Chapter Twenty-Nine

Hogwarts

The battle took place on the last day of July just as the Prophecy predicted. Who's to say how a prophecy should be interpreted. Was it about Harry or about Neville? And does it matter?

Hogwarts was open and Harry was standing on the platform of the astronomy tower. It felt comforting to be home, he decided. He was standing with the locket in his hand that had slipped out of Dumbledore's dead one. It was a common piece of jewelry, but it had cost him a fortune. There was a feeling of emptiness particularly in this spot where he had lost a friend and mentor. But then Harry had lost many friends. He could still feel the dead weight of Lupin's death weighing on him.

He let the gold chain slide between his fingers and fall out into the greenery below. It was like saying farewell to all of them.

"You will be late for your classes on the first day," a voice said behind him.

Harry turned to Snape. The man looked and dressed differently. He was dressed like a normal wizard teacher, but in clothes made of nice cloth. The green and silver robes of Slytherin lay over his brown velvet vest with the gold chain strung to the pocket watch. His slacks were pressed and tailored above the polished black boots.. Above all his hair was short and clean. The sallowness was gone from his face although a faint scar ran from his temple through his eye and down his cheek. It didn't seem to take away or add to his overall looks, which had never been handsome. And yet, with some kind of newfound serenity, his face had transformed. There was a warmth there and a gentleness that the old Snape had not been capable of.

"I understand that you are going to be teaching," Harry commented.

Snape nodded. He was leaning leisurely against a column of the portico leading to the platform.

"I miss him," Harry said, turning back to the rail. "Dumbledore. I miss him."

"As do I," Snape said.

"Do you?" Harry asked. Snape had joined him at the railing.

Snape looked at him curiously. "Yes, I do. He was my friend."

Harry nodded. There was so much about Snape that he didn't know. Even this small thing was a question. They had not seen each other since the night of the battle and Harry wondered what their first encounter would be like.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself from now on," Harry said, breaking the long silence. "So much of my life was spent...worrying."

Snape nodded, staring off at the distant hills. "Yes, it does take its toll." He stopped and turned to Harry. "I think the best way to proceed is to learn to be friends, don't you think? I've never been very good at that. But I am willing to try."

Harry faced him. "Hermione told me once that you had never apologized to me, never said you were sorry for the way that you treated me. She told me that maybe you didn't think you needed to. She also asked me if I could forgive you even if you never did say the words. I guess I never dreamed that there would be a time that you would want my forgiveness. Hermione said that if I chose to do that, forgive you that is...even if you never asked for it; that I needed to do it for real. Let my hurt feelings and my anger go."

Snape studied him. This time with warm eyes not filled with hate or anger. "And could you?"

Harry nodded after a moment. "Time changes things. I understand more."

Snape nodded, speaking slowly, "I asked your mother once what I needed to do. All I wanted was to have her back. She said, Just say you're sorry, Severus. And she asked me, 'Is that so much?'. And I said it; I said I was sorry, but I didn't have the wisdom that you show now. I wasn't thinking about needing her forgiveness. I've hurt many people and I have hurt you intentionally. I am sorry."

A moment went by and Harry nodded. "I've found that the women in my life can be pretty brilliant sometimes. Hermione is very special."

"So was your mother," Snape added.

"Will you tell me about her sometime?" Harry asked.

Snape remained silent.

"Does it pain you to know that you are my father?"

Snape caught his breath, startled by the question. "No." He reached for the rail for support. "No. It doesn't cause me pain. Does it cause you pain?"

Harry shook his head slowly. "James Potter will always be my father. I can't think of him any other way. But I can accept that you are my real father. I don't know what that means yet."

Snape nodded. "I understand."

They turned to the rail once again and felt the warm late summer breeze.

"I think when school is out I might ask Ginny Weasley to marry me," Harry said. "Would you come to the wedding?"

Snape nodded again. "I would be honored. Do you know what you will do after you leave Hogwarts?"

"I want to train to be an auror," Harry said. "I understand it involves all kinds of special skills. Someone who has done something of that nature for a living, might be able to teach me a lot."

Snape relaxed and took a deep breath. "Would you mind if I walk you to your classes?"

"Not at all," Harry answered. "I understand that I have your Defense Against the Dark Arts class before noon. Do you have any suggestions about reading material I can find in the library? Or maybe if you have a chance we could set aside some time outside of class. I could use some practical experience."

Hermione and Ron found them in the corridor.

"Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, I am glad to see you are well," Snape said.

"I am happy to see you, too, Professor Snape," Hermione said brightly. "Are you feeling yourself these days. No lingering aftereffects?" They all knew what she was referring to.

"I am quite myself, thank you," Snape said. "I believe that I have had a singular experience that I might share with class later on. I understand that both of you will be in my advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

Hermione nodded and Ron, looking a bit skittish, also nodded.

"Excellent." Snape bowed slightly. "If you'll excuse me I have a class to teach. I think about 7 o'clock for dinner Harry. Will that work for you?"

"That will be fine," Harry said.

Snape walked down the hall and out of nowhere Peeves came zooming over Harry, Hermione and Ron's head and targeted Snape with a spit-wad. Harry raised his wand and waved it lazily and sent the poltergeist colliding with a suit of armor. They walked past, ignoring the rattling.

"Harry, Ginny and I have a party planned for your birthday, since we missed it." Hermione was walking just ahead and talking as she walked. " We thought we might schedule it just before Fleur and Bill's wedding. That way everyone will be present..."

Ron nudged Harry, "Blimey, Harry. What's life going to be like now?"

"Normal, I hope," Harry said. "Whatever that is like."

The end.

(Natasha's note: I know that people are reading this by the number of hits and visitors I've had. Would someone let me know if they hate or liked it? It's always so hard to tell. Just stop and leave a short note in review. Sash