Disclaimer – Nothing is mine.

Chapter 7 - Failings

'Madame Bones, I believe you are proficient in the spell needed to reveal any Mage casting that has been placed on a wand?' Harry asked politely.

Amelia Bones nodded after a glance at Percy, who was watching Harry impatiently. Harry just ignored him and handed Malfoy's wand to the head of the MLE and waited. Bones laid the wand down on the table and began murmured softly in Latin. This continued for several moments before a streak of blue shot out of her wand encasing the other before rising and forming almost a dozen runes that stayed for a minute before dissipating. Harry watched her brows dart up and groaned inwardly, catching Snape's eye and promising retaliation for the smirk that covered the man's face.

'These...these are two of the most intricate spells I have ever seen.' Amelia Bones breathed.

'Amelia!' Percy snapped. 'Just tell us what it is.'

'Sorry.' The witch blushed under the angry glare from the wizard who was essentially her boss. 'This first spell is a detection spell but it doesn't just detect dark magic. It detects any magic done with the intent to harm another. The second spell is even more incredible.' Amelia was shaking her head in disbelief. 'It ties the recipient to the person casting the spell and turns the wand into a Portkey that will transport both parties to the Mage's side immediately on sensing the spell.'

'But that didn't transport them to any Mage.' Hermione insisted. 'It brought them here. The spell must have been incorrect.' She added, grasping at straws.

Amelia frowned and looked at Harry who had turned to Snape. 'It's your choice, Harry.' Snape said quietly.

Harry sighed and raised his arm, wrist bared. 'The spell was not wrong. My spells are never wrong.' He said firmly, allowing the Mark to flare and be visible to all in the room.

'Mother of Merlin.' Both Minerva and Amelia said in unison as most in the room just stared in shock at the golden tattoo on Harry's wrist.

'I...I...' Percy trailed off, unable to even form a sentence as he looked between Harry and the mark in wonder.

Harry kept his eyes on Snape who stared back in return. The potions master could see the young man was at a loss. He had no idea of where to go from here. Slowly he took a few steps forward and grasped Harry's arm that was still raised and pulled the sleeve of his robe over the mark, squeezing gently before releasing it.

'My spells are never wrong.' Harry repeated, his green eyes stormy. He knew that revealing what he was would make his life even more difficult but at least Malfoy would be out of the picture.

'Mr Potter.'

'Dumbledore.' Harry, Severus and Minerva all corrected Percy automatically as Amelia added a 'Headmaster' of her own.

'Sorry, I mean Headmaster Dumbledore,' Percy said showing a lot more deference then he had previously. 'There will have to be an investigation, as well as a trial. This will not reflect well on the Ministry. We allowed Malfoy to stay here.'

Harry growled softly. 'Minister, allow me to enlighten you on something. The fact you allowed that evil little ferret to get away scot free is bad enough. To try and cover up what he has done now would be the end of the current administration, I can assure you.'

Percy looked taken aback even as Amelia Bones beamed at Harry. 'Well said, Headmaster.'

'Now wait a minute.' Hermione burst out. 'You haven't even heard what happened. Draco, tell them what happened. What really happened.'

Draco, of course, couldn't say anything as no one short of Merlin himself could have broken Harry's silencing charm.

'I think it best we investigate fully and then decide what to do with Mr Malfoy.' Amelia said firmly. 'We'll take him with us now for questioning.'

Malfoy was struggling manically against his bonds and it was clear he wanted to say something so Harry flicked a finger and the silencing charm fell. 'No, I demand an immediate trial. You have no proof and I refuse to allow Potter time to create some.' The blond snarled.

'Mr Malfoy, it is almost nine o'clock at night. You cannot demand a trial now. It will have to wait for morning.' Amelia Bones snapped.

'No, it is my right to have an immediate trial.' Draco retorted.

'Malfoy.' Harry said softly. 'Your rights only extends as far as is reasonable. A trial at this time on a Sunday night is not reasonable and it will have to wait until tomorrow morning whether you like it or not.'

'You'd like that wouldn't you, Potter.' Draco spat. 'Give you time to get your story straight.'

Harry frowned. 'I don't need to, Malfoy. I think you'll find that Mage spells cannot be replicated. They are all the proof I need, although the Veritaserum should be handy in confirming the truth.'

At this Malfoy smirked maliciously. 'Good luck.' He drawled in a sarcastic interpretation of Harry's words to him over a week ago.

Harry just glanced at Severus before turning back to Amelia Bones and raising an eyebrow. 'I assume the case will be heard in courtroom one?'

Amelia nodded. 'Yes, I will alert the Wizingamot.'

'You will stand as a witness as to exactly what happened when Mr Malfoy was Portkeyed here?' Percy questioned and Harry nodded.

'As will I.' Snape offered.

'Oh, of course.' Malfoy snarled glaring at Snape and Harry, his grey eyes burning with something Harry couldn't discern.

'Right, well. I think that is all. Gentlemen, if you would.' Amelia gestured towards the still bound Slytherin who immediately began yelling.

'I'll get you for this, Potter. You'll see. Everyone will know what you are.' Draco continued yelling as the Aurors dragged him towards the door. 'You'll wish you'd never come back.'

The silencing charm flew from Snape's wand but the words had already been said and the potions master took in Harry's stony expression and knew exactly what Harry was thinking.

'Madame Bones, Minister Weasley, if that is all?' The Boy-Who-Lived asked politely, if a little distantly.

Percy, as usual, was oblivious, but Amelia seemed to sense that something significant had been said but not what. 'Yes Headmaster. That is all. Hopefully this time we will have enough to have the Kiss administered...as it should have been from the beginning.' she added softly.

Harry just nodded and shook both of their hands before Minevra offered to escort them back to her office so that they could use the floo.

'How could you!' Hermione cried. 'You bastard, how could you!'

Harry turned slowly, his green eyes staring at the woman who had once been his friend. 'You cannot see past the lies to the truth of what he is, can you?' He murmured shaking his head.

'He's not like that.' Hermione spat. 'It's just because you hate him. You've always hated him. You could never understand who he is.'

Harry's eyes became icy. 'I understand that he's an evil, malicious parasite that lives off the kindness of other and likes to torture children. That is all I need to understand.'

Hermione's eyes blazed and she reached up and slapped Harry so hard his head flew to the side as the noise echoed off the cavernous ceiling.

Severus' wand rose almost instantly but Harry was quicker, grabbing the older man's arm before the hex could be spoken.

'Good night, Hermione.' Harry said quietly, nodding to the rest of the staff and giving Severus a pointed look before disapparating with barely a sound.

'Hello, dear boy.' Albus smiled as Harry arrived in the sitting room and sank into the armchair with a heavy sigh.

'Hi Albus.' Harry murmured, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.

'What happened? You look upset.'

Harry sighed again. 'Malfoy's been taken away.'

'Taken away?'

'His trial's in the morning. We caught him with his wand on a second year.' Harry explained.

Albus' eyes widened but Harry couldn't see. 'How in Merlin's name did you manage that?'

Harry cracked an eye open. 'Deprehensio Scelus and an Accersitus.'

Dumbledore smiled proudly. 'Well done, dear boy. Well done.'

'I'd agree with that.' Came Severus' voice from the doorway causing both Harry and Albus to look up.

Harry allowed himself a small smile, wincing slightly as his bruised cheek made itself known.

'Harry?'

'It's alright, Albus.' Harry assured him as he lifted a hand to his cheek. 'Hermione was just a bit upset.'

'Upset!' Severus growled. 'The chit is an idiot.' He added crossing the room to sit on the arm of Harry's chair and clasp his chin as he studied Harry's rapidly darkening cheek.

'It's fine, Severus. Really.' Harry insisted as he tried to lean away from the intense gaze and probing fingers.

'Hmmph.' Snape reached into his voluminous pockets and drew out a vial, uncorking it and tipping some on his fingers before gently smoothing it across Harry's cheek.

Harry frowned as the potion stung for a moment before the bruising and pain faded away. He felt the potions master's fingers continue softly stroking his cheek and couldn't help but close his eyes and lean into the touch. It felt so nice to have those gentle fingers caressing his cheek and he couldn't hold back the soft moan that rose in his throat. Several minutes later he felt the hand lift to card through his hair before moving slowly down his neck to his chest and he felt the older man move from his seat beside him to the floor in front of him as a pair of soft lips quickly followed the fingers.

'I think I hear Phineas calling for me.' Albus said cheerfully before quickly hurrying from the portrait; not that either Harry or Severus noticed, both far too caught up in each other. Harry had all but slid bonelessly down until he was practically lying in the armchair with the potions master bent over him as he worked at the buttons on Harry's robes.

'Severus.' Harry hissed as his robes were pushed open and the older man's tongue laved his chest. Severus murmured unintelligibly in response as his hands slid under Harry's back and lifted him until he was sitting in Snape's lap. Harry quickly bent his head and nibbled on the collarbone that was in front of him even as his will quickly banished Snape's robes and shirt.

'Cheating.' Severus gasped as Harry's lips trailed up and grasped an earlobe.

'Don't care.' Harry responded as he gently pushed the older man back onto the rug in front of the fireplace and began attacking his chest in earnest.

'Merlin, Harry.' Snape gasped again as Harry's teeth grazed a nipple. Snape moaned as Harry's leg nudged against his crotch and with a smirk that Snape could actually feel against his skin the Boy-Who-Lived reached down, snaking his fingers under the waistband of Snape's trousers.

And suddenly found himself flipped underneath the bigger man with Snape looming over him, a look of unadulterated lust on his face that he was trying hard to contain as much as the concern that was shining clearly in his eyes.

'You're not ready for that, Harry.' Snape whispered even as he gently ran his fingers down Harry's side.

'Severus?'

'Trust me, Harry. Please?'

Harry stared into the inky black depths to see the anxiousness that hadn't abated. He could see Snape was worried about going to fast, particularly after his promise of the other day. He finally nodded and Snape's expression softened and he leant down and kissed Harry gently even as he slid off until he was lying beside the younger man, Harry cradled protectively in his arms.

Harry continued staring up at the potions master, his green eyes studying every plane and angle of the face as Snape's fingers kept up their gentle caressing of Harry's chest and neck and face.

'Severus, I...' He began before trailing off.

Snape leant down again and his lips swept across Harry's in a chaste kiss. 'I will never, ever hurt you, Harry.' he whispered.

'I know.' Harry whispered back.

Harry sat stiffly in his seat between Snape and Poppy. Minerva had remained at the castle to watch over the students whose potions and defence classes had been canceled as they all studied in the great hall.

Hermione sat several seats away, directly behind Draco, wringing her hands nervously as she threw Harry hate filled looks. She had spent the night trying to convince any of the staff who would listen of Draco's innocence. Of how Harry had always hated him and how he had set him up.

Harry had spent the night, after Severus had left anyway, being lectured by Albus about the pros and cons of relationships, and how he should be very careful about rushing into anything, but that out of everyone Harry could have possibly fallen in love with, Albus couldn't have thought of anyone better than Severus.

Harry had just looked at him blankly. 'Who said anything about love?' he asked bluntly, stunning Dumbledore into speechlessness. The resulting lecture following that particular comment had earned the figure in the portrait another sticking charm as well as a silencing charm less then twenty seconds after it began. Two spells Harry had yet to lift.

The door at the far end of the courtroom opened, startling Harry out of his thoughts and the Wizingamot all filed in and sat down.

'We are here this morning to review the agreement between Draco Lucius Malfoy and the Ministry of Magic. Are both parties present?' Amelia Bones looked down at the two tables where Percy and Malfoy sat. 'Good. Now as this is not really a trial, but a continuation of the original one when Mr Malfoy was placed on probation at Hogwarts School perhaps it is sufficient just to hear from one witness for each side. That should be enough to ascertain the facts of exactly what happened yesterday evening. Is that agreeable to both sides?' The head of the MLE looked down from her raised platform to see Percy nodding shaply. 'Mr Malfoy?' she questioned.

Malfoy sighed dramatically. 'Fine.' he spat out. 'But Potter can go first.'

Amelia smiled indulgently, even though she looked as if she wanted to smack him, before lifting her eyes to Harry. 'Headmaster Dumbledore, if you wouldn't mind.' She gestured to the chair placed before the group and Harry quickly rose and swept across the room to sit silently and wait until spoken to.

'Headmaster, could you please tell us exactly what you saw last night and the events prior that pertain to it?' Amelia asked before sitting down.

Harry looked at each of the Wizingamot members before beginning. 'Almost two weeks ago I found out exactly what was contained in the agreement regarding Draco Malfoy as well as the alleged events of three years ago in November. In response I asked to inspect Mr Malfoy's wand and placed two spells on it. Accersitus and Deprehensio Scelus.'

'And what spells are they? I've never heard of them.' A fat balding man of indiscriminate age sitting at the far end of the table asked idly as he chewed on a fingernail.

'Accersitus is a type of summoning spell and Deprhensio Scelus literally detects another spell cast with evil intent.'

'And the purpose of the two spells on Mr Malfoy's wand?' Griselda Marchbanks asked from beside Amelia.

'The second would obviously detect not only dark magic but any magic performed by Mr Malfoy with the intent to harm another, and the first, when triggered by the second would turn the wand into a Portkey and bring both the caster, in this case Mr Malfoy, and his victim, directly to me. These are Mage level spells and not taught in school or the Aurory.' Harry said perfunctorily.

'And how would you know them then?' It was the fat man again. 'Maybe Mrs Malfoy is right. Maybe the spells on the wand malfunctioned.' Harry's eyes widened at the admission that it had not only been the staff Hermione had been contacting overnight.

Harry sighed before lifting his sleeve and baring his wrist, waiting for the expected explosion of noise.

'Thank you, Headmaster.' Amelia Bones shouted over the resulting din. Harry would never have guessed that so small a number of people could be so noisy. 'What happened once Mr Malfoy was brought to you?'

'I shielded the child, summoned Mr Malfoy's wand, cleared the hall and called for the Minister and the Aurors.' Harry said simply.

The members of the Wizingamot seemed to confer silently for a moment before Madame Bones thanked Harry for his time and his honesty and said he could return to his seat before calling on Malfoy. Draco swaggered up to the front as if without a care in the world and dropped into the seat gracefully.

'Now, Mr Malfoy, as per the original agreement you are required to take Veritaserum.'

Draco smirked but nodded. He knew he had nothing to fear.

Harry glanced at Snape who also nodded. The new form had been handed over to Percy Weasley who, with a small smile, handed it to one of the Aurors.

Three drops were placed on Draco's tongue and just before his eyes glazed Amelia noticed the look of panic flash in the young man's eyes as he realised it worked.

'Mr Malfoy, did you attack Emily Withers last night at a quarter after seven?' Percy asked simply.

'Yes.' Draco intoned calmly even as Harry and the others could see his shoulders shaking in an effort not to answer.

'Why did you attack her?'

'Because I wanted to hurt her.'

'Why?'

'Because she's a filthy little Mudblood who shouldn't even be allowed to live.'

Hermione's gasp of horror rang out as the emphasis on the insult could be heard even through the monotonous tone caused by the serum.

'Did you also attack Sarah Trenton three years ago before obliviating her and leaving her to die?'

'Yes.'

'Oh dear god.' Hermione breathed hugging herself tightly as the perfect little world she had created fell apart.

'Mr Malfoy, were you a willing Death Eater?' The entire court seemed to be on tenterhooks.

'Yes.'

'No.' Hermione whispered. 'No, Draco no.'

Harry glanced at his old friend sadly and shook his head. She was smarter than that. She should have known better.

'I think that's enough. The antidote please.' Amelia called out and it was quickly administered. Malfoy seemed to shake his head a few times to clear it before looking around the courtroom. The members of the Wizingamot were looking at him in a combination of disgust and disappointment, Percy was triumphant and Hermione was inconsolable. Then Draco caught sight of Harry, to see the Boy-Who-Lived looking back at him, his face completely void of any expression whatsoever, that what he had just said registered and his face turned an angry shade of red and he leapt at Harry.

He didn't get far however before Percy and Snape brought him down with a couple of strong stunning spells. The Aurors quickly moved in at the Minister's gesture and removed the Slytherin.

'I think we have all the answers we need. The court finds that the original agreement is now void and the sentence as stated will be carried out.' Amelia said firmly, shooting sparks into the air.

Poppy quickly helped a sobbing Hermione from the room as Percy and Amelia came to shake hands with Harry.

'Thank you, Headmaster.'

'You're welcome.' Harry replied bowing slightly. 'Madame, Minister.' He added before turning and sweeping from the room, knowing Severus would be close behind.

Once again Harry apparated them both straight back to the headmaster's office but quickly dropped his arms and walked to the window, staring out over the grounds at the students playing without a care in the world.

'Harry?' Severus asked uncertainly.

'What a waste.' Harry muttered in response. Severus was unsure of what to say. Instead he just crossed the few steps and wrapped his arms around the young man, allowing Harry to lean back against him.

'Severus?'

'Hmm?'

'Why would he do that? What made him that way? Made him so hateful that he would hurt a child?' Harry asked in a small voice.

Snape sighed. 'I don't know, Harry. I can't speak for him but when I was younger I was angry. Angry at everyone and everything. My parents, Dumbledore, Riddle, everyone. That is what made me do the things I did. That is what makes me regret doing them every day.'

'But he has no regrets.'

Snape shook his head and pulled Harry tightly to him. 'He has no conscience. Without it you cannot have regret for in your mind you have done nothing wrong.'

'Their lives; Hermione, the children, and even himself.' Harry murmured. 'What a waste.'

'You can't save everyone, Harry. Just as Albus couldn't reform everyone.' Snape said softly.

'I know.'

'Yes, but do you believe it?' The older man teased and Harry turned his head up and snorted at the look on Severus' face before settling back into the comforting embrace as he continued staring out the window.

How dare he, the man thought as he watched through the slightly open door at the two entwined by the window. He always thought there was something other than hate between the two. No one could have that much emotion regarding another and not have it twist and warp. When Harry had been at school the two used to bait and snarl at each other but if he was truthful he could see how they used to feed off each other. Their emotions, such strong ones, eating and playing off each other, all but seeking each other out if only to be closer. He wanted to burst in there and rip the Boy-Who-Lived out of the potions master's arms; but it wasn't time yet. There was still so much to do before everything would be ready. And then, finally, Harry would be his. Then no one else would hold him, or comfort him, or kiss him. It had been ten long years of waiting for him to return. There were times when he thought he might never return but he did and it was all he could think about.

He watched as the older man pulled Harry closer, tenderly kissing his temple and his blood boiled. He quickly spun on his heel and crept silently down the steps making sure the invisibility cloak covered him before hurrying through the corridors of the school and out onto the grounds. Time was running out. He wouldn't be able to control himself much longer, particularly it they got much closer. He rushed down through the gates before apparating away with a crack.

'Harry, may I please have a word?' Hermione asked politely that evening at dinner. Her eyes were puffy and her face red as if she'd spent the entire day crying.

Harry nodded curtly and placed his napkin down by his knife and fork and stood, without glancing left or right, and swept from the hall, knowing Hermione would be following.

The trip to his office was made in silence and Harry remained that way as he moved around his desk, gesturing with a hand for Hermione to sit before doing the same and waiting, an expectant look on his face.

Hermione swallowed heavily in a very obvious effort to control herself. 'Harry, please, I beg of you.' She whispered.

Harry raised an eyebrow and continued to wait; he had a sinking feeling he knew what this was about.

'Please can you intercede on his behalf? He's scheduled to be Kissed tomorrow. If you cannot do it for him, can you please do it for me, I need him. Please, the Ministry will listen to you.' Hermione begged tearfully.

Harry stared at her in silence for several moments. 'Hermione, please stop and think.' Harry began slowly. 'Think of what you know of me, of what you knew of me when we were at Hogwarts together. At any time, did I ever show any sign that I would forgive, let alone fight for someone who has done what Malfoy has? I cannot even comprehend what you can see in him, let alone understand how you could still love him after what he did.'

'The headmaster loved you, didn't he?' Hermione challenged, her expression changing instantly.

Harry's eyes darkened. 'I don't think it's the same thing, Hermione.'

'I do.'

Harry leant back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. 'I was trained to be a soldier, Hermione. It wasn't a choice that I could make. If I wanted those I loved to survive, then I had to fight. Every single person who died that day made a choice to be there. To kill and torture others. They had a choice. I did not.'

'How could you have known everyone chose?' Hermione retorted snottily and Harry wondered just where the intelligent, knowing girl had gone he once knew. 'Some might have been there out of fear.'

Harry's eyes narrowed. 'The same way I know you're warring between indignation and desperation.' Harry said quietly. 'You're hopeful I might be able to help but you're also scared you're not going to be able to save him. Which you should be, because you won't.'

Hermione flushed angrily. 'I remember the Harry who used to say that schoolboy grudges were ridiculous. That the one Severus had with your father was ridiculous. I can't believe you would let something like that cost a man his soul.'

Harry's eyes became chillingly cold. 'I think you have said quite enough, Hermione. And I believe both Emily Withers and Sarah Trenton would agree with me. Well, Sarah would if she could speak after having her vocal chords shredded.' He added darkly. 'I hold no personal grudge against Draco Malfoy. I just think that what he did was reprehensible, and that is without even touching on the last war. I would find myself loathe to even lift a finger to help him I am not the one taking Draco Malfoy's soul, he gave that up all by himself. He dug his own grave, Hermione. He dug his own grave the moment he tortured those children. The moment he left Sarah to die in the dungeons, covered in blood, unable to speak and barely able to walk. He dug his own grave the moment he raised his wand at those little girls, Hermione. And now he must lie in it.'

It probably wasn't the kindest thing to say on the eve of what would essentially be the end of Draco Malfoy's life, as he knew it anyway, but Harry wanted Hermione to realise there was nothing she could do. She too had made her choice, and no one could help her now.

A knock sounded at the door and Harry looked up. 'Come in, Severus.' He called out.

The door opened and the potions master looked at him with a raised brow. 'I see you've finally managed to inherit that particular talent.' He murmured dryly.

Harry gave him a smirk before turning back to Hermione. 'You have my answer.' He said bluntly. 'It will not change.'

Hermione looked as if she were about to speak but thought better of it, instead standing up and fleeing the office as Harry sighed and slumped in the comfortable chair, letting the smells he associated with Albus to wash over him. Snape walked across the room and tugged Harry from his chair.

'Come on, I have a few potions to brew for Poppy. You can help.'

Harry couldn't help but snort and shake his head. He had no idea of how the man knew but it seemed he instinctively knew what Harry needed to do or hear and it was with a small smile that he walked silently side by side with the potions master back down to the dungeons.

They had been brewing for over an hour when Snape finally spoke.

'You haven't done anything wrong, Harry.' He said softly.

'I know.' Harry sighed. 'I just hate that feeling.'

Snape frowned. 'What feeling?' Oh, well maybe he didn't know everything then.

There was a slight pause before Harry answered. 'The feeling that I have failed someone.' He whispered without looking up form where his hands were meticulously dicing a shivelfig.

Snape almost sliced off the end of his own finger, such was his shock at that statement. 'I beg your pardon.'

'Nothing.' Harry said quickly, easily reading the cold anger and disbelief that was present in each of those four words.

'Harry.' Snape said darkly turning to face him.

'It's nothing.' Harry retorted, his own anger surfacing. 'It doesn't matter, alright. Just leave it alone.'

'You really think that? That you've failed her?' Snape's voice was now incredulous. 'Have you completely lost your mind?'

'I told you, Severus. It doesn't matter!' Harry yelled, the stress of the past twenty fours hours coming to a head as he slammed the knife down on the bench, scattering shrivelfigs all over the counter and onto the floor.

'Oh, but I think it does.' Severus snapped in return. 'This complex you have about others has got to stop. You cannot help everyone. You must learn to live with that. Merlin, you're as bad as bloody Albus was.'

Harry's eyes dulled and he his face paled except for a tinge of red on each cheek. 'Don't you ever, ever, talk about him like that.' He whispered harshly before apparating away with barely a sound.

Snape dropped his head into his hands and sighed. Harry's mood swings were becoming even more disturbing. When Albus had died the young man had been devastated, and he'd stayed that way for some time. As he slowly got over the death of his mentor and father he had more moments of happiness; or comfort at the very least. But he also swung to an almost polar opposite with alarming regularity. One minute he was serious, the next in tears, then angry and then playful. Snape knew he had to do something before Harry ended up in St Mungos.

Deciding that this really couldn't wait he extinguished the flames under both cauldrons and headed out of the room. He only got about ten feet from his rooms however when he felt his chest burn. He stumbled heavily, reaching out to brace himself against the wall as his struggled to breathe.

'Harry!' He pleaded in his mind as he fell to his knees. Darkness crept in on the edge of his vision and he knew no more.