82. "Let's go bother Snape."

Harry digested the information that Dumbledore had used the last of his life to deliver to him. He was a Horcrux. He wanted to laugh at the sheer irony of the situation. His very existence was both the thorn and blessing of Tom's life. Even as he tore down Tom's Horcruxes, he was supporting the wizard all the while.

The thought of dying in the name of ending Tom made him feel hollow. It was not fear, but a numbness that spread from his head to toe. Was this the purpose of his life?

Through all of this he did not particularly fear his oncoming demise. This was the oddity of his state of mind. His life, though riddled with some major issues, had become something worth living and enjoying.

Harry stumbled aimlessly away from Dumbledore's body.

What would happen once he was gone? Teleute would undoubtedly mourn his passing, but she was a strong woman and he was sure that she would move past that. It stung to think of it but also made him relieved.

Harry stopped at a ledge and sat comfortably over the edge. One of his legs dangled precariously over the edge while he leaned his head against the wall. He could make out the lake from his location and could not help but smile. There was a time that he would sit in such positions in the odd hope that it would attract Teleute. How the heart made one do such odd things.

"Ah, there he is everyone," Luna's soft voice gently nudged him from his thoughts.

Turning around he saw her alongside Neville, Hermione, and Ron. They were out of breath but still looked prepared for a fight. He motioned them to calm down.

"What are you doing here? Don't you know how dangerous everything is right now!?" Hermione's voice came out as an unpleasant screech due to the sheer panic she was feeling.

"I'm a Horcrux and Lord Voldemort won't fall until I die," Harry shattered the flow of the conversation.

It grew deathly quiet between them. Each of them glanced at each other and him as though they expected him to play it off as a joke. But no punch line came and their expression grew even tenser.

"But, that can't be true," Neville whispered in blatant horror.

Hermione shook her head in denial, "There's got be some alternatives. We can look into it. You of all people know how wacky magic can be! Who's to say there isn't a nice little solution that we don't know about?"

"We don't need any stupid Horcuxes. We can beat the dark lord without them," Ron insisted hotly.

Luna walked up to his position and pulled him into a warm embrace, "Only you can decide what's the best for you, but if my opinion is worth anything then I will say that I believe that all will be well." She stepped back and gave him space.

His voice rang into nervous laughter, "As frightening as it is, I'm glad I can put an end to him. Tom will not make another me." The compass on his palm was approvingly behaved.

Most of his friends shared an uncomfortable look with one another. Hermione stepped forward, "Before we come to any hasty decisions, we should talk with Professor Snape."

From the look Ron was giving her, this wasn't a fully supported decision. Hermione glared at him for the lack of support and explained, "He's part of the Order and worked extensively with Professor Dumbledore."

Harry followed the group as they silently went through the halls of Hogwarts. Crowds of students were just coming under control. The group found Professor Snape loitering around a rather deserted hallway.

Snape peered into the eyes of each student, save Harry, and nodded, "So Dumbledore is deceased."

Ron attempted to march up to Snape before being held back by Hermione. He shook her hand away and pointed at Snape with accusation in his eyes, "This must sound like some kind of joke to you!"

"That's enough, Ron," Harry placated until Ron visibly relaxed. He returned his attention to Snape, "Where is Tom currently staying?"

Snape rose an delicate eyebrow, "What are you to do with that knowledge, Mr. Potter? Why continue bothering with this charade? From the look in your eyes you must know that this pursuit will only lead to your own death. "

That brought a snicker to Harry's throat, "If my destiny is death, I will embrace it like a lover. The only choice left to me is how I wish to confront this. I will take the battle to Tom."

Snape nearly sneered before collecting himself, "You are a fool to follow this endeavor, how very like your… no how very like you. You are by far the most obtuse individual I've had the displeasure of being acquainted with." He sighed deeply, "Voldemort has taken residence in a castle of one of his many followers. When you are ready, come to me. I shall lead you to the castle." With no further interest in the group, Snape made himself scarce.

Harry turned to his friends, "I would like to be alone."

"Alright," Ron said, "Holler if you need anything at all."

Harry said his thanks and left the company of his friends. He returned to the room that he had shared so many a moment with the one dearest to his heart. Alone, he whispered, "Teleute." Thinking of her now was far more painful than he expected.

Harry slumped against the wall of the room and fought back tears. It was horrifying to realize that he couldn't make more memories with her. There was so much he wanted to say to her. The room then provided him with a stack of paper and quills. He took the offered stationery and wrote a final letter to Teleute. In the letter he explained the current situation and gave a profuse amount of apologies that he had not told her in person. He had not the courage to look her in the eye and tell her this in person. If he saw her now, he would give up this course of action from little more than a murmur from her. Harry signed the letter and had it sent away via owl.

With only his thoughts for company, he pulled the stone that Dumbledore had possessed. It was filled with a familiar energy that equal parts mysterious and comforting. The power coursing through the stone was like being in a fresh graveyard. A dim surge of magic and some other energy escaped the stone. The figures of his parents and Sirius now stood before him as ghostly apparitions.

His parents were like every image of them he had seen, the unruly black and the fiery red. Then there was Sirius, he was healthier than Harry ever knew in life. A wave of emotions crashed into him. Now facing his own demise he saw those that had gone before him.

"We're so proud of you, sweetie. I know things are more than you can bare, but I want you to know whatever you do, we all love you," his mother said with a strong conviction.

His father beamed him with a boyish smile, "Your mother's right. You're a strong one, much stronger than I ever was."

"Thank you," Harry could only reply softly. He pulled his eyes away from his parents and stared at his late godfather in shame, "I wish I could've done so much more for you in life."

Sirius chuckled with much more genuine mirth than he had ever heard, "Last I checked, it was my job to help you not the other way around. Besides, you did a lot for a silly old man. I'm sorry that I couldn't fulfill all those promises I made to you. Things would've been great."

"Yeah," Harry said between the now falling tears, "it would've been. Would you guys mind just staying here with me? I could use the company."

"Of course, buddy. Take as much time as you need," Sirius said and his parents agreed.

So they all simply sat and spoke.