Summary : Albus Dumbledore finds an alternative way to remove Voldemort's horcrux from Harry Potter. Meanwhile Draco Malfoy regrets handing over Neville Longbottom to his aunt. AU. Mainly canon pairings. Multiple POV.

Disclaimer : Harry Potter is the property of JKR. I don't intend to make any profit from it.

This is an AU where Snape managed to give his memories to Harry before he goes inside Hogwarts. Consider this as an alternative of the "Always" scene from the Prince's Tale.

Also note that Hermione did not alter her parents memories in this AU.

"So the boy ... the boy must die ?" asked Snape, quite calmly.

"No, not really. I have found a Dark wizard by the name of Felix. He is said to be an expert in horcruxes. He had promised to look for a way to save Harry." said Dumbledore, looking rather grim.

"Do you trust him?" Snape asked, clearly unsatisfied by the reply.

"No, but he is our only hope. The removal of a Horcrux is a rather difficult task that takes a lot of time." said Dumbledore. "No one should find Harry before the complete removal of the the Horcrux. Therefore it is essential that no one knows of this. Not even Miss Granger and Mr Weasley can know about this. Harry has to complete this task alone. Make sure he knows about it."

Snape gave a curt nod and walked out of the room.

Finally the truth. Harry was still confused as to where he should go to find this Felix.

"Forbidden Forest". Snape looked up from his desk. "We have to fake your death before you disappear".

"How?"

"As dimwitted as always." Snape sneered at him. "Leave it to me. Take that cloak of yours and leave as soon as possible. Do not by any means try to contact any one."

Harry donned the invisibility cloak and walked out the Headmaster's office.

He is alone in this. Not even Ron and Hermione could help.

He, for the first time in seven years, was truly alone.

Severus Snape strode through the Forbidden Forest trailing Harry Potter. He saw Potter walk towards the man named Felix. They whispered something to each other and apparated from there.

As soon as Potter and Felix the Dark wizard apparated from there, Snape raised his wand and cast a curse. Flames busted out the wand as the surroundings burned in the fire which appeared so unnatural.

Later Snape got the fire under control. He looked around in satisfaction and walked out of the forest through the burnt tracks.

Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were searching for Harry Potter.

"Do you know where he could be now ?" asked Hermione, looking extremely concerned. " Did anything dangerous happen to him ?."

"No." replied Ron.

Suddenly a voice was heard from the Great Hall.

Voldemort's voice.

"Harry Potter is dead. He was killed while trying to escape from me. He has been burned to death in a way that even his remains can not be found" Voldemort spoke triumphantly.

Sobs could be heard from the great hall as people mourned the lose of their hero.

"No, Don't believe him. He's lying. He's lying " screamed Ron and Hermione as they rushed towards the Great Hall.

"I certainly have to applaud Severus Snape for successfully killing Harry Potter" Voldemort continued. "The battle is won before it has started. Those who wish to live can surrender now."

"I will give you one hour to make your decision. Be quick."

Voldemort turned around and walked out of the Hall escorted by Bellatrix Lestrange, who was crackling madly as Ron and Hermione reached there.

"Move the minors out of the castle." ordered Mcgonagall, repressing the pain of losing one of her students. "Only those who are above seventeen are allowed to stay here. That is if they wish to stay. We shall not surrender to that monster."

"Where is Professor Snape?" shouted a girl from the Slytherin table as the students fell silent.

"He left us to surrender, that murderer. We don't need him, of course." replied Mcgonagall, and a great cheer erupted from the other three houses. "Now those who want to go may leave."

Students from various houses started to line up and leave the Hall.

One hour, they had only one hour.

Ron Weasley was determined to find Harry Potter within one hour.

Draco Malfoy broke out of the line headed outside the castle. He had to find his father and mother and make sure that they are safe. When the war began they would surely come inside to fight. He just had to wait until then.

He ran through the deserted corridors and climbed up the moving stairs. All of a sudden he noticed someone standing on the top of the stairs.

Neville Longbottom.

Once the war began, Longbottom will become one of the most wanted people and catching him might help his family regain their position among the Death Eaters.

Draco stupefied him before he could react and then dragged his limp body to nearest room and locked the door.

Now he only had to invite his aunt over here.

And a small part of him don't want to do this.

Thanks for reading.