Chapter 7 – Snape's Secret


Harry woke up and immediately remembered what day it was; Friday! Today Cho would be released from the medical wing and they would finally be able to spend time together. He didn't know what had come over him when he kissed her; all he knew was that he wanted to see her again soon.

He got up and showered himself before going down to the great hall. Since it was still early he was one of the first there; he decided to open his transfiguration book and review while he waited for breakfast. He already knew the work off by heart but since he couldn't read the book he had stolen from the library he decided to brush up one last time.

A half hour later Ginny sat down in front of him and looked at him suspiciously before breaking out into a big grin.

'What are you so cheerful about?' he frowned at her

'It's the look on your face; it gives it away you know?'

'Eh? What look?' he said with a puzzled tone.

'You've got a crush on someone!' she said still grinning

'I do not!' he said in a defensive tone.

'You must like her an awful lot to be glowing that much.'

'You're imagining it, I don't know what you're talking about' he glowered at her.

'Oh there's no need to be embarrassed about it, unless of course she's not human. You're not dating a Troll are you?' she giggled

'I'm not dating anyone, or anything; now if you don't mind I'd like to concentrate on this book.'

'Well don't worry, Ron and Hermione wouldn't tell me either. The only clue they gave me is that she has a flat nose.'

'Cho does not have a flat nose!' he retorted, but immediately clenched his teeth together.

 'So its Cho is it?' she said delightedly.

'I will curse you into oblivion if you spread this around.'

'Don't worry, I won't tell anyone; your secret is safe with me' she winked at him.

During the next hour the rest of school slowly started filtering into the great hall for breakfast. He kept his eyes down while eating his breakfast, but every time he looked at Ginny she was staring at him with an expression of curiosity.

He was about to tell her to look somewhere else when the morning mail started arriving and to his surprise an owl dropped a letter right in front of him.

'Hey that's Fred and George's owl' Ron exclaimed.

'Open it Harry, tell us what it says' Ginny added.

'Have you heard of the concept of privacy?' he snapped at Ginny

With an annoyed look on his face he got up and walked back to his dorm where he could read the letter in peace

Dear Harry,

Good news partner! Everything has been prepared and the plan is ready to be set in motion. The world will never know what hit it when our pranks are distributed world wide to every oppressed student! There's something else we need to discuss, but we can't do it by owls. We need to meet you right away, so next Hogsmeade trip you'd better be at the three broomsticks at noon or we'll try our latest inventions out on you!

Your partners,

Fred and George

If they couldn't discuss it over owls then it couldn't be anything good. Knowing them they probably wanted him to test their latest invention on his fellow students or something. He made a mental note to meet them tomorrow before getting his bag ready for class.

In the evening they had quidditch practice, and Ron focused hard on the mistakes they had made last game. They spent an hour practicing the positioning and tactics and then spent a second hour playing a scrimmage. Since their three chasers were trying to score on Ron, Dean, and Seamus, it left Harry feeling rather redundant. He spent the entire hour releasing the snitch and then hunting it down, but since there was no opposing seeker to compete with it felt rather pointless. When Ron finally called the practice to a halt they landed on the ground and got off their brooms

'Hey Harry' Ron said as he gave him a nudge, 'there's someone waiting for you'.

On the other side of the field he saw Cho, who looked slightly nervous as he approached.

'Hi'

'Hi … err you're out, that's great'

'Yeah, I can't play quidditch for another month though.'

'Oh, right. Well, I should go and …'

'Oh, can't I come with you?' she said with a blush.

'Err I was going to say I should go and shower'

'Oh no!' she said and looked mortified 'oh go ahead then, I – I'll see you around'

'Wait! Would you like to, err, do something later tonight?'

'Oh yes!'

'Do you want to meet at nine o clock then, and maybe we could go for a walk or something?'

'I'd love to' she beamed at him, 'I'll meet you at the gate then?'

'Sure'

When he met her at the gate they walked down to the lake together and watched the sun go down. The orange glow made the entire lake look like liquid gold, and they stopped sat down in front of a log to admire the view.

'So did you get in trouble after I jumped out the window?'

'Oh no, I pretended to be asleep; it was just madam Pompfrey making her rounds. Nice jump though.' She grinned

'Oh, Thanks.'

'So tomorrow is a Hogsmeade trip, do you want to go?'

'Sure. I'd love to. But err, listen, you don't mind if we briefly meet some friends of mine do you?'

'Oh sure, if you want to.' She seemed slightly disappointed at the question.

 'Well it won't take long. They're the two twins who played as beaters on our team.'

'Those two were funny. Why do you need to see them?'

'They're, ah, running a joke shop, and I'm err, kind of involved'

'Oh that's so neat, we could all use more laughs I think? Remember how everyone used to slip dungbombs under Umbridge's door last year?'

'Yeah, well they made me their partner since I gave them the money to start their shop.'

'Oh you did?'

'Well yeah, I didn't want to keep the money they gave me for winning the triwizard tournament, so I gave it all away to them.'

He looked over at her and saw that she was crying again.

'Err Cho, are you ok? Look, was it something I said?'

'Oh no, sorry,' She said as she rushed to wipe her eyes with her sleeve, 'that's just really great of you.'

They sat in silence again as the last rays of sunshine over the horizon were starting to fade. He was trying to think of something to say when she moved closer and rested her head against his shoulder. Unsure of what to do, he lifted his arm up and put it around her shoulder. They didn't say anything for the next half hour; they just sat there leaning against the log and holding each other. For the first time this year Harry felt truly happy again. He felt like he could forget everything that had ever happened to him as long as he was sitting there with her.

'Who's that over there? It's after ten; students shouldn't be out of the castle!'

A large shape came closer and he saw that it was Hagrid again, coming back from the forbidden forest.

'Is that you again Harry?? And who's that with ye? Oh Blimey, sorry' and Hagrid let out a big grin.

'We were just talking Hagrid' he said, as both he and Cho went bright red.

'Sure ye were; I didn't see nuthin'. I'll just be off now, and you two just pretend I was never 'ere.'

When he had left they looked at each other again and it was Cho who first spoke.

'Well suppose I should be going anyways, it's getting late, but I'll see you tomorrow then?'

'Right, I'll err walk back to the castle with you.'

They reached the bottom of the stairs to where they had to part ways and they turned and looked at each other.

'So shall we meet here tomorrow at nine?' Harry asked her

'Ok sure, well goodnight'

'Goodnight'

She didn't turn away however, but instead stared at him expectantly, and turning bright red he realized what she was waiting for. He leaned in closer and their lips touched for a moment, it felt wet and Harry was unsure of what to do next until she pulled away. She smiled and then turned around and walked up the stairs to the Ravenclaw dorm.

He lay in bed for hours that night, too excited to sleep and his stomach turning in notches. He could not stop thinking about her scent; sweet and subtle like a soft breeze through the wild grass, and her dark eyes which radiated life and beauty.

It's going to be a long night he thought to himself.

He met her the next morning at the bottom of the stairs and they walked together towards the gate where Filch was signing people out.

'So what would you like to do?' he asked her

'We can go choose Dobby's socks! I'd like to buy him a pair too since he was so nice to me. And we can go see your friends in Diagon Alley, since you're supposed to. Is there anything else you want to do?'

'Well I suppose we could do some early Christmas shopping couldn't we?'

'Ooh yes, I'd like that.'

As they walked past the lake to Hogsmeade she slipped her hand in his and smiled at him.

'Harry ... we are going out right?'

'Err yeah, of course. I mean, aren't we?'

'Well you never actually asked; to make it official you know?'

'Oh. Well will you go out with me?'

She grinned and leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

'I thought you'd never ask, of course I will.'

'Great' he grinned

In Gladrags wizard wear they chose out a dozen different pairs of socks for Dobby, and laughed as they switched around all they mixed them all up so that each pair was made up of different colors. After that they went to Dervish and Banges to look at all the magical items, and made a stop at Honeydukes to buy some sweets.

When they had walked around most of Hogsmeade it was almost lunch time and they went to meet Fred and George.

The twins were sitting in the corner drinking their butterbeers, and stood up as they approached.

'Harry! Glad you could make it mate!'

'Yeah have a seat pal, butterbeer is on us.'

'Thanks, oh this is my fr - girlfriend, Cho Chang.'

'Delighted to meet you' Fred said, 'you're the Ravenclaw seeker right?'

'Not bad Harry' George whispered to him as he gave him a friendly nudge, 'and older than you too! Very nice!'

'So what's so urgent?' Harry asked as they sat down and George ordered four more butterbeers.

'Well we finished the catalogs; here take a look' and he pulled a thick volume from his bag and put it on the table. Inside were detailed and illustrated explanations of all the different items and their various prices.

'Wow, you guys have really expanded your inventory!'

'Yeah' George grinned, we reckon we've found our calling in life, we have. Been working like house-elves trying to get this done.'

'Which brings us to the next point in the plan' Fred continued; 'advertising!'

'We need you to start distributing these around Hogwarts you see? Start the ball rolling, spread the word of mouth. We'd ask Ron but mom would kill him if she found out. So are you in?'

'Yeah of course' he grinned

'So am I' Cho jumped in; 'I'd be happy to pass these around Ravenclaw house'

'Smashing!' the twins exclaimed, 'that takes care of Hogwarts.'

They talked for another hour after that, as they told him all about the business in exchange he told them the latest Hogwarts gossip. They were delighted to hear about Ron and Hermione, though Harry made them promise not to tease him over it. When they had exhausted all conversation they said their goodbyes to each other and went on their way.

'They were really nice, I liked them.' Cho said as they walked the main road

'Yeah, but don't ever accept any gifts from them.' Harry grinned

He looked over at Cho and felt warm inside. All his problems seemed to wash away when he looked in her eyes. She caught his stare and blushed but didn't look away.

The first week of December Harry walked to Dumbledore's study; he was excited because today he got to choose what he wanted to learn next. They had finished the apparition lessons last week; and he had successfully managed to apparate from the ministry building to Diagon alley, and from there to Hogsmeade, and then back to the ministry. He had thought long and hard about what he wanted to learn from the Headmaster, and his personal longings were conflicting with his common sense. He had always wanted to be an animagus but it wouldn't be that useful in the fight against Voldemort, and he knew he couldn't afford to waste time this valuable time pursuing hobbies. He had finally decided on asking if Dumbledore would help him improve his dueling skills even further. When he stepped into the office he saw that the Headmaster had not yet arrived, so he sat down into the chair and waited for him. The sorting hat was wide awake now and looked at him.

'Ah Mr. Potter, do you still think I put you in the wrong house?'

'No I suppose you were right' he said thoughtfully.

'Yes, very interesting mind you had. Very interesting, wouldn't mind having another look someday.'

He reached out for the hat, but at that a moment a voice snarled out behind him

'You have a habit of nosing in things that don't belong to you Potter'

'Professor Snape! What are you doing here?' he said shocked

Snape sneered at him and walked into the room.

'The Headmaster had to leave on urgent business, and he has asked me to give you your lesson this week. I can't imagine you've gotten any better at Occlumency, but we'll find out won't we?' he said still sneering at Harry.

'But we've already covered Occlumency.'

'Then we'll see if you can do any better this time won't we? And you will address me as Sir!'

Harry was furious, but he knew his anger would compromise his skill at Occlumency so he tried to calm himself down. Snape's sneering certainly wasn't making it easy for him.

'So take out your wand Potter, and prepare yourself. On three! One - two - three legilimens.

Harry did his best to block the attack, not letting Snape enter his mind, and it was definitely working. Snape looked taken aback, but he quickly recovered his disdainful attitude.

'So… you have improved, but that was an easy attack to fend off, and you were prepared for it. Even your father could have stopped that one.' He sneered

'HOW DARE YOU MENTION –'

'legilimens' Snape said and caught him by surprise this time.

The room swirled in front of him as memories started appearing in front of his eyes. He saw Cho Chang in front of him, and she was crying. She was moving towards him after the secret DA meeting – no! The memory quickly changed as he tried to fight it. Now he was back on the quidditch field, and she was lying there again in a pool of blood with teachers rushing for her. NO!

'Get … out … of … my …. Mind.'

For a moment he saw the room come back into focus but Snape renewed his efforts and he fell back into the trance-like memories.

Now he was at the ministry. He saw himself dueling with the deatheaters. He saw Sirius dueling with Bellatrix, and then he was hit with a jet of light …

'Noooo' he screamed!

His mind was filled with emotion, and it seemed to weaken Snape's attack. In a split second he cast the shield spell and Snape's eyes went wide with horror.

The room swirled again, but this time he could still perceive reality behind the things he was seeing. Now he was in Snape's mind, and Snape's memories were flashing in front of him.

He saw the skinny black haired boy being mocked wherever he went. He saw him crying in a corner when no one was looking, and plotting revenge against everyone who had made fun of him. The memory changed, now he saw the same boy looking very nervous, as if he was about to be tested on something important. The boy went to the great hall which was mostly empty, and walked straight to the Gryffindor table. Some of the other Gryffindors who were there looked at him curiously and thought as if they might pull out their wands and curse him. He walked straight to a beautiful girl who had green eyes and long red hair. His mother!

'Get … out … of … my … head Potter!'

'NO! Let me see!'

With a fanatical longing he poured every fiber of his mental strength into keeping the connection. He had to see his mother again! His emotions felt like they were tearing his mind apart, but underneath it all there was the burning desire to see the rest of that memory, and he forced all his desperation into the connection.

'What do you want?' the red haired girl asked him with a frown on her face.

'I was wondering … c-c-could I talk to you for a m-m-moment?'

The greasy black haired boy looked as if he was about to faint, but he managed to look her in the eyes while his hands shook.

'If you want to say something to me, say it here.' She snapped

'Well I was wondering if … if y-y-you'd go to the ball with me?'

The girl was clearly surprised, but the frown quickly reasserted itself.

'You called me a mudblood, and now you're asking me to the dance?'

'I'm … I'm really sorry about that, I  ... I w-w-wish I could take it back, I was so angry at the time …'

All of a sudden the girl's expression melted and she looked at the boy with sympathetic eyes.

'I forgive you Severus, but I'm afraid I already said yes to someone else.'

'Oh … w-w-who are you going with?' he looked as if he was about to cry, and the girl hesitated a moment before answering.

'Well … I'm going with James Potter …. but if you show up I promise to dance with you once Severus.'

She added the last part on very quickly. It was clear that she was trying to be as nice as possible; she knew how much they hated each other.

'You're going with Potter?' the boy said with a look of disbelief. 'But he's …. he's …'

The boy's eyes were filled with hatred now, it was almost scary to behold. His voice had become very cold when he answered.

'Have fun then Evans, I'm sure you two will make a wonderful pair' and after those words he stormed off. The memory swirled again. He could see the boy crying now, huddled in a corner full of anger and misery. It changed again, the boy was not much older but he was surrounded by adults. He was surrounded by men in dark cloaks, deatheaters, and he had his sleeve pulled up and his arm revealed.

'GET OUT!'

Harry had forgotten to keep forcing himself into Snape's mind out of the sheer shock of what he saw, and now the connection had been broken.

'HOW … HOW DARE YOU?'

Snape's face was white with rage now, he looked as though he were about to lunge forward at Harry.

'How dare you force yourself into my mind?' he yelled.

But Harry was still angry too, and what he had seen had come as somewhat of a revelation to him.

'So all this time it was jealousy that made you hate me, you're pathetic you know that?' he screamed back at Snape.

Snape was still shaking with anger, but he was sneering now.

'I knew your father was no good, I knew he was going to get her killed, and she was a fool for marrying him. She would still have been alive if it wasn't for your reckless father!'

His voice had gone into a cold fury now, and his face was filled with hatred.

'So that's why you hate me is it, because I remind you of your jealousy? It's pathetic'

'No Potter, your mother was too good for your worthless father, but she never saw it. She died because of him, and because of you! You're just like him, reckless and too full of yourself!'

'Don't say that about my father.'

Now he raised his wand and pointed it at Snape. All the years of abuse had culminated into this, the inevitable fight between them.

Snape had his wand pointed at Harry too.

'Attacking a teacher Potter? I wouldn't start something you can't finish, but I'll be more than glad to see you expelled!'

'I've had enough of you Snivel-!

'Both of you lower your wands NOW!'

Dumbledore had walked in the office and he looked angrily at both of them.

'Harry, go to your room immediately! I wish to speak to Professor Snape alone.'

He cast another look at Snape who lowered his wand slightly but did not put it away. It was clear that if the Headmaster had not come back at that moment they would have tried to injure each other. He lowered his wand too and then with a last look at Dumbledore and Snape he stormed out of the office.

Someday, he thought as he walked down the stairs, someday when I'm finished with this school, I'm going to settle this with Snape once and for all.