Disclaimer: I own nothing and make no monies.

Notes: Hello everyone! I am happy to say that the muse is being very kind and allowing this story to flow from me! Yay! I can't say it'll stay this way but, at the moment, here's another chapter for. Hope you enjoy it, I really had fun writing it. :)

Chapter 8

As Harry finished his meal, he watched Professor Snape leave the head table. He then took a few more minutes to steady his nerves. The man was intimidating no matter what setting he was in and Harry wasn't exactly looking forward to the meeting about to happen. When he rose to head towards the meeting, Hermione grabbed his hand and gave it a gentle but supportive squeeze while giving him a small smile. Harry nodded to her and slowly made his way to the Potions classroom. During his trek, Harry considered what his best friend had told him. Maybe he could open up a bit to the snarky professor. Maybe he could show the man that he wasn't a spoiled and entitled wizard as so many seemed to think he was. Of course, now, he was entitled and wealthy beyond imagination, even more so than the Malfoys, but that didn't change who he was on the inside. He was his own person and he needed to show Severus Snape just that.

Harry wasn't sure what to expect when he raised his hand to knock on the door but did so with a steady hand and clear head. He needed the Potions Professor to see him as he was now, not what the man thought he was. When Harry was invited in, he stepped into the room and shut the door behind him. He was surprised to find the professor at his desk with his hands folded on top instead of grading papers or something. Taking a deep breath, Harry approached the desk and waited.

Severus watched the young wizard enter his room and noticed there was something different about the boy. He walked in with confidence and surety, not with anxiety or dread as so many had done, including him. This intrigued Severus, he knew he was a feared teacher at Hogwarts; he had worked very hard on that reputation. It was what helped to keep the students in line, or as much in line as they could be, in his class.

"Have a seat, Mr. Potter. There are a few things we need to discuss." Severus instructed as he warded the room and door. He wanted no one to overhear what was said.

As Harry sat, he had a thought occur to him. "Professor?" when Severus only raised a brow at him, Harry continued, "Do you have any Veritaserum hand?" At his professor's surprised look, Harry explained, "If what I think you want to discuss is true, then I would like you to know that there will be no way for me to lie, sir."

"I see and what is it you think we need to discuss?" Severus asked.

It was Harry's turn to cock a brow when he answered, "Me."

"You are sure of this, Potter? It is not something supposed to be used on minors without parental consent or the permission of your Head of House in case of parental absence." Severus asked to make sure the wizard knew the rules.

"I am aware, Professor. I would very much like to keep Professor McGonagall out of this if possible and since I have claimed Head of House for both Black and Potter lines, there can be no penalties against you for my agreement." Harry told him.

"Very well." Severus said as he rose and disappeared into another room before coming back out with a small vial with a clear liquid inside. "Only three drops, Lord Potter-Black." Severus instructed formally. Harry nodded his head and applied the three drops to his tongue before swallowing.

"Now you will know that what I speak is the truth. Thank you, sir. I only ask that you keep your questions about me and no one else I might know." Harry commented. At Severus' nod, Harry asked, "What would you like to know?"

Severus studied the young man in front of him for a few moments, letting the knowledge sink in that Harry, it would seem, had grown up. He wondered when this happened and why? Why now? So he asked.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter, when did this change in you happen?"

"Shortly after fifth year started, sir." Harry answered, making the man work for any elaborate explanations.

Severus smirked, well, he had answered his question. He would have to word his questions better, it would seem.

"Very succinctly put. What events led to you finally growing up and becoming a respectable young wizard?"

"That would have been when 'Mione told me about her and Draco secretly dating. She had asked me to watch with my own eyes his actions and to listen, really listen, whenever Draco would taunt those around him. I did as she asked and learned that the Slytherin wasn't putting the same effort into being a bully as he portrayed. It was eye-opening." Harry answered.

"No doubt. So you and Draco are friends now?" Severus prodded.

"Yes, sir, we are."

"Hmm, what else has changed that has allowed you to become more confident, less angry?"

Harry sat for a moment and gathered his thoughts. This would be the true test and he hoped Draco and Hermione were right, that Professor Snape really was on their side.

"Well, that would be when I got the soul shard of Voldemort out of my head, sir." Harry answered nonchalantly.

Severus quickly sat up and stared at Harry for a long moment.

"What do you mean soul shard?" Severus demanded.

"It would seem, sir, that when Voldemort tried to kill me when I was a baby and it rebounded, he created a Horcrux out of me instead of sending me to my death." Harry told him.

"You have lived with a piece of the Dark Lord's soul in your head since you were a year old?" Severus asked incredulously.

"Yes." Harry answered but added no more.

Severus plopped back into his chair as he digested this horrific piece of information. It would explain a lot actually. Why the boy was quick to anger, how he always seemed to mess with his forehead, the dark smudges under his eyes and his lack of focus at times. Severus knew he had a scar but had no idea it was due to being made a Horcrux. After a few minutes of stewing on this revelation, Severus leaned forward once more.

"You no longer have the soul piece?" Severus asked, he had to make sure.

"Not since our first Hogsmeade weekend, no. I used Draco's owl to request the ritual be done by the goblins at Gringotts and they set it up for that Saturday. It took two hours and was incredibly painful but the shard was removed and I have felt nothing but great since then." Harry explained as he raised his hair to show no more scar. It was why he made sure to wear his bangs down, so no one would realize the scar was gone, especially a nosy and manipulating old man.

"I see and does the Headmaster know you had this done?" the Potions Master asked.

"No and I don't want him to know either." Harry responded.

"Probably a wise decision." Severus affirmed. "Tell me, Harry, may I call you Harry?"

"You may." Harry said.

"Then tell me, Harry, how was your childhood? When did you learn you were a wizard?" Severus needed to know. He had thought the boy had had a cushioned life but from what little his godson had shared and what Harry had just told him, that wouldn't be the case.

Harry grimaced, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to fudge his answers and tried to prepare for any criticism or judgment that might come his way.

"For the first eleven years of my life I lived in the cupboard under the stairs. My Hogwarts letter was even addressed to me that way and that's when I learned I was a wizard. I didn't know my own name until I started muggle school. I was called either freak or boy, nothing else. I also was forced to do all the chores. I cooked, cleaned, gardened, and whatever else they thought of for me to do. I was rarely allowed to go with them anywhere they went. I didn't get presents for any reason while my cousin, Dudley, would get more and more each year. Until I claimed Head of House, I never had new clothes to wear. I was forced to wear my cousin's hand-me-downs. Let's see, my punishment for anything they thought I did wrong was starvation, beatings, even denial of bathroom privileges when they were really mad at me." Harry paused when he finally noticed the even paler tone to Severus' face and his clinched fists.

"Have I said something wrong, Professor?" Harry worriedly asked.

"No, Harry, you have not. I am just appalled at the treatment you received that no one ever put a stop to." Severus answered with a tight lip and dangerously low voice. "Tell me, Harry, did Dumbledore ever visit you?"

"Not once, sir, that I know of." Harry told him.

"I see." Severus responded, his anger barely controlled.

The Headmaster had told Minerva, and the rest of the professors, every year, that he had been to check up on the boy and that he was doing fine. Well taken care of by his relatives. It would seem the old coot had been lying to them all, which really shouldn't surprise Severus. He knew all too well how willing the manipulator was to allow a child to return to an abusive home, it was what he had done to him. Severus now knew the old man's reasoning for him, to become his spy and forced to do his bidding but what was Harry's purpose? Why had he not visited the boy or seen to the removal of the Horcrux?

"Harry?" Severus asked to get the young wizard's attention. When Harry looked at him expectantly, Severus continued, "Does Dumbledore know you have claimed the Head of House titles?"

"He does. He found out over the summer when he came to the Burrow to try to convince, or force, me to go back to the Dursleys." Harry answered.

"What was his reaction, do you remember?" Severus asked.

"Yeah, he was not at all happy about what I had done and that he no longer had any control over me. " He said.

"What of the protection wards? Are they still active?" Severus had to know.

"They are. It was the main thing the headmaster tried to use to get me to go back. Saying that I needed to recharge them by being in the house and that if I didn't return then the Dursleys would be in grave danger as well." Harry told him.

"And your response was…?" Severus prodded.

"I told him that I did not need to go back to charge the wards since the wards were on me not a house. If they were on a house then I would have had to grow up in my parents' home." Harry said.

"And the Dursleys?" Severus asked.

"I told Dumbledore that they could go straight to Hades with how they treated me since the beginning. I don't care what happens to them." Harry stated calmly.

"That, I am sure, did not make the Headmaster very happy. Good for you, Harry." Severus said.

"It didn't but I don't care. Now that I can make decisions for myself, I will never, ever, go back to that house! I will do what is best for me, no matter what anyone else thinks!" Harry passionately stated after getting his bearings from hearing a compliment from his professor.

Severus stared the young man in the eye for a bit before he smiled a true smile at Harry, the young man was definitely maturing. His smile slowly fade as he began to slowly put pieces together that he didn't like the outcome of and he shared his insights with Harry, since they concerned him. "It would seem, Harry, that our "beloved" Headmaster had his own plans for you. What you have shared would explain his dour mood since the school year began."

Harry smirked, "I'm sure he does, Professor. 'Mione thinks that Dumbledore had planned for me to be killed by Riddle and Draco thinks that was why I was left in an abusive environment, to mold me. As for his mood…" Here Harry snorted before continuing, "It's not my fault Draco took a chance with Hermione and that she saw it right to share with me what was going on. Then Draco explained to me about being the Head of House for both family lines. He then brought up about what the Horcruxes might be and 'Mione and I agree with him."

"Do tell." Severus prompted the young man.

"Well, me, of course, then we figure Ravenclaw's diadem, Hufflepuff's cup, Slytherin's locket, Nagini, the Diary Ginny was given and the Gaunt family ring, since he despises his heritage so much. That would make seven and that is the most magical of numbers and the items make sense since they are considered precious and historical." Harry finished.

Severus sat stunned for a bit before he shook his head slightly and then nodded to Harry. "I would have to agree with your reasoning. If he has made that many, then it explains his mentality better. Do you happen to know where any of these are? Besides yours, Ms. Weasley's and Nagini that is."

Harry nodded before sharing, "I'm pretty sure that the goblins confiscated one of them out of Bellatrix's vault. Then Hermione thought that maybe the diadem was here somewhere. No one has seen it in centuries but where better to hide it but right under the old man's nose! Draco believes the ring is probably buried somewhere on the Gaunt estate. Slytherin's locket we have no clue on."

"You're reasoning is sound and, most likely, more accurate than you know. I know Bella was in a snit over the summer about several things being taken from her vault and most of her funds going to paying the fees the goblins charged her with for having dark objects stored there. I also know that she has kept this information from the Dark Lord, which is very strange. Then I overheard her force a vow out of her husband to not tell a soul what had happened." Severus shared with a smirk. "If she had something the Dark Lord had given her to keep safe and it was taken by the goblins, she would be dead before she could finish explaining."

"Yes, well, I gave the goblins permission to go through her vault and Narcissa's since they were set up when both were still Blacks. The goblins thanked me for the information and said I wouldn't be charged but they would if anything was found." Harry chuckled. It seemed their luck truly was changing and maybe this blasted war could be over before much more death and carnage could happen.

Severus went silent for a time which made Harry wonder if their meeting was done before his professor spoke up, "Harry? Do you know of the prophecy?"

"I do." Harry answered and knew from the look he was getting that Severus wanted him to expand upon his admission. "It was just after one of Trelawney's class at the end of my fourth year. I had dropped my bag and was picking up what had spilled out when the crazy, um, professor had stared at me before she started to chant: "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..." 'Mione was the one to figure it out. According to the prophecy, one of us has to die by the other's hand in order for the other to live. I'm not sure that still applies though since I no longer have his soul shard in my head." Harry shared.

"I believe you are right, Harry. However, the other Horcruxes will need to be found and destroyed before the Dark Lord can be permanently dealt with." Severus explained. Harry nodded his head in agreement.

"Sir, do you have any idea where the locket could be?" Harry's face pinched in confusion.

"I might. Before Regulus disappeared, he confided in me that he was going to retrieve and destroy the locket. He said something about it being in a cave on an island that he was fairly certain was surrounded by inferi." Severus told him.

"How in Merlin's name do we get it if it's surrounded by inferi? And where is the cave?" Harry wondered aloud.

"I may have an idea where the cave is at and if anyone can reach it without harm, it would be a DeathEater." Severus shared with a pointed look.

The light went on for Harry, so he asked, "When do you plan to find out, Professor?"

"I believe this weekend would be a good time. I am not scheduled for any meetings and there should be no reason to be summoned. I will also look for the ring as well. I know where the Gaunt estate is and I am one of the few who would be able to disarm any traps my dark master may have set." Severus told the boy, surprised by his willingness to share what he was going to do but if anyone could keep a secret, he supposed it would be Harry.

Harry gave his professor a surprised look when he shared his plans. He hadn't expected an answer. However, he couldn't keep the large smile off his face as he looked at the man that had once been an intimidating and fearful professor before this night. Although Severus hadn't shared anything about his own past, Harry was fairly certain that they shared too much in common. A manipulative Headmaster was one and, if the glimpse of pain he saw in the man's eyes when he spoke of his treatment by his "relatives" then they also shared an abusive childhood. Although Harry would never presume to know the man, he took comfort that there was definitely more to Snape than most would ever guess.

"Is there anything else, Professor?" Harry inquired, wanting to get back to the common room and speak to Hermione before it was time for bed.

"I believe that will be all for now, Harry. However, before you go, I would suggest you look in the Room of Lost Things for the diadem, if you truly feel it is hidden at the school." Severus suggested.

"The Room of Lost Things, sir?" Harry questioned.

"Yes. You can call it the same as the Room of Requirement except think of lost things instead." Severus explained.

"Thank you, Professor, I will." Harry genuinely said. At the Potions Master's nod and handing Harry a pass to return without trouble, Harry excused himself and headed back to the tower quickly. There were only a few minutes before curfew and he didn't want to be caught out, even with a pass.

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Once in the Common Room, Harry nodded to Hermione before joining a few fellow Gryffindors by the fire. He engaged Ron in a game of chess and chatted with Neville about their Herbology homework. When the time came for bed, Harry sent a silent message to Hermione who then sent one to Draco. They would meet up in the RoR to learn of Harry's meeting.

An hour later found the duo donning Harry's cloak to make their way to the Room of Requirement. When they arrived, the door appeared before either could summon it showing that Draco had beaten them there. He had set up the room to mimic a lounge and had had an elf bring some tea and biscuits. After greetings were done, a head nod between the wizards and a good snog between Hermione and Draco, they all sat down to hear what Harry had to say.

It took an hour or so for Harry to tell them all he had discussed with Severus.

"Wow, Harry! Wouldn't it be great if Professor Snape was able to locate and destroy the locket and ring?! That would be so awesome!" Hermione gushed, excited over learning that tidbit. She thought the world of her Potions professor and was happy to have him on their side helping. Maybe they could end this sooner than anyone thought!

"Sev actually told you what he was going to do?" Draco asked dumbfounded. His Godfather never shared such sensitive information with anyone. "Damn!"

"Yeah, I was kinda surprised myself and I think he was too." Harry chuckled.

"Well, I think it's wonderful." Hermione chirped in. "I also think that the two of you came to a better understanding." She added.

"We did, I think. I know he got really angry when I told him of my childhood and I know it wasn't aimed at me." Harry said.

"What makes you so sure?" Draco asked, wanting to play devil's advocate a bit.

Harry studied his friends for a moment before answering, "I saw a glimpse of pain when I was telling him before he hid it and anger took its place."

"Is he right, Draco?" Hermione asked her boyfriend.

"I don't know for sure but I do know that my Godfather never talks about his past. He's a very private man and hides a lot behind his snarky and cynical attitude." Draco answered.

"I hope not but I have a feeling your right, Harry. In a way it would make sense. Why he's so bitter and cold to everyone in the world. Sad, really." Hermione said, compassion heavy in her voice.

"Well, onto a happier topic, I think we should look for the diadem this weekend. No one will really notice us being gone and we'll have ample time to dig through the stuff." Harry changed the subject, not really comfortable dissecting his professor.

"I think that is an excellent idea, Potter." Draco agreed. "Now, if there's nothing else, would you be so kind as to go away so I can spend some alone time with my witch?"

Harry smirked at the blond before nodding his head. "That I can do, just make sure to disillusion yourself before leaving." Harry reminded them as he threw his cloak over his shoulders while heading towards the door.

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"What do you think, Draco? Will Professor Snape find the items?" Hermione asked once Harry had left as she curled into Draco's side.

"If anyone can find them, my Godfather can." Draco told her as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"If we find the diadem, how will we destroy it? We can't exactly go up to the Headmaster and ask for the Sword of Gryffindor nor do we have any basilisk venom." Hermione pondered aloud.

"I'll take care of it." Draco informed her. When she looked at him questioningly, he kissed her nose before answering, "Fiendfyre should take care of it."

Hermione popped up and stared into his eyes with a horrified look. "Draco, you can't use Fiendfyre, it's too dangerous, too hard to control."

Draco gave a mirthless chuckle as he said, "Oh, my little witch, you forget who my father is."

"Oh, Draco, tell me he didn't make you use such an unpredictable and dangerous spell." Hermione pleaded.

"I wish I could but I would be lying." Draco told her. "He locked me in the cellar and told me master it or die trying."

It was a rare moment for Hermione; her mind had completely shut down hearing what her boyfriend had had to do. She was slowly learning just how rough of a life her blond Slytherin had had to live but it still surprised her when she learned something new. So instead of talking, the bushy haired witch leaned forward and snogged Draco for all she was worth. The more she learned of his life the more she absolutely despised Lucius Malfoy. He was a coldhearted bastard who managed, somehow, to raise a good wizard.

Draco returned her passion with his own. He knew how messed up his life was and was truly amazed at the offense his little witch would take on his behalf of what he had been put through. The two lovebirds had very little conversation after that; their time spent snogging each other breathless. When they finally parted a few hours later, both were panting and wanting but Hermione still wouldn't go any further. They had talked about it and she wanted to wait until after graduation. She had enough on her plate that worrying about pregnancy wasn't something she wanted to do, no matter how much she wished to get physical with him. Draco had assured her that he would wait as long as she needed and agreed that, right now, wasn't the best time to get caught up in each other. After graduation sounded like a good idea to him as well despite going to bed most nights with a hard-on from Hades and blue balls, his hands were getting a definite workout. She would be worth the wait though and Hermione never led him on either. She would stop before it could get out of hand. She would sit across his lap but never straddled him and he very much appreciated that. One of them needed to think with the proper head.

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When Saturday came around, all three students were anxious to start the hunt. If they could find and destroy another Horcrux, it would put them that much closer to defeating a psycho bent on destroying their world. Just after breakfast, Harry and Hermione walked as quickly out of the Great Hall as they could and not draw attention to themselves. They figured it would be a good time since most students were later getting to breakfast and took longer to eat and visit since there were no classes.

Draco waited a proper time before excusing himself from the table so no one would think he was following them even though that was exactly what he was doing. Slytherins were a very difficult group to sneak around than most and, so far, he had managed to fool them all. Of course, he wasn't called the Slytherin Prince for nothing! As he entered the room, he almost ran into Hermione. Her and Harry had stopped only a few feet into the room and were just staring at the piles upon piles of junk stored within.

How foolish for them to think it would only take a few hours, maybe half the day, to sort through everything. What they saw would take them weeks! However, Draco had a better idea. He went over to a "clean" corner and moved the small pile to another one, completely clearing the area. He then put up a strong shield before yelling, "Accio books!" It was a good thing he could do such a strong shield because he was soon buried beneath a huge stack of books that made Hermione's mouth water and her fingers itch to go through them.

Shaking herself from her stupor, Hermione followed Draco's lead and cleared another corner to call forth a particular item. Once the room had been sorted into various stacks, some small and some quite large, the trio stood in the middle. Hermione then walked over to the pile of trunks they had gathered and started opening them after checking for jinxes, hexes or curses. She then used the many trunks (the third largest pile) and started floating items into them. Several held books, while others were used to "file away" the other belongings; i.e. clothes, furniture (which was separated to smaller groups), scrolls, etc. By the time lunch rolled around the trio had managed to sort through half of the room this way.

Deciding to take lunch in the room rather than completely disrupt their flow, Harry called Dobby to them. The little elf was beside himself when Harry asked for his assistance. He promptly brought them lunch and after getting a promise from Harry that he would call him if he needed anything else, popped away. After eating and relaxing a bit, all three went back to sorting through the centuries of Lost and Found of Hogwarts. By the time dinner was to be served, they had managed to go through the entire room, thanks to Hermione and Draco's handy ideas. The teenagers were a bit discouraged when the diadem didn't show up. Now where to look? Just before leaving, Harry called Dobby to him once more, figuring the house elf could give them ideas where to look now.

"Harry Potter calls Dobby again? What cans Dobby do for Mister Harry Potter sir?" The elf asked jubilantly.

"Dobby, do you know where else we could look for something lost at Hogwarts or hidden?" Harry asked patiently.

"Oh, Harry Potter is in the right place, he is!" Dobby answered.

"But we've sorted through everything and haven't found what we were looking for." Hermione told the elf.

"Oh, but Missy Granger, yous are in the right room. Yous only been in one of the many rooms for lost things." Dobby informed them.

"How many rooms are there, Dobby?" Harry asked, his mind boggling at there being more than one room like the one they just cleaned.

"Dobby not sure, Mister Harry Potter, sir. I's has heard there are many such rooms as this one. Dobby can find out for Harry Potter if he wants." The little elf said excitedly.

"That would nice, Dobby, thank you but make sure to keep why you're asking to yourself. We don't anyone else knowing what we're doing." Harry explained to the elf.

"Oh, Dobby won't tell a soul why he's askin'. Whens will you be needin' what I find?" Dobby solemnly asked.

"Whenever you find out will be fine." Harry told him and with that, the little elf popped out of the room.

"That is one strange house elf." Draco commented after Dobby had left.

"Yes and he adores Harry." Hermione quirked a smile at her best friend.

"And a royal pain in the arse when he wants to be, too. At least he's stopped trying to kill me, that's something." Harry sarcastically added.

"That's right; he was the one to try to keep you from returning to Hogwarts second year." Draco said, smirking.

"Yeah, and I'm happy he's stopped that. Hermione? Do you think there'll be trunks in the other rooms like this one?" Harry asked.

"There's no way to really tell. I suppose there could be. Why?" Hermione answered.

"Well, I thought maybe we could shrink these down to use until they're full, just in case. As much junk that was in here, I can only imagine the other room or rooms being just as full. I don't think anyone has ever stepped foot into them since they were created." Harry explained his thoughts.

"Hmm, you might be right. It wouldn't hurt to take them with us. We could shrink them down and put a feather weight charm on them so they could be carried around." Draco added.

"You could store them in your beaded bag, 'Mione. I know there's room in there." Harry snarked.

"Oh, ha ha, you're so very funny, Harry. Yes, I suppose I could put them in my bag. Alright, let's get this done so we can get to dinner on time and not raise any questions. Me, no one would really notice but you and Draco…everyone would." Hermione told them.

"True." Both Harry and Draco answered as they set about shrinking down the many trunks and putting the charm on them so they wouldn't weigh Hermione down. Just before leaving, the three of them agreed to go to their Common Rooms after dinner so no one would become suspicious of them and meet back up the next morning.

After eating breakfast like the day before, Harry and Hermione left with Draco following afterwards. When they called for the Room of Lost Things, they were still gobsmacked by the amount of junk stored in the room. This one was larger than the one the day before. So the trio started sorting the way they had the day before. Taking lunch in there again, they managed to just barely get the room cleared before dinner. Fortunately, this room also had empty or almost empty trunks in it. They utilized the ones from the previous room until they were full and then started in on the new ones. Hermione spent a few hours charming the trunks with the Undetectable Extension Charm so they could clear the mess up. She also made one trunk a "master" trunk that they could put all the other trunks into and levitate it to an unused classroom to store it until they needed it again. It was why it took them so long to finish.

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