The next day he went to what use to be the Gaunt house. There was nothing there. He just happened to look out the window to see a shack across from the cemetery. The ring was there with a curse on it. He cancelled the curse and added the ring to the other items in a special bag. He then went to Hogwarts. Luckily Dumbledore was away at the time. Hogwarts spoke to him.
" Greetings Lord Slytherin, Ravenclaw. How may I assist you?", she asked. Severus after the initial shock quickly gave the reason why he was there. She led him to the room. He paced back and forth three times thinking of the diadem. He got it and then Hogwarts told him of Esmeralda the basilisk in the chamber of secrets. She showed him in his mind how to get there. He went in the girl's bathroom and immediately said *Open* in Parsletongue to the snake engraved on the sink. This was an ability he recently found had been unlocked. * Stairs and lights*, he hissed. Immediately he was provided with both. After a few minutes he finally found the basilisk after speaking more Parseltongue.
He quickly brought Esmeralda up to speed on things and promised to come down and visit her sometimes. He left with a vile full of venom. His last stop was Gringotts. It didn't take long to find the cup in Bella's vault. Severus then asked to see someone who could remove horcruxes from objects. He was led to a ritual chamber and a goblin named Griphook entered. Severus placed the founders' items and the Gaunt ring down on the floor.
" These are the items I need to be cleaned. I have basilisk venom to destroy the remains when you are done.", Severus said. Griphook nodded and transferred the current horcruxes into different containers. When the job was done Severus started pouring the venom over the diary and containers. There were piercing screams and then nothing. At the same time in the Forbidden Forest a shade screamed and disappeared, because without its' anchors it could no longer stay in this world. Severus put on the locket and put the rest of the heirlooms where they belonged back in the vaults. He went back home exhausted.
It was now Harry's birthday. Severus got him a Nimbus 2001. They were meant to be launched next year, but when you own a part of the company, strings can be pulled. Harry thanked him profusely and Severus spent the rest of the day, after teaching Harry the basics, watching him fly. He was a natural. Later they had cake and ice cream. Harry was unusually quiet.
" Are you alright?", he asked. To his horror there were tears in Harry's eyes. " This is the best birthday ever. I just wish I had been with you sooner.", Harry said. He meant it too. This time he didn't have to worry about Voldemort. Severus drew him into a hug. " Starting tomorrow we'll start catching you up to the level you need to be.", Severus said. Harry nodded. He had already read all the first year material and found that he could recall information quite easily. He had already been practicing writing with a quill as well. In his last timeline his handwriting hadn't improved much, mostly due to him not putting any effort into it.
And so the rest of the month flew by. Severus trained him in all the first year spells which he picked up quickly. He had him do it silently and wandlessly as well. Severus also gave Harry an exercise regime that would continue at school. Severus joined him in that as well as sword fighting, self defense, and dueling. By the time school was to start, Harry grew another inch and his stance had become graceful.
AN: Sorry I haven't updated. Weather has been crazy and I've been sick :(