Disclaimer: I don't own anything. That all belongs to J.. Hope you like this chapter as this is the longest one. This Chapter has more seriousnes to it than humer. xoxo

Chapter Six: Memory Lane

Memory Lane Severus was sucked into those vivid green eyes as he journeyed into Harry Potter's memories of the war. He landed on blue carpet, like he was in a pensieve memory. He looked around and found a memory Harry sitting crossed legged on the floor, with his back against a huge dark green bed. It was evening. Harry stared at a fire with sleepiness; it looked like Harry hadn't slept in a long time.

"This memory must have taken place in Grimmauld Place, " Severus muttered to himself. Music then started to whirl around the bedroom and it was familiar to Snape. It sounded the same as the phoenix he was remembering, the one of the late Albus Dumbledore's. Snape's heart started to swell with sadness as flames erupted at the top of the bed. The crimson bird swooped down on to Harry's shoulder. Memory Harry jumped, then turned his head and his eyes bulged out of their sockets.

"Fawkes?" Harry breathed. The bird just folded its wings and dropped a letter and parcel onto Harry's lap. He opened the letter, and Severus walked over to the memory Harry and started to read the letter as well.

Dear Harry,

We know there is not much time, so I will write this letter in haste. Though all do not agree, I feel the need to write you and inform you of what is to come in the next few months —no matter the outcome, the end of this war rests on your shoulders. And, knowing that, the Order will do everything in its power to lessen your journey and suffering and make a path for you to Voldemort.

There are many things I must tell you in this letter. Most of them, unfortunately, will carry news most unfortunate, so I must beg you to read it fully, and not make judgments until it is complete. Harry I have to admit that I forced my death onto another's shoulders. I was dying already and I had to force my death into Severus Snape's hands. You see, Harry, before your sixth year, started I think Voldemort's plan was to have young Mr. Malfoy murder me. But Voldemort knew Draco would fail, would turn to Severus, and he would have to show his loyalties to Voldemort.

You've brought many people hope, and this is perhaps one of the two greatest reasons that Severus dislikes you. You've brought him hope. As nonsensical as it sounds, I ask you to bear with me. Since Voldemort's return, Severus has assumed that the war would inevitably take his life. While he isn't fond of this idea, at least there is certainty to it, and Severus likes certainty.

About the time he realized that you were more than James' son, he also realized that because of you, he had some hope of surviving. Since you arrived at Hogwarts, the first reason he disliked you was that you reminded him of James, who I have to say bullied him at Hogwarts. Rather than being grateful to you, he is furious that you've shattered his concrete world because he now knows that you are not like James. I ask you to look after him, as abhorrent as this task may be to you. I doubt he will ever permit himself to stop atoning for his sins, but I do hope he can one day find some measure of peace.

But it's your choice, Harry, to save him or not. This is where I leave you with a parcel, Harry. The phile that is inside will come to save someone's life, as this is an antidote to Nagini's venom. I wish I was there to guide you to winning, Harry, but I know you will make it.

Twinkling beyond the grave,

From Albus Dumbledore.

Snape blinked in shock, as now he knew the answer to why Harry Potter saved him from death nearly a year ago. It was his choice like the letter said. Snape looked down at the memory Harry, as the boy was in shock. He saw a single tear slip from the boy's eye.

"Oh, Merlin, Snape's innocent. Dumbledore why did you have to force him to kill you? He's not a FUCKING MECHINE YOU CAN TOY AROUND WITH!"

Snape could not believe what he was seeing and hearing. Then Harry started to mutter, "He's only human after all." Then the memory started to change.

The memory changed to the night at the Shrieking Shack. Snape could see himself dying while memory self was on the floor with blood flowing around him. Snape then watched as Harry threw off the invisibility cloak and rushed to Snape and he dropped to his knees on the floor beside the dying man.

Harry saw Snape's fingers trying to staunch the bloody wound on his neck. Widening, dying black orbs found Harry's green ones as Snape tried to speak. As Harry pulled the small flask containing the antidote for Nagini's bite from his robes, it occurred to him that this is why Dumbledore had left it to him. He'd known that Voldemort would do something to Snape in the end, and it was going to be something with the snake, Nagini.

With the flask in one hand and Draco's wand in the other, Harry waved the wand in a series of quick movements and closed the wound on his former professor's neck. "

Shh, Snape, open your mouth for me, please!" Harry opened the lid of the small flask, but Snape didn't open his mouth.

"Snape, open your mouth, it's only Nagini's venom antidote. Please, just trust me." Snape stared at Harry with suspicion clouding his gaze, and for a moment Harry thought he would not comply. But then Snape opened his mouth, and Harry tilted the flask, letting the liquid fall through his parted lips. Snape swallowed the antidote, and Harry then gave him a blood replenishing potion.

All the while, Snape simply stared at Harry.

"Harry, why did you save him? He's a Death Eater, and, more importantly, the man who killed Dumbledore! He should be dead!" Ron shouted, throwing his friend a dirty look. But Harry's eyes remained rooted to Snape, and he noticed that a silvery-blue vapour was leaking from the man. It came out of his eyes, his mouth and his ears. Snape seized the front of Harry's robes and Harry watched as the silvery-blue vapour leaked from Snape.

"Harry...take them...they're my answers...to everything. Take them...to the pensieve." Harry turned around to look at his two best friends.

"Do you have a flask...anything?" Harry asked quickly as he glanced from Hermione to Ron. Hermione already knowing what to do, conjured a flask from thin air, and Harry lifted the substance into it with his wand.

"Please...look...at...me," Snape whispered to Harry. Harry looked up into Snape's black orbs. Something in those eyes accepted this.

" Thank you...Harry...and be...careful"

" Always will." Harry turned and approached Hermione and Ron. "Take him to the Madam Pompfrey. She will know what to do".

"But Harry, why..." Ron began weakly, but Harry cut him off.

"Ron, you do not know why I have saved him. I promised Dumbledore that I would look after him. That's all I can say for now. Please, just take him." Hermione transfigured a stretcher and levitated Snape on to it, and the four of them exited the Shrieking Shack.

The air rushed past Severus as the memory changed to a torch-lit chamber. It was the old trial room where, one year ago, Severus had waited for Amelia Bones' verdict on his freedom, and continue teaching in the education system at Hogwarts as a professor.

As Severus looked around the chamber, it was filled with people who were solemn and silent. Everyone who survived the war was there, but from what he could remember, Harry had not arrived until Amelia had started speaking. But now Severus could see him waiting in the dark entrance on the other side of the room.

The memory Severus was going to arrive soon. Footsteps echoed through the silence and people shifted restlessly as a small black door opened on the opposite side of the chamber. Three figures stepped into the arena-like floor space. The man in shoddy black robes, with dark hair and sallow skin flanked by two Dementors was indeed Severus.

The Dementors led the memory Severus to the familiar chair that held him years ago. It had gold chains, bewitched to hold captive anyone who sat in it. The gold chains wove their way up the memory Severus arms. Memory Severus raised his head slowly to look up at Amelia Bones.

Severus was appalled at how awful he looked. His face was drawn and bloodless, with heavy dark circles under his eyes. His lank hair contrasted drastically to his too-pale skin, and his usually glittering black eyes were strangely dull. A man from the MLE stood up from the high benches and started to talk to the whole room.

"This Court in now in session. This is the second and final hearing for Severus Tobias Snape, as evidence was provided after the first hearing." The room started to fill with voices, and the man from the MLE silenced them before carrying on.

"The interrogators for this case are: Amelia Susan Bones, Minister of Magic; Helena Rozalie Sparks ,Head of Department of Magical Law; Percy Ignatius Weasley, Senior Undersecretary to the Minister. Court Scribe, James Ronaldo Todd and then we have the MLE."

"Severus Snape, you have been called before this council again for being one of Voldemort's most loyal Death Eaters, for charges of severe harm to Muggles, the use of the unforgivable curses, and also the death of Albus Percivel Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Do you understand the charges?" Amelia's voice rang out in the large chamber, but every eye in the room was focused on Snape.

"Yes," Memory Severus' voice sounded dead.

"I understand that you, from the new evidence we have received, now have someone to vouch for your defense?" Memory Severus was about to say something like " I don't have a bloody clue," but another voice echoed into the court room.

"Yes, he does." said a deep voice that belonged to none other than Harry Potter, whom had stepped out of the shadows. Hushed mumbles, mutterings and gasps filled the room as Harry Potter walked towards Snape's chair. All eyes were now on Harry as he looked up to Amelia Bones. Amelia extricated a piece of parchment from the pile in front of her and handed it to Helena, who took a deep breath. She called for silence.

"Lord Potter-Black, Please present your case for the defendant, even though you have provided us with evidence since the last trial."

"Your Honour, Wizards and Witches of the court. It is now my job to tell you why Severus Tobias Snape should be free. Firstly, the reason for Professor Snape's Dark Mark was made obvious in his first trial. It is unnecessary to waste time of the court's to go over that again. For those who do not know of this trial so well as myself, Professor Snape was a Death Eater. He does not attempt to deny this. However, it has been many years since he acted under Voldemort's orders because Severus Snape acted as a double agent throughout both wars, and has saved countless lives, including my own, many times. With out him, the war would never have ended. Secondly, Professor Snape's use of the killing curse. By doing a Priori Incantatum spell on Professor Snape's wand, we have discovered that the only person he used this curse against was Albus Dumbledore. The court has seen some of my memories and the letter that Albus Dumbledore sent me after his death. You all witnessed this before this trial began. My verdict for Seveus Snape is that he has to be free of all masters to control him. Out of all of us who received an Order of Merlin first class from the war, Severus Snape should have gotten that honor, because he risked his life every day for over twenty years. And, if he wants to continue teaching in the education system at Hogwarts, he can, and he will have my support the whole way."

Harry looked up to the high benches where the MLE and the Wizengamot had fallen into urgent, whispered conversations. Memory Snape, on the other hand, gaped at memory Harry, as he was shocked that he was the one who gave evidence to save him for Azkaban's clutches. The whispering stopped and Amelia Bones now looked at Snape

"Those in favour of clearing the accused of all charges, and, after years of service to the light, to be given a Order of Merlin first class, please state by placing your hand up," said Amelia's voice, which boomed across the whole room. Memory Snape looked up and noticed all of the MLE and Wizengamot had their hands up.

"Well, it seems that you, Severus Snape, are cleared of all charges and you should receive your Order of Merlin soon. This case in now cleared and you, Mr. Snape, are free to go."

The court room started clapping as finally Memory Snape had got what he wanted after all these years. Freedom. Snape looked up to see Minerva and other people come towards him with happy faces. Memory Snape looked to the Memory Harry who smiled at him before he started to walk away without looking back...

Harry pushed Snape out of his mind, and they both returned to the land of living. Snape, who was in shock, was still on top of Harry. Snape's black eyes were still locked onto Harry's, but they looked unfocused. After a couple of minutes, Snape started to note that he was still on top of Harry.

He pushed himself off and stood. Harry got up and walked towards his suitcase that he hadn't unpacked yet. He got out a small one use shampoo and body wash, black skinny jeans, black silk boxers and a thin green shirt and walked out of the room, leaving Snape alone.

Harry went two doors down to Ron and Draco's room and, as he got closer, noticed the door was a bit open. The sounds that were coming from the room were a bit petrifying for Harry, so he pushed it open and what he saw was blinding.

Draco squeezed and squeezed his eyes shut, hoping that when he opened them it would turn out to be some horrible dream. Harry Potter just had walk in on him and Ron rolling around in bed. Wide-eyed, Harry looked at Ron who was frantically shoving Malfoy off.

"I guess this means you weren't lying when you said you hadn't told him," Draco said, schooling his features into their usual calm mask. He sat up and looked over his shoulder at Harry. The dark haired boy was standing, staring at him and Ron, his mouth was hanging open, and there was a terrified look in his eyes.

"How long?" asked Harry who looked at his naked best friend and thesort-of enemy Slytherin.

"Mate, I can explain..." Ron was cut off.

" Ron, shut up and just tell me HOW bloody long this," said Harry who waved his hand at them both " has been going on?" shouted Harry. Now Draco and Ron could basically see the magic pulsing under his skin.

"Since the Halloween Ball," said Ron, who was ashamed about not telling Harry.

"Six months, huh? You know what, you can close the bloody door if you want secrets like this to stay behind closed doors!" hissed Harry angrily as he waved his hands in a panicked sort of way at the door and walked out.

"Harry, wait up, mate! I can explain!" Ron said as he got up and started to run through the open door. Draco started laughing that Ron just ran out the door naked.

"RON, DON'T FORGET YOU'RE STARKERS!" Draco screamed down the hallway. Ron stopped and looked down at himself.

"Shit!" Ron cursed as he ran back to his and Draco's room. Ron slammed the door shut, slid down the door, and buried his face in his hands.

"My thoughts say that you should of told him last year." "Do you thoughts ever shut up?"

"No."

Harry needed to be alone to calm down, and he needed to change. He went to the first floor, where the changing rooms were. He looked in and noticed that they were empty.' Thank Merlin!' he thought, as he walked over to one of the shower cubicles.

He put his stuff on the bench and turned on the shower. He then took of his shorts and flip-flops and put them on the other side. He knew that it was stupid to get a hot shower when the weather felt like it was at boiling point, but it was the only reliable way to calm down at the moment. He started to relax as the water his his skin.

"I can't believe what I just saw. My best friend had somehow kept a secrete that he has been dating Draco Bloody Malfoy from me for six months. Then we have Snape who will be... I don't know pissed at me. What a great start to the trip, Harry" he muttered to himself.

Half an hour later, Harry was done. He put his shorts in a locker, and then he walked out of the changing rooms. He walked down the stairs to the ground floor and walked looked up at the reception's clock stating that it was 6 o'clock. So he had two hours until everyone in the group met up for dinner. Harry walked past the receptionist and headed for the doors that lead on to where they were dropped off this morning.

He pushed the doors open, turned left, and he followed the road down to the beach. The beach was stunning. There was no other word for it. Harry took off his flip-flops and held on to them and let his feet hit the warm powder-fine sand. He started to walk across the warm sand until he was walking along the edge of the shore, wading in the warm water. The beautiful sun set brought a gleaming light to the sand and sea.

Harry noticed that it's in rainbow colours: shades of red, orange and yellow shine brightly through the sky. Harry closes his eyes tightly as the intense, bright colours of the sun soothes him. "Impresionante y hermosa." Harry said as the sun rays hit him. What he didn't realize that someone was behind him.

"Well, Mr. Potter, I am simply amazed you can learn Spanish, but you can't learn a simple rule of not going out side the hotel with out a professor." Snape said as Harry jumped out of his skin. Harry turned around. "How did you know I was down here Professor?"

"Well I can spot your hair from miles away. Good thing I looked out from our balcony or I would have had to report a missing student. Now, will you kindly return to the hotel with me." "I can't yet. I need time to think about things, Professor Snape".

"I know, Harry. Just come back to the hotel and we can talk. I need to say some things"

"Well, Professor, why don't we walk and talk along this beautiful beach? Anyway, you might want to take your shoes off so you can experience the warmth of the sea."

"I will walk with out going in the water".

"Come on, Professor," Harry pleaded. But he now saw amusement in those black eyes.

"Oh for…. Really Harry?…'Professor'. You can at least call me Severus when we are alone." Snape said as he kicked of his shoes and held onto them.

"Come on then, Severus. This will be an experience for the both of us, and at least I'm not making you go skinny dipping," Harry said, as he grabbed Snape's hand and dragged him in the water.

"So, where should we start, Severus?" Harry asked, his hand was still in Severus'.

"Well, it's hard for me to say this because I do not apologize to anyone, but, Harry, I'm sorry for..."

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from Kat xoxo