Chapter 10

Hermione was nervously standing in front of the portrait guarding Severus Snape's quarters. She knew that Harry was awake, but she feared how he would react to her apology. Would he forgive her? She was not even sure whether the Professor would be there since it was her free period, but she simply couldn't wait until the last lesson to talk with Harry.

After some time she took a deep breath and told herself, "Show some of your courage and just knock." Taking another deep breath she raised her hand and knocked.

When there was no reaction after a few minutes she raised her hand again to knock, but was interrupted by the portrait.

"No need to knock, my fair lady, they won't hear you. You're the one that wanted to apologize aren't you?" asked Salazar Slytherin.

Not knowing what to answer Hermione just nodded. She thought about asking if she could speak with them, when the portrait already continued, "Let me just go in and tell them that you are here. I'm sure someone will come and let you in."

Thinking that her Professor would open the door, Hermione was surprised when Poppy Pomfrey actually opened the door.

"Do come in, Ms. Granger. Severus told me to make sure that you wouldn't upset Harry, should you come over while he was still in class. There is no time limit for you, but naturally you will have to leave if Harry doesn't want you to stay," said Poppy and upon realising the nervous state the Gryffindor was in she continued, "Do not worry, Harry knows that you want to apologize and he is willing to listen to what you have to say. He rather hoped that you would change your mind, he also had counted on Mr. Weasley helping him changing your mind, since half of his family is gay or bi."

Hermione felt a bit less nervous about visiting Harry hearing that he knew that she would be coming and was alright with it. "I heard Mrs. Weasley yesterday, she had a long talk with Ron and although it was in the room next to the Common Room we could still hear her. Ginny told me that she wrote her mother about what Ron said when he read the article. I wouldn't want to be Ron right now. I can't understand why he insists on his opinion."

"Be that as it may I ask you not to mention any of this to Harry. He might be happier already than he was when he first woke up, but he is still not up to par and can get depressive within seconds. Try to avoid this reaction, however, if it should happen call me immediately. I'll try my best to calm him down again," instructed Poppy while leading her to the bedroom Harry was staying in.

Hermione slowly walked into the room. All she knew was that Harry was awake, but not how much he knew about what happened regarding her reaction.

Harry was sitting upright in the bed, reading a book about what she couldn't see. He seemed to be obvious to her presence, which made Hermione stop. Should she disturb him? Before she could change her mind, Harry closed the book and looked at her with a questioning look.

Swallowing the lump in her throat Hermione stepped closer and took a chair to sit down.

"Hello Harry…," here Hermione not knowing what else to say. However, when she didn't receive an answer she continued, "This isn't exactly easy to say, but I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I should have used the brain everyone praises, instead I just didn't think at all. I'm so sorry…"

Harry could see how difficult it was for Hermione to say that she was wrong about something and how sorry she was for it. "It's okay, you know. I sort of expected you to react that way last year. I hoped you wouldn't, but I know how many Muggles react to gay people and I had to consider that your parents might have that opinion, which in return they would teach you. I even had a back up plan… I wanted to convince you with Ron's help…," said Harry.

Hermione snorted before answering, "Well, Ron's an idiot. And Ginny said that half of her family is either gay or bi and I could overhear Mrs. Weasley yesterday when she had a talk with Ron yesterday. Funny thing is that they were in the room right next to the Common Room and you know how thick the walls are. That reminds me, Ginny asked to give you her best wishes."

"She shouldn't be angry with him on my behalf… and tell Ginny that I appreciate it," answered Harry.

Hermione smiled at that. It was typically for him to place others above him, no matter how much he deserved to be above them. "It's not only about you, you know. It's his opinion about gay people and the rest of the family. A family should hold together for all things, no matter what and Ron doesn't understand this. However, my parents do now. I was already thinking much, when I saw what happened at Kings Cross at the end of last year and I couldn't stop thinking about you before and after you told us. After some time into the holidays I decided to speak with my parents and telling them what I knew. That you truly haven't changed at all, except that you won't be dating a girl. They were pretty surprised by this and it got them thinking too… until they told me about my brother, that I didn't remember. They threw him out, when I was still small and now they're actually talking again."

"As long as things are getting better…" said Harry, glad that Hermione was truly excepting this.

Suddenly Hermione's face turned sad again, "To think that we had a family union, while you were hurt by your relatives with no one to go to. I wish I hadn't decided on waiting until the school year began to apologies."

"It's alright. You didn't know what my uncle would do… And while I'm not sure yet whether I will ever trust you as much as I did before, I'm willing to try to be friends again," said Harry after a while.

Hermione smiled relieved. This was more than she had hoped for. With her apology out of the way she realised that she didn't know what to talk about with Harry. He normally wasn't into talking about a book she read and she didn't know much about Quidditch and the last summer wasn't exactly a topic she wanted to approach. Looking around the room again she suddenly spotted the book Harry had read, when she had entered the room. Now she could see the title, which confused her a bit. It was a book for advanced Potion Studies. Even she didn't understand everything in it yet, having to look up a few terms used every few pages. So since when was Harry good at Potions?

"Since when are you reading books about Potions? Especially such advanced ones? Your grades were never that good, although you did improve last year."

Harry smiled a small smile before answering, "Well… that is one of the things I learned while staying with the Dursleys. They didn't like me being better than Dudley and unfortunately for me he was one of the worst students. I learned how to be as bad as him, while being one of the best. Once I arrived at Hogwarts and befriended Ron I did the same thing, only that I took Ron as the level I should be at. The only exception was Defence since the whole thing with me defeating Voldemort. It was expected of me to be good in it…"

"So why the sudden improvement in Potions? And you better not have ruined your potions intentionally," scolded Hermione with a smile on her face. This was a bit like their teasing relationship before everything went haywire.

Harry looked away guiltily, before answering, "No, I never intentionally ruined a potion. You remember Snape's reaction to me the first lesson, where he questioned me? It caught me really by surprise. I truly didn't know the answers and I didn't know how good I should be… He just, with the way he acted he ruined every interest in the subject I had before. I mean I took notes on his speech, when he thought I wasn't paying attention. I saw it as useless to try to give my best if the teacher wouldn't care either way. I want praise just like you do… and you know how he is with that…"

Harry was only glad, that he was still in the habit of calling his beloved Snape, when his friends were around, he most surely didn't want to explain to Hermione right now why he was calling him by his given name. He had not yet decided whether he would tell her or not.

"Only to well. So what changed that you suddenly got better, what changed your mind?" asked Hermione, curious as ever.

Another smile escaped Harry. He couldn't very well tell her that he started dating his teacher, who explained his reaction to his fame, but he could tell her something that hit close to the truth. "To be honest, I confronted him during a detention and in my anger I asked him of what use it would be for me to successfully brew a potion if he would berate me anyway. You should have seen his face at that. He prides himself in finding students who show a great talent in Potions and here he even talked his own professions bad with the way he taught. He explained some of the reasons why he treated me the way and I told him that I found the subject a little bit interesting. In the end he offered to tutor me, to show him that I could be good at the subject if I wanted. We went over every topic we had starting with the first year stuff… And after a while he allowed me to help him with lesson plans."

"Why would he need help with lesson plans? He seems to know what he wants to teach and I heard they never change much…" asked Hermione before she was interrupted by Harry.

"Well yeah… they don't change much, but a lot of my questioned seemed so simple to him, that he sometimes doubted my intelligence. Until I pointed out to him, that I didn't find this information in any course book, my relatives didn't know anything about Potions and he never told us. You should have seen his face at that, he didn't know what to say about it."

Hermione smiled now, too. "Now that you mention it, I only found it by chance in a book I bought in Diagon Alley and knowing the most students, they don't buy extra books. I sometimes think that everybody knows what I know. That's why I'm so frustrated if someone can't do something, but I think that I got better at realising that not everybody sees things as clear as I do."

"I know how difficult it can be. I once tried explaining a potion to Neville, something for his plants, and I didn't understand where his problem was, until…" said Harry, when he was interrupted by Severus entering the room.

"Minerva asked the other teachers for some work for you, so that you don't fall behind. They were kind enough to leave them with me. I hope it keeps you from being bored enough to ruin my quarters," said the Professor.

Harry could hear that his lover was tempted to kiss him, but he clearly kept it under control. It wouldn't do to have Hermione apologies to him, only to loose her again, because he was dating a teacher. They would have to do one step at a time.

"Thanks, it seems that I'm ahead of everyone in Potions, so let's see how I'll do in the other subjects," responded Harry, hoping that Hermione wouldn't question why he was talking to Severus Snape of all people in that tone.

Severus in the meantime was looking at Harry's visitor, who didn't seem to realise what time it was, "Ms Granger, I hope you are aware, that your next lesson begins in a minute. I'd hate to take points of you for being late to my class."

That was all he had to say to get he girl to jump and say a hasty good bye to Harry. He turned around and once he was sure that she had left the room he leaned down and gave his mate the kiss he had fought against for so long. Once they broke up for air again he told him, that he would be back once this lesson was over since it would be his last for the day. After another quick kiss he turned around and left for his classroom.

Once Hermione had left the bedroom, she realised that she had forgotten to ask Harry when she could visit again. She turned around again and pushed the still open door a bit further. What she didn't expect was to see her Professor kissing her friend passionately.

She was shocked by this, but realised that she should have realised this earlier. There were so many clues after all. Harry staying in his quarters, his bed even, Snape not being mentioned in the article while a mysterious Soulmate was mentioned and the fact that Harry's explanation of his improvement in Potion seeming to be incomplete. Hermione had no doubt that things started out the way Harry said, but the thing with the lesson plans and Harry's openness about not knowing something.

Chapter 11

Shortly after Severus left the Twins entered the room with a pleased look on their face.

"You should have seen Snape's face when we asked him to see you…," said Fred and George continued, "…yeah, he looked ready to run…"

"As if we'd pull a prank on him any second…"

"Or on you…"

"...which we'd never do, wouldn't do that to you."

By the time they finished their greeting Harry wasn't sure anymore who was saying what and he involuntarily smiled. Some things never changed and Fred and George belonged to this category.

"By the way, Charlie and Bill send their greetings…," said one of them and the other continued, "Their shocked by what Ron did. He has no reason to act that way. I wonder who taught him that…"

"…no Weasley for sure," finished the one on the right again.

Having enough of following their conversation like tennis match, Harry interrupted them, "If you'd be able to stop switching so fast… it's giving me headache."

"No problem." "We'll make an exception for you," nodded both Twins their okay.

Harry always liked how they always looked on the bright side of things, but he also knew that they could be serious. What nobody seemed to notice – although Harry suspected that Molly knew this too – is that the Twins never stopped joking, no matter how serious the situation, to lighten it, to remind people that there is still something worth fighting for, a reason why people risk their life. And they always managed to get him to smile.

"So, oh silent one, I heard you and Snape hooked up. Why didn't you tell us sooner?" asked whom Harry presumed to be Fred.

George continued, "We could have asked you to talk him into helping us with our research for pranks based on potions. He must know how we can replace expansive ingredients with cheaper ones."

"Do you always think about your pranks?" asked Harry smiling.

Fred and George looked appalled at the question, "Of course we do! Why would you ever question that?" asked both in sync.

Harry couldn't help himself but be happy, the Twins just didn't leave time for thinking about what had happened; they always managed to monopolise his thoughts when they were around. They were the ideal decoy and he had once suggested Sev to use one of their pranks as a diversion should anything happen. It had resulted in the Twins being allowed into the Order of Phoenix although they weren't allowed on any missions on accord of their mother.

The Twins and Sev had kept him updated throughout his sixth year which had him prepared for Voldemorts attempt to kill him at the end of the year, although it had taken him to mention that he would be attacked whether he knew things going on or not and if he had been aware of things going on he would have gotten help much earlier with things going on in previous years, especially his fifth which had ended with his godfathers death.

"So tell me about the things you invented since the last time we talked," said Harry.

They talked about pranks until Severus returned an hour later and Harry nearly laughed out loud when the first thing the Potions Master did was check him for any injuries. Without a second thought the Twins said their goodbyes and left the room, clearly not wanting to remain in the same room as Hogwarts most feared teacher.

Severus watched them leave the room before turning back to Harry, knowing that Poppy would make sure that nothing happened to his sitting room. Taking a deep breath he held up a letter and said, "The ministry just wrote. They set the date for the day after tomorrow. It seems that the article in the Daily Prophet sped things up a great deal and Poppy said that you won't be leaving the bed for longer than a short trip for a few more days."

"Does that mean I won't be going to the trial?" asked Harry in a whisper.

Joining his mate in the bed Severus answered, "Yes, that's exactly what it means and since Tonks and Shacklebolt already got your statement you won't be questioned again."

Although Harry didn't answer Severus could feel his relief at not having to go.

The day of the trial started out as any other day did. It was quite and peaceful, ignorant of the events that would take place in a few hours.

Severus woke with Harry in his arms and like every morning since he was allowed to hold him again since Dumbledore forced him to quit this relationship, he never wanted to let him go again. He came so close to loosing Harry and also he didn't know it until it was too late, he felt the loss of his child. Shortly he wondered if it was the due to the bond or something else, but shrugged it off; there would be enough time to work this out at a later time. For now he had to prepare for his testimony in front of the Wizengamot. Carefully, he stood up without while trying not to wake Harry up. Once that task was managed he went into the bathroom to do his morning routine (which actually included a nice hot shower). Coming back into the bedroom he went about the task of choosing the robe he would be wearing that day. It had to be one of his better robes since one can't just go there in his regular ones.

He was just finished when Harry woke up. He had enough time to realise that his lover was starting to panic due to his absence in the bed, before he was already fully closed on the bed, holding Harry in his arms, calming him down and repeatedly saying that he was here.

Once his lover was calm again he loosened the embrace a bit to allow Harry to turn around. Severus could see his puzzled look at the clothes he wore and before his lover could ask he answered, "I'll have to leave shortly for the trial. Molly will be staying with you in the meantime so you don't feel too lonely. I'll be back as soon as possible and tell you what happened. I think that they will use Veritaserum on all involved which will make the trial shorter, sometimes publicity is an advantage. It will make this a fast trial and without anyone buying their way out."

Harry only nodded, before looking at Severus and asking, "But you'll be back tonight, will you?"

"Of course, I'll be back by tonight. Don't worry about that, I'll never leave you again as long as you want me around," answered Severus.

Further discussion was halted when they heard a knock on the door and Molly entered a second later. Before the witch could say anything Severus stood up and said, "You arrived just on time, I was about to leave. Take good care of Harry and I'll see you tonight Harry."

The last part was directed at his lover and gave him a quick goodbye kiss before brushing imaginary dirt of his robes and left the room.

Molly took a short look at Harry and asked him, "How are you feeling today? Up for some nice conversation? I remember your keen interest in household magic; do you want me to teach you some?"

"I'm feeling fine. I was just a bit… I was scared when Sev wasn't in the bed anymore when I woke up and I'm still interested in it," answered Harry, glad for the change of topic. Molly Weasley always knew when to be tough about something and when a change in topic was needed.

Severus, Poppy, Minerva as well as Hermione Granger were one of the last to arrive in the courtroom. The rows for the witnesses were nearly completely filled with Weasleys, on the side opposite the door were two tables – one for the Dursleys along with their attorney and the other for Albus Dumbledore – and the stand for the Wizengamot was up front.

They quickly sat down next to the Weasleys and waited for the still missing wizards and witches in the Wizengamot to appear.

It didn't take long until the still empty places were taken and the head of the Wizengamot appeared. Unlike the others he remained standing and called order to the wizards and witches present before declaring, "The Wizengamot is here to clear the case of Harry Potter. The accused are the Dursley Family for abuse and neglect and Albus Dumbledore for sending a minor to an abusive household, risking the health of a student, knowingly sending a pregnant person to a place of danger which resulted in a miscarriage as well as keeping that person from his soulmate. The first witness will be Poppy Pomfrey."

Poppy stood up and headed to the stand that was indicated to her where a ministry official dosed her with Veritaserum.

Once the official had given the sign that the potion was doing its work the questioning began, "State your name and current occupation."

"Poppy Pomfrey, Hogwarts Medi-Witch."

"What happened the night of September 1st?"

Here Severus started tuning out the questioning. It wasn't as if this would be anything new to him, he had been there after all. Instead he started thinking about Harry again. He wondered how his lover was coping alone – well not entirely alone, Molly was there after all – with everything that has happened and the trial. Hopefully things would go their way, especially with his revelation as Harry's soulmate. Severus was sure that there were more than enough people out there who wouldn't like that and he could forget returning to Voldemort, not that he would be devastated by that, he hadn't wanted to resume his post as spy when the Dark Lord had risen again.

While he thought he didn't realise that Poppy and Minerva switched places and that some time after that Hermione testified their side of what happened, before they showed the recording of Harry's questioning. He even overheard his own name being called. Luckily for him Minerva had realised this and called him back into reality by elbowing him in the side.

He stood up and strode over to the same stand the others had stood and took the Veritaserum. Before it started taking effect by clouding his mind so that he couldn't think up any lies, he verified for himself the accurateness of the potion by the taste, coupled with the colour and consistence he had seen beforehand. And then the questioning began.

"Please state your name and current occupation."

"Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts."

"What happened the night of September 1st?"

"I was lying in bed, contemplating the events of the last school year and seeing Harry again, when I heard someone entering my quarters. I decided to pretend to be asleep in case this turned out to be someone who intended to harm me. As it turned out it was Harry. He left a letter on my bedside drawer and took a rest next to me, before he stood up again. A short time later I heard a noise and when I lit the room I saw him lying on the floor. I immediately placed him in my bed. I found no injuries which surprised me, so I read the letter which provided me with the answer I needed. Harry had somehow placed Glamour Charms on himself to hide the injuries. I removed as many as I could and when I saw the extent of his injuries I immediately called Poppy Pomfrey who then diagnosed and healed him."

"Why did Harry Potter go to your quarters any why did he know how to enter them?"

"He and I had a relationship for the majority of his sixth year until Albus Dumbledore told me to quit it. I hadn't changed my password since then and according to Harry he didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"Leave? Where did he plan to go?"

"He had planned to go to the Astronomy Tower."

"What had he planned once he arrived there?"

"He wanted to jump from the Tower since he didn't have the will to live anymore."

"Why did Albus Dumbledore told you to quit the relationship and why did you follow this order?"

"I was told to quit the relationship or be removed from my teaching position, on the account of favouring a student. I had to make my decision in a short time and was afraid to loose the relationship if I wasn't in Hogwarts anymore."

"Did you favour Mr. Potter?"

"No."

"Why did his grades rise?"

"I gave him additional lessons because he asked for them, like I would any student who asks."

"Why did you decide to end the relationship if you are soulmates?"

"This fact wasn't known back then. It was only revealed to me when I read the letter Harry had left me."

"Thank you. That will be all."

With these words the Head of the Wizengamot signalled the official who had given Severus the Veritaserum to administer the Antiserum.

Still a bit dazed Severus returned to his seat and listened to the Weasley Twins' description of the night they rescued Harry from behind bars.

After that Severus became even more attentive when Dudley Dursley was called up. The boy shook with fear when he walked up and given the Veritaserum.

"Please state your name and current occupation," began the questioning.

"Dudley Dursley. Student at Smeltings."

"What is your relationship to Harry Potter?"

"He is my freak cousin."

"What does this mean?"

"My parents say that he is a freak, so he is."

"How do you usually treat him?"

"I like hunting him and beating him up."

"Did your parents tell you to do this?"

"Dad allowed me to help him and I liked doing it."

Severus could hear how everybody in the room reacted to what the boy said. They were all beyond shocked. Still, Severus had the feeling that this was nothing compared to what was still to come.

A few questions later Petunia Dursley was called, who revealed the little food and care Harry received since the day he entered 4 Privet Drive as well as the fact that they only started when accidentally something happened and no wizard appeared to reprimand them.

Vernon Dursley in return revealed numerous beatings with various things like belts and whips.

The last to be questioned was Albus Dumbledore. Severus was anxious to hear what the old man had to say.

"State your name and current occupation."

"Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"Did you place Harry Potter with the Dursley Family?"

"Yes I did."

"Did you check on Harry Potter in the time with him being placed with the Family and his starting of Hogwarts?"

"No."

"Were you aware of the Dursley's treatment of Harry Potter as revealed in the questioning?"

"Yes."

Severus could hear many outcries at this. How could someone know about this and let it happen? No witch or wizard would do this to a child.

"Mr. Potter asked to remain at Hogwarts. When did he do that?"

"He asked at the end of every school year since he started at Hogwarts."

"Were you aware of his pregnancy when he sent him to the Dursleys at the end of the last school year?"

"Yes."

"Why did you send him back?"

"Because a child would have made Harry less willing to risk his life fighting Voldemort."

Here Severus could here even more people protesting.

"That is all we need to know. The Wizengamot will retire to discuss the verdict on the accused."

With this all wizards and witches stood up and left the room through the back door which led into another room.

TBC...