A/N Author logs in happily, only to be confronted by a mailroom full of review alerts from shocked readers. Ah. Yes. Well. I read your reviews and apparently I did a…what you call an 'evil cliffy' right? Author tries to scurry away from said shocked readers Well, you see…I may have kinda scared you, eh? Is there anything I can give you as a peace offering? I could…I dunno…write in a catfight between Hermione and Minerva or sumthing…just lemme know…please don't flame me…Author runs and hides

Severus covered his eyes with his hand for a moment. I managed to catch the Headmistress before she slid out of the chair. "Ennervate!" I said, pointing my wand at her. She weakly opened her eyes. "Oh Merlin, it wasn't a dream I just had?" she asked, seeing the two of us and the portrait stare at her in concern.

"Sorry professor." She took my hand to steady herself. "Severus? ALBUS? Please, tell me you were joking so I can yell at Albus, inflict serious physical damage on Severus, and then we can get back to business…"

Albus shook his head. "I'm sorry Minerva, but I'm afraid it's true. We found out just after Voldemorts' return that Severus is the sixth Horcrux. We've searched for both the other five and a solution that would remove Voldemort's piece of soul from Severus without killing him. The first we accomplished…"

McGonagall, still shaky, turned to Severus, and suddenly threw her arms around him, crying. The expression on his face was priceless. He was totally gobsmacked. Awkwardly patting her on the back, he pleaded "Minerva, it's ok…please, let go, you're hurting me." She did let go, but framed his face with both hands. "Oh, my poor child, and you've known about this for over two years already? Why didn't you tell me?" She suddenly looked at me. "And how come Mr Longbottom knows about this?"

I could feel the blood drain from my face. Merlin, I was supposed to become a powerful and fearless wizard, and now I'm nearly soiling myself at the prospect of having to confess invading someone's privacy to these three VERY formidable people. Well, these two, I should say; technically Dumbledore's painting didn't count. "I eh…" I started, "I read the letter the Headmaster wrote to Professor Snape…" Former Headmaster and current Headmistress stared at me. "Mr. Longbottom!" McGonagall began. "Don't, Minerva," Severus said, sitting down on the couch wearily, "It was only logical when he found me practically in his backyard, that he searched me before taking me in. He still believed me to be a traitor, after all…"

I nodded. "I'm sorry, professor. I haven't apologized yet for reading your letter, but I am sorry. I had to know, I had to have some proof you weren't a traitor and murderer." He snorted again. "I still am a murderer, Mr Longbottom…Neville." A very firm voice came from the portrait. "No, you are not. There is a difference, child, between killing and murdering. It's a very fine line, I know, but it is there. You can kill without committing murder. When Harry defeats Tom, he will be killing, but no one will call him a murderer. And by that definition, you are my killer, but not my murderer." The portrait paused, and looked down on the tired man on the couch with such love in his eyes as I have rarely seen. "Most of all, you are my son, Severus. I wished a long and happy life for you once this war is over, and I will not give up that wish without a fight." Severus stilled. The dark hair hung in front of his face like a curtain and he sighed softly. "I'll try, father. You are right, there is a little time still. And now I have help at least."

Quite honestly, I was horrified at the thought of being the one person who could help Severus the most. I HAD improved greatly this past year, no doubt about it, but I was no Harry, who can battle Voldemort time and time again, or Hermione, with her quick mind and talent for research.

"How did you become a Horcrux, Severus?" McGonagall asked next, settling her younger colleague on the couch and getting out some more potions and ointments. Severus sighed. "I suspect sometime during the first war, before I became a spy. There are these rituals…" he closed his eyes, seemingly finding it easier to talk without seeing any of us. "Rituals he does sometimes with his followers, for various reasons. They are…quite unpleasant. They are also considered a great honor. And apart from that, he would kill anyone who refused. I don't remember the exact ritual in which I became a Horcrux, as I was unconscious during most, but I recall one where he had brought in a muggle. He never did that, rituals were always between himself and the victim. I suppose he killed the muggle and performed the spells."

He winced as the Headmistress treated a particularly nasty bruise near his temple. "Sorry Severus. It doesn't make sense though, that he still tortured you after that. It seems silly to me to endanger you." Severus nodded. "That is why I am still alive. He did torture me, yes, but never so much I couldn't recover. He didn't know, still doesn't know, that I am aware that I am one of his Horcruxes. That is why he doesn't often send me on dangerous missions and lets me stay at Hogwarts. As long as I am safe, he is safe."

"Yes," the portrait said, "and that is one of the reasons he didn't tell me he had made an Unbreakable Vow." Severus shrugged. "It made sense to me, since I will most likely die, must die, in fact, that I should not fulfill it. But of course, you had to disagree." The portrait smiled amiably, if a bit sadly. "Of course, child. You are not yet 40 years old. There is a chance, however slim, that we might destroy the Horcrux without killing you in the process. That is more of a chance then I had." Severus propped himself up on his elbows, his face angry. "BUT I LOVE YOU, YOU JERK!" he screamed. "And you ordered me to kill you," he ended, softer. The portrait sighed. "And I hope that you will be able to forgive both me and yourself for that, child. But for now, we need to make plans. Neville can stay here, and research while the school is still closed. We will provide him with an invisibility cloak. I suppose you need to return to Spinner's End, Severus. Minerva, dear, there is a hidden compartment in my desk that holds two pendants, one obsidian, one lapis. These are portkeys, keyed to one another. They will allow you to travel to each other quickly if needs be."

We nodded, and donned the necklaces. Severus was clearly feeling better as we walked out of the office. I cleared my throat. "Sir…sir I really am sorry for what I did, reading your letter I mean."

He stopped and stared at me. "I always thought there was more to you then you let on in your first years in school," he said, "or I wouldn't have tried so hard to force it out of you. Had you not searched me and read that letter, I would have been sorely disappointed in your lack of common sense. Should you ever tell anyone about its contents, however…" his expression became menacing once again, returning him to the evil git of a Potions Master we all know and lo…eh, fear.

I grinned. One or two years ago he would've petrified me on the spot with that look.

He sighed. "I'm loosing my touch, aren't I?"

I shrugged. "It seems we're allies now, so you might as well spare yourself the trouble of your evil git routine. I'm gonna be in the library. Be sure to summon me if anything is wrong."

A/N AARGGGHHHHHHHH! Now I know the downside of evil cliffy's: the next chapter. Sorry, there's a lot of talking going on in this one, and it's been fighting me tooth and nail for two days straight. I promise it'll get better though!