Harry was up and out the portrait hole the next morning before everyone else was truly awake. He needed to talk to Snape about his plan and finding him already in his office sipping coffee he explained as best he could and asked Snape if it was possible.
"Harry what your asking, while not impossible is highly dangerous" Snape said. "If the spell should fail you might end up in St. Mungo's like that idiot Lockhart." He added "Or worse"
"Yes but if you did the spell it would work" Harry said, "I don't want anyone else to know."
"I have never even seen that particular spell worked Harry" Snape frowned "It would be interesting though, it has the potential of surprise"
"Well then we can both look into it then" Harry said. "This is one time I don't want Hermoine or Ron to know what I'm doing." He said "Hermoine would have a fit and Ron has gotten into the habit of siding with her lately"
"Yes love does strange things to people doesn't it?" Snape said smirking.
For a while longer they discussed Harry's plan and before he went to breakfast he hesitated "I was going to tell Sirius but now I don't want this discussed except between us Severus" He said pausing at the doorway
"Just tell him that I told you that your plan wasn't foolproof which is true," Snape said, "It will seem as if it was dropped at that" He smiled "I know that it seems like lying but it's not really"
"It's just not telling the whole truth" Harry said "I know, but it still bothers me"
"If we do this Harry it may give you the edge you need or it could be no use at all" Snape said "But it would be better if he didn't pull it from another person. I know your getting better at Oclemency Harry but far from good enough to keep something from Voldemort"
"Oh one other thing, is the lesson I wanted to teach on the board for today?" Harry asked suddenly
"Yes but I'm afraid that the Headmistress may not be happy with either of us" Snape said leaning back in his chair. "Why is this so important to you?"
"Fear of a name only increases fear of that person. I intend to take some of that fear out of the rest of the school," Harry said. "I'm no longer afraid of him Severus, although I do respect him as a powerful wizard. But I'm no longer afraid of him" Harry said smiling.
"Well don't wear yourself out trying Potter you still have DADA Newts after lunch" Snape said. "And I made it especially hard this year" He smiled "My seventh years should be able to pass it" and he added "If they have been keeping up in the DA and incidentally I have asked the Weasley twins to test as well" he said "After all they need at least one Newt in life and I believe that Professor Flintwick is asking them to test as well"
Harry smiled "Their charm work is exceptional and their work with the DA this term might serve to help them pass this Newt as well"
"Yes well I am doing this for Molly Weasley so she wont have to tell anyone they truly dropped out" Severus Snape said "I notice it displeases her to do so" he finished and rose to follow Harry to breakfast.
"I noticed them in the last three test groups how did you swing that with McGonagall?" Harry asked.
"She was delighted to do it for them seeing as how it was Umbridge's fault they never finished." He said smiling.
"You've changed a bit more Severus" Harry said noting that it didn't hurt Snape to tell he was doing it for a good reason.
"The removal of the Dark Mark has let in emotions that I never thought I had" Snape said confiding in Harry.
