Title: Factuality
Pairing: Harry/Snape
A/N: The fifth installment of the mini series I have yet to name… sad, I know. All you really need to do is read and review; let me know how you like it so far!
Cheers---
Teagan
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"He doesn't need me."
Harry stood outside Hermione's flat in the east of France. It was raining. Hermione stared at him with a raised brow.
"You came to France to tell me…wait, who?"
Harry shook his head. Rain drops ran down his face.
"Snape: Snape doesn't need me. I'm just this side thing he enjoys."
Hermione opened her door and let Harry in.
"I don't get it." Hermione sat down on the first chair she found. Her flat was small. She had one love seat and a large recliner, but she sat herself down on an old looking kitchen chair that was placed in front of her desk. She appeared to have been studying.
"Did you apparate?"
Harry glared, "No, I flew."
Hermione sighed, "Well, why didn't you…talk to Remus? You didn't have to come all the way here."
Harry gapped. "Oh! Okay, Hey Remus, well, I kind of like that arse hole you and my dad used to beat up, and he doesn't seem to be feeling the same way I do…do you have anything dirty secrets I could hold against him?"
Hermione laid her head down on her desk.
"Harry, I'm just saying…I'm the last person who would understand what that man is thinking. I couldn't even help you and Ginny, and I am a women. I am not however a homosexual ex-death eater, so I'm even less of a help here."
Harry groaned, "Fine, I'll leave and I'll see you in another year when you decide to come and have dinner again and ignore me…" Harry turned to leave and Hermione stood.
"Harry…it's hard. I look at you and I hear myself, and I think: you know if Ron were here…"
Harry laughed, "Oh so sorry, I didn't know you missed Ron. Because I don't miss him at all!" Harry felt the sarcasm fly from his tongue and he hoped Hermione would feel it too.
"That's not what I meant…"
Harry sighed, "No, actually I think it was. I'm sorry he's dead, okay? I'm so fucking sorry I remind you of the fact he's dead!"
Hermione covered her ears and shook her head, "Stop saying it like that!"
"DEAD! DEAD! DEAD!"
Hermione sobbed and sat back down, lying foreword with her head between her knees.
"I'd rather be dead a million times over than living and watching all this bloody bullshit that goes on." Harry pulled out his wand and pointed it at his head muttering a drying spell. He waited for Hermione to sit up and say something but she didn't.
"I know you loved him, but…damnit...damnit! I loved him too and it doesn't make it any easier when all you want to do is talk about the things that didn't go right! What about me and Snape? What if there's something there? What about you're studying? So something's fucked up, I'm not going to throw it all away and cry…god damnit!"
Harry kicked the nearest thing to him which ended up being a coat rack. Hermione snapped up at the sound.
"..Harry…I just bought that."
Harry looked at Hermione and laughed; but he realized he didn't know why.
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When Harry stood outside Snape's door he had to keep telling himself that Snape had okayed his coming. Regardless, he found himself unable to knock.
"Potter."
Harry turned around and saw Snape.
"…what the hell? I thought…I didn't even hear you!"
Snape rolled his eyes and pulled out his wand.
"I'm not an ogre, Potter."
Harry watched as Snape tapped his wand once against his door while muttering something. "You lock your rooms?" Harry said aloud. Snape opened the door, "No, it's simply all for show. Have I impressed you?" Harry blushed, "Sorry, I was just curious."
"Curious or dumb founded?"
Harry felt his face become even redder.
"I can leave you know," Harry said as though it were a threat.
"Please do."
Snape went to his desk and sat down, digging in his draws, looking busy.
"W-what? Are you joking? What is going on? I don't get you….just a few days ago we were snogging…and now you, I mean…."
Snape looked up at Harry, "Potter, spare me the idiocy."
"So it was nothing? Me and you, it was all nothing?" Harry muttered.
"You're over Weasley…that was the point: congratulations."
Harry didn't know what to say, but Snape seemed satisfied enough. He found whatever it was he had been looking for. It was an envelope that was not much bigger than a few gold gallons. He stood walking away from Harry to his potions cupboards.
"I'm leaving Potter, if you have anything else to say, I suggest you do it now."
"Leaving?"
Snape took out a bag from his cupboard and filled it with random vials and bottles.
"Yes."
"Leaving Hogwarts or …"
"Just leaving. It's not your business actually..."
Harry stood stunned.
"I think it is! Where are you going?" Harry found himself next to Snape grabbing his sleeve. Snape leaned close. "Far, far away," he hissed.
Harry felt dizzy.
"Why?"
Snape pulled back before Harry could do what he really wanted too; which was snog the man senseless.
"…because a hero's work is never done." Snape's cold tone made Harry ever angrier.
"You know what? Fuck you! Just leave! See if I care! And you know what; have a bloody grand time fucking Nate…Tate…whatever the hell his name is…" Harry felt his stomach sting and his eyes swell, but he walked away from the potion's master because he couldn't stand the idea of loving another person who would never love him back.
"I'm not fucking him, Potter."
Harry stood at the door, his back facing Snape.
But that doesn't change much, does it?
Harry decided it was high time someone used Snape's own cruelty against him,
"Congratulations," Harry said. And he left Snape, just before Snape could leave him.
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Harry sat feeling dead.
It had been not even a day sense Snape had 'left' and Harry didn't even know what he meant by it. Where would he be leaving too?
A knock sounded at his door.
"Come in," Harry shouted from his kitchen table where he sat drinking cold tea.
Harry looked up to see Remus Lupin entering his apartment.
"I didn't think you knew where I lived…" Harry said looking at the werewolf strangely.
"Well, something's are best kept secret I suppose."
Harry said nothing, but he watched Lupin with interest. He seemed nervous…almost scared. "…do you need something?" Harry asked.
"Harry…there's been an attack."
Harry raised a brow.
"An attack? Like…someone had a heart attack or…"
Lupin raised a hand, "A death eater attack, actually. Just outside of London."
Harry gapped at the older wizard, "Was anyone hurt?"
Lupin shook his head, "…some muggles. But…there was a suspect caught."
Harry was unable to grasp the concept. "Who?"
"Snape."
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"He is not a death eater!" Harry shouted at the women who sat behind the counter at the ministry of magic.
"Mr. Potter, please. Captain Everett will be right with you, he's completely informed about the incident." The women eyed Lupin who stood next to Harry with dislike. "He's a bloody captain? Good lord…" Harry shook his head and rolled his eyes when a certain red head came walking towards him.
"Merlin…" Harry muttered.
"Harry, just…talk. She'll help you sort this out." Lupin mumbled.
Harry sighed, "What the hell is going on?"
Ginny grabbed Harry by the arm and nodded at Lupin to follow.
"We just got a lead that there was this uprising. A bunch of old death eaters were raiding in the name of Voldermort. And when we got there, it was just Snape alone in this muggle house, on the floor not moving. But we take his wand, and what's the last spell he's preformed? Avada Kardva."
Lupin sighed, "Were there even any dead bodies? He could have simply have been defending himself."
Ginny shook her head, "He wasn't. We found three dead; it looked like a father and two daughters."
Ginny stopped them outside of a room with a sliver door. "It's an Auror meeting. You've been allowed to join in Harry…Sorry, Remus."
Lupin nodded, "…its fine. Go on Harry, I'll wait."
Harry entered the room with Ginny. Around one table sat Everett, an older man Harry did not know, a blonde haired witch, and Tonks. Harry wondered if Remus knew Tonks was in the room.
"Mr. Potter, you're here on behalf of a Mr. Severus Snape…" Everett flipped opened a book of parchment and began reading it.
Harry glared, "I don't understand…he wouldn't just kill a bunch of random muggles…it had to have been a trap."
The blond haired witch spoke up, "On the contrary Mr. Potter. Professor Snape admitted to the accusation."
Harry's mouth fell open.
"What?"
Ginny patted Harry on the shoulder, "…its okay Harry…we always knew he was a little strange…"
"No! He's a hero! Not a murderer!"
Everett sighed, "He admitted to murdering three muggles, what are we to do? Excuse it?"
"Let me talk to him, he's obviously…disturbed or something..."
The older wizard leaned over and whispered something to Everett.
Everett huffed, "Very well, you may speak with him.
Tonks raised her hand, "I'll just escort him, shall I?"
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"He told me he was leaving…but he wasn't sure how long for, and I let him go, because he'd been acting like a fucking arse."
Tonks sighed, "I don't know what to tell you mate; Snape's a strange one…"
Harry stopped as they made their way to the cells where Snape was being held. "But he wouldn't kill anyone without reason."
Tonks bit her lip, "How do we know that? He's a bit…well, good at deceiving don't you think?"
Harry shook his head and continued to follow Tonks. He wondered what Snape had gotten himself into. Tonks stopped outside a large wooden door. She pulled out her wand and pushed it open, "Come on," she said holding it open.
Snape stood with his back leaning against the wall, his arms crossed. Tonks nodded at him. "I'll give you five minutes."
Tonks left and the door shut.
"What—," but before Harry could get one word out Snape spoke, "...do not ask questions when you will never understand the answers."
Harry raised a brow, "How do you know I won't understand the answer?"
Snape snorted, "When have you ever understood the answer to anything?"
Harry glared, "I came here to help you! What happened last night? Why did you kill innocent people?"
Snape shook his head, "Innocence is in the eyes of the beholder."
"THEY WERE MUGGLES!" Harry shouted. His words flooded the room they stood in.
"Were they now? And where are their bodies? Did you see this for yourself?"
Harry groaned, "No but Ginny and all the others did!"
Snape said nothing.
"You left Hogwarts to murder a family of muggles…I don't get it! You're not even…you weren't ever with Voldermort!"
"Then why would I murder a family of helpless muggles?"
Harry felt his face burn, "How the fuck should I know? Why don't you tell me?"
Snape uncrossed his arms, "The facts are simple Potter, I am damned to be in your debt until the day I die; it was just another task I had to perform so I could continue to fulfill my never ending service to you."
"You're not in my debt… I was told you were…but that was ages ago. You repaid it by saving me my first year."
Snape sighed, "…and you saved me from Voldermort's hands. You saved me from the dark lord whom I bare the mark of."
Harry raised a brow, "I didn't save you; you saved me. I just killed Voldermort."
Snape cringed, "You killed the man who had control of my existence."
"…but, I mean…who wouldn't have…everyone wanted Voldermort dead," Harry groaned, "…and that doesn't explain you killing muggles!"
As he sighed, Snape went back to lean against the wall, "…they were hardly muggles. Inspect the bodies for yourself, Potter. Do not trust what you have not seen."
The door opened and Tonks appeared, "Times up, Harry."
With one last glance at Snape, Harry left.
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It was so dark, Harry thought he had died.
"Hello?" Harry squinted trying to see something. He had lost his glasses, and it was dark. Voldermort could have snuck up behind him and had his way.
"…You've got to be kidding me…" Harry muttered. He was alone. There would be no helping hand this time around it seemed. No Hermione, no Ron, no Lupin, no…
"I heard someone over there!"
Harry stopped moving. Falling to his knees Harry felt the ground. The grass was wet and he was fucked. They were sure to find him. Death eaters…it had to be death eaters. Harry let his right hand reach into his robe for his wand, there it was, and soon Harry predicted he'd be taking it out to defend himself.
"…I don't hear anyone…should I light my wand?"
Harry bit his lip and crawled slowly on his hands and knees through the wet grass.
"…are you bleeding stupid? Don't light your wand, who ever it is, they'll see us!"
The other man spoke again, "McNair is full of shite; there's no one in this forest. Come on…"
Harry stood slowly, and walk backwards away from the sound of voices. His foot caught on a tree root, and he fell hard, cursing.
"FUCK!" He shouted.
There was a crunch of glass sounding material; apparently he had found his glasses. A hand grabbed him by the neck and he gasped. "Found you." A man hissed. Harry coughed trying to push himself away. A wand appeared in his face, lit with a soft Lumos.
The man laughed. Harry did not know his face, but he did know he was no friend of his.
"Well, well, you're quite a sight for sore eyes, Potter…" A second man grabbed his arms from behind and held them against his back. Harry bit his lip to stop from crying out.
"What'cha doing out here all alone? Looking for the Dark Lord? Thinking of sneaking up on him, eh Potter?"
Harry wished that had been the case, but actually, he had gotten lost. It his fault though; Harry had separated himself from Lupin and Moody a few nights past. He knew he would not kill Voldermort with their help; it was his job alone…so he left them.
"Well if it's a fight you're looking for, we can take you right to him, Potter… How's that sound?"
A wand jabbed him hard in the back and he cried out.
"…but perhaps we'll have some fun first…he said bring you back alive; but…you'll be plenty alive once we're done with you."
The man behind reached for the belt of his pants, and Harry kicked backgrounds.
"YOU LITTLE ARSE!" The man shouted.
The man in front tightened his grip about Harry's throat, and shoved him face first into a tree. "Now, don't be afraid to make a wee bit of noise; I like to hear a little something everyone now and then."
The man leaned against him and Harry felt his hard cock.
"CRUCIO!" Harry heard someone shout. The man fell to the ground screaming.
"…Lansing." A deep voice muttered. "You should have learned long ago to keep your hands…and other parts, to yourself."
Harry knew that voice, but he couldn't believe it.
Feeling sick, Harry fell to the ground. Behind his closed eyes, Harry saw a flash of green. Moments later he felt someone slap his face. "Get up Potter," A man snapped. Harry weakly opened his eyes. Snape stared back, his face uncaring.
Harry sat up and coughed. Snape rested a gentle hand on his back and held Harry's glasses in his view. "…did you fix them?" Harry choked.
Snape snorted, "Obviously."
Harry began to stand, but he wobbled helplessly.
"You're a lucky son of bitch Potter; I'll give you that."
Harry smiled and fell against Snape's chest.
"You saved me…" Harry muttered.
Snape pushed Harry away and steadied him.
"All in a days work apparently."
It was true; Snape had saved Harry. And no less than a day later, Harry saved the world.
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Harry followed Tonks from the room where Snape was being kept. He didn't know if he could believe his story; but he could not simply ignore it all together.
"Tonks…would it be possible for me to see the muggles? I mean, the one's Snape killed?" Harry asked. Tonks looked over her shoulder for a moment.
"Why?" she asked.
Harry shrugged, "It's just something I have to do."
Tonks sighed, "I'll take you, but not a word to Everett. He's been an arse lately."
Harry agreed.
As he and Tonks made their way to see the supposed muggles, Harry wondered what he would do if Snape had infact been telling the truth.