alisanne

Title: Man of Mystery
Author:

alisanne
Pairing: Severus Snape/Harry Potter
Rating: G
Challenge: Written for

snape100's prompt #507: Snape: Man of Mystery
Word Count: 100 x 9
Warnings: A sad lack of romance? Pre-slash.
Betas:

sevfan and

emynn
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are not mine. No money is being made from this fiction, which is presented for entertainment purposes only.

~

Man of Mystery

~

“You’re doing it again,” said Ron, munching toast.

“Doing what?” Harry asked, glancing up from the paper.

“Obsessing.” Ron shook his head. “Look, you’ve told everyone about Snape’s role in the war, can’t you just leave it?”

“Not while the Prophet prints this tripe.” Harry sighed. “And I’m not obsessed, just...intrigued.”

“Why? Snape was just a double spy who fooled Voldemort, kept Hogwarts safe, and managed to get you a message in time for you to--” Ron paused, blinking. “Bloody hell, he’s brilliant!”

Harry smiled. “Yep. A brilliant man of mystery. And I intend to get to learn more.”

~

“Professor Snape?” McGonagall’s eyes narrowed. “Why the sudden interest, Harry?”

Harry had his story ready. “I saw a lot of things in his memories that made me curious. For example, I didn’t know he knew my mother! I just want to get a better picture of him. He’s pretty mysterious.”

McGonagall smiled. “He’s certainly cultivated a ‘man of mystery’ persona.” She nodded. “Very well. I’ll tell you what I can of his early years at Hogwarts.” She frowned. “But I’d best not see this in a book someday.”

Harry shook his head. “Oh, Professor. Trust me, this is strictly personal.”

~

Harry’s next opportunity to discuss Snape came unexpectedly. One evening at home, he heard whispering and, curious, followed it.

Kreacher was dusting a portrait at the top of the stairs. A portrait Harry’d never noticed before. “Who’s that?” he asked. Kreacher jumped.

The man in the portrait was striking. “Harry Potter? I’m Regulus.”

Harry blinked. “Regulus Black?”

“Yes,” said Regulus. “And you look like you’ve questions. I’ll help if I can.”

It took a few minutes, but when he got around to asking about Snape, Regulus smiled. “Severus? Well, he’s quite the mystery man until you get to know him--”

~

“You asked to see me, Mrs Malfoy?”

Narcissa nodded. “Thank you for coming. I’ll get straight to the point. With Lucius’ trial approaching, I’m requesting that instead of testifying on my behalf, you defend him.”

Harry frowned. “But he didn’t protect me in the forest, you did.”

“Nevertheless, since I’m the one owed the life-debt, I wish to use it on his behalf.”

Harry shook his head.

Narcissa sighed. “Severus said you’d be difficult.”

Harry leaned forward. “You spoke with Snape?”

“Yes. Why?”

Harry hesitated. “He remains...a mystery to me.”

Narcissa smiled. “I think we can reach an arrangement.”

~

The Death Eater trials took weeks. Harry testified on behalf of several defendants, including Lucius. “While he didn’t actively help me, he didn’t hinder me either.”

It was a lukewarm statement, but it was sufficient to get Lucius’ sentence commuted to five years. Narcissa, and even Draco, seemed grateful.

Speaking on Snape’s behalf, Harry was more eloquent, painting a picture of a mysterious man who managed to fool everyone while he prepared to sacrifice himself to defeat evil.

“So Snape is a martyr?” the Chief Mugwump finally asked.

 Snape, in the stands, was expressionless.

“No,” Harry said. “He’s a hero.”

~

“Why are you so adamant?” Kingsley stared at Harry. “Snape was acquitted. Isn’t that enough?”

Harry sighed. “The papers still call him Dumbledore’s murderer.”

Kingsley raised an eyebrow. “He is.”

“They don’t call me Voldemort’s murderer. If I’m a hero, then so is he.”

“Perhaps, but an Order of Merlin?” Kingsley shook his head.

“First Class,” Harry added. “And he more than deserves it. When I think about all he went through--”

Kingsley sighed. “I’ll consider it.” His eyes narrowed. “His ‘mystery man’ persona really got to you, didn’t it? Why?”

Harry blushed. He was beginning to wonder that himself.

~

Opening the door, Harry wasn’t surprised to see Snape. He’d been expecting him ever since the Order of Merlin announcements. “Come in, sir,” he said.

They regarded each other warily over tea. “You’ve been my advocate,” Snape finally said. “Why?”

Harry smiled. “Your memories made me realise I’d been wrong about you. I thought you hated me.”

Snape inclined his head. “That was the idea.”

“I know.” Harry licked his lips. “But then I started wondering what else you’d fooled me about. You’re a...mysterious man.”

“So you...cross-examined my friends.” Snape raised an eyebrow. “Any conclusions?”

Harry smiled. “Several.”

~

“Do tell.”

Harry took a deep breath. “You’re principled, you’ll defend the defenceless, but you’ve no patience for people who don’t try to help themselves. You’re a perfectionist and you’re hard on yourself when you don’t succeed. You’re a loyal friend, although you’ve not always had that loyalty returned.”

Snape blinked. “So much for my being a man of mystery,” he said dryly.

“You’re more than that, though,” Harry continued softly. “You’re brave, and while you can be petty and sarcastic, that’s just to keep people away.”

“What do you want?” Snape asked.

“To be...friends?” Harry held his breath.

~

“Friends.” Snape tested the word. “Perhaps. I do, after all, owe you my life and freedom.”

Harry shook his head. “You saved the world, sir. It was the least I could do.”

Snape toasted Harry with his teacup. “Then friends it is.”

Harry grinned. “Any career plans, sir?”

“Minerva offered me a position teaching Advanced Potions. You?”

“I’m joining the Aurors.”

“Ah.” Snape smiled. “They’ve asked me to consult with them on...special cases. It seems my reputation as a man of mystery gives me a certain perspective.”

“So we may work together? Brilliant.”

Snape’s eyes glittered. Harry shivered. “Indeed.”

~

Continued in Man of Order (LJ/IJ/DW).