He strode to the bedside, "Why did you even bother…no, let me guess. No, let me just say that it will be a pleasure to pick him apart after whatever trial they may impose."
"Mr. Potter," McGonagall began, "How nice to see you again. What brings you back?"
"I swore to avenge Professor Dumbledore's murder, so that's why I'm here," Harry said hotly.
McGonagall looked at him over the tops of her glasses, "Then come with me, Harry. I have something to show you."
Harry looked at Snape's form in the bed and decided that it did not look as if Snape would be going anywhere any time soon. Crookshanks greeted Harry with a yawn. He then proceeded to mark Snape by rubbing his face and nose against exposed skin, and then he "kissed" Snape's temple as if to tell Harry to relax about Snape. Harry paid no attention. Instead, he followed the Headmistress to her office. After they arrived, McGonagall had the house elves bring up some tea and scones for a light breakfast for them. Dobby was especially pleased to see Mr. Harry Potter again!
"Come with me," McGonagall directed Harry to the pensieve. "Fawkes brought this to me yesterday afternoon late. You do trust Fawkes, do you not?"
"Good to see you, Fawkes," Harry smiled at the phoenix who had remained on his perch.
Harry thought for a moment then nodded that he did. Fawkes sang a song for him. It made Harry let go of the hatred for Snape for a few moments.
"Let us go then," McGonagall dipped her head back into the memory, and Harry fell through to the Forbidden Forest with her.
When they returned, tears had stained Harry's face.
"I know you want to hate Professor Snape," Minerva started gently. "However, I am hoping that you love the truth more than you have come to hate that man up in the hospital wing."
Harry did not know what to think. He was more confused than ever. So he just stared at his feet. Fawkes began to sing again.
"But he hates me!" Harry choked out as if that were enough to justify what he felt toward Severus Snape.
"No, child, he doesn't," McGonagall spoke so softly.
"Sure he does. He never liked me…never!" screamed Harry.
Minerva moved closer to Harry and touched his shoulder. She drew him closer. Harry melted into her embrace and wept. He heaved a couple of times and pulled back.
"My dear Harry," Minerva began gently, "You, in particular, have lost so much for one as young as you are. It would be easy to become bitter and mean."
Harry looked down at his shoes.
"Think about some of the adults around you. Severus, Remus, both had rough starts. Severus' father was cruel and Remus grew up without companions his own age. Both suffered losses in life at early ages, too. Granted neither lost both parents, but you need to know that Severus' father killed his mother, leaving him effectively as an orphan. Remus' father and mother lived under constant threat of death, even after Greyback attacked Remus. And that attack has left Remus poor for most of his life, as well as being an outcast. These men offer you two examples of how to cope with loss and deprivation."
Harry stopped looking at his shoes and pitched his eyes to look at his Head of House. He drew a deep breath.
"You have a choice, Harry. I know that the Headmaster would want you to choose wisely and choose in favor of love not hate. Hate makes Tom Riddle into a monster. Fear and anger drive potential friends away from Severus. Even other brilliant wizards and witches keep their distance for fear of his temper. Love, kindness, and forgiveness make Remus a much better role model for you," McGonagall concluded.
After some moments of complete silence, Harry offered in a whisper, "Professor Dumbledore told me that my ability to love is what made me different from Voldemort."
McGonagall smiled and stroked Harry's face, "Indeed, that is true."
"I have something I need to do, Professor," Harry added.
She nodded as he left. Fawkes sang again.
Harry meandered back to the Great Hall and greeted his friends at the Gryffindor table. He found Slytherins mixed in, too. Ron explained what McGonagall was trying to do. Swallowing his pride, he shook hands with the few Slytherins who elected to return to school.
"Where's Hermione?" Harry wondered.
"You know she made Head Girl, right, Mate?" Ron replied.
Harry nodded. They had kept in touch by owl. One or the other would send a letter at least once a week. Harry valued Hermione's friendship too much to let distance stand between them.
"Anyhow, she was up with 'him' most of last night," Ron went on. "She'll make a right good healer one day," he said with obvious pride.
"Why not say his name?"
"McGonagall's sworn us to secrecy. My owl to you was the last owl out last night before she closed the post," he told Harry.
Harry nodded understanding exactly why. He wandered out of the Great Hall and toward the Astronomy Tower. If he held a grudge toward Snape, he could only imagine how the Ministry would feel. But then the Ministry had never fully appreciated Albus Dumbledore anyway. Then, he began to reason that Voldemort would also be hunting Snape. Snape had no friends left in the whole world. It occurred to Harry, upon deeper reflection that Snape was about the loneliest person on the world, next to Voldemort. He began to mull over how Snape got into the situation he now found himself to be in. He reflected back on what he'd seen Snape endure at the hands of his own father and godfather. He remembered that Sirius had told him that his father had become more mature over time, but that did not make the terrible things and horrid names they called Snape go away. Nor did it take back Sirius' bouncing the unconscious Snape off the walls on their way back from the Shrieking Shack. Nothing would ever take back all the constant abuse Snape as a boy had suffered in relative silence. It was little wonder to Harry that Snape had the general disposition of a "junkyard dog." Harry began to feel miserable. He knew that he was now contributing to the ongoing mistakes made by all the players. He also knew he needed to do something about it – to make it right, if only he could.
Harry headed back to the hospital wing to see Snape. He hoped that the man was still alive, maybe even awake by this time. He found Hermione at his side, bathing him in cool water. Snape's fever was back with a vengeance. Hermione looked up, saw Harry, and covered Snape's body with her own.
"It's okay, Hermione," Harry started showing her his empty hands. "I'm not going to hurt him. I've actually come to make peace, if I can."
Hermione straightened back up, "Okay…"
Harry took anther sponge and began to wipe Snape down. He found the Dark Mark and silently noted the gash that crossed it. Crookshanks danced around the foot of the bed.
"So tell me what happened last night?" Harry asked. "And why is Crookshanks so happy?"
Hermione went through the events, explaining every last detail to him. She spent a good bit of time discussing Crookshanks' role in the whole affair.
"You need to get something to eat, real food. It's lunchtime. Why don't you go to the Great Hall, and I'll sit here with the Professor?" Harry offered.
After she left, Harry looked down at the still form of his former professor.
"You know, sir, I'm starting to think that I am as wrong about you as you are about me," he said softly. "I wish my dad had not been so cruel to you. I'd like to think that I've learned from my dad's mistakes. I wish you could see me for me and not see me for my dad. I'm not my dad."
He was quiet for a while.
"My dad had both parents. I had none. I had Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley for company. They treated me like I was a freak even before he found out I was a wizard. Uncle Vernon made me tell people I went to some special school for the criminally insane," he paused. "I'm telling you this because I want you to know that I'm not my dad. I want you to see me as Harry not James. I'm tired of living in his shadow. And I'm really sorry for what he and Sirius did to you when you were my age. It wasn't fair and it wasn't right. So there!"
More silence ensued. Harry could occasionally hear wheezing as Snape breathed.
"Can we start over, Professor? Please. I promise not to see you as that 'Greasy Git' or the 'Overgrown Bat of the Dungeons' as Professor Quirrell used to call you. In return, all I ask is that you not see my dad. If you have to see some dead person, see my mom; see Lily instead. But I'd really appreciate it if you could just see me for me. Can we just start over or at least call a truce? We are, after all, on the same side."
It was still quiet.
"Yes, I saw the pensieve that Professor Dumbledore left. Fawkes gave it to Professor McGonagall yesterday, just before Hermione and Hagrid found you in the Forest…" Harry stopped dead in his words. "Fawkes brought it to Professor McGonagall just before you were found…" He played the words over and over.
"Professor, I think I am beginning to understand just a little bit," Harry exclaimed.
Just then Hermione reentered the ward.
"Hermione," Harry said excitedly, "Did it ever occur to you that Fawkes delivered the memory from Professor Dumbledore just before you found him?" He pointed to Snape.
Hermione looked a trifle puzzled, "Not really, everything has been happening too fast to really stop and think about it. But, you know, Harry, you are right!"
"I'd better go tell Professor McGonagall about this," Harry hurried off as Crookshanks did another pirouette on Snape's lower extremities before nestling back down for a fresh catnap.
He caught up with Professor McGonagall outside her Transfiguration classroom.
Breathlessly, "Professor. I think I've figured out part of what is going on," Harry got out. "Have you got a minute, your office?"