Disclaimer: The story of Harry Potter and its characters belongs to J. K. Rowling.

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And I will never go back

To waste another day

I wish I was the last one

To live a life that way (…)

Maybe someone's trying to take my life away

Maybe I just want to live cos I'm not crazy

And I will move another mountain, maybe

Tony Iommi / Glenn Hughes; From Another World

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"I hereby discharge the suspect in full extent." The judge returned the verdict and confirmed his words with a loud and energetic hammer blow.

"The court also apologizes for all the nuisance and harm caused to the forenamed during the law sessions and his stay in the arrest. About the range of the cash compensation he will be informed by the court secretary in seven working days." The judge paused and flicked over his papers. "Snape, Severus, you are allowed to retain the occupation of the Headmaster of the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. However, regarding the moral aspects of your past and the election of your person to this post itself, you will keep the position temporarily for three months from this day on. After two months from this day on, you have the right to interpose an appeal to this court. On the basis of the appeal a revision of your status and records will be held. In case of satisfactory outcome, you may keep the position for the indeterminate duration. Now you are also allowed to use the services of the Ministry medical infirmary and canteen cost free. Hereby I end the trial." concluded the judge, a bit nervous and red-faced at the end of his speech. A series of another hammer blows followed. After this, the audience held only a necessary moment of silence. Fury and enthusiasm could be recognized in the following mixture of wondering voices.

However, in the presence of Dementors Severus sensed the whole scene a bit clouded, like he was unable to reach his full consciousness. The voice of the judge was coming from a big distance and in fact, Severus himself was not quite interested in the speech.

Some kind of resigned unconcern; that was the feeling which took over his whole existence the most in last days. And hopelessness. The same hopelessness he felt right after he'd come around. He surely had been one of the poor beings which were not supposed to survive. However, something terribly unexpected had happened and… he was still there.

He'd never thought about what would happen after the war ends. In fact, he'd never doubted he surely would not be included in this brand new wonderful world. Therefore, he considered his survival some kind of mistake to be set right soon.

So, sensing the reality was a nuisance now. The memories of the past now flashed before his eyes like fragments of events which would be maybe interesting for someone, but not for him.

A rigorous hospital room. Atrocious headache. Disinterested face telling him he's under arrest. Cold handcuffs and chains. Blood stained hands and bare feet. An ugly piece of cloth to cover him. The Dementors. Cold and sorrow. No reason to stay alive. Unknown, angry faces. Questions. Cold again. No reason to stay alive.

But suddenly he felt a strange kind of peace blowing through his mind. He looked up and saw a silver owl flying around him and the Dementors backing off. The chair with handcuffs disappeared. After the time of starvation, stay in prison and effects of the Pure Truth serum his head was spinning. He was quite sure he will just fall down, but after all it didn't matter so much. Someone picked him from the cold ground and led him out from the court room. Trying to avoid the flash lights they passed a group of eager journalists who were biting their lips but were asking nothing.

In the infirmary, everything went quickly and tactfully, without any improper delays and also in silence.

The Pure Truth serum was approved unusually quickly thanks to the massive public pressure. All the Ministry administrative and courts wanted to be sure that they have a powerful weapon of truth without being afraid of Voldemort and his companions had discovered a countermeasure. Nobody except the Minister of Magic, the Foreign Affairs Councilor and a few members of Wizengamot had a clue about the ingredients. And except those people, nobody knew who was invited to brew it. Speculations of many journals, including Daily Prophet, led to two or three foreigners and one guardedly chosen English expert who had been all under continuous oversight; all their notes had been carefully collected and when appropriate amount of the Potion had been made, each brewer's memory about ingredients and process had been erased.

The result was a powerful potion without any antidote; its effect could not be affected by anything. It was a liquid that made everyone who drank it immediately clearly and briefly speak about their actions, intentions and thoughts without any hesitation, varnish or worry. On top of that, the latter often freely and roundly spoke about their very feelings, angers and worries, anything that was hidden deep in their mind and heart and wasn't meant to be ever uncovered. So, when the people were allowed to speak for a longer time, they rather tended to talk about their own point of view than the objective reality. But for the court trials it was more than satisfactory, the outcomes were often above all expectations and new and before unknown suspects and conclusions could have been found.

The trials with the Death Eaters and collaborators (during which almost liters of said potion were consumed) took place one after another. Many courtrooms were full everyday and almost all day long. The potion was applied to all the suspects but also to the witnesses, prosecutors and defense lawyers. Given that the effects of Pure Truth vanished after sometimes quite unpleasantly prolonged period of time, the Daily Prophet has had lots of spicy stuff to write about. There were many cases of public offence, slander, discovered scandal, surprising allegation, love-affairs of all sorts and announced divorce.

The impact of the use of the new potion soon became uncontrollable to such extent that in the one free day between the trials the Minister himself suggested funding of a Bureau for protection of the users of Pure Truth.

But because of all the other actions and duties of the whole administrative and given the fact that at the time there was a huge lack of qualified stuff, the suggestion died quietly. So the only remaining countermeasure was a Public note for the Pure Truth users that recommended silence outside the courtrooms and spending the time between the trials in the isolation. It also prohibited asking any questions on the ministry grounds except the competent personnel.

Finally, the nurse gave Severus a huge chocolate bar and led him to the waiting room. After hearing the door pound, Severus sat down on one of the chairs and just gaped absentmindedly. Suddenly, a person came into his view to the unknown. He looked up slowly and realized that the person was Molly Weasley.

"Severus…" she began unsure, "well, maybe I should address you headmaster from now on, but right now I really don't care… all the time I thought the worst of you and I wished you rotted in Azkaban…" shocked by her own speech she inhaled scarily and popped her eyes, "Oh, it has not passed over yet… It's so embarrassing… I just want to escort you to Harry's house, cook the meal and… I'm really so sorry… I know I should better shut up, but I can't help it…" she groaned and paced around the room. "I'm sorry," she spat resignedly and fell hard on a chair few meters from Severus.

"It doesn't matter. I don't care anyway." Answered Severus calmly and unpacked the chocolate. "Mmh… I have not eaten this for ages. I want to eat it all, so I guess I won't offer you any."

"Do as you please, git." Stated Molly and laughed crazily.

In few minutes during which Severus has eaten all the chocolate, he and Molly managed to exchange several insults and unpleasant comments.

"Well, I feel an urge to do you something bad right now, but given our state, it looks we're even. So, are you hungry?"

"I'm starving."

"Follow me then."

They stood up and left the waiting room quickly. On the way they passed the Ministry canteen. They could already smell the lunch being prepared. Molly viewed carefully the lounge bar and a house elf preparing the glasses.

"I really do feel like drinking something stronger." Molly stated quickly and wiped her forehead nervously.

"Me too." Severus agreed and headed to the bar.

"Dear headmaster, the Ministry canteen and bar are ready for your orders. Would you like something to drink?

"Two times your best vodka with ice. Double." ordered Severus.

"As you wish." answered the elf and fulfilled his customers' orders as fast as he could.

"Ask him if we can take the rest." suggested Molly, still watching the opened bottle. "Oh, how I wish it was over. In this state I don't know how far this embarrassment will reach." She added immediately.

"Never mind. I consider it quite good idea."

After a while they left, both of them holding a full bottle of luxury vodka. After leaving the grounds of ministry, they apparated to the Grimmauld's.

"Such a mess. I would like to avoid that cooking, believe me." noted Molly when she looked around the kitchen.

"And I would like to avoid helping you in any way." stated Severus dryly.

"Great," sighed Molly, "Fine, go then upstairs and have a rest. Regarding our state it would be probably for the best. It should pass over in a moment, I hope. Maybe you will find some clean clothes, if you're lucky.

Severus obeyed and left the room slowly.

After a while Molly managed to clean all the mess as effectively as only she could and begun with the food preparation. Tears filled her eyes when she checked the food supplies; she was thinking about what she has to cook so it wouldn't remind her of her lost son. But then, suddenly she heard his voice.

"With all my respect, mom, I think Fred wouldn't mind if you cook anything tasty." Well, in fact it was the voice of his twin-brother. Weeping Molly turned around and hugged her son. "Oh boy, how do you manage…"

"Well, he had driven me mad a few times, but let's say this will heckle me for a longer period of time." He said quietly and stoked his mothers' hair. "Plus, at least I would expect him to come to frighten me."

"Oh, George, how dare you…!"

"Sorry, mother. Seems like Pure Truth hasn't vanished yet…"

"Keep that to yourself, be so nice."

"Look, mom, all this sorrow is the last thing my twin would wish for." answered George in a slightly coarse voice. "Well, anyway, the others will be here in no time."

"This means who? I need to know how many persons will join the meal."

"I think dad and Percy will have their lunch at the Ministry, but as for the others, Ginny, Harry, Ron and Hermione… Minerva and maybe even Neville and Luna."

Molly sighed. "Very well. I see what I can do." She answered quickly and wiped off the tears.

George searched the room carefully and then turned around to his mother again "You, mom, is he here?"

"Who do you mean?"

"Oh Merlin! Old Snape, who else?" George insisted.

"Of course he is here. He's upstairs. And don't you address him this way."

"Which way? Did I say anything wrong? Come on, tell me about him!"

"And what exactly would you like to hear, my boy?" Molly twisted her eyebrow in question.

"Well, I don't know… what did he say, what he has done…?" Fred was burning with impatience. Molly turned to the racks with food and in a second she replayed all her interactions with Severus from that particular day in her mind. "Not much. Nothing interesting," she tried.

After a moment of silence George spoke up again: "Wow, I haven't had a clue about Harry storing such kind of beverage! I wonder what really he is doing late nights…" In fact, he hadn't a clue about how much this question will make his mother feel uneasy.

"Well… it's up to him, isn't it?" Molly snapped up uncertainly, shifting the two bottles of vodka a bit more out of sight. "Mind your own business." These inquiries must be coming purposely. She mused. Oh, it's finally passed over. She sighed with relief silently at the thought of the Pure Truth serum. "Go back to the kitchen and prepare some bigger pots. You'll help me with the lunch." She ordered calmly.

During the food preparation the others were coming one after another, precisely in the order which George had reported to his mother. When everyone finished eating, Hermione and Ginny did the dish washing and the whole company became absorbed in the heated discussion about the last events. Everyone also tried to tactfully gloss over Neville's immensely ungenial comments evidently still told under the effects of Pure Truth.

"Aaah…" Harry sighed, tired. "I'm glad Mr. Weasley handled some free time for us today. I've already stopped counting people I insulted or sent to the brick."

"So what? Those suckers, they deserved it!"

"Neville, honey, don't you maybe want to be alone for a while?" asked Molly tenderly. "You may go upstairs, if you…" she suddenly stopped in the middle of the sentence and startled, covered her mouth with her hand and gazed around others guiltily.

"If I what? You wanted to say something more, Mrs. Weasley!" insisted Neville.

"Severus! He's still upstairs. I've completely forgotten about him!" Molly lamented.

"What? Severus like Severus Snape? I totally refuse going there, forget it!" Neville exclaimed and waved his hands.

"Shut up, Neville!" shouted Ginny and with a slight crash a black band covered Neville's mouth.

"But what should I do? What should I do now?! I thought he would just come down, he said he was starving…"

"So, just try going upstairs, mom. He might have just forgotten…" retorted Ron, trying to calm his mother down.

"Well I'm not sure," mumbled Molly, "what if he… you know… what if he tried to hurt himself?"

"Oh mom, please! You're exaggerating a bit now." Ron rolled his eyes.

"This is not fun, Ronald!" snapped Molly. "You did not pick him up from the ground and did not see how he'd looked like! I'm really afraid of going there. He has no one left… would anyone perhaps…?" Molly bargained as her pleading stare stopped at Harry.

"Well, umm, I don't know about the others, but I'm sure I'm the last person he would like to see right now." answered Harry immediately.

"I – I will go." Hermione stated, not too confident.

"Are you sure, dear?" Molly asked anxiously.

"Yes, I think."

"I don't know where exactly he'd chosen to stay, perhaps in the guest room. Well, almost all of them are. So, just try to find him, ok?" added Molly as she observed Hermione climbing up the stairs.

Hermione walked vigilantly and slowly, like she was afraid someone would find her. She was thinking which door she should try first. Then she decided for the first available.

Of course he wouldn't have stayed in Sirius' room! She reprimanded herself as she was slowly closing the first door. Tense, she continued her slow walk down the corridor when some quiet talk interrupted her dark thoughts about her previous Potions teacher hanging on a rope. That coarse voice sounded familiar to her but she could not match it with any known person. As she approached the particular room suddenly a name flashed through her mind. Creacher! For a while she tried to distinguish if it was just one of his usual monologues or if he was speaking with someone else. But why would Creacher speak with Snape? She tried to catch something from their talk, but the words were indistinct. So she decided to solve this puzzle just by knocking at the door. A loud Crash! followed and after a moment a quiet voice sounded.

"Who is it?"

Ah, no corpses, Hermione mused quickly and answered: "Ahem… it's Hermione… Granger. Can I come in?" She asked carefully.

After another while of silence the voice said nervously "Enter!"

Hermione first opened the door slightly and looked inside. She saw the present Headmaster of Hogwarts sitting on a huge bed and staring outside the window. On the pillow next to him a fresh and precisely folded clothes was laid.

"What takes you so long? How many of you are there exactly?" Severus said spitefully and turned to the entrance.

Hermione entered quickly. "Just me, sir… Headmaster."

"Splendid! I presume you need to tell me something of great importance."

"Well uhm… Molly… eh, Mrs. Weasley wanted…" under his penetrating stare she suddenly felt immensely awkward, "I just had to ask you if you still want to eat the lunch. If you want we will bring it here for you…" she blurted out finally and observed her shoes anxiously.

"Is that all?" Severus questioned and turned back to the window.

"Well, yes." Hermione peeped.

"Creacher has already brought me something, but you can announce down there that I will be there in a moment."

"Ok." Answered Hermione and turned to leave. "Are you sure you'll come?" she spilled right before she closed the door. She bit her lip.

"I think I made myself quite clear, Miss Granger."

"Umm… of course you did. Excuse me." She replied hurriedly and closed the door.

Harry was sipping his tea absorbed in thoughts when he suddenly saw Sirius standing in the entrance to the kitchen. Well, at first sight it seemed so, but then he realized it's just someone who looks quite similar from a distance. He was about the same height, very thin figure with long raven hair. In addition to that, he was wearing Sirius' clothes. When he walked to the room everyone froze. Neville held his breath.

After a nervous while of silence, Molly turned to the comer with a plate with his lunch. "Sev… well, Headmaster, I apologize that I've forgotten… I – don't know what to say."

Severus viewed all the company with a strange indifference in his dark eyes. Finally he looked at Molly and cleared his throat slightly. "I think we can put that 'Headmaster' aside," he noted dryly.

"Oh, of course, sorry. I'm just still a little confused. Well, take a seat and enjoy your late lunch. I'm really sorry," Molly's hands were shaking when she was handling him the knife and fork and something to drink. "I hope it's enough for you, I did not know how much…"

"It's perfectly fine." Severus stated almost affected and begun eating. All the time no one dared to make a sound, only the ringing of the plate could be heard. Severus sometimes caught a glimpse through his hair of somebody watching him but breaking the eye-contact immediately.

When he finally finished, Molly stood up and took his plate. The tense atmosphere relieved a bit. "If you want more just feel free to ask. I know you must have eaten better many times, but…"

"Thank you. It was excellent." Severus interrupted her suddenly and felt everyone's eyes on him. Silence again.

Then Severus stood up, too, and walked across the room. He stopped at the window and for a moment he watched the life outside. Then he inhaled and spoke quietly, but distinctly. "I would like to thank everyone for any help or concern. Despite of all those…" he stopped for a second and smiled slightly at the memory of the closing speech of his judge, "…aspects of my past I am still alive and not in the prison. Strange, isn't it?"

"I've personally never counted on such possibility. But how I was told many times and again a short while ago, and how I as well experienced in my life, nothing happens without a reason. And everything can be used for one's advantage in some sense. Now it appears that I shall begin right where I've ended." He sighed and stopped again for a while.

"Regarding myself, I would like to make some points clear. Yes, it was me who used to be in continual contact with people who are now sent to Azkaban one after another. It was me who belonged to the favorite toys of Voldemort. And it was me who killed Albus Dumbledore." All people present almost stopped breathing and were popping their eyes at the last words. However, Severus seemed like he didn't see them and continued his strange monologue.

"And in addition, I also do not regard myself as a pleasant sort of human to spend the time with. You have been all kept in illusion that I had committed all these things freely, for Voldemorts' pleasure as well as for my own. As it was a part of the plan to overthrow Voldemort, I surely cannot accuse you of your actions and thoughts in any way. You did have and you still do have your right to feel angry. Therefore, I do not require any sort of apology, explanation, empathetically acting or guilty looks from anyone." He turned "Well, what had been done cannot be undone. So you really don't have to treat me like a retarded or a deadly-ill person. You can still hate me if you feel so, I surely cannot prohibit that. Well, hereby I consider this issue solved and closed." Severus concluded and turned back to the window. "It seems that we can welcome another guest." He added and opened the window. An owl with a rather big envelope flew in.

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A. N.: Hello, dear readers! I'm sorry if you have found some incorrect words or grammar. I still have to learn many things about English. And if you have other ideas about Harry's house or if you have found some inconsistencies on this field with my other HP story I also apologize but this is what fits my actual story, you know.

Anyway, thank you in advance for any kind of support and please, if you find some time, let me know if it's worth reading ;) See you next time!