The village of Hogsmeade was empty but for a few people out on the street, perhaps walking home from dinner at the Three Broomsticks. Harry went sprinting past them, an invisible spectre who was gone before they realised they had heard footsteps. But when he turned the corner he skidded to a stop on the cobblestone street, gasping for breath when he looked at the street outside the Hog's Head.

Half a dozen or so bar patrons were milling around outside, looking rather disgruntled. The barman seemed to be in the process of giving them the boot, some of his patrons walking away in indignation while others pleaded to go back in.

'Nev'r in forty odd years 'ave you closed up this time o' night, eh!'

'Come on Abe…let 'im finish his pint.'

With one final shout to be off the barman slammed the front door shut. Harry hesitated to go any closer to the crowd. Someone had heard him approach, his footsteps and heavy breathing, and they were looking around curiously. Caught on the back foot he wondered what was going on, if it was indeed safe to come here as Snape had told him to…or, if it was a trap. Was this simply the most straight forward way to lure him out of the castle and into the open?

He gripped his wand, ready to fight or make a run for it, whichever choice made the most sense. Treading carefully he moved closer to the Hog's Head and tried to look inside, but the windows were so thick with old grime he could scarcely see more than a single moving shadow.

The front door opened again, and he could have shouted in relief when he saw Dumbledore cross the threshold - he knew immediately that it was him, that he was safe now. Dumbledore was looking around, and as if he could see right through the invisibility cloak he looked to the spot where Harry stood by the window.

He started forward, and within metres of the door he raised the front of the invisibility cloak to reveal himself. Upon seeing him Dumbledore's face was awash with utter relief, his lined features tightening as if giving a silent prayer of thanks, and then he urgently ushered him into the safety of the Hog's Head. A flurry of murmurs came from behind, someone must have glimpsed him, but moments later the door was closed and the conversation outside was silenced as Dumbledore raised protective charms on the building.

'Harry.'

Though he heard Dumbledore say his name for a moment he did not respond. He was looking around the Hog's Head, taking note of the state of the place. It must have been a quiet night in the bar, for only a few tables appeared to have been occupied. They were laden with half finished drinks and bowls of nuts, the table nearest having multiple hands of cards scattered around the table and a pile of match sticks in the centre being played for. The cards nearest seemed to be a winning hand, the King looking very disgruntled that the game had finished before the victory.

Feeling safer now he pulled the invisibility cloak off, taking a deep breath as he collected his thoughts. Clutching the cloak in his hands, a genuine safety net he couldn't let go of, he turned around - and he was taken aback to find Dumbledore was looking him in the eye. After everything that had happened tonight, Dumbledore was looking him in the eye, finally.

'Harry, you're safe now. It's over.'

For a moment he held Dumbledore's gaze. He was afraid to ask about what happened…afraid of the answer. 'We didn't get him.'

'No, we did not get Lord Voldemort,' Dumbledore agreed, nodding his head. 'But be well assured that a great number of his moth faithful Death Eaters will no longer be at his side.'

'Is everyone okay?' he asked, his voice a hopeful plea. 'Sirius? Is he okay?'

Dumbledore closed his eyes for a moment, he too collecting himself. 'I don't know.'

Swearing under his breath Harry turned away, pacing a few moments. The mirror felt heavier than ever in his pocket, tempting him to take it out and call Sirius's name, to shout for him in desperation to know if he was alright just as he had done only a few hours ago. But he didn't…if there was still something going on at the Ministry then Sirius didn't need the distraction. And Harry was too afraid of the answer.

'Harry. Tonight, you have done exceptional work.'

'Right,' he said tightly. He tried to listen, but he couldn't. It felt like there was too much at stake to listen to anything Dumbledore wanted to tell him, or at least he thought.

Dumbledore came around to him, making Harry look him in the eye, and again it struck him hard that he was looking him in the eye, properly. He hadn't done that for a very long time.

'Harry, tonight an entire journey has come to an end. It's over. Tomorrow morning, a new way forward begins. A journey that cannot be avoided…a journey that must be taken. But I assure you…what you have just endured, the pain and suffering it has brought upon you…that journey has ended tonight. Ended by your own hand.'

Feeling like he understood on the surface of that statement Harry nodded, struggling to comprehend it. This was it, the statement he'd waited eleven months for. Even without knowing what was going on at the Ministry he knew that in one way or another Voldemort's return was out now. Everyone would know he had told the truth, that he was telling the truth all along.

He didn't know which way was up, his mind swirling. He felt scared and terrified and exhilarated and overjoyed, all at once. He wanted to cry out in relief at the knowledge that it was over, but he couldn't. In his mind's eye he saw the vision of his mum and Snape talking to one another, heard him confessing to Voldemort his desire for Lily Potter…saw him listening at the keyhole. Those images overwhelmed any joy or relief he might have otherwise felt.

He wanted to ask Dumbledore about it, to demand the answers he rightfully deserved, and as if knowing this was coming Dumbledore was already ushering him into a chair. Harry gratefully sank down.

'Harry, I owe you an explanation,' said Dumbledore. 'An explanation of an old man's mistakes. For I see now that what I have done, and not done, with regard to you, bears-'

'Snape and my mother,' Harry cut him off. His voice quivered on the edge of shouting.

Dumbledore nodded. His lined face seemed to grow even wearier now, but Harry couldn't bear to look at him. He could barely stand to utter the words he just had, let alone sit there and listen to the answer. But he had to…he forced himself to.

'Professor Snape's Patronus informed me that you had become aware of a friendship that existed between himself and your mother.'

'Friendship,' Harry questioned in disgust. 'He told Voldemort he…' he trailed off, unable to utter the word Snape had used. 'That he wanted her.'

There was a pause, and then Dumbledore began to explain. 'Lord Voldemort, in the throes of believing his spy had turned against his interests, revealed this information to you in an effort to turn you against Professor Snape. Forever eroding the fragile, but invaluable trust that exists between you two.'

Letting out a huff of air Harry looked at him. 'So, it's not true then?'

'What Lord Voldemort revealed to you is true,' he said gently. 'Please Harry, allow me to explain. Allow me to explain the mistakes I have made with your regard.'

Harry looked away again. He was utterly exhausted, his heart felt like it had been cleaved in two…he didn't think he could take any more that night. Without thinking about it he withdrew the photograph from his pocket and looked at it, his stomach still swirling in revulsion, his fingers still itching to crumple it up. But a sense of acceptance was coming over him, a numb feeling that he mentally clung to…if he could be numb to it, he could listen.

'Alright,' he murmured. He set the photograph onto the table. 'Explain it.'

CHAOS AT THE MINISTRY

SIGHTING OF HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED

Unprecedented scenes unfolded at the Ministry of Magic late last night when Aurors and Department of Magical Law Enforcement officials attended a break in perpetrated by Azkaban Prison escapees, including by an alleged sighting of He Who Must Not Be Named. Details of the events are unfolding, but it is believed a number of escapees were recaptured and have already been escorted to Azkaban prison by Aurors.

Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge gave only a brief statement to reporters last night to assure the wizarding community that the situation is there is no danger to the public. Regardless, the Ministry of Magic remains closed to all but essential personnel, including members of the Wizengamot who are rumoured to be hosting emergency sessions this afternoon.

In a stunning turnaround, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Amelia Bones, contradicted the Minister's statement to inform reporters that it is her belief He Who Must Not Be Named has indeed returned to power and is active in the community once again. Madam Bones and Rufus Scrimgeour, Head of the Auror Department, will give a joint statement at a scheduled press conference this afternoon, preceding the rumoured emergency Wizengamot sessions.

Fugitive Professor Albus Dumbledore was in attendance at the Ministry of Magic following the break-in and alleged confrontation with He Who Must Not Be Named, and made a hasty departure shortly after the chaos unfolded and has not been seen since. Albus Dumbledore, whose reputation has fallen into disrepute due to his insistence that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to power, has been considered a fugitive since March when he was accused of conspiring against the Ministry's interests.

Meanwhile "The Boy Who Lived" Harry Potter, who last year made allegations of He Who Must Not Be Named's return, remains at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The events that transpired at the Ministry of Magic last night offer credence to what has otherwise been unsubstantiated allegations. Efforts to contact Potter were made throughout the night before publication, however reporters were met with resistance from Deputy Headmistress Professor Minerva McGonagall, who demanded reporters stay out of her fireplace.

'There you are, Harry, I knew they'd drag you into it somehow,' said Hermione, looking over the top of the paper at him.

Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were in the Gryffindor boys dormitory, crowded around Harry's bed listening to Hermione read the front page of the Friday morning Prophet. Wisely he had declined to join them for any of their classes, but by now had told them as much as time and mental exhaustion permitted.

The events of last night still felt like they were unfolding, Harry feeling like his head was stuck somewhere between the present and yesterday evening. It was like being in a delicate limbo, one part of his mind still on edge and frantic while the other was the complete opposite, longing to simply close his eyes and go to sleep, to not have to think or feel anything about what had eventuated.

Having learned that it was not safe to talk at the Hogs Head, a lesson apparently learned long ago on a night Harry had witnessed, Dumbledore insisted they return to the castle, the two of them taking a secret passage through the Hogs Head into the Room of Requirement that not even the Marauder's Map had marked.

Once they were safely ensconced in the privacy of Dumbledore's office he spent what felt like hours talking, Dumbledore expressing his confidence that Voldemort would never try to possess Harry again. The possession had apparently caused Voldemort enormous pain, as much as Harry had felt when it happened, and he had done it only to forever break down Harry's trust in Snape by showing him those memories.

As for connecting with Harry's mind again, Dumbledore felt that Voldemort was likely to write that off completely. Harry had successfully deceived him, had turned around Voldemort's efforts to trap him and instead led his Death Eaters into a trap. To what extent Voldemort believed Harry's deception was not apparent, but he had acted nonetheless and sent his Death Eaters into the Ministry.

There in the Department of Mysteries they had been met by the Order of the Phoenix and the Auror Department lying in wait. A vicious battle broke out, forcing Voldemort to send yet more of his Death Eaters in, determined to seize both the prophecy and Harry Potter.

Eventually Voldemort entered the Ministry himself, seeing that his Death Eaters were failing. It was there he came face to face with Dumbledore in the Atrium, and it was then Voldemort knew for sure Harry and Dumbledore had tricked him…and as Harry's Occlumency teacher, that implied Snape's involvement too.

Harry had felt numb with exhaustion while Dumbledore explained everything, telling him things he wished he never had to hear. Snape and his mother had grown up together in the same village, Cokeworth. It had been him who first told her she was a witch, and they had gone to Hogwarts as best friends. It wasn't until they got older that they grew apart, Lily watching on as her friend turned to the Dark Arts before pledging allegiance to Voldemort. While her destiny was to do the opposite, to join the Order of the Phoenix and give her unwavering loyalty to Dumbledore.

Yet Snape had not given up, and assisted Voldemort to make numerous efforts in recruiting both Lily and James to his network - Snape doing so on the proviso it would guarantee Lily's safety despite her Muggle-born status. But neither Lily or James were ever tempted, not even after threats and offers of bribery, not even after James's parents were brutally murdered, an act that was supposed to be the couple's final warning.

Dumbledore claimed, as had Snape, that he had no way of knowing who the prophecy pertained to. It was only when Voldemort announced his desire to kill Lily Potter's unborn child that Snape tried to cash in the enormous favour he had earned. But not trusting that Voldemort truly would let her live Snape had also gone to Dumbledore, promising to spy in exchange for Lily's protection.

Dumbledore had tried to defend Snape, but Harry was having none of it. He was furious, disgusted, heart broken - and once again he was the one who bore the consequence of Snape's efforts to defend his cover. It was Harry who had been tortured again, Harry who had been maimed a second time…and Harry's whose family was dead.

After declaring he would never again trust Snape, Dumbledore had managed to calm him down. It was then that he told Harry about the prophecy, that it was finally safe to share with him this information.

And there it was, the entire contents of the prophecy and its implications laid bare. Harry had listened dutifully, asking only a few questions. None of it had surprised him, as though he had known this very information his entire life. Voldemort, having heard only the first part of the prophecy, acted too quickly and set off the chain of events that would bring the prophecy to fruition. Now that his blood ran through Voldemort's veins they were both tethered to life through one another…only Harry could kill him.

It was well after midnight when Dumbledore escorted him to Gryffindor Tower, the two of them making the journey in silence. Ron and Hermione had been in the Common Room waiting for him, stricken with worry about what had happened in class and his prolonged absence. On the couch beside them was his schoolbag, suggesting they had spent time searching the grounds that evening. It seemed they had lost the fight to stay awake, Hermione's head lolled forward onto Ron's shoulder as they both slept, and it reminded Harry vividly of when he arrived at the Hospital Wing last June where they waited for him.

He gently woke them, braced for their panicked questions and the tight hug they both gave him. Dumbledore lingered only long enough to offer the same assurances Harry did, and then he departed, confident that Harry was once again safe.

In the Common Room he had explained as much as he could, but was eager to keep the conversation short. He explained only that Voldemort had tried to trick him and how, and that with Snape's help he had done the same thing in return. That there had been a battle at the Ministry, an unknown number of Order members were hurt and Death Eaters captured. That even hours later there was no word about what had happened to Sirius.

For now he told them nothing else he had learned about the Prophecy, nor what Voldemort had revealed to him about Snape. What he had learned that night was still too raw, none of it had really begun to sink in yet. He felt like he had reached his quota, that he could go on no more, and pleading genuine exhaustion he had gone to bed.

In the dormitory bathroom he changed out of his bloody clothes, painfully remembering the same process he had gone through almost a year ago. And like last June when he studied his reflection a small part of him was surprised to recognise himself - it felt like what happened was of such magnitude that something had to have changed. But it had not. The features were his own, though his face was pale and gaunt, and he was sporting a new scar on his cheek bone with a bruise to match. He had hit his face when Snape tortured him, the pain of the injury blending in with the Cruciatus.

Though Dumbledore had healed the cut for him a pink scar remained, one that would require dittany. But Harry had no intention of helping the scar fade. Instead he wanted Snape to see it every time he looked at him, to see the third scar he had left him with.

Ron had been waiting up for him, sitting on his bed until he came out of the bathroom. Though Harry got into bed and drew the curtains he knew that he would not easily fall asleep - how could he possibly just go to sleep? He lay awake for hours, and when he did fall asleep he awoke frequently, his mind startling him back into consciousness, still ready and wary - waiting desperately for news of what was happening.

It was after four o'clock in the morning when what roused Harry was something welcome - the sound of Hedwig's delicate taps on the window. Lurching out of bed he hurried to the window to let her in, gratefully taking the scroll of parchment from her beak and hurrying to unroll it - but the message left him with mixed emotions.

Dear Harry.

Sirius sustained injuries at the Ministry of Magic and is currently in St Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Further updates will follow as soon as they are available.

Professor Dumbledore.

Clutching the note Harry had sunk down onto the side of his bed, tears welling up in his eyes before he could try to stop them. Though it was better news than him being dead, Sirius being in St Mungos must mean something terrible had happened - the Order wouldn't risk taking him there if it wasn't life threatening.

When dawn broke Harry made no move to get out of bed and go to class. If there was ever a time to look forward to Umbridge's class it was today, but he had no intention of going to any of his classes, not after what had happened. Even the desire to see what was going on and find out how much information had disseminated the castle wasn't enough to get him out of bed. Instead he showed Ron the note from Dumbledore before insisting he go on ahead without him.

Harry was glad for the solitude. He just couldn't face the world after all that had happened, and not when he was waiting for news of Sirius. He couldn't even bring himself to turn on Neville's wireless radio and listen to the news…he wasn't sure he was ready to hear any of it. He remained in bed for the rest of the morning, unwilling to face anything the day would bring.

The morning passed excruciatingly slowly, Harry wavering between periods of sleep and periods of enormous stress, anxiously waiting for the next update on Sirius that finally arrived late-morning.

Dear Harry.

Please attend my office at two o'clock today. Nymphadora Tonks will escort you to St Mungos to visit Sirius.

Professor Dumbledore.

It wasn't much in the way of an update, but the fact that he was allowed to go and visit surely had to bode well. If he was allowed visitors he must be well enough, and he must not be under arrest. But Dumbledore hadn't given any specific update on Sirius's well being, and hours later Sirius was still not answering Harry's calls to him on the mirror.

Somehow he managed to drag himself out of bed to shower and get dressed in time for lunch, which Ron and Hermione brought up to the dormitory for him. Ginny had joined them too, she and other DA members had helped with the fruitless search of the castle for him and had been equally worried. The four of them ate together on Harry's bed while Hermione read the newspaper out loud.

Famished, Harry gladly ate and allowed his friends to do much of the talking, preferring to listen as they updated him on the flurry of rumours and talk that were presently circulating the castle. Occasionally he glanced at Ginny. As momentous as this day was for him and the whole wizarding world, it was for her too. Like him she was waiting on tenterhooks for potential news of Lucius Malfoy's arrest, a resolution she had waited three years for.

'He's the "Boy Who Lived" again now, though, isn't he?' said Ginny darkly. 'Not such a deluded show-off any more?'

'Yes, they're a little more complimentary about you now, Harry,' said Hermione, scanning down the article. 'They're almost acknowledging that you may have been telling the truth all along.'

'Helps when you've got Voldemort himself blowin' up the Ministry,' Ron added. 'What time's this press conference?'

'Three o'clock,' Hermione answered, consulting the newspaper.

'Excellent!' Ron whooped, clapping his hands in satisfaction. 'That's right at the start of afternoon break. And, we've got Umbridge right after. You can bet she'll be listening to it!'

Harry winced, feeling a jolt of discomfort in his muscles. He remembered feeling this in the days that followed his imprisonment last June, small but annoying cramps or twinges that would come on without warning. Back then it had been from the Cruciatus curse, a lingering effect from how hard they had used it against him.

But this time he couldn't really blame it on that, not when Snape had only tortured him for barely more than a few seconds - just long enough for the curse to show up should Voldemort investigate his wand. No, this time he knew the lingering pain was from Voldemort himself, from him taking possession of his body and forcing him to see those memories of Snape.

'Alright?'

Realising he'd not been paying attention Harry looked up to find Ginny watching him. He nodded quickly, seeing Ron and Hermione also looking at him in concern. 'I'm alright,' he hastened to assure the lot of them. 'You should get going. You'll be late for Sinistra.'

'I suppose we should,' Hermione reluctantly agreed, turning to Ron.

'Come on 'Mione, can't we skive off?' Ron pleaded, not subtly jerking his head at Harry. 'If there was ever a day…'

'I'm fine, seriously,' Harry insisted, tidying up their lunch things. 'I have to go soon anyway.'

'Are you sure, mate?' Ron asked pointedly. 'Are you really sure you're alright…cos maybe you need some company, yeah?'

Knowing full well what Ron was trying to do he smiled, but shook his head. Though he was assured Harry was okay, Ron was eager for an excuse to skive off if he could manage it. In disappointment he let his head slump down onto the bed with a long moan. Pleading with Harry one last time he reluctantly got up and slipped his portable radio into his bag, needing it to listen to the press conference during afternoon break.

'Should I leave this?' Hermione asked, gesturing to the newspaper.

Harry shook his head. He still didn't want to read any more of the news…it hadn't done him an ounce of good in the last year. Besides, soon enough he was to know the truth of what was going on in the outside world.

When his friends were gone and he was alone again Harry lay back down. There was forty five minutes before he could leave for St Mungos, and the thought of doing anything more than lay in bed was intolerable. He was tired, but not just physically. It felt like his entire being had been depleted, that he truly had nothing left to give to the day.

What happened last night kept running through his head, those awful visions. He wished he hadn't looked towards the end, that he had closed his eyes and protected himself - because now all he could see was that blinding flash of green light, the blank stare of his father's eyes as he crumpled to the floor.

Gone.

His mother holding Snape at wand point, threatening him with little more than a whisper. The fallen Christmas tree, Sirius weeping among a bloody office. There was Snape listening at the keyhole while Trelawney made the prophecy, and Snape on his hands and knees before Voldemort, bargaining for his mother's life.

'I desire her, my Lord. That is all.'

He could not get those words out of his head, and though he tried not to obsess over them he struggled to let them go. Without conscious thought he got out of bed and found his History of Magic textbook. Safely tucked between the pages once again was that photograph of his mum and Snape, and it made sense now why it had been hidden in her personal photo album, not displayed with the others.

He knew enough of his mum to trust that she hadn't returned any romantic feelings Snape may have held for her, at least not once he turned towards the Death Eaters anyway. But he had been her childhood friend, not unlike the way Hermione was to him. Yet even after Snape had joined the Death Eaters and she resolutely rejected his choice Lily had chosen to keep the photo, memorialising their friendship. It was for that reason alone that Harry didn't destroy it.

Instead he returned it to the album belonging to his mum, tucking it into the former place between the pages in the plastic sleeves. Hidden, but not gone. It wasn't his to destroy.

A/N Bit of a slow chapter, but hope it was a satisfying pay off for Sirius! He's clearly not out of the woods, but hey he's alive for now!

The original plan had been that Sirius would die - but I had some other ideas that I was disappointed to not write, including a possible epilogue scene that I haven't written yet (no promises), so I let him live. Also, didn't want to throw Harry back to rock bottom all over again, it would have felt like losing all this character development to make him suffer such a huge loss of Sirius. Hope you're pleased he made it through!

Thanks for the phenomenal reviews on the last chapter, hugely appreciated!