Determination

XLX: Rising Action

"Snape!" He shouted. "Severus Snape!"

"Snape has been cleared by this council," said Crouch disdainfully. "He has been vouched for by Albus Dumbledore."

"No!" Shouted Karkaroff, straining at the chains that bound him to the chair. "I assure you! Severus Snape is a Death Eater!"

Dumbledore had gotten to his feet.
"I have given evidence already on this matter," he said calmly. "Severus Snape was indeed a Death Eater. However, he rejoined our side before Lord Voldemort's downfall and turned spy for us, at great personal risk. He is now no more a Death Eater than I am."

"Very well, Karkaroff," Crouch said coldly, "you have been of assistance. I will review your case. You will return to Azkaban in the meantime..."
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Everything was fading; he could only see his own body- all else was swirling darkness....
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"I'm your son!"

"You are no son of mine!" Bellowed Crouch, his eyes bulging suddenly. "I have no son!"
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"Take them away, and may they rot there!"
"Father! Father, I wasn't involved! No! No! Father, please!"

Harry was once again pulled from the room in front of him, swallowed by the all encompassing darkness.

This time he found himself back in Dumbledore's office. The room was crowded with people, Dumbledore sitting behind his desk calmly as many others yelled and talked over each other.

"What do you mean there's nothing you can do?"

Harry turned towards the familiar voice in surprise, staring at a much younger and altogether different version of his Godfather. Sirius was clad in Gryffindor robes and a look of outrage on his face as he stared at the Headmaster.

"It's just as I told you Mr. Black, we looked into your claims but without the memories and cooperation of Miss Night to back up your claims, there is nothing further we can do."

"That's rubbish and you know it!" Harry glanced at the new voice and immediately recognized Remus, also clad in all Gryffindor garb.

A thought popped into his head, and Harry frantically searched the room again.

He stopped when his eyes landed on the one person he wanted to see above all else.

His dad...

Harry quickly made his way closer the second his eyes landed on the younger version of the man. Harry smiled as he recognized many of his own features reflected back in this version of his father.

Harry approached cautiously, even though he knew now his father wouldn't be able to hear or see him. He stopped abruptly however, when he recognized the person his father was gently consoling.

Meae's eyes looked empty as her head rested on his father's lap, his hands gently running through her hair in a soothing manner. Harry looked back to his father and noticed he looked beyond livid as he listened to the argument in the room.

Harry watched as his father's eyes softened slightly when he looked back down to Meae.

"Are you sure about all this?" He asked her gently "what he did isn't some harmless prank, he could have killed you."

"If it was Sirius, what would you do?" She asked quietly.

Harry watched his father take a deep breath in as he glanced at his best friend.