Title: Truism

Pairing: Implied or the beginning of… Harry/Snape

A/N: Alrighty then! So this is my sequel to Normalcy, which I have decided to make into a mini series. This isn't the last…or ever the second to last. I'll stretch these a bit; don't worry :) I hope everyone enjoys Truism as much as they seemed to enjoy Normalcy.

….and remember to hang in there with me…Snape and Harry have plenty of time to get more together If you know what I mean…wink-wink

Cheers---

Teagan

Tru·ism : an undoubted or self-evident truth; especially one too obvious for mention.

"This is yours." Ginny said handing Harry a wrinkled shirt. He took it from her grasp and starred at it. "You wore it more than I ever did." He muttered. Ginny smiled for a moment, but it fell away quickly. "Just take it Harry…" She picked up a box of her things and walked to the bedroom door. "You could stay here." He said following her down the stairs. Ginny said nothing until they had both reached the bottom.

"It'd be weird…" Ginny said wiping the sweat off her forehead. Harry glanced at the boxes that had Ginny's loopy hand writing on them. "No…this is weird. You leaving…" Harry shook his head and crossed his arms. Ginny pulled a key out her pocket and handed it to him. "It….wasn't meant to be. You know it wasn't…."

Harry closed his eyes for a moment and he didn't see Ginny. How pathetic was human emotion? It came and went as it pleased….and then everything quietly would fall apart.

"Mum said you can still come for supper on Sunday's…and there's always food and stuff going on at the Order House…" Ginny looked around making sure everything of hers was packed away. Harry said nothing.

"You'll be okay." Ginny said seeing Harry's dead expression.

"Probably." Harry muttered.

The house was like a mansion without screaming to bounce off its walls, or sobbing to fill the cracks of the doors. Harry found himself smelling Ginny on and in everything. The entire house was Harry and Ginny. Not one or the other, but a strange combination of both. When Harry slept he woke up on Ginny's side…the bed was just too big. So he pulled out his wand two nights after she had moved out and made it smaller.

"How's it being single?" Kingsley asked him one night when Harry desperately came to Number 12 Grimmauld Place feeling like utter shite. Harry looked at the darker wizard and shook his head. "Not all it's cracked up to be." Harry admitted. Kingsley chuckled and patted Harry's back.

"You'll live." He told Harry; and Harry supposed he would.

Sometimes Harry found himself sitting at the kitchen table wondering why Ginny wasn't home yet…and why she never called when she was running late. Only later when he went up stairs for bed did he remember she was gone. The bed was far too small for anyone but him anymore.

"You have to get out; live a little. You don't need someone by your side all the time." Tonks told him when he stopped by the Order House for what seemed like the millionth time that week. "What if I want someone there?" He asked. Tonks shrugged, "That's an entirely different story then I suppose." Harry fell asleep by the fire; he didn't want to go home. Everything still smelled like her.

"Harry. Wake up…"

Harry opened his eyes and snapped up.

"Waaah…?" Harry looked around squinting around at the blurry images. Someone handed him his glasses. Harry hadn't even remembered taking them off. "Weird." He said as he put them on and Lupin came into sight. "Tonks told me you passed out." Harry rolled his eyes. "I didn't pass out…I fell asleep." Lupin smirked and yawned, looking quite tired as well.

"Maybe you should come out with us tonight. Kingsley's gotten a new job offer in France; He's leaving in a week. Tonks and I offered to take him out." Harry looked at the fire place contemplating it. "I could I guess…"

"It'll be fun." Lupin said.

Harry, Lupin and Tonks met Kingsley and some work friends at the Hogshead later that night. Drinks were bought and drunken and then bought again. Harry found himself wanting to go home more with each passing second. "Would you mind if I left?" Harry asked Lupin in a whisper. Kingsley laughed aloud at something Tonks told her and together they made a very drunk pair.

Lupin smiled at Tonks, and Harry had to admit she had a charm to her. Tonks's hair was a bright pink, her cheeks seemed stained red, and her clothing style was that of complete opposite compared to everyone around her. She young, free and beautiful; Harry blushed.

"I wouldn't mind…" Lupin muttered finally. Harry glanced up at him. "I know…bad form….but I never was one for drinking…" Lupin nodded and Kingsley grabbed his hand in a tight handshake as he stood to leave. "You stay good Harry." The darker wizard told him. Harry smiled and headed for the door.

Harry wasn't even half way across the room when Snape caught his eye. He sat at table by himself; his eyes scanned the room and he sat straight up looking far to composed for his own good. 'Everyone's too attractive when you're single…' Harry thought to himself. His feet seemed to betray him and started towards the older man. Suddenly, as though time wasn't on Harry's side, another man came from the other side of them room and sat at the other chair at Snape's table.

Snape didn't smile or blink or do anything of the sort. But somehow Harry felt his contentment. Was this man Snape's lover? Harry felt himself turn sharply heading for the door. When his body touched the cold air he wished he could have been anywhere but there.

Harry found himself the next day at the burrow, standing outside the cold confused by everything that was happening. Was this was life was like? A million heart aches and nothing left but a bunch of pointless feelings…"Harry?" Ginny's voice sounded but Harry couldn't find its source. "Up here!" she shouted. Harry glanced up and saw her face in the window. She waved and rested her hands on the outer rim.

"Just come on up. No one's home…Mum and dad had to go to St. Mungo's to check up on Ron's files." Harry nodded and went in. The trip up the stairs seemed to last a thousand years; but once he saw Ginny's face again, the light of situation appeared once more.

"Hey…" she said pulling him into a friendly hug. Harry sighed and rested against her for a moment. It was…nothing. Harry had somewhere deep inside hoped it would have felt like more. But it didn't. "Wanna sit?" Ginny asked pointing to her desk chair. Harry nodded and went to it carefully. Ginny fell back into her old bed, legs crossed and book propped off to the side.

"I think I might go back into training, you know? I guess they have some new openings for Aurors. "Harry smiled and crossed his arms. "How are your parents?" Harry asked making small talk. Ginny shrugged, "Okay….they…well they said they kind of always had this feeling about us."

Harry said nothing.

"…I mean…I didn't tell them you were Gay or anything…I mean that's your business."

Harry raised a brow.

"I'm not gay…" Harry whispered.

"Harry…." Ginny said folding her hands in her lap.

"I'm not." Harry said forcefully.

"What do you call kissing Snape?"

"How can I love you one minute and be gay the next?!" Harry shouted standing. "Do you honestly think that our relationship was over because I found out I was gay?!" Harry snapped. Ginny said nothing. "God you so fucking irritating sometimes!" Harry clenched his fists counting silently inside his head.

"Okay fine…Bi then." Harry laughed aloud.

"Bi…me…yeah…" fear started to creep under Harry's skin. "Oh god..." He groaned. Ginny stood. "It's not so bad Harry….I mean….there's even more fish in the sea for you…"

Harry dry sobbed and covered his face with his hands. "Why am I such a fucking freak?" he muttered. Ginny laughed, "You're hardly a freak….I mean…being Bi…it could be worse." Harry glared, "Uh-huh…and how could it be worse?"

Ginny shrugged, "You could be transvestite."

She assured him it was all in good fun, but Harry found himself feeling worse after seeing Ginny than he had in a while. It didn't take long for Harry to find his way back to the Order House, alone as always, drinking wine left out from many nights ago. It tasted awful; but Harry thought the taste was appropriate for how he had felt for the past few days. Harry heard the front doors open but his eyes stayed on his glass that was now empty, much like he was.

"They're talking Potter." Harry looked over his shoulder and saw Snape. He snorted, and said nothing to the older man. Snape didn't sit, or say anything else and so the two found themselves in silent battle of nothing. "What do you want?" Harry slurred rather than asked. Snape sighed sounding quite annoyed.

"They say you're slipping down into the slums faster than Lupin."

Harry whipped around and stared at Snape angrily. "Remus didn't do anything! I did this to myself…but he…he can't help what his life is like. You're such an insensitive arse…" Harry stood up and stumbled backwards.

"You can talk like a man Potter…but it seems you can't take your drink like one."

Harry crossed his arms and stared at the floor wondering why it spun as though he were moving along with it. "….and so I assume Ms. Weasley won't be stopping by any longer?" Snape asked. Harry shook his head 'No.'

Finally Harry's gaze drifted from the floor, "Why do you care?" he asked.

Snape looked past Harry as he always did, "…what makes you think I do?"

Harry snorted, "That's right. You have no feelings. How dare I ask you, Severus Snape, such an absurd question! A man who goes through life living it with the least amount of compassion possible….what a bunch of shite. You can leave and tell everyone I'm fucking spiffy and dandy-doo so they'll all get off my back."

"What….?" Snape raised a brow.

"Admit it; you didn't come here on your own. They made you. Lupin, Tonks, Kingsley…fucking Merlin! But you would never come here on your own to help me….but why you would anyways? It's not like you kissed me or anything and ruined my entire life!"

Snape's face was uncaring and this enraged Harry even more. The younger man found himself pushing Snape angrily. He stumbled, but held strong against Harry's efforts.

"You ruined everything!" Harry shouted. Snape grabbed Harry's hand that shot for his face just in time. "….I'm supposed to be normal…just…for once god damnit…" Harry felt himself slipping to the ground. Snape released his hand and did nothing as Harry fell to his knees.

His head hung forward; he had never felt so ashamed.

"You were always there; you were always watching…it was the most obvious foreshadow…even Ginny saw it. Why didn't I?" Harry looked up at Snape, noticing just how abstract and strange his features were. No wonder the first years were so terrified of him.

"You've never been very bright…" Snape pointed out. Harry stood up shaking. "Did you have intentions of coming out there that night…to just…to just…"

"To just what Potter? To kiss you? You think I sit in my bedroom all night wondering how to get a moment alone with you to take advantage?"

Harry couldn't look at the man…he just couldn't….

"Life isn't that fucking Simple Potter. It isn't about the planning or the clues that lead up to events…it every damn thing you can't calculate and every single you thing you ignore that make life what it is. Stop putting yourself on a pedestal by believing that I wish to ruin your life above all others."

Harry glared, "You've always hated me! Just admit it…"

Snape rolled his eyes. "In the last two or three years, what has given you the slightest indication that I hate you?"

Harry thought for a moment; nothing really. Of course he had his moments of being a complete arse, but it wasn't anything different with almost anyone else. Snape still treated McGonagall with the same respect he did most Hogwarts Professors and most everyone else after that was just an annoyance. In fact…Harry couldn't even point out one time Snape had harassed him since the second war had ended.

"You've never liked me…"

"…yes and I often kiss those I wish dead Potter. Congratulations, you're officially a complete waste of knowledge." Snape strode gracefully towards the door. "What the hell does that mean? You like me?!" Harry snapped. Snape said nothing and simply slammed the door as he left.

Harry felt the wine begin the ware off and the feeling of a headache sink in. The slamming of the door rang in his ears and he couldn't help but think he had made yet another mistake.

"What does Snape have to do with you and Ginny?" Lupin asked when he came to the Order House later that night. Harry said nothing for a sometime, but finally the words came out. "I kissed him…I mean, he kissed me too…and we…I..." Lupin starred at him with shocked eyes. "Kissed?" he asked. Harry gulped and nodded.

"You Kissed Snape?"

"Yes…"

"Wait…and he kissed you back?"

Harry looked from side to side, "What? Am I that appalling?"

Lupin shook his head, "I need a moment to let this sink in." Harry sighed and leaned back against the fire place he and Lupin had been standing by. "But…I thought you loved Ginny?" Harry shrugged, "I did…do…" He stopped for a moment breathing sharply, "I did."

"Do her parents know that's why you split?"

Harry growled in frustration, "What's the big fucking deal?! Honestly…it's not their relationship that got completely fucked up…" Harry crossed his arms and kept himself from looking at the werewolf.

"So are you two together then? You and Snape?"

Harry looked at the flames from the fire out of the corner of his eyes, "Hardly." Harry whispered. Lupin nodded, "Sort of a lose-lose situation I suppose." Harry shrugged once more but said nothing.

It wasn't long after that Lupin said his goodbyes explaining he'd be staying with Tonks in her small cottage not far from London. Harry watched him off and found himself feeling far too tired for his own good. When sleep finally took him over there were only dreams of failure to lull him deeper into sleep.

"We're we ever in love?"

Ginny's hair was a fire red; it shined more brightly than anything Harry had ever known. Her eyes were warm; they were the only thing Harry considered home. Ginny's eyes and Ginny's smile; what was there with out them?

"We were…I know…I swear we were…" Ginny took a soft hand and touched Harry's slightly unshaven cheek with it. "I never loved you." She said in a whisper.

Harry shook his head eyes filling with regret, "You're lying…" Harry choked.

"I never loved you." Ginny whispered in a voice that could only be described as filled with love.

"LIAR!" Harry shouted.

He shot awake eyes filled with tears. He reached for his wand that lay on the floor along with his outer robe and shoes. The Order House was completely empty, and Harry found himself stuck inside it all alone. Everything came at once…as though he had forgotten every good thing about Ginny and her ways. Harry rolled to his side, crossing his arms tightly as the spasms took him over.

"I never loved you…" Ginny's voice sang in his head.

Harry found himself standing outside of Hogwarts and the walls seemed to be braking from the outside out. Harry was afraid to touch the beaten castle, and instead found himself staring at it, perfectly still.

"Potter." Someone said from behind him.

Harry turned and saw Snape.

"She never loved me…"

Snape came up to stand side by side with the younger man. "…but you believe you loved her?" Harry bit his lip and nodded. "I know I did…maybe…maybe I still do." Harry shook his head and closed his eyes as the old winter wind blew past him.

"It'll fade."

Harry looked up at the older wizard. His face was cold and uncaring, but the words held truth and empathy. "But disappear?" Harry asked. Snape's robe rustled and Harry saw his large pale hands appear. "It never disappears Potter…surely you know that."

Harry did know it; Voldermort may have been gone at that very moment, but his memory lingered like a horrible secret no one ever spoke of. It was a simple thing…far too obvious for mention. But Snape was right. They had to fade. Harry felt his hand being pulled and suddenly Snape and he were hand in hand. Harry had never felt something so close to a new beginning. It wasn't something that seemed possible, let alone probable.

"Do you miss knowing things will never be the same?" Harry asked Snape. The older man said nothing for a moment. Hogwarts looked defeated, but it was still beautiful.

"No, I'll never miss it." Snape said at last.

2-Be-Continued