*An: Remember to pay attention to the scene breakers:the ones like this – ō.ō&ö.ö – denotes a dream sequence, the ones like this – Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő– denotes a time when they are awake, and Ò.Ô& ö.ö – denotes daydreaming.

Yen was kind enough to work this one between other obligations, and I am must grateful for that. I am sure that some of you are as well.

charm13insomnia mentioned that I should state that I am not using the sword because I just do not like having historical artefacts destroyed. Also, Albus was a bit busy to give it to Harry, and then he cut himself off from Severus (no portrait). That means there is no way to get it to our hero.

Horcruxes

ō.ō&ö.ö

"Seven. He made seven of those bleeding things." Harold stared at Severus, his eyes wide and hollow looking. "The Dark One didn't know he made one extra. He wanted his soul to have seven parts, so he only intended to make six Horcruxes."

Severus moved slowly from where he had stopped, frozen because of Harold's stunning revelation. "I take it you succeeded in getting the rest of Slughorn's memory."

Harold gave a jerky nod. "The Headmaster didn't hint that he thought I might have been one. He said the diary I destroyed during my second year was one, and the Gaunt ring that cursed his hand was another. He also expressed the idea that the Dark One chose the Hufflepuff cup and Slytherin's locket." Moving slightly, he clutched the back of his chair. "He suspects Nagini is also a horcrux and that there is something of Ravenclaw's he took over."

Severus stopped next to Harold, looking into those green eyes. "His task for you is to find them, isn't it?"

Harold shrugged, his voice reflecting his uncertainty and a touch of fear when he spoke. "He said he was looking for them, but in all honesty, I think that is what it is. I am going with him the next time he goes hunting for one. He'll let me know when, but it should be before the school year ends."

"Of course it will be at the end of the school year. Can't mess up your record, now can we?" Pulling Harold onto the sofa next to him, Severus let out a long breath. "So, you are to hunt for the unfindable, and I am to get as close to the Dark One as possible. He will be doing his best to keep the Dark One from finding you which will mean you can't be seen talking to the Order. Yes, that is putting the two of us into positions where neither of us can contact the Order or get help at all. It seems… as if we are to be cut off by the end of the school year."

Harold frowned lightly while he digested that and then he nodded, his face determined. "We will keep in contact with each other. We have to. I'll keep visiting you. You pass me what information you can, and I will tell you everything that I can. Trustier than an owl and I can make sure that you are still safe and sound."

"Harold -" Severus stopped when Harold reached towards him, a warm fingertip touching his lips. The tingle it brought made him long to flick out the tip of his tongue to taste Harold.

"The connection between me and the Dark One is gone," Harold reminded him. "I am really good at slipping in and being quiet. I will be checking on you when all the Headmaster's plans come to fruition. No arguments."

Severus nodded, his sigh gusting over the finger.

Ò.Ô& ö.ö

"Severus!"

"You said you could be quiet, Harold."

"Yeah, but I didn't need to be this time. I have a feeling that whatever the Blond Prat is up to is going to come to a head soon, do you have any idea what it is?"

"None. He is playing everything close to his chest."

"He's still an idiot then. Can't be helped, must have been born that way, or raised. Any rate, I can't watch him this evening."

"Why not? Still have no idea how to get into the Come and Go Room while he is in there?"

"That too, but mainly because the Headmaster is taking me Horcrux hunting tonight. Any advice?"

"Do not touch, sniff, or ingest anything until you are positive it can't hurt you. Report in when you are back."

"I can try with the first two and I will do the last. If I am with Pomfrey, you'll know why I didn't pop in immediately."

"Just take care, Harold. That is all I can truly ask."

Ò.Ô& ö.ö

"Severus."

"Harold, what are you doing? I am trying to get the Blond Prat to some sort of safety. The Dark One is displeased that he didn't complete his task."

"I'm just reporting in as I promised. Do you think that the large Death Eater bought our fake duel just before you left?"

"Yes, he did, Harold. Are you okay? The other students? I know Greyback was there. Do you know if he is alive? The others are claiming that he is, but he hasn't come back here yet."

"Greyback isn't alive; I spotted him at the foot of the tower, splayed out in a horrible fashion. Whoever hit him with that hex to prevent him from attacking the Headmaster knocked him clean over the parapet. The Headmaster's Immobulus was strong enough to hold me steady as Greyback tripped over me before he tumbled over."

"He tripped over you? Are you alright? Where are you right now, Harold?"

"Sitting in the Infirmary next to the Headmaster. Pomfrey is trying to figure out what spell you cast at him."

"Go to my room. On the bookshelf nearest my bed is a baby blue book. The spell is on page four hundred and twenty. The counter-curse is there as well. You should be able to cast it without Poppy noticing. Also, on the top of that same shelf is a box: blue with green speckles. Push only the top green speckles starting from the front left and go around the entire lid. Give the Headmaster the potion that is inside."

"I'll head out as soon as I wake up. What is your password?"

"You are keyed to the ward on the door. It will open for you the moment you touch it."

"The potion. Is it the cure?"

"It is. I can't talk any longer, Harold. Contact me in a few days."

"I will. You be careful."

"Always."

Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő

Harry slipped through Snape's door and stared about. This was the first room from his dreams that he had had a moment to study. 'The same. Even my chair is right where it is supposed to be.'

Heading into Snape's bedroom, he noticed it too was the same and found the box on the bookshelf. There were speckles all over the box, but around the top rim they were some that if you looked close, you could see were in a line. Following Severus' directions, he pressed them starting at the top left one and it opened. Pulling the potion vial out, a smile curled his lips – the potion was the same colour and pattern as the box. He tucked it securely into his robe pocket and spotted the baby blue book on the shelf.

Book in hand, Harry settled into his seat. 'Just as comfortable as I dreamed it.' Flipping to the page Severus had mentioned, Harry scanned over the curse and the counter-curse. He repeated the words of the counter-curse over and over in his mind, hoping to get them right.

Putting the book back, he headed back to the Infirmary.

It took but a moment to slip through the door and make his way to the bed where Dumbledore was resting. Looking at the Headmaster, who was locked into an enchanted sleep by Pomfrey, Harold could tell his condition had already deteriorated in the last few minutes since he had seen him - Dumbledore's skin was still greenish-grey and his skin looked thin, like dry parchment.

Pulling his wand, Harold quickly cast the spell. The results were not immediate, but Harry could tell it was working. The greenish hue of Dumbledore's skin was fading.

Shooting a quick glance over towards Pomfrey's office door, Harold pulled the potion out. Propping the older man up much like he had done when he had force fed him that horrible potion earlier in the cave, he held the vial to the man's lips. "Drink it, sir. It will help."

The lined lipsparted and Harry was able to pour the blue green potion in. He watched as it was swallowed wondering just how much will power the white haired wizard had to be able to react even in an enchanted sleep. 'Just what was he expecting us to face this evening that he forced his mind to react to my commands even when nothing else was working?' Laying Dumbledore back down, Harry slipped back out of the Infirmary just as he heard Pomfrey's door open.

Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő

"Harry."

Ron's voice crept into his dreams.

"Harry, you need to wake up. Dumbledore wants to see us."

Harry's eyes shot open at that. "Dumbledore? He is awake?"

At Ron's nod, Harry sat up and swung his legs off his bed. "I'm coming."

"Hermione and I will wait for you in the Common Room." Ron headed out the door.

Harry ran a hand up over his face and back through his hair. Last night had been harder than he had expected. Everyone in the castle was cursing Snape's name, and he had to pretend to go along with it. 'And now I have to pretend with Dumbledore as well. I can't wait until the school year is over.'

Dressing quickly, he met up with the other two and headed for the Infirmary. Pomfrey let them into the small private room that the Headmaster was now resting in.

"Harry, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger, thank you for coming."

Harry searched the Headmaster's face while acknowledging his welcome. "Are you truly okay, sir? Snape," he made sure to spit the name out, "what did he cast on you?"

"I do not know what Professor Snape cast, but I know it did not kill me. I am not completely well though. I fear I am not able to run the school next year, Harry. Nor will I be able to help with the hunt that we had started last night."

Harry felt the weight of that blue gaze and had to forcibly push Severus' comment about tasks out of his mind. "You wish me to continue it?"

"I believe the three of you will be able to succeed, Harry." Dumbledore sounded weary as he continued. "With Miss Granger's abilities and Mr. Weasley's, there is no reason why you shouldn't. Also, I do not believe it will be wise for you to attend next school year. Voldemort is already making moves to topple the Ministry and take over the school."

"But, sir, surely you can stop this?" Hermione leaned forward, her eyes wide in her conviction.

"I am not well enough, Miss Granger. I shall be retiring to the Order Headquarters and will do my best to keep Voldemort distracted while you hunt down the objects I have tasked Harry to find."

Holding back his sigh, Harry wondered if Madam Pomfrey knew how well the Headmaster was, or if she was fooled by his illness as well.

ō.ō&ö.ö

"Severus, how are you holding up?" Harold dropped onto the edge of the bed he hadn't had a chance to test the two nights before.

Severus let himself drink in the sight before him. Harold was not in his standard pyjamas, instead he was back in the dark grey sleep trousers and nothing else. Realising he was topless as well from the direction of Harold's curious gaze, he mentally summoned up his nightshirt and dressing gown, pushing down a twinge of regret. "You should change."

Harold looked down at himself and a moment later, he was holding a grey top that matched the sleep trousers.

Severus couldn't help watching the play of the slight muscles on Harold's chest as he slipped on his top. His attention was caught by a small, silver vertical line that was just along the left side of Harold's sternum. Reaching out, his fingertips stopped just above the skin. "This... is this the scar? Our mark?"

Harold paused, his arms trapped in the sleeves of his top. It took all of his control not to lean into those fingers. "Yes, it is."

Severus let his fingers trace the line before he sat back and watched Harold finished buttoning up the shirt.

Flashing a smile toward Severus, Harold asked, "Better?"

Severus just nodded. "I did say a few days."

"Which is two or more days, right?"

Severus just shook his head at Harold's cheeky grin. "Fine. The Dark One is pleased, the Blond Prat will live, and the Headmaster is already not talking to me. I am holding up as well as I expected."

"As much as I hate to say it, I am glad that the Blond Prat will live. The rest is just something we have to deal with." Harold dropped backwards, lying across the foot of the bed on his back, his head barely missing Severus' feet. "The Headmaster is also not talking to me. We were right about the task he was setting me up for. He included the rest of the Trio of Joy. None of us are to attend school next year."

"What are you supposed to be doing then? How does he expect you to figure out where the Horcruxes are?" Severus watched as Harold's face scrunched up.

"We are supposed to figure it out. Supposedly Books' and Red's abilities will help me along the way. He will provide distractions so the Dark One will not figure out what we are up to. All I can see is we are going to be going on a long term camping trip so that others won't be able to track us down easily. It is all going to start when I turn seventeen."

"Meet me the first Monday of the summer holidays." Severus focused for a moment and the bedroom vanished, leaving them lying on the bed in the middle of an alley. "I want you to Apparate to here. Take a good look around. I will be expecting you at nine o'clock in the morning."

Harold sat up and stared about, obviously taking in the details that were around him. "I am not allowed to Apparate yet, I don't have my license. Nor am I of age. The trace..."

Severus waved his hand slightly. "Escape the house and meet me in the park near it then. We'll go from there."

"Okay. Will you be disillusioned? How will I find you there?"

"I'll find you, don't worry."

Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő

The hand that closed about his upper arm almost made Harry screech and cast a stinging hex. The voice in his ear stopped him.

"We are going to leave now. Hold on tight, Harold."

The next thing to greet Harry's eyes was the alley Severus had shown him in their dreams. Spinning about, he smiled at his friend. His eyes then widened as he took in the muggle jeans and button up shirt. His gaze flowed down the lean body that was now on display and felt a stirring of interest in his nether regions. "It is so unusual not to see you in robes or a dressing gown."

"Get used to it, Harold. We are going to be spending the day in Muggle London." Severus' grin lit up his face.

"Why are we here? Not that I mind meeting up with you outside of school hours while we are awake." He felt Severus' gaze move over him much like how his own had a moment earlier. When the warm dark gaze stopped at his eyes, Harry hoped his own interest wasn't showing.

"You are going to be travelling from place to place hunting these trinkets you've been tasked to find. I feel as if you need to be more prepared for this than you are already." Severus pulled a trunk out of his pocket, placed it on the ground, and expanded it. "This is for you. You will keep it on your physical person at all times." Bending over, he flipped open the lid. "The first section has all your school books for next year, including your friends'. I will be telling you your assignments nightly."

The black gaze shot up and meshed with green. "You will be coming to me nightly and spending the night. If something happens and you cannot make it, please take a moment to daydream your way into letting me know."

Without waiting for answer, Severus flipped the lid closed, turned the lock forty-five degrees to the right and opened it again. "This section will hold all your clothes. We will be stocking it up today." The lid closed and the lock was turned another forty-five degrees. "This section is for food. Stock up on non-perishables."

He closed the lid once again, shrank it and then handed it to Harold, dangling it on a long chain. "Put it on." Once it was hanging around Harold's neck, Severus cast a series of spells on it. "Now it cannot be seen by anyone else while you wear it, if it falls off, it will reappear around your neck. The only time it will stay away from you is when you take it off and have it open."

Harold grinned. "Thanks, Severus. This will make things easier."

Severus pulled out a thin stick and held it out to Harold. "I think this wand will work for you. It would be to your advantage to have a spare, just in case. Try it. The Ministry won't know it was you that cast since there is an adult wizard here."

A swish and flick had a scrap of newspaper floating. "Works fine. Thank you again, Severus." Harold tucked the wand up his sleeve. "What now?"

"Now we go set you up a Muggle bank account that you can access when you need money, buy you clothes that fit and are suitable for hiking and camping, and a warm coat so that you are ready for winter. Tell your friends to pack the same."

"I don't have the money with me to start an account or shopping."

"I do. I will also transfer more into the account when you let me know that it is low. What name do you want?" Severus held out a small card, the tip of his wand hovering over it.

"I don't want to take your money, Severus!"

"Not an option at this moment. You can pay me back after we finish the war. Now, Harold, your name."

After a staring contest, Harold gave in and sighed. "Harold Walker."

Severus waved his wand and handed Harold the ID card. "Let's get going. We have a long day ahead of us."

Harold grinned as he walked next to the taller man, his arm brushing Severus' with every other step. "Can we sight see some?"

Rolling his eyes slightly, Severus nodded. "Just a bit."

ō.ō&ö.ö

"Harold, here are the assignments. I will expect to see your answers for the Potions and Defence before the end of the week." Severus watched as Harold laughed and fell back onto the sofa, the parchments clutched in his hand.

"It is just the first day of school, Severus! How in the world do we have homework already?"

Brushing his fingers over his teaching robes, Severus tried to keep a stern face. "Because we do not accept dunderheads here. You are to work hard to earn your grade."

"Yes, Headmaster Snape. I will do my best."

Severus settled in his chair. "Good, then I expect you to only make O's. I know your best, Mr. Potter."

Seeing those green eyes brimming with mirth made Severus happy as well. There had been so little of it that summer.

Harold scanned over the parchments before dropping his hands into his lap. "Severus, I'll look at these later. I'm tired – both mentally and physically. I spent all evening helping set up camp the Muggle way, and now I am just ready to stretch out, to let the day fall away. To relax with you."

Looking at the seventeen year old for a long moment, Severus came to a decision. "As you are not in school anymore," he ignored Harold waving the parchments about as he continued, "you can take a corner of my bed. It is large enough for the two of us, and you have outgrown the sofa. That is, if... if you do not mind sleeping with me."

Harold sat up at once, his tiredness fading away. Sleeping with Severus had a wonderful sound to it. He remembered the night they had promised to have a conversation about emotions and preferences. Leaning forward, he locked his eyes on Severus' face.

"I am of age," he stated.

At Severus' puzzled expression, Harold continued. "I know it has been just about two years for me and over a decade for you, but we agreed to have a conversation about preferences and emotions when I was of age."

He watched as Severus' eyes widened. "I have come to the conclusion, after Ginny's surprise birthday kiss, that I am not all that interested in girls. It left me feeling … not very interested. And she is the only girl I even had a passing thought about, well, besides Cho, but I think that was just because she was, is, one of the prettiest girls in school. Now, I haven't attempted kissing a boy yet, so I don't know if I just am not interested in any gender, but I do know that females leave me cold."

Severus leaned forward, searching Harold face. "Are you sure you don't know whether or not you are interested in males?"

Harold felt his heart speed up and his face grow warm. He still remembered Severus' erotic dream he had invaded. More importantly, he remembered how he felt upon seeing Severus' bare chest for the first time when their timelines had come together, and then there were other small things... the touches, the impulsive hugs, the warmth he felt each time he saw this man.

Swallowing hard, Harold garnered up the courage to tell the truth. That was what this conversation was supposed to be about. "I am interested in males. I will admit that." He stopped and took a deep breath. The next sentence came out in a rush. "That interest seems to be focused solely on you."

Stunned, Severus sat completely still, never looking away from Harold' now red and uncertain face. "Me?"

Harold nodded. "You. I know, you've most likely moved on, found someone who was living at the time, and I am not even figuring in your dreams anymore." Severus' snort stopped his flow of words which was good because they hurt even more spoken aloud than they did in his thoughts.

"Harold, I work in a school of teenagers and spy on the Dark One. I have a general not so nice disposition and am a very private person. But… added to all that … yes, I am still attracted to you."

"An older me."

"Merlin help me, no, Harold. Not to an older you, but the current you. The you sitting on that sofa right now looking at me." Those glittering eyes moved over Harold before Severus continued. "You are of age, I know. You can make grown up decisions, I know. But," Severus clasped his fingers tightly together. "We can't do anything about this attraction I feel."

"We feel, Severus. Why not?"

"Because we are at war. Most importantly, because this is still a dream."

"So, we have to wait until we meet in person and the war is over?"

"If the mutual attraction is still there, then yes, that is when we can do something." Severus gripped his interlaced his fingers together. "Now, knowing this, I still am offering you a side of my bed."

Standing up, Harold set the parchments down on the table. He would read them in detail in the morning to make sure that he didn't forget anything. "Shall we then? It has been a long day."

Severus walked towards the door, a smile filling his face.

ō.ō&ö.ö

It was once again that period of consciousness before actually waking up and for the first time, Severus could feel a warm body pressed up against his chest. Cracking open his eyes, he saw messy black hair and fought against every one of his instincts to curl the owner of that hair deeper into his arms. He forced himself away, feeling a pang of regret when Harold stirred.

"Harold, you need to head back to your own mind."

Sleepy green eyes opened at the sound of his voice and sharpened.

"I need to look back over those assignments again and then I will head out. Thanks for letting me stay, Severus."

Severus watched as Harold stretched and got out of bed. "Be back tonight."

"I will."

Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő

Harry sat at the table, the parchment in his hand filled with their latest assignments. True to his word, Severus was grading his Potions and Defence work every week, but he had changed from nightly assignments to giving him a week's worth at one time.

"What did Dumbledore send us to work on now?" Ron dropped to the table, his eyes glued on the parchment. "Isn't it enough that we have to hunt down these Horcruxes? Why do we have to study for school, too?"

Hermione pulled the list out of Harry's hand and scanned over the assignments. "Not as bad as last week."

Harry dropped into his chair, fighting his grin. It had been Hermione who suggested it was Dumbledore who had given Harry the trunk and their school books. Ron had come up with the idea that the former Headmaster was portkeying their assignments into the top section where the books were located. Harry was just grateful he had learned to disguise his handwriting.

The work had first been complained about, but now it was something else to think about while they waited.

It wasn't until after school had started that they had remembered the locket was at Headquarters. They had slipped in late at night and talked with Kreacher. From that talk, which had taken a long conversation and some compassion to get Kreacher to participate in, they learned the locket had been stolen by Mundungus. It hadn't taken much to get the old house elf to agree to find out where the locket was now. Two weeks later, Kreacher let them know that Umbridge had it in her office at the Ministry.

Harry had thought long and hard, but it was Ron who had come up with the solution to the problem of retrieving the locket. Kreacher was told to retrieve the stolen Black goods. They had asked the elf to let them know when the locket was returned so that they could finish what Regulus had started.

The wait had become so long, Ron and Harry had even started working on Hermione's assignments. Harry was sure Severus would be happy he was once again taking Ancient Runes and Arithmancy.

ō.ō&ö.ö

"Severus, I need to know the spell." Harold paced about the room - Severus had told him it was one of the spare bedrooms in the Headmaster's quarters - wishing it was Severus' old room with his chair.

"It is as dark as it comes, Harold. I am not going to teach it to you." Severus folded his arms and glared at the younger man. He didn't want Harold to wield that level of dark magic. Also, the energy drain for that spell was horrendous and Harold would not be in a safe protected place when he cast it.

"Then this is over. I don't know any other way to destroy a Horcrux unless I use basilisk venom like I did on the diary. I might as well give up on the hunt."

"The Headmaster didn't tell you any way to do it? How did he destroy the ring?"

"No, he didn't. He didn't tell me how he did it. I am at my wits end, Severus. The locket, it is messing with our minds. We are at each other throats over the silliest things; it is magnifying all our doubts and insecurities. Please! I'll use the other wand to cast it. I won't teach it to the other two. I'll promise almost anything, but please teach me."

Severus took in the despair, the slumped shoulders and the defeated expression on Harold's face. "Fine. I will teach you." Hope lit the green eyes. "But you cannot say you learned it from me. You cannot teach it, you must cast a purification spell on the object and the area. If you can, cast it in an area like my lab at Headquarters. Agreed?"

Harold nodded. "Agreed."

Ò.Ô&Ő.Ő

"Kreacher, thank you for bringing us in." Harry smiled at the house-elf. "Now, we will be very quiet and then slip out."

The house-elf popped away, leaving the trio standing in the attic. He settled at the foot of the stairs, watching for the Order meeting to release so he could warn the trio upstairs if need be.

"This way." Harry walked over to the area still blocked off by the pile of trunks. Once they were in the middle of it, he dumped the locket out of the velvet bag and onto the floor. "I know we have no idea exactly what is going to happen. I know I am taking a big risk here. If either of you want to leave, do it now."

Ron shook his head. "The spell that most likely destroyed your connection with Riddle, that just came to you in a dream one night. Hermione thinks it is leftover from your connection with him. No reason for us to fear." Ron's sarcasm came through loud and clear. He then sighed and gestured towards Hermione. "Besides, it is the only thing that might have a chance of working and we are all sick and tired of that thing. Hermione and I have set up all the shields we can think of. Go for it, Harry."

Harry pulled his second wand and aimed it at the necklace. Narrowing his eyes, he remembered all that Severus had said. Detection spells first. The words of the spells slipped over his tongue as he determined if the spell would work.

Next, focus on the energy, circle it, point to its weakest sections and then cast. You might have to chase the horcrux around to lock it into the spell. Then hold it until the ice breaks. Taking a deep breath, he moved his wand.

"Diruo."

Blue ice wrapped around the locket, coating it thickly, digging into the grooves, prying the segments apart. Black smoke started to leak out of the opened locket, only to be encased in blue ice, freezing it while the evil, malevolent presence from it filled the room. Glaring at the gleaming blue, Harry made sure that the ice went beneath the black mass before pouring more and more energy into the spell. His hand shook, but he persevered until finally, there was a flash of green and the ice disappeared along with the black cloud.

Lowering his wand, Harry looked at Hermione. She was going to cast the purification spell. Two series of swishes of her wand later, Ron moved forward and touched the locket.

Ron looked at both Harry and Hermione. "It is gone. The spell worked." The words came out as a whisper.

Grinning, they hugged each other, laughing softly in relief as a huge weight left their shoulders. Harry scooped up the locket and they headed back to the stairwell.

"Kreacher."

The house-elf appeared. "You called Kreacher?"

Harry grinned. "Yes, here is the locket. Cleansed as promised. Can you make sure the way out is clear?"

Kreacher reverently took the locket and held it close to his scrawny chest as his eyes searched the three teens. "Kreacher is grateful. Kreacher will check the way is clear."