Thinking
Harry sat at the scrubbed table in the kitchen at the Burrow for a long time staring unseeingly at the wall in front of him. A crumpled Daily Prophet lay next to his arm but he was disregarding it; the front page article hurt him more than he wanted to admit. For all the world to see, the headline read:
HARRY POTTER IS OUR SAVIOUR ONCE MORE
BOY-WHO-LIVED STAYS MODEST IN LIMELIGHT
The legendary Harry Potter has remained 'down to earth and modest despite the pressures he has been placed under' according to Minister for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet reporter. Six weeks on from the brutal battle between the quiet, delicate twenty year old Harry and the ruthless power of You-Know-Who's supporters, the Boy-Who-Lived has returned to his childhood friend's home in the village of Ottery St. Catchpole with his long term girlfriend Ginevra Weasley.
Our young hero has bravely stayed above the traumas of the last few weeks and has understandably declined comment on his teacher of six years while at Hogwarts, Prof. Severus Snape. The Potions master, whose current location is unknown, has not been seen since the last known clash between light and dark although a statement issued by the Education Spokesman, Andrew Davidson, has confirmed the rumours that Snape has been sacked from his job at Hogwarts School.
'He was not in a position to teach', Mr Davidson said yesterday evening. 'His dismissal was the combined agreements of both the Ministry and the Board of Governors for Hogwarts and it is a decision which will hopefully put many people at ease now that the dubious nature of the Professor is no longer a risk for those at Hogwarts.'
Since last month's triumph, the mental state of the Professor has not been confirmed, nor has the truth behind his motives during the last battle. When the Death Eaters finally retreated at the brave hand of Harry Potter, the unstable Death Eater reputedly 'calmly pocketed his wand without so much as a glance at Harry Potter and left the grounds of Hogwarts and Disapparated'. Another onlooker also commented on how the Professor was looking 'unnaturally unruffled, almost as if he had shut down his emotions, if indeed he has any, and was nothing but an empty shell. It is possible that he has already been subject to a Dementor's Kiss although this seems unlikely'.
Severus Snape is currently on the Ministry of Magic's 'Most Wanted' list and anyone who has seen him is requested to contact the Ministry as soon as possible. The Head of the Auror sector, Arnold Grey, has warned the public to 'remain vigilant and not to put their own lives at risk. We strongly recommend that no one approaches any known Death Eaters at all although Severus Snape is one who should only be approached by Aurors'. Unusually, the Aurors Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody and Nymphadora Tonks have so far made no comment on the current situation and are refusing to answer reporters' questions. The same response is seen from all the staff currently at Hogwarts.
Minster for Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour, today also called for an edict which will enable parents to monitor their children while at Hogwarts if…
Harry didn't know what to think; he hated Snape with all his heart and he always would. It was a direct consequence of the events of his sixth year: Harry couldn't forgive the man who had murdered his mentor and sent Voldemort after his parents all those years ago.
Still, if it hadn't been for the greasy git the month before…
The Death Eaters had been far stronger than Harry had been anticipating. Their spells had come so fast and continually that it was all Harry could do to block them, let alone fight back. Harry had felt, after about ten minutes, someone taller than him standing beside him and reeling curses and jinxes off faster than Harry could keep track of them. For a split second, Harry had been half convinced that it was Albus Dumbledore beside him but he almost instantly caught site of a thin, pale hand and black robes. Harry had recognised the wand instantly, having faced it on many an occasion while having Occlumency lessons.
Snape was attacking the Death Eaters and Harry had no idea why.
The Potions master didn't seem to be making any attempt to cast counter jinxes to any of the spells sent back at him by Voldemort's followers and instead just kept up a constant, unwavering assault on the Dark Lord's ranks. Some instinct told Harry to deflect the retaliating spells away from them both and he subconsciously waited for Snape to say something to him.
After what felt like an age, the Half-Blood Prince had hissed 'Now!'
Harry did as he was told and cast his first stunning spell against Lucius Malfoy just as Snape fired off his own curse. There had been a bloodcurdling scream, a dull hissing noise, loud cracks as the Death Eaters Disapparated, and then silence. As Harry gaped at the pile of ash in front of him where Lucius Malfoy had been standing moments before, Harry felt Snape slowly lower his wand next to him and Harry glanced at the Half-Blood Prince, half prepared to defend himself from Snape's wrath, but the Potions master's face had been as blank as a clean sheet of parchment. The Half-Blood Prince had cast a spell at Malfoy at the same moment as he had and the two spells combined had disintegrated the blond Death Eater into dust.
Coolly, Snape had pocketed his wand without so much as a flicker of hate, anger or relief on his pale face as he had unhurriedly stepped away from Harry. Everyone present backed away as Snape walked towards them, fear and loathing on their faces, but the Half-Blood Prince ignored them and threw up the hood of his black cloak, covering his face in shadow. Without a word, Snape headed quickly down to the gates of the school and Disapparated as soon as he could without looking back.
That was six weeks ago, and Harry had seen nothing of him since.
The Daily Prophet had been quick to label Harry as their wonder boy after the fight but Snape's role had been oddly dulled down while simultaneously blown out of all proportion in the wrong areas. The Prophet had made the Half-Blood Prince seem like a crazed, out of control lunatic who had no restraint over his actions. If you only believed half of what was printed, you would quickly come to the assumption that Snape was as capricious and unpredictable as possible; as insane as Voldemort and driven only by hatred and a lust for pain and violence. They also made Snape appear as if he had no control of his emotions, including his temper, when he came under pressure from Voldemort or his Death Eaters.
Harry didn't believe a word of it.
Snape had to be one of the most calculating, psychologically controlled people he had ever met. The Half-Blood Prince's true emotions were something he had an ironclad control over and he had never let his hold on them slip except on two occasions: the end of Harry's third and sixth years. Other then that, trying to get Snape to reveal what he was truly thinking was a pointless as trying to get blood out of a stone. Snape appeared to be able to shut down at will, his eyes betraying none of his real thoughts, and it was this ability which made him seem all the more distant and cold.
Although Harry was certain that what the Prophet was reporting was nothing more than out of proportion lies, he couldn't bring himself to say anything in the Half-Blood Prince's defence. Nor though, could he bring himself to the frame of mind to admit his hatred of the Potions master to the Wizarding world either. Snape, Harry had realised, had also given no indication of why he had done what he had and Harry was inclined to copy him. It just seemed to make life easier.
"Sickle for your thoughts?"
"What?"
Ginny giggled as Harry looked at her guiltily. "Now then, Potter, what have I told you about daydreaming all day when there's washing up to be done!"
Harry smiled genuinely although his voice was strained when he spoke. "Sorry, Gin, I'll do it now."
"Hey, Harry," Ginny said softly as her boyfriend made to stand up. "I didn't mean it like that. What's wrong? More lies again?"
"Yeah," Harry murmured, folding up the paper. "Nothing new, just loads more nonsense about how I'm a hero and Snape's a lunatic."
"Well, he is, isn't he?"
"I…" Harry hesitated, blushing slightly. "I don't know, Ginny. Maybe he is, and I'm not defending what he's done, but he did help, you know, at the end. I was losing…"
"I thought so too," Ginny added lightly. "That he helped, I mean, not you were losing. Snape's a git, no one's denying that, but he's not a psychopath. He's not insane; far from it."
Harry looked at Ginny sharply. "Why? Why do you think that?" he said, sounding almost pleading.
"He fought for you, in the end," Ginny said simply. "He stood beside you and fought for you; he didn't have to do that. Because I think he was on the same side as you are, I won't condemn him."
"Should I, you know, say something to the Prophet?"
"No," Ginny responded instantly. "Not unless it is what you want to do. Until then, I wouldn't say anything. Look, why don't we change the subject; you seen Hermione lately?"
"No," Harry answered quickly, taking Ginny's lead gratefully. "Have you?"
"No, I might go and Floo her now, actually. Put some lunch on, could you?"
For an hour or so, everything was relaxed at the Burrow; Ginny hadn't been able to contact Hermione but she just assumed she had been picking up supplies for Hogwarts. Harry had made some sandwiches and both he and Ginny sat together on the worn coach just enjoying each other's company. Suddenly, Harry tensed beside his girlfriend.
"Harry?"
For a long moment, Harry stayed motionless. "I don't know," he said finally. "I just… It was only a weird feeling. Like something was wrong."
"What kind of thing? You scar? Voldemort?"
Harry shrugged awkwardly. "I dunno. It just felt a bit strange."
"It was probably just the after effects of the sandwiches. Don't worry, it's perfectly normal to feel that way after you've cooked something. You can't make a couple of rolls without messing up at least one of them!" Ginny said jokingly, not taking Harry seriously.
"Huh?" Harry said vaguely.
Ginny smiled, trying to lift Harry's sombre mood. "You've got to stop 'zoning out, mate,' as Ron would say."
"Sorry," Harry said again. "Just after what happened with Voldemort… it just seems weird to not have to worry, somehow; at least until he's got his ranks back into order. I know it's stupid but I just can't stop thinking about what happened."
Harry dropped his head onto Ginny's shoulder. "I never thought I'd live to be able to do this," he murmured. "I thought thing's would…"
"Shhhh," Ginny interrupted quietly. "Some of the worst is over now for you; for almost everyone. It's only the Death Eaters who are having a rough time for the moment and they, quite frankly, deserve it."
"This isn't over yet, Ginny," Harry said agitatedly. "Voldemort's unharmed. No, this war is far from over. But there's something wrong. Right now," he finished with a small shudder.
"Come again?" Ginny said carefully, watching Harry closely. "What kind of thing is wrong? Voldemort…?"
"Maybe," Harry said slowly. "I guess… I think… it almost feels like someone's dying."
"Who?" Ginny asked, instantly afraid.
"I dunno," Harry muttered, rubbing his scar subconsciously. "Maybe I'm just imagining it. It just felt like someone was crying out for help somehow. I know it's impossible though, and the feeling's gone now. I think I was just imagining it," he finished more definitely.
"You never know, it could be Snape…"
Harry smiled cynically. "Not likely; he's had a rough enough time already over the last few weeks but when does Snape ask anyone for help? And, more to the point, when would Snape ask me for help? No, I think I'm just being paranoid, Ginny. It's weird though, I've got a feeling that things have changed somehow."
Ginny looked at Harry nervously. "Things never stay the same, Harry. Everything is changing, all the time, and what we all need to do is learn to move on. We've done it before; just put the past behind you."
"Fancy a game of Quidditch? One on one?"
"Boys…" Ginny muttered under her breath as Harry stood up, clearly not wanting to continue the conversation. "Hermione was right, emotional capacity of a teaspoon…"
Even so, she followed Harry out into the sunshine and allowed the Wizarding worlds' hero forget his concerns, at least for a while. As Harry dropped into a steep dive, Ginny's words came back to him.
"Things never stay the same…"
Ginny was right: things never did stay the same for any great period of time; the world was changing around them faster and more violently than they realised. Things were about to change forever, and the results of it would mean the world was not to be the same place as it had been, ever again.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed that and I'd love to know your thoughts on this so far (hint... hint...) Thanks very much to those of you who have let me know.
Charbar - Thanks a lot! I'm so pleased you like it and I'm glad you think my grammar's ok!