Disclaimer: We are not JK Rowling. But, we would like to help cast the next few Harry Potter movies.

A/N: Wow guys! Since we've posted chapters 5 and 6, we went from 200 hits to over 1200 in only two days. Thank you to everyone who read and took the time to review. We really appreciate it. Personalized responses will be at the end of the chapter.

Chapter 7 - Where Did The Summer Go?

There was a potent silence for about ten seconds after Hermione's announcement. Everyone took in what Hermione had just deduced, while the bushy-haired witch smiled triumphantly. Ginny looked somewhat confused, as she had been with Dean the day in Hogsmeade, when the others had seen the transaction between Dung and the Hog's Head bartender, but still looked hopeful that they had finally began their covert quest. Harry looked thoughtful -- as if he were computing a mathematical equation in his head. Ron was the first to break the stillness, as he jumped up off his bed and began to throw all of his belongings into his trunk.

"What exactly are you doing, Ronald?", Hermione asked, with a twinge of annoyance in her voice.

"What does it look like? I'm getting ready to go so we can get the bloody thing", Ron replied.

Hermione took a deep breath, seemingly in hope that extra oxygen would provide her with some extra patience. Ginny and Harry noticed this immediately, and each bit back a grin. Harry made sure not to look up from his hands, because he was sure that if he did, his laughter would humiliate his best friend.

"Ronald, I think it's wonderful that you are so enthusiastic, however, we do need to plan this more thoroughly. After all, are we just going to stroll into the Hog's Head and tell the nice man, 'Excuse me, sir, but you've got a bit of Voldemort's soul strapped around your neck. Would you mind giving it to us?' He'd have us sent for a round of shock treatments at St. Mungo's," Hermione said.

Ron visibly deflated at Hermione's criticism. Harry, wanting to get past the moment without adding to the tension in the on-again, off-again saga that is Ron and Mione, looked pensive for a moment.

He then began, "McGonagall made me promise to let her know what we're up to. She wants Order members to go with us when we search. So our best option is head to Hogsmeade after we're back at Hogwarts. Besides, I still need to send a message to Snape and I want to ask McGonagall about it. The locket should be safe enough for the moment."

"But, what if the barman splits town with the horcrux? How would we find him?", Ron asked.

"Well, he's already had it for months and he hasn't gone anywhere, yet", replied Harry.

"That's right", piped up Ginny. "He was at Dumbledore's funeral. He must not realize what he actually has. He's been around for years. I don't think he'll be going anywhere soon."

The group began to head downstairs and Harry caught McGonagall as she was leaving. After a quiet word, and a quick back and forth exchange, Harry walked back to his friends.

"What did you show her, Harry?", Hermione inquired.

As he pulled out his D.A. galleon in response, he glanced at Hermione and smiled. She would be impossible once she learned that Dumbledore had used her idea as a secret means of communication, albeit with some changes.

"She had to resend the location of Headquarters to Snape, since she had removed him as someone who would be allowed here", Harry explained. "I need to send my message to him soon, in case someone peeks over his shoulder."

Harry looked down at the small, round galleon and said in a clear voice, "S.S., we know the true circumstances. Need to talk. Tomorrow at 8p.m.. You know where. B-W-L."

Hermione beamed over Harry's shoulder as the fake galleon glowed and sent the message. "So, B-W-L now is it?", she asked with a smirk.

"Who's that?", Ron asked.

Hermione giggled. "If anyone will understand 'Boy Who Lived', it will be Snape. He's always been jealous of that title, hasn't he".

Ron and Ginny roared with laughter.

"Harry", Ginny cried. "Maybe you should have been in Slytherin!"

"That'll burn his bum, it will!", Ron laughed. "Hermione, please tell me that there's a way to use these galleons to spy on people. I would love to see the look on his face when he reads Harry's cheeky little signature!"

The four friends collapsed onto the surrounding couches and armchairs, in preparation to discuss their plans for retrieving the horcrux from the barman and to diagram Harry's upcoming conversation with Snape.

"So", Harry began, "I think we'll be able to go right to Hogsmeade the first morning after returning to Hogwarts. Our only problem is deciding who in the Order can be trusted to learn about the horcruxes. I mean, who should come with us?"

In an ironical response to Harry's question, the flames in the fireplace erupted to the bright green color, announcing an arrival by Floo. In toppled two figures, one carrying the other in their arms. They were hardly recognizable, both covered in bruises, blood and soot.

"It took you long enough, 'Boy-Who-Lived'", Snape sneered, before collapsing in exhaustion onto an already unconscious Draco.


The next few days were a blur for Harry. Snape and Draco's arrival at Headquarters had brought about a flurry of activity and questions amongst the members of the Order. Unfortunately, Severus and Draco needed time to heal, and McGonagall had specifically requested that no one questioned them until they were well.

It was early morning, three days after the unexpected arrivals, when Harry entered the kitchen to find Snape and Draco already seated at the table. Snape wore his typical sneer, while a still bruised Draco could not look Harry in the eyes.

Snape began, "I assume, now that we are able, some answers are needed. Minerva, Moody and Lupin should be here, at the very least. I assume that the werewolf will want to bring along his flamingo inspired friend", he said.

Harry nodded and the decided to ignore his snide comment about Tonks' hair. There was already too much at stake. Harry had matured enough, at this point in his life, to take Snape's remarks with a grain of salt. This did not go unnoticed by his old Professor.

"Well", Snape commented, with a hint of surprise in his voice. "I see that you've finally come to control that temper of yours. It will prove useful if you can let go of anger in our fight against the Dark side. There are other emotions that are more worth holding on to."

Harry met Snape's eyes with astonishment, as he had never heard an outright compliment from the man before him. As their gazes locked, Harry again hard Snape's voice in his head.

'Closing out anger and frustration are keys to becoming competent in Legilimency. You'll find it easier now to pass messages to someone else who is skilled in this field, without other people knowing. Direct eye contact is necessary, so only one person at a time can be spoken to. We'll still have to work on your Occlumency, though, if the world has any hope of you defeating the Dark Lord.'

Snape's words had barely been absorbed by Harry when flashes of the Order meetings and the interior of Headquarters shot across his mind. Harry could feel his entire body flushing with shame. After almost two years, he still hadn't practiced Occlumency enough to conjure a strong enough mental shield. Harry imagined what Dumbledore would have said….. How disappointed the old Headmaster would have been. Harry's thoughts went to the last time he had seen his body, before it had been encased in the white tomb.

Quite suddenly, the images being forcefully dragged from his mind began to blur.

'That's it, Potter. Hold it, whatever it is', said Snape, uncharacteristically encouraging him.

And Harry found that it worked. Even though his heart was breaking, he held onto the vision of Dumbledore's mausoleum, until it was all that he saw. Snape broke the connection, and gave Harry a look that could only be described as the faintest shadow of pride.

"What was that?", Snape asked aloud.

"Dumbledore's final resting place", Harry replied, still in awe over what he had accomplished.

Snape looked thoughtful. "It suits him", he finally replied. "The man himself was a fort, of sorts. White, pure….. A wizard of the light until his very end."

Draco, who had been in his own world of solitude during this exchange, gave a visible shudder at the mention of Dumbledore's death.

"Sir", Harry began respectfully. "You used to tell me to clear my emotions. All of my emotions. Why is that?"

Severus took a breath and looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "I suppose I was relaying to you the method which I myself use. For almost two decades, guilt, jealousy, hatred and anger were the only emotions I was capable of. Recent events have reminded me that there are other things that a man can feel."

Harry truly hoped that Snape was talking about Dumbledore, and not his aunt. He knew he wouldn't be able to handle it at the moment.

Draco remained silent, his eyes focused on his uneaten oatmeal. He didn't seem at all interested on what was going on around him. Just empty.

The sounds of people stirring upstairs made the three inhabitants of the kitchen aware that a new day was about to begin. Severus seemed to take a deep breath in preparation for the questions he would, no doubt, have to face very soon.

The kitchen door swung open, an in entered a formidable-looking Minerva.

"I've arranged an Order meeting to take place in the Drawing Room in one hour's time. I would like to introduce a newly inducted member into our league. Severus, will that be enough time for you?", she asked.

"Yes", he replied.

"Mr. Malfoy, as you are not a member, you would not usually be allowed to attend. But, with what I assume your position among the Death Eaters to be, at the present, I assume that you will need to spend the majority of the year in this very house. I'd rather you be informed of our plans, rather than kept in the dark about them."

Draco gave a depressed-sounding, "Yes, Ma'am", as he continued to gaze into his bowl of breakfast sludge.

Harry bade a quick nod of goodbye, and hurried up the stairs to tell his friends about the past half an hour of his life.


Time passed quickly. Before Harry realized it, the time for the meeting drew close. Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny made their way downstairs to the Drawing Room.

Order members were beginning to arrive and the room was filling fast. The four found seats in the front of the room, next to Snape and Malfoy.

Ron looked at the two and muttered to Harry, "Great, not only do I have to deal with the greasy git, but now the ferret too. I swear, I can't handle much more today."

McGonagall took her place at the front of the room and called the meeting to order. "Everyone, may I please have your attention. There have been several new developments that we need to address. Before that however, I would like to introduce a new inductee to the Order, who will be a great asset to us. Please come in, my dear. For those of you who do not know her, may I introduce Nia Evans."

The room was immediately filled with whispers. Harry noticed that his aunt looked quite uncomfortable with all the attention she was receiving.

Harry stood to give her his seat. He then turned to face the room and said, "Yes, Nia Evans, sister of Lily Potter, has returned to the wizarding world. Can we all get past that and move on to other matters at hand?" Looking at his aunt he says, "Hello Aunt Nia, hope you had a safe trip. And where is Dudley today?"

Nia said distractedly, "Oh he's happily keeping the house elves at Hogwarts company. They are all safely ensconced in the kitchens."

It was then that Harry realized, with dread, what he had done. When he gave up his seat, he had seated his aunt directly next to Severus Snape. Nia could not tear her eyes away from him. Snape seemed to be very flustered. His usually pale cheeks held a tinge of pink and the usually snide man could not seem to find his voice.

Harry would have laughed if the two were anyone except his aunt and Snape. It was nauseatingly obvious that 20 years had not diminished their affections. The room was silent and quite confused at the uncomfortable sight before them.

Ron's voice rang out a bit too loudly, "Bloody hell, Harry, they keep acting like this and soon you'll be calling him Uncle Sevie!"

Molly Weasley reached forward and Ron shouted, "Oi, Mum! What did you do that for?", as her hand connected with the back of his head.

The entire room filled with laughter as the tension in the room evaporated.

Fred and George were gripping their sides as they yelled, "Uncle Sevie! Good one Ron!"

"I'll be damned if I ever let anyone refer to me Uncle Sevie!", growled Snape, shooting a look of utter loathing at Ron.

"Relax, sir, I don't think that I could ever bring myself to even think the words," Harry answered, thanking Merlin that no one had heard him say something very similar aloud in McGonagall's office just weeks before.

"On to other business," Minerva began, "As you can all see, Severus has rejoined our ranks. He never betrayed us. I will hand the floor to Severus for the rest of this information. But, I must tell you, it is now impossible for him to return to You-Know-Who as a spy. His true allegiances are now known by The Dark Lord. He will return to Hogwarts and resume his position as Potions Master, as the Defense Against the Dark Arts class already has a new instructor. Severus, if you are ready…"

"Thank you, Minerva," Snape said, as he stood to address the crowd. He looked everyone over, as he paced back and forth in the front of the room.

Harry sat and listened as Snape explained to the room the Unbreakable Vow and the course of action Dumbledore had set. He then stopped mid-stride and faced the room.

He began, "As you are aware, I arrived here carrying a barely alive Draco Malfoy in my arms. This is the reason for which neither of us can return. The Dark Lord was not pleased with Draco for not being able to kill Albus. He views Draco as being weak and unworthy of being in his service. Since Draco's 'failure', he has become the favorite 'plaything' of the Dark Lord and his followers. Not a day has passed that he has not been ridiculed and tortured by every one of them. His father was the most brutal of all. Lucius takes great pride in being the most ardent of followers. His own son disappointing the Dark Lord was too much for his damaged mind to comprehend. It became his personal vendetta to make Draco pay for his shortcomings."

Snape paused as he sent a concerned look towards Draco. He knew that hearing this would remind Draco of the days of torture he had endured. Hermione saw the gaze of her Potions professor on Draco and understood. She quietly stood and took the seat next to Draco. She reached out and took his hand, offering him her support and trust.

Draco took her hand and squeezed. He had tears streaming down his face. Severus watched the exchange with disbelief. It was the first signs of Draco showing emotion since his ordeal.

Knowing that he had to continue, Severus resumed his speech. "I didn't know what to do. I knew that I needed to get Draco out of there, but we had nowhere to go. The Order didn't know of my continued allegiance and the Death Eaters saw nothing wrong with their actions. When I got Potter's message, I knew I could finally act. I retrieved Draco from the dungeon and we flooed here. I had to curse his father, Nott and Avery along the way. We may have gotten out of there with our lives, but the Dark Lord knows that I do not follow him. He is bound to want retribution."

The room stayed quiet as Snape returned to his seat. Nia's eyes filled with tears as she met Severus' gaze. He sat next to her and said quietly, "Nia, there is so much we need to-"

"Hush Sev," Nia interrupted, "I know that we need to talk, but not here. This is not a conversation to be broadcast for the entire Order. We will talk tonight."

Minerva stood. "As I am sure that you can all understand, we cannot allow Severus to return to the Death Eaters and Mr. Malfoy will need to remain here, for his own safety. With that said, this meeting is adjourned until next week. Good Day."

As the room began to clear out, Harry noticed that Malfoy seemed to be clenching Hermione's hand for dear life. 'Well', he thought to himself, 'looks like Mione has herself a new accessory. Ron is not going to be happy'.

Harry dared to steal a glance at his best friend, who's face confirmed Harry's suspicions.

Professor McGonagall walked up to Harry, with four letters in her hands.

"Well, you already know the contents of these", she said, thrusting the Hogwarts letters at him, unceremoniously. "Ron and Hermione will be Head Boy and Girl, you will continue to be Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team, and we have had the Floos in the two rooms connected to our agreed destinations. Your parents, Miss Weasley", she said to Ginny, "have volunteered to pick up everyone's books and supplies in Diagon Alley. Harry", she said, pulling him aside, lowering her voice. "I have decided to apprise Remus, Nymphadora, and Alastor about the horcruxes, and they will be with you whenever you leave the school. I also think that most of the students at school would benefit from your D.A. meetings. Perhaps involving Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Lovegood about the situation concerning your search would be in your best interest. They have already shown to be loyal to you and to the side of Light. It would be beneficial to have them remain at the school during the times which you are….. Out and about. They'd be able to take command of Dumbledore's Army, should you not be present. Make plans to speak with them. I will see you four at the school", she concluded, raising her voice for the last sentence.

Ginny turned to Harry as McGonagall made her way to the Floo. "Well, it's happened, Harry", she said, with a victorious smile.

"What exactly has happened?", Harry asked.

"I've gotten you alone. I've been trying to have a private word with you since your birthday", she replied.

Harry glanced around. The members of the Order were exiting the Drawing Room, sans Ron, Hermione and Draco, who were too busy glaring at or comforting one another. Alone enough, was more like it.

"I've been thinking that this situation is absolutely ridiculous. We're both in the Order and we're both in danger. Us not being in a relationship will not change that. We care about each other, there is no reason that we can't be together." She continued, as she slowly walked closer to him.

Harry released a shaky breath. Having Ginny so close to him was wreaking havoc on his self restraint. He slowly said, "Ginny, you may be a target now, but if Voldemort learns just how important you are to me, you will become his focus. I don't want to put you in that position."

It was then Harry prepared himself. He could see the fire growing in eyes of the young witch.

"Put me in that position! Are you daft? Do you really think that he doesn't know how you feel about me? You're minds are only connected through your scar and he's possessed me! He's insane, not an idiot! Only a fool couldn't see what we feel!", she yelled.

Ron, Mione and Draco were no longer trying to hide their interest in the conversation. Harry noticed that they weren't the only ones. Ginny's rant had attracted Lupin, Tonks and Mrs. Weasley back to the Drawing Room. Each had a rather amused smile on their faces.

'So much for privacy,' Harry thought.

Ginny continued, "And furthermore, do you think that your parents would have stayed apart because of fear? I think not! You're mother proved that love can overcome insurmountable odds! It saved you from the killing curse! Love is powerful Harry! Experience it and embrace it. You might just find that it makes you stronger, rather than a weakness for Voldemort to exploit!" She was flushed as she finished and quickly covered the distance that Harry had put between them.

Ginny placed her hands on either side of his face and gently brought his lips to meet hers.

Neither of them had the mindset to even blush as the room erupted into cheers, and Mrs. Weasley into joyous sobs.


The days passed quickly. Harry, Ron and Ginny had called a truce with Malfoy and the group could stand to socialize without wanting to kill each other. The only person, other than Snape, that Malfoy seemed to trust was Hermione. You never saw one without the other. Ron could be heard complaining, "First she's friends with Vicky, now the ferret. I swear, I'm cursed."

Before anyone realized, the day had come to return to Hogwarts. Everyone was excited, except for Draco. Harry was oddly reminded of Sirius' behavior before 5th year. He vowed that he would make sure that they didn't isolate the young man. He remembered how poorly that had ended for Sirius.

Everyone said their goodbyes and Hermione promised to owl Draco that evening with the details of the sorting. Ron gave Malfoy a smug look from over his shoulder, as he slipped his hand around Hermione's waist, leading her to the car which Mr. Weasley had borrowed from the Ministry of Magic for the journey. The friends and their entourage began the trip to Kings Cross and the Hogwarts Express, ready to begin a new school year, which was bound to be filled with new relationships and adventures.


The ride aboard The Hogwarts Express was long and uneventful. Ron and Hermione spent the entire ride in the Prefect's Compartment, and patrolling the train. They both seemed to be taking their newly appointed positions very seriously.

Harry and Ginny, on the other hand, were making up for lost time, in the privacy of their own compartment. Whenever they came up for air, they would make silly comments to each other, such as "At least we don't have to worry about Malfoy bothering us, this year" or "We should really take a look around for Neville and Luna", only to receive a response of the other's lips being pressed more heatedly against theirs. Unfortunately, the ride ended all too quickly for them. Before they knew it, they were pulling their school robes on over their muggle attire, and preparing to exit the train.

As Harry and Ginny exited the train, hand in hand, they met up with Ron and Hermione.

Their friends were also hand in hand, and Harry silently noted that his two best friends had red, swollen lips, as if they had both also been snogged senseless. Ginny noticed this, as well, and she raised an eyebrow at Harry, as they shared a secret smile. Harry had missed her kisses, and felt as if his life was back on track. They boarded the thestral-drawn carriages, and rode up to the school in a comfortable silence.

When they arrived at the gates, the group of four made their way into the school and began to look for Neville and Luna among the students in the Great Hall.

As they looked around the hall, Ginny saw Luna at the Ravenclaw table. She caught her eyes and mouthed, "We'll talk after the feast."

The group sat at the Gryffindor table and found Neville, who had been saving seats for them.

"Hey, I was wondering when you would get here," Neville said, smiling broadly at his friends.

Harry sat next to him and said, "After the feast we need to go somewhere private. We need your help."

Neville stammered, "M-my help? Harry, you know that I'll do anything to help you guys, but I don't know how much help I could be."

"Neville, I have told you time and time again not to berate yourself. You are a very strong and intelligent wizard. We still haven't had the chance to see your new wand in action yet. I'm sure before long, you'll disprove anyone who doesn't think you're up to par. We believe in you and you need to believe in yourself," Hermione told him in a matter of fact tone of voice.

Harry glanced up at the teacher's table and asked his friends, "Does anyone see Snape or Slughorn? There are some empty places at the teacher's table."

As the group began to speculate, Professor McGonagall stood and cleared her voice. "Welcome back to Hogwarts. It is wonderful to see so many of you returning this year. Before the feast begins, I would like to take a moment of silence in memory of Albus Dumbledore. The wizarding world has lost a great man but we have lost a friend, teacher, protector and mentor. Albus, you will be missed."

The students present murmured their agreement. Harry began to take in his surroundings as the sorting began. He noticed that their were even less students than at the end of last year. It seemed that many were following the lead of the Patil twins parents, and keeping their families close to home.

Harry gave a start as he realized that the sorting was over and the feast had began. There were still several missing spots at the teachers table.

As Harry began filling his plate, the doors to the Great Hall flew open and in strolled a very familiar looking man. He confidently walked to the front of the room saying, "Hello everyone. Sorry, that I'm so late. I needed to leave a friend of mine at the stables, so that I could make arrangements for her."

"Take your seat here at the Head Table, please," McGonagall said to the man. "Students, if I can have your attention for a moment. I would like to introduce you to your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Please welcome Professor Aberforth Dumbledore."

The room broke out into a flurry of whispers.

"Harry, have you looked at him, closely," Hermione asked.

Harry raised his eyes , and his jaw dropped as his gaze fell upon the barman from the Hog's Head.

A/N: Wow, guys…. This was our longest chapter yet. I'm sorry if it seems as if we rushed through a few things (We did, if it seems that way). We had originally planned to have everyone back at Hogwarts at the beginning of Chapter Four, but we've had too many details and new ideas along the way. So, if anything seems glazed over, or out of character, then it's just because we wanted to get to the real action here at Hogwarts. And, about Petunia…. Some people are probably going to be appalled that she already seems ready for a new relationship with Snape so soon after the death of her husband of almost 20 years. Don't worry…. There's a reason behind it.

Nutty AL: I'm sure that a lot of people won't like seeing Snape being a 'good' guy, but we have a feeling that JK Rowling will redeem him before she kills him off. As for us, we think he needs a little happiness. Besides, he'll be back at school tormenting students before you know it. He has plenty of malevolence still to spread around. He'll be back in character soon enough, just with different circumstances. Thanks for the review!

Bribbie: Wow! You rock as a reviewer! Thanks so much for all of your kind words. We're glad that there are others out there who agree with our theories, and who read and obsess over every little detail as much as we do. We have a BAZILLION different theories about Wormtail and the life debt to Harry. In this story, you'll read our favorite one. We really don't want to give it all away before it's written. But, beware of that silver hand…..

Thanks again for the reviews!

lovettgirl: We're so honored to be the first fan fiction that you've ever reviewed. We're considering printing your review out and framing it, actually. Anyone who can use the word 'pathos' in a sentence definitely deserves a shout out. You're one after our own hearts. Thank you for taking the time to review.

griffindor-girl12: Thanks so much for the review. It's so great hearing words of encouragement from someone new. We really appreciate it, and look forward to future input from you.

Ckeffer: We loved your review, Cameron! We were actually so relieved that you said the characterization was only a "little off, at times" because there were times when we were re-reading saying to each other "Oh crud, that doesn't sound believable at all. No one's going to buy into this." So, we'll take just a little off! We're glad it's somewhat believable. Things will steadily progress back to normal behavior now that everyone's in school (finally…. It only took 7 chapters). Thank you for reviewing, and for your input.

To everyone else who added us to their favorite and story alert lists: We would've liked to have heard something from you, but we're still grateful, all the same. Thanks for reading, everyone!

Until next chapter….. Keeps your wands at the ready!