Disclaimers etc... See part 1

Author's note: I'm glad that Snapeslash finally has an official archive, but please do not archive
this fic. I plan on editing it heavily once I'm done. I'll archive it myself once I get there.

I foresee at least one more chapter before the epilogue. Maybe two. Yowza.

For those who wish to catch up: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=887404

and for those who like to see my ramblings: http://amireal.livejournal.com


Part 44

He woke up feeling much like he had the last several days, tired, sore and not in the mood to
move. Harry stirred briefly in his arms before settling back down again. A quick glance at the
clock on the wall told him that they had been there for the better part of 5 hours and felt more
tired that when he had fallen asleep. Considering the stresses his body and mind had been put
through, he shouldn't be surprised.

There was a soft knock coming from the door. Gently disentangling himself from Harry he stood
up and winced at protesting muscles. Younger than he was, but still not young enough to sleep
for 5 hours on a couch.

He opened the door to greet a tired looking Minerva. "Severus, may I come in?"

He stepped aside, "It is not my domain to dictate over."

She entered, giving a tired chuckle, "If its anyone's right, its Harry's."

He motioned for them to go to the far side of the office, on the other side of the room from the
young man sleeping on the couch. "Please, continue to remind me of how completely complicated
and impossible this situation is."

Minerva gave him a stern look. "Do not remind me of the complexities of the situation, I have
spent the last 5 hours thinking about them while you were relaxing in here!"

He put a hand up to forestall any more arguments, "I'm sorry. It has been horrible day for us all."

She blinked. "Well, it's nice to see he's been a good influence on you."

He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Manners, Severus. You're starting to have manners."

"However will I survive?"

They shared a moment of companionable silence before she spoke once more, "The horrible day is
not over, Severus. The children do not know."

He started, "You didn't tell them?"

Minerva removed her glasses and rubbed her temples, "I have not been avoiding it, there simply...
wasn't time. I didn't want to let the students out of their dormitories until we were sure it was
safe and then, by that point, it was almost time for supper anyway." She stopped for a moment
and put her glasses back on, "I figured if we let them all out at once, they could eat and then we
could..." She trailed off unable to continue.

He nodded in agreement, "And they will all be in one place..." He followed her reasoning. "And
I'd rather have a few children vomiting than an entire school unfed."

She nodded.

"Have you told Poppy to expect some sick students?" He asked, his mind already sorting out all
the problems the evening would bring. " I will have to bring Harry down. The students will feel
better seeing him."

She looked in Harry's direction, "Will he be up to it?"

He shrugged, "He needs to eat. I'll help him. Make sure there is a place at the head table. Might
as well make this a show everyone can see."

A quiet voiced called from the couch, "Severus? Professor?"

They walked to the other side of the room, Severus knelt next to Harry, "Yes?"

Still not opening his eyes Harry spoke, "Oh good, I'm not hearing voices... well more voices."

Minerva and Severus shared a look before he spoke, "How are you feeling?"

Tired eyelids made an effort to rise. Harry was still ashen, dark smudges marring the skin under
his eyes. Eventually tired, green eyes peered up at them. "Not sure." A slow blink. "Did the castle
always have a personality? Or is this a new thing?"

"Not new." Severus answered, "You're just more aware of it."

Harry closed his eyes again, "Oh good. Not insane."

"Who said that?" Severus asked.

Keeping his eyes closed, "Fine. More insane."

Severus chuckled, "Did you see that Minerva, he said I was right."

"Did not." Harry protested.

Severus shrugged, "Implicit, explicit, its all the same," he turned to Minerva, "I always said we
should offer the more basic courses, such as grammar and literature. There were would be far
fewer communication problems."

"Snob." Harry's quiet voice accused.

"Have I ever denied it?" Severus asked. The expected smart comeback from Harry was absent.
"Harry?"

"I'm here, sorry, it's just distracting."

"Harry," Minerva spoke up, "Did you hear what we were talking about?"

"Something about dinner?"

"That's correct." Severus answered. "We want you to eat dinner in the Great Hall."

Harry made an effort to open his eyes again, "Why?"

"I want them to know you're alive." Severus pursed his lips, adding, "When we make the
announcement."

"I understand." Harry struggled to sit up, "You're going to have to help me."

Severus gently pushed the young man back down, "Not now, we have a bit more time, gather
your strength."

Harry nodded and relaxed into the sofa, going still.

He gestured for Minerva to follow back to the other side of the room. Once there he hesitated a
moment, "Minerva... I... he asked... he expressed a sentiment to me before he..." Severus looked
at Minerva and saw a strong women trying desperately to remain in control.

"Yes?" Her rough voice asked.

There was no delicate way to say it, "He would have married you." he simply stated.

Her hand went to her mouth and she made a small sound of surprise and sorrow, "Oh Severus. I...
I don't know what's wrong with me." Her breathing hitched.

"Nothing is wrong, you are a fierce, proud woman who has had a tremendous loss. You are
allowed to grieve." He took her gently into his arms. "I know you want to be strong, just
remember that there are things to do and that you will feel infinitely better falling apart when they
are all done."

"When did you get to be so wise?"

"It runs in the family."

She pulled back to look at him, "Family?"

His lips twitched upwards, "You would have been my great aunt."

She looked so startled that Severus thought she might topple over and then suddenly she let loose
a beaming smile, he momentarily thought she'd lost it.

"Oh Severus, that actually makes me feel better."

Yes. Definitely lost it. He raised an eyebrow.

"Just the thought that he's not all gone. Something of him, however small still lives." She wiped
away an errant tear.

He shook his head in resignation, "Gryffindors."
______

Severus later reflected that it must have been an odd sight that greeted the students of the main
hall that looked up to see the back door opening. Harry was leaning heavily on him for support as
they made their way slowly to the head table. The room slowly quieted as student by student, year
by year, table by table noticed their entrance.

There were two empty places, Severus noted that they were closer to the middle than normal, but
then, he had asked for a show. Must make sure everyone can see them.

They sat down and he watched Harry, slowly and carefully take food onto his plate. He leaned
over and quietly said, "Tell me if you need something."

Tired eyes looked at him, "I didn't know you cared."

"I don't, I just don't want you to drown in your mashed potatoes."

Harry smirked, "Yeah, yeah and I suppose your new and improved back still can't take the strain
of carrying me back to bed?"

He quirked an eyebrow, "Who says I'd save you?"

Harry's eyes locked with his and a flash of their indiscretion from the hospital room appeared
before his eyes. The ridiculous nonsense that he'd uttered in what was a futile attempt to dissuade
Harry from kissing him again.

"Just," his suddenly dry voice cracked, "Just eat your food."

Eventually the students returned their attention to the plates in front of them and the volume level
returned to normal.

The time loomed closer and Severus found himself wishing he was back in his rooms avoiding it
all. This was not an announcement he wanted to hear, let alone take part in.

Eventually Minerva stood up and asked for attention, it took less time than normal. Children had
amazing intuition, especially when it came to adults keeping secrets.

"Children, thank you for your attention." She swallowed thickly, "As many of you may have
noticed, something unusual happened this afternoon. I'm going to be honest with you, because it
is simply what you deserve." She took a deep breath, "Voldemort attempted one final attack."
She paused to allow the students gasps of surprise pass, "As for him, we are certain this time that
he is gone. But there are other things I must tell you. In the course of defeating Voldemort, your
headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, sacrificed himself to save you." There were loud cries of disbelief
that echoed through the hall. She continued on, "Professor Snape and Mr. Potter were the last
ones to see him alive and I have asked Professor Snape to share a few words with you."

He stood up and began speaking through the sudden lump in his throat, "First, I would like to
assure you that Mr. Potter is in perfect health, he is simply recovering from a very taxing day."
There was a small sigh of relief that could be heard over the sniffling of the student body, "Albus
Dumbledore cared more for this school and its inhabitant than I ever thought possible, a few
hours ago he proved his dedication to the protection of this school by simply not allowing
Voldemort to use him as a hostage." The room had gone silent in the wake of his words, "I know
that many of you do not like me, that I am the least favored teacher here and that there are," he
paused, momentarily unsure of the word to use, "stories," he finally decided, "currently working
its way through the rumor mill, so I do not know with what grain of salt you will take this, but..."
he trailed off for a moment, lost in thought, "But, to his dying breath he made every effort to
comfort me. Trying to make me feel better about his death and I cannot possibly explain better
than that how badly I will miss him. How badly we will all miss him." He stopped talking and sat
back down again.

A strange stillness permeated the crowd. Deep, quivering breaths could be heard coming from all
sides. The students looked devastated.

Next to him, Harry was making an effort to stand up, "Help me."

Severus hooked an arm under his shoulders and took Harry's weight onto him. A placed a hand
on Harry's throat and whispered, "*sonorous*"

"Excuse me." Harry's trembling voice echoed through the great room. The students, once again,
silenced themselves. "I... I don't know what to say really."Harry wavered a bit "I always thought
it would be me. The one who lived finally dying, 17 years over due. He wouldn't let that happen.
That was why Voldemort was here, me. It was always why he was here. He saved my life and I
don't think I will ever fully grasp the meaning of that." He waved his hand and the banners of
Hogwarts turned black. Harry turned to him, "Can we go now?"

Of course, the whole hall heard it, but they said nothing. He removed the charm and led Harry out
of the room.
______


By unspoken agreement they headed back the headmaster's office, by pure technicality it was
Harry's anyway. Why not use it?

They settled back down on the Sofa.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked.

"Um.." Harry sluggishly repositioned himself, "Like I suddenly understand half of what Albus was
really saying." tired eyes turned to him, "Did you know he really DID have a word with the castle
about cooperating with us?"

"Somehow," Severus answered, "I didn't doubt it."

Harry continued to struggle to find a comfortable position, Severus leaned back and swung his
legs onto the couch, he then pulled Harry up and between them, leaving Harry's torso on top of
him, "Better?"

Harry nodded, "Can I ask you a question?"

"I thought we'd established that you would ask me weather I wanted you to or not."

"True." Harry stopped speaking for a moment, considering his words, "I've been thinking."

"Always a bad sign."

"Hush," Harry admonished, "I was thinking, since that night when we... well when we finally did
what the spell wanted I've been much more clear headed. Things started coming together and
began to stand out."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Just spit it out, Harry."

"Why are you being so nice?"

He sighed. A damn good question. One he'd been thinking about as well. "There are several
reasons. The most prominent however is... the spell itself I believe."

Harry tensed up, "What do you mean?"

"Well, things like this have a way of... acting in self-preservation." Severus fumbled for words,
unsure of what he was talking about, "It wants to live, because it knows the alternative..."

"The alternative is what?" Harry prompted.

"Insanity." He answered., the word leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "Without completion, we
most likely would have eventually lost our minds."

"Oh."

"Quite." Severus debated for a few moments before continuing. "Also. Malice requires a great
deal of energy. Energy which I simply do not have."

"What about sarcasm, how much energy does that take?"

"I will always have the energy for that."
______

While Harry lounged, semi-conscious on the sofa in the headmaster's office, several meetings
took place. Arrangements for now parentless students, a new semester schedule needed to be
made, the board of governors had to schedule a special meeting, funeral arrangements needed to
be made and as much as Severus hated to admit it, a press conference needed to be held.

The first of many tasks to be scheduled was the issue of Draco Malfoy's guardianship. Severus
summoned him to the office.

"You asked to see me sir?" Draco sat down in the chair opposite him.

"Yes, Draco. The staff and I have been busy trying to find everything that needs to be done in the
wake of... recent events." Severus looked at the blonde carefully before continuing, "You are
aware that you are three months shy of your 18th birthday?"

The blonde nodded. "Yes sir."

"And that you have been left without a legal guardian?"

A rueful smile, "It had crossed my mind."

Severus nodded in approval, "The ministry has given me permission to take on that role until you
come of age, we decided it would be the easiest thing to do."

Draco nodded. A small sound from the corner alerted him to Harry's presence in the room. "You
have something to say about this?"

Harry sleep muffled voice spoke up, "No. Nothing, we discussed it and I had no problems with
it... its just. I was thinking about it... and well..." He seemed to be racked with spasms.

"What, Potter?"

A mirthful look appeared on the young man's face, "Does this make me your step-father?"

A look of such horror came over Draco's face that Severus could not think of anything else to do
but laugh. Loudly. With great gusto. It could almost be called a guffaw.

Draco turned and glared at him, "You're not helping."

Severus regained control of himself and said, "I am finding that a world seen from the
technicalities is an interesting world indeed."

Draco was looking at him strangely, "Sir, you're starting to sound like him."

"Who?"

"Professor Dumbledore."

That stopped his cheer cold.
______

Because of the delay it would take to schedule the funeral, simply because it would probably be
the most attended event in 150 years, Albus' personal papers, his last messages, as wizards often
left them, were distributed accordingly.

There was one however, was marked to be shown to all of Hogwarts, as a whole. He and
Minerva thought it might be better to show it sooner rather than later.

The next morning, at breakfast, Minerva got up to make a short announcement, telling the
students of what they were about to see.

She opened the envelope and warm sparks flew into the air slow cascading down and creating an
image. Albus Dumbledore stood before the masses in all his twinkling glory and it was a most
painful image to behold. But the dagger cut deeper as he began to speak.

"If you are watching this message then I am most likely dead." the image began, "I am sorry, my
children that this is the last message that you will ever receive from me, because this was made in
the event that my demise was caused by Voldemort or the like. It pains me just as much to make
this as it is for you to listen, but please bear with me until I am finished. I do not often take the
time for grand speeches and preaching my views of the world, but I believe I may have earned it."

That earned a few sad chuckled from the crowd.

"My children, you have had the misfortune of growing up in troubled times. Times filled with hate
and anger and violence and death. Those are not things I would wish upon anyone, even those I
hated.

"There is much prejudice in the world today, based on blood, based on money, based on magic,
and even... based on the four houses of Hogwarts. I find that I must remind you that they are
simply that, houses. Built to put like minds together, in a hope that you will find it easier to fit in,
make friends. That you would come together and understand what working as a team really
meant.

"The house cup was a means to an end. Winning it meant more than having the most points. It
meant that you understood how you to get those points and keep them. I'm not talking about
behavior, because rarely was there an instance where behavior truly came into play enough to
ensure, or destroy a house's chances for victory.

"I would like to attempt to dispel the worst prejudice of them all. The Slytherin house. A noble
house, with a long and fine tradition. At least, that is what it was known as when I attended this
school so many years ago.

"Yes, it is true, Voldemort, Tom Riddle, was sorted into Slytherin, but that has little to do with
what he became, with perhaps the exception of how he did it. I would remind you that children
are eleven years old when they are sorted. Eleven year olds can often be mean, cruel and perhaps
a bit vindictive, but that can apply to ALL eleven year olds, whether they are Hufflepuff,
Ravenclaw, Gryffindor or Slytherin. But evil? There are very few truly evil children. Evilness
takes time to fester to grow, it becomes a part of you, it sinks in and takes hold with claws so
tight that it is almost impossible to escape.

"Ravenclaws are smart and intelligent. Hufflepuffs are loyal and true. Gryffindors are brave
beyond common sense and Slytherins are clever and sly. They are our spies, our intelligence
gatherers. They are our secret keepers and our most favored allies, because they are the planners,
the strategizers.

"As I mentioned, I too, once attended this wonderful institution as a student. I too was called to
sit upon an old wooden chair in front of everyone and have the sorting hat placed upon my head. I
too was judged for the qualities of my personality and was placed in a house. A house that I
cherish to this very day. A house that I hope will understand my actions, just as I hope the rest of
you will. A house that I call Slytherin, my home."

Severus' head shot up at the last statement, unsure if the visage of the man he had come to know
as the master secret holder had really just said that, but the astonished looks of the students
confirmed it, as well Harry's gasp.

It seems that Albus Dumbledore had once more managed to shock them all.

TBC...

*hands out hankies*

Please feed the author.