Disclaimer: Once again, I don't own any of the characters in this story.

A/N: Well, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! I'd just like to give a special thanks to my beta's Devonny Rose and Prongs79! Everyone cheer for them because without them there would be numerous errors that would bug the heck out of you!

Harry Potter got out of the dungeons as quickly as he could without looking suspicious. The pocket that he had put the picture in felt like it was weighing more and more every moment. A mental chant of "Just get to the Tower. Just get to the Tower…" was running through his head over and over again.

It seemed like it was taking forever to get there, but he finally was able to reach the portrait of the Fat Lady. After almost shouting the password, "Chocolate Frogs!" in an extremely strained voice, Harry strode into the Gryffindor Common Room with a look of panic in his eyes.

Frantically, Harry's eyes roved over the room, searching desperately for his two best friends. Spotting them hunched over a chessboard in a far corner, Harry had to stop himself from running over to them.

Hermione and Ron looked up when they felt his presence. Perhaps they could see the churning emotions in his eyes, because they made no objection when Harry said, "I need to talk to you," and practically dragged them out of the room.

None of the three had noticed that the room had stopped talking during the whole display and only started again once the portrait hole was slammed shut.


Dean Thomas watched as the Golden Trio walked out of the portrait hole with a sigh.

"A bit early this year, aren't they?" Seamus questioned his best friend.

"Yeah, it's only the second day and those three have already found some pressing, secret, and potentially dangerous mystery to become involved in," Parvati said.

Neville put in, "We don't know that, guys. Maybe they won't be doing anything like that this year." Everyone went quiet and looked at each other before breaking out into loud, hysterical laughter.


Harry had drug his two longest and best friends to the Room of Requirement. After each of them chose one of the large, comfy chairs around the coffee table, Harry pulled the slightly yellowed, crumpled, and folded piece of paper from his pocket. Unfolding the paper, he placed it on the table and waited for the eventual outburst from his friends.

Ron and Hermione's eyes went wide as they digested the contents of the drawing. Surprisingly, Ron was the one who recovered first, "Well, mate, maybe it's a different Harry Potter."

Harry snorted, "Yeah, Ron, there are dozens of Harry Potter's with a lightening bolt scar on their foreheads, green eyes, and have access to muggle paper, not to mention associate with Snape." Ron looked like he knew this and Harry found he had to mutter and apology once he saw the hurt look on his best friend's face. No matter how upset he was, it was no excuse for hurting Ron.

Hermione finally found her voice. "Harry, don't you see?" Hermione could see an annoyed expression beginning to rise on Harry's face and quickly continued her train of thought. "Harry, Professor Snape kept this! Why would he keep it for so many years?" Harry had to admit that she did have a point. Why would Snape keep something like this? Harry barely could remember Snape at all and only just remembered that the adult that had meant so much to him in his childhood was the same one who tormented his adolescence. Could it actually be possible that Snape had felt some sort of kindness towards him at one point in his life?

Thoughts like these just made Harry more confused. He didn't know what to think. Was Snape really a nice guy once you got to know him? Harry sure had no idea, but most likely, he wasn't.

"Harry? HARRY!" Harry shook his head to end his never-ending stream of thoughts. "Harry, did you hear me? I asked you where you got this," Hermione told him. Harry looked at her for a second and then told her all about his detention and how he accidentally ran across the secret compartment. Hermione looked distracted. "Harry, do you really think you should have taken it? I mean, what if Professor Snape notices?"

Harry hadn't really thought of that at the time. He had been much too busy with the shock of seeing the picture to care about small matters like that. Now that he thought about it, he probably shouldn't have taken it. He could just as easily have told them about it.

"Don't worry, Hermione, I'll take it back with my invisibility cloak, later tonight." Hermione looked like this statement didn't end her worry in the least. She looked pleadingly at Ron.

Ron took her look to mean something completely different, "I hope there is still room for two of us under there, Harry, because I'm coming with you." Harry smiled at Ron and nodded that there would be room enough. Hermione just gaped at the two of them and left the room muttering about stupid boys and their stupid night raids, especially when one of them was a prefect and was supposed to be setting a good example. Ron and Harry just laughed. At least Hermione wouldn't change.

That night, after they were sure that everyone was in bed and asleep, Harry and Ron slipped out of Gryffindor Tower and began walking towards the dungeons, huddling under Harry's invisibility cloak. It was just like old times. The two of them forgot all about an evil psychopath out there trying to kill them, all they had to worry about was a certain potions master accidentally walking in on them. That wouldn't happen because they had their secret weapon: The Marauder's Map.

Once they had finally reached the Potion's Room, the boys slipped in. Hurrying over to the cabinet where Harry had found the picture, Harry quickly slid the compartment open and shoved the picture back in. Harry pulled his hand away and the door shut. Telling Ron that it was done, they both did an impromptu victory dance.

Ron jumped on top of one of the tables and started waving his arms around in some crazy rendition of what he must have picked up off of some stray muggle television that his father brought home. Harry on the other hand, at least managed to stay on the floor. They were in the middle of their new favorite song, "We are great! We even tricked Snape!" When Harry noticed a dot moving on the Map.

"Ron," Harry hissed, "Snape's coming! Get under the cloak!" Ron scrambled off the desk and joined Harry under the cloak as Snape slammed the door open. He stalked over to the still-open cabinet. Harry would have groaned if it wouldn't have given away their position. He really was thick sometimes.

Harry and Ron began to inch as quietly as they could over to the door. They would have made it if Ron hadn't accidentally tripped over his own feet ("I can't help it, I had to crouch in that thing!"). Harry stopped them from falling all together, but they still made enough noise for Snape to notice.

"POTTER!" He raged. Harry briefly thought about how unfair it was that Snape automatically assumed it was him. That thought was pushed aside though, as he and Ron went out of the room and down the hall as quickly as they could while still being covered by the cloak. They ducked into the nearest secret passageway, that was behind a huge tapestry that depicted Dumbledore's defeat of Grindewald. Walking in, both boys stood, holding their breath as they watched the dot-Snape run down the hall, oblivious to the fact that he was no longer chasing after anybody.

Giving out a little cheer, they allowed themselves to breathe and look around where they were. The boys were amazed at their surroundings and shocked at what they saw. It was actually a huge room. It was bare and the walls were a dark blackish-gray color, but it was a nice size.

Harry and Ron looked around before their gazes finally met and they both broke out into mischievous grins. They were both very obviously thinking the same thing. With a little bit of work, this place would be really great to hang out and talk in private. At least it was a step above Myrtle's Bathroom … without it even being cleaned. Smiling, they both remembered where their new hideout was located. What made it even better was that it was in the dungeons. Who would suspect a Gryffindor to have a secret room in the dungeons?

Checking the map one last time, they pushed the tapestry aside and walked out into the dimly lit hallway. They were going to go back to the room before Ron suggested that they make a quick detour to the kitchens for some celebratory butterbeer.

Harry agreed and the two of them set off. Tickling the pear in the basket of fruit, they walked into the nearly empty kitchens. Not quite sure of what to do, they just stood there for a moment. They didn't wait long before a house-elf came and saw them standing there.

"Sirs, what are young sirs doing here?" The elf questioned.

"Er – we're looking for Dobby, if he's here." Harry put in quickly. Harry knew that Dobby would do anything for him. Sure enough, when the small, unknown elf came back, Dobby looked delighted that Harry had asked for him, specifically.

"What is Harry Potter sir and his Wheezy doing here so late?" Dobby asked.

"Dobby, if we could maybe have a butterbeer, we'll be glad to tell you," Harry told him. Dobby squeaked with pleasure and ran off to get Harry and Ron a butterbeer. When he came back, a few house elves had followed. Harry was a little surprised but didn't really mind.

He began telling the story about the paper, not telling them what was on it, just that they had to put it back in the cupboard. Before long, Ron had taken over the story. He was actually making it sound incredibly interesting and he held the attention of all the elves, who were wonderful listeners, and had grown in number since they first arrived. They oohed and ahhed in all the right places and gasped at the right times too. By the time the story had finished and Ron told them that they had decided to come visit Dobby in the kitchens, Dobby had tears in his eyes and was looking at the two boys reverently.

"Harry Potter and his Wheezy is so brave!"

In the mean time, the other elves were busy discussing something that sounded important. When their whispers finally ended, a representative came forward.

"Sirs, we would be honored if you would allow us to help you with sirs secret place." Harry and Ron were surprised to say the least. Harry looked to Ron, who shrugged.

"Of course you may. And if you help, it is only right that you can use it. We expect you guys to come and share the place with us whenever you can." The elves all smiled and looked up at Harry and Ron happily. They all then continued chatting until Ron let out a huge yawn.

"Harry Potter and Ron Wheezy should be in bed, sirs!" A small elf said. The house elves all nodded in agreement and the boys stood up and left the kitchen for their dormitory. The elves really weren't all that annoying once they had gotten to know them better. They could overlook the high pitched voices and their huge tennis ball eyes. They had even gotten Dobby to stop worshipping Harry so much.

In their Common Room, before walking up the steps, Ron stopped walking and grinned widely at Harry. "'Mione is going to be so mad that we got the elves to help us. Then she's going to be mad that after all she's done we were the ones who are going to get them to take some time off to relax." Harry grinned as well at that thought, and both boys went up to their beds with smiles on their faces.


The next morning at breakfast, Harry and Ron were exhausted. They sat at the table not even noticing that there was food in front of them or that Hermione was lecturing them. They completely forgot to tell Hermione about the room they had found. They did manage to look up, though, when the Headmaster stood up at the Head Table for an announcement.

"I have some rather good news, that I am sure most of you will be pleased with! It appears that our Defense Against the dark Arts professor was able to join us earlier than expected." As everyone groaned collectively, a tall, handsome man walked in from the side door and stood next to the empty seat at the table. "Yes, your defense classes will resume as of today and I ask that you all welcome Professor Eustace Scrubb."


A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this little chapter, which I hope held a few surprises for you. Please tell me what you think!

Thanks to all my reviewers:

Starangel2106 – Yes, the truth will come out very soon now.

Amber16 – Glad my stories don't disappoint you! It's a huge relief!

Tati1 – Yeah, Harry would have been super dead if he found out Harry took it. He probably will sometime. I like it this way better. Hehe…frustrated Snape amuses me!

Wynjara – You'll just have to see if he has forgotten the picture or not.

Kateri1 – Yes, it will be some angst, but hopefully I can add enough light moments to balance it out!

Sylvanus Snape – Yeah, hopefully this is moving along fast enough for some people.

Ronda-Silverpaw – Yep, the plot did thicken…. Thanks for the vote of confidence!

Nicoletta – Yes, I need a secret compartment as well, would be so useful at times…anyways, yeah, it is screwing with his emotions pretty badly. I'm sure this new development will as well…

MarsIsBrightTonight – I understand what you are saying. I just figured that Harry would put it in because in the first book it talked about how the only part of himself that Harry liked was his scar. So, I just had him put it in the picture because I think at that age he would have been aware that he had a lightening bolt shaped scar on his forehead.

Fizzysoda – Thanks! Yep, it is a cliffhanger! Sorry, I sometimes do it without intending to… this time I kinda intended to…*hides*

Andromeda Snape-Malfoy – Thanks! Hope you enjoy this!

Lexa – yeah, Harry isn't fine. It will catch up to him, though, and with his luck it will be at the most inconvenient of times….

Heather – Thanks! I'm glad you like it! Hopefully this chapter meets your expectations!

Shezan – Thanks! Hope you enjoy this chapter as well, even if it is in a little different tone.

mySakurazukamori – whew, your name takes a long time to spell! Anyways, Harry won't be slytherin and angry in the entire thing. I think there are just some issues that he needs to stop repressing and deal with and it is kinda changing his actions a little bit. He is still the same old harry we all know and love, though.

The Cat That Killed Curiosity – Well, I am glad that you find this story an obsessive-compulsive-must-read! Hope you enjoyed it!

Chrissie – Aloha! Now, now, if it moved too fast it would be unbelievable!

Prongs79 – Hehe, yep, you are sooo my beta now! (Is that good or bad?)

Tia – I certainly hope it is interesting!

Wanderingwolf – no way will I EVER make Snape soft! I agree with you totally on that! Why do you think he hid it? Nope, no danger of sappy Snape here!

MissAssassin – Hmm, well, you'll just have to wait to see everything that comes from this!

Sky – Glad you liked seeing more of this story!

Elessar – You will see if he realizes! Thanks for your review!

Padawan Jan-AQ – Thanks so much! I'm glad you like it!

Awen – what part confuses you? I'd be glad to explain!

Penny – Yep, he found it!

H/G FaNaTiC – Thanks! I'm really glad that you liked The Neighbor and I hope this story meets your expectations!

Pip3 – He remembered him, he just didn't associate him with the person that he knows as Snape today. Glad you liked it!