A/N Wow, I didn't expect a review that quickly.
Duj: yes, this is post HBP (sorry, forgot the spoiler alert) Neville/Snape. It's definately nonslash.
So if anyone is hoping for romantic action between Neville and Snape (gag! I don't even want to THINK about it, much less write it) go find yourselves another story.
The light widened and Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped through, wands at the ready. They were momentarily stunned to see me there, and I took advantage of that. The spell was already half-formed before the light had faded. A large bundle of ropes shot from my wand and wrapped themselves around Ron and Hermione. Darn. Harry must have had some kind of shielding charm or device.
Fortunately, he was still so shocked I had time to whip around and point my wand at him. "Don't move, Harry."
Slowly they regained their speech. All three started yelling at me. "QUIET!" I roared. That helped. They didn't expect any of this from timid, shy Neville. "I'll be happy to explain if you will hold your tongue for just a second." Harry's face was contracted in anger and his hand moved slightly. Despite my nerves, I smiled to myself. What was he thinking? We had fought together, shared a dorm room, trained together, for six years. "Hands where I can see them, Harry. I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you leave me no choice."
"Neville…" Hermione's voice came. Oh, I knew that tone. It was her I-think-you-are-doing-something-stupid-let's-talk-about-it-in-a-reasonable-mature-way-voice. I kept my eyes on Harry as I answered her. "Like I said, Hermione, I'd be happy to explain if you three guarantee me you will hear me out and not try to hurt either Severus or me. As you can see, he is in no condition to defend himself and I would die before I let you harm him."
Harry choked. "Neville, he killed Dumbledore. KILLED HIM!" he screamed. Severus moaned, disturbed by both the voice and the mention of the headmaster. "Harry, shut up and sit down. You are going to listen to me first. I know you have questions but I will only answer them if you can ask them in a civil manner."
They were perplex, and I silently pleaded that this would end well so I could tease them mercilessly about the looks on their faces later on.
Hermione nodded. "We will listen, Neville. How come you are here, with Professor Snape?"
Sometimes I just want to kiss her. She can be infuriating but at least she isn't as stubborn as Harry and Ron.
"I found him in the forest behind my grandmothers house when she was out. He was ill and obviously hurt. I knew you were looking for him and couldn't leave him there. So I brought him here, a secret hiding place from my childhood. We've been here for three days."
"But WHY? Don't you hate the greasy git? He's supposed to be your greatest fear." Ron demanded. I sighed, recalling what I had been thinking about only minutes before their arrival. Somehow it seemed hours and hours ago now.
"He hasn't been my greatest fear since the end of that third year, Ron, when I finally understood that he did what he did to help me. Well, tried to help me. I won't deny that his methods are questionable…" To my eternal surprise, Harry grinned. Maybe there was hope that this would end well after all.
"You'll have noticed, Hermione, that he never treats Crabbe and Goyle that way. Not because they are Slytherin – he yells at underachieving Slytherins as well after all – but because he knows it's useless. He was a jerk to me because he believed I was capable of much more. In fact, I owe both him and you a great deal, Harry. You see, when my parents were tortured, I was there." Three pairs of eyes widened. I swallowed, after all these years its still not easy to talk about mum and dad.
"I was there. They only used the cruciatus on me for a little while – kinda pointless, I was only a year old – but when the Aurors came, they obliviated me, trying to be nice. However, the combination of the cruciatus, the trauma of that night, and the memory charm locked a good part of my magical power away in my mind." I see sympathy on their faces now, they have momentarily forgotten to be angry with me for stopping them killing Severus.
"It was Professor Snapes constant pushing, as well as your training in fifth year, Harry, that finally broke through the barricades. I have spent much of sixth year training in secret. Anyway, back to the matter at hand…Professor Snape. When I brought him here and took care of him, I found a letter on him. You were supposed to receive a letter as well, Harry, but I take it you have been on the move and Hedwig hasn't caught up with you yet." Harry nodded. I sighed.
Severus coughed again, and I could see he was drenched in sweat. Wand still pointed at Harry, I put my other hand on his forehead. Burning up. Badly. Hermione saw my face. "Neville, will you untie me? I swear to you on my honor as a witch that I will not try to harm you or professor Snape. I carry a medikit with fever potions, I can help him." I hesitated a moment, then untied her. She is not a liar, she never was.
She drew something from her pocket, a tiny box. "I'm just gonna enlarge it to its normal size, ok?" I nodded. She enlarged the box and opened it. It contained a wide variety of potions. She took out two bottles. "This one is a strong fever potion, and this one will help with that cough," she explained. I recognized the color. She moved over to the cot and gently coaxed Severus into taking them. I don't think he was aware enough to recognize her because he didn't panic.
A snowy white owl flew in and perched on Harry's shoulder. "I would guess your letter finally caught up with you, Harry. I suggest you read it right away." Harry took the letter and stroked Hedwig. His eyes widened. "This…this is Dumbledores handwriting!" he managed to eke out. He opened the spelled seal; charmed to open to his touch alone, I knew. I had only been able to read Severus' letter after pressing his finger on the seal. I felt guilty about invading his privacy, but you see, as far as I knew then, he HAD killed Dumbledore in a fit of hatred.
"What did Snapes letter say?" Ron asked, curious. I shook my head. "I can't tell you. Harry's letter will have to do."
Harry, meanwhile, read the letter out loud.
Harry, my boy,
When you read this I am obviously dead by Severus' hands, as I had planned it. Yes Harry, planned it. Now close your mouth and stop sneering. You resemble my dear son too much when you do.
Oh yes, Harry, Severus is my son. Not in blood, but always in spirit. He fought so hard for our side but finally found himself in a situation he could no longer solve. His Vow would kill him. He knew that the moment he was asked to make it. He decided, however, to make the most of his last days and made it anyway.
He never told me. I found out about it from another of my spies. We had a huge row, as you can imagine. He would have died from that Vow without ever telling me what had happened! I could not let him. When I first started explaining to him what I wanted him to do he stormed out of my office and avoided me for a week. Eventually I dragged him up to my office and bound him to a chair. He had yelled himself hoarse after a mere hour or two and was forced to listen to me.
I told him, Harry, that he would have to fulfill his vow and kill me. That he had to return to the Dark Lord to protect Draco, and continue help you. I will not tell you any more of that day locked up in my office – it is up to him to share that with you, should he wish to do that. But be assured it took a great deal of convincing and a few blatant orders from my side to force him into this. I was, and still am, so very sorry that I have to put him through this. But my courage failed me; I could not bear to watch him die. I rather died myself.
I am sorry for the pain I caused you as well, Harry. But please, understand why I had to do this. You are strong, Harry, much stronger then you know, and I have faith in both you and Severus that you will succeed.
And always remember, death is but the next great adventure. We will see each other again some day, and go on some of those adventures together. For now, I wish you all the best.
Albus Dumbledore.