Authors Notes: Thank you all for the reviews, and I'll be sure to chance the 'Je Aime' as soon as I get the chance, in all honesty I really do need a Beta Reader. So if anybody is willing, I'd love to know.

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, sexy as he is, doesn't belong to me. I, like many other American girls, can do nothing more but wish.

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Harry left the stern Headmistress's office and walked about the castle in an unconscious daze. The letter in his left hand felt heavier than the bag of items in his right. Dumbledore had written this, these were Dumbledore's last wishes. Harry couldn't believe that after a summer of thinking and hoping and trying to find a way around the death, he had something to connect him to the late old man. Harry finally decided upon a destination and headed towards the Room of Requirement. He was in no mood for the Gryfindor boys at the moment, he needed a place to think. After trudging up the stairs he paced back and forth in front of the empty wall.

I need a place to think. I need a place to think. I need a place to think.

Suddenly the handsome wooden door appeared in the gray brick wall as if it had never left. Harry pulled on the handle and slipped inside. He found himself in a brightly lit room much like the Gryfindor common room. There was a warm fire blazing in front of a large plush armchair with a handsome wooden table stretch in front of it. Harry sank into the chair and set the bag on the table then pulled the letter into his eyesight. He stared at it for a moment before finally deciding upon opening it. He slowly and carefully pulled at the wax seal with a scripted "AD" emblem pressed into it. He pulled out the bit of parchment and casted the envelope to the side.

Harry,

I suspect by now you've realized that I've parted this world. I hope you understand why it was necessary, and I hope I haven't left you with to many questions. The few I know you have I'll try my best to answer. But first I must explain something to you. Death is not the end Harry, it never has been. It can be looked upon as a terrible thing but without the great journey that is death, there is no eternal peace. I hope you won't spend much time in distress over my death, it was, in my opinion, the greatest way I could help you. It kept you alive did it not? Professor Snape should now be on the run from the Ministry, but I must tell you Harry, and you must not act upon these words or repeat them to a soul, not even Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger. Professor Snape, in his worst moment, was acting upon my orders. I know this may be difficult for you to comprehend, but I asked Severus to kill me if the time came and Mr. Malfoy could not. Yes, now I've struck the subject, you're wondering why I've asked Professor McGonagall to name Mr. Malfoy Head boy aren't you? Mr. Malfoy has a decision to make Harry and he cannot make the right choice on his own. I do not believe him entirely evil as you seem to do. He plays a great role in the scheme of things and it is now time for him to come into his own. I won't reveal anything to you further, but I wish for you to come to peace with both Severus and Draco, they are not the enemy. Now, Harry. There are only a few items in this bag, and they will each have a meaning, that however is for you to find out yourself. Think of this as the last great test. You may find a few words of instruction with some of the items, the rest however, is up to you.

With Great Love,

Albus

Harry read the letter twice. He couldn't believe what Dumbledore was telling him. Trust Snape and Malfoy? That was impossible, he'd have to try though. He would just have to come to terms with things. He wasn't expecting it to happen anytime soon though. Harry slowly reached for the bag and pulled it into his lap. He reached blindly into the bag and then a sharp pain jabbed at his finger and he jerked his arm back out. His finger was bleeding.

"Damn it." He muttered under his breath before reaching back in. This time he was more careful and found what had stabbed him. He ran his hand down the cold metal shaft and finally reached the handle. He pulled it out amazed that is fit in the tiny bag. Then laughed to himself at the stupidity of that thought.

Gryfindor's sword sparkled in the fire light. The red rubies looked as startlingly pretty as the first time Harry had seen them. Gryfindor's name gleamed at him from the hilt. Harry inspected it intensely before setting it down on the table.

"I'm going to have to find a better way to store that thing." He muttered and continued his rummaging.

The next thing Harry's hand made contact with was a small metal object. He pulled it out and found it was a sneak-o-scope. Harry laughed at this. It was a very large, rather fancy sneak-o-scope, there was no doubt in Harry's mind that it was going to be a good thing to carry around with him this year. He placed it upon the table and pulled out a few books. Harry decided that he'd look at them later and dipped his hand back into the bag. His index finger brushed against something stone and he grasped at a basin.

He pulled on the object and set it upon the table. Dumbledore's pensive. Harry was amazed that none of the memories spilt out whilst in the bag, he thought it must be part of the magic of the pensive. Harry looked at the silver mist, keeping himself from plunging face first into it.

This might would be better suited for another time, he thought to himself. He'd hand enough for the night though. He'd have classes in the morning after all. He packed up and headed out into the deserted hallways headed for his comfortable bed on the other side of the castle.

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Hermione didn't sleep well at all that night. She couldn't help but worry about Draco. It was only natural seeing as he was now her partner. She was beginning to think there was something more than just his father's sentence that was bothering him. She hoped it wasn't her. She knew he hated her because of her blood but she was bound and determined to make him see sence. It was stupid to hate based on blood in her opinion.

When morning came Hermione hadn't slept a wink and it showed. She walked to the Great Hall alone, it looked as if Draco had been long gone. She found a seat near the center of the table and began eating. She was soon joined by Ron.

"Where's Harry?" She asked curiously.

"He says he isn't going to class today. Had a really late night. Heard him come in around 5 this morning." Ron shrugged.

"What?" Hermione looked surprised. "Well he can't just miss the first day of classes."

"He sure as hell can Hermione. He's got a lot on his plate. You're not his mother either, let him do what he thinks is right. Dumbledore's death is really getting to him. You should know that better than most." Ron scolded her.

"Well... hmpft." Hermione finally gave in. "But I am going to go get him at lunchtime if he hasn't shown up."

Ron looked as if he was going to disagree but thought better of it.

"So, how is the Head's room? Malfoy didn't torture you to much did he?" Ron asked in teasing.

"Actually he didn't, it was the strangest thing. He was just kind of nonchalant about everything." Hermione said with a shrug, pouring herself more orange juice. "I guess he just doesn't let much get to him."

McGonagall was now walking around passing out schedules. Hermione looked at hers after McGonagall handed it to her and gave a slight groan.

"What's wrong?" Ron asked glancing at it. "Oh..."

Double Potions with the Slytherins was first thing Monday morning.

"Well. Couldn't expected any less." Hermione said and reached for her bag. "Lets go before we get stuck right in front of Slughorn, he has a tendency to spit when he talks."

So the pair set off together, joking and laughing.