MournfulSeverity how you plant ideas in my head! And in addition to her, I would mention, Lucyole and iNiGmA. To all the reviewers and quiet visitors, a heartfelt thank you.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my thoughts of AU and OC, the rest all belong to J K Rowling. Moonvale, can't thank you enough!

Chapter 13

After leaving Potter at the Quidditch stands, Severus made his way towards Hagrid's Hut. The half-giant gamekeeper of Hogwarts and the Care of Magical Creatures professor was thoroughly Dumbledore's man. In those early days, right after the war, Rubeus Hagrid was truly against Snape being treated in the castle away from the eyes of the world.

Unexpectedly, Aberforth Dumbledore had spoken on behalf of the ex-Death Eater's actions. To a remorseful Hagrid, he had pointed out the number of times they had seen Snape return in the middle of the night wounded and nearly dead.

Lastly, the keeper of Hog's Head Inn had revealed to the half-giant that he might not approve of many of his elder brother's schemes but he could appreciate how Albus, even while suffering under the dark influence of Voldemort's cursed ring, could manipulate the circumstances of his own death for the greater good. The youngest brother drew Hagrid's attention to how convincing Snape's act was all through the turmoil.

"Hagrid had it been me, I too would have picked Snape. That lad has always been loyal to Hogwarts. He just got lost for a handful of years, that's all. Can you see how heavily he had to pay for his lack of judgment! Give that man a chance, trust me, you will be surprised when you look under his snarky cockiness!" Aberforth patted the half giant's back before sending him off to the castle.

Hagrid did come to terms with the glaring facts when he remembered the Headmaster's blackened arm; he realized Dumbledore was truly dying. He could also see that even Professor McGonagall had forgiven the comatose Potions Master. Paying the former Headmaster's grave a visit, the man had accepted his folly and mumbled to the alabaster grave, "If he was yeh man, I will honour him, that's my promise to yeh!"

Quite often during lunch break, the hospital wing would find its furthest wall partially occupied by the half-giant sitting in vigil beside the bed of Severus Snape. He never spoke, just sat there brooding.

Once on his feet, Snape had to visit the Wizengamot for the short trial and Minerva had accompanied him. The Potions Master had spent the next couple of days both at Spinner's End and at the Deputy Headmistress' own cottage. When the two had returned to a newly renovated castle, at the beginning of the next term, Hagrid was the one to meet them at the gates. Giving Severus a half bow, he said, "Thank yeh fer everythin." Then he opened the gates wide and greeted Severus with his signature bear hug.

Things took their own pace in mending the barely existing relationship between the gamekeeper and the new Headmaster. At the end of five years, it had become a common sight to see the Headmaster help the still Care of Magical Creatures professor tend to the creatures under Hogwarts protection. So, when four days ago the half giant approached Snape in his office, he concluded something urgent had come up.

"Er, Headmaster Snape, if it is'n' a bother, can I be off for a couple o' days…'s my broth'r Grawp. He is'n' well. An' I miss him."

The Headmaster excused him immediately.

"I will tend to the magical creatures in the meantime Hagrid. But do send an owl, informing your time of return," before sending him off.

Now here he was with Fang, Hagrid's boarhound dog, at his toes, walking steadily towards the magical barriers that kept the valuable magical creatures of Hogwarts safe.

After feeding the herd of hippogriffs, he moved on mechanically to tend to the flitterbymoths. With the war behind him and Voldemort certainly dead, he had time to understand the importance of things he could never learn to appreciate. He had been a potions master for most of his life. He had been a dark arts practitioner as well. However, accepting companionship from fellow wizards and witches was a daunting task. Bereft of affection and distant from the bittersweet essence of relationships, he had transformed into an anomaly in this world where love and affection, hate and distrust, waltzed altogether on one grand stage. He had been so consumed in hate and distrust, he forgot what love and affection felt like; even its simple flutter was lost to him.

As he finally put a rather large pile of dog food in front of Fang, he sat by the barriers where the thestrals were kept and looked skywards. Shrouded by approaching darkness, Severus cracked a smile at the memory of Potter with his jaw hanging open. The young man still looked like his father but Snape had finally made an effort to see beyond the similarities.

Nearly a day after the Battle of Hogwarts, Snape had finally opened his eyes. He could not feel much of his throat and was told the potions were inducing the numbness so he could heal. He was fatigued and sleep, as always, was too inviting. He might have been awake for just a couple of hours. He was aware it was nighttime due to the candle burning beside his bed and the curtains were half drawn. He could see stars in the night sky were once again twinkling with childlike innocence. The fact that he was truly alive made the war, the suffering, both mental and physical, all seem like nightmares. Sighing to himself, he blinked and dared to daydream.

Someone cleared their throat. Flicking his gaze into the shadows before him, Severus saw Potter suddenly appearing with a bundle of shimmering cloth in his hand.

Cautiously, the young man came closer and bent over him. By the candlelight Snape could see his green eyes shining with compassion. He had tried to form a word but then hesitated. Seconds passed as Potter looked deep into his eyes and whispered, "Thank you, Sir. Um, I am going to keep the treasure you have entrusted me with for a little longer. I will return it to you once you have fully recovered. We are waiting eagerly for you to get well soon. Thank you again."

Smirking to himself, Snape mumbled under his breath, "I would have never put Gryffindors and subtlety in one sentence, Miss Granger. But then, you came and knocked all my established beliefs, opinions, and notions into Longbottom's exploding caldrons."

A/N: Snape is finally acknowledging Granger...