Chapter 18

Snape had thrown a few more items at Harry that night, a large ink bottle had broken open on the wall just above his head and drenched him in black ink. Several books whizzed passed as Harry ducked and dodged the various items. Spit was flying out of Snape's mouth and foaming at the corners. His eyes looked wild and the long black hair stuck to his sweaty face. If he had pictured this scenario before, Harry assumed his reactions would have been quite different. However, the sight of Snape losing it in front of Harry and acting completely off of his rocker made Harry laugh, genuinely laugh for the first time in a month.

"Ha, ha, stop!" He wheezed, "You.. Ha Ha.. look so.." but Harry couldn't speak.

Stunned, Snape seemed to realize what he was doing and stopped trying to assault Harry; who was now clutching his side and laughing so hard tears were rolling down his cheeks. Harry was trying to muffle his laughter by pressing his face into the side of the bed and leaned against the bed side table for support. His shoulders rolled as he laughed, and he had to suck in great gulps of air to keep from suffocating. Slowly, so slowly Harry's euphoria subsided and he wiped his eyes still smiling, leaning back against the table.

Snape had sunk to the floor across the room, his hair pushed manically back from his face and he stared at Harry drawing in ragged breaths. Finally he looked away and leaded his head back against the wall exposing the red scratches around his neck.

The next morning all evidence of Snape's outburst had been removed. Harry's head and clothes were free of ink and his trunk was resting in its original position. However, laying on top of his trunk were several unexpected items. A small frosted cake with green icing read, "Happy Birthday Harry!" across the top and different sized packages waited next to it. Harry jumped up from the floor, where he had fallen asleep, and grabbed the first package. A little card was attached to it, Happy Birthday, Your Partners in Crime, and in smaller writing just below that read, Feel free to test these out on Snape whenever you see fit.

The package was a long, thin box similar to the size Harry's wand had come in. Quickly tearing off the wrapping and tossing it aside Harry opened the lid revealing neatly lined up candies, baggies and two flesh-colored lumps. The inside of the lid had Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes painted in gold. Inside were a variety of Canary Creams, Skiving Snack-boxes, Ton-Tongue Toffees and two Extendable-Ears. Harry picked up one of the bags reading the note attached to it.

Peruvian Darkness Powder - Toss a pinch into the air and have instant darkness for five minutes. Inside the other bag were many small objects that jingled together. Decoy Detonators – Set them free for a quick and efficient diversion.

Harry tucked everything back into the box after examining each item; including Fred and George's incriminating note about Snape. The next package was from Hermione; it contained several chocolate frogs and a book entitled The Dark Arts De-Bunked. Ron had given him an assortment of Harry's favorite candies and Mrs. Weasley, surprisingly, had made him several tarts that still had steam rising from their tops. Dobby had sent him a new pair of socks; one with roaring lions stitched into them and the other with tiny Gryffindor swords. A new set of never-ending ink quills with bright blue plumes came from Lupin, leaving only one small package left to open. It was a small flat square that fit perfectly into the palm of Harry's hand and didn't have a note attached to it. Carefully removing the paper Harry stared into what looked like a small picture frame. However where a photo should have been were revolving grey shadows, their forms indistinct and blurry. Engraved around the silver frame were the words Constant Vigilance.

Harry sat examining his pile of gifts that he hadn't been expecting. Harry had completely forgotten that his birthday was around the corner. A small frown formed on Harry's face. It was at that moment that Snape chose to look up to see Harry frowning down at his presents. "Disappointed Potter?"

"What? No-" But Tilly interrupted him as she appeared with a small 'pop' delivering their tray of breakfast.

"Happy Birthday Master Harry!" She exclaimed excitedly the plates on her tray rattling together as she gave a tiny jump. "Is you feeling better now Master Harry?"

"Uh, yeah Tilly, thanks." Harry took an offered plate from the house-elf. She had given him a large stack of pancakes that had different variations of '16! Happy Birthday! And Go Harry!' crudely written across their tops in chocolate chips. "Thanks!" Harry said again a little more enthusiastically.

Tilly smiled wildly, bowing to Harry several times rapidly and disapparated once again. From across the room Snape was poking disgustedly as his own breakfast, which Harry could see had the same birthday declarations as his did. Harry enjoyed his birthday breakfast and put away his gifts. Storing most of them in his trunk and away from Snape's prying eyes.

"Potter, come sit here for a moment." Harry eyed Snape as he gestured towards the other side of his desk. Harry instead sat resolutely at his own desk and looked defiantly at Snape. Pursing his lips Snape continued, "So..."

"So." Harry repeated.

Snape's nostrils flared and he spoke through clenched teeth, "Have you thought about what you heard in the meeting? Come to any conclusions?"

Harry's eyes widened, so it had been Snape who let Harry listen in; "My conclusions? Well..." Harry didn't have any, he only could speculate on what he had heard and so far none of his books had given him any help with the strange mark.

"Well.." Repeated Snape dryly.

"Well Dumbledore said you could tell me about this mark" Harry gestured to the back of his neck, "I can't find anything out about it."

"Yes, we'll come to that. But that's not what I asked you Potter." Snape pinched the bridge of his nose looking down. "At what point did you regain consciousness?"

"When, uh, Dumbledore was talking about Malfoy and then uh, the new Minister being under the Imperius." Snape nodded

"And-"

"And, what?" Harry asked exasperated, "Do you want me to repeat everything you've already heard?"

Snape eyed him cooly, "What about Hogwarts?" Before Harry could respond Snape continued, "How do you think Scrimgeour's influence will affect Hogwarts?"

Harry was confused as to where this conversation was going. Did Snape just want him to prove that he was paying attention? "Well, I guess like you said, if he lets Dumbledore return it will be because Voldemort-" Ouch "-wants to keep an eye on the Order but-."

"Yes?" Snape asked.

Harry chewed on his thoughts for a moment, "Wouldn't it be better for Voldemort," Harry winced and rubbed his scar, "to keep the members of the Order away from Hogwarts? Put his own teachers in place there, like, like some school for the Dark Arts. Loads of people will return even if Dumbledore doesn't, won't they?"

"Yes."

"So then—Why is Dumbledore more worried about returning? He knows the magic of the castle better than anyone else, doesn't he? He should be there to protect the students. The Ministry could try and restrict the students and staff, watch where we go and what we do but..." Harry trailed off as he finally realized something.

Snape raised one eyebrow "Go on."

"Voldemort wants to know the castles secrets. Stuff he couldn't find out by just taking over the school!"

Snape made an appreciative nod, "Exactly."

"So what are we doing about it?"

"We?" Snape sneered, "You and I are won't be doing anything but staying up-to-speed, and staying out of the way. While the rest of the Order tries to stop the Minister before September." Snape absently rubbed the back of his neck, "And what of Mr. Mumphry?"

"He was attacked by thestrals."

"But why?" Asked Snape?"

"I don't know why. I've never heard of him before."

"He was the new head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Scrimgeour's replacement." Harry only shrugged in response and shook his head. "He was supposed to have been put under the Imperius curse as well, but the Death Eater assigned to the task failed, so I was sent to curse him instead. I was also instructed to tell the Headmaster that Mumphry was compromised."

"So if Volchski failed, why have you curse Mumphry if you were going to tell Dumbledore anyway? What was the point?"

"How do you know that name?" Snape asked quietly peering directly into Harry's eyes. Harry didn't look away.

"I was there when Voldemort told you to finish his job."

Snape's brow furrowed a little, "the point, was to draw attention away from Scrimgeour." Silence stretched out before them.

"Why are you telling me all of this?" Harry finally asked.

"Because I want you to understand the way the Dark Lord thinks, how he strategizes against his enemies. Also you need to see the way the Order works. You're pathetic displays of heroism have already proven that you act before you think." Snape's sneer seemed to be permanently etched on his face while he spoke to Harry. "Believing that only you can, singlehandedly, be the one to stop the Dark Lord."

"Well, I am-"

"Prophecy's can mean many different things, as the Headmaster has already told you." Snape interjected before Harry could finish.

"How do you know about the prophecy?" How many people knew? Didn't Dumbledore say he had never spoken about it before?

"Never you mind."

"Well whatever you think you know doesn't matter. Dumbledore told me that either I have to kill Voldemort, or Voldemort has to kill me!" Snape opened his mouth about to respond, a deep crease cutting across his forehead as he frowned, but he was interrupted by a rapid knocking on the bedroom door.

Snape stood quickly, motioning to Harry to stay put before Harry could fully rise. Snape opened the door just enough to lean his head out, blocking Harry's view. A whispered conversation took place that was too low to hear. Wishing he had stashed one of the Extendable-Ears in his pocket, Harry tried to quietly stand. His chair gave him away by creaking loudly and Snape sent him a withering that forced Harry to sit back down grumpily. Quickly finishing his conversation and shutting the door, Snape returned to his desk looking gravely at Harry.

"Azkaban has been demolished, all of the prisoners have escaped." Escaped? But it had only been a month since the Ministry had recaptured the Death Eaters. Reading Harry's expression clearly Snape continued, "Yes, it happened sooner than we'd have liked. The Dark Lord is not concerned with remaining secret any longer."

"Well...maybe now Scrimgeour will have to step up." Harry said absently still thinking about the potential havoc the released prisoners would cause.

"Have you already forgotten that he is under the Dark Lords control, Potter?"

"Oh, yeah uh..." Harry replied, still far away in his own thoughts.

Snape waved his hand as if trying swat an errant bug in front of his face, "It is a matter for another time. Now tell me, why would the Headmaster say you have to kill the Dark Lord."

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"Because unlike you, Potter, the Headmaster isn't stuck in a room with me for another day and a half."

"Why should I tell you?"

"Because, no matter what you may think, I am trying to protect you. Trying to educate you and prepare you. To do that I need all of the facts!"

"What would you be preparing me for, besides getting rid of Voldemort?" Harry demanded.

"Tell me." Snape said menacingly.

"Fine. You want to question me about the meeting, FINE! You want to know everything while I'm kept in the dark, FINE! But why don't you ask yourself some questions while you're at it! Then you can figure it out all by yourself and tell me what to do, just like everyone else wants to!" Snape didn't respond and words kept flowing out of Harry's mouth, "Why do you think Professor Dumbledore has gone through all this trouble to keep me here? Bind me to you of all people? Force me to- to- When I already know what must be done!" Anger was poring out of Harry very skin, "Do you think he is just keeping me around for show? Making sure the Boy-Who-Lived can still be his poster boy when people finally come to their senses? NO!" Harry was actually standing up now his hands shaking and balled into fists at his side, "He wants me alive so I can KILL Voldemort! He is just using ME, and using YOU, until eventually either I die or Voldemort does!"

"Thats preposterous Potter!"

"IS IT?" Harry yelled, "BECAUSE THAT"S EXACTLY WHATS GOING ON HERE!"

Snape was gritting his teeth so fiercely that Harry could hear them grinding together. "I didn't expect your serious lack of brains to be able to comprehend the whole situation, but-"

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND, YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON!"

"SIT DOWN POTTER!" Snape finally yelled back with such fury that Harry looked back at him open mouthed, until finally crossing his arms he sat back down. Both men were breathing hard. Snape sat with his hand press over his mouth his fingers and thumb rubbing either side of his face. "If this is true Potter-"

"It is! Maybe Dumbledore didn't tell you the whole prophecy! Maybe he-"

"The Headmaster isn't the one who told me, I was still loyal to the Dark Lord when I found out." Snape looked at Harry, weighing his words carefully before he spoke again. "You have never trusted me Potter." It was a statement not a question.

"Why should I?"

Snape was looking into Harry's eyes unblinking, "It was because of that prophecy that I switched sides. I freely admit that it had nothing to do with your father, or even you. It was your mother. She was-well I couldn't stand by while she-."

"But you hated her, I saw you call her a mud-"

"I KNOW WHAT I SAID!" Snape suddenly stood up and started pacing around the room. "I hesitate to tell you the rest Potter, but after the—events of last night- I-" Snape continued pacing the length of the room a few more minutes. Then he stopped standing very still in front of Harry. "We," Snape gestured to himself and Harry "to use the simplest words, hate each other, and the past few days are only proving that the bond is not taking a strong enough hold. So, either we put our own lives at risk by disrupting the bond over and over, or—we figure out a way to come to an understanding." Snape resumed pacing, "The only way I can see that working is by setting aside our mutual dislike and approach this in a different way. We need to be a resource for each other, though I hardly know what you may know that I do not. But by reaching some, middle ground, and sharing information we can stop this maddening cycle. You are obviously desperate to-" Snape stopped himself, "You, want to know more about the Dark Lords activities; because of your deluded conclusions or otherwise. And I need to know what the rest of the prophecy says so I can help you, so you can use me to help you." Snape's pacing continued but Harry's eyes never left his face.

"It seems we have two halves to the same story, surprisingly Potter, you seem to know part of the ending. While I, know the beginning. But this conversation is not going as I planned it." Snape swung around and sat on in desk. "Don't interrupt me, let me explain to you part of the reason Dumbledore lays his trust in me."

Harry sat very still, intent on his Professors' next words.

"Dumbledore told you, or showed you, the prophecy that Trelawney made more than sixteen years ago? And that the Dark Lord was given an incomplete version of it?" Harry nodded, "What he may not have told you was that a Death Eater had been eavesdropping on their conversation and also heard the prophecy. But the man left before she had finished. So all the events of last year, as you know, were devised to obtain this prophecy so the Dark Lord could hear the end of it." Harry opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it again, "What Dumbledore also didn't tell you was that the Death Eater, was me."

Harry stood so suddenly his mouth full of so many words that they were each fighting to escape first. But Snape flicked his wand at Harry and he was forced back into his seat.

"I delivered my message to the Dark Lord and he soon became obsessed with it. Finding out who the child was, and then how to destroy him. Not very long after the Dark Lord told me, as a reward for gathering such useful information, who his intended victims were." Snape sighed, "I've said already I cared more for your mothers life than for yours and I will admit that, at the time, I asked the Dark Lord to spare just her."

Harry face was slowly changing from a flushed red to dark purple as he clenched his jaw and fists in anger. "You-!"

"Silencio!" Snape commanded eyes flaring, "Yes! I am the one who sent the Dark Lord after your family, but it was also I who went to Dumbledore and told him they were in danger! Greatly risking my own safety to protect her! Thinking that your family would be kept safe under the Headmasters protection I asked, no begged, him to send you into hiding. In exchange I return to the Dark Lord but only as Dumbledore's spy." Snape cracked his knuckles staring intently at them, "Although in the end, when I couldn't save her, I had made promises to Dumbledore that I have kept, and continue to keep." Snape examined Harry's face; watching the silent anger as it slowly, every so slowly began disappear and Harry's breath evened out. "I'm telling you this because you need to know, you need to understand that you can trust me. As Dumbledore does. If this bond is to have a chance of successfully taking hold, we only have a day and a half left to do it, or start all over again.

"You have to STOP," he yelled as Harry's mouth opened again, though he was still silenced by the charm. "stop, and think how we can use each other. I have the answers to many of your questions. You hold the end to what the Dark Lord most desires, and though I don't believe that you will be the one that has to defeat Him. I believe it may provide the key as to how." Still surveying Harry critically he spoke the reversal charm so Harry could speak again.

"Why?" Harry asked. Snape looked slightly taken back, obviously expecting something different to come out of Harry's mouth.

"To which part, out of all of that, are you referring?"

"Why would you want to save my mother so badly?" Harry had seen his mother trying to defend a young Snape from Harry's own father, but Snape had yelled at her, called her a mud-blood. Didn't Snape hate his mother just as much as Harry and his father? "Were you, in love with her?"

Looking away and hunching over Snape answered, "I did love her," Harry's eyes widened to the size of saucers, "but as you perhaps love your friend Ms. Granger. She was- she was" Snape's voice got very quiet, "she was my only friend since before we even went to Hogwarts. She was kind, and generous, and truly good. An amazing witch with incredible talent. Yet she was still my friend, even though I was a Slytherin, cruel, angry and obsessed with the Dark Arts. It wasn't until after the incident you saw last year that she finally gave up on me.

"We traveled different paths after that, she and Potter went on to join the Order and became do-gooders; while I went right into the Dark Lords fold. Years went by before I even heard her name again, and then it was when the Dark Lord informed me she was marked for death." Snape fell silent.

"So, why after all that time would you risk betraying Voldemort." Harry winced, "Why would you do that?"

"I had been disillusioned by the Dark Lord, and was beginning to question his ultimate goal. And then from out of no where, the only friend I had ever had was chosen by Him to die... Imagine if you and Ms. Granger had a falling-out. One so bad that you didn't speak for years and had put you on opposite sides of a war. Then you find out Ms. Granger is to be murdered by a ruthless killer. What would you do?" Snape finally looked into Harry's still shocked eyes. "You would have stopped it."

"That would never happen with me and-"

"That's not the point! Though the probability of this happening to you two is infinitesimal, it's just an example. If it did happen, I know you wouldn't let her die without trying, just like I couldn't!"

"If Dumbledore trusts you so much then why hasn't he told you about the rest of the prophecy?"

"I don't know. There may be yet another part to this, that even we do not know."

"Maybe.." Harry ventured, "Dumbledore doesn't really trust you as much as you say. Maybe he thinks if you knew the rest of the prophecy you'd just run with it right back to your Master!"

"HE IS NOT MY MASTER!" Yelled Snape slamming his fist onto Harry's desk and getting so close to Harry's face that his long black hair hit him like tiny whips. "I cannot force you to believe me Potter but I won't stand you questioning my loyalty!" Snape's voice was deadly, and his hands itched to shake Harry with extreme force. Instead Snape slowly reached out and gripped Harry's shoulders trembling with restraint. "Whether you like it or not, we are in this together."

Green stared into black, neither wavering nor blinking. The places where Snape's hands touched Harry's shoulders were growing hot from contact. A warmth that started spreading down Harry's back, arms and down the front of his chest. Harry suddenly had the urge to reach up and wrap his hands around Snape's upper arms. Before Harry could stop himself his hands moved of their own accord. As soon as contact was made the same warmth was in Harry's hands and spreading in the opposite direction up his arms. "Can you trust me?" Snape breathed out, still staring deeply into Harry's eyes.

"Yes." Harry responded almost immediately. Snape started to release Harry's shoulders, but Harry stood up quickly forcing Snape to maintain contact. The heat is in body had filled his head, down his entire abdomen and was now traveling past his knees. If Snape was experiencing a similar sensation his face did not betray it.

"What's happening?" Harry asked breathless.

Against his better judgment Harry was pulling on Snape's arms, gripping them tightly until they stood so close that their chests were only an inch apart. Last night when they had been in a similar position; Harry and Snape both were teeming with anger and on the verge of seriously harming the other. Harry still felt a little angry that Snape had been the one to expose his parents to Voldemort, however unintentionally, but it wasn't pure rage. He also felt, safe? Harry couldn't be sure exactly what he was feeling but he couldn't move away or look away from Snape's endless black eyes.

Snape looked like he was trying to answer but nothing came out. He didn't move away and was barely breathing. Harry could feel his hot breath running down the side of his face and neck. Both men were steadily increasing their grips on the other and painfully not moving. Harry couldn't think anymore, couldn't control his body and couldn't even speak. It was a surprise when suddenly, in perfectly synchronized movements, Harry and Snape closed the short distance between them. Clutching at each other harder than ever before; their lips pressed together in such urgency it was if the breath from one was oxygen to the other. Harry felt like liquid warmth was wrapping around his entire body, Snape's mouth moved hungrily against his and Harry didn't protest. The feeling was heavenly, strong arms wrapped around him clutching at his waist and at the back of his head. Harry's had wrapped around Snape pressing him as hard as he could against his chest. Totally unaware of what he was doing Harry's mind floated away into pure oblivion.