**Snape's first lecture to the students (Philosopher's Stone) is quoted.

September 2, 1971

Mother had painted Hogwarts as a beautiful sanctuary, where I would make many friends and come to look upon it as a second home. Sadly, it does not appear that the sanctuary of her glory days will be the same for me. First, there was the absolutely disastrous train ride. Why did those fatuous prats, Potter and Black have to choose our compartment?

If that wasn't bad enough, to add insult to injury, that silly Sorting Hat placed Lily in Gryffindor! Honestly! I'm certain she'd have been much more suited to Slytherin—at the very least, Ravenclaw. Now, she's actually living and studying with those spoiled, arrogant gits.

I was buoyed by the fact that she accepted my invitation to partner with one another in Potions class. She didn't seem to care for the awful things they said to me before Mr. Prewett entered the laboratory.

I do believe that Potions may well become my favorite class! For an apprentice, Mr. Prewett appears to be quite competent in the subject. He makes it sound so fascinating! And he is quite correct, there is something beautiful about a softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the minds, ensnaring the senses. I will become a master potioneer! I will bottle fame, brew glory, and even stopper death! Those are Prewett's sentiments, not my own, but I will bring them to life. I'll show Potter and the whole lot of them. One day, they will rue the day that they ever harassed me!

September 5, 1971

She said 'yes'! Well, not exactly. I'd asked if she would teach me to do wandless magic. I overheard Gideon Goyle and Elvira Crouch discussing the Seventh Year lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor Legendre had dueled Lucius Malfoy—he's a prefect—and defeated him even after he'd disarmed her! She'd even cast a corporeal patronus! A dragon!

I just had to do something. Potter and his lot seem to have made it their mission to embarrass me at every turn. The professor and Mr. Prewett intervened after he attempted to hex me again before dinner the other night. Fortunately for me, Malfoy saw him, and hit him with a well-aimed stinging jinx, right to the face. Unfortunately, Potter assumed it was me, and before anyone knew it, the Slytherins and Gryffindors were facing off.

I was mortified when she requested my wand! I had no idea what she intended, and when she cast Prior Incantatem, she said nothing in regards to the posy that I had conjured. I never had the opportunity to give it to Lily—Potter again—but next time, I will be more careful. When she cast the spell on Potter's wand, and I saw the image of myself under the jelly-legs jinx, I wished I could have apparated on the spot. However, she didn't allow the full image to form. Somehow, I think she knew it was me that she would see. I wonder if she's a legilimens. Potter lost Gryffindor twenty points! Justice is golden! How I wish that she had followed through with the threat to give him detention as well.

Lily gave me another one of her pitiful glances as they entered the Great Hall. I hate that! I am not weak! On a more positive note, Lucius invited me to sit with him and his mates. Me—a First Year—consorting with elite Slytherins, like Parkinson, Goyle and Nott! They're all some of the oldest pureblood families in the UK!

She offered me an interesting snack that she called cheese straws, along with tea poured over ice and served in a glass! I must say, both were surprisingly tasty. Americans are most intriguing! Nonetheless, she said that she would not teach me wandless magic, but before I even had time to become devastated, she did agree to teach me to duel! We are to meet privately this evening after dinner.

September 6, 1971

I think the lesson went surprisingly well. I've mastered all of the defensive spells on the First Year course of study! We've already moved on to Second Year wand work. After a few tries, my shield charm was able to hold up against the professor's spells. She still managed to push me backwards most of the time. Her spells are immensely powerful! I should like to see her duel a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore! Personally, I think she would hold her own. Perhaps that is why he chose to hire her, despite the fact that she is from abroad.

Professor Legendre doesn't seem to be like the others. She's the only witch besides the flying instructor to wear trousers! She's amazingly beautiful, with eyes that seem to have their own magic! I wonder if she might have been sorted into Slytherin, had she attended Hogwarts. I should like to think so—even her wand has intertwined serpents on it!

She seems to spend quite a lot of time with Mr. Prewett. I wonder if they are courting. Lucius says that the Prewetts are of the House of Black, but their reputation is a bit tarnished. Something about one of the Prewett daughters marrying into a family of blood-traitors. Apparently, Malfoy and his mates take blood purity quite seriously. I certainly have no intention of mentioning my wretched father in their presence, or indeed any other's. If only mother had chosen better. Silas says that Professor Legendre is a half-blood. At least, that is what she told the class, and said that her muggle mother has magical ancestry. I wonder if that is possible. Maybe she's a squib. How unfortunate! On the other hand, who knows what Americans think of blood purity? They take separation from muggles much more seriously there. Until a few years ago, they had a law completely prohibiting contact with the muggle world. It was stricter than the Statute of Secrecy, some say.

I hope that my next private lesson with the Professor will be soon. I think I might show her one of my own spells. I've come up with quite a few useful ones. Maybe I will ask her to help me test my Muffliato charm. I know that it works, but I should like to be certain. Perhaps I should simply approach her this evening after dinner. Mother always says why put off for tomorrow what you can do today?

September 7, 1971

It was amazing and frightening all at the same time! A massive stellar skull of bright green with a serpent emerging from its mouth where a tongue should be, hovering over the Black Lake! Avery said it was the Dark Mark—the mark of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Whenever he has killed, the mark appears in the sky.

When we arrived at dinner, the word was out—her torn cloak and his broken cufflink were found at the edge of the lake, almost directly below where we had seen the Mark the night before.

My heart is aching right now. They were the first adults who ever showed me sincere kindness. He revealed to me the subtle exquisiteness of potions. It was Prewett who awakened my sense of purpose! Legendre—the lovely Philomène Legendre—the beguiling, powerful witch from across the ocean! She understood me, cared for me, believed in me. How could she be gone? It just can't be!

I will hold out hope that they have escaped the horror, and will return to Hogwarts with an amazing tale of their adventure. In the meantime, I shall remember the fleeting moments of discovery which they gifted me. I shall honour those gifts by exceeding the expectations others have for me. They will remember the Half-Blood Prince.

September 29, 1981

I shared a rare moment of camaraderie this afternoon with Kingsley Shacklebolt. He seemed unusually jovial, despite the overall edginess that tinged the Order's meeting. I don't normally engage him, but I was curious. He said he'd met someone. I was staggered when he showed me her photograph! She could have been Professor Legendre's sister! Her name is Angelique, and she's American student on holiday before continuing her studies at university. Were she just a bit darker in complexion, they might have been twins. I pointed this out to Kingsley, and he said that was his first impression as well. He said he'd inquired, but she said her sisters had never been to Britain, and neither is named Philomène. She's a muggle, but he appears to be quite smitten with her. If only this war could come to an end—there might be some hope for them.

November 1, 1981

They were supposed to be safe! He wasn't supposed to find them! It's all my fault. My beautiful Lily! How was I ever to know that The Dark Lord would believe your child to be the Chosen One? I will protect the boy. I shall avenge your demise. You will live forever in my heart of hearts—Always.

Draco heaved a sigh and closed the diary. He traced his fingers over the leather cover, and closed his eyes. Épiphanie laid a hand over his and gave it a squeeze. Her fingertips brushed over the binding, and she felt the magic pulsing from the book.

"There's something here," she said.

"What?" Draco looked at her curiously.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"Didn't you feel it?" she asked them.

"I…don't do to well with diaries," Harry replied with a grimace. Ginny shuddered noticeably.

"Why is that—wait a minute. You came across Riddle's diary, didn't you? The horcrux?"

"I've never told anyone about the horcruxes!" Harry exclaimed. "Hermione and Ron were the only others who ever knew! How did you—" Épiphanie gave him a pointed look. He stared at her in open surprise. "No wonder he had to kill Philomène. If he couldn't get you to join him, you were a real threat, especially given that you were under Dumbledore's employ and filled the position he coveted. Merlin!"

"Well, this isn't that type of magic. I know spirit magic, and this doesn't feel dark. It's something else." Épiphanie slid the diary from under Draco's hand, and picked it up, turning it in her hands. She ran her fingers over the soft, aged leather and opened the book. Turning to the back cover, she moved her hand over the marbled flyleaf and closed her eyes.

"Draco, where's your wand?" she asked.

"My wand?" he looked at her curiously.

"Yes. It has to be yours. Touch it here." She pointed to a corner of the paper which was glued to the inside cover. Draco drew his wand and did as she instructed. The flyleaf curled away from the leather, revealing a sealed envelope. Draco took the envelope and turned it over to see his name appear on the front. He broke the seal and found inside a letter and another envelope. He looked at his wife, who gave him an encouraging nod. He unfolded the letter.

Dear Draco,

If you are reading this, I sincerely hope that it means that Voldemort has been defeated and the war is finally over. I dare not have risked informing you of its presence while he was still undefeated, lest he discover my duplicity. Nonetheless, I've always known you to be a clever lad, and that is the reason I chose to leave it in such a place that it may be found by you.

I have ever only had two important loves in my lifetime. Though the first was only a youthful infatuation with someone who was more like a mentor for a very brief time, I loved her all the same. The other was the deepest love of my heart. She was my first friend, and I ever regretted hurting her in such a way that she eventually found her heart in the hands of my most despised rival. Sadly, the Dark Lord was responsible for taking them both from this realm. It is my sincere hope that one day you will find someone who encourages you to believe in yourself as Philomène Legendre did for me, and someone who makes your heart sing as Lily Evans made mine. When you find your soul match, treat her as if she is your beginning and your end, let nothing stand between your hearts and place her needs first.

Draco, you are as close to a son as I might ever have known. I have made some grave mistakes in my life, and I hope that I did not encourage the same ideas and mistakes in yours. I did attempt to appeal to Lucius not to allow you to take the Dark Mark, and I made an unbreakable vow to your mother to help you in any way that I could. I feel safe in revealing within this letter that Dumbledore knew you had been tasked with his assassination. He wished to spare your eternal soul from the damnation of being ripped in two. That is why he begged me on the tower, and why I cast the curse that sent him to his fate. Do not carry that guilt with you. I know that it is not in your nature to murder callously. Albus was already slowly sinking into his demise before that night. He wished not to go to his end in slow and painful agony.

There was one other mentor who was in my life but a little while. Lucas Prewett, a relative of yours in fact, inspired my great interest in potion-making. He was intellectual, conscientious and fair in his dealings with his students. As your mentor, my one great regret is fostering the enmity that existed between you and Harry Potter. I admit that much of my own dislike of him was based on childish bitterness that I allowed to fester and color my opinion of him. If he too has survived the war, as I have every confidence he has, given that you are now reading this letter, please make an effort to reconcile your differences. Professor Legendre once told me that even the darkest among us have a little light. We just have to remember it's there, and we must be willing to let it shine. I have seen the light and the dark within you both, and I know that the light is the more powerful force within you. If peace is to grow in a postbellum world, the two of you are its best ambassadors.

I have only one request now. Please seek him out and give him the enclosed letter. Share with him the contents of this diary, so he might find even the slightest light in me.

As you go forward, Draco, let your light shine upon others, so that it is your good works that they remember.

Always,

Severus Snape

Draco sniffled and blinked several times to clear his watery eyes. He took a deep breath and looked at Harry before pushing the envelope across the table.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat. "This is for you," he said in a soft, husky voice. Harry knit his brow as he reached for the envelope. "Before you open it—" Draco spoke up suddenly.

"Yes?"

"I—I just wanted to say thank you."

"For what?" Harry asked.

"For accepting my hand—the second time around." He held Harry's gaze before lifting his hand from the envelope.

Harry nodded and took the envelope. His name appeared on the front, the moment that his fingers touched it. He broke the seal and unfolded the parchment inside.

Dear Harry,

If you are reading this, I can assume that the war is over and again, you are the Boy Who Lived. I hope that it was Draco who delivered this missive to you. I would very much have preferred to have this conversation with you in person. It has been one of my deepest longings of late, to right the wrongs that I have done in my lifetime.

Harry, I must make a confession. I judged you unfairly because I carried the pain of being angry and what I felt was unfair treatment on behalf of your father. I was jealous. James Potter was wealthy, well-liked, and a Quidditch star, while I wore second-hand clothing, and had only one true friend. I didn't want to share her with anyone else, least of all the person who derived his joy from constantly tormenting me.

I do not attempt to justify my behavior by blaming your father. It is wrong to speak ill of the departed. I saw much of the same antagonism between you and Draco Malfoy, and I admit that I chose not to interfere because I felt I owed a small debt to Lucius for intervening at least once and providing me with what I believed at the time were powerful connections in our world. I didn't know then, the price we would all pay as a result.

I know that you blame me for the death of Albus Dumbledore, but you must understand that I had no choice, and Albus was at peace with the prospect of the end of his life. He did not wish to go in painful agony, nor did he wish for Draco to damn his soul to be rent in two. I had come to look upon Draco as the son I did not have, and I had made an unbreakable vow to his mother to help him.

As I have previously stated, there has only ever been one true friend in my life. Lily Evans was my first real friend. She became my unrequited love, and I drove her away by taking out my frustrations in a hateful way towards her. My greatest regret is the part that I played in her ultimate demise. I hope you will learn that I did what I could to repent for my grave mistake and I will meet Death knowing that nothing I could have done afterwards will ever be enough to overcome my guilt over my actions.

I owed a debt to both of your parents to protect you. I do not believe that I always gave you my best, for reasons that I have already declared. I came to learn the error of my ways, but again it was too late. By then, we had learned of your connection to the Dark Lord, and I could not risk him learning of my duplicity through you. Apologies will never be enough, but I sincerely wish that whatever little thing I may have done to help the cause to conquer the Dark Lord will illuminate the virtue that your mother had once found in me when we were children.

Harry, if Draco is the messenger bearing this letter to you, I hope that in this postbellum world, the two of you can find inspiration to make peace and be ambassadors of accord for wizarding society. I know that much has already been placed upon your shoulders at such a young age, but you have borne it with a grace and dignity that I envy. If anyone is able to influence others to put aside antiquated ideas and differences and work for the greater good, it will be the two of you.

I had a professor once who encouraged me to remember my own light, and let it shine. She too was taken by the Dark Lord, and I lament that I did not remember to hearken to her words. I have seen the light in both you and Draco, and I know that it is a formidable force. I have no right to ask anything of you, but I would like to encourage you to engage in discourse. Please take this diary. I hope that it will help you to learn more about your parents, and perhaps you might find even the faintest sliver of light in my memory.

Always,

Severus Snape

Harry gently laid the letter on the table and lifted his eyes to meet Draco's. They stared at one another in silence. Épiphanie gestured quietly to Ginny, and the two witches rose from the table and wandered towards the southern gardens behind the house in quiet discussion, leaving their husbands at the table.

The two sat quietly for a while longer before Draco finally spoke.

"He wanted us to reconcile."

"My letter said the same," replied Harry.

"Well, I suppose he got his wish."

"Clearly."

"Who would have thought—Well—" Draco began.

"Dumbledore!" they both said with a chuckle.

"Clever old fool!" Draco exclaimed. Harry nodded.

"Épiphanie seems to have made quite an impression on Severus."

"She seems to do that with everyone. I don't know if I will ever truly deserve her, Harry."

"I dunno, Draco. I think she's just what you needed. She came to you at just the right time. She loves you deeply. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have their true soul match."

"Indeed."

"Cherish that."

"Always."