"msorataomet"

Harry had not been looking forward to the final match between Ravenclaw and Slytherin and it was no wonder why. With Malfoy still calling in sick and the entire team nervous because of how poorly they'd been performing over the past three games, it was no wonder.

Then a miracle seemed to happen. Somehow, despite losing two games, they managed to pull ahead against Ravenclaw by so many points they had won the Quidditch Cup. Harry was in so much shock, he didn't realize until later that Theodore hadn't attended the game. The Slytherins rushed back to the Common Room to enjoy treats and celebration. Here they met Theo and Draco, both shocked by the outcome of the game. Harry was grinning like a fool, going on about the win and unable to stop talking and laughing and having a great time...

And then Theodore had pulled him away from the crowd and into a corner where, pinned against the wall, Harry found himself no longer talking, no longer even thinking as Theodore's lips pressed against his own. He forgot about the match, he forgot about the fifty sets of eyes staring at him, and he forgot about all about his fears and concerns about what other people may or may not think. There was silence around them for a little while and then there were hoots and hollers, which only made Harry smile as he ignored them and continued to kiss Theodore, feeling like he never wanted to stop.

They did break apart and Theodore gave a smile at the look of sheer wonder and awe upon Harry's face before answering the unspoken question, "Figured you deserved a decent gift."

"More than decent." Harry breathed, his entire body tingling.

"Thank you." Theo ducked his head a little, embarrassment fresh in his eyes. "Care for another?"

"I'd love another."

Everyone was turning towards the party and having themselves a good time as Theodore leaned in closer and kissed, this one somehow even better than the last.

The next few weeks, Harry felt he was living in a dream. The entire Slytherin House was happy with him again and his classes were going well and no one suspected him of cursing Ron and Draco hadn't been asking Theo or Harry to pose as girls for him and, better than anything else, Harry felt as if he was finally dating Theodore.

They spent as much time as was feasible between their cramped schedules and had taken to kissing more frequently than either of them had ever guessed they would. Harry felt as if he'd wasted almost three years of his life by not spending it like how they did now. Resisting joining the other in bed was like trying to hold back a storm. Theodore seemed to feel the same.

Then he was called to Dumbledore's office and along the way bumped into Trelawney, who had been trying to hide things in the Room of Requirement when she had heard a male voice whooping with glee. Harry knew exactly who she was talking about a sense of squirming uncertainty entered his stomach as he realized he needed someone other than himself to inform Dumbledore as it was often that many of the Professor looked at Harry's assumptions with a very little acknowledgement. He suggested Trelawney tell the Headmaster, but she spoke only how Dumbledore preferred less visits from her and how the cards were repeating themselves. After convincing her to come with him to visit the headmaster, he began to listen with little interest as she began to complain about Firenze taking half of her classes before finally landing on a topic that did intrigue him: her interview with Dumbledore, who hadn't seemed the least bit interested in her until...

"...but then...but then we were rudely interrupted by Severus Snape!"

"What?" Harry had not expected this.

"Yes, there was a commotion outside the door and it flew open, and there was that rather uncouth barman standing with Snape, who was wafflinga bout having come the wrong way up the stairs, although I'm afraid that I myself rather thought he had been apprehended eavesdropping on my interview with Dumbledore...you see, he himself was seeking a job at the time, and no doubt hoped to pick up tips! Well, after that, you know, Dumbledore seemed much more disposed to give me a job, and I could not help thinking, Harry, that it was because he appreciated the start contrast between my own unassuming manners and quiet talent, compared to the pushing, thrusting young man who was prepared to listen at keyholes...Harry, dear?"

Harry had stopped walking and they were now ten feet away from each other.

"Harry?" She repeated.

He was in too much shock to even speak. White heat flooded his mind and burned out his vision as he realized with horror that it was Snape who had overheard the prophecy and relayed it to Voldemort, thus sending the villain hunting after Lily and James and Harry...

"Harry?" Professor Trelawney asked again. "Harry...I thought we were going to see the headmaster together?"

"You..." Harry's brain began to work slowly and he amended after a pause. "I think...it'd probably be best if I talked to him actually. I'm sure I can convince him to...look into it."

"You're sure?" She asked, uncertain.

"Yes." He nodded, tried to pretend he wasn't shell-shocked. "I'm sure."

"Well, if you insist."

"Thanks."

Harry walked past her and continued on his way towards Dumbledore's office only he suddenly veered off and charged down into the dungeons, quite forgetting all about his appointment with Dumbledore. In less time than it had ever taken him to reach Snape's office, Harry had burst in without knocking, startling the man into spilling a bottle of ink all over the papers he had been grading.

"Potter!" He spat angrily. "Explain your..."

"You were the one who heard the prophecy." Harry interrupted, eyes boring hatefully into Snape's. "It was you! You heard the prophecy and you told it to your master and he came after my mom and my dad and me."

Snape was so still, he looked as if he'd been petrified. His face was white because all of the blood had drained from it and his eyes were transfixed on Harry's. Not caring how Snape would react to it, Harry cast Legilimens and flashes of images and words sped across his mind: of hearing the prophecy, of imploring the Dark Lord to spare...Harry didn't catch it...of coming to Dumbledore.

"ENOUGH!" Snape had risen and shoved Harry from his mind so hard that Harry staggered backwards. "You have no right to go digging through my brain, Potter!"

"Why did you do it?" Harry shouted back, ignoring all rules of Occlumency and controlling his emotions. "Why did you give him the prophecy?"

"That is none of your business." Snape snarled.

"Don't give me that!" Harry roared. "You are the reason why my parents are dead!"

This seemed to strike a note as Snape became very still again, his face so incredibly white now he would have glowed in the dark.

"I..." He hesitated, his voice mingled with an emotion that Harry had never heard in Snape's voice, therefore it was unrecognizable. "I didn't know what it meant...I didn't realize it was for you and your family. As soon as I learned what the Dark Lord intended to do, I told Dumbledore and, in doing so, turned sides."

"That sounds unlikely." Harry spat, glaring at Snape. "You hated my dad."

Snape straightened. "Your dad, yes, but not your mother and not...her child."

Harry shook his head, disbelieving and still angry. "I can't believe you can...how can you even..."

"Look at you?" Snape raised an eyebrow. "Not feel guilty every time I wake up in the morning and am reminded that I am the reason why Lily and James are dead? Live with the fact that my actions cost them their lives and robbed you of the normal family life you would have had had they never been attacked? Yes. Of course it's difficult. Sometimes it feels unbearable. I do it because like you it gives me purpose. If I can redeem myself, perhaps I can forgive myself."

The anger was quelling down a little and Harry took several steadying breaths before giving a faint nod. "All right. Fine...I have to go, but we will discuss this when I get back."

"Go?"

"Dumbledore's asked to see me." Harry grumbled, wishing he could stay here instead and interrogate the living daylights out of Snape.

"He did not tell you this?" Snape asked, seeming surprised.

"No. Trelawney did...though she didn't realize it. I deduced it myself from what she told me."

"I see..." It appeared for a moment as if he had intended to say something more, but thought better of it and gave Harry a nod.

Harry, taking this a sign to go went straight to Dumbledore's office, who expressed only light surprise that Harry was late and an eagerness to get underway, but he also noticed that Harry was not as excited nor as nervous as he should be about the task ahead of them.

"What has happened to you?"

"Nothing." Harry lied.

"What has upset you?"

"I"m not upset."

"You have become a skilled Occlumens, but this only proves..."

"Snape!" Harry bellowed. "Snape's what's happened! He told You-Know-Who about the prophecy, it was him, he listened outside the door, Trelawney told me!"

"When did you find out about this?"

"A little bit ago. Today!"

"Harry...please listen to me."

Harry scoffed. "I've already talked to him and he already told me that he had no idea who else the prophecy concerned and that he regretted it and whatnot and that he is trying to redeem himself."

"Well, I am glad to see you trust in Snape this strongly." Dumbledore smiled at Harry.

"But this doesn't make sense!" Harry snapped. "He hated my dad!"

"You have no idea of the remorse Professor Snape felt when he realized how Lord Voldemort had interpreted the prophecy, Harry. I believe it to be the greatest regret of his life and the reason that he returned to this side."

"But how?" Harry hissed. "How can you trust him?"

"This is between Severus and I." Dumbledore stated sternly. "And I know you understand very well about keeping friend's secrets."

Harry felt a pang of guilt and wondered briefly if Dumbledore knew what Harry had been hiding about Theodore.

Dumbledore continued. "I trust Severus Snape completely."

Giving a great sigh Harry shifted about on his feet. "All right, you do and that's enough for me to give him a chance, but I'm going to talk to him about it regardless."

"If he chooses to relinquish this secret to you than I will only see it as an improvement for Professor Snape."

"All right, well, now I must tell you about Malfoy."

And he quickly relayed the information he had been hoarding about Draco this entire time.

Dumbledore listened quietly and finally gave a sure nod. "This is all good to consider, but I might inform you Harry that there are plenty of additional safety measures at hand currently while we are ready to depart. I take the safety of my students very seriously."

"I never thought you didn't, sir." Harry replied coolly.

"Ah, so much like Severus." Dumbledore smiled at Harry. "I have told him several times now over the course of this year and the last how much like him you've become. He refutes my claims, but I think it brings him great happiness to know you have modeled yourself after him. I hope that, no matter what strife may come between you, no matter what strife, the two of you remain as close as you have these past few years."

"Sir?" Harry furrowed his brows, but Dumbledore moved on and Harry, wanting very much to accompany Dumbledore on his search for the Horcrux, decided to drop the topic and accepted the terms and conditions Dumbledore set before they finally set out on their journey for the Horcrux, which made Harry forget all about his current bone to pick with Snape.

Translation: "sectumsempra" spoken in my language. This is the spell that closest resembles Snape's Slicing Spell.