Disclaimer – Nothing is mine. Unfortunately.

You Cannot Forgive The Truth

Chapter 1 - Revelations

Snape groaned softly when he heard the knock on his door. It was early, very early and he had no wish to see anyone at this hour.

He pushed back the covers and sat up, waiting for a further knock but not hearing anything. 'At least they're patient.' He grumbled softly.

It was Saturday. The first Saturday of the new school year in fact, and he wanted to enjoy it. Not be woken up before the crack of dawn by some miscreant first year who was missing their mother.

He pulled on his robe and stomped irritably through to his sitting room and yanked open the door. 'What?' he snapped.

There was no one there.

Snape swore loudly and moved to step back when he noticed a large basket at his feet. Glancing around, he raised his wand and levitated the thing inside before setting it on the table. The Weasley twins may have been gone for several years but he wasn't taking any chances.

He cast several revealing spells before noticing a piece of parchment sticking out of the side. He tentatively reached for it and opened it up.

Dear Severus,

I'm sorry to have just dumped her on you like this but I had no where else to go. I can't look after myself at the moment let alone her, and I figure that as you are her father you could take care of her for a while. Just until I can get enough money behind me and get a place where she can be safe.

Her name is Aria. Please keep her safe and tell her I love her, just as I loved you.

Thank you.

Snape stared at the parchment for several minutes before it dawned on him what exactly the words meant and the next minute he threw the lid off the basket and leapt back as a small green snake lunged at him.

Snape's eyes widened as the snake curled around the back of the basket and it's tongue reached out to dab at the cheek of a child who looked to be no more than a couple of years old.

The black hair was not a surprise, he had black hair after all. He just wondered exactly whose child she was.

There had been two boys powerful enough to become pregnant. He had loved one, and the other had loved him. Both had disappeared shortly after the defeat of the Dark Lord at the end of their seventh year.

Snape had no idea who the child belonged to. He wished she would wake so that he could see her eyes. They would tell him. He just knew they would. The snake in the basket was telling, but it still really could have been either. It would be the eyes that would tell the story.

The snake seemed to have settled back into its defensive and watchful position and Snape raised his wand once again. The gesture set the reptile hissing nastily and Snape quickly lowered it.

He tried something else, reaching towards the child slowly with both hands. The snake seemed much happier with this and moved further back in the basket, allowing Snape to reach in and gently pick the child up in his arms.

The little girl whimpered and blinked several times before her eyes opened fully. Snape found that all strength in his legs had suddenly fled and he dropped like a stone into the chair behind him, unable to tear his eyes away from the vivid green ones that were blinking back at him.

'Merlin, Harry.' He whispered, tears springing to his eyes.

Harry was alive.

Harry had disappeared immediately following the destruction of Voldemort. There were those who said he didn't survive the final battle and was burned up in the fire storm he himself let loose to kill the Dark Lord.

At the time Snape had told himself that it wasn't true. That Harry would never have died like that. It was his way of protecting himself. Because in his mind, it was his fault.

Harry would never have gone looking for Tom Riddle in such a state of mind if he hadn't caught the man he loved in bed with another.

Snape had let Draco Malfoy bribe him in a way only a Malfoy can, and in that moment Harry had walked in, his face a smile of heart wrenching joy. Moments later his face was blank, an emotionless mask that Snape knew hid a mountain of rage.

The resulting eruption once Harry had found Tom Riddle had flattened all of Malfoy Manor and almost a quarter of the Wiltshire countryside with it.

Harry hadn't been seen since, and for that matter, neither had Draco Malfoy.

As Snape stood staring down at the sleeping child in its transfigured crib he couldn't help but wonder where Harry was now. Why had he thought that Snape could possibly look after a child? And most of all, what dire circumstances had come up that would induce someone like Harry to give up his child.

Oh, he knew how Harry felt about family. They had talked about it many times during the boy's last year.

Once Riddle was dead they had planned on getting a house. Snape was going to retire and develop and sell potions by owl order and Harry was going to write DADA texts and raise their children.

It had been a lovely dream, one that Snape had clung to all through Harry's last year. But then Draco had come to him that night, telling him he knew all about his affair with Harry. That he would tell not only Dumbledore, but his father as well.

Snape knew he had no choice but to do as the young man asked. He had thought of obliviating the boy but he was unsure of what little surprises Malfoy may have left. The boy was a Slytherin through and through and in the end Snape had done as Malfoy asked.

He let the boy make love to him and he'd regretted nothing more in his life. Even more than joining the Dark Lord.

When Harry had walked in on them his world had all but fallen apart. He knew this was one thing Harry could never forgive. He'd told Snape that Malfoy was up to something. That he wanted Snape. But Severus hadn't listened to him. And then he was gone.

'Merlin, Harry. I'm so sorry.' He breathed, tears coming to his eyes once again.

'Dadda.' The small figure in the bed whimpered and Snape reached out and gently stroked the soft cheek.

'Papa's here, little one and I'm going to find your daddy, I swear to you.' Snape vowed, allowing the edges of his mouth to curl as the child fell back to sleep at the sound of his soothing baritone.

He shook his head once again. He had a daughter. He, Severus Snape, had a daughter. It was just unfathomable really.

With this in mind he left his sleeping child and threw some powder into the fireplace, calling for both Albus Dumbledore and Poppy Pomfrey, knowing that both would have to be told. He would need help, both with his child, and in locating Harry.

'Tell me again, Severus.' Dumbledore's voice was even but the ice like blue eyes told of his true feelings.

Severus sighed and held the toddler tightly to him. Poppy had come and gone, the medi-witch sworn to secrecy, and now he gently held the bottle to the child's mouth and tried to explain exactly why he had broken the trust of one of the only people who had ever given him a chance.

'I'm sorry, Albus. I know it was wrong but I loved him. And he loved me.'

'He was a child, Severus.' Dumbledore growled.

Snape shook his head. 'No, Harry was never a child. And I never touched him until he came of age.'

'He was a student and you were his teacher.'

'Yes.' Snape admitted, looking up. 'But there was nothing in the by-laws.'

'DO NOT QUOTE THE BY-LAWS TO ME, SEVERUS.' Dumbldore thundered causing the young child to pull away from her bottle and bawl loudly.

Snape put the bottle down and stood, pacing slowly across the room as he attempted to comfort the child. 'Shhh, little one. It's alright. There, there.'

'Dadda.' The child cried tearfully.

'I know. I'm trying to find him. Just go to sleep.'

'Want dadda.'

'I know baby.' Severus crooned looking up when he felt a hand on his arm. Dumbledore held the bottle out to him and he gently coaxed it back into the tiny mouth before his eyes found the headmaster again.

'I loved him.' Severus said quietly. ‘I still love him.’

The blue eyes softened and Dumbledore finally smiled. 'I can see that.' He replied, gesturing with a nod of his head to the baby in Snape's arms. 'And I will help you find him.'

The potions master actually smiled. 'Thank you.'

(Two years later)

'I've found him.' Dumbledore said bluntly.

Snape's head rose and his fork dropped to his plate with a clang. 'What?'

'He's in Canada, doing cleaning for Maple Leaf Academy.'

Snape eyes widened. 'Cleaning? Don't they know who he is?'

'Apparently not.' Dumbledore said wryly. 'I was going to send Remus over to talk to him.'

Snape shook his head. 'No, I'll go. I'll take Aria with me. She needs to see him.' He gestured to the four year old playing listlessly with enchanted blocks at the far end of the table.

The child had seemed cheerful for the first year after Harry had left but in the last twelve months, after it became clear that her Daddy wasn't returning for her, she had become withdrawn and shy. Snape wondered just how much love Harry had showered on her in her first years of life for her to find such a void with it missing now.

Of course, the other staff lavished her with affection but it seemed as if she was always looking for more, for something not even her other father could give her.

'It's the middle of the school year, Severus.' Dumbledore reminded him.

'I know. But look at her, Albus. She needs him and I have to go. Please can't you find someone else to take my classes. She may be our only hope of convincing him to return to us. He will see how much she needs him.'

Albus stared at the blacked hair child and sigh before nodding. Severus was right. Whatever was wrong with Aria had only been getting worse and would probably continue to do so until Harry was back with her. Idly he wondered if it was her magic seeking out her birth father and draining her of her energy for everyday life. One way or another he knew they had to go.

'I'll make the arrangements immediately.' He said quietly.

'Thank you.' Severus smiled in appreciation before turning his eyes back to his daughter who had given up playing with the blocks and was sitting in her seat and staring at the table in silence.

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'Where are we going, Papa?' Aria asked tiredly as they walked through the halls to the headmaster's office. Snape's heart clenched at the weary words. Even though he had hated the boisterous students with a passion, he wish for his loud and rambunctious three year old back more than anything. The four year old Aria was anything but a child. Her eyes and her voice and her actions were as if someone ten times her age.

'Well, little one, we're going to see someone.'

'Who?'

'It's a surprise.'

'Oh.'

Snape thought of telling her they were going to see Harry, if only to get some sort of reaction out of her but he was worried that if, for what ever reason, Harry wasn't there, then that would only make it worse.

They came to the gargoyle and Snape muttered the password as he picked Aria up in his arms.

Dumbledore was waiting for them, a small smile on his face but his blue eyes twinkling brightly. 'Everything is taken care of. They are expecting you.' He said softly as he pushed a newspaper into Snape's hand.

'Thank you, Albus.'

'Have a good time, Aria.'

The four year old smiled at him. 'I will, Grandpa Albus.' She promised. 'Although I would feel better if I knew exactly where we were going.' She added with a frown.

Albus chuckled at the consternation clearly visible on her face. 'Just like her papa.'

Snape rolled his eyes. 'Thank you very much.'

Suddenly Dumbledore's expression became serious. 'Good luck and Merlin's speed, Severus. Please bring him home to us.'

Snape nodded, suddenly unable to find his voice and moments later Dumbledore activated the Portkey and they were pulled away.

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The ride was longer than normal as the Portkey was an international one. When they finally landed and Snape straightened up he found himself in a large marble entrance hall, a deep red maple leaf inlaid into the stone and a severe looking woman who could have been Minerva McGonagall in the right light if you squinted properly, waiting for them.

'Mr Snape.' She said primly.

'Professor Snape.' The potions master corrected her and he saw a light of recognition, and respect, appear in her eyes.

'My apologies, Professor Snape. We were only advised of your last name. I am Madame Porter. Deputy Headmistress of Maple Leaf Academy.'

'Thank you for receiving us on such short notice.' Snape said graciously.

The witch smiled at Aria who returned it in kind. 'Apparently you have urgent business with our janitor.'

Snape nodded.

'Mr Evans.'

Snape frowned for a moment before the connection was made and he nodded again.

'He's quite the popular man this week.' She went on as she led him through a maze of hallways.

Snape's heart clenched. 'I beg your pardon?'

The witch raised an eyebrow. 'Yes, a group of three gentlemen, and I use that term loosely, came looking for him just the other day.'

Snape stopped her with a hand on her arm. 'You didn't tell them he was here…did you?' He asked hesitantly.

She shook her head, instantly earning a sigh of relief from the potions master. 'No, I didn't.' She said bluntly. 'You have been vouched for by Albus Dumbledore. They had not.'

Snape black eyes stared into her piercing blue. 'You know who he is.' He stated. It was not a question.

The witch smiled again and gestured for them to go on without confirming or denying the statement.

Eventually they came to a set of double doors.

'This is the Laçons Common Room. Mr Evans is always here at this time.' She said quietly before bowing her head once and moving away down the corridor.

'Papa, what's going on?' Aria asked softly, the trip having overwhelmed her.

'Just a few more moments, princess.' Snape promised and with a large breath in he pushed open the door and stepped inside, letting it swing shut behind him..

'Sorry kids, you'll have to wait outside, I haven't finished the floor yet.' A figure in black trousers and a white shirt called out from where he was lifting a bucket and mop off the ground.

'Harry?'

The figure dropped the bucket and mop but didn't turn around.

'Harry?' Snape said again, a little more loudly this time.

The man slowly turned and Severus finally got a look at him. The black hair was streaked with grey, the lightning bolt scar was gone as were the glasses, and the once green eyes were now amber, but the angles of the face, the pale skin and long fingers, the lithe form he had known so intimately, were all there.

'Harry.' Severus whispered.

Suddenly Aria struggled in his arms and he quickly set her down before he dropped her. 'Daddy!' she shrieked, pulling away from Snape and all but flinging herself across the hall and into her father's arms.

Harry had dropped to his knees, and he quickly swept her into his arms, both father and daughter crying softly. Severus watched in awe as his daughter’s magic surrounded them both. He looked for Harry's and realised moments later there was none and the further realisation of why Harry was doing what he was doing quickly followed.

'Mother of Merlin.' Severus breathed and Harry raised his head.

'How did you find me?' He asked as he stood, Aria still held tight in his arms as if she would never let him go.

'Albus.' Snape said simply.

Harry rolled his eyes.

'Harry, we need to talk.'

Harry closed his eyes and sighed. 'I know.' He whispered. 'Come on.'

The walk though the school was made silently as Harry led them down to the ground level and into the basement before unlocking a door with a key and ushering him inside.

Severus watched as he deftly boiled a kettle and made tea one handed, Aria held tightly in his other arm, as if he'd done such a thing many times before. 'Would you mind?” he asked gesturing to the tea tray.

The older man nodded and picked it up, following Harry into the sitting room where they sat down, Harry in an armchair with Aria still clutching at him in his lap, content just to hold onto him, and Snape just across from him.

'I missed you, poppet.' Harry whispered, staring down at the little girl who in turn was looking at him with something akin to godliness.

'I missed you too, Daddy.' Aria started crying again. 'Why did you leave me?'

Harry pulled her close and began placing gentle kisses all over her face. 'Because your daddy is a fool, baby. A stupid fool. I thought you would be safer with your father, happier even, but I see now I was wrong.'

'Daddy, say you won't leave again. Say it.' Aria begged tearfully.

Harry looked up at Snape who was watching the exchange in silence. 'I can't promise that, poppet. You know that.' He said quietly.

'Come to Hogwarts. The bad men can't get you there. Papa will protect you.' Aria pleaded and Snape raised an eyebrow.

'I can't go to Hogwarts, poppet. I don't belong there.'

'You do belong there.' Severus spoke up. 'You belong there more than anywhere else.'

Harry looked down again and buried his head in his daughter's silky black hair. 'You're hair's got so long, poppet.'

'Don't change the subject, Daddy.' Aria scolded and Harry couldn't help but snort and glance up at Snape.

'I gather she got that from you.' he chided.

Snape shrugged. 'We do spend a lot of time in close contact with Albus.' he offered in his defense and Harry laughed, a slight bitterness to it.

'How is he?' He asked finally.

Snape hesitated a moment. 'He misses you more than you can imagine.' He said finally.

Harry sighed again and looked down at Aria, whose eyes were beginning to droop. 'Come on, poppet. It's late and you need to rest.'

'But daddy I want to stay with you.' Aria cried, suddenly wide awake once again.

'And you will baby, but your papa and I need to have a talk, and it isn't for little ears, alright?'

Aria stared at her father for a moment before nodding slowly. Harry smiled and kissed her nose before turning to the potions master.

'Severus, would you mind?' He asked hesitantly and it was the confirmation Snape needed that Harry's magic had gone with the destruction of the Dark Lord.

Severus nodded and raised his wand, transfiguring the armchair into a small bed and waiting as Harry laid their daughter down and held out his hand towards him.

'Harry?'

'Can I have a dreamless sleep please?' Harry asked without taking his eyes off his little girl.

'How do you know I have one?' Severus sniffed.

Harry looked up, a hint of amusement in those amber eyes. 'Because I know you probably better than even Albus does, so hand it over.'

Severus rolled his eyes and grudgingly pulled a small bag from his pocket and drew out a blue vial, handing it over. 'Presumptuous brat.' He muttered.

Harry smiled and looked back down at Aria. 'Just half sweetie, okay?' Aria looked hesitantly at the vial. She vaguely remembered the last time her daddy had given her a sleeping potion and it hadn't worked out so well that time. Harry all but read her mind and smiled again. 'I promise I'll be here when you wake, poppet.'

Aria nodded slowly and swallowed half the vial. Her eyes drifting shut only when Harry had given her a final kiss. Harry stared down at her for several moments before sighing heavily and standing up.

'She's missed you, Harry. She needed you.' Severus murmured.

Harry's eyes squeezed tightly shut. 'I missed her too. More than you can ever imagine.'

'Then why did you leave her with me? Why then?'

Harry moved to sit back down in the armchair, waiting until the older man had done the same before he answered. 'Because Lucius found me, and I knew I couldn't run properly if she was with me.'

'Why didn't you come to Hogwarts? Stay, I mean. He wouldn't have been able to get to you there.'

'She was safer there with you. No one knew she was mine.' Harry said softly.

Snape studied the young man's posture and raised an eyebrow. 'Why was Lucius Malfoy after you anyway? He renounced the Dark Lord after his destruction.'

Snape watched as Harry's hands clenched tightly on the arms of the chair. 'He wasn't after me for killing Tom.' He said, looking away.

'Why then?'

Harry looked up and for a moment the amber eyes flashed green before they faded again. 'He was after me for killing his son.'

Snape felt as if he'd been punched in the chest. 'What?'

Harry looked down at his hands, looking, apart from the sprinkling of grey in his hair, just as he had in school half a decade before.

'After I finished with Tom, I went looking for Draco.'

'Why?' Snape's tone of voice couldn't hide its confusion.

'Because he took you from me.' Harry whispered, lifting his eyes to meet the other man's. 'Do you have any idea of how happy I was that day. I'd just found out I was pregnant. That we were going to have the child we had always talked about. And then I walked in and I saw...' Harry trailed off and stood up, crossing to stand by the table, his palms flat on it as he drew in a shaking breath. 'I saw that bastard...I couldn't stand it. I lost it. Everything in my life was gone so I went looking for Tom.'

'Harry.'

Harry shook his head in an effort to stop the other from speaking. 'I wanted him to strike me down. To end what could only have gotten worse but he wouldn't. He just laughed at me, and then everything was red and burning and so was I.' The Boy-Who-Lived pulled his shirt over his head to reveal a horribly scarred body.

'Merlin, Harry.' Snape breathed.

'After the fire burnt itself out I was still so angry. My skin was numb with pain but I still wanted to hurt someone so I went looking for Draco. I found him at the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade, boasting about how he'd finally gotten you away from me. The look on Zabini's and Goyles face when I stormed across the room, all burnt and red raw, grabbed Malfoy by the scruff of his robes was priceless. I Obliviated them and immediately apparated away.'

Snape moved to stand behind the young man but was hesitant to touch him. 'Harry?'

'The Fates didn't take my ability to do magic for destroying Tom, Severus.' Harry said quietly, turning to face the older man. 'They took it because I was greedy. They took it because I killed Draco. Because I took my revenge on him for what he did. The payment I required of him, did not fit the crime.'

'Harry, I'm sorry.' Snape reached out and cupped his cheek. 'I should never have let him.'

'Severus, don't.' Harry interrupted him. 'I know what happened. I know the truth. That bastard was screaming it as he died.' He added with a small smile that looked out of place on the tired face.

'I still don't understand, Harry. Many wizards have killed. Look at Lucius Malfoy for one. He is still able to do magic.'

Harry shook his head. 'He kills for pleasure, not for revenge. That is different. Remember when you said there was something special about me? About my magic?'

Snape nodded.

'I am Lustitia. Or I was until I went after Draco.' Harry added sadly.

'I'm afraid I still don't understand.' Severus said, both his expression and his tone conveying his confusion.

Harry sighed. 'Do you remember in my seventh year at Christmas when I completed that ritual? The one when I gave up my wand?'

'Yes. Your power more than doubled after that.'

Harry nodded. 'Yes, I accepted the conditions required of a Lustitia and the fates granted me the power I needed to destroy Tom Riddle. When I went after Draco, I broke the rules and the fates bound my magic. All of it. I would be hard pressed to last more than thirty seconds in a duel with Neville now and that would only be because I can run faster.' He added with a heavy sigh.

'Is there nothing that can be done?'

Harry shrugged. 'I have tried everything I know.'

Snape couldn't help himself, reaching out to cup Harry's cheek again. 'It matters not, Harry. Not to me anyway. And I doubt it matters to anyone who cares for you.'

Harry leaned into the touch and closed his eyes. ''I am of no use to anyone now, Severus. I can't protect Aria and I can't protect you.'

Snape's eyes filled and he pulled the young man to him tightly, breathing in the smell that he had missed for over five years. 'I think you have done quite enough protecting others in this lifetime.' He whispered. 'I think it's time that someone else did some watching out for you. And there are many who would choose to take on the task.'

'Severus.'

'Please, Harry.' Snape pleaded, pulling away so that he could look into the expressive eyes. 'Please return to Hogwarts with us. Aria needs you, I need you, and there are many that would welcome the chance to help you. All you need to do would be to ask.'

'Severus, I'm not sure I...'

'You are worth it, Harry.' Snape said honestly, correctly reading the expression on Harry's face. 'You are worth so much more. Especially to me and Aria. We are a family, don't leave us again.'

Harry studied the black eyes intently for several moments before nodding slowly. 'Alright.' He agreed and Snape let out a sigh of relief, pulling the young man to him tightly once again and placing a gentle kiss on his temple.

'Thank you.' He whispered and Harry couldn't help but smile into the black clothed shoulder.

'Thank you, Madame Porter. For everything you have done.' Harry said sincerely.

The elderly witch smiled and nodded. 'I glad you can finally return home, Mr Evans.' She replied, showing him that while she still called him by his chosen name, she knew exactly who he was.

Harry's eyes widened and he nodded in understanding, receiving one in response before he turned to Severus who was clasping the return Portkey.

'Are you ready, Harry.' Severus asked.

Harry swallowed heavily. 'As I'll ever be.' He agreed and Snape smiled, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. 'Hold on, poppet.' Harry murmured to his sleeping daughter and moments later they were once again whisked away.

'Oh, dear boy.' Albus cried, leaping up from his chair and hurrying around his desk to greet them as they landed. Severus quickly grabbed Aria from Harry's arms as the headmaster all but squashed her in his haste to hug the Boy-Who-Lived tightly to him. 'Oh it is so good to see you.'

Harry just hugged the elderly wizard, breathing in the scent of lemon drops and old books that had been so familiar only five years before. 'Albus.' He whispered hoarsely.

Dumbledore continued to hold him even as he frowned and glanced at Snape. The potions master just gave a subtle shake of his head .

'Harry,' Severus murmured softly, gently cradling the sleeping four year old in his arms. 'Why don't we take Aria down and put her to bed. I'm sure Albus will join us and then you two can catch up.'

Harry pulled away and rolled his eyes. 'Is that your way of telling me that I have to repeat everything again?' He asked dryly.

'He should know, Harry. Particularly about Lucius. Besides, he may be able to help.'

Harry's shoulders sank slightly and he reached out for Aria and held her close. 'You do it. I don't want to talk about it. There's nothing that can be done. All that matters now is that Aria is kept safe.'

'Harry...'

'Severus, please don't. Are you still in the same rooms?' Harry turned and walked to the door.

'Yes...the password is forgiveness.' Snape murmured.

Harry stopped with a hand on the door handle but he didn't turn around. 'There is nothing to forgive, Severus.' He said quietly. 'You just weren't strong enough...neither of us were strong enough.' He added before slipping silently out the door.

The walk through the silent corridors of Hogwarts was overwhelming. Everywhere he looked, everything he saw, conjured up yet another memory in him until his head was pounding. He finally made it down to the door he had stood in front of so many times, albeit, under his invisibilty cloak.

'Forgiveness.' He whispered and the stones shifted allowing him to step inside.

Nothing had changed. In five years not one piece of furniture, one book or even a single knick knack had changed. Instead several had been added. Harry saw the large colouring pad together with enchanted crayons sitting neatly beside the sofa. A stuffed lion left discarded near the fireplpace, and on the mantle, in a stunning silver frame, was a large picture of them both.

Harry sat entwined in Severus' arms, a look of love and contentment on their faces that Harry would have bet everything he had that no one save himself had ever seen on the potions master's face. It had been taken on Valentines Day by an enchanted camera, just after Severus had asked Harry to marry him.

'God, Severus.' Harry choked, tears springing to his eyes.

'Daddy?” Aria's sleepy voice snapped his out of his daze and he glanced down. She hadn't opened her eyes but Harry imagined she had felt the wave of sorrow that had washed through him and it had been enough to break through the Dreamless Sleep, at least partially.

'It's alright, poppet. Daddy's got you. Let's get you to bed.' He continued murmuring softly as he walked into what was obviously his daughter's room and laid her gently down on the bed.

'Don't go, Daddy.' Aria whimpered, his tiny arms reaching for Harry.

'I'm not going anywhere, sweetie.' Harry promised lying down beside her and tucking her close to his side. 'Daddy's not going anywhere.'

'What happened to him?' Dumbledore asked the minute the door closed behind the young man.

Snape shrugged and sat heavily into a chair. 'He lost it. All of it.'

'But how? Magic doesn't just fade away. At his age he should have gained in power as he got older.'

Severus stared at the headmaster in silence for several moments before looking away.

'Severus, what aren't you telling me?'

The potions master knew he would have to come clean. Dumbledore would need to know everything if he was to help Harry. 'After yule in Harry's seventh year he performed a Lustitia ritual.' Snape said quietly, not saying anything else.

'What?' Dumbledore breathed. 'He was just seventeen.'

Severus shrugged in a very un-Snape like manner. 'He was a powerful seventeen year old who needed to face the darkest wizard of the age.'

'And the Fates just granted him?'

Snape nodded. 'Yes.'

Dumbledore sat back in his chair, gazing thoughtfully at Fawkes who was preening himself. 'But that doesn't explain why they took it all away. I mean Harry was justified in destroying him.'

'Yes, he was, but his revenge on Draco Malfoy was, in their eyes, excessive.' Snape stood suddenly and moved to the window, staring out over the moonlit grounds as the memory of Harry's face when he walked in that fateful day flashed before him.

'Severus?' Dumbledore prompted gently, knowing that whatever the younger wizard had to tell him was something he wasn't going to like.

'It was my fault.' Snape whispered eventually. 'I let Draco do that to me, and Harry saw.'

Dumbledore raised an old gray eyebrow. 'You let him what, Severus?' He asked bluntly.

Snape closed his eyes. 'I let him sleep with me.' He whispered.

'I do beg your pardon.' Dumbledore's voice was like ice.

Snape turned back from the window with tears in his eyes. 'He found out about Harry...about Harry and I...He was going to tell his father. He said he wouldn't tell if I slept with him...and then I lost Harry anyway.' He added morosely.

Dumbledore's brow hadn't lowered. 'Are there any other conquests I should know about?' He asked dryly.

Snape's head whipped up and his face bore such an expression of indignation that Dumbledore waved in surrender. 'It's alright, Severus, I do understand. About Harry, I mean. I know how you felt about each other. Aria is proof of that. What I can't understand is Draco Malfoy. Why on earth would you risk what you had with Harry by doing such a thing? Why didn't you just Obliviate the boy and be done with it?'

Snape reached up and ran a hand raggedly through his hair. 'It crossed my mind more than once.' He admitted. 'But then I remembered just how much of a Slytherin Draco was, and I knew what I would have done in his situation. I couldn't take the chance of the Dark Lord finding out and you and I both know that's who Lucius would have told. You needed me to keep spying on him and I couldn't very well do that from the grave.'

'If you'd have asked me I'd have made other arrangements. You weren't the only spy I had.' Dumbledore murmured.

Snape looked down at his hands. 'I didn’t know that. Besides, then I would have had to tell you ...and I knew you would have been so disappointed in me.' He said softly.

Dumbledore blue eyes studied the younger man for several moments. ‘I could never have been disappointed in you, Severus. Not really. You gave two decades of your life to help the light. You deserve some happiness. And Aria is proof of the love you and Harry shared.’

‘Yes.’ There was a small smile on the potions master’s face.

‘What I can’t understand is how he carried her.’ The headmaster said thoughtfully. Snape’s black eyes flicked back to the older wizard.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Male pregnancies are rare, and they are sustained and completed by magic. It the fates had bound his magic completely then the pregnancy should have terminated, particularly one so immature. I wonder how he carried her to term.’

Snape’s eyes widened. ‘I…I don’t know. I didn’t even think to bring it up.’

Dumbledore smiled and reached over, patting the potions master’s arm. ‘I’m not surprised, Severus. I would imagine you have quite enough to be concentrating on. Why don’t you go and find Harry now. I imagine he’s feeling a little lost being back here after so long. I have a bit of research to do.’

Snape nodded and smiled. He knew the old man would be up, probably for the rest of the night

This was going to be just a one shot but I think it might end up as one of those little three or four chapter ones that I do.

Anyway, hope you liked it and thanks for reading.

Regards,

Mione