Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: So so sorry for the incredibly long wait. I'm finally ready to finish this story up and hope people are still interested in reading it. Happy reading! Review if you can! =)

Previously: Voldemort returned, Snape's arm was treated so that he couldn't be affected by Voldemort's call, Snape and Harry now know the full prophecy, and Dumbledore has been keeping the truth about the Horcruxes from them.

After Defence class, Harry and Daphne walked hand in hand down the corridor as students rushed by them. It was their last class of the day and students were headed to the library to start homework while others wanted to go outside for some fresh air before settling down to their studies.

"Are you looking forward to this weekend?" Harry asked as they stopped walking and moved to let students pass them. He waved their friends on ahead of them, wanting to spend some alone time with Daphne before she left for next couple of days.

"Yes. It will be good to see my mum and dad," Daphne said with a smile. She and Astoria were going home for the weekend to celebrate her mother's birthday. "It can be hard to go so long without seeing them."

"I'm lucky that way," Harry agreed. "I can see my dad anytime I want."

"Astoria is excited too," Daphne said. "Although like me, she wishes you were coming along."

"I tried," Harry sighed. "I really did. But my dad was firm that I am not to leave the castle."

"I know and I agree, I want you safe after all," Daphne said. "But it would have been fun."

A familiar arrogant voice interrupted them. "So Potter, going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Blaise grinned. "Oh, right. You can't go anymore. Too bad you don't know how to handle yourself in a fight, then you'd be able to go."

"Shut up, Zabini," Harry said curtly, grabbing Daphne's hand again and continuing to walk down the corridor.

"Greengrass, if you want a date to the next Hogsmeade trip I'd be happy to accompany you," Blaise smirked.

"Not even in your dreams, Zabini," Daphne shot over her shoulder.

"Guess you don't want a real wizard," Blaise said. "One who doesn't run away from a fight."

Harry spun around. "I don't run away from fights. I fought your friends, the death eaters."

"My friends? I don't know what you mean," Blaise grinned.

"Sure you don't. Have you taken the dark mark yet? I've heard it really hurts, I bet you scream like a little girl when -"

Blaise whipped out his wand. "Mors Stimulus!"

Painful welts appeared on Harry's arm and with a gasp, he had his wand out and ready a second later. "Impedimenta!"

Blaise was knocked backwards.

"Harry! Your arm!" Daphne also had her wand out, ready to cast a shield if Blaise attacked again.

"What in Merlin's name is going on?" Remus stormed up to them. He had heard the dueling from his classroom. He looked at the welts on Harry's arm and then at Blaise, who was getting up from the ground, looking furious. "Expelliarmus!" He snapped, snagging both of their wands.

"Give that back!" Blaise snapped.

"No, not until I know what happened," Remus said.

"Stupid wolf," Blaise muttered. He paled when his professor stared him down, his brown eyes turning gold and low growl rumbling from his chest.

"Miss Greengrass, tell me what happened please," Remus said, once he was sure Blaise would keep his mouth shut.

"We were walking when Blaise began taunting Harry," Daphne said. "They were arguing when Harry said something Zabini didn't like and cast a stinging hex at him. Sir, Harry should get his arm looked at."

"He will. What happened after the stinging hex?"

"I cast Impedimenta to keep him from casting another hex at me," Harry spoke up, wincing from the pain.

"I had my wand out to cast a shield if needed," Daphne added.

Remus turned to Blaise. "Is this true? You struck with a spell first?"

"He deserved it," Blaise snapped. "He's weak and I can't wait for the dark lord to do him in!"

Remus's face darkened. "Go to the Headmaster's office and wait for me."

"What? No way," Blaise protested.

"Now Zabini," Remus said, his eyes going gold again.

Blaise swallowed. "What about my wand?"

"I'll keep it safe for you," Remus pointed down the corridor. "Go!"

Giving all of them a dirty look, Blaise stalked off.

Remus flicked his wrist and cast a Patronus to let the Headmaster and Severus know what had happened. "I'll walk you to the infirmary."

"You don't have to," Harry mumbled.

"I'd like to," Remus said kindly. Putting his arm around Harry's shoulders he guided him down the corridor, with Daphne following.

Poppy tsked when she saw Harry's arm. "Sit on a cot, Mr. Potter. I need to gather some potions."

Harry hopped up just as his dad walked into the room.

"What happened?" Snape demanded as he looked at Harry's arm. He gently picked up the inured arm and examined it. "This is a rather nasty stinging hex."

"Zabini," Harry said.

"I caught them in the corridor -" Remus began.

"Were you dueling?" Snape asked, his eyes darkening. "Haven't we gone over this before?"

"The only thing I did was defend myself," Harry said, feeling hurt.

"That's true, Professor," Daphne said with a frown. "Blaise cast the hex before Harry could do anything to stop it. All he did was knock Zabini back with a spell so he wouldn't try again."

Snape was silent for a moment. "I apologize. I had thoughts of him challenging you to a duel and you accepting out of anger."

"No. We did have a verbal duel of sorts," Harry admitted. "I didn't think he would try to cast anything so close to Remus's classroom. I guess I gave him too much credit."

Poppy came back with a potion. "Drink this, Mr. Potter. It will take several minutes to heal your arm. I also have a balm that will help."

The balm felt so good on his scorched skin that Harry almost groaned in relief.

"I need to go to Albus's office. I sent Zabini there to wait," Remus said. He handed Harry his wand back.

"I believe I'll join you," Snape said casually. "He is in my House, after all."

Harry hid a grin. He sure wouldn't want to be Zabini, facing an angry professor, Headmaster and Head of House. Serves the prat right, he thought grumpily as he waited for the potion to finish healing him.

"I'll keep an eye on Harry," Daphne said, her eyes twinkling.

"I don't need anyone keeping their eye on me," Harry protested as his dad and Remus left, chuckling. "I didn't start this."

"No, but you are a magnet for trouble," Daphne laughed. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."

" I suppose that's okay," Harry said, a sneaky grin spreading across his face. "Daffy."

"Potter," Daphne growled warningly.

"Daffy, Daffy, Daffy -"

"Potter!"

HPHPHP

Later that evening, Harry decided to stay in the Slytherin dorms and was comfortable settled on the sofa in the common room with his friends and Daphne curled up next to him. They were discussing what had happened with Zabini earlier that day.

"A month's detention," Draco said gleefully. "Serves the prat right."

"Doing manual labor around the castle," Theo nodded in satisfaction. "No more than the git deserves"

"Too bad we lost points though," Tracey said, leaning into Theo.

"Oh, we'll get those back," Draco said dismissively.

"It's worrying, the more gutsy Zabini is getting," Daphne mused, her hand tangled with Harry's.

"It's because Voldemort is back," Harry said. "It makes him feel confident."

"Any word on what that monster is planning?" Theo asked.

"No, he's been quiet apparently," Harry said. "Which makes me concerned. He's got to be planning something. I wish I knew how to defeat him, I would face him now."

"Don't say that," Daphne said, her heart clenching.

"It's going to happen one day," Harry said gently.

"But not yet," Daphne said.

"No, I'm not ready," Harry admitted.

"Harry!"

Astoria whirled over like a small tornado. "I heard what that git Zabini did to you! Will he get suspended? Expelled? Are you hurt? Were you able to hurt him? Did -"

"Tori," Daphne said in exasperation. "One question at a time."

"Sorry," Astoria said, a slight blush and small grin on her face.

"I was hurt a little, but Madam Pomfrey healed me," Harry told her. "Zabini attacked first and all I did was knock him back with a spell."

"He has detention for a month, working around the castle like Filch," Tracey said happily.

"Really? Good," Astoria said in satisfaction. "I'm glad you're okay, Harry. I wish you could leave with us tomorrow."

"Me too," Harry said.

"Will you miss us?"

"You guys are only going to be gone for two days," Draco rolled his eyes.

"Two whole days," Harry sighed.

Draco laughed. "Weird, it sounds longer when you say it."

They all chuckled.

HPHPHP

Harry sighed, laying back on the sofa and staring at the ceiling. He was in his dad's quarters after seeing Daphne and Astoria off with Hagrid, who would take them to the train. His dad was sitting on his sofa chair, grading papers. He didn't look up as Harry sighed again.

Harry gave a huff of frustration. The essays couldn't be that interesting. He should know, one of them was his. He gave a longer, louder sigh.

Snape finally looked up. "Get over it," He said flatly.

"What?"

"Get over it," Snape repeated. "You can handle two days without your girlfriend."

"Whatever do you mean?" Harry asked innocently.

Snape snorted. "Your sighing, the whole woe is me routine. I don't regret my decision not to let you go. Not even a little."

Harry made a face and sat up. "Don't you think it's a little unfair? I can't go to Hogsmeade, I can't go with Daphne to visit her parents, I can't go around the castle alone..."

"You can go to your room," Snape suggested. "I'll allow that."

"It's frustrating," Harry said, wincing at how whiny his voice sounded.

Snape nodded. "I'm sure it is. I do understand, Harry. I am only trying to keep you safe. I know it seems unfair, and as if it will last forever but it won't. There are worst things in the world other than living in a castle surrounded by your friends and your father who loves you and just wants to protect you."

"When you put it that way, I'm being a prat," Harry complained good-naturedly.

"I won't argue with you."

"Of course not," Harry laughed.

HPHPHPHP

The next day, Harry settled into the Headmaster's visitors chair, wondering why he had been sent for. He had been studying with his friends when a house elf had told him his presence was requested by the Headmaster.

"Harry, I called you here to tell you something important," Dumbledore said quietly.

Harry looked at him curiously.

"Have you ever heard of a Horcrux?"

Harry listened, sick to his stomach, to hear of what Voldemort had done. "So they've been destroyed? It's time for me to face him?" He asked nervously.

"All but one has been destroyed," Dumbledore said slowly. "And the last one Voldemort must destroy himself."

"He's not going to destroy one of his own Horcruxes," Harry said in confusion. "Why would he? How do we get him to do that?"

"He doesn't know he made this particular Horcrux," Dumbledore said. "He made it unknowingly, by accident." His eyes traveled to Harry's scar.

Harry noticed and stared at the Headmaster, perplexed until realization flooded him. "M – Me? My scar is a Horcrux?"

"I'm afraid so, my boy," Dumbledore said somberly.

"But -" It made sense, the connection he shared with Voldemort. And the prophecy, Neither can live while the other survives. "Does my dad know?" He whispered.

"No," Dumbledore said with guilt and regret. "No one knows. I should tell him but..."

Voldemort has to destroy the last Horcrux... Harry shut his eyes. "Voldemort has to kill me. I have to let him."

"Yes."

"Dad wouldn't – he wouldn't let that happen," Tears filled Harry's eyes as he thought of the people he loved. "I don't want to leave them," He whispered.

Dumbledore reached across the desk and clasped Harry's hand in his own. "I'm so sorry, Harry. So sorry. If there was another way -"

"But there isn't," Harry finished. "When should I...I mean, how long do I have?"

Dumbledore looked older than ever as he watched his favorite student struggle not to cry. "Soon. It should be done soon, before Voldemort can cause more destruction. I believe he will make an attempt to reach out to you, for the prophecy. He knows his Horcruxes are being destroyed, although I don't know if he realizes all the ones he knows about are gone. He will be desperate."

"You warned me he might reach out to me, to trick me to try and get the prophecy for him."

"Yes. I wanted you on your guard so that you wouldn't be tricked, as all the Horcruxes were not yet destroyed." Dumbledore looked at him with sad eyes.

Harry nodded. "I – okay. Okay." His heart pounded and he wanted to scream. He was afraid. But what else could he do? Voldemort had to be stopped. "So all the training I've been doing? Was it just to keep alive until the right time?"

"Harry," Dumbledore looked pained. "I'm so sorry."

Harry shut his eyes for a moment. He didn't want this. It wasn't fair! He finally had a family, was happy and now he had to leave? What would his dad do without him?

"You are the bravest person I have ever met," Dumbledore said honestly. "The most compassionate, with the purest of hearts. I have been immensely proud of you over the years."

"You have to promise me that you'll look after my dad," Harry said brokenly. "Promise you'll take care of him. And my friends, Sirius and Remus, Daphne..." All thoughts of a future with her were gone. He loved her and he hadn't told her.

"I promise, my boy. I promise."

TBC: