Once again, I thank you all who have read and reviewed, and added this story (and me) to your assorted lists. I think cookies and chocolate milk are good for a summer's treat.

The story is beginning to wind down. The end is in sight, and I want to thank you for staying with me this far. I hope you enjoy the last few chapters as much as I enjoy writing them.

Enough people have asked about this that I feel a public answer is in order. The showdown with Voldemort is coming very, very soon. Just not this chapter. I'm not stringing you along indefinitely – a few plot points need to happen first. But rest assured, your wait is coming to an end. Soon.

In this chapter, I've taken a few lines and images directly from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (chapters 26 and 33), and a line from Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (chapter 14). You will find the scenes vaguely familiar, but I hope I've done enough to make them original. Also, I've gotten a little creative with Kreacher's praise of Harry and a few other details. I don't think I've gone too far afield with a few "facts" I made up for color.

Disclaimer: I do not own Danny Phantom, Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Chapter 48

At breakfast on Sunday morning, Vlad was particularly smug, Severus looked a bit disgruntled, and the other professors were a bit puzzled. Professor Dumbledore asked, "Is everything alright? How did it go?"

Vlad sighed contentedly. "Everything worked out splendidly. The interview went swimmingly, and Daniel's new last name is legally Fenton-Masters." He preened and received congratulations from everyone present. The excitement over the adoption made others forget about what interview took place when and where.

Dumbledore acknowledged the discontent of his Potions Master. "Severus?"

Snape rolled his eyes. "Everything is fine. Vlad just tossed a surprise or two in my direction… I would have appreciated knowing a few things before-hand." He cocked his head thoughtfully. "I need to ask you a question privately at some point, preferably today."

Albus cleared his throat. "Ah, Severus… Since you are Harry's guardian, it is only fitting…"

"What about Harry?" Severus demanded.

Professor Dumbledore thought about how much he should say in so public a forum. When he came to a decision, he said, "Severus, I would like to see both you and Harry in the room off the Great Hall after breakfast. There is nothing wrong, but it is important."

Severus hated when Dumbledore was cryptic with him, especially when it came to Harry. He closed his eyes and furrowed his brows in an effort to control his temper. "As you wish, Headmaster. I'll inform him directly."

Vlad noticed Severus's mood shift. It was fun to watch Snape deal with his surprise, but Snape looked far more distressed than that. "Severus?"

The addressed wizard sighed. "Perhaps we'll discuss it later. I have a ward to inform."

Harry and Professor Snape met the Headmaster, both of them curious. Albus smiled at them. "Thank you. Of the many private lessons Harry and I have been having, the last one was most successful. Today I have proposed a field trip to Gringotts."

Harry perked up. "Today?"

Severus frowned. "I beg your pardon, but are you proposing to remove Harry from the heavy wards of Hogwarts to go to Diagon Alley?"

Dumbledore nodded. "I am."

Severus took three deep breaths. "I object, Headmaster."

"I understand your objection. However, there are a few things you should know. First of all, Bodred – the manager of the Diagon Alley branch of Gringotts – has graciously allowed me to put many safety wards in his office and has granted permission to otherwise breach the security of Gringotts by allowing a Portkey to his office."

Severus was impressed. "And what are you doing at Gringotts that so impressed a goblin enough to allow a wizard to bypass the integrity of the security therein? And – forgive my impertinence – why should I allow Harry to leave this school? And, more to the point, am I coming with you two?"

"I suppose… Well, circumstances have changed sufficiently for me to be able to tell you. But as far as the goblins are concerned… The goblins try to stay out of the affairs of wizards…"

Harry supplied, "For they are subtle and quick to anger." Both Severus and Albus stared at him. "Never mind. I read it somewhere. I'm sorry – please continue."

Severus continued to stare at him, but Albus chuckled merrily. "Indeed. But as I meant to say, the goblins tried not to choose sides in our last war with Voldemort. However, with Tom's insistence on the superiority of wizards," Dumbledore blushed guiltily, but pressed on, "I reminded them that if Voldemort had his way, he could just as easily retire goblins from their positions in Gringotts. Our activity today is another decisive blow against Tom Riddle."

Harry squirmed a bit. "I guess… that could do it."

Severus finally turned his gaze from the boy and asked his employer, "Ah, so I'm coming. Good to know. And what are we going to do at Gringotts that will involve Harry and the destruction of that madman?"

Professor Dumbledore hung his head and closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them. "My dear Severus, you know as well as I that he would stop at nothing to keep his own death at bay."

The old wizard beetled his brows and sighed heavily. "I could not tell you before, because I preferred not to put all my secrets in one basket, particularly not a basket that spent so much time dangling on the arm of Lord Voldemort."

"Which I did on your orders!"

"And you did it extremely well, providing the Wizarding World – and me in particular – a service of truly incalculable value. I cannot thank you enough. However, considering your change of roles, I see no danger any longer of you knowing this particular truth."

He sighed painfully. "You already know enough of the prophecy to know that Harry must be present at the final battle. The prophecy only hints to a part of what needs to be accomplished." He closed his eyes to steady himself, opened them, and said, "Using the Darkest, vilest magic known to Wizarding kind, Voldemort has created a number of Horcruxes, storing bits of his soul, keeping him immortal for as long as they existed."

Severus blanched. "A Horcrux? But… you spoke of multiple Horcruxes."

"Indeed, I did. Between Harry and I (and, unwittingly, our American friends), we have destroyed all but one of the Horcruxes made from inanimate objects."

Severus's mind whirred, processing all of this. "That means there are Horcruxes made from animate objects, perhaps living beings."

Albus whispered, "Yes."

"So, what are our living Horcruxes?"

Breathing deeply, Albus answered, "One of them is Voldemort's snake, Nagini."

"And the other? Or how many others are there?"

The Headmaster closed his eyes tightly. "Besides Nagini, there is only one other living Horcrux. Don't ask it! I can't bear to tell you – the answer is too horrible to think about. The only way to destroy the Horcrux is to bring about the death of an innocent, and… I have no right to ask the innocent to be a martyr. I also have reason to believe that the person would do so if I asked. But… I can't! I won't. So don't ask."

Both Harry and Severus peaked their eyebrows. It was news to Harry that there was a second living Horcrux. And it seemed it was a living, breathing person. The thought sent a chill up his spine. He wondered who it was.

Professor Snape squared his shoulders and asked, "Very well. And today's adventure?"

Albus cleared his throat. "Yes. Concerning today's activity, we are going to Gringotts, the location of the last inanimate Horcrux."

It took a severe act of will for Severus to not drum his fingers on the table impatiently. "And why must Harry come to destroy it?"

Albus nodded slowly. "Because, Severus, it is within the vault Harry inherited from Sirius Black." Severus rolled his eyes and clucked his tongue. Dumbledore ignored him. "And since it is the ancestral vault of the Blacks, only the inheritor has the ability to persuade the goblins to let him at it. Unlike, say, the Potter vault, that the Weasleys have been able to access on his behalf with the loan of Harry's key, the Black vault has a… significant number of safeguards such that only the proper owner – and, perhaps, his guardian – could enter with impunity, unscathed."

Harry whistled in appreciation. He knew a little about the vault since the last lesson he had with the Headmaster. But… he had to persuade the goblins? What if he couldn't mount a proper argument? What if they decided he was an intruder? What if…?

Severus cleared his throat. "While I am intrigued and vaguely amused by the idea that I may have access to the ancestral vault of Sirius Black, I still can't help but wonder how Harry came into possession of such a Dark object."

Albus looked at his Potions Master squarely. "Severus, you may have forgotten that Sirius had three cousins who all had access to their ancestral vault, and that continued while the rightful owner was temporarily dispossessed as a criminal."

Severus felt his blood run cold. "Bellatrix." Albus nodded. Severus narrowed his eyes. "And how do we know that Harry is in control of any of this?"

Dumbledore smiled at Harry. "Call him, if you please."

In a moment, Harry smiled, too. "Kreacher!"

The named elf popped into the room with a loud crack. "Great Master Harry called?"

Severus raised an eyebrow. "Great Master Harry?"

"Oh, yes. Great Master Harry helped me complete Master Regulus's last order to Kreacher. Master Harry is a great master, indeed."

Harry cut off the adulation and said, "Listen, Kreacher. Severus has to ask you a few things. Please answer my guardian honestly and fully."

The elf bowed low. "Of course, Master Harry. Kreacher understands."

Considering the last time Severus saw this elf, it had muttered evil imprecations about Mudbloods and half-blooded filth, and it now gazed in adoration at Harry, Severus was duly impressed and reminded himself to ask Harry about this attitude change later. For now, he asked, "Is it true that Harry has inherited the entire Black inheritance?"

The elf nodded vigorously. "Oh, yes." He narrowed his eyes in distaste, but would say nothing untoward in his Master's presence. "Master Sirius was very clever when he wrote his will. I don't know how it works, but I do know that Great Master Harry got the Black ancestral home, me, and everything else. Not even Mistress Bella, Mistress Cissy, or Mistress 'Dromeda (or their children) can touch any of it without Great Master Harry's say-so."

Severus raised his eyebrows. "Impressive. Harry, you are one very wealthy young man."

"I know," Harry said miserably. Severus cocked his head. He would have to figure out how to address this later.

Harry asked, "Do you have any more questions?"

Severus answered, "Not at present."

Harry turned back to the elf. "Thank you, Kreacher." He nodded at the elf, who disappeared to wherever he was before.

Severus closed his eyes, putting one hand on his forehead. "Now, I imagine, we need the tools to destroy a Horcrux. What are our options?"

Harry thought for a moment. "Well, last time, I used the Sword of Gryffindor to destroy the locket."

Professor Dumbledore nodded. "While the sword is generally a useful tool for this purpose, I don't think it will win any affection from the goblins to bring it along."

Harry was confused. "But Professor, I thought Godric Gryffindor purchased the sword from the goblin who made it."

Dumbledore sighed. "You are right, of course. But goblins' ideas about proper ownership and humans' ideas about ownership are quite different. The way we see it is that once an item is made and purchased, the item is at the new owner's disposal. Goblins believe that the maker of an item is its true owner, and the purchaser merely has a life-long lease. To a goblin's way of thinking, each new inheritor should pay the owner (or owner's kin), renewing the lease.

"While we acknowledge that Godric Gryffindor bought the sword from Ragnuk the First (as do the goblins), by rights and by Wizarding Law (well… by any law humans abide by), the sword belongs to whomever Godric Gryffindor left it to. Namely, ownership belongs to the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and it is free to be used by any, valiant in word and deed, to any cause Godric Gryffindor would have seen as worthy. Goblins believe that wizards have stolen the sword, as we haven't purchased it from the goblins at each successive generation."

Harry furrowed his brows. "But Uncle Vlad said that humanoid magical beings think like we do."

Severus smiled. "Actually, I would have said that Vlad explained that humanoid peoples have the capacity to think, as we do, though their perspectives and attitudes might, in fact, be very different than ours."

Harry frowned but nodded. Severus's wording sounded more like what Uncle Vlad actually said. "Yeah, and we don't really want to make them angry," he agreed.

Harry thought again. "Well, I destroyed Tom's diary with a Basilisk fang."

Albus smiled. "I think that might be the most effective tool this time around. Let us retrieve one and then take hold of the Portkey."

On their way to the second floor girls' bathroom, Severus asked, "Harry… once we finish with all of this, could I ask you to open the Chamber for me? There are no limitations to the worth of the Basilisk carcass…"

Harry rounded on him. "It took you long enough! Only four years!" he shouted angrily and stomped ahead.

Severus stopped and closed his eyes. "I deserved that."

The Headmaster patted his shoulder. "All of us have failed that child in so many ways, I should wonder that children continue to be left in our care. I suppose all we can do now is to focus on how to correct our wrongs and proceed to do right by him."

Severus opened his eyes and sighed sadly. "Five years is a long time to atone for, Professor."

Albus looked down, ashamed. "Not nearly as long as the fifteen long years I consigned him to the Dursleys without looking in on him. But despite his many long and hard years of ill usage, he is remarkably loving and forgiving, far more than we have any right to assume we deserve."

Severus agreed wholeheartedly. But… between all of Harry's hurt that Snape was solely responsible for, and the practically endless riches he would be in control of by adopting Harry, how would it be possible to convince the boy that he only wanted to adopt him because he learned to love the boy?

He would try to figure this out later. Now, there was a Horcrux to destroy.

By mutual consent, the three wizards decided not to mention the Chamber of Secrets, no matter what wonders it held. Three Freshening Charms and a fang later, Albus, Severus, and Harry grabbed the scroll of parchment upon which was written the terms of permission for this Portkey to be used, and all three were taken to Bodred's office.

Bodred eyed the three of them warily, but waved them towards seats in front of his desk. "I believe you have something of Voldemort's to destroy."

Albus nodded. "We do."

Severus asked curiously, "How is it that you have no fear of his name?"

Bodred sneered scornfully. "If goblins made a habit of refusing to say the name of every wand-carrier who has served us ill, we wouldn't say the names of half the account holders here at Gringotts. And that would be bad for business."

Harry saw the logic in that. That made even more sense, when he thought of all the goblin-made weapons and jewelry that was owned by witches and wizards. The details of all those goblin rebellions Professor Binns taught about didn't seem all that relevant, but some of those wars were started over debts and favors owed and refused, or impositions of will, or bindings of magic of…

Well… Harry might not have been awake in Professor Binns' class, but he did his homework. From a goblin's perspective, Bodred had a point.

Noting that the wizards attempted to stay respectful, Bodred relaxed his sneer. "Which vault?"

Albus answered, "The ancestral vault of the Black family."

Bodred narrowed his eyes. "I don't know why you believe you have the right to this vault, but you'll have Greldik to answer to. He is responsible for the vaults belonging to the Blacks, the Lestranges, the Malfoys, and… the Tonkses."

The Headmaster sat impassively. Severus was interested in the goings-on. Harry wasn't sure what to make of it, yet.

Greldik responded to a summons Harry didn't catch. "You! What business do you have, thinking you have the right to the Black vault?"

Harry sat up straight. "Sirius left it to me."

Greldik eyed Harry. "You are Harry Potter."

"Yes, sir."

The goblin's eyes widened at the term of respect. "I've heard of what you've done. Why do you think that gives you the right to something not from your family? Griphook is involved with the Potter holdings."

Harry closed his eyes. "Personally, I would rather have Sirius. He was my godfather. But…" He almost lost the heart to continue, but Severus put a hand on his shoulder. Harry took a breath. "I didn't ask for his stuff. But he left me a lot in his will. Kreacher says he doesn't understand how it works, but…"

"And who is Kreacher?"

Harry felt his courage grow, knowing he was right. Severus's hand on his shoulder didn't hurt the situation, either. "Kreacher is a house-elf. He served Sirius's mother, Sirius, Regulus… and now, me."

Greldik studied the young wizard. He did not have an imperious mien when it came to elves. Interesting.

Harry nodded. "Kreacher said that because of how Sirius arranged his will, I own and control…" He looked to Professor Dumbledore.

"Go on, Harry. As it is real estate, the goblins are aware of wizard holdings. Any further importance to us is, most likely, completely irrelevant."

Harry nodded again, reassured. "Right, then. He said… I own and control 12 Grimmauld Place, the ancestral Black vault, and… him. I don't like to think of owning someone else, but it makes him happy."

Greldik was intrigued. A wizard paid attention to the emotions of a non-human magical being? This was unheard of. "And how do you know he's happy?"

Harry looked very uncomfortable, and the irascible goblin enjoyed it. "Well… When Sirius was alive, Kreacher called him Master Sirius, but used all kinds of insults that would have made Walburga proud. For me… he calls me Great Master Harry, and respects me enough to not insult Sirius anymore. He still doesn't like Sirius, but he does like me."

Greldik narrowed his eyes. "Did you command him to call you such a grand title?"

"No! I was surprised when he did it, but I…" He thought for a moment. "Forgive me, Greldik. I don't see why the fact Kreacher is over the moon with happiness to serve me is important to understanding that – though I'd rather have the first fellow to offer me a home and family in my life – that I'm stuck with owning his house, his money, and his elf."

Greldik smiled nastily. "Oh, it isn't important. Once you mentioned the will, looking it up would have been a small matter. I only asked because you seem to care about what the elf thinks and feels, and I was curious. You are a very strange wizard, Harry Potter."

Severus ran out of patience. "Yes, yes. He's all that and more. Now are you satisfied with Harry's legitimacy in his claim to the Black vault?"

Greldik's demeanor became cool and business-like. "Indeed. Very well. Let's go to the carts."

The three wizards and Greldik left the office, and Greldik told a ministering goblin, "We'll need the Clankers." Albus nodded, and Severus's eyes widened.

Harry asked, "What are they for?" as the goblin delivered a leather bag full of jangling metal.

Greldik nodded to the junior goblin. "Very good. Thank you." After the younger goblin bowed and disappeared to attend to his next task, Greldik explained. "The Blacks are a very old family, and the vault is deep within the bowels of Gringotts. It is guarded by a dragon, and the Clankers… discourage the dragon from molesting anyone within range."

Harry shivered, and Severus put an arm around his shoulders. Harry asked, "Is… that ancient vault the only one Sirius had?"

At one time, Severus might have snapped, 'What, one isn't good enough?' with any number of epithets and imprecations. Now he recognized the boy's question for the simple curiosity that it was.

Greldik answered, "No. Besides the ancestral vault, every adult Black got a vault of their own, as access to the ancestral vault is controlled by the whim of the heir of the House of Black. For example, Andromeda had the access her sisters and cousins did until she became a Tonks. When the Blacks disowned her… she lost access to the ancestral vault, but she requested that I oversee her new family vault." He shook his head scornfully. "Wizards!" Harry decided this was an interesting dynamic.

The goblin thought for a moment. "But his personal vault became null and void when he had no biological heirs. It will be reassigned. Still… Everything in Sirius's personal vault was transferred to yours. Since you have control over the Black ancestral vault, and it is possible for you to give access to any other Black family members you see fit, it all stays where it has been for generations."

Harry forgot that Professor Dumbledore told him about that when he first picked him up from the Dursleys before beginning their summer adventure. Harry didn't pay too much attention at the time, as he was unhappy with the fact he had Sirius's stuff when all he wanted was Sirius. He felt vaguely ill as he stepped into the cart. The roller coaster aspect cheered him a bit, even as the task at hand kept him sober.

The cart stopped, but there was no door within sight. Harry took his cue for confidence from the Headmaster and Severus. When they turned a corner, a gigantic dragon brought them all to a halt. The dragon barred access to four or five of the deepest vaults. Both of its rear legs were cuffed and chained to enormous pegs in the ground.

Recognizing Harry's sense of awe and horror, Greldik explained, "The dragon is partially blind, but it knows, when it hears the Clankers, to expect pain."

Harry peaked his eyebrows. "You won't hurt it?"

"Not as long as it cooperates, and moves when we sound the Clankers." Greldik opened the leather bag and removed the many small metal implements therein. He shook the metal contraptions, and the noise echoed off the rocky walls with a sound that hurt Harry's ears. The dragon let out a hoarse roar and retreated. Harry could see it trembling, and saw vicious scars across its face.

Greldik pressed his palm to the wood of the door and it opened to reveal a cavernous chamber. The room was filled with golden coins and goblets, silver armor, skins of strange creatures, potions in jeweled flasks, and a skull wearing a crown.

Severus was alternately in awe and supremely disheartened. All of this was at Harry's disposal. While he was glad for Harry, he grew increasingly sad for himself. What could he possibly offer the boy that he didn't already have? But more importantly, how could he convince the boy he didn't care about these riches when they triggered a sense of envy he didn't know he had? The hardest to imagine was how to tell the boy he only cared about him.

Who would believe him? As Vlad said, he was the quintessential Slytherin, and the boy's personal tormentor for five years.

He gripped the Basilisk fang and let his face fall into an impassive mask.

Albus lit his wand, and they saw that their first impression was only a mere fraction of what wonders the vault held.

Greldik said, "If anyone unauthorized tried to enter and touch what he had no right to, the items would burn him and duplicate."

Severus nodded. "Gemino and Flagrante Curses would discourage all but the most stalwart of thieves." He and Harry took out their wands and the three men searched the tremendous vault looking for Helga Hufflepuff's rather small but ornate cup. The three of them searched thoroughly as the goblin stood back and watched them. He narrowed his eyes when he saw goblin-made armor, shields, and helmets.

The three wands were searchlights in the huge cavern. Harry stumbled and tripped a few times, knocking a goblet or some precariously perched Galleons to the floor. The fact that the graceless stumbling of the teenager did not burn him or the adults with him proved Harry's legitimacy of claim more than anything he said. Greldik's skepticism evaporated.

Harry searched the walls, which were lined with shelves to the ceiling, raising his wand higher and higher. He found it.

"It's there, it's up there!"

Albus beamed with joy. "Good work, Harry!"

Severus smiled proudly. "Since it is among your things, it stands to reason that you can Summon it. Go on."

Harry called, "Accio Cup!" Nothing happened.

Greldik announced, "Summoning things with wands won't work here."

Harry huffed. "Then what can we do?"

Severus blinked as it came to him. "If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad must go to the mountain. If you can't Summon something here, there's nothing to say that we can't levitate you to reach it." He raised his wand and wordlessly lifted Harry, who clutched the cup by a handle.

"I got it!"

Greldik raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Severus lowered Harry gently and turned to the goblin. "I'm glad you approve," he sneered.

Greldik smirked. "Now, we bring it to Bodred's office and prove what you're doing is worth the sacrifice of Gringotts' security."

Albus nodded. "Of course." He pulled a dragon leather bag out from a pocket. "Harry, put the cup in this bag. As we learned with the locket, the less physical contact we have with these things, the better off we are."

Harry dropped it in and felt better.

The ride back to the surface was silent. Harry reflected about how close they were to defeating Voldemort, and tried not to think about how much stuff he now owned. Dumbledore was pleased with the upcoming destruction of the Horcrux, and didn't want to think about how devastated Severus would be if he discovered Harry was the final Horcrux. The boy would almost have to die, and it was painfully obvious how much the Potions Master loved Harry.

Severus mused over how many riches Harry now possessed, whether in currency, precious metals, potions, impregnable armor, expensive fabrics, pieces of artwork, jewelry, and things that defied description. He grew frustrated, as he wasn't sure how to express his thoughts without sounding trite.

It was so very different when Daniel asked Vlad to adopt him. It wasn't so much that a middle-class child asked a billionaire to adopt him (although it was), as much as it was a boy giving in to a plea relentlessly requested of him by said billionaire.

What right did he have to attempt to ask Harry anything? He reflected on this in discontented silence.

Greldik directed the cart and wondered whether the wizards were honorable enough to destroy the priceless treasure that was over a thousand years old. And if they did destroy it, how would they prove it was a dangerous artifact belonging to Voldemort?

Greldik knocked, and when bade to enter, the four of them entered Bodred's office. The manager eyed the wizards, particularly Snape with a rather large fang in one hand, and Dumbledore with the leather pouch. "Well?"

Professor Dumbledore smiled. "We retrieved what we intended to get. Now that we're here…"

Bodred snarled, "You'll destroy it. I need to see that you've lived up to your promise."

"Of course." Greldik moved a small, empty table to the center of the room. Albus drew the cup out of the bag.

Bodred narrowed his eyes. "That cup is goblin-made!"

Albus explained patiently, "And it has been turned into a thing of evil. No one questions its worth or its workmanship. But surely even you must sense the evil from within it."

Bodred studied the cup. "It was perverted by wizards."

Severus raised an eyebrow. "No one argues that point. We are here to expunge the perversion. Now if you don't mind…"

Everyone backed away from the table but Severus. He stared at the Horcrux and took every unhappy feeling he had all morning to heart, grasped the fang with both hands, and plunged it into the bowl of the cup.

A long-sustained pained scream rang through the office, and blood streamed up from the point of impact. The five of them stared in horror as the metal shriveled in on itself.

Severus whispered, "Was that supposed to happen?"

Professor Dumbledore closed his eyes. "More often than not."

"Professor, how many of these things did Voldemort make?" Severus almost feared the answer.

"Seven. A diary, a locket that once belonged to Salazar Slytherin, the Diadem of Ravenclaw, the Cup of Hufflepuff, a ring with the crest of Peverell, Voldemort's snake, and… an innocent human being. I can't be certain, but I believe that the last one was unintended." The two goblins and Severus stared in dismay.

Bodred murmured, "And three of those things, originally sold to the Hogwarts Founders, were goblin-made. Priceless and exquisite, but… turned to evil. You've destroyed them?"

"Yes, the evil in them has been destroyed." Greldik thought that answer was evasive, but it was just like a wizard to keep the item, even if it wasn't destroyed. Well… perhaps destroying the evil was this generation's payment. He'd discuss it later with Bodred.

Harry cleared his throat. "Well, all that's left is Nagini the snake. I don't know what we'll do about the person." He looked up worriedly at Dumbledore. "That person would have to die, wouldn't they?"

Albus looked sadly at Harry. "So it would seem. But at this point, we've done all we can until we face off with Voldemort ourselves." He looked at the goblins. "I hope I can count on you to not speak of this."

Bodred raised his eyebrows quickly, resettling his expression of horror back to business and sniffed haughtily. "We always maintain the confidentiality of our clients' business." He cleared his throat. "You have proven all of your claims. You can use the parchment as a Portkey to leave. However – I expect you to come back and remove the rest of the enchantments you put on this room when you come back the normal way, Headmaster."

The addressed wizard nodded. "Thank you, Bodred."

Greldik turned to Harry. "Now that we know for certain that the ancestral Black vault officially belongs to you, would you prefer me to continue as overseer or would you like Griphook to take it over?"

Harry sighed. "What would you prefer?"

Greldik raised his eyebrows. "I need to give it some thought. You are truly an unusual wizard, Harry Potter."

Albus said, "Thank you again, Bodred and Greldik. Severus, Harry, please take hold…"

Bodred reminded, "Once you leave with the Portkey, the agreement is fulfilled, and all further use is null and void."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly. "Understood. Now shall we? Three, two, one…"

Once the three of them were back in Dumbledore's office, Severus paced, muttering, "But how can I…? I don't see how… Completely unworthy… But still, I… Arg!"

Professor Dumbledore touched his arm. "Severus?"

Snape spun around to face him. "Since last evening, I've been meaning to ask Harry something, but I don't see how I could possibly do so without appearing to be a greedy, self-serving gold digger. If our trip to the Chamber of Secrets was any indication…"

"Professor," Harry interrupted. He had permission to use Severus's given name, but at present, a blatant show of respect seemed to be called for. "What do you want to ask me?"

Severus closed his eyes and took a breath. This was the moment of truth. He opened his eyes and walked over to where Harry stood. "Harry, how would you like it if I adopted you?"

Harry's jaw dropped for a few seconds. "You… you want to adopt me?"

Severus frowned and babbled. "I know I'm completely unworthy. At least Lupin proved that he at least liked you since he met you, and I've tormented you since you got here until some time in October. It's not like I can offer you anything you don't already have in abundance. As I see it, I don't see how you would benefit anywhere as much as I would, but…"

"Professor…"

"But since that conversation in October, I've grown to see you as the outstanding young man you are. You discovered Daniel's secret and put him at ease, you were respectful to the elf and the goblins, and you've probably been more respectful to me than I ever acknowledged…"

"Professor…"

"And since I have so much to gain by adopting you, how do I convince you that the only thing that really matters is the fact that I've learned to love you?"

Harry looked into Severus's pained, pleading, tear-stained face. The professor's angst-filled rant ran out of steam, and Harry took a minute to figure out how to respond to all of this.

He took two deep, cleansing breaths and said, "Professor, I don't think you understand me. All I've ever wanted was to have someone love me. You mentioned the Chamber of Secrets. I didn't think of the worth of the Basilisk carcass. I thought of how you didn't like me enough to ask me to open the Chamber for you."

Severus uncharacteristically bit his lower lip nervously as he awaited Harry's pronouncement.

Harry continued. "I already told you that you have done more to protect me and personally put me at ease that anyone I can remember. I loved Sirius, but he… had no problem with me risking danger, as he once said, 'The risk would've been what made it fun for James.' You…"

Harry took another deep breath. "Since you became my guardian, you actually cared. You explained why changes in circumstances were necessary. Clear communications have been a major priority." Harry looked at Dumbledore, who grimaced in embarrassment.

"I kind of thought you would have figured out by now that this fabulous wealth I've somehow been bequeathed isn't any more a part of who I am than all the titles and fame I've been given before I even discovered that I am a wizard." Harry rolled his eyes for a second. "How would you like it if I accepted your offer?"

Severus's brain froze. He could not believe his ears. He gulped. "But… but what about Remus?"

Harry sighed. "I like Remus well enough. I really do. But as much as I like him, you are the one who offered to become my guardian. You are the one who made the effort to make me feel as normal as possible. And you are the only person to ever offer to adopt me. Not even Sirius did that." He thought for a moment. "He might have, if he had the chance, but – like my parents – he isn't here now. You are."

Severus's heart sang. Harry said yes! He even preferred Severus over Remus Lupin! Yes! He grabbed Harry and hugged him close. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

Albus sat in his seat behind his desk. He cried tears of happiness. Two of his lost boys have truly found love in each other's company.

Before, he was merely unwilling. Now, telling either of them about Harry being a Horcrux was a sheer impossibility.

Narcissa was called to the 'throne room.' Voldemort sat in the high-backed armchair he claimed as a throne. "Ah, there you are! I thought you would like to know of the developments that have taken place."

Narcissa gulped. Voldemort's airy tone portended great ill, but she didn't yet know for whom. "My Lord?"

Bellatrix giggled with glee. Voldemort held up a few photographs. "The children of my faithful followers stole these from the Higgs boy. Do you know what they show?"

"No, my Lord."

A cruel smile spread across his lips. "Positive visual proof of Vlad Masters' identity. It shows that of Daniel as well, but his security is wrapped tighter than a pureblood's virtue. Masters, on the other hand…"

He fingered through the lot of them. "There are Severus and Potter. They deserve each other, until they're killed. But the part you'll find most interesting, Narcissa, are those of Draco. Come, take a look."

Narcissa trembled as she approached the Dark Lord. There were pictures of Draco and Danny. There were pictures of Draco and Severus. There were pictures of Draco with Gregory and Vincent, some with Danny and some without.

"But these are the ones I thought you should see." There was a picture with Draco laughing with Harry Potter.

"No…" She moaned.

Bella hissed, "Oh, yes! My dearest nephew is palling around with the Potter brat, that Mudblood chit, and all those Muggle-loving fools. He deserves whatever he gets. Crabbe and Goyle have already been notified."

Narcissa shrieked, "But… but my baby!"

Voldemort carelessly waved a hand. "Your son has outlived his usefulness. But I'm feeling merciful. If I find your son and his goons before I find and kill the Potter boy, they will die. If I find them after Potter is dead, I'll leave all three unscathed. After all, the spilling of pure blood is such a waste."

Narcissa covered her face as she sobbed. Bellatrix offered, "My Lord, my sister is so overcome with your graciousness, she is speechless."

The Dark Lord nodded. "This pleases me."

A few minutes passed, and the only sound was the mournful mother's emotionally pain-wracked sobs.

After Narcissa's crying ebbed into tearful whimpers, Voldemort took one of the pictures of Vlad and Danny and projected it so everyone in the room could see it. "This is the face of Vladimir Masters. Has anyone seen him since that… unfortunate incident at Hogsmeade?"

Narcissa studied the image and gulped. "I have, my Lord. I've seen him dressed in a high-class Muggle outfit across the street from St. Mungo's."

Voldemort smiled. "Thank you, Narcissa. You have proved your worthiness. It would be a shame to have to kill my hostess."

Narcissa bowed and fled from the room.

"Has anyone else seen this man?"

Scabior narrowed his eyes. "Is that the man? My Lord, I've seen him around that general part of London almost every Saturday. Normally, Muggles, or wizards dressed as Muggles, are beneath notice, but Masters sticks out like a sore thumb. Muggles in the area usually dress no better than they're worth. But Masters… even for Muggle dress, you can tell he's far too good for that neighborhood."

Voldemort's red eyes gleamed. "Almost every Saturday, you say? The Saturday right after Valentine's Day seems right to me. Some people have funny ideas about love, and I think a moral dilemma concerning the love for a child the day right after Valentine's Day suits my purpose.

"Scabior and Rowle – you know what to do."

18