The Lion and The Snake - Scales of Justice

Chapter 5

Knockturn Alley

Harry woke up with a start, his heart beating wildly when his alarm woke him up. He had to rush, he'd set it for the last minute. He hadn't slept very well last night, so he had changed it. Today was going to be a very long day, the talking, gossiping, and the fishing for information. He wondered how his peers were going to react to him being apprenticed so young, it wasn't done anymore. At least not until after they finished school, at least Harry could console himself with the fact it could be worse. He thanked whatever deity that was looking after him, that Severus had been the one to come to Privet Drive. He didn't have to wear school uniform, just his apprentice cloak, so he was able to wear his new clothes.

"Good you are awake, I thought I was going to have to get you up." said Severus surprised when Harry walked out the door, just as he was about to knock on it. Severus was as always fully dressed, Harry hadn't seen Severus in his nightclothes before. Well other than when he'd saved his life, when Voldemort began killing him through the mark.

"Set it for the last minute," Harry told him as he walked passed, he'd miss having breakfast down here. Just the two of them, it was funny really just how much had changed in less than two months. He was becoming to depend on Severus, despite the man forcing him to be independent. Telling him to do things for himself, but the thing was Harry didn't want to be independent. Not all the time. He just wanted someone to take care of him, for once in his life. He'd gone too long looking after himself, but he realized perhaps he wasn't meant to have someone take care of him. It was a depressing thought indeed.

"I'll see you later," said Harry leaving their rooms, going without a school bag was extremely weird. It was like leaving a part of himself, he'd gone all those years of carrying a heavy bag everywhere. Filled with all the school books he'd need for the day attending classes. As happy as he was at being an apprentice and finally being trained he felt robbed.

Harry walked through the halls, another thing usually he passed quite a few people, mostly Gryffindor's on their way to breakfast. It was so quiet down here, very eerie; he hadn't felt like that coming down here during his second year. Though it might have something to do with Ron being with him. Eventually he turned yet another corner, and found himself in the entrance hall. The Great Hall doors were open; Harry slid in unseen and made his way towards his friends. Ron looked depressed and tired, as he munched on his breakfast.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry making them jump in fright as he slipped into the seat they'd saved for him.

"Harry, don't sneak up like that!" said Hermione putting her hand over her heart dramatically.

"Ron, you okay?" asked Harry staring at his friend in mild concern.

"It's just not the same without you mate," sighed Ron, "Plus Dean woke me up pouring water over me!" he was a very heavy sleeper, and he knew he snored too the guys had told him often enough. Harry was the only one who managed to wake him up in the morning, he even slept through alarms. There was a few times he'd woken Harry up, especially after having visions but, yes, normally Harry woke him up.

"I told him to, otherwise you would be late." said Hermione smugly.

Harry felt a warm glow settling into his stomach, to know his friends missed him, even after just one night meant a lot to him. "I know its weird isn't it?" Harry said in agreement, he'd had nobody to talk to once he was in bed. Normally he could continue talking to run until they fell asleep. He would also miss his friends nightmares, he smothered a smirk just thinking about it. Spiders coming to get him, his friend hated spiders brought on by one of the twin's accidental magic. They had turned one of Ron's teddies into a spider. You would think after Aragog he'd be less scared, but if anything it had strengthened his fear of them.

"Very," said Hermione, she was so used to waiting on both of them, when Ron had come down it had taken a few seconds for her to realize Harry wasn't coming down. Asking Ron if Harry had, had a nightmare was on the tip of her tongue when she remembered. She hated Dumbledore for what he was doing to her friend. She'd spent hours last night thinking about it, and she surprised herself by the strength of her anger towards an authority figure.

"I'll see if I can stay up at least once on the weekend," whispered Harry to both of them.

"Harry what happened to you last night mate?" asked Seamus, his Irish accent thick as he spoke to Harry from across the table.

"You'll find out soon enough." said Harry; his friendship with Seamus had never recovered from the accusations the following year. Seamus had thought he killed Cedric Diggory and that he was making up Voldemort's return. He'd been quick enough to apologize once his return had been announced in the papers. Too bad for Seamus Harry hadn't wanted to know. It had hurt Harry deeply that someone would accuse him of killing Cedric, after all the years of saving the school repeatedly, it was never enough.

Seamus frowned but backed down; his curiosity though was written across his blue eyes. Harry went back to eating his food; normally he'd only be able to consume a small meal. After being back at the Dursley's all summer, but he hadn't been. So he was able to eat an entire plate of food almost putting Ron to shame.

"Here it comes," said Ron after swallowing his mouthful of egg, he didn't want Hermione getting on at him for his eating habits thank you very much. Hermione and Harry looked around; sure enough Dumbledore was standing up demanding everyone's attention. The hall automatically went quiet, eager to know what the Great and Powerful Albus Dumbledore had to say.

Harry pushed his plate away; a grimace appearing on his face, Hermione placed a comforting hand on his back, smiling sympathetically at her best friend.

"Welcome, welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts, as most of you all know, the forbidden forest is out of bounds to all students. This year will be slightly different than normal, I'd first like to introduce your new Potions teacher, Horace Slughorn," said Dumbledore beaming at the students, as if nothing pleased him more than to see them all. There was a time when Harry had been drawn in on that, not any more of course.

The Slytherin's were all talking, looking concerned and worried, no doubt about Severus. He noticed Slughorn was standing up, smiling charmingly at the students.

"Why does that smile seem familiar?" asked Neville out of the blue.

"Lockhart," said Hermione, Harry and Ron as one before turning to grin at one another.

"Oh no," said Neville paling, the last time he'd had a Lockhart he'd been humiliated to hell and back. He'd been levitated in the air by pixies and the fool had run away. A visible shudder ran though Neville, although it wasn't defence that he was grateful for. "Thank Merlin I'm not taking Potions." he hadn't got the grades to take Potions again. His Gran had been furious, since he could no longer become an Auror. She had wanted that for him, to be like his father.

"I'm not so lucky," murmured Ron, he had actually passed high enough to take Potions this year. One would think not having Snape as a teacher Ron would be celebrating. He wasn't, it was going to suck not having Harry in every class with him. He was going to be alone during Divination and a few other classes, Hermione hadn't taken the same as him.

"Also Professor Snape will be teaching the first through fourth years in Defence against the Dark Arts, Remus Lupin returning once more to take the fifth through seventh years." said Dumbledore still smiling at them all.

Cheering rose up almost deafening, most of the noise was coming from the Slytherin table. All of them no doubt extremely glad that Severus Snape was still there. A good few of the Gryffindor's were cheering for their favourite professor. Not that it was hard to beat, since Remus was probably the only decent teacher of Defence they'd had. Harry's eyes darkened, he'd not seen or heard from Remus since Sirius died. Just thinking about it that way made him ache inside.

"I would like to announce that one of our own has decided to take up an apprenticeship." said Dumbledore pausing for dramatic affect. Letting them gossip for a few seconds, before continuing on. "I hope you will join me in wishing him well, Harry Potter will be apprenticed under Severus Snape in gaining his Mastery in Defence against the dark arts and of course Potions." he applauded Harry, looking straight at him his eyes twinkling benevolently.

"Are you mad?" croaked Neville looking at Harry as if he had grown another head.

Harry grit his teeth, as if he'd had a bloody choice, "I didn't have a choice." he growled lowly, unable to help himself. He was furious with Dumbledore's blatant lies, he was bloody sitting there yet he had the gall to lie about it to his face.

"Oh," said Neville beginning to look at Harry in sympathy.

"Blinking 'ell Harry, is he trying to get you killed?" Seamus said shaking his head, looking at Harry as if he was already dead.

"Looks like it," said Harry bluntly.

"So what are you doing then Harry?" asked Hermione, glaring at everyone who was listening in. They weren't even being subtle about it either; it was far too quiet to be natural. They quickly went back to their own conversations, the volume rising once again.

"Potions, defence then I'll be going to…Gringotts," said Harry nervously, he didn't know why he was. It felt weird, knowing he'd be hearing something his parents had written, oh so many years ago.

"Why? I thought you'd gotten your…inheritance?" asked Ron frowning, cocking his head to the side.

"It's my parents wills and Sirius'," said Harry quietly, "My parents today, Sirius' is on the tenth." it would make it official for Sirius, some part of Harry wanted to pretend that he could come back.

"Oh Harry," said Hermione tears almost brimming in her brown eyes.

"I'm sorry mate," said Ron sadly, unsure how to comfort him, he'd never had to deal with anything like that before. The closest he'd come to feeling anything Harry did on a daily basis was when his sister was taken into the chamber. Then again when they were fighting in the Department of Mysteries. One could say it was nothing compared to Harry's, and they would be right, they had only been hurt not killed.

Harry only shrugged unable to say anything.

The owls containing mail and morning newspapers flooded into the Great Hall. Coming from the ceiling above them, where there was a huge opening in the beams allowing them entrance. A newspaper was promptly delivered to Harry along with a few letters from Gringotts; the large 'G' was the dead give away.

Harry observed quite a few people getting letters from Gringotts, Neville, Dumbledore, Severus, Flitwick and McGonagall. He could see Severus was deeply shocked by whatever he was reading. Harry swallowed thickly; he knew it had to be bad that Severus was actually showing emotion.

"Harry," said Neville, his voice thick with sympathy.

"Hm?" asked Harry twirling around to face him.

Neville handed over the letter; he had been invited to the will reading of his parents. Now Harry knew it must have been in place of his parents. Unless of course his parents had intended to give Neville something, but he didn't see it. "Are you coming?" asked Harry giving it back.

"Yes, are you okay with that?" asked Neville.

"Of course, it's what my parents wanted, try and keep quiet about it though please?" asked Harry, he didn't want everyone staring at him.

Neville nodded putting his letter away, smiling sadly before he finished his own breakfast.

"We have to go," said Hermione, "Otherwise we will be late for class, will you be here at Lunch time?" she asked turning to Harry curiously, she wasn't sure when he was leaving for Gringotts.

"It depends on how long it lasts, hopefully I will see you guys," said Harry standing up putting the letters in his cloak pocket. He carried the newspaper unable to put it in his pocket it was much too large to do such a thing.

Harry finally got to read the newspaper; he had half an hour break before going to Gringotts. He'd had the most interesting potions lesson he had ever. Severus had given him a book to look at; it had Severus' writing on it. There was also 'Half-Blood Prince' written inside. Harry had gotten a good laugh at that, it was much better than Voldemort any day. The potion instructions hadn't been precise; Severus had written a better way to do it scribbled in the margin. Harry didn't think it was actually very fair to mislead students like that. In fact it had pissed Harry off, but he had learned something - to not take anything for granted.

"You ready to go?" asked Severus coming into his quarters the scowl melting from his features.

"Severus?" asked Harry.

"Yes?" asked Severus frowning warily, he'd never heard Harry sound like that before. He sounded conflicted, confused and if not a little sad.

"Why is there something on the front page about holidays someone won, when there's only one mention of thirty people dying down in Knockturn Alley?" Harry, his voice changing, he sounded furious.

Severus stared at Harry in surprise; magic was practically leeching off him in waves. He obviously felt very badly for the people, and Severus understood why they weren't mentioned. Evidently Harry didn't understand, sighing in irritation, he sat down and stared at the teenager wondering if it was best to tell him.

"Why?" asked Harry, Bones and Vance had been front page news, two witches yet all these people had been regaled to two sentences in the corner of the Daily Prophet.

"No doubt you have heard that the Weasley's don't let their children wander around Knockturn Alley?" said Severus, figuring it was best to start there.

"Yes," said Harry confused now. What did that do with the death of so many people and why they weren't put where they should have?

"Do you know why?" asked Severus observing Harry wondering if he would be as prejudice as everyone else regarding the small town. It might be called an Alley but it was much bigger than that. It was ten times bigger than Diagon Alley.

Harry frowned, he had a feeling he was about to be judged on something, but for the life of him he couldn't figure out what. So he thought on his own experience of the Alley, before answering him. Regardless of what he thought of it, nobody deserved to die. "The Weasley's think it's full of Dark Arts." he told him eventually.

"Indeed, ironically enough if it wasn't for Muriel they would have ended up living down there," said Severus wryly.

"What?" asked Harry confused.

"It's where the people who do not have much money stay, the buildings are ramshackle and in need of good repair. It doesn't help that they are being targeted by Death Eaters and the Ministry." said Severus smoothly.

"The Ministry?" asked Harry blankly.

"Knockturn Alley is known for its 'Dark Creatures' and people practising the 'Dark Art's'" said Severus sneering nastily. "It's regularly raided, and since Dumbledore became Headmaster there hasn't been a single sponsored child attending Hogwarts from there." Dumbledore made sure the list of sponsored children were either Muggle born or from a light family such as the Weasley's but he didn't mention that to Harry. He knew how much the teenager loved the Weasley's.

"The Ministry did this?" asked Harry a wave of sickness overcoming him.

"All in the name of the light, they go in firing spells not thinking of the consequences. Children, squibs, pregnant woman, hags, vampires, have all died because of their actions. There was one year it got particularly bad, fifty people died in a blaze because of a badly aimed Fiendfyre by an Auror. Worse still at least two hundred were left homeless because of it." said Severus bluntly, watching Harry staring in horror.

"T-that's bad," said Harry swallowing thickly, as his stomach tired to rebel its lunch.

"Yes, that's Auror's for you," said Severus, and people wondered why he hated them? Hate was actually not what he felt, he loathed their existence.

"Are they all like that? I mean do people know what they do? Do…Tonks and Shacklebolt do those things?" asked Harry his eyes were closed, and he truly felt as though the world had spun on its axis.

Severus didn't reply he just sat there his expression said it all.

"Merlin," murmured Harry shaking his head in utter disbelief.

"It seems I do not need to accompany you to the will reading," Severus told Harry, wanting to get his mind off what he'd just pieced together.

"You got invited to it," said Harry bluntly.

"Indeed," said Severus impressed.

"So did Neville," Harry told Severus.

"I see," replied Severus smoothly. "I think we best get on, unless you want to put up with Dumbledore's presence."

"No thank you, I'm still fucking mad at him." said Harry screwing his face up in disgust.

Severus just smirked in wry amusement, understanding why Harry was mad. He'd given the old man a look of complete incredulity and scorn when he'd spoken. Harry had not decided at all, the old fool liked to talk out of his backside. Shaking his thoughts off, clearing his mind he stood up, and both of them left the safety of their little sanctuary where no masks were needed to the entrance hall, already donning their masks. Nobody must know they liked one another; they had to keep up the pretence.

It felt odd sitting in a room, chairs spread out everyone sitting down staring solemnly. One Goblin sitting at a chair, a long rolled up piece of parchment stuck in its hands. Neville, Neville's Gran, Dumbledore, Remus, Severus, and himself. It hurt to see that his parents hadn't known anyone else. They were supposed to have been popular and bright, yet from what he could see neither of them had been. Sirius should have been here, Harry thought, he wondered if Severus and him would have behaved.

"Griphook may I ask you a question privately?" asked Harry standing up unable to deal with the stifling silence anymore.

"Of course," said Griphook, waving his hand and both of them were in a privacy bubble, nobody else to hear anything.

"Why was my parents will not read immediately? I mean Sirius's is being read a few months after he died…why was it put on hold?" demanded Harry.

Griphook could see Harry's magic flaring slightly, nobody else noticed but him. He wondered if it would remain that way, especially with what he was going to tell the wizard next. Even now, Harry suppressing his magical outburst, controlling his anger he was still more powerful than Dumbledore. He was truly in awe that such a small wizard could have so much magic. Harry was small, compared to nearly everyone else in this room. He might be taller than himself, but smaller than most wizards.

"Well?" said Harry impatiently, he wouldn't stop asking until he got an answer.

Griphook shook his lingering thoughts and finally said, "It was stopped by Albus Dumbledore via the Ministry of Magic."

"I thought the Ministry had no control over what happens in Gringotts! You say yourself you don't like dealing with Wizards." said Harry taken aback. He didn't even think about being angry he was just stunned.

"They have control over which vaults are locked, they were technically within their right to close the vault since there was no living Potter in the Wizarding world or of age." said Griphook his teeth banished in an aggressive manner just thinking about the Ministry.

"So you know for a fact…have evidence that Dumbledore demanded them closed?" asked Harry breathing heavily through his nostrils.

"Yes, all signatures are recorded Lord Potter." said Griphook.

"I'm going to kill him," snarled Harry, it was a good thing he was facing away from the Wizards in the room.

"Magic is not allowed to be performed in Gringotts Mr. Potter, I'd also like it if you weren't arrested for Murder." said Griphook dryly, but he did understand the wizards anger. Who would have thought he'd end up with the Potter and Black accounts? He would never have suspected as much, riding the cart taking Harry to get his money with Hagrid.

"Too bad," said Harry stopping himself from shaking in fury. He needed to let of some steam before he truly did combust and hurt someone or something. Dumbledore had closed his parents vaults, stopped their will reading in the process, kept his inheritance from him by using a crooked goblin. Now this…he really should not be surprised by Dumbledore's actions anymore. Yet the old fool continued to surprise him.

"Take it down, I want this over with." said Harry emotionless, practising his Occlumency with great difficulty.

"Yes sir," said Griphook removing the bubble and watching Harry like a hawk.

"Everything okay Harry?" asked Dumbledore kindly, his eyes twinkling he was probing, he wanted to know what Harry had been talking about.

"Fine," said Harry blinking at Dumbledore blankly, as he went back to the seat he'd first sat in. The numbness was setting in, the same numbness he'd felt when Sirius died. Numb was good; numb would get him through this. He barely heard the goblin talking that was until someone let out a sob. Jerking up he looked around then spotted Lupin shedding tears. Harry's lip curled, he might care about them but he'd never cared about him. He'd never heard about him all his life, until third year then proceeded to forget about him afterwards. He saw Remus reach over with shaking hands, accepting the Gringotts check from his parents. Paperwork and of course a letter. Harry idly wondered how much he'd gotten.

"To Frank and Alice Longbottom, who have been there for us through many ordeals we leave them one thousand galleons." said Griphook stopping there, "As they are unable to collect themselves it legally goes to Neville Longbottom, but since he is not yet of age his grandmother will sign it for him." seventeen was the legal age, it would be another year yet before Neville was the proper age to deal with financial business.

A Gringotts check was handed over with paperwork for Lady Longbottom to sign.

"To Albus Dumbledore, if the war is still going we give him two thousand galleons to help in the war effort." said Griphook. Giving over the money, when he wanted to actually rip it up in front of him.

"To Severus Snape, my best friend in the world, my brother in all but blood, I leave you seven thousand galleons, use it well my friend" said Griphook, evidently it had been Lily alone who wrote that part.

Dumbledore even already knowing about it wanted to growl angrily, how could she give him so much and he so little? he had a war to end! all that Snape was going to do was use it on useless potions. Which in no way helped end a war that was currently waging. He was also very cautious about what Harry had been asking that goblin, he didn't like it. He wasn't supposed to do things like that, or question anyone. The quiker he had the brat brought to heel the better.

Griphook skipped over reading the ones of the people dead, it would revert back to Harry's estate.

"To our son, Harry Potter we leave everything else we own." said Griphook, giving Harry the paperwork to absolutely everything he owned. He also handed over a long letter, the same kind as Remus and Severus had gotten only much thicker.

"Does the will not state who I was to stay with?" asked Harry remaining in his seat as others moved to get up.

"It does," said Griphook.

"Who?" asked Harry grimly.

"Your godfather, if he was unavailable custody would go to Alice and Frank Longbottom, their third choice was the Bones family, four choice was the Diggory's," said Griphook, all these people named, had to have been connected to James Potter and the Ministry. "Under no circumstances were you to be placed with your Aunt Petunia Dursley, or any spouse she had or has."

"No surprise there, thank you Griphook." said Harry, getting up and walking out of the room, ignoring Dumbledore shouting for him to get back. If he did not get out of there now he was going to kill the old fool. He had gotten out of Gringotts and down the road a little before he was jerked to a stop by a snarling voice, who then forcefully Apparated him.

"I need to get away, let go." said Harry breathing heavily, his magic finally going haywire.

"Go to our rooms do you understand me?" said Severus his voice soft despite his face being a mask of fury. More pops were heard, and he knew the others had joined them.

Harry nodded his head obediently, then Severus let go of him in apparent 'disgust', Harry couldn't have moved quicker. Once again ignoring Dumbledore, and his attempts to speak to him.

"Severus why did you let him go?" asked Dumbledore, he however was extremely pleased; it looked as though Severus was getting Harry under good control for him. A few more months and the boy would be malleable. At least that plan was working out rather well. A few months ago Harry wouldn't have allowed Severus to treat him like that.

"Don't worry about the brat, he's just milking it for all he can get." sneered Severus, before he too stalked off his robes billowing out around him. Truth be told Severus was very worried, he'd seen the spark of magic in the privacy bubble. No doubt Harry had learned something new, added to the fact he should never have gone to the Dursley's, never have been abused was causing Harry's anger and sadness. Sighing in irritation he hoped Harry had gone to their rooms, a little extra defence practise should take care of Harry's anger.

"Stop," said Harry his breathing ragged. He couldn't fight anymore, his magic and himself were exhausted beyond endurance. He'd poured out all his anger and frustration into his spells, just as Severus had predicted. He hoisted himself up, and walked out of the training room, slumping on the couch aching everywhere.

Severus followed him through, ordering pumpkin juice for Harry and coffee for himself. Neither of them were going to the Great Hall. No doubt Dumbledore would get the wrong impression, but right now he couldn't care.

"What happened?" asked Severus, wondering if Harry would tell him now, he'd been too angry, to speak. Magic leaching off of him, he'd known if he didn't let off some steam it would explode in his room. So he'd taken Harry to the training room he'd set up in his quarters. Dobby had used warding spells, so what he taught Harry was safe from Dumbledore finding out. He handed Harry over the juice once Dobby came with it. He set about stirring his own black coffee, waiting for it to cool down.

"He stopped their will, he closed the vaults, using the Ministry." said Harry quietly, gulping the juice down, quenching his thirst as he lay there on the couch breathing heavily. His anger was gone, replaced with dull acceptance.

"I see," said Severus wincing, so Dumbledore had caused it twice, once by wilfully ignoring the will and closing the vault. Second by actually placing him in the one place his parents didn't want him. Who was he kidding it wasn't just twice, no he'd failed Harry so often it was no wonder Harry was so angry.

"Do you…think he knew? I mean about what my parents wrote in their will? Do you think that's why he did it? When he put me with the Dursley's?" asked Harry he was so tired, he just wanted to sleep. He needed to remember to take Severus down to the chamber and get the basilisk. His mind was actually planning something else, but until the Black will was read he didn't think on it too much. He was pretty sure the last time he was there, he'd seen a few houses the Black owned was down in Knockturn Alley, he could help all those people. Save them, they were sitting ducks by both the Ministry and Death Eaters. If they couldn't afford places to stay, they wouldn't be able to afford wards being put up. Since they didn't get a proper Hogwarts education they didn't learn those kind of things. It was a vicious circle, he had the money, and he could help them. Not out of the Potter vaults, but the Gryffindor and Slytherin vaults. They had more than the Potter-Black accounts combined. He couldn't leave them, some may say he was being Gryffindor but Harry just couldn't stand to see others suffer when he could help it. He knew what it was like to live like a beggar, to be looked at with disgust, to be denied the basic things like food. He needed more information from Severus about Knockturn Alley before he proceeded though.

"I'm sorry Harry, I think that's exactly what he's done," said Severus quietly, he'd never lied to Harry he wasn't about to start now. He had been surprised earlier by Harry's anger at what happened to those in Knockturn Alley. Nobody usually cared, well nobody that had any political clout. A few had tried, it had not ended well, and they'd been outcast from normal society. If he needed ingredients he usually went to the ones worst off, offered them money to get it for him. He wasn't by any means a rich man, so he could only do so much for them. He did ensure they had enough to see the mission through unharmed. Money, magic, and he also supplied them with potions, he had a limited budget but the ingredients he used were from the student's potion cupboard. It meant they didn't work to their full capacity but they did their job. "For the greater good." he sneered those words, he hated the old fool when he said them. It was as if it explained all his actions over the years. He'd failed Harry so many times, he insisted he cared but his actions showed otherwise.

Looking over he was amused but not surprised to see Harry passed out on the couch. Harry had put some power behind those spells, he knew because his shields had been shattered not only once but ten times. He threw a cover over him, staring at the sleeping image before him. He was fonder than he ought to be over Harry, more so than he would admit to himself even now. His fingers carded through Harry's hair, without much thought, his heart clenched when Harry mewed in his sleep, leaning into the caress as if he was starved for affection. Withdrawing hastily he shook himself, as if he'd like a washed up Death Eater, Severus thought to himself bitterly. No in the end he'd watch Harry ending up with another, and forgetting about him. Just like his mother before him, not that he'd liked Lily that way, she had been, and still was like a little sister to him. Until he'd screwed it all up, which reminded him of his letter, securing his quarters he went to his bedchambers, and took out the letter. Getting himself ready for bed, he slid in and after taking a deep calming breath, centring himself he opened the letter and let Lily's voice wash over him mentally, as he read the letter she had written while still alive unaware of the fate before her.

Longest chapter for this story yet, you'll be pleased to know ive found my muse again for this story :) i finally see it going in a direction, now Knockturn alley is never mentioned much in the books id like to change that, it cant all be bad - thats like saying one street, or block was bad becuase of some people living there its ridicolous! so wouldyou like to see more people added to the story? how about having some bulgarians come in? Viktor etc...to help in the war efforts? no?or just those on harry's side? will harry leave with severus when the attacks happen? are they even prepared for it? or will harry and severus be forewarned about WHERE he's gonig to attack and have the entire area cleared away before he goes there? R&R PLEASE!