Severus Snape prepares Harry for a new Defence professor from the Ministry, Dolores Umbridge, and warns him to keep his head down. A tense departure from Prince Manor leads to Grimmauld Place through the Fidelius Charm, where Harry meets the Weasleys and finally confronts Ron and Hermione about a summer of silence. What follows is a raw, shouting match about secrecy, trust, and Dumbledore’s choices, with Snape’s practical guidance echoing in the background. This is close, character-driven guardianship that sets the stakes for Order of the Phoenix.

Harry and Snape finally crack the mystery Voldemort hinted at: Horcruxes. A library find spirals into panic, a calming draught, and the awful realization that Harry may be carrying a piece of the Dark Lord himself. Dumbledore orders Harry to Grimmauld Place, but first Snape sits him down for the story no one told: the Hog’s Head prophecy overheard with Lucius nearby, why the Potters were targeted, how Severus changed sides, and the vow he made to protect Lily’s son. The chapter closes with a wary warning about next year’s Defense professor. A tense, character-first guardianship episode built for headphones.

A late–night truth session at Prince Manor peels back Harry’s third–year secrets. He relives Dementor memories of his parents’ last moments, admits how the Marauder’s Map and Time–Turner freed Sirius, and hears Snape’s clear reasons to master Occlumency before learning the rest about the prophecy. A hard realization about Sirius’s lies follows, and the fragile, steady trust between guardian and ward tightens another notch. This is close, character-driven Snape-and-Harry mentorship with canon-deep lore made for headphones.