Yicks, once again sorry for taking so long to get this chapter out. Even with the Holidays and two jobs, I really didn't think it would take this long. I admit I didn't count on my BBC Robin Hood obsession getting any worse then it already was. Sorry. My inner fan girl took over.
Also this chapter was a bitch to write, which was funny since I along with the last chapter I wrote the rough draft for it two years ago. That fact made the writing of the last chapter easy, while this chapter was really hard for some reason.
Thanks for the kind reviews: Zerocrash; Silvain Star; fhippogriff; loveserverussnape; Karilii; cutie-tiger; munchnzoey; Mad Eyes Arme; t wrecks; Erinamation-limited2-nothing; Angelinvestigationsfan; puella; Jemma Blackwell; WrenBlack; Otspock; chalicity
WrenBack & chalicity- Thanks to you both for pointing out the spelling mistakes. I do try to go back and fix them when people point them out. To WrenBlack- Yes, Harry is a bit off. It is part of his changes as you pointed out. To Chalicity- Lily did indeed do a very bad thing to Harry in this story. She was under a ton of stress and in my story thought it was better then the alternative of him becoming an outcast while the 'cause' against Voldemort was also hurt by her actions.
The next day Harry woke up early and sleepily padded into the kitchen for breakfast. There was a simple meal of cereal, eggs and juice was already sitting on table just waiting for him. A smile erupted onto his face at the inviting sight. Now this was pleasant. Silently, but happily Harry sat down across from Snape, who was engrossed in his morning paper. Without comment, Harry dug into the warm food. It was plain and simple, but after days of leftovers tasted as good as the opening feast at Hogwarts.
"This is better than cake and cold chicken, I assume?" Snape asked, folding his paper and putting it down.
"Much," Harry mumbled through a mouthful of egg.
Snape gave a look of distaste at Harry's manners, but dryly added, "I am glad."
Much to Harry's surprise, Snape didn't pick his newspaper back up and ignore him like in the past. Instead, the man sat back in his chair and sipped his tea contently. The mood in the room became relaxed, even serene, but Harry couldn't help but notice Snape's eyes frequently falling on him as if there was something he wanted to say.
If there was something on Snape's mind, he stayed quiet on the subject. It wasn't until both had completed the meal that Snape leaned forward and ventured a few words.
"I'm afraid the next few days will be busy ones. I had assumed we'd have a little longer to perfect the details of you being my son. I now see I was mistaken and that now we have only a few pitiful days."
Harry's stomach dropped, his good mood rapidly fading as he recalled their invite to the Malfoy's this up coming Friday. "Can't we say I'm sick?" Harry suggested in a half kidding manner.
"Such bravery. No wonder you Gryffindors have managed to create such a heroic image."
Harry gazed at his father with annoyance, but Snape went on, "We have a plethora of unpleasant things to do, such as getting you suitable dress robes and working on your conduct, but you will be going, no excuses."
"What if I refuse?" Harry fumed. If there was anything he couldn't stand, it was being told what to do. Even being Snape's kid didn't change that about him.
Snape dramatically closed his eyes and sighed. "Stop being such a child. You always say you wish to help the Order. While that is out of the question, the least you can do is not undermine it."
"HOW-"
"'How,' is that as a spy, I have an image to uphold and having my son make his dislike of the enemy known is dangerous. Jokes and silly stories put aside, we discussed this yesterday and I thought you understood."
With his body shaking and his arms wrapped tightly across his chest, Harry jerked his head in agreement. He did understand, but he still didn't like it.
Snape's voice continued smooth and even, "Don't assume for a minute I wish this upon you or myself, but we both must be practical with this. What is done, can not be changed and you will doas you are told."
Harry shot up out of his chair and gave Snape a seething glare from across the table. For a moment, Snape's dark eyes had a flash of wonder to them before becoming empty and cold. Harry took it as a warning to stop while he was ahead.
Harry exhaled deeply and shaking, fell back into his chair. He knew, by all rights, he should be screaming. He knew just a few days before he would have put up a real fight, one that would have made Snape hate him even more, but now, somehow, he found he couldn't. The anger was there and the resentment, and oh god, how he wanted to strike out… but he couldn't. Harry felt the fire he had once possessed in abundance was gone.
Think for once, his mind demanded. You're making a scene even though you know he's right. What the hell is wrong with you?
Suddenly, Harry's stomach turned at the thought.
"What's wrong with me?" Harry whispered, rocked by a startling realization. His behavior over the past fewdays flashed through his mind, each act, each moment leading up to this single instant. It wasn't what he had just done that shook him to his core. This fight and all his unspeakable anger were suddenly so meaningless. It had instantly vanished in a moment of horrible clarity. Sitting there, he all of a sudden knew it was what he hadn't done that would forever haunt him. Harry, with all his past rashness and his Gryffindor spirit was considering logic and consequences. He'd be amused if it weren't so frightening, but now he knew something was just wrong.
Glancing up, Harry saw a weary gaze in Snape's eyes.
A bitter laugh escaped him. "I don't even know who I am anymore," he choked out.
Dumbledore had been right. There were no more 'maybe's' or 'your guesses are as good as mine'. It had happened. He had changed, subtly, but surely and in a way he hadn't seen coming.
Snape at a loss of words, took a few moments gathering his thoughts before slowly saying, "You have to trust me that you'll get through this… we both must trust one another to get through this." Once the words left his mouth, it was Snape's turn to look shocked. It was clear their meaning was sinking in.
Snape gave a nervous laugh, before he grimaced in disgust."How appalling, I hate when that man gets things right. The headmaster had said this would happen and of course it did."
This won Snape a weak smile from Harry. "Don't worry, I still hate you."
The words hadn't been vicious.
Snape too, smirked slightly, his eyes narrowed inquisitively. "You're going to hate me even more when you find out my other news."
"Nothing can be worse than what just happened."
"After your lessons, we're going to Grimmauld Place for the day."
Harry froze, jaw gapping. If possible his already depressed heart sunk even further into his chest. They had been dull plain words and Snape had said them with almost a light ease, but they managed to fill Harry with a sense of panic at the possibility.
"But… I can't." Harry's eyes shifted about the room as if searching for any exit. This after everything else was just too much.
"Of course you can."
"No, I can't," Harry insisted, his hand roughly and swiftly yanking at his hair( then gesturing at his face.
Snape gave him a piercing look. "They won't know it is you… You're Julian Snape, not Harry Potter, remember that. And you will under no circumstances tell them. Not even a hint of who you are. Understand?"
"Yes, but-"
"There-"
"NO! This is different. The party I can kind of understand. Even though it puts me in danger, I get it, but not this."
Snape shot up out of his chair and leaning forward, hovered over Harry. "I would never put you in danger, not like that."
Harry wondered how true thatwas.
"There will be a meeting of the Order," Snape rapidly went on, his normally pale face scarlet red. "Keep to yourself if you wish or go see your friends, but I just warn you, they will not be so friendly to you now you're no longer The Boy Who Lived."
"You barely know them! They're not like that!"
"Perhaps not," Snape said, his voice now smooth as velvet, but all the more dangerous for it, "ButI do know you're my son and that they will know it too."
"They're not-" The words died in his mouth. They're not like you. He wanted to say it, but he couldn't. He just wasn't so sure.He tried to convince himself that unlike Snape they wouldn't blame the sins of the father upon the son, but once again there was that lurking fear of its falsehood. His head collapsed into his hands with despair.
Ron…
How is it that he had not realizedthis before? He had considered what Sirius would have thought and even James, but his mind had never ventured to the living. Harry felt a chill run through his body at the thought of how Ron would react. He had a haunting suspicion that Ron wouldn't treat a son of Snape well.
And what about Hermione? Hermione… For the first time in this conversation Harry felt a wave of happiness.
"Hermione wouldn't treat me poorly. She's better than that."
Snape laughed. "It's not about being better or worse or any other category you might come up with. It just is what it is. Accept it."
Gryffindor versus Slytherin. As Julian, he had never been sorted, but that didn't matter. He was guilty by association.
"You don't know them." His voice cracked with anguish. "I do. They are not like that." It was like a knife stabbing through his chest and ever so slowly turning as he realized the truth… he was lying.
Snape studied him a moment. There was a flicker of pain that crossed his face before it went blank again. "Do you think you know yourself… or at least your former self?" he asked calmly.
"Um… of course. I guess."
"And do you think that if this hadn't happened and you were in their place you'd extend the hand of friendship to a son of mine?"
Harry bit his lip and gazed away guiltily.
Snape's tone darkened, "I suggest you keep to yourself."
"I don't see why I have to go," Harry whined.
"Call it practice for Friday. Besides, you're going to have to face these people some time. It will be easier if you do so now rather then on September first and if that is not convincing enough for you, Dumbledore wishes to speak to you."
"About what?"
"I haven't the faintest clue, now go get ready for your lessons. We will be reviewing all you've read so far."
Though it was summer and mid afternoon by the time they reached Grimmauld Place, the day was already dark. Heavy clouds loomed low in the sky, threatening to moisten anyone who dared stay outdoors too long, but that is exactly where Harry wanted to stay. At the moment, Grimmauld Place never looked grimmer. Harry looked despairingly at the drab abode, but reluctantly joined Snape on its worn steps.
As he did, his father turned to him and whispered, "What I said before… I might be wrong, but if I'm not…" He slowly shook his head leaving whatever thoughts he had unfinished. Throwing open the door, Snape and Harry entered what was once Sirius' former domain.
Walking down the hall, Harry could hear many familiar voices in the distance. The twins were laughing, Ginny was squealing with delight and Molly was sighing loudly in exasperation. It was all what he once would have called home, yet this time it filled him with a sense of dread.
Even Snape seemed reluctant to go on for a moment. Harry began to wonder if they would turn back when suddenly Molly appeared in the hall. At first she did not notice them. She was busy muttering to herself and being annoyed over something the twins did when Snape gave a soft cough to indicate their presence. Molly gave a start and quickly looked their way. She now appeared flustered. She turned her head this way and that as if she were unsure what to do.
"Oh! Oh, Har-"
"MRS. Weasley." Snape said nodding towards the kitchen door she had just comeout of. He took a few strides forward and hissed in her ear, "This is not the time to mess up."
"Yes, sorry," she concurred, still unsettled. "I didn't expect either of you to be here today."
"I am here for the meeting, clearly and Julian is here to stay out of trouble and speak to the Headmaster when he arrives."
"He isn't here yet. We are all having a late lunch in the kitchen if you'd like to join us." Though she was speaking to Snape, her eyes were focused on Harry.
"I am not the sociable sort."
"Err, neither am I," Harry tried.
She titled her head and frowned. "Harry-"
"For god's sake woman!" Snape yelled, appearing like he was going to implode at any moment. "Get away from us if you can't keep your mouth shut."
Molly's eyes dropped and her face flushed red. She appeared crushed, but she didn't have time to apologize. Out of nowhere, two identical red heads popped into the hall. "What's with all the noise?" the twins asked, wide eyed at the racket.
"Nothing you two, Professor Snape is here, that's all," Molly assured them, gesturing for them to go back into the kitchen.
Harry saw them give an eye roll before disappearing again. He was sure neither had noticed him. He didn't know whether to be glad or disappointed at that fact.
"Enough standing about," Molly said, trying to brighten her voice. "Why don't we three go and head in there."
"You both can go on. I'll be in the basement waiting for the meeting."
Molly huffed, "You just can't let him go in there by himself. Your son needs you."
"You surely can't believe my presence would make anything easier for the boy, can you?"
"It is not just Ron and Hermione in there," she insisted. "It's half the Order. They'll have questions. You may think me a fool, but in this I'm right."
Harry realized that Molly was anything but a fool, at least when it came to this. He couldn't face going in there alone. Moreover, he couldn't face the idea of certain rejection, but somehow with Snape by his side, he knew he would manage. It wouldn't be nearly as bad. No matter what, it would be painful, but if Snape went in, he knew they wouldn'tsay anything too bad to him… at least to his face. They'd be too scared of mean old nasty Snape to say anything overly harsh.And that at the moment was all that mattered.
"Actually, can you?" Harry said, looking pleadingly up at his father.
Snape's eyebrows shot up in disbelief, but he relented, "Very well. I'll stay for the introduction at the very least."
"Come on," Molly whispered reassuringly, grabbing Harry's arm. "Let's reintroduce you to your friends."
When the door swung open Harry saw a sizable crowd inside. Most of the faces were familiar, but there were also a few that he couldn't ever recall seeing. The people he didn't know glanced at him quickly before dully looking away. They didn't care who or what he was. For a moment his heart felt light and free, it was overwhelming and wonderful, but then… he saw the others. It was the people he knew and loved, who he had to worry about. Some were gawking at him with an appearance of question while the others appeared to know who he was and were already full of hate.
Harry paled as he saw Ron was one of the latter.
Dragging his arm away from Molly, he took a step back. Like a child, Harry hovered behind Snape's billowing black robes trying to hide or at the very least trying not to see those staring faces. Hanging his head and looking towards the kitchen floor, Harry felt keen shame. It was as though they all knew his deepest and darkest of secrets. The vulnerability of this moment was more than he could take. He was ashamed of everything, who he was and how he was acting, but he just couldn't help himself. He gritted his teeth and hid behind the black stringy hair that just fell over his eyes. He now understood the simple comfort in that.
"Well, who's this?" McGonagall asked, breaking the silence.
"My son," Snape said, grabbing Harry roughly by the shoulder and presenting him to the room.
Harry glared at Snape with annoyance at the gesture.
"Oh, I see." Her eyes darted back and forth between the two of them as if to see if this was some kind of joke. "I… I admit, Severus, I hadn't a clue you even had a son."
The rest of the room was now very indiscreetly whispering to one another, making Harry feel even worse. His shame was now turning to rage as the moment dragged on. People had once staredat him for being the Boy Who Lived and now they dared do the same because he was the son of the hated Professor Snape, whose loyalties were always in question. As always, Harry seemed not to have the luck of the draw.
"Come Julian, sit down." Molly pushed out a chair for him and Harry reluctantly sat down without a word. "Here," she offered, placing a sandwich in front of him. "As I said, we have just finished lunch, but there is some left."
"I'm not hungry, Mrs. Weasley. Thank you." Harry's eyes were looking intently at his plate, still not daring to glance up.
"You knew about him, Mom?" Ron exclaimed.
Harry closed his eyes as he felt his temper flair.
"Why, yes, dear," she said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Why the hell didn't you tell us then?"
"I didn't think it would matter to you one way or the other, but now that you know one another, maybe you can be friends." The words were stained. Even Molly couldn't hide the doubt she was feeling.
Ron scoffed, but it hadn't been him alone. Snickering, Fred and George made the hilarity at such a premise be known. "That's likely," they both laughed.
As for the rest, they were quiet. Gazing up slightly through his hair, Harry saw even Ginny and Hermione were looking doubtfully at him. This above all was the most disappointing to him.
"Well, I for one would like to get to know Julian," Lupin said with an uneasy smile from across the table. "I'm Remus," he said extending his hand, which Harry timidly shook. "I went to Hogwarts with your father."
"Hi," Harry replied in a lackluster tone. Leave it to Remus to play peacemaker, his mind mocked.
"You know, you look just like him when we were young, except…" Lupin trailed off as his smile faded, but he continued staring at Harry. After a few moments the smile returned and he went on, "And a few years past, I worked with your father as well… at Hogwarts of course."
"Did you?" Harry asked, trying his best to sound eager.
"Yes! And I'm finally returning to teach this year." No matter how worn down life had made him, clearly the very thought of teaching brought a shining excitement to the man's face.
"That's great." Harry said, finally cracking a genuine smile at seeing the man's immense joy.
"What about you? How is it that I have never been your teacher? You didn't go to Hogwarts, so where do you go?"
Harry went on to tell the made up tale of his home and tutored education yet again, but this time was different. Remus was making him feel like nothing had changed. He was comfortable. This time he added, "But since my mother is dead, I'm going to Hogwarts this fall."
This admission was greeted with a few groans and some curious expressions. Harry did his best to ignore them. Instead he focused on Remus' sincere smile.
"So I will be your teacher. I'm delighted."
"As am I," McGonagall added briskly.
"I'm not joining the classes," Harry babbled on. "I'm going to be one of those… refugee students I guess you can call us."
"Whatever you all call yourselvesyou will be welcome enough at Hogwarts. Don't you agree, Professor Lupin?"
"Yes," he answered before turning back to Harry. "And I had figured as much. So… are you as talented in Potions as your father?"
Harry laughed, "Na, I'm rather bad at them actually."
This brought a few snickers from some in the room. Harry glanced up disdainfully, daring them to say any more. They didn't, but their gloating demeanor didn't go away either. Harry knew some of these people would never give him a chance.
"Your potions are not that poor, Julian." Snape interjected for the first time. Harry supposed family pride was on the line.
Harry shrugged and smirked at the fact after all this time he'd hear Snape say that and in public of all places. "They are not that good either."
"I suppose between the two of you, you both have a higher standard of the art than most," Lupin lightly added as if this was all a jest.
"I'd hope so." Snape replied dryly.
"I've never been very good at Potions myself," he told Harry. "So if not potions, where do your talents lay then?"
"Defense, I guess."
"Really? Hmmm."
"Well, it's what I like the most and I do really well in it."
"It just happens to be the subject I teach."
"That's-" Great he meant to say, but the word died in his mouth. It seemed someone else had something to say on the topic.
"A very lucky fact for me, I must say," the voice came. All eyes now went to the kitchen's entrance. There, Dumbledore was standing with his trademark twinkle and a pleased expression on his face. "Given the never too long filled vacancy in the subject, I don't know what we'd do without Remus."
Remus smiled, but Harry couldn't help but notice that unlike Dumbledore it didn't reach the man's eyes.
"And I assure you, Remus, that Julian will be the most enthusiastic of students. He does have a natural knack in that area and the two of you seem to be getting along splendidly. But for the current, I'll have to stop your bonding." His eyes went to Harry. "Julian, I believe we have an appointment concerning your future at Hogwarts."
Before he could answer, Snape quickly got up and left the room. Any reason for the man to be there clearly vanished with Dumbledore's appearance.
"Err, yeah." Harry finally said, realizing this was the meeting Snape had earlier mentioned. He got up quickly and followed Dumbledore through the door, never for a second looking back as those he was leaving behind.
As he shut the door behind him, Harry heard an explosion of sound from the other side of the door. It was all about him, he was sure, but he just followed Dumbledore down the hall and into the drawing room as though nothing was happening. They'd all find time to talk about him sometime, whether it was now or later. He was just relieved to be out of their presence.
Sitting down on the Black's ancient decaying furniture, Harry realized that this room had had once been meant for the 'good' guests of the house. Everything about it screamed, 'We spent a lot of money and time on this place. You're impressed, of course, because who could not be? We're the Blacks.' Even Molly'spurge and cleaning job, couldn't stop this feeling from permeating the room. Harry assumed in its time, it was supposed to be the height of taste, but to him, it just seemed showy and that was saying something. For him to call anything 'showy' when he was sitting in a room with Dumbledore of all people, was quite a feat.
And speaking of Dumbledore, he was currently studying him. Uncomfortable, Harry glanced down and twisted his arms between his legs, waiting for the man to speak his piece.
"It won't be easy for you and I'm sorry for that. If it makes you feel better, I believe, they too will one day be sorry when they learn the truth. This is only a small taste of what you will face, but I do think after today the worst of it is over."
Optimistic Dumbledore; he never failed to show up in the toughest of situations.
"You had something to speak to me about, sir?"
Dumbledore tilted his head as though this was completely new to him.
"About the future?" Harry added tentatively, trying to be helpful.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Not today. That was mostly an excuse to get you away from the others." Dumbledore leaned forward, now serious again. "I must apologize to you for something else. I had promised to stop by your new home to see you and I failed to do so."
Harry just shrugged. What difference did it really make if the headmaster stopped by or not?
"Everything has been fine, I assume?" He eyed Harry over his half moon shaped glasses.
"It's great. I've been invited to a party," Harry joked cheekily with a twisted smile.
Dumbledore's expression darkened. "Yes, your father had mentioned that."
"You don't like that I'm going?" Harry guessed. When Dumbledore didn't confirm or deny the fact, he added, "Why?"
"Because I…" Dumbledore glanced away and sighed. "I admit I'm fighting with myself whether I should say anything to you on this subject."
Harry clenched his teeth and stared vacantly ahead. He absolutely had no intention of saying anything about that comment. He was sick of hearing it.
After a few more moments of silence Dumbledore went on, "Severus is your father and you know I've had hopes he'd embrace the role. In his own way, he has. Now, at our first disagreement, I can not say I wish it to be otherwise nor should I have the right to. The best I can hope for is that he will listen to my advice as he did in the case of what should take place today."
"You mean me being here?"
"Yes, at first he objected, but I gave him my reasons why and he conceded that it might be in your best interest to get this meeting over with before summers end."
Harry huffed. He felt the less said on the topic the better. There was something else he wanted addressed. "But the party…?"
"Persistent as always, it's not why I brought you here, but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to talk about it. Your father does play a very dangerous role for the Order. He must put up certain appearances to fulfill that role and he now believes you are part of that."
"He told me."
"Did he? Good."
Dumbledore's manner was curt. Whether he would admit it or not, Harry felt the headmaster was a bit annoyed at him for his 'persistence' on this subject.
"You disagree with him though. Do you think I'd be in danger?"
"No." Dumbledore paused. Whatever was going through his head of his, there was a tough fight going on. "It's just that you must understand that for your father this is all already very personal. Those people are just as much his friends as his enemy. I've never… liked that fact, but Severus has never crossed the line in maintaining these friendships. It's never been easy for him, but for all his struggles, it has been beneficial to our cause many a time. Yet, I now question if it will become any easier for him if you become involved in that 'drama'."
Harry didn't know what to say. There was no level of this conversation he could grab onto. Dumbledore, for once, was admitting a lot, but everything he said was just making Harry feel very uncomfortable. Did Dumbledore think Snape was in danger of messing up? What was worse, his father sincerely being friends with people wanting to kill him or the fact Dumbledore thought Harry himself could cause that to be more likely fate? This all lead back to the weariness he was feeling about his father's past and still he wasn't sure how to deal with it yet.
"I know what you're thinking. It is a lot to handle, but I must say this. For many years, I have had no doubt in your father's loyalties to the Order, but now, even if there was ever a chance he could go back, that has all but vanished in his learning of his tie to you."
Harry grimaced skeptically. "Are you sure? I just might piss him off enough for him to give in."
Dumbledore gave him a faint smile. "I think you've already pushed his patience as far as it will ever go, Julian, so I think we're more than safe. Now, for the real reason we're here. As I said, I'm sorry I did not stop by your house as planned."
"It's nothing."
Dumbledore put his hand up. "No, it is… and as punishment I missed out on that piece of strawberry cake I asked Molly to save me."
Harry grinned. "It was good."
"There, I'm fully chastised." He sighed dramatically and lifted something off the side table. It was a long rectangular box. "The reason I wanted to see you, was to give you this." Dumbledore handed him a box, which was surprisingly heavy. "It was meant to be part of your birthday present, but I wanted to give it to you privately."
The box itself was a bit old and beaten, but Dumbledore had put a big Gryffindor red ribbon on it. Slipping the ribbon off, Harry glanced inside. It was full of pictures, the wizarding kind, wrapped in three bundles with some string. Gazing at the photos on top, Harry noticed they were all taken at Hogwarts.
"They are from the Hogwarts archives. I thought you might like copies of them."
Harry picked up the stack in the middle first. It was the most obvious for him to grab because he knew what they were. They were all pictures of him, Hermione and Ron over the last few years. Some of them had just one of the group included, but most were with of all three of them together. Most of the photos he didn't recall being taking, but that was not shocking. More often than not none of them were even looking at the camera. The pictures were of them talking, walking to class or sitting out on Hogwarts lawns. Harry even saw a few Quidditch photos thrown in. With some photos, he remembered the very moments they depicted, but with most they were vague. It could have been any day or time. Whatever moments they were showing were lost to him.
Picking up the next pile, Harry saw they were of his mother. For the most part they were of her and what Harry assumed were her friends. These pictures were distinct from the others in the fact they were clearly posed for. His mother and her friends were usually smiling brightly at the camera, their arms linked in a comradely manner. From the looks of things, Lily was just as popular as he had thought. The people in the pictures were always changing and of all houses, but one thing remained the same, they always looked like the best of friends. Only one photo stood out from the rest. In it, a young James Potter's head kept peeking out from some bushes behind the group of girls, who were laughing at his actions. Only his mother didn't look amused. It was funny, but this made Harry think. Where were James, Remus, Peter and Sirius in the rest of the photos? Surely, they had taken photos together in their seventh year, but the Marauders were strangely absent. Harry wondered if Dumbledore had left them out on purpose.
"Do you like them, Julian?" Dumbledore asked as he put this group pictures down.
"Yes," he said, though he truly wasn't sure what he thought.
Next his hand went to the last and smallest pile in the box, but upon seeing what they were, he let them drop. They were of Snape.
"They are the reason for this present," Dumbledore admitted. "I once gave you a gift of James' cloak. It was already yours of course, but I also wanted you to have something that could make you feel closer to him."
"And you think this will make me feel closer to Snape?"
"Perhaps not, but they are the only piece of him I could offer you."
Harry went to pick up the photos again, but changed his mind. Instead, he placed the other two piles back into the box and closed its lid.
"Thank you. It's a great gift."
Dumbledore gave Harry a sad smile. "I'm glad you like it."
"I'll look at the other photos some time, I promise, but just not right now."
"That's okay. You take your time." With that Dumbledore got up and went to the door. "All the Order should be here by now. It's time to start the meeting. You should go in and let Ron and Hermione get to know you again. If they try, they should see the real you. Everyone deserves a second chance."
End of Chapter 16