Neville didn't care about quidditch, and his gran wasn't keen on being around so many people. They had left after dinner.
Harry hadn't seen the Weasleys at all during the time leading up to the match. The spot where their tents had been last time were taken by an enterprising group that had turned it into a small café.
It made sense with their life going crazy so recently. Still, he would have liked to see the twins. Harry had planned to lose a bet on who would win the game. That way he could make sure they had enough money to start their shop without his winning at the end of the year.
The big game was just as exciting as Harry remembered. They had almost same seats. Being there with Sirius and not having to deal with Malfoy just made it all the better. Fudge almost approached Harry but decided against it once he saw Sirius was with him. Winky was missing as well. Sirius held out better than Harry expected against the Veela allure, but he still grinned like a drunk pervert.
Harry was tense afterwards, just waiting for the Death Eater attack. It didn't come. Apparently, they were hesitant to show when someone was going around killing marked members. It made him wonder who was attacking last time.
Regardless, it was the perfect night to do some more cleaning. Plenty of people had seen him at the game. Tonks had made it clear she intended to cuddle with him all night. After that nap she had stayed over for the rest of the trip. Sirius had booked a portkey in the afternoon, so they had plenty of time to get ready.
Harry snuggled up to Tonks, waiting for her to go to sleep. Once she was out, he slipped out of bed. She grumbled a little but stayed asleep. Harry shuffled quietly to the bathroom. Getting dressed would have caused too many questions, so he stayed in his sleep clothes. Tonight, he had opted for pajama bottoms rather than just his underwear. He closed the door and locked it out of habit. If Tonks woke up, then it would make sense that he had needed to heed the call of nature.
A moment later he stood in the cramped reading room of Severus Snape. The man in question froze, a glass of amber liquid just short of touching his lips. Harry flicked his wand, clearing the nearby chair of debris and sat.
Severus put the glass on the small, scratched table beside him.
"Potter." The man sneered at him. "What are you doing in my home?"
Harry didn't fail to notice that Snape was carefully drawing his wand.
"I wanted to speak with you." Harry looked around the room.
"This is outside of my office hours." Snape locked eyes with him.
Harry could feel the man trying to invade his mind. He didn't flinch, truth be told, he was curious what would happen. Snape maintained eye-contact. Sweat began to gather on his brow.
"How?" Severus slumped back in his chair, breathless.
"If you promise to listen to what I have to say, I will tell you." Harry offered.
"Fine." The man snapped.
"Ever since you first saw me you cast me as some evil thing in your mind." Harry relaxed into the chair. "I was just another reminder of the love that was stolen from you. Everything had been handed to me. I acted like I was so much better than everyone. I demanded the rules bend to me."
"Get to the point, Potter." Snape spoke through gritted teeth.
"The truth of the matter is that there was no love to steal." Harry sighed. "At one point, Lily may have thought of you as friend. I don't understand why that's such a bad thing. I would die for my friends. I have died for my friends."
Snape didn't speak. The rage radiated off of him.
"Imagine that like, Severus." Harry continued. " Imagine that smile never fading. That love she would have felt for you, her best friend. The family she chose. Lily as your lifelong friend. She would have invited you to her wedding, probably as a guest of honor. Your kids would have grown up together."
Harry watched the words sink in. Snape reached for his drink. He downed in it one go.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Severus asked.
"You were wrong about everything." Harry stood. "Except for one thing."
"And what is that?" The glare returned.
"I am better than you." Harry sliced his hand horizontally in front of Snape.
Severus blinked. His mind trying to catch up. He opened his mouth to speak only to find his voice wasn't working. His head fell into his lap. The light faded from his eyes.
Harry reached down, ripping Snape's sleeve to expose the Dark Mark. With that done he disappeared and reappeared in the bathroom back at the camp. Harry washed his hands. Then checked himself over to make sure there weren't any stray strands of blood.
Tonks scooted over as he slipped back into bed.
"My Harry." Tonks mumbled as she wrapped draped her arm and leg over him.
Harry kissed her forehead.
One more Death Eater claimed by the Butcher of Azkaban. The name needed work. Not that he'd need it once this mess was done. There weren't many more Death Eaters left in Magical Britain. Aside from them the only other people he planned to kill was Dumbledore and Umbridge. Harry hoped that he wouldn't have to kill any of the Order of the Phoenix. Dumbledore wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice each and every single member if he thought it would further his plans.
Tonks, Lupin, and Sirius weren't attached to them this time around. He wasn't sure about Arthur. Fred and George would stand with him if Harry asked. Hopefully there wouldn't be a reason for Fleur to even join this time around. Hestia was an unknown, as was Moody and Shacklebolt.
Harry really didn't want to have to have to face down McGonagall or Hagrid. They were faithful to Dumbledore. He'd probably have to kill Molly. No great loss there. Mundingus too.
His thoughts were interrupted as Tonks shifted in bed. Her leg hooked his own, pulling him closer to him. She lifted her arm then began to gently stroke his chest.
"Shh, shh." She whispered. "It's okay. You're safe."
Harry wasn't sure if she was dreaming, or if she felt his muscles tensing up. Either way, he settled into her touch and was fast asleep.