Author's Note: I don't own this. None of the characters are mine. The ideas of the story are only barely mine. I make no money from this.

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Harry couldn't believe his eyes. He was holding his owl results in his hands, and he just could not grasp what he saw. 'How is this possible?' he thought. 'I got O's in every single owl except divination and astronomy which I failed miserably. How did I manage to pass potions?' Harry continued to sit and stare unbelieving until there was a knock at his door. Figuring it was his father; Harry got up and opened the door.

"I passed potions! I can become an auror!" screamed Harry as he faced Severus.

"Congratulations, Harry. I don't know how you managed to get an O in potions, but I must warn you that in class I will be forced to treat you as I normally would."

"Yes, yes, I understand that, sir!"

"Is there also a list of the supplies and books that you will need for the coming term?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well, I have asked Mrs. Weasley to come and accompany you, Hermione, and Ron to Diagon Alley tomorrow to buy supplies. Several of the order members will be there for your safety although you may not see them. We can't be too careful with you, Harry and we never know what the Dark Lord may have found out. We must also discuss your class schedule for the coming term."

"Okay, sir." Harry said looking forward already to the time with Ron and Hermione, his two best friends.

"First of all you will only be taking five classes. We are concentrating on only the things needed for you to become an auror. The threat of the Dark Lord has caused us to adjust our teaching somewhat. You will spend more time in these classes than in the past. You will be taking charms, transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and of course Potions. For the last class you may choose between defense against dark charms, the healing arts, and becoming an animangus."

"I want to take becoming an animangus."

"Very well, Harry, I had a feeling that that is what you were going to choose. Dumbledore is only offering that class to a select bunch of students, as it has to be a small class due to the difficulty of the spell being mastered. You will also continue your occlumency with me. In addition to this Dumbledore will be teaching you about a group of spells that will help you to defeat the Dark Lord when that time comes. I must stress to you again how important it is for you to master each and every one of these areas. It is critical that you defeat the Dark Lord. Try not to copy so much from Ms. Granger this semester. Yes, I know about all your copying."

Harry only grinned as Severus spoke.

"Very well… now…" Professor Snape couldn't continue as he grasped his arm.

"Oh no! It's the dark mark? Isn't it sir? You must not go! Please don't go! I just know that whatever this is, it will not be good!"

"Harry, you know why I spy for Voldemort. You know that the consequences would be worse if I didn't go. You must let me go and clear my mind so that Voldemort will not find out about you. I promise, Harry, I will be back!"

Harry reluctantly watched as Severus made his way outside of his sleep quarters. Harry had only just learned about his connection to his father; he did not want to lose it now.

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As Severus left Harry's room, he knew that it was imperative that he clear his mind of all these thoughts. If Voldemort caught him thinking about this it would be death for him and the boy. Severus grabbed his robes and left the castle going past the point where the wards would let him apparate.

"So glad you could make it, Severus. 'Crucio' Next time do not disgrace me by being late when I summon you. Now that we are all assembled, let me get to the point. I want Harry Potter. I will not let that little boy get the best of me. First of all I want to know why he did not die when I put my curse on him. FIND OUT!" Voldemort screamed at them. "If none of you have the answer by the next time we meet. There will be consequences." Stated Voldemort looking each of the assembled death eaters in the eye. "Then I will come up with a way to get Potter once and for all. Now leave my sight. Except you, Snape, please stay."

As the other deatheaters apparated away Severus wondered what it was this time that would cause Voldemort to single him out. Did he need more potions for another one of his muggle raids? Severus couldn't begin to imagine.

"Severus, as you are closest to the boy while he is at Hogwarts. My next plan will undoubtedly involve you. Dumbledore trusts you, fool that he is, and we can use that to our advantage to snare Potter away from his precious protection. I want you to find out what protection would cause Potter to survive the curse."

"Yes, my Lord," said Severus bowing. "But you know that if Dumbledore even so much as suspects…"

"How DARE you question my orders! 'Crucio'" he shouted.

As Severus bit his tongue to keep from crying out, he wondered how much longer this could go on. He knew that he had been subjected to these unforgivable curses too many times. It was only a matter of time before he went insane from them. The potions that he took to provide resistance only imparted so much relief. By the time Voldemort lifted the curse, Snape was almost too weak to walk.

"I will give you until the end of this term and then I expect you to know exactly how he is vulnerable and have a plan for bringing him to me. I trust you know the consequences for non-compliance. I normally would not give you this amount of time, but I want to maintain a low profile so that Dumbledore and those other fools will think that the danger has passed. You WILL not disappoint me."

Severus managed to bow down low while the Dark Lord disappeared and just barely apparated and made it back to his dungeons before he passed out.

Meanwhile, Harry had been pacing in his room waiting for Severus to return. He knew that his father would not be happy with him sitting idly worried about him, but Potter could not help it. He had tried practicing charms for a while and found that he could not concentrate. Then he tried to clear his mind, but found that that was no use as well. Finally after an hour of pacing his room, his scar began to hurt and somehow knew that it was because the Cruciatus curse had been placed on Snape. Harry knew his father would be coming shortly. When Harry finally did hear the Snape's footsteps he knew that he was back and could finally rest.

In the morning Harry made sure to check on Severus before he went to the entrance hall to see if Mrs. Weasley, Ron and Hermione had arrived yet. After knocking on the door he heard a weak 'Come In.' When he went in, Harry was horrified to see the condition of his father. The cruciatus curse had taken quite a toll on him. Harry ran to his father asking "Can I go get Madame Pomfrey for you? Is there a potion you need? What can I do for you?" Realizing what a display of emotion that was he became somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm fine Potter, no need to worry about me!" snapped Snape. In a softer tone he continued, "I have undergone this curse many times. I am quite capable of handling myself. As you should know, it would only create suspicion if I were to go to Madame Pomfrey too often. I will be fine." Seeing that Harry was clearly not convinced he went on. "Honestly, Harry, I am fine. I need to report to Dumbledore today and you are to go to Diagon Alley today. Enjoy your day with Ron and Hermione."

Seeing that he was going to get nothing else from Professor Snape, Harry turned and left the room to look for Ron, Hermione, and Mrs. Weasley.