Guess who's back? Back again ;) I'm still creating new chapters but at this point, I estimate to be about four or five chapters off being half-way through this story :) Thank you to all of you that have stuck with me, and offered support at times when it has been desperately needed.

As always, not mine, never was :( no copyright infringement intended

Glancing between Hermione's horrified face and Snape's broken one, it took Harry a moment or two to realise what the man had said. When the words trickled into his brain, Harry was incensed with rage. He levelled his wand at Snape's face, and before the man could even defend himself, Harry cast. "Legilimens!"

He broke into Snape's mind and he quickly located the memory of the night Trelawney spoke the prophecy, it was easy, too easy, as if Snape was offering up the memories. But, it did nothing to soothe his rage, nothing to cool his temper, and he felt a sickening satisfaction that he was doing the hurting for once.

He heard Trelawney's raspy voice, the words slightly muffled through the ajar door. A shadow, flash of blue eyes that twinkled, and Snape rushing off before he could be caught. He'd heard enough to bring to Voldemort. The memory shifted, Snape on his knees before his master, offering up the knowledge. Voldemort decided the child must be him, Harry, and demanded their deaths, all of the Potters. Snape begged for Lily's life, but only hers. No James, nor Harry's.

Only when Voldemort seemed reluctant to agree, Snape realised what he'd done and ran to Dumbledore, asking the headmaster to hide the whole family, keep them safe. He'd failed, as Harry knew. But the startling discovery that Snape had betrayed Lily again, and then didn't even care that he, an infant, was going to be killed. Because it meant he just might get her back again.

Withdrawing, Harry trembled with holding back his fury. "How could you betray her again?" He hissed. "Did you really think she'd come to you when her husband and child were dead?"

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose in pain and a choked sound escaped him. "I was an extremely angry young man, Potter. I had ruined my friendship with your mother, and I loved her more than my own life, but there was…an altercation. I lost my temper, I called her something hateful, and she never forgave me for it. When I found out about the prophecy, I planned to make myself the Dark Lord's right-hand man, to prove I was worth something. I realised too little too late that the baby in the prophecy was you."

Harry narrowed his eyes. "You begged for her life. But you didn't beg for mine. I could almost understand you being pissed enough to let my dad die, I actually could. But a baby? You hated him enough to let me die?"

"I…I cannot even begin to explain my actions, Potter. Not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did. Your father was a bastard, but he didn't deserve to die, and neither did you. I was hard on you because you reminded me of him, but that is nothing you can control. I'm a bitter man, who has many actions that I regret, deeply. If I could take it back, I would."

"All this time, I thought of so many people it could have been who told Voldemort. But not once did it ever cross my mind it was you," Harry whispered. "You sided with a man who hated Muggleborns but claimed the love of your life was one. That's a contradiction if ever I heard one!"

"What do you want me to say, Potter? I was wrong? Yes, I was wrong. That I shouldn't have done it? I already know that. Why do you think I've spent the last sixteen years trying to make up for my mistakes? I found your mother, dead, and you in your cot, crying for your parents. My heart shattered that day," Snape said, dark eyes wet. "I got your mother and father killed, I lost my best friend, and I left an innocent child without his family. I then made a worse mistake in not pushing it when I saw how thin you were every year- that I never checked on you. I made a promise that I would look out for you, and instead, I spurned you at every turn and made your life a living hell."

Harry's tirade ended when he saw how remorseful Snape was, the normally stoic man stood in his own classroom, tears in his eyes and imploring a young man to see the error's he, as a young man himself once, had made.

"I know she refused to forgive you, for saying that bloody awful word. And maybe if she'd just forgiven and forgotten, she'd still be here. I guess we'll never know."

Snape shrugged one shoulder. "Your mother did not need to forgive me, Potter. I still haven't forgiven myself."

Hermione tugged on Harry's hand, he looked at her and she inclined her head at him, eyes beseeching him to understand.

He sighed. "Well, I'll do what she couldn't. I forgive you, Professor. I forgive you."

Snape's head shot up and he looked so empty and broken that Harry had to hold back his own tears. "Potter…"

Harry help up a hand. "I don't think I'm ready to just shake hands and move on just yet. But give me a little time to process, and we'll talk more soon."

Snape nodded and saw the pair out of his classroom. Harry didn't look back, but he was grateful when Hermione slipped her hand into his and squeezed reassuringly.

-oo0oo-

Monday morning saw the return of Malfoy at school. Harry glared at the little ferret from across the Great Hall at breakfast, strutting about like a peacock. Hermione laid her hand on his knee and squeezed, forcing his gaze away and to his best friend.

She smiled and pecked his cheek, raising her hand back above the table and tucking into her sausage and eggs. Harry made himself a bacon sandwich and devoured it in minutes, making a second one and adding an egg with a good runny yolk.

He laughed when Hermione cleaned his face of yellow yolk, rolling her eyes when he held out sticky fingers and pouted. He noticed Ron watching them with an odd expression, almost thoughtful. Ginny and Luna were giggling, their hands trying to hide it.

Harry frowned. "What?"

Luna smiled and winked at him. "Nothing at all, Harry. I think we're just enjoying you acting like a big kid."

Hermione swatted their friend playfully and returned her attention to her breakfast, but not before giving Harry a bright smile, his heart skipping a beat. The effect was short lived when he caught Malfoy looking at them, a dark smirk on his lips.

Harry narrowed his eyes and glanced up at the head table, the headmaster watching the Slytherin table with close interest. The blond quickly averted his gaze, and Harry breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully, Malfoy wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything anytime soon.

The pair bustled off for Charms after their breakfast, the small professor greeting his students as they entered the classroom. Hermione broke off to go sit with Neville for a change, and Harry took a seat beside Ron. She glanced back at them and smiled, winking at Harry and whispering to Neville.

"She's still damn smart," Ron murmured.

Harry laughed quietly and nodded. "Yeah, she always seems to know. You and Lavender seem to be getting along well."

Ron flushed red and nodded. "Yeah, she's nice, really kind."

Harry smiled. "I'm glad, mate. It's good to see you smiling."

"Same, Harry. You and Hermione…you're really good together."

Harry glanced to the back of Hermione's head, a smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, shame it isn't real."

Ron got out his charms book, Harry doing the same. "I think it's more real than you both realise," Ron whispered just as the lesson began.

Harry didn't have the time to question that statement, and Ron fled the classroom as soon as the lesson was over before Harry could corner him. A voice in him whispered that it could happen. Maybe, just maybe, one day, Hermione would love him.