Chapter 17: Burdens Shared Weigh Less

The four conscience men witnessed something that they never seen nor want to ever see again. Luna Lovegood lost her temper. "What the HELL did you do? Are you purposefully trying to make him lose control? In case you have not noticed his is showing some major power surges BEFORE his birthday. If he loses control before his seventeenth birthday we will not only not have to worry about our plans, but Voldemort either because we will be dead! So help me, if any of you stop over the line one more time I will take you out!" Luna didn't notice that while she was ranting at the two cowed and astonish professors the strange purple glow surrounding her. It never registered in her mind that her feet were not on the ground. The quaking of the house and its neighbors was not acknowledged either. Yet the others noticed for her, and this time when Luna Lovegood spoke and made a prediction everyone paid attention, and believed.

The Minister of Magic was up to no good, and Percy Weasley was trying to figure out how to alert Dumbledore. Cornelius had the brilliant idea that Potter leaving was not his fault, but Dumbledore's. Harry had wanted more freedom, these pas few years, and being denied his request. Even though Dumbledore had asked Fudge's permission on numerous occasions for the boy to stay at Hogwarts during the summer the past few years. A few twists, omissions, and he would come out of this smelling like a rose.

Percy contemplated his options until he was struck by brilliance. Pulling out parchment and ink he started a letter to his mother,

Dear Mon,

I am writing this letter because I miss you all.

Truly, It is hard leaving from a large family with no company. I

Need to make things right with all of you.

A family is really important. No matter what arrange a

Meeting with the family so I can explain to them how sorry I am. I'm bringing

With me my girlfriend. She is a relative of

Albus. I think I am in love and it's kind of the reason that I want our family together. It's

Urgent that our family is together and can work things out. Family is

Important to her. Please consider my request, Mother.

Percival

With a satisfied smile he purposefully left the left the letter open in his out box. No one would be suspicious of the timing of the letter sitting there. Penny had been talking the other day rather loudly about how their relationship was not going any further until she was introduced formally to his family. This would work out well. He went about his day, and told Penny about the letter to his mother during lunch. Though the minister still did not trust Percy, he was happy to find out that the stupid boy was way too involved with a relationship to do anything about his plan.

Luna sat at the top of Sloan's bed stoking his hair soothingly. Severs and she were waiting for him to return to the land of the living. Severus was waiting because he needed to explain Dumbledore's cryptic message to him earlier. Luna on the other hand was still reeling from the power surge she had earlier. Being barely sixteen and coming into one's majority powers was unheard of. Even Sloan, who is a rare case, did not start with power manifestations this early. Although Dumbledore did mention Harry doing some spectacular magic while he was younger. There was also the fact that this was the first time she had every lost her temper defending anyone, including herself.

A moan brought the silent vigil to an end. "Sloan, open your eyes, Sloan." Luna tried coaxing him with her voice wile studying his face.

"Come on son, I – we know that you can hear us. Wake up so we can talk."

"Don't wanna talk to Dad. Mad—he keeps secrets too. Not fair. Go away." Came the broken muffled reply form Sloan.

"Now, Sloan is that fair to me? I didn't do anything, and anyway Severus is here to explain things." Luna rose and started walking towards the door, "now I'm going to leave you two alone to talk."

"No! Wait Luna, no secrets between us. I would like you to stay with me. I mean if that is if it's okay with Dad."

"What ever you want," Severus replied. He felt it was best to tread lightly where Sloan was concerned, especially in front of Luna.

Luna returned to her perch, and Severus waited until the room was silent. When both teens attention was on him he began. "Dumbledore was alluding to an old Snape prophecy that is well known in my family for being the cause of our eccentric tendencies. Approximately 750 years ago one of my ancestors was well know for his Divination skills. His daughter was the first to bring shame and dishonor to the family. She also started our family's association to the Dark Arts."

He took a long pause and studied Sloan intently. "No one ever though the prophecy was plausible, but Solomon was never wrong. So each generation has passed it down.

An unexpected heir will appear through means uncommon.

Path already chosen lined with gold hidden deep with silver.

Powers of families three reside in him.

As family is known true power and love grows.

Darkness beware in this family for the Chosen is the Light, and the only way.

Now the impossible make sense, three families. We have never had fertility problems in our line, and it was never thought to give donations. We are not that type of family. It is time for the Snape name to come clean. You are what is prophesied and Dumbledore wants to use part of the prophecy as a smoke screen. Not many know the second half of the prophecy just the first part."

Sloan was silent as he absorbed what he just heard. With a sigh he noticed his father getting ready to leave. "Thank you for explaining, but don't leave I have something to tell you both. Even Ron and Hermione are not privileged to know this. I am trusting you tow with my life." Harry gathered his thoughts as he prepared to explain all that Dumbledore has let him know, and things that have occurred over the years.

"There is another prophecy about me." Harry went on to explain the prophecy in all it details. "Voldemort and I are destined to fight. I am tired of being Harry Potter, but I will defeat him. As myself instead of the world's hero that can solve all their problems. Maybe this way I will be able to prepare properly without the other pressures from being the Boy-Who-Lived."

Severus soaked up the fact that the Snape prophecy pretty much stated that Sloan was the ultimate 'Light' wizard. While another prophecy told of the defeat of the most evil bastard to live or his son. With two prophecies backing each other there was no change of Sloan getting out of his destiny.

"I knew that there was greatness in you Harry when you say above the superficial." Luna gave him a hug and then explained seeing her boyfriend's face. "It is well known facts that if two separate prophecies are given over the same person containing supporting information that there is no way to break the either prophecy."

Sloan blinked owlishly, "My destiny...fate must really hat me." Then with much laughter he left the bed giving his father a hug. He then turned to Luna to give her a longer more intimate embrace. "I know and now it's confirmed that I will still have to defeat scale boy. Oh well now that the future is settled. Father, I love you, but I really want to spend some time with Luna. We can male bond later."

Looking over at the cuddled up teens he stood and left to process all that had been discussed. Maybe he could find Dudley and they could prepare a potion together. It was not that late at night yet. "I'll leave you to, but don't spend all you private time snogging."

Both blushed and Sloan had to respond, "Dad!" Luna just giggled at the Snape's antics while she snuggled into her boyfriend's lap more comfortably. Harry didn't immediately start to snog Luna. He just held her in his arms content to relax in the silence. There was a burning urge in him to get to know this intriguing girlfriend of his better. He also wanted to know how it was now a definite relationship than before. "Luna, let's play a game called twenty questions. Have you ever heard of it?"

"Twenty questions? No never heard of it how do we play?"

"Normally, we take turns asking questions about a person. You only get twenty then you have to guess who the questions you were asking were about. I want to make a few changes. I was hoping that we could ask and answer twenty questions about each other."

"A wonderful idea I'm going first. What is your favorite animal Hagrid has introduced you to or taught about?"

Harry had been expecting a more mundane question like what was his favorite color, but with Luna she was anything but mundane. "That is easy, Norbert the baby dragon Hagrid had. My turn now. What issue of the Quibbler is your favorite?"

"That would be the first special edition of the Quibbler announcing the birth of a certain blonde Ravenclaw that your know. What is your favorite chocolate frog card?"

Harry and Luna continued long into the night questioning each other. Every question was random, and opened them up. Most questions started to require a story to explain them in detail. It had already been a highly emotional day, and both felt that it would be better for each to ask safe questions. There would be time later for the heavier stuff they had to deal with. Severus on his way to bed that night checked on Sloan before going to his room. Luna and him were curled together asleep on the couch. Severus levitated them to the bed, and smiled.

A/N: I tried to hold this chapter for about a week, but I decided that you deserved this as much as I was tired of waiting. Please Review, feed me…