Disclaimer: The Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR and anyone she legally lets use them. Not me.

A/N: This is a bit short, but I wanted it to be an important chapter on its own. :) You'll see. Thank you again for the wonderful reviews! 100K+ hits! AH-MAZING. :D So, even though I was going to wait a full week before posting this, I'm giving it early as a gift :) Enjoy!

Chapter 17

Harry jerked his gaze back to the offending photograph lying so innocently in front of him. Swallowing deeply, he said softly, "Where did you get this photo?"

Snape sniffed, crossing his arms, "Unimportant. What I want to know are the events surrounding the scene. Draco and you seem to be getting along just fine. Something that cannot be said for before today."

Harry's gaze was frozen on the photo. Pulling his 'Auror mask out, he said, hoping to redirect the conversation, "Photographs can be edited and faked very easily Snape."

Snape quirked an eyebrow. "True. However the worn edges of the photograph show that it has been frequently handled, a clue to its age." Snape leaned forward, his voice dark and dangerous, "Tell me Mr. Potter, have you been Obliviating people?"

Harry pulled back, "No I have not. I do not know the circumstances behind this photograph." Reaching for the photo, Harry was surprised when it was whisked away from him.

"Then you will not mind if I set it on fire?" Snape asked casually, raising his wand.

"No!" Harry cried, reaching for the photograph. Unfortunately Snape's damned extra height prevented Harry from grabbing the photograph.

"Potter. You know exactly what this photograph is about."

Harry growled, "You have been going through my stuff Snape! Invasion of privacy much? Who gave you the right to snoop through my things?"

Snape chuckled darkly, "Well, I am married to you after all."

Harry rolled his eyes, "Fuck you Snape. This isn't funny."

Snape sobered, "Nor is the fact that you have a photograph of my lover of an event he cannot remember. Besides, I was a spy. Snooping, as you put it, is my way of life."

"We are not at war anymore Snape! Snooping isn't sanctioned. Now give me the damned photograph and leave me alone!"

"Not until you tell me what this is all about."

Harry clenched his hands, "I can't."

Snape's eyebrow rose, "Can't? Or won't?"

"Can't," Harry hissed.

"And why is that?"

Harry scowled, hating that he had to reveal his secrets, "You haven't said the release phrase."

Both of Snape's eyebrows flew up, "I have not said the release phrase? I locked away this knowledge?"

Harry nodded tersely, his eyes locked on the photo in Snape's hand.

"Then why do I not remember doing so?"

Harry rolled his eyes, mouth still shut.

Snape sobered, "I removed my own memory of…having you hide this?"

Harry nodded.

Snape frowned, "What was so damned important?"

Harry clenched his fists, "Look Snape, I can't say anything. Please, just…give me back the photo?" Harry hated how desperate his voice sounded.

Snape searched his eyes for a moment and Harry reinforced his shields. Snape was the only one who could get through them, but there was no harm in trying. Fortunately Snape didn't try Legilimency and handed the photo to Harry. "This is not over Mr. Potter."

Harry ground his teeth together, "Figure the phrase out and I'll tell you all about it." Turning and placing the photo in the book it had been in before, Harry muttered under his breath, "Maybe."

Snape narrowed his eyes, "What spell did I use?"

Harry paused, He's never going to remember or find the phrase. I'll never be able to tell him…not that I would anyway. Those memories…, "A modified version of the Fidelius."

Snape frowned, his frustration reaching an all time high. "I do not understand."

Harry's shoulders slumped and he sighed, "That's all I can tell you Snape."

Snape furrowed his eyebrows, "Obviously I cast this spell a very long time ago. Why did you not ask for the release phrase earlier? Why not tell me whatever you are hiding?"

Harry shrugged, choosing his words carefully. "You did not remember to give me the phrase when you were supposed to. I waited for a bit, but you gave no inclination of ever coming forward with it. That's when I realized something went wrong. Then you left, and it didn't matter anymore."

Snape sat in the armchair, eyeing Harry in confusion. "Potter…whatever you are hiding, it involves Draco and me. It must have been very important if I chose to hide the knowledge so efficiently. I am simply at a loss as to why I would let you remember it at all. I am the better Occlumens."

Harry looked up into Snape's black eyes once more. Deciding that maybe a little information could make Snape forget all about this, he said, "It was…more effective for you to not remember. I was allowed to because it didn't change much. I can't say much more. Look Snape, neither you nor Malfoy has needed this information for years. Frankly, it won't make a difference to anything now. There's no point—"

"If I had you hide it, then it must have been important," Snape interrupted.

Harry sighed once more, "It was. But after the war it was meaningless. And now even more so."

Snape wrinkled his brow, "I do not understand."

Harry laughed bitterly, "I know."

Severus was completely bewildered by this interaction with Potter. Potter was angry, sad, wishful, bitter and resigned all at the same time. It did not make sense. Why not try and get Severus to remember the phrase? It obviously meant quite a bit to the Gryffindor.

"Will Draco remember once I do say the phrase?"

Potter shook his head.

Severus blinked, "You mean I removed Draco's memories too?"

Potter nodded.

Severus frowned, "I would not have done that without reason. Whatever it is that you are hiding…"

Potter smiled sadly, "Snape, just leave it alone."

Severus gazed at Potter for a moment.

"Perhaps I will."

Potter breathed in relief, "Thank you."

"For now."

Potter's eyes snapped up, eyes dark with alarm, "What? No, no Snape, you need to just let it go."

Severus rose from his chair, "Potter, I am a Slytherin. We do not let things go. Ever. Mark my words, I will solve your little puzzle." And he swept out of the room.

Harry groaned and buried his face in his hands. Bloody stubborn snooping Slytherins.

Thank Merlin he didn't ask me where Draco's memories are. At least without them he can't find the release phrase.

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