Authors Note:

Alright- so I've let everyone know that I was rewriting this and I think it's about time to prove that I'm not just stalling lol. almost 15 years ago (Geeze I'm getting old) this story first came to life on paper- then was typed on allowed computer/library time before being posted. I didn't think that people would like it much, but I loved it. Fanfiction became my escape from a life that tempted me to try to end it and finally I was contributing. I was blown away by how much people appreciated my work- and that appreciation helped me. It probably saved my life a time or two as I went through the wringer.

So fast forward- life gets in the way- writing styles change and a writer looks back and while she still loves the work.. she wonders what the heck happened to it. We've been through a lot together- my writing and I. Including someone deciding to take this story- word for word and post it as their own. That was a wake up call- I had been quietly re-editing this in between working on other stories, but I hadn't made a public announcement. And even though I always say that I'll never abandon/ adopt out a story some people don't get the hint.

Each and every story that I write is a deeply personal thing- it's something that I devote any scrap of spare time and motivation to. And sometimes no so spare chunks that I pay for with lack of sleep. Writing is my venting place- its where I let myself just zone and exhaust any emotional overload. Giving up anything I've done... That would be giving a chunk of my very being out- I'm not doing it.

I've rambled on enough- you're all here for the story not my talk. So without further ado...

Onto the Story

'Someone really should issue an official warning for the wise that says to never volunteer to be Neville Longbottom's partner in Potions. Nothing good ever comes from it. Ever.' Harry thought to himself without any humor. 'Even you have the urge to do so to save others and himself from himself don't do it. He'll take you down with him in some way every single time you do so. It will happen even if the end result isn't his fault. Its a karmic law or something.' the thought continued, as he considered the scene around him, and what may come of things if something didn't change. He'd be willing to bet that nothing good would come of this.

One may ask why the-boy-who-lived was thinking these kinds of thought, he liked Neville of course so it was nothing against the other teen. But he had arrived in the dungeon potions room just as the professor, one Severus Snape, was pairing people for the rest of the year. It was only when he noticed that Neville was by himself that he had ignored his own mental warning. His first thought was that it would be best if someone who wasn't afraid of the usually snarky teacher was paired with the nervous teen. But there were not many students who fit that bill- most were to blinded by his public mask or Slytherins who wouldn't pair with a Gryffindor. Harry had seen past the masks of course, and being a former Lion meant that he would be more open to the pairing- so it was almost to easy to see the solution. His change in attitude from previous years was helped by the fact that Harry was on friendlier terms with the older man then he had been in years past. If he was paired with the teen, that may cause Snape to go a little bit easier on the much frailer nerved boy than the previous years. If that happened then the class and Neville would be a lot safer. Without much of a second thought, Harry had rushed to fill the empty seat.

Sighing he went to shoot an apologetic look at his two friends in case his decision had upset them, but they didn't even notice his absence. They were too busy snogging and talking in quiet whispers when they had to come up for air. They hadn't even taken notice that he was no where near them, which both hurt a bit and wasn't much of a surprise. Really it was nice that they had finally confessed their feelings, but this complete lack of awareness for anyone but each other was a bit over kill. The emerald eyed teen didn't even know if he was still friends with them if he was honest with himself. They hadn't really talked since the before the previous summer.

Already, even though the year hadn't been in session long, there had been several times where Harry really didn't know how he had put up with Hermione's slightly overbearing personality due to the lack of it suffocating him on a daily basis. It had been refreshing to be around other students who were willing to listen to be honest, and it was hard to realize just what he had been missing out on. Then there was Ron's emotional stupidity and jealousy over anything that Harry had and he didn't. Harry didn't miss the rags he had once worn, and he wasn't afraid to admit that he had been afraid of replacing them once upon a time, since that would mean spending money and risking Ron accusing him of showing off. The new clothes seemed to make him more confident, and he liked the feeling that he was finally in control of things that confidence gave him.

In years past it had been Ron who had run off whenever things went south, but in all honesty Harry was tired of being accepting and forgiving when he came back apologizing for the blow up of the day. He shouldn't have to wonder what would be the next thing to set his hot tempered friend off, Harry shouldn't have to tip toe around the other teen like he had been. Friendship wasn't supposed to be like that, he didn't need to beg and plead for whatever scrap of camaraderie that Ron deemed to give him. This new change in dynamics could just be the natural end of things in regards to his friendship. And it may be for the best if he was honest with himself.

Harry knew that he had really damaged many facets of his life in his need to be accepted by those closest to him. He had lost the self that he knew before Hogwarts in his habit of altering how he behaved to fit in with thier expectations. For example he stupidly hadn't wanted to offend or outshine them so he had held himself back even though he had been excited for the chance to finally be able to excell in school without getting beat for showing up Dudley. For that change alone, Snape was probably correct in his summery of the friendships worth, even if the green eyed teen didn't want to admit it. As much as he had clung to Ron and Hermione as his first friends in the wizarding world, they weren't worth all drama and pain that surrounded his interactions with him. Not that he was blameless in the whole mess. He had caused his own share of mischief and trouble, but they were not worth denying his true self anymore.

The teen probably should take the distance as his cue to stop trying to make things work between them. At least for now, they might be better when they matured, as he hoped that he would be but for now… this was the end of the Golden Trio. Harry smiled at his nervous potions partner as he shook himself from the heavy thoughts that he was having. Neville was vibrating in his seat next to him and Harry was almost afraid of how this was going to play out if the other boy was already this nervous. He was in for a hard time this year if this was any indication though.

"Hey Harry." Neville squeaked out- his voice just as nervous as his body language, just before the professor started to speak. The teen nodded to him, letting him know that he had been heard before focusing in on the lecture that was beginning. Drawing Snape's attention to them by chattering wouldn't help things any so it was best to focus and hope the other teen calmed down as class progressed.

"I am truly amazed at how many dunder heads have managed to fool their way into my N.E.W.T's class. I will not tolerate any of the behavior that you have shown in the past five years, because this year the caliber of potion work we do will see injuries and permanent harm to your person if you choose to act that way. There will only be one warning given before your permanent expulsion. I will assure you here or now that if you are expelled from this class that no amount of pleading or bargaining will change that. Many of you are in here by sheer dumb luck and in some cases bribery and pleading from the head of your house." He paused to look at Ron and Hermione there, making it clear who he was speaking about without calling thier names.

Harry tried and failed to repress the snicker that passed his lips at that unnoticed jab, but it was funny because the man wasn't exaggerating. Professor McGonagall had swallowed her pride down enough to almost beg the Potions Master to reconsider his ruling on the grading minimums so that Ron would be allowed into this class. Her goal was to make it so he had a chance on the career path that he wanted. And Snape had allowed a one year change in minimum to go into effect so the red haired slacker could join, after some concessions had been made of course. For one, Her behavior towards Slytherin's had been called out and she had promised to reign it in. The coup de gra, however, was the reason that Harry now wore green instead of red. It almost didn't matter that the change in minimum grade also let in a slew of other sub par students- if they wished to take advantage of the change that is.

The Head of Gryffindor had agreed to support a school-wide resorting event, as such a thing needed a certain number of sponsors to happen. She hadn't expected Snape to actually get the necessary number of sponsors when she has pledged her support though, but the Slytherin Head of House had. And a good deal of changes had been made to the student body during it. Harry had happily gone to Slytherin after his summer of silence and a talk with Snape, and Hermione had gone to Ravenclaw after another lengthy session with the hat. From what he had heard she wasn't even trying to make friends among her new house, too caught up with her boyfriend to care about the connections she should be making- connections that could help her in the path that she wanted. Snubbing them wasn't a good choice but he wasn't going to tell her that. She wouldn't listen to him for one, but talking with her would go against his earlier decision. She could make her own choices.

"While others have worked their way through many problems and survived getting into this class by their own wits and skills alone." He didn't pause again but his gaze passed over Harry, something pointed in his gaze. The teen blushed at the look. Ever since he had shown the other man how much interest he had in the his subject- in an environment that the other man was actually willing to look and listen in- things between them had been different. Of course Snape had also been given the chance to learn some other truths about him before that had been possible, and that had made all the difference in thier relationship first and foremost. Things had changed for the better, because instead of a snarky teacher who seemed to hate and protect him in alternating time he had a full protector who knew just how much he had been though. Snape was determined not to let anything else happen to him and for once the teen believed that there was someone on his side that cared for him as a person. And Harry needed to be seen as more then a weapon.

The Potion Master's first change to Harry's life had been his refusal to let Harry cover his intelligence or passions back up to suite others views of him. Harry was projected to be one of the best students in his graduating class this year based on the baseline testing the Head of Slytherin had taken, or so Snape had insisted the last time they had talked on the subject. Harry knew that the other man wasn't about to let that projection fail if he had anything to say about it. As a Slytherin Harry found the expectations he was facing to be higher then ever. But unlike before he knew that he wasn't alone in things- his Head of House took his fears seriously and did his best to see them calmed or resolved in a timely manner. More then McGonagall had ever done for him in the very least . Snape gave him a small smile then continued on in his lecture.

"Today we will be beginning to brew the Polyjuice Potion that is on page 1912 in your potions book. Please follow the directions carefully and at the end of each class cast some sort of shield around you cauldrons to keep any contaminates from being introduced over night. We covered several spells that can be used for this last year, but if you need a reminder please ask either myself or a fellow student that is well versed with them. This Potion takes a month to complete and mature, so do not expect it to be an easy assignment. " He finished before retreating to his desk to grade fifth year essays.

Harry couldn't believe his luck with this assignment. He had brewed this potion in his second year, with Ron and Hermione, so he should be able to keep Neville on track and calm. If the other boy knew that Harry was confident, then he would be more at ease then if this was a potion neither knew. He gave his friend a smile as they got up to get the supplies that they would need for today's portion of the potion and was relieved to see the other teen smile back. Neville mouthed 'Thank You as they settled down and Harry replied with a grin and a nod.

The next month was relatively incident free, or so Harry and Neville thought as they worked on thier potion. It was almost the right color and consistency- the difference wouldn't result in a failing grade though and Harry was trying to figure out what he could do to fix it. What they didn't know was that Draco Malfoy had been adding extra ingredients to their potion by bypassing the spells after hours to do so, changing its use dramatically, little by little over that month. Harry thought he needn't worry about the other teen this year. Thier Head of House had taken the blonde aside and spoke with him about thier previous rivarly once the resort was official, and he had seemed to accept the change without a fight. Maybe that should have worried him.

Finally it was the last day and surprisingly the potions color and consistency was just right thanks to a couple adjustments in stirring and the amount of powdered bicorn horn. That is, it looked that way right up until Harry added the last ingredient and it exploded outwards. The obviously failed potion drenched him head to toe and filled his mouth and throat as he reacted with a shout. He was left no choice but to ingest the now unknown potion remains, and there had been no chance to block or move out of the way. Well none after he had shoved Neville as hard as he could to get him out of the blasts area. The last anyone saw of the-boy-who-lived he was screaming in agony in the middle of a white glowing mess, and then he disappeared along with the glowing concoction. There was no trace of spilled potion to be found unfortunately as it went with him, which would cause no small headache in the coming months for those left behind.

Draco Malfoy stood staring in shock at where his attractive former nemesis turned housemate had once stood. He was clearly devastated by what had happened, but there was also a terrible guilt clear on his face. He wasn't trying to hide it yet, in the stark reality of what his actions had lead to. Snape's face was white with anger and pain filled his fathomless black eyes as the situation registered in his mind. The student that he had promised to protect was gone, had been screaming and in pain. Neville was sobbing in horror from where he had landed on the ground, no one had moved to help him yet and it would still be a couple moments until anyone did as what happened registered with everyone there.

Ron and Hermione hadn't even noticed their supposed best friends disappearance somehow. They were still too busy snogging to care about the commotion apparently- having not flinched a single time through any of it. Something was defiantly off there, and it wasn't just because the Golden Boy had become a Slytherin. Thier lack of reaction pointed to something more sinister being in play- though what was not know yet. Snape finally got himself together and grabbed both Neville and Draco by the shoulder, his dark eyes settling on burning with unrestrained anger as he took in the scene.

"You two are coming with me to the Headmaster." He said with barely repressed anger- the tone bordering on something that resembled hate, before he dragged the boys away. As he exited the room it should be noted that Ron and Hermione still had not noticed anything was wrong. The rest of the room was still in shock at the memory of Harry's pain filled screams, though more and more were noting the pairs behaviour. This day would not be one that they would forget- ever.