Jigsaw

CHAPTER 28

“Harry you shouldn’t be here.” Ron stared pointedly at Harry who was standing beside the reception desk leading into the holding wing of the Ministry. Harry sighed heavily his face hidden beneath the cloak, in the hopes no one had recognised him. Ron was cautiously looking about making sure that no one was suspicious of the two of them.

“I know Ron, but I have to see him.” Harry looked pleadingly with his best friend, who was still glancing around them making sure no one suspected anything. Harry knew he’d taken a risk by coming to the ministry but for two weeks he’d been under strict orders to stay in the pub out of the spotlight. To be seen to be helping Snape would only give the Auror’s further evidence to arrest him again. However now, on the eve of Snape’s trial Harry felt the necessity to see the potions professor. Harry hadn’t been satisfied with Dumbledore and Hermione’s reports on the man’s condition. Every day they’d spent at the Ministry sorting out details of the man’s trial, yet Harry always received the same vague reply when he’d inquired about the wizard’s wellbeing. ‘He’s fine Harry.’ It was becoming almost predictable, and it wasn’t enough to satisfy him especially when he felt so helpless sitting in the broken broomstick all day banned by everyone from getting involved.

“This isn’t right if Dumbledore knew…” Ron seemed determined not to allow Harry access to the cells but before he could continue with his lecture Harry cut him off.

“He doesn’t know and he won’t find out. Please Ron, this might be the last chance I get to see him if this trial goes pear shaped.” Harry looked pleadingly at his best friend who at length sighed and nodded, unable not to say no to his best friend.

“Alright, five minutes that’s all Hatsfeld will be coming to check the cells at ten past.” Harry smiled at his best friend who having spelled his quill to continue taking the days reports at the reception desk, grabbed the bunch of keys and his wand from the top of the in-tray and led Harry quickly down through the maximum security wing.

Harry didn’t know exactly what to expect as they descended into the darkened corridors, but it certainly wasn’t what he found at the end of a seedy, damp corridor where Ron came to a stop. The place was practically pitch black, the only light from Ron’s torch, which he’d, lit on the way down. It took a long time for Harry’s eyes to adjust to the dim light but when they did the sight he saw was pitiful. Behind great steel bars in a cage on his own sat Snape, curled up naked, shivering and cowering away from the light of Ron’s torch. Harry stared through the bars at the man and it was only as his shock begun to sink in that anger took over. Approaching the bars Harry yelped and staggered back, the forcefield of magic around the cage burning his hand.

“Don’t try it Harry, they’re warded to the hilt.” Spinning around on Ron Harry glared at his best friend who instinctively lowered his gaze to the floor. Everyone had known about the state Severus was being held captive in yet as usual Dumbledore had sworn them all to keep the information from Harry.

“Then un ward it Ron or I’ll do it myself and everyone in this fucking place will know about.” With an exaggerated sigh Ron glanced back up the corridor in concern before nodding. Raising his wand, Ron muttered a complicated charm and like curtain falling from the bars, the wards retracted. With the ward’s gone Harry easily opened the locked door and scrambled inside the room and over to where Snape was still huddled in the corner.

“Potter.” Snape’s voice trembled and Harry hated the way the man’s pale skin was like ice to his touch. Unshaven, dirty and afraid Snape looked like a different person entirely and Harry sighed heavily as he wrapped the man in his arms and pulled him close to him. Snape accepted the touch almost glad of the warmth Harry’s body provided. “You shouldn’t be here.” Snape croaked his eyes closed as he continued to shiver.

“Yeah well, I was never one to stick to the rules.” Pulling back a little from Snape, Harry inspected the professor’s body clinically. To Harry’s relief but also disappointment Severus body was free of any signs of brutality, and despite the cold and the dirt he was unharmed. Harry supposed his warning two weeks ago had been well heeded, and while they’d made Snape as uncomfortable as possible they hadn’t physically abused him. Unfortunately it didn’t give Harry a reason to tear each and every minister and Auror in the place apart limb from limb, like he felt like doing having seen Snape’s state. “Here, eat this.” Pulling a few chocolate cookies from his pocket Harry handed Snape the biscuits, smiling as the wizard thanked him politely before biting into them eagerly. “Is it dark all the time down here?” Harry whispered cautious that his voice travelled far in the dungeon like rooms. Harry assumed not many people knew about this place in the ministry, probably a dark little secret they kept away from prying eyes. Snape nodded as he finished the first biscuit and started on the second.

“Yes, ironic really Potter. I’m cured of blindness after 8 years of living in the dark, and then they take it all away from me again so easily.” Harry bit his lip determined not to begin letting his temper get the better of him. Ranting and raving at this time wouldn’t help matters.

“Has Dumbledore told you our plan for exonerating you at the trial tomorrow?” Harry watched as Snape nodded, Dumbledore and Hermione no doubt having kept him well up to date.

“Potter I haven’t mentioned this to Albus, but even if this plan succeeds I may still be in more trouble than you realise.” Harry frowned as Severus looked up from the mouthful of biscuit he had left, to stare at Harry sadly. “You are not the only one Potter who wishes me free, and I can assure you their intentions have nothing to do with my well being.” Harry nodded understandingly knowing that Ron was listening and that Snape couldn’t say too much. Although Ron had redeemed himself he still wasn’t trust worthy, if not because of his character but because of his connection with the Auror’s.

“I understand.” Harry whispered watching as Snape smiled briefly the cold making him shiver again. Before Harry could continue however there was a sound of footsteps echoing in the dungeon and Ron abruptly called Harry to get a move on. With a reluctant smile at Snape Harry pulled his hood back low over his face and having exited the cell, waited patiently while Ron re set the wards before following his best friend quickly back towards reception.

At reception Harry silently cursed himself as he saw Hatsfeld and two of his Auror’s just coming in through the adjoining corridor. Like lightening Harry turned away making himself inconspicuous next to a pot plant, as Hatsfeld addressed Ron who’d quickly taken up position back at the desk. Harry couldn’t hear what was said but he watched with relief as the three Auror’s disappeared down into the holding cells. Turning back to Ron Harry smiled in thanks, the red head nodding in acknowledgement.

“I’m reassigned to the courtroom security tomorrow, I’ll see you there.” With a short wave Harry disappeared knowing that Ron despite his mistake was trying desperately to atone for them. It would be a while before the ministry realised what Ron had done with the paperwork concerning Harry’s trial, but by then Ron would have left anyway. The only reason he was staying at present was to ensure inside information leading up to Snape’s trial. Harry easily slipped back through security and into the main entrance hall of the ministry, hurriedly apperating away. What Harry however didn’t see in his rush to leave the ministry was the familiar blonde haired wizard sitting on the seat beside the central fountain, smiling to himself as he’d watched Harry’s every move.

*********************************************************************

Harry was sitting quietly in the lounge of the Broken Broomstick, a book open in his lap but his distant gaze focused out of the window at the darkened moors beyond. After his covert visit to the ministry that morning Harry couldn’t keep his attention on anything for more than a matter of moments, his mind resolutely settling on Snape and his coming trial tomorrow. What Severus had mentioned to him in the cell was a worry, an oversight in their grand plan that Harry hadn’t thought of, and something which he’d neglected to tell the order about. Sure Harry had told them about Snape’s curse but he hadn’t told them about the other death eaters, or how the curse connected them. Also he hadn’t told them about Draco and his mother, something Harry was beginning to regret. Ron had warned Harry not to mess with the Malfoy’s but Harry had brushed his comment aside as foolishness, however he was beginning to think otherwise especially after Snape had professed his concern. Harry was too lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice his godfather approaching until Sirius had already sat down on the window bench at Harry’s feet.

“Harry, are you alright? You’re awfully quiet this evening.” Harry sighed and closed his book the plot of the story forgotten already, as he smiled calmly up at his godfather.

“Just thinking that’s all.” Harry whispered accepting the glass of pumpkin juice Sirius offered him.

“About?” Sirius pressed concern for his godson showing on his face. Harry shrugged his shoulders carelessly as he sipped his juice, not really wanting to go into detail.

“The trial tomorrow.” Harry whispered vaguely watching as Sirius nodded in silent contemplation.

“Do you think we will win?” Sirius inquired again pushing Harry into a subject he didn’t want to talk about.

“I believe Dumbledore has enough evidence to convince even bumbling old Fudge that Severus was a spy for the order of the phoenix and that his crimes as a death eater were all a sacrifice for the crucial information needed to win the war against Voldemort.” Sirius nodded in agreement his concerned gaze still not leaving Harry who turned his gaze back out to the darkened window scape. There was silence for a long while and Harry thought perhaps Sirius would leave his godfather however didn’t shift, and at length finally spoke again.

“Does he love you Harry?” A little taken back by Sirius comment Harry stared at his godfather in confusion. Sirius however didn’t back down from his question and merely cocked his head to the side to await Harry’s answer. With an exaggerated sigh Harry stared at the now empty glass sitting in his lap, the remains of his pumpkin juice sliding down the sides back to the bottom. If Harry truly acknowledged it to himself, Sirius had just got to the crux of Harry’s worry and concern. There was no doubting Albus would see Snape set free, and as much as it concerned Harry, the Malfoy’s and the other death eaters could be easily sorted out with a few choice curses. However if at the end of it all, Snape didn’t love Harry it would be just like signing Harry’s death warrant. It was a foolish gamble Harry was taking, and while he’d said openly that wasn’t why he was helping Snape, in truth it was. Nothing but love for the man would make Harry risk so much to help him. Snapping himself out of his thoughts, Harry realised Sirius was still waiting for an answer.

“If he does he has made no effort to tell me so.” Harry stared at Sirius, his godfather’s eyes easily reading the pain that Harry had given up trying to hide.

“But surely if you’re doing all this Harry, he must have given you some indication for you to even be pursuing him.” Harry smiled distantly and shrugged his shoulders unable to find an appropriate answer for Sirius.

“I’m in love Sirius, I worship the ground the man walks on and everything he says I read into it only what I want to hear.” Despite himself Harry could feel the salty build up of tears in the corners of his eyes and he wiped at them furiously. He was a grown man now, he didn’t need to cry.

“I’m so sorry Harry, I expected this to be a mutual thing between you two I had no idea he didn’t reciprocate your feelings.” Putting both their glasses aside Sirius pulled Harry into a hug, gently rocking his godson against his chest in silent comfort, as the tears Harry had held back fell slowly down his cheeks.

“It hurts so much not knowing either way, it feels like the pain in my chest won’t ever go away.” Harry shuddered as he remembered the day they’d told him Severus had disappeared after the final battle. The feeling was the worst he’d ever felt, like his heart had been ripped out and trodden upon.

“It doesn’t help it’s been sitting there for eight years either does it?” Sirius whispered causing Harry to look up sharply at his godfather, wondering how he knew. Sirius smiled and stroked his fingers calmly through Harry’s hair in comfort. “Don’t deny it Harry, it was never just a crush was it? Everyone saw the difference in you when he was around. You laughed different, dressed different even fought differently during your training. I refused to see it though, my own stubbornness and pride not willing to forget the past but now the wars over and I realise how much he mean’s to you, I want you to be happy. I just hope he gets it through that arrogant head of his that you’re the best thing for him.” Harry smiled into the now damp shirt of his godfather his chest feeling lighter despite the still present pain. To have his godfather’s consent meant the world to him and in a strange way it felt as if his father had silently agreed too. “But lets just concentrate on tomorrow and bailing his sorry skinny arse out of jail first.” Sirius squeezed Harry tightly before going to stand up but Harry grabbed hold of his arm and halted him, feeling that now more than ever he needed to tell Sirius about the Malfoy’s and the curse.

“Sirius there’s a complication I haven’t told anyone about.” Harry watched a serious expression wash over his godfather’s face, the man instantly sitting back down his stern gaze making Harry feel even guiltier for not having explained it earlier. “It’s Draco Malfoy and Narcissa…” If Sirius stunned but darkening expression was anything to go by, Harry knew he should have listened to Ron in the first place.

TBC>>>>>>>>>>