A/N: I don't own anything, JKR has that privilege. I didn't want to make you wait too long for an update.

"Professor Dumbledore?" Harry squinted for a better view as he walked over to the portrait.

"Yes, Harry. Didn't I tell you that I would make a very nice portrait?" Dumbledore asked, glancing at the frame amusingly.

Harry stood there, staring. He wasunsure what to say first, unsure if he wanted to apologize, to cry, to yell; and Dumbledore seemed to read his mind.

" I must apologize for the high handedness of that immobilization spell. But I am not sorry that you were not detected. Make no mistake about that," Dumbledore continued. "It was not my intention for you to witness... once again I feel my age and foolishness, death is truly a great adventure Harry. It was indeed time for me to move on."

"No, I need you. Snape..." Harry started.

"Professor Snape Harry," Dumbledore corrected.

"No," Harry spat, "he isn't my professor any longer is he? He ran off like the coward he is! You were killed! He killed you and ran off. Don't talk to me about respect. You didn't see him run, you didn't follow him!"

"I already admitted my feelings about you witnessing the event. I am gravely responsible for the death eaters attacking while I was not there. But none of that is your concern. I have told you time and again that the reason behind my trust of Severus Snape is not your concern. There are some things in life Harry that simply aren't anyone else's business," Dumbledore replied dryly.

"I was there. I saw it, I heard all of it. That makes it my business," Harry yelled, furious being dismissed.

Dumbledore shook his head, knowing this was an age old argument with Harry- albeit, the new twist of his death.

"Harry, how has the horcrux hunt been coming along?" Dumbledore redirected as calmly as discussing the weather.

"I haven't done a thing about it," Harry replied defiantly.

Dumbledore who used to look tired and worn while in his office, looked younger and refreshed and now agitated with Harry.

"I am not going to remind you of the importance…" He started.

"I know," Harry waved him off impatiently, "I just, I'm just not sure really where to go from here." Harry finished quietly.

"Why, I figured you would start at Godric's Hollow," replied Dumbledore.

"But why? What could possibly be there? I don't know enough yet, to go on without you," Harry broke down and flopped on the bed far away from the painting.

"Go to Godric's Hollow and then go back to Hogwarts, Harry. There is so much yet to see and do. It won't help your search, but they might easy your burden. Take your friends, including Miss Weasley if needs be, pushing them away will do you no good." Dumbledore said.

"And Harry, leave Severus Snape to the Order. It is not what it seems. Now, I must be going, I promised a wonderful lady in a park that I would visit this afternoon." And with that Dumbledore bid Phineas 'Good day' and was gone.

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Harry wasn't sure how long he stared at the ceiling or when he fell asleep, but he did hear the soft voice of Ginny and feel her hand rubbing circles on his back.

"Harry," she said, "Hey, it's time for dinner. You haven't eaten anything all day."

Harry looked up blinking, and quickly turned his head to Phineas's picture in which the man was quietly snoozing.

"Busy day?" Ginny questioned with a knowing gleam in her eye. "Don't think you won't spend the evening filling us all in. Hermione has been going nutters, but I haven't mentioned a thing. But she won't be held off for forever you know. I thought about giving her some of Fred and George's fainting pastille but after that whole black eye incident knew she'd be furious when I finally woke her up again."

Ginny gave a laugh and tossed her hair over her shoulder. Cocking her head toward him, she held out her hand to give him a boost up from the bed.

Harry noticed how pretty her smile was and thought that maybe, just maybe he could get his act together if he simply sat down with his friends. Taking her hand up, he headed down to dinner with her, one step behind her.

"Oh Harry dear," Mrs. Weasley rushed over to him, "What have you been doing all day. I haven't been able to locate you since Lupin left. If he said anything to upset you…"

Harry glowing to her the concern in Mrs. Weasley's voice rolled his eyes.

"I fell asleep in Sirius's bedroom. Nothing serious, Mrs. Weasley" Harry replied.

Immediatley Mrs. Weasley grabbed him in a hug, "Oh, I am sorry. I should have known how hard it would be on you being back in this house."

"No, it's fine, really" Harry said as he looked toward Ron.

Ron was busy stuffing food in his mouth sending Harry a dirty look every once in awhile.

Mr. Weasley, and Charlie were inconspicuously missing for the evening meal, but it went uncommented upon.

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After dinner, Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny headed to the library.

"Where have you been all day," Hermione and Ron said at the same time.

Harry laughed out loud and gave Ginny a grin.

"I was in the drawing room with Lupin," Harry started.

"Yes, we know that," said Ron. "But where did you do from there, did you leave?" Ron asked accusingly.

"No," Harry said exasperated. "I was in Sirius's bedroom, honestly."

"All afternoon?" questioned Hermione.

"Yes, you see that is where I spent the afternoon talking to Dumbledore" said Harry tired of all the accusations and looks Ron and Hermione were giving him.

Hermione squealed and Ron looked stared in disbelief.

"You what, mate?" Ron asked.

"Mate now, am I?" Harry asked. "It was only his portrait. Don't get your hopes up."

"But Harry, surely you asked him about Professor Snape, didn't you" Hermione questioned.

"Yeah, and he told me to mind my own business." Harry replied grouchily.

"But Harry, if Dumbledore wasn't surprised or angry then surely you were mistaken." Hermione rambled on.

"I was there, Hermione," Harry roared. "Snape killed Dumbledore!"

Hermione had tears in her eyes and Ginny jumped at his tone.

"No one is disagreeing with what you say Harry," Ginny said in a steely tone giving Harry a glare for yelling. "She simply wanted to know why Dumbledore wasn't feeling betrayed, Harry."

That look shut down any plan Harry might have had continuing his temper. He sighed.

"He wouldn't discuss it. He told me to leave Snape to the Order," Harry replied.

"But that doesn't really tell us a thing now does it?" Ron questioned.

"No." Harry said.

"What else did he say Harry?" asked Hermione regaining her composure.

"He told me to go to Godric's Hollow and then back to Hogwarts." At the mention of Hogwarts, Hermione beamed. "And he told me to take Ginny," Harry finished.

Ron and Hermione's heads snapped up and Ginny stood there with a look of disbelief and gratitude on her face.

"So I guess we need to fill her in," said Harry.

"Everything?" Ron asked, giving Harry a dirty look. Harry knew that Ron didn't want Ginny involved almost as much as himself.

"Yes, everything." Ginny replied.

"Ron, you might as well shut the door," Harry replied taking a deep breath.