Er, I'm really sorry, but I don't have enough time to write out all of those responses anymore…I'm lucky I actually had a chance to write this chapter …

::sniffles::

The first 11 chapters have been re-edited.  Nothing really big, though…just redone a little.

This chapter's terribly short, but I'm just getting back into the jig of things.  I'll be writing a bit faster now…HOPEFULLY!  ::giggles::

The Fifth Marauder

By Alarun

Part 12

Severus Snape tapped on the window of the tower with his beak, perched precariously on Gryffindor tower's stone sill.  Hermione opened the window, letting the blood-covered gyrfalcon hop inside.   He transformed slowly, using what looked to be the last of his strength, because he stumbled and would have fallen to the ground if Harry and Hermione hadn't rushed forward to catch him under each arm.  Blood was streaming down the left side of his face from a nasty looking gash by his hairline, and his left hand was a mangled mess of broken bone.  Lines at the corner of his mouth and between his eyebrows showed them that Severus had aged from his time with Voldemort and his followers.  He looked like he was in his mid-twenties.  Snape's voice was harsh and rasping, and he only said two words.  "He's coming."

Hermione and Harry carefully set Snape down on the Gryffindor couch, Harry moving to pace in front of the fireplace, his wand tapping his hands, which were clasped behind his back.

"Sirius brought us here by floo, and told us not to leave until he came to get us.  He said that it's safer than being in your classroom, since the Fat Lady won't let anybody in without a password.  Lupin's transformed into a werewolf."  Hermione's lips thinned as she watched the rest of the color drain from the Potions Master's face.

"I know the passwords now.  I don't know what happened with Voldemort …I can't remember much, they must have Obliviated me…" He spoke as he walked past Harry to the fireplace, "I do remember him saying that he was going to attack Hogwarts, and soon, while the staff and faculty are out of action. 

"Voldemort decided that I wasn't much use physically trapped as a kid, so he added a few years.  I wish I knew how … 

"It's all my fault Lily and James died.  I remember it, now.  If only I didn't tell them …" Snape trailed off, wiping at the blood that was drying on his face.  There were small, clear tracks running down his cheeks.  It took Harry a second to realize that they had been tear trails.  The Boy Who Lived was watching him with red-rimmed eyes.  "I'm sorry, Harry.  Can you forgive me?"

Harry Potter didn't say anything, but he pulled the Professor into a tight hug and didn't let go for a long time.