Wanting Something More

Chapter Twenty-One: Wanting Preparations

Snape strode back into the room to the sight of Harry and Brittany curled up together. Dobby followed quietly carrying a bag filled with her clothes and necessities. He stopped for a moment and observed the pair. Harry held the auburn haired female so tenderly, he felt reminded of the night he found Lily. The rage Harry displayed was not unlike his own. Snape shook off the feelings of sympathy, they had much to do.

"Potter." He spoke softly as to avoid waking the injured female. "I've brought the elf and her things. We must hurry." He walked briskly towards the potions Madame Pomfrey had set into a small crate. "Gather Miss Zabini and grab a hold of me." He looked directly into Madame Pomfrey's eyes. "You tell no one what happened here tonight Poppy."

"I have no idea what happened." Madame Pomfrey replied while turning to return to her office. "No one came in all night. I was in my office the whole night."

Snape nodded his head and watched as Harry picked up his precious cargo with a gentleness he had never seen from the boy. "Do not let go."

"Never." Harry responded, his lips moved over the top of her head. Harry turned his gaze to Snape and the ferocity in those green eyes startled him for a moment.

Dobby grabbed a hold of Harry's Cloak. "Dobby will make sure Harry Potter, and Miss Brittany arrive safely if anything happens sir."

Snape nodded his head in acknowledgment. His greasy black hair fell in front of his eyes and he blew it back into place. He took a deep breath and they had Apparated off Hogwarts grounds. The two males wobbled a bit as they landed. Snape took a moment to check over everyone. His sharp eyes caught Harry's lips moving next to Brittany's ear. He could not hear, but assumed he was reassuring himself, and possibly her subconscious that she was now safe.

"This will be a longer jump, so do not let go Mr. Potter." He snapped, wanting to make sure the boy was focused on the Apparation. Harry could worry about Brittany's sate when they arrived.

Once more they apparated, and arrived safely in front of the buildings that hid the location of Grimwauld Place. After a moment, and making sure no muggle could see them he motioned to Harry to allow them entrance. Once the building appeared Snape strode into the building and glared at the house elf that stood in his way.

"Filthy half-blood. You have no business here!" He growled, shaking a dirty rag at the Headmaster.

"Kreacher, you will not call the Professor that." Harry scolded as he poked his head around the other male's robes.

"Oh, it's you Mr Potter." Kreacher responded. He moved aside and began mumbling to himself.

The two walked into the hall and Dobby called out to him. "It is good to see you again Kreacher. I've come to help Harry Potter and Miss Brittany."

Kreacher turned to look for the third person and found her in the arms of his mast and it appeared as those she was healing, she was still coated in blood. He moved over towards her and looked up at his master. "What has happened to her?"

"She was attacked by Malfoy. He wishes to take her from me, she resisted. She is no longer safe anywhere else. You and Dobby must watch over her and keep her company. I will not be back until this war is over. If I call for Dobby, you must make sure she is safe Kreacher." Harry explained as he began to move up the stairs the two house elves following.

"She is covered in blood." Kreacher pointed to her clothes. "We do not have female clothes for her."

Dobby jumped right in following behind with the bag. "Her friend Miss Scarlett packed her a bag. She asked I come back later and pick up another bag from her room when I go back."

Harry had reached the top of the stairs. He looked at the overall mess of the place and groaned. "Kreacher, you and Dobby should try and clean this house up as best you can while she sleeps. Otherwise do what she asks." He looked at his sleeping female and wants to bang his head on the wall. "Make sure that portrait stays where she is. I do not want her screaming at my future wife. She's going to think I'm a pig."

"I'll tell her the house fell into disrepair due to you're godfather's misjudgment." Kreacher offered.

Harry tensed wanting to defend his godfather. He shook for a moment and held back. Sirius mistreated Kreacher and ever since his birthday he had been living here. He asked Kreacher back and had offered him a few of the useless heirlooms in exchange for his cooperation. It was far better than when he had visited in his fifth year, but the house needed serious improvements.

"Yes, that's fine." Harry moved her into his room and then looked towards the bathroom.

"Dobby thinks Harry Potter should let Miss Brittany sleep. Dobby and Kreacher will help her clean herself up tomorrow." Dobby offered, while holding out the bag. "We should probably get her out of the clothes though."

Harry nodded and laid his love gently on the bed. He sifted though and found some warm pajamas and blushed as he changed her. He left her in her bra and underwear. He took a few minutes to look over her side and glared at the bruise. His fingers brushed gently over the discoloration. He slipped her into her pajamas.

"Dobby please pull back the covers." He asked, his body trembling from rage.

"Of course, sir." Dobby sensed the anger. He saw the state she was in and did not want to set his friend off. He moved quickly and smiled up helpfully. "Should we get her another blanket?"

Harry stared at Brittany, brushing the hair from her face. He slipped her under the covers and tucked her into the bed. He kissed her forehead and sat down next to her. "Kreacher please get some firewood. Dobby go and bring me the Potions Madame Pomfrey packed please."

"Of course." Both elves chorused and popped out and returned half a minute later.

His eyes had yet to leave her face as he continued to stroke her cheek and run his fingers through his hair. Eventually they returned and remained silent. He was torn. She looked so much more fragile in this moment. The dried blood did not help him want to leave.

This was how Snape found him after half an hour. He came into the room after an epiphany. "Potter, that note of yours. R.A.B. The answer was here. It was in plain sight, on that wall. I am some how not surprised you failed to figure it out. You lived here from your birthday to the start of the school year." He paused a few minutes waiting for a reply. Seeing Harry was not cooperating he continued. "It's Regulus Arcturus Black. He had the necklace. It must be here."

Harry turned, almost not caring. "Kreacher, do you know about a necklace."

Kreacher nodded. "Master Regulus took me to a cave and he drank from a pool. He pulled out a necklace and made me leave him. He died there. That filthy Mundungus Fletcher took it when he raided the house before you moved in and gave me the leftover heirlooms.

"That thief!" Dobby exclaimed, before throwing his hands over his mouth. "Sorry."

"Just don't punish yourself, please." Harry begged. "I don't want her to wake up yet, she needs her rest." And if she wakes up while I am still here, I doubt I could ever leave her in this state. He would not let go of her right hand.

"It seems we have a thief to find Mr. Potter." Snape replied. "It's seems our coming here was fortuitous."

"Just, please give me a few minutes to say goodbye. I intend to come back to her, I have no intentions of dying. I just need this because I can't leave her for Merlin knows how long without something." Harry turned and looked at Snape with a haunted look in his eyes. He turned back to the woman he loved and continued to hold her hand and stroke her cheek.

Snape understood that look. He had seen it in the mirror once before, the night he lost Lily. "Very well, a few minutes. After that I am dragging you out of here. I'm sure if you get too worried you're house elves would gladly give you updates on her condition."

Harry nodded, not looking at the elder male. "Wait for a few minutes just outside the door please." He asked the elves. When the door closed he leaned over onto Brittany's right side and felt tears stream down his face. "I'm not going to fail you again. You've got to stop putting yourself in danger to help others though. Same could be said to me. I love you, but we are having a serious discussion about you becoming an Auror. I'd much prefer you work at the Ministry at a Desk, safe. When this is all over you and I need to protect you from the danger you attract."

The shaking would not stop, nor the tears. "This is only goodbye for now. I'm going to come get you the moment I can. If you ever put yourself in danger like this again though you're going to kill me." He chuckled a little. "Voldemort should just wait, you'll give me a heart attack soon enough. Even once he's gone I'm sure you'll always need me to save you. Let's just make sure next time it's not as severe."

His looked towards the fireplace and remembered the first real night they spent together. She really did always have a fire going in her rooms. Her brother was right, she and fire just mixed. He wordlessly sent a small shot of fire at the fireplace and it roared to life. He turned back to his live and in the dim firelight she was still the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. He placed one long kiss on her lips and left the room.

"Keep that fire going, and if she wakes or has nightmares, stay up with her. Let her know where she is and that she is safest here." Harry ordered. "I'm leaving her protection to you. Her wand is in her robes. I checked before we left. Keep her safe, and keep her as happy and comfortable as you can."

"Dobby and Kreacher will do our very best." Dobby promised cheerfully. "Don't worry about Miss Brittany, she'll be safe with us."

"Tell her I love her, and make sure you give her anything she wants that you can do." He added. "Let's go Snape, before my better judgment kicks in and I abandon this whole mess."

Snape nodded his head. "We'll make a stop and then we'll be back. Hold on." He noticed Harry's longing look. "She'll be fine Potter, she's a survivor."

"Well, I have to say this is the most disturbing thing I have ever done." Harry commented dryly as he watched the white marble slide across the resting place of his former headmaster.

Snape turned his eyes to the boy turning man and nodded. "Indeed."

"So any particular reason we're opening Professor Dumbledore's coffin?" Harry wondered as he set his eyes on the old man one more time.

"I mentioned them on the walk here. The Deathly Hallows. I told you the story." Snape replied, annoyance lacing his voice.

"Yeah, I listened. What does a children's story have to do with Voldemort?" Harry wondered back turning away from the persevered corpse.

"Everything, because they are in fact real. Dumbledore had been searching for them his whole life. He managed to acquire one. He thought himself to be the one to master death. Later, just before that night," He hesitated a moment, shook himself from memories and continued on. "He realized he was only meant to bring them to you. I've been to Godric's Hollow, where it all began. The cemetery there revealed that you're ancestor on your father's side was related to the youngest son from the story."

"Seriously? Aren't stories supposed to be made up?" Harry looked at his professor as if he had lost his mind.

"Only you good be so foolish. Muggle stories perhaps, but not tales from the Wizarding world. The cloak you use, it is the one from the Story. Dumbledore knew it belonged to you, as did his most prized possession." Snape reached in and pulled out the Elder wand, and pulled out a fake to replace it.

He handed the wand to Harry. "It's yours."

"What, did he will it to me?" He asked, taking the wand and feeling a rush of power flow through him.

"Now, you'll find this particular wand choose it's master a little differently. Whoever bests it's previous master hold's it's allegiance." Snape explained while beginning to close the marble once more.

"I never beat Dumbledore though. You technically killed him." He added. "Even if it was all planned and he was dying anyways." Harry watched as Snape began casting the sealing spells to protect the tomb.

"Come now Potter. You've spent time with Miss Zabini. What else happened that night?" Snape pressed. "Surely some of you're mother's vast intellect is in there somewhere?"

Harry glared at his Professor. "You're always such a prick about these things." Then after a few beats and no response it clicked. "Malfoy disarmed Dumbledore when he got startled. He planned that."

"For certain reasons yes. And you bested Draco just this evening. The ownership of the wand falls to you, as well as the cloak. All that's left is the ring. We also have that." Snape offered.

"Wait, how?"

"It was the horcrux Dumbledore gave his life to destroy."

"If it's destroyed then how can it work?" Harry asked as they stood there together.

"I'm unsure, but Dumbledore had a few theories I'm sure. He left it for you in that Snitch. I also have the true Sword of Godric Gryffindor. It's hidden in the office. It was covered in the venom of the Basilisk. Which if memory serves destroyed Tom Riddle's Diary."

"That's why he left it to me, it can destroy other Horcrux." Harry pieced together.

"Very good Mr. Potter. I dare say Miss Zabini has been a good influence on you're deductive reasoning." He taunted.

"So what do we need to do?" Harry asked eagerly about to head back to the castle.

"Wait, this is not for anyone to hear. We must remain here where it is safe to talk. We are shielded in this one place. No eyes or ears to spy." He warned reaching out to make sure Harry did not leave.

"Alright, so what's the next step?"

"So eager to face death Potter?"

"No, eager to return to the woman I love."

Snape smiled at him. He truly smiled, it only lasted half a moment, but Harry had seen it none the less. "Good. I know that Bellatrix is holding one in her Vault at Gringotts. Fletcher stole another, Nagini is a Horcrux as well, and she is always by Voldemort's side. I feel there is one in this castle but neither myself nor Dumbledore could find it."

"Do you know what it is?"

"Sadly no. I have a suspicion, but am not positive."

"What do you think it is?" Harry pressed.

"Of the items The Dark Lord used, two are known to be items known to be of the original Head of Houses. The Necklace, and the Cup. I suspect it is the Diadem of Ravenclaw. He was never able to get his hands on Godric's sword. I will continue to search for that item here. I will have a few of my contacts locate Fletcher. Once you find him, you Granger and Weasley must go. I would suggest that one first before going to Gringotts, you're going to need a plan for that one."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Yes, break into a Vault at Gringotts."

"Mr. Weasley's elder brother works there. Perhaps he knows how a vault was broken into your first year, even if it had been emptied that day?" He added with a smug grin on his face.

Harry was about to shoot his mouth off back, and stopped. "Fine. Anything else? When you do leave I hope that if you run into trouble you'll apparate to Grimwauld Place. The Burrow is under observation. The wards and protection of your house will protect you far better, especially with someone you love staying there. Love powers protection spells like nothing else." He explained.

"I told her I would not see her until this is done!" Harry shot back. "I might not be able to leave her a second time."

"Then perhaps by then she will be well rested. She is a very capable fighter, so long as Malfoy is not her target. Her wit is invaluable. You may yet need her. I have a feeling by that point war will be coming."

"She's safest there!" Harry shot back.

"It was only a suggestion." Snape offered. "Either way, it is time we return. The next time we speak of this it will be time to leave. You may want to take Granger and Weasley to the room of requirement to explain."

"Let's go then." Harry nodded his head.

"One last thing, best keep that wand secret. Don't use it unless you absolutely must." Snape pressed. "Keep it hidden, only in an extreme case should you use it."

"I understand." Harry nodded. "And thanks, for all you're help."

"You can thank me when this is all over and you can marry Miss Zabini." He taunted. "She really is a good influence on you."

"Yeah, she is. I just hope none of my habits rub off on her."

"Like throwing herself into unnecessary danger? You might be too late." He smirked. "I'm sure you'll keep her safe."

"If something happens to me, and we still win," He was unable to finish.

"I'll keep an eye on her." Snape promises.

"You really loved my mother huh?" Harry pointed out with a lopsided grin.

"Enough of this. Run along Potter I've work to do. We have preparations to finish." Let us hope it will be enough.

Important AN: I have become aware, that while I am slowly regaining a following of this story there are things that need fixing. I started this fan fiction almost eight years ago. Fresh off of Gryffindor Misfit. As that story competed it's run long ago I will not fix it. It is old. While this story started it's roots in an age past, it is continuing now. Honestly, with probably a different direction due o the destruction of several computers. I originally, jokingly blamed it on a curse. Now that aside, I read my stories when my insomnia gets too great to deal with and sometimes it helps. I skip the first chapters from 2008 and read the ones posted from chapter ten onward. They are just better written. So onto the news. Until further notice I am going to be working on the original nine and updating them to the standards of 2016 Mizu Kai, not 2008 Mizu Kai. No major changes, just fleshing bits out and making sure editing is done properly. I will probably do grammatical edits for the rest. Then we will continue on. This story is by no means on hiatus, nor should you worry about my interest. We're into the third and most exciting act, and I want to finish this eight year beast. So wish me all luck and check back. When you see chapter twenty two you may want to reread it if you so desire. Additions will be made but the core story will remain the same. Thank you for your time. I wish you all a fond good, whatever time of day it is and I will see you again soon.

Much Love,

Mizu Kai