Hermione woke with a start ash she felt a heavy weight hit the bed at her feet.  She looked up to see Hedwig sitting at her feet with a letter tide to her leg.  She quietly got up not to wake Ginny.  She quietly took the letter from the owl's leg and smiled as Hedwig gave her a loving nip on the hand.

Hermione had been staying more and more with the Weasleys this summer.  Her parent knew if she was going to be a great Witch one day she needs to be around a good influence like the Weasleys.  Her parent would come on the weekends and nervously sit and watch the family enjoy a magical meal.  Hermione was glad that Mr. Weasley was getting along so well with her father.  After lunch Author would drag him out the Garage to show off his new muggle acquisition to have her dad explain how it worked.    Her mother truly enjoyed being with Molly.  Molly had been quietly giving her mom pointer on how best to deal with a teenage witch. 

Hermione knew her parents did not like Krum at all.  He was too old for her and her parents just did not trust him.  She herself just was not sure of Victor herself.  He was so mush older and she felt the last time she saw him he was trying to pressure her to make a commitment to him.  Hermione did have affection for him but just did not see a future with him.  For some reason when she thought about the future she did not see Victor there was another face there.  Hermione smiled with this warm feeling inside of her.

Hermione's smile faded she had place the letter to both her and Ron on top of the stack of light reading she was doing for the summer.  Hedwig stayed there on the bed.  She was used to having Hedwig land she take the letter and fly back to Harry.  Why was she just sitting there?  Maybe she is tired she thought.  Birds do get tired after a long flight.  Hermione felt herself about to fall asleep on her feet again it was late and Hermione wanted more sleep.  What ever Harry had to say could wait till morning. 

Hermione turned to Hedwig still on the bed while slipping on one of Ginny's Dragon scale gloves and let her perch on Hermione's hand.  "Okay Hedwig," Hermione said yawning, "if you are going to stay her for now it cannot be on my feet all night."  She set Hedwig on the windowsill, "here you go, this way you can watch for mice outside to eat for your morning constitutional."

Hermione jumped back into bed and pulled the covers up to her nose.  She was trying to hide from the thoughts racing though her head about the guy she actually liked.  I can keep on like this I will tell him in the morning.  I just hope he liked me too.  She smiled and slowly drifted to sleep thinking yes I will tell him and he will like me.  My lovely… With this she fell asleep to dream more of…

She woke with a start in the morning.  She could hear Ginny and Ron bickering about something out in the hallway.  It sounds like if she can use Pig to send a message to a friend.  Ron is being his usual self and not letting her.  "It's times like this I am so glad I am an only child." she mumbled under her breath as she slowly rolled out of bed.

Hermione was just about to change out of her bedclothes when she noticed Hedwig had not left yet.  In the back of her mind she was starting to worry.  Hedwig was a strong healthy owl.  Harry got a great gift when he received it from Hagrid.  Not as good as my Crookshanks, She smirked.  Maybe Hedwig is waiting for an answer.  "I'm Sorry Hedwig," As Hermione let The great owl nuzzle against her, "I was so tired last night I did not think to see if this letter was return request."

Hermione heard outside as the argument between the two battling Weasleys was almost over.  "Ron!" She could hear Ginny yell, "You are the most selfish stubborn brat of a brother I know.  How often do I get to talk to friends from school? Hmm?"

Hermione threw open the door to sudden silence.  The two battling siblings were now not red in the face from anger but embarrassment.  Hermione love the looks on this faces as they had knew they had woke her with their fight.  "Sorry Her..." Ron started.

  "Ron!" Hermione cutting him off in mid apology, "Just let her us the owl.  I am sure Harry would not mind letting even a stubborn Pratt as yourself use his owl."  With this last statement she fully opened the door revealing Hedwig on the dresser.

"Oh my gosh!" Ginny gasped. "I was so tired this morning I did not notice her there."

Ron retorted, "Of course you didn't you so dense you wouldn't have noticed a full groan Norwegian Ridgeback sitting in your room."

With this Ginny kicked Ron in the shin and Hermione knew these two fiery red heads were about to try and separate each other's heads from their bodies.  "Stop it the both of you!" As she held the angry two apart, "Ron Just let her use the owl! You not using it start acting like brother and sister!"  Hermione know Ron was about to say something stupid back.  She gave him a look of you'll get worse from me, and Ron quickly changed his demeanor. "Fine," he said defeated, "you could use Pig this once."

Ginny Squealed and ran up the stair in the direction of Ron's room.  Hermione watched her disappear around the corner.  Switching Attention back to Ron to meet head on the meanest look Ron had ever given her.  She stood in worry wondering what he was about to say.  Usually she can read him like a book except when he closed himself off from her, like now.  "What did you do that for I was just having a little fun, "Ron grumbled.

Hermione nor frustrated with Ron snapped at him "We don't have time to get into this right now," She pause to calm herself and her face flushed from anger to worry, "I think something might be wrong with Harry."

Now it was Ron's turn for a change in look.  His head tilted to the side and had a look of confusion on his face.  If Hermione were not so worried she would have motion he looked like the Muggle electronic mascot dog from RCA. "Hedwig, "she started, "flew in last night and purposely woke me up. I was so tired I didn't think of it at the time but I am sure Harry needs a reply back from us. I am not sure why…"

"You mean you have not read the letter yet?" Ron said starting to get annoyed.

"Look buddy," Hermione snapped as she gave Ron a poke in the chest, "The letter was written to the both of us and I wanted to here for some reason! I could have just told you later!"

"Alright," Ron half razing his voice half thickly saying, "since this is such the emergency."

Hermione glared at him as she turned and led him into Ginny's room.  They did not talk as she opened the contents of the letter and each other took the corresponding contents.  The stood and read in quiet curiosity.

Dear Ron,

This might be the last letter I write you. Don't worry I'm not thinking of hurting myself I just don't think I can look at anyone from Hogwarts again. Once you get over the shock of Cedric's death and realize this was my fault. I did not act. The 'Great Harry Potter' did not act to stop Wormtail from killing Cedric. Don't hate me too much like Cho. When you see her next year tell her I am truly sorry.

Always,

Harry Potter

Hermione felt the tears start to run down her face as she read the note.  She looked up to see Ron with the same look of pain and he was white a ghost.  "Hermione/Ron," they started in unison, "We have to get him out of there!!"

"Oh Ron," Hermione's voice starting to break and the word came between the sobs.  "H… Harry should know… We love him this… was not his (sniff) fault."

Ron reached out and they hugged each other in a tight embrace.  Ron's voice shaking trying and failing to hide from Hermione that he was crying too.  "Yes, we do love him.  We don't hate Harry what happened was not his fault."

"We have to do something. Harry is going to hurt himself."

"What!" he responded, "No Harry is not going to hurt himself"

"What did he say? Don't worry I am not going to hurt himself?  He is depressed and in pain.  He told us this so we would not be scared. Even the very thought of hurting himself or," Hermione's voice went to a whisper," suicide frightens himself."

Dumbledore is in his office, the light from the sunrise just starting to illuminate the abstract stained glass of his office.  Slowly he touches his wand to his head and pulls it away.  I light silvery strand float between the wand and his head.  It detaches from his head after about two feet of the wispy silver stand.  He carefully moves it to the bowl not to get the stand tangled or let it touch him self or the out side of the bowl. A shallow stone basin with odd runes and symbols carved around the edge. A silvery light shines from its contents, which are bright, whitish silver, and cloud-like, moving ceaselessly. Carefully not to touch the contents he reviews the third task trying to find where the security went wrong and got Cedric killed.

            Quietly he hears from down the stairs of his office, Pecan Turtles.  The password, he raised his right eyebrow and thinking to him maybe this was redundant because if a Turtle does not have pecans it would be chocolate and caramel and some other nut.  Would it be?  I will ponder upon this more later.  He stops his train of thought right before the rap on the door.  "Come in Headmistress McGonagall" As Dunbledore carefully slide the bowl away from the side of his desk.  As the door opens he tiredly starts to greet McGonagall, "Good morning, Minerva what stirs out best professor…' his words are cut short by the pain face to the tear streaked woman. "What wrong!" Albus bolting to his feet, "Is Harry safe is he secret?"

            "Yes, and no" Minerva sobbingly replied holding a crumpled piece of parchment in her hand.  This gave a look of both confusion and fear. "He is safe and his secret is kept from Riddle.  He is not safe from himself" the last sentence the words turn ragged and she slowly started to crumble where she stood.  

            Albus Rushed to her aid.  He was on her before Minerva grabbing her by the waist and carefully walked the sobbing woman to the closest chair.  She had drop the now tear stained parchment on the floor as Albus has helped her to the chair.  Albus quickly turned to his desk where he found his wand and conjured a nice cup of tea in the empty cup on the small table next to Minerva.  "Dink this it will sooth your nerves." Albus said in a hushed voice.  Albus then patter on the hand and turned and took the parchment from the floor and started to examine the letter intently.

             Minerva watched Albus' reactions intently as she slowly sipped her tea.  As she sipped her tea in the moment it took for Albus to read the letter she watched as his expressions went from fear, confusion, to just anger.  She could see the anger building as it materializes as tear in his eyes.  He turns and briskly walked to the other side of the room.  Acting under pure instinct he grabbed a hand full of power from the mantel and briskly threw it into the fire.  It seamed like an eternity before the flame turn green but it was just a moment. 

            "The is Headmaster Dunbledore," Minerva could hear his voice echoing through the hall below the office, "All Teaching staff to my office immediately."

            In moment you can hear heavy footfalls echoing from all corners of the castle.  Oddly the sound of the steps all seemed to congregate together at the gargoyle statue.  The was a quiet murmuring and the annoyed deep voice of Snape drawl out "Pecan Turtles."

            While this was going on Albus had turn to make certain that McGonagall was going to handle this meeting.  When she gave him a reassuring look he went and sat behind his desk whit his back to the door.  He attempted to gather and lock his feeling away.  Albus knew he had to be level headed for this.  

            The group of professors quickly filed into the office.  No one dared say a word, the sound of the anger in Dumbledore's voice put then into a reverent aw.  Finally from the back of the crowd a gruff yet gentile voice broke the silence.  "Al'righ Professor Dunbledore we al'r here."

            "Thank you Hagrid," Albus said from behind his chair almost felling he had gotten himself together, "It has come to my attention that we have a problem this need to have immediate action if not yesterday."

            There was a worried mummer from the group cut short by Albus beginning again.

            "Harry Potter," a gasp from the group stopped Albus, "Harry Potter is in danger."

            Snape burst through the shocked crowd as fire flashed from his eyes he retorted, "How is this possible?  None of us know the secret keeper.  You Albus made certain of that none of the staff knew whom this person was.  How did Riddle find out?"

            "He hasn't Severus," The professors were wearing off from the shock and stood dumb founded in confusion. Albus Continued, "Harry of course is always in danger from the outside world.  He is now in danger from his own mind.  I will show you what I mean."

            Albus turned and placed the more tear-stained letter on his desk and taped it said "Prominens Incipio" while taping the letter with his wand.  Suddenly a ghostly image of the parchment grew out of the letter and expanded and unfolded into an image 7' by 5'.  The image cleared and the group starts to read. 

            McGonagall refused to bear the heartbreak again by reading it.  She reserved herself to watch the reaction of her fellow staff.  She noticed in a strange aw all of the had the exact same expressions while reading the letter that Albus had shown, first fear then confusion and finally anger.

            There was a tense moment of silence as they processed what to say.  Suddenly the room was fill with shouts of hurt and anger all at once.  Thing like Harry should know we love him and what did Cho do to him?  "SILENCE!" The group was cut of in mid sentence, "This weeping and crying like first year is counter productive.  We must have a plan and we must have it yesterday."

            "I'm Sourree Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid Sobbed, "H-H-Har-Harry es mie bes frein."

            "There, there now Hagrid," Dumbledore's voice quickly changed to soothing the giant of a man, "We are going to do everything in our power to make certain Harry is safe.  Mark my word."

            "Hagrid," Minerva said soothingly. "Why don't you come and sit on the couch and have some tea it will sooth your nerves."

            The great man sniffed and walked over to the couch and lightly sat.  The wood creaked and whined under his weight but did not give. "Thank you Professor McGonagall" he said as he took the freshly brewed tea the shakiness in his voice starting to go away.

            Dumbledore reverted his attention back to the waiting group.  "What we will need to do is go over and convince Harry that we love him and he is so welcome back to school with open…"

            "Headmaster," Snape drawled, "I in no way mean to disputer your judgment."

"By all means Severus," Albus said with a smile, "Please any constructive criticism always welcome."

            "Harry," Severus started with an air of confidence, "knows all about our the love and support he has at Hogwarts.  With this letter we see he has refused this love not feeling it is real.  If we were to go there now and tell him about the love and support he has Harry would not believe us.  We should go there and challenge him to come back.  At time like this when a life is in danger you have to take drastic measure to keep that person safe."

            "Who here," Minerva said gesturing to the group, "would be willing to cut Harry to the quick like this?"

            The group went silent.  Most did not want the job of telling Harry off.  Snape with an exasperated look on his face step forward out of the crowd.  "If none of his favorite professor will do this" saying this while trying to look each of them in the eye, "Then let it be me Harry's most hated teacher."

            "Oddly Professor Snape," Dunbledore interjected, "you are the best person for this task.  He will listen to you because he feel you have no stake in this."

            "I shall Leave Immediately"

            "No Professor, we will need you there yesterday."

            Setting down her cup Minerva stood and said, "Yes I will let you borrow my time turner." Minerva handed Severus a small silver hourglass on a chain.  She then advised him on how to use it quietly.  Severus left quickly.

            Albus turned to the rest of the staff.  "This next year will be very trying on Harry and his two closest friends." His voice was that of authority not a suggestion an order. "We know how much weight weighs on his head and the heads of his friends.  Teach them as much as possible.  Make certain they are ready if Merlin forbid they must face Voldemort."

            The Hogwarts staff filled out quietly except for Hagrid and Minerva stayed behind.  Albus turned and said, "Let your minds be at ease my two friends," his features starting to soften.  He walked over and placed a reassuring hand on their shoulder. "We can fully trust Snape to be firm but forgiving to Harry.  I have all confidence he will get Harry started on the safe path again.  We will need to be here for him though.  I know You two I trust the most and will see the three are happy as much as possible next year."

            "Minerva," he said in a soothing tone, "I need to speak with Hagrid alone."

            Minerva glanced at the large man rebounding from his sorrow.  She gave Albus a knowing smile as her eyes brightened.  She turned again and winked at Hagrid and quickly left the room.

            Albus sat beside Hagrid in the chair that had not grown cold from Minerva and began to speak.  "Hagrid I wish to speak to you about a subject that has been hushed for more than fifty years."

            "You mean…" Hagrid said worriedly.

            "I am sorry Hagrid, I found out you were not the one who was the heir to Slytherin.  We need you now.  With Riddle rising again we need all the powerful magic users we need."

            "Thank you Headmaster Dunbledore for finally believing me."  With this statement Hagrid seem to rise in his seat like a great weight was lifted from his shoulders.  "What do magic u'ers have to do wit me?  Do you need me to start looking for more?"

            "Nothing like that," Albus smiled for he knew Hagrid would to the ends of the earth for him.  "I want to replace you umbrella with a true wand again and tutor you so you may pass your O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S."

            First Albus thought the large man did not comprehend the last statement.  What happened next nearly made him fall out of the seat he is sitting in.

            Hagrid sat in silence for a moment when he noticed his hands start to shake.  Quickly he placed his face in his hands and stood from the couch.  The Couch creaked and whined trying to form back into a straight line.  The man kept his face covered by his hands at first as his blind gaze tilted up toward the ceiling.  Hagrid slowly dropped his hands balling them into fist.  The arms did not go to his side.  HE stretched the still shaking arm out, like a gymnasts holding an Iron Cross on the rings.  The was a sound starting to emanate from the man not it started out like a low growl and slowly grew to the sound of 10 dragons bellowing, "YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!"

Harry lay motionless in the small dingy room.  He had drawn the curtains and just laid there in the dark.  He was still contemplating the thought of leaving he just for some reason could not get motivated.  His cloths lay in a pile on the floor.  The room was worse unkempt even when Hedwig was there.  He did miss her.  This was for the best, Harry thought.  When I leave here how could I go into hiding with a large owl at my side.  I am better off, Harry trying to assure himself.  I don't want to be that cruel to Hedwig.  Yes, Harry thought She is bett…

From behind him in the room a small "pop" was heard.

"Ron," Harry said dryly with out turning over, "I don't know how you did it but please go I'm not going' back to Hogwarts" 

"Thank god your not coming back," as a cold shiver race across Harry's back.  Could it be? "I would hate having in my potion class when you can tell the difference between a red headed twit and a grown man."

Harry slowly turned over in his bed to see (a site that Harry knew he would have never seen.  Professor Snape in this room!  Harry trying to concentrate on waking up starring at This Tall mass of Black cloaked man at the side of his…

"Stop starring at me slack jawed Gryffindor wanna-be."  Snape snapping Harry back to reality, " At least have the intelligence to great an elder when that come into the room."

"G-goo-good morning Professor Sna…"

"Good afternoon," Snape's lips curled around his gritting teeth, "You think this motivation would have gotten any where in my class.  I would have kicked you out the first day."

"What do you mean me not going to Hogwarts?"

"Don't try and insult my intelligence by lying," Snape rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, "I saw you tear stained letter."

Harry trying to keep some composure, "Wh-wh-what letter?"

"Fine!" Snape threw his hand in the air, "let's drag this out."

Snape clears his throat and in the most puppy do tears voice he starts "This might be the last letter I write you. Don't worry I'm not thinking of hurting myself I just don't think I can look at anyone from Hogwarts again. Once you get over the shock of Cedric's death and realize this was my fault. Please I have to stop before I vomit."

Harry jumped from the bed and stood toe-to-toe with professor Snape, "How dare you read that letter!" Harry trying to look taller as the professor towered over him, "That was a private letter how did you get your hands on it."

"Some private letter," Snape sneered, "All of the faculty has read it to each other over breakfast in the great hall.  It was all I could do to keep from spaying my morning tea all over the table in a fit of laughter."

"All of the professors know?"

"Don't worry boy," Snape rolled his eyes, "the others don't know the truth about you."

            "The truth," Harry gritted his teeth and hissed, "what truth."

            "Come off of it you silly boy," Snape sneered, "The reason the sorting hat had so much trouble sorting you is because you don't belong at Hogwarts."

            Harry stood now in shock of hearing this.  That can't be right his mind raced the hat gave him Godric Gryffindor's sword.  He must be the heir to Gryffindor.

            "Let me guess," Snap snapped him back to reality, "I must be the heir to Gryffindor.  All of your survival has just crystallized the fact you were lucky.  Fame meant more to you.  You reveled in the fact that people looked up to you.  I see you as being a fake like Lockhart."

            "I am not!"

            "Ha! You have a little trouble and you quit.  I am relived starry-eyed student not paying attention in class hoping to get a glimpse of the boy who lived.  Now we know the boy who got lucky."

            "No I did survive you don't know what happened you weren't there.  It was not my fault that Cedric died…"

            "Not your fault," Snape interrupted in a shock, "let's see what you said, once you get over the shock of Cedric's death and realize this was my fault."

            "I was wrong," Harry yelled.  Harry mouth opened but nothing came out.  He suddenly came to the realization this was not his fault.  He was afraid of what everyone else would say.  He was afraid everyone would hate him.  "I Guess I was afraid of what the others would say.  That they would hate me and blame me for his death."

            "See you are not Gryffindor.  No Gryffindor would be scare enough to run away from any challenge.  You gratefully are not from Slytherin House, you don't have the cunning to see the challenge in coming back and facing your fears."

            "I'll Show you, I will come back just to spite you."

            "Ha!" Snape's lips curling into an evil smile, "If you come back now believe me you thought I was hard before just wait trill this year.  I will make it so hard on you will quit and show the whole school just what a fake you are."

            "Just watch," Harry sneered, "I will show you the best Wizard you will ever see at Hogwarts and make you eat your words."

            "The little Potter brat challenging me?" Snape said laughingly, "You will be out of Hogwarts within a month.  You wont need my help."

            "Please leave I have to study I have to study for my O.W.L.S."

            Snape sighed, "Very well toil if you will.  Be warned you will not get an easy ride from me."  With this 'pop' Snape was gone.

            Harry stood shaking.  I'll show that Git.  I'll show him.  With this last thought Harry started to get ready to study.  The school year was coming fast and he wanted to be ready.  He grabbed the last year's books to review and be ready for next year.

            Albus stood after the shock of the bellowing of the great man in front of him.  His smile started to fade from his eyes.  "Hagrid," he slowly started, "this will mean a sacrifice from you if you agree to this tutoring."

            The smile on Hagrid's face had immediately changed to confusion as he spun to look Albus in the face.  

            "If you were to begin the tutoring," Albus continued, "You would have to step down as Care of Magical Creatures Instructor.  Don't worry if you would like you may be the assistant top your replacement"

            "But Professor, If I do pass I will be an equal.  No longer will people look down on me as the student that got booted from Hogwarts."

            "Hagrid," Albus said as he stretched and placed his hand on the great man's shoulder, "I have always considered you an equal."

            Hagrid swelled with pride, "How do we start?"

            "We shall go to Ollivander's tomorrow and get you fitted to the proper wand again.  I will meat you here at eight AM.  We have much to do." Albus' eyes sparkled at his last statement.

            "I'll go get ready now!" Hagrid said excitedly.  He turned to thunder out the door but he came to a sudden halt.  He turn to Albus with a look of worry, "Will I have to leave my hut after I am finished with my schooling?"

            "No Hagrid," Albus said with a reassuring tone, "You are welcome to stay with us as long as you need to the end of time.  I made you a promise many years ago and I am not going to break it."

            Hagrid demeanor relaxed again.  He turned and stooped out of the door.  Albus smiled and watched the shadow fall away in the stair well and kept his eyes on the last spot Hagrid was in happy contemplation for a few more moments.  He slowly came back to reality and went back to his desk to continue the Pensive.

            Albus sat for a few more minutes and watched the silvery wispy liquid twirl and churn as it relives the third task of the Tri-Wizard's Tournament.  There was a quiet knock from the door.  Albus looked around for a moment and thought at first it was his phoenix in his change but it came again from the door. He saw the outline in the door of a tall dark person.  Albus first thought of Severus, but he was slouching and Severus just comes in the door does not care to knock.

            "Enter," Albus called and to his confusion it was Severus.  His demeanor was not the usual stanch air of superiority it was diminished.  He glance at this again ad said, "Please enter you know you are welcome at any time to my office."

            With his eyes looking like the carpet was the most fascinating this he ever saw the professor of potions slowly slouched into the room.  His head looked as if it was too heavy for his neck as he relined into the chair in front of Albus' desk.

            "You have another question about the task, Albus stated, or do you have trepidation…

            "The task is finished Headmaster," Severus interrupted, "Mr. Potter will be attending this term."  The name Potter came out strained from Severus' lips.

            "Did your plan not go as well as you hoped?"

            "The plan was like clock work!" Severus spouted as he stood and passed the floor.  "I questioned his character. I knew like any self-respecting Gryffindor would stand toe to toe and defend their honor."

            "The why do you seem troubled?"

            With this query Severus stopped and leaned on the back of the chair with his and outstretched hands.  "That was the hardest thing I've had to do.  Not just because I was berating this depressed child and taking a great risk but you should have seen how he was living.  I know children can be messy at his age.  For Merlin's sake could this Aunt of his even try to lift a finger and help him?"  His voice raising and getting more enraged with every word.

            Albus muttered to inwardly, "At least it was better than the cupboard under the stairs."  He knew that for most of his childhood, before he received the invitation from Hogwarts, the Dursley's had him tucked away like an embarrassment in the cupboard under the stairs.

            "I would love to go back and…" Severus stopped in mid tirade he had heard the last statement from the headmaster.  His mouth agape for a moment in the look of both shock and disgust.  The roar of his voice, "The Cupboard!" broke the silence in the room.  "I would not wish this fate on young Mr. Longbottom!

            "Severus," Albus started an a even yet calming voice, "You and I know if he had been raised in the Wizard's world how the Boy-That-Lived would be more arrogant and pompous than Lucius' boy.  Please Severus do not let your own emotions cloud the issue."

            When these words stuck Severus he stopped and looked upon Albus with a look of shock and embarrassment.  Like a young boy getting caught in a lie.  "W-W-WH-What do you mean?" Severus stammered as he started to back peddle.

            With a reassuring smile Albus got up from his desk and advance on the person who now could not look him in the face because of embarrassment.  He met him in the middle of the room and placed a hand on his shoulder.  In a soothing tone he spoke, "I know of the unrequited love you still hold for Lily Evans.  This love has transferred some to her offspring, Harry.  You almost in a way look at your self as the father that could have been.  I have kept and will always keep you promise to never tell of your love for Lily and her child."

            Severus' eyes met his for a moment and went to the floor again.  "I never said you would ever betray my trust Headmaster." Severus suddenly feeling like a first year again in Albus' presence, "It truly hurt me from the moment I apparated into his bedroom.  It felt…"

            "You apparated into his bedroom!"

            Severus looked confused at first, "Yes, But I made certain it was the middle of the night…" Severus stopped short his look of confusion in a flash changed to shock and horror mirroring Albus' expression.

            "No, no, no, No, NO, NO!" Albus with his last word realized he was yelling. He collected himself and slowly spoke in an even yet shaky tone, "The protection spells that the Ministry put in place are gone."

                        Albus through formality to the side and bolted toward the door and down the stairs like a flash.  Leaving Severus to chase after him.  The gargoyle statue barely had enough time to jump out of the way from keeping the nimble yet aging head master from careening headlong into it's stone back.  The potions master followed him in silence all the way down through the castle, across the school grounds and to the school's front gate.  Albus reaches the gate and starts to open the heavy iron door.

            "Wait!" Severus grabs Albus by the shoulder and spins him face to face with himself.

            "There is not time to debate this I must leave immediately." 

            "Yes, expedience the greatest importance but so is discretion.  You do not want to cause seen by apparating onto Privet drive in this condition, out of breath sweating and in full wizard's robes."

            "So you are saying," Albus' features starting to soften, "Do not let your own emotions cloud the issue."

            "Yes," Snape said heaving for breath, "this is my exact point."

            "You are correct.  I am glad on of us has finally come to their senses.  Populus Formalis Ornatus!" Albus shouted as he pointed his wand at himself.  A yellow beam hit Dumbledore in the chest and suddenly his robes and hair stated to change.  His purple robes change and morphed into a gray silken Armani single-breasted full suit.  The high-heeled, buckled boots trans formed into a simple yet elegant black loafer with black sock underneath.  His Wizard hat with a pop disappeared.  His hair and beard stated to shrink and disappear so all that was left was a thin white goatee and a high and tight style of white hair on his head.

            Severus looked in shock for a moment, then a smirk spread across his face.  "Are you certain you're not a Muggle at heart?"

            "Severus I would love to take up this amusing muggle, wizard banter but I have a student to make safe."

            "Take care of him he is really a great person"

            Albus smiled knowingly and patted Severus on the shoulder.  "I will be back soon if not by early tomorrow."  Albus step thought the school gate and in a moment with a 'pop' he was gone.

            Severus stood for a moment and thought about the intensity of the situation.  Who was the one who lifter the protection charms at the Ministry of magic?