I'm afraid I'm posting these chapters a bit outside of the right order. It doesn't matter too much as each works as a stand alone story. I will get them in the right order once they are all finished.

Severus.

As soon as Voldemort was gone Harry and Hermione burst out of the trap door and rushed to Snape's side.

Hermione knelt down next to Snape and looked at his injuries, it didn't take her long to make an assessment and she spoke to Harry without looking up.

"He's badly injured, aside from the fact that the snake bites are all full of venom, the sheer quantity of wounds mean that he's losing blood dangerously fast. As she was speaking she was pulling something from her bag

"Is there any way to save him?" Harry demanded

"I don't think so," Hermione replied bluntly " it's a safe assumption that this was the same snake that attached mr Weasley. And we already know that it's venom stops wounds healing. I don't know how to fix it, I know st mangos figured it out in the end but I never asked how. Her face was despondent and her words devoid of hope and yet as she was speaking she was uncorking a flask and pouring the contents down Severus throat.

"What was that."

"Self repeating Blood replenishing potion, it should stabilise him enough to buy me time to think.

"He's trying to speak" said Ron, who was standing a few feet behind the others, having not rushed to Snape the way the other two had.

Harry turned to look and saw that Ron was right, Severus was indeed trying to speak.

Harry crouched down and leant close to Snape's face trying to understand him, Hermione was doing the same on Snape's other side

"W….w….we. To….ok We…took…..pre…pre…. snaps closed his eyes seeming to give up, but a moment later opened them again. Pre….. pre….precautions" he managed then paused " …. i…. a..m I am. Im…. Im….I I am immune" he choked out finally before swiftly falling unconscious.

"Oh thank goodness." Said Hermione understanding instantly, a gleam entered her eye and her face set into a look of determined concentration. All helplessness was gone and she quickly leapt into action barking orders at the others.

"Harry I need dittany; a renovating draught, and a fenzwig potion. They are all in my bag"

She threw the bag to harry who caught it. Meanwhile she was already pointing her wand at the cuts and gashes and muttering a complicated spell, one by one the wounds slowly began closing themselves.

Harry didn't bother rummaging in the bag, instead, he used a summoning charm to find the requested items. In a matter of moments he had retrieved the three potions.

"I've got them" he held them out to hermione.

Hermione took the dittany and started applying it to the newly sealed wounds.

"Pour the fenzwig potion into his mouth and make sure he swallows and not chokes." She ordered.

"What is it" Harry asked while doing as she had asked

"It's a potion that heals internal injuries."

"Why the weird name" asked Ron who was still keeping his distance

"It's after the wizard who created it."

"How do you know all this, and where did you get all all this medical stuff"

Asked Ron sounding impressed

"Well after I didn't know how to help you when you got splinched I realised there was a gap in my knowledge, and considering the risks we are all taking right now and the fact that none of us can just waltz into st mungos I figured that we really did need at least one person with medical ability. so while we were at shell cottage I did some research, several of the books I had packed were medical text books I stole from Hogwarts library before we left last year. After that I made a list of of potions and cures I thought we were most likely to need and I broke into one of st mungos storage buildings."

"Your scarily brilliant sometimes"

"Thank you Ron"

She turned back to harry. Who had finished feeding Snape the potion.

"Okay give that one a minute to work then we give him this one" she held up the restorative draught "it will give him back some strength although he will need a lot of rest still. And it should wake him up"

She turned to Ron

"Make yourself useful" she said throwing her bag to him which he hastily caught "there's pillows and blankets in there pull one of each out please"

She turned back to check on Snape as Ron did as instructed and passed the items to harry. Harry carefully tucked the pillow behind snaps and laid the blanket over him.

Right, Hermione said after harry was done. Let's wake him up. and she leant forward to feed Snape the last potion.

It only took a few seconds to work. Snape's breathing became less ragged and he gained a tiny bit of colour in his face. As the potion began to take full effect Snape stirred. He opened his eyes and looked around then looked at Hermione, Ron, and finally Harry. he quickly grasped what had happened.

"You saved me" he croaked "why?!"

"I don't know. Why did you lie about the wand?

"I don't know what you mean"

"Yes you do. I know about the elder wand and I know that it belongs to the person who defeats the last owner. I don't expect Voldemort to appreciate the difference between defeat and murder but you and I do. Draco disarmed dumbledore before you got there. The wand became his not yours. So why didn't you tell Voldemort that the wand was allied to Draco malfoy.?!"

"It was the plan"

"What was the plan"

"To trick the dark lord, to make him think the wand was mine whilst hiding it's allegiance within Malloy"

"Who's plan"

"Dumbledore's"

"DUMBLEDORE'S?!"

"Yes"

"But you betrayed Dumbledore! you are Voldemort's spy. tell me the truth!. Tell me why l you lied to your master"

"The dark lord is not my master" Snape snarled with as much strength as he could muster. "for seventeen years I have obeyed nobody but Dumbledore I have done nothing but what he has ordered of me, I would have died today rather than betray him" Severus paused then added quietly "he saved me...from myself."

Harry could not doubt the honesty of Snape's tone but found it hard to believe his words. Snape saw the doubt in Harry's face.

"I will show you, all of you"

"How"

"Take each other's hands. And potter take mine. They hesitated for a moment then Harry took the lead, he grasped Snape's offered hand with one hand and reached for Ron with his other, Ron followed his lead, taking Harry's hand and reaching for hermione. Snape took out his wand and pointed it at himself

"Legitimenta"

Harry thought that It felt almost exactly like falling into a pensive and when the swirling stopped and Harry looked around they were indeed in a memory. To be precise they had entered Snape's memories

AN. See the chapter the princes tale. What happens in Snape's mind and what he shows Harry Ron and hermione is the same as what Harry sees in the pensive. Except that lily was like a sister to Snape not a love interest.

Harry's feel landed back in the door of the shack. He was in shock. He had just been given so much information and was barely able to process it. He guessed on some level he had always known that he wouldn't make it through this war alive. He had never really expected to. But to be given the final proof. Especially to know that Dumbledore had known all along and had planned for this moment was almost to much to bear. But Harry knew that he couldn't go to pieces. The others needed him to remain strong. And he had to hold his nerve for what he had to do next. This last deed would take a different kind of bravery than fighting, a different type of courage. But Harry knew hat he had to do it. He would meet Voldemort in the forest just as Voldemort expected him to do.

However before that he had one more thing to do first. Snape still needed help.

He looked down at Snape who was looking back at him straight in the eye but to Harry Snape simply looked broken. He had clearly relived the memories with the rest of them and something in them had affected him greatly.

"So now you know" he whispered "Now you understand, I am the reason they are dead. It's my fault. I betrayed them."

Harry decided not to respond to that and instead asked a question

"Why do you hate me so much"

"Hate you? Yes I guess I have hated you haven't I. But is it any wonder? I look at you and what do I see? I see the man who tormented me for most of my school life. I see the woman who was my only true friend whom I killed. And I see a boy, a man now I suppose who has had to live his life without parents because of my actions. You made me relive my worst every day, Is it any wonder that i hated you"

Snape looked down. Harry was astounded by Snape's honesty and amazed by the truth. He wondered why Snape was being so honest now And it occurred to him that in The moment when Snape had believed he would die he had given up. The man in front of him had lost all of his defences. And the one good thing about that Harry thought to himself is that it makes it that much easier to help him.

Harry lowered himself back to the floor in front of Snape so that they were on the same level.

"Severus" Snape looked up at the use of his first name "thank you for telling me the truth

"Harry felt no need to tell Snape that he already knew who had told Voldemort of the prophecy. Or to tell him hat he had held Snape responsible for a long time. After seeing the events from Snape's side Harry could not blame the man any longer. he had not known what he was doing.

"But even knowing the truth I don't blame you. You were just following orders you had no idea what Voldemort would do with the information you brought him"

"That's no excuse. I should have been stronger I should never have joined him"

"It is something of an excuse in my opinion. And many people have done things they later regretted. Even dumbledore himself was tempted by the dark arts in his youth. the point is that you realised what you were doing was wrong and came back to the right side."

"That doesn't redeem what I did."

"No, it doesn't . But it does redeem you as a person. In my view and clearly in the ministry's and Dumbledore's"

"Not in mine"

Harry continued undeterred.

"And look at what good you have done over the years . Big and small. You have tried to protect me several times despite your feelings towards me. That isn't the action of a bad man. And look at the last 3 years working at Voldemort's right hand, all the time trying to undermine him and to give us information. And this last year all the ways you have tried to protect the students of this school right under Voldemort's nose. Bringing me the sword. You are not bad or evil Snape. In fact I think it would be fair to say that you are the bravest of all of those who fight."

"I wouldn't go quite that far potter"

Snape seemed to be listening and the hint of snark suggested that harry was having an effect, however Harry could see that he would never really be able to convince him. He realised hat The only person who stood a chance at truly getting through to Snape was his mother and she was gone.

Then all at once several things clicked into place at the same time. He reached into the pouch round his neck and pulled out the snitch. Bringing it to his face he read again the words engraved in it. I open at the close. Hoping he was right he whispered to it too quietly for anyone else to hear "I am about to die." The snitch opened and revealed a hidden compartment. nestled inside was gaunt's ring. looking at the stone with fresh eyes he say that it was indeed the resurrection stone. He only hoped that it would still work cracked, but then why would Dumbledore have taken such trouble to get tit to Harry if it wouldn't work. He pulled it out and showed the stone to Snape.

"Do you know what this is?"

He asked, Snape looked at the stone and gasped.

"That is one of the hallows to be precise it is. The resurrection stone.

"Yes. Use it with me."

"But Harry it isn't safe" interrupted hermione

"Dumbledore left it for me, he must have intended me to use t" he turned back to Snape "use it with me." He said again "But remember it won't really bring her back. We can talk to her but then she has to leave,. to make her stay would be dangerous for us and torment for her. And we must only use it once. To use it again would be too risky"

Snape paused considering. And then.

"Very well" Snape reached out his hand and grasped the other side of the ring. Together they turned it here times. A cloud of smoke appeared and then solidified into two people. Lilly and James potter were standing In front of them Slightly transparent but very much there. Snape managed to scramble to his feet using the wall as a support and faced Lilly. While James ushered Harry to one side.

AN what they say to Harry is much the same as In The book. So I will be focusing on Snape's conversations.

Lily watched Snape gain his feet, Waiting until he was steady before speaking.

"Hello Severus, a lot has happened since I spoke to you last"

"Lilly I'm so sorry"

"Now now don't start that is wasn't your fault"

"Of course it was my fault I gave he dark lord the information that led him to you."

"Yes you did. But you had no idea that he would come after me, no idea what he would do. And besides you were following orders. My death is not your fault."

"Harry said something like that as well"

"He is a very wise young man. It's time that you stopped hating him for your memories, he is worth more than that. You could be very valuable to each other as friends."

"Perhaps." Snape subtly changed the subject. "Lilly I wish you would let me apologise, you can't deny that I had a part in your death"

"Alright, I will let you apologise if you let me apologise as well"

"What could you have to apologise for"

"Abandoning you in fifth year" she said simply "It was an over reaction, it was mean, and it petty. I was supposed to be your friend and family and I turned my back on you when you needed me. I am truly truly sorry Severus"

"Thank you Lilly I forgive you. I am truly sorry for my part in your death"

"I forgive you too"

"Thank you. And Snape meant it. as he accepted that he was forgiven it was as if a weight of ages fell from him. Lilly noticed the change

"That's better" she smiled. Snape returned the smile but then looked sad.

"I've missed you"

"I've missed you too Severus but I've been watching you and you have been so very brave. Be reassured there is something beyond this life. we will spend time together again someday"

"I wish I could be with you now."

"I know you do but you won't feel that way forever. You have your whole life to live, you have to grow old and grey before you join me"

"But you will never grow old and grey"

"Then you shall have to grow old and grey for the both of us. The groundwork has been laid, this war is almost over. A bright new world is about to begin and it is time for you to take your place in it Severus"

Snape sighed.

"You are right as always." he managed a smile which Lilly returned.

They stood in silence for a few moments then Lilly spoke.

"I need to speak with my son now and I think James wants a word with you."

"Very well goodbye Lilly I am grateful to have spoken to you"

"And I to you. Live well and be happy Severus you have been sad long enough."

"I will try"

Lilly placed a ghostly kiss on Snape's cheek and went to speak to Harry. James came to face him

"Hello Severus. Thank you for all you have done for my son. You have worked hard to protect him"

"You are welcome. I'm sorry that it was necessary, I'm sorry that you are dead, and I'm sorry for my part in your death"

"It was not wholly your fault but I accept your apology and forgive you. Will you forgive me for the way I acted towards you at school. I was immature. and shouldn't have tormented you the way I did. I am sorry"

"Thank you for apologising I forgive you"

"I wish we could have known each other as adults. I think we might perhaps have had a shot at being friends. I regret the bad memories you have had to live with.

"Neither of us can change the past."

"Very true. But you at least have a future use it well and try to be happy"

"I will. Thanks James."

"You are welcome"

Lilly came to stand with him

"We are going to go with Harry into the Forrest and it is time for him to go".

Snape turned to Harry and reached out his hand

"I apologise for the last 7 years. May I offer a truce?"

"I apologise as well. And I accept your truce gladly" said Harry taking Snape's hand and shaking it. He turned to hermione. His tone became businesslike

"Get Severus laying down and put some protection around him then both of you get to the castle and round up the DA. You have to kill the snake then you will be able to kill Voldemort. When it is over you must convince the order that Snape is one of us.

"We will do it all Harry we promise" said hermione she was about to say more but harry stoped her

"I have to do this there's no other way"

"This isn't fair"

"Life isn't fair. And war even less so. But this was started before I was even born and I'm bound to see it through"

"I wish there was another way."

"This is how it has to be. I have to end this"

She threw her arms around him tearfully hugging him. Harry extricated himself carefully and

turned to Ron. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn't find the words. "Goodbye" he managed at last.

"Goodbye mate" Ron replied gruffly clearly struggling with words as well then lurched forward to bug him too.

Hermione came to stand with Ron and Ron wrapped an arm around her. Harry stepped to the door then looked back.

Look after each other, live good long lives and don't let this war cast a shadow on your futures. Hermione and Ron nodded. Ron was clearly holding back tears and Hermione was weeping openly.

Harry turned and left the shack, his parents either side of him.

Hermione sniffed managing to stop the flow of tears and Ron wrapped the other arm round her shoulders, holding her close while she gathered herself. .

"Don't grieve yet he might be alright." Said a weak voice from behind them.

Hey turned to look at Snape who had now slumped back down into the floor and was groaning softly.

"What do you mean" asked hermione. Sure that she had Misheard.

"There was one memory I couldn't share with Harry" Snape said. Leaning back on the pillow and working to make his voice sound normal. "Dumbledore had a theory that if Harry faces the dark lord openly and without defending himself, both willing and expecting to die then there is a chance that the dark lord will end up killing the horcrux inside Harry but Harry himself might survive."

"Your sure"

"That he will survive? No it's just a theory. However Dumbledores theories had an uncanny habit of being right the vast majority of the time. There's no guarantee. But there is hope. We will have to wait and see."

Hermione swayed, taking in all that had happened and this new information. The rollercoaster that the day had been was almost too much for her but she rallied.

There was much more to be done Her demeanour and countenance became determined

"Right then. We need to get you settled down then get back to the castle"

"I will come with you" Snape tried, and failed to stand.

"No you won't! Harry is right you need to rest. Once it's all over you can go to the hospital wing but for now you need to stay here" she reached into her bag and pulled out a tent setting it up with a wave of her wand

"I thought the tent got left behind when we got caught by the snatchers" said Ron startled

"It did this is another one that bill lent me. It's smaller but I thought that we would need one. after all we were planning to move on after gringots. We didn't know we would be coming here."

"Your full of surprises" said Ron once again sounding impressed

"Don't try to walk" Hermione said turning back to Snape who was trying to get to his feet yet again "I will Levitate you in, Hermione levitated Snape and the two of them went Into the tent leaving Ron outside on guard. Inside it was indeed smaller than their old one with just three beds, a small living area and tiny bathroom. Hermione got Snape settled on one of the beds.

"Now I want you to promise to stay here till one of us comes to get you. I'm going to put the same spells around the tent that Ron Harry and I have been using so you will be safe"

Snape looked ready to argue but Hermione spoke first

"You are in no fit state to help you can't even stand. And in any case everyone thinks you are on Voldemort's side, the last thing we need is one of the order killing you after all the effort I just put in to save your life." Her tone was stern, her words sensible, and her eyes flashing with a fire that dared Snape to argue. He surrendered and relaxed back into the bed. . "

"alright I will stay here. You have my word."

"Thank-you." Hermione turned to leave. once outside she put the protective spells on the tend then her and Ron headed back up to the castle.