A/N: I found that this chapter to be a bit of a filler, not much happening but a small revelation on a few parts of the characters. We find out a bit more of Erik and Snape's relationship, but we won't find out how it all started till later the next chapter or the one after depending on how I want it to go on. Again I apologize if this seems a bit bland, but I can guarantee a better next chapter, or so I hope.

Ghost

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With the funeral now passed, Harry stood at one of the castles tower mulling over the last week. In his hand was the necklace that was he and Dumbledore thought to be a Horacrux, but it was hollowed inside as it had been someone else's. The last week also bore revelations to everyone, the last member of the Destler family was still alive and that the brother of Lily Evans-Potter had not died as it was reported.

Severus Snape was at first blamed for the death of the Headmaster, but the mob that had gathered around him to dish out their own justice soon found that Erik was watching had shifted into his dragon form known Drakunis. The dragon protected the man as the mob backed off enough to finally heard out Snape after Erik told the man to put aside his pride and defend himself.

The order had found out about his pact with Dumbledore after Lily Potter was murdered and Erik supposedly dead. Harry was at a shock when Severus was found in Erik's guest quarters one day before the funeral wanting to tell Harry something. In private Snape had told Harry his past with his mother and his uncle, it was revealed to Harry that Snape had loved Lily since they were children and that the memory that Harry had seen in his fifth year was the event that pushed her away from him.

The school and the public did not know of Snape's defection due to his love of Lily Potter, but rather that he left because he didn't want a child to suffer having no family and so they were not made aware of the information that Snape gave Harry.

The more Snape talked the more that Harry started to realize that Snape was the way he was because of the past, he was a private person and even though Snape was cruel to him, Harry found that Snape didn't hate him but rather hated that he was a product of his most his hated enemy that bullied, tortured, humiliated in school. In the end Snape apologized to Harry for his attitude and his actions, Harry smiled at the 38 year old and apologized to him for his father's actions and that he was sure his mother would have apologized to him because no one deserves to that kind of loneliness after all those years of trying to make it right.

There was a soft smile on Snape's face when Harry told him that he was forgiven, and visibly there was a weight removed from Snape's shoulders as he held himself prouder and more relaxed. Erik had entered the room and watched the scene before him as he called Snape over to him to show him something. Harry had left the room and gone to mourn for his fallen friend and not dwelling on the fact that his only family was at one point imprisoned in a cave to protect him. Professor McGonagall was left to deal with the Funeral arrangements for her friend and colleague, the funeral itself was a sullen affair as everyone from the school appeared as well as those in the magical realm that knew Dumbledore and was touched by the goodness that he spread to the people.

Shaking his head Harry looked to his side to rid himself of his thoughts as Hermione and Ron walked up and stood near him. Holding the up the necklace by the chain he held it out to Hermione to take and look at.

"It was all for nothing... He died all for nothing..."Harry said quietly letting the metal slip from his hands as his friend took the metal object in her hands running a hand over the metal surface.

"What do you mean?" Oopening the locket, inside Hermione to found a piece of paper, Hermione read it aloud and then looked to Harry. "Who is RAB?" She asked quietly.

"I don't know, but as it stands I am not going to be attending school next year. You won't be seeing me either, but I will be writing to you whenever I can."

"You don't get it do you? You told us once that we could back out before we got involved. Well that time has passed and I can tell you that we aren't leaving, so you're stuck with us" Ron walked up beside his girlfriend giving Harry a smile. Not hearing two sets of footsteps on the stairs Harry smiled at his friends but jumped at the sound of someone's voice.

"You have some great friends Harry, but you aren't leaving us to do this yourself just yet. You'll be stuck with two adults for your adventure"

"That is if you will have me along Mr. Potter" Severus said quietly after his friend Erik, Snape was still threatening in his robes but his demeanour was much more relaxed as he stood beside Erik who happened to be wearing a black robe over a black muggle suit.

With the three finally recovering from their scare from Erik and Snape, Ron and Hermione looked to their friend wondering what his thoughts where on the situation. Looking to the ground then to the two men Harry gave them a smile that warmed all their hearts.

"I wouldn't ever think about leaving my Uncle, and my mother's bestfriend behind. I mean what kind of person would I be if I did?"

"The smart kind Harry" whispered Ron, but before Snape could snap back a sarcastic remark his eyebrow raised up into his hair line as Hermione smacked Ron upside the head and hissed as him about his remarks. Looking back to her Professor she apologized to him for Ron's outburst giving her boyfriend a very dirty look. The two had trusted Harry when the information was revealed to the two about Erik and Snape's relationship to Harry, though Ron was at first very reluctant to accept the fact.

"Well I think that settles it, but there is a little matter of making sure that the school is still protected while all of us are away. 'Knuckle head' is going to be placing people in the school, so it would be wise at the moment to ensure that Severus and I remain at the school to make sure that we have people in place to take care of the students. Because of the cursed position for Defence against the Dark Arts class, Severus needs to leave, as well as the fact that now the idiot and his Death Eaters know that Snape is a spy. I however... will be with him to make sure that he doesn't get into too much trouble or harm.

Whatever Dumbledore had started Harry, know that we two along with your friends will be there to help you. You don't have to do this alone anymore, as screwed up as we are in this tiny little family; we are all in this to the end."

Snape gave a curt nod still not happy with Ron's response about him, but the look that the red head was getting from Hermione was enough for the young man to shift on his feet and color at his ears for the reprimand. Harry nodded as well walking up to his uncle wrapping his arms around his waist. Erik brought his arms around Harry and hugged him as the young boy started to cry. Looking up at Ron and Hermione, Erik nodded his head in to the direction of the stairs causing them to nod and leave the room.

Snape had gone to the railing and looked out over the black lake remembering something of the past, closing his eyes he was thrown back into a memory.

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"Sev? Sev you up here?" A voice came from down the stairs as a tall lanky boy was huddled against a wall with his knees drawn up to his chin. The soft and yet heavy footsteps made their way up to the top landing stopping for a moment before moving over and stopping in front of the curled up figure. Feeling that a person had kneeled down in front of him Severus brought his tear stained gaze up and he saw his friend Erik with a black eye and a cut down the side of his face as well as a serious looking expression and red knuckles.

"Sev... what are you doing up here?"

"Erik... I'm..."

"Don't. What are you are doing up here?" Erik asked quietly his voice stern and calm. Severus looked to the ground and let the tears roll down his face silently. He couldn't bear to look the older boy's face and the look in his eyes.

"I... I tried to apologize... she didn't want to listen and I got mad and yelled at her. I didn't mean it Erik, I didn't mean it!"

"Sev... look at me." Severus kept his gaze to the ground not want to look at Erik and see the blood still coming down his face, he didn't want to see the anger in those ocean blue eyes of his. "Severus. Look at me" Erik put a hand on the younger boy's knee as the onyx eyes met Erik's, there was a small smile on Erik's face despite the injury that he suffered.

"I know you didn't mean it, but Lily is stubborn and she won't listen to me or reason. I can tell you however you choose your own path. No matter what you are your own person, just remember that alright?" Severus nodded at the older boy and wiped his tears off his face. Erik moved and sat down beside Severus pulling a cloth out of his pocket dabbing at the blood on his face. "And don't worry about Potter alright? I've dealt with him and his asinine friend Sirius. Never did learn to play fair those two did. And Lily kicked me out of the tower for the evening, so it's just the two of us eh?"

Severus turned his head as Erik put and arm around the younger boy's shoulders and pulling him in for a hug before letting him go. Sitting in silence the two looked around the tower feeling the cold that was coming in from the out storm. Shivering Severus brought his robes about him trying to get warm, noticing this Erik got up and took his robe off handing it to Severus before giving a wink and transforming into a dragon.

Severus looked up in awe and fear but it was soon put to the side as the dragon lay down and lifted a wing showing an open spot for the boy to lie down. Taking the robe and laying it down on the stone floor, Severus curled up next to the dragon relishing the heat that the animal was producing. Laying down the wing gently on top of Severus acting as a blanket Erik nudge Severus lightly before wrapping the massive tail along the walls and resting his head by Severus.

"Thank you Erik for being there, thanks for being a big brother" Erik blinked his eye once to Severus and let out a yawn, Severus patted the dragon on the snout and curled up closer to the dragon. Closing their eyes the two fell asleep and didn't wake up till late the next morning hearing the students outside enjoying their weekend.

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Being brought out of his thoughts Snape turned around and saw Harry asleep on the ground on a black robe, the dry tear tracks were enough evidence to Snape that Harry had released all of the emotions he tried to hold in over the long years of neglect and abuse at the hands of his cousin and other uncle. Erik had been sitting beside the boy watching and carding a hand through the messy mop that was Harry's hair. Standing up Erik walked up and stood beside Snape looking to the side at the man's pale face.

"You remember that night when I found you up here after what James did to you?"

"I do, I was never more grateful to you then that day. I wanted to make things to much better for Lily but I really made an arse of myself. I... I said things to her that I shouldn't have. But you know that already."

"I do... remember I was the one that beat Potter and Black and came up here with that nasty cut and black eye. Thank god it was a Friday when we spent the night up here, I don't think that McGonagall would have appreciated that three of her students showed up to class with some... injuries"

"No I would think not... Even then you mastered becoming an Animagus at your age and beat out the Marauders before they became one. And I for am thankful you taught me to become one as well"

"Hey it's what family does; you know I would look out for you, as I did for Lily. Even if she is dead she knows I would have done anything for her and her family. And it's what I will continue to do; look out for family." Erik said throwing an arm over Snape's shoulders giving him a grin. Snape looked back at Erik and smiled a full smile, not just a twitch as the side of the mouth but a full toothed grin that really took years off Snape's face.

Hearing a groan Erik and Snape turned and looked at Harry twitch and moan in his sleep, there was something there that shocked the two of them.

"No, please don't, god please don't it hurts..." Harry twitched in his sleep more turning on his side holding his ribs and twitching again. Moving away from the railing the two older men walked over and kneeled down besides Harry to wake him up. He started to fight Snape's gentle shaking of his shoulder, thrashing about he shot his arm out and his Snape in the face dropping him onto a hand. Erik grabbed the flailing hands and pinned them to the ground looking at his friend put a hand to his jaw rubbing it. Looking down Erik leaned in and barked out his nephew's name.

"HARRY!"

Harry had been trying to get away from his Uncle and the belt that he had in his hands, the lashing he got were worse the some of the actual backhands. There were things happening to him as he tried to get away from one of the hits to his ribs, he grabbed at his ribs only to have his hands pulled away. Pulling his hand away from a dark grasp he struck out and knocked the shadow away onto to have his hands pinned in the air then a voice broke in and shook his awake.

"HARRY!"

Snapping his eyes open in fright he looked up into the face of his Uncle who happened to be holding him down. He struggled but his uncle told him to calm down, when he did Erik released Harry's wrists and the boy sat up quickly seeing Snape rubbing the side of his jaw as a blue bruise started to form.

"Sir... I'm..."

"Mr. Potter it's alright... you had a nightmare and you didn't know what was going on, let alone knew who you had hit. But I would like to know why you said, 'No, please don't, god please don't it hurts'"

"How did you hear about that?"

"You said it in your nightmare, one that both your uncle and myself heard clearly as we tried to wake you up"

"You're lying..."

"Harry, he's not lying... what did my sister's husband do to you?"

"He didn't do anything! Leave me alone!" Harry got up and sped away before either Snape or Erik could grab him. Standing up Erik looked to Snape seeing the anger in Snape's eyes. Child abuse was something that he did not take lightly. No matter what the situation is, it was not acceptable and whoever did what they did to Harry, Snape would see to it that they paid for their crimes.

"We'll deal with them in a bit, first we need to see where Harry went"

"Indeed and possibly take him down to the Hospital Wing to get checked and looked at"

"You realise that he's not going to go quietly right Severus?"

"... Are all you Gryffindor's this proud?"

"Do you have to ask?" Erik grinned at his friend and picked up his robe pulling it back on and heading down the stairs to find Harry. They checked the Gryffindor Tower and didn't find him, Erik had asked Ron and Hermione and they didn't know where he had gone. Splitting up they searched the school, but it was one of the school ghosts that said he was sitting at Dumbledore's grave. Heading out to the hillside where the white stone grave was, Erik and the others saw Harry leaning against it his knees up to his chin as he cried to himself rubbing his arms as he looked out over the forest to the lake in the distance.

"Why are you here?" was all he asked.

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A/N: Oh look.. a bit out of character Snape, but then this story is a bit out of character cause Harry has an Uncle that shouldn't even be in the story. Oh well, this is my work so please be kind and review. I know it's a filler as I said up above, but I've got a great wedding action scene going to happen that's going to place Snape in some serious harm having the two rely on more then just magic, but themselves.

That should be enough of a spoiler for you people.

Read and review this ghost commands it.