A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long! I've really been busy, and I just didn't have the time to type this up! I have been writing the story in my notebook though; I'm already halfway through chapter four and will be typing up the rest of the chapters as soon as I'm totally satisfied with them, and I promise to be quick. I should have a lot more time on my hands anyway; I was in a play that took up a lot of my time during the past few weeks but that's over now. Well, I hope you enjoy! Chapter three should be up by the end of this week. That's all for now!

Disclaimer (statement made to save one's own ass, lol, who here knows where that one came from? Ten points if you guess right!): I do not own any of the characters used in this story or the world that they live in. J.K. Rowling does. I only own the plot, and I am making no profit from writing this in any way shape or form. So don't sue me!

Special thanks to all my reviewers and especially my beta Cromie, who I should really start acknowledging as co-author, because his ideas have helped make this story go somewhere besides the trashcan.

Chapter Two- Explanations, Part II

Harry did not know what to say, or even how to feel about this information. He wasn't exactly angry with Dumbledore; he understood the old man's reasons. That didn't mean he was looking forward to the upcoming lessons with Snape though. Harry had taken Dumbledore's words from the end of the previous year to heart, eventually, and no longer blamed Snape for Sirius' death, but he still despised the man.

Although, if Snape hadn't thrown Harry out of his office in the first place, none of that would have ever happened. 'Stop it,' Harry chastised himself. Even though he refused to admit it, Harry knew that Snape had had every right to do what he did, even if it did make the situation worse.

'Oh, won't this be fun?' thought Harry sarcastically to himself. 'Even more lesson with an even more infuriated Snape. Oh, the joy.'

Indeed, Harry's professor did not appear to be in a good mood. Harry chanced a swift glimpse at him. From a glance, Snape seemed to be giving the floor his patented glare that he gave his most incompetent students when they had just done something incredibly stupid. He was obviously dead set on not acknowledging Harry's presence in any way.

The silence of the room was unnerving. Harry was still at a complete loss for words. He feared that anything from his mouth at that time would send his Potion Master into a furious tirade. 'What I wouldn't give for Fred and George to set off one of their fireworks right now? Where's Peeves when you need him?"

CRACK!

As though she had heard his inner plea, emerald green flames shot up in the fireplace and surrounded the head of Professor Minerva McGonagall. Harry silently thanked her, and made a mental note to repay it to her somehow.

"Albus! Fudge is here," there was irritation and weariness in voice. She looked as though she hadn't slept in days. "He says it's urgent, could you come down here please?"

"Yes, very well, Minerva," Dumbledore said with a sigh, putting his head in his hands. This act really worried Harry. "Tell him I'll be there shortly."

McGonagall's head nodded in reply and disappeared from the fireplace, the green flames dying upon her departure.

Looking back at Harry and Snape, Dumbledore continued the conversation as though it had never stopped. "Harry, you will spend tonight in the hospital wing, Poppy wants to be sure of your recovery. Tomorrow morning you will return to headquarters…" Dumbledore paused briefly here and gave a Harry a look of pity. "You will spend the rest of the summer there. The Weasleys and Ms. Granger will be there with you along with other various members of the Order. They are there already. I will leave it up to you two to decide when you will resume Occlumency. I must urge you to begin as soon as possible. Preparedness is of the utmost importance in this war, and I fear that the time we must be prepared for has drawn ever nearer." With that and a final glance at Harry and Severus, the old wizard turned to his fireplace and flooed from his office.

'Grimmauld Place,' Harry chorused in his head. 'Not there, not with…him…gone.' Harry swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Once he had completely admonished his emotions, he turned to look at his professor, who was still scowling at the floor.

Harry wondered if he should just leave. Snape didn't seem to have anything to say to him. Harry was just about to stand up when his professor finally said something.

"It's Monday, Potter. Be ready to come back here for your lessons at ten o'clock Wednesday morning. I'll be picking you up, don't be running late," he said the last bit in such an imposing voice Harry knew that there would be consequences should he fail to obey that particular instruction. With that the older wizard stood up and headed for the door, but turned around and added, "And do remember to practice, Potter." He had just reached the door before being stopped again, this time by Harry.

"Yes, sir. Thank-you, sir," said Harry quietly, not looking at his professor. The older wizard chose not to respond to this, but merely regarded Harry for a moment before finally exiting, leaving his young pupil alone in the Headmaster's office.

Harry stared for a moment at the empty doorway through which his professor had just left. Then he sighed, got up, and walked back the hospital wing.

TBC

A/N: I'm sorry to say that's not the end of the explanations, but the next chapter will be the last one, I promise! So don't stop reading! Preview of next chapter: Going to Grimmauld Place. I'll let your imaginations wander with that while I finish it. And here's a question: How many of you are really interested in knowing how Harry and the rest of the golden gang did one their O.W.L.s? 'Cause I'm thinking of making that and the beginning of Occlumency be chapter four. My beta agrees with me on that, but I want the public opinion on that as well. So anyway, review and tell me how you liked it and where you want me to go with this, a little hint can inspire me to do totally crazy yet very interesting things, so please give them! -Arili