For the disclaimer see previous chapters

A/N: Reviews are what keep me going, so make sure you do.

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11 o'clock was fast approaching and Harry, Ron and Hermione were all waiting in the woods around the Malfoy's house. A little ways beside them, they could see Dumbledore who right now appeared as the spitting image of Snape. Harry knew that Dumbledore had hidden a little flask of the same polyjuice potion on him so that he would not be discovered and could stay there longer.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione's job was simple for the night. They were simply to escort Snape back to Hogwart's – most likely to the infirmary. Harry just could not understand why they couldn't just rescue Snape. Why did Dumbledore have to take his place? It was all mind boggling to him.

Harry looked over at his two best friends. It was dark and hard to see, but it almost looked like they were having a tender moment. 'I know there's something going on with them. I should just talk to them and tell them it's okay so they don't sneak around me anymore.' He thought. Part of Harry just wanted to rush in and face the senior Malfoy and hopefully Voldemort. He didn't want this prophecy hanging over his head anymore. He just wanted to get revenge on them for ruining his whole life.

At that moment, Harry saw the Malfoy castle light up. They got the cue from the ministry people conducting the raid that it was time. Dumbeldore waited until he was sure that the ministry was inside and then started walking towards the castle. Harry was so anxious and excited to see his father he couldn't hardly see straight. His breathing became labored as he wondered how badly hurt Snape would be. The thought of losing him at this point just made his blood run cold. He couldn't bear the thought. Just at the moment when he couldn't stand the suspense one moment longer, he made out Snape crawling towards them. 'Crawling?' he thought. 'My father crawling?'

Carefully the three friends made their way towards the injured Snape. Dumbledore had given them a portkey back to Hogwarts to use. The moment they reached him all four grabbed onto the portkey.

Instantly they found themselves in the infirmary of Hogwarts. 'The efficiency of Dumbledore is amazing.' Harry thought. Madame Pomfrey was standing by with several healing potions. 'She must have been alerted' thought Harry.

"Out! Everyone out this instant!" she screamed.

"Oh please, Madame. Let me stay! I just want to be by him." Harry said.

The look of compassion that he received from her was almost too much too bear. "No Harry. You can do him no good here. Go back to your room. Get some rest. He'll be better in the morning. You can see him them." She said gently.

"Come on, mate." Said Ron. Why don't you stay in the Gryffindor tower with us tonight?"

"Thanks, Ron, but all the same, I think I'll just head back to my room. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

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"Just one more minute. Not quite ready. Just one more." Harry mumbled. Suddenly remembering the events of the night before Harry jumped out of bed and almost ran smack into Dumbledore. With a shocked look on his face, Harry said "Wha… How?.. What's going on?"

"Things did not go quite as planned, Harry. It is absolutely imperative that we send you and Snape to a safe place right now. There is no delaying. Classes are of no importance now. I'm afraid that you will have to face Voldemort sooner than we had hoped." Dumbledore spoke.

"What happened last night, Professor? Is Snape doing better this morning? Is he okay?" said Harry in a rush.

"I'm afraid that the polyjuice potion did not last as long as we had expected. It must have lost some of its potency because of sitting on the shelf. Before I had a chance to do what I had gone for, Malfoy had discovered the switch. I was able to escape but I'm afraid that young Mr. Malfoy was killed in the process." Dumbledore said with an extreme look of sadness. "Malfoy will no doubt inform his master of the incident and you and Snape are both in extreme danger for escaping him yet again. No matter where we hide you, it will not be long before Voldemort discovers a way to get to you again. You must spend every waking moment in this hiding preparing for your final duel with Lord Voldemort. Snape will help you. You must take this seriously, Harry. Don't ever forget your strongest weapon – love."

Harry still did not understand how love would help him defeat Voldemort, but hoped that when the time came, it would all become clear to him.

"As for your father, he is awaking and as usual trying to boss around Poppy." Said Dumbledore with the twinkle returning to his eyes. "I have informed your friends what is happening, but they must not go with you. This is something that you will have to face alone, Harry. Now, your father is up and ready – waiting for you in the infirmary. Go to him. He will take you to that very same house that the Snape insignia took you to. You will be safe there for a while. Good luck, Harry."