Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
"How is Harry doing?" Dumbledore asked Snape, passing him a cup of tea. They were seated in Dumbledore's office, catching up on everything since Umbridge had been arrested.
"He is well. He is back to enjoying Defence class with Lupin's return," Snape said with an eye roll.
Dumbledore chuckled. "Now Severus, it is not bad having Remus around this time is it? Things are different now."
Snape nodded reluctantly. That was true. Before when Lupin had been here, he had been filled with anger and bad memories of his school days. Now, none of that seemed important anymore. Now he had Harry. "I wanted to discuss something with you," Snape said, setting down his teacup. "I think Harry should know about the prophecy."
"Indeed?" Dumbledore looked thoughtful.
"He deserves to know why the dark lord is so set on killing him, why he targeted him as a baby," Snape said. "He should know so that he realizes just how serious he needs to take Occlumency. I want him to be more on guard." Snape explained. He knew Harry hated not being in the know and he figured if his son knew just how serious Voldemort was about coming after him, he wouldn't argue against any of the restrictions put in place for his safety.
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, he should know. I had planned to tell him when he is was a little older but that was before we found out you are his father. He has you for support and we do need him to even more alert to danger. Voldemort is planning something, according to the spies I have."
"More spies?" Snape raised an eyebrow.
"None as close as you were to Voldemort but they still are able to get a little information," Dumbledore said. "Losing you may cause Voldemort to act impulsively, and that can be more dangerous than him carefully planning something out."
Snape nodded his understanding, feeling even more worried for his son.
HP
After dinner that evening, Snape motioned for Harry to join him in the living room."Sit down for a minute, there is something I need to tell you."
Harry raised an eyebrow but obligingly sat down on the couch and looked at his dad expectantly.
"You've been having dreams of that corridor," Snape began.
"I've been practicing Occluding," Harry said defensively. "I'm getting better, you said so."
"I did," Snape nodded. "I am not about to chastise you, Harry."
"Oh," Harry relaxed.
"There was a prophecy made, when you were a baby," Snape began.
"A prophecy?"
"About the one who would defeat the Dark Lord."
Harry felt a twisting in his gut. "There was a prophecy...about me?"
"It could have meant you or another," Snape said vaguely. "The Dark Lord decided that it was you and by marking you," He gestured at Harry's scar. "he made it about you."
"So that's why he came after me? Because of some prophecy? What does it say?"
"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives," Snape recited from memory. He had overheard part of the prophecy and after doing what was expected of a loyal death eater and informing Voldemort, he had immediately informed Dumbledore that Voldemort not only believed the prophecy but was sure it meant Harry. Dumbledore later had told him there was more to the prophecy and had disclosed it to him.
"So he killed my parents because he believed this prophecy, which he didn't even hear all of," Harry said incredulously. "That's why he wants to kill me?"
"The Dark Lord is a paranoid wizard," Snape said. "He always worried of someone rising up against him, being powerful enough to defeat him. Basically, he's insane."
"How am I supposed to stop him?" Harry worried.
"I don't know, but we will figure it out together," Snape promised him. "Right now, steps are being made to weaken the dark lord."
"Yeah? How so?"
Snape sighed and then decided to go ahead and tell him about the horcruxes Voldemort had made. His son looked horrified to hear about Voldemort splitting his soul. "Once the members of the Order destroy them all, he will be able to be killed," Snape told him. "Until then, we will continue your training."
"He's never going to stop coming after me, is he?"
"No, but you're not alone," Snape said. "You will not fight him alone."
HP
A week later, Harry was walking to the Tower to do homework with his friends. His dad had left the castle, along with the Headmaster, McGonagall, and most of the professors. He hadn't told Harry where he was going, only that it was a important mission for the Order. Snape had quickly shot down the idea of Harry joining them, telling Harry he wasn't an Order member and was to stay inside the castle. In fact, he had suggested that Harry go to the Tower and stay there until he returned. Harry had felt a little sulky about it, but one fierce glower from his father had him quickly changing his attitude.
Harry had almost reached the fat lady's portrait when he suddenly dropped to the ground, groaning as he clutched at his head. His scar was burning something fierce. He started to Occlude but stopped when he saw a vision of his dad being tortured.
"Bring us your son, Severus," Voldemort drawled lazily as he cast a Crucio at him.
"No!" Snape groaned in pain, writhing on the ground.
"Let me play with him!" Bellatrix begged. "Please Master!"
Voldemort laughed. "Have at it, my dear Bella. Make him scream."
"Dad!" Harry gasped as he tried to get up.
"Hear your father screaming, Harry?"
"Stop," Harry moaned as his scar burned. He had to get to his dad! That room seemed familiar somehow...the Ministry! He'd seen that room when he had been at the Ministry for his trial! Whatever mission his dad had gone on, he had been caught and now... Dad, Harry though brokenly. He couldn't lose him.
"Harry!"
Neville and Ginny, who had been walking down the corridor, ran over to him. "What's wrong?"
"Voldemort has my dad!" Harry gasped. "I have to go!"
Neville paled. "Are you sure he has him, Harry?"
"We should get someone," Ginny said nervously.
"It seems real and my dad left the castle, along with a lot of the other professors," Harry rubbed at his scar. "Something is going on, dad said he would explain it when he got back."
The portrait swung open and Ron and Hermione emerged. "Hey, we were coming to look for you, what's going on?" Hermione rushed over to Harry and knelt down beside him.
"My dad is being tortured by Voldemort," Harry said brokenly, grabbing Hermione's hands.
"No," Hermione whispered.
"There has to be someone here who can find out for sure," Ron said, looking worried.
Hermione bit her lip. "The note passed to the prefects said all the professors were leaving on an emergency except for Professor Trelawney and Professor Binns."
"Gee, that's a big relief," Harry said sarcastically.
"Mr. Filch is here," Hermione said slowly. "Madam Pomfrey and Hagrid."
"Pomfrey and Hagrid," Harry said in relief. "They'll know what to do."
Unfortunately, Hagrid had disappeared, most likely into the forest and Pomfrey had left a note on her door that she had gone to St. Mungo's to help with a pox outbreak.
"I'm going to the Ministry," Harry said determinedly. "Whatever is going on, I bet some of them are there anyway."
"Wait Harry, can't you just floo Sirius?" Hermione asked, grabbing his arm.
Harry brightened. "Brilliant! I bet he can get in touch with them!"
Using the floo in the infirmary, Harry threw down the floo powder and called out for Grimmauld Place. "Sirius? Sirius! I need your help!" He waited several moments and pulled his head back. "No answer."
"He must be helping with whatever the professors are doing," Ginny commented. "Let's just floo my dad's office."
"Good idea," Ron nodded. "Here, I'll do it." He threw in the floo powder and stuck his head in. "Dad!" He pulled back with a sigh. "His office is empty."
Harry felt like screaming in frustration. Where were all the adults when you needed one? Suddenly Arthur Weasley's face appeared in the flames. "Kids?"
"Dad, you are there!" Ron said in relief.
"What is wrong?" Mr. Weasley asked.
"All the professors are gone and Harry had a vision," Ginny explained.
"A vision?" Arthur pursed his lips.
"I think Voldemort has my dad, is hurting him," Harry said anxiously.
"Merlin," Arthur frowned. "Harry, you should step through."
Harry nodded. Hermione took his hand as he took a step towards the floo.
"I'm coming with you," Hermione said. She gave him a wry grin. "Even if we are breaking about fifty school rules."
Harry gave her a grateful smile. He kept a firm grip on Hermione's hand as they entered the office full of muggle items.
Mr. Weasley looked fairly calm although his eyes narrowed slightly when he noticed Hermione. The look became completely exasperated when Ginny, Ron and Neville followed.
"Wow, look at all this stuff!" Neville exclaimed as he took in all the muggle items that filled Mr. Weasley's office.
Harry felt appreciation for his friends coming with him and was about to say so when his scar gave a sharp pain. He frowned and rubbed it absently.
"Harry? Are you okay?" Hermione asked worriedly.
"I think... I think he's here," Harry said slowly.
"Come with me, I know exactly who we should talk to," Mr. Weasley said briskly. "The rest of you stay here."
"Why do we have to wait here?" Ron complained.
"I said so," Arthur snapped, leading Harry out.
"Where are we going?"
"To find out what is going on," Arthur murmured. He turned a few corridors and it got darker and emptier.
"So you haven't heard anything?" Harry persisted. "Aren't all the professors on a mission for the Order? You must know what's going on."
Arthur didn't say anything, just kept walking and pulling Harry along with him.
"Why couldn't the others come with us?"
"You ask a lot of questions don't you, Potter?" Arthur said irritably.
"What?" Harry suddenly felt cold. Suddenly he realized that the corridor they were walking down was the one from his dreams!
"Sorry, keep forgetting you're a Snape," Arthur mumbled.
"You always call me Harry," Harry tugged out of his grip. "You're not Mr. Weasley." He realized, dread filling him.
A sneer formed on Arthur's face. "Very good, boy. Too bad you didn't realize that sooner, isn't it?" With a laugh, he pushed Harry into a room and Harry's scar felt like it was bursting into flames. "We've been keeping tabs on the floo network...my master expected you to try and contact someone at the Ministry for help. So predictable," He mocked Harry. "You always have to be a hero, don't you?"
Harry gasped as he watched as Arthur's face changed into Lucius Malfoy's.
"Finally," Lucius said, running his fingers through his long hair. "Pretending to be Arthur Weasley was a nightmare. And that office..." He shuddered.
"Where is Mr. Weasley?" Harry demanded.
"With the others, off on one of their secret missions." He sneered. "They think they are so smart. Of course, we were ready for them. I'm sure they are battling Death Eaters as we speak." He smirked. "So easy to get you right where we wanted you."
Harry felt sick. He'd done exactly what he had been training to avoid, falling for a trap. He flinched as Voldemort entered the room, Bellatrix behind him and looking gleeful.
"Harry," Voldemort said sweetly. "I'm so pleased you could join us."
"Where's my dad?" Harry asked, trying to hide his fear.
"Dead," Voldemort smiled slowly at the horror in Harry's eyes. "Or maybe he's being tortured as we speak. Or maybe the traitor isn't here at all."
Harry clenched his fists.
Bellatrix laughed. "Aw, poor itty bitty Potter wants his daddy...oops, I mean itty bitty Snape," She giggled madly.
"Get me the prophecy, Harry," Voldemort whispered. "And I'll take you to your father."
Harry snorted. Really, did Voldemort take him for an idiot? "Sure you will. I totally believe you, snake face."
"Crucio!"
Harry gritted his teeth, a groan escaping him as the curse rippled through his body. It hurt just as bad as he remembered. When the curse was lifted, Harry was panting and shaking. He looked up at Voldemort, waiting to see if he would cast the curse again but he looked distracted.
Voldemort shut his eyes for a moment. "No," He hissed. "No!"
"Master?" Bellatrix asked anxiously.
"Nagini is dead," Voldemort said angrily. "Dumbledore has destroyed them all!"
Harry blinked in confusion before remembering the horcruxes his dad had mentioned. A piece of Voldemort's soul...so that meant Voldemort could be killed now, if they were all gone. But then why did the prophecy say that one has to kill the other? Why did it have to be him? Anyone should be able to kill him... That neither could live while the other survives... But why? Unless...understanding and grief filled Harry as everything suddenly clicked into place. He was a Horcrux. Or rather, his scar was. It would explain the connection between him and Voldemort and why he could understand Parseltongue. An ability he had gotten from Voldemort. Dad, Hermione, Ron...Harry thought as tears filled his eyes. The Weasley's, Hagrid, Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore... He didn't want to leave them...especially his dad. I'm so sorry Dad, Harry thought as he stood up. I love you. I love you all.
Voldemort was stalking around furiously. He stopped and pointed his wand at Harry. "The prophecy," He snarled. "Or I will kill everyone you care about slowly and painfully. Get it for me."
Harry fought back his grief. He wished he had more time, that he could see everyone he loved one more time. "I don't need to. I know it." He saw Voldemort's red eyes grow gleeful. "Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives." He deliberately left out the part of having the power the Dark Lord knows not...since he now realized what that power was. It's what his mother did to protect him. She loved him and sacrificed her life to save him, just like he needed to do now for his family and friends. Love. Love was the power Voldemort didn't know.
Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "That's it? How...disappointing. I was hoping for something more interesting." He laughed. "I should torture you, make you suffer for all the trouble you have given me. But I'm ready to take my place as the most powerful wizard the world has ever seen and you have wasted enough of my time. So long, little Snape. Avada Kedavra!"
A rush of green light and Harry collapsed to the ground.
HP
Snape and Dumbledore rounded the corner, where they could hear Voldemort talking. They had been fighting the Death Eaters that had attacked them when Goyle senior had taunted him, telling him that Harry had been lured to the Ministry. Snape didn't want to believe him, Harry was supposed to be safe in the Tower! After managing to destroy the last Horcrux, Dumbledore had said they better get to the Ministry to make sure.
Harry's not here, he's all right, Snape assured himself.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Snape broke into a run. He entered the room as Voldemort and Bellatrix disappeared, to see his son lying on the floor. Dead.
HP
Harry looked around in confusion. Where was he? Voldemort and Bellatrix were gone... He glanced around. He was at a park, it looked like. He saw a cloudy figure walking towards him and he tensed a little. The figure grew clearer as it got closer and a moment later, Harry recognized her. His mother.
"Mum?" Harry whispered uncertainly.
"Harry," Lily whispered back as she reached out to pull him into a hug.
Harry hugged her back, feeling warm and safe with her. "I've missed you so much."
"Oh, baby," Lily said, pulling back so she could look at him. Her identical green eyes were glistening with tears.
"We really do have the same eyes," Harry said, causing her to laugh.
"We do," Lily agreed.
"Where are we?"
"This is where I first met your father," Lily grinned. "He called me a witch and I was very offended."
Harry also grinned. "He said he was the one to tell you about magic, about Hogwarts."
"He did," Lily nodded. She gestured to a tree. "We would sit under there and he would tell me everything he knew about Hogwarts. We would talk about what it would be like to attend school there, what House we would be in. We quickly became best friends."
"He really loved you. He realized pretty quickly that becoming a death eater was wrong but he thought it was too late for you two..." Harry trailed off.
Lily looked at sadly. "I know that now. I always knew he would do the right thing. I never stopped believing in him. I never stopped loving him. Never." She cupped his chin lovingly. "I'm so sorry, Harry. I'm so sorry for leaving you, for not letting your father know the truth."
"It's okay," Harry said. "We found each other."
"Yes, you did," Lily smiled. "He loves you so much, you know that right?"
Harry nodded. "He's going to be alone," He whispered sadly. "I hope he can forgive me for leaving him."
Lily gave him another hug. "You don't have to leave him, Harry." She said quietly. "You can return."
Harry's eyes widened. "I can?"
"Can you hear him?"
Harry strained to listen and he could hear someone shouting in grief, saying his name over and over. "Dad," He breathed.
Lily nodded and ran her hand through his hair. "You can go back to him. Everything will be okay now." She said soothingly.
"But what about you?"
Lily gazed at him with a soft expression. "I'll be waiting for you, for both of you. But I want you two to have a long, happy life first. Just, tell Severus he was always the one for me." She pulled Harry into another hug. "The two of you were the best things in my life." She whispered.
"I wish," Harry began wistfully.
"I know," Lily said softly, pulling back and smiling at him. "I'm always with you. I love you, Harry."
Harry swallowed hard and nodded. "I love you, Mum. Will you tell James thank you? For protecting me?" He asked, his voice slightly wobbly from all the emotions he was feeling.
"I will," Lily promised. "Now, focus on your dad's voice."
"Harry, Harry..."
Everything seemed to glow bright and Harry could suddenly feel pain and a firm grip on his shoulders.
"Harry!"
Harry opened his eyes and focused on his dad, who had tears streaming down his face as he pulled Harry into a hug, not realizing his son was alive. "No, Harry...Please," Snape said brokenly.
"Dad?"
Snape gave a start and pulled back, his eyes shocked. "Harry?"
"I'm okay," Harry said, wincing slightly. "For the most part. I- whoa!" He was suddenly drawn into a much firmer hug.
"You're alive," Snape breathed. "I thought -"
"I was," Harry said. "But I was able to come back. Wait, where is Voldemort?" He pulled back in alarm, noticing that Dumbledore was also there, along with his friends who were looking at him with relief, tears streaming down their cheeks.
"He disappeared when we arrived," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "The Aurors are searching for him now."
Harry reached up to touch his scar. "I'm not a Horcrux anymore, am I?"
"What?" Snape practically shouted.
"You figured it out," Dumbledore said quietly. "I'm sorry Harry, I had hoped there would be another way."
"Harry was a Horcrux and you knew?" Snape glared at the Headmaster. "How could you not tell me?" He yelled.
"I was going to after I ruled out any other alternative," Dumbledore said calmly. "I did not expect the situation to happen as it has."
"You just expected my son to let himself be killed," Snape hissed.
"It was his choice," Dumbledore said.
Snape glared at the Headmaster before turning back to his son. "Harry," Snape muttered, marveling that his son was alive. If he had lost the boy...
Harry hugged his father, "I'm okay, Dad," He whispered.
"We were worried, my boy," Dumbledore said with a smile.
Harry started to smile back but then saw Voldemort step out of the shadows and reach for his wand. "No!" He made eye contact with the creature, and let everything he had felt when seeing his mother, everything he had felt when deciding to let him cast the killing curse at him. All the love, all the caring, ...his mind flooded with it. With love.
Voldemort froze, not able to handle the all the emotions, and flinched, dropping his wand.
Dumbledore had started to turn around, wand ready but Snape was ahead of him. As soon as Voldemort's wand dropped, Snape yelled, "Avada Kedavra!"
Voldemort dropped to the floor, his body looking feeble and small, the red eyes vacant. Voldemort was dead at last.
Snape lowered his wand, keeping his eyes on the creature who had terrorized his life for so long, who had killed the woman he loved and who had tried to kill his son. They were free.
Dumbledore walked over and looked down at his former student, shaking his head with a sigh. "It is our choices which define us," He said softly. He looked over at Snape and Harry, smiling. "Well done, my boys."
Hermione, Ron, Neville and Ginny stepped forward, unable to stay away any longer. They crowded Harry, hugging him and shouting and laughing.
"Oh Harry, we thought we lost you!" Hermione cried as she hugged him tight.
"Gave us a scare, mate," Ron said seriously, though he broke into a grin. "You and your dad did it!"
"He's gone, he's really gone," Ginny said in relief, smiling at Neville. Her eyes suddenly widened. "Bellatrix!"
Neville spun around, pushing Ginny behind him.
Bellatrix roared with anger when she saw her master on the floor, waved her wand and cast a shield that blocked her, Neville and Ginny from everyone else. "They killed my master," She said in a childlike voice.
"Ginny!" Ron was yelling as he tried to get through the shield. Dumbledore and Snape immediately began casting counters, trying to break through. Harry and Hermione began doing the same.
Bellatrix glared at them through her tears. "You'll pay for this," She snarled, lifting her wand.
TBC: We're coming to the end, a couple more chapters to go. Next up: Dealing with Bella, the aftermath, Christmas, summer...