Harry Potter and the Way of Reason

There is a dignified atmosphere in the principal's office.Minerva returned after sending Draco and Narcissa/Nancy to St. Mungo's, where Lady Malfoy would be examined to see if ten years of Muggle life had done any damage to her health ;Harry came to the headmaster's office again, and... couldn't figure it out.There was so much to do, so much to do, that even Professor McGonagall didn't seem to know where to start, and Harry certainly couldn't.Now Minerva was repeatedly writing on a piece of parchment and erasing it with a wave, while Harry closed his eyes and tried to collect his thoughts.Is there a first thing that has to happen next...

There was a knock at the oak door that had once belonged to Dumbledore, a word from the headmistress, and the door swung open.

The man who entered the principal's office looked haggard, no longer using a wheelchair but still walking with a limp.He was wearing a black robe, very simple, but clean and unstained.On his left shoulder he carried a knapsack of stout gray leather inlaid with silver threads and set with four green gemstones that looked like pearls.The backpack looked magical, the kind that could hold a whole Muggle house.

With just one look at him, Harry understood.

Principal McGonagall sat behind her new desk, frozen.

Severus Snape bowed his head to her.

"What does that mean?" the headmistress asked, sounding... sad, as if she, like Harry, understood it at a glance.

"I have come to resign my position as Professor of Potions at Hogwarts," the man said succinctly, "and I will not stay and receive my last month's salary. If any student is particularly badly injured by me, you can use the money Do something for them."

He knows.Harry thought of this, but couldn't put into words what the Potions Professor knew now; only that it was obvious that Severus did.

"Severus..." Principal McGonagall began.Her voice sounded hollow. "Professor Severus Snape, you probably don't realize that you're looking for a Potions professor who can safely teach Muggle-borns, or who is shrewd enough to keep even a modicum of order in Slytherin House. Professor, how difficult it is..."

The man lowered his head again. "I don't think you need anyone to tell you, Headmaster, but I strongly recommend that no one like me be the next Head of Slytherin House."

"Severus, you just did what Albus told you to do! You can stay and change your behavior!"

"Headmaster," said Harry, his own voice hollow, and Harry didn't know why, since he didn't know Severus Snape very well. "If he wants to go, I think you should let him go."

Dumbledore used him.Maybe not exactly what Professor Quirrell thought, maybe it was for prophecy rather than intentional destruction of Slytherin, but Dumbledore still used him.There were things that could have been said to Severus, to set him free.Dumbledore's reasons for not taking the risk of doing so were obvious, but in any case, the way he used Severus was not merciful.Even his blindness and grief were exploited, like his failure to realize the consequences of his actions as a Potions Master...

"Just as you're here, Mr. Potter," Severus said, "there's still unfinished business between us."

Harry didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.

Severus stood in front of the two of them with his gray backpack on his back, looking a little embarrassed.Finally, he seemed to have found something to say. "Your mother. Lily. She's—"

"I understand," Harry said through his choked throat, "you don't have to say it."

"Lily is a fine and upstanding witch, Mr. Potter. I cannot let you think otherwise of what I have said to you."

"Severus?" said Professor Minerva McGonagall, shocked as if bitten by her own shoe.

The ex-Potions master stared at Harry closely. "There's more than one obstacle between me and Lily, not least of which is my stupid attempt to flatter my pure-blooded fellow students in my house. If I make it sound like one wrong step is the end of everything, if I Pretend she doesn't love me just because she's shallow, and I wish your books had told you why fools would say that."

"They did tell me," said Harry.He looked at the dainty gray backpack on Severus Snape's left shoulder and couldn't meet the Potions Master's eyes. "Told me."

"However," continued the former Potions Professor, "I'm afraid I have nothing more to say about your father than what I have told you before."

"Severus!"

The ex-Potions professor's attention seemed to be entirely on Harry. "The Dark Mark on my arm is not dead, and the story you told in front of the crowd did not fulfill the prophecy. How did you destroy the Dark Lord, except for a small remnant of it?"

Harry hesitated. "I forgot most of his memories, and then...sealed him. I think that's what the wizarding world says. Even if the seal is broken, he won't be himself when he comes back."

Severus frowned, then shrugged. "I think that's acceptable."

"Professor Snape," said Harry, since it was now his responsibility, "the Order of the Phoenix owes you a favor for your service. I am in a position to repay you well, both in money and Magically. If you want to start your next life with a lot of money, or better hair, or whatever, let me know."

"It's strange that you would say this to someone like me," the former Potions professor said in a drawn-out tone, "I went to the Dark Lord to sell him the prophecy in exchange for Lily's love for me, no matter what What a nefarious means to achieve this. It is not something that is easily forgiven. Then, my years as a Potions professor... You have experienced it yourself. You think that my service to the Order of the Phoenix has been compensated all my sins?"

"People are flawed," Harry said, though the words stuck in his throat. "People make mistakes. At least you try to make up for it."

"Maybe," said the former Potions professor, "my ultimate mission was to fail in the task of guarding the Philosopher's Stone and be knocked down. I accomplished this and survived, which was unexpected to me." Fleurs leaned against the door he had come in, taking his weight off his left leg. "I didn't intend to ask for your forgiveness, but since you gave it to me so readily, I will accept it gratefully. From now on, I hope to do things with less malice. I think the best way is to start over."

Tears glistened on Minerva McGonagall's nose and cheeks, and when she spoke, there was no hope in her tone. "Of course you can start over at Hogwarts."

Severus shook his head. "Too many students will remember me as that wicked Potions professor. No, Minerva. I'm going to a new place, a new name, and someone new to love."

"Severus Snape," said Harry, because it was his duty to say it, "have all your wishes come true?"

"Lily's murderer is eliminated," said the man, "I am satisfied."

The headmistress bowed her head. "Take care, Severus," she whispered.

"I have one last suggestion," said Harry, "if you'd like to hear it."

"What advice?" Severus Snape asked.

"Dwelling on the past can lead to depression. You have my full permission to never have to think about your past again, ever. You shouldn't think it's your responsibility to live your life with Lily, and so on. Focus on your future, And the new people you meet."

"I'll consider your wise suggestion." Severus replied in a neutral tone.

"Also, try a different brand of shampoo."

A mocking look crossed Severus' face, and Harry thought it might be the first time the man had actually smiled from the bottom of his heart. "Die, Potter."

Harry smiled.

Severus smiled.

Minerva was sobbing.

Without further ado, the freed man grabbed a pinch of Floo powder, threw it into the office fireplace, whispered an address no one heard, and strode into the green flame; Said anything about Severus Snape.