It was very quiet on Grimmauld place, as well as spookier than usual. The hair on the back of Harry's neck was raised. He had his wand in hand and was ready for anything.
"I want you to hold onto my hand and try to walk through the front door. If that doesn't work we will try something else, okay, Harry?" Remus whispered.
"Got it, Remus, I'd rather not go in there by myself anyways," replied Harry.
They quietly walked up to the door. Harry holding Remus' hand he was able to get to the door, but Remus was stopped just a step from the door.
"Ok, so that's not going to work. Try inviting me in," said Remus.
"Remus, please come in," said Harry. Remus still couldn't enter. "Obviously, that didn't work," said Remus. They worked for another twenty minutes, and Remus finally had to give in.
"Harry, you will just have to go in by yourself. We are almost certain Albus put up the extra wards, as it's his magical signature, I'm almost positive. You should be safe, just go in and check out the library and the kitchen. Go in no other rooms. I want you back out here in thirty minutes. Any longer and I'll call in the Order. Ok?"
"Got it, thirty minutes and only check out the library and kitchen. I'll be ok, Remus. Professor Dumbledore had to have had his reasons for doing this, and we've got to get in there, even if it means I go in alone." Giving Remus a small smile, Harry went inside.
Inside was just as dark and uninviting as it was the last time Harry had been there. Harry shuddered. It also looked to be a lot dirtier. It seemed no one had been in to clean at all. All the work the kids and Molly had done, was for naught. The house looked even worse than it did before they started cleaning.
‘Must be because Kreacher isn't here', Harry thought to himself. ‘He must have done more than we thought towards the upkeep of the house.'
Quietly Harry made his way to the library. He looked around and saw nothing that seemed out of place, so he left and went down to the kitchen. He tried to stay as quiet as possible, he didn't think he had it in him to shut Sirius' mother up, when even Molly had a hard time with the old witch.
Harry stopped just inside the door, not believing what he was seeing. There, sitting on the table was Professor Dumbledore's pensieve, and a letter addressed to Harry. Carefully, Harry picked up the letter and opened it.
Dearest Harry,I am sorry I could not be with you to the end of your journey, Harry, but you must understand that I would not have made it much longer. I knew when I came to pick you up last summer that I would not live to see the end of the school year. The curse that killed my hand was slowly killing me from the inside out. If it weren't for Severus' quick action I would not have even survived the night I got Tom's ring.
My dear boy, I know you are hurting now. I'm sorry for being the cause of that pain. But you must pick yourself back up, and you must continue on. The mission I gave you is of the utmost importance. Even though I am no longer there to help you, do not feel left adrift. There is one person whom you can still trust and who is the only person to have the knowledge to help you. That person is none other than, Severus Snape.
I know what you're going to say, Harry, but you must watch the memories I left for you, before you make up your mind completely. It is very important that you understand, Severus Snape is not a murderer, not matter what you may have seen or been told. He was only doing what I ordered him to do. Even though he was against my plan, and wanted nothing to do with it. He will have followed my orders and killed me in Draco Malfoy's place.
I did not want to see Mr. Malfoy become a murder. I have always felt there was a chance to save him. I hoped that Severus could take care of a few things with my death. You see Harry, Severus' position as spy was always in jeopardy. Tom could never fully trust Severus, with him being so close to me all the time. Bellatrix Lestrange had proven that when she and Narcissa Malfoy visited Severus over the summer before your sixth year. Mrs. Malfoy asked Severus to enter into an Unbreakable Vow to help Mr. Malfoy with his mission, and to complete it for him if it seemed Mr. Malfoy was not going to be able to kill me himself.
Severus' life is more valuable than mine, as is his position as a spy. Add that to the fact that I was already dying, and our path was clear. Severus had to follow through with the Unbreakable Vow. And by doing so he could cement his position next to Tom, and still help you with your mission. He would also be helping me end the constant pain I'm in, but I digress.
I must say again, Harry, please understand that I was already dying. I should have died the instant that curse hit me from the ring. Had it been anyone else in the world, they would have not made it as long as I did. I am a stubborn old man, Harry, and I knew you still had much to learn from me. Only those facts kept me alive.
Now, all that is settled, you need to view my Pensieve, and see for yourself the facts that lead to my death. Afterwards this letter will explain to you how to let others into the house. I must insist that you only allow Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger for now, and leave the rest of the wards the way I have set them up. I had to change a few things because of my immanent death.
Now, go on and view the Pensieve and take to heart what you see. You must learn to work with Severus. It is of the utmost importance. I fear you will fail without him.
Sincerely yours,
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
Harry looked over to his watch and realized he had been reading and rereading for a long time. Deciding to go tell Remus what he found before going into the Pensieve, Harry quietly made his way back to the front door.
"Remus, you were right. Professor Dumbledore did change the wards. He left me a letter explaining quite a lot. I'm not even sure I can absorb everything he told me."
Remus lost all the color in his face as Harry explained what Dumbledore had said.
‘Albus was dying, and had ordered Snape to kill him to save Draco Malfoy and Snape himself? How could Albus ask that of anyone?' Remus thought to himself. ‘Particularly Snape, and to have him do it in front of Harry,' Remus growled. ‘Albus had to have lost his mind when that curse hit him. This was going to hurt Harry so much more in the long run. I can't believe he did that.' Remus shook his head.
"Did Dumbledore give you any idea how many memories where in the Pensive?" Inquired Remus.
"He just said that there were enough in there to convince me that Snape is still on our side and trust worthy. So, there has to be quite a few," answered Harry.
"I'm going to go back to the Dursley's and check on Ron and Hermione, hopefully you will be ready to leave by the time I get back. Do not leave the house when you are finished. Just check out here every once in a while. You need to figure out something to identify me when you're done. We want to be safe."
With a nod of Harry's head, Remus disapparated away, and quietly, Harry made his way back down to the kitchen and the memories.
Looking over everything that was on the table next to the pensieve, Harry found a box full of numbered bottles and another letter.
Harry,The memories are numbered. Follow the correct order, that is very important my boy. Once you are done viewing a memory and want to leave it, think about the room you left from and you will return from the Pensieve. To return the memories to the bottle cast Reverto Memoria. Make sure you cap the bottles when you are done. The Ministry will need them to exonerate Severus after Tom is gone.
Take care my boy, and remember all that you see.
Albus Dumbledore
Harry's hand shook a bit while he reached for bottle number one. Taking a deep breath Harry pulled the cork, dumped the memory in and plunged in.
Harry looked around and found that he was in the potions classroom. He could see Professor Snape bending over Professor Dumbledore's prone body stretched out on one of the tables."I've gotten the curse stabilized for now, Albus, but your hand is dead. Please let Minerva take over as Headmistress this school year. I can keep you alive in a type of stasis, with Draught of the Living Death until we can find the counter-curse for this." Harry had never seen Snape looking so agitated.
"No, Severus, I have too much to teach Harry this year. I am an old man, and I will head onto the next great adventure when it is my time. No need to prolong my time on this earth."
"Albus, I just cannot go along with this. You are just as important as Harry in this war. We cannot lose you." Snape looked away and softly added, "I can't lose you."
Dumbledore put an arm around Snape's shoulder and said, "Don't worry, my boy, you both will be fine. You've come so far, you both have. I know you will do what needs to be done. The light side shall prevail with the two of you, it no longer needs me."
"I just don't see it Albus, without you the future looks bleak."
"Trust me, Severus. All will work out in time."
With that Dumbledore left Snape's classroom, and the memory went dark. Harry pictured himself standing next to the table and felt himself pulled out of the pensieve.
Harry put on a kettle of water, he felt he was going to need lots of tea to make it through this fiasco of Dumbledore's. While he was waiting for the water to boil he bottled up memory number one, and prepared number two. After his cup of tea had calmed his nerves, Harry slipped into number two.
In this memory Harry found that he was in Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore was sitting behind his desk and Snape was pacing in front of it.
"Severus, please calm down. This makes things easier. You can secure your place in the inner circle and no one would be able to doubt your loyalty after this."Snape stopped and turned to Dumbledore with a look of utter incredulity. "Albus, you can't mean you want me to follow through with this Unbreakable Vow. Of all the things you've asked me to do as a spy, this goes beyond my worst nightmares. You cannot mean for me to kill you, for we both know Draco is not capable?"
"That's exactly what I mean for you to do, Severus. You know as well as I, that this curse will not stay dormant for the entire school year. I will die a painful death is not by your wand, why not use my death to further cement your place by Tom's side?"
"I loathe Bellatrix Lestrange, if she had just left Narcissa alone none of this would be happening."
Looking at Snape over his cup, Dumbledore sighed. "Now, Severus, you know as well as I, that this is for the best in the end."
Snape's cup hit the wall. "Best?!? You honestly think it's in the best for me to become your murderer? I do believe you've finally become as barmy as you would have everyone think you are." Defeated Snape fell into one of the chairs.
"You will be fine. In fact Severus I want you to take over as DADA teacher this year. I was finally able to find a somewhat competent teacher that take over your potions post."
Snape laughed. It wasn't a very happy laugh, no, it was the laugh of a man that knew his fate was hell, and would rather laugh than cry. "You are only giving me the post because you know that with your death at my hand I will not be back next year. Therefore, the curse on the job is already in effect."
Dumbledore chuckled, "You have a new classroom to prepare and I have a student and Potions teacher to gather."
"Do not for a second, think the matter closed, Headmaster. There has to be another way, and I will find it." With that Snape got up and swiftly left the office, his robes snapping behind him.
Harry pulled himself out of the memory just as it went black.
Once Harry's feet hit the floor he collapsed into a chair. He couldn't believe Albus Dumbledore would order his own death so easily. Why couldn't he have listened to Snape? Snape was right, the Order still needed Dumbledore, Harry still needed him. For the first time since the funeral, Harry broke down and cried, letting his insecurities burry him in the grief he had been keeping at bay.
Some time and several cups of tea later, Harry felt like he was ready to go on. He wondered if all the memories would have this effect on him. "Time for number three," Harry said as he put the cork back onto number two. He poured number three into the Pensieve and plunged in.
He was in a bedroom in what looked like a small house. In the corner was a man in a rocking chair holding a sleeping baby. Getting closer Harry realized he was looking at Snape, and the man was crying.
Just then Snape looked up, "I could not protect her Albus. I tried to get there but it was too late. Now this child will never know his mother, and it is entirely my fault. Albus, he shall hate me when he learns of this. I am not sure I can live through it if he does." Snape's shoulders started shaking with grief, his hand slowly combing through the baby's soft black hair."There, there, my boy. He won't hate you. Not once he knows the entire truth."
"How is he ever going to know the truth, Albus? I cannot keep him. It is even more dangerous for him now that his mother is dead. I do not want him growing up around Death Eater children. I do not want him around that kind of hateful thinking. That was the whole reason he was in hiding with his Mother."
"I have a safe place for him to live. He will be fine there. This will keep you both safe."
Harry watched as Snape kissed the boy's head, handed him to Dumbledore, then walked out of the room. After that the memory went dark, and Harry pulled himself out.
"Snape is a father? Oh wow, I'd have never guessed that. And he had to leave his son. I think the kid was much better off, it's scary thinking about having to grow up as Snape's child." Harry shuddered.
In memory number four, Harry found himself near the Forbidden Forest with Dumbledore and Snape in front of him arguing.
"I refuse to go through with this Albus. The idiot boy has already tried and failed twice. Do not turn me into your murderer to save that boy, he is already lost Albus.""Now, Severus, you will go through with this, I demand it. Your position is key for us to win this war against Tom."
"You should teach Ha...Potter everything he needs to know, instead of teaching me alone how to find them. You know we will never be able to work together. Last year's disaster of occlumency lessons should be more than the proof you need to know that. You do not really think he will trust me enough to work with him after I kill you, do you?"
"I have already taken steps for him to learn the truth, as you well know. You will both have a safe house to use, and if you are living together you will learn to get along. Or you will kill each other; then Tom will have won, and I know your pride alone won't allow that to happen."
"I do believe at that point I would welcome death. I will not have much of anything left after having to kill you, much less pride." Snape seethed.
"Great Merlin, Severus, quit acting like a petulant child. You know what needs to be done and you will do it. I will not listen to your arguments on this matter any longer. The matter is closed! Do you understand me, Severus?" Harry had never seen this side of the Headmaster. Dumbledore was furious with Snape.
"I'm sick and tired of you thinking I will do whatever you ask of me. You are taking it for granted that I will, and maybe I just do not want to anymore. I have had enough...I cannot handle much more Albus."
Snape started to storm off when Dumbledore said, "Severus, please." Snape's shoulders fell as he nodded his head, then he walked off towards the castle.
"I'm so sorry, my dear boy, I hate that this has fallen on your shoulders. I am truly sorry."
With that the memory was dark, and Harry was on his way back to the kitchen.
"Living together? What the bloody hell does Dumbledore mean living together? He can't truly mean he wants us to live here, together?!!? Maybe this last memory will be Dumbledore changing his mind." With that Harry got memory four put away and memory five ready to view.
"Cruc~" yelled Harry for the second time, aiming for the figure ahead illuminated in the dancing firelight, but Snape blocked the spell again. Harry could see him sneering."No Unforgivable curses from you Potter!" he shouted over the rush of the flames, Hagrid's yells, and the wild yelping of the trapped Fang. "You haven't gotten the nerve or the ability~"
"Incarc~" Harry roared, but Snape deflected the spell with an almost lazy flick of his arm.
"Fight back!" Harry screamed at him "Fight back, you cowardly~"
"Coward, did you call me, Potter?" shouted Snape. "Your father would never attack me unless it was four on one, what would you call him, I wonder?"
"Stupe~"
"Blocked again and again and again until you learn to keep your mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter!" sneered Snape, deflecting the curse once more "Now come! He shouted at the huge Death Eater behind Harry. "It's time to be gone, before the ministry turns up~"
"Impedi~"
But before he could finish this jinx, excruciating pain hit Harry; he keeled over in the grass. Snape paused in his retreat.
"No!" roared Snape's voice and the pain stopped as suddenly as it started; Harry lay curled on the dark grass, clutching his wand and panting; somewhere overhead Snape was shouting, "Have you forgotten our orders? Potter belongs to the Dark Lord ~ we are to leave him! Go! Go!"
Snape felt the ground shudder under his feet as the brother and sister and the enormous Death Eater obeyed, running toward the gates. Harry uttered an inarticulate yell of rage: In that instant Snape knew he needed to get out of there and fast. Looking back he saw the boy get back to his feet.
"Sectum~!"
Snape flicked his wand and the curse was repelled yet again; but Harry was mere feet away now and could see Snape's face clearly at last: He was no longer sneering or jeering; the blazing flames showed a face of full rage.
Feeling yet another spell coming from the boy Snape screamed "No, Potter!" There was a loud BANG and Harry was soaring backward, hitting the ground and losing his wand.
"You dare use my own spells against me, Potter? It was I who invented them ~ I, the Half-Blood Prince! And you'd turn my inventions on me, like the so called man you called father, would you? I don't think so...no!"
He shot a hex at Harry's wand as Harry dove for it. "Kill me then," panted Harry, "Kill me like you killed him, you coward ~"
"DON'T~" screamed Snape, his face suddenly twisted in great pain, "CALL ME A COWARD!"
He slashed at the air, slamming Harry backward into the ground. Then Snape found that he had to defend himself against an enraged hippogriff. He staggered backwards as razor sharp claws slashed at him. Deciding now was the best time for his retreat; Snape turned and ran to the gates as fast as he could, disapparating away with Draco.
Harry felt the pull as he was forced to follow Snape. He found himself in Malfoy Manor, with Mrs. Malfoy right in front of Draco, and Snape. Harry looked around a bit; taking in the home his school rival grew up in. Then he heard Snape speaking with Mrs. Malfoy.
"Where is our Lord, Narcissa? I need to make my report."
"Follow me; he requested I bring you to him as soon as you arrived."
Harry followed the blonde witch down a long corridor and into a large room. Sitting in the middle of the room was Voldemort surrounded by all the Death Eaters that had been at Hogwarts with Draco and Snape.
"Severus, you finally arrived. I hope the brat didn't give you too much trouble?" inquired Voldemort.
Bowing low at Voldemort's feet Snape replied, "No more than usual my Lord." with that Snape waited to be given permission to rise and give his report.
"I'm very disappointed in you, Draco; you forced my spy to reveal his true allegiances! Crucio! I no longer have someone stationed in the Order. Well, what's left of Dumbledore's pitiful little group now that he's gone." With that Voldemort laughed and released Draco from the curse. Harry was glad his scar didn't react to memories, Draco looked like hell.
"Severus, my most loyal servant, rise and take your reward." Snape stood up and took his new place in the circle, to Voldemort's very right. "Enjoy your place Severus, you have earned it. No other Death Eater has put forth as much effort as you have to further our cause. Now everyone leave me, I want to celebrate. Wormtail, bring in a Muggle!"
Harry followed Snape as he made his way quickly from the manor. Once outside he felt the tug of following Snape as he disapparated again. Finding himself right outside Grimmauld Place, Harry followed Snape inside and up the stairs to the room Snape normally used when he had to stay overnight.
Once inside the room Harry watched Snape collapse onto the floor and fall apart. Harry wasn't sure how long he watched Snape cry and mourn the loss of Albus Dumbledore, but he dared not leave until the memory went dark signaling he'd seen everything.
Harry couldn't believe it. Snape not only had access to the house, he had come here after escaping and cried, cried like his life had ended. Dumbledore was right; Snape was only doing what he was forced to do.
‘He could have hurt me that night; bloody hell Snape could have killed me that night. Instead he instructed me, telling me what I needed to learn to survive what's coming.'
Harry groaned as he felt a headache coming on. He had to trust Snape, Dumbledore wanted him to, had left proof that he could. This was all too much; Harry needed to leave. As he was getting up to leave he saw the first letter glow, and remembered that he had to learn how to let others into the house. Turning the letter over Harry read the new portion on that had added itself to the back.
Dearest Harry,I am proud of you. I'm sure it wasn't easy watching those memories, as it wasn't easy living through them. Now too augment the wards to allow Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger into the house you need to speak this incantation: Narro Amicus Tenus Ingredior, then say the person's name. For example for Mr. Weasley you would say, Narro Amicus Tenus Ingredio Ronald Weasley.
Once again I'm so sorry that it had to happen this way Harry. But as you saw this was the only way to secure Severus' position. Try not to give Severus a hard time. He's been through enough.
Good luck on your mission, I have faith in you Harry. I know you will do the right thing to succeed.
Yours truly,
Albus Dumbledore
Harry repeated the incantation for Ron, Hermione, and Remus; then he went to look for Remus outside. Peering outside the door Harry saw a very agitated Remus. "Hey, Remus, what's wrong?"
"There you are, Harry, are you just now getting done? I've been out here for over an hour. I was getting worried. Are you ok? Can I enter now?"
"First can you tell me what color Snape's handbag was?"
Remus laughed, "Oh yes, of course Harry. It was red, didn't match the vulture hat too well though." Remus said, laughing at the memory.
"Ok you're you. Come on in and I'll tell you everything." Harry turned around and went back inside with Remus following him.
*~~*~~*
"There's the letters and the memories. If you don't mind I'd rather not go in again, once was enough." Harry said looking very tired.
"I know you're tired Harry, but I'd really rather not leave you out here on your own. It couldn't be helped before, but now we know Snape has access to the house...Harry I just want to keep you safe."
Harry groaned, "Ok, Remus. Let's get started, I want to go to bed soon. You know Hermione and Ron are going to want the whole story when I get back to the Dursley's."
After going through all the bottled memories Harry and Remus were having a cuppa trying to take in all that they had seen. Harry paused and looked up at Remus. "How many memories did we see together?"
Remus thought back to all he saw and replied, "Four, why Harry?"
"Remus, I saw five memories when I was here the first time. We didn't see the one where Snape walked away from his child, where did it go to?"
"I believe I can answer your question, Mr. Potter, Lupin." Snape said from a dark corner of the kitchen. Both wizards jumped up at the sound of Snape's voice and had their wands pointed towards him.
"I assure you I mean you no harm. Albus' wards alerted me that Mr. Potter was in the house. Albus wanted me to be here while his memory was fresh, so that I can once again take up my role as spy for the Order. The Order needs the information I have gathered, and I have a great deal. Albus felt his life was worth my place as a spy, I'd really rather not waste anymore time."
"I understand you were only doing what you were told, Snape, but why take one of the memories? Don't you want everyone else in the Order to believe you're not guilty as well?"
"Oh no, Mr. Potter, they won't be watching those memories. The only people that are to know of my true role are those that will have access to this house, along with Minerva, and Arthur. You've already gone against what Albus told you to do by granting Lupin here access to the house. Albus told you just to allow those two friends of yours, but I see, you still feel that you know better than everyone else." Snape sneered.
"Now look here, Snape, I wanted Remus' opinion on the matter. He knows far more than I do about what I needed to do with this information. In addition I...I wanted to make sure he had a place to stay." Harry looked down at his shoes when he said the last part. He and Remus hadn't discussed where Remus was staying, and he didn't want to hurt Remus' pride by asking him out right.
"Oh, Harry, I thought you knew. I'm back at Hogwarts. Minerva needed a DADA Professor and convinced me I was the perfect person for the job."
Harry looked up at Remus, "I didn't know Hogwarts was opening for sure this year, when did they decide?"
"Can we discuss the issue of Hogwarts and your Godwolf later, Potter? I'm sure you're just as tired as I am. I for one would like to get to bed before tomorrow becomes today."
"Sure, whatever, Snape. What do you need to tell us tonight?" Harry said as he pulled up his chair from where it landed on the floor and plopped down into it.
"The Order needs to know that the Dark Lord is planning an attack the day of the oldest Weasley spawn's wedding. I'm not sure where he's gotten his information from, but he knows everything. Who will be there, where and when it will be. The Dark Lord even knows where the newlyweds plan on going for their honeymoon. He won't tell anyone where the attack is planned; he's much too paranoid to give us all the information at once, but as soon as I know more I will tell you so you can pass it on. Now when are you planning on moving to the house?"
"Professor Dumbledore wanted me to stay with the Dursley's until my birthday. Ron, Hermione, and I planned on moving in a little after midnight on the thirty-first. I had to promise my Aunt I'd be out of there as soon as possible for her to agree to Ron and Hermione staying. She's already threatened to kick me out a few times because Remus and Professor McGonagall had to keep visiting."
"So, you will be here full time no later than the thirty-first, sooner if your Aunt sickens of you before then." Snape said, rubbing his chin in thought. "So just how will I get messages to you before then?"
"We could set up a rotation with Ron, Hermione, and Remus to come check the house daily for messages." Harry suggested. "I really shouldn't leave my Aunt's house until after my birthday."
"Just wait a second, Harry. I have a better idea, and it will keep everyone safe and indoors. We don't need you running out and about even after your birthday."
"Hold on, Remus! I have things I have to accomplish after my birthday. Things Dumbledore only entrusted me to do, I can't just sit around and do nothing." Harry said.
"Ah, that is where you are partly wrong, Mr. Potter. You and your friends are to work with me on this mission Albus set for you to do. But this is not the time to discuss that matter. Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger need to be here as well," said Snape.
Harry sighed, giving into what Dumbledore asked him to do, "Yes, I now know that we will be working with you. I will do so willingly, but we're all tired so why don't we just hear Remus' idea so we can decide what to do?" Harry tried to keep the whine out of his voice, but knowing he hadn't succeeded, Harry rested his head in his hands.
Remus gave Harry's shoulder a squeeze before he spoke, "I think we should use mirrors to communicate." At hearing that Harry's head shot up and glared at Remus, who just continued on. "James and Sirius used to talk during separate detentions during school using a fairly simple charm on a set of mirrors, well simple compared to the ma...well simple compared to other things they had come up with. I had a mirror as well; I just didn't use mine often. I felt they deserved most of their detentions. I might not have reported them as often as I should have, but I wasn't going to be party to their turning those detentions into play time." Remus got up and took three spoons from the drawer and transfigured them into small round mirrors. He then cast a charm to set the transfiguration, before charming them with the communication spell. Handing one to Snape and then Harry, who couldn't do much other than stare at his, Remus began to explain how they worked. "We can set the password to just about anything; it doesn't have to be names like James and Sirius used in school as well as the mirror Sirius gave you Harry." At that Remus gave Harry a knowing, sympathetic look. "We just need to set up a password for each of us, so that the three mirrors can be linked. After that simply speak the password for who you wish to speak to while looking into the mirror and you'll be connected."
Harry snorted, "Well Snape's password is obvious, Half-Blood Prince will work just fine for him. Now we just need something for Remus and me." Snape rolled his eyes, but nodded at Harry's suggestion. "That will work if it has to."
"Well, now that's worked out we just need one for Harry and me." Remus said rubbing his chin in thought. He then got a glint in his eyes and looked over to Harry. "Harry's will be Scales." Harry smiled for the first time since the first time he had set foot into the house that night. "Yes Remus, that works perfectly. Now for you, Moony is too well known. I know how about Thewlis?"
"Why Thewlis, Harry? That's a strange name to give me don't you think?" Remus asked
Harry shrugged, "I don't know, I heard the name on the telly one night while Dudley was watching some entertainment show, and for some reason I thought of you."
Snape cast tempus to see the time, and then stood up. "Well, now that all this is settled it is time I left; if I'm gone for too much longer it will look suspicious. I was not expecting to be away tonight. I will send a message when I hear anything else on the attack. You have until the wedding to plan something with the Order. I suggest you make the best of the time I've given you, until then." With that said Snape walked out of the kitchen, robes billowing around him. Harry and Remus looked at each other and then back to the door.
"Wait he never did explain why he took that memory. Why wouldn't he want anyone else seeing it?" Harry shook his head, he just couldn't understand.
"Harry, Snape is a very complicated man. I'm sure he had his reasons for only wanting you to see it. Oh and Harry, I think it best we use the mirrors only for messages pertaining to Snape, for anything else just continue using the coins. Now let's get you home," replied Remus.
Harry had a surprise waiting for him at home. There was a ministry owl on his bed. The feisty little fellow wouldn't let Hermione or Ron take the letter from him, he had bitten them both while they where trying to retrieve it.
Harry groaned he figured he was in for another trial at the very least. He knew Umbridge was still working for the ministry and figured she still had it in for him.
"Well, hand it over. Let's see what the Ministry wants me to do now. At least they can't expel me as I'm not going back." Harry took the letter from the owl and gave it a treat before the owl flew out the window.
"I can't believe this!" Harry exclaimed.
"What Harry? They aren't demanding your wand again are they? I thought Scrimgeour would be smarter than Fudge," asked Hermione.
Harry handed the letter to Hermione, and Ron read it over her shoulder. All three started laughing. It seems Scrimgeour was convinced Harry was the "Chosen One", and therefore felt he should be allowed to use his magic, even if there were only two weeks before his seventeenth birthday.