A/N: Some of you have expressed concerns about the Harry/Rein relationship. Yes, they are a couple. They consider themselves to be exclusive to each other, and so they are. Another concern has arisen about my use of the term volta de morte. Yes, I do know that no one would say "return from the dead" in that manner. I used that phrase for a reason, which will be explained more later. This chapter was going to be a LOT longer, but the old file kinda got replaced by the one on my flash drive, so... yeah. Next chapter will have a bit more in it. Review!

Chapter 25: Searching

I stared, dumbfounded, at the page. Volta de Morte? I though, perplexed. Sounds a lot like 'Voldemort' to me. I rubbed my hands over my tired eyes. It couldn't be this easy. I was missing something important, and I knew it. A shadow fell over the page and I looked up to see Professor Snape watching.

"Find anything?" he asked, sitting gracefully in the only chair not occupied by books.

"Maybe. Have you ever heard of a book called Volta de Morte?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking his head slowly. "I don't recall hearing of a book by that name… who's the author? Maybe I've heard of them."

"Some guy named Rasputin."

"Grigori Rasputin? I didn't know he wrote a book."

"But you have heard of him?" I asked, leaning forward in anticipation. "He does exist?"

"Yes," Severus drawled, drumming his nails on the wooden tabletop, "He was a holy man of sorts. Rumored to have been a practitioner of Dark Arts… and notoriously hard to kill."

"Was he a wizard?"

"I'm not sure exactly. Perhaps… he was known to be a profound healer… among other things."

"Was… That means he's dead." I slumped back in my chair. "There wouldn't be a way to channel his spirit or something, would there?"

"There is, but you wouldn't want to. It's not advisable to channel the spirits of those who have died a violent death. Their spirits are known to be quite… hostile." He said slowly.

"Oh." The two of us sat in silent contemplation for several minutes before I broke the silence by asking, "So, assuming it exists, where would we find a book like this?"

"Hmm.." Severus stood, brushing imaginary lint from his robes. "I will see if I cannot… acquire it for you. Lunch is ready by the way."

xxx

I spent the rest of the week scouring the house for every scrap of information I could find on the subjects of evading one's death. By Saturday, nothing looked promising.

"Ah, Harry." Professor Dumbledore said as he settled down next to me in the library, where I was (once again) pouring over dusty tomes. "Brushing up on your studies?"

"No, sir." I replied, setting one book aside and opening another. "I'm looking for something."

"I see. Well… perhaps I could shed some light on the situation for you? Lemon drop?"

I shook my head. "No thank you. What do you know about becoming immortal?"

The twinkle left the Headmaster's eyes, and he gave me a look of suspicion and cold calculation. "Why would you want to know about that?"

"I'm trying to find out how Voldemort's managed to stay alive when he obviously should be dead."

"Why? Thinking of trying it yourself?"

"No…" I said slowly, "especially not if it involves getting bitten by a vampire. I'm trying to figure out what he did, so I can undo it."

"I see." He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I think… and this is just my theory, that Tom created a Horcrux."

"You mean that he created some Horcruxes." I said setting yet another book aside. "I'm sure he'd make several, just in case."

"Most likely, yes."

"So, I need to know what they are and how they're made, so I can figure out how they're destroyed."

"So you can defeat Tom."

"Yes. Severus – I mean professor Snape – is going to try to find me a book."

The Headmaster smiled. "I', glad the two of you are getting along so well, Harry."

I shrugged. "It helps that we have something in common."

"I see. Well," he said standing, "If you need my assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I think I shall go bother our favorite werewolf. He's been sulking for far too long…"

"Professor?"

"Yes?" He replied, sticking his head around the doorframe.

"I was wondering if I could bring a portrait of my family to school with me this term?"

"I can see why you would want to, but I'm afraid that it would not be very advisable. The portraits might keep you dorm mates awake, and we can't have that, now can we?"

I sighed. "No," I said in a dull voice, "I suppose not. Thank you, Professor."