A/N: This is a TOTAL Work in Progress. Wrote the first chapter without having an idea of where I wanted this story to go (which is unusual for me, my other stories had pages of notes & at least the first 5 chapters outlined-if not completed-before I posted them…Any ideas you guys have would be appreciated, welcomed & perhaps incorporated into the story.

Where There's a Will, There's a Way
Chapter 3
Pandora's Box

"Heck, Hermione. I was going to say Heck."

"Still," Hermione responded. "What could Professor Dumbledore have written that warranted that type of response from you?"

"Read for yourself," Harry stated as he passed the letter to his best friends, before returning to his previous position on the bed and slowly banging his head against the wall.

"It's not that bad," Hermione answered, "Kind of sweet really."

Harry just looked at her in disbelief before continuing to bang his head against the wall in frustration.

"Harry, stop. You're going to give yourself a headache."

"Can't get much worse," Harry grumbled as he took custody of the letter Ron handed him. "I was hoping that this letter might have answers to some of my questions, or at least help me find and destroy the remaining Horcruxes. But it didn't. Basically this letter is useless."

"I don't know about that," Ron answered, "I learned something."

Harry looked at him in disbelief. If there was anything to find in that letter, his money would've been on Hermione discovering it. Hermione looked at Ron with pride, while mentally reviewing the letter, wondering what she missed.

"What?" Harry and Hermione finally asked in unison since it did not appear that Ron was going to elaborate.

"Well, I actually learned the reason why we have a history class. I could've sworn it was just to help us catch up on our sleep."

Harry and Hermione groaned before Harry once more started hitting his head against the wall.

"What?" Ron asked, puzzled. "What did I say? You wanted to know what I learned, so I told you."

"I think Harry was hoping that you learned something that would have more of an impact on this war with Voldemort," Hermione explained.

"Or at least explain why he trusted Snape or why Snape killed him," Harry added.

"Because Snape's an evil git," Ron answered bitterly. "We knew that our first year when we suspected him of being after the stone and nothing has changed since."

"But we weren't right about that," Hermione stated quietly. "Just like we weren't right about Professor Snape jinxing Harry's broom."

"Exactly!" Harry exclaimed. "I won't deny that he's mean and sarcastic and hates Gryffindors, but things just aren't adding up. I feel like we're missing a few pieces to the puzzle."

Hermione thought about Harry's words, "Yes," she said, slowly drawing the word out, "I see what you mean."

"What?" Ron asked as he looked between his two friends. "What do you mean about pieces missing?"

"Ron, why would Professor Snape spend so much time and energy saving Harry's life if he was loyal to Voldemort?"

"Because he's evil!" Ron shouted,

"If he was that evil, why did he continue to save me? Or even help me?"

"Help you? When did he ever help you?" Ron asked.

"Many times," Hermione answered, "Although I do admit that his methods of helping are very different from everybody else's."

"It still doesn't change the fact that he killed Dumbledore! Come on, Harry, explain it to her, after all, you saw it all happen."

"I know Ron, and if I didn't see it, I don't know if I would've believed it."

"What?" Ron screeched indignantly.

"Well, there were many times Snape saved my life or has tried to help me. Plus Dumbledore was so confident that Snape was on our side. You can't help but believe that Dumbledore knew what he was doing."

"Harry, if Snape was capable of fooling Voldemort for years what makes you think that he couldn't do the same with Dumbledore? Especially since Dumbledore was so trusting and willing to give someone a second chance. Bloody hell, he probably would've given Voldemort a second chance if he asked for it."

"Ron!" Hermione said harshly, chastising him for his language.

"What!" He responded. "I'm just saying that Dumbledore isn't infallible. It wouldn't be the first time he made a mistake."

"You're right, Ron," Harry agreed quietly. "But I still can't help but feel that there's something missing. Something I should know. I need answers and this letter hasn't provided any."

The three friends became silent once more. Harry was fingering the letter, wondering what he was missing; Ron was hoping that he was able to convince Harry of Snape's evilness; Hermione was writing notes about what they do know and what needed to be researched on a piece of parchment she summoned. If Harry felt like he needed answers, then she would help try to find them.

"Harry, are you alright?" Hermione asked, several minutes later, finally breaking the silence.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry responded automatically.

"Harry," Hermione began to lecture, only to have Ron interrupt to 'save' his friend.

"You looked a bit upset earlier," Ron commented. "Ouch! What'd you do that for, Hermione?" He asked after she elbowed him in the ribs.

"He was reading a letter from Professor Dumbledore, of course he was upset."

"I know that. I just meant that it seemed liked something particular in the letter upset him, or at least made him nervous."

"Per-"

"Enough, you guys," Harry interjected before they could start another war. "Something did worry me. Let's just say that I'm more nervous than before about opening that box."

"What? Why?" Ron asked perplexed. "I would think you would be even more eager to open it, since the letter didn't provide you with any information. Though knowing Dumbledore, he probably just left you a lifetime supply of lemon drops."

"There could be something in that box that would wreak havoc on the world which hasn't been seen in years."

"I don't think lemon drops will have that effect," Ron joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Realizing what Harry was referring to Hermione quietly laughed before stopping when Harry glared in her direction. "Harry, do you really think Professor Dumbledore sent you Pandora's box?"

"You never know with Dumbledore," Harry defended himself.

"Harry, be reasonable," Hermione instructed. "He cared for you as if you were his grandson. I highly doubt that he would leave you something that would harm you or others."

"Fine," Harry reluctantly agreed, "But I'm not going near that thing until you scan it or something to make sure that there isn't anything dangerous in there. And even then, I'll probably have Ron open the box."

"Hey!" Ron shouted, as he shot up in chair, "trying to get me killed?"

"Better you, then the 'chosen one'" Harry retorted with a grin. "And no, I'm not trying to get you killed, if I was I would use one of the twins experiments. I just figured it's better to be safe than sorry. After all, you can use magic if there is something dangerous in there, I, on the other hand, can't."

"Fine," Ron grumbled, as he once more relaxed. "But I still think you're trying to kill me."

Hermione sighed as she approached the box on the desk. She spoke quietly and waved her wand before giving a puzzled, "Hmmm."

"What?" Harry asked worriedly. "I was right, wasn't I? There is something dangerous in there."

"No, Harry, you weren't right."

"Then what was that 'Hmmm' for?" Harry challenged, while Ron snickered in the background.

"Ron, I wouldn't snicker if I was you," Harry said, "After all, you will be the one opening the box. Maybe Hermione is trying to get you killed."

Ron's face was filled with worry as his gaze shot between the box and Hermione. As far as he knew, Hermione didn't have a reason to kill him or want him dead. Then again, you never could tell with girls.

"Nothing," Hermione finally answered Harry's question. "The only spells are ones guarding this to prevent someone other than you from opening the box."

Harry groaned and Ron sighed in relief at her words, looks like Harry will be opening the box after all.

"Unless of course they have your permission," Hermione concluded, "given willingly, of course."

"Of course," Ron repeated as his momentary relief disappeared.

"Hermione," Harry commanded, "What aren't you telling us?"

"Nothing," she said, "honestly, those are the only type of spells on the box."

Once more, Ron sighed in relief.

"Uh-uh," Harry said doubtfully. "And what about the items in the box."

"We really can't tell until the box is open," Hermione spoke nervously.

"But…"

"But…there is something in that box that is magical. I'm not quite sure what it is, but it doesn't appear to be alive."

"Doesn't appear to be alive," Ron yelped. "What does that mean?"

"Just that," Hermione answered. "I can't quite tell what is in there, but I can tell you that there doesn't seem to be any evidence of life in that box."

"Harry, maybe you shouldn't open that box," Ron pleaded to his best friend. "After all, anything could be in there. And how do we really know that it's from Dumbledore?"

"Ron, Professor McGonagall brought it by from the reading of the will. I doubt that she let it out of her sight."

"Still…Anything could be in there," Ron repeated.

"Yeah, and if this box was from Hagrid, I might be a bit more worried about Dragons or Acromantulas," Harry stated, laughing as Ron shivered when he mentioned the giant spiders.

"Well, I really don't think you should open it," Ron stated firmly.

"Oh, I won't," Harry said, grinning as Ron sighed in relief. "You will."

Hermione turned away to hide her laughter.

"Now that's just mean," Ron said, once he processed Harry's words.

"Ron, Hermione checked it. If she really thought it was dangerous, she wouldn't let us open it. This is Hermione, remember?"

"Fine, I'll open the bloody box. However, you and Hermione better be willing to come to my rescue in case anything happens."

"We will be," Harry promised.

Ron stood in the spot Hermione had previously stood in and looked in the box. "Please don't be anything dangerous," he whispered as he removed his wand from his hand and slowly started to open the box.

END CHAPTER 3 PANDORA'S BOX

So…Do you guys want a good Snape or a bad Snape?

Should this be a Severitus fic (with a good or bad Snape?) or not?

12/19/05-reposted: beta'd by the wonderful juliedecarson