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Not Myself by Saerry Snape

Chapter 167 – The Truth in All Its Forms

"They know. How do they know?"

"Well we did storm two Death Eater fortresses together," said Harry.

"But still," exclaimed Niamh, halting in her pacing before Severus' fireplace. "How did they find out?"

"All they needed was something of Harry's and something of mine," replied Severus from where he slouched in his favorite chair. "A lock of hair, a fingernail, a drop of blood…anything with our genes. Hell knows Voldemort could have any number of things from me."

"He had my hair when we fought," said Harry. "His curse cut it off."

"Surely it didn't take them this long to see a connection between you two," hissed Mika. "Hell, anyone can see it!"

Harry scowled at him and Mika nodded, adding, "My point exactly. You both have that same damned scowl!"

"Every Snape has that scowl," said Severus. "And it doesn't matter how they found out or how long they've known."

"But why now?" asked Ginny. "Why not years ago if they knew then?"

"Because Voldemort knows that this is the last year he can try to kill me," said Harry. "He knows that the moment I am allowed out of this school, I'll come after him."

There was a small silence and then Niamh asked, "How do you know that, Harry? How can you know?"

Harry smiled coldly and lifted a hand to tap the lightning bolt scar over his right eye – his first scar.

"This connects me to him, remember? I told you at the beginning of last year he felt happy. Probably because he found the Gauntlet. Now he's afraid."

"Of what?" asked Mika.

"Of him," said Draco, looking straight at Harry. "He's afraid of him. And he has a good right to be. Hell, I am."

"Rest assured, Drake, I'd never hurt you. Unless I had reason to."

"Eh, that's always your excuse."

"Yeah, I know…"

Another silence spread across the room.

"By tomorrow the news will be all over the front page of the Prophet," said Severus. "Rita would have had a field day with this story."

"But she won't," said Ginny proudly. "She's trapped in a mason jar."

Mika blinked and said, "You mean that mason jar with the bug in it that's been on the common room mantle since fourth year?"

"Yes, that one."

"Whoops," said Draco, looking abashed.

"'Whoops?'"

"I sort of broke it a few months ago."

"No," gasped Ginny. "You didn't!"

"Sorry…"

"So she's loose?" asked Harry. "Well that's letting the fox into the hen house again."

"Actually," said Draco, "Pansy killed it. The bug flew over to her and she smashed it with a book. What exactly was the problem with it?"

"That bug was Rita Skeeter," explained Severus. "I daresay very few will miss her."

"I certainly won't," said Harry. "But surely there are other reporters out there just like her."

"There are but not as bad. But…we can do nothing to stop this. By tomorrow the truth will be out."

Severus smiled at his son and added, "By tomorrow we won't have to hide anymore."

A wide grin spread across Harry's face and he looked at his friends and father with joy in his emerald eyes.

"About bloody time!" he cried loudly, to which everyone laughed.

BOY-WHO-LIVED DEATH EATER'S SON!

It has come to the attention of this newspaper by way of a source

who wishes to remain anonymous that Harry Potter, proclaimed the

Boy-Who-Lived after he defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sixteen

years ago, is actually the son of a Death Eater!

According to this Prophet source, Harry Potter is actually the son of

Severus Snape, who was charged as a Death Eater but set free due to

the confession of Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of

Witchcraft and Wizardry. Snape, to those who do not know, is the son

of Septimius Snape, who was convicted two years before his son and sent

to Azkaban prison. He was Kissed two years ago and resides in the prison

to this day.

So, the wizarding world has been lied to. Harry Potter, the so-called Savior

of the our world, is actually the son of a Death Eater. He is, in reality, Harry

Snape.

What more, perhaps, have this boy and his father lied about?

Report by Ilar Theac

"There it is," said Harry as he looked down at his copy of the Daily Prophet. He looked up and stared at the faces of all his friends, who were gathered about him at the Slytherin table. Even Ron, Hermione, and Neville were there, sitting within the protective circle of their Slytherin friends. "Its all out in the open now."

Niamh forced a smile as she said, "Now you won't have to hide. You can be who you've always been."

"Not completely," said Harry. "Not until Voldemort's gone."

"Hey, Snape!"

Harry's head jerked up and he caught an orange that had been flying towards his face with reflexes honed by six years of Quidditch and four years of training. His eyes then traveled over to the Gryffindor table, where a fifth year was standing, glaring at him.

"Death Eater scum!"

"Bastard!" howled Niamh. She was on her feet in the next instant, wand at ready. Draco, who sat beside her, was on his as well, gray eyes cold.

"No, that's Snape there!" shouted a Gryffindor back at Niamh. "Bastard son of a Death Eater bastard!"

"Shut up, you!" bellowed Ron, getting to his feet and turning to glare daggers at his Housemates. "You don't know what your talking about!"

"Traitor!" howled another Gryffindor.

"Silence!"

Stillness fell over the Hall as all eyes went to Dumbledore. The old wizard was on his feet, blue eyes cold behind his half-moon glasses.

"I will not have this," he said in a soft, dangerous voice that could be heard through the Hall. "I will not have this school broken apart by a simple truth. Messrs. Bannon, Tracey, and Lancaster, I wish to see you in my office. Now. Professor McGonagall, escort them."

McGonagall nodded and rose to do as such as Dumbledore continued, "A simple truth was revealed today, nothing more. Mister Potter – or Snape, as is his true name – is no different than he was before. He is still a member of this school and I will not see any student treating him differently. I fear for any who would do as such and caution Mister Snape to keep his wand holstered."

"Yes, sir," said Harry, rising slowly to his feet. His jaw was clenched tightly as he was forbidden to defend himself against any fool who would take him on.

"Very good," said Dumbledore, eying Harry. "Continue on, Professor. And continue with your breakfast, children. Filius, you are in charge."

Dumbledore turned to leave but was stopped as the tiny wizard stammered, "But…but, Albus – Severus is second behind Minerva, not I…"

"It would not be wise to turn this Hall and these students over to Severus at this time," said Dumbledore softly. "He knows this and will say nothing. Keep order, Filius."

"Of course, Albus."

Dumbledore nodded and left, glancing once at Harry as he passed him.

"Why did he tell you to keep your wand holstered?" demanded Niamh. "He practically told the school that they would attack you without the threat of being hexed!"

"He knows I spent those four years on the Elven plan," replied Harry. "But if he thinks that by telling me to keep my wand holstered will keep anyone who tries anything safe, he's got another thing coming. I wasn't a street rat for nothing."

"And we're not your friends for nothing," said Mika.

Ginny nodded and hissed, "If anyone tries anything I'll hex the Hell out of them. He only said you have to keep your wand holstered. Not us."

"Right," said Niamh with a glint in her eyes. She looked at Harry and growled, "Anyone that tries anything will answer to us."

"Hear, hear!" cried Amanda, Thomas, and Hermione as one.

Neville just nodded, looking rather pale, as Draco grinned.

"Well," said the blonde, "you've got an entire army of defenders, don't you, Harry?"

"And you're among them, Drake."

"Well, of course! If I wasn't, O'Feir here would curse me."

"Damn bloody right I would, Malfoy."

Author's Note

Twenty points to anyone who can figure out what the reporter's name spells!

And its loose! The truth is loose! Muaaaaaahahahaaaaaaaaaa!! ::cough cough:: Sorry. Random Frankenstein moment there…