AN: Thanks for all the reviews, and keeping up with the story even though I took a really long break in publishing the story because I totally lost inspiration during the end of the semester and during the summer when I was working crazy hours! Thanks for the positive review, and I know that some of you are confused as to why Hermione is ok with this, and the simple answer is that she really has no choice. It's either lose Harry or accept this lifestyle, and she doesn't want to lose Harry.

Recap: "Yes, they have to train for different goals. I feel like everything is finally coming together. Voldemort had better watch out, because the Boy-Who-Lived is making his stand."

Black robes billowed as the two men swept down a hallway, their heads held high. Red and gold flashed as the robes moved around the feet of the men as they stalked down the hall. Their faces were set into hard lines and they moved silently, passing the cold stone walls with no apparent look of recognition. Yet their feet led them on a direct path to the meeting that awaited them. They entered the room without bothering to knock, not wanting to give the man inside the satisfaction of having power over them. They stood silently until the old man raised his head and looked at them. "What do I owe the pleasure of your visit boys?"

They both bristled at the term, but said nothing. Neville stood by the door, completely still, much like a bodyguard. Harry conjured a comfortable armchair and sat down. "Headmaster, Lord Longbottom and I are here today to discuss an important matter with you. I already told you that I know about the horcrux inside me, and because of help from my allies, the goblins, I have discovered and destroyed two others. However, I know that you have knowledge of more of them."

"I was unaware of the fact that Voldemort even had Horcruxes, and I'm disappointed in the fact that you even know the term my boy."

"Don't act this way with me old man! You will tell me of your lies and manipulations or I will completely destroy your reputation. You placed me in an abusive home, and I will reveal all to the public if you do not comply."

Dumbledore paled visibly and glared at Harry. "You are just as arrogant as your father. Would you really destroy the Leader of the Light?" the slippery voice of Severus Snape sounded from behind Harry. The young man spun around and gazed at his professor with pity.

"Is your life really so miserable that you take pleasure from torturing eleven year olds Severus? An innocent, abused child appears in your classroom, having no knowledge of you or even the world he is entering, and you immediately bully him. I know that you are just jealous that you aren't my father, but that was no reason to be mean to me, especially since I came from the background I did."

"You have no right to judge me Potter." Snape spat. "Your father tortured me during our years here."

"But everyone knows that isn't the reason you tortured Harry." A feminine voice sounded. Snape turned, the look on his face signifying a man who had just seen a ghost. Harry nodded at Neville, and the other boy pulled a portrait out of his pocket. For the first time in fifteen years Severus Snape was looking at the face of Lily Evans. "You are despicable Severus Snape. You don't know how hard it was to convince James to stay in Potter Manor, but I had to do this alone. My husband apologized to you again and again but you could never forgive him, even though you gave as good as you got from the Marauders. Do you understand what my son went through before he came to Hogwarts? Imagine your childhood but make it about ten times worse. How could you look at my son and not see me Severus? Or were you punishing me for not loving you?" Snape gaped like a fish and stared at the woman he loved. "Search through Harry's memories of his home-life. You may use legilimency on him."

Snape turned to Harry and whispered, "Legilimens." Harry allowed the older man to search at his leisure, allowing him to see that he had developed a mature and complex mindscape. Harry allowed some of the milder memories of abuse to come forward. After several minutes Snape pulled back, staring at Harry before shifting his gaze to Lily who was glaring at him in contempt. "I…I don't know what to say."

"That you were wrong, and you should have accepted James, Sirius, and Remus's apologies. You have held this grudge for way too long! And you expected too much from me. The entire school realized that James had changed, and he treated me like I wanted to be treated. It was hard to not fall in love with him. You could have been happy for him, but instead you tried to get him and my son killed! Oh yes I know Severus, there are some pretty interesting portraits to talk to in the Black Manor."

Snape was quite for several minutes. "Lily I never knew. You have to believe that I would have saved your son if I had." Lily said nothing; she just continued to stare out of the portrait frame. "I suppose you'll never forgive me?"

"Helping my son would be a step in the right direction."

There was silence for several minutes before Harry said, "I'm sorry sir. I did not know that my mum would say all of that. I only wished for you to understand I'm not what I seem."

Snape stared at Harry for a moment before turning to the Headmaster. "I'd tell the boy what he needs to know."

Dumbledore gasped as his protégé switched sides. Sighing he collapsed into his chair. "Tom Marvolo Riddle, or Voldemort, is a half-blood; born to the last witch of the Gaunt family. This family is his connection to Slytherin, and I believe he hid one of his Horcruxes in the abandoned family home. Tom was raised in an orphanage and terrorized the children there. On a beach outing Tom and two children disappeared for hours. Although they seemed alright, the children were never the same again. It is my belief that he tortured them, and placed a horcrux in the spot of his childhood mischief. After Hogwarts, Tom worked at Borgin and Burke, and developed an obsession for the objects of the founders. He stole the cup of Hufflepuff from an elderly woman. I believe this was made into a horcrux, although I am not aware of the location. It is also possible that he created a horcrux out of an item of Gryffindor's or Ravenclaw's, but they each only have one known heirloom, and Ravenclaw's diadem has been lost for centuries, and the sword of Gryffindor cannot possibly be a horcrux as it is Goblin made."

"Nagini..." Snape whispered. Seeing the looks of confused he explained. "The Dark Lord has a very odd bond with his pet, she may be a horcrux."

"That is entirely possible Severus. Is that all the information you wanted Harry my boy?"

Harry glanced at Neville, and then turned his attention back to Dumbledore. "That is all Professors." With a bow the two young Lords turned to leave.

Suddenly Harry ducked and rolled to the right, barely missing a stunning spell. He turned and quickly sent a bone-breaking curse at the headmaster that the older man was able to avoid. Harry leapt towards the headmaster, sending another train of curses, managing to connect a cutting curse. Dumbledore looked shocked, and began throwing nastier curses at Harry. He ran around the room, trying to avoid being hit, before hiding behind a chair, and firing a barrage of stunning spells. One took Dumbledore off guard, and Harry quickly secured the man to a chair.

Neville had avoided the curse sent at him by Snape but got nicked by a cutting curse aimed at Harry. This infuriated Neville, he knew the potions professor was a terrible man, but to send a cutting curse at a man's back was attempted murder. A short duel between the two men broke out and Neville noticed Snape edging towards the window. Rolling sideways he cut off the man's progress and took him down, shouting "Ossis Effergo." Snape fell clutching his now broken femur. Neville quickly bound the older man, and looked at Harry who was sitting on the desk twirling Dumbledore's wand in his fingers. Neville chuckled, and said, "This was supposed to be hard mate."

Harry smirked in response, and turned to the professors. "Did you really think that I'd fall for that little scene? Although I am surprised you gave me real information. Now I'm going to take your memories, and don't bother trying to get them back, I was trained by a Black, a Greengrass, and my mum. Obliviate." The two boys quickly left the office. "Great job Nev, now we just need to follow the dagger." Harry pulled the gift from the Goblins out of his pocket and the two boys began following it around the hallways.

Eventually they wound up in the seventh floor corridor by a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. Neville smirked at Harry. "It appears your dagger is broken. Although this tapestry is ugly, it doesn't seem to be evil."

Harry glared, "My dagger is not broken. Maybe the tapestry is hiding something? Dobby." He called. The elf appeared with a loud crack.

"How can Dobby be helping Master Harry Potter sir?"

"What is behind this tapestry?"

"This is known as the Come and Go Room sir. Dobby heard of it when he came to Hogwarts sir. It is a room that a person can only enter when they have real need of it. It is a most amazing room sir."

"How do I access it Dobby?"

"Master should walk in front of it thinking what he needs three times."

Harry nodded, and paced in front of the wall. "I need the place where the Horcrux is hidden, I need the place where the Horcrux is hidden, I need the place where the Horcrux is hidden." A door appeared, and Harry smirked at Neville, who maturely stuck his tongue out in response. Harry pulled the door open and was astonished by the cavernous size of the room. "Dobby when we are done can I call you and have you take us to Potter Manor?"

"Yes Master. Dobby can appear wherever sirs are."

Harry nodded and the two boys entered the room, following the path of the dagger as it led them through rows of objects. Finally they came upon the diadem. "Want to do the honors?"

"Sure," Neville said, grabbing the dagger. He walked up to the diadem and stabbed it before it could respond, having learned from experience. There was a high-pitched scream and the diadem oozed blood, signifying the destruction of the horcrux. Neville put the tiara in his pocket as Harry called for Dobby.

Once back at Potter Manor the boys placed the diadem in a safe place, along with the cup of Hufflepuff found by the Goblins, and the locket of Slytherin which Kreacher had lead them to, before heading outside to train with the real Mad-Eye Mood. Harry had been apprehensive to work with the man, given the last year at Hogwarts, but had come to realize he was an invaluable resource. They trained for four hours, learning new spells, and practicing apparating while dueling. When they were done they went inside to clean up for dinner.

Harry took his seat at the foot of the table, with Daphne on his left, and Hermione on his right. Sirius sat at the head of the table, with Remus on his right side, and Neville on his left. Susan sat between Daphne and Remus, and Pansy between Hermione and Neville. "How did the adventure at Hogwarts go?" Sirius asked, after everyone had started eating. Harry and Neville smirked at each other before placing the ruined diadem on the table. "Bloody hell! What happened?"

"I fought Dumbledore," Harry responded with a bragging tone. "He tried to stun me from behind and after a very short duel I stunned him."

"And Neville?"

"I was able to take down Snape and helped Harry Obliviate them. After that we simply followed the dagger to the diadem and I destroyed it."

"Do you boys have information for the goblins?" The boys nodded. "Visit Ragnok after dinner then. I assume you discussed your duels in detail with Moody, and he gave you advice, such as not getting too cocky?" The boys nodded again, loathe to stop eating to speak to Sirius. "So what's the next part of the plan?"

"Leave that to us girls." Pansy said with a mischievous smile.

"Inner-House Unity or Scandal?

By: Evan James

Miss Pansy Parkinson and Miss Susan Bones were spotted shopping together in Diagon Alley today. The two heiresses have not been seen lately, and many have wondered their absence from their favorite stores. They were seen outside of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour joking and laughing. Although the two girls have not been known as friends their presence together did not cause a stir as they know each other not only from Hogwarts but from gatherings of 'The Seven' Ancient and Most Noble Houses as well. As a Slytherin and a Hufflepuff their friendship may be a bit out of the ordinary but not unheard of. The real shock for this reporter came when another girl joined them. Miss Hermione Granger exited Flourish & Blotts clutching a large shopping bag and was immediately hailed by Miss Parkinson. The two girls hugged in greeting, Miss Bones soon replacing Miss Parkinson, seemingly eager to greet her friend. This reporter has to ask himself why the Gryffindor Princess would spend time with the Slytherin Princess? Has Miss Granger been pulled to the dark, has Miss Parkinson been pulled to the light? What is the nature of these outings? This reporter has many unanswered questions."

"Slytherin-Gryffindor Romance?

By: Evan James

Yesterday evening the Daily Prophet received hordes of letters commenting on my article. Many are concerned that the supposed girlfriend of Lord Potter, Miss Hermione Granger, has turned Dark, and is working with Miss Parkinson to bring down the boy-who-lived. Although my esteemed colleague, Rita Skeeter, is under the impression that Lord Potter is an "attention-seeking, lying, brat" I am of the opposite opinion. It does not appear as if Lord Potter wants any press, tending to stay away from places that are heavily trafficked, and visiting those with a more select, and smaller clientele. It is also hard to believe that Miss Granger would lead her longtime friend, and the person who is suspected to be her longtime boyfriend to destruction. This afternoon I ran into Lord Potter exiting the 'Witch's Delight' and he seemed embarrassed to be recognized, not straying outside of his Lordly demeanor. When Miss Parkinson appeared behind him, and clutched onto his arm, he seemed to gain confidence, but only to inform me that he had shared a nice lunch with a friend. After the couple left I went inside to inquire further about their lunch, and an eyewitness had them cuddling in their booth throughout their meal. What could cause Lord Potter to cheat on his long-term girlfriend, Miss Granger? This reporter can only hope to find out how close the 'friendship' between Lord Potter and Miss Parkinson goes."

"Lord Potter's new family?

By: Evan James

Yesterday evening Lord Potter was spotted around town with Mr. Remus Lupin, the previous Defense against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts, Lord Black, his godfather, and Deputy Headmistress McGonagall, his distant relation. The four were seen at a dinner affair, which seemed to be a late celebration of Lord Potter's fifteenth birthday. Although it is understandable why Lord Black was there, having been declared the boy-who-lived's legal guardian, the other members of the party were questionable. It was previously thought that Lord Potter was best mates with Mr. Ronald Weasley and that the Weasley family had become Lord Potter's adopted family. However Mr. Ronald Weasley and Lord Potter haven't been spotted together all summer. Could there be growing distance between the two old friends? Did something happen between Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley, causing Lord Potter to break off his friendship with the young man? When this reporter caught up to Lord Potter and asked him about this situation his only answer was that Lord Longbottom was his best mate. Many questions have arisen since these two young men claimed their lordships, and this reporter hopes the questions will be answered soon."

"Lord Voldemort Returns! Minister shamed.

By: Evan James

Today the Ministry finally released the purpose of the closed Wizengamot meetings; Lord Potter has been telling the truth, Lord Voldemort has indeed returned. A ministry spokesman said that Lord Potter presented the court with his memories of his battle with the self-appointed Lord the night of the Triwizard Cup. The courtroom was sealed as soon as Lord Potter brought the case to attention, and many present were named as Death Eaters in Lord Potter's memories. Although Minister Fudge, Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister for Magic, and the named Death Eaters fought Lord Potter's claims, the full support of 'The Seven' Noble and Most Ancient Houses lay with Lord Potter. The minister had no choice but to recognize Lord Voldemort's return. However, this admission alone did not please 'The Seven' and they called for a vote of no confidence, which was quickly passed. As an election year is two years away, the Wizengamot voted Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt interim Minister for Magic. This was brought about mainly by Lords Black and Potter's urging. 'The Seven' have also assured the arrests of the named Death Eaters who will all be tried under Veritaserum at an unmade date. Most notable among the arrests were Mr. Malfoy, Mr. Crabbe, and Mr. Goyle; if found guilty they will be removed from their Wizengamot seats for high treason. At the end of the press conference the Minister for Magic appeared and stated, 'The Ministry offers this public apology to Lord Potter for both ridiculing and allowing ridicule of a fifteen year old boy who was simply telling the truth.' Although the Ministry press release answered many questions it raised many more. Why was Chief Warlock Dumbledore not present during this trial, and why did he not receive a public apology as Lord Potter did? Where are the arrested Death Eaters being held until their trials? What will happen to Mr. Fudge and Ms. Umbridge for arguing of the side of the Death Eaters? Only time will tell."

Harry placed the latest edition of the Daily Prophet on the table. He was glad that the world knew the truth and that the other six Noble and Most Ancient Houses had supported him. Although having alliances with three houses, one of which was aligned to another two almost assured their support. "Everything is going to plan so far, as people don't know the truth of our relationships, or how we are manipulating things."

"I agree." Neville said from across the table. "The paper must be created and we must show ourselves as carefree so that Tom views us as political threats, but not as physical threats. We must continue to train, and makes plans to create our army back at school."

AN: Thank you guys so much for sticking with this, and waiting for the next chapter to be released. I know that it has been a really long time, but I'm working hard to get another one out soon. Please Review!