Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any character thereof! I just like to play with them a little bit. ;-)

Chapter 83

Harry groaned softly and automatically reached for his glasses. He frowned when he realized they were not in their normal spot.

Blinking slowly revealed that he was in the hospital wing. He rubbed his eyes and squinted.

Gabriella, Hermione, and Ron were in sleeping bags on the floor. Remus and Sirius were asleep in the chairs near the windows. The magical signature of Snape was in a chair in the corner. (He couldn't tell if he was asleep or not - though why Snape would even be present was beyond his understanding at the moment.)

A second later he realized that Sirius wasn't in dog form. Didn't his godfather know that Gabby could wake up at any time? And the door was open. Anyone could walk by and see him!

Madam Pomphrey came in the room then. "Well, well. How are you feeling Mr. Potter?" she whispered.

"Sore and confused."

"I bet."

"Why is Sirius changed? You need to poke him and tell him to changed back before Gabriella wakes up."

Madam Pomphrey chuckled softly. "He's fine. Sit still for a minute while I scan you."

Harry done so.

"Your scans are much better. You have had everyone worried."

Harry rubbed his eyes again. "Why? What happened?"

Madam Pomphrey cast the eye sight repairing charm on him after she was done. She waved away his thanks. "What's the last thing you remember?"

Harry concentrated. "You telling me that I'd be here for a while and that my leg would be in a brace for a couple of days." He then realized that the brace was gone.

Madam Pomphrey sighed. "It's currently July 1st. Your friends will be leaving to go home on the train this morning."

Harry's heart started racing. "I've been unconscious for a week?" he whispered, alarmed. He thought he'd have more time.

"More or less." She handed him a calming draught. "Take this. I won't have you undoing all the work we've spent on you by panicking."

Harry nodded and downed it. He felt better almost instantly. "What time is it?"

"Four in the morning."

He frowned. "Can I go to the loo?"

She nodded. "I'll help you to the door. You've not walked in over a week. Don't be surprised if you discover that you're weaker than normal."

Harry nodded. Twenty minutes later he was back in bed.

"I let the Headmaster know you're awake. He told me to give you the Daily Prophet papers from the day of the third task until yesterday."

"I'm so confused," he whispered.

"When they start waking up and see that you're awake, I have no doubt they'll bombard you with everything that's happened. It will be overwhelming. At least if you read the prophet, you'll have an idea of what they will be talking about."

Harry nodded and looked at the stack of papers at his bedside. He went to reach for his wand only to discover it missing.

"Where's my wand?"

"I have it locked up so you're not tempted. You are not to do any magic for at least 24 hours. I'll re-evaluate that tomorrow."

"I'm not leaving on the train today?"

"On no, Mr. Potter. You'll still be in here for another 3 to 4 days at least."

Harry made a face at her then picked up the paper of the day that the third task took place.

Severus had woken up when Harry had. He breathed a sigh of relief. His color was still a tad bit pale but he looked so much better than he had been.

This past week had been a nightmare. He had been to see the Dark Lord 3 times. Then he and Albus had gotten into a disagreement. They had since made up and come to a solution - oddly enough, thanks to the damn sorting hat. Then he and Black had almost come to physical blows - twice.

Remus had hexed them both when that had happened.

Severus had taken to sitting at Harry's bedside invisible once Black and the rest had fallen asleep. He was never a praying man, but he prayed that his son would be alright. He could not lose him, not after just realizing that he was his son. A couple of nights ago, Harry had started tossing and turning, lost in another one of his nightmares. Severus had managed to calm the boy down with just his touch. It had surprised him.

He stood up to stretch when Harry had picked up the papers. He watched as the boy read the one saying the third task would be that day. Harry put the article aside after a moment.

The pain in Harry's eyes was clear. He was reliving the entire night in his mind. At once point he looked confused. "Cloaca Salus," he whispered. "I remember hearing those words before I passed out."

Severus left to go tell Poppy that he was remembering some things.

"Did he have to tell you to bring me more potions?" he asked when he looked at the bottles in her hands as she came in the room.

She chuckled. "We've already fixed the curse you remembered. You don't need to take any of these yet. If you need another calming draught, you can have one."

Harry looked away. "I'm fine."

"The Headmaster will be down in a few minutes. Do try to stay quiet when you read the next Daily Prophet."

"Uh, alright."

Severus waited until Poppy left before he went to stand in the doorway.

He saw Harry glance at him and just shake his head. However, the boy's eyes went comically wide when he saw the next paper that proclaimed Blacks' innocence.

Severus shook his own head and headed down towards his lab. He didn't need to see what surely would happen next.

Harry couldn't believe his eyes. He devoured the entire Daily Prophet in record time. When he looked up, the Headmaster was sitting in a chair. "Is it true sir?" he whispered. "Is he really free? I can legally go home with him now?"

The Headmaster smiled. "It is. He's free and has been re-instated as your godfather."

"How did this happen?" asked Harry.

"One of my colleagues at the ministry and I have been working to free him since last year. When you came back to Hogwarts after the tournament, I took your clothes and had them examined. Some of Pettigrew's blood was on them."

"At least something good came of that night. Professor, when my wand connected with Voldemort's, Cedric's ghost -"

"Echo," corrected Dumbledore gently and quietly.

"Echo, he told me to tell his parents that he loved them."

"If you want, I can arrange for a meeting between you and them when you're better."

Harry nodded. "What all was I hit with that knocked me out for a week?"

"You'd have been out of here a couple of days ago had Fudge not tried to poison you."

"What?" hissed Harry.

"Read the next prophet. It's fairly accurate to an extent."

Harry glanced at the next paper. The headline read: 'Fudge Has Breakdown, Tries to Kill Boy-Who-Lived!'

Harry quickly read the article. "I identified a Death Eater?"

"An auror Death Eater. You don't remember?"

Harry shook his head. "So Fudge had a nervous breakdown and tried to kill me? Why?"

"The auror you identified as a Death Eater had hit him with a paranoia hex and then began whispering in his ear about how we were plotting to usurp him and take over the ministry."

"Did Voldemort have the auror do that?"

The Headmaster shook his head. "It's my guess that he was hoping to move up in his ranks and he thought that doing this would please him."

Harry frowned and thought back to the graveyard. "No. I'm his to kill, no one elses."

"We'll talk again after everyone leaves, and Harry, listen to your friends. They care very deeply about you."

Harry looked over to see Gabriella stir. When he looked back at the Headmaster's chair, it was empty.

'Too be so old, he sure moves fast,' Harry mused to himself.

Harry picked up the next Daily Prophet. 'Marius Overwhelm Declared New Minister!'

"Harry? You're awake!"

Harry smiled. "I woke up a couple of hours ago." His voice was still slightly rough from non-use for a week.

Gabriella untangled herself from the sleeping bag and ran to give Harry a hug.

"Are you alright?" he whispered.

She laughed. "Shouldn't I be asking you that?"

Everyone started moving then. They all had the same reaction she had.

Sirius had given him an even tighter hug. "Oh, Harry. I've been worried senseless about you."

"You're free Sirius. Now you can do whatever you want!" A sudden fear took him. Would Sirius still want him?

Sirius felt Harry tense in his arms. "Harry, what's wrong?"

Not wanting to pressure his godfather, he relaxed some. "Nothing." He smiled. "What are you going to do now that you're free?"

"I'm not sure. What did you want to do this summer?"

"Me?" asked Harry.

"Yeah. You are coming to stay with me - unless you really want to stay with the Dursley's?" Sirius' tone told him that staying with the Dursley's was really not an option.

"Only if you want me to come stay. I mean, you're free, you can go do whatever you want to do now."

Sirius ruffled Harry's already messy hair. "I want us to be a family."

Harry hugged Sirius again.

"Sirius, his friends are going to be leaving in a couple of hours. Let them catch up."

"All right. If you need anything kiddo, let me know. I'll be right outside the door."

As soon as the adults left, Harry took a deep breath. He was about to do something that was not going to be easy.

"Listen guys, I need to talk to you about something."

"Here he goes," said Ron.

"Forget it Harry. It's not going to happen," said Hermione.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," he huffed.

"So you weren't about to tell us that you can't be our friend anymore?" asked Ron.

"You weren't going to tell us how it's going to be dangerous to be your friend?" asked Hermione.

Harry scowled. "You don't understand. If Voldemort can't get to me directly, he can get to me through you. He's already killed Cedric because of me. I'll never get the image of Cedric lying there dead out of my mind. Do you think I want to be responsible for your deaths too?"

Hermione sat at the foot of the bed. "Harry, you're not responsible for Cedric's death. You-Know-Who and Pettigrew are."

"I told him to take the cup with me!"

"Mate, listen. We saw you on the viewer. We saw you both argue over who should take the cup. Neither of you could have known that the cup was a port key. Suggesting you take it together does not make it your fault."

"Harry," said Hermione gently. "If we were to stop talking to each other today and we were somehow captured a year and a half from now, would you mourn us even less?"

Harry frowned. "But he wouldn't have a reason to come after you all anymore."

Gabriella spoke up for the first time since the conversation had started. "Evil doesn't need a reason Harry. It does what it wants to."

Harry looked around the room.

"Harry, you need us," stated Hermione.

"Just as much as we need you," finished Ron.

"I just want you all to be safe. If you got hurt, I would never forgive myself."

"It would not be your fault. The blame would be on the person that hurt or killed us. Not you."

Harry just shook his head. "You knew that I would talk to you about this."

All three people nodded.

Harry scowled and after a few minutes caved. "You're right, as usual."

Both Ron and Hermione hugged him.

"Where's Neville?" asked Harry.

"The dorm. We all packed everything yesterday morning, except him. We were to include him in that speech by the way."

Harry merely smiled. "Can you give Gabby and myself a couple of minutes alone?"

Ron and Hermione nodded.

"I'm sorry that I've put you in such a bad position," he said once the duo had left the room.

"You haven't," she said smiling at him.

"Merlin knows I don't want to but I think we should -" Harry paused, having just realized what she said. "I've not put you in a bad position?" He ruffled his hair out of confusion.

Gabriella smiled. "Nope."

"Gabriella, I saw your father at Voldemort's re-birthing. He told Voldemort that he would bring you to him. How does that not put you in a bad position with him and with your class mates."

"If my father takes me to meet the Dark Lord, then I'll go to him. I won't have a choice in that."

"Gabriella, he could torture you."

She took his hand. "Harry, when you asked me to the ball, I said yes. I thought you were cute, I knew you were powerful, and I knew that it would shock everyone - not to mention the fact that it would upset my brother."

Harry made a face.

"I expected that night to be boring. Most guys hate dancing -"

"I'm one of them."

"- and talking. I never expected to have as good of a time as I did. When I told you about my father being a Death Eater, I had already begun considering all the angles. All my life, I've heard how the Dark Lord would return. When we agreed to keep seeing each other, I had considered the fact that he could return at any time."

"I couldn't stand it if he killed you or even hurt you," said Harry.

"Harry, I'm in Slytherin for a reason. I'm just as cunning as the others. I know how to survive."

Harry knew he was defeated. "Can you blame me for worrying?"

She smiled. "I think I'd be more concerned if you didn't worry."

"Just ... if you are made to go, don't lie to him. Tell him whatever he wants to know about me."

She nodded.

Harry then thought about something else she had said. "What exactly have you been telling your classmates?"

Gabriella giggled. "Most think I'm seducing you to learn all of your secrets."

Harry sputtered.

"Some think I'm seducing you to break your heart. And the rest ... well they think I'm seducing you to get access to your power. I was, after all, raised to go after power."

Harry cried out in indignation. "But either way I'm being seduced!"

A muffled sound came at the door. Evidently someone had been listening.

Gabriella nodded. "Yep. Why do you think my brother has been wanting to strangle you?"

Harry threw a pillow at her.

She smiled as she caught it. "I can't promise we'll last over the summer, I do have to listen to my parents after all, but we'll take this one day at a time and see how we do. Your godfather told me that if we wanted to meet up in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade this summer, he'd take you there - chaperoned of course - what with the Dark Lord wanting you dead and all."

Harry grinned and pulled her into a hug. He then kissed her.

Really kissed her.

A couple minutes later a knock came at the door.

They pulled apart, both blushing.

"You can come back in now," said Harry.

Ron and Hermione came in. "Breakfast is in a few minutes. We need to head down there."

Harry nodded.

"We'll write to you Harry. Sirius said that we could even come visit," said Hermione.

"I'll write to you as often as I can," added Gabby. "Don't worry so much about me. I'll be fine. You just get better."

"Alright. Stay safe. All three of you. And tell Neville the same goes for him too."

They nodded.

He and Gabriella shared a last look and then she walked out of the door, followed by Ron and Hermione.

By the time Remus and Sirius had entered the room 10 minutes later, Harry was sound asleep.

Harry woke up later that afternoon to an empty room. Thankfully the eye sight repairing charm was still working so he didn't have to squint.

He had almost made it out of the bed to head to the bathroom when he was ambushed by Madam Pomphrey.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better. Just sore but it's tolerable." The last thing he needed was more potions in him. "Actually, I'm kind of hungry."

She nodded. "I'll get you something light to eat. You may use the tub in the bathroom - no shower. You're still to weak to stand for any long period of time. I'm sure you know where the hospital pajama's are in the cupboard by now."

Harry nodded.

Forty minutes later, after a really hot bath to loosen his muscles, he was back in the bed eating a bowl of soup. (Madam Pomphrey had told him that if he tolerated the soup, he would get something more solid at dinner.)

"Hey kiddo! Feeling better?" asked Sirius as he came in the room.

Harry nodded.

"I saw Professor McGonagall in the hall. She asked me to give this to you."

Harry took it. He grinned. It was his grades.

Ancient Runes - E

Astronomy - A

Care of Magical Creatures - O

Charms - O

Defense Against the Dark Arts - O

Divination - D

Herbology - E

History of Magic - E

Potions - A

Transfiguration - A

Harry snorted. "I knew I shouldn't have stopped predicting my own death. Ron's actually going to murder me now."

"What are you on about?"

Harry handed over his grades. "In Divination, I got good grades if I predicted my own death but after dreaming of Voldemort actually planning my death, I got tired of writing about it. So I stopped."

"And why is Ron going to murder you?"

"Because it gives me an excuse to drop Divination. Hermione dropped it last year, so it would just be him and Neville."

"You sure are taking a lot of classes," Sirius said as he looked over Harry's grades.

Harry nodded.

"Why only acceptable in Astronomy, Potions, and Transfiguration?"

"Because Astronomy and Transfiguration is really hard."

"And potions?"

Harry just shrugged.

Sirius growled. "Snivellus is punishing you because of how we treated him in school. It's not right."

"Please don't call him that Sirius and he can't really give me good grades if you think about it," Harry said quietly.

"Why?"

"Because he has to make Voldemort think I am the bane of his existence. Whether I am or not is another story, but he can't show any favoritism towards me."

"But Voldemort just returned."

"I have class with the Slytherins. I'm sure Malfoy would have told his father if I was being shown any good attention."

Sirius looked Harry over. "When did you become so grown up?"

"I still have a way to go," he said wryly. "Where's my trunk at? I need to put this list with my books. It has my summer homework on it."

"Still in Gryffindor Tower. No one could touch your trunk. It shocked anyone that tried."

"Oh yea. Heh. It's a defense mechanism. Ensure's my privacy." Harry suddenly frowned. "Did anyone tell the Dursley's that I'm not going back to their house."

"Nope," said Sirius grinning. He then sobered. "Harry, how did they treat you?"

Harry shrugged. "I don't wanna talk about it."

Sirius frowned. "If you need to, then you can. I'll listen."

Harry nodded. "Where's Remus?"

"Talking to Sniv - er... Snape about something."

"Think Madam Pomphrey will let me go get my stuff if you come with me?"

"Not a chance, Mr. Potter. Drink this."

Harry made a face. "What's it for?"

"It's a very mild pain reliever."

Harry sighed and downed it in one gulp.

"Are you sure Lupin?"

"I am. I've been pouring over all my books and this is the ritual that I helped James do."

Severus sat down in a chair as he read the ritual described.

"No wonder the boy is so powerful," whispered the potions master.

"Keep reading," said Remus.

"What am I supposed to be seeing?"

"The fact that Harry was 5 months old when James performed the ritual."

"You said he was 3 months old."

Remus shook his head. "He was 3 months old when James found out about Lily's potion. It took us two months to find something that would make a paternity test definitely show James as the father without harming Harry nor tipping Lily off. Of course, we didn't realize that her potion already did that. That text was hard to read and neither of us actually thought to perform a paternity test."

"So the blood adoption didn't affect his power level or genes?" he asked while still reading the page.

"Genes, some. James wanted to make him his in more than just name. It is blood magic. Harry's natural flying ability had to come from somewhere after all but this doesn't affect his power level any. That was all you and Lily."

Severus thought back to the photo album and to the caption that had been under one of the photo's. "It had to have affected his power level. I have a picture of Harry summoning a bottle when he was 5 months old. Five month olds do not do magic. Most children don't start to show magic until they're around two or three years old."

Remus grinned. "Sorry Severus. He started summoning things three weeks before James done the blood adoption."

Severus set the book down and rubbed his temples. He didn't know whether to feel relieved, proud, or terrified.

"Harry, can I talk to you?"

Harry looked up from a Quidditch book and nodded.

The Headmaster sat down across from him. "I hear Madam Pomphrey is springing you tomorrow."

Harry nodded. "I can't wait," he said grinning. "I saw in the paper today where the new Minister issued a general statement for the public about how to stay safe."

"What did you think of it?" asked the Headmaster.

"Honestly? I found it to be lacking."

The Headmaster chuckled. "As did I, my boy, as did I."

"Did you need something?"

"I believe I promised you a conversation."

Harry sat up straight in bed. "I want to know everything. I'm tired of being kept in the dark or finding out things second handed."

"There will be some things that I will not be able to tell you. So let's start with what I can."

Harry frowned but nodded.

"During the last rise of Voldemort, I founded an Order named The Order of the Phoenix. What we done was basically try to undermine Tom and his Death Eaters - foil his plans, so to speak."

"Did it work?"

"We saved some lives but as it is with war, we lost some too."

"Were my parents part of the order?"

Albus nodded.

"Can I join?"

"No. It's for overaged people that have already graduated."

"But sir, I want to help. I can help. I know it."

"There is nothing you can do, Harry. You need to finish growing up, experience life more. You already have enough on your plate without worrying about order missions on top of it."

"What more do I have on my plate - other than Voldemort wanting me dead? You've never told me why he wants me dead either. That's something else I want to know."

The Headmaster sighed, knowing he couldn't avoid this conversation anymore. "Before you were born, a prophecy was made to me saying that at the end of July, a baby would be born with the power to defeat the Dark Lord - that he would be born to parents who had defied him three times."

After a minute had past, Harry looked up. "Surely that's not all of it."

"It's not, but that's all Voldemort's servant heard before he had been discovered. That is all I can tell you at the moment."

"What?" cried Harry in outrage.

"I will be able to tell you the rest after you learn occlumency."

"What's that?"

"It's a way to shield your mind against intrusion."

Harry's hand flew up to his scar.

"Right now, Riddle is unaware of the connection that you two appear to share. The connection that jerks you into his mind could be two way. Once he realizes its there, he could exploit any thing you know."

"The full prophecy and order plans," said Harry with understanding.

Albus nodded. "He could also plant images. He would prey on your 'Hero Complex', as Ms. Nott has called it, to rush in to save someone - only for it to be a trap."

"I've never heard of occlumency. How does it work?"

"It's a very rare branch of magic. Most people who attempt it never gets the hang of it. I can count on two hands the number of Master Occlumens I've ever met in my life."

Harry's eyes widened in surprise. "What makes you think I can learn it?"

"Three things. The first being that once you put your mind to something, you tend to excel at it. The patronus for instance. To cast a corporeal one at 13 is incredible.

"The second being that you hate being kept in the dark and this is the only way you will be able to really learn anything. Something tells me that you will be determined enough to learn it to the best of your ability.

"The first being that you really are a remarkable young man. You are unique - special. You have the power to put behind anything you try which can only help you succeed."

"But the power scares me. I used all of my power during the duel and it terrified me a lot more than the fact that I was most likely going to die."

"Have you never put all of your power behind a spell before then?" asked the Headmaster, intrigued.

"No. It felt wrong to do so. I could just see me managing to blow myself up with a simple levitation charm."

The Headmaster chuckled. "You'll be pleased to know that you can't blow yourself up with a levitation charm."

"Doesn't mean I'd not find a way," Harry said dryly.

"Now, there are many benefits to occlumency. The first being you won't get dragged into Voldemort's mind and he won't be able to access yours. The second being that, since it's an ordering of the mind, you won't have as many nightmares."

"How-?"

"With everything you've seen these past few years, I would be concerned if you didn't have them."

Harry frowned. "Madam Pomphrey said that she wouldn't tell you about me needing the dreamless sleep potions."

"And she didn't but while you were unconscious, you dreamed. You seemed to be locked in endless nightmares. They only stopped when Madam Pomphrey spelled a dreamless sleep draught into you. Mr. Weasley told us how you've been putting silencing charms on yourself before you go to bed for a couple of years - so you would not wake anyone up."

Harry turned red. He didn't think anyone had noticed and if Ron did, then so did the rest of his dorm mates.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. Even I get them on occasion."

Harry seemed to ponder that.

The Headmaster continued speaking. "I know that you've learned some meditation techniques."

Harry nodded.

"Occlumency is one of the most advanced variations of it. When you learn it, you'll likely gain access to even more of your power, like how what you've practice so far has allowed your magic to grow so that you could see magical signatures."

Harry watched his last hope of ever being normal fly out of the window. "Professor, I'm going to need help. I can't control any more power. I don't want any more power."

"When you need help, I will help you but you have a pretty good handle on it already, otherwise we would have had this conversation early in your first year."

"Will you be teaching me occlumency?" asked Harry after a few minutes of silence had passed while he processed what he had been told.

"Yes ... and no. It's hard to teach someone occlumency without having to invade their mind first, which would weaken whatever defense's you have made naturally."

"I don't understand."

"You need a good solid theoretical knowledge base in occlumency as well as good solid practical meditation techniques but the problem is, there really aren't any book on occlumency, at least not that explain it in detail."

"Then how am I supposed to learn it? Are you going to write down what you know about it?"

The Headmaster pulled out the sorting hat.

"Myself and another Master Occlumens had considered it but realized that it would take too long to do so, but the sorting hat seems to be of the mind that it can help you."

"The sorting hat ... sir?" asked Harry in disbelief.

"I've asked it how it could help but it became rather cryptic."

"It won't try to resort me will it? Because I'm quite happy in Gryffindor."

The Headmaster chuckled. "It won't. I've already told it not too."

Harry nodded, took the hat, and placed it on his head.

'Well, well Mr. Potter,' the hat said into Harry's mind. 'You have been a busy boy.'

'What are you talking about?'

'No need to play coy with me. I have the will of the Founders in me, whom I know you've recently met the ghosts of.'

Harry's eyes widened in surprise.

'Neutral face, Mr. Potter. The coot has already been pestering me about how I can help you with occlumency. Him and another had almost started hexing each other because of the disagreement on how to teach you.'

'You're kidding?' he asked.

'No, I'm not. Now, in the library, you'll find books entitled Mind Magic, all 4 Founders wrote books on it but you'll find more in Rowena's shelves. In her time, she taught it to advanced students who showed a natural affinity towards it.'

'They told me I can't take any books out and after I pack my stuff tomorrow, I'm going to my god father's home.'

'Tomorrow, before you pack, head to the library. They will meet you there. They will explain what they have in mind.'

'Uh ... okay. I'm not sure I can get away from everyone but I'll figure out a way to I guess.'

'Good luck Potter.'

Harry pulled the hat off of his head and handed it to the Headmaster. "The hat called you a coot, sir," said Harry grinning.

"The hat calls me a lot of things, I'm sure. So what did it tell you?"

Harry made a face. "I'm not allowed to say but I do have a question for you."

"Oh?"

"I've been pondering it for a while now. Can I be taught how to apparate in case I do find myself caught again?"

"You can't legally obtain your license until you're 17 but I do agree that you need to learn how to do it for emergency situations only. I'll talk to Sirius about teaching you over the summer."

Harry nodded.

"Any more questions?"

At Harry's incredulous look, the Headmaster chuckled. "Ask away then."

"Okay, so once I get a good understanding of occlumency, you'll help me test it?"

"I will or someone I trust will."

"Will you also teach me how to handle all of this power I seem to have? It terrifies me. I don't want to be powerful, I just want to be normal."

"Harry, look at me," Albus said gently.

Harry looked up.

"Right now, it's okay to be overwhelmed but you need to remember that you're doing remarkedly well so far. I'm proud of you, very proud. And to answer your question, once you get a handle on occlumency and if you have questions about your power, I can help you and will answer any questions you may have."

Harry turned red at the compliment. A minute or so had passed when Harry asked, "Er ... professor, can I ask you another question? It's something that's been bothering me for a while."

"Certainly."

"Voldemort was powerful when he was young too wasn't he?"

The Headmaster nodded.

"I'm afraid ... I'm afraid I'm going to become like him. I"ve read enough books and know enough history to know that most of the time, power corrupts. I'm not strong like you are to resist everything that gets thrown my way."

"I don't think you realize just how strong you are, Harry. In some ways, you are stronger than I ever have been."

Harry looked at the Headmaster disbelievingly.

"Temptation has come across my path many times and I've not always said no."

"What happened?" asked Harry, very much surprised.

"Nothing good, I assure you, and if I didn't have my friends and family to keep me grounded, I very well could have turned into Voldemort. Your fear, Harry, is not unfounded but you have something that Tom Riddle does not have and cannot stand to feel."

"What's that?"

"Love, Harry. Love. Tom was not shown any as he grew up and nor can he stand to feel it now. That is why your mother's protection was so valuable to you, why it hurt him to touch you.

"When I placed you at the Dursley's, I trusted that Petunia would show you love because you were all that was left of her sister."

"She didn't."

"And that blame falls on me because I didn't check up on you. I wanted you to grow up away from the Wizarding World, to not grow up with all of the fame that would have surrounded you if you would have been raised by a Wizarding family.

"And while I would never knowingly put a child through what I now suspect you've been through, I know that you are stronger because of it."

Harry had to ask, even though he doubted he wanted the answer. "And if you had to do it all over again but knew how badly I was raised?"

"Then an alternative solution would have been found. I truly believed that she would show you the love she showed her own son. All I can do is apologize for not checking up on you."

Harry was silent, but nodded. "It's alright, so long as I never have to go back. I guess it did make me stronger ... in a way. Sirius said no one told them I wasn't coming back."

"I contacted Mrs. Figg. She took the Dursley's a letter I wrote."

Harry's eyes widened. "Mrs. Figg is a witch?"

Albus chuckled. "No. She's a squib. I've known her for many years. She moved into the neighborhood when you were three."

Harry frowned. "Didn't she tell you how I was treated?"

"No. My understanding is that she offered you shelter when she could but she didn't see any overt signs of abuse."

"They got good at hiding it," mumbled Harry.

"Harry, we can prosecute them for how they treated you."

"No. They never asked for me. As long as I don't have to go back, there's no need to."

"There is Harry. They cannot get away with what they've done."

Harry shrugged.

The Headmaster just shook his head. "Any other questions?"

"Three more for now and I need a small favor for tomorrow."

Albus nodded. "Go ahead."

"When am I going to be talking to Cedric's parents?"

"Tomorrow at noon, before you leave to go to Sirius' house. You'll talk to them in my office."

Harry nodded. "I know in the graveyard that the ... echo ... of my mom told me to trust Snape. Even my own gut tells me to trust him, but it's been wrong before. So, I need to know from you. Is he safe to trust?"

Albus looked Harry in the eyes. "I trust Severus Snape with my life."

Harry searched the Headmaster's gaze and nodded. "His behavior towards me in school is going to turn nastier isn't it? Since he'll have to keep his cover?"

"It will ... be unpleasant."

Harry thought that the Headmaster looked and sounded sad.

"Do you know what he wanted to talk to me about after the third task ... or even what my mom meant about being patient towards him?"

"I do but it is not my information to share."

Harry frowned again, but nodded. He had expected such an answer. He would still need to see if he could corner Snape. The man had given his word that he would explain to him whatever this big secret was.

"The favor?" asked the Headmaster.

"Tomorrow, I ... er ... need to go the tower to pack my stuff alone. Can you occupy Sirius so that I can do that?"

The Headmaster was clearly puzzled but nodded. "Now, we've talked for almost 3 hours. Get some sleep before dinner."

Harry nodded.

"And Harry, I really am proud of you."

Harry smiled as the Headmaster left the private hospital room.

A/N: I am so sorry guys. I swear I've not abandoned the fic. I have a feeling you all would hunt me down if I did. hehe First I was gone to my dad and step-mom's house for a week. They had no internet connection there. While I was there I started reworking my timeline ... again. I did this because I knew you all wouldn't keep waiting for Snapey-poo to come out and tell Harry the truth much longer. The problem with that was when I moved up my timeline, my muses just ... died. I was trying to force them ... and well ... muses don't like to be forced.

So, I took a 4 day break from writing. When I came back, it was like I had a new purpose. I re-worked the timeline again, re-did some chapters, went back to my original notes, made some new ones, and it was like magic. It just started flowing again.

I'm sure most of you know that I like to stay a few chapter's ahead of what I post. This one was originally two, but I felt bad for staying silent for so long. Unfortunately during my re-working, I lost quite a bit of what I had already written, so the updates, while I promise will be on time (barring something catastrophic happening of course), will only be about every 5 or 6 day's for a little bit. I promise they'll pick back up soon though. I just want to get a little bit of cushion space between what I post and what I write.

Now ... all that being said. I have bribes for making you all wait. *Hands out the chocolate*

Up next, Harry does indeed corner Snape. Calls him a prat too if memory serves me right. ;-) I'm aiming for a Sunday posting. If my writing/editing goes well, I might even get it posted on Saturday.

*burrows self in hole*

And thank you all for the wonderful reviews. While I may not get to respond to them all, I promise I do read them. =)