Late that night Harry sat huddled in his bed at Prince Hall, nibbling on the end of his quill as he frowned intently down at a blank piece of parchment. It was well past midnight but he wasn't the least bit sleepy, not after spending most of the past day and a half resting at St. Mungo's. Instead he'd cast a Lumos spell, after shutting his door so as not to wake Severus, and now he was trying to compose farewell letters to the people he cared about.

He remembered a couple weeks earlier, when he'd written to Ron and Hermione, and had had such a difficult time trying to answer their letters without letting them know about his new circumstances. But that was nothing compared to trying to figure out how to say good-bye to everyone.

Somehow he hadn't really thought about how hard it would be to say good-bye, even in letters, and he was more thankful than ever that he had been released from St. Mungo's before Ron and Hermione could come to visit. Well, thankful in an odd, painful kind of way because he loved Ron and Hermione and missed them desperately. He thought that it was only now, now that he knew the end was near and that he wouldn't see them again...at least not in this life, that he understood how much he really did love them.

But if he had seen his friends one last time, that would have been unbearable for him. He probably would have broken down completely, and knowing Ron and Hermione, they wouldn't have stopped until he'd told them everything. And then all his plans to be with his parents and Sirius would be ruined because there was no way that Ron and Hermione would just stand back and let Harry go ahead and kill himself. They would probably even betray him to the adults. Heck, he knew Hermione would, and he had a strong feeling that for once Ron would be in complete agreement with her.

But they didn't understand. As much as they loved him, and Harry knew they did, they just couldn't understand what it was like to have to live without a family. They both had loving parents and Ron had all his brothers and Ginny, too. They couldn't really understand what it meant to be alone or how much Harry longed for his own family, too.

They couldn't understand what it was like to have to live as a slave, either. Harry wasn't sure he could explain it to them, or to anyone. Sometimes he didn't understand it himself...how he could feel so sad and angry and hurt, when Severus had turned out to be so good about it all. Harry didn't even mind living at Prince Hall, really, not anymore.

Except that in the back of his mind he had to wonder if Severus truly wanted him here. Severus cared for him. The professor had even said so, but that didn't mean that he wanted Harry living with him all the time. And for the rest of his life, too. It wasn't even a case of Harry being able to move out when he was grown and finished with school. No, the slavery spell would last for the rest of his life.

Unless maybe he would be freed from it when Severus died? But he didn't want Severus to die, not even if that would give Harry his freedom back. And the spell might not work that way. He might be inherited by someone else. Did Severus even have any other relatives? There was a lot about the professor that he didn't know, Harry realised. Based on the little he had heard about the Prince family, death might be preferable to living with any of them.

That was the crux of the trouble with the spell, wasn't it? It had taken everything from him, and his possessions were the least of it. The slavery spell had taken away his choices, his independence, the entire way he had thought about himself. Now he was just...just...this thing, a slave, less than he had been before.

And Harry didn't think he could bear to have to live the rest of his life feeling that way.

No, it was far better to go on. He would be free again, and there were people waiting there who loved him. He would be all right. He would be happy again.

And the people he left behind? Well, they might miss him for a while, but they would be all right too. Ron and Hermione would have each other. So would the rest of the Weasleys. Dumbledore could go along, happily running Hogwarts, and Severus....

For the first time Harry wondered if Severus would miss him. It would have been such a ridiculous thought at one time, but now.... Well, now he just might, a bit. But surely Severus would be all right, too. He hadn't wanted Harry to come live with him, after all. Harry had just been an unwanted burden again. True, Severus had treated him much better than the Dursleys ever had. He'd made the best of the situation and had even grown to care for Harry a little. But surely Severus would also be relieved when it was over and he could go back to his solitary life.

Harry nodded to himself and set the quill back to the parchment. Yes, this was the best way. He'd been thinking things through ever since he'd retired to bed earlier that evening and now all that was left was writing the farewell letters.

And actually going through with his plan, of course.

But first the letters. Harry took a deep breath and began to write.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Weasley,

First of all, I have to apologise if I've caused you any pain by my actions. But I hope you won't be sad for me, cause I'm all right now. I'm with my parents and Sirius and I'm happy. So please try to be happy for me.

But before I go, I have to tell you how much I appreciate all you‘ve done for me. From the very first time I met you both, you've always helped me and made me feel welcome. When I was growing up at the Dursleys', I used to wonder what it would feel like to be part of a real family. Then I met all of you, and now I know how wonderful it is. So thank you for including me and making me feel like I belonged in your family.

Mrs. Weasley, I also have to tell you how much it meant to me when you and Bill came to see me before the Third Task of the Triwizard Tournament. With the way it ended, with Cedric dying and Voldemort coming back and all, I think I forgot to tell you before, but I should have.

I was eating breakfast that morning and Professor McGonagall came by and told me that the champions' families were all coming to watch the end of the tournament, that I should go with the others to a chamber off the Great Hall. I almost didn't go. I knew the Dursleys would never come and I didn't want to have to see the others with their families all there. I was going to sneak up to the library instead. Then Cedric came back and told me to come on. I couldn't imagine why, since I knew no one would be there for me. But then I walked in and you were there. It was the most amazing feeling, to know that you cared enough to come and be my family that day. I'm sorry it took me so long to thank you, but it meant everything to me.

Well, I don't really know how to end so I guess I'll just say good-bye, and thank you again for all you've done for me. I love you all.

Harry

P.S. I started not to write this, just in case Severus doesn't give it to you, but I think he will, and then I thought you might not want to take it or be insulted or something, and I certainly don't want that. Argh, I know I'm making a mess of explaining. Let me start over.

I guess you know about the slavery spell by now. So really, all the gold I used to own belongs to Severus now. But he already has plenty of his own and he did say that I could spend it like I wanted. So I'm going to ask him if he will divide the Potter and Black gold between you and Hermione. I really hope you won't be offended by this. I would never want to offend you. But you've given me more than I can ever repay, and I really would like for you to have it. So please accept it for me. It would make me very happy.

Harry read through the Weasleys' letter; then set it aside and reached for another sheet of parchment. Ron deserved a letter of his own. It was even harder to write, but finally he managed it.

Dear Ron,

I think your letter is the hardest one I'll write. I don't even know how to begin. I guess I should say I'm sorry...sorry that I didn't tell you about the slavery spell and living with Severus now (he told me I could call him Severus, and everything's changed between us. He's really been very decent to me.), sorry for sneaking out of the hospital without seeing you and Hermione, and sorry for killing myself.

I couldn't tell you about the slavery spell. Dumbledore told me not to because owl post wasn't safe, but I couldn't have told you about it anyway. I just couldn't. It hurt too much to try to tell anyone about it, even you. It isn't Severus' fault. Like I said, he's been very good to me. Yeah, I know...it's hard to believe. But everything changed between us once I was living here all the time. I think Severus used to hate me because he thought I was spoiled and conceited, and now he's realised that I'm not. He even apologised to me. So don't blame him at all. It's not his fault that I got hit with that spell and he's tried to make me feel welcome. I hope that maybe he'll be nicer when school starts back again, but even if he's not, please don't call him names or make fun of him anymore. He's had a hard life and he's really very brave and loyal.

I'm sorry I left St. Mungo's without seeing you and Hermione. It wasn't because of you. It was because of me. I was afraid to see you, because you know me well enough to know when something's wrong, and I was afraid I'd break down and tell you everything, and then you'd have kept me from seeing my parents and Sirius again. I also thought it would hurt too much to know that it was the last time I'd see you. I guess that's not very brave of me, huh? But you know something? A lot of the time I don't feel all that brave. Sometimes I wonder why the Sorting Hat put me in Gryffindor.

But I'm really glad it did because if it hadn't, we might not have been such great friends. And Ron, you're the best friend I've ever had. You and Hermione. But you were first. I'd never had a friend before you asked to sit with me on the Hogwarts Express first year. I tried not to show it so much, but I was so happy and excited just because you wanted to sit in the same compartment with me.

All that first year, I was just unbelievably thrilled that you and Hermione were my friends. And to be honest, it's never worn off. I know, I know...I'm being way too mushy and uncool. If you were here, we'd probably have to punch each other or something. Course if you were here, I probably wouldn't have the nerve to actually tell you all this. But it's easier in a letter and I do want you to know.

I'm sorry for killing myself. You may be really upset and angry with me and you have a right to be. I don't know how to explain it, Ron. But I really want to be my parents and with Sirius. You've always had a wonderful family. I want that, too. But my family's dead and this is the only way I can be with them. I want to see my mum and dad in person and not just in a photograph. I want to be able to talk with them. I want to see Sirius again.

All those horrible years I had to live with the Dursleys. And then there was Sirius and he loved me and wanted me to live with him. Did you know that that was what I thought about the first time I was able to conjure a Patronus? That I'd finally have someone who loved me and wanted me.

It almost killed me when Sirius had to leave and I knew I'd have to go back to the Dursleys after all. But Sirius kept telling me to hold on and one day we could be together. But then he died. I just want to be with him and my parents again. I hope you can understand and forgive me some day. You'll always be my best friend and my brother. I love you.

Harry

Hermione's letter was similar to Ron's except that Harry wrote about being glad that the mountain troll had brought them together in first year, and told her how grateful he'd been back in fourth-year, before the First Task of the Triwizard Tournament, when most of the school had been against him but Hermione had stuck firmly by his side.

When he'd finished with hers, he selected one more sheet and began the last letter.

Dear Severus,

I hope you will understand why I needed to do this and will forgive me. Please don't blame yourself at all. You've been really wonderful to me, and I'm very grateful. I really am. But I don't want to be a slave all my life. I hope you can understand.

I need to be with my parents and with Sirius again, too. I know my dad and Sirius were awful to you, and I'm not making any excuses for them. I apologise to you on their behalf, since I know how wrong it was and I know how it feels to be bullied.

But I love my parents and Sirius, and I miss them. I want to be with them again and this is the only way I can be.

I know that all ‘my' possessions are really yours now so of course you can do whatever you want with them. But if you don't mind, I would appreciate it if you would give some of them away to my friends.

I would like for Ron to have my Firebolt and for Hermione to have Hedwig. Before she got Crookshanks, Hermione wanted an owl, and I know she would take good care of Hedwig.

I know the Potter and Black gold is a lot of money, but since you have plenty of your own already, will you please give it to the Weasleys and to Hermione?

The other three things that mean the most to me are my invisibility cloak, my photo album, and my wand. I would be glad for you to keep them to remember me, if you would like. If you don't want them, then please give them to Professor Dumbledore. Oh, there are a couple pictures of my parents in the album and I realise you probably won't want the ones of my dad. It's okay if you take them out, but would you please not destroy them? Perhaps you could give them to Remus for me?

Anything else you could give to a charity, or perhaps you could return all the new stuff to the stores and get your money back. I'm really sorry that you wasted so much money buying stuff for me, and now I'm not ever going to use any of it. If you can't get your money back from the shops, then please take it out of the Potter vault.

But I really do want to thank you for giving me such a great birthday. It was the first time anyone ever did anything to celebrate with me...well, except for before my parents died and I don't remember that. I had a great time and I'll always be grateful to you, for everything.

Sincerely yours,

Harry

Harry read back through Severus' letter with a slight frown. It didn't say exactly all he wanted, but he wasn't sure how to change it. Finally he decided it would just have to do.

He folded the letters and wrote the recepients' names on the back. Then he climbed out of bed and walked slowly over to his trunk. It was almost time for him to go, but first he would look through his photo album one last time. He would see the pictures of his parents and godfather, and it would give him the courage to follow through on his plan.

Harry sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning against the trunk, with the maroon album in his lap, smiling as he slowly flipped through the pages. The first picture was one of his parents, holding a baby Harry, and waving proudly at the camera. It was the only picture he had of the three of them together. Harry touched it lightly with his fingers and then turned to another, of Sirius and himself, last Christmas at Grimmauld Place

He'd meant to only take a quick peek and then be on his way. It would be best to get it done before daylight, before anyone was awake and able to stop him. But he must have been more tired than he'd realised because while he was smiling at a photograph of Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and himself in ridiculous shamrock-covered hats from the Quidditch World Cup, his eyes closed and he fell asleep.

***

"Harry? Are you all right?"

Harry blinked and opened his eyes to find Severus, fully dressed in his dark robes, kneeling beside him and gently shaking his shoulder.

"Why didn't you call me if you couldn't sleep? Are you ill?" There was unmistakable concern in Severus' voice, and Harry felt vaguely guilty at what he was planning to do. But surely Severus would soon recover. Harry's death wouldn't really hurt him, would it?

He shook his head, wanting to reassure the professor for now, at least. "No, I'm all right. I wasn't sleepy so I thought I'd look at my photos, but I guess I was more tired than I realised. But I feel okay."

"Are you certain?"

Harry nodded and Severus looked relieved.

"Well, then, we need to put some dittany salve on your wounds before you get dressed."

"Dittany salve?" Harry asked.

"Yes." Severus held up a small jar of thick gooey clear salve. "It helps to prevent scarring. You don't want to have a nasty scar across your chest, do you?"

Harry thought to himself that it didn't really matter, but of course he couldn't say that so he just agreed and let Severus help him to his feet, wincing slightly. Sleeping against a trunk was pretty uncomfortable.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Severus demanded.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine, just a little stiff."

"Well, sit down for a minute and we'll see if I can help with that." Severus motioned for Harry to sit on the side of the bed. Harry did so, and Severus came around behind him and began gently kneading his sore shoulders. After a few minutes, Harry relaxed and tipped his head back to look at the professor.

"That's really nice. Thank you."

"You're welcome." Severus glanced at the folded parchments in a pile on the bed. "It looks like you were rather busy last night."

"Oh, well." Harry thought quickly. "I wanted to write to my friends. You know, to kind of make up for not seeing them today." He breathed an inward sigh of relief that it was Hermione's letter on top.

"Yes." Fortunately Severus didn't seem very interested in discussing Harry's letters to his friends. He motioned for Harry to take off his pyjama top, but Harry ignored him. He hadn't let anyone see him without a shirt for several years.

"Harry, I put some of this salve on you at St. Mungo's. I put it on your chest, and then I checked to see if you had any wounds on your back," Severus said quietly. "Fortunately, you didn't, at least not any recent wounds. But I did see the scars."

"Oh." But Harry still didn't move to take the shirt off.

Severus came around to sit in front of him, face to face. "Harry, did the Dursleys do that to you?"

His voice was gentle, but Harry could see a smoldering fire in Severus' black eyes. It was all right, though. Severus wasn't angry with him, he knew that now.

Harry still hesitated a moment. He'd never talked much about the Dursleys and the way they had treated him. Ron and Hermione knew some, more than anyone else, but even they didn't know the worst of it.

But on the other hand, did it really matter now? He was going to be gone soon.

Finally he nodded and mumbled, "Yes, sir."

There was a long silence and then Severus said, "They'll be punished, Harry. I promise you."

Harry shook his head. "It's all right, Severus. I don't want them to be punished."

Severus actually seemed speechless for a moment. Then he managed to sputter, "What? Harry, they obviously abused you! They shouldn't be allowed to get away with that."

"They were scared," Harry said softly. "They're afraid of magic. It wasn't fair for them to get stuck with me all those years. They never wanted that. But it's all right now. I don't have to see them again, so..." He shrugged and let his voice trail off.

"I don't care how frightened they were!" Severus burst out. "They're adults. You're a child. How frightened could they have been? As for ‘getting stuck with you', you're their nephew. They should have welcomed you into their home and made it your home, too. Instead, it appears that they beat and starved you. There is no excuse for them, Harry, and they most definitely do deserve to be punished. I'm going to see Albus later this morning, and I will speak with him about pressing charges against the Dursleys, unless of course I decide to simply take matters into my own hands."

Harry studied him, trying to decide if Severus meant that. There was such a fierce gleam in his eyes that Harry felt compelled to say, "Well, maybe they should go to prison or something"

"Prison is the least of what they deserve," Severus snapped. Then, seeing Harry flinch at his tone, he reached over to take his hand and lightly squeeze it. "It's all right, child. I'm not angry with you."

"Don't hurt them. Please, Severus."

Severus sighed. "I won't. But only because I will not take a chance on being sent to Azkaban and forcing you to have to go there with me. I will talk with Albus about our options when I go to Hogwarts. Would you like to come along?"

"I don't think so," Harry said, thinking furiously. If Severus were going to be gone later this morning, then he would have some time alone to go ahead with his plans. "I'm fine, but I think I just want to hang around here and take it easy today."

Severus looked at him thoughtfully, and Harry held his breath and wondered if he should have agreed to go and just waited until tonight. It wouldn't do for Severus to get suspicious.

But finally the professor just said. "All right, if you're sure. But I want you to tell me if you feel ill."

"I'm not ill," Harry assured him.

Severus nodded. "Well, then let's get this dittany salve on and have some breakfast."