It was still cloudy and raining when Harry woke in the morning two days later. He thought that the weather somewhat matched his mood, for today was the day he was going to give his statement to the Ministry officials and the reporters, and he wasn't looking forward to it one little bit. Harry took a deep breath and reminded himself that Severus and Dumbledore were going to be there with him and Severus had assured him that they didn't have to stay long. Dumbledore was going to speak briefly at first, then Harry, and then they could leave. It wouldn't be too bad, he told himself.

But still he had to admit that he'd feel a whole lot better once it was over.

To distract himself he turned to look over at his night table. Every morning now he received a small gift from ‘Hedwig', the brightly-wrapped little bags waiting beside his glasses when he woke. Besides the chocolate frog and the Snitch, he'd received a new quill and a pack of self-shuffling playing cards.

But this morning ‘Hedwig' had really outdone ‘herself'. A large flat package lay on the night table and when Harry opened it, a set of finely-woven charcoal grey robes were folded neatly inside. He lifted them out and held them up to examine them. They were similar to his school robes, but there were slight differences...these had several narrow side pleats and a collar. A simple, but nicely-made white dress shirt lay in the box underneath the robes, too.

A short time later, Harry had dressed in the shirt, grey trousers and socks and black loafers. He slipped his new robes on and studied his reflection in the mirror. He was still too short and skinny, but he didn't look quite as gaunt as he had earlier in the summer. His colour was better, too. He wasn't as pale and the dark shadows under his eyes had faded. His hair...well, he'd accepted long ago that his hair would always look a bit mussed even under the best circumstances. But he didn't look bad, actually.

He couldn't help smiling a little as he adjusted the collar on the robes. So this was what it was like to have someone who cared, not just about the big stuff like whether he lived or died, but about the small things, too, like making sure he had nice clothes that were appropriate for the occasion. Sometimes it still seemed mind-boggling that it was Severus Snape who had become his someone-who-cared, but he did trust the professor now. He wasn't sure exactly what it would be like when they were back at Hogwarts, but he did know things would be different between Severus and himself...at least he was pretty sure...mostly...he hoped.

Harry started downstairs for breakfast at the same instant that the professor came out of his own bedroom. Severus was dressed in black, of course, but his robes, too, were nicer than usual, with emerald and silver trim.

Harry smiled at him and held out his arms to better display the new robes. "Look what Hedwig gave me this morning."

Severus nodded approvingly. "I'm sure she wanted you to look nice when we go to the Ministry."

"I'm glad she did. I do have dress robes, you know, back from the Yule Ball in fourth-year, but I may have grown at least a little since then. I realised last night that I don't know if they still fit," Harry told him.

"We will need to get you a new set if you have outgrown your old ones," Severus replied. "But dress robes are usually worn only at very formal events. Most wizards have robes like these for occasions that require them to look professional, but are not as decorous."

"Well, I really appreciate it." Harry glanced at him and said softly, "I hope Hedwig knows that."

Severus lightly touched his shoulder. "I'm sure she does."

His pleasure over the new clothes had distracted Harry from thinking about the day's events, but at breakfast his nerves returned in full force and he could only nibble at a piece of toast.

"Harry, you need to eat more," Severus said quietly.

But just looking at the plate of food made Harry's stomach churn. "I don't think I can. I feel a bit queasy."

The professor reached for his hand and the knots in his stomach loosened slightly at the familiar comforting gesture.

"Now, what is so upsetting to you, child?" Severus asked. "I understand that speaking before reporters isn't something to look forward to, but all you have to do is read the statement. It won't take very long and I'll be with you. You've faced much worse than this. Where's your Gryffindor bravery?"

Harry shook his head. "I actually don't feel very brave a lot of the time. Sometimes I think the hat made a mistake placing me in Gryffindor."

Severus gently squeezed his fingers. "That's rubbish, Harry. You're the most courageous person I know." He raised an eyebrow and added dryly, "Just think of all the times you've rushed headlong into danger without sparing a thought for your own safety."

"But none of that was really me being brave," Harry said. "It's just that if someone is in danger and I can help...well, then I have to."

Severus looked at him intently. "What exactly do you think courage is, Harry?"

He shrugged. "I don't know...not being scared of stuff, I guess."

"Perhaps in one form, but true courage is having the strength to overcome fear," Severus told him.

"But I don't overcome it," Harry admitted. "I'm scared a lot of the time."

"You do not allow your fears to control your actions," Severus replied. "You do what you think is right even if you are frightened. You have the courage to face death. You've certainly proven that. But you have the courage to face life, too."

Harry looked down at their intertwined fingers, suddenly feeling close to tears for some reason. But Severus didn't give him time to dwell. The professor continued briskly.

"So tell me, Harry, why are you so upset about speaking this morning?"

Harry thought carefully, trying to decide exactly what it was that bothered him so.

Finally he said, "I don't know. It's just seems like reporters are always twisting what I say and trying to make me look bad so everyone will be against me."

"Unfortunately that was true for a while," Severus answered. "But you were vindicated by the end of the year, and now everyone is quite wild for you. I don't think the reporters will try to make you look bad this time, and considering that you've freed us all from Voldemort, I certainly don't think that people are going to turn against you, whatever the papers print."

"I hope so."

It doesn't really matter what the public thinks, anyway," Severus assured him. "You have people who care for you and will stand with you, no matter what. You have your friends and you have more. You have a home and a family now, too. Harry, you don't have to face anything alone ever again."

Harry swallowed hard and let himself hold onto Severus' hand. "Thank you."

"You do not have to thank me," the professor told him. "I am the fortunate one here."

They were quiet for a few minutes and then Severus spoke more crisply. "Now, do you think you could eat a bit before we leave?"

Harry ate a few more bites of toast before setting the half-eaten slice of bread down and looking at him apologetically. "I'm just not very hungry, Severus."

The professor sighed. "Well, I suppose it's time to be on our way, anyhow. I do expect you to have more for lunch, though," he added sternly.

Harry nodded silently. He remained silent when Norie and Zan came to wish him luck, though he did give them a brief, nervous smile. Severus handed him a piece of parchment on which they'd written the statement and Harry folded it and slipped it into an inside pocket of his robes. Then he and Severus left.

They had received special permission to Floo into the Prime Minister's office...Harry remembered gratefully that Fudge had been forced to resign a few days ago; his popularity had declined sharply back in June once people had realised that Voldemort had indeed returned, and the fact that he had empowered Delores Umbridge who had recently been accused of abusing Hogwarts' students had been the final nail in the coffin of his political career.

Severus had said that Amelia Bones was the new Minister of Magic and Harry was glad of it. He remembered her from his hearing about performing underage magic a year ago. She had been stern and forbidding, but fair-minded. He thought that she would be a better Minister than Fudge had ever been.

She and Dumbledore were waiting when they stepped out of the fireplace into her office...a large room, but rather sparsely furnished, Harry thought, considering she was now the single most powerful person within the Ministry. Amelia Bones was a short, rather stocky woman with graying hair and a monocle. She wore plain black in sharp contrast to the headmaster's sparkling sapphire-blue robes. They had been seated in a pair of armchairs, apparently chatting amiably, but when Harry and Severus arrived, they stood and Madam Bones came forward to shake hands in a straightforward manner.

"Professor Snape, Mr. Potter, it's very good of you to meet with us this morning. Mr. Potter, if I may, I would like to offer you my sincere congratulations and gratitude for the defeat of Voldemort. We are all in your debt."

Harry felt himself turning red. "Um, thank you very much, ma'am."

Severus nodded politely. "Madam Bones."

"If you'll forgive me, Mr. Potter," Madam Bones continued, sounding slightly less formal. "There were rumors that you were injured in the battle and had to stay at St. Mungo's for a few days. I hope you're feeling better now."

"Yes, ma'am, I'm fine." Harry risked giving her a tiny smile. "And Madam Bones, thank you for listening to my side last year at that hearing."

But the Minister shook her head. "Nonsense, Mr. Potter. You don't have to thank me for upholding the law and trying to see that your rights weren't violated. The entire thing was ridiculous, anyway...a full trial for underage magic, but Fudge always was ridiculous. Good riddance to him. And as for Delores Umbridge...well, seeing as I'm sitting at her trial next week, I'd best keep my personal opinions to myself."

Dumbledore greeted them next and then Madam Bones ushered them from her office, saying, "Well, if you'll come this way, I'm sure all the reporters are eagerly awaiting us."

Harry's stomach clenched painfully again as he, Severus, and Dumbledore followed her out into a larger lobby and down the hall to a lift. Several assistants leaped up from desks and started to accompany them as well, but Madam Bones waved them back to their work, and it was only the four of them who stepped into the lift.

Harry bit his lip and stared down at the carpet as the lift carried them down, but then Severus reached over and gave his hand a light reassuring squeeze and when Harry looked up, Dumbledore caught his eye and smiled and nodded. It helped to know that they were with him and as the lift came to a halt and a disembodied female voice announced coolly that they were at the Atrium, Harry lifted his chin, squared his shoulders, and followed the others with an outward air of calm.

Almost the instant he came into view he was blinded by the bright light of dozens of camera flashes going off all at once. There was a loud rumble of excited voices and then he could see that he, Severus, Dumbledore, and Madam Bones were standing on a raised platform while reporters crowded around below. It seemed like there were hundreds of them, though Harry knew in reality there couldn't possibly be. There weren't that many wizarding newspapers.

Madam Bones cast a Sonorous spell on herself and stepped forward. The reporters grew still and began taking notes as she welcomed them. She spoke only for a few minutes and then introduced Dumbledore.

"Good morning. I would like to thank you all for coming," he began. "As you know, we're here this morning because Harry has agreed to explain to everyone exactly what happened in Diagon Alley on the afternoon of July31st. But before he does, I would like to remind you of the conditions we've set. Harry is going to read his statement, and then he and Professor Snape will be leaving. If you have any questions, and I'm sure you will," he smiled good-naturedly at the reporters. "I shall do my best to answer them afterwards. Now, if you please..."

"Excuse me," one older wizard called out. "There is one matter that I believe is quite important for us all. Not to diminish Mr. Potter's achievement in the slightest, if he has indeed defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named again, then we're all extremely grateful to him, but how do we know that this victory is permanent? I mean, Mr. Potter drove him away once before, as a small child, only to have the dark wizard return thirteen years later. Is it possible that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will return again?"

"No, it is not possible," Dumbledore replied. "Voldemort was able to return to his physical body a year ago because he did not die back in 1981. We all know of Voldemort's atrocities and his complete disregard for the sanctity of life. I'm sure none of you will be surprised to learn that he experimented with some of the darkest and most evil magic known to us. For many years, ever since the autumn of 1981 in fact, I have painstakingly searched for information about Voldemort and his activities. I can assure you that I have learned far more of his heinous deeds than anyone would wish to know. But through my research I did find the answer to how Voldemort seemed to conquer death. How many of you have ever heard of a horcrux?"

Some of the reporters looked horrified while others simply seemed puzzled. There was an outbreak of voices while they either exclaimed in revulsion or tried to find out what the fuss was over. Dumbledore waited a moment before continuing.

"If you have not heard before, a horcrux is a vessel in which a piece of soul may be stored. If one has created a horcrux, then one cannot die, at least not so long as the horcrux exists, for whatever happens to the body, part of the soul remains undamaged. But the creation of a horcrux is very difficult. The enchantments are in themselves complex and require power such as few wizards possess. But even more, to create a horcrux a wizard must commit the supreme act of evil...the murder of an innocent person."

The same reporter who had spoken before called again, looking shaken. "And He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had created a horcrux?"

"It's perfectly all right to call him by name now," Dumbledore responded. "And yes, Voldemort had created a horcrux, or more accurately, he had created two."

There was another loud buzz of conversation. Dumbledore waited it out and then went on.

"Yes, I was fortunate enough to discover some of Voldemort's secret notes, and from reading them, it was obvious that at a young age, he had become enamored with the idea of creating a three-part soul. He believed three was a magical number that would somehow endow him with even more powers. So during the first war in the 1970s he made two horcruxes and the third piece of soul resided within his own body."

Dumbledore spoke more firmly than ever. "I am most pleased to inform you that both of Voldemort's horcruxes have been destroyed. Harry did away with one when he was only a second-year student at Hogwarts. With his permission, I will give you the full story after he's spoken." Dumbledore glanced over at Harry, who nodded at him. "I myself destroyed the other earlier this summer. I must add that I was grievously injured in the process and that if not for the quick actions and prodigious skill of Poppy Pomfrey and Severus Snape, I would have died. It is thanks to them that I am fully recovered. But both horcruxes were destroyed before the attack on Diagon Alley so there was nothing to tie Voldemort to life this time. I can assure you that he is indeed gone forever now."

More chatter erupted at this pronouncement and it was several long moments before Dumbledore spoke again. "Now I'll let Harry speak and I will ask you once again to please respect his wishes and hold any questions for me later."

Dumbledore moved over and Harry stepped forward, slipping the parchment from his pocket and trying to ignore the queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. Then he realised that Severus had stepped forward with him, staying right beside him, just as he'd promised. It gave him a warm cozy feeling, in spite of his nerves, and in that first awful moment when he was standing there and everyone was staring and waiting for him to speak, it was only Severus' presence that gave him the confidence to begin.

Harry fixed his eyes on the parchment, though he really didn't need to...he knew the statement by heart...but it was easier to look at the paper than out at the sea of faces watching him.

"Um, good morning and...um, thank you again for coming. I...would like to explain exactly how Voldemort died and thank everyone for their support and concern for me when I was injured. I'm very happy that Voldemort is gone, but I don't feel that I deserve the credit for defeating him. My mother, Lily Potter, is truly the one who conquered him. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time."

"You see, Professor Snape had taken me to Diagon Alley for my birthday. I've been staying with him this summer because it seemed inevitable that Voldemort would try to attack me again at some point and Professor Snape is an expert in Defense Against the Dark Arts. So he's been instructing me and helping me prepare. But for my birthday, he was going to take me to Diagon Alley. We disguised ourselves with Polyjuice Potion to be safe and we'd spent part of the day there. In fact, we were about to leave because our last dose of Polyjuice was about to wear off when Voldemort and the Death Eaters came."

At that point, a voice that was only too familiar interrupted. "Excuse me, Mr. Potter, but isn't it rather unusual for a student to spend the entire holiday with a professor? And incidently, isn't Professor Snape the Potions instructor at Hogwarts? Surely there was someone more qualified in Defense that could have instructed you?"

Harry tore his eyes away from the parchment to see Rita Skeeter standing almost directly below them. Her hair was still set in rigid curls and her jeweled spectacles were perched precariously on the end of her nose. She wore bright poisonous-green robes and was gazing up at him with a false air of innocence and curiosity, but Harry had no doubts that her intentions were malicious.

"Um," he began uncertainly.

Beside him, he could feel Severus stiffen and could sense his fury. The professor started to speak, but before he could, Dumbledore had stepped forward.

"Professor Snape is man of many talents. He is one of the foremost Potions Masters in Europe, but he is also gifted in Defense. To answer your first question, yes, it is unusual for a student to stay with a professor over the holidays. It is also unusual for a student to have been personally singled out by Voldemort himself. We did what we felt was in Harry's best interests."

The headmaster's voice had been cool, but now it positively crackled with anger and authority. "Now, may I remind you, Ms. Skeeter, that you agreed to our conditions before entering the Ministry this morning, and that by attempting to question Harry, you have violated that agreement. If you do so again, you will be escorted from the premises."

Rita Skeeter's eyes narrowed, but she remained silent. Harry took a deep breath and continued describing the battle of Diagon Alley, how he and Severus had been separated (he left out the part about rescuing the little boy because it sounded too much like boasting), how the Polyjuice potion had worn off and Voldemort had recognised Severus, how he had tortured him because Severus had been a spy for Dumbledore and the Order, how Harry had come upon the scene and had challenged him, and finally how they had confronted one another and how his mother's protection had saved him again.

"So you see, it really wasn't me. I don't deserve the credit for defeating Voldemort. It was my mother who saved us all." Harry hesitated. It wasn't in the statement, but he felt that he needed to say something else, too. He swallowed hard and forced himself to look out at the reporters.

"I...I want to say that I think my father James Potter deserves some credit, too. He was really brave and he sacrificed his life to try to save my mother and me. And I know that my parents aren't the only ones. There are a lot of other people who have died or risked their lives fighting against evil. Professor Snape is one of them. He was a spy for our side and he helped to save a lot of innocent people. And there are a lot of others, too, like Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks and Kingsley Shacklebolt and the Weasleys, and lots more, too. And I hope that everyone will remember them and honour them because these people are the real heroes."

A burst of applause broke out and Harry could only stare blankly at the reporters as they clapped and cheered for him. Then he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find Severus looking down at him with his black eyes warm with emotion. Harry had to smile at him.

It was easy to finish after that. When the applause dwindled, Harry said, "I know that there have been rumours that I was injured in the battle, and they're true. After Voldemort died, Bellatrix Lestrange cast a curse against me and I was hospitalised for two days. I want to thank the Healers and the staff at St. Mungo's, as well as everyone who sent me gifts and well-wishes. I appreciate it very much."

"Before I go, there is one last thing I need to say, and it's a bit awkward because I have to ask a favour from everyone. But for the past couple years my life has been very stressful. Now that Voldemort is gone, I'm hoping that everything can settle down, and I would be very grateful if people would allow me to have a quiet life from now on. I'm really just a normal kid, and I'd like to be able to have a normal life now. Thank you."

There was more applause and Madam Bones shook his hand and thanked him. Dumbledore beamed at him and then Severus guided him back into the lift. A few minutes they'd Flooed away from the Ministry, with Harry breathing a huge sigh of relief that this little publicity stunt was over.