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A Most Trusted Soldier	By : Rettavex Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Snape Views: 58682 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-A Most Trusted Soldier
- 2-2
- 3-3
- 4-4
- 5-5
- 6-6
- 7-7
- 8-8
- 9-9
- 10-10
- 11-11
- 12-12
- 13-13
- 14-14
- 15-15
- 16-16
- 17-17
- 18-18
- 19-19
- 20-20
- 21-21
- 22-22
- 23-23
- 24-24
- 25-25
- 26-26
- 27-Author's Note: update
- 28-Still getting reviews...
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It took several minutes for those who remained assembled in the Headmistress� office to regain enough focus to begin piecing together this latest turn in the ever-changing, never-dull world of Harry Potter.
Flitwick had the presence of mind to aim a thorough Aguamenti spell at Dumbledore�s portrait. The frame was already badly charred and splintering.
�I dare say I will never get used to Potter�s power. Blue bell flames�wandlessly! Haven�t seen that before. His flames broke through the protection charms on the portrait like they weren�t even there,� Filius stated, his voice dripping with awe.
�You should have let it reduce to ashes, Filius. It would teach that scheming, secretive, exasperating, Machiavellian, old��
�Severus!� interrupted Minerva, unable to stomach many more disparaging adjectives used to describe her late love. �That will be quite enough! I understand that you and Mr. Potter must be startled at this news, but you of all people know that Albus would never do anything that he believed was not for the best. I hardly think petulant name-calling will make this matter any more palatable. So, please sir, desist.�
Severus just waved his hand dismissively at the woman. That simple gesture was enough for all those in the room to understand just how despondent the Potions Master was at Albus Dumbledore�s last act on his behalf. Despite her formidable presence, under normal circumstances Minerva would never have been able to staunch the flow of vitriol pouring out of the man�s mouth. Fortunately for her, Severus found his mind simply too taxed with processing the fact that Harry Potter would be his new Guardian, to bother properly slicing her up with a few choice words from his extensive, insult-laden vocabulary.
Expecting things to go from bad to worse, both Filius and Neville excused themselves from the office, having decided they would be better off elsewhere when the next wave of fury erupted. Kingsley, for his part, could not keep his eyes off Snape, which were examining his former, albeit brief, lover as though seeing the man for the first time.
�I always wondered why Dumbledore trusted you so thoroughly. I never doubted his trust was well earned, but I never would have guessed as to the reason. All along this is what he had over you,� the burly Auror stated, almost as if speaking to himself, yet loud enough for everyone present to hear.
Snape, not one to miss the subtleties of a seemingly benign statement, leveled a piercing stare at Kingsley. �Just what are you implying, Kingsley? Are you suggesting that the only reason I remained loyal to Dumbledore and the Light was because of the Right?�
Kingsley simply shook his head. �No. The Right alone would not have been enough to keep you loyal if you truly wanted to break free. I�m just saying now we know why Albus was so adamant that you could be trusted. It just sheds some light�pardon the pun� on a long-discussed issue.
�Yet, I am curious about something, Severus. When we were�acquainted during the war, was I the subject of a Dark Sought desire or a genuine Severus Snape interest?�
Severus could hear the edges of hurt creeping into the man�s smooth baritone voice as he asked the question. It was a question he had hoped would never be asked, and to that end had cut short his liaison with the dark-skinned Auror, ending it within weeks of its beginning.
Gathering his thoughts, Severus walked over to where Kingsley stood leaning against the arched window of the Head�s office. Severus grabbed his elbow lightly, using gentle force to turn them both more towards the window. As both men looked out onto the grounds, Severus spoke in his softest, quietest voice.
�Kingsley, I enjoyed our time together immensely. However, I ended it because I did not know then, nor honestly do I know now, whether or not my nature was asserting itself. I respect you a great deal. Because of that respect, I felt at the time�and still do today� that it was best that I refrain from going any deeper with you. Now you know why. I�m not sure if there would have ever been more than the brief moments of pleasure and conversation between us. However, I hope that this will not stymie our continued association.�
Kingsley just stared out the window at the grounds for a few moments more, before nodding.
�It is fine, Severus. We weren�t exactly soul mates. We both needed the brief reprieve our few encounters provided. It was war. No harm done. I only wish you would have told me about being Dark Sought. I know a fair bit. I�m actually surprised I didn�t pick up on it. You keep it well.�
The Auror�s statement was acceptance and forgiveness in one. Severus gave him a slight nod of thanks. He had always known that the Auror was sensible and levelheaded. He was never more thankful for those attributes in the man than at this moment. It was hard enough to begin to accept this situation without having to pander to the sore feelings of a past lover. Hell, Severus was a spy; his life was full of nothing more than secrets. Even without being told, Severus knew Kingsley understood this. Perhaps that was the reason he had been so easy to placate, Severus thought.
Just as the t�te-�-t�te between Severus and Kingsley was breaking up, Harry strode into the office, followed shortly by a harried and apologetic looking Ron. Before he could stop himself, Snape began chastising his former student.
�So, Potter, are you done with your little overly dramatic snit-fest? If so, then perhaps we can discuss this like adults without you stomping off in a fit of pique,� the tall wizard spat.
Harry took a deep breath and shook his head slightly, as if clearing his head of Severus� reprimand.
�Actually, that is precisely why I have returned. I have come to a decision about the Right.�
Severus let out a derisive snort. �Do tell, Potter. I am sure we are all waiting on a knife�s edge for your grand acceptance speech. Nothing like having one�s evil, surly ex-professor under one�s thumb, eh, Potter?�
Harry crossed his arms over his chest, as if purposely restricting his hand movement.
�That�s just it, sir. I renounce the Right. I will not accept. You can choose a suitable replacement Guardian and I will sign over the Right to them. I am sure you have a list long as my arm of more suitable replacements. At the very least, this way you�ll be able to have a Guardian you can at least speak to with a civil tongue.�
When Harry finished, Arthur gave Kingsley a nervous glance. This could bode badly for them all. The balding redhead seized the moment to voice his concerns.
�Harry, think about what you are doing. Albus gave the Right to you. He did that for a reason. Additionally, you must realize that what Severus said earlier was no exaggeration. If his Right were to be given to someone with ill intent then, well, Severus could be let loose.�
Minerva gave an uncharacteristic eye-roll at Arthur�s worries. �For goodness sake, Severus is a grown man and can control himself. He is not some wild animal, Arthur.�
�Nor was I suggesting he was, Minerva. I apologize, Severus, if it came off that way at all. I am merely saying that, based on my understanding of the Dark Sought nature, a Custodian of ill intent could wear down Severus�s own self-imposed restraint. Do you really hate Severus so much, Harry, to put him at the mercy of someone who may not care for his reputation? Someone that may encourage and exploit his less than honorable desires?�
Harry shook his head. �That�s just it, Mr. Weasley. I don�t really hate Professor Snape at all. He�s�well, he�s Snape. We will probably never share a pint at the pub, but I learned a long time ago not to trust in his mask of disdain. He has helped me a great deal and saved my life on more than once occasion. I can never repay him for that, but you will all have to trust me when I say this is for the best. Besides, Snape will be choosing my replacement. He won�t select anyone he doesn�t trust.�
Harry heard Ron mutter under his breath something that sounded like �that excludes everyone.�
Well, this was unexpected, Severus thought. He was sure the boy, well man now, would jump at the chance to try to dictate the actions of his most hated professor. The fact that Potter was not accepting the Right put his instinct for suspicion on high alert. What did Potter mean he didn�t hate Severus? Of course he did. Surely the Gryffindor was just playing noble in front of his adoptive father. Severus made a quick tactical decision. Perhaps if he baited and berated Albus� chosen successor enough he would get the answers he sought. For Severus, few things satisfied him like poking a lion with the proverbial stick.
�What, Potter, not too keen on having to actually take responsibility for something that won�t increase the number of your adoring fan club? Perhaps if we get Rita Skeeter to write a story about you saving wizarding society from ex-Death Eater-newly-unmasked-Dark Sought Severus Snape, you�d be more inclined to accept the post?�
�Stop!� Harry yelled, his hand making a swift slicing motion towards Severus.
At that moment, Severus realized that he could no longer speak. Harry had unintentionally cast a silencing hex. Snape just narrowed his eyes and twirled his own wand in a series of seemingly lazy motions, breaking the hex non-verbally in a few seconds.
�Tsk, tsk, Potter. Still unable to control yourself, I see. Why am I not surprised? It is a wonder you were able to defeat the Voldemort given your pathetic, woebegone, spineless, sniveling, incompetent��
Before he could complete the sentence, Ron stepped forward and punched him, causing blood to spurt down the Potion Master�s nose. Minerva let out a small scream, while Arthur yelled his son�s name in a feeble attempt to quell son�s ire. Ron was nearly deaf with anger.
�Just hold on a fucking minute, Snape! We are no longer students. You keep spouting that shit at Harry and I am going to lose my Auror badge,� the redhead growled, uncaring that his boss and father were both standing a few feet away.
Minerva rushed over to Severus� side, muttered a healing charm to fix the no doubt broken nose, before cleaning away the blood. Arthur took that moment to step into the space between Severus and his son.
�Gentlemen, I dare say that is enough of this bickering. Remember yourselves. I highly doubt Albus intended his will to result in a duel. Ron, apologize,� Arthur demanded.
�No, dad. Harry is doing his best to do what is right and that hateful bastard won�t even shut up long enough to see that it is for the best. I thought you had gotten over this, Snape. Harry is not his father, nor is he Sirius, or anyone else who may have hurt your fucking feelings as a youth. Get your head out of your ass and move on already!�
Before Severus could formulate a reply, Harry cast a room-wide Silencio, making five sets of eyes stare at him with startled, helpless, and in Snape�s case angry, expressions.
�I�ve made up my mind, Snape. You really have no say, nor are my reasons any of your business. The fact remains I will not accept your Right. Unless I complete the bond Albus� will means nothing. And I won�t do that. You have one week to advise me as to whom I should convey the Right. Otherwise you�ll end up like your old friend Bellatrix,� Harry said, never breaking eye contact with the seething Potions Master.
The ending was said with no malice, just simply as a fact. A fact Severus knew was an all too likely possibility should he not find a Custodian. Despite Albus being deceased, Severus was still able to get by on what amounted to a residual bond between the two; but now that the Right had officially been bequeathed, all remnants of the bond between he and Albus would disintegrate.
Before Harry left, he grabbed a piece of parchment from the McGonagall�s desk and scribbled on it.
�This is my Floo address,� said Harry as he shoved the piece of paper into Severus� hand. �No owls can find my place unless I have extended an invitation to their owners. If you must owl, use Minerva�s. One week, Snape.�
With that Harry turned and exited the office, without so much as a goodbye to anyone.
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A Most Trusted Soldier