'This came for you while you were out' Leah smiled handing Harry a piece of paper.
'Thanks Leah' Harry smiled opening the folded note.
He swallowed thickly, heart thudding madly in his chest it couldn't be not after all this time, it just couldn't be. But it was, the scrawl unmistakable even after all this time.
'Leah' Harry called out to his assistant
'What's up? Leah asked seeing that her boss had paled considerably in the last 5 minutes
'Did you see who left this?' Harry asked his hand shaking
'No it was delivered by owl why?' Leah asked
'What sort of Owl?' Harry questioned
'It was one of the postal owls' Leah replied 'Is something wrong Harry?'
'Yes, yes there is' Harry said soberly 'the person who wrote this note is part of the reason I am here now'
It was like a recurring nightmare, except this one didn't feature any sadistic dark wizards, no this one starred the man Harry five years ago would have happily given his heart and soul to.
'Tell me' Leah said softly sitting down on the chair in front of Harry's desk
It had been about 3 weeks after the war, even though the Dark Lord was gone and the world was safe once again, it was still in chaos. Cornelius Fudge had been reinstated as Minster for Magic; Death Eaters were still at large. He Ron and Hermione had been helping to rebuild Hogwarts and on this day had been down near Hagrids hut.
Hermione had gone up to the castle to speak to Minerva, when she didn't come back after an hour they figured she had gotten sidetracked and kept working. Going to sit by the lake for lunch, Harry came across Hermione's mangled body; she had been hit with the Sectumsempra spell causing her to bleed out in seconds.
Aurors who had been patrolling the grounds came across Harry standing over Hermione's body before he could say one single word he was magically bound and taken to the Ministry for questioning. Harry was given no trial; no chance to defend himself, Cornelius Fudge sentenced him to life in Azkaban Prison.
Fudges reasoning was that the spell used on Hermione Granger had never been heard of and he was more than capable of creating something so ruthless and like his godfather before him thought the laws of the Wizarding world didn't apply to him.
Ron, Luna, Neville, Draco, Seamus and Katie fought hard to get Fudge overthrown and Kingsley made Minister for Magic. Ron and Seamus joined the Auror Corps so they would be able to at least go and see Harry.
Letters of support arrived with Kingsley, Ron and Seamus who were able to come out and see him. One letter however was far from supportive and filled with bitterness and resentment.
Harry thought that he and Severus had something that could be considered a friendship. During his 6th year the Potions Master had agreed to train Harry for the pending battle. Putting their animosity aside they formed an acquaintance and then a friendship as the year progressed. When the battle broke out, they fought together and with combined power destroyed Voldemort and the darkness.
When Hermione had been killed, Severus was recovering in hospital after being attacked by the Dark Lords snake Nagini.
As Harry sat in his dingy cell reading the letter from someone he would have quite happily given his heart and soul to, tears poured down his cheeks, his heart shattering into a million tiny pieces. Some things were just too good to be true.
6 months he spent in Azkaban, the only saving grace being the Dementors were no longer the prison guards, although the human replacements weren't much of an improvement. Fudge was thrown out of the Ministry and Kingsley made Minister for Magic, he ordered a trial and Harry's immediate release. Fudge was known for his resorting to the Draconian Law on a moments notice in the case of those he wasn't particularly fond of. His memories of that terrible day were shown to the Wizengamot and he was cleared of all charges. One week after he was deemed a free man Harry left Britain and headed for North America.
'That's who you think the note is from?' Leah asked gently
'Yep, I'd recognise that writing anywhere' Harry said dejectedly 'I don't understand how he found me or why he is writing to me, he didn't care that I was in prison for a crime I didn't commit'
'What are you going to do?' Leah asked tentatively
'Nothing absolutely nothing' Harry said firmly, balling up the note and tossing it in the bin beside his desk.
'Good on you' Leah smiled, walking from the office.
Severus sat in a room in a pub not far from the Tell a Tale bookshop that Harry or Hayden as he was calling himself worked. 3 years it had taken him to find Harry, 3 years of unanswered letters, 3 years of wondering where he was or if he was even alive. 3 years of missing the man he had fallen in love with, the man who thought Severus had betrayed and abandoned him. He had been in hospital when Harry had been arrested and sent to Azkaban without trial
Draco had been murderous when he confronted Severus over what he'd allegedly written to Harry and it took quite sometime for him to believe that the letter he had written for Harry wasn't the one that was given to him.
Poppy Pomfrey confirmed that the former Potions Master was indeed still recovering in hospital at the time of Harry's trial. When he was released and left the country, he begged Draco to tell him where Harry was, the blonde remained tight lipped saying he didn't know where he'd gone and it wasn't up to him to divulge that information.
Severus hadn't been sorted into Slytherin for nothing and became creative in his endeavour to find Harry, his godson in return was equally devious, never leaving his study door unlocked, nor any correspondence to or from Harry lying around where snooping former spies might come across it.
Over the next few years Severus travelled in an attempt to find Harry and bring him home to England, he may have been cleared of Hermione's murder, but someone had killed her and framed Harry and that person was still at large.
Coming back to England a few days ago and staying with Draco and his husband Neville, the blonde has been called to St Mungo's were he was a Healer in an emergency, leaving in a hurry he neglected to lock his study door and purely by accident, Severus noted this mistake and took it upon himself to rectify it as soon as he'd rifled through his godsons things and happened upon the location of his lost love. He announced the next morning that he was off on his travels again and left later that day.
Now here he was in the Wizarding quarter of Vancouver Canada, waiting for a reply to the note he had sent via postal owl to Harry.
'You ok, you haven't said much?' Leah asked sitting beside Harry on the back porch
'Just thinking' Harry replied watching an owl fly overhead, its calls echoing through the air 'When I was in Azkaban apart from Kingsley, Ron, Seamus and Draco who came to see me when they could, there was this owl that would land on the ledge of the window each night and squeeze through the narrow bars, don't know how it managed it. There was no protection from the weather in Azkaban, but thankfully I didn't always need my wand to keep warm. Anyway this owl he'd come and sit on the bed and lean against me, I gave him what I could in the way of food. Ron would sneak me in treats and things that I hid behind a loose brick in the wall. It had these huge yellow eyes and was jet black, only owl like that I've ever seen. Seeing one just fly over reminded me of him'
'Sounds like he knew you needed someone' Leah countered.
'Maybe' Harry shrugged 'I wonder where he is now?'
'Off roaming the skies' Leah replied
'Hope so, anyway I am off to bed' he got up, kissed Leah goodnight and went inside.
Ministry worker Ginerva Weasley sat in the Department of Magical Games and Sports sorting through the paperwork that had been on her desk when she'd arrived that morning. The head of the Department Hamish MacFarlan seemed to think that her specialty was dealing with mounds of paperwork for any upcoming matches or events; either that or he didn't like her.
'Mail for you Weasley' a gruff voice announced as cream coloured envelopes were tossed onto her desk. The squeaking wheels of the mail cart continued on through the rabbit warren that was the DMGS offices.
Flicking through the pile of mail and seeing there was nothing that needed her immediate attention she stuffed the letters into her desk drawer. Underneath all her discarded mail was a stash of letters that she had been intercepting for the last 3 years, it was why she took this god awful job to start with the need to be within the Ministries walls greater than playing professional Quidditch. If she was to continue to live a life of freedom then this is what she had to do.
None of this would have been necessary had a certain witch kept her nose out of other peoples business. All had been going according to plan before Miss Know it all involved herself. Along with those letters was a tattered old book that had been saved from a fiery end.
Pushing the thought from her mind, she quickly penned a letter to Harry, before taking it down to her brother who had letters from the rest of the Weasleys. No one had been given his address or even told where he was; she guessed that only the ferret was privy to that information. Harry never answered her personally, usually writing to the clan as a whole, she held out hope that one day he would. Taking an early lunch she took the lift to the second floor and went in search of her brother.
Sipping his morning coffee, Harry smiled reading letters from his friends always gave him a boost. There were times when he was incredibly homesick and wanted nothing more than to go back to the UK, thoughts would flash through his mind of those harrowing days in a dank and dark cell, being woken in the middle of the night by the screams echoing through the air.
Azkaban was home to some of the worst criminals the magical world had ever seen, including the Death Eaters that'd been captured after the war. They took immense pleasure in taunting the Saviour, their words haunting his mind or images of Hermione's lifeless body lying on the ground. After a few minutes he'd see that the right decision had been made.
Many had labelled him a coward for leaving and not staying to track down who had really killed his best friend, the person who knew him better than he knew himself. Maybe he was a coward he didn't know anymore.
Picking up a letter from the Weasleys he noticed that there was a separate one from Ron and Ginny. She had been a surprise when the war ended and Harry had told her they could never be anything more than friends. To be honest he had expected her to put up a fight, Ginny was known for her hex now and ask questions later approach to problems.
The final battle had changed people and some it appeared for the better. Harry wished it had had more of an impact on one particular person, but you couldn't have everything. The bell above the door jingled, Leah was out the front, so Harry continued reading while she dealt with the customer.
Severus had woken that morning determined that he would be able to speak to Harry. He hadn't come all this way to chicken out now. Even if the young man turned him away and wanted nothing more to do with him, then as heart broken and shattered, as he would be at least he'd said his piece.
Eating breakfast down in the hotel's restaurant, he set off on the short walk to the bookshop. The store sat on a corner and hosted and open book with the name of the shop sitting proudly in the centre. The window display featured an array of books nestled in what appeared to be a forest setting, it was simple yet effective. As he crossed the street, Severus inhaled and exhaled feeling the nerves fluttering in his stomach. Turning the brass knob on the ornate door, he entered the shop, hearing a bell jingle alerting his presence.
Leah was arranging a new order of books onto the shelves, when the bell above the door jingled and in walked a tall slim man, looked to be in his early 40s, he wore mostly black, his hair touched the tops of his shoulders, his nose was big but seem to suit his face. Setting the books down, Leah stood behind the counter a bright smile on her face.
'Good morning' Leah greeted the man cheerfully 'how can I help?'
'Good morning to you' Severus returned the greeting ' I was hoping to have a word with the owner if I may?'
'That would be Mr Ramsey' Leah countered 'Can I ask what it's about?'
She had quickly learnt when Harry first came to Vancouver, that if someone came into the shop asking for him personally, they wouldn't get an audience unless they gave their name and reason for wanting to speak to him, what Severus said next was definitely not going to get him anything.
'It's a personal matter' Severus said evenly 'I won't take up much of his time'
'Mr Ramsey is in a meeting at the moment, perhaps if you left your name and how you can be contacted I can get him to get in touch later on' Leah replied firmly, taking a notepad and pen and pushing it towards Severus.
'Of course' Severus answered writing the name of the hotel he was staying at along with a quick note to Harry underneath. 'Thank you for your time' he nodded and walked out the door.
Leah scurried down the hallway and into Harry's office, the note grasped tightly in her hand.
'Where's the fire?' Harry chuckled seeing that Leah was panting slightly
She handed him the note and waited for his reaction, preparing for an outburst of some description.
'He was here?' Harry said in a low tone
'Yes, he asked to speak to you' Leah replied 'I didn't know what to say'
'Who did he ask for?' Harry turned and faced Leah, knowing she understood the meaning behind the question
'The owner' Leah countered
Clever Harry thought he doesn't come in asking for Harry outright, but the owner
'Did I do the right thing?' Leah asked carefully
'You did the only thing you could do' Harry said reassuringly 'I don't understand why he is here'
'Maybe he wants to explain or atone for something' Leah pondered 'is there someone you can ask?'
'Yeah a friend of mine is his godson I will give him a call tonight find out what he's up to' Harry said 'while I was in prison I used to dream that he was sitting beside me whispering that it was going to be alright, he would always be there for me no matter what, that when I got out he would be there to welcome me, after everything he did and I still subconsciously wanted to see the good in him'
Leah came over and wrapped her arms around the now sobbing man, it was the only comfort she could offer and from the looks of things it was exactly what Harry needed.
'Harry it's so good to talk to you' Draco beamed as he sat crossed legged in front of his hearth, watching as his friends head bobbed about in the green flames
'Things have been a bit busy' Harry said apologetically, 'Do you happen to know where Severus is at the minute?'
Draco looked at his friend a mixture of confusion and a sinking feeling in his stomach 'he's travelling'
'Where?' Harry asked his tone stiff
'I gather from the tone you are about to tell me?' Draco said soberly
'He's here and has so far sent me a note and today he came into the shop asking for me, how did he find out where I was Drake?'
'Harry I have no idea how, I haven't said a word I swear on my magic I haven't, he must have found something here that led him to you' Draco shook his head 'I am sorry Harry'
'It's not your fault, I just don't understand why he is looking for me now after all this time' Harry said frustrated
'I am starting to think he has always been looking for you' Draco sighed 'he started travelling not after you were released from Azkaban, I thought it was just to clear his mind, decide what his next move was going be to be, but I think he was looking for you Harry, see I wouldn't tell him where you were'
'Why the man hates me' Harry answered
'He doesn't hate you Harry, I believe him when he says he didn't write that letter at least not the one you got in Azkaban, I know we don't talk about it, but I really don't think he did, guessing that's why he has resorted to underhanded methods to track you down' Draco explained
'What do I do?' Harry asked
'What do you want to do?' Draco asked gently
'Punch his lights out, hex him to the never never' Harry quipped
'Apart from that' Draco smirked
'Ask the questions he has the answers for, if he did write that letter I want to know why, if not I want to know why it's taken 6 years for him to do something about it'
'I am partly to blame for that, when you told me about the letter I was so mad I ripped into him, told him never to go near you again it was a long time before I would even talk to him let alone listen to what he had to say'
'I guess I had better go and see what he has to say then' Harry chuckled wryly
'Let me know how you go and I am here if you need me' Draco said
'Thanks Drake love to Neville' Harry waved and vanished in the flames.
Sneaky Slytherin bastard Draco muttered as he got up off the floor and went into the kitchen.
Severus was on his way out the next morning when the receptionist beckoned him over and handed him a note
Meet me at the bookshop at 6 tonight and I will listen to what you have to say
H
Severus thanked the woman and headed out into the morning air, his heart was beating madly in his chest and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He had agreed to see him it was a start. He wouldn't get his hopes up.
He occupied himself with sightseeing and browsing the shops. He had a light lunch in one of the cafes, hoping that if things went well Harry might want to join him for dinner.
'Now are you sure you don't want me to stay?' Leah asked for hundredth time 'I am quite handy with hexes'
'I have no doubt you are' Harry laughed despite his nerves 'Go I am fine this isn't the first time I've been alone with him'
'I am only a call away if you need me' Leah hugged him tight then left the shop
It was five minutes to six and Harry wondered what he could possibly do to fill those minutes. Turned out it didn't matter just when he was contemplating stacking shelves, there was a sharp knock at the door, gathering his Gryffindor courage he hadn't relied on in years, Harry walked to the front of the shop and opened the door.
'Severus' Harry greeted him curtly 'Come in'
'Thank you' Severus replied, the curt welcome leaving him unsettled
'I have some tea and coffee in the staff room' he said walking to the back of the shop and down a narrow hallway and into a room complete with a small kitchen. 'Tea or Coffee?'
'Tea please' Severus said quietly
Harry made the tea and coffee and brought the mugs to the table, he sat down across from Severus and regarded the man he hadn't laid eyes on for 6 years over the rim of his cup.
'Why have you come?' Harry questioned
'I wanted a chance to explain my side of things' Severus replied 'I have spent many years looking for you'
'Mmm so Draco thinks' Harry said tersely 'I called him last night to find out how it was you knew my whereabouts'
'I admit I was slightly underhanded in my tactics to locating you' Severus countered
'Slightly?' Harry quirked a brow 'I would have thought down right Slytherin would be a better explanation'
'Perhaps you're right' Severus chanced a small smile 'Harry I know that you have been under the impression for quite some time that I wrote a less than flattering letter to you after your arrest'
'That's an understatement' Harry snipped, he got up from his place at the table and left the room, Severus was thinking about going after him, when he came back and sat an envelope in front of him. 'I have kept that all these years Merlin knows why, because all it served to do was rip my heart out'
Hands shaking he removed the letter from it's confines and read the contents, that same hand went to his mouth as he read on further, not able to fathom the words on the page. Harry was right it was an understatement of grand proportions to call this letter simply unflattering, it was spiteful, resentful and bitter to the point of no return, whoever had written this had lashed out at Harry in every way they could conjure.
'I think I found being called a man whore like my arrogant father and godfather or just a desperate virgin wanting nothing more than to rid himself of the pesky virtue in order to become more of a hero quite interesting, although what my virginity had to do with my hero status I'll never know' Harry said his voice laced with bitterness
'Harry I would never say those things about you regardless of what I thought of your father or godfather. I put that to rest a long time ago. I beg you to believe me' Severus implored 'here read this'
The former Potions Master took something from his robes and handed it to Harry, it was a folded piece of paper like the one Harry had just given him.
'That is the real letter I wrote you when Draco told me what had happened I wrote it again just in case you ever wanted to see it'
As Harry read, tears rolled down his face and splashed onto the parchment, his heart clenched and his stomach roiled, every word he had ever wanted to hear from Severus Snape's mouth was written in ink in front of him.
'It was you' he whispered 'the owl that would come to my cell of a night, it was you' Harry looked at the man through tear brimmed eyes
'Yes it was me' Severus answered 'I had to know you were ok, I couldn't bear the thought of you being in that place'
'It was you that whispered in my ear when I was asleep, I thought it was a dream' Harry muttered 'Why weren't you there when I got out, to welcome me like you said?'
'Draco wouldn't let me near you Harry, he didn't even tell me when you were being released, I only found out when you were granted a trial and that was because I went into the Ministry beg Kingsley to let me see you as a person instead of an owl, he told me you had been released'
'I am sorry Draco didn't tell you, he gets a bit overprotective' Harry sighed ' I always wondered why you weren't there, every time I asked Draco he would change the subject'
'Do you mean all these things?' Harry sniffled
'Every word' Severus said with sincerity 'I meant every word I wrote in all my letters'
Harry looked at him his face a mask of confusion 'All your letters?'
'Yes I have been writing you for the last 3 years, I just assumed you had ignored them or thrown them away' Severus replied
Harry got up from the table and gestured for Severus to follow him, two doors down on the right was what Severus guessed was Harry's office. He went over to the desk placed under a large window and rifled through one of its drawers from it he pulled a bunch of letters fastened with a band of some sort. Removing the band he flicked through the pile before turning to face Severus.
'The only letters I have gotten are from Ron and his family, Draco and Neville, Seamus, Kingsley, Luna and Katie' Harry told him his brow furrowed. 'Who did you give them to?'
'I sent them to the Ministry to Kingsley, he had offered to send them on for me' Severus answered
'Did you give the one you wrote me in Azkaban to Kingsley as well?' Harry asked his voice breaking slightly
'Yes I did'
'So someone has been intercepting your letters and keeping them or writing something completely different and sending that on?' Harry said his voice barely above a whisper
'It would seem so' Severus countered
'Why?' Harry choked out
'I don't know, perhaps to prevent us from speaking'
Harry dropped down into the office chair, his head in his hands, Severus could see his shoulders shaking and hear the stifled sobs. Going to him the former Professor gently clasped those shoulders and gently pulled Harry to his feet, bringing him into his embrace, allowing the young man to express the grief and hurt he had no doubt kept to himself over the years. Several minutes passed and all that could be heard was the muffled sound of Harry's sobs, his chest heaving against Severus' incoherent words falling from Harry lips as the sadness flowed from him.
'I'm sorry' Harry hiccoughed pulling out of the embrace and roughly wiping his eyes
'You have nothing to be sorry for Harry' Severus said
'Everything is such a mess' Harry said defeatedly
'Maybe it's time to tidy it up?' Severus said gently
'People were right when they called me a coward' Harry hung his head 'I certainly acted like one, running away and leaving Hermione's murder unsolved'
'You are no coward and you did what anyone in your position would have done, especially after being in that place' Severus said fiercely
'What do I do now?'
'You come back to England with me and we work together to find the person responsible for her death so we can get on with our lives' Severus replied
'Our lives?' Harry asked a ghost of a smile playing across his lips
'You didn't think I was going to let you go now that I have finally found you?' Severus smirked wrapping his arms around Harry's waist 'Slytherins hold onto what is theirs'
'I'm yours?' Harry murmured
'Indeed, you are mine and only mine, Slytherins don't share either'
'I see' Harry replied 'don't know if I'm ready to go back and face everything'
'You may never be, but that doesn't mean you aren't capable of going back' Severus smiled warmly
'I have to for Hermione, she'd never forgive me if I didn't find out exactly what happened to her'
'No she wouldn't' Severus smirked
'I have nowhere to live' Harry said as the thought had just occurred to him
'You will stay at Hogwarts with me' Severus told him 'there you will be safe'
'With you?' Harry chuckled
'Separate rooms for the time being Imp' Severus grinned
Harry smiled. 'Do you really love me, like you said in your letter?'
'With every fiber of my being' Severus replied brushing his lips over Harry's 'We can talk about that later, for now we go back and bring Hermione's killer to justice'
'Ok' Harry mumbled still feeling the effects of the fleeting kiss; his lips tingled as though they had been electrified.
Three days later saw Harry settling back into the place he had called home for many years a place he never thought he'd see again. His stomach had churned from the time they set foot through the entrance gates until he was safely in his room. Trying his best to squash the feeling and remind himself why he had come back, Harry unpacked his belongings and took a hot shower. Severus had the room next to his, with a connecting door and was meeting him in an hour for dinner in Minerva's office. As it was the summer break the castle halls were empty and only a scattering of Professors remained behind.
Kingsley, Ron, Draco, Neville and Seamus had all been informed of Harry's return and asked that it be kept quiet. He was meeting them tomorrow to discuss how to progress with finding out who really killed Hermione. Kingsley and the others had never stopped investigating, it made things difficult when Harry had never been given a trial and therefore never allowed to tell his side, and when he was given the chance to explain, it was to a closed court and all they saw was his memory, the focus being that Cornelius had been unjust in his treatment of Harry guided by fear.
Refreshed and famished, Harry knocked on the connecting door and went through to Severus' rooms, the man was reading a copy of the Daily Prophet, looking up and smiling when he saw Harry.
'Hello love you ready to go?' Severus asked
Harry giggled at the endearment 'When did we get to the Love stage of the proceedings?'
'Quite some time ago Mr. Potter, perhaps you were otherwise occupied' Severus smirked 'if you'd rather I didn't call you that I understand'
'Don't ever stop' Harry replied
'I won't that I can promise you' Severus whispered
'Hermione can you hear me, please answer me Mione' Harry knew it was pointless trying to get a response from his friend, the blood seeping from her body and her fixed gaze was a clear indication she was dead. The counter-spell he needed the counter spell that would fix everything, but he couldn't remember what it was and the book had been reduced to a pile of ash. He had been about to gather her up in his arms when a voice commanded him to remain still.
Woken by Harry's frantic screaming, Severus flew out of bed and through the connecting door at a rapid pace. He was sitting bolt upright, tears streaming from his eyes, his breathing ragged, hands and body trembling. Severus did the only thing he could and that was to take the man into his arms and comfort him.
'Ssh it's alright Harry I've got you' Severus soothed him, rubbing calming circles on his lower back
'I couldn't save her' he sobbed into Severus' chest 'I didn't know the counter spell and I couldn't save her'
'You did all you could Harry, we don't know how long she'd been there before you found her, that spell may not have worked' Severus consoled him
It worked on Draco' Harry muttered
'Because I got to Draco quickly, whoever killed Hermione didn't want her to be found right away, their intention was for her to die' Severus explained, cringing at having to bring up past and painful events.
Harry remained silent for quite awhile and Severus wondered if he had drifted off to sleep, the sobbing has subsided and his breathing was beginning to calm.
'Will you stay with me, I don't want to be on my own' Harry asked in a small voice
'Of course I'll stay with you' Severus answered
Harry moved from his spot in the former Professor's arms and slid back under the covers, Severus waited a few moments allowing Harry to get comfortable before he climbed in beside him and laid his head on the soft pillow. The young man half turned and took Severus' hand in his and pulled him closer. The older man drapes his arm over Harry's waist and kissed the mop of unruly hair.
'Ron' Ginny called out hurrying over to her brother
The freckled Auror turned around and waited for his sister, he really didn't have time to chat so whatever she wanted he hoped it wasn't important.
'What do you need Ginny I am on my out' Ron said sharply
'Can't a sister come and say hello to her brother' Ginny smiled
'Not today' Ron replied 'is that all you wanted?'
'Yes' Ginny huffed 'go on off you go it's obviously very important'
'Extremely' Ron said and rushed off for the lifts
Ginny walked back to her department and slumped down at her desk, the letter she had for Harry, stayed in her robes. She had taken a chance and asked him to let her come and see him.
After everyone had welcomed Harry back, they sat in Minerva's office; a table had been conjured and took up the centre of the room. Kingsley was at the head of the table. Ron, Seamus, Draco, Neville, Harry and Severus seated on either side.
'I cannot stress enough the importance of keeping what is said in this room today quiet' Kingsley stated 'whoever is responsible for Miss Grangers death is still out there. Harry I would like you to go over what happened that day, take your time'
Harry sat up straight, one hand in his lap the other entwined with Severus' clearing his throat he began.
'Ron, Hermione and I had been working down hear Hagrids hut, Hermione was with us for awhile before going back up to the castle to see Professor McGonagall. Ron and I worked for probably an hour more then decided to have a break for lunch. We were heading for the black lake, Ron was behind me but stopped to talk to someone so I kept going, I had just gotten to the bottom of the steps when I saw Hermione on the ground bleeding badly, I tried to help her but it was too late' Harry broke down sobs wracking his body, Severus pulled Harry to him. Neither man cared that mouths were gaping open in surprise at the display of affection.
Minerva Harry the use of the room located behind her desk, allowing him a few minutes to compose himself and gather his thoughts. Her heart broke to see him so distraught and broken she prayed that this recounting of what happened that horrible day would prove to be of some use towards catching whoever did kill Hermione granger.
Curling himself into a ball on the sofa, Harry rest his head on his arm, head pounding and heart aching, he closed his eyes in an attempt to ease at least some of the pain. Severus knelt down in front of him and carefully brushed hair out of his eyes, making smooth circles on his temples, guessing something of a monster of a headache was brewing. Harry opened his eyes and green met obsidian orbs, the warmth in them was enough to spark tears in his eyes. Severus wiped them away with the pad of this thumb, eyes never leaving Harry's.
'Thank you for being here' Harry said quietly
'I wouldn't be anywhere else' Severus replied
'Sev is it ok that I love you?' Harry asked
'It's more than ok, it's wonderful' Severus smiled
'I want this to be over' he said sadly
'Me too, are you ready to go back?' Severus asked
'No but I'll go anyway' Harry said sitting up and placing his feet on the floor
'That's my lion' Severus said getting up from the floor and taking Harry's hand 'my very brave lion'
Together they went back out and sat at the table, hands clasped tightly together this time for everyone to see. No one uttered a word only smiled.
'Right mate?" Rom asked
'Yep' Harry said with determination
There wasn't a whole lot more that Harry could tell Kingsley, only that the Aurors arrived not long after he'd found Hermione then he was taken to the Ministry. Minerva confirmed that she had spoken to Hermione that day and hadn't seen her again until she heard the news of her death.
Ron told the Minster that he had been talking to his sister that day, but couldn't remember what about; everything thought had flown from his mind the minute he saw Harry being carted away by the Aurors.
When all the others had left the room half an hour later, only Kingsley and Minerva remained. Severus decided to mention the letters to him.
'Kingsley I have a question for you, there were several letters that I wrote to Harry after he was released from Azkaban and had left the UK, I sent them to you at the Ministry, Harry informs me that he never received them, which leads us to believe that they were intercepted' Severus countered
Kingsley furrowed his brow in thought 'I don't remember getting any letters from to pass on come to think of it' he murmured 'But why would someone want to stop Harry getting a letter from you?'
'Because of the book that Severus owned, the one that had the spell used on Hermione in it' Harry filled in the blanks 'In 6th year potions I used that book in Professor Slughorn's class as I didn't have one of my own, at the time had no idea it belonged to Severus or that he had once referred to himself as the Half Blood Prince'
'Did anyone else know that you had that book and it belonged to Sev?' Kingsley asked
'People saw me with it, but the only ones who knew it belonged to Severus and that he was the Half Blood Prince were Ron and Hermione, both of whom would never repeat it' Harry added 'So who ever killed Hermione wanted to stop Severus from speaking to me and finding out that the spell used was from his old potions book'
'Makes sense' Kingsley muttered 'Look I have to get back to the Ministry, if you think of anything else let me know'
Later that evening, Harry and Severus sat in Harry's room on the sofa, no one was saying much, both content to be in each other's company. Draco and Neville had come back to the castle and had dinner with pair, both expressing their happiness that Harry and Severus had worked things out. Harry had been trying to work up the courage to ask Severus something for the last hour, but every time he went to open his mouth words failed him.
'Sev?' Harry asked deciding it was now or never
'Mmm' Severus answered
'Umm would you stay with me again tonight?' Harry asked in a rush
'Of course Harry' Severus smiled
'Thanks' he mumbled
Walking into his bedroom an hour later, Harry caught a glimpse of Severus in black silk boxers, he near drooled at the sight of the lithe body in the bathroom completing his nightly routine, they hugged his arse nicely and Harry imagined other parts of him as well. Concentrating on something other than the sexy man in the bathroom, Harry collected his own nightclothes and sat on the edge of the bed, an obvious tent was forming in his pants, and Harry used his pyjama's to cover it, until he could get into the bathroom.
'All yours' Severus announced coming out of the bathroom
'Thanks, won't be long' Harry stammered hurrying into the bathroom, pyjama's still covering his groin. Taking his time, Harry willed his cock to behave, and for a brief moment it looked as though the appendage would comply with his request.
He scooted around to his side of the bed and climbed in quickly pulling the covers over him, once he was comfortable, Severus moved close behind him and draped his arm over Harry's naked waist.
'Harry?' Severus said after a few minutes of silence
'Yeah?' Harry answered
'There seems to be a problem with your pyjama's pants' Severus informed him
'Crap' Harry cursed 'Sorry it will go away'
Severus grabbed Harry's shoulders and moved the young man so he was facing him, his face was a flushed and he was trying to not meet Severus' gaze.
'You don't have to be sorry for reacting' he said softly 'I am flattered to have caused such a response'
'It was your boxers, you looked so sexy in them, it just happened' Harry said quietly
'Would you like me to help you relieve the problem?' Severus asked in a low sultry tone
'I've never done anything like that before' Harry said with an air of embarrassment
'Nor have I, but between us I am sure we can figure it out' Severus whispered
'Ok' Harry squeaked
Severus leaned in and captured Harry's lips beneath his own, he didn't rush, he simply allowed Harry to melt into the kiss, he was surprised when Harry parted his lips permitting Severus entrance into his mouth. Gently he took the tip of Harry's tongue into his mouth and suckled, before exploring and tasting the hot cavern. Breaking the kiss to allow air into their lungs, Severus kissed along Harry's jaw and neck, nipping lightly and licking the site with his tongue. The older man took a pink nub into his mouth and Harry near arched off the bed, breathy moans escaping.
'So sensitive darling' Severus crooned
'Feels so good' Harry moaned
'It gets better love' Severus purred working his way down the taut muscled torso
He removed Harry's pants and licked his lips as a long cock twitched proudly against his stomach. Severus ran his tongue the length of the shaft; Harry keened and writhed on the bed. Taking the head of his cock into his mouth and sucking gently Severus watched as Harry whimpered and mewled.
'I don't think I am going to last long' Harry panted
'Me either love if you keep making those delicious sounds' Severus replied 'have you heard of frotting Harry?'
'Yeah' Harry said
'Neither of us are going to last long tonight and frotting is a good way for us both to get pleasure'
'Sounds good, make it happen' Harry ordered
'Yes Mr. Potter' Severus growled removing his boxers and leaning over Harry.
Lining his dick up with Harry's Severus rolled his hips his cock moving up and down Harry's.
'How does that feel love?' Severus whispered
'So good Sev, so fucking good' Harry groaned spreading his legs wider to allow Severus more room
'That's it love spread those lovely legs, you're so beautiful like this Harry'
Harry moved a hand down and grasped both the hard cocks, fisting them in time with Severus rolling his hips.
'Fuck yes Harry' Severus panted thrusting forward a bit faster, desperate for the feeling Harry's hand around both cocks was causing.
'Fuck, just like that Sev, Harry grunted, feeling his orgasm looming 'I'm going to cum can't hold it any more'
'Cum darling cum all over my cock' Severus breathed, his balls constricting
'Sev, oh god Sev' Harry cried out spurts of cum covering his hand and Severus' cock, this spurred the older man to his own release shuddering as the orgasm ripped through him.
'Harry, Harry, Harry' he chanted, emptying himself over the younger man, his flaccid penis now limp against Harry's spent cock.
'That was wonderful' Harry panted muttering a cleaning spell.
Severus moved from between Harry's legs and lay down beside him 'it certainly was'
It had been nagging at him since the meeting at Hogwarts, as such Ron Weasley now sat at his kitchen table brow furrowed in thought. Surely it wasn't such a stretch to recall something from three years before, on the other hand traumatic events had been linked to ones memory becoming scattered.
'Have you seen my black shoes?' Katie asked him, breaking him from his stupor
'Sorry love what did you say?' Ron replied focusing on Katie
'My black shoes have you seen them?' she repeated giving him a questioning look
'Next to the sofa in the living room' Ron answered
Katie's footsteps receded as she walked from the kitchen and into the living room, Ron was settling back into his former quandary of memory problems, when it struck him. Jumping of his chair as if a giant spider had landed in front of him, he raced into the living room; Katie was seated on one of the armchairs fastening a buckle on her shoe.
'You're a genius' Ron praised kissing her cheek
'Thank you, but would you mind telling me why?' Katie smiled
Ron opened his mouth to tell her why, when the full force of what he had recalled hit him, sitting down heavily on the sofa, he covered his face with his hands.
'Ron what's wrong?' Katie asked coming to sit bedside him
'I've remembered what Ginny was asking me the day Mione died' he said hoarsely
'What did she ask you?'
'She was looking for Hermione, that's what she was asking me' Ron replied
'But she can't have been, she'd already seen Hermione' Katie put in
'What do you mean?' Ron asked puzzled
'I was in the castle near the entrance hall, I saw Hermione coming from one of the staircases, Ginny came out of the Great hall and stopped Hermione, they started talking and I kept on walking' Katie countered
'You're sure?' Ron asked more disturbing thoughts coming to mind
'Positive' Katie said assuredly
'Merlin help me' Ron breathed
'Ron what's going on talk to me' Katie said worriedly
'I think she killed Hermione'
'What' Katie shrieked, 'how in the name of magic did you come to that conclusion?'
'It's the only thing that makes sense, Hermione must have found out something she was doing and was going to tell me and Harry, but Ginny killed her before she got the chance, I was her alibi, she stood talking to me while Mione bled to death, in her sick and twisted mind she was saving me from being arrested'
'But why allow Harry to be arrested and sent to Azkaban?' Katie pondered
'Chance, punishment for only wanting friendship and nothing more, I'm guessing she saw that he and Sev were getting close and didn't like it' Ron said darkly
'How did she know the spell?' Katie asked annoyed she had more questions than answers for her distraught boyfriend
'Must have swiped the book from the Room of Requirement before the fire I don't know'
'You're going to have to go to Kingsley and tell him all this' Katie said soberly 'if it is her she needs to be brought to justice'
'Yeah, I'll go and get changed' Ron said distractedly getting up and walking to his bedroom.
Severus and Harry were enjoying a leisurely breakfast, sitting in companionable silence.
'Have you thought about what you'll do after this is all over?' Severus asked conversationally
'No not really' Harry replied 'I was focusing on finding out who killed Mione before I made any decisions, what will you do?'
'Minerva has asked me to come back and teach in the new year' Severus said evenly
'Oh well that's great' Harry murmured, getting up from the table and walking into the kitchen.
'I told her my taking the job would be dependent on what you decided to do' Severus said softly coming into the kitchen and putting his arms around Harry's waist
'Oh' Harry answered
'My future is with you Mr. Potter, where you go I go' Severus smiled
'You've planned ahead' Harry smiled wanly
'I have, now Minerva also asked me if a certain ex student and slayer of Dark Lords would like to come and teach Charms in the new year? Filius wants to retire'
Harry's mouth crinkled in a smile 'It would make this thing I've got going with the Potions Professor a little easier to handle'
'Indeed, and if we decide to take these opportunities there are all sorts of things we can do, because I would like you to move in with me'
'One of the perks of taking the job?' Harry chuckled lightly
'It's a requirement' Severus smirked
'Well in that case how can I possibly refuse such an offer'?
'You can't darling'
'How did I not see that she was the one responsible' Kingsley gasped
Ron and Katie had just finished explaining their theory; Ron was pale and trembling, holding on to Katie as if she were a lifeline.
'No one knew Minister, she is very good at pretending' Katie said disdainfully
'Harry will have to be told' Kingsley stated 'this will destroy him'
'I need to be there when you tell him' Ron muttered
'I'll call Minerva and tell her we are on our way' Kingsley got up from his desk and went over to the hearth.
An hour later everyone was gathered in Minerva's office, the same table from before was back and all those who had been in attendance then had returned.
'Harry there is no easy way to say this so I am going to just say it' Kingsley said his voice wavering 'Ron and Katie came to me this morning with a theory about who may been responsible for Hermione's death'
'Who, who was it?' Harry asked panic rising, his eyes darting from one person to the other
'Ginny Weasley' Kingsley answered
'What, Why?' Harry gaped 'why would she want to hurt Mione?'
'We think Hermione must have found out about something she was up to and threatened to tell you and me, Ginny panicked and killed her before she got the chance' Ron explained sadly
'But you were talking to her, when I found Hermione' Harry argued
'She was asking me where Mione was, Katie told me Ginny had spoken to her up in the castle, she was keeping me distracted so I wouldn't be arrested along with you' Ron added
'The bitch left her there to die' Harry raged 'why allow me to be arrested?'
'I am guessing she had my old book, and was using it as way to lure you back to her' Severus chimed in, slowly putting the pieces together
'What could have possibly been in there that she could have used?' Harry seethed
'She must have thought there would be a love potion or something that Severus improved' Ron put in 'Hermione must have seen her with it and went to confront her about it'
'The Burrow' Katie spoke up 'The night before she was killed we were at the Burrow for dinner, Hermione went upstairs to tell Ginny dinner was ready, maybe that's when she saw her with it'
'So it was her that wrote me the letter from Severus and stopped all his others one getting to me?' Harry said dryly
'I gave you that letter from Severus Mr. Weasley' Minerva said
'Yeah that's right I had come here to get your things Harry, I put it with the others when I got home, she must have found it. When she first started at the Ministry she was put in the sorting room until a job opened up somewhere else, it wouldn't have been hard for her to cast an interception spell on Severus' mail'
'How would she know they were from me, I sent them to Kingsley and charmed them so only Harry was able to read the contents' Severus claimed
'Your personal seal Sev, the one you used on all your letters when you were teaching' Harry replied 'She has seen that and figured out the rest, hoping it would giver her some indication as to where I was'
'I am so sorry Harry, I had no idea' Ron sobbed
'It's not your fault Ron, she had me fooled too, I really thought she was ok with us just being friends' Harry shook his head
'I will go back now and speak to her department head, I will organise a search of her desk and belongings based on information obtained through our investigations' Kingsley said fiercely 'Ron you go to the Burrow and see if you can locate anything there, I'll also have a word with Arthur, if you can tell your mum'
'Yep I will go and do that now' Ron replied
'Harry you and Severus stay here, once she has been arrested, you can come in and say your piece' Kingsley added
When Ron walked into the Burrow that morning with Katie, Molly gave them her usual warm welcome. Sitting down at the table Ron explained why he was there and what he had come looking for.
For several minutes Molly berated her son for thinking such heinous things of his sister, she only stopped her tirade when Arthur stepped through the flu, a look of deep sadness and heartache across his weathered face, that was when Molly knew everything her son had been saying to be true.
Molly Weasley collapsed on the kitchen floor of her home and was raced to St Mungo's, where Healers told Arthur she had suffered a heart attack brought on by the news of her daughter's crimes.
Ron continued his search at the Burrow and found numerous letters written to Harry that had never been sent, a diary outlining what she did to Hermione and why. Gathering them up he went back to the Ministry.
Ginny was at her desk, working on a plan for an upcoming Quidditch game, when Minister Shacklebolt and two Aurors walked into the office. Hamish walked over and greeted the Minister before commanding the attention of his department.
'Minister Shacklebolt is here to conduct a search, you are all to give him reign to complete this task, with out argument' Hamish announced
'Ginerva Weasley we have received information pertaining to the death of Miss Hermione Granger and believe you can help us with this' Kingsley spoke authoritatively. 'A search of your desk will commence, please move aside'
'I haven't done anything' Ginny protested 'why would I have anything to do with her death?'
'We believe you may have had a lot to do with it now move aside Miss Weasley' Kingsley ordered
'Whoever told you that is lying, I don't give you permission to search my desk' she said defiantly
'I don't need your permission, young lady I have Mr. Macfarlan's aside from that I am Minister for Magic and have every right' Kingsley said in a warning tone
'You won't find anything' she snarled moving out of the way
An Auror proceeded to search her desk, while the other was led to her locker at the far end of the office. Waving his wand over one of the desk drawers, the Auror removed a false panel and from it he took a tattered old potions book and several letters that had been addressed to Kingsley, with the senders seal on the back.
The Auror, who had searched her locker, came back into the office holding a large knife and another large pile of letters.
'Ginerva Molly Weasley you are under arrest for the murder of Hermione Jean Granger you will be questioned in relation to these charges and placed in a holding cell until your trial' Kingsley intoned
The Aurors magically bound her and led her from the room, frantic whispered conversations could be heard as the other workers expressed their disgrace at what the young witch had done.
Kingsley laid all the evidence out on the table in the interrogation room; two Aurors stood guard either side of her.
'We have undeniable proof that you killed Miss Granger, what I need to know is why?' Kingsley asked
'I have no idea where any of that came from, someone must have planted it on me' she snidely
'So this isn't your handwriting, this diary doesn't belong to you and you didn't cast an interception spell on mail addressed to me from Severus Snape?' Kingsley put to her 'Which we had tested'
'Nope' she said smugly
'Auror Wilkins could you fetch me a vial of Veritaserum from the store room please' Kingsley asked
'Certainly Minister' the Auror complied and left the room
'You can't give me that' Ginny snapped
'I have permission from your father, and again I am Minister and can take whatever measures I deem necessary'
The Auror returned and Ginerva was given a dose of the truth serum, before Kingsley resumed his questioning, he gestured for two people to enter the room. Harry and Severus walked in and stood nearest the wall, the young mans face a mask of rage and disgust
'Harry' Ginny beamed 'I didn't know you were back'
'Why did you kill Hermione, what did she ever do to you that was so bad you had to kill her?' Harry motored right over the small talk
'I did it for us Harry, she was going to tell you and Ron that I had the greasy bats potions book, it would have ruined everything and I couldn't have that'
'There was nothing in that book of use to you Miss Weasley' Severus intoned
'Actually there was, you had notes for an improvement on the Amortentia potion, I was going to use it when the time was right' she snipped
'That was fake, so if anyone did happen to steal my book and brewed that potion it wouldn't work' Severus replied 'there is no improvement for Amortentia'
'If you were so determined to see us together then why let me get sent to Azkaban?' Harry asked
'That was punishment for getting close to the dungeon bat and for ignoring me the day before' Ginny said sulkily
'You killed Hermione because I ignored you and was getting close to Severus?' Harry yelled
'No I killed Hermione because she was going to blab to you and Ron also for telling me to stay away from you' Ginny corrected him 'You got sent to Azkaban because you had blood on your hands and needed to be taught a lesson'
'You disgusting murdering bitch you make me sick, I hope you rot in hell for what you've done' Harry spat 'Throw the book at her'
1 week later
Harry stood staring at the headstone, watching as a wreath of yellow roses appeared at the base. He ran his hand over the engraved name, lingering as if to try and feel Hermione's presence somehow.
'Sorry it's taken me so long to come and visit' Harry said quietly 'I lost my way for awhile, We got justice for you though, admitted everything not that he much of a choice, has been sentenced to life in Azkaban you can rest in peace now'
'I knew you'd solve it eventually' a voice sounded behind him
Harry whipped around and saw Hermione standing behind him, her face smiling.
'Hermione' Harry gasped incredulously 'is it really you?'
'Yes Harry it's me' she said in that tone she used when either him or Ron said something dimwitted
'I miss you so much Mione, I'm sorry I ran away' Harry began to cry
'I understand Harry, you had to protect yourself, but you're here now and that's what matters' she smiled 'now no more tears I won't have you making my flowers all soggy' she chided 'Go and be with that handsome Professor of yours and live your best life'
'I will I promise' Harry vowed 'I love you Hermione'
'I love you too Harry' she blew him a kiss and was gone.
Harry smiled and with his hands in this pockets left the cemetery and headed back home to live his best life with his handsome Professor.
Fin