Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns all public characters, and the world of Harry Potter. There is no intention to violate copyright.

Portrait Madness

Friday, April 30, 1999

A large silvery stag interrupted our passion, and it stared at us with unseeing eyes. Rosmerta grabbed a blanket and attempted to cover herself. I protected her from the ghostly creature, and leaned in for another kiss, but she refused. Her gaze did not leave the stag, and I tried to hide my amusement. "Potter sends me a message, and the beast will not leave until I accept."

Rosmerta waved the animal away, and it amused me to see her trying to shoo it. "Listen to the message, and get that thing out of here. Can Potter see through it?" She held the blanket to her neck, and stared at the stag. "What is that thing?"

Perhaps, Aberforth didn't teach her everything. This time she accepted my kiss, but I noticed she continued to focus her attention on the patronus. Why did her reaction amuse me? "Potter cannot expect me to jump at once when he calls."

Rosmerta shook her head, and pushed at my chest. "No, get rid of it." She scooted to the other side of the bed, and continued to stare at the creature.

Rosmerta brushed away my hand when I tried to lower the blanket. One couldn't expect a desired outcome after having laughed at their mate, and Rosmerta's glare confirmed my assumption. It left me with one choice. I allowed the stag to deliver its infernal message from that irritating boy. "The prat excels at provocation."

The stag vanished into nothingness, and Rosmerta sat upright. "Blast, I suppose he knows I'm in here." She received a nod in confirmation, and I watched her toss the sheets aside. "Why did he come home so early? Auror training doesn't get out for a few more hours."

He killed whatever mood we had, and we both used magic to dress. "They cancelled training. McGonagall needed extra hands to help with the festivities." Rosmerta rolled her eyes in annoyance, and I suspected she doubted my answer. Perhaps, she needed more information. "The Battle of Hogwarts shattered the auror department, because few survived the confrontation. They wish to pay homage to their fallen colleagues through their attendance and support at the festival."

Rosmerta stared at me in shocked disbelief. "Severus, I may not read the papers, but my patrons gossip about everything they see. That news would make the tavern circuit. How did you work with them to take out the death eaters if the war wiped them out?"

My gaze fell to the silenced door, and I removed the charm. "A few survived the battle, and they focus on training new cadets. Those trainees are the ones you see working as aurors. The program takes three years, and it requires five NEWTs to qualify, along with other stringent tests. They seldom accepted new members. They opened training to everyone who fought in the battle. Longbottom, Weasley, and Potter do not have any NEWTS."

She snorted at my explanation. "Those three kids survived several death eater attacks, and they knew how to fight better than most adults. It made sense for the aurors to train them. What does Harry want?"

"We'll find out," I said. Rosmerta waited while I replaced the chastity ward on my door, and we went to meet with Potter in the common room.

He sat at the table, and motioned us to the seats on either side. Rosmerta walked to the directed chair, and huffed at the youth. "Severus and my private moments are no business of yours, and I will not allow you to impose your priggish rules on me in the privacy of my bedroom."

That's my woman! Rosmerta earned a proud smile from me, and I gloated at Potter with a smug grin. The youth reddened from embarrassment, and I wondered if he intended to reprimand us for our promiscuity. "Sir, you have importunate news requiring our immediate attention?"

The youth steadied himself by taking a deep breath. "Severus, we set the chastity wards to keep our public image. The media will look for signs of Rosmerta in your room, such as her hair on your bed. We'll get the house elves to change the sheets and clean the area before they come, but you must abide by the chastity wards until after Sunday." The insufferable prat annoyed me.

He received our silent nods, and we watched the youth split a pile of parchment. He slid half to me, and the others to Rosmerta. "The Auror department received several vandalism complaints about yobbos breaking into homes and destroying family portraits."

Potter had a reason for bringing this to my attention, and I scanned my pile of parchment. Each complaint had one thing in common. "Sir, the portraits were those of known dark witches and wizards. I saw no mention of witnesses, so why do they suspect teenaged ruffians?"

An owl fluttered to Rosmerta, and she reached for the parchment. "Blimey, you'd think we served muggles at the tavern!" We glanced at her and she explained. "The hotel filled, and they overwhelmed my staff. Wizarding folk could travel here in minutes, but several wished to stay in Hogsmeade."

"Prince elves can help," I said with a glance at Potter.

He nodded and called for Zincky. The elderly elf with the pink towel bowed before Potter. "Guardian honours Zincky. You call Zincky by name." The elf seemed pleased, and I realized they knew who he was.

Potter smiled at the little creature, and offered her a gentle rub on the back of her head. She almost purred at the touch, and her eyes glistened while she waited for his command. "The Three Broomsticks needs help. Can you please send for the elves from Prince Manor?"

The little creature grinned, and showed a mouth filled with several pointy little teeth. "Zincky gets elves! Zincky no can help Madame Rosmerta. Hogwarts need Zincky for festival." She looked upset at having disappointed the youth.

He smiled at her and spoke with a soft tone. "The Headmistress needs every elf she has. Zincky, I understand that Kreacher volunteered to help with the cooking." Her ears flopped forward when she nodded in confirmation. "Tell him to stay at Hogwarts, because the others can help Rosmerta."

Zincky gave the youth a proud smile and she bowed to him. Rosmerta turned to me after the creature departed. "They believe all that stuff about Harry being a Guardian and you a Dark King?" Potter glanced at me, and we both nodded. She smirked, kissed my cheek, and headed for the floo. "We close after dinner on Sunday, so I will make it for the dance."

Rosmerta would miss endless hours of speeches, and I envied that woman. Potter returned to the table, and I joined him. "Does Rosmerta refuse to believe the prophecies?"

Did he need to know everything about my life? "Indeed, I spoke of my skepticism with divination when I told her of them. I did not wish her to think me barmy."

"You told her enough information to avoid being accused of deceit." The youth chuckled, and shook his head in disbelief. "Severus, you are a Slytherin." Was that ever in doubt? Potter motioned to the parchment and returned my attention to our earlier conversation. "We have a serious problem. What will turpentine do to the imprisoned portraits?"

"We lack the information to form a precise conclusion." It annoyed me that I didn't know.

The youth rose from the table, and closed his eyes. "I will retrieve a can from the Dursley's shed. I suspect it's still there, because they will never have Dudders repaint the porch. Go to Herpo, and I will apparate to you."

The youth received a nod, and a loud crack announced his departure. I glided through the halls at a near run. We could not have him apparate to me with others to witness. Herpo scowled at my arrival, but a loud crack caused him to pause. Potter apparated with a small can of turpentine. "Did you explain it to Herpo?"

The elfish looking wizard glared at me, and shook his head at the youth. "The Dunderhead arrived without the breath to speak."

My gaze hardened, and I scowled at the portrait. "Sir, pass me the turpentine."

Potter gave me a wary glance, and handed the container to me. "Severus, we need him..."

Herpo glared at the container, and he scoffed in defiance. "Go ahead and see what happens when you try to paint over my portrait."

The imprisoned wizard had no idea what Potter gave me. Perhaps, this called for a little intimidation. "Turpentine is a Muggle invention that dissolves paint." The dark wizard stared at the can, and he watched with eagerness when I applied a small amount to the bottom corner of his portrait. Three wizards stared for several minutes at the softening paint, and then we rubbed it with a rag.

Herpo gasped at the slight smudge, and glanced from me to the youth. "What do you plan to do?"

I gestured towards the turpentine and mentioned, "We can splash your portrait with the liquid, and watch you dissolve. Do you feel pain, I wonder?"

Herpo's eyes widened in panic, and he had a hurried conversation with Potter in parseltongue. The youth glared at me, and he tried to calm down the anxious wizard. They spoke for several minutes before Potter commanded, "Severus, tell him why we came here."

He sounded irritated, and I wondered what Herpo told him. "A group seeking to destroy dark wizard portraits will arrive on Sunday. They use turpentine to bypass magical protections, and they know of you. I suppose, that makes you a target."

Herpo swallowed and stared between the youth and me. "McGonagall wants my portrait moved, but the house elves cannot release me from the portal door. I will vanish if they try to connect it elsewhere, and the protective magic prevents them from doing that." He glanced at the turpentine, and the fear dissipated from his expression. "Pour that on me, and let it soak."

Potter jumped at my sudden guffaw, and he glanced at me to explain. "It will not remove everything, so you cannot hope to escape from this prison. Imagine being stuck for all eternity, and having no ability to speak." I turned my attention to the youth. "Sir, may I soak his portrait in turpentine?"

Herpo wrung his hands together and tried to ignore me. He stared with pleading eyes at Potter. "How will you rescue me?"

Did he have a plan? The Guardian placed his hands on the frame, and closed his eyes. A faint hum of magic reverberated in the air, and I stepped back. Golden light surrounded the portrait, and it started to move.

Herpo glared at the youth, and he turned accusing eyes on me. "Proditorem!" His shout caused me to step back, and I stared at the enraged prisoner who thought me a traitor. "You became enslaved to a bloody Warrior of Light! You are a brainless idiot! Why did magic choose a complete addlebrained wazzock as its King?"

Pucey had not moved into my old quarters, and I glanced over my shoulders to see if anyone overheard our conversation. Herpo's outburst earned him a scowl, but I did not intend to argue with the git. Potter had a different approach. "Herpo, stop shouting or I will silence you."

The elderly wizard glowered at the youth, and his arms crossed in anger. Potter pulled the portrait from the door, and set it on the floor. "Herpo, we will explain everything after we get the others to safety."

The angered man shook his head. "You fooled me once, warrior."

Potter levitated the portrait, and he cast a silence bubble centered on himself. It surrounded us while we walked back to our quarters. "Herpo, you are mistaken." The elf glared at him with a shake of his head. "You think me a Warrior of Light, but I am the Guardian." He lifted his hair to show the tattoo.

Herpo fell backwards over his desk, and I could no longer see him in the portrait. How did he know of the Guardian? "What do you want with me?"

My eyes rolled, and I sneered in disgust. "Well, well, well, I wonder if our dark wizard friend had himself a wee little accident."

A loud growl resonated from behind the portrait's desk. "Proditorem, you have no right speaking to me!" The arrogant little wizard stood to show us the fallacy of my accusation, and then he returned to hiding.

It delighted me to tease the annoying wizard. Potter stopped walking, and I noticed his hardened gaze. What did I do? "Severus, you need to gain his trust." He turned to Herpo and stared at the desk. "Come out from there."

We rounded the corner and continued walking towards our quarters. The elfish wizard peeked from behind the desk, and shook his head at the youth. "You want to torture me!"

I once admired the man's ingenuity, but he proved himself little more than a coward. My lips curled into a snarl, and I sneered, "Indeed, the turpentine will help with our endeavours."

"Severus!"

"What?"

"You know what," Potter said in accusation. I didn't want him to scold me before Herpo, so I glared ahead and clenched my jaw without another word. Potter returned his attention to the elder wizard and told him of the prophecy that referenced the Guardian of Light.

The elder wizard came out of hiding long enough to grab a quill and parchment. A few minutes later, I noticed his hand feeling around the surface of his desk in search of ink. He located the bottle. "Start at the beginning, what is the prophecy?"

Potter repeated it without error, and the elfish wizard continued to hide from the youth. We entered the quarters and he set the frame on the floor. "Severus, how will we find all the portraits?"

The youth removed his glasses, and washed them the muggle way. Why wouldn't he use magic? "Sir, the professional invaders of privacy wish to violate our sanctuary. I assume you have a plan for hiding these portraits from the media."

Potter motioned to the fireplace. "Do you know of a way to create a hidden room? We need someplace that we can ward to our magical signatures."

My head shook, but an idea came to me. "Consult with the castle, Sir."

The youth went into silent meditation that lasted a little more than an hour. A small glow lit the wall to the left of the fireplace, and it vanished. Potter returned to consciousness and grasped the portrait of Herpo. He motioned for me to follow, and we walked through the wall into a small cylindrical room. He placed the portrait on the wall and turned his attention to me. "The portal only exists for you and me. People can destroy the wall, but they cannot access this room."

Herpo continued to hide behind his desk. The coward received a smug grin before I asked of Potter. "Do you believe it wise, Sir, to allow them easy communication with a rounded room?"

He glanced at the empty looking picture, and folded his arms across his chest. "Their ability to communicate with one another will help them to trust us. Severus, we can't endanger the students, so we have to find the portraits before morning."

Potter chose to claim Merwyn the Malicious, and he led me to the dratted shortcut. The wizened old wizard gave me a gloating smile while his fingers tapped in rhythm against the shaft of his wand. "Ah, Professor Snape, it surprises me to see you. I must say, the Headmistress seemed upset with your activities."

How did Potter expect me to gain the trust of these stupid portraits? My teeth clenched, and I scowled at the old wizard. The youth held his hands to the frame, and the glowing yellow light surrounded the picture. Merwyn's eyes opened in fear, and he stared at Potter. "What are you doing?"

The youth didn't answer, so Merwyn's gaze snapped on me. My voice deepened and I sneered, "Meet the Guardian." The elder wizard seemed no more knowledgeable. "He is the recognized leader of the Warriors of Light in every known realm." I held my hand to the youth's forehead, and brushed away his bangs.

Merwyn scowled in anger. "You would see me destroyed for not warning you of the Headmistress?"

"Indeed."

The wizened old man broke into an insane cackle, and we stared at the foolish portrait. A mental casting of 'Silencio' handled the racket. Potter glanced at me, and I shrugged in response. "We have three to go, and I did not wish to fight with the barmy git. Herpo will love his company."

Potter rolled his eyes at me, and we walked back to our quarters. "Do you make an effort to annoy all the portraits in Hogwarts?"

We removed the spell when we placed the portrait on the wall. The old fool stared at Herpo, and I thought to introduce them. "Merwyn the Malicious, meet Herpo the Foul."

Potter ruined my fun when he spoke. "We have another three prisoners to gather for the night. In a few days we will return and explain everything to you." The youth left without another word, and I wondered what made him so cranky. We walked to the Knight's Room to find the picture of Morgan le Fay.

Several dozen suits of armor lined the walls. The nearest Knights pointed their spears at Morgan Le Fey's portrait, and I suspected trouble. Potter held out his arm and stopped my progress. "These Knights animated on Ron, Hermione, and me."

"Indeed, Sir, I remember that night." The youth snapped his gaze on me, and he stared in disbelief. "Dobby animated them to send you home, did he not?" The youth nodded, and I approached the portrait. "Did you believe three children capable of avoiding all their weapons without the aid of shielding magic?"

Potter grinned at me in understanding. "I appreciate your help, and the many other times you saved my life. Did it frustrate you when we took all the credit?"

My left eyebrow arched in answer, and the youth averted his gaze to the portrait. "Thanks for that, and I'm sorry. We didn't know any better." Indeed, and that was how I needed it. I offered him a silent nod, and we studied the portrait. "Severus, I see nothing holding this one to the wall."

A sleepy Morgana stepped from the stone castle and studied us with her gaze. She held a hand at her mouth and yawned. She glanced at the youth's school robes, and shook her head at me. "Professor, why is that student not in bed? Youths need their rest to work at their best."

She looked at me for her answer. "Queen Morgan Le Fay, we came to rescue you from vandals who wish to harm your portrait." I brushed aside the youth's hair to show his tattoo. "We will explain everything in a couple of days, but we need to move you to a safe place. We have five prisoners of the Light to rescue."

She glared at Potter and shook her finger at him. "Tell Merlin that my Dark healing magic was the only thing that could save my brother. If not for that bumbling fool's interference, King Arthur would still live!"

Potter shook his head, and glanced at the woman wearing a feathered robe. "Your Majesty, we believe Merlin died several centuries ago." She stared at us in confusion, and Potter explained. "The year is 1999 AD."

The attractive woman slumped against the trunk of a tree and sighed. "Merlin won, and we have lost. Please tell me what your history books say of me."

The youth and I exchanged silent glances, and we gestured for the other to speak. The prat won, and I had to enlighten the woman. "Your Majesty, Merlin recorded the history, and he spelled it so none could change his version. We realize he spoke lies, and we wish to release you from this prison."

Morgana slid down the trunk, and sat in the tall grass. "What does it say about me?"

Her charming disposition would confuse the youth, and I needed to remind him of her true nature. "Your Majesty, we know you created a horcrux. Do not think me a fool to believe in your virtue."

The woman dabbed at her eyes and shook her head at me. "Indeed, but I had no choice. Merlin tried to destroy my sister healers, because he believed in Light magic. He refused to accept that the Dark was anything other than evil. Most wizards agreed with his accusations, and I needed to prove them wrong."

Potter ran a hand through his hair, and turned skeptical eyes on the woman. "Yet, you killed a person to create the horcrux."

The royal witch nodded at the boy. "Yes, the man suffered a public execution for the suffering he caused. He slaughtered several fruit farmers to steal their meager possessions. We caught him in the bed of a recently murdered family, and he confessed to his crimes. I received an owl the night before his execution from someone who proclaimed his or her loyalty to me. It informed me of the horcrux process. Merlin made several attempts on my life, and I knew my sisters could return me."

A hand pushed the hair from my face, and I shook my head at the woman. "Your Majesty, I fear that missive came from Merlin. It was through the horcrux that he bound your magic, and imprisoned you."

Morgana gasped, and raised both hands to her mouth. Her eyes darted between the youth and me. "No, how could he think to do that? Light already overpowered the dark, and binding my powers would further threaten the magical equilibrium."

Potter's eyebrows rose into his hairline, and he gaped at the portrait. The sight amused me, and I tried to answer her question. "Indeed, your Majesty. Mr. Potter is the Guardian of the Light, and I am the Dark's chosen King."

She righted herself, and offered an elegant nod in recognition of our ranks. "I prefer to dispense with the formalities." My head nodded, and I noticed she stared at Potter. "It interests me to hear of the Light and Dark working together, but I have several questions. I will ask them when you have the time for a proper conversation."

The youth nodded his head at her, and I ran diagnostic magic on the portrait. It detected nothing, so I reached for the frame and removed it. "That seemed too easy, Sir." Creaking sounded throughout the hall. Potter and I stepped from the wall, and we noticed the animated armor focus on us. "Blimey, how did my spell fail to detect the trap?"

The suits of armor blocked our exits, and they surrounded us. Half the Knights stepped ahead of the other, and they circled us in a tighter formation consisting of two rows. Again, the odd one moved forward while the others stayed behind, and four rows of Knights formed an arch around us. Potter yelled, "Severus, I order you to use unassisted flight. No arguments do it now!"

The youth activated the bond, and reinforced his command. It urged me to follow his order, and I vanished into a dark mist. That foolish boy infuriated me with his bravery. "Sir, if you survive I will have Rosmerta kick your backside all the way to Hogsmeade!"

Potter grinned at me and stated, "Good thing she doesn't have your temper." That arrogant prat endangered his life, and he refused to let me help! That irritated me more than I cared to admit, and I hated that the bond forced me to flee at his command.

The Knights edged nearer to Potter, and they thrust their weapons at him. The room stilled, and the spears froze in the air. None caused him harm, and the Knights moved no closer. Did they recognize him? The youth's voice deepened and he spoke with authority, "Return to your places. The prisoner will go with me."

Loud creaks resonated throughout the stone hallway, and I solidified at the youth's side. "You could have told me," I spate, and he gave me an impish grin. If only the bond would allow me to swat him.

Potter motioned to the portrait, and I bent down to retrieve it when we heard the click of a woman's shoe. It surprised neither of us when McGonagall came into view. Her gaze landed on Potter, and then on me. Hair hung from underneath her hat, and I realized we pulled her from sleep. "Gentlemen, it's a bit late for a walk around Hogwarts. Please explain why you set off the alarms." We tried to ease her concerns with platitudes, but she wished for more information and brought us to her office."

Arms crossed my chest, and I glanced at the portraits of former headmasters. "Minerva, we must silence this room." She understood, and I watched while she cast the needed spells to blind and silence the portraits. Dumbledore objected, but his lips moved without uttering a sound. Soon we could no longer see that.

We spoke in detail about the prisoners of Light, and the binding of dark magic. McGonagall tapped a finger against her lips while she listened, and she kept glancing at the youth. "Mr. Potter, this seems acceptable to you?"

Potter rose from the chair and said, "Headmistress, we need to balance the magic, or it will destroy our realm and several others. To carry out our goal, we must free the five prisoners and send them into the afterlife. Dumbledore imprisoned the last two wizards by using their horcrux. I thought we destroyed those belonging to Lord Voldemort, but he also became a prisoner. The last wizard is Gellert Grindelwald."

My gaze fell to the ground, and I did not wish to tell the youth where the last horcrux was. How could Dumbledore give me that information, and not tell him? Perhaps, someday I will find a way. McGonagall's cheeks had a slight flush, and I wondered at the reason. "Minerva, do you know where Dumbledore hung those portraits?"

She made a hand gesture towards her private suite, "Indeed, Professor Snape. It would please me if you could remove the one of Gellert Grindelwald. The elves tried for months, but nothing seemed to work." The elder witch thinned her lips in frustration. "His portrait hangs on the wall in the Headmaster's bedroom. "

"Why would Dumbledore do that," I asked in disbelief.

McGonagall reached for a quill and dipped it in the ink, before she wrote a small note. She called for a house-elf, and handed it to her. "Severus, I thought you hung his portrait."

Why would she think me? "The Carrows used the Headmaster's suite when I ran the school. I floo'd to my quarters in the dungeons, because Lord Voldemort wanted them to watch me. My private suite helped me to keep my sanity."

Potter offered me a sympathetic glance, and I hated that he pitied me. The link informed him of my annoyance, and he gave me a sheepish smile. "You must have hated the lack of privacy. Did anyone understand the sacrifices you made to protect us?"

My lips curled at the youth's innocent question. "Sir, to succeed I needed to deceive everyone of my true loyalties." The room fell silent, and I hated the looks of admiration. "Minerva, may we enter your private chambers to retrieve the portrait?"

"Certainly," McGonagall said and she showed us to the bedroom. She cast a few spells at a blank wall, and the portrait came into focus. The woman spoke with an indignant tone, "I couldn't let him watch me." My mask held tight and I struggled to suppress my amusement, but Potter had less control. McGonagall's scathing glare silenced the youth's laughter. She had to know we would speak of this after we left her office.

Potter touched the frame, and the golden glow surrounded it. Within a minute, the youth freed it from the wall. "Mr. Potter, I appreciate your removing that hideous wizard."

The portrait's placement confused me, and I asked of him, "Why would Dumbledore place you in his bedroom?"

Grindelwald rolled his eyes and gave a dismissive snort. "Do you honestly have no idea?" We stared at the portrait, and he huffed in annoyance. "Dumbledore loved me since our youth, but I did not return his romantic affections."

The portrait silenced us, and we gaped at one another. Dumbledore was a homosexual. Why didn't he tell anyone? "We can disprove your claim." Grindelwald grinned at us, and McGonagall ran for the former Headmaster's portrait.

She held it so the two could look at one another, and Grindelwald smirked at his former friend. "Tell them about us, Albus."

That explained his flamboyant outfits, and several things he said over the years. I approached his portrait and asked, "Albus, why did you not trust me?"

The former Headmaster gazed into my eyes, and he shook his head. "Severus, my Boy. I think you will understand my reason better than anyone." Perhaps, I probably could.

Dumbledore popped a lemon drop into his mouth and smacked his lips. "The real Albus understood your commitment to Lily, because of his affection for Grindelwald. The strength of your love caused him to trust in your goodness."

McGonagall glanced at me, I looked at Potter, he stared at Dumbledore, and Grindelwald laughed at us all. "You never told them..." Dumbledore shook his head.

McGonagall broke the silence when she placed a delicate hand over her mouth to hide a yawn. "Gentlemen, I must return to bed."

The earlier awkwardness could not compare with an elderly woman having to remove us from her bedchamber. Potter and I nodded in respect, and grabbed the portraits. McGonagall followed us to her office. "I will ask the house elves to find Voldemort."

She received a polite nod from me, and we returned to our quarters. Morgan Le Fey and Grindelwald covered their ears when we entered the rounded room. My gaze hardened on the elder wizards, and I spate, "Herpo, Merwyn, stop your infernal arguing. I will silence you if you cannot act civil."

The two wizards stopped at once, and they stared at the new arrivals. Perhaps Morgan Le Fey could calm the men, but I had my doubts. We left the room and Potter glanced over his shoulder towards the hidden portal. "Morgan Le Fey deserves better. What do you think of hanging her over the fireplace mantel after the media leaves?"

My lips quirked into a smirk, and the youth shook his head at me. "Indeed, we can benefit from her presence. She understands the equilibrium, and I can learn much from her about healing with dark magic."

Potter yawned and glanced towards his bedroom. "I dread having to find Voldemort. Did I miss one horcrux, or did he have more?"

My head shook, and I gritted my teeth. The blasted link told Potter of my mixed emotions, and he gestured for me to speak. Words failed me, so I pointed to the scar on his head. "Sir, you had a connection to Voldemort that you could not explain, but it had nothing to do with your magic. The scar, Sir, you are his last horcrux."

Potter went quiet, and he stared at me. The silence ate at my patience, but I needed him to speak so I could better understand his feelings. "We leave Voldemort for last." My nod confirmed his assumption, and he retreated to his room. That went easier than I expected. Perhaps, he would have more questions when he recovered from his shock.

A/N: This chapter touched on Dumbledore's secret that J.K.R. released after the books.