Chapter one

Voldemort had told Nagini to kill and when she did her job, he left the shrieking shake with his snake. Harry went in and knelt down next to Severus Snape. Ron and Hermione came in behind him wondering why Harry was kneeling down next to the man that had made Harry's life impossible over the last seven years. But they didn't know that Snape was also an important part of Harry's life.

Harry stared at Severus as he slowly moved his head to stare into Harry's eyes, 'Take them, see me,' Severus said in a voice just above a whisper.

Harry placed his hand against Snape's throat trying to stem the flow of blood. 'Quickly, a flask, anything Hermione,' Harry's other hand reached back to take a small vial off his friend and gently placed it again Snape's face to allow the memories to flow into them. Harry had been so angry with Severus Snape, but right now he felt like he was losing a part of himself, like he was losing a part of his heart. Harry felt a sob that came up from his very soul as he watched a man that he'd seen and spent so much time with die right before he's eyes. He swallowed a few times to stop any sound escaping him from the sorrow and heartache he felt. He couldn't let his friends see, not yet and they still had work to do. Harry stared at the still form of Severus Snape before standing up. The three friends heard Voldemorts voice telling Harry to go to him, and that he was allowing his friends to die for him.

Harry, Hermione and Ron never spoke, just made their way back to the castle. Instantly they noticed that no one was around. They stepped inside the great hall and saw the injured, the tired and the dead. Ron and Hermione slowly walked down to join the Weasley family. Harry stared around and his eyes fell on two people, Remus and Tonks. Harry again felt the sob that threatened to break free, but he shook his head knowing there was still too much to do. He had to finish this, he just didn't know how, but he turned and then hurried up to the headmaster's office.

Harry stood staring around and remembered the times he spent in here with Dumbledore, but over the last few months, this room had been occupied by Severus Snape. Harry kept sniffing and blinking to stop the tears that threatened to fall. He looked up at the portrait ready to get some advice from Dumbledore, but every portrait was empty. Harry didn't know what to do, how to stop more people dying. He's fist clenched around the vial in his hand.

'What the hell, it couldn't hurt,' Harry poured the memory of Snape's into the pensieve, then entered the memory of the man that had been a big part of his life. Harry needed to know why he gave him some memories right before he died. Maybe it was his way of showing he was sorry.

When Harry finished watching Severus Snape's memory, he emerged in complete shock. He stared around as if he was looking for someone to tell him what to do, to tell him anything that would save him. But there was no one, there was nothing that could save him. Harry threw the cloak over himself and made his way down through the school to face his fate. After speaking with Neville, Harry walked into the forbidden forest. He used the stone and called back four people he knew he needed to see. They stayed with him, they gave him what he needed, then he let them go before facing Voldemort ready to accept what should have happened seventeen years ago, death.

After finally finishing off Voldemort to shocked looks from some who never believed Harry could do it, some looks were admiring and some just exhilarated that he was gone. Harry got surrounded by everyone and even though he was relieved Voldemort was gone. Harry couldn't stop the feelings of sadness come over him when he remembered who had died. He felt guilty and even though he knew it wasn't his fault, that didn't stop those feelings surfacing.

The staff were racing around everywhere trying to help the injured with Madame Pomfrey and two other healers that had turned up to help. Other people that had also turned up to fight also helped the injured, but they also spoke to the families that had lost loved ones. Harry, Hermione and Ron had disappeared for a while, but when they came back to the great hall. It looked more crowded than when they left and they realised more people had turned up in hearing the news of the fight and the death of Voldemort. Harry had everyone coming up to him, first to thank him and second to ask if he really was gone this time. He spoke to everyone, accepting their thanks then reassuring them that Voldemort was indeed dead and could never return, not like last time.

Ron and Hermione went back over with the Weasley family. Harry sat down between the bodies of Remus Lupin and his wife Tonks. He kept thinking about another baby boy who would grow up with no parents. But one consolation was that Teddy Lupin did have a grandmother that loved him and Harry was determined to be a good godfather to the boy. After kissing both Remus and Tonks on the forehead, he slipped out of the great hall and headed back through the tunnel and into the shrieking shack. Harry sat beside Severus Snape and held his hand, then put his head on his chest.

'I wish you would have told me, you should have told me,' Harry could feel himself choking up again but this time he let the tears fall and the deep sob escape his lips. As he was lying with his head on Severus Snape's chest, he thought he heard a faint thud. Harry took a couple of deep breaths to quiet his cries and listened again.

'Oh bloody hell, you're alive,' Harry quickly cast his patronus letting Prongs head to the castle for help. Harry sat there keeping his hands pressed to the numerous bites to stop the blood flow and hoped they could save Snape.

'Harry, where are you?' Kingsley's deep voice sounded.

'In here Kingsley, hurry,' Harry saw Kingsley with two other men step inside, 'We need to get him to Madame Pomfrey.

'Do you really think he deserves it Harry, after everything he did?'

'He does, I'll explain after we get him help. Please Kingsley, help me.'

'Okay, move back Harry,' Kingsley levitated Severus Snape up and the group made their way back through the tunnel and into the castle. Harry kept his hands pressed to the bleeding wounds as they lay him down on a make shift bed. Then the matron was quickly casting healing charms and pouring potions into Snape's mouth.

'It's good what you're doing Harry, keep a firm hold until the bleeding stops.'

'I won't let go Madame Pomfrey, but will he be okay?'

'Yes, but he is in for a bit of a recovery. He'll probably need to go in a holding cell won't he Minister?'

'Harry said he needs to explain. So keep treating him and I'll keep an auror here.'

Madame Pomfrey kept working her healing over Snape, with Harry still putting pressure on the wounds.

'Voldemort told Nagini to kill him, we were watching. When I saw him after, I thought he died, but I didn't have time to do anything.'

'No, you didn't, but now Poppy is helping.'

'Alright Harry, you can let go, his not bleeding anymore.'

Harry moved his bloody and shaking hands from snake's neck, 'He's so pale.'

'He lost a lot of blood, but the potions will start working on him soon.'

'Okay Harry, you need to tell me why you're so concerned about Snape?'

'Alright, we need to go up to use Dumbledore's pensieve. I'll get Ron and Hermione, you get Professor McGonagall, but no one else Kingsley. I don't want anyone to see the whole thing.'

'I'll be right back then, Abner, you stand guard here.'

'Yes sir,' a tall older man said and stood right next to Snape.

Harry looked down at Snape once more, 'You'll be okay now and I'll explain, don't worry,' Harry squeezed his hand then turned to see Ron and Hermione, 'We need to go up and see his memory, it will explain everything.' Harry sighed in relief and felt the tears again fall down his face, but he stood there letting them fall as he stared down at the man that had meant more to him than anyone thought. He knew his friends were confused by his actions, but they would know almost everything very soon. Then word would spread that Severus Snape was really on their side.