Haunted Memories

-Chapter Nine-

Harry's Revelation

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters within J.K. Rowling's story.

Harry closed his eyes and tried to shove all thoughts away as his head throbbed slightly from over exhaustion. His body was burning up as the fever took over him. Ron and Hermione were still stuck in the forest…he had to get help. Carefully he rose to his feet, trying to steady himself. He felt the world spin around him and he wanted to throw up. This wasn't good, how could he have gotten them into this situation? Why did he want to go alone? Tearing his eyes off of the road, he scanned his left leg. A large gash ran from his thigh to just above his knee. It was deep enough that the blood soaked through his pants right after being attacked. Harry tried to stop the tears from flowing. He was so close to destroying the last Horcrux! The darkness threatened to envelope him and he couldn't fight it any longer. One more step and Harry fell down the hill on which he had climbed and tumbled to the ground.

Out of the darkness crept a silent figure dressed all in black robes. The man stood over the fallen boy and scowled. His eyes wandered over to the boy's wounds and wondered how he had come to sustain such a mark. Carefully lifting Harry's head, he poured some potions into the unconscious boy's mouth and started rubbing his throat. Slowly, ever so slowly, Harry swallowed. The man took out his wand and ran it over Harry's leg. His frown deepened as he detected poisons seeped into the wound. Muttering under his breath, he lifted the boy's frail body and carried him to safer ground. Swiftly, they parted the forest completely and apparated away.

Back in a darkened shed, the man conjured up a clean cot and set the boy down. Making sure that he was breathing alright, the man in black stepped back outside and disapparated away. In the forest, he realized that all the Death Eaters had gone and for a minute cursed himself for taking so long. What happened to that insufferable know-it-all and the young Mr. Weasley? Walking more swiftly through the broken branches and burning leaves, he came upon the two young teenagers. They were hidden from view but had suffered when the cave in which they had huddled in had collapsed on top of them. The man narrowed his eyes as he waded through the rubble. Were they alive?

He levitated the heavy rocks away, surprised to find that they had been lucky enough to be wedged in a crevice, maintaining very little injuries. When finally all the rubble was set aside, he examined the two young teenagers and was satisfied that they would be alright. Taking the two youngsters, he apparated yet again, to the darkened shed. Placing both on new conjured cots, he gave them both a strong dreamless sleep potion. Then looking at Harry, he set to work creating an antidote for the poison running in the boy's blood.

Harry awoke from his dreamless slumber, much like that very night where he found himself in a darkened shed with his friends. He had felt much better with rest and had been surprised to find his wound healed. Hermione and Ron had no recollection of how they had found Harry or how they had end up in the same shed. Both were immensely pleased to see Harry alive and well though. Shaking his head slowly, he sat up and found himself still sitting in the very armchair he had been sitting on last night. Sighing, he lifted himself up and urged the blood to pump to his soar muscles, hoping the circulation would come back soon as he felt like tipping over.

Stretching out his arms, he massaged his neck muscles before yawning. Silently padding to the lavatories, Harry washed himself and made ready for the day. He wasn't at all surprised to see Hermione when he entered the kitchen. She seemed to have awoken at about the same time as him, if not a bit sooner. Her eyes changed colors in the light, sometimes a beautiful amber color; other times a dark chocolate brown. Harry had found that he could decipher what kind of a mood she was in by the color of her eyes. Today, he found her sitting down at the table reading the newspaper and sipping on some chamomile tea.

"I hope you don't mind me making some tea for myself, Harry. I didn't want to wake you."

Harry smiled warmly; she had obviously not seen him sleeping in the armchair. Stretching his legs as he sat down, he shook his head. "Not at all Hermione. As long as I get a cup as well."

Hermione laughed and waved a hand at the tea pot, which started to fill a cup with tea. Harry raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been able to do that?"

Hermione seemed distracted as she read the newspaper. "Hermione?"

The young woman looked up with a confused look on her face. Her eyes had changed to a dark chocolate brown and she looked pale. Standing up, Harry was alarmed at this sudden change. He walked over to Hermione and placed his hand on her arms. "What's the matter?"

Hermione shook her head and pointed at the headlines of the Daily Prophet. Harry looked over her shoulder and stared at the bright bold letters plastered across the newspaper:

SEVERUS SNAPE SPOTTED IN HOGSMEADE
Pregnant Woman Scared into Giving Birth

Rita Skeeter

HOGSMEADE – The acclaimed Death Eater and traitorous killer, one Severus Snape was spotted strolling down the High Street of Hogsmeade during the busy rush hours. Witnesses have spotted the dark clad murderer point his wand at any in his way, muttering curses and Unforgivables. There have been recent reports of having familiars killed during the night and children disappearing. Many believe that Severus Snape may be the cause of such alarming news.

As young Mrs. Amanda Filius strolled peacefully down High Street, shopping with her husband, Mr. Gerald Filius, she spotted our black robed traitor to Albus Dumbledore. With a shout of alarm, witnesses say that Severus Snape pointed his wand at her and muttered a hex. This in turn caused the seven months pregnant woman to start convulsions, leading to the birth of a beautiful baby daughter in Madame Puddifoot's Teashop.

The young mother has still to make an official report to the Ministry of her sightings but has offered us such information on his appearance. "Severus Snape is a terrible man. He has the same shoulder length hair and a dark evil look in his eyes. When I looked into them, they caused me to shudder involuntarily. It seemed like he knew what I was thinking and would kill me on the spot." Not too surprisingly, Severus Snape is an accomplished Occlumens and has incredible skills in Legilimency.

Severus Snape has no doubt left the poor woman in pain and left while commotion ensued afterwards. Aurors have been dispatched to look for the Death Eater, but very little is being told to the public at the moment.

Harry gaped at the article and stood transfixed as he read each line over again. Severus Snape spotted in Hogsmeade? He turned to see that Hermione was watching him carefully. Shutting his mouth, he sat back down across from her and tried not to stare at the papers too much. "Hermione. You don't honestly believe that trash that Rita Skeeter writes do you?"

Hermione hid her smile and shook her head slightly. "No, Harry, Rita Skeeter makes up a lot of things, but I'm now sure…Severus Snape was spotted by someone in Hogsmeade. The students heard some folks talk about it during their trip."

Harry sighed and rubbed his temples, which were starting to hurt him. His scar felt irritated and he decided to close his eyes. "Do you think it's possible?"

Hermione nodded and watched her friend close his eyes again. "Hermione, do you think he's innocent?"

At this, Hermione's eyes widened. Harry was watching her intently and she knew that she had to tell him the truth. "Harry… you know I believe what you say about that night. You know it. It's just that… well…"

"Go on." Harry urged his friend to continue.

"Well, it's just that, a part of me, a part that I don't understand feels that the man is innocent. That there must be something more to it than what we see. I have a feeling that there is something that we haven't found yet. Something missing."

Harry looked away for a moment. He could hear Hermione's sigh. "Harry, I'm sorry…that's just how I feel."

He shook his head and turned to her again, she couldn't meet his eyes. Lifting her chin to face him, he shook his head slightly and said, "Hermione, don't feel bad. I honestly wanted to know how you felt and you told me. I'm glad."

Hermione looked confused as she searched his eyes for any signs of anger. There was none to be found. "Harry?"

Harry smiled and offered her a biscuit with more tea as he sat down once again. "It's been five years Hermione. I had to figure some things out by now…"

Hermione's heart leapt at the words.

"Hermione, it might interest you to know that I don't think Snape had a choice. Though I'm not sure whether or not I believe him to be innocent…I'm still searching for that answer."

She sat there, her mouth dry and feeling hot from the heat which enveloped her. Hermione couldn't believe what she had just heard. Was this another figment of her imagination? She still doubted herself very much. Could she actually be going mad, contrary to what Remus thought? "Harry..."

Harry merely smiled and stood up. "Hermione, you are the only one I know who believes Snape to be wholly innocent. I trust in you to find that evidence which will prove he's innocent. Then…finally…finally maybe I can let it all go and forgive him."

He turned and without another word, left Hermione to her thinking.