.
"I thought Wormtail…I mean, he betrayed them." Harry said, barely a whisper.
"Wormtail played his part, make no mistake. But I orchestrated the events." Snape turned back to Harry then.
"Understand this. I unknowingly led the Dark Lord to your parents. You see, I heard something. Something the Dark Lord feared would be his down fall."
"You heard the prophecy?" Harry asked, his voice barely audible. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Yes. Am I correct in assuming Black told you?"
Harry nodded and Snape smirked. He took a long breath and then continued his story.
"I, being a loyal Death Eater, informed the Dark Lord of this potential threat. When I discovered it was your parents he was after, I came to Dumbledore and begged him to protect them, to protect your mother, the one true friend I ever had. It was then that I began to spy for Dumbledore. To save my friend, the woman I loved, and would never have. It was Wormtail who betrayed their location to the Dark Lord. I was too late to stop it, to warn them."
Harry couldn't look at the Potions professor. Inside he was burning with rage. It had been Snape who had gotten his parents killed, the reason he had been abused at the hands of the Dursleys for fourteen years. Snape, who always looked down his horribly hooked nose at him in class and made his life hellish in school.
"How could you?" Was all Harry said. His voice was low, and hitched.
"You asked me why I hated you, Potter. I hate you because you are a constant reminder of my mistake. Every time I see you, I see my greatest enemy and the woman I loved. I hate you because I hate myself." Snape said slowly. His head hung low.
Harry could only stare. He wanted to hurt Snape, to cause him as much pain as he could. To make Severus Snape suffered for his offences. Harry stood slowly. He took a step towards the Potions teacher. His mind was screaming at him to reach out and take the potions professor's life the way he'd taken his parents lives. But he couldn't do it. Deep down, Harry knew it wasn't his place to exact justice.
"I ask for no forgiveness. I deserve none. That night, I swore on her memory that I would watch over you, protect you as best I could."
"Tell me what you heard that made Voldemort go after them." Harry said, his voice measured.
"I can not. I have been sworn never to reveal what I heard that night. So far as I know, only Dumbledore knows it all. You should have been told long before this. I can't protect you any better than he can. Even Dumbledore can no longer protect you. You know of course that the wards have failed on your relatives house. It is because they were tainted by the Dark Lord. When he took your blood for that ritual, it tore the wards asunder. Had anyone known the location of that house, you would have been killed over the summer."
"I need to know the contents of that prophecy." Harry seethed.
"Forget it, Potter. The prophecy is hidden deep within the ministry. You'll never get it, neither will the Dark Lord."
"You bastard!" Harry shouted. "He gets closer every day. It is only a matter of time until he gets it. You know it as well as I. Nothing is helping to stop it. Not Occlumency, not the Order, Nothing! He's going to get it, and then what?"
Snape only stared at the young man before him. Harry was breathing hard, trying to think. His mind was too jumbled, he couldn't separate his emotions. He had to leave, to get out of that cramped classroom. He needed air. He stared hard at the greasy bat like professor.
"We're finished here." Harry said with more malice than Snape had ever felt from anyone. Harry grabbed his bag and left.