A/N: Before I continue on with the story, I'd just like to address a couple of issues that people have raised through the reviews. I wouldn't normally do this, but hey, this is the first multi-chapter story I've ever uploaded. It's only natural that I'd do things differently.

Okay, issue number one: short chapters. This story was originally going to be a one-shot when I wrote it. However, as it so often does, my writer's brain got away from me and it ended up being nearly eight thousand words. That seemed too long to be just a simple one-shot and I didn't feel comfortable just chopping it in half. So I looked through the story for what could be somewhat natural stopping points.

Issue number two: missing details during the conversation. There are some things I've left out of this story, such how the potion designed to remove dark magic would react with the Horcrux residing in Harry. I could have gone on write what would happen there, but I didn't. Years ago, my English teacher taught me a valuable lesson: don't reveal too much at once. Plus, leaving it open gives the opportunity for a sequel. I'm not saying that one is in the works – because it's not – but it's always a possibility.

And, hey, if any of you guys wish to write one based on my story – and I'm not saying that because I think I'm some awesome writer, but because I've felt the urge to read other people's stories when I've read them – that's perfectly fine. Though, if you do want to do that I do request that you send me a PM first.

Okay, now that that's all sorted out, on with the final chapter of this story! Hope you've enjoyed the ride, people.

Disclaimer: All recognisable characters and plots belong to JK Rowling, not me.

Harry looked at the man warily, unsure about where he was going with that. How could the man possibly know anything about how he feels, or how he acted?

This is not good. "I don't know what you're talking about," Harry told him, deciding to attempt to bluff his way through the line of questioning.

"I think you do," Snape said, standing in front of him. "The way you are acting now is not the same way you act in my class, or within the hallways. I am not a stupid man, nor am I blind."

Great. Harry sighed; why had Snape, of all people, seen through his mask? "I…" he shook his head. "Well, you're acting different right now as well."

"Again, because we are not in class and because I am not surrounded by those who could very well be reporting back to their fathers, who, in turn, report to the Dark Lord," Snape said, his voice sounding slightly frustrated. "You are wearing a mask, no doubt brought on by the way you have been treated as a child."

Wha…? Harry shook his head. Of course, his memories. Snape had seen them, and now he knew all about his home life. "So, you've finally seen that I'm not pampered, huh? That I'm not some arrogant little toe rag that lives to make your life hell?"

Snape had an odd look on his face, as if he had tasted something sour. "I…made a wrong assumption. For that, I am sorry."

Harry resisted the urge to laugh. Snape was actually apologising? Had the world turned upside down?!

"Even so, that does not change the fact that you act out in my class," Snape said sternly. "Every other teacher of yours has maintained that you are quiet and respectful. That is not the person I see in my classes every week."

Yeah, because it's my fault, Harry thought, feeling a spike of anger. "You singled me out from day one, Snape! How was I supposed to act when you already made your mind up about me?"

"Taking your cues from others," Snape murmured softly. Harry looked at the man, wondering how in the world he understood it. "You thought I expected you to act that way, therefore you decided to show that I was right."

Harry shrugged. "No use trying to please someone who has already decided, so I may as well just act the way they expect and make everyone think the little Golden Gryffindor is acting the way he should be," Harry told him. "Draco does the same, you know."

The normally closed off man looked quite surprised at that revelation. "Draco Malfoy?" He clarified, even though Harry was sure Snape knew exactly who he meant. Harry nodded. "You two do not fight ordinarily, do you?"

"Nah, not really, but we're supposed to hate each other, so we act like we do," Harry told him. "There have been…times that we have had pleasant, even friendly, conversations. When we're alone, of course. He's not a bad guy, he's just dictated by what his father and others want," Harry told the man. He wasn't even sure why he was talking to Snape about it.

Snape didn't look surprised about that. "And who are you dictated by?"

Harry shrugged. "The Dursley's, Dumbledore, Umbridge, you, Sirius, Remus…take your pick," he said. It was odd, but he was almost…enjoying talking to Snape. The world truly had fallen on its head. "No one sees me, they see who they want to see."

"Even your friends?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah," he said. "Ron wants someone who will slack off with him, Hermione wants someone to boss around and feel better than. I can fit both of those roles easily, especially the slacking off one. I wasn't allowed to do better than Dudley at school so I'm used to holding back," Harry admitted.

"Pott – Harry," Snape said in an oddly soft voice. Harry looked up at him. "You are not the person I thought you were. I was wrong to act as I have been. However, for appearance's sake, we need to continue to act as we do. You understand that, correct?"

Harry nodded and looked back down. That meant that the second he left the room, nice Snape would disappear and snarky Snape would come back. "Yeah. I do."

"However," Snape continued. "That does not mean that things should be that way in private. Do not hold back any longer. I class, yes, but for assignments and homework, always try your best, do you understand? Also, for the love of Merlin, think before you act!"

Wait…is he actually concerned about me? Harry thought, looking at him curiously. "Sorry, Sir, but why do you care?"

"Sorry, Sir, but why do you care?" It was a simple enough question, but as far as Severus was concerned, it had no simple answer. He'd experienced many surprises that day, all that had something to do with Potter…or Harry, as he would apparently preferred to be called.

Severus looked at the boy, who was currently focusing on the ground with a red flush creeping his way up his face. It seemed that he felt embarrassed about asking that question.

"Po – Harry," Severus corrected himself. Calling students by their first names was something that he generally did not do, but he was not willing to make the boy scream at him again. He clearly needed someone to talk to. If it had to be Severus…then so be it. "There are things at work here that you do not understand."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked, and then shook his head. His green eyes were dull. "Of course, keep things from me. I'm the one that crazy nutjob wants to kill, but no one can be bothered to tell me why!"

Severus raised an eyebrow. Well, that was unexpected. Of course the boy would be angry about being left out of everything. Severus couldn't exactly blame him; if the situations were reversed, he probably would be annoyed.

Still, Severus never would have yelled at someone, much less a professor, because of it. "Rest assured that my helping you has nothing to do with the Dark Lord," Severus told him. The boy just nodded, the attitude already gone. Severus wished he were so quiet in his classes; it would make things a hell of a lot easier.

Of course, they both knew that was impossible, given the fact that everyone had decided how they should act towards each other…

Wondering if he really was crazy, Severus sighed. "Your mother was one of my closest friends growing up. I lived nearby, and came to know her, and her sister, quite well."

Harry's jaw dropped. "You knew Aunt Petunia?"

"Yes," Severus said, not bothering to hide his sneer at the name. "She was unpleasant even as a child. I did not know you had been placed with her. I do know, however, that your life would have been…difficult growing up with her."

The boy snorted. "That's an understatement," he muttered. Severus raised an eyebrow, wondering just how bad things were for the boy growing up. Clearly, his assumption that he was a pampered little prince was way off mark.

Severus looked at the boy standing in front of him, and was struck that he really was just a boy. Someone of his age should not be involved in the war; it was not fair on anyone. Severus couldn't help but feel sorry for the boy. He was not all too much older than Harry when he took the Dark Mark, something he was forced into doing. It damn near destroyed him.

I will not let this boy become a pawn in Dumbledore's war, Severus thought, suddenly determined to make up for his prior mistakes.

"I made a promise," Severus said slowly, wondering why he was telling the boy this, "first to your mother and then to Dumbledore after…it…happened. A promise that I would protect you. And that is what I have done, and will continue to do."

He half expected Pott –Harry, Severus mentally corrected, he'd have to get used to that if he didn't want the boy to yell again – to say something scathing about that, but he did not. Instead, he just nodded, as if he was not surprised by that bit of information.

"Draco said you've been trying to protect and help me," the boy admitted after several minutes of silence. It seems Draco is more astute than I have realised, Severus thought, feeling some pride about that. And both are better actors than I knew.

"Draco is right," Severus told him. "I will retract what I said yesterday. Your Occlumency lessons must continue, for the sake of us all."

Again, he expected the boy to say something about that, but he did not. Instead, he just nodded, but looked…worried about something. "Ah, Sir, the memories you saw…"

"I am aware of their meanings, just as you are aware of what mine mean. Rest assured it will not go past me," Severus assured him. Harry nodded, looking immensely relieved. "However, that does not mean you are off the hook. Things will change, Mr Potter. They will seem normal to those around you, but they will change."

Harry looked at him and nodded. "Though, uh, Sir…I really don't want to be called Potter anymore."

"If not Potter, than what will your other professors call you?" Severus asked him with a raised eyebrow. Harry shrugged. It seemed that seeing his father as a bully affected him greatly. "We cannot do anything with Dolores around, so you are stuck with it for now."

Harry nodded again. "I understand," he said quietly. "Thank you, Sir. For…fixing my hand and…well, thanks."

Severus just gave him a curt nod. He was not one to go into details about his emotions and feelings. "Should you need my help, then you may come to my chambers. However, only if you have no other choice, and if you can do so without raising suspicions," Severus warned him.

"I understand," Harry repeated. "I should probably go…I bet they're wondering where I am…"

"That they are," Severus told him, his mind working quickly. He could not let Potter leave the room without having a cover story in place. "I should warn you, Dolores is on the warpath. Should she ask, should anyone ask, you have been ill and resting in my chambers. Considering that I am a Potions Master, and have an extensive background in Healing, coupled with the fact that you were last seen by me…it is not an unlikely story."

Harry gave him the slightest smile. "She'll go bonkers if she finds out you're lying, you know."

Severus could not exactly deny that. "Then she we will have to make sure she does not find out," Severus told him smoothly. Harry nodded and headed towards the door, but Severus called him back. "Harry…writing a letter to anyone while you are angry…it is a bad idea. Do not repeat the same mistakes that I have done."

Harry looked at him for long moment. "Understood, Professor," he said, and then disappeared from the room.

Once the boy was gone, Severus sunk down on the sofa. Would wonders ever cease…the Golden Boy of Gryffindor and the Greasy Git of the Dungeons had just had a civilised, even friendly, conversation.

One night of revelations could certainly change many things.