After the war

The pair stepped into the stairwell, climbing the stairs with Severus infront of Harry.
"Lumos." Severus said as the Gargoyle moved back into place at the bottom of the stairs, plunging them into darkness.
His wand lit the way, and they soon reached the top of the stairs, finding the door of the headmasters office standing ajar.
Going inside, they found the torches out, the only light coming in through the tower windows.
"Where do we start?" Harry asked, looking at the chaotic collection of oddities that littered the office.
Severus looked at the portraits of former headmasters lining the walls, all regarding them solomnly.
"We ask the portraits. They may know what Albus had that Fudge could be so desperate to get his hands on. If Albus even suspected that he might not make it back, he must have left it somewhere you could find it in the hopes that you would return."
Harry nodded, and moved to the portrait closest to the headmaster's desk.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, young Mr. Potter. I assume you have defeated that little upstart Riddle?"
"Uhm, yes Sir, but the headmaster was killed in the battle."
"Ah, he half expected that he would be. And Minister Fudge?"
"Was just here, trying to get into this office. He and the Aurours still in Ministery employment were nowhere near the battle."
"I am not surprised. Albus's own portrait is hidden in the nook behind the bookcase to the left of the desk. I believe you know how to open that, Professor Snape?"
"Yes."
"Good. Albus will have the answers that you seek."
"Thank you." Harry said to the portrait.
He moved over to the bookcase and looked back at the Professor. Severus joined him, and touched his wand to one of the books at the end of a row.
"Severus Snape, true son of the old blood." He said, dropping his fangs and puncturing the index finger of his free hand, letting a drop of the blood run down his wand to the point where it touched the book. There was a glow of light, and a click, and the bookcase swung away from the wall. Severus sucked his injured finger for a moment until the puncture closed, and then opened the door the rest of the way.
"How was I supposed to have got in if you hadn't been here with me?" Harry asked.
"Then the portrait you spoke to would have told you how to open the bookcase. I included a way for you to open it if needed, but I did hope Severus would survive the battle and stand by your side." A familiar voice said.
They both jumped, and looked at the portrait propped against the wall, even in paint, the eyes were twinkling.
Severus rolled his eyes and asked dryly.
"And if neither of us had survived the battle, or not come back here?"
"There were contingency plans in place. The evidence is in a magic box, that if a year had passed without either of you coming here would have sent it to someone who would have gladly used it." The portrait said, eyes losing their twinkle for a moment at the sad thought of neither of his favorite boys returing from the battle.
"I am glad that wasn't neccessary though, you're both here, and you can use the evidence, and execute my will, which is in also in with the evidence."
"Evidence of what?" Harry finally asked impatiently.
"Why, that Minister Fudge had conspired with Voldemort of course. He kept the ministery out of it, and used his position to try to discredit you when you said Voldemort had returned, and in return, if Voldemort won, Fudge would retain a position of power at his side. Of course, he thought if Voldemort was defeated, then no one would know, and he would still be in his position at the ministery. He wasn't too happy when he discovered I had proof of his betrayal."
"I'm going to fucking kill him." Severus growled, fangs extended, eyes glowing with rage.


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Oh dear, I think Fudge is on someone's lunch menu.


I hope you enjoy this chapter. It is now 5:40 on Christmas morning, so MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HOLIDAYS, JOYEUX NOEL.