A little longer than the rest as an apology for the wait. Harry's first year is almost over. I've decided with the help of a friend (darkstarrystar88) that the whole thing will be all in one. This have a total of 70 chapters, ten chapters for each year. Hopefully everyone is okay with that.

Happy reading and enjoy!

The next morning Harry still felt drained, but at least a headache wasn't paired with the feeling. Once again he was up early. Silently he went into the bathroom. During his shower he replayed the events of the night before. Something wasn't quite adding up.

He was dressed and ready twenty minutes later. While waiting for Draco to wake up he did all his homework. It didn't take long to do it thanks to neruo-expanding potion. Harry still loves how that potion makes everything so easy. A part him still feels guilty about being one of two that is using it. But knowing that if everyone used it someone would use it for evil intentions, that made the guilt easy to live with.

Draco woke up and immediately sought out Harry. Last night's news unnerved him. His father had told him the type of creatures that lived in the forest. Draco was going to write to his father and tell him what happened.

As always Harry was up and waiting for him. Without a word he got ready. They met Blaise, Theo and Marcus in the common room then headed for breakfast. The five didn't get far as they were stopped when Professor Snape called out Harry's name.

Harry turned and looked at Severus then back at his friends. "I'll be right behind you."

He watched them walk off before following Severus into the potions classroom. The door was locked and warded.

"I wanted to give you this." Severus spoke showing Harry a necklace. It was a simple chain with small potion vial attached to it. The vial was filled with a reddish purple liquid.

"What's in the vial?"

Severus gave him a wide smile. "I brewed this last night. Please do me a favor and ask again when you are older. I'll explain then. Right now, this necklace-the chain and vial have every known protection spell, dark and light, imbued in it. As well as a few that I myself have created."

Harry returned the smile. "Thank you Severus."

Severus nodded and walked around Harry to put the necklace on him. After clasping it he said a few spells and charms. Feeling satisfied he moved to face Harry once again.

"What was all that?"

"Spells and charms to insure that no one but myself can remove that necklace. Before I forget the third thing that makes this special is it has two portkeys attached to it. They will get you out of every known ward. When you say 'Tunie's Love' you will be sent to your aunt. Say 'Heart's Bond' you'll be sent to me. Understand?"

"Yes, Sev."

"Now there is something I need you to do."

"What is it?"

Severus pulled out another necklace, one identical to his own. He pulled the stopper out of the vial and handed Harry a needle.

"Prick your finger and put three drops of blood into this. Like your's I'll explain when you are older." Without hesitating Harry did as he was told. Severus resealed the vial and handed the necklace to Harry and bent down at the waist. "Clasp it and say the same words I did."

Harry again did as he was told. Severus straighten and looked at him. He gave the older man a knowing smile.

"What's different about your's?"

"Mine will tell me if you activated one of the portkeys."

"And no one but me can remove it?"

"Yes, no one but you."

Harry hugged the other man quickly. "Thank you. Now we must be getting to the Great Hall before Dumbledore suspects something."

"You go first."

As soon as the wards were down and the door unlocked, Harry rushed out of the room and ran to the Great Hall. Out of breath he sat between Draco and Blaise. Five minutes later Severus showed up and took his place between McGonagall and Pomfrey.

"Everything alright Harry?" Blaise asked.

"Yeah fine. He just wanted to know how the detention went. How was practice last night?" He asked changing the subject.

For the next ten minutes he listened to his friends and the Quidditch team talk about the practice. He had a smile on his face the whole time. When everyone had settled down the conversation changed to the plans the House was making for tonight after dinner.

Movement at the staff table caught his eye. He looked over every single teacher. Sprout and Flitwick were talking, Hagrid was pouting, McGonagall and Severus were in a heated discussion judging by their faces, Dumbledore looked angry. All the other teachers were either talking or just eating. Then his gaze fell on Quirrell. The Defense teacher was pale, sweaty and shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

Harry, remembering the day before, resisted the urge to look into his head again. He still had to find a way to tell Severus. How can you tell someone something that doesn't make sense or add up? No, he'll continue to wait and see if something will help him understand.

The day went on as normal. Well not completely, on the way to lunch Weasley had decided to prank Harry. It didn't work thanks to Sev's necklace. The prank had rebounded back to Weasley, the redhead now had purple hair with his face covered heavily in makeup. To complete it he was singing show tunes every time he tried to talk.

The whole school was laughing at him, his brothers included. They were happy to announce that the spell lasts for five hours. So an angry singing Ron Weasley entertained the school. The teachers didn't mind when they found out from several students that he had tried to use it on Harry and Harry protected himself and rebounded it. Suffice to say that was Weasley's punishment.

During lunch Harry did all his homework despite his friends' protests. He had to kindly remind them of his detention; Slytherins shot a glare at Dumbledore. For that day he had gotten the points and more back, so tonight's detention didn't bother him.

All the teachers ended the last class early. Harry and his friends when to the dorms. He dropped his bag off and told them he was going to find Filch and see if he could serve his detention early. He left and went about his search. Harry found Filch in his office. The older man was happy that he didn't get any complaints from Harry and since Harry had came willingly, Filch let him serve the detention early.

Harry was told to do lines until dinner. He was to write 'I won't skip class again'. He knew from the older years' talk that this wasn't normal behavior for the caretaker. Harry wasn't going to look a gifted horse in the mouth.

Ten minutes before dinner Filch let him go. Harry thanked the man and left the office. Along the way he spotted Quirrell. Ducking into an alcove he listen to the man talk to himself.

"No one suspects a thing, though Snape as been giving me weird looks. The troll is in place now I must put on the best performance of the year. Soon you will be whole again."

Harry waited and went off in the direction Quirrell had come from. The further down the hall he got the worse the smell. Then he came upon a troll, a twelve foot smelly troll. Not even bothering to use his wand, he waved his hand and banished the thing to the first place that came to mind. Black Mountain in Wales. It was secluded enough until Severus could find a better place.

Harry took a shortcut and found the prefects escorting frantic children out of the Great Hall. Harry casted a notice-me-not, summoned a piece of parchment and a pen. He wrote his friends a short note and quickly stuck it in Draco's hand. The boy jumped and looked around before opening the note. Harry left and went into the Great Hall just in time to see Severus hiding around the corner watching Quirrell get up and sneak out the side door. He followed Severus who followed Quirrell.

The three of them were on the third floor. Quirrell must of heard something, he looked around then ran off out the door. Harry watched Severus watch the cowardly man leave before walking up to the door and opening it.

He heard a loud growl and ran into the doorway just in time to see Hagrid's Fluffy bite Severus in the leg. Acting quickly he sent a stinging hex towards the dog, grabbed Severus and shut the door. Harry extended his charm over Sev. The potions master looked relieved and not too pleased to see him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Saving you. What were you thinking?"

"I thinking that there was something Quirrell was up to and I wanted to see what it was. Harry why were you late for dinner?"

"I'll tell you when we get to your rooms. I have a lot to explain and you aren't going to be happy about it. Will you let me see how bad the bite is?"

"If you must."

Harry kneeled down and looked at Severus' leg. The bite was still bleeding but it didn't look deep. He put his hand over the wound and casted the Episkey charm. Harry looked up when he heard Severus gasp. He stood up and straighten his clothes.

"There that should do it. When we get to your rooms you can take a pain reliever and clean up the blood. I think we should go before Dumbledore shows up."

Severus nodded and together they went down to the dungeons. The walk there was quick and quiet. They heard the Slytherins' party as they passed the portrait, a troll wasn't going to stop the snakes.

Harry stepped through first and ungracefully flopped down in the chair. It had been a long day and it was going to get longer.

Severus watched the boy drop into the chair. He went into his room, cleaned the blood off and changed his pants before rejoining Harry. He sat on the couch.

"Alright what do you need to tell me?"

Harry sighed. "The reason for my headache yesterday was because I pushed past the barrier in Quirrell's mind. The longer I was in there the worse the headache got."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because none of it made sense until tonight. I saw flashes a troll, a hooded figure, a giant dog and I heard the word stone being whispered. Last night was the hooded figure only it didn't connect until the troll and then Fluffy. Quirrell is after something, a stone maybe since it was being whispered the entire time I was in the man's head."

"Harry I can't believe you kept this from me. The troll...did you face the troll?" Severus wasn't happy at the moment and it took everything to hold on to his temper. Not caring about the mate status or the student thing, all he wanted to do was pull the irate boy over his knees and ensure that he wouldn't be be able to sit for a week.

"It didn't even know I was there. I banished it to the Black Mountain in Wales. You are going to have to find someone to handle it or do it yourself."

"Damn it Harry! What the hell were you thinking?!"

Harry's back went straight and he looked at Severus. "I was thinking that I should do something before it causes any damage. Quirrell was the one to let it in, knowing what he's capable of now I'm glad I did what I did. You can punish me or take points, none it matters as long as the school is safe."

Severus looked at the boy and tried to calm down. "You would let me punish you anyway I saw fit?"

"Yes I would. Severus, I'm not naive nor was I completely sheltered. Aunt Petunia never raised a hand to me or Dudley but she did ground us, mostly Dudley. When Marge came and got Dudley she spanked him in front of me and Aunt Petunia, because he had kicked her and called her a bitch. It worked because when she was done he apologized and did as she ordered. So yes I will take any punishment you find suitable for what I've done tonight and for not telling you about getting into Quirrell's head."

Severus couldn't believe his ears. Harry was giving him permission to punish him. He knew he couldn't do it, unless it was under a different circumstance and the boy was much too young for that. So he would have to settle for the grounding.

"I'm going to settle for grounding you and taking points. For two weeks you are to go straight to your room after dinner unless its Tuesday or Thursday, since those are your Astronomy days. You will not do anything in your room but studying or read. Yes I know about your poker games and those will not happen in your room. As for points I'm taking fifty, thirty for the troll and twenty for not telling me."

"Understandable. Is there anything else?"

"At the moment no. Go straight to your room, if anyone ask tell them that I caught you roaming the halls and grounded you."

"Yes Severus. Good night Sev."

"Good night brat."

Harry did as he was ordered. His friends weren't happy and deep down he really didn't want to celebrate. He wrote Aunt Petunia a letter and sent it off. Then he took out two candles and used the fire charm to light them. Every year since he could remember he and Aunt Petunia lit them in his parents' memory.

Severus roughly rubbed his face and let out a heavy sigh. He can't believe everything that has happened. He was ready for term to end, although things weren't going to get any better during the summer. Merlin, how can he survive the rest of the year trying to protect an eleven year old from a evil old bastard and a crazy arsehole.

If next term is as bad as this one he was going to pull the boy out of Hogwarts and find a way for him to take both the OWLs and NEWTs. It shouldn't be a full-time job to keep someone alive. Harry deserves to have a normal life, but sadly the Fates think it funny to make it complicated. His life as well.

Two people in Hogwarts were pissed that night. Dumbledore for how things went down. First there was no troll and the trapdoor hasn't been opened. Why would that stuttering bastard lie about a troll? Who opened the third floor door? Yes he was informed that the door had been open but the dog was still alive and the trapdoor still locked. What the hell was going on?

Quirinus Quirrell was enraged. Who followed him? Where was his troll? He was so close to getting what Dumbledore was hiding from him. Then someone had followed and he had to abandon his task to prevent getting caught. He wanted to get that stone and be long gone before anyone would find out.

Two weeks of punishment wasn't that bad. The only ones that complained were his friends. They went as far as begging Severus to let him off. They were shot down every time. Harry had to laugh whenever they came back pouting.

Losing the fifty points weren't that bad. Slytherins was so far in the lead that they could win two years in a row. Harry had gotten those points back from McGonagall when he transfigured an animal into a goblet, his goblet had emerald and diamonds on it. After two weeks the students of Hogwarts were still trying to figure out how he did it. The best thing about his punishment was-getting caught up on his reading.

Draco, Blaise, Theo and Marcus hated the last two weeks. They couldn't believe that Professor Snape had grounded Harry. No amount of begging or bribing could change the man's mind.

Draco pleaded to his godfather until he was blue in the face. The man just told him to act like a Malfoy or he was going to be grounded as well. Draco huffed and stomped out of the room. Minutes later he sent an owl off to his father. He was still waiting for a reply.

Blaise took to bribing, Zabinis don't beg. He told Snape that he would scrub cauldrons if the man would release Harry from his punishment. The teacher just glared at him and told him that if he didn't leave then Blaise would be given detention and that would be spent scrubbing cauldrons. He left then but only so he could think of another plan.

Theo did both. After years of watching his cousins he tried to use what they called puppy dog eyes. Using the eyes and telling Snape that he'll do two nights of detention didn't work. He threw the famous Nott fit and lost twenty points.

Marcus thought his plan would have worked. He told the professor that the Quidditch team will forfeit every game until Snape lets Harry off. Needless to say the professor just smiled at him and calmly told him that if the team did forfeit any game he would not hesitate to replace them all. Marcus backed down but only long enough to form a new plan.

Severus was both amused and annoyed. He couldn't believe that four of his snakes were begging, bribing and trying to force his hand over a simple two week grounding. He was pleased that they would do anything for Harry but it annoyed him greatly at how they carried it out. To make it worse they told the Slytherin House, which in turn the whole school found out.

He still remembers the conversation he had with the mother hens.

*Flashback*

"Severus you can't ground a student." Minerva was the first to say something.

"He's in my house. I'll punish my snakes any way I deem fit."

"But grounding. Severus, you're acting like a parent not a teacher." Poppy shook her head.

"Again, its my House. He was caught roaming the halls while a suppose troll was on the loose. He could have gotten himself killed. Grounding him is a far better choice then detention."

"This is Harry we're talking about. He has not gotten in trouble once since starting school. The missing class mishaps doesn't count because Poppy did confirm that he did see her. That boy does everything we tell him and all his work his outstanding. Messrs Malfoy, Nott and Zabini have also had outstanding work because the three of them follow his lead. So please Severus just let the boy off." Pomona defended.

"No I'm not. And if you must know this is Mr. Potter's choice. He gave me permission to punish him how I saw fit. Grounding him will make sure that he has a enough time to think about why he got into trouble and what could have happened if I didn't find him. Now I think we need to end this discussion."

The three mother hens wanted to say something else but they had just shook their heads and ignored him.

*Flashback Ends*

After he went off on them he had turned his attention to Dumbledore. The Headmaster was close to figuring out that Severus was the one who was helping Harry. At this point Severus didn't care anymore. The only thing he cared about was keeping Harry away from the manipulative bastard. The old man was always scheming.

While Dumbledore was distracted with his own thoughts, Severus entered his mind. He found a few things that would help him and Harry. Severus was able to dig deeper and he caught flashes of the name Flamel, a red colored stone and a mirror. Feeling smug he left the old man's mind and started a plan.

Winter break was in two weeks. Every student had a book in their hands or crowding the library. The teachers had announced that they would be handing out exams on the days leading up to Christmas break. Harry spent that time helping his friends, Marcus included.

All of the studying and prepping left little time for Harry to talk to Severus. Potions was spent reviewing everything they did and writing parchment upon parchment of notes and summaries. So as annoyance set in he made a plan.

On an Astronomy day, after dinner his friends went to watch Slytherin's practice and he went down to the dungeons. He gave the portrait the password and stepped through. As always put up the wards.

"Severus are you here?"

Severus stepped out of his personal lab. "What are you doing here?"

"We need to talk. Merlin, Sev, its been a week since we spoken about anything other than me answering potion questions."

"Harry, you need to focus on your schoolwork."

"No I don't. I know it all and can answer every question in my sleep. Sev please."

"Fine. Come into the lab and we'll talk."

Harry smiled and followed him into the room. He loved this room a lot. All the ingredients just waiting to be used. There were already four cauldrons brewing different potions.

"Are those for the hospital wing or personal use?"

Severus smiled. "Hospital wing. Madam Pomfrey might need them for the students who are staying. Now what did you want to talk about?"

"The holiday. Quirrell. Dumbledore. We can even talk about the new potion you're thinking about creating."

"What makes you think I'm thinking of creating a new potion?"

Harry laughed. "You're always thinking of a new one. What will this one do?"

"It will turn a witch or wizard into a muggle."

"No offense but that's horrible. Why?"

"None taken. I want to create this to limit the number of people getting sent to Azkaban. Murders can be sent for all I care. Thieves and con men can be given this potion and live a life as a muggle. People who abuse the use of magic, can be given this as well."

"I see. I withdraw my earlier statement."

Severus laughed. "You need to stop reading crime novels. Now Quirrell and Dumbledore. I have manage to get more from Dumbledore's mind. After the research, I found that Quirrell is after something called the Sorcerer's Stone. It will make someone live a long time. The stone was created by an alchemist named Nicholas Flamel. He and Dumbledore had been friends since the war with Grindelwald."

"So what are we going to do?"

"We aren't going to do anything. I'm going to get the stone and send it back."

"Sev, you forget that Dumbledore has spent half the school year trying to get me do things his way. Which means that I'm the only one that can get the stone. You can't do this without me and I think you know that."

"Look, brat, I'm telling you no. You aren't going and that's final."

"Now see here you ornery mule, I am going with or without you. I'm not going to let you go somewhere without someone watching your back. Get used to it, neither one or the other is going to walk into danger without the other there."

For several minutes they stood there glaring at each other. Neither one was going to back down or change their minds. Harry knew Severus was just protecting him but the idiotic man was not going to tell him to stand back while he puts himself in danger. No, Harry was not going to let that happen. Severus was too set in his ways to change his mind. There was no way this child was going with him.

When it looked like none of them were going to say anything, Harry decided to be the bigger man, as Aunt Petunia says. He didn't care if Severus saw this as playing dirty.

"Fine. If you want to put your life in danger, so be it. Just don't expect me to be waiting for you, if you manage to survive." He spoke in a tightly controlled voice then turned and left the room. He didn't stop until he got to the Astronomy tower.

As Harry's word washed over him, his temper and self-control quickly unraveled. His magic reacted and shattered all the unprotected vials and jars in the room. Things between them weren't suppose to be like this. He stomped out of the room and went straight to the firewhiskey.

After one too many glasses of the amber liquid, Severus' brain managed to still work and replay their argument. He closed his eyes to remember it better without the room spinning around him. It was then that he saw the fear and worry on his mate's face it was paired with the pain and hurt in those hauntingly green eyes.

Merlin, he acted like a bastard and didn't take Harry's feelings into consideration. This was one of the times that he saw the boy's age and completely ignored the fact that Harry was powerful and knew how do every spell, hex and charm that Severus himself knew. Gods he can be stupid sometimes. Severus needed to make this right between them, he can't lose Harry.

It took Harry two days to forgive him. He deserved it and kept trying. The day Harry finally forgave him was instead of a happy moment it was filled with threats.

They were in the empty room next to the library. Severus was apologizing and telling Harry how stupid he acted. He had just told his mate that he didn't want to lose him when they heard someone else in the room. Both reacted quickly, Harry put up multiple shields and Severus had his wand out.

"Tsk tsk. Someone has been very naughty." Quirrell spoke stepping out of the shadows.

"What do you want?" Harry asked in a bored tone.

"Respect from you Potter."

Harry let out a short laugh. "Right. Me respect you, please. The only one who deserves more respect than you or respect from you and me is Severus. He is far better than you."

"Snape you need to teach your little toy some manners. I know someone who will if you aren't up for the task."

Severus growled. "His manners are fine. The brat knows how to treat common trash."

"You better watch yourself. The Dark Lord will love to put you in your place."

"The Dark Lord is dead."

Quirrell let out an evil laugh. "Sure. Now I'm going to leave and talk to Dumbledore about the naughtiness that is going on in his school."

"Obliviate." Harry spoke pointing his wand at Quirrell. He removed the memory of Severus' confession and their conversation and replaced it with a confession of his own. Making the Defense teacher think he told them his plan.

"Harry, what did you do?"

"I removed your confession and the conversation. In it's place I made him think he confessed his plan to us. Now he'll try to be careful but we'll know the signs. And for the record Sev, I forgive you. I forgave you about an hour after our argument."

"You sneaky little brat."

"I am a Slytherin. So can you forgive me? I had no right to act like that or say any of those things. You are the adult and I'm the child, I need to listen to you and do as you say."

"There is nothing to forgive. Now lets go before he wakes up. Can't believe we forgot the wards."

Harry laughed. "The first and only time. It won't happen ever again."

Things between them went on as the same. It was like the fight never happened. They made a plan that would have to wait until after Christmas.

So again they didn't have much time to talk as the following days were filled with exams. Harry thought that the last three days were going to be peaceful, but he was proven wrong on the last day.

It was his last exam-Transfigurations. The exam itself was easy and simple. It wasn't until he was sitting in a half empty Great Hall with his friends when he knew something was going to happen.

Blaise and Draco were talking about playing poker for the rest of the day when Percy Weasley walked up to their table. The Prefect had a grimace look on his face.

"Potter, the Headmaster wants to see you in his office."

Harry nodded and turned to Draco. "Go find Professor Snape and tell him where I'm going."

Draco nodded and ran off. Harry told his friends to continue planning the game and when he gets back they'll play. He got up and followed Percy to the Headmaster's office. He laughed at the password-Lemon drops. He was told to go straight up.

The office was empty when he walked through the door. There were artifacts and portraits along the walls. Cabinets were filled with more artifacts, the sorting hat included. Next the desk was beautiful red Phoenix. In his opinion it was a great room, if it didn't have Gryffindor colors.

"Who are you?" A voice asked in curiosity.

Harry turned towards the voice. It was one of the portraits-Headmaster Black. As the plate under his picture displayed.

"I'm Harry Potter, sir. I was sent here for some reason."

The other portraits started talking at once. Some of them sounded worried. The phoenix screeched loudly and they settled down.

"Thank you Fawkes. Now Mr. Potter its important that you are on guard. Dumbledore is up to something and it isn't good."

"Thank you for the warning, sir. I'm protected, probably more protected than Gringotts." He laughed.

"Tell him about the item. It is his. Dumbledore said so." Harry turned his head and looked at Headmistress Phyllida Spore.

"Thank you my dear. Mr Potter, Dumbledore has an item that used to be your father's. Fawkes show him where it is."

Harry turned and watched the bird fly to the cabinet that the sorting hat is sleeping in. He walked over and opened the doors. The hat woke up.

"Ah Mr. Potter, I've been waiting for you. Are you happy in your house?"

"I am. Thank you. Do you know where this item is that I'm suppose to get?"

"Second drawer down."

Harry opened the drawer and pulled out a bundle of shiny material. He unfolded and found that it was a cloak. He looked back at Headmaster Black.

"What would Dumbledore keep my father's cloak?"

Black chuckled. "That is not just any cloak my dear boy. That is an invisibility cloak. It will make you invisible when you wear it."

"Okay. Thank you."

"Banish it right now, Mr. Potter. Dumbledore is on his way." Headmaster Dippet spoke quickly.

Harry banished the cloak to his room, closed the cabinet doors and sat in the chair. Dumbledore just walked in like he expected to catch Harry doing something. The old man had a slight disappointed look on his face before he quickly replaced it with annoyance. He sat behind the desk and looked at Potter.

All the students were almost done. He got up from his seat at the head table to go to his office, but was stopped when Granger and Weasley walked towards him. With a sigh he sat back down and waited for them.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, I need to report something about Harry Potter."

He smiled. "What is it, Ms. Granger?"

"I saw him cheating during the Transfiguration's exam. I tried to tell Porfessor McGonagall but she wouldn't listen to me."

"Don't worry, my dear, I'll handle it. You two go and pack."

He waited until they left. Walking out of the Hall he came upon Percy Weasley. After telling the boy to send Harry to his office, he walked away to find Minerva.

The blasted woman was nowhere to be found. Giving up his search he quickly made his way to his office. If he caught Potter doing something it could give him cause to expel him, then Potter would beg to stay and he'll make the boy re-sort into Gryffindor.

He walked into his office and a wave of disappointment went through him. He pushed it aside and sat behind his desk to look at the boy.

"Mr. Potter, do you know why you are here?"

"No. sir."

"A student came to me and told me that you were cheating on your exam."

"There was no cheating involved, sir."

"So you're saying the student lied to me. Why would they do that?"

"My guess is they don't like me. Malfoy, Nott, Zabini and Flint can contest that I studied for the exams and I helped them study. Why would I waste two weeks of studying just to cheat?"

Albus never hated someone as much as he hated this boy right now. No one has ever talked to him like this, unless they were already dead or a Death Eater. The Death Eaters don't count because their time in this world isn't long.

Before he could reply his Deputy and Potions teacher stormed into the room. None of them looked happy. He wanted to glare at them.

"Uncle Sev, Harry needs you." Draco rushed into his godfather's rooms out of breath. He spotted Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Sprout sitting around the room. "Sorry I didn't know you had guests."

"Later Draco. Why does Harry need me?"

He took a deep breath, "Percy Weasley came up to us in the Great Hall and told Harry that Dumbledore wanted to see him in his office. Harry told me to get you."

Severus stood up. "Thank you Draco. Go to your common room." He waited for the boy to leave before facing the others. "I'm sorry I need to go."

He rushed out of the room and noticed that Minerva was following. Neither of them said anything on the way to the Headmaster's office. They didn't bother knocking. As soon as they were inside Severus was behind Harry.

"Why is he here Headmaster?"

"Severus, Minerva you two don't need to be here."

"I beg to differ, Albus. Mr. Potter is a Slytherin, Severus is his head of House. I am the Deputy Headmistress. So again, why is Mr. Potter here?"

"A student informed me that they saw Mr. Potter cheating."

Severus couldn't help it as the laugh escaped him. After several minutes he calmed down and looked at the others.

"None of my snakes would cheat. Who told you he was cheating? Mr. Potter, Minerva and I have a right to know." He spoke in a tone that dared the Headmaster to lie to him.

"It was Ms. Granger."

"I see and given that she waited now to say anything. She claimed that Mr. Potter cheated on his Transfiguration's exam."

Minerva laughed then. It was a short laugh. "Really, Albus. You are going to believe Ms. Granger. You've known me for far too many years, and therefore would know that I supply the quills. Those quills are charmed with an anti-cheating spell."

Albus knew it was losing battle. He gave up to avoid the headache that was slowly forming.

"Very well. Mr. Potter, I apologize for the inconvenience."

"And Ms. Granger will be punished for lying." Severus responded.

"Don't worry Severus, I'll see to Ms. Granger myself. Why don't you escort Mr. Potter to the dungeons." McGonagall assured them.

Severus nodded and grabbed Harry's arm and pulled him out of the room. He didn't stop until they were in the Potions classroom with the wards up.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Sev. I can hold my own."

"I know, but that man can't be trusted."

"True. Anyways before I forget. Before Dumbledore showed up, Headmaster Black told me that Dumbledore had something of my father's. It was an invisibility cloak. Shouldn't that be in the vault?"

"Not if your father had it at Godric's Hollow. Although it doesn't make any sense if he did. I can't find out because Dumbledore took those memories out of his head. You can ask Griphook when we talk to him during the holidays."

"I'll do that. How long will you be at the Malfoy's?"

"Only a couple of weeks. I'm sure Tunie will be happy to have you all to herself for that time."

"I know I'll be happy. I can't wait to see her."

"Are you all packed?"

"Yes, Sev. Is everything ready?"

"It is. Griphook and Ragnok will be at your Aunt's house, since Tunie can't be in Gringotts. We'll have the ritual after the paperwork is signed. "

"Good. One more time, are you absolutely completely sure you want to do this?"

Severus chuckled. "I should be asking you that."

Harry smiled. "There's a difference between you and me. For me, its doing something now rather than waiting for it to get too strong and I'll end up doing something in front of the school. For you, if people found out you'll be in trouble. I rather wait then not have a hundred percent guarantee that you won't end up in Azkaban if someone found out. So again, are you sure you want to do this."

"Yes I'm sure. Also I don't care if anyone found out, but we're only keeping it a secret to protect you. Everyone else's opinion does not matter, not even your Godfather's."

"Don't worry I'll protect you."

Severus scoffed. "Like I need protecting from Black. The man is just an overgrown child. Now enough of this talk. Go be with your friends and I'll see you in two weeks."

Harry nodded and quickly hugged Severus before leaving the room. Once in the common room he let his friends drag him into his and Draco's room. As soon as the cards were dealt the conversation started.

"Harry, tell us what happened in Dumbledore's office." Theo said as tossed a chip in.

"Granger accused me of cheating during the Transfiguration exam. McGonagall showed up with Snape and told Dumbledore that the quills she gave us were charmed with an anti-cheating spell. Before Snape and I left, McGonagall told us that she was going to punish Granger for lying."

"Good. Too bad they won't expel her for it." Marcus grumbled.

"I know. So what do you blokes have planned for the holidays? None of us talked about that yet."

"My parents are throwing their annual Christmas party. Other than that I'm going to be doing nothing and I'm going to love it." Draco replied.

"My mother and I are going to Italy to visit her family. We'll be back for the Malfoy party." Blaise added.

"Every year the Notts go to Switzerland to ski and then of course party with the Malfoys."

"My break is like Draco's. Nothing and loving it and attending the party. What about you Harry?"

"My aunt and I are going to be baking, shopping and decorating. This year is our year to host the neighborhood Christmas party. We'll end it like always with a poker game for those who are still there. The rest of the time is catching up and spending it together before I have to leave again."

"I can ask father if you and you're aunt can come to the party."

Harry smiled. "Maybe next year. I want to spend this year with my aunt, its the first year I've been away from home this long. How about we make plans for the summer?"

Draco smiled. "Sure. You lot are invited too." He added looking at the others.

"Geez, we get invited after they decide. I don't know. Theo, what about you and Marcus?"

"For that I'm not joining."

"What Theo said. I don't think they appreciate us."

Harry laughed. "We do. Do you want us to declare our love for you?"

"Gods, Potter. Don't you dare." Marcus exclaimed.

They all laughed and continued playing until it got too late. After cleaning everything up they went to bed.

From his office Dumbledore watched the students leave. As soon as the train leaves Hogsmeade he was going to leave for a short time. There were things he had to do and two people to see. One was to make sure he was still out of the way, while the other was a crucial part of his new plan.

Thinking about it now made him smile. Things were finally going to go his way. The Potter brat won't know what hit him. Albus as he walked towards the fireplace. After a long debate he decided to visit the Muggle prison first.

Quirinus spent weeks trying to figure out why he confessed to Snape and Potter. Things weren't adding up. He would never do such a thing so why is he remembering it.

"One of them gave you the memory you fool." A voice whispered.

"How can that be? You have been preventing anyone from using Legilimency." He responded.

"It won't work against Obliviate. Using the limited amount of power I have is draining and that spell is strong. So stop acting like a blubbering fool and find a way to get that stone."

"Yes, master."