Harry woke up in the ICU. Avi gently explained to him why he was strapped down to the bed, and that he was going to be fine.

"I can't let you rip out your oxygen. It's the only thing countering the drug in your system. I've been court ordered to keep you sedated, but that's difficult without knowing what you were dosed with."

Harry had no choice but to listen to him explain.

"I know you want her back, but don't fight us on this. You're too weak to do anything. When you're alert, you're erratic and your magic is dangerous. You have very little control over yourself at the moment, and the authorities are doing everything they can. They'll find her, Harry."

"Draco…"

"Draco did sustain some serious injuries, but he'll pull through as well."

Before Harry could muster another word, Avi's face faded to darkness.


The next two days passed like a nightmare, with Harry in and out of altered states of consciousness that filtered out reality around him. His body told him that something was wrong, but his mind wouldn't let the information come all the way through. He knew his daughter was gone, but the drugs didn't let him access his emotions. The minute his anger tore through the fog, a device on his arm delivered metered medication, shoving him back down into numb observation of his anxiety.

There was so much rage trapped inside of him, a part of him escaped the confines of his body and he saw himself sitting mute in a hospital bed, uninterested in food and sleep. A fork on his plate caught his attention and he stared at it, as doctors stared at him from behind glass. Picking it up took a massive amount of will, for the drugs didn't let him act on his own very easily. He wasn't trying to kill himself when he pushed the prongs slowly into his hand. He was trying to feel. To test that he was in sync with the world around him, and that he had the strength to wake up from this sense of loss. If he could escape, he could go after her. Of course, everyone overreacted when they saw the blood on his sheets and forbid anymore forks to accompany his meals.

They wouldn't let him see Draco. Avi came in during the evenings, and repeated what he knew of the situation. Repeated, because Harry kept forgetting that aurors were doing their best to track down the men who took Iece.

Minister Banks sent investigators to talk to Harry and tell him everything they knew. A seasoned auror Harry had known in passing, Liston McVay, appeared beside his bed in the middle of the night.

"Can't stay. Told Banks I'd stop in to give you word, at least. We're hunting the bastards down, Harry. Whoever grabbed her, there were far more of them involved than what you encountered. The helicopter disappeared. That took magic. It was an organized snatch. There were muggles and wizards working together on this. Wizards could've grabbed her and been off, but the fact that they used muggle technology, points to their knowing about her illness and not wanting to set off her magic. I don't think they're going to hurt her. They need her safe.

"The Minister thinks they're after you, she was just easier to grab and hold as leverage. You'll have guards around you twenty-four seven, but I think they don't want you by yourself. Whatever they want from you, they knew they couldn't force you to it, so they had to take something you cared about. We expect them to make contact with you. All communications are tapped."

That night, Avi brought a simple bowl of oatmeal. He placed it on a tray in front of Harry. "You haven't eaten in two days. If you don't eat, you're going to be in trouble."

"Draco…"

"Eat, and you'll see him."

Despair pushed out of Harry. That was impossible.

"I know it's foolish to ask you to calm down and relax, but I do ask that you get your head together. That's the only way we can stop drugging you and let you out of here."

Harry stared at the ceiling. Why wasn't Draco here, visiting him?

Avi read his thoughts. "Draco fractured both legs and suffered a concussion, among other injuries. He's awake, and he'll mend just fine, but he shouldn't be up right now. He wants to see you as much as you want to see him. But you have to cooperate with rational, coherent behavior. That's the only way they're going to release you."

Harry looked down at the creamed oatmeal presented to him. It smelled like sugar. He saw Iece licking each sweet, sticky finger as she played with her food. He knew he was only fantasizing, remembering, but he could've watched her all night. When he looked up, it was daylight, and Avi had long gone.

In a jolt, he realized he was sitting here doing nothing while strangers had his daughter. In self-disgust, he sent the bowl flying. Cold mush splattered the floor and for one second, he felt ready to run out of the place. Then his automated injection kicked in. He made it to the edge of the bed before falling to the floor.


Two days later, he sat in court between two aurors in charge of keeping him sedate and manageable. Upon entering the building, loud whispers cast doubts on whether he was in any state to finish the trial. His eyes never focused on anyone and he moved sluggishly, prompted forward by the wizards holding his arms.

Inside, Winston and Destiny held their respective positions like horses waiting to start the race. Once everyone was assembled and the proceedings got underway, the judge addressed them all.

"Ladies and gentlewizards of the jury and the court, we are all aware of the unfortunate tragedy that has taken place, involving the kidnapping of Harry's and Draco's daughter. Therefore, after considering all avenues, we are all in favor of bringing a speedy resolution to this trial."

Through the crystal globe viewing broadcast, people stopped all chores and listened. Work came to a halt as offices and factories amplified the volume on their globes and PA systems.

"While Mr. Potter himself has been deemed unfit to stand trial under these circumstance, and Draco Malfoy is currently hospitalized. I believe that all relevant evidence and testimony has been submitted and considered by the jury. Therefore, our members are ready to reveal their verdicts."

Destiny spoke up. "Excuse me, Your Lord. Not all of the evidence has been presented. Since last Friday, critical details have come to light. While we all appreciate the need for urgency regarding closure of the trial, in light of recent events, I think you'll find the next testimony to be very helpful and clarifying. I'd like to call a surprise witness that I knew nothing of until last night."

People shifted uneasily in their seats. The Weasleys were there, and looked as perplexed as everyone else. From a section away, Narcissa pretended that she wasn't curious.

"And who is this surprise witness?"

"Severus Snape, Your Lord. The defense calls Severus Snape to the stand."

The sound of air being sucked to the back of throats, was audible. It carried over the broadcast. Arthur Weasley's mouth fell open.

The judge looked over his glasses. Before he could ask if he'd heard correctly, the rear doors of the courtroom swung open. A wizard in a cloak stood there. He might've been giving everyone time to adjust to his identity. He might've been pondering whether he really wanted to go inside or not. The sharp reproach on his features, said decidedly not. But he was committed to a mission, and so he stepped forward.

A woman yelped, covering her mouth. Other's joined her in leaning back, as if he might smell their fear and give chase.

"Merlin, it's Snape! He's supposed to be dead," was the consensus of all the whispers. Shock sprayed around the room, infecting others who watched from home and work.

"He died in the war. Harry said so."

"Clearly not."

They went back and forth amongst themselves.

The prosecutor, Winston Scott, was clearly unprepared for this, and watched Snape's entrance like a man caught in the beam of an approaching train.

Snape's propensity for a dramatic entrance, preceded him, parting the room to make way for his long strides. The press lost a second of stunned silence before they remembered to capture as much of the entrance as possible. Commotion rose to instant disrespect and outrage. Someone shouted, "He lied! He should be the one on trial."

The judge fought to be heard, threatening all of them with arrest if they didn't pipe down.

Not all were enemies of Severus Snape, but those who were happy to see him, didn't know how to process their surprise. Arthur and Molly looked at one another, professing their amazement silently. Beside them, Hermione immediately burst into tears, bringing white knuckles to her open mouth. Ron held her, but eyed the cloak that billowed past them, with suspicion. He waited to get a good look at that face.

Harry's head had fallen forward. One of the aurors nudged him, but he was very slow to look up. When he did, his expression remained blank. Ron and Hermione looked for his reaction and found none.

It took several minutes for everyone to calm down. Some witches and wizards had to be forcibly removed. Destiny looked anxious as Snape was sworn in. No doubt her research had to be considerable, and overnight, in order for her to trust that Snape wasn't a wanted Death Eater still on the run, as many believed.

Once sworn in, Snape returned the death stares aimed at him, unsmiling, as he allowed Destiny to explain his presence.

"I know you're all surprised. I was too, when Mr. Snape approached me outside my office last night and said that he wanted to testify on Harry's behalf. I thought I was looking at an escaped criminal. I had to be reminded that the indictments were dropped against him once Harry's and Albus Dumbledor's memories showed the true role that he played in Voldemort's defeat. Just because we all thought him to be dead, which he clearly isn't, doesn't mean that he's running from the law. Severus Snape was completely acquitted of any wrong-doing in his postmortem assessment."

Winston, against all procedure, called out, "Are you sure that's him? What about a polyjuice impostor?"

"Yeah!" Rang out a chorus.

Destiny held up her hand to shush them. "He's been tested for potions and deceptions. Harry's memory showed Snape being attack and appearing to die. But the body found in the boathouse that night, and there were several from the battle, was destroyed beyond recognition. The wand found closest to what was presumed to be Snape's remains, was identified as his, so no one questioned it further."

They stared back at her, horrified.

"This is the real Severus Snape," she gestured, almost apologetically. "It's true that he faked his death at the time Death Eaters were hunting him, but the Ministry discovered his survival and kept the information confidential. Very few within their ranks had the credentials to know. Since his name had been cleared, he was given the opportunity to hide his identity and start anew. This decision was made to quell political unrest surrounding arrests that sent hundreds of Death Eaters to prison. He joins us here today, because he has extraordinary information. And in light of recent events, he's decided to come forward to help Harry. He is literally risking his life to come out of hiding and bring us this testimony."

"Why now! Why not last week?" The shrill voice surprised everyone. It was Narcissa. She looked betrayed and not about to take it calmly.

"Order!" The judge rapt his gavel.

Destiny brought her hands together graciously. "I'll let him tell you that."

She approached Snape, who turned his laser focus from Narcissa to her. His stiff regard gave her permission to approach cautiously.

"Mr. Snape, will you please start by telling everyone why you've asked to testify today, and not sooner?"

The corners of his mouth compressed dryly. "My testimony was not required until today."

This struck someone as funny. Their outburst quickly evaporated.

He continued. "I held full confidence in Harry's innocence. Justice is always on his side. I saw no reason to jeopardize my privacy to save him. He's a formidable wizard and needs no saving. However, his daughter is another matter. I have come forward to retrieve her. The sooner this trial is over with, the sooner I can enlist Harry's help in getting her back."

Everyone's eyes wandered to Harry between his guards. His unshaven face was still an unreadable mask and only dim awareness looked out of those glazed green irises. No one could tell if he had heard, what he was feeling, or if he felt anything at all beneath the chemical cocktail suppressing his personality. The real Harry would not have been able to endure another second without tearing up the world to find Iece, which made looking at this one all the more painful to watch.

Snape saw him, but didn't react, and didn't try to pull him out of his stupor. He spoke slowly and deliberately, as if casting a spell with the tone of his voice. His timbre found Harry in his prison and carefully led him to levels closer to freedom. Something behind Harry's eyes tried to focus, but never quite could.

Snape continued, "When I saw those cowards take her from his arms, I decided that my retirement was over. I'm here to volunteer information and make short work of this nonsense you're calling a trial, so that we can all focus on what truly matters. Getting her back. It is preposterous that any of us would waste time putting this farce before her safety."

Destiny replied, "I assure you, Severus, the Ministry has deployed every resource to investigate the kidnapping."

"And I assure you, that is an inaccurate assumption. Let's not waste anymore time or my efforts will be in vain. I'm here to tell you that Harry isn't the cause of Lucius's demise." An eyebrow went up. "I am. Harry certainly beat him admirably that day, but I am the one keeping Lucius's magic from healing him. I am the one holding him in a coma that causes him to waste away slowly. Just last night, I released him. It will take twenty-four hours, but he's waking up as we speak. You will have your proof in a few hours."

Everyone blinked in astonishment.

Destiny asked, as if she hadn't stayed up all night pulling this information from him. "You're responsible for Harry standing trial?"

"I'm responsible for keeping Lucius unconscious. Narcissa is responsible for dragging Harry into an unnecessary trial. It should've been thrown out the minute she opened her mouth. If allowed to run its course, Harry would've been charged with public assault, done jail time or been released. Lucius would've awakened when I deemed it appropriate, with perhaps the use of his body compromised, and all of this would've been avoided."

"If it's true, what you say about Lucius, are you aware of the charges that will be brought against you? Your own actions are illegal."

"I am. Are you aware that I have the ability to help get Harry's child back and as long as we sit here squabbling over who did what, the risk that she will be irretrievable increases with every minute?"

Destiny folded her arms. "Mr. Snape, if you have information of her whereabouts, you need to share that with the authorities."

"I didn't say that I know where she is. I said that I could help. I've released Lucius, so Harry is not to blame for attempted murder. That case is solved. His physician should be contacting Narcissa very soon."

"Well, while we wait on that call, is there any other testimony you would like to add to Harry's defense and the fact that he concealed being Iece's birth-father?"

"I was not present at the Malfoy mansion when it all took place. Nor was I present when the child was born. I was still in hiding, but I met up with Harry and Draco after their escape. I was the one who determined his condition and advised them both on what to do. I was able to offer them a private place to stay and coach them through the process. Harry did indeed carry the child, but his mental state was too fractured to take ownership of the experience. He hardly knew who he was after the attack, let alone what to do about a pregnancy.

"When I saw his state, I determined that his shock prevented him from functioning. I removed the worst of his memories while he was in my care, without his knowing. This explains why he experiences a disconnect when trying to recall what happened. His body continues to feel what his intellect has no record of. This, I'm sure, contributed to him feeling that his only recourse was to lie. His experience could not be put into words, literally. I had removed the very bridge to its verbal expression."

This sunk in, as people listened unblinkingly.

"He put all of his energy into hunting horcruxes, to keep from thinking about his body. Draco's written account of the night in question, made Harry's brutalization very clear. It is for that reason that I took the opportunity to prolong Lucius's recovery and give him extra time to think about his actions towards Harry."

"Are you not concerned with prison time yourself? You've risked your own freedom to admit to harming Lucius."

"If it allows you to know that Harry is innocent and terminates this trial, then I am well suited to take that risk. It isn't my life that's at stake at the moment. It's the child's. Your line of questioning delays her rescue."

"I just want the jury to be clear on the part you've played in all of this."

"My dear, when it's my turn to stand trial, they'll know. I realize my appearance is abrupt and I've given no one reason to believe a word I'm saying. Therefore, I will divulge a bit more. You see, I too wish to submit a blood test. My blood will show that Harry and I have more in common than our history at school together. We have both been attacked by the Unbearable curse, and it has darkened our lives beyond conveyance."

He looked as though he wanted to continue, but had to pause before parting with something he didn't want to give up. He lifted his head to the gallery.

"Harry and Draco have told you everything you could want to know. All their secrets are laid bare to a public that does not deserve them. You get to keep your heads high while judging him, and no one knows your demons, or so you think. Just remember, there are no true secrets. We are all pretending that we can't feel and interpret the unsettling things that do not get spoken, but we scan one another intuitively all the time. Some of us are better at retrieving hidden thoughts than others. I will not leave Harry alone on this stand to divulge his greatest adversity before the glutton of gossips and spectators.

"He and Draco were not the only men to have their masculine integrity cast into scandalous doubt. If they can stand before you so courageously, then I will support their efforts by sharing my own history. Draco's letter has persuaded me to let go of the last of my concern for the opinions of others. If these young men are strong enough to reveal their vulnerabilities to an ungrateful world, then surely I can support them by letting go of mine."

Destiny asked, "You are also a victim of the Unbearable curse? How so? The court was under the impression that the curse was invented specifically for Draco, by Voldemort's team of mediwizards. Did they attack you as well?"

"No. An earlier version of the curse existed long before Voldemort. I was stricken with the same curse many years ago, at the hands of his father, James Potter."

A surge of murmurs moved around the room.

"I was seventeen. I shall skip all bemoaning of injustice and the dramatics, and tell you that the pranks of four teenage boys turned into a hellish descent into sexual events, in which I was the subject and receptacle of all their teenage maladjustment. I will not mince my words. They cursed my body to display the sexual traits of a female and took turns with me."

Offended groans and disgust reached him. Arthur and Molley's mouths hung open. Ron and Hermione looked lost and humiliated for Snape. They had seen the curse first hand. No one would make up a story like that.

Several people stood and shouted. "He's a goddamn liar! He's a Death Eater, he can't be trusted."

"I knew James Potter. This fella has lost his mind."

"The dead can't defend themselves, can they? I knew the lot of Sirius and James and Remus. They would never!"

As the judge restored quiet, Snape looked out at the gallery. "None of them acquired sainthood upon their deaths, and they were mere mortals when they lived. At school, they were boys. Stupid boys, and they performed no differently when no one was looking. Ask yourselves, what were you trying to get away with in your adolescence, when left to your own devices, without the morals of others to keep you in line? These were not geniuses who spent their time inventing ways to improve the world. They were young, horny wizards, with the power to incapacitate and humiliate me. Briefly.

"But don't feel sorry for me. I do not ask for your sympathy, for time has a way of correcting the score. As you can see, I am here and they are not, through no doing of mine. Believe me or don't, it doesn't change history. It does give me intimate knowledge of the curse and its life-long effects. It gives me a fundamental reason to make myself a target of your scorn as I side with Draco and Harry here today. None of you, ignorant of their suffering, are in any position to judge them."

The gallery looked abashed. Destiny sighed and gestured to keep things going. "We're just trying to uncover the truth. And that's quite a lot to process, but it does support your motives for being here today."

She turned to the jury. "Medical evidence of Mr. Snape's claim will be submitted to the jury for assessment. We have proof that his story is fact, in the form of medical evidence and authentic memories."

A witch yelled out, "This is vulgar! He can't just come in here and disgrace their good names like that. Those men are heroes."

Snape's head turned sharply. "Heroism is an ideology. A filter people use to cover up the mundane. If you can only love James and his friends if they're special and unsullied, then sorry to deprive you of your beloved worship and alter. Vulgar were the deeds done to me. The truth is vulgar. This is no time to be polite. Either you want the truth or you don't."

His eyes scanned the room, fell on Harry, then moved on.

"Teenage boys can be cruel. Who here denies that? I was cruel right back to them. There's no point in pretending otherwise. I am exhibiting my personal details so generously, so as to feed your parasitic craving for the most depraved details of a person's life, in exchange for credibility and Harry's freedom. That's what a public trial is, and even though Harry and Draco dared to hold a little privacy back for themselves, you've taken issue with it and drug the last from them, and still they are not free. Now you've witnessed the taking of their child, an even greater punishment, and still they are caught in your scrutiny and you, as a public, as legal officials, will not release them. I am feeding you more of the scandal that you demand, in hopes of bargaining for their freedom. The fact that you sit here in self-righteous judgment while they jump naked through metaphorical hoops until you are satisfied, is the very epitome of vulgar, and yet it is our justice system."

He turned back to Destiny. "As for James and his friends, they are not here to defend themselves and there will be no trial for our crimes against one another. I have made peace with that, and I am not looking for justice. I make no claims of being innocent. I extracted my revenge. I made them think that I couldn't escape them, just so that I could use the curse to ensnare them with one of my own. I let them do what they did, without realizing that the curse stays with you for life. I don't care if any of you believe this, my point is to shed light on the fact that some truths are so terrible, they require lies to protect others, and that you all know, whether you wish to remain hypocrites about it or not.

"Draco lied to protect Harry. Harry lied to protect his sanity. Are you really going to prosecute a young man for being unable to relive his worst night on earth? Or even face its retelling in court? He's survived things you can't even look at, and you dare to judge him. His lie, Draco's lie, it doesn't prove that they have hidden anything but their private torments and crippling shame. It proves that they are human in spite of their magical abilities. That's all."

He turned to the jury. "Consider that in your decision."

Turning back to the gallery, "Harry and Draco have given up every layer of an ego's protection, when it comes to dignity and enjoying the respect of one's peers. The best among you will all snicker and tell little harmless jokes for the rest of your life, which question their manhood. History books will taunt their child's child for generations to come. They are now more famous for what is speculated to be between their legs, than for any great deed accomplished. And they have accomplished many. They are victims of mere biological weaponry, not specimens deserving to have magnifying glasses placed at their crotches. They are male, for the curse can only eclipse their true forms for short stints at a time, and their real masculine nature is always fighting for dominance, which compromises their health. Their war injuries should not figure so perversely in your treatment of them.

"If they must bear this ostracism, I will make sure that they do not bear it alone. Some of you measure wizards by their bravery, or the quality of their character. Some respect me. Some fear me. Many loath me. Few dare to challenge me. I've gained my reputation, for better or worse, with my decisions and actions, not with convincing people that I am a male. I say to you, my sex organs are male only eighty percent of the time. Within a two-month cycle, I will spend at least one week's worth of that time with female genitalia. That does not include breasts. That is my burden to live with, but it does not stop me from responding to those who challenge me. As an agent for the school and the Ministry, I have killed on your behalf, in exactly that female form. It is no less dangerous than that of a man's and should not be less feared, respected, or underestimated. To gossip idly, is to think less of it, and to belittle your own daughters and wives."

Heads snapped back, as if he'd slapped all who heard him. His criticism smarted.

"The curse reveals that true shame lies in the people who think it shameful. Why else would you feel pity for one who's penis has been temporarily replaced by a vagina? All of us are more than our body parts. When this trial is over, this unsavory individual before you, will go after Harry's child. I will get her back, and that's what you should all be thinking, not the manner of man that the curse has made me."

His stare challenged all of them to say any different.

"What's more, Harry is not the only one to produce a child from the curse. A child resulted from my time with James and his friends. Only, I attempted to abort the pregnancy, and there would be nothing more to say about it if James hadn't gotten involved."

There were incredulous gasps, but he talked over them. "As I've said, in an attempt to feed your hunger for corruption, I offer you my past instead of Harry's and Draco's. As I tell it, I go with them into the annals of public disgrace and I challenge anyone to laugh in my face or theirs. Feast yourselves on the knowledge of my regrets and humiliation, while I render those irrelevant to one missing child. I'll tell you whatever it takes to help you see that Lucius's public beating was not a crime. It was the end of postponement. An inevitable price. The real crime is wasting everyone's time with this trial and publicly disgracing two wizards who will never enjoy anonymity the way all of you will, ever again."

Destiny quickly reminded him, "You were saying about a pregnancy, and James?"

"James intervened. I used an old spell to lure the unborn spirit to an artificial womb. A jar. It's old magic taught by any midwife worth their salt. James was dying, sick from the very retaliation I'd attacked him with while he was raping me. My curse took hold of him and he would've died, had he not found my jar, containing the magic of the offspring between us. He broke it and used the life inside to sustain his. You see, while the unborn child had no body, it's essence contained the magic of my line. He linked it to Lily Potter, as insurance that I could no longer kill him without killing her. Since I wished no harm to Lily, she lived. They both lived.

"But a curious thing happened. The embryo that was in my body, dissolved away, and it's life-force went into Lily. It followed its biology, as determined by James's genetics. His seed. A spirit intending biological life, will look for a body. James's child followed the only body left available to it when Lilly became pregnant. Because of the magic involved, the child she carried had already been conceived by James and I. She contributed her genetics to its formation, but the magic was still of my line and remained visible and identifiable to me."

Listening, most everyone in the gallery shook their heads in denial. Others remembered myths that said such things were possible.

Snape said, "How's that for satisfying your demand for perversions and scandal? I give it freely, in exchange for all of you to come to your senses and turn Harry over to me. Lies and crimes go back farther than anyone can dig up proof for. There is no justice for those who have lost loved ones over the feuds of dark wizards, or who have been victims. You'll not gain one ounce of benefit by sending Harry and Draco to prison, or retrying anyone from the war. As you can see by my testimony, to dig up the past only causes one to keep unearthing bottomless questions that do not have satisfying answers."

Even Destiny looked stunned. This was not, apparently, what they had agreed to discuss. It was news to her. "Are you saying that Harry is your child by magic, by way of the curse?"

"I am."

"And that Lily Potter technically gave birth to your child?"

"I would say that Harry's biology has been contributed to by three parents, not just two. He contains Lily's DNA as well as James's. But he possesses a magical signature that is mine, as shown by the anomaly in his blood tests. I too shall submit my blood to prove that you will find the same anomaly that no other two people in the world possess. It comes from my mother, who engineered magic in her womb."

"So Harry is technically your son?"

"By hereditary magic, not necessarily DNA. I do not know how much genetic material he and I share, since it was all imprinted by my magic and I never gave birth to him. I do, however, claim him as kin. And by extension, his daughter."

This last was directed at Narcissa, who knew competition when she heard it. She pursed her lips and pretended to smile indifferently.

The courtroom buzzed as people let out their disbelief. "His claims are too outrageous."

"He's a liar and a murderer. Why are we listening to this?"

"Because he risked his life for years to save those kids. I'd like to see you play double agent with Voldy and come out smelling like a rose."

The Weasely's were in distress. They peered up front to see how Harry was taking it.

On viewing crystal globes all over the wizarding world, Harry's face revealed only that he was now sitting up instead of slouching. He looked in the direction of Snape as if having heard his name for the first time. But he gave no other indication of being shocked, or that the news had registered at all.

Snape turned to the jury, "If you have what you need, I implore you to announce a mistrial and return these boys to their lives. You may investigate me all you want, but let's get on with bringing the child home. She has done nothing to deserve this delay and we cannot know what's happening to her."

His eyes shifted to Harry, who looked like a child just waking up to reality around him.

Harry stared at him, appearing to distrust what he was seeing. He had no resources to process this person calling himself Snape, who looked like Snape, who was saying something about Iece that just wasn't possible. The information came out from behind clouds, but then went inside again, leaving feelings that had no identifiable way of tracing them back to their source. His confusion paralyzed his mind. The meds glossed it all over, only to have him question what Snape symbolized in this nightmare. He knew he wasn't asleep, but neither was he awake, so he didn't trust any of it.

Snape declared, his voice reaching out like a hand grasping Harry's jaw, to focus on him, "Those responsible for taking that child, have brought me out of retirement. Out of hiding. Harry's and Draco's sacrifice has allowed me to see that my life is nothing, next to one so newly given to us. I've done nothing to deserve offspring, yet my mother's magic lives on in him. His daughter, like it or not, is the next generation of my family.

"The Ministry knows that I murdered to save thousands of children. I want it understood that I would do more to save her. Those who have taken her from Harry, have stolen from me. This trial is being broadcast by crystal globe. Her kidnappers are listening. Accomplices may even be seated here in this room. In any case, I want them to know, they have my granddaughter and their fight is now with me. There is no law under heaven that will stop me from getting her back, and making sure the offense does not happen again. Whomever you are, you will stand before me and beg for your life before this is over with."

His threat caused a hissing of consternation. Through it, Harry recognized Snape's voice. He awoke, for just a moment, and found his teacher on the stand, claiming him. Claiming her. The hope of getting her back burned through his heart and spilled from his eyes.


Note: Thank you all for returning to this story. I know a lot was revealed here, but how much did Harry really hear? How much does he really understand? When he sets his mind on being grateful, he does not back down and he doesn't listen to reason. For those of you who are here for Snarry, your time is coming. For those of you here for Drarry, I'm just gonna say, 'No, Draco has not lost the baby.' How do you give everyone a happy ending when there can only be one true couple? You tell a very complicated story that shows why everyone deserves a piece of the sun that Harry is. Like the sun, it would be unfair to restrict him to one person. He's that wonderful.

Until next time… :-)