Disclaimer: All the usual's again. *sneaks in and leaves this and flees for my life*

Chapter 111

Remus eyed his sleeping godson. It had been nearly two days since the battle in Hogsmeade and the young man had yet to awaken.

Poppy had declared all of his bones healed and the burn on his side was almost gone as well. He would, however, have a scar on his back from the cutting curse that had hit him. He imagined that when he did wake, he'd also be sore from the combined blood loss and the magical exhaustion.

He reached over and gently brushed the fringe out of Harry's eyes. When the boy awoke, he was going to be devastated by the losses that occurred. The death toll was low, which was miraculous, but he seriously doubted Harry would see it that way.

A noise at the hospital wing doors made him look up. His friends had been sneaking down to see him ever since they had been released.

After leaning back in his chair, he pretended to be asleep as Ron and Hermione entered the hospital wing.

"He still looks so pale," Hermione whispered.

"Why hasn't he woken up yet?"

"Madam Pomphrey explained it to us yesterday. Now be quiet before Professor Lupin wakes up and kicks us out."

Ron made a face at Hermione, but nodded.

Harry groaned softly. His body felt like it had been running a marathon. He ached in places he hadn't even been aware existed.

"Harry?" asked Ron's voice, which was softly spoken.

He slowly opened his eyes, raising his hands to wipe the grit out of them, only to find that hurt too. He hissed in displeasure at the discovery.

"Oww..."

"Shh. I'm not supposed to be down here."

"We're not supposed to be down here," chimed in Hermione.

That was when he realized he was the hospital wing - again.

"Why am I in the ...?" He trailed off. He had finally taken in the sight of his best friends. They were covered in bruises and Hermione's arm was in a sling.

It all came back to him then. The battle with Voldemort in Hogsmeade had evidently not been a nightmare as he had hoped.

"What do you remember?" asked Hermione gently.

Harry glanced around the room as he tried to remember what all had happened. To his confusion, Snape wasn't in the chair next to his bed asleep. Remus was.

So where was Snape?

"How is everyone? How is Susan?"

"Susan is all right."

Harry felt his heartbeat quicken. She hadn't answered his first question.

"Tell me," he demanded, his voice slightly louder than he meant it to be.

A noise came from Remus as he slept.

"We have to go, Harry. We'll be back later this morning," said Ron, quickly.

To his frustration, his two best friends practically ran out of the infirmary.

He could feel the panic settling into his body. Did someone die? Was that the reason Snape wasn't at his bedside? Had Voldemort, or someone else for that matter, killed him?

His vison started to dim as his breathing became more ragged.

The last thing he heard was he muffled voice of Remus as the man took him into his arms.

Harry felt arms surrounding him as he laid in the hospital bed. He had just woken up again. He figured it was Remus comforting him from the panic attack he had earlier.

He then remembered why he'd had the panic attack. Before he could control it, his breathing increased again.

It hurt something fierce to know that Snape was dead. He'd rather be possessed by Voldemort again than live with that knowledge. It seemed to be his fate to never have a family.

"Shh ... Harry, calm down. I've got you."

He pushed his head harder into Remus' chest.

Except.

That wasn't Remus' voice.

His eyes opened as he pulled back to see who was holding him.

He nearly melted in relief to see Snape's dark eyes looking back into his.

"I thought you were dead," he muttered as he buried himself back into Snape's chest. He didn't care how old he was or what the others might think if they saw him, he felt safe there.

"I nearly was, but you saved me, again. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke earlier. Lupin said Weasley and Granger upset you."

"Where were you?" he demanded.

"I was in my lab, brewing potions. I had asked Lupin to sit with you while I done so. I knew that we did not have enough healing potions in stock."

Harry pulled back and went to rub his eyes. Again, he hissed in pain. "What happened? Who's dead?"

Snape sighed. "Madam Hooch was killed plus four of the Auror's."

"No ..."

"They were the only deaths, though many were seriously injured. We had to send the Weasley twins to St. Mungos, but I've been informed they are going to be fine. They should be returning to school on Wednesday."

"How did Madam Hooch die?" he asked, hoping his grief wasn't written all over his face.

"She died defending a group of seventh years and a shopkeeper."

Harry heard the disgust in Snape's voice. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired."

"Are you angry she was defending someone?"

"No. I'm angry because they were old enough to cast spells of their own, yet you and your friends were the only students that fought."

"Most people panic when they see Death Eaters," Harry said softly, recalling the World Cup incident, "but I imagine actually seeing Voldemort made them simply freeze."

"And you're not 'most people'?"

Harry saw some kind of unexplainable glint in the man's eyes. "Not according to ... well ... everyone." He allowed himself a sad smile then recalled something else Snape had said. "You said I saved you? How?"

"Do you remember being possessed?"

He nodded. He doubted he would ever forget that.

"When the Dark Lord left your body, he shot the killing curse at me. You were practically unconscious yet your body let loose some kind of magic that literally knocked me off my feet. The curse missed me by two inches."

Harry searched his memory, looking for the event. He frowned as he focused harder. He remembered the possession, remembered Dumbledore telling him that it wasn't how he and Tom were alike but how they were not, and remembered Snape telling him to occlude and shove. Another minute had passed before he finally remembered pushing Voldemort out of his body.

"Harry?" Snape said, softly.

He held up a finger. It was like the memory was on the tip of his tongue.

"Harry, what are you thinking of?"

"I'm trying to remember, but the last thing I remember is pushing him out of my body."

"You need to rest some more. You drained your magical core severely, plus you lost a lot of blood. If you cannot remember when you wake, then I will get Albus' pensieve and show you my memory of the event."

"Will you stay?" he asked with a slight hesitation in his voice.

He saw Snape nod. "I won't leave you, again."

With that promise, he settled down and drifted back into an uneasy sleep.

Severus was fighting back some strong emotions.

When Remus had told him about Harry's reaction earlier, he had been in partial denial. He just couldn't imagine that Harry would be concerned over his well being. After all, the boy had, yet again, saved his life. Surely he knew that he was fine.

But Remus said that after his panic attack, Harry had called out for him several times in his sleep. When Severus heard Harry cry out 'Snape', something in his heart tugged and he had immediately pulled him into his arms.

His conversation with Harry had been enlightening. Harry truly could not remember what happened. He made a mental note to strangle Weasley and Granger for not explaining who had died to the boy.

But then he paused. No. He couldn't punish them for that. They plus Longbottom, the other three Weasleys, Susan Bones, and Luna Lovegood had been the only students he'd seen fighting. Everyone else, including the adults, had fled. Well, except for Tonks and the other Auror, a man named Thistlewood. They had also fought.

Tonks had told him and Albus everything that had happened once all the wounded had been delivered to the infirmary.

"We heard Harry yell for everyone to take cover but before we could react, we found ourselves tied up. I watched in mere fascination as Harry taunted Voldemort from various places around the village. When he had finally shown himself, he had sheer determination in his eyes. It was actually very inspiring. Had I not been tied up, I'd have found myself defending him, regardless of the fact that was my job."

"How did you escape?" asked Albus.

"Harry," the Auror said with a slight smirk, which then faded. "He conjured a dust storm. Before anyone could do anything, I felt myself being apparated away. He saved me and Thistlewood. And, of course, before we could stop him from going back into the battle, he apparated away again."

Severus shook his head. He was going to have a serious talk with Harry about this Gryffindor hero complex.

"And have you learned where the Auror Corps was during the fight?"

To his surprise, Tonks looked utterly disgusted. The Auror's had apparated into Hogsmeade twenty minutes after the Dark Lord had left.

"Scrimgeour heard of the battle and sealed the Floo network, claiming it was a ploy by the Headmaster to steal more of his Aurors. The Aurors didn't care, especially since most have children that attend Hogwarts, and tried leaving via other ways, but the Minister shut those down as well. Finally, Madam Bones defied Scrimgeour and reopened the floo network herself."

Severus only shook his head. He couldn't wait until that man was out of office. The deaths that occurred could be placed squarely on the Minister's head, not that they would be, of course.

"How are you feeling, Severus?"

He looked up at the Headmaster. "Tired mostly. Did you need something?" He thought the man looked exhausted. With proof that Voldemort was back, the Headmaster was nearly assaulted by hundreds of owls each day.

"Not precisely. I came to see how you two were fairing. Are his injuries gone?"

Severus nodded. "He's still sore from the combined blood loss and the magical exhaustion but he should be out of here tomorrow." The scar on his back is something that Severus doubted he'd ever forgive himself for causing.

"I figured. We're going to have Madam Hooch's memorial tomorrow. Afterwards, I'd like for you and Harry to join me in my office. I've put it off for too long. I need to disclose the prophecy to the both of you."

"Harry doesn't -"

"Yes, he does, Severus. I've kept this from you both for too long."

He simply nodded and watched the Headmaster leave the hospital wing.

Harry was in a somber mood on Tuesday morning. He was currently sitting with Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Susan as the service for Madam Hooch ended.

Susan had come to see him last night in the infirmary.

"It's too dangerous," protested Harry.

"Hermione said you'd say that. I don't care, Harry. Before the attack happened, I was having a good time. I enjoy spending time with you."

"But I'm worried for your safety."

"Give me a little credit. I can defend myself. The only reason I was knocked out is because I wasn't counting on the fountain exploding. A piece of that is what knocked me unconscious."

Harry glared at her and nearly laughed as she glared back. "It's in my nature to protect first and ask questions later," he finally admitted.

"And I doubt I'd like you as much if you were any different."

He simply rolled his eyes at her.

All during the service, she had held his hand, offering silent support and he had very much appreciated it.

"Harry?"

He looked up to see Snape approaching the aisle where he had been seated. "Yeah?"

"We have an appointment in an hour to see the Headmaster."

"For what?"

"He wants to discuss something with us. Be at the gargoyle by then and we can go up together."

"Okay."

"C'mon mate, some fresh air will help," whispered Ron.

He nodded and they started walking toward the Great Hall doors when a third year Slytherin came up to him. He vaguely remembered throwing himself in front of a stray curse that, had it hit, would have knocked most of them out.

"Harry?" squeaked out the third year.

He stopped and turned around. "Yes?"

"I ... just wanted to ... well ... you know ... thank you for protecting us this past Saturday."

Harry was slightly flustered. "Anyone would have done it."

"Not for us," replied a girl beside of the boy who had spoke.

"Then they would have been in the wrong. During the attack I saw two kinds of people. The bad guys and the innocent. I didn't see Houses. I'm just glad you all are okay." He then turned and walked outside with the rest of his friends.

He'd never been able to handle gratitude very well, and it was no doubt evident across his face because he could practically feel the heat coming from it.

He and his friends gathered near the Black Lake and for the next hour or so, shared their memories of Madam Hooch with each other.

Harry then had Hermione cast the tempus charm to see what time it was. To his surprise, almost two hours had passed since the service ended. He immediately jumped up. "Sorry guys. I'm late. I'll catch up with you later."

He then walked as fast as his body allowed toward the Headmaster's office.

The gargoyle simply jumped out of his way upon seeing him, which when he thought about it later, he found to be very odd.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," he said as he pushed open the Headmaster's office door.

"It's all right, Harry. I realize this has been a tough few days," Dumbledore replied, softly.

He then eyed Snape.

"I'm not angry," the man said.

He let out a breath of relief he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He then took the seat next to Snape.

"Your father tells me you're still having trouble remembering how you saved him."

Harry flushed. "Yes, sir. It's like it's on the tip of my tongue, so to speak."

Dumbledore produced his pensieve and put a memory into it. "I think you should see it from my point of view." He then tapped the side of the object, which made the memory play out above it.

Harry watched in morbid fascination as he twisted on the ground. He could hear Snape and Dumbledore both trying to talk him into pushing Voldemort out, which he suddenly did.

He then watched in horror as Voldemort sent the Killing Curse straight at Snape and vanished.

Harry blinked unbelievingly as he suddenly (and very calmly) sat straight up, put his hands together - palms out, and simply shoved - though he didn't physically touch anyone. The result ended up with Snape being knocked backwards, the curse flying over Snapes' head (indeed missing him by only two inches), hitting a building, and himself passing completely out.

"I did wandless magic?" he asked in sheer disbelief.

"An impressive feat of it, too. Have you ever done it before?"

"Once. Last year. I summoned my glasses to me one morning while I was half asleep. I hadn't realized what I had done until half an hour later."

"That reminds me. We need to take you to Ollivanders to procure a new wand for you."

"Was my old one found?"

"I'm sorry, Harry. It appears that Tom took it."

"I imagine Voldemort will be watching Ollivanders because he knows I'm going to have to get a new wand."

"When we go, I plan on having the entire Order present. You need not worry about your safety."

Harry made a face. "It's not my safety I'm concerned with." He opened his mouth to say something else then briefly closed it when he felt a whisper of a voice go through his ears. He looked around but didn't see anyone. It did it again.

"Harry?" Dumbledore asked, no doubt confused by his odd behavior.

Snape was also watching him, a perplexed look on his face.

He frowned again before a wave of recognition passed through him as to what he was hearing. "Do you think Ollivander would like basilisk wand core ingredients?"

Snape's eyes widened. "Surely it's decayed beyond use by now."

He shook his head. "The castle is preserving it. I figure you could get potion ingredients, too."

"Is it big enough to be harvested for both wand and potion ingredients?"

Harry snorted. "Oh yeah. I don't see why we couldn't go down after we're done here."

Albus nodded. He was curious about this basilisk, but first, he needed to share the prophecy. It could not be put off any longer. He had allowed Harry the sidetrack but it was time to get to business.

"We will head down afterwards, but first, I need to tell you both the prophecy."

He saw Harry sit up straighter. Severus, he saw, frowned at his son.

He then pulled the memory of the event from his head and placed it in the pensieve and with a sigh, tapped the side of the object.

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..."

He sighed again as he watched the pensieve return to normal since the scene had finished playing out. He then looked up into the eyes of father and son.

Albus found that he wasn't surprised by Severus' reaction. The man had panic written all over his face.

Harry's reaction, however, had him more than a little concerned. The boy had gone pale, then simply nodded as if this revelation didn't surprise him in the least.

Severus could feel the blood drain out of his face as he digested the prophecy. When he had told what he heard to the Dark Lord, he had essentially condemned his own son to death.

"Harry?"

Albus' voice startled him slightly.

"What are you thinking?"

He let his eyes drift over to his son. What he saw in the boys' eyes alarmed him.

It was acceptance. Not denial. Not even anger. Only acceptance.

"That means that one of us will eventually kill the other, right? That he won't truly be gone unless I'm the one that kills him?"

His gaze drifted back to the Headmaster.

"It does, indeed."

To his horror, Harry nodded. "I figured as much. So, are we ready to head to the Chamber?"

"Wait. I want to discuss this," demanded Severus, after finding his voice.

"He's right, Harry. We should talk about this, at least a little."

He saw Harry frown then give a resigned sigh. "Can you play it one more time?"

Albus touched the side of his pensieve, which caused Trelawney to rise and start speaking again.

"What is this power I have that he doesn't? And what is this about him marking me as his equal? I'm no where near as powerful as Voldemort."

Severus eyed his son incredulously.

"Harry, how did you manage to push him from your body?"

"Err ... by doing what Professor Snape said - occluding and shoving."

"And what memory did you pull to the front of your mind that allowed you to do so?"

He saw Harry flush slightly. "I used the memory of when I was given my own room. I used how that made me feel."

Severus looked away. That should have made him feel good that he was able to offer something so simple it had allowed Harry to reign in enough emotion to push the Dark Lord from his body. But it didn't. It made him want to kill the Dursley's for offering Harry so little in life that, while he should have had a ton of memories to choose from, he didn't.

"And do you remember what you said to him?" pressed Albus.

He saw Harry close his eyes to remember. "That I felt sorry for him. That he'd never know love or friendship."

"That's exactly right. It was the emotion of love that pushed him out of your body. I told you once before that emotion is something Tom cannot stand to feel. That is why your mother's protection was so valuable to you."

Severus scoffed. "Seriously, Albus? Love? That must be the Gryffindor in you talking. What is he supposed to do? Kiss the Dark Lord to death?"

The portrait of Phineas Black snickered, which got an annoyed glare sent his way.

"Honestly, Severus. I don't know what I'm going to do with you. No, Harry is not going to kiss Tom to death, although, it probably would give him a heart attack."

"He's not the only one, sir," Harry said with a slightly green tint to his skin. No doubt the thought of kissing someone who highly resembled a snake was no where near appealing.

"As I was saying," Albus said with a pointed glare, "it was the emotion behind the memory that protected you. It was the emotion of your mother's love that protected you. And it will be the emotion behind the spell you cast at Voldemort that will eventually kill him."

Severus desperately wanted to roll his eyes. The Killing Curse could only be cast if a person feels an intense hatred. Was the Headmaster honestly suggesting it could be cast with an intense feeling of love as well?

Harry sighed again. "I won't cast the Killing Curse. I don't believe I have enough power to cast it."

"No," said Albus. "I don't want you casting that curse. It can cause your soul irreparable harm."

"Then I don't know how to kill him."

"In time, my boy, it will be revealed to you exactly how you will defeat him."

Severus frowned at the Headmaster. The man wasn't helping any at all. He then looked over at Harry.

"And my other question? How could he mark me as his equal? I'm no where near as powerful as he is."

"Honestly, Potter. You just stood toe to toe with the Dark Lord on your own."

"I thought so, until I saw the Headmaster duel with him. I can't duel like that. Besides, I kept getting weaker because I'm not used to putting my full power behind every spell I cast."

"Harry, starting on the 9th, I will begin teaching you elemental magic. You clearly know some, but I will teach you how to use what you know and develop it into even more."

"Really?"

The Headmaster nodded. "As for your question, he marked you as his equal the night he gave you that scar. There ... was another boy that could have been the one the prophecy spoke of."

"Neville!" blurted out Harry, wide eyed.

Albus nodded. "Yes. His parents had also defied Voldemort and his followers three times and he was born at the end of July as well."

"But I'm the one it's about since he marked me, aren't I?"

Severus thought his son sounded ... sad and determined all at the same time.

"It is. Had he heard the full thing, he most likely would have waited to see who would become the weaker wizard, but he never really had a lot of patience."

"Neville's not weak!" Harry said, hotly.

"I never said he was," pointed out the Headmaster.

"That reminds me," interjected Severus, "Longbottom seems to have an issue with his wand. Either that, or he truly cannot hold a shield."

Harry frowned. "Would the fact that it's his dad's wand make a difference?"

The Headmaster's eyes widened. "He didn't have a wand choose him?"

Harry shook his head. "His grandmother gave him his dad's wand to use. He told me that it was her hope that he would live up to his dad's legacy."

Severus merely groaned. Augustus very well could have caused her grandson's death this past weekend because the wand he had been using wasn't his. It actually was a testament of Longbottom's strength that he had done as well as he had.

"I'll go and talk to her this evening. Mr. Longbottom needs his own wand. Don't mention anything to him, Harry. If I can convince her to take him to get his own wand, we'll take him with us tomorrow when we take you to get yours."

Harry nodded.

"Any other question's?" the Headmaster asked Harry.

Severus watched his son think for a second then nod, slightly hesitant.

"When he ... marked me, did he mark me as his equal by giving me a power boost?"

Severus watched the Headmaster close down his expressions a little. He had been around the older man long enough to recognize the signs. That, more than anything, caused his heart beat to quicken.

"I do believe that he transferred some of his powers to you. I'm sure you remember in your second year when I explained that was where you got your parseltongue ability from. As for him transferring actual power to you, no, I do not believe he did. The power that you wield was given to you by your mother and father."

He saw his son give him a wide-eyed look, but eventually nod. He was going to have to corner Albus later to find out why the man had shut down somewhat. Clearly everything was not being explained.

"What about the part that said that neither can live while the other survives?" questioned Severus, out loud.

To his surprise, Harry answered him.

"Would you consider what I'm doing now living? Or surviving? While he's alive, I won't have a normal life. Heck, I doubt after he's dead, assuming I'm still alive, I'll have a normal life, but at least it'll be somewhat calmer."

"He's right, Severus. Right now Harry is merely surviving. He won't be free to live his life until Voldemort is gone for good."

Severus scowled at the response.

"Now, any other questions? If not, we can head down to see your basilisk."

Clearly showing the snake off meant more to Harry than the prophecy did because his sons' eyes lit up.

"We'll need a broom for each of us."

Severus raised an eyebrow but stood nonetheless. They would summon brooms when they got to the entrance.

Harry was walking down to the second floor girls bathroom, lost in thought. He knew Snape and Dumbledore were behind him because they were talking quietly.

So his life had to either include or end in murder. He should have known it'd come down to that. When has his life ever been his own?

He also knew that the Headmaster was holding out on him. He had seen the subtle play of emotions on the man's face when he had asked the power question. But what was he holding out?

As for Neville and his wand, he had wondered, ever since his friend had explained it was his dad's wand to him in their second year, if that was why he had trouble with some of his spell work. At the time he had thought maybe it was some custom to hand down the wand from father to son, but he eventually coaxed it out of Neville that it was his grandmother's hope that he would be worthy of using his father's wand. He hadn't thought it right when he said that, but held his tongue because he figured that, once again, he was missing some type of knowledge in the Wizarding world.

He desperately hoped Neville's grandmother would let him get his own wand.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he went to automatically push the girls bathroom door open - except he found himself being pulled back by both Snape and Dumbledore.

"Potter, there could be someone in there."

He snickered at Snape. "There won't be. It's Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. No one ever goes in there." Before either could protest again, he pulled from their grasp and entered the bathroom.

"Hello, Harry."

"Hi, Myrtle. Anyone else in here?" he asked for the benefit of the two adults behind him.

"No. Only you and Luna come to visit me."

"I'm sorry I can't talk today. I'm taking the Headmaster and Professor Snape down to see the Chamber."

She sniffed. "Have fun."

"Come here often, my boy?" questioned Dumbledore. His voice held a bit of amusement in it.

"Not lately," he snickered. He then turned to face the sink. "Open," he hissed in parseltongue.

Snape and Dumbledore watched in morbid fascination as the sink formed itself into a tunnel. By the time it was done, the summoned brooms had arrived and had been passed out.

"It's a little dusty and we might have to make a bigger hole around the cave-in." Having said that, Harry flew down the pipe.

Albus watched in quite a bit of interest as Harry opened door after door. It was when they came upon the shed snake skin that he felt his breath leave him.

"I thought you said the castle was preserving the snake," said Severus. He could hear the frown in his voice.

Harry laughed. "It is. That's just a snake skin. The actual snake is in the Chamber."

"Albus, that skin's at least forty feet long," hissed the man in alarm.

He nodded as he stepped over it.

They finally arrived at a door with a snake inlay. When it opened, he merely stood there gazing at the sight in front of him.

He was in complete and absolute shock.

If he'd have glanced at Severus, he would have seen the mans expression mirroring his own.

Harry turned around. "Uh, are you two coming in? It's dead. I promise."

Albus blinked slowly and began moving to the beast. It was easily sixty feet long. "There is no way you should have survived a bite from something that large," he whispered.

"Of course not. Merlin forbid I be a normal kid," scoffed Harry. "So, do you think there's enough here for potion and wand ingredients?"

Albus eyed Harry. The boy had a smirk on his face. He then turned around to look at Severus. The potions' master still hadn't moved from the entrance.

"Severus. Severus!"

"Yes, Headmaster?"

"Come down here."

He watched as the man inconspicuously shook his head before crossing the room.

"Don't touch it!"

Albus whipped his head around to see Harry poking the snake.

"It's not hurting me. I guess after it bit me, I became immune to its blood."

"Perhaps it'd be best not to push your luck," chimed in Albus. He could see Severus twitching to pull his son away from the creature.

"I'm not sure what Ollivander would want harvested and how. Perhaps when we return to my quarters we can send him a letter and he could send an elf to harvest a few things."

"Works for me," Harry said as he shrugged his shoulders.

While Severus summoned a couple elves to discuss how to harvest certain ingredients, Albus walked over to Harry, who had sat down near the pool of water beneath the statue.

"Did they help," he whispered?

"They did. The change in the air that I felt was them doing something to buy me time so that Fawkes tears would work."

"I am sorry, Harry. I truly did not realize that such a beast existed in Hogwarts."

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

"Because you should have never had to face something like that."

Harry shrugged. "It's, apparently, what I do. Besides, I saved Ginny's life. That was worth more than anything. And honestly, if it meant saving someone all over again, I'd not even hesitate."

"And that, my dear brave young man, is what sets' you apart from Voldemort."

Harry looked up into his eyes and smiled.

A/N: Anyone else notice that Harry has no problem facing down evil Dark Lords, but when it comes to girls, they boss him around a lot? LOL

Anyway, this was originally two chapters, but I felt bad for how long its taken me to post it, so I combined them. I'm sure there are probably a couple mistakes and I tried to catch them all. (I'm still editing on my computer, blech.) Anyway, I think I went through five or six editing spree's before I caught that each time I had the word Voldemort, I had the word the in front of it, so he was constantly the Voldemort. Needless to say, that was not a pleasant find. lol

The reason Harry still calls Snape uh ... Snape is because it hasn't dawned on him yet to call him anything else. Even in his subconscious he calls him Snape.

Extra cookie for those that guess what causes Harry to mention the basilisk. ;)

Not sure when the next chapter will be up. When I combined these two, it messed with a couple of things in it. I'm hoping within a week. At least that's what I'm aiming for. Anywho, my birthday is Sunday, so I'm not sure how much I'll get written/typed this weekend. Depends on if my family remembers it this year. *glares at family*

I also want to thank everyone that's been leaving reviews. And a general thank you for everyone that's been keeping up with the story for as long as it's turning out to be. LOL :)

*leaves snacks and flees before can be caught*