A/N: Hey, so, before you read the chapter, I'd like to take a moment to address the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

September 11, 2001: At 8:46am, the attack on the World Trade Centers in New York City began. At 9:59am, the South Tower fell. At 10:28am, the North Tower fell. 2977 people died, 347 of them were firefighters reporting to the scene. Over 3000 children lost a parent this day. Regardless of if you're an American or not, no matter what day it is, take time to remember the day that shook the world. Remember all the lost lives. Today marks 10 years since 9/11. Don't forget.

Now, to continue. Here's Chapter 37. I hope you enjoy it and don't forget to review. :]

Harry, Severus, and Draco were silent for quite some time after the locket's destruction. They mostly stared at its remains though they sometimes made eye contact.

"Well, that's two Horcruxes gone," Harry said and began to pick up the pieces of the locket.

"Five more," Draco muttered and Harry nodded as he put the shattered remains into the cabinet where the locket had been previously.

"Five sounds easier than seven but it's not. If anything it's going to get harder." Harry sighed, sitting heavily on the sofa.

"Why harder?" Draco asked, him and Severus sitting on the sofa as well.

"Well, now we have to discover what a couple of the others are and then actually find them. Then there's Nagini and Voldemort never lets her out of his sight since last year," Harry said.

"Voldemort is also sure to learn Harry is going after the Horcruxes," Severus added and Harry nodded in agreement.

"Now we also have to figure out how to destroy the Horcrux in the ring without doing that," Harry pointed to the cabinet where he had put what remained of the locket, "to the Stone."

"It's never going to end," Draco said dully.

"Sometimes, most of the time, I completely agree. Whenever I figure one thing out, I have a dozen more things waiting in line," Harry said.

"You must not give up. You are surrounded by people who are willing to help you," Severus said and Harry met his eyes, smiling. Severus found himself entranced by the sparkling green orbs.

"I know and I'm more than grateful but sometimes it all seems like too much," Harry said and Severus nodded.

"I know. Allow people to help you though. It'll make things better, if only slightly," Severus told him.

"Stay one of those people," Harry said and Severus gave him a real smile. It was small but it was there.

"Always," Severus said and Harry smiled brightly at him, both forgetting their audience who was looking at them with a knowing look.

Things, in a sense, slowed down after that day when Slytherin's locket was destroyed. Again, it was only in a sense since the normal life of school was busier than ever. The fifth and seventh years could be found studying and working like mad to prepare for their early OWLs and NEWTs. The others were getting ready for their exams as well but not as vigorously.

Harry found himself wondering where he would be staying once Hogwarts closed. He figured it would be the Dursleys' and that's what Dumbledore wanted to do, but Severus was adamant Harry didn't return to Privet Drive.

"Gryffindor!"

Harry looked up from his History of Magic essay on the witch trials in the United Kingdom when he heard Draco's voice come from the sitting room. Dropping his quill and closing his ink, Harry rolled off his bed and left his bedroom. It was Saturday afternoon and Severus had locked himself in his lab in order to catch up on restocking the infirmary.

"What do you want, Slytherin?" Harry said, crossing his arms and staring at Draco who spun around.

"What? I'm not allowed to come and visit?" Draco said with a grin. "Where is Severus anyways?"

"Where do you think he is?" Harry said pointedly, raising an eyebrow. Draco chuckled. "Do you want anything to eat?"

"No, I just came from the kitchens." Draco shook his head and collapsed onto the sofa. "So what's going on?"

"Nothing war related, if that's what you mean," Harry said and Draco rolled his eyes.

"How're you and Severus?" Draco asked with a sly smile and Harry frowned.

"What're you talking about, Draco?" Harry furrowed his eyebrows.

"Like you don't know," Draco said, still grinning.

"I honestly don't. Please tell me," Harry said and Draco rolled his eyes again.

"Come on. I know you can be dense but this is ridiculous," Draco said and Harry scowled at the Slytherin.

"I have no idea what you're talking about so let's change topics," Harry said and Draco shook his head.

"Fine but we will talk about it at some point," Draco said.

"If I ever find out what you mean, sure we can talk about it." Harry shrugged.

"So do you have any idea what you're doing once this place closes?" Draco wondered and Harry sighed.

"I'm pretty sure I'm going back to the Dursleys'. That's where Dumbledore wants me to go," Harry told him. "What about you? You can't very well go back to Malfoy Manor."

"I'm staying here at the school. I have nowhere else to go. This school is temporarily home," Draco said and Harry nodded.

"It's going to be a long 'temporary'," Harry said and Draco looked at him. Harry gazed back gravely.

"Who else is staying?" Draco asked.

"Hermione, Neville, Dean, and Seamus that I know of. Ron and Ginny are trying to convince their mum to let them stay. Caleb Manden is staying too," Harry said. "Speaking of Caleb, could you watch over him until he goes to the safe house? Since I'll be in Privet Drive, I won't be able to."

"You are not going back there," Severus growled as he left his lab for the first time in hours.

"I'm pretty sure we've had this discussion already," Harry said, looking up at him. "We both know that that's where I'm going."

"Over my dead body," Severus said.

"I have a feeling that might be arranged if you try to stop Dumbledore," Harry said.

"You're not going back," Severus said and Harry thought he sounded like a stubborn child but was smart enough to keep the thought to himself.

"Are you done brewing? You've been brewing since six and it's three now," Harry said, watching as Severus walked into the kitchen to pour himself some coffee.

"Yes, I have finished. Have you finished your homework?" Severus asked, sitting on the sofa.

"I just have to do my History of Magic essay on the witch trials," Harry said and Severus nodded. The Potions master summoned a novel and began reading, slowly sipping his coffee.

"Anyways, yeah, I'll look after him." Draco nodded.

"Thanks." Harry sighed.

"Harry, you're staying here," Severus said not looking up from his book.

"Severus, if I do go back to Privet Drive, what exactly are you going to do about it?" Harry asked.

"I'll simply go to Privet Drive and bring you back here," Severus said simply.

Harry shook his head and turned back to Draco to continue their conversation.

The days continued to pass both slowly and quickly. It was during a Friday two weeks before Hogwarts was to close that Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the school.

"Harry Potter, would you please come to the headmaster's office as soon as you can? Harry Potter to the headmaster's office."

Harry, who was in the library with Draco, Neville, and Luna, looked up from his work and frowned.

"Why are you being called to see Dumbledore?" Neville asked.

"No idea." Harry shrugged and began to put his things in his bag. "Guess I'm about to find out," he sighed.

"Have fun," Draco said with a wry grin as Harry scowled at him.

"Shut up, Draco. I'll see you guys later," Harry said and left the library. Hitching his bag up onto his shoulder, Harry walked through the corridors, heading up to the headmaster's office. As he walked, he tried to think of any possible reasons why he was being called. He hadn't been in any trouble that he was aware of, which was definitely saying something as he was usually always in trouble. Perhaps there had been an attack. Had Remus been hurt? Had Tonks? Had Kingsley?

Beginning to panic, Harry shoved his hand in the pocket of his jeans and pulled out the silver pocket watch that Draco had given him for Christmas. He flipped it open and let out a breath of relief when he saw that Remus, Tonks, and Kingsley were all fine. Closing the watch, he put it back in his pocket and walked up a flight of stairs, sighing tiredly.

He truly was sick of the war. He was so tired of it all. He felt so much older than he really was. He was only sixteen and yet he felt years older. However, as much as he wished it would be over soon, he knew it was still a long time coming.

Muttering the password, Harry walked up to the headmaster's office and walked in when given access. Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk as usual and gently stroking Fawkes. "Good evening, Harry."

"Professor." Harry inclined his head and sat down in his usual chair in front of the desk.

"I suppose you are wondering why I have called you here," Dumbledore said, looking at Harry over his glasses.

"Yes, sir. I have not been in any trouble that I'm aware of," Harry said and Dumbledore chuckled.

"You are quite right, Harry. You have stayed out of trouble these past few weeks. I am sure Severus is quite relieved about that," Dumbledore said and Harry frowned slightly.

"What do you mean, sir?"

"When you stay out of trouble, he is given a break. He is always looking out for you and protecting you. He enjoys a break as much as anyone," Dumbledore told him.

"Right," Harry said slowly. "So, why did you call me, Professor?"

"As you know, Hogwarts is closing in just two weeks," Dumbledore said and Harry nodded. "I'm sure you have been wondering where it is you will be going and I have finally come to my decision. You will be returning to the Dursleys' until the final battle."

"The final battle? When will that be?" Harry asked.

"When we are ready. When the final battle is upon us, you will then be brought back here," Dumbledore said.

"I understand, sir. Was that all?" Harry said.

"One more thing before you go. You have been chosen to be the valedictorian for your year at your graduation," Dumbledore said and Harry gaped.

"Me?"

"Well, you and Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore said. "It is a good show of house unity to have a Gryffindor and a Slytherin deliver the speech together."

"I see. It's an honour, Professor. Thank you," Harry said with a small smile. "I'll tell Draco."

"Excellent, excellent." Dumbledore smiled and Harry left the office. Harry's mind was spinning as he walked down the corridors. He had to go back to the Dursleys'. Sure he had been expecting it but to actually be told it was something else all together. He was also confused about the way Dumbledore had been talking about Severus protecting him. The headmaster had made it seem like Severus only protected him because he was told to. Was there something Severus wasn't telling him? Now he was also the valedictorian with Draco.

Harry continued down to the dungeons, mulling over all of his thoughts. He absently gave Slytherin the password and entered his and Severus' quarters. He looked around, trying to find Severus but didn't see him.

"Severus?" Harry called. "Severus, you here?"

Harry jumped slightly when Severus walked out of the library. He had probably come from the study attached to the library.

"Something wrong, Harry?" Severus asked.

"Not wrong exactly. Dumbledore called me to his office," Harry said, tossing his bag onto the lounge chair.

"Did he? What did he have to say?"

"Well, first. I'm going back to the Dursleys'."

Severus growled. "I can't believe that man. I will deal with it. What else?"

"Draco and I are the valedictorians for the sixth year graduation."

"Ah, yes, I forgot about that."

"You knew?"

"Of course. It was the professors that chose," Severus said.

"Oh," Harry said.

"Anything else? You seem unsettled," Severus observed.

"Umm, well, it's just this offhand comment that Dumbledore made. I'm sure it didn't mean anything," Harry said, trying to wave it off.

"What was this comment?" Severus wondered.

"It's ridiculous, really. We had been talking about how much I get in trouble and how I haven't been in trouble lately. He said that it must've been a welcome break for you not to have to protect me," Harry said lightly or trying to say it lightly, at least.

Severus stared at him, silently cursing Albus Dumbledore. He knew the direction Harry's thoughts would go if they hadn't already and it did not bode well for him. "I am glad you have had no trouble lately."

"Severus, why have you protected me in the past? It's because Dumbledore told you to, isn't it?" Harry said, looking at him and trying to keep the pain he was beginning to feel from his eyes.

Severus swallowed. This was not going to end well. "Yes, Dumbledore had asked me to protect you."

"Why?"

"It would help me repay my debts."

"What debts?"

Severus sighed. "Harry, sit down. I should tell you this from the beginning."

"Tell me what?" Harry asked, fear in his voice. "What aren't you telling me?"

"Sit down and I'll tell you," Severus said and Harry sat on one end of the sofa, Severus on the other.

"Severus?"

"I want to get through this so do not interrupt me," Severus said.

"I promise."

Severus took a deep breath. "As you know, I became a Death Eater when I was eighteen. By this time, my friendship with your mother was over and had been since our fifth year. I was a loyal Death Eater for the last four years of the first war. It was just before the attack on you and your parents that I changed sides. However, there is more between the time when I joined and the time when I changed sides."

Severus paused briefly.

"In the year of 1980, a prophecy was created and told to Albus Dumbledore by Sybill Trelawney. The prophecy told of a child born at the end of July that would have the power to defeat the Dark Lord. I eavesdropped on them and heard this part of the prophecy. At the time, I was still completely loyal to Voldemort and I wanted to increase my standings with him, my ranks with the Death Eaters. When I heard what had been predicted, I immediately brought the information to Voldemort.

"I knew the prophecy could be referring to two children, Neville Longbottom or Harry Potter. I didn't keep in mind that Voldemort would more than likely go after the child he believed to be the threat. If I had thought about it, I probably thought he would go after the Longbottoms. However, he chose to go after the Potters, to go after you.

"As soon as I realized Voldemort was going to kill you and your parents, I went to Dumbledore and confessed everything, begging for help and for him to protect Lily. Yes, I only asked that he protect Lily. I didn't ask him to protect you or your father. He agreed to help and he sent the Potters into hiding and gave me sanctuary. However, the Potters' were betrayed and Voldemort went after them. He killed your parents and marked you as his equal.

"When I went to Godric's Hollow after I'd heard there had been an attack, it was to find the house destroyed, your parents dead, and you crying in your crib. I ran to Lily and took her in my arms. I was crying and begging for her to come back to me, apologizing for everything. I went back to Dumbledore and collapsed with grief. It was then that he told me you had survived. I hadn't really registered that you had when I had been at the house. He told me that if I wanted to repay my debts, if I wanted to make it up to Lily, I was to protect you at all costs.

"I refused many times before I agreed to look after you when you came to school. At the beginning, yes, I was only protecting you because Dumbledore told me to and because of your mother. However, it hasn't been just because of that for some time now, ever since your fourth year. I may not have liked you but I wasn't protecting you just for Dumbledore or Lily."

Severus finally raised his eyes and looked at Harry. The green eyes were shining but, for once, Severus had no idea what the emotions in the eyes were.

"If Dumbledore had never told you to, would you have still saved my life as often as you have?" Harry asked in a monotonous tone.

"I may be a bastard but I'm not sadistic. I would've kept you alive," Severus said.

"You're the reason Voldemort learned the prophecy," Harry said. It wasn't a question, Severus knew that, but he couldn't tell if it was an accusation or not.

"Yes," Severus said and waited in a tense silence for Harry to say or do something in response.

A/N: For some timeline catch up. :P We are currently 2 weeks from the end of April and Hogwarts is closing on April 29th. As such, we are now heading into May soon and you know what that means. Harry and Severus acknowledge their attraction for each other. Yes, I know, I haven't had any major moments where they feel attracted to each other, but just assume it's been building up during all the time that I skip over and in the little gestures and conversations they have. :P Also in May, Harry and Severus will be going after the Gaunt ring and Remus and Tonks get together (not a big detail :P).

Anyways, that's it for this chapter. Don't forget to review. :]