A/N: Thanks for all the reviews, they made me so happy! Well, I think I have a direction to take this in, but I'm still open to any ideas offered, so don't hesitate give them. I've decided that this probably won't turn into a slash, but there will definitely be some Ron/Hermione implied, so don't worry. I'm also thinking about maybe adding a little bit of Harry/Luna, just because I like her (she's a lot like me personality wise) and because I think that there's something going on between them anyway. I'm asking for a vote on that one, please state your opinion about it. As for Harry and Snape, I'm going to go for a mentor, paternal type relationship.

And this is a special thanks to my new beta, who I will refer to as Cromie. He's helped me get my new inspiration for this and has worked on some of the little details to make this story almost perfectly cannon through OotP.

Another thing, I'm very sorry about all the little mistakes in the first chapter. It was very late when I finally typed it up and posted it, so I missed a few things when I checked it over. I also realized that I need to up the rating, I had forgotten about all the language in the previous chapter.

This chapter is going to be divided into two parts, because there is a point where I should stop in it and make a new chapter, but then it would fall out of the outline I have for the first few chapters. I think dividing into two parts is the best thing I can do, so therefore I'm doing it. I think that's it now. Wow, that was a very long author's note!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story or the world they are in, no matter how much I want to. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. I am making no profit from writing this aside from my own enjoyment. So don't sue me!

Chapter Two- Explanations, part I

"Mr. Potter, wake up!" There was a significant amount of distress in the voice of Madame Pomfrey. "Merlin, I wonder what happened?" she said to someone nearby.

Harry's scar felt like someone had put a white-hot wire to it, it was burning so badly. He was drenched in cold sweat and shaking profusely. His eyes cracked open to find Madame Pomfrey hovering over him, looking like she was going to have a conniption fit. Standing behind her, with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face was the Potions Master, Professor Snape.

Snape!

"What the hell are you doing here?" Harry shouted in alarm, now entirely awake.

"Manners, Potter," Snape hissed out with his patented glare. "The Headmaster wishes to see you. Get up and get dressed," he spat as he turned and left the hospital wing.

Harry sighed and rubbed his scar, as it was still stinging. Madame Pomfrey placed a cool, wet rag on his forehead, making the pain die quickly. Harry did as he was told and got dressed as quickly as possible. He was eager to speak with Professor Dumbledore, as he hoped he would get some answers as to what had been going on lately.

Once he was dressed and Madame Pomfrey checked him over again, declaring him fit to go for now, he hurried out of the hospital wing. To his surprise, Snape was still there waiting for him. The man said nothing to explain his odd behavior. He simply turned and walked in the direction of Dumbledore's office.

They walked for a few moments in an awkward silence. Harry was afraid to start any sort of conversation with this man. He remembered all too well the last time he had been alone with Snape, which had resulted with his professor literally throwing him out of his office and hurling a jar of cockroaches at him.

"What were you dreaming back there, Potter?" Snape asked suddenly, causing Harry to jump. He looked up at his professor, who was giving him a look of curiosity.

Harry had completely forgotten about the dream. His thoughts about what was to happen with Dumbledore and Snape had pushed it out of his mind entirely.

"I can't remember," he answered honestly. Snape bored into his eyes. Harry knew that his professor was checking to make sure that he wasn't lying. Obviously satisfied with the answer, he didn't implore any further, and the two finished the trip in silence.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They entered Dumbledore's office to find him sitting at his desk, face hidden behind that day's issue of the Daily Prophet. He looked up when he heard them enter, smiled at them, eyes twinkling. He offered them some of his ever-present lemon drops, but neither Snape nor Harry accepted any. They sat down in the two chairs in front of the Headmaster's desk. Both were apparently eager to get on with this conversation, but both for different reasons.

"So, Harry, I hope you are feeling well now," Dumbledore asked pleasantly.

"I'm fine," was Harry's only answer, as he really wanted to get down to business.

"Glad to hear it," Dumbledore replied sincerely. "I'm sure you are wondering, Harry, why you are here?" He didn't wait for an answer, as the eagerness shown in Harry's eyes sufficed as well, if not better, than words. "I daresay you remember that little incident you had in the park two nights ago?"

"Yes, sir. I remember Lucius Malfoy and what I can only assume were at least two other Death Eaters coming up and attacking me," he replied promptly. "But I thought he was in Azkaban. H-"

"I will explain all that, Harry," Dumbledore interrupted, raising a hand for him to stop. "Yes, I'm sorry to inform you, Harry, that Voldemort has finally managed to take complete control of the dementors, just as was predicted. Two nights ago there was another mass breakout from Azkaban, and every Death Eater imprisoned there has escaped."

Harry stared at the floor. All of the Death Eaters were free. Now that he had all of his servants back, Voldemort was free to begin his war to take over the planet. Countless emotions spread through Harry as the magnitude of this information hit him.

"What is Voldemort doing now?" Harry asked, half dreading the answer. "How much power has he gained from it?"

Dumbledore didn't answer at first. A sorrowful expression came upon his face, a look that didn't suit him at all. It scared Harry to see him like that. Dumbledore handed Harry his copy of the Daily Prophet, which Harry had forgotten about. His eyes bulged and a gasp escaped his throat when he saw the front page.

It was covered in reports of attacks made by Death Eaters, on muggles and wizards alike. There were reports on giants ransacking villages and cities, goblin raids, arson, murder, rape, every horrible crime one could think of. "Dear God…"

"I'm afraid, Harry, that the second war has begun," Dumbledore stated gravely. "It is because of this that the urgency for the continuation of your training has reached an extreme. I know I promised you last year, Harry, that I would finish teaching you in Occlumency and any other things that might prove useful in the battles to come. I regret doing this, but I'm afraid that that is a promise I am unable to keep. I'm being called away almost every minute, by the Ministry or the Order or almost anything else, and I fear that this will not stop anytime soon. That is why I'm asking that you continue your training with Professor Snape. It's the best option, for all of us."

TBC

A/N: Well, did you like it? I'm sorry that it's short, but this is a two-part chapter. Like I said before, that's a great place to break it, with an evil cliffhanger! *Laughs evilly. * The next part of the chapter should be up relatively soon, I'm almost done writing the final draft, I just need my beta to go over it, then I'll type it up. Should be up in a few days, one week at the absolute latest. I have a very busy week this week, but I still think it can be done because I actually see my beta everyday and I'm so far on my drafts. Well, ta for now, don't forget to review! People who give ideas will be praised!