Declaration: I write for my own pleasure and not for profit. I do not own Harry Potter Universe.

A/N: Thanks to dmn410 for pointing out a mistake in spelling wizengamot

Chapter Four: Retribution

The wizarding world was mostly at peace, when Voldemort was banished nearly ten years ago the world rejoiced. The opportunity provided by the peace, however tentative it may have been, should have been used to build a society where everyone was equal. Be it witches and wizards, Goblins or house elves, equal and fair treatment of all would have ensured that bigotry would be stamped out. Such a positive step would have had far reaching impact to make the world a safer place without the fear of any dark lords rising again.

Harry felt that Albus Dumbledore was in the perfect position to bring about such a change. Heading both the Wizengamot in Britain and the International council of Wizards, his words and actions would have had a very positive force to drive the change. Dumbledore always believed in second chances, and due to his actions or inaction many death eaters claimed to be under the imperious curse and escaped prosecution. With his penchant for the 'greater good' and giving a new lease of life to the guilty few, the safety and rights of the innocents was compromised.

Letting the death eaters go free was the latest of the many mistakes made by the people in charge, and now the wizarding world was left stagnant and even being dragged back into the Stone Age. The onus was now on Harry to correct the mistakes of the past.

Harry did not want to move against Voldemort's horcruxes immediately due to the need to avoid arousing his suspicions. Harry was not sure if Voldemort could detect any changes occurring to his soul pieces or his horcruxes.

Now it was a fine Sunday morning in the middle of May and Harry was ready to make the first move.

"Hermione I would be able to remain undetected but you are a different matter, entering into a vault without a goblin being present will trigger their alarms. I do not think that there will be active defenses but the goblins will be alerted."

With hands on her hips, Hermione threw him a glare, "You are not leaving me behind, Harry James Potter. I don't care what you do but I am coming along."

Harry gave it up as hopeless and grabbing her apparated directly into Bellatrix Lestrange's vault. Immediately they heard a bell clanging outside the vault probably alerting the goblins that one of their vaults has been breached.

Harry looked at her with exasperation, but Hermione just grinned at him unrepentant. Shaking his head ruefully, Harry levitated the gleaming cup that once belonged to Helga Hufflepuff, from a pile of other gold trinkets. Without laying a hand on it, he cancelled the 'Germino' and Flagrante' charms on the cup and passed it to Hermione who tucked it into the moleskin pouch Harry bought during Christmas. Harry then conjured an exact replica of the cup which will hold up to any scrutiny even from the goblins and placed it back on the pile. Taking Hermione's hand, they vanished from the vault.

At the same time a red light began flashing on Director Ragnok's desk. "Guards the Lestrange vault has been breached. Send in a contingent of our troops to the vault and capture them alive. I want to see who has the audacity to steal from the goblins" he bellowed. When his orders have been followed he himself got up from his desk and began walking down to the breached vault.

Meanwhile the goblin guards arriving at the vault were perplexed. They could detect that someone has entered the vault, a child by the looks of it but no one was there now. It has been only a couple of minutes since the alarm went off and before they arrived at the vault. No one could have got out of the vault and seal the door in such a short time. Not only that the entire corridor was empty and their scans did not pick up any evidence of human presence for a long time.

"Report" demanded Ragnok arriving at the scene.

The goblin in charge of the vault, Grindeaxe was taking an inventory of the items in the vault and he reported back, "Sir, it is true that someone entered the vault but nothing is missing. Every knut and every item recorded in our inventory is accounted for."

The commander of the goblin guards chipped in, "Director, my curse breakers did not detect any evidence that the doors have been opened. Our warders assure me that the wards also have not been breached. It looks impossible that anyone could have entered the vault."

"But still the detectors have recorded the presence of a human child" the director countered.

It was a hesitant Grindeaxe who gave them a way out, "Director, since nothing is missing from the vault we may assume that there was a false alarm. Besides, who would believe that it was a child that breached our defenses? I will order the detector to be replaced."

Ragnok looked thoughtful for a few moments and asserting his authority ordered, "Alright no one is to know about this incident. If it gets known to the humans, we may lose some of our business. Ensure that your troops are obliviated of this incident commander. Grindeaxe nothing about this should be reported, understood?"

Both the commander and Grindeaxe bowed to the director and hastened to do his bidding.

Directly from Gringotts Harry appeared in the kitchen of 12 Grimmauld Place. He was not really sure how safe the rest of the house was, and did not want to appear in a room that was not safe for Hermione to be in. Even then he was disgusted at the state the kitchen was in. The place was even worse than a rundown hovel; dirt caked everywhere and cobwebs littering the ceiling.

Harry knew that the house was in a bad shape but was shocked to see that it was worse than what he imagined. 'Mrs. Weasley must have had a very hard time cleaning it' he thought. Hermione wrinkled her nose in disgust not believing that this was the house of a prominent family in the wizarding world.

Harry tried to remember where they found the locket the first time, but was surprised to see Kreacher coming forward with it. What was more surprising was the bow he gave them both to an accompanied greeting, "My Lord."

Hermione wanted to know who the elf knew about them. "All the other sentient beings have the ability to recognize the lord and master who rules over them all. They are bound to serve and obey him without any expectation of returns. It is our way of showing gratitude to the lord of death who has the power to grant mercy at the end. It is only wizards and witches that are short sighted to see what is right in front of them."

Harry was still reeling under the shock of seeing a polite Kreacher and was unable to reply even to the curtsey Kreacher gave him at the beginning. The elf was wearing the same old dirty rags but was surprisingly coherent. He took the Locket Horcrux that was once the favourite of Salazar Slytherin and thanked the elf.

"It is we who have to thank you my lord. That day when all those who walk the earth and seen as equals is very near. We can finally have our dignity back and live as proud beings."

Hermione knew about the pathetic conditions that most of the house elves live in. They depend on their master's magic for their survival but that does not mean that they should be treated as bonded labour and humiliated. Thankfully Harry had a plan that will ultimately bring them out of their misery and she was glad that she was able to help him in that endeavor.

Kreacher continued in what now was a hopeful tone, "My Lord, I am frail and getting old. The noble house that I once served has fallen into perverted ways. Please release me from my pitiful existence."

Harry was sorry for the old elf, "Kreacher, the lord of this house Sirius Black would be released from his incarceration very soon. Then you can have a better life; I will ensure that you are treated well."

The elf however was adamant, "Thank you my Lord, but I am too old to serve my master as a lord of his stature should be. Please grant me mercy."

Harry was reluctant but Kreacher chose a dignified way to end his life and he was honour bound to grant him that. Raising his hand in a gesture of blessing harry granted him a painless death and sent him to the Elvin version of afterlife. Vanishing the body of the Elf, Harry returned to Hogwarts with Hermione.

Emerging on the seventh floor corridor, Harry paced in front of the tapestry asking for a room to hide objects. Entering the storage room, Harry made a beeline for the rack where Ravenclaw's diadem was hidden. Clutching the last of the horcrux they exited the room and closing the door, Harry again resumed his pacing asking for a fortified room that would not allow anything or anyone to enter or exit without his permission.

Taking Slytherin's Locket, HufflePuff's cup from Hermione he placed them on a raised stone platform along with Ravenclaw's diadem and the diary.

"Hermione Love, can you please put up a shield between yourself and the platform."

Hermione wanted to protest at being essentially brushed away to be a spectator. Harry's stare however brooked no argument and she conceded that she cannot be of much use and if staying behind a shield would make Harry happy, all the better.

Taking a breath, Harry changed to his six foot persona of death. He needed all the power and stamina that the bigger body will provide; he did not want to risk tiring out in the middle of the ritual. Gesturing and chanting Harry extracted the piece of soul from each object and forced them into the diary finally joining them together and binding them to the diary. It took him longer than the last time when he was dealing with a single piece but he had the help of the dementors also.

Reverting back to his normal self, Harry was engulfed in hug by Hermione. Holding her tight Harry kissed his fiancée putting all his passion behind the kiss which Hermione returned with equal fervor.

With a beaming smile Harry recapped, "Now there are only two parts of the soul, one in the diary horcrux and one inside Tom Riddle's spirit. All that is left is to confront him and finish his existence once and for all."

Hermione was also very happy in only be a few days they will be free of the tyranny of Voldemort. Taking the founder's objects in her hands she said, "I hope that every student will be able to see these wonderful relics. Promise me that they will see the light of the day."

Taking Hermione in his arms he kissed her tenderly, "Of course beautiful, once we take control of Hogwarts they will have a place of honour and the taint that they carried will forever be buried."

A few days later Harry approached the Weasley twins for the final piece of the puzzle and one that will grant Sirius his freedom.

"Guys I got my father's journal from my vault during Christmas and in that he wrote about a 'Marauder's Map' that will show everyone in the castle. I overheard you saying the password to activate the map. Do you have my father's map with you?"

Fred and George exchanged an incredulous look, "You say that your father was one of the Marauders?" one of the twins started, "Which one?" the other finished.

Harry grinned at their antics and said, "Prongs."

"Harry old chap, it is your legacy we are honoured to meet the son of a Marauder" and with exaggerated bows handed the map to him.

The common room was mostly empty by now as it was getting close to curfew and so Harry activated the map. Hermione was curious about it, having heard about the wonderful object from Harry, she was gushing at the lines and words that began materializing on the blank parchment.

"Harry, why is the name Peter Pettigrew showing up in your dorm room?" Hermione pointed out.

Both the Weasley twins were shocked at hearing the name. The whole wizarding world knew about the hero who died valiantly in an attempt to capture the dreaded criminal Sirius Black.

"If Pettigrew is alive then why is Sirius Black arrested?" the twins asked in unison.

Harry however wanted to end this soon before the rat got wind of their conversation, "The more important and relevant question is, what is he doing on Ron's bed?"

The twins immediately got up and began rushing up the stairs but Harry was faster, "Guys, it may be dangerous. We do not know what is going on, it's better if we call Professor McGonagall to handle this matter."

The twins agreed to this and they rushed out of the portrait hole ignoring the Fat Lady's cries of protest that it was nearing curfew. Harry and Hermione exchanged a satisfied smile and kept watch over the map, but Peter Pettigrew was not going anywhere.

A short time later the portrait hole opened to admit a slightly out of breath Professor McGonagall followed by the Weasley twins.

"What is this Mr. Potter, I am hearing about Peter Pettigrew being alive?"

Harry managed to hide the map from the professor and was hopeful that the twins did not reveal its existence. He was not sure how they convinced her but he was not going to give up the map.

"Yes Professor, he is on Ron's bed."

With that the professor immediately marched toward the first year boy's dorm. Fred whispered into Harry's ear, "Don't worry Harry we are not going to give up our secret weapon." All the four then ran up the stairs to catch up with the professor.

They saw Ron relaxing on his bed with a quidditch magazine; his rat was sleeping beside him, while the other four boys were amusing themselves. Ron leapt off his bed with a cry of surprise seeing his head of house standing in front of him. Before anyone could move Harry and Hermione stunned the rat.

"Mr. Potter" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.

"Must be an animagus" Hermione breathed pulling out a perfect act of being in awe.

McGonagall looked at her incredulously but still performed the reversal spell on the rat. She nearly had a heart attack when the rat was replaced with a balding middle aged man. Her stunner was only a fraction of a second slower than two more from Harry and Hermione.

Turning to the Weasley twins the professor barked, "You two help Mr. Potter guard this man while I fetch the headmaster."

"It may be a good idea to call the head of DMLE, Madam Bones also don't you think professor" Harry supplied.

The professor nodded her head and it was left to the four to explain the other four first year boys what the matter was. Only when Pettigrew was led away in manacles by Madam Bones and a few aurors did the couple relax and celebrate with an exuberant kiss.

Harry was summoned on a Saturday morning to the headmaster's office about a fortnight before their year ending exams; he was pretty sure what it was about and asked Hermione to come with him. Entering the office he saw that Professors McGonagall and Snape were also present.

Dumbledore opened the meeting with what he thought was an intimidating comment, "Ms. Granger, I do not believe that your presence is needed."

Hermione was not at all cowed by his tone, but she kept her silence; it was after all Harry's show and he did not disappoint, "Hermione is the person that I trust the most Sir. I asked her to be with me as I may need her advice."

The barb hit true and all the three professors were troubled by Harry's attitude. Dumbledore wanted a meek Harry if he was to prevent any trouble for himself when the word gets out about his innocent godfather. They could do nothing but give him that information now, "Harry my boy, I have some news for you. Your godfather, Sirius Black, is having his trial today and it is just a matter of time before he is released."

"So he is innocent and was sent to Azkaban without a trial?" Harry wanted to know.

Dumbledore ignored the question about the trial and with a condescending smile replied, "The capture of Peter Pettigrew gave us the information that he was your parent's secret keeper not Sirius. That alone is enough to prove his innocence"

"All this could have been answered with Sirius' own trial. Why did it take so long for him to get a trial sir?"

When no answer was forthcoming Harry plowed on oozing sarcasm, "If he had a trial then even he could have claimed that he was under the imperious curse if nothing else worked for him. I heard that it was in fashion during that time. When people like Lucius Malfoy who were guilty were freed, then at least one innocent victim could have been benefitted by that pathetic excuse."

All the three in authority were shocked. It did not matter to Dumbledore that what Harry was pointing out was the truth, it was only necessary for Harry not to have all the details. That was not possible now as it looked like Harry was well informed. What was more shocking was the behavior of Hermione Granger, the girl who usually respected authority figures looked like she was barely holding her fury in check.

Harry was not done yet, "Tell me something Sir, what would have happened to Sirius if I had not alerted Professor McGonagall about Pettigrew?"

Silence reigned in the office which was broken by Harry, "The muggle justice system works on the premise that not a single innocent should be punished even if ten guilty are freed. I believe that the opposite works here in the wizarding world." Standing up he gave a short bow to the three, "Thank you for ensuring that justice is done" he mocked before taking Hermione's hand and walking out of the office with his head held high.

Harry knew that the trail would draw Dumbledore out of the castle for the day as he was the head of the Wizengamot. With a fortifying lunch in their stomachs he led Hermione to the third floor corridor, "Let's get you a stone Hermione."

Passing Fluffy, Devil's snare and getting the winged key were easy for both of them. Harry thought that he would take Hermione directly to the room that had the 'Mirror of Erised' and the stone, but Hermione wanted to experience the obstacles herself. She could still not believe that Dumbledore thought that they would prevent a dark lord let alone a determined first year from getting through.

The only obstacle she thought might give them hard time was the chess set, but Harry determined that they could easily skip that room if it proved to be a tough challenge. He was confident though that he could beat the chess set in a game. Years of playing with Ron had given him enough skill and with some luck and help from Hermione they may even end up beating it in a fair game.

All their planning and anxiety was for naught though. As soon as they entered the room, both the white and the black king bowed low to them both and made a path for them to cross. Hermione even managed to curtsey back at them while Harry tried to look as if he expected that to happen.

Two quick stunners aimed at its face brought the Troll down and the potions puzzle was ridiculously easy for Hermione. She pouted, "This is not even a challenge Harry. How could Dumbledore think that they would stop Voldemort?"

She looked a little puzzled though, "There is only enough for one person, does that mean we have to skip this room?"

Harry gave her a ridiculously large smile as if to say 'I know something that you don't' which infuriated Hermione. With a playful huff she demanded, "Well?"

"Drink up Hermione, do not worry about me. After all I am immortal" he mock preened.

Sticking her tongue out at him, Hermione drank the potion from the small bottle shuddering at the feeling of ice permeating through her veins. Harry took her hand in his and led her through the black fire which died the moment they passed through.

Staring into the 'Mirror of Erised' Hermione blushed at what she saw and at Harry's questioning look answered him, "I see our older selves Harry, with my smiling parents behind us and two of our kids running around and I am pregnant. What do you see?"

To this Harry smiled at her, "I just see our own reflection, me standing with my arm around you."

Hermione looked at Harry with confusion evident in her eyes and so Harry clarified, "With you standing beside me, I do not desire anything else in the world. What you see will come one day but right now my greatest desire has been fulfilled with my arms around you."

Hermione could not stop the tears that sprang in her eyes, that was the most romantic thing she ever heard. Since learning about the mirror, she envisioned different scenarios that she was likely to see but Harry's vision was nothing like what she thought. She kissed him deeply in gratitude. Harry wiped away her tears with a gentle smile still playing on his lips.

"Dumbledore charmed the mirror so that only those who wanted to find the stone and not use it could get it out of the mirror. But he did not take me into account" Harry held out his palm and called the stone to him.

With the fabled Philosopher's stone now in their possession, Harry and Hermione vanished from the room far below the castle and appeared in a secluded spot near the lake. They enjoyed the rest of the evening with a leisurely stroll around the lake hand in hand.

The end of the exams relieved the entire student population of a heavy burden, but not for Harry. He was still keeping an eye on both Dumbledore and Professor Quirrell using the 'Marauder's Map'. He was not really sure about the exact date that Quirrell went after the stone but he knew that the day Dumbledore gets called out of the castle would be the day he would strike. That day came soon enough and 'death' was ready to deliver his vengeance on all.

Calling the chieftain of the dementor clan, Harry ordered the demenotrs to kill all the death eaters and anyone who has the dark mark on their arm. "Just spare the one who is called Severus Snape. He is in this castle; I will give him a chance to repent for his sins otherwise I will deal with him myself" and before Twern could go back he remembered, "Oh! Bartemius Crouch Jr. is being hidden by his father in his own home, do not forget him."

Covering Hermione in his invisibility cloak Harry apparated both of them into the final room that was sure to flummox Quirrell. Sure enough Quirrell was pacing in front of the 'Mirror of Erised' and was muttering under his breath, probably asking his master for advice about getting the stone out of the mirror. Harry in his 'death' persona, without the advantage of the cloak masking his features, allowed his aura to flare around him which covered his identity. He was going to make sure that Quirell and Voldemort would not be leaving the room alive, but he was not prepared to take any risk. Harry put up the strongest shield he could manage to protect Hermione and addressed Voldemort.

"Give it up Tom; nothing is going to save you from your death today."

Surprised at the sudden voice behind him Quirrell turned to face Harry. His heart raced and a sudden chill ran down his spine seeing the figure draped in an unearthly black aura. "Who are you? How dare you command my master?" He managed to choke out.

"Don't worry Quirrell; you will be meeting your fate sooner than your master" Harry thundered.

The voice of Voldemort called out from behind Quirrell's head, "Let me face him, how dare this pitiful human think that he can oppose Lord Voldemort?"

"No my lord you are not strong enough" Quirrell tried to dissuade.

"I am strong enough for this" Voldemort growled out but it came out like a whimper from beneath the heavy turban on Quirrell's head. Quirrell turned around and removed the turban to expose the face of who once was the most powerful wizard, after Dumbledore, on earth.

Hermione was repulsed at the pathetic face protruding out from behind Quirrell's head. Unicorn blood can bring the drinker back even from the verge of death but it does condemn him to a pitiful existence. Anyone who did not believe that would change their mind after seeing the current state of Voldemort. He was a parasite clinging to his follower not only killing him but also left totally dependent on the host for his survival.

"Who are you? I am the most powerful wizard; I cannot be killed" Voldemort repeated like a petulant child.

"I am here to extract payment for all your sins Tom Riddle. I am death" Harry told him.

"Kill him!" Voldemort commanded. Before Quirrell could move, Harry snapped his fingers and Quirrell fell down dead, condemning his soul to its just end.

Voldemort was using his magic to anchor himself to Quirrell's body and while Quirrell looked like he was alive, only Voldemort's magic was helping him function. Voldemort's possession left him nothing more than a vessel. With the life draining out of Quirrell, Voldemort was forced out of his body and was once again left as nothing but a spirit. "What is this magic? I cannot be beaten; I do not fear you" his voice betraying the same emotion he was trying to deny.

"Oh! You should fear me Tom your end is near. You have tried to evade me and now is the time for you to pay for your crimes against humanity."

"You cannot kill me, only Potter has been prophesied to even touch me, not that he could even dream about defeating me."

"What makes you think that I am not Harry Potter" Harry replied amusement laced in his voice.

With that Harry removed the diary containing the remaining piece of Tom Riddle's soul. Seeing the diary, the spirit was now in a state of panic. He now really feared for his life, and tried to possess the being that threatened him. His attempts were however, soundly thwarted, weakening him further.

Releasing the remaining piece of soul from the diary, Harry forced it back into the spirit of Tom Riddle and cast a spell to merge it back with the original piece. The forced merger of his soul pieces left Voldemort in agony; it was nothing like what he ever felt. All the pain he forced on his victims, when torturing them before ending their lives, came back amplified. It was retribution for all the tortured souls that were victims of the dark lord.

Hearing the inhuman cries of Tom Riddle who now contained his soul in full, Hermione shuddered. No one should endure such pain but she did not feel any pity for Tom, he was just getting back a portion of what he inflicted upon his victims. This was justice at its finest.

Harry called out to Voldemort's spirit, "Tom it is now your turn to face your punishment for all the pain you have caused. This is just the beginning; I condemn you to an eternity of pain and damnation." Harry snatched up Voldemort's soul and sent it on for what was waiting for him in the afterlife.

During this confrontation, Twern came back to the chamber and he was rejoicing. They were at the end of their own pitiful existence and can now reclaim their lost honour.

Hermione removed the cloak while Harry reverted back to his less intimidating self. Grabbing him in a hug Hermione began jumping for joy. Harry chuckled at her antics and lifted her in his arms and twirled around a few times. Kissing her soundly on her lips he set her down, now they can look forward for a life full of peace and love.

The chieftain of the dementors spoke, "My Lord your wishes have been carried out. All the tainted souls have been released from their bodies and sent on for their punishment."

"Thank you Twern, may you find the peace you have been looking for. I now release you from your curse; you can return to your own world now and reclaim your position of honour" Harry released their captive souls and let the Venustas leave earth and return to their own existence.

Harry and Hermione marveled at the ease with which they were able to accomplish what took more than seven years in Harry's previous experience. It's a pity that the world would not know about the way that Voldemort met his end. They embraced and began kissing in earnest letting all the tension and fear of the unknown out of their mind. Thankfully their bodies were still young and they did not move any further than just kissing and only relented when the need for air forced them apart. They finally realized that they were still in the bowels of Hogwarts.

Catching her breath Hermione asked, "What about Snape?"

"Let him see tomorrow's news and stew for a day" Harry replied with an impish grin on his face. They shared a chuckle before Harry got them back to the common room before heading to their respective dorms to retire for the night.

Early next morning, Dumbledore was informed by the castle elves that Professor Quirrell was missing. He asked for the professors to look for him around the castle before leading McGonagall and Snape to the stone. They were shocked to see a very much dead Quirrell and a broken 'Mirror of Erised'. Dumbledore was frantic, 'did Voldemort succeed in getting the stone? Did he get a body back?' were a few of the questions running through his mind.

McGonagall began berating Dumbledore, "I told you not to bring the stone to the castle. Now it seems that Voldemort has managed to attain it. We had ten years of peace and now we are faced with that monster again."

It was a thoughtful Dumbledore that answered her, "Calm down Minerva. We do not see any signs of the elixir having been made, so that means that Voldemort has not gained a body. It is possible that he did not gain the stone and so he destroyed the mirror in frustration. Unless he managed to possess another body before leaving this room, he could not have taken the stone with him. No I think that the stone has been destroyed and Voldemort is still a spirit."

The other two breathed a sigh of relief, it did look logical and possibly the best explanation they could think of. Dumbledore led the two professors out of the room hosting Fluffy, now there was no need for the enormous three headed cerberus. But his troubles have only begun, reaching the great hall he was greeted by loud headlines on the 'Daily Prophet' delivering hammer blows to the wizarding public.

Many Prominent Citizens Turn Out to be Death Eaters

Dementors on a kissing Spree

Has Justice Been Finally Delivered?

By Rita Skeeter

There was no need for Rita to embellish, the truth was sensational enough. The article went on to say that the dementors have not been seen since and all those that have been kissed were marked death eaters. It went on listing all the names of those killed and incidentally they were all those that claimed to have been under the imperious curse. Justice has finally been served!

That night Severus Snape was unable to sleep. Looking at the article announcing the names of all those killed, he realized that of all those marked, he was the only one that survived. Was this a coincidence or was something else going on?

His pacing was interrupted by a disembodied voice reverberating within the walls of his quarters.

"Severus Snape, you have been found guilty of many crimes but also have atoned for them working to overthrow the darkness."

Snape breathed a sigh of relief hearing these words; there was still hope for him. The voice continued, "You still torment the kids in your care tilting the balance against your atonement. You have a chance to correct your behavior; if you do not change you will follow the way your old master went."

Snape gulped, "who are you?"

"I am death" Harry answered from under his cloak and Hermione suppressed a giggle from Harry's side. Seeing the hated Professor sweating was a sweet memory. Delivering the warning Harry and Hermione returned back to their dorm.

Severus Snape decided to do the only thing he could think of if he had to refrain from hexing the infuriating students he was teaching. He resigned from his job.

Before leaving the castle Snape went to meet Dumbledore who was surprised by his decision and wanted to know why. Snape described in detail about his encounter with 'death' and the new lease of life given to him.

"Are you sure you did not dream this Severus?"

Snape pulled the sleeve of is robe back to show him the unblemished skin, "It does not matter if it is a dream. All the death eaters are dead now; I am the only one who survived. I cannot take any more risks and end up dead."

"I want you in the castle Severus; I need you when Voldemort returns to his body."

He nearly growled this time, "Did you not see? The mark is gone. Whoever was in my room last night told me that he killed not only all the death eaters but also Tom Riddle. I want nothing to do with teaching any more. I may end up killing someone, though Potter and Longbottom are on the top of the list."

Dumbledore sighed and removed his glasses to rub his eyes in a tired gesture, "Do you think that Harry is this 'death' you met? Did he reunite the Hallows?"

"Surely you do not believe that fairy tale headmaster. Master of death indeed" he scoffed.

"The elder wand disappeared from my office during Christmas, the same time that I gave Harry back his father's cloak."

"Potter is certainly intelligent and hardworking" Snape allowed. "He is also very powerful and still growing, but being raised in a muggle family, how can he know about the Hallows? Moreover he was nowhere near the castle at Christmas." Snape narrowed his eyes, "Did you find the Elder wand on him?" he asked suspiciously.

"No, and he does not use the cloak either. It is almost always in his dorm room, except for a few times that he brought it down to the common room probably showing it off to his friends."

"At least he has the good sense not to go wandering about the castle, unlike his father" Snape sneered. "The end of the term is only a couple of days away and I have no more classes to teach. So this is goodbye Sir."

Dumbledore let out a frustrated sigh. The wizarding world has been rocked and being the head of the Wizengamot he has been inundated with letters from all quarters. It is at times like this he wished for a better minister, Fudge is pliable enough for his needs but that also meant that he was stretched thin.

'Is the power he knows not actually the power of death' Dumbledore mused. 'Is it even possible for a human to control all the three Hallows? If Harry is really this 'death' how could he know about the resurrection stone, better yet how would he know where to find it? Even I could not find it in all these years of searching for it.' Dumbledore could make neither head not tail of his thoughts.

He decided to keep an eye out for any reports of Voldemort. He suspected long ago that Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort; the presence of the Philosopher's stone was a definite enticement for him. It would be a disaster if he did get the stone. 'Did I mess it up badly' were his final thoughts on that matter.