A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please don't forget to review when you're done! Happy reading!
To do what is right
Chapter 4
"I cannot believe they are coming to Hogwarts without any form of protection- it's so dangerous- at least I had my Invisibility cloak! I cannot believe Hermione would be so stupid!" Harry yelled angrily as he and Severus made their way from the headmaster's office to the Entrance Hall where, Harry hoped, Ron and Hermione would soon be bashing on the oak front doors.
Harry was pacing. After everything he had found out that night about Professor Snape, he didn't want his friends to ruin it by making assumptions like he himself did earlier that night. But at the same time, Harry first and foremost wanted Ron and Hermione to arrive to Hogwarts safely; he didn't know what he would do if something terrible was to happen to his best friends. So many thoughts were flying through Harry's head and on top of everything else it was already so late- he felt terrible that Severus was still awake given the day he had had.
Severus was watching Harry pace, greatly amused. He had a feeling he knew why the boy was so agitated; not only were his friends travelling during dangerous times but they would be passing judgment on both he and Harry and Snape could tell Harry really wanted them to understand.
Finally there was a heavy knock on the front door. Severus undid the protection around the castle with his wand then hid behind a nearby statue: a plan Harry and he had agreed on during their descent from the Headmaster's office.
Taking a deep breath, Harry opened the door to see two people who were very cleverly camouflaged with their surroundings. Harry was relieved that Hermione had thought to use the Disillusionment charm to make herself and Ron less visible.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed, leaping over the threshold and hugging Harry to her as Ron closed the door behind them incase they were overheard.
"I'm so relieved you are okay, but you really shouldn't leave us like that! Ron and I were worried sick, especially when you said you were coming home but never did! It's been driving us crazy! In future please make sure-"
"I know Hermione, I'm really sorry," Harry interrupted knowing that Hermione could continue on like this for hours, but Harry knew they really didn't have the time and he didn't particularly want to listen to her lecture. "I promise it will never happen again."
"I'm glad you're okay mate," Ron said, patting Harry on the shoulder.
"Come on we better get out of here," Hermione said urgently, making to pull Harry out of the castle.
"Why? It sounds like you are expecting something bad to happen," Harry replied, not wanting to give himself away about the true reason as to why he wanted to stay.
"Oh Harry, we forgot to tell you! This morning whilst you were at Hogwarts, the Daily Prophet came early and on the front page, there was a report stating that Professor Snape is going to be Headmaster of Hogwarts this year! So we really must get out of here before-" But then Hermione broke off immediately and stared at Harry her eyes wide and scared.
"What is it, Hermione?" Ron asked, looking between Harry and Hermione, clearly concerned by the way she was looking at Harry. "Oh bloody hell, I hate it when you do this! Tell us what you are thinking!" Ron demanded.
Ignoring Ron's request, Hermione screamed "Ron, be careful!" brandishing her wand and pointing it at Harry when he made to take a step closer to his friends.
"What the?" Harry cried, putting his hands up in surrender and halting in his tracks. "Hermione what in god's name are you doing?"
Ron was looking uncertainly between his two friends. "Hermione, would you bloody tell me what's wrong!? Why are you pointing your wand at Harry? Have you gone mad?" Ron asked, looking extremely worried.
"Ron, Harry may be Imperiused or he could be an imposter!" Hermione shouted, clearly frustrated that Ron hadn't already armed himself with his wand.
Ron turned pale at these words and Harry started, completely shocked; he was not expecting this.
"What? Hermione, no it's me and I'm not being Imperiused!" Harry said hurriedly, panicking because for whatever reason, this was going horribly wrong. "Please, how can I prove it to you?" Harry continued, staring urgently into Hermione's eyes.
"Who did I catch you snogging on your birthday?" Ron asked completely randomly. Harry wasn't sure if Imperiused people could remember facts about themselves, but did not hesitate in answering: "Ginny."
"And what was the undercover name you were given at the wedding?" Hermione demanded, her wand arm shaking slightly.
"Barny Weasley," Harry answered efficiently. "Look, this is ridiculous! You know I haven't been impersonated because I have answered your questions and I have not being Imperiused because my eyes are focused- this is me! I am me, Hermione! Now, please tell me what is it you know? Why were you so convinced that I am not myself?" Harry demanded, frustrated that Hermione, as of yet, had not given him an explanation for her wand which was still pointing directly at his chest.
"Yeah, I want to know that too. What made you so sure, Hermione?" Ron questioned, however quietly, apparently afraid that Hermione would hex him for questioning her judgment.
Hermione sighed and lowered her wand. "You really must read Hogwarts: A History. It clearly states that if the current Headmaster of Hogwarts dies, the castle will close itself once the school year has ended and will not allow itself to be reopened until the new Headmaster or Headmistress arrives at the school."
Finally Harry understood; Hermione knew that Snape was here and had made the assumption that Severus had Imperiused him or used Polyjuice potion.
Having heard Hermione's explanation, Ron turned pale and also raised his wand with a determined look on his face.
"What have you done with Harry?" He demanded of Harry. Harry couldn't help but smile a little.
"But Hermione, you just concluded that I was me- why are you turning on me again?"
But neither of his friends answered him. It was as if Ron's support encouraged Hermione to take up her original stance so that Harry's assertions about his personal life from only moments ago no longer meant anything to them.
"Ron, Hermione stop- please- just wait! Just- just to be sure I understand… Hermione you believe that Professor Snape is here somewhere and has either used Polyjuice potion to take up my appearance or has Imperiused me, right?" Harry asked gently and was shocked to hear Hermione reply "yes" in a small voice, her wand still raised, her eyes wide and Harry could see tears beginning to dwell in her eyes.
"No, Hermione don't be afraid," Harry said kindly, walking towards his friend.
But Ron stood directly between Harry and Hermione with his arms out.
"Stay away from her!" Ron asserted, causing Harry to take a couple of steps backwards.
"Come on! What else can I say or do to prove that I'm not being Imperiused? My eyes are in focus, I can tell you so many things that only we would know! I swear to you, I'm Harry James Potter and I am not being controlled by anyone but myself," Harry asserted strongly and with confidence.
Harry watched as tears began to cascade down Hermione's face.
"You may be Harry, but I know Snape is here somewhere and I'm scared he's done something to you or will do something to us," Hermione cried a little.
Ron placed his left arm around her, keeping his wand arm directed at Harry.
Harry looked away from the both of them, thinking; he knew he had to do it now, he had to tell them what he had been doing for the last 6 hours or so. Running his hand through his hair, Harry took a deep breath and looked back at his two best friends.
"I need you both to try and be as open minded as you can. Will you promise to try?" Harry asked of his friends.
Both of them nodded, though they were evidently confused.
"Professor Snape is here but-"
"HE'S WHAT?" Ron exclaimed, brandishing his wand. "Where is he?" he demanded of Harry.
"Ron, stop," Harry said through gritted teeth.
"What's wrong with you? Why are you defending him?"
"I didn't spend the last 6 hours talking to him about the weather, Ron!" Harry fired back.
"But he killed your parents! He killed Dumbledore! And he works for You-know-who! He wants to kill you, Harry! What the hell is wrong with you! Have you been confunded? Or have you simply gone mad?" Ron yelled.
"I haven't been confunded and I'm not mad!" Harry yelled back. "If you would just shut up for two seconds-"
"What if we haven't got two seconds? What if Snape is devising some plan to capture us all and you standing up for him is all a part of his plan?" Ron suggested, his face turning red from yelling.
"Professor Snape is not planning anything- he won't hurt any of us!" Harry asserted, his heart racing; all of this was going horribly wrong.
"Then where is he?" Ron demanded, stepping forward and venturing further into the Entrance Hall, looking around.
"Ron don't!" Hermione cried, making to grab Ron by the arm and drag him back, but Ron pulled his arm away.
"Come on Snape! Come out and show your face, you slimy git!" Ron screamed.
"Ron, cut it out!" Harry yelled.
"It does not matter, Potter," Severus asserted, as he moved from behind the statue and revealed himself to Ron and Hermione.
"Stupefy!"
"Protego!" Harry shouted in retaliation, conjuring a shield in front of Severus to block Ron's spell. Both Ron and Hermione were staring at Harry in disbelief, their jaws dropped.
There was silence.
Hermione was the first to break it, though tears were still pouring down her face.
"So, so it's true? You w-won't hurt us?" Hermione asked Snape.
"Correct," Severus responded, nodding his head towards her.
"But why? What- what happened? I don't understand…" Hermione faltered, evidently confused and Harry didn't blame her.
"You haven't really been talking to him all this time?" Ron asked in complete disbelief.
"Yes, I have-"
"About what?" Ron demanded.
"Well, if you are ready to listen, I guess- I guess I'll tell you…" Harry began, looking towards Professor Snape who indicated that it was okay for Harry to continue, though turned his back towards the trio as if he couldn't bare to see the reactions on Ron and Hermione's faces when Harry revealed his most personal secret.
"A lot has happened tonight," Harry began. "But I'll tell you the other things later-"
"What did you find out about Snape that's made you side with him all of a sudden?" Ron demanded; clearly he was impatient.
"I'm getting to that Ron!" Harry shouted. "As I was saying, a lot has happened so what I am about to tell you about Professor Snape is actually more complicated than it sounds and there is more to it, BUT" Harry emphasized for he could tell Ron was about to interrupt yet again. "Basically, the reason why I trust Professor Snape and the reason why Dumbledore has trusted him for all these years and the reason why he swapped sides is because when he found out that the prophecy he told Voldemort about referred to myself and consequently involved my mother and father, he told Dumbledore what Voldemort was planning to do and from that moment he worked for the Order of the Phoenix in an attempt to ensure the safety of my mother, BECAUSE," Harry paused for emphasis and was greatly amused by both Ron and Hermione's wide eyed expressions. "Professor Snape loved her."
With his back still turned towards the trio, Severus closed his eyes preparing himself for whatever reaction Harry's friends were about to give. He could not believe that only a few hours ago, no one alive knew his secret and now, three people did.
"Oh my goodness," whispered Hermione. She was watching Severus intently and could only imagine what other things Harry and he must have discussed for the last 6 or so hours.
"That's not possible," Ron responded after a significant delay. "Snape hates you! He hated your dad!"
"Do you blame him for hating my dad? After everything my dad-" But Harry broke off when he realized that true to his word, he never told anyone, not even Ron or Hermione about the memory he saw in the Pensieve during their final Occlumency lesson in fifth year.
"Why? What did your dad do, Harry?" Hermione asked somewhat timidly.
"It- it doesn't matter." Harry said dismissively, hoping to cover up the secret he was hiding. "All that matters is that Professor Snape was friends with my mother since they were kids and fell in love with her whilst they were at Hogwarts. Ever since Voldemort murdered her he has been helping Dumbledore protect me to ensure that my mother's sacrifice wasn't in vain. Professor Snape has suffered a lot because of his role as spy and him getting the job of Headmaster was a part of his and Dumbledore's plan. Dumbledore would not have even survived last year if it wasn't for him and Dumbledore begged, not for his life, but for his death on the top of the Astronomy tower that night- ask his portrait if you don't believe me! And Voldemort came to Hogwarts tonight soon after I arrived, but thankfully Professor Snape sent me his Patronus in time to warn me and told me to go into the Pensieve and-"
"Were there memories in the Pensieve?" Hermione asked keenly.
"Yes," Harry replied, but then his attention was caught by Severus who had begun to pace at the bottom of the stair case. "As I said, I have learnt a lot tonight about heaps of things but I will tell them to you at Grimmauld Place, because it is really late and I think Professor Snape needs to rest…" Harry whispered the last part under his breath whilst following Severus' pacing figure with his eyes, but both Hermione and Ron heard him and looked at each other in shock- Harry really cared for Professor Snape… they never thought that would be possible.
"Did you get to speak to Dumbledore?" Ron asked, as if given all the excitement they had forgotten the original reason why Harry wanted to come to Hogwarts.
"Yes, but we will discuss it later. I'm just going to say goodbye to Professor Snape and then we can go," Harry told his friends hesitantly as he made to approach Snape who had stopped pacing and was sitting on the bottom step of the staircase.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione whispered, grabbing onto her friend's sleeve. "What is Professor Snape's Patronus?"
Harry smiled.
"I'll tell you about it later," Harry promised as he attempted to make his way to Severus once again.
"Why won't you tell us now? It's no big deal is it?" Ron asked respectfully.
"I can tell you later! It is really late and we should get back to Grimmauld Place incase Voldemort decides to show up again!" Harry reminded his friends.
At this, Harry walked away from his friends before they could stop him and stood in front of Severus, who looked up at him- clearly he was exhausted and perhaps a little afraid.
"I'm sorry we've stayed so long and stopped you from sleeping. We're going to go now," Harry said softly incase Snape's headache had returned.
"What do they want?" Severus asked with interest, but quietly so that Ron and Hermione could not hear.
Harry followed Severus' gaze and saw where he was looking.
"They wanted to know what my dad did to you that day," Harry began, looking apologetically at Severus, for he didn't mean to almost let that memory slip. "But I didn't elaborate about what I saw in fifth year, I kept that memory a secret from them just as I promised I would... Then Hermione wanted to know what your Patronus is, but I told them I'd tell them about it later."
"I give you permission to tell them what you saw," Severus said as he drew his wand.
"Um, are you sure?" Harry asked; he was quite happy to keep the memory a secret, especially now that he knew how meaningful it was to Severus. But that was soon forgotten when Harry noticed Severus standing up; he couldn't understand why.
"Yes, I am sure," confirmed Severus as he made his way towards Ron and Hermione.
Suddenly, Harry realised what Severus was doing. "No, Professor Snape, it's okay, you've been through enough tonight, they can wait until we-"
"Harry," Severus interrupted, causing Harry to fall silent at the sound of his first name being uttered by Professor Snape. Ron and Hermione heard it too and they also fell silent. "It's fine." And then walking a little closer to Ron and Hermione, Harry standing by his side, Severus closed his eyes and remembered the way Harry was looking at him when he squeezed his shoulder, when Lily's eyes- Harry's eyes, reflected the caring and respect Severus had always wanted from Lily… and from her son...
"Expecto Patronum," Severus whispered, allowing that moment to fill him up. Hermione gasped when she saw the beautiful silver doe gallop out of Severus' wand.
"It- it looks just like yours Harry, but- but," Ron began.
"Female?" Severus finished off for his ex-student.
"Yeah," Ron said, looking at Snape, a little concerned how the man would react to his assertion that his Patronus, the animal that most represents Severus' personality and being, is female.
"Lily's Patronus was a doe," Severus mumbled, though those around him could still hear.
"This doe has always been my Patronus, always will be," he whispered.
"She's beautiful," Hermione whispered just as quietly, looking at Severus all the while as if to show the man that she truly meant it.
"Thank you," Severus said quietly.
There was silence as everyone watched Severus' doe gallop around the Entrance Hall.
"I- I think we better go Professor Snape," Harry said, even though he wished he never had to leave neither Hogwarts nor Professor Snape.
After Ron and Hermione bade their ex-professor goodbye, they waited near the front doors for Harry to join them.
Slowly Harry approached Severus and when they met one another's eyes, Harry admitted:
"I really wish I could stay."
"You have a job to do, as do I," Severus reminded the boy, though he could tell through Legilimency and the air that Harry portrayed, that if he had the choice, Harry would have stayed and talked more with Severus.
"I know, but I want to know more about my mum and your past, there is so much-"
"I understand your desire for knowledge, and I am hoping that one day I can tell you more, but the Dark Lord must meet his downfall before I can see us having another opportunity," Severus reasoned, though nevertheless seemed slightly disappointed he too, would have to wait that long to tell Harry about his past.
Harry nodded.
"I hope everything works out for you and for Hogwarts. I never thought I would say this, but Hogwarts, the students and the staff- they need you, even if they don't know they do. Your sacrifices and your actions mean so much to me now and I just wanted to thank you for talking to me about your past. You must have been a good person for my mother to have loved you and although I never would have believed it, it is clear that you still are a good person- below the hatred and bitterness you have towards my father and your childhood- of course. Few could have done what you have, Professor Snape and all I can hope is that we'll see each other again someday," Harry said, a little sadly.
"I will try to get the sword to you as soon as I can," Severus reminded Harry as if he hoped that would lighten up Harry's mood.
Harry smiled. "I hope so."
"You are much more like your mother than I ever would have given you credit for, Potter. I hope that you and your friends manage to do what needs to be done to bring about the Dark Lord's downfall. Everyone is relying on you, especially me," Severus admitted.
"You are just as important as me, Professor Snape. Without you, I may not even be here, you have always kept your word to Dumbledore and watched over me. You and Dumbledore have gotten me this far, I know my mother would be proud of you, her death definitely was not in vain, you have redeemed yourself beyond anyone's expectations of you, including your own," Harry asserted, laughing a little.
"What makes you say that?" Severus asked, extremely curious and a little confused by Harry's powerful statement.
"Because when I go to face Voldemort for the last time I will know that I am here because of your loyalty, courage and love and that in itself should be enough to conquer Lord Voldemort," Harry laughed.
Severus smiled slightly, tears threatening to escape from his eyes.
"I believe in you, Professor Snape. Good luck," Harry said, holding out his hand in the hope that Severus would take it. Ron and Hermione's jaws dropped when they witnessed Snape take Harry's hand and shake it and almost died when they then heard Snape say: "Thank you for helping me tonight."
"It was the least I could do after barging into your office," Harry replied seriously.
"Bye Potter," Severus said, placing his hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry couldn't help but smile.
"Bye Professor."
Then Harry joined his friends, both of whom were gobsmacked. Harry just smiled- they'll understand a bit more once they got back to Grimmauld place and Harry was able to fill them in on everything that had happened that night.
"Harry," Severus said suddenly, making Harry, Ron and Hermione spin around as they were just about to open the door.
"Make- make sure you send me your Patronus when you arrive home so- so that I know you are safe," Severus stuttered slightly under the pressure of three people staring at him.
"I will, good luck Professor Snape."
"Stay safe, Harry," Severus whispered as the oak doors closed and Potter was no longer within his reach.
After placing protection around the castle, Severus made his way to the Headmaster's office and as he walked, he realized with a racing heart that Harry was gone; he could no longer protect the boy and could only hope that Harry and his friends would make it to the very end.
.XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Once Harry, Ron and Hermione had returned to Grimmauld Place and placed multiple protective spells around the home, both Ron and Hermione turned on Harry and would not let him rest until he recited everything that had occurred in the last 6 or so hours.
Sitting down in the living room, Harry was not surprised to see that Ron and Hermione were staring at him avidly and Harry couldn't blame them.
"Well I suppose I should start from the beginning," Harry began, smiling; his friends' stares were greatly amusing. "It was not until I arrived at the castle that I realised that the doors would most likely be locked. Nevertheless, I tried to open them only to find that they opened freely. Had I known what Hermione did, of course, this would have scared me, but seeing as I still haven't read-"
"Hey Harry?" Ron interrupted.
"Mmm?" Harry replied, turning to look at his friend, a little confused as to why he was interrupted.
"We heard Snape give you permission to tell us something- could you start by telling us what that was?" Ron asked, a little cautiously.
Harry smiled; he had totally forgotten about that and couldn't help but admit that he was rather looking forward to revealing to his friends the little bit of extra information he found out about their professor in fifth year.
Seeing that Hermione was also intensely interested, Harry redirected his train of thought.
"During our fifth year then," Harry started, only to laugh when he saw Hermione's eyebrows lift and Ron's jaw drop slightly. "When I was having Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape, I think I forgot to mention that before every lesson, Snape would put a few of his memories into Dumbledore's Pensieve, which was placed in Professor Snape's office especially for my lessons," Harry stopped to look at his friends' reactions: Ron was holding onto Harry's every word, but Hermione's expression was very strict and Harry had the feeling she could already tell where his story was going.
"One lesson, Professor Snape was sent for and he had to leave, so rescheduled the lesson and left his office. I was just about to follow him out when the Pensieve caught my eye-"
"Oh Harry, you didn't!" Hermione protested, both shocked and disappointed at the same time.
"Are you kidding?" Ron responded, turning to look at Hermione. "That's fantastic! What kind of memories was Snape hiding from you, Harry?" Ron asked, utterly enthusiastic.
Hermione huffed and folded her arms, staring angrily at Ron.
"I knew I shouldn't have done it, Hermione," Harry reassured her. "But it was so tempting, I couldn't help it," Harry admitted, still slightly ashamed of himself for delving so deeply into Severus' private life and this shame was only intensified tonight when Harry learnt how meaningful that memory truly was to Severus.
"So what happened, what did you see?" Ron asked eagerly.
"Professor Snape, my mum, dad, Sirius and Remus were in their fifth year and just completed their Defense against the Dark Arts OWL. They all left the hall and went outside near the lake. Professor Snape was by himself walking near the lake and Dad and his friends were nearby talking about the exam. Then dad spotted Professor Snape and pointed him out to Sirius. They drew their wands, disarmed Professor Snape and used Impedimenta on him. While Snape was struggling towards them, Sirius said the examiners wouldn't be able to read his test because the grease from his nose would have smudged his writing."
"That's terrible," Hermione whispered.
Harry nodded. "I couldn't believe what they were saying; Professor Snape hadn't done anything to provoke them! But it gets worse… So then, Professor Snape started swearing at them and my dad washed his mouth out with soap, literally, with the spell 'Scourgify'," Hermione gasped.
"Then finally my mum walked up to my dad- I couldn't believe that no one else had said anything and just let them do as they pleased! All anyone could do was laugh… Anyway, she told my dad to let Snape down. But before anyone knew what was happening, Snape reached his wand and tried to hex my dad, but didn't do it very successfully, only to then find himself being tipped upside down by the ankle- Dad used 'Levicorpus' on Snape. Everyone could see Professor Snape's underpants and obviously Snape was extremely embarrassed and continued to swear at Dad and Sirius."
Harry turned to look at Hermione, who was shaking her head and even Ron looked a little disgusted.
"But it didn't take long for Mum to come to Professor's Snape's defense, and finally my dad let Snape down, but in doing so, he told Snape that he was lucky that my mum was there to save him, to which Snape said," Harry took a deep breath, for he knew how this sentence had haunted Snape ever since that day, but also realised how much these words could influence how his friends felt towards Severus. "Snape said: 'I don't need help from a filthy little mudblood like her!'"
Hermione gasped. "Oh no…"
"Tonight, I found out that there was actually more to that memory," Harry continued, though he acknowledged Hermione's outburst with a nod. "But back in fifth year, I didn't get to see anymore because the real Snape found me and dragged me out of the Pensieve."
"Shit…" Ron mumbled, staring at Harry. "How did you escape his office alive?" He asked seriously.
"I didn't think I would," Harry admitted. "When I was back in Professor Snape's office, he was white and shaking with fury. Right then and there he made me swear never to tell anyone what I saw, told me to get out and never to enter his office again. He then grabbed hold of my arm and threw me against the wall and as I sprinted out the door, I heard a jar of god knows what smashing just above where my head would have been. Needless to say, he was furious."
"So I am assuming that that was the true reason as to why your Occulmency lessons were cancelled?" Hermione asked, still looking strict.
"Yes," Harry admitted. "But in my defense, I couldn't tell you what really happened could I? So I had to lie about why the lessons really ended," Harry pointed out.
Hermione seemed to soften a bit, realizing that Harry had made a fair point.
"That memory is also the reason why I really wanted to speak with Sirius, do you guys remember?"
Both Ron and Hermione nodded; how could they forget the plans they had to set in place with Neville, Ginny and Luna in order to ensure that Umbridge wouldn't walk in on Harry?
"The thing that bugged me the most about seeing that memory was that my dad said that when my mum asked Dad what Professor Snape had done to him, he said that it was 'the fact that he exists…"
Hermione was shaking her head in disbelief and even Ron had a look of understanding on his face; clearly they both felt sorry for Severus, and Harry was glad that they shared his views.
"So, when I asked Sirius about that memory, I figured it didn't matter that I told Sirius about what I saw given that he was there. I just so badly needed to hear from someone that my dad wasn't always that bad of a person. You wouldn't believe it but for the rest of that day, I felt really bad for Professor Snape and wondered whether he was right in saying that my dad was an arrogant bully that strutted his way around the castle…"
"Oh Harry-" Hermione said sympathetically.
"It's okay," Harry reassured Hermione with a smile on his face. "I know my dad wasn't that bad, but what he did to Professor Snape- I couldn't believe it… Anyway, as you heard, Professor Snape gave me permission that I could tell you guys about that memory as well as the other ones I saw in the Pensieve. So, as I said before, I actually saw what happened after dad let Professor Snape down…" And Harry continued recounting the rest of the memories Harry saw as well as the commentary both Dumbledore and Severus himself had made about each of the memories. Harry was truly enjoying recounting the memories as well as the risks involving Voldemort's arrival for Ron and Hermione were an amazing audience, gasping and jaw dropping at all the right moments- Hermione even became emotional when she heard Harry described the aftermath of Severus' humiliation and the conversation that took place in the girls bathroom between Lily and Snape- Hermione couldn't help but feel great empathy for her professor and everything he had suffered at the hand of James and Sirius.
Yet, despite the many things that were discovered about Professor Snape that night, the advice given by Dumbledore and the discussion between Harry and his ex-Headmaster was not forgotten. So when Harry had finished recounting all that he could remember about his interactions with and information regarding Severus, Harry moved on to the knowledge he gained from his discussion with Dumbledore's portrait.
"Dumbledore believes one of Voldemort's Horcruxes is at Hogwarts-" Harry began.
"Why didn't you tell us while we were there?" Ron asked. "We could have searched for it!"
Harry shook his head. "I said the same thing, but Dumbledore believes that Professor Snape has been given the responsibility of protecting it, so for me to take it while he is meant to be protecting it would probably result in-"
"Death?" Ron suggested.
"Probably," Harry agreed.
"So I suppose we will have to search for that Horcrux later then," Ron sighed, a little crestfallen.
"Don't forget, we still have to get the locket off of Umbridge before we start looking for any others," Harry reminded his friend.
"I'm sorry we didn't listen to you when you said you wanted to go to Hogwarts Harry. It was worthwhile after all," Hermione said sincerely.
Harry nodded. "But I wasn't expecting to find out so much," he admitted. "Who would have thought?"
"No one but Dumbledore it would seem," Hermione said gently.
"Did Dumbledore mention anything about his Will?" Ron asked.
Harry had been so focused on Dumbledore's friendship with Grindelwald and Horcruxes that he completely forgot to tell his friends about the Will.
"Gryffindor's sword was in the office, but I couldn't take it because Professor Snape was also given the responsibility to protect it, but as you may have heard, Professor Snape and Dumbledore plan to get it to me as soon as possible."
"I understand that you pulled the sword out of the Sorting Hat, but why do you think Dumbledore wants you to have it so much?" Ron asked, slightly puzzled.
"Well the sword is goblin made so-"
"Of course!" Hermione exclaimed. "He wants us to use it to destroy Horcruxes!"
"Huh?" Ron uttered. "I thought we needed one of those three things to destroy a Horcrux- you remember the ones you read out to us, Hermione?"
"Oh Ron, don't you see? Goblin made objects absorb and retain the qualities of the substances they touch. So given that Harry killed the basilisk with that sword, Goblin made materials would still have traces of the basilisk venom," Hermione explained patiently.
"Oh… but how are they going to do get the real one to you, Harry?" Ron asked, now that he understood what was happening.
"I'm not sure, but I'm sure Dumbledore and Professor Snape will find a way…"
"Do you think you will get the opportunity to see Professor Snape again?" Hermione added eagerly.
"I hope so, Hermione," Harry admitted rather solemnly.
"Did Dumbledore say anything else?" Ron pressed on, hoping for more information.
"With regard to the Deluminator and the snitch, he said that we will know what to do with them when the time comes, but your book, Hermione… he seemed reluctant at first to talk about it, dismissed it like it was not important, but then he told me later which story was important for us to read."
"Which one?" Hermione asked urgently as she rushed to her bag to retrieve the book.
"The Tale of the Three Brothers," Harry recalled.
"Why is that story so important? It- it isn't true is it?" Ron asked, turning slightly pale, but was clearly interested all the same.
"Dumbledore told me that it was," Harry said. "What is it about?"
By this time, Hermione had returned with the book and was flicking through the pages. Once she found it, Harry and Ron peered over her shoulder as they read the tale to themselves. When they had each completed it, they looked at one another, eyes wide.
"Exactly what does Dumbledore hope for us to do with this knowledge?" Hermione asked, evidently confused. "How are we to know where the Deathly Hallows are?" she continued sounding exasperated at the evermounting list of seemingly impossible tasks she, Ron and Harry were expected to complete.
"Nothing, he- he told me that my judgment about what to do would be better than his…"
"Is he mad? No offence mate, but surely Dumbledore knows about this more than you do?" Ron asserted.
"That's exactly what I said, but he wouldn't budge," Harry said quietly, crestfallen that, now he had read the Tale, he had no idea what Dumbledore wanted of him.
"Is he suggesting that we should find the Hallows in case Voldemort finds them first? Does he want you to be the Master of Death?" Hermione asked as if pondering the possibilities aloud.
"I don't know Hermione," Harry sighed. "The Hallows just add to the many other things we need to find-"
"Hang on a sec," Ron said suddenly, looking at the ground, evidently thinking about something. "You don't think that that invisibility cloak is YOUR invisibility cloak, do you?" Ron asked hesitantly, waiting for a reaction from either of his friends.
"Ron! That's it! Dumbledore gave this cloak to me and in the letter my mother wrote to Sirius, she said that Dumbledore had my dad's cloak! Dumbledore must have known the Hallows exist and that this is one of them!" Harry exclaimed and rushed to pick up his cloak and look at it carefully as if hoping to find a clue buried within its silky material.
"So, if we already have one of the Hallows, where is the stone and the Elder Wand?" Hermione asked the room at large.
"I'm not sure, but in case Voldemort gets his hands on them, we better make sure we keep the cloak safe," Harry stated firmly, placing his cloak inside his trunk.
Ron and Hermione nodded their agreement.
"You better get some sleep Harry," Hermione said. "You have stayed up all night."
Harry nodded, yawning as he did so. "I will and then we better go over the plans one last time before we enter the Ministry of Magic in a couple of days. I cannot wait to finally get a Horcrux- feel like we are actually getting closer to destroying Voldemort," Harry said as he got into his sleeping bag and closed his eyes.
"Night Harry," Ron and Hermione said simultaneously.
"Night guys and I'm sorry for scaring you earlier."
"That's okay Harry, have a good rest," Hermione said gently as she turned off the light and went to retrieve all of her books in the hope that one of them contained extra information about the Deathly Hallows. Together she and Ron sat in the kitchen discussing Snape, Horcruxes and the Deathly Hallows until they too grew tired again and joined Harry in the living room upstairs as they too, fell asleep once more.
A/N: I hope you guys liked the chapter! The fifth chapter is not yet finished, but hopefully it will be done by next weekend. I know I said (at the start of writing this story) that there would only be 5 chapters, but having started writing the fifth, I realised that that chapter will be extremely long. So, that chapter is now split into multiple ones… I am not sure how many there will be, but I will let you know! Please don't forget to review!