Chapter 21 Moving Right Along….

"Snape knew?" Harry said in disbelief as Hermione told him about the potions that evening at dinner. "He knew how to…"

"Snape was more evil than we ever imagined," Hermione said. "Dumbledore fired him." After a moment's pause, she went on. "I found Snape's journals. Snape… Lucius Malfoy… Barty Crouch Jr.—they were a tight group in their school days. Much like you, me, and Ron. It looks like Snape leaving was part of his plan to start destroying Voldemort."

"Less work for me, then," Harry said in an attempt at lightheartedness.

Hermione, however, didn't reciprocate the look. "One of the other reasons Dumbledore's making you stay here is so that it will be harder for the Death Eaters to kill you."

Harry sighed. "Sometimes I… I wonder if Dumbledore's really done all this stuff to protect me or if there's another reason."

Hermione looked at Dumbledore who was sitting at the opposite end of the table. "Maybe you should ask him."

Harry nodded and headed over to where the headmaster was enjoying his lamb chops. "Sir? May I ask you something?"

"Certainly, Harry," Dumbledore replied, looking up. A brief second of eye-contact made Dumbledore's cheerful expression cloud over. "Ahhh… I see." Standing, the headmaster said, "Let us go to my office, Harry."

Once in the office, Harry asked, "Sir, I want to know everything. Why does Voldemort want me dead?"

Dumbledore didn't answer right away. "Harry, I must first apologize for the hand I have had in your suffering these past two years. I never knew how badly your aunt and uncle treated you. But believe me when I say that my original intent was your safety." Since Harry was still in the wheelchair, Dumbledore sat on one of the sofas instead of behind his desk. "You were under a very old type of blood protection. Your mother sacrificed herself for you, and since Petunia was Lily's only blood relative, as long as you stayed with the Dursleys Voldemort could not touch you."

"But when Vernon hit me with his car…" said Harry. "The protection was broken, right?"

Dumbledore smiled. "Kate Thorton also sacrificed herself for you. To give you back the life you had before you were crippled. This was sufficient to forging a new blood protection. One that Voldemort cannot break. You see when Voldemort used your blood last year, he, too, took on Lily's protection."

"But since Mum—Kate—died for me… I'm protected again?" Harry said, trying to understand what the headmaster was saying.

"Quite correct," Dumbledore replied.

"But why does Voldemort want me dead?" Harry asked.

Dumbledore considered divulging the prophesy, but decided to sidestep the issue. Not because he wanted Harry to remain ignorant but because Harry already had plenty to deal with at the moment. "Voldemort believes that you are the only one to destroy him. I cannot tell you why you were singled out, Harry. I know I have given you very little reason to trust me, but I assure you that I have your interests at heart and when you are stronger, I will give you full disclosure."

Harry wanted to know more, but Dumbledore was right. Right now the number 1 priority was for Harry to regain his strength. Voldemort could wait a while.

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On the morning on the 31st of July, it was cool and sunny and a party was being arranged outside for Harry's 16th birthday.

Being a muggle and unable to actually decorate given her present condition, Kate was directing Fred, George, and Charlie Weasley on where to put the decorations.

Standing to the side, Blake was surprised at how comfortable his wife was with her situation. Kate had always been full of energy and life and Blake had been afraid that being in a wheelchair for the rest of her life would sap her of that—it hadn't; Kate was as vibrant as always.

After a moment, Blake headed back into the castle and up to Harry's suite which had been magically relocated to the second floor near the Thortons' own suite.

Entering his son's common room, Blake rapped gently on the bedroom door in case the teenager was still sleeping. "Harry?"

"Coming," Harry's voice called. A few moments later, the bedroom door opened and Blake was greeted by a wonderful sight. Harry was standing… true he used ring crutches, but he was still standing. "Sherri I could use these just for today. If my legs are up to it."

Blake took a few steps back and watched Harry walk into the small common room. "You're walking."

"Yeah," Harry said, following his father down to the lake where Molly Weasley was setting out the food.

Harry was trying to look positive and happy but when Ginny pulled out a chair for him, he sank into it gratefully. "I didn't think you'd be walking so soon," Ginny said, eyeing her boyfriend and almost-lover.

"It's just for today," Harry said. "My legs are getting stronger but I can't stand for very long."

"I meant what I said before, Harry," Ginny said, kissing Harry on the lips. "Even if you're still crippled, I'll always love you."

Harry grinned. "Thanks… but hopefully I'll be back to normal soon. Dumbledore thinks I'll even be okay to play Quidditch next school year."

"I'll miss being seeker," Ginny said, taking Harry's hand. "But I think I'll try out for chaser this upcoming year." After a moment, she smiled. "You're really walking again."

"Yeah," Harry said, giving Ginny's hand a light squeeze. "I mean… not a lot. My therapist, Sherri, says we're taking it really slow because of everything. But I'm going to be able to walk."

"How are the little love birds?" Kate asked, wheeling over to Harry and Ginny.

"Great, Mum," Harry said, grinning. "How are you?"

"Tired of sitting, I won't lie," Kate replied. "But I guess it's a small price to pay, considering."

"I thought Professor Gosermer was supposed to be coming," Ginny said, looking around as her mother started the party.

"Dumbledore said she was trying to find Snape," Kate replied. "I guess they dated or something way back when."

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Willow wasn't quite sure how she was going to rein Snape in. Yes, he's been in love with her years ago and they'd even dated in their 5th year. But looking back on things Willow saw that the kind, decent teenager Snape had been was a façade to lure Willow into believing the pureblood nonsense her family believed in.

Pacing in the living room of her London loft, Willow tried to think about the best way to approach Snape.

Actually, the best way was with wands pointed.

Of course the first part of the problem was to find where Snape might have holed up.

Mentally, Willow ran through the list of places he might have run to. Aurors had already charged into the old Riddle house and found nothing so that was out. And Snape would have to be completely mental to try and hide at Hogwarts or and of the surrounding areas since they were heavily patrolled by aurors and ministry officials.

The only place that hadn't been investigated was Snape's old family home on Spinner's End.

After sending a quick note by owl to Alastor Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt, Willow started making a plan of attack.

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The sun had just started to set on Harry's birthday party and Fred and George were setting off some of the fireworks they'd created.

Molly had made three magnificent birthday cakes to accommodate everyone present and was now serving thick slices along with her own homemade ice cream.

As Harry sat on the grass with Ginny, Hermione, Ron, and Rae he felt happy. This was the third birthday party he'd had and not for one minute did he wish for just a quiet celebration.

"Harry." Looking up, Harry saw Blake standing over him, holding out a silver key. It took a few minutes, but Harry got up and once he was leaning on his crutches, Blake held the key out to his son. "Want to learn how to drive?"

Harry couldn't talk for a moment, then beamed. "Yeah! Sure!"

Blake grinned and led Harry off in the direction of the gates of Hogwarts.

"Blake's giving Harry my car," Kate said to Rae who had looked curious at the exchange between her brother and father. "You know… since I can't drive anymore."

"Are you going back to work soon?" Rae asked her mother.

Kate shrugged. "I don't know. I contacted my bosses at the Social Services office and told them I'd been in an accident."

"Did you tell them you were…?" Rae nodded at her mother's wheelchair.

Kate nodded. "I told them I'd… I'd lost the use of my legs and I was at a rehabilitation center in Scotland." Rae giggled at her mother's cover story. "Hey, it was the best I could think of," Kate protested. "Anyway… my bosses said that when I felt ready I could return to work."

"Do you want to?" Rae said, sitting cross-legged on the grass.

"Yeah, I do," Kate replied. "It's… protecting kids. Like you… like Harry… Someone has to be in there. And just because I'm in a wheelchair doesn't mean I can't still do that."

"I want you to go back to work, Mom," Rae said, standing up and hugging her mother. "You do good work. You should be out there making a difference."

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That night, as Harry lay in bed, he couldn't help thinking about Professor Gosermer. Her family seemed as Dark as the Malfoys and yet Willow was far from being a Death Eater.

What was it that had made her realize that it wasn't blood that made someone who they were?

Then there was Willow's abusive childhood which—according to the stories she'd told—rivaled Harry's in violence.

Maybe that was what drove Willow towards Dumbledore's side. She'd wanted to get away from the pain and violence.

Thinking on his own situation, Harry wondered if he could have been turned to Voldemort's side…. Surely Voldemort would never have accepted Harry… But one never knew.

During their talks during occlumency lessons, Willow and Harry had exchanged tales of injuries inflicted on them. It was comforting to Harry to hear that he wasn't alone in having been abused. For all the years his uncle had beat and kicked him, Harry had always wondered why his only family treated him like dirt.

Having met Willow Gosermer, Harry realized that he wasn't alone.

Having met Blake and Kate Thorton, Harry realized that there were loving parents out there that protected their kids instead of raising fists to them.

Sleep finally pulled at Harry and closing his eyes he gave in and was soon sleeping soundly.

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Lucius Malfoy had been told to expect aurors at Snape's old house at Spinner's End.

He hadn't, though, expected the front door being blasted open at 5 in the morning.

With barely a moment to grab his wand and run out the back, Malfoy ducked several curses before he was outside the anti-apparition wards around the old house.

"He's not here," Willow grumbled as she walked through the house, her nose crinkling at how messy the place was.

"Bit obsessed, aren't ya?" Moody said, clomping around.

"I want to find that greasy bastard and kill him with my bare hands," Willow said, calmly, as she looked for some clue as to where Snape, Crouch, and Malfoy would be. "And I want to see Lucius Malfoy and Barty Crouch get the Dementor's kiss."

"Maybe this will help," Kingsley Shacklebolt said as he walked up to Willow holding out a map.

"Ireland," Willow said, taking the map. Jabbing a spot with her finger, her face was a picture of cold anger. "They're hiding at my parents' summer home. Great," she said, tossing the map on a table. "The three worst Death Eaters in Voldemort's fold are with my mom and dad who probably welcomed them with open arms. Perfect." Seeing the looks from Moody and Kingsley, Willow gave a sarcastic smile. "Oh, did I mention I was disowned three years ago and I can't step foot on the grounds anymore?"

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