Chapter 9

November, 15th 1998, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

It's been six months since the end of the war. A boy with a messy black hair and emerald green eyes, was walking into the school. Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived now the-Man-Who-Survive (the Daily Prophet are so not original) was heading to the headmaster's office. On the way, he occasionally greets the students and volunteer workers that working in building Hogwarts. He had gone to the Wizengamot, the Ministry of Magic and to Hogwarts back and forth for weeks now to do one thing, to get Headmaster Severus Snape to have his own portrait in the Headmaster's office. He knew he should have done this the moment the war is over but the mourning of the loss in the war, capturing the rouge Death Eaters that had escaped, Wizengamot trials, the 'business' with Gringots and preparing for his Aurors training had hinder him from doing so. He felt so guilty and ashamed of himself. The man that had protected him and sacrifice so much, no one ever thank him. Even after his death no one mourn for him. Although there are some had respected him more after the truth comes to light, many didn't. Harry knew although no one ever dare to speak ill of Severus Snape in front of him, he knew many people still condemn him even after all his sacrifice.

Hogwarts will always honour its headmaster/headmistress the moment they died, by hanging a portrait of the headmaster on the Headmaster office. However, the night Severus Snape die, his portrait didn't hang on the wall. That is why Harry do everything he could to give the man his own portrait even if he must use his own fame to do so. And today is the day the portrait would be hung.

Harry arrive at the front of the headmaster or the headmistress office. "Spinx," he muttered the passwords to the headmistress' office. He entered the office and was greeted by the new headmistress, Professor Minerva McGonagall. There would be a ceremony to hang the portrait. The ceremony is attended by the professors, the staffs, his best friend, some of the Dumbledore Army, the Malfoys (actually only Narcissa and Draco Malfoy) and some of the members of the Order of Phoenix. But it surprised Harry that some of the students came too. "Harry, I'm glad you could make it," greet the Headmistress. "I wouldn't miss it, Professor. I'm sorry I'm late. I had some 'business' with Gringots," he frowned while saying it. "Please, Harry. Call me Minerva. I'm not your professor anymore since you wouldn't attend Hogwarts for 8th year."

"Sorry, Minerva. I hope everything is alright," Harry said. "Don't worry, everything is fine. We only have to wait for the portrait artist to bring his portrait." Harry just smiled at that. Then, he saw his best friends, sitting near the fireplace. He walked towards them. It seems they are bickering as usual.

"Hey," Harry greet them. "Hello, Harry," Hermione hug him and lead him to the couch. "Hey, Ron," the redhead only stare at him. Then, after a while, he sighed, "Hey". Both Ron and Harry had a row several days before. Ron actually didn't agree with Snape's portrait. He said if the castle didn't put the portrait itself then, why should they put it for him. It really just meant that Snape didn't deserve to be honored as the Headmaster of Hogwarts since he abandoned his post. After he said that, they had a big fight. Harry loves his friend. He really does. But sometimes, Ron can be a pain in the ass.

They didn't talk too much after the greetings. Hermione just rolled her eyes, annoyed. Of all his friends, she, Neville and several students that had receive help from Snape secretly during the war, support his decisions on putting up Snape's portrait. After Snape had die, several secrets came to light. It seems Snape had secretly helped and heal the students after the 'detention' with the Carrows. After he helped them, he obliviate them and send them to their dormitories or to the infirmary. He also confounds Neville into using the Room of Requirements for the high risk students to stay especially the muggleborns. He evens the one that order the house elves to watch over the students and the Carrows movements. Now, everyone had realised the reasons why he sent students for detention with Hagrid.

"I really in debt with him. If it wasn't because of him, we would die already," said Neville solemnly. "But its odd. Isn't the memory charm should be long lasting?" all the guests look at him curiously. Sensing he got everyone attention, he continued "I mean, even if the person who cast the spell die, the memory charm shouldn't lose its effectiveness. If not, isn't all the muggles that had been obliviate should be remember they had witness wizards use magic around them? We shouldn't remember all the things that Professor Snape had erased."

"I found out it's odd too, Mr Longbottom. There are several reasons for this to happen. But, I could guess it's most likely because of his magic sudden depletion," told Professor Flitwick regretfully. Harry couldn't help but asked, "What do you mean, Professor?"

All the professor looked at each other and bow their head in regret. It's Madame Pomfrey who break the silence, "There is one time, it's about a month before the war. Severus fell ill," she halts then continued, "We cast curses on him. I could guess his sudden magic depletion is caused by his body trying to fight from the curse. But without a proper treatment and the right potion, he would not recover. It is actually a miracle he could fight and escape that day."

All of them were shocked. "How could you? And he didn't get any treatment?" Harry speak angrily. "Oh come on. I bet you would be glad we did it. Even you didn't know he was a spy. How can we know?" the astronomy professor retorted.

"Aurora!" exclaimed Minerva.

"But Minerva, what Aurora said is the truth. How can we know. Didn't all of us really glad about it? Severus even came to me two weeks after we curse him. You know how he wouldn't come to the infirmary willingly unless he was in a critical condition. He really desperate but I throw him away. I thought I just imagine it but for a second he looks hurt by that. Now I know I didn't imagine it," Madame Pomfrey was now in tears. All the professor had ashamed look on their face. Narcissa and Draco Malfoy only sat impassively at the corner of the office. None of them said anything. Malfoy has a grim expression after knowing these. Harry noticed that he holds his knuckles tightly. Narcissa Malfoy's eyes, Harry realised were glistened with tears.

"Yeah, how can we know," said Harry solemnly. He knew it is the truth. He would be glad before but now he just felt guilty and regret. Regret because the man had sacrificed everything but he died knowing he had send his best friend's son, the child he had protected for years to his death, and he died not knowing that his effort had not gone wasted.

Suddenly, the fireplace roared. A man in his 60's entered the office. He has short white hair and blue eyes. He wears a simple grey robes "Headmistress McGonagall, it's good to see you again."

"Mr. Cartwright, I'm glad you arrive. I could guess his portrait is done," greet Minerva. "Ah, yes. It is done. Although it's really hard to paint him. It really seems he doesn't really want to be painted," the man said in confuse. They could only imagine the hardship the painter had gone through.

"Ah, let me introduce you. This is Oliver Cartwright. He is...,"

"The famous wizarding painter that had painted several famous wizards and witches. One of his painting is the portrait of the founder of Witch Weekly, Tobias Misslethorpe," all of them looked at Pavarti Patil.

"Yes, Miss Patil. I really appreciate if you didn't interrupt me," said Minerva. Pavarti had the decency to look embarrass for interrupting the Headmistress, "I'm sorry professor but I'm a big fan of him. I really love your paintings Mr Cartwright."

Oliver Cartwright laughed merrily, "I'm really glad there are people who like my paintings. Thank you, Miss Patil," he looked at his watch. "Look at the time. We should get it done now." Minerva led Carwright to the headmaster/mistress' table. Cartwright took out a small wrap package and put it on the table. He then, pull out his wand and cast the Engorgio spell on the package. He levitated the package and hang it on the wall while it is still covered. Then, he cast several spell and enchantments for the castle's magic to infuse with the magic in the portrait. After that, it is the time to uncover the portrait.

Headmistress McGonagall hold her hands on the cover and slowly let it slide to the ground. Everyone looked at the portrait of Severus Snape, but something is not right. Instead of his usual scowling face and insults, it was his blank feature that gracing his portrait. His usual Slytherin mask. And the weirdest thing is he didn't move a bit. Not even his eyes movement. Not even a blink. Knowing Snape he at least should be scowling or glaring. It's like his portrait is not magical at all but a 'normal' muggle portrait.

Carwright frowned at this, 'It is impossible he should have move even a bit,' he move closely to the portrait and inspect it. 'All my spell and enchantments are working properly. There is no way this portrait suddenly become a muggle portrait,' he thought.

"Mr Cartwright, is everything alright," asked Minerva. "It's nothing headmistress. Just curious. There's nothing wrong with the spells and enchantments."

"Maybe the castle didn't recognize him."

"Ron!" exclaimed Hermione. Most of them glared at him including Neville and the students that Snape had secretly help. Ron at least had a decency to look ashamed.

"Well, Hogwarts headmaster and headmistress portraits are unique and different. Unlike other portrait, the headmaster and headmistress portraits are infused with ancient soul magic; being cast by one of the founder Rowena Ravenclaw herself. Although their are only portraits, they have some of their soul in it."

"You mean like Hocrux," told Harry. "No no no... Lord forbid. Hocrux is made by an act of murder. These portraits are made from memories, their essence."

"Memories?" Professor Flitwick asked.

"Yes. I had been researched about these portraits. Their attitudes, habits, feelings, emotions, favourites these are the main essence for the soul magic to create a headmaster or headmistress portrait. In other word, they are real, like the original but it isn't the same."

"Why it isn't the same Mr. Cartwright?" as usual it was Hermione.

"Because their characteristics are the same until they die. They didn't change. They stay the same. But what I'm curious now is Headmaster Snape's portrait."

"Maybe the Weasly kid is right. Maybe the castle could not accept him since he left his post," said the past Gryffindor headmistress. "Shut your mouth woman! You didn't have the right to say that!" retorted the one of the past Slytherin headmaster. "I say whatever I like you slimy snake!"

"Please calm down, all of you," said Dumbledore.

"Well, this is all your fault Dumbledore! You are the one that force him to 'kill' you!" said the same headmaster angrily.

The office is in chaos. The guest spoke heatly with each other. All the portraits are shouting and screaming (except for Dumbledore who still silently guilt). All but one portrait. Phineas Nigellus Black sat silently and observing the situation in his portrait. No one even realised he is quiet than usual. He and the other portrait are watching them silently.

'They have no idea of what's going on here' he thought. Headmaster Black knew something, regarding Severus Snape. During Snape year as the headmaster, Phineas realised someone had been following him. The other headmaster and headmistress portraits didn't realise it but maybe except him and a certain portrait. There was a time when he heard someone singing a lullaby in the middle of night. A very beautiful voice that he thought come from heaven. But what makes it strange is whenever there is Severus, there is the melodious voice. After some spying, he realised it was a woman that following Severus. A beautiful one that is; with long silky black hair and shining sky blue eyes. What makes Phineas really in surprised is the castle didn't set alarm of the intruder. Only the founders and the headmasters could disable the wards alarm. And since at that time, Severus is the Headmaster it is impossible he disables the wards.

Then, there could be only one of the two reasons. The woman knows how to breech the wards which was almost impossible because it was a very ancient and powerful wards (unless Severus decided to take down the wards) or someone told her how breech it which is also impossible because only the founders and the headmaster know how to do it. In the midst of chaos, something had clicked in his head. He grinned widely. He looked at the portrait across him. The man in the portrait has red hair and brown hazel eyes. He wore golden and red robes. Both of them looked at each other knowingly and smirked.

No one knows during Headmaster Black service as the headmaster, he had been investigating a secret that was kept for a thousand year. The secret regarding one name Salazar Slytherin. Every founder has their own portraits. Helga Hufflepuff in the Hufflepuff common room, Rowena Ravenclaw in the Library and Ravenclaw common room, Salazar Slytherin near the entrance to the Slytherin common room and Godric Gryffindor at the Headmaster office. Their portraits are moving like any other magical portrait. Except for Salazar Slytherin. Indeed, it is a magical portrait but for some reasons the portrait didn't move since its creation. There are many speculations but no one alive knows the true reasons, although he has his own suspicions. In fact, no one in the room have realised the same significance of the two portraits. 'They really are oblivious of the situation,' thought Phineas amused.

One day, Headmaster Black asked all the previous headmaster and headmistress to leave their portrait. All of them except one. It was a portrait of the man with red hair and brown hazel eyes. The portrait of Godric Gryffindor. Once they're alone, Headmaster Black asked Godric Gryffindor about all the truth about Salazar Slytherin. But he didn't expect the truth was uglier and heart-breaking than he ever thought. He couldn't believe the betrayal and the lies that his family and all the other purebloods family had carried on and on for a thousand year. But what makes it more heart-breaking is he couldn't tell anyone for the sake of the future of the school.

Now, Headmaster Black in his portrait looking at the portrait of Godric Gryffindor and smiled sadly. Then, both of them looked at the unmoving portrait of the youngest headmaster of Hogwarts, Severus Snape.

Unheard to all the occupants in the office, while looking at Snape's portrait, Godric Gryffindor sadly whispered, 'Galahad.'