Disclaimer: unfortunately, I don't own Harry Potter. If I did, I can assure the ending of book 7 would've been a lot different. Lol J well, that's it. Hope you enjoy it :p

Chapter 1

Summer Holidays

With a sigh, Harry put down the quill, that was starting to drip on the parchment, and sat there feeling more frustrated than usual. It had been almost a month since he had last seen Ron and Hermione, and it had been three weeks since he had last heard from either of them. He was sure it wasn't because they had forgotten to write or anything, it was mainly due to the fact that he hadn't written back.

Shortly before Hogwarts officially let students out for the summer holidays, Sirius had sent him an owl. After the events at the department of mysteries, his name had been cleared and he was now, legally, a free man. He had then invited Harry to spend the summer at his home and Order of the Phoenix headquarters, Grimmauld Place. To say Harry had been ecstatic was an understatement. A very big understatement. After reading the letter, he sent a very brief note to the Dursley's, via Hedgewig, explaining where he would be staying for the next three months. He was fairly certain that they would probably be as, or more, happy that they wouldn't be bothered by him.

For the first couple of days, he had kept the promise he made to his two best friends about writing often. But as time went on, and he and Sirius spent more time together, he found it harder and harder to find time to write. Eventually, he just stopped writing. He did feel guilty though, which was why he was trying to write now, but not doing a very good job of it. He wanted to tell them about all the things Sirius and him had been doing. How they had taken a week long trip with Buckbeak and how they would sit by the fire and Sirius would tell him stories about his parents. He wanted to tell them, that no matter how great his time with Sirius was, he still had fears concerning Voldermort and the prophecy. That was mainly the reason as to why he was now writing this letter. Even though Sirius was his godfather, and he tried to understand, there was nothing that could compare to the way Ron and Hermione understood him. He didn't even have to finish his sentences most of the time, they got it.

As he looked out the sunny July afternoon, he thought some more. How different things were for him now. It seemed only yesterday that he was getting up early in the mornings and fixing the Dursley's breakfast, or mowing their lawn, or trimming their hedges. He still felt a little odd living here with Sirius. Sometimes he would find himself waking up early only to realize that here, he didn't need to fix breakfast. Kreacher did that. That was another thing that was different for him. He still wasn't used to having a house elf do all the work, and he sometimes felt bad for not helping out a little. But then Sirius would tell him to just relax and enjoy himself. And that's exactly what he did.

He looked back at the still blank parchment and sighed once again. Perhaps, Ron and Hermione could wait a little longer. Right now, he just couldn't find the words to say what he wanted to say. So with a frustrated look, he got up and started to put things away. Who knew, perhaps they were enjoying themselves, and hadn't noticed that he hadn't written back yet.

Harry Potter could not have been more wrong. Not only had both Ron and Hermione noticed he still hadn't written back, but they were starting to get worried. After finally telling Mrs. Weasley of their worries, she simply laughed and told them that he was probably enjoying himself too much. This did put them at ease a little bit. It had certainly slipped both their minds that this would be the first time in more than a decade that Harry would be living with someone other than the Dursleys. After talking with Mrs. Weasley, both Ron and Hermione went outside to assist Fred and George in clearing the garden of gnomes. As they got to the garden though, the were met with a very interesting sight. Both Fred and George were hovering over a tattered notebook. They quickly looked up as they heard the approaching footsteps of the younger duo, and hid the notebook.

"What's that you got?" Ron asked. He didn't know why he bothered. Knowing his brothers, it was probably filled with new ideas for their shop they would soon be opening. As if reading his mind, both took turns in responding.

"now, dear wittle Ron, why ask?"

"When you know we're not gonna tell ya." And with that, the twins exchanged knowing smiles and went back inside.

As they left, Ron turned to Hermione and asked,

"Now what do you want to do?"

"I don't know, but if Harry knows what's good for him, he better write soon." With that, Hermione marched back inside and left a stunned Ron standing alone in the garden.

"I'm sure I'm having the worst summer holiday ever…" he then followed Hermione in.

There was nothing Severus Snape hated more than being summoned like some lap dog. Of course, that was probably because he had lived like that for the last decade or so. Then again, it wasn't like he had been particularly busy at Spinner's End. He just didn't appreciate the fact that other people disregarded his schedule and demanded he follow theirs. Well…demanded was probably a poor choice of word. 'Asked' was more like it, and yet this didn't make him feel better at all. He walked briskly up the hill to the open gates of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dumbledore was already here it seemed.

He had gotten the note a week before. He was a bit surprised to see the familiar phoenix perched at his window, waiting for him to open it. As he tore open the paper he felt a tinge of panic at what the old coot had written him. He should've paid more attention to his feelings. As he read the note, dread filled his stomach,

Dear Severus,

I write this note, to ask you to join me in one week at Hogwarts. There is a subject of dire importance that we need to discuss.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore.

Ps. I recently discovered Kit-Kat bars.

He shouldn't have come. He should've told him he was far too busy. What with spying for him at unpleasant death eater meetings and kissing the robes of a very pale, snake-like man, he was already under quite a bit of stress. And he definitely didn't need any more of it.

After entering the school, and shutting the doors behind him, he quickly made his way up to the headmaster's office. He knew from experience that the subject of 'dire importance' was probably related to the dunderhead, Potter. He severely hoped he had enough fire whiskey left at his home after this 'meeting.' after muttering the password to his office (Kit-Kat bars) he entered to find the headmaster facing away from him and looking out the window. As he made his way in, he thought for a moment that perhaps Dumbledore didn't know he was there. He was just about to clear his throat when,

"You know Severus, I always enjoyed looking at the lake during summertime. It seems so peaceful and calm, even with a giant squid and Merlin knows what else swimming in its depths."

"Please headmaster, I'm in no mood for idle chat at the moment. What is it you wanted to see me for?"

As he turned around, Severus suddenly saw how aged the old man looked. Clearly something was wrong. He hadn't seen Dumbledore look this bad since…well he actually couldn't remember ever seeing him this bad. Dumbledore was a man who always exuded a certain calm about him that one couldn't feel a little unnerved at the strangeness of it. As the headmaster made him way to his desk, he gestured towards Severus to sit. He then offered him a lemon drop, knowing full well the potions master would refuse.

"Severus, do you remember the prophecy that was made almost 16 years ago?"

Well that was certainly surprising. He was expecting Dumbledore to talk about Potter, but certainly not about this.

"Yes, sir I do. May I ask as to the inquiry?"

At this Dumbledore looked down at his hands, almost as if he was debating weather to continue or not.

"You see my dear boy, it seems that there was another prophecy concerning the fall of Voldermort. One that was made shortly after and that only one person was privy to. After much persuasion I managed to obtain it and I would like you to listen to it.."

Now Severus was really confused. How could there have been another prophecy? Surely this was some sort of sick joke Dumbledore was playing. Knowing him, he wouldn't be surprised if it was. Before he could ask where it was though, the old man pulled the glowing orb from his robes and set it in the middle of the table. At this, a though struck him. From what he knew, a prophecy could only be activated if it was touched by the person for whom it was made for. If what Dumbledore said was true, then surely Potter or at the very least the Dark Lord would be needed to activate it. Why then, was he showing it to him? As if reading his mind, which he certainly well could've, Dumbledore let a small smile tug at his lips and said,

"It concerns you Severus."

And with that, Snape tentatively picked up the glowing orb from the desk. As he lifted it, the orb seemed to get brighter until the room was engulfed with its light. Then, a voice started to ring from within it,

On the 15th birthday of 'the chosen one' a girl will appear that will aid him at defeating the Dark Lord. Not only will she help rid the world of a terrible evil but she will also help a man with a terrible scar. She shall be the 'half blood prince's other half"

And with that the orb died out almost as quickly as it had lighted up. For several minutes Severus just sat there. 'His other half?' what in the world could that possibly mean? And a man with a scar? Surely that wasn't talking about him as well? He didn't have any 'terrible' scars…sure he had his share of them, but they weren't that bad. Perhaps it meant Potter's scar? But then, it would've said 'the chosen one' as it had earlier. So then who was it referring to?

As Severus contemplated the prophecy, Dumbledore cleared his throat. Severus slightly jumped, forgetting for a moment where he was. As Dumbledore looked at him, he suddenly saw something in his eyes. A twinkling of some sort that wasn't his regular one. No, this one had a sort of mischievous look about it.

"So…what does this mean?"

Was all the bewildered potions master could utter.

"Isn't it clear my dear boy? It means that a girl shall be helping Harry in defeating Voldermort. It also means she will help you and that she's your 'other' half."

He ended his sentence with a small smile. Severus Snape began to feel frustrated. Ignoring the fact that HE had, after all, asked the headmaster to practically explain, he practically leapt to his feet.

"I know that Dumbledore! What I simply meant was…wait…how do you know that the man with a terrible scar is referring to me? I don't remember having any terrible scars on my body?"

Dumbledore's mischievous look was suddenly replaced with a look of sadness and understanding.

"Not all scars are physical Severus. You of all people should know that. An answer to your earlier question…this means that we need to consult with the order, preferably as soon as possible."

3,000 miles away, a young woman laid lazily on her bed. She was wearing sweats and a simple t-shirt that stuck to her because of the heat in her room. She had been laying in bed for the past hour or so. It was the middle of a very hot July morning and she was very, very bored. Her friends were all busy today, what with them all going away to college in a few months, they needed to start looking for a place to live. She knew she should probably start looking to but she just didn't have the energy. It was just too hot!

"This is Iowa for Pete's sake! It's not supposed to reach 90 degree weather! Especially at 10 in the freakin' morning!!"

She really hoped the rest of summer wasn't going to be this bad…

"God, I really hope summer gets more exciting soon!"

Little did she know that in two weeks' time she would be getting her wish in a very unexpected way.

So what'd you think?? Did you like it? Did you hate it? Please review ;) I really appreciate the feedback.

A/N: I know Harry says that it's the middle of the afternoon, but for those of you who don't know, Iowa is in America and there's a six hour difference. Ok? Ok now review please:P