A/N: Many thanks, dear readers, for your many wonderful reviews! Only one more week, and I will be home for winter holidays with Mum—and plenty of time to write! Can't wait!

Advisory: Just so you know, if any characters seem a bit OOC in this chapter, well…remember, there's a lot of tension built up, and everyone's in for a bit of shock. (Especially Harry.)

Chapter Six: Through The Looking Glass

Headmistress McGonagall hovered Harry back into bed, then turned to glare at Snape and Moody. Ginny realized she was still backed up against the wall, and forced herself to relax.

"What went wrong?"

"My Stunner missed him."

"Don't be impertinent, Alastor. Severus, what went wrong?"

Snape looked utterly exhausted, but drew himself up. "Technically-speaking, nothing." McGonagall blinked, and Moody frowned. "I did succeed in separating Potter's soul from the Horcrux fragment. Doing so gave him, essentially, two personalities. However, I neglected to take into account that at the time of the Occlusion, the darkness was gaining ground. When they were forced apart, the Dark Lord's soul fragment became dominant in his conscious mind."

"Can," Ginny had to clear her throat; her voice was raspy. "Can you reverse it?"

Snape looked at her and nodded. "I believe so." To Ginny's surprise, he spoke frankly, rather than with his usual condescending manner toward Harry's friends.

The Headmistress rubbed her eyes. "You ought to rest first. I could see it took its toll on both of you."

"It is an arduous experience," Snape admitted, moving slowly toward the door. "Mentally and physically."

"What about Pot—what about him?" Moody asked, gesturing to the unconscious Harry. Like this, seeming to be asleep, he looked like the Harry that Ginny knew. If he was likely to wake up a monster again, she decided there was no point to her being in the room.

"I'll talk to Poppy," said McGonagall. "We'd probably best keep him sedated. Are you all right, Ginny?" she asked gently.

Ginny blinked as both Snape and Moody looked at her. "Fine," she tried to assure them—but the break in her voice gave her away. The Headmistress smiled understandingly and motioned for Ginny to go on ahead of them. Ginny started to go, then paused. "Is it all right if I tell the others what happened, or do you want me to wait until you come out?"

McGonagall, Snape, and Moody exchanged glances. Moody and Snape both shrugged, then Minerva turned back to her. "I see no reason why you must wait. We can fill in any gaps." Ginny nodded and departed.

Ron knew the minute his sister appeared from the private wing that the news was not good. The end of the war and this catastrophe with Harry had brought out a side of Ginny that none of her family had seen before. He was certain that Ginny was devastated by what had happened to Harry—as devastated as Ron was, at any rate. But she'd clamped down so tightly on her emotions that the stony, forced calm on her face actually reminded Ron of Harry—when Harry had been going into situations where he half-expected to die. It was unnerving, seeing that expression on the face of his little sister.

Hermione too recognized that look, so she asked very quietly, "What happened?"

"The Occlusion worked," Ginny told them. "But the evil was stronger. So when Harry woke up, he was…"

"Voldemort?" Remus breathed.

Ginny nodded. "Or so much like him that it made no difference."

Ron's mother had a hand over her mouth. "Oh, Harry…"

"Can they undo it?" their dad asked.

"Snape thinks he can," Ginny said. "But getting the Occlusion…he's really exhausted. It looked like it may have worn Harry down too, so it has to wait 'til they're both recovered." She looked back to see Snape, McGonagall, and Moody returning from Harry's room, and let them take over explaining. Hermione gave Ron's arm a squeeze and followed Ginny out of the Hospital Wing. Ron frowned after them, listening to Snape and Moody describing what had happened in Harry's room, but he couldn't concentrate.

Finally, he got up and went after Hermione and Ginny.

Hermione had apparently caught up with her just down the hall. "Are you all right?"

"Fine," came the rather faint reply.

"He looked like Riddle, didn't he?"

After a long silence, Ginny replied, "Not really. It was still Harry's face, just not a look you'd ever see on him, and…his eyes…"

"Red?"

"Mm-hm."

"Are you having flashbacks? You know, reliving it?"

Ginny was leaning against the wall, with her hands against it as if to hold herself up. She closed her eyes and nodded. "'m trying not to. 's not helping." She opened her eyes and looked bleakly at Hermione. "He looked right at me. His eyes, I…it's not something you ever forget." Her voice cracked.

Hermione moved closer to her and said gently, "If you really want me to leave you alone, I'll go. But I don't think you ought to face this alone."

Ginny gave her a wan smile. "Which of those mental health books is that in?"

"I also learn from experience, Ginevra Weasley," Hermione replied.

Ginny abruptly let out a ragged half-sob, half-gasp and threw her arms around Hermione's neck, clinging to the older girl with all her might. Hermione staggered, but held her up. Ron's sister didn't cry outright, but made deep groaning noises as if in terrible pain. "The dreams…coming back…"

"I've got you," Hermione said fiercely as the two of them sank to the floor. "Hold onto me. Just hold on!"

"I can't, it's…eating me up…I can't…"

Ron snapped out of his paralysis and started forward, but Hermione looked over her shoulder and saw him. She gave a quick shake of her head and motioned him away. Let me handle it, she mouthed.

Ron gazed at her and his sister for several moments longer, then sadly admitted that Hermione could probably comfort Ginny better than he ever had been able to. The two of them being girls and all that, but Hermione also understood things about people, like Harry too, that Ron couldn't figure out. She seemed to know instinctively what to do.

So he turned and walked in the other direction, catching the others as they came out of the Hospital Wing and waving them away from the corner where Ginny and Hermione were.

Ginny understood what was happening to Harry. Hermione understands what's happening to Ginny. They can help each other.

I never know how to help anyone.

It was over forty-eight hours before Madam Pomfrey decreed that Snape was sufficiently recovered from his exhaustion to have another go at pulling the real Harry to the surface. During that time, Harry remained sedated in the Hospital Wing, since no one especially wanted to stand face-to-face with the ghost of Voldemort looking out through Harry's eyes.

"You're certain you know how to get Harry in control?" Remus was asking Snape when Ginny came in.

Snape gave the werewolf a withering look. "It may be beyond your comprehension, Lupin, but I have been using Mind Magic for a variety of nefarious purposes since before the boy was born. I am quite capable of suppressing a malevolent personality."

"Are you sure you want to go back in there?" Hermione asked Ginny as she started toward them.

Snape surprised them both by saying, "Miss Weasley's presence might be useful. I expect she is best equipped to determine whether it is Potter and only Potter who has appeared."

"If it works," said Mrs. Weasley, "how soon can we see him?"

"Depends on how he's feeling," said Madam Pomfrey.

"We may expect a good deal of histrionics once the boy realizes what has happened," Snape said. "So I suggest that you not enter the room unless you're prepared to handle a hysterical teenager."

"I'll take that over Voldemort any day," Ron muttered.

Ginny pulled a face. "I'll be sure to come get you if Harry wakes."

"He's going to be so upset," Hermione murmured.

Ginny nodded, remembering how she'd felt when she started to fear she was attacking people during her first year. The thought of someone—or something—controlling your actions, making you do horrible things…one of the most awful fates imaginable.

Hermione patted her arm, and Ginny smiled wearily at her. Hermione had been a help after the disastrous first attempt, holding Ginny until she pulled herself together. There weren't many reassurances that wouldn't ring false, but just the knowledge that Ginny was being embraced and understood kept her from flying apart inside.

With that thought, Ginny followed Snape, Moody, and Professor McGonagall back to Harry's room. The Headmistress made her wait outside while Moody and Snape roused Harry. She didn't mind; she didn't want to see Voldemort in control of him again. After a few moments, the door opened again, and Moody motioned them in.

Snape was once again kneeling in front of Harry, staring into his blank eyes. Ginny stayed back against the wall beside the Headmistress, who kept a comforting hand on her shoulder. Madam Pomfrey appeared in the doorway, watching and absently wringing her hands.

Time dragged by without notice, and Ginny jumped when Snape ended the session, breaking eye contact and sagging back. As before, Harry groaned and slumped forward, disoriented from having his mind tampered with.

It seemed to last forever as Harry shook his head and tried to sit up. Ginny held her breath.

He raised his head. Large green eyes blinked in hazy confusion at the people in the room, settling on Ginny. She still did not breathe.

"What…" Harry's voice rasped badly, and he cleared his throat. "What…happened?"

A deep, gasping sob wrenched itself from Ginny's throat before she knew it, and she covered her mouth in attempt to stifle it. That confused Harry even more, as he looked to the others in the room for explanation—but Snape, Moody, McGonagall, and Pomfrey were all watching Ginny too, waiting for her verdict.

"It's you," she sobbed, humiliating herself further by having to hold onto a chair to keep herself from collapsing. "Harry, it's Harry!"

Several people sighed at once, and Harry looked on in bafflement as Madam Pomfrey rushed over to examine him, and Professor McGonagall took Ginny's arms. "Calm yourself, Miss Weasley. Calm down," she whispered in Ginny's ear. "This is going to be difficult for him."

"I know, I know," Ginny choked out, and managed to get herself under control by focusing on Harry. She wiped her face quickly and got up, moving closer to Harry as Snape and Moody hovered behind them. "Are you okay?"

Harry shook his head again. "I don't know…what's…"

"Potter," Moody said. "What's the last thing you remember?"

"Uhh…" Harry's brow furrowed. Ginny's heart started to pound. "Talking to someone in here, only…it's all weird, like I wasn't really…" He looked at Ginny in bewilderment. "I said…something, and you were…what happened? I can't remember things right..."

Ginny bit her lip and moved closer as Harry began to shake, the first shadows of horror creeping into his face as all color drained away. Snape had said he would remember everything, and it was clear that that was true. Harry was recalling the things he had done, and none of it made sense to him. Except that it was horrible.

"Ginny," Harry breathed, his face becoming pinched as if in pain. "Whaddid I…I can't have…" She saw it the moment Harry realized what had happened. Utter panic flashed across his face, and he squeezed his eyes shut, balling his fists in anguish and burst out, "No! No…"

As Madam Pomfrey tried to calm him down, Ginny grabbed his hand. "It wasn't your fault!" she said over Harry's cries of denial. "Harry, it wasn't your fault! It wasn't you; it was him! It's going to be okay; we're going to get it out!"

"Oh no, no…I hurt…I—" Harry's eyes flew open. "Get away! I'm not—you can't, he's in me—"

"Stop it, Harry! Harry, listen to me!" Ginny shouted, grabbing his arms, but he tried to wrench away from her.

"I'm sorry!" he babbled. "I didn't mean—you can't be here, you have to get away from me!"

"POTTER!" Snape roared, all but knocking Madam Pomfrey and Ginny aside and grabbing Harry's shoulders. Harry froze, wide-eyed and silent. "Calm…down…NOW! Every moment you let your panic control you increases the chance of the Horcrux regaining control of you! Now contain yourself!"

As Snape let him go and backed away, Harry remained silent, but still trembled in shock and horror. Ginny came back to him, as did Madam Pomfrey, but he flinched away. She caught his chin when he tried to look away, his face a mask of shame. "I'm not afraid," she swore, looking him in the eyes. "Listen to me," she said urgently. "It was not…your…fault. You had no way of knowing what that thing was doing to you." She raised her hand from his chin and stroked back his messy black hair from his face. "It wasn't your fault," she repeated softly.

Harry's eyes brimmed, and he swallowed hard. "I could've hurt someone," he whispered. His eyes lost focus as he searched his confused memories. "I could've…I did!" His eyes widened. "Oh god, I did." He looked at her in horror. "Ginny, I…"

"It's going to be okay," she promised him, and silently prayed that it was true. "We're going to get that thing out of you."

"I'm scared," he murmured, looking at her with a desperate, hopeless expression she'd never seen on him before.

She hadn't been aware of the teachers talking amongst themselves behind her, but the Headmistress suddenly said, "Ginny, my dear, I'm sorry, but Madam Pomfrey needs room to work, and we must talk with Harry. We do not know how long this Occlusion will hold."

Harry, if possible, went even whiter. Ginny grabbed both of his hands and squeezed them hard between hers. "I'll stay in the room, or be just outside, okay? You have to try to stay calm. We're all here, and you're home. We'll get through this." She squeezed his hands once more and let him go, getting to her feet.

Madam Pomfrey ushered Harry from the chair to the bed, but he said suddenly, "Wait! Ron and Hermione, they're—they're here…right?" He looked distracted as he tried to navigate his shared memories.

"They're here," Ginny confirmed, ignoring McGonagall's warning look.

"Can I see them? Just for a minute, please," Harry said urgently. "I have to—have to talk to them…"

Ginny looked hard at McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey. The Headmistress glanced at Harry's desperate face and relented. "Fetch them, if you would, Miss Weasley."

Ginny bolted out the door and sprinted all the way back to the open wing. Everyone jumped up. "Did it work?" Hermione cried.

"Yes, but we don't know for how long. He wants you two, get back there!" Hermione and Ron didn't need to be told twice, and they tore past Ginny while she raised a hand to forestall the others. "Don't go now! He's completely shook up and they have to talk to him and Ron and Hermione only have a second to see him. But it worked!" she called over her shoulder and ran back to Harry's room.

She reached the door to see Harry wrapped in Hermione's arms while Ron clutched his free arm. "I'm sorry!" Harry was babbling. "I didn't mean to cut you off, I swear, I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay it's okay it's okay," Hermione was gasping, close to tears.

"It wasn't your fault, mate," Ron said thickly. "Everyone knows it wasn't; nobody blames you."

Released by Hermione, Harry looked back and forth between the two of them as if trying to memorize their faces, and Madam Pomfrey seized the chance to step in. "I'm sorry, dears, but we've a great deal to do and uncertain time to do it. I must try to get Harry's strength up."

The two reluctantly headed back toward Ginny. "We'll be here," Ron promised as Harry watched them go. "We'll be back. Just hang on, mate. Hang on."

They hesitated by the door as Moody was asking Snape, "How will we know if the Occlusion starts to fail?"

"Potter will most likely be the first to know," Snape said. Harry went rigid. "If you experience any disorientation, be certain to speak up." Harry nodded mutely.

"Once it fails, will you be able to restore it?" the Headmistress asked.

Snape was looking thoughtfully at Harry, who was staring wide-eyed back at him. Hermione and Ron exchanged looks. "It may be possible to prevent Potter and the Horcrux from merging again…if the Horcrux personality is permitted to become dominant again for periods of time. The battle for Potter's soul is one for control…if the Horcrux fragment is controlling his mind and body, even temporarily, it will seem to have accomplished its objective, and might not attack the Occlusion."

"Switching back and forth instead of trying to merge," Hermione mused. Snape shot her a look as if asking why she was still here, but then nodded. "How would you do that?"

"By bringing Potter's own personality to the surface, I have effectively cut the Horcrux off through a secondary barrier of Occlusion. If that barrier becomes weaker than the barrier between the two personalities…"

"The Horcrux will concentrate on that rather than trying to merge with Harry. An easier route to dominance," Hermione finished. Snape scowled, but she folded her arms and met his gaze coolly; they all knew she was right. Ginny smiled.

"But what happens when that…thing takes over me again?" Harry asked, sounding as if he was finally coming out of the initial shock.

"If we time it right, we could sedate him just as the other personality takes control," Madam Pomfrey said, patting Harry's arm apologetically.

"I'd rather you Stunned me before that," Harry muttered. Ginny heard Ron let his breath out in a rush, and she grinned in relief. Now that sounded like the Harry they remembered.

"Will that be a problem if he is unconscious or asleep while the Horcrux is dominant?" Professor McGonagall asked.

Snape shook his head. "I do not believe so. Sedation would be preferable, since sleep is a natural function of the body no matter what personality controls it." He gave Harry a challenging look, but Harry dropped his eyes.

"Do whatever you have to do," he muttered. "I don't want to go back to that…thing again. I don't want to be both again. At least if I'm switching back and forth, part of the time I'd be myself."

"And we need you yourself so we can plan how to attack that disgusting thing," the Headmistress said firmly, stepping past Snape to pat Harry's shoulder. "You are no longer facing it alone, Harry." He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. Professor McGonagall turned to Snape and the others. "Step aside now so Madam Pomfrey can work. Harry, if you start to feel disoriented or strange in any way, tell us at once. You three go on. No doubt your families are wondering how Harry is doing, and we haven't time to explain. Severus, if you would, consider how we might implement this…switching process?"

Snape nodded and followed Ron, Hermione, and Ginny out the door. The three of them waved reassuringly at Harry as they went, though it didn't have much of an impact on him. "I've never seen him so scared," Hermione murmured.

"I've never been so scared," Ron replied. Ginny rubbed his back.

"Poor Harry. I don't know if I'd like that switchover thing better than just one hybrid personality. Losing control of my mind all of a sudden, having to get knocked out…" she shuddered.

Hermione stopped in her tracks.

"What's the matter?" Ron demanded.

Snape had been walking well behind them, and he paused as Hermione turned to look at him. "Now what, Miss Granger?"

Hermione ignored his brusque tone. "Professor…have you ever heard of behavioral conditioning?"

"Behavioral what?" the twins demanded as Hermione and Snape discussed the idea in the outer Hospital Wing.

"There are theories in Muggle psychology that you could get a person to do something by planting a sort of command in their mind. When the person heard the right word or saw the right thing, the command would be triggered, and they do what you wanted," Hermione explained.

"I find it astonishing that Muggles could dream up such a thing," Snape muttered, perusing one of the books on Legilimency.

Hermione rolled her eyes. "Muggles aren't as ignorant as you think. They've found explanations for what happens in a person's mind too—just a different way of explaining it. Magical and life energy in the mind is all electric signals and hormones in the brain, to Muggles."

"So have they managed to do this…conditioning?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

Hermione shook her head. "Well, some people think the military does it, but—never mind. No, generally not, because the scientists still haven't figured out how to translate the electricity into a command the brain understands. We can make electricity, just not the mind-language."

Mr. Weasley looked delighted. "Fascinating, how Muggles make up for lack of magic."

There was a snort from Snape, but Hermione ignored him. "Anyway, I was thinking that with Legilimency, it might be possible." They had explained Harry's condition and the plan to keep the two souls separate by letting the personalities switch dominance back and forth. "If we could put a command in Harry's mind for himto go to sleep when the souls switch places…"

"He falls asleep each time the Horcrux takes over and sleeps right through it!" Tonks crowed.

Remus was smiling in relief. "You never cease to amaze, Hermione."

"Definitely brilliant, love, brilliant," the twins chorused, stepping to either side of Hermione and giving her a smacking kiss, one twin on one cheek.

"Get off," she muttered, blushing. "We still have to figure out how to actually…implant the command."

"And would that…hurt Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked worriedly.

"I don't think so," Hermione said. "If it doesn't work out, we can always just give him a Sleeping Draught when his personality starts to change. Or a Stunner if we absolutely have to. Even that wouldn't really hurt him, just rather unpleasant to use that much force."

Snape slapped the book closed, and she looked at him. "Find something?"

"I was not looking for anything specific," he replied. "Your theory is sound, but whether it is practicable remains to be seen. There is also the question of setting the proper timing." He glanced back toward the private rooms and rose. "Before that, I must ensure that the Occlusions are properly placed so that the personalities shift rather than merge. I will discuss your suggestion with the Headmistress and Madam Pomfrey."

"Thank you, sir," Hermione called after him, but he didn't acknowledge. She hadn't really expected him to.

"'e is on our side," Fleur remarked. "But still 'e is terribly disagreeable."

"Don't think he knows how to be anything else," Bill muttered. She put an arm around him.

Mrs. Weasley was gazing back down the ward as well. "Poor Harry. He must be so frightened."

Mr. Weasley saw Ginny's expression and put his hands on her shoulders, squeezing gently. She patted his hand. "I was lucky that I never remembered the things I'd done when I was possessed. Harry does. He remembers doing it, but not why, and he knows the thoughts weren't his. It's awful and confusing."

"We've all told him it's not his fault, but…" Ron shrugged. "You know him. He still blames himself."

"Other than realizing he's had a piece of Voldemort taking him over, how is he?" Tonks asked.

Hermione and Ron looked at each other, then at Ginny. She grimaced. "About the same as he was before, I guess. Still worn down, but Madam Pomfrey thinks he'll heal a bit if his soul isn't fighting with the Horcrux."

"Think it'll help if he's switching back and forth instead?" Mr. Weasley asked.

"I imagine it would," Hermione said. "I'll ask Snape." She got up and headed down the wing back to Harry's room.

When she arrived, Madam Pomfrey and Moody were coming out. "Nothing more I can do until he comes back," Madam Pomfrey was saying.

Hermione's stomach lurched. "What happened?"

"Snape changed the Occlusion so he'd shift between personalities rather than merge all right," Moody said. "But it triggered the shift."

"Is he okay?"

"Yeh, but he's out."

Hermione sighed. She'd hoped to see him again, if only just for a minute—that was partly why her question had been so urgent. "I was wondering, do you think it'll weaken him to be switching back and forth as it did when he and the Horcrux were merged?"

Madam Pomfrey frowned. "An excellent question, Hermione, I've no idea. Severus?" Snape came to the doorway and scowled at the sight of Hermione—which was his usual reaction to her, so she paid it no notice. "Do you expect Harry's strength to improve now that his soul is no longer directly in contact with the Horcrux fragment?"

"I believe so. At the very least, the ease with which the two souls can displace each other will mean less of Potter's energy will be expended fighting it before the shift occurs. That should result in some physical improvement."

"Good," Hermione sighed. "He looks terrible. How long do you think it'll be before he shifts back?"

"You will know when he awakens." Snape smirked at her. "I have seen to it that the shifts will correspond to a relatively normal sleep cycle." Hermione blinked. "Ergo, the shift will be triggered by his return or loss of consciousness."

"So when he's awake, he's Potter. When he falls asleep, that's when the Horcrux controls," Moody concluded.

Snape's smug expression dared Hermione to complain, so she turned away and tightly addressed Madam Pomfrey. "I wonder if we should tell him that. He may not want to go to sleep."

"He won't have any choice in that regard," Madam Pomfrey said. "He needs rest. I'll Potion him if necessary."

"Now that that's settled," Snape sneered, and walked off.

Professor McGonagall came out of the room and looked from Snape's back to Hermione's cross face. "I take it that was your idea."

She gritted her teeth and shook off her irritation. It's not important. All that matters is helping Harry. "It doesn't matter. Can I see him for a minute?" The Headmistress nodded and let her pass.

Harry was indeed dead to the world, and waking him unexpectedly wasn't a risk Hermione wanted to take. She sat down in a chair beside the bed, gazing at his dark, tousled head as if it would provide her with answers. She hoped he wasn't dreaming. Sleeping with a remnant of Voldemort in control of his mind would probably give him worse nightmares than ever.

The Headmistress came in and stood next to Hermione. "How long will he sleep?" Hermione asked.

"It's natural sleep, so until he's rested," McGonagall said.

"So probably at least a week," Hermione half-joked. "I guess I'll leave him to it." She stood up and forced herself to refrain from touching him, but did whisper, "Wake up soon." She avoided the Headmistress's kind gaze, because she didn't want to start crying again. They all needed to keep their wits if they wanted to help Harry keep his.

Hermione Granger's prediction that Potter would sleep for a week was not that far off the mark, Severus had to admit. He busied himself during the time researching the self-exorcism and other expelling methods, trying to determine the best way to rid the boy's soul of the Horcrux. As he'd suspected, no matter what charm or invocation he considered, Potter's active participation was required. It was the boy's body, the boy's soul that was under siege. Therefore, it was the boy's magic that would ultimately be the key.

Over the course of almost six days, Potter did wake a few times, but he was so groggy there was little time for Madam Pomfrey to do more than force some Restorative Potions into him before he dropped off again. The Order sat shifts at the boy's bedside, while everyone else kept a de facto vigil out in the main Hospital Wing. It was late afternoon, five days after Severus had separated the boy's personality from the fragment that Tonks came down the corridor from Potter's room.

"Harry's up."

Severus glanced up from his work as half the people in the room jumped up. "It would not be advisable to stampede into the room," he observed.

All but one redhead in the room glowered at him, but Tonks agreed, "Madam Pomfrey's shoving breakfast down his throat at the moment, and Minerva and Moody want to talk to him. Give them a few minutes." To Severus, she said, "They would like you to come down, though."

When Snape entered the room, Potter was sitting up in bed, finishing his food under the watchful gaze of Madam Pomfrey. He seemed somewhat improved; his eyes were less shadowed, and he had an appetite. He stiffened at the sight of Severus, but then lifted his chin with the arrogant little Potter challenge pose that Severus remembered. As much as he loathed it, Severus supposed it was a good sign.

"Mr. Potter. I trust you are feeling improved?"

"A bit, yes."

Sullen brat. He should be on his knees thanking me. Minerva broke the staring contest. "Perhaps before Harry is swamped with visitors, we should discuss what the next steps should be."

Severus was spitefully gratified to see the boy turn pale. But then Potter sighed. "Sure. Where do we start?"

"I could use more information about the attempted exorcism if you don't mind being a little more forthcoming this time."

"Oh, Severus!" Minerva chided.

Potter blinked. "This time—oh." He blushed. "Right. I got the ritual from a book in the library—'Purifications and Expulsions,' or something like that. Restricted Section."

Severus nodded. "I know it. Go on."

"I just…did what the book described, really. It was a little weird, the candles and herbs and things…"

Impatiently, Severus pushed. "Which ingredients you used would have impacted the outcome."

Potter glowered at him, but then looked away thoughtfully. "Uhh…cloves, incense, elfweed, and toadstools from a fairy ring. The oil was pure olive oil. Easier to find than dragon oil, and the book said it was an acceptable variety."

"What form of space did you create?" Minerva asked.

"Pentagon. Five candles, connected by wood shafts at the base."

"What kind of wood?"

"Holly," Potter said. "It's the same wood as my wand." He shrugged, looking sheepish. Severus was surprised; that factor was a good one to consider, even if Potter clearly was unaware of the implications of using a wood already bound to him. That might well be the reason the boy had not died in the attempt.

"What type of candles?" Minerva asked.

"Beeswax, with the rods connected inside the candle bases."

Severus shook his head. "I'm impressed, Potter, you never showed that much precision in class."

"Severus!"

"Maybe I could have if I wasn't being constantly insulted and sabotaged, sir!" Potter retorted.

"Harry, Severus, enough!" Minerva growled. "Let us try to keep ourselves productive!"

"Did you burn holly for your fire as well?" Moody asked.

Potter nodded. "And I followed the book exactly for all the incantations and burning the herbs."

"The fact that you are here and the Dark Lord is dead proves that your preparations of the ritual were sufficient," Severus said. "I am more interested in what you saw during the attempt."

Potter scowled. "There were people. People I knew, lots of them. A big crowd, and I was walking through them. They were all just watching me, and I could hear voices, but not who was speaking. Took me awhile to find him. He was Tom Riddle, when he was sixteen. I found him on the edge of the crowd, and…just told him to get out and leave me alone."

Severus was taken aback. It was said that every person who undertook a Seeing into their own soul saw something different, but Potter's was the only firsthand account he had ever heard. And the boy's experience was not what Severus would have expected for an inner vision of one's soul.

"What happened next?" Moody asked, sounding fascinated.

"He laughed. He said I was just like him, and that he belonged here—in my soul, he meant. I called out, to Ron and Hermione. They came up behind me and told him to go, that he didn't belong in me. Then Sirius, and Professor Lupin, and my parents, and…other people. My friends and…people I loved. All around me."

Seeing the boy about to lose himself in the memory, Severus said impatiently, "Then what?"

"There was…this light. It was white and really hot. It came from them and me; it hurt, but when I looked at them, it was easier, and it got stronger. He had a light too; it was red. I pushed him back, and the lights…they were like fire. I was burning but I kept pushing, and I heard him screaming. Then I woke up in the circle." Potter dropped his eyes. "The next day, I killed him."

"That soon?" Snape asked in surprise. With all the ferocity Potter had exhibited in that battle, it was inconceivable that he had survived an almost-successful self-exorcism the day before.

"His choice, not mine," Potter said dryly. "I was captured, remember?"

Oh. He'd forgotten that. Captured and tortured. "Was the exorcism the reason you were captured?"

"I think so," Potter said. "I think Voldemort may have felt it somehow when I got that Horcrux. He seemed a bit more ticked off at me than usual when they brought me to him. When they turned up, I couldn't even disapparate."

"He was particularly angry that morning," Severus recalled. "But he never mentioned the Horcruxes to the Death Eaters."

"Didn't want you getting ideas, probably."

"Harry!" Minerva scolded—far more gently than she'd scolded Severus, he was irritated to observe. "So your soul manifested in your mind as all the people you care for surrounding you?"

"No, that couldn't be it," Potter said. "I think it was more general than that, not love determining who I saw."

"What makes you so certain?" Snape demanded.

Potter shot him a withering look. "You were there."

To be continued…

Coming next week: The Order now has their Harry back, and Harry joins the efforts to figure out how to expel the Horcrux fragment from his soul. But the lingering remnant of Voldemort is not about to go quietly, and there is strife among members of the Order as well as inside Harry's soul in Chapter Seven: What Eyes Cannot See!

PLEASE don't forget to review! Feed a hungry fanwriter!