Chapter One

Dinner was almost done when the owls carrying the evening mail poured into the Great Hall. With only a few months remaining of his 6th year at Hogwarts, Harry was no longer truly awed by the sight. True it was still a beautiful thing to watch, with all the different types and colors of owls, but it no longer inspired awe as it once did, like the first time he saw it all those years ago.

For that reason, instead of watching the owls come in, Harry continued his conversation about the Transfiguration homework that had been assigned for the Easter break, and listened with a part of his concentration on the Herbology discussion on the other side of him. It wasn't until Hedwig landed on his shoulder, like she had been doing since the beginning of that school year, that he realized that he was also receiving mail. Reaching up automatically to stroke her soft white feathers, he offered his snowy owl the last few bites of his bun, before untying the note carefully from her talons.

Shoving his plate to the side he placed the note on the table in front of him and pulled out his wand. It was always a good idea now a days for him to check his mail before opening it, as he had found that out earlier at Halloween, when someone had sent him a box containing cursed dead roses in an effort to kill him. If it wasn't for the quick work from Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey he would have ended up in a lot of trouble and pain.

Casting a series of charms on the note, he found nothing wrong with it, but just to make sure he cast a final spell that was not well known by most 6th years and checked for dark curses also. Finding none of those, he opened the note and did his best to hide his surprise at what he read.

Mr. Potter.

As much as it pains me to admit it, I have found myself in need of your assistance. Please meet me in my office at 11:00 tonight.

Come alone and unseen.

If you find that you cannot trust me and feel the need to confirm this request, check with the Headmaster, as he will also be present tonight. Don't inform anyone else.

S. Snape.

Harry read the note through twice before looking up and meeting the glittering black eyes of his Potions Professor. The whole school knew how much the two of them hated each other, and if any of his friends found out about the meeting, they would be the first to insist that it was some kind of Death Eater trap. Turning his gaze to the Headmaster, he watched as the twinkling blue eyes turned to meet his own before the Headmaster gave him a look of understanding and then gave him a small nod to confirm the request. Harry once more allowed his gaze to wonder back to Snape's before giving him a small nod of acceptance. He would meet the man later that night.

Harry's attention was brought back to the note in his hand when he felt a small tug as some one tried to take it away. Giving Hermione a sharp look, he held the note by the top corner before pointing his wand at it. 'Incendo.' He muttered under his breath and watched as it went up in flames before once more waving his wand and putting out the fire.

"Harry! What did it say?" Hermione demanded.

"Nothing that you need to worry about 'Mione."

"How are we supposed to help keep you safe, if you don't tell us what's going on?" She demanded to know.

"Hermione Jane, I do NOT have to tell you everything. All you need to know is that I'll be safe. If it was something to be worried about I would have told you." Harry said in a quite voice, a snarl barely suppressed.

Without waiting for a reply Harry left the table, Hedwig still on his shoulder, and most of his supper still on his plate. Just before stalking off, he hissed at Hermione, " I do not need nor want a babysitter. Personal correspondence between myself and another person is just that. Personal." Turning on his heel he stormed out of the Great Hall.

Ron gave Hermione a pointed look that clearly said 'I hate to tell you I told you so but... ' before giving her a small smile "He'll get over it 'Mione. Just give him a little space for now." he said softly to his girlfriend.

"I know Ron, but we need to know what's going on so that we can help him."

"Yes, but he still needs space. Everyone keeps forgetting that he is a very private person. Besides who ever sent that note, sent it with Hedwig. She trusted that person, and she is more protective of Harry then any of us. He also checked with Dumbledore, and got the okay from him."

"I take it you watched Harry while I tried to take the letter and force him to tell me?"

"Yes."

"Alright Ron, I'll give him some space." She said with a deep sigh.

hp

Harry stalked the halls leading to Gryffindor Tower in an effort to wear off enough energy to completely calm himself down. Knowing that no matter what he did at the moment, nothing would really work until he had a chance to completely clear his mind and meditate to bring himself under control, he would settle for being able to give the Fat Lady the password for Gryffindor Tower without snarling. He found when he came in sight of the portrait that he needed not to have bothered. The Fat Lady took on look at his face, and with a murmured, 'Don't scare the First Years to much Dear,' opened without the password.

Harry made a mental note in the back of his mind to thank the Lady when he was calm once more, while at the same time he decided to take her advice, and blanked his face into a semblance of calm. Working his way through the common room, and up the stairs to the 6th year boys dorm, he walked right to his bed, and waited a second for Hedwig to move from his shoulder to the foot board of his bed, so that he could find the items he was looking for in his trunk. His invisibility cloak and the Marauders Map. Stuffing them both in his school bag, and making sure he had everything he needed to complete some of his homework that needed to be done over the break, he once more stood and allowed Hedwig to take her place on his shoulder. Casting a light locking spell and alarm spell on his trunk he walked to the open window to give Hedwig the opportunity to stay with him or go back to the Owlery. giving his ear a soft nip she settled herself comfortably and gripped his shoulder tightly, telling him in her own way, that she was staying right where she was. Nodding his head in understanding, Harry left the Tower and worked his way down to the dungeons and the room he had claimed for his own.

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Albus Dumbledore and Severus Snape sat together in the Potions Master's private rooms, having a cup of tea before moving to Severus' office in order for Harry to join them. Albus had just poured himself a second cup of tea and was turning to continue the previous conversation when an oddly dressed house elf popped into the room.

"Ah, Dobby. How may we help you tonight." Albus asked with a bright twinkle in his eyes, he knew that the only way this House Elf would show up, without being called, was if Harry Potter asked him to.

"Headmaster Sir, Professor Snape Sir, Master Harry Potter Sir has asked me to be giving you this note Sirs." The excitable Elf said while bouncing up and down.

Albus took the note and gently unfolded it, ignoring the comments about 'Impertinent brats backing out of a meeting at the last minute,' coming from Severus

Headmaster and Professor Snape.

Yes I do know that the two of you are together and not in Professor Snape's office, which is the reason why I dare to send this note. I have a slight problem with getting away from my well meaning, but nosy friends at the moment. Hermione and Ron are both camped outside of my room and there is no way I can leave without them following me, without your help.

No Professor Snape, I am not going to tell you exactly where they are, they only worry that I am not in the Common Room where I should be.

Headmaster, if it alright with Professor Snape, I have a solution that will allow me to keep my promise on not telling anyone where I am going. If you would be willing to convince the Castle to create a door in the wall on the left side of Professor Snape's fireplace it will connect directly with my room. I had no idea when I first entered this room that we would be this close. Of course it would only be a temporary door. I know full well what Professor Snape thinks of me.

If this is not suitable, I will of course agree to meet with Professor Snape at a later time, and at his convenience, when I can slip away from my friends unnoticed.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Harry J. Potter.

Albus chuckled to himself, and passed the note to Severus. "He's not backing out Severus. He's just in a little bit of a bind." He said with a twinkle in his eye.

A single eyebrow lifted slightly while Severus read the note, and he glanced at the section of wall in question. "I suppose if there is no other way, you can make the door. As long as it is temporary."

"Of course Severus." Albus stood from his chair, and after gently placing his tea cup down, walked over to the wall and placed his hands against the stone, he said a few words in Latin, and watched as a door appeared. Opening it quietly he glanced through and saw Harry sitting cross legged on the floor in meditation. "Harry My Boy." he said just loud enough to catch the young mans attention before stepping back away from the door.

Severus had also stood, and before the Headmaster could stop him, attempted to walk through the door. He was shocked when he was thrown back into his own room. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

Albus walked over to the younger man and helped him to stand. "Harry has the room warded against all who would enter unless it is an emergency. The only way anyone can enter is if he invites you in."

"And you allow this?" he snapped, disgust apparent in his voice.

"When you consider that room is the only place that he has any true privacy, then yes I do. There is a portrait in the room that will tell me and a few others if he is in trouble. Otherwise I allow him his privacy."

A soft voice from the other room got their attention. "I'm sorry Sir. It was not my intention to hurt you. If you place your hand on the ward it will read your magical signature so that you may enter. Headmaster, please come in."

"Thank you My Boy." Albus said.

Severus crossed once more to the door, and with a slight tremor, that he would not allow anyone to see, placed his hand out to touch the wards. A tingle warmed his hand, and flowed through his body, and he felt his magic tasted and then accepted. Giving the boy opposite another raised eyebrow he waited for permission to cross.

"You no longer need my permission. You have full access to this room. Just don't try to enter when I'm not here. That will take a little longer to set up."

Giving the boy a sharp nod he didn't notice the Headmaster's shock, and stepped through the door. This time he was not able to mask what he was feeling and looked around in shock. The room resembled his own Study. Bookshelves lined the walls filled with books on a verity of different subjects. A desk sat in one corner, and the fireplace was directly opposite his own in such a way that if you removed the wall in between them, you could see between the two rooms. Two large comfortable chairs sat in front of the fireplace with a couch sat off to one side. Five closed doors led off of the main room, and he wondered where they led to.

Harry watched the face of his Professor, and understood some of the emotions running across it. He also knew that there was a few questions that Snape wanted answers to and was trying to figure out a way to ask them without sounding like he really wanted the answers. Or as the case may be, demanding the answers to those questions and have the Headmaster breathing down his neck. Taking pity on the man, Harry decided to give him a few of the answers that he knew Snape was looking for.

"Bathroom, Training Room, Work Room and Storage, and of course this Study. The door on your left leads to the hall. Just in case you where wondering Sir. Someday I will let you see the other rooms. If of course that is what you would like."

"And if I ask to see them now Mr. Potter? Would you dare tell me no?"

"It doesn't take much to tell you no, when I'm in my own rooms. I'll even give you a reason, two actually. The first is the most obvious, you asked to see me, I assume that it's important. The second, allowing you access to all of this takes a degree of trust between the two of us, that we really don't share. If the time comes that we ever do trust each other enough, I will give you full access to the whole set of rooms, not just my Study."

"Very well Mr. Potter. I do believe the discussion that I and the Headmaster would like to have with you would be better off taken place in my rooms." Was all he said before turning his back and walking back through the new door. The Headmaster followed and a white owl he just noticed ghosted in after them, but Harry remained where he was on the floor. "Are you planning on joining us sometime soon Mr. Potter?"

"Of course Professor, I just need to reset the wards on this room, I will join you in a minute." Harry watched as the two men left his Study and then closed his eyes, reaching forth into his magical core, he called upon his magic to place the wards that would snap into place the moment he left the room. As soon as he felt them take hold, he quickly stood up and followed the others into Snape's Living Room. As soon as he crossed through the door, a flash of light flared behind him, and a dark shield blocked the vision of all present, so that none could see much of the other room.

"And what of your friends Harry?" Albus asked softly.

"The door leading to the hallway is charmed so only they can see it. When it's green I'm in the room, but when I leave the room and the wards snap into place the door turns silver. I'm pretty sure Hermione is about ready to panic, no doubt I'll hear about how irresponsible I am next time she sees me."

"And the Great Harry Potter feels no need to run and explain to his friends. How thoughtful of you." Snape sneered.

Harry sighed in frustration, no matter what he did this man was bound and determined to belittle him. "No Sir. You asked that I tell no one where I was tonight. When I agreed with your terms, I made a promise, and I don't break my promises, unless they tend to be harmful to others if I do keep them. When Hermione calms down Ron will remind her that if I was taken out of that room by any means, including portkey against my will, the door would be flashing red and a alarm would have sounded allowing them immediate access. Headmaster Dumbledore has also added wards that, although they will not stop a portkey, they will slow it down and trace the magical signature. I have also left word with Dobby to inform them that I was safe and with the Headmaster, and if by chance something is wrong he will immediately go for help. Now is there anything else you would like to comment on or can we get down to the reason you wanted to speak to me?"

Severus had to bite back any and all snide comments he could have made. How dare this boy talk to him in that matter! Unfortunately he could really do nothing at all about it with the Headmaster sitting there calmly drinking tea. Besides the boy was right he really did need his help, and anything he could have said, would only make the boy turn him down that much faster.

"Like I said in my note, I find myself in need of your assistance. If there was anyone else who I could turn to, rest assured that I would not have brought this to you. I am ... unable to take care of a pet of mine over the summer. It is a magical animal that feeds of the magic of whoever is nearby. In most cases the magic of the many people in the castle, would be enough to sustain him, but with everyone gone over the summer, there is no way that there would be enough energy. The Headmaster is also unable to take him and give him the care he needs. That leaves only one person that I know I can trust to take care of him, and with enough power to insure that he remains healthy. No matter what I personally think of that person"

Harry searched the eyes of the man in front of him to see if he was serious. Seeing nothing but honesty in eyes that usually showed no emotion at all, convinced him that he was being told the truth. Running through a list of all the magical creatures that he could remember which might matched the limited description Snape had just given, he unfortunately found that the list was still to long to make a decision.

Harry took a deep breath and leaned forward slightly. "I'm honored that you feel that you can trust me enough with this. But I will be unable to give you a complete answer to wither on not I will be able to take him, without first knowing what kind of animal he is, and then what exactly will need to be done. Even then, I may not be able to take him. It all depends on what I will need to do to hide his existence from my aunt and uncle."

At this Albus sat up and gave Harry a look of confusion. "Harry My Boy, why would you need to hide having another animal in the house. I'm sure if you explain the situation to your family they would be willing to take him in."

"First of all Sir, they are not my family, my family is here. I just stay in their home during the summer months. Second, they don't even like Hedwig. The only time she is allowed to be freed from her cage is while she is delivering the biweekly letters to the Order. When she's not doing that she's locked up. I'm lucky if I'm allowed to keep her in the room they grant me to stay in. Bringing another animal into that house, especially one that feeds off of magic, is a good way to get it killed."

"In other words Potter, there is nothing that you can do to help me with this problem."

"I never said that Professor, I distinctly recall telling you that I needed to know what kind of animal I was dealing with, in order to make the decision. I have been working on an idea to hide Hedwig from them, and depending on the animal, depends on how much I will have to adapt my idea to also hide him."

"You mean Miss Granger will have to adapt it don't you?"

"No sir. Hermione has no idea that I have been working on this."

"What exactly is it?"

Harry gave his Professor a small grin. "It's nothing you need to worry about until I find out what kind of animal I'm working with. If I can't help you I will tell you right away. If that's the case then there really is no need for you to know what I'm working on."

Albus looked between the two younger men and decided to take his leave. "Well My Boys, I'll leave the two of you to work out the details." He was stopped before he could stand up though by Harry.

"I'm sorry Sir, but would it be possible for you stay for a few more minutes? I may have a few questions for you depending on what I need to do. Professor Snape may know the answer, but I would rather not take the chance of him not knowing. Besides I have a test that I need to do, and I'll need your expertise on it."

"Of course Harry, if that is what you wish."

"Thank you Sir."

"Could it be that you just don't trust me enough to be here by yourself with me?" came an almost inaudible question.

"No Sir, I know that I can trust you with my life if I really need to, but you both have your own areas in which you excel, this way I cover all bases. Now, what kind of animal do you need taken care of?"

Snape gave a heavy sigh, he didn't really like the idea that the Headmaster came up with to help him with his problem, but the boy in front of him was tearing down each of his protests. "A panthera. I assume you know what that is."

"Of course Sir, I've always been fascinated by the Panthera. Hagrid only covered the basics, but I've done the research on them. What stage will he be in?"

"He's full grown, but by the end of this school term he will have regressed to a young cub. I'm not sure how far back he will be going. You will be looking at having him with you all day everyday. Regardless."

Harry sat back and looked at his Professor. he was actually pleased with the chance of checking to see if his charm would work. Slipping into his thoughts he absentmindedly rubbed his finger where a ring would usually sit, although no ring was visible. Making a mental check list on all he would need to do, and bring back to the house with him if he managed to be able to make the panthera un-noticeable. Coming back to himself, he gave the two men a small smile. Before he could start asking more questions his head snapped up in alarm and a small snarl slipped through his lips.

"What is wrong Harry?" Albus asked with a slight amount of concern reflecting in his voice..

"Someone has decided to go through my trunk. My guess would be Hermione trying to figure out a way to find me. She may be a brilliant Witch, but she doesn't know how to leave things well enough alone."

"And what are you going to do about it Potter?"

"Nothing, absultly nothing. My trunk will be sent to me by Dobby, and after that he will lecture Hermione or Ron, on being snoops."

"You sound sure of yourself. how can you tell that's what will happen Harry."

"Dobby is very protective of me. It wouldn't be the first time he's taken them to task for not giving me my privacy."

Seconds later Harry's trunk landed on the floor beside the couch, with a very irate House Elf standing on top of it.

"Dobby is sorry to be disturbing you Sirs. Dobby would like to be knowing where I am to be putting Master Harry Potters Sirs trunk Sirs."

Before the other two wizards could respond Harry gave Dobby a glare. "You will not be putting a bedroom into that set of rooms. I'm not leaving the dorms just because Hermione was looking through my trunk in order to figure out where I am."

Dobby returned the glare with one of his own. "Harry Potter Sirs Wheezy and Ginger where not the ones in Master Harry Potter Sirs trunk. Dobby found Dark magic on the trunk. Master Harry Potter Sir is not safe in the Tower any more."

This brought all three men to attention. "What Dark magic Dobby?" Albus questioned, the twinkle in his eyes gone, as they glittered in fury.

Dobby looked at the Headmaster and gave him a slight bow of the head. "Dobby found a small stone cursed like the roses at Halloween. Dobby put the stone in Master Harry Potter Sirs Workroom." he said.

Barely before Dobby had finished speaking Harry was already up and heading for the door to his Study. with a wave of his hand he dispelled the wards and tossed back over his shoulder, "you have my permission to enter my rooms. It looks like, Professor Snape, that you will be seeing my Workroom tonight anyway."

Harry didn't even check to see if the two of them followed, he knew without a doubt that they where right behind him. Walking over to the far door, he paused briefly to murmur the password to his Workroom, and disabled the extra wards within the room, before pushing open the door. He immediately spotted the small box glowing with Dobby's magic.

Going over to the table, Harry made sure that he stayed far enough away to not be hit with the spell, just in case it was keyed to his magic signature once again. The slight rustle of fabric behind him alerted him to the fact that both Dumbledore and Snape entering just behind him, while a hand on his shoulder warned him to stay back, as Snape pulled out his wand to check the stone over.

Dobby popped in on the other side of the table and making sure Harry was shielded removed his containment box. The crackle of energy surprised everyone as it split in two and went around the Potions Master in a bid to reach Harry, who automatically raised a powerful sheild. A small flick of Snape wand had the stone contained once again, so that the two older wizards could study it. It only took a few minutes before they both looked up and shook their heads. Once more nothing could be traced about the origion of the one who sent the stone and the roses before it. This time it was the Headmaster who flicked his wand and the curse around the stone disappeared.

Dumbledore turned to Harry and gave him a sad look. "It looks like Dobby is going to be getting his way. I'm sorry My Boy, but with this it is obvious that you cannot stay in the tower. I would feel better if you where better protected down here."

Harry dropped his head, and Snape sneered as Harry's shoulders started to shake. He assumed that Harry was starting to cry, but he could not be further from the truth. When Harry's head came up he was startled to see pure fury in those green eyes.

Harry glared up at the Headmaster for a moment before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath before he managed to choked out a whispered 'excuse me' and turning on his heel, he left the room. The two men followed and Snape was surprised to see him go into another room. This room really had very little in it. It was just vast opened space with a few targets scattered around the room, and thick mats on the floor.

Harry dropped down onto one of the mats in the middle of the room, and after the other men entered, the door shut and disappeared. A barrier pulsing with pure energy formed around the two of them, and then all hell broke loose. Harry's magic lashed out and a small storm formed around him. Mini lightening bolts flashed out against the targets completely obliterating them. The two older wizards watched as Harry lost control before visibly worked at pulling his magic back into himself.

It took about 20 minutes for the worst of the storm to die down, and the shield around them to disappear. When Snape started toward the young man, Albus tried to pull him back, but Snape shook him of, and moved to kneel in front of Harry.

Harry knew that the others where in the room, he could feel their magic as he pulled himself back into control. Therefore he was not as surprised as he should be when he felt Snape kneel on the floor in front of him. Concentrating on the grounding presence of his Professor, his breathing leveled out faster then it would normally, and he slowly became aware of a soft silky voice giving him directions that he had been subconsciously following.

"Breath in and then out, in then out, that's right. Feel all the magic around you, and pull in everything that belongs to you. It's alright to be angry over this, having your choices taken from you. You did extremely well shielding us before letting go. breath in and out."

Slowly Harry opened his eyes to see the glittering black ones of his Professor, with a final deep breath, Harry released the wards on the room, once more fully in control of his magic.

"Thank you Sir. Having another voice to focus on helped ground me faster then I would have been able to do myself." He said softly.

"Don't think I did this for your on benefit. We still have business to take care of. I did this more for my wish to find sleep tonight more then I did for you." Snape answered with a sneer, but without any true malice.

"All the same, thank you." Harry repeated before standing, completely understanding what the older wizard was saying.

Snape also stood and walked back through the room to stand at the door to his own chamber, waiting for the others to join him. He noticed that the odd house elf was also still in the room clearly waiting for his orders.

When Dumbledore joined him he gave the elf a small smile, "I trust Dobby that you can do what needs to be done in order to make Harry comfortable here in these rooms?"

"Oh yes Sir, Headmaster Sir. I just be waiting to see what Harry Potter Sir is wanting." He said bouncing up and down with his excitement.

Harry had followed at a slower pace and gave Dobby a tired smile from the door way of the training room. "Dobby, no House colors. If I'm to stay here for the now, I would like it to be comfortable. neutral shades and pale blues and greens. Something soothing. If Winky is up to it, have her help you."

"Yes Sir. I'll go get her. Winky will be happy to help Harry Potter Sir."

"Thank you Dobby. If you need anything I'll be in Professor Snape's rooms." Harry said just before the house elf disappeared.

As the three wizards left the room, the door between the two sets of rooms disappeared, giving the wall a funny look, Harry sighed in resignation. "I'm not sure if him locking me out of there is a good thing or not. there's no telling what that elf will do without someone being there." He said softly.

The twinkle in the Headmaster's eyes was going full blast. "Now Harry you know Dobby is just trying to help, and will do whatever he can to make you comfortable."

"That's what I'm afraid of Sir. Dobby can be a menace without even trying." Harry said while retaking his spot of the couch next to the fire. As soon as they all sat down, a tea try popped into existence along with a small table next to the couch with a try of finger foods.

"It seems that Dobby doesn't believe that you have had enough to eat today Harry." Albus said with a smile.

"So I see Sir."

"Yes will if you are finished shall be getting back to the problem at hand?" Snape asked.

"Of course Professor. Is there anything further you need to explain to me about your panthera ... " Harry started, but was stopped by a raised hand.

"I'll give you tonight to think about it what you need to do. I was talking about your stay down here and the reason for it."

"There really is nothing to talk about. Until more information is made ready for you to analyze then all we can do is wait for who ever it is to make a mistake."

"I see. Would you like to tell us why you lost control?"

Harry looked up to see two sets of eyes staring at him. Sighing softly he turned away and picked up half of the sandwich laying on the plate next to him, taking a small bite he thought about how to word his answer. "The reason I lost control is how you said. I'm use to people trying to kill me. In the past 6 years only one of the DADA teachers didn't actually try to hurt or kill me, along with having a madman after me. The death threats are in most cases just that, threats. I can deal with that. It's when the few choices left to me are taken away that I start to get mad. I should have been safe in the Tower, but whoever is doing this has found a way to torment me even there. Now once more for my own protection I'm being singled out."

"Are you really trying to tell me that you do not enjoy the attention you receive." Snape sneered, disbelief coloring his words.

Harry dearly wanted to hex the man across from him, but managed to control his base desire. Instead he closed his eyes, counted to ten, and then took out his wand. Seeing the look the Headmaster gave him, Harry smiled a little before calling for Dobby.

"Master Harry Potter Sir be calling for Dobby? What can Dobby be doing for you?"

"Dobby would you be kind enough to take my wand and place it next to my bed. I think we would all be safer if I didn't have it on me at the moment."

Instead of taking the wand like he was requested Dobby placed both hands behind his back. "Master Harry Potter Sir should have his wand with him at all times. Dobby wills not be taking Master Harry Potter Sirs wand."

Bottling up his frustration Harry gave the House Elf a small smile. "I'm safe here Dobby I trust both the Headmaster and Professor Snape. I only do this so I don't harm either of them. Please Dobby for my piece of mind, take my wand and put it some place safe."

Dobby reluctantly reached for the wand and with another telling glance at Harry popped out of the room. When he was gone, Harry looked at the other two and let his frustration show.

"I'm asking for immunity for any and all actions for tonight." he said tightly.

Before Snape could say anything the Headmaster stood and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "I give you full immunity, just don't do anything foolish though. I will leave the two of you to work this out, any questions that Severus cannot answer I will do my best to answer tomorrow." he said, before walking to the door. "Just don't do any lasting damage." he called over his shoulder before walking out of the room. The door leading to the rest of Hogwarts disappearing behind him, effectively locking the two of them together.