Friday night had finally arrived. After they had completed their revision session, Ron had gone off somewhere with Hermione. It was an open secret what they were doing, but for some reason they preferred to sneak around. Harry didn't understand it, but he was glad that his friends had found each other. The other fifth-year Gryffindor boys were in the common room, so Harry was alone. No one would ask what he was reading up here, all alone, and he was determined to make the most of this opportunity for privacy. He seated himself on his bed and drew the curtains around him to ensure that he would have some warning if the others turned up. Realising that this meant he needed some light, he whispered a quiet "Lumos," unsure why exactly he was whispering, but feeling it necessary. Rather nervously, he broke open the maroon wax seal on his mother's scroll and, unfurling the thick parchment, he began to read.
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25th August 1981
My dearest Harry,
I hope it never becomes necessary for you to read this letter. I hope that I will be there to tell you all about this, when the time comes. However, I have also learned better than to ignore my instincts, and they are telling me that this letter will be needed.
Harry, first and most importantly, you should know that I love you. I have no idea how long I have been gone from you, or how much you remember of me, but I promise you, if you need me, I will be there for you. Sadly not directly, if you are reading this, but somehow. Your father wants me to add the same sentiment, but like me, hopes that you never have to read of it in a letter.
If you need help, or advice, or just someone to talk to, and neither of us are there, go to Sirius and Remus. I have no doubt that Albus – Professor Dumbledore – will help you as well. I also very much suspect that Severus will be there for you if you need him. Whatever you may have heard about him, he is very much on the side of the light. Please don't let pre-conceptions and appearances blind you to a very good man. I know he has changed from the boy I knew I knew so well, but I still trust him, with my life and yours. I hope you will understand more of this after you read what I've left you.
I'm not sure how I should say this, but I think it will be best just to start. I'm giving you my diaries, dating from the time a few months before I entered Hogwarts. You may be interested enough to read all of them, however it is very important that you have read at least the one from my last year of school (1977-78) by the time you turn sixteen.
You should also know that all my actions were carried out with good intentions. I confess, I am unsure of the final outcome, but I chose my course in order to help you as well as him. An instinct, much like the one that directs me to write this letter, told me that it was necessary.
I hope so very much that it turns out to be correct. I hope that it does turn out to help you.
I'm sorry that I can't be there for you, and I'm sorry if I made a mistake. I hope that you will be able to forgive me, if forgiveness is needed.
Please be good to him, my Harry. I suspect that he will need you, although I know he won't admit it. And, I think you may well need him too. Help each other, and if you can, give him my love.
All my love,
Mum
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By the end of all this, Harry was more than a little bemused. What on earth was all this about? All he could figure out was that his mother had done something, that it perhaps had something to do with Snape and that it should all become clear after he'd read her diaries from her last year of school. Or at least, he hoped it would become clear. He was particularly mystified by the reference to the man that she wanted him to "be good" to.
He wanted to begin reading the diaries immediately, but there was no time. The others would be coming up soon, he had no intention of sharing this with them, and he needed to go to sleep anyway. Hermione was expecting him early for yet another revision session. And he thought that perhaps he ought to pay a visit to Snape. For example, to find out exactly why Harry's mother seemed to trust the man so much.