A/N Thanks once more for the kind reviews. I was a bit surprised though at people's eh…surprise at the friendly reception. Obviously the portrait could tell the true story, plus Ron and Hermione had appeared two days earlier, with the tale of what happened in Neville's hiding place.

Severus turned around and didn't move. Harry stared at the painting. "H-Headmaster?" he asked. The painting chuckled. "Well, you know how it is with this painting business, Harry. It's really like a memory of me. But, close enough to the real me to be of assistance. How's your search going?"

For a moment, Harry didn't react. "Wha…? Oh, the search. Well, we found out where the fifth Horcrux is. We need to do some research before we move in to destroy it. We think the sixth Horcrux must be something connected to Slytherin, but I have no idea yet what it could be." The painting sighed. "Well, you came to the right place for research. I suspect the Headmistress will be more then happy to accommodate you." McGonagall smiled. "Certainly, headmaster. Since the school is empty still, they'll have the whole library to themselves, restricted section included. Hermione has already been doing some reading there."

The portrait nodded. "Well, you better get on with it then. Let me know what you find. And if you don't mind, I need to talk to Severus now." The four of us were about to leave the office when a thick voice said, "Mr. Longbottom can stay." It took a moment before we realized it was Severus who had spoken. I hesitated, but upon receiving an encouraging nod from McGonagall, I walked back into the room. The trio cast a few questioning glances over their shoulders, but I merely shrugged.

"Severus," the portrait called, but the man stayed put. I could see his shoulders shaking slightly. "Severus, will you please turn around and face me," the portrait said, sternly now. Slowly, he turned around and walked up to the fireplace, eyes still firmly fixed on the floor. "Look at me," the portrait ordered in a voice anyone would have obeyed in an instant. Severus was no exception. Satisfied, the portraits stern facade fell and he smiled warmly. "Hello, my dear child," Dumbledore said, "It's so good to see you again. Not entirely in one piece, though…" he sounded slightly worried now.

"Neville took good care of me," Severus mumbled. Then he looked up into the headmasters' eyes completely. "Father…" he nearly choked on the tears. The painted Dumbledore held up a hand. "Child, you did what I asked. If you dare apologize I will scold you even from this canvas." A slight sarcastic snort came from the former professor. "I could just walk away, you know," he sneered. The painting laughed. "Yes. Now explain to me why Neville is here when you know what I want to discuss with you."

I felt my face burn. I was in such trouble if Severus told them what I did. I didn't want to be told off by a painted Dumbledore, let alone a very much alive McGonagall. But Severus merely said, "I told him. We were locked up together for three days while he took care of me. We didn't ignore each other completely." The painting smiled happily. "I'm glad. Minerva and I are quite…tied up, so we can't help you much outside this castle. Am I to understand, Mr. Longbottom, that you are willing to help Severus?" I nodded, determined. "Absolutely, Headmaster." Severus raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You are? I didn't think…" he trailed off. Showing him I did learn something from him, I sneered sarcastically, "Sure, I haul you from my backyard, nurse you and drive you all the way through England fighting off Death Eaters in the process, because I have no intention at all of helping you. Don't be stupid." The headmaster chuckled, and even Severus sported a small smile, but I honestly thought McGonagall would faint. She weakly collapsed into a chair, staring at all three of us, speechless. Erm, maybe I've changed more then I've realized.

Severus continued, oblivious to the Headmistress' confusion – or just purposely ignoring it, it's hard to tell with him. "Well, I do appreciate that, but I don't think anyone can really help. There aren't an awful lot of options, father." The twinkle had disappeared completely from Dumbledore's eyes. "There is some time still, and I insist you do not give up yet."

McGonagall recovered enough to interrupt. "Albus, will you please tell me what is going on?" Severus turned to the painting. "You didn't tell her yet?" He frowned. "Minerva…Albus and I did extensive research on the Horcruxes. I helped with the destruction of the ring. We know all the Horcruxes now, and I'm sure Hermione will find a way to destroy them. And Harry is foolhardy enough to actually do it."

McGonagall stared at us. "But, Harry said he didn't know what the sixth Horcrux is…" The portrait looked at here with a very serious expression. "We didn't want to risk telling him yet. There was no way of knowing what he'd do. Let him go after the fifth first. Meanwhile we need to find a solution…"

"For what?" the headmistress wanted to know. I closed my eyes. Although I had known it for days now, I really didn't want to hear the answer to her question. It would make it so definitive.

"Minerva," Severus said, gentler then I've ever heard him, "I am the sixth Horcrux."

It was then that McGonagall really did faint.