Disclaimer: All of the characters and some of the settings within this piece of fiction are property of J.K. Rowling.

1. Fresh From the Fight

After another great battle with Voldemort in this ongoing war of our time, Harry Potter and Remus Lupin were travelling, in the dead of night through the English countryside, far enough away from the battle site and it's magics in order to apparate, only they had very unlikely company. Remus Lupin was carrying Severus Snape, one of Lord Voldemort's most faithful Death Eaters. He had been badly injured and, although he did not make a sound, was evidently in immense pain.

"I should put an end to his sorry fucking life right now" Harry Potter spat angrily, pressing his wand firmly against Severus Snapes's hollow, deathly face. Snape merely looked up at him blankly for a second, then let his head fall again.

Remus Lupin glanced at Harry sympathetically, struggling slightly as he tried to support a very weak and defeated Snape. "Now Harry. Lets not be to hasty until we discover the truth, and for that I think that we can wait until morning."

"The truth? I can do that for you right now. Professor Snape here thought that he would switch sides once more when he realised exactly who was going to win! Loyal servant of the Dark Lord? Loyal friend to Dumbledore? The only person that this bastard is loyal to is himself."

"Harry, you may be correct but right now we do not know for certain. The only person able to tell us saved your life tonight, and spent several hours under the Cruciatus Curse because of it. If Severus's only goal was to seek refuge in us, then he paid a high price for it. Come Harry, credit must be given where credit is due. "

"Fine." Muttered Harry, he had a point – not that Harry was going to admit it, after all this man killed Dumbledore and no matter how many lives he saved, Harry would never ever forgive Snape. Lupin's habit of seeing the good in everyone reminded him of Dumbledore, and he only hoped that any trust that Lupin had in Snape would not cause him a similar fate.

"Now Severus, please remind me of your home address once more as I doubt that you are in any fit state to apparate us, or even yourself there." Remus asked with kindness in his voice.

It was apparent that Snape was having trouble speaking. He wheezed and coughed, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

"Spinner's End" he finally managed to whisper.

"Ready Harry?"

"Yes."

And with that, all three of them vanished from the night. Harry was still a little uncomfortable with the whole apparating business, as they sped through a tunnel of air he began to feel slightly ill. After what seemed a little too long, they eventually arrived at their destination. Harry was surprised at where he found himself and almost asked if they had made a mistake until he saw Lupin heading off, with Snape clutching onto him. They had arrived in a dank, run down housing estate, hardly the kind of place that Harry had expected Snape to reside. Harry followed and after a short walk, they found themselves standing at the front door of a small, dark house with dirty windows and an overgrown garden. Lupin tapped the lock with his wand and it fell open. The smell of mustiness and damp was almost overwhelming, and neither Remus nor Harry felt inclined to spend too much time here.

Without warning, Snape let go of Lupin, stumbled forward into the hall and grabbed onto the stair railing. It was taking all of his strength to hold himself up.

"Severus, will you manage from here?" asked Remus with concern.

"Yes, go…" Snape hissed, coughing heavily.

Remus and Harry turned to leave, but before Harry closed the door behind him, he looked at Snape.

"This is not over." He said with more venom in his voice than any seventeen-year -old boy should ever have.

As they walked away, Harry could have sworn that he heard faint sobs coming from behind the creaky old door, but he did not care. Harry had no time for tears of self-pity.