Hey, here's the next update! Sorry it took so long, I haven't really had much time to write. I actually wrote the beginning of this chapter on five sticky notes at work when we weren't busy. This chapter is more of a filler. Our characters will start getting some answers by next chapter. Oh, and thanks for the reviews! Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Snape POV

Severus worked even harder than he had before to find a way to help Potter get back to where he belonged. Severus didn't like the boy very much. Maybe it was due to the fact that he looked too much like his father, Severus' childhood tormentor. Nonetheless the boy deserved to live, especially after everything he had done for the wizarding community. Severus looked through the small pile of notes that he hadn't had time to go through yet. After an hour his hopes dwindled. After going through the whole pile and not finding anything relevant to his search, Severus sighed deeply and rubbed his throbbing temples. He got up from his seat, stretched his back (which cracked in a few places- Harry was getting old after all) and went for a walk through the castle's empty corridors.

Albus POV

"Mum, pleeeaaseeee. I want to come with you. I promise I'll be good." I pleaded desperately to my mother. She was going to Hogwarts to give da- Snape the books that Mr. Malfoy had given us.

"Al, I said no." Mum said, sounding annoyed. This only fuelled my wanting to go to Hogwarts and see Snape again.

"But, why?" I whined.

"Because I said so." I absolutely despise that sentence.

"Please mum." I heard James say from next to me. Ha! Two against one, this could work.

"Boys." Mum said in a warning tone.

"Please." James and I said at the exact same time.

"Fine." She finally, begrudgingly relented.

"Yes!" James and I exclaimed victoriously, giving high fives.

"But mum, you said we could go to gramma's." Lily whined. I glared at her. She was going to ruin mine and James' victory.

"You can floo to nana's and yes boys", she turned and gave us a pointed look, "you can come with me."

Severus walked through the castle, his robes billowing behind him. He was filled with a sense of nostalgia and closed his eyes as he breathed in the scent of the old castle. His time at Hogwarts hadn't always been pleasant but it had been his home for more than half his life.

Severus walked past the great hall and up the moving stone staircases. He looked at the portraits, which chatted and sometimes pointed at him as he walked by. He realised that some of the portraits were missing and idly wondered what had happened to them. Severus turned left onto the third floor. But before he could walk away he heard an eerily familiar voice speak to him. He stopped walking and halted in mid step. Severus spun around, only to be faced with himself. Well, a portrait of himself.

"Mr. Potter. Here again? Have you come to ridicule me once more?" The portrait sneered at him. Severus was struck dumb. Why was there a portrait of him at Hogwarts? Yes, he had been Headmaster for a short period of time, but he had abandoned his post. There shouldn't be a portrait of him here.

"Kneazle got your tongue, Potter? Contrary to popular belief I cannot read minds." The portrait taunted him and sneered at him yet again. Is that how he really sounded? Merlin, he was a git.

"I…" He cleared his throat. "You see…" A slight pause. "Why in the name of Merlin is there of portrait of m- you here?" Severus was about to continue his rambling, when he caught sight of bright maroon and gold robes. Minerva McGonagall stood, staring at the Potions Master with a slightly amused look upon her face.

"Surprised, I see. You did not expect this, did you, Severus?"

"No, of course not. I abandoned my post. I do not deserve to have a portrait of myself at Hogwarts. What fool decided I was worthy of such a thing?"

McGonagall smiled softly at him. Severus couldn't help noticing that her eyes freaking twinkled.

"Mr. Potter did. He thought, after everything you had sacrificed for the cause that you deserved to have a portrait of yourself hung along with all the other Headmasters of this school." Severus couldn't believe this. Of course, the stupid Gryffindor would do such a sentimental thing.

Minerva studied her old colleague. The poor man had never had a break in his life… and even in death he wasn't at peace. Unlike the way Harry held himself (relaxed but alert), Severus stood straight, tension vibrating off him, muscles flexed and hand hovering over the pocket in which he kept his wand. It seemed, even as Harry, he wouldn't allow himself to relax. After a few moments of silence it seemed that the portrait had gotten bored of their limited interaction and stalked off to another portrait across the hall. Severus cleared his throat after a moment and glared at the Headmistress.

"Is there a reason why you are still here?" He sneered at her. He hadn't meant to sound so rude but this new revelation had unsettled and surprised him. Severus Snape did not take well to surprises.

"Yes, actually. There is a certain young woman waiting to speak with you." Minerva said, not in the least intimidated by his less then polite remark. Severus gave her a puzzled look.

"Mrs. Potter and her two young boys are eager to speak with you." Severus stifled a groan.

"They are waiting in my office. Come along now." She said, gesturing towards the corridor. Severus stared at her in disbelief. She was telling him what to do! Minerva smiled mischievously at him and flicked her wand. Severus felt a slight push on his back and stumbled forward. Minerva started walking off towards her office. Severus paused and felt another light shove. He groaned and then followed her along the way. Severus, right before entering her office, had concluded that he was becoming soft.

Snape POV

The door opened and Dad, I mean Snape, walked in McGonagall's office. He was frowning as usual except he had a glimmer in his eyes, like the kind dad would get before he started laughing. Mum smiled at him and went to walk towards him before she stopped herself and waited for him to get there.

"Mrs. Potter." He drawled and bent his head down in acknowledgement.

"Brats." He said to us and made the same head gesture. My mouth dropped in shock. McGonagall gave him a stern look and mum glared at him. Then the most shocking thing happened, he smiled at us! Well, it was more of a smirk, but still!

"You have books for me?" He asked, almost eagerly.

"Er- yes." Mum said, shoving the books into his hands, a few of them toppling over.

"Oh!" Mum cried and bent down to get the books.

"Sorry professor." She said, looking at him nervously.

"It is no matter, Mrs. Potter." He said, smirking again.

"I don't remember you being this uncoordinated when you were a student." He remarked. Mum rolled her eyes and stepped away from him. She put her hands on both mine and James' shoulders.

"Well, if that's all, I have a lot of research to do." He said and turned on his heel.

"Wait, sir." Mum cried out. "You're a bloody git and have absolutely no concept of politeness, but… thank you for everything you're doing. It would mean a lot to my husband to know that you are doing this for him and it means a lot to me."

"I don't know if I should take that as an insult or a compliment." He said in a monotone voice. Mum chuckled.

"It's neither. I'm grateful for what you're doing." She paused. "And please, call me Ginny." Snape gave a great sigh and reluctantly said:

"You may call me Severus if you so please." Mum smiled brightly at him. I took in a deep breath, trying to gather my courage to ask what I had wanted to ask Snape.

"Can I help you? With your research I mean." I blurted out. Mum and Snape looked at me in surprise. When nobody said anything I continued.

"Wouldn't it go faster if you had some help? I won't be a bother and I am a good worker and-"

"You do not know what I am looking for." Snape said sternly, cutting me off.

"But you could just tell me." Snape sighed.

"Severus, it wouldn't hurt." McGonagall said.

"And you can also go through those notes after he has." Mum added. I nodded eagerly. I turned to Snape and smiled at him eagerly. He gave me a funny look for a few moments, shook his head as if to clear it and then nodded mutely. He blinked, cleared his throat and said with teeth clenched: "Fine. Meet me in my office tomorrow. 7 am sharp, do not be late." He turned on his heel, robes billowing and exited the office.

Snape POV

Severus felt as though he had just sold his soul to the devil. A very small, Slytherin devil. Albus Severus reminded him an awful lot of himself at that age. It had only been because of that small reminder that he had agreed to let the little brat "help" him. He sighed and reluctantly got back to his research, his eyes and back already starting to protest.

The first book he went through was the oldest one. It was still slightly dusty and had finger marks over the cover. The book was small and also had small writing. He squinted to see the letters. Before he knew it the sun had set and his chambers were being illuminated by moon light. He shut the small book with a sigh and stood up. His back cracked in a few places. He cast a spell that showed him the time; 11:57 pm. He hadn't eaten lunch or dinner. Now that he thought about it, he was pretty hungry. He made his way to the kitchens where the house elves prepared a small meal for him. He ate his sandwich as he walked through the halls. As he walked back to his chambers he thought he caught a few glimpses of an angry man in a black cape roaming through the portraits. When he got back to his rooms and finally closed his eyes, he dreamt of a small dark haired boy with green eyes.

Please review and let me know what you think! More feedback equals faster update time. I already have most of the chapter written on more sticky notes ;) I just need to type it. I'm going camping for a few days so the next update might not be until next week.