Harry enjoyed his first trip to Hogsmead on Halloween. Sirius had signed the permission slip without a problem, so there was no reason for Harry not to go.

Harry realized that with the next full moon approaching, Snape may decide to take revenge on Remus the way he originally did in Harry's dream. This time, there was more of a risk of students figuring out what ails Remus as they already had two years to monitor his sickness. Harry spent hours in the room of requirement trying to come up with a plan. He didn't want Remus to lose his job but couldn't decide of the best way to tame Snape. He finally decided to take the blame for the whole episode even though it wasn't his fault. After all, Remus lost his life for him during the battle at Hogwarts. He also named Harry as Teddy's godfather. He reluctantly knocked on the door to Snape's office.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" Snape spat out.

"I came to apologize, sir," Harry said. "I know I was the one who originally suggested having the boggart wear a dress, and it wasn't appropriate of me. I feel really bad about the embarrassment it caused you."

Snape continued to glare at Harry.

"What good will an apology do?" Snape said.

"I'll accept whatever punishment you feel is appropriate," Harry said.

"Maybe you're not the one I want punished," Snape retorted.

"It was my idea, not Remus's," Harry reminded him.

"So he sent you to argue for him?" hissed Snape.

"He doesn't know I'm here," Harry said.

"If he doesn't care, why do you?" Snape challenged.

"It was my idea originally," Harry said. "Besides, if people find out Remus's secret, he'll be out of a job."

"I already have my lesson prepared for the day I'm subbing for your class," Snape said.

"What's the topic?" Harry asked, knowing the answer.

"Werewolves," Snape said triumphantly. "There's no excuse for third year students not to be able to identify a werewolf when they see one."

"Professor," Harry said, "there's a reason Remus needs to keep his job, and it's not for reasons that you think. It involves the safety of the whole school."

"You're lying," Snape said. "You just don't want to see your father's friend unemployed."

"Do you remember that object you destroyed that summer?" Harry reminded him. "The one that Professor Dumbledore didn't want me to tell you what it was?"

Snape regarded Harry suspiciously.

"Let me first make sure nobody could listen in," Harry said taking out his wand. "Dumbldeore doesn't want anyone to know."

"Come in," Snape finally said. "I'll make sure nobody could hear us."

Harry sat down on a chair opposite Snape's.

"That object was a horcrux," Harry explained. "Voldermort knowingly made five horcruxes. He accidently made a sixth one. Four of the horcruxes were destroyed. One is locked somewhere safe where nobody can access it yet, so there is no need to worry about it possessing anyone. The reason Dumbledore doesn't want anyone to know is because I am the sixth horcrux. He is concerned that you will kill me now that you know, but that is a chance I'm willing to take. I'm working on my occlumency so that Voldermort can't possess me, but it may not be enough. The only teachers who know about it are Dumbledore and Remus. Dumbledore doesn't think I ever will get possessed since the main part of Vodermort's soul was kissed by a dementor, however, if I do get possessed, he would try to isolate me. Knowing my friends, they will try to get through to me anyway. My friends trust Remus so hopefully he will be able to stop them from doing something dangerous. Even if he can't, he's a good defense teacher, so as long as he is here, my friends will learn to defend themselves. If he leaves, there's no way of knowing who our next teacher will be. I can't take responsibility for leading my friends into a trap if I ever do get possessed."

Snape regarded Harry thoughtfully.

"Could your fear of dementors be connected to Voldermort's kiss?" he asked.

"When I see or dream about a dementor, I hear Voldermort killing my mum," answered Harry. "I can't imagine that's what Voldermort went through when surrounded by dementors."

"What you're saying is very interesting," Snape said, "but Remus still needs to learn a lesson. Here I am, making a potion for him every month, and how does he thank me? He humiliates me in front of the whole school. He needs a consequence for his behavior."

"It was my idea," Harry said.

"He still shouldn't have allowed it to happen," complained Snape.

"You're right," Harry said. "Do you want me to beat him up?"

"How's your occlumency coming along?" Snape asked changing the subject.

"I'm working on it," Harry answered.

"Can I see?" Snape asked.

"I prefer not," said Harry.

"Well then," Severus smirked, "you'll have to say goodbye to your favorite werewolf."

Harry looked down and thought for a minute. He knew he could do some occlumency, but he was also scared Snape would push through any blockage he put up. He couldn't let Snape find out about the dream.

"Why does the thought of my testing your occlumency scare you so much?" Snape asked.

Harry was caught. He knew that Snape could be vicious. He had the dream to confirm that, however, he couldn't tell Snape. He also couldn't let Snape know about the dream, which may happen.

"Why do you care what's in my head?" Harry muttered.

"Look at me when you talk to me, Potter," Snape reprimanded, "and address me as Professor or Sir."

Harry did his best to clear his mind before looking up. He was petrified of what would happen and was starting to wonder if it was worth saving Remus's job. He concentrated on closing his mind before looking up.

"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry said.

"I see you have some basic defenses," Snape told him. "If Voldermort would be in full power, he would be able to get right through it, but for a horcrux, it's okay. I'm going to try to push through now."

Harry concentrated on keeping his mind closed. All of a sudden, he saw his cupboard. It was dark, with spiders all over. He saw himself sleeping and realized what was happening. He pushed as hard as he could, but couldn't get Snape out.

"Protego!" he said.

He suddenly saw his mother's face and realized he was in Snape's mind. A younger Snape was apologizing to Lilly. Harry felt himself being thrown out.

"Sorry," he said. "I should have withdrawn on my own. I was happy to see my mother."

Snape glared at Harry.

"Let's try again," he said. "This time, don't do a shield charm."

"If I can't get you out any other way, I won't be left with any choice," Harry said.

Harry closed his mind. He felt Snape pushing and did his best to push away. After a few minutes, he saw himself in Dudley's old clothes. The clothes were too big on him and looked ridiculous; however, that wasn't the main problem. Dudley and his gang were chasing Harry. Harry felt intense fear as he ran, Dudley's footsteps hammering behind him. With great effort, he managed to push Snape out of his mind. The effort knocked him over, and he ended up lying on the floor.

"I'm sorry, professor," Harry said. "I'm not ready to be tested yet. I still need to work by myself until I'm stronger."

"Try again," Snape barked. "If the safety of Hogwarts students depends on your ability to keep Voldermort out, you need to improve."

Harry closed his mind again. Once again, he felt an unpleasant sensation as Snape pushed against him. He pushed as hard as he could, but Snape wouldn't budge. Once again, after a few minutes, he was no longer able to resist. This time, he saw Dumbledore's office. Harry was sitting with Sirius, Remus, Dumbledore and Snape. He was yelling at Sirius about how he wants to go back to the cupboard at the Dursleys instead of living with a bully. Harry saw no reason to push Snape out as he was there at the actual event. The scene faded away, and he saw the prank war from the summer before the first and second year. Harry smiled as he saw himself and his friends in pink, frilly dresses. The next thing he saw was Dumbledore giving him the invisibility cloak. Harry was burying his face in it, trying to pick up signs of his father. Sirius was laughing that it's not a security blanket. Snape withdrew.

"You weren't even trying this time," he complained.

"The other horcrux is in Bellatrix Lestrange's vault at Gringotts," Harry explained. "Until she escapes Azkaban, there's no reason for me to fear being possessed. You didn't trespass on anything private this time, so I saw no reason to push you out."

"Is your dad's cloak still your security blanket?" Snape asked.

"No," Harry said.

"Is there a way I could have it in my possession?" Snape wanted to know.

Harry was shocked. Why would Snape want his invisibility cloak? This was the only thing he had from his father!

"What do you need it for?" Harry asked.

"To embarrass you, of course," Snape said.

"No!" Harry said angrily.

"Then I guess you'll say goodbye to your werewolf," Snape said maliciously.

Harry glared at Snape. Here he was, trying to do the right thing, and Snape had to make it so hard. Was Remus really that important? Harry thought about the dementor lessons he had with Remus in the dream. He thought about being connected to his father through his friends. There was no way he could cause Remus to lose his job.

"What do you have in mind?" Harry asked hesitantly.

"If your friends would steal it for a prank, would you be able to break down and cry?" asked Snape.

"No," Harry said coldly.

"Poor Remus," Snape said condescendingly. "Nobody cares if he loses his job."

Harry couldn't remember feeling so stuck before in his life. In his dream, there were many situations where he was stuck, but since the dream, he did his best to take control over his life. He deeply regretted trying to bat for Remus. At the same time, he didn't really want to feel guilty if Remus lost his job.

"Did you change at all since your death eater days?" Harry asked.

"Detention, Potter," Snape barked. "Never talk to me like this again!"

"Sorry," Harry muttered.

"Look at me!" snarled Snape.

"Harry looked up. He tried to close his mind, but he was too late. He watched Voldermort murder his mum and felt tears dripping down his cheeks. Her screams were terrible; she was pleading for his life. Voldermort's laughter was cold and cruel.

Snape pulled out. He looked slightly teary eyed too.

"I'm subbing tomorrow," he told Harry. "Get some friends in on a prank involving your cloak during class, or you could say goodbye to Remus."

Harry glared at Snape as he walked out of his office.