Harry did not catch as much of a glimpse of Dumbledore during his first week of classes, which were as filled with homework as he had come to expect. Even without struggling with nonverbal magic, and having more than a leg up in Potions, there were times when he felt that he was barely staying afloat with all the work they had to do. Between his homework and Quidditch practice the following day, he had barely managed a handful of hours of sleep.

The classes were smaller than before, and it wasn't because fewer students had passed with the required OWL grade (which, in most cases, simply meant passing the OWL). Some parents had withdrawn their children from Hogwarts, fearing that even with the high levels of protection the castle offered, their children would be safest at home.

Or, as Ron pointed out after noticing Eloise Midgen had been out since before the last term ended, the parents thought their kids were sleep deprived and didn't need the NEWTs to get a good job.

"Mum's really come around with the twins," he told them, during a rare fifteen minute gap between their having finished one homework assignment and needing to leave for Potions. "Hasn't hurt that they still talk to her, and Percy doesn't."

"Git," said Harry, as he packed his DADA assignment into his bag.

"Yeah, he and the minister visited on Christmas, and he barely said two words to her." Ron looked disgusted. "Between him and Fleur, it was pretty tense for a bit."

"Next time he comes around, introduce Fleur to Percy. Problem solved," Harry teased, placing his bag on his shoulders.

"Sure, and have all three of them hate me! Too bad, though. It would be great if it had a chance of working..."

Sirius arrived on Friday evening just after they had returned from dinner. Harry had been looking forward to his arrival all day, and grinned as his godfather gave him his standard bear hug.

"Missed you," Harry murmured, softly enough that no one else could hear.

Not that Ron or Hermione would think he was a prat, but they might start feeling sorry for him.

"Same here, pup," Sirius whispered back.

After releasing Harry, Sirius gave his customary hugs to Ron and Hermione, then stood back to study them.

"Are you feeling quite all right?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Hermione tried, without succeeding, to hide a yawn. "We're fine, just studying a lot."

The others nodded. Harry had missed two chats with Sirius that past week, and he wasn't sure who was more disappointed. Both times, he had been up past midnight only to realize he hadn't checked in. By then, he'd expected that Sirius had already gone to bed.

He'd apologized the following day, and Sirius had brushed it aside, but Harry felt a little better as his godfather could see that both Ron and Hermione were feeling the effects of their sixth year. He wasn't putting Sirius off, of course, but this was proof.

Sirius sighed, softly, and motioned for them to take a seat.

"James and I found sixth and seventh years to be the most challenging. Even more than our fifth year. I have told Harry, most of the work they assign is ridiculous. Really, it's only practical experience with the spells that you need. They should stop teaching the theory after third year." Sirius shook his head. "We studied ahead in the summers, especially, but even then, there's only so much you can do. Just hang in there, don't panic, and remember that all that really matters is passing the NEWTs."

As Harry expected, Ron looked relieved and Hermione...well, about the same.

They chatted for a little about the upcoming Apparition lessons before it was time to head down to Dumbledore's office.

Well, they had about fifteen minutes, but Harry didn't mind. Even though he would be spending the weekend with Sirius (although without Tuxy-Hermione had offered to take care of him), he figured his godfather wanted to make sure everything was all right.

Sure enough, as soon as they left the tower, Sirius placed both hands on Harry's shoulders.

"You sure you're all right, pup?" he asked, studying Harry carefully.

Harry nodded. "Really, I'm fine. Tired, but fine."

Sirius hugged him again, and Harry smiled as he relaxed in his godfather's arms.

"We'll get your homework done in no time, you'll see. Then, you can have a nice rest and enjoy the rest of the weekend," Sirius promised.

"That sounds great," Harry answered, meaning it.

After walking several paces, Sirius spoke again. "I can't wait to see Dumbledore's face when he sees yours."

Harry snickered. "Whatever was in his lesson plan for tonight just went out the window."

"Smashing the window with it," Sirius quipped.

"Poor window," Harry noted, still smiling.

Sirius placed an arm around Harry's shoulder, and it remained there until they reached Dumbledore's office.

Upon seeing Harry, Dumbledore's eyes went wide for a second before his features went back to normal. Well, except for a twinkle in his eye.

"Seems we've advanced quite a bit with the lessons, eh, Albus?" Sirius grinned.

"Indeed. Please, have a seat."

Harry felt a small spark of gratitude towards Snape for not having revealed the operation to the headmaster.

Sirius turned to Harry. "Do you want to tell Dumbledore everything, or shall I?"

"You can, but can I add stuff if necessary?" Harry asked.

"Of course." Sirius grinned, and squeezed Harry's hand. "Well, Albus, of course you know about horcruxes, and Tom Riddle's plan to create seven...yeah, that was his plan. I checked with Slughorn. Had to get him rather drunk before he would talk, but he spilled everything. His plan was to create seven, and with the exception of his diary, he chose artifacts from the founders. Well, and that vile snake of his. Harry, of course, was unintentional."

Sirius spent the next half hour or so recounting how he and Remus had tracked down and destroyed the other horcruxes.

"Really, the only one that would have been difficult to track down, had I not seen illustrations of it, would have been the diadem," Sirius mused. "Given how long it was missing. I suppose we could have asked the Grey Lady for aid, had it been necessary."

"The Grey Lady?" Harry asked.

"Pup, you need to spend more time talking with the ghosts," Sirius chided, but his tone was playful, and Harry grinned.

"After we handled all of that," Sirius concluded, brushing his accomplishments aside, "the question was what to do about Harry. Since his dying was not an option."

Dumbledore inclined his head, but Harry could see a flicker in his eyes.

So could Sirius.

"Which means that all that's left is to kill the snake and Voldemort," Sirius noted. "As Harry's no longer a horcrux."

"But Sirius, my boy-"

"Albus," Sirius cut in, abruptly, "do not call me that. I am not your boy, and it's bloody insulting for you to call me that."

Dumbledore raised his hands and lowered his head. "I apologize."

Sirius inclined his head, and Harry could see why he had made the comment about his house being ancient and noble. Whether or not he had meant it as a joke or a sincere remark about his ancestry-which Harry knew he generally disliked-he certainly looked regal and downright powerful.

Harry thought that Dumbledore might not necessarily win against his godfather in a duel. Especially with a mangled hand.

"Go ahead, then. Ask your question," Sirius said, after a moment's silence.

"How can you be sure that the horcrux is confined to his scar? Horcruxes usually possess the entire entity," Dumbledore asked.

"First, because Harry suffered considerable side affects related to the surgery that went far beyond the removal of a cut. Second, these continued up until Snape was able to utterly destroy it with basilisk venom. Finally, I believe that Harry's link to Voldemort is entirely severed. Although we haven't had the chance to check, I would bet that he can no longer talk to snakes," Sirius concluded.

"We could check that," Harry offered, "by trying to open the Chamber of Secrets, or the entrance."

Dumbledore brightened. "Let's go, then."

"It's, er, in a girls' bathroom," Harry murmured.

"The one Moaning Myrtle haunts?" Dumbledore asked, clearly amused, eyes twinkling. "Not to worry, Harry, it will likely be vacant. All the same, we can warn anyone that we will be entering shortly."

Harry and Sirius glanced at each other, nodded, and all three vacated the headmaster's office.

It was certainly strange to be walking into the girl's bathroom with his godfather and headmaster in tow, but at least Harry wouldn't risk any loss of points this time. He hid a grin at the image of a shocked Percy Weasley seeing them.

He'd have to tell Ron and Hermione all about this when he returned to Hogwarts on Sunday.

Myrtle was there when Harry arrived, and she let out a delighted gasp when she saw him-only to diminish visibly upon seeing Dumbledore. Pouting, she left the bathroom with a sort of a flounce.

He was fairly sure that Sirius let out a snort of laughter.

"It's here," Harry explained, walking towards the snakelike tap.

"Go ahead, pup," Sirius encouraged, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

He took a deep breath and tried to imagine it was a real snake.

"Open up," he said.

English.

He tried again.

"Please open."

Again, English.

After a few more attempts, trying his hardest, it was evident that Harry had lost his ability to speak Parseltongue.

He turned around to see Sirius smiling, and Dumbledore's eyes twinkling.

"Well done, Harry!" Dumbledore congratulated. "It is clear, then, that you are no longer a horcrux."

Even though they had both suspected this, as it had been the whole point of the operation and the awful days that followed, it was great to have evidence that Dumbledore confirmed.

Because, as much as Harry no longer entirely trusted or even respected the headmaster, he had never lied to him.

He might still die to take down Voldemort, but his death was no longer inevitable.

A/N:

Next up-Harry and Sirius wonder what else Dumbledore has in store for them.