Dislcaimer: I own nothing except the rambling in my head...

Review Replies:

Well, I realized something while writing my story. I never took the time out of my life to actually thank and reply to all the wonderful reviewers out there that took the time to read over and review my story! I'm deeply sorry for not acknowledging you guys sooner! I would reply to them all but since there are so many...I'll just start off with the people who commented the last chapter...thanks to everyone else though...

Gothic Tigress: Ah, but this is the evil kind of plot monster that only eats plots...I don't want it to take away my ideas...Anyways, thank you so much! I'm glad that you enjoy my writing so much!

minorly-crazy: Yes, yes Snape will be fine...in due time...ahem ANYWAYS! Thanks for the review!

Serpent91: Thank you for the compliment! I love it when people enjoy my writing!

Kate Andromeda: Well, hopefully the fates won't decide to be cruel to them. I'm sorry it took so long to update! I had major writer's block, I mean crazy stuff. My writing went down the toilet to China during that time...most of the stuff I wrote didn't flow or make sense to the story at all!

Well, To Everyone Else, Enjoy!

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Chapter 8

There was no way that Harry would leave Severus's side for anything. So, when Dr. Pomfrey came in the next day, telling him that he had to go see her boss, he just gave her this 'I'm-not-going-anywhere-so-you-can-just-forget-it-now' stare. Dr. Pomfrey sighed,

"Please Harry. He is very anxious to talk to you. I believe it has something to do with your parents." Poppy insisted. Shock and confusion registered across Harry's face,

"My…my parents? He knew them?" Harry asked, curious to know who this character was. Dr. Pomfrey just smiled,

"You'll just have to go see for yourself, now won't you?" She teased, smiling even brighter as Harry stood up and walked swiftly over to the door. He glared at her for using her intriguing doctor skills on him before rushing out the door and down the hall. He asked the receptionist on that floor for directions and took off once more.

Harry cringed when he realized that he would have to take the elevator to reach the old man's office and pushed the clear button. He watched the light flashing across the top of the metal doors, waiting for it to land on his floor. Soon enough the doors parted and Harry entered, pressing the button the receptionist said whilst huddling in the corner instantly as to protect himself and keep himself from hyperventilating.

The ride took a lot longer than Harry wanted, what with people getting on and off on all these different floors he truly wished the man could have made his office on the bottom floors, or at least on the less crowded ones, if that was even possible with how busy the complex was.

When it was finally his floor he rushed out, clutching his hand to his chest tightly as he worked to steady his erratic breathing. Quite a few people and nurses asked him if he was alright as they passed by but Harry just smiled and reassured them that he was fine and not going to drop dead of a heart-attack as someone so kindly put it.

The brunette read the signs as he went along, following the route to his final destination, a clear white door which read 'Dr. Dumbledore' in large black letters and his degrees and expertise written below it.

Harry tried to see if the name sounded familiar at all but couldn't so he knocked hesitantly on the door. There was a cheery 'come in' and Harry turned the handle, secretly wondering what kind of man he was going to have to deal with in the next five seconds.

His eyes widened and he looked around the oval office. Taking in all the different pictures of previous administrators who resided there previously, he brought his eyes to the old man sitting behind a grand oak desk. The man looked familiar somehow, but where? Harry couldn't remember…

"Ah, Mr. Potter, my dear boy, I've been expecting your for a while now. Come in, come in. Have a seat and relax." The old man ushered. Harry just stayed where he was, arms crossed over his chest,

"I heard you know something about my parents?" Harry questioned, itching to find out and return to the dark-haired man that needed him, "If you don't mind I would like to make this quick. I promised Sev-…Snape that I wouldn't leave him for long." Harry stated coldly.

Dumbledore merely smiled and nodded, "I agree with you fully. Now, from what I hear is that you are- or were, excuse me- getting psychiatric assistance from Severus, is that correct?" Harry nodded, "Well, I was wondering if he ever told you about his relationship with your parents?" This time Harry shook his head. Dumbledore chuckled, "That truthfully doesn't surprise me a bit. Well, I have quite a few different things to say to you today so would you like to speak here or would you rather us converse on the way back to Severus's room?" Harry frowned,

"What is it that you need to dicuss? Doctor Dumbledore." There was a slight curiosity in his voice that Dumbledore picked up on.

"Well, I would like to talk about your parents and my relationship with them before they passed away. I also have some questions about the man you saw at Severus's door three months prior. I also would like to know how you have been faring these past couple years. And I think that is pretty much it really, unless something else arises." Dumbledore stated, petting the bright red parrot that had wandered down across his desk,"Ah, Harry. I would like to introduce you to Fawkes. Fawkes, this is Harry. Say 'hello Harry'." Dumbledore asked.

Fawkes bobbed his head up and down before finally squawking a cheery 'Hello 'Arry!' Fawkes bobbed his head some more before taking flight and landing on Harry's shoulder gently, minding his claws as he clung to the fabric on the young man's shoulder.

Harry smiled and petted Fawkes generously, "What a wonderful bird." Harry stated respectfully.

Dumbledore nodded, "Yes, yes. Fawkes is indeed. I've had him for seven years now. Never betrayed me once." He said proudly. He stretched out his arm and Fawkes instantly flew over and landed on his arm. The old man pulled out a cracker and handed it to him, whispering kind words while doing so. He set the large bird down on his stand before turning back to Harry, "Well then, I think I would like for us to take a walk. My joints need the exercise." He explained. The wiser man opened the door and let Harry pass out into the hallway before locking the office door and following him.

They made their way slowly down the hall, Dumbledore with a faraway expression in his eyes, "You know…I was there when Lily and James got married and I also attended their funerals, when they died," Dumbledore's voice soured just a bit, "They were wonderful people, those two. They had a beautiful life ahead of them, tons of potential that will never be recognized," He paused when he noticed Harry had stopped following him, "Is something wrong, Harry?"

"You blame me, don't you." Harry whispered through clenched teeth, it was more of a statement than that of a question.

Dumbledore's eyes widened and he shook his head, "Of course not, Harry. There is nothing for me to blame you for. I was merely speculating is all. I guess a doctor's approach to this conversation isn't helpful after all, eh?" He chuckled but frowned when Harry didn't react, "Now now, Harry. If you don't want to talk about your parents then I won't-"

"How did you meet them?" Harry interjected, voice neutral.

Dumbledore sighed and brought his hand to his beard, stroking it thoughtfully, "I met your mother when she interned here a long while back. She was already dating James when she came so I met him soon after that…why, is that anything important?" Dumbledore asked.

Harry shook his head and finally looked up at him again, "No, that is the only reason I left Snape to come talk to you. Now if you'll excuse me I have a place to be." He walked passed, pressing the down button on the elevator. Dumbledore followed him but remained silent.

The elevator arrived and Harry pressed one of the buttons, urging himself to stay upright and calm during their trip down. He would not show weakness in front of this man. He did not trust this man at all. He was too blunt, too eager to talk about people now dead. Harry was not ready for this kind of confrontation with emotions still raw from the experience itself.

The teen was jarred out of his thoughts when the elevator started to descend. He gripped the metal side bar tightly, biting his bottom lip till it nearly bled to keep from crying out or collapsing. If Dumbledore noticed anything he didn't comment on it.

The two males walked down the pristine hallway and Harry was beginning to wonder where the man was going or if he was following him to continue their previous conversation. Harry didn't like the second idea so he stopped and faced the other man, "Why are you following me sir? I thought our conversation was over." Harry questioned hotly.

The old man stared at him before breaking out in a smile, "Why, I'm going to visit dear old Severus. I haven't really had a chance to see him since he arrived and I'm free now. Best not waste an opportunity like this one." Dumbledore explained. They arrived at Severus's room, Harry opening the door, albeit as little harshly and lead their way inside. Dumbledore didn't at all seem perturbed by the brunette's behavior and calmly followed him inside.

Harry took his familiar place next to Severus's hospital bed and Dumbledore watched in silent amazement at how tender and gently he talked to Severus, explaining his absence. Old, pale lips cracked in a smile, "You really love him don't you?" Dumbledore asked softly, pulling up an extra chair on the other side of the bed. Harry's head shot up and he looked at Dumbledore aghast,

"Y-You…what makes you think that?" Harry questioned, looking down to hide that unmistakable blush on his cheeks.

Dumbledore chuckled, "I was young too once, believe it or not," He retorted, smiling as Harry stifled a laugh, "I fell in love with a man. His name was Grindewald. He was one of the best doctors during his time. I was lucky enough to catch his attention. He apprenticed me and taught me many skills that they do not bother to teach you in college." Dumbledore's eyes sparkled dangerously and Harry wondered just what these "skills" were exactly. He remained silent and Dumbledore continued, "We were together, romantically, for a while when he got involved with the wrong kind of people. They…corrupted him so to speak, and he became forever distanced from me after that. His patients just suddenly started dying and not once did anyone consider deceit or malpractice, no one, except me. I confronted him about it and…" Dumbledore paused, eyes closing as he battled inwardly to get his thoughts into words, "and he assaulted me. I…I had no choice, it…it was either him, or me. But still to this day, I sometimes wonder, what would our lives had been like if he hadn't strayed, if I had tried harder to save him from himself? I would like to think we would have lived the rest of our lives together, happy. But alas, I guess the fates did not have this planned for me or him." Dumbledore smiled sadly.

Harry stared at the older man, contemplating what he had just heard, Why…why would he just tell me that? Does he expect me to react and spill my own heart to him? Yeah right, no chance of that happening, but I just have to know..."Why did you tell me this?" Harry murmured, mistrust etched in his voice.

Dumbledore smiled, "It was my way of telling you that, in a sense, I know what you're going through and that if you need my assistance it is there for you to use." He stated bluntly, "But I do apologize, I figured that talking to you about your parents would help somehow, I did not mean to reawaken old wounds."

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "It's…alright. I understand your logic at least. I could never tell my story like you can." He admitted, slight admiration in his eyes as he smiled.

Dumbledore nodded, "It took time, lots and lots of time. You will get there eventually I hope." He stopped and ran a hand down Snape's multi-colored cheek, "Even he had a specially traumatizing past. I will not delve further on the matter but I don't know if you need any reassurance that he does know pain and betrayal and can help you." Harry smiled sadly,

"He's helped a lot more than he thinks, but, he never mentioned anything about his past while we were together. I guess we weren't close enough or something." Harry muttered, secretly hurt by the information but then again what could he expect? They weren't dealing with his life problems. Dumbledore shook his head, staring at Snape while speaking,

"He doesn't talk to anyone about the pain and suffering he's had to deal with so don't feel neglected, Harry." He smiled, "He's as stubborn as a mule and as determined as a charging bull, a very dangerous combination might I add." The old man chuckled.

Harry smiled sadly, "I wish…I could have prevented this, prevented all his pain and suffering." He whispered, gripping Snape's hand tightly. The grief he was feeling started to overwhelm him and he wiped his eyes with the back of a hand, "S-Sorrry, sir. I-I didn't mean to start crying." He muttered.

Dumbledore nodded his understanding, "It's alright Harry, although don't think of crying as a weakness. Even the strongest men alive cry. Even your own father cried every now and again." He stood up, stretching his worn bones, "Aaah, yes. I'm not as young as I used to be." He muttered amusedly under his breath.

Harry thought for a moment, "Um, Mr. Dumbledore, sir. Do you know who did this to him? Or why?" Harry asked. The man did seem well informed so it didn't sound like a very far-fetched idea.

Dumbledore frowned defensively, "I have my suspicions but that is for a need to know basis only. What matters now is that Severus recovers and heals properly. You have my trust Harry. You will do well to remember that." His eyes twinkled brightly before he left the room. Harry thought he left a little too quickly for someone who only had a suspicion.

He sighed and grumbled. Now he had even more questions than answers than when he left the room earlier that day! He shook his head of the gloom and ran a hand through his hair. Harry hated to admit it to himself but he was tired. Tired of always having to look behind his back when he went places. Tired of having this bad luck curse hang over him like the plague. He was really tired of having the people he cared about hurt because of him. Harry James Potter wanted his life to change. He wanted to be happy again, to live like a normal 18 year old male. Determined green eyes stared down at the man below him. There was only one thing he was sure of at that very moment. This man was the one that was going to help him accomplish his goal.

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TBC

Author's Notes:

Well, I utterly hate this chapter but it had to be done...This is what most people call a plot filler chapter...you need it to progress with the story but the author wishes it would crash and burn instead. Anyways, yeah. I'M SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! I'm really beating myself up for it too. I didn't realize how long it had been since I had updated on any of my stories and in response tied myself to the computer chair until I got this done. Once again, sorry.

Oh and another forewarning, school is starting up again! I know, I know, grumble all I want and that accursed date is finally lurking over the horizon. I start August 25th. Of course to counteract this depressing knowledge I decided to look up when our Christmas break would be...and I wanted to go and kill the school system for their obvious mental issues. They decided to be buttholes...and let us out...CHRISTMAS EVE! What the hell is their problem?! Are their calendars screwed up or something?! Gah...alright, my rant is over...it's not like it would change anything.

Wow, this is one long author's note. Thank you so much for reading this far!

If you would please, review!

Momo