Chapter Fifteen- Task Fulfilled

Harry told Ron and Hermione about his task, but separately as they didn't want to be around the other too long. Ron said, "Oh, it'll be easy. He adores you. Hang back after class and ask him."

Hermione took a gloomier view. "It won't be easy if Dumbledore couldn't get it. You need a strategy."

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I do. I'll take some time to plan a way to persuade him. Perhaps, something he said or did in the past hold the answer."

Hermione smiled. "Perhaps. It's a good place to start."

"It is as Severus said fox magic won't help."

"Speaking of which, you know he's still going to want you to perform some at the next party."

Harry's eyes sparkled. "That would be a good opportunity to ask him. Hermione, you are a genius."

"Yes. That would be an excellent chance," Snape said that night when Harry related his conversation with Hermione. "You should still explore your past conversations with him in order to have a conversation starter that will lead into asking him for the memory."

Harry put his task on hold as he went through classes and Quidditch practice. He spent his free periods in the Common Room, enjoying the company of his house mates and doing his homework as well as contemplating his task. The only thing was Ron and Lavender snogging each other in the room. It was a bit distracting and annoying; so much so that he would escape to the library for peace and quiet and usually in the company of Hermione.

"Harry, I looked through the Restricted Section for Horcruxes and only found a passing mention in one book," she whispered. "I had thought Voldemort got the information in a book because Slughorn teaches Potions, not Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"He had to have. The books were probably removed after he left Hogwarts."

Harry's schedule became a little fuller with the introduction of Apparition lessons. Harry was interested in learning to disappear and reappear on his own. He wouldn't have to rely on Severus if he could do it himself. Of course I won't be able to until I turn seventeen and take the test. Still, these lessons will be useful and give me practice so I might be able to pass when I take the test over the summer.

The first lesson went as Harry had expected: No Apparition but Susan did Splinch herself. While the event was awful to see, Susan was clearly the first to move though. "Did you feel anything?" Ron asked Harry an hour later.

"No, but it's only been the first lesson. I'm sure we'll succeed by the end of the twelve weeks."

"Harry, m'boy!" came the voice of Slughorn and Harry's tail wagged hopefully. "Harry, I insist you join me for dinner tonight. You and the others, of course. I'd like to see some fox magic."

"Sure. I'll be there."

"Splendid." Slughorn waddled off and Harry beamed. He had spent some free time, thinking of his past talks with Slughorn and had come up with a couple of ideas for subjects. I just hope they work.

Harry panted with exhaustion as he gently lowered the table and then collapsed in his seat. He heard Slughorn clap enthusiastically as he took a gulp of juice and start on his dessert. "Bravo, m'boy. Excellent work."

"I could levitate several things at once," he said a bit shyly.

"You already did," Slughorn said, gesturing at the table that was laden with food, drink, and place settings. "A wonderful display. So, Belbey. How is the family business doing?"

Harry let the conversation wash over him as he ate and drank to restore his energy. Hermione helped by sliding food toward him. "You okay?" she asked at one point.

"Yeah, just tired. I've thought of asking about that memory tonight," he whispered.

Her eyes went round. "You got a strategy?"

"I think so and I hope it works."

A little while later, the party started to break up. Hermione gave Harry a look to wish him luck as she left. Soon, it was just him and Slughorn. His heart pounded as he smiled up at his professor. "I had a good time, sir," he said.

"It was my pleasure and a real treat. All those tricks and such endurance. I know you said fox is from your father's side but your strength, stamina, and smarts are obviously from your mother."

"Could you tell me more about my mother?" he asked, thrilled that his thought of chatting up his mother was coming into play.

"Ah," Slughorn sighed happily. "Lily. Such a bright girl. Spirited and vivacious like I told you. A right dab hand at Potions, something I know you inherited from her for you are quite good. She would be so proud of you with everything you've accomplished."

"She was one of your favorites, right sir?"

"Indeed she was."

"She died protecting me. You know that, right? He told her to stand aside because he only wanted to kill me. She didn't move so he killed her."

"Tragic, that was. But why would he want to kill you?"

"It's the prophecy, sir. I am the one to beat him. I am the Chosen One and I need information about Voldemort in order to insure my mother didn't died in vain. Please, sir? Give me the real memory." Harry gave Slughorn those pleading eyes he had given Snape over the summer.

Slughorn looked at Harry. "I am not proud of what it shows," he whispered. "I'm afraid I did great harm that day."

"But, if you give me the memory, you would be making up for that by giving me the power to defeat Voldemort."

Slughorn whimpered before drawing his wand. He put the tip to his temple and pulled it away. A thread of memory was attached to it. It stretched longer and longer until it finally broke away. Harry got out a vial, opened it, and assisted Slughorn in depositing it inside. It swirled into gas and Harry corked it. "Thank you, professor."

"Please don't thin badly of me when you see it."

Harry gave a small hug. "I could never think badly of you. Voldemort is good at charming things out of people. You had no idea what he planned to do with the information you told him."

"Bless you," Slughorn said, still whispering. "You are much like Lily. So understanding, so forgiving." He scratched Harry's ear and his tail wagged. "Now," he patted the back. "Get off to bed, m'boy."

"Of course, sir. Good night and thank you again." Harry left the room, flushed with success. He had gotten the memory! He knew Dumbledore and Severus would be proud of him. And my mate will be the first to know. Harry blinked as he saw Hermione at the end of the corridor, looking anxious. Okay, he'll be the second to know.

He grinned as he got closer. "I got it!" He held up the vial.

"Harry, that's great! Make sure to tell me about it."

"I promise." Harry made his way downstairs, knowing his mate would be thrilled. He wondered what answer Slughorn gave Voldemort concerning Horcruxes. Did the answer really do great harm and if so, what kind? Horcruxes have to be some kind of Dark magic so dark that even Severus hadn't heard about them and he's really good on the subject of the Dark Arts and Dark magic. Well, once I've seen the memory, I will tell him what I learned. He reached the office/room and knocked rhythmically. "Come in, Harry," came Snape's voice.

Harry came in, eyes bright and tail swishing. "I did it, Severus! I got the memory!"

"Excellent. How did you do it?"

"By speaking of my mother. Professor Slughorn always spoke highly of her and she was one of his favorites. I played on that and the whole idea of me being 'The Chosen One.' He was almost in tears when he handed over the memory." Harry's voice choked a little on the last sentence.

Severus took Harry in his arms and held him tightly. "You know that I knew your mother. What I didn't tell you was not long after I met her, I fell in love with her. She didn't know I was as I never had the courage to tell her. Our friendship at school was a hot and cold one. A conversation would start off good, in my opinion, then would turned bad, and then back to good. It completely broke down in our fifth year as you know."

"Do you still love her?"

"I do, but not like how I love you. I want to show you something." Harry stepped back as Severus pulled out his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" A silver doe burst from his wand and cantered around the room before fading into silver mist.

"It's a match for my stag," Harry said.

"Your mother's Patronus was a doe and my love for her caused mine to change into a doe."

"Wow," Harry said softly. He now felt a deeper connection to his mate than before and all because Severus' Patronus was like his mother's.