Chapter 37

You Wont Believe It!

"You wont believe it," said Harry shaking his head.

"What?"

Jinny Weasley looked up from the open book she was reading in bed. "Severus."

"What about him, Harry? I'm trying to read." She frowned into the pages and flipped one over.

"'Banishing Bogey Men'?" Harry looked nonplussed. "Why are you reading that for?"

"It's quite interesting. Funny to. Here it says, wave a gold ribbon into the eyes of the monster and utter, 'Diddly loma bilop.'" Harry laughed out loud.

"Sound's like a fake. Where in Merlin's beard did you get that thing from?"

"The library."

"Bogus magic if I've ever heard."

"Written by Muggles," said the flame haired girl. "Probably an interesting read for Muggle studies, their weird ideas concerning real magic and strange superstitions. Seen any of their UFO books published?"

"Hum," said Harry Potter wistfully and settled himself down beside her in the bed. "Some of the stuff that come about has some truth and scientific value to it."

"But non-magical folk are so...closed minded. I mean look at the strange stuff Dad brings home! There are easier ways to travel than by car."

"They have their ways," said Harry remembering his years living with Muggles. Not the most fulfilling years, memorable, but for the wrong reasons. "You know it would be too much for them to suddenly be told that monsters and other things really do exist along side real magic. Science does have it's virtues though. Muggles have a kind of magic in their own right."

"I suppose. Anyway," Jinny looked up from her reading. "What about Snape?"

"You know that girl, Taya?"

"Hum?"

"He and she... they are together."

Jinny closed the small book and placed in on the bedside table. She turned back quickly when the words registered.

"Severus Snape, the old greasy git has finally got himself a girl?" Jinny said wondrously. "Blimey, Harry. How do you know? She's the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher too isn't she?" Harry Potter smiled.

"Yea." For a fleeting second he remembered the other evening when he had seen them together on the banks of the lake. However, respect for his old potions master kept him from spilling the beans completely. Harry kept that little secret to himself.

He and Severus were getting on fine. Harry definitely didn't want their fragile friendship breaking on something so painfully humiliating, yet oddly funny at the same time. Harry smothered a laugh.

The arguing and sarcasm had began to diminish to at least mild cutting remarks. Sometimes there was even civility and politeness at unexpected moments, other times genuine fondness had began to peak out of Severus' iron clad masquerade. The main thing was that they weren't at each other's throats.

Perhaps Dumbledore had been right in offering him the job as potions assistant all along. Severus had even revealed some of his deepest feelings, a thing he would never had done five years ago.

Taya Matterson was good for him. She had helped him open up and embrace love and life not shut it away in an angry box never to be released.

Harry turned over on his side and studied the youngest Weasley offspring. She had grown into a tall willowy woman with long red hair and a pretty face to match.

Harry smiled to himself. He was glad Severus had found someone, glad there was someone in this cruel wicked world who could at least take away some of the terrible burden that had rested on his shoulders for years. Give him something that he himself had thought incapable off.

"They're in love," Harry muttered quietly. Jinny yawned.

"I'm pleased for him. It'll do him the world of good, but I can't stop thinking how on Earth he ever managed to snatch up some one like her." Harry smiled again.

"Dun know. I'll ask 'im."

"You really are getting close to that miserable old bloke aren't you?"

"He's not realy that bad." Harry nodded. "There is more to him than you think, Jinn."

"Must be." Her brow creased. "She was a student here weren't she?"

"Yea. Slytherin."

"Funny girl if I remember. Nothing like a Slytherin. I remember saying to Susan Bones that she seemed more suited to her house."

"There is a reason for everything," said Harry. His expression darkened a fraction. "I think they suit one another. He was hurt in the past. She's given him a lot to live for."

"Hurt? Snape?"

"I know it seems utterly amazing, but..." Harry's voice trailed off.

"Totally. I don't mean to sound if I disbelieve but he still seems as angry and as bloody minded as ever. I didn't think anything could penetrate that stone wall of his. Hurting." She shook her head. "I can't imagine anything hurting him. He just doesn't have the compassion for it." She shrugged.

"Severus had to keep up the facade. It'll cost him his image. Told me so, you see."

"And he just told you his life story? Just like that?"

"Not exactly. There is still lodes of stuff. Jinn?"

"Yea?"

"He told me he never hated me." He shrugged, Her eyebrows flew up. "I should have seen it before, really."

"Seen what before?"

"Severus and Mum."

"What about them?"

"You know those photos I was telling you about? The ones I found?"

"Yea."

"He was friends with Mum."

"Snape and Lilly? She was a Gryffindor. You know what his feelings are on mixed relations with other houses?"

"That's the funny thing you see. He loved her, A Slytherin, Snape the Slytherin not only was best friends with a Gryffindor, but he loved one too. That's probably why he hates Gryffindor so much."

"Severus Snape hates everyone. Harry, just because he was ill and nearly died doesn't mean you have to take pity on him. You've changed. Why all these strange so called new revelations?"

"Why? 'couse...couse she never knew. He was about to tell her how he felt, but she beat him too it and told him she was marrying Dad. He said he wanted me to have been his."

"And you believed his every word?" Jinny scoffed. "Sound's like he was taking the pee."

"Oddly I do. As I said there is more to old Sevvie than what first appears."

"Must be." She gave him a strange look.

"I know you don't believe," Harry smiled. "That's okay."

"Just don't let him squash you, Harry. I swear if that swine puts one foot out of line-"

"I can certainly defend myself."

"I didn't say you couldn't Harry. I ment emotionally. Just be careful. I know what you are like Harry Potter. Don't let the greasy creep get to your heart," Jinny murmured as she stretched over to extinguish the glow of a single candle. "He's not father material."

He curled up beside her and held on tight. Problem is, though. He already has, Harry thought shutting his eyes.