This Chapter Was Written By Mekare

Of Disturbing News, Discussions, and the Start of School

Starting from the very beginning, Harry told Snape everything that had happened, leaving Snape wide-eyed at the very thought of Harry doing something that might be considered noble. Although Snape had stopped believing that Harry was anything like James, his mind sometimes made him believe otherwise.

"So you joined Voldemort's league, just so you can save the lives of the people around you?" Snape sighed "Harry, noble though that may seem, it was also quite stupid. Voldemort is the most manipulating man - no, thing to every walk the planet; and it doesn't help that he is now back in the form of Tom Riddle, and yet still has all his powers. Don't you see? People are out looking for an ugly, terrifying mass murderer. Nobody would expect to see Tom Riddle wandering the streets, and when someone meets him, nobody would believe that he is the most conniving, evil - not to mention insane -wizard ever! He could easily trick more and more people, into joining his league; and once you join Voldemort there's no going back.

"Now think about it: if people see you with him, how many do you think will believe he's evil, hmm? Think of the advantage you have given him! And Harry, you have a very strong will, but: how do you know you won't fall into his trap as well? How do you know he won't trick you?" Snape sat back, awaiting Harry's reply.

"OF COURSE I WON'T FALL INTO HIS TRAP! THAT FREAK HAS KILLED SO MANY PEOPLE! NOT TO MENTION MY PARENTS!" was Harry's heated reply.

'How could Snape ever think - me give in to Voldemort! NEVER! I just - I joined him, but it doesn't mean I won't kill him the first chance I get! I just…' Harry's thoughts were filled with an anger that truly surprised him.

Trying to regain control over his emotions, Harry fiddled with the ring Voldemort had given him. Oddly enough, said ring was glowing at the moment, 'Weird. I've never seen it do that before' as Harry calmed himself, the rings glow faded, until it was just a normal ring once again.

'Hmm, must be fueled by my emotions.' Without really knowing why, Harry had not told Snape the part about getting the ring, it seemed to do something, but Harry was unsure as to what that something was. Whatever the reason, Harry had felt the need to stay quiet about it.

"Fine then," Snape said aloud, "perhaps you would consider being a spy. Is that an option you will accept?"

Harry shook his head sadly, "No, I - I can't. Too many people have died because of me, if Voldemort finds out about my deception…well I couldn't live with knowing that I'm at fault for so many more deaths. Knowing how many deaths I've caused is hard enough as it is."

Snape nodded in understanding. "Harry, I understand, but I wish you'd realize that you also saved so many lives."

Harry glared at him, "I hate it when people say that. I didn't save anyone, my mother did; and besides, I should've been strong enough to not let Voldemort use my blood. I should've gotten out of there, and…and I never should've taken Cedric."

Harry's eyes started to sting as tears begged to be let loose. Snape just stared at Harry, at a loss for words; he was only just learning all the things that plagued the young boy in front of him.

Harry looked up at his Professor, "May I - may I please be excused?" Harry asked, needing to get out of there before he started to cry. Snape nodded and stood, beckoning him to the door.

"Harry, I know this is odd, but if there is ever a time where you feel like you need to talk, just ask, and I will lend an ear. I understand why you made this decision, and I will keep it a secret, along with anything else, you ever feel the need to tell me."

Harry thanked him and walked to his dorms, he'd better get ready, school was starting tomorrow.

The next day Harry did not awake until noon. Harry got dressed then wondered down to the Great Hall for what should have been lunch, but was rather a very late breakfast for the raven haired boy. After shoveling down a good meal, Harry got up with the thought of wandering around the castle-something that he had found himself doing a lot lately.

"Mr. Potter!" Harry turned around at the sound of his name.

"Oh, hello Professor." Harry said when he saw McGonagall standing at the foot of the staircase, "Headmaster Dumbledore requests your presence in his office. He has something he wishes to speak with you about."

Harry's breath caught in his throat, 'What if he knows? Oh no!'

"D-do you know what this is about?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.

"No, I do not. I was in his office when he received a letter, after reading it he asked for me to find you. I know nothing else on this matter. Now please hurry, and you can find out for yourself what this is about." The strict professor replied.

"Mars Bars," McGonagall said when they reached the entrance to Dumbledore's office.

"Ah, Harry, come in, come in." The headmaster said when he noticed the boy's entrance, "Thank you, Professor." Dumbledore said, nodding towards the door, as if to say, 'please go'.

When McGonagall left Harry looked at Dumbledore and noticed right away, that the usual twinkle in his eyes was gone.

'No-no no no no no no no! HE CAN'T KNOW!'

"Please sit." Dumbledore said motioning to the chair front of him. As Harry sat, Dumbledore started to speak, "Now, I'm sure you're curious as to why I called you here. You see, I have just received word that the Dursley residence was attacked a few nights past. It seems Voldemort found out that is where you were staying, though how, I do no know."

Harry gasped, he hated the Dursley's more than he could say, but he did not want them dead. Death was something he only wished upon one person; his dear grandfather. Harry knew that Dumbledore's assumption that Voldemort attacked Private Drive to kill Harry was false-Voldemort had made it perfectly clear that nobody was to touch his heir. Unless Harry was very much mistaken, Voldemort attacked to get revenge upon those that dare hurt the one who he hoped would take over the "Family business" as Voldemort had called it during their last meeting.

"So are they all - dead?" Harry asked nervously.

"No. By this time the Muggle police had already arrested your Uncle. Supposedly, neighbors started to talk, and your Aunt took her son and fled." Harry relaxed having received the knowledge that nobody was dead.

"This is not all I'm afraid. I have also just been informed that your Uncle's hearing is this Tuesday, and you have to attend, so that you can tell your part of the story. I'm sorry." Harry visibly tensed at Dumbledore's words.

"N-no. I can't go. I won't go! You can't make me!" Harry said jumping out of his seat and fleeing the office. Harry ran and ran, with no thoughts as to where he was going.

Right then Harry couldn't care less where he ended up, he just had to get away; he had to keep running. The tormented fifteen-year-old felt sure that if he stopped running his past would catch up with him.

'I have to keep going. I got away from that life. I WON'T GO BACK! I CAN'T GO BACK! I can't see him all over again. I just can't.'

Harry kept running, he felt like he had been running for hours, (though in truth it was only about 30 minutes).

Finally, when Harry felt as though he was going to collapse, he smacked into something, and fell on his butt. Looking up he realized he had run right into Professor Snape.

"Hello Mr. Potter, may I ask what has you running as though the devil himself (AN: Or herself, whichever you prefer. LOL) is chasing after you?"

Shaking his head, Harry cleared his mind of all the things that had gone through is head while running. Standing up Harry remembered the offer his Professor had made.

"You know what? I'll tell you. That is, if your offer to listen when I need it is still open; is it?"

Snape smirked, when he had made the offer he had been sincere, but he honestly never thought that Harry would take him up on the offer.

"Yes, the offer still does stand. Why don't we go into my office?" When the teacher and his pupil reached the confines of Professor Snape's office, Harry began to talk.

"Thank you for being willing to speak with me. It's just, I don't know who else to talk to without worrying that I'll say something about my Grandfather."

Snape nodded his understanding. "So what is it that has you so worried?"

Harry looked Snape in his eyes and told Snape all that Dumbledore had told him, as well as the worries that now plagued him.

"It sounds to me that your greatest worry is that your Uncle's presence at the hearing will affect you to the point that you will not be capable of telling your story." Harry nodded.

"Well Harry, there is not much I can do about that, but I can help you come up with what you are going to tell them, without feeling vulnerable. Also, I think it is very important that you go speak with the Headmaster. You see, this hearing will decide if he goes free, but you also need to know what will happen with your living arrangements if, in fact, he does go free."

Harry nodded again and stood up. "I guess I'd better go speak with him. I need to catch him before something important happens and he becomes too busy." Harry walked to the door, still scared, but feeling oddly better about the hearing.

"Er, Professor?" Harry said, turning back around,

"Yes?"

"Would you be willing to do this more often, just talk?"

"Yes, I would be happy to do this whenever you feel the need."

Leaving it at that, Harry left and walked back to Dumbledore's office.

"Hello Professor, I'm sorry I ran out like that." Harry said, lowering is head in apology, and embarrassment.

"That's quite alright. Now Harry, you need to know, this hearing will only decide his guilt. Your hearing will be on the Tuesday of next week."

"My hearing?"

"Yes, the one that will decide where you go, who you will stay with. That hearing will be led by a magical committee." Harry nodded for what felt like the thousandth time that day.

'Great, I'm becoming one of those little nodding toys.' Harry thought to himself, stifling a laugh. Harry quickly remembered why he was there, and no longer felt the need to laugh.

"Well, I'm sure you would like some time alone, so I will let you go." Harry thanked him and left, he had quite a bit to think about.

That night Harry stood in the entrance awaiting the arrival of his friends.

'How am I ever going to act normal around them? What if they see right through my act?!' Harry felt positive that the moment they saw him they would know.

"Feeling nervous? Don't worry, you've even fooled the Headmaster, you'll be fine." Harry looked over to his newly respected professor.

"Thank you sir, that helps a lot." At that moment he heard the rush of students heading to the door.

As the loud stomps got closer, the doors magically opened and his peers came rushing in. Harry forced a grin onto his face as he greeted his friends. Looking around he spotted his tall red haired friend, and knew Hermione would be right next to him. As his two friends got closer, he saw the looks on their faces falter.

'No, how could they know already. NO!!'

"Er, hiya Harry." Ron said eyeing Professor Snape, that's when it clicked, 'Ha-Ha! They just noticed Professor Snape next to me.' Harry's worries started to diminish once again.

"Hello Harry." Hermione said giving her friend a hug, "How are you?"

"I've been better. But at least I'm here, and not…" Harry frowned.

"Well, come on." Ron said, changing the subject, "Let's get some food! I'm starving!"

"Ron, you ate half the food on the trolley! I spent quite a bit on all that."

"Sorry." Ron said, ducking his head sheepishly.

"Don't worry about it; you'll only be in my debt forever."

The three friends laughed, and walked into the Great Hall.

"So Harry, why was Professor Snape standing next to you back there?" Ron asked grimacing at the thought of having to stand anywhere near the dreaded potions master.

"Oh that! He really isn't all that bad. I mean, he isn't the nicest person to walk the planet, but he and I have accepted our differences, ever since the day I woke up we've started to talk a lot. He's even apologized for how he treated me in the past."

Ron looked at him wearily, "Are you sure it's not just a trick? I mean, how can we be sure he's not a Death Eater still?"

Harry and Hermione rolled their eyes, "Oh please Ron! You have accused him of being a Death Eater on numerous occasions, it's just getting stupid. Think about it, the first time we thought he was trying to kill Harry, he ended up saving his life. Just give it up already!"

Ron glared at Hermione, and was about to say something when Harry stomped on his foot and pointed up to the Head-table, where Dumbledore was standing up to make his speech. The three kids sat down and waited for their Headmaster to start speaking.

"Welcome everyone, now I know you are all dying to eat, so let's hurry on with the house sorting, so that you may eat to your stomachs desires."

As Dumbledore sat down McGonagall stepped up and set down the sorting hat, and its stool. While the sorting hat started its song, Harry allowed his mind to wander.

Tomorrow was Monday, and he would have to meet Voldemort. Harry made a mental note to ask Snape to "give him detention" tomorrow, so that nobody would think it odd that he suddenly went missing at 8:00, and was then gone for two and a half hours.

"Harry. Harry? Hello, anybody home?" Ron asked lifting his fist to bang on Harry's head.

Harry dodged the blow to his head, and elbowed his friend, "Yeah, sorry my mind drifted. How many Gryffindors did we get?"

"Two." Hermione replied, "But seven went to Slytherin."

"Great, just what we need: MORE Slytherins."

Harry pouted, and Hermione rolled her eyes at the - in her book - pointless feud between the houses.

"We may have to hire Fred and George to do some Slytherin damage control." Ron said, slyly.

"You know, I dislike most Slytherins just as much as you, but you SHOULD give them a chance. If you did, most wouldn't be so heartless." The bushy-haired fifteen-year-old said in a tone that made her friends feel like children being chastised.

"Thank you for that speech, MOM." Ron said, rolling his eyes.

Hermione turned to him and raised her hand as if to slap him. Instead she slammed the hand against the table and stood up. "I'm going to the library." She said as she left.

"What? What the hell did I do?" Ron said, stupidly.

Harry suddenly started laughing, "You never fail to make put your foot in it. You know she doesn't like it when you insult her like that. She was only trying to put in a point." Harry said, looking at his friend with an admonishing gaze.

"Fine, I'll go apologize, after dinner." Harry shook his head at his friend's idiocy.

"Your stomach always comes first!" The two quickly finished eating then headed off in different directions. Ron to apologize to Hermione; and Harry, (despite what he told Ron) headed off to the Potions Room to tell his Professor about his 'much deserved detention.'

TBC

A/N: Thank you for all those wonderful reviews!!