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Chapter 5

The chapter with no title:

The start of term had arrived and the Golden Trio arrived in the Great Hall for a nice breakfast before classes started. Hermione was completely excited about all of the new stuff she was going to learn, Ron was apathetic, and Harry was a tad anxious. But, not because of school.

Harry remembered Voldemort's promise to write him everyday and was a bit worried that he would actually keep his promise. Harry looked up as owls started swooping down through the windows and landing near their respective owners. Harry breathed a sigh of relief when the last owl settled down near Hermione with the Daily Prophet.

However, right after this sigh a large brick crashed through a nearby window, sending shards of glass all over the students and landing on Harry's plate, causing a right kerfuffle. Harry groaned and he felt the eyes of all the Hogwarts' students on him. Trying to ignore their gazes and fiery complaints, he fingered the package that was attached to the brick, untying the binds and put the brick in his backpack. He left the package sitting in front of him, unsure of what to do with it. The words "Caution: Contents of Package May Be Cursed" were emblazoned on the side.

"Who's it from?" Ron asked clearly interested in whatever treasure the package might conceal.

"I think it's from... You Know Who..." Harry whispered.

"Who?" asked Ron again.

"You Know Who," Harry repeated.

"No, I don't..."

"YOU KNOW WHO," Harry whispered, clearly getting irritated.

"I have no idea who you're talking about," Ron stated in disgust. "Why don't you find me when you're willing to tell me?" he flung his fork down and started to get up.

Harry pulled Ron back down by his sleeve and yelled, "VOLDEMORT! IT'S FROM VOLDEMORT!"

"Er..." Harry started to notice the stares he was gathering once more. "Let's talk about this somewhere else," he whispered to Ron and Hermione and picked up his package to leave.

Together they exited the Great Hall, but were stopped by Professor Snape who spoke curtly, "The Headmaster wishes to see you Potter. You two will not be needed," he added, giving Ron and Hermione dirty looks.

Harry left his friends and followed Snape to Professor Dumbledore's office in silence, hoping that Snape would not try to force him into another conversation about his father. And they reached the office without ripping each other's throats out for once.

"Ah, Harry," Professor Dumbledore smiled as Harry and Snape walked into the room. "What brings you here?"

"Er... you wanted to see me, sir?" Harry prompted.

"Right you are, Harry," replied Dumbledore, gazing off into space for a moment. "I am aware that you have received a package this morning."

Harry presented the package and Dumbledore raised and eyebrow.

"Let's open it, shall we?" Professor Dumbledore took the package from Harry, ready to open it, when his eyes caught the words on the side "Caution: Contents of Package May Be Cursed".

"Erm... Severus, would you do the honors?" Dumbledore inquired handing the package to Snape.

"But, of course Headmaster," Severus replied, his face showing the slightest bit of irritation. His voice lowered to a mumble, "After all, I'm only a human being with a mind and a soul. What does it matter if I get cursed? As long as our precious Headmaster lives on. I should've remained loyal to the Dark Lord... At least there was a good dental plan..."

Severus tore open the box to reveal something very delicate wrapped in cloth. He pulled on the cloth ever so slightly to reveal something that looked like a piece of jewelry. He paused cautiously.

"Go on," the Headmaster prodded him.

Severus rolled his eyes and pulled the cloth all the way off to reveal a locket. Slytherin's locket.

All three of them gasped.

"A horcrux..." Harry whispered softly. "DESTROY!"

Harry grabbed a candlestick from Dumbledore's desk and made to hit the necklace with it, but was stopped when Snape's powerful grasp met his arm.

"You fool! You cannot destroy a horcrux with such simple means! If you had connected you would have most certainly died!" Snape yelled at Harry, his face white, his teeth bared.

"Now, now, Severus," Dumbledore chastised Snape for his rough behavior.

"There's a letter," Dumbledore observed picking up a piece of parchment from the box and unfolding it.

Harry blushed a little as he didn't like the idea of someone else reading his love letters... even if they were from Voldemort...

Dumbledore read:

Dearest Harry,

How I long to see you. But, alas, you are at Hogwarts and I must not trespass those grounds for fear of losing my life. I thought I would send you a little back to school gift for you to remember me by while you're away. It's the Slytherin locket and it also harbors a part of my soul, which I hope you will cherish. I count the days until I am able to see you again. Until then,

Yours forever,

Lord Voldemort

Harry's blush deepened and he thought he heard Snape snicker. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty for destroying a thoughtful gift such as this, but he reminded himself that it was Voldemort. The Voldemort who had killed his parents, and he couldn't let any piece of the Dark Lord that could still harbor hate for him survive.

"I will allow you to keep the letter, Harry," said Dumbledore, "but, I hope you will allow me to let Severus have the horcrux. I trust him to destroy it for us."

"Oh, great," Severus exclaimed sardonically. "First I get to opened a cursed package, now I get the happy job of destroying it. This life is just getting better and better." He began mumbling again, "I get stuck with all the shitty jobs... why can't Dumbledore do his own dirty work... should've stayed with the Dark Lord..."

Dumbledore ignored Severus and led Harry to the door, handing him the letter and dismissing him quickly.

Harry went back to find his friends, confused that he had felt guilty for a moment over the Dark Lord.