Disclaimer: The characters and settings, including any sentences taken directly or partly from the books or movies, of Harry Potter are the property of J. K. Rowling, Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing, AOL Time Link and Warner Brothers. I do not make money from publishing my story.

"Thank you for bringing them here, Kingsley", the Headmaster of Hogwarts stated. While, not as clear of a dismissal as Voldemort's usually were, it seemed as if the message was clear for Kingsley who bid the Headmaster farewell and left via the Floo.

"I am so glad you decided to visit me, Severus, Harry. May I offer you some tea?", Dumbledore stated, the ever-present twinkle in his eyes and sitting upon the chair behind his desk. The portraits in the office decided to share in the conversation and were eagerly trying to get the best view.

"Yet, here I was under the impression, we were here on your invitation, Headmaster", Severus said, casually while emphasising that they were dragged here somewhat against their will. After which both Severus and Harry declined the Headmaster's offer of tea, saying that their previous cup of tea with the twins was just forcefully interrupted.

"Very true, Severus, and I am very sorry after all to share a cup of tea between friends is truly one of the greatest delights. I was quite surprised though to find you, and young Harry too, available at such short notice", the Headmaster stated while smiling," especially considering Harry had worked himself into quite the predicament last time we spoke."

"A predicament, Headmaster, that you caused by dangling one of his prized possessions in front of His face. You might as well have handed him the victory! Just because, I don't agree with your methods Headmaster, it doesn't mean I agree with his. Next time you decide on such a tactic, please put yourself in the crossfire and not me!", Harry stated, ignoring the small detail of the truce he had with the Dark Lord. For just a moment Dumbledore had looked disappointed in his young student, but the look was gone just as quick as it had come.

"That is quite enough, Harry", Severus stated forcefully. Even though he fully agreed with his companion, they should also consider that they were about to ask the Headmaster, what many would consider to be a favour. "We didn't come here to make accusations, we came here to make a deal."

"Ah Severus. And what kind of deal would you propose?", Dumbledore stated, switching his attention to the younger of the two now.

Harry carefully reached underneath his shirt and grabbed the locket hanging from his neck, revealing it to the man. While unseen all three men, Harry could feel the powerful object pulsing under his touch, sending tingles through his fingers up his arm.

Harry had been keeping the locket under his shirt even since he had obtained it and had caused a soothing tingling feeling against his chest ever since. While his own spell had been quite powerful the pulsing magic had increased exponentially after the Dark Lord had cast his own spells to protect it.

"I'll be up front with you Headmaster", Harry started, knowing he had Dumbledore's full attention, "I want to return to Hogwarts to finish my education. I also want Severus to return as well, seeing as he's likely to be a target for Voldemort now. In return, you will have me and maybe more importantly this Horcrux right under your nose."

"As an official student of Hogwarts I am obliged to allow you to return as long as I judge you to be no danger to Hogwarts' student body", Dumbledore agreed, before continuing. "Though with all staff positions fulfilled I am afraid, I cannot allow Severus to return to his former post."

"As I heard it Headmaster, that was not what Mr Potter was suggesting", Severus stated as small smirk forming on his usually stoic face.

"Professor, I think Hogwarts would benefit from a qualified Potions Master who has loads of time to experiment on more potent potions and would be capable of supplying them and others to the Hospital Wing", Harry said.

"True, but Hogwarts cannot employ extra staff without the approval of the Board of Governors", the Headmaster argued.

"I never said I expected to be paid Headmaster", Severus continued, "I could just be an academic visitor, who's research is sponsored by the school. Surely, there is some funding left seeing as very few students have studied under the professors to attain a Mastery as of late."

It was true that funding was not a problem and the Headmaster had no legitimate reason to keep Severus from coming back especially since it was likely to keep Harry from returning as well. Dumbledore was left with a difficult choice, but at least with Harry here it would seem as if he had regained some control. At least in the eyes of the public.

THE SAVIOUR FOUND AND ATTENDING HOGWARTS

Harry Potter was spotted in Diagon Alley as reported earlier this week. Now sources have confirmed that he and his companion Severus Snape, former Professor at Hogwarts, were on their way to a meeting with Headmaster Dumbledore to discuss the attendance of the Saviour at Hogwarts after his alleged kidnapping earlier this season. The students of Hogwarts were elated to welcome back their classmate, but were surprised to discover the return of Severus Snape. The man who had allegedly kidnapped Mr Potter…..

Hermione and Ron had been over the moon to discover that Harry was returning to Hogwarts and although his meeting with Dumbledore was to be a secret, somehow his friends had been waiting for him outside the office. Severus had offered to pick up their belongings, so that Harry could spend some time with his friends, which he was very grateful for.

"We were so worried about you!", Hermione exclaimed, before running in for a hug, "are you all right? What happened?"

"Give the man some space, 'Mione", Ron butted in quickly, giving Harry as smile, "I'm sure that after so much time with Snape, he'd prefer not to feel locked up. Let's move this to the Tower."

The big hug from Hermione quickly lifted his spirits after the big pressure of the meeting. Even though he had had a face full of bushy hair, he had smiled broadly. Ron too had given him a brotherly hug and the three of them were soon of to the Gryffindor Tower.

A lot of the Gryffindor students were awed at his return and many were surrounding the trio to get more information on where he had been and why he was returning only now. They were so enthusiastic that Hermione decided they should relocate to somewhere more quite, namely the Room of Requirement.

It had taken Harry the whole afternoon to explain what happened since summer, including that he was a Horcrux, that Snape had protected him and that Dumbledore had cursed him. Though it was difficult for Ron and Hermione to be believe that Dumbledore had done that, they were far too interested to interrupt and argue about it. Harry was quite surprised that Ron had remained from saying anything bad about Severus at all, but maybe Hermione had warned him against it.

Of course by dinner time, the whole school had found out that Harry Potter had returned, meaning that when they went to sit down in the Great Hall, they were again ambushed people all dying to hear Harry's part of the story. Harry was very grateful when Dumbledore stood up and demanded all attention and the sound of students talking slowly died out. In the newfound silence he was able to concentrate on the head table and found Severus sitting there, though not at his usual place, which was now occupied by an elderly, bald and overweight man, but at one of seats near the end next to Poppy Pomfrey.

"Good evening to you all", the Headmaster started, "As you are all probably aware, Mr Potter has returned to Hogwarts in good health to continue his education. In addition, we can greet another familiar face, though in a new position. We welcome back, Severus Snape as Potions Master and academic visitor. Let us give them some time to settle in again."

After the applause had died out the food had appeared on the tables. The students took to gossiping in between their bites, but otherwise they left Harry and his friends alone.

The same was true for the next couple of days. While no one had dared to confront Harry about what happened directly, well aside from his roommates, behind his back the rumour mill had started. Harry tried not to let it distract him too much, since he had quite some catching up to do.

Despite having missed several weeks of classes, Harry found that Severus had done a good job to keep him on track. He had hardly fell behind in most of the practical work. However, there were some mandatory essays he still had to hand in.

Hermione had been a great help in getting him started with the right books, so he didn't have to look through most of the useless ones. Though she had insisted she wasn't going to do all of the work for him. Which was fine by Harry, seeing as he had gained some studying skills while with Severus.

In addition, he had continued to see Severus outside of class. Most of these visits had Harry studying Ancient Runes, while Severus was browsing through a different book. Due to the gap between his year-mates and himself, Harry wouldn't be able to take the Ancient Runes class and the third-year Runes class didn't fit his schedule. Therefore, Harry was forced to study it on his own, though Severus was willing to help him along.

Ever since Harry had discovered his knack for warding, he had been interested in more complicated forms of protection spells and charms. However, he had quickly found that most complex wards required runic symbols to be weaved through. So, that was why he was currently questioning Severus about the use of Eihwaz in his runic circle.

"Eihwaz is a good rune to have in the circle, but it will require a balance", Severus said, moving his attention from his book to his student. Harry was sitting on the floor leaning his back against one of the two armchairs near the fire, while Severus occupied the other.

"With only Eihwaz in the circle, it will be brittle, like glass, while strong a greater force may break it quite easily. I would suggest combining it with Raidho, for movement, to induce a fluid but strong defence, maybe in combination with Laguz to help cloud the inside of the circle as well."

Harry noted it all down, before standing up and stepping over to Severus. "Here, this is what I have so far", Harry said, while sitting himself down on the armrest of Severus' chair and showing the man his drawing.

AUTHOR: I thank you all for your patience, since I am not the most reliable author when it comes to updating. I just want to say, that I appreciate all the kind reviews I receive and all comments that help me keep motivated. Thanks again!