(Note: I have ended up AU'ing this story much more than was my original intention. My original intention back in October 2019 was to end where the first book began, but that idea was quickly gone. It has also become a "fix-it" story. Why prolong the agony? End note, too.)

Chapter 19: One and One and One is Three

In March, the small group of friends were well into their research on the missing horcruxes. Dumbledore, who had met with them all at Minerva's request, decided to get on board with the plan, mostly with Minerva's resolute insistence, even though he had some remaining objections. Draco suggested that there may be a horcrux at Malfoy Manor, as there were several Dark objects there. Dumbledore seemed not surprised by this suggestion. Draco hid his tracks well, so that his fellow Slytherins were not aware that Draco was friendly with Gryffindors. Draco's present plan was to search for possible items over Easter holidays, but he had to be quite sure his father would not find out what his true interest was. Draco was surprised when Dumbledore taught him some rather advanced spells toward this purpose after Harry asked Dumbledore advice on this topic.

Meanwhile, Hermione made sure they stayed on track with their studies. It would look suspicious if the class standings suddenly changed. As well, nearly a month before Easter break, Hermione wished to celebrate Norooz, Persian New Year, which always begins with spring equinox. Tara sent some supplies so that Hermione and Harry could set up their own haft-sin table in the Gryffindor common room. Minerva had given them permission, and when they were done, she placed a charm over the small table so that none of the other students could disrupt it.

They all found the table fascinating. Haft-sin means seven things that start with S in Persian to celebrate the new year and spring. There was a small mirror placed on the table, hyacinth flowers, a goldfish, small dried fruit named Senjed (Persian olives or oleaster; stands for love), Samanu (wheat pudding; strength), Sabzeh (sprouts; growth or rebirth), Sumac (powdered dry sumac fruit; sunrise), Seer (garlic; health), Seeb (apples; beauty) and Serkeh (vinegar; patience.) They placed dyed hardboiled eggs around their display, although they stood for fertility, and Harry was not entirely sure they needed that in the coming year. Hermione flushed, and moved on in her explanations. Harry was very appreciative of Hermione for teaching him about these things, particularly as he now knew he had some Persian ancestry, too.

On the second day of Norooz, Harry and Hemione received a small package during the morning owl delivery. It was from their mum, and they eagerly opened it. She had promised to inform them if they were going on a holiday to the United States for a conference, or not. Harry had just finished eating, so he fed pieces of his breakfast to Hedwig to reward her for a job well done. Hermione ripped the package open non-magically. After a few moments -

"Harry, we're going to Chicago! I have wanted to visit. I read about it in a book," Hermione said, eagerly perusing the cover of a small tour book about Chicago. "It's the third largest city in the States. They are hosting the international conference that Mum will attend. We will stay in a hotel in downtown Chicago, Mum says. We can go sight-seeing with Dad whilst she is at the conference and we will need to fly there in a plane, because magic travel internationally is very difficult anyway. I prefer flying in a plane more than on a broom, and I do think you'll like it, Harry."

"We're going to fly on a plane? Alright!" Harry replied, very enthusiastic at the idea of seeing what a plane was like. He had only vague notions from some of the books he had read, and a few films he had seen.

"A muggle plane?" Ron asked, his eyes widening at the thought. He had seen them in the sky, but had never thought of travelling on one. "Are those safe to fly in?"

"Of course!" Hermione said. "It's quite safe. Thousands of flights take off every day around the world, but very few actually crash. It's safer than riding in a car, you know."

"My dad has a muggle car," Ron said. "He's trying to make it fly, but don't tell anyone, alright?"

"We won't," Harry replied. Hermione gave him a look, and said to Ron,

"Maybe if would be safer if you told someone," Hermione said, ever the rule follower, except for when it seemed better to try to change the rules instead.

"Nah, my dad works for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office in the Ministry," Ron replied. "When you meet him, he will ask you all sorts of questions about muggle devices."

"Maybe we can invite Ron and Neville to stay at our house in summer for a week?" Harry asked Hermione with a smile.

"Oh, yes, I'll write a letter to mum," Hermione said, nodded her head in agreement.

"Stay in a muggle house?" Ron asked, his eyes impossibly wide. "Really?"

"It's really only half-muggle now," Harry pointed out. "Remember, Tarajoon is actually becoming more magical. She might have already passed us up in what she has learned now." Ron thought of the one time he had met her. She had been very nice to him.

"Yeah, I'd like to go to your house," Ron said with a grin. "Mum will agree."

"I don't think Grandmother will allow me," Neville said glumly.

"What if our mum speaks with her about it?" Hermione asked, looking instantly determined to make this happen.

"I don't think so," Neville replied with a negative shake of his head.

"We'll send you an invitation anyway, Neville," Harry assured him, and as he finished the sentence, a Hogwarts owl dropped a piece of parchment on his now-empty plate. He quickly unrolled it to read. It was from Draco.

It said: Harry, Snape wants to speak to you and me, alone, this evening in the Potions classroom. Tell everyone you have a detention, so they will not question why. He knows more information about the items we are searching for. Draco

Hermione, Ron, and Neville were staring at him. He needed to find out if this information was good before he told the others. He glanced at them, and asked, simply, "What?"

"Who is the note from?" Hermione blurted out, curiosity getting the best of her.

"It's a reminder that I have a detention with Snape tonight," Harry stated nonchalantly, as if there was nothing to it.

"When did you get a detention, Harry?" Hermione demanded.

"Erm, on my way back from Quidditch practice yesterday," Harry said, thinking quickly. "I rode my broom back up to the castle because it was faster, but against the rules, you know."

"I do know," Hermione said, sounding disappointed in him. Ron and Neville cracked up with laughter.

"Good one, mate," Ron said, and slapped Harry's back. Harry grinned at them. Hermione looked furious for some reason and stuffed the information about the holiday in Chicago into her bag in a hurry.

"I'm going to class, boys. Laugh all you want, but I want no part in it," she said angrily and turned her back as she set off.

"She'll forgive me," Harry said, resisting the temptation to roll his eyes. Usually he and Hermione got along very well, but sometimes she took the rules too far. It was true he was in fact lying, but none of them knew that, and Hermione would indeed forgive him if he got good information concerning the horcruxes.

-break-

"Mr. Potter, why are you limping? We had fixed that two months ago, correct?" Professor Snape said as Harry entered the Potions classroom. Harry saw that Draco was already there.

"Am I?" Harry asked as he had certainly not noticed. He thought it about it for a moment and realized his residual limb was quite sore but being used to blocking pain out of his mind, he had honestly not noticed the change in his gait. "I guess so, sir."

"Have you taken any pain potions recently?" Snape asked with a vaguely softer voice.

"It has been a few weeks, professor," Harry said quietly. Snape fetched a potion from nearby and told Harry to drink it before they got started. Harry gulped it down, wincing at the taste. This one seemed particularly bitter.

"Professor, is there a way to make this taste better?"

"How would you have it taste?" Snape asked, not unkindly, but also wondering if he was about get himself into something.

"Like chocolate ice cream," Harry said. "Or treacle tart." Draco laughed from where he was sitting as he overheard the conversation. He, too, would love better tasting potions. Harry could see Snape attempt to hide a smile.

"Have a seat beside Mr. Malfoy," he said briskly. (Maybe to cover up the urge to laugh, Harry thought.) Snape pulled a chair over and sat down across from the two boys.

"Potter, Malfoy has informed me that you and three other first year students know about the existence of horcruxes. Is this correct?"

"Yes, sir," Harry answered. "Professor McGonagall told us a few things about them, but she does not know how many there are, probably because Professor Dumbledore doesn't how many there are for sure. He believes he has three of them already, in addition to the living piece of soul you captured. I don't know."

"Indeed. Dumbledore knows many things, but he does not know everything. No one really does. That said, Potter, I do know more information because I was a Death Eater for a time. Eventually, I changed sides and spied for Dumbledore. I told him about the horcruxes, but not the number that are in existence," Snape said. Harry and Draco both leaned forward, in anticipation of the number.

"I believe there are six in total. Voldemort had planned to create more but ran into some problems during the first war. Once he heard of the prophecy, he rushed about to create another, but was unsuccessful with the preparations," Snape said with a cold chuckle. Harry and Draco glanced at one another, and Draco asked,

"Did you do something, Professor?"

Snape nodded in the affirmative, but responded, "It does not matter what I did, now, but I was able to prevent him from creating another. I have reason to believe he wanted to create up to seven horcruxes, but I could not allow that to happen. Do you understand what happens every time one is created? A person's soul is split. By the time you 'killed' him as a baby, Harry, his soul had already been split six times. Voldemort was missing parts of himself. It was even easier for your mother protect you with her love, because he was a fraction of his original soul. By then, he knew nothing of love. If he ever knew anything of it."

"The last fraction of his soul managed to survive somehow to eventually take up possession of Quirrell. Voldemort's soul and the horcruxes were what Dumbledore has been searching for, for several years. He knew that Voldemort was not truly killed the night your parents died, Harry, unlike nearly everyone else. Many would not believe him, so he kept what he thought to himself. I only confirmed his thoughts when I informed him of the horcruxes I thought to exist."

"I became the Boy Who Lived, then," Harry said, nodding to himself.

"No one had ever survived the Killing Curse as you did, Harry," Snape said softly.

"Why do you care about me?" Harry asked impulsively. Draco looked back and forth between Harry and Snape, wondering what was going on and if he should leave, although he would never do that without permission.

"I loved your mother, Harry," Snape said in a whisper. "Lily was my best friend and – and - the love of my life."

"Why was she with my father instead of you?" Harry asked.

"We argued, I said some hurtful things, I joined Voldemort. I regretted all of it soon after, but that was not the only reason. Lily loved me as a best friend, but not - um - romantically. She could not see me that way. It was one of the reasons we fought."

Harry listened, feeling rather sorry for Snape, but realized that if Lily had been romantically involved with Snape, then James would not have been his father! Perhaps he would have grown up here in Hogwarts! The shock of the idea must have shown on his face because Draco touched his shoulder to get his attention.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Draco asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said, shaking his head a bit. Snape had his head in his hands.

"Professor?" Draco asked, "May we return to the horcruxes?"

Snape's head came up from his hands, distracted look on his face. "Certainly, Mr. Malfoy." They watched Snape try to conceal the tears that were threatening at the corners of his eyes.

"Do you know what the other horcruxes are, sir?" Draco asked, eager to move this meeting along. It had been too long already. They had homework to complete, after all.

"The items Dumbledore has found are indeed some of the Horcruxes, Hufflepuff's cup, a ring, and a small toy snake Voldemort had as a child. I recall rumours of Voldemort hiding another in the library of Malfoy Manor many years ago. Mr. Malfoy, your father was charmed to forget about it until such time as it might be needed, such as when Voldemort would try to come back to life. As we will not let that happen, it most likely remains in the Manor library."

"Sir, I will try to find it when I go home for Easter break," Draco confirmed. Snape gave him a few instructions on how Draco should wear dragonhide gloves while searching, and to not directly touch the item if he were to find it. He should place it in a bag Snape would give him and send an owl notifying him that he had found it.

"And, Mr. Potter, I have an idea where the last one, a locket, may be located. The second one is here in Hogwarts. I do not know exactly what item or where it is located, although we suspect it may be another artefact of the Founders. Meanwhile, we must discover how to effectively and safely destroy the horcruxes, and the item in which Voldemort's last piece of soul resides. As you are the person mentioned in the prophecy, Harry, I believe you are the one now required to destroy the pieces of soul. Dumbledore was indeed correct that Voldemort would come after you, even after his supposed death. You will be the one to end it forever."

Harry closed his eyes. He would have to find something strong enough to 'kill' the horcrux objects.

"Alright," he agreed. "Hermione, Ron, and Neville will know about this, too. We are a team. They'll help me find how to kill the horcruxes. I cannot do it by myself."

"Indeed," Snape said. He was impressed by the boy's maturity. It was so unlike that of James Potter, in his opinion.

"Is there anything else, professor?" Harry asked.

"We've discussed everything needed for the moment, so I will excuse you both for the evening. If anyone asks, tell them I made you both scrub the caldrons as they have never been scrubbed before, and I was not pleased with your efforts," Snape said, trying to hide a smile. "Can't have the other students think I've gone soft."

Harry and Draco both grinned at Snape and each other. Just before they left, Snape handed Harry a folded piece of parchment. "Please give this note to Ms. Granger."

They hurried as fast as possible to the library, to join up with their 'study group.' Harry knew that Hermione would demand to know what went on immediately. She and Harry had already made up earlier in the day, and he had let her know that it was not a real detention. Harry handed her Snape's parchment. She opened it quickly and smiled as she read it.

"What is it?" Harry asked curiously, this time being on the other side of receiving a mysterious parchment.

"I'll tell you later," Hermione whispered enthusiastically, and then raising her voice back to a normal volume, she asked, "So how was detention?" Harry tried to look exhausted, but the truth was that he felt better than he had in the last few days because of the earlier pain potion. The achiness in his residual limb came back at times, he realized, as he practically quoted Snape's reason word for word, loudly, in case the few other students in the library were listening.

Draco, too, tried to look tired and put out that he had to study with Gryffindor students, although he was energized, if anything, at present. He had told his fellow Slytherins that he had to study with Hermione because she was the best student in their year, and if he was going to keep up with her, he obviously should study what she did. Hermione had countered this by suggesting he take up the study of algebra and other so-called muggle subjects with she and Harry. He was secretly working on algebra now and had discovered he was quite good at it. His father would be angry if he found out Draco was studying a muggle subject. Perhaps not as angry as he would be when he found out Draco was helping in the fight to prevent Voldemort from coming back to life. His father seemed to believe Voldemort was correct, that the Purebloods should be the only ones permitted to exist. Draco, even though aged eleven, did not believe this. His mother would not let him believe this. She was cold and steely in her own right, but she loved him, and she loved most of her family. She did not care for her sister Bellatrix, who had been in Azkaban since she was captured all those years ago. She had made a reconnection with her sister Andromeda, however, but their reunions were always in secret. She had taken Draco with her a few times when he was younger, and he had gotten to know his cousin Dora a bit.

Looking around, to make sure no one was watching them, Draco took out a piece of parchment, as if he were about to start on an essay, and a quill. Near the top in very small letters, he wrote,

'Dumbledore's three objects and -
1. Object in Malfoy Manor. May be a book in the library.
2. Object in Hogwarts. A founder's artefact?
3. Third object. Locket. S has an idea of location and will let us know.'

He pushed the parchment to the centre of the table. Hermione caught on immediately but is only took a few seconds more for the realization to hit Ron and Neville.

"What now?" Hermione asked in a low voice. Harry took up his quill and jotted a note below Draco's.

'Find the Hogwarts object. Research how to destroy them for good.'

'Of course!" Hermione murmured, and gave Harry a look that said he had to tell her all later. He would, but for now, their group was not alone in the library. They moved back into their studies for class verbally but passing notes on Draco's parchment with ideas as to how to kill the horcruxes and where to search for the Hogwarts object. Draco found himself trading algebraic equations with Hermione once they had completed their work for their upcoming classes. Harry was in the middle of a book on the Hogwarts' founders, thinking that they might know how to kill a horcrux. Neville was studying his Potions book as he wanted to improve his grade, and he was still a bit frightened of Professor Snape. Ron wandered through the library stacks at some point, vaguely searching for books that might help their mission. Finally, just before they needed to leave for curfew, all the other students had left the library.

"Finally," Hermione breathed out. "We know where most of them are, and we will trust Snape." The others agreed, although Ron wanted to disagree. She quelled that with a quick look in his direction. "Draco knows what he is doing. Harry, I assume you know what you are doing, right?" Harry nodded solemnly.

"I will talk to Dumbledore to see if he has any ideas on how to destroy them. I am not sure he has told us everything he knows," he said, feeling very much as if he were the main character of a mystery novel.

"The rest of us will brainstorm ideas on finding the horcrux in Hogwarts, right, guys?" Hermione asked. Neville agreed, and Ron held up the single book he had found in the library that he wished to look through. It was about the Founders of Hogwarts.

The Gryffindors said goodnight to Draco and headed off directly to the Gryffindor common room. Neville and Ron went up to bed while Harry and Hermione found a cosy corner where they could talk in relative privacy. Harry shared the remainder of information shared by Snape, and Hermione showed him the note from Snape. She had an appointment with Madam Pomfrey and Snape in the hospital wing the following morning. They were taking precautions because Snape was not sure what would happen when Hermione took the potion he had been working on for her. It could help recover more use of her leg, but she knew it was experimental.

"I'll go with you, of course," Harry said, patting her hand.

"I know," Hermione said. "Mum will be here, too. I felt had to tell her what I wanted to try, and Snape is sending her a list of ingredients, so she knows exactly what the potion contains. She just doesn't want me to be disappointed if this doesn't work."

"Will you be disappointed? Remember, the potion Snape made for me was not a guarantee, but it did work, although it did not really fix the nerves altogether. It just made it so my prosthetic leg could get the messages easier, and I wouldn't lose my balance so much. Since your brace was charmed, you have had good balance. I was jealous for a while," Harry admitted.

"Really? Yes, I will be disappointed if it doesn't help. I suppose what I really want is to not have to wear the brace at all and just go back to how I was before this happened," Hermione said with a little sob. Harry put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed gently.

"I know," he said simply.

Harry did know, but as for himself, everything else that had come out of that horrendous night had been quite an improvement on his life before. He did not say anything now, however, as he did not want to invalidate her feelings. She had a right to her feelings. He had learned this from his Mind Healer, with whom he had spent time discussing words and terminology. The Mind Healer (that is how he thought of her) told him once that he was rather mature for his age. He was not so certain about that, but there were times he certainly felt older than he was.

"I know," he repeated, squeezing her shoulders again as she cried.

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Note: Chapter title is a line from the Beatles' "Come Together" from their Abbey Road album. I heard it playing a lot during the writing of this chapter, although not intentionally. It was on the radio once, in the one store I dared to go in with a mask on because we needed some food items, during a medical appointment, for a few examples.