Hello! This is a response to Severitus's challenge! Ok this is very AU,
the Dursley's are very abusive to Harry. Harry is afraid of being touched,
when
he went with Hadrid he didn't hardly talk to him. He did not meet Draco in
the
Robe shop, he'll meet him on the train where we will begin. And also this
will
be Draco/Harry slash (far away)
on top of Sev and Harry discovering their father and son.
So I hope you enjoy. Views shift a lot, sorry bout that. Oh and Hadrid did
go
to the vault and get the Sorcerer's stone, so that all will take place it's
just
going to be a little different, also, Harry does know who Voldie is, Hagrid
told him
that too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco walked into the compartment with Crabbe and Goyle, and was
surprised
to see a skinny boy sitting there. In his compartment! He took in the boys
very messy black hair, dorky looking glasses that were taped together,
framing bright
emerald eyes, clothes way too big for him. And that's when Draco noticed the
bruise,
a hand-shaped bruise on the left side of the boys face.
Sending Crabbe and Goyle away for a moment he reached out and touched
the boy's
shoulder, the reaction was immediate. The boy shrunk away, throwing his
hands in
front of his face.
"Please, please don't touch me! I'm sorry! Please!" he ended in a
whisper.
Draco immediately began to feel protective of the boy, and gently pulled
his
hand away and said softly,"I'm sorry, I won't hurt you, my name's Draco
malfoy."
The boy very cautiously put his hands down,"I'm Harry Potter!"He
whispered softly.
Draco jerked in surprise, this scared boy was Harry Potter? He seemed so
scared
and alone. Smiling gently at him, Draco motioned Crabbe and Goyle back over,
seeing Harry's
flinch he said in a calming voice,"These are my friends Greg and Vincent, we
call him
Vince though. Can we sit with you?"
Harry nodded and scooted over, Draco sat next to him and tried to once
again reassure him.
"I'll make sure no one hurts you, I promise, ok?"Draco once again placed
a hand on Harry,
noticing the flinch was not as bad.
"Draco, can y-you do me a favour?"Harry asked, afraid of upsetting his
new friend and making
him leave.
"Anything,"Draco smiled, he could read the fear in Harry's eyes.
"Can you help me, well my...."Harry paused here, suddenly afraid and
began to move away from
Draco. A gently hand on his arm stopped him.
Draco smiled at Harry,"You can ask, I won't be mad or anything."
Harry nodded slighty,"my back is...is sore, will you come with me to the
loo and help me bandage
it,"he whispered, looking across nervously at Greg and Vincint. Draco nodded
and stood and led Harry
to the Bathroom. Once there, Harry lifted the back of his shirt and Draco
stared in shock, there
were five great big gashes across his back, and a frightening number of
scars.
Bringing his wand up, Draco remembered a cleaning spell
and cast it on Harry's back, he then took the bandages Harry was holding and
wrapped them around his
torso. That settled it, no one was going to hurt Harry anymore, he wouldn't
let them. He helped Harry
into his robes and they went out and joined the others, Draco keeping next
to Harry the whole time.
~At Hogwart's that night~
Severus watched the first years got led in and smiled when he saw his
godson, Draco. Then he
started, he recognized Crabbe and Goyle's sons but there was a boy that
seemed to be hiding behind Draco.
Severus also noted Draco was glaring at anyone who got near his companion.
He watched as when Minerva stopped
the group and had them get together that Draco and the other three stayed on
the outside. The other boy
slowly came around and Severus saw the scar and knew who he was. /God! He
has lily's eyes!/ He thought.
Then he wondered something, why was the boy so shy, Lord knows James hadn't
been he thought with a snarl.
Harry was staring around the room cautiously, no one would hit him there
right? He wasn't too sure,
and decided to stay with Draco who seemed to really care about him. He
looked around to all the people, Harry
didn't really like people. People never helped him, they were mean to him.
He then noticed people seemed to
be gathering closer to the old hat, and Harry shook in surprise when it
started singing, he reached down and
grabbed Draco's sleeve near his hand and held on. He listened to the song
'Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see
I'll eat myself it you can find
A smarter hat than me
You can keep your bowlers black
your top hats sleek and tall
But I'm the Hogwart's sorting hat
and I can cap them all
There's nothing hidden in your head
the sorting hat can't see
so try me on and I will tell you
where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor
Where dwell the brave at heart
their daring nerve and chivalry
set Gryffindor's apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal
those patien Hufflepuff's are true
and unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw
if you've a ready mind
where those of wit and learning
will always find their kind;
Or Perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve thier ends.
so put me on don't be afraid
and don't get in a flap
you're in safe hands(though I have none)
For I'm a thinking cap"
Harry held on and whispered to Draco,"I wanna be with you, I don't want to
be alone, I don't want
to"
"Don't worry Harry, everything will be ok,"Draco whispered softly. Glaring
at a boy with red hair
and freckles who got too close to Harry,"go away, your not fit to be near
us!"He sneered.
Then Draco's name was was called. Harry watched him go, feeling suddenly
all alone, he tried to move
closer to Vince and Greg who were standing behind him protectively.
Severus watched as Draco was sorted into Slytherin and noticed that the
Potter boy seemed even more lost
and timid than before without Draco near. Then Minerva got to his name.
"Harry Potter."
Harry nervously began to step forward trying to ignore the
whispers, when he got to the stairs, he
began to tremble. He sat on the stool, he was now shaking so hard that the
stool nearly toppled. The hat
fell over his eyes.
/Harry Potter/ the hat said /well, well, you've gone through many
things boy. And still many things to come.
You aren't really that brave, for shame, your mother was quite brave. Now
your father, he is also brave but in another
way. I know exactly what to do with you. you can be great in either
Slytherin or Gryffindor/
/Please!/Harry thought/ put me in Slytherin, I need to be with Draco/
/I have made my decision/
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry nearly ran to the table when Professor McGonagall took the hat
off him. He sat down next to Draco as the Slytherin's
all stared at him wide-eyed. Harry felt a comforting hand take his gently.
He smiled a small smile to Draco and they
watched the rest of the sorting. After Dumbledore gave his speech everyone
began to eat.
Severus watched everything from the teachers table, he watched as Harry
seemed to become more timid as the night went on,
he also watched Draco's possessive, protective nature come round more than a
few times. Standing up he decided to go and talk
to his new Slytherin's.
Harry was beginning to tremble with exhaustion, he leaned on Draco, not
knowing that half the halls eyes were following
their Head of House their way. He knew Draco was worried, he could see it in
his eyes. He suddenly yelped as a hand settled on his
back turning and pulling away he looked up into dark eyes, Harry recognized
him as who Draco had said was Professor Severus Snape.
To Harry's abused eyes he looked like the kind of man who would strike a
child. Harry was now trembling and partially in Draco's lap
he was scooted over so far.
Draco picked up on this and looked into his godfather's worried eyes, to
anyone besides Draco it would appear he was glaring,
but Draco knew him.
"Professor, Sir, can we come to your rooms, we need to talk to you,"Draco
said in a soft voice so no one would hear them.
"Draco! WE can't! You can't tell! No, I'll get in trouble,"Harry said, in a
worried whisper.
"Harry, shut UP for a minute!"Draco yelled and instantly regretted it. His
normal friends would be fine with him yelling at them
like that, but not Harry. Glancing up, he saw Harry was tense and had his
eyes closed, as if awaiting a strike. That froze Draco's heart
"Oh God, Harry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I won't hit you I promise, I'm sorry I
yelled at you,"He whispered taking Harry's hand and stroking
it softly.
By now Severus had a good idea about what was going on,"Mr. Malfoy, bring
Mr. Potter and follow me, we'll have this conversation now."
Severus said and swept away towards the doors knowing Draco and Harry would
follow. Harry, oh God, something was really wrong with that child,
and Severus had finally noticed the bruise on his face. The lousy people he
lived with hit him.
Draco led Harry out of the room, he was upset to see that Harry was being
cautious around him and he was going to have to really watch
his temper when Harry was involved.
Harry followed Draco closely, he had been almost positive the other boy
would hit him, but he hadn't, and that confused Harry. Isn't
that what love was? Hurt? Professor Snape led him them down into the
dungeons. Harry glanced around, fascinated at the room they were in. It was
filled with all kinds of potions things, cauldrons and bottles and bottles of
things.
Severus spoke gently, having seen what happened earlier,"Harry may I please
see your back?"
Harry and then looked to Draco, he had seen how his friend had reacted
earlier to people nearing him, so therefore if his friend trusted this
man, shouldn't he. He nodded and unbuttoned his robe, he turned back toward
him and grabbed one of Draco's hands as the other boy helped him lift
his shirt. He heard the gasp from the teacher as Draco unwound the bandages
and his back was revealed.
"Harry, who did his to you,"Severus whispered, Lily's child was hurting and
that hurt him.
"My uncle, it was my fault,"Harry whispered he didn't really understand the
Professor's concern, all children got hit, didn't they?
"Oh Lord child, I told Albus to let you live with me but he said that
although they wouldn't accept you he said you would be protected,"Severus
whispered, he went to get a potion as Draco gently put Harry's shirt back
over his back.
"Take this child,"Severus said pressing the goblet into Harry's hand.
Harry stared at it for a moment, considering, but seeing Draco's trust in
the man, he downed the goblet and his back began to feel better. Feeling
the professor lift his shirt he shuddered for a moment, before the hand only
gently swept over his back and he didn't feel any pain.
"You are healed now,"Severus whispered, before sitting down at his desk,"we
need to tell the headmaster." Severus watched in horror as those
beautiful emerald eyes filled with tears, dear god, how could he not care
for this boy,"Harry, Draco, come here."
Harry suddenly wanted to be in the man's warm arms and so when Draco
stopped at the end of the desk, Harry crawled into the man's lap, not caring
how silly he looked, and wrapped his arms around him, laying is head against
the strong chest.
Severus was in shock for a moment before wrapping his arms around the boy
in his arms,and rocking him gently.
"Ahhh,I seem to have found you three."A voice said in the doorway.
Turning they all saw Dumbledore, but Harry wasn't worried, he was safe, he
settled even further into the Professor's embrace.
Draco watched Harry with a smile, he looked like he felt safe for the first
time since the train. Draco knew his godfather would protect Harry just
from the way he was holding him with utmost care.
"Albus, he cannot go back to those....people."Severus spat out. He looked
down at Harry, who's eyes were beginning to drift
shut and smiled absently.
"why not....surely the Dursley's aren't that bad,"Dumbledore said
confused.
Severus glared at him and then as gently as he could, so he wouldn't wake
Harry, he lifted the boys shirt off of his back and showed the Headmaster
and his friend the scars. After looking into the Headmasters sad eyes, he
pulled Harry's shirt back down, stroking the boys back as
he did so /Dear Lord, he's so small, he looks and acts much younger than he
is/ then he said what he had
said in the first place,"He can stay with me."
"All right Severus it's settled, now Severus get these two into bed and you
get some sleep too, tomorrow begins classes, for
everyone,"Dumbledore said with a smile and turned and left.
Severus gently shifted Harry in his arms and stood up,"I'll walk you two to
the dorms, since Harry is asleep."He said and led Draco
out of the room while carrying Harry.
When they got to the dorms Severus lay Harry in his bed and covered him up,
and he watched Draco climb into
the bed near Harry. Sighing and drifting off to sleep, both of them still in
robes, Severus smiled and left the room. He had a lot
of things to think about, for one, try as he might, he couldn't hate Harry,
the boy was too innocent
to hurt to hate. For another, something about him reminded him of himself.
He went to sleep that night
thinking about how he would get those muggles back for hurting such a sweet
innocent boy.
~Next Morning~
Draco awoke to someone halfway laying on him, he was puzzled who would lay
on him. He opened
his eyes and smiled, it was Harry who had the top half of his body laying on
Draco's chest with his
arms wrapped around him.
Smiling he poked Harry,"Harry, time to get up, ok?"
Harry slowly opened his eyes and smiled embarassed,"Sorry about getting in
bed with you Draco
I had a bad dream."He whispered and hugged the boy again.
"It's all right Harry,I'll always be here for you,"Draco smiled and sat up,
thus forcing Harry
to sit up also,"lets get ready to go to breakfast."
Harry nodded as they both got up and began to get ready for the day. Then a
thought hit Harry,
"Draco, how did I get here yesterday?"he asked with a blush,"I fell asleep
in the professor's lap!"
"He carried you,"Draco said, laughing at Harry's tone of voice,"he really
likes you Harry, he
told Dumbledore that you are going to live with him instead of your horrid
family."
"I remember him from when I was little,"Harry said, softly. He did too, he
remembered being held
against that warm, strong chest while visiting Hogwarts, he guessed.
"You do!?"Draco asked shocked, how did Harry know his godfather.
"When I was little I remember him holding me, like he did last night, I
felt protected, like I had
a family."Harry ended in a whisper, trying not to cry. Draco quickly killed
the sad silence by tickling Harry.
"Come on breakfast time!" He exclaimed yanking Harry down to the Great
Hall. When they got there Harry
became slightly timid again, but this time looked around more, and then his
eyes fell on a teacher wearing a turban.
"Draco,"he said softly, yanking on the other boy's sleeve,"that man, the
one with the turban, something's not
right with him. He's...he's not good."Harry whispered worriedly.
Draco listened to Harry's tone of voice and knew Harry was sensing
something none of them had. He was so serious
and his voice sounded wise. He gently pulled Harry to the table, almost
frowning when Harry once again became timid
and afraid.
"Draco!"Pansy Parkinson, a girl Draco couldn't stand came over and pushed
Harry away from Draco and latching onto
Draco's arm. Harry froze, why had she shoved him? What had he done?
Draco pulled away from Pansy with a glare and looked at Harry, who looked
so confused and hurt. He went to him
and grabbed the sleeve of his robe and pulled him toward the table, leaving
Pansy standing there, bewildered.
"Harry are you ok?"Draco asked softly as they sat down. Harry looked like
he was going to cry, and this made
some of the Slytherin's closest to him to be annoyed.
"Look,"Blaise Zambini said hotly,"Potty's gonna cry!"
"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!"an older Slytherin called. And Draco knew what was
going on, some of the Slytherin's
parents were supporters of Voldemort and some weren't, in days and years to
come, it would be obvious who's were.
"Harry,"Draco whispered,"we have potions with the Gryffindor's and I hate
to tell you this, but Severus is
rather mean in classes, don't let it bug you. He is nice."
Harry nodded and continued eating, trying to ignore all going on around
him.
~Hallway outside of the potions room, last class that day~
"Harry I'll be right back, I left my quill, you save us our seats ok?"Draco
asked and smiled when Harry looked
worried,"this is Professor Snape's class, he won't let anything happen to
you."
Harry nodded and entered the room, alone, he went to where the other
Slytherin's were sitting and sat down. He
looked up just in time to see a red headed boy, one Draco despised come in,
and then the trouble started. He stalked over
to Harry.
"So Potter, think you are all that! You are a traitor, you know your
parents were in Gryffindor, what would they
say to see you now?"He said laughing.
"I don't know, I know nothing about them,"Harry whispered, he was beginning
to get nervous, the professor wasn't in
there yet and he was alone.
"Oh really, I've heard that rumor that the reason you are in Slytherin is
so you can join the dark Lord is that true?"
"NO!"Harry yelled and then glared darkly at Weasley,"Tell me, how many of
your siblings have worn those robes before you?
I heard you were poor, but those robes are atrocious!"
That was the finale insult because suddenly Ron was on top of Harry,
punching him, and Harry simply lay there trembling.
Suddenly he remembered all of his beatings. He then began to sob, and
suddenly Ron was pulled off of him, by a very pissed off
Professor Snape.
"Mr. WEASLEY! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"he growled darkly.
"H-he started it Sir,"Weasley stuttered, white faced.
Severus glanced to where Harry was sobbing into Draco's chest and clutching
him tightly,"I really doubt that, Mr. Weasley,
50 POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR! Now sit down, all of you!" Severus reached down
and touched Harry's shoulder, he had stopped crying, but
he flinched very hard away from Severus' hand,"do you want to stay in
class?"
Harry nodded and stood up, and winced as he gently wiped a trickle of blood
from his lip. He sat down, Draco right by him,
sending out glares to anyone looking at Harry in the wrong way.
Severus began his lesson, with harsh words and glares. He noticed that
while they were making the potion, Draco would reach out
and touch Harry in a gentle manner, almost as if reassuring him.
After class Draco talked Harry into staying with him to talk to Professor
Snape, when everyone was gone they approached the Professor
"Sir, we need to talk to you, it's important,"Draco said in a soft voice,
looking around to see if anyone was listening,"It's about
Professor Quirrell."
"He's evil,"Harry stated in a sure voice,"well the one inside of him is."
Severus stared at Harry in shock,"what do you mean."
Harry began to tell him.
*Flash Back*
Harry watched as the Professor began to walk by, stuttering all the while.
And was puzzled as to the the Professor seemed to stop right
by him. Then while the Professor was stuttering on about Vampires he heard
it. A soft voice, whispering just to him, coming from the Professor
but not his mouth, Harry would say his mind was in his. But that wasn't
creepy what was creepy was what it said /young Potter, you should join
me, if you don't join me, you will meet your parents demise/ with that the
Professor had moved on. Harry had immediately told Draco.
*End of FB*
Harry reached up and touched Severus on the left arm, on the material that
covered the dark mark Draco had told him that Severus and his
father had the dark mark, the mark of voldemort's people. But Draco had also
told him about them being double agents.
"He wants me to get that,"Harry whispered and was suddenly in tears again,
this time it didn't surprise the other two when Harry crawled into
Severus's lap and buried his tears there,"he's here for something, but I
don't know what."
Severus didn't know either, but he would watch Quirrell. He began stroking
Harry's back. Poor Harry who had to rely on his Professor and his
friend for the comfort that was never given to him by his family.
Harry smiled when the arms encircled him, he wondered if that is how it
felt to have a father, protected....he grinned and began playing with
one of the many buttons on his Professor's coat.
Draco pulled a stool over next to his godfather, and smiled at Harry.
"Pro..."
He was cut off by Severus, who realized the two would be with him a
lot,"call me Severus in private, boys."
"Severus,"Draco continued,"he's coming back isn't he?"
Severus didn't know what to say, but he was shocked when Harry said
"He never left, he's still around, I can feel him you know."Harry whispered
rubbing his scar.
Severus pulled Harry tighter,"What do you mean you 'feel' him?" He
whispered, using a hand to trace Harry's scar.
"I never knew what it was till Hagrid told me about Voldemort, but it's him
he feels evil,"Harry whispered and went back to playing with Severus's
buttons.
Draco stared in Harry in horror,"You 'feel' him? Oh Harry!"He exclaimed
horrified, most of the Slytherin's wanted to join Voldemort when he came
back,
but not Draco.
"Draco, what's it like,"Harry asked suddenly.
"What's what like?"Draco asked curiously, for Harry's voice had taken on a
sad quality.
"Having a family, a father, and a mother?"Harry's clutch on Severus
tightened, and he was glad when the arms around him tightened also.
"I don't know how to explain it, Harry, I'm sorry,"Draco whispered.
"Does it feel nice, and protected?"Harry questioned, softly. Draco
nodded,"and loved, you feel love." He added
Harry hugged Severus,"I feel protected here,"he stated softly, leaning his
head on Severus's chest, mimicking the gesture from the day before, but his
face was facing Draco this time.
Severus's voice caught in his throat. The boy had just practically stated,
they were like family. Smiling at the feeling of pride that came from that
thought he said,"now you two get to dinner." He smiled as Harry slid of his
lap and he and Draco left the room. At the moment, he felt like a father,
and it
was a good feeling. Putting on his stony mask he slipped from the room and
headed towards the Great Hall himself.
Harry and Draco sat down at the table and began to eat, when suddenly
Draco's owl dropped his mail. Draco read his letter, while Harry read the
copy of
the Daily Prophet, he gasped as he read the headline and what followed it
and nudged Draco.
"LOOK! The vault that was broken into was one Hagrid had to go to,"he
whispered, handing Draco the paper.
Draco immediately knew what Harry was getting at.
"So whatever they were looking for is here?"He asked, and Harry nodded,
Draco continued,"that's not good."
Harry shook his head,"not at all."
Draco smiled and showed Harry his letter,"Father is coming to visit
Dumbledore this weekend and he wants to meet you,"
"what if he hates me?"Harry asked,"what if he won't let me be your friend
anymore?"
"Oh Harry that won't happen. He would rather me be your friend then Greg
and Vince,"Draco whispered, he had since meeting Harry, hardly even talked
to the
two boys.
Harry nodded, and then curiously,"Does your dad have that colour hair?"
Draco laughed and nodded,"yup!" Harry seemed obsessed with his hair, it was
the first day of school and already Harry had talked him out of gelling it,
so it
now was soft. Harry grinned and the two began to eat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow chapter one is over with. Sorry for the screwed up format,it's my beta
readers fault(an accident that I'm too lazy to correct) THANKS SARA!!!!
BTW! Nature's Spirits will be updated tomorrow
the Dursley's are very abusive to Harry. Harry is afraid of being touched,
when
he went with Hadrid he didn't hardly talk to him. He did not meet Draco in
the
Robe shop, he'll meet him on the train where we will begin. And also this
will
be Draco/Harry slash (far away)
on top of Sev and Harry discovering their father and son.
So I hope you enjoy. Views shift a lot, sorry bout that. Oh and Hadrid did
go
to the vault and get the Sorcerer's stone, so that all will take place it's
just
going to be a little different, also, Harry does know who Voldie is, Hagrid
told him
that too.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Draco walked into the compartment with Crabbe and Goyle, and was
surprised
to see a skinny boy sitting there. In his compartment! He took in the boys
very messy black hair, dorky looking glasses that were taped together,
framing bright
emerald eyes, clothes way too big for him. And that's when Draco noticed the
bruise,
a hand-shaped bruise on the left side of the boys face.
Sending Crabbe and Goyle away for a moment he reached out and touched
the boy's
shoulder, the reaction was immediate. The boy shrunk away, throwing his
hands in
front of his face.
"Please, please don't touch me! I'm sorry! Please!" he ended in a
whisper.
Draco immediately began to feel protective of the boy, and gently pulled
his
hand away and said softly,"I'm sorry, I won't hurt you, my name's Draco
malfoy."
The boy very cautiously put his hands down,"I'm Harry Potter!"He
whispered softly.
Draco jerked in surprise, this scared boy was Harry Potter? He seemed so
scared
and alone. Smiling gently at him, Draco motioned Crabbe and Goyle back over,
seeing Harry's
flinch he said in a calming voice,"These are my friends Greg and Vincent, we
call him
Vince though. Can we sit with you?"
Harry nodded and scooted over, Draco sat next to him and tried to once
again reassure him.
"I'll make sure no one hurts you, I promise, ok?"Draco once again placed
a hand on Harry,
noticing the flinch was not as bad.
"Draco, can y-you do me a favour?"Harry asked, afraid of upsetting his
new friend and making
him leave.
"Anything,"Draco smiled, he could read the fear in Harry's eyes.
"Can you help me, well my...."Harry paused here, suddenly afraid and
began to move away from
Draco. A gently hand on his arm stopped him.
Draco smiled at Harry,"You can ask, I won't be mad or anything."
Harry nodded slighty,"my back is...is sore, will you come with me to the
loo and help me bandage
it,"he whispered, looking across nervously at Greg and Vincint. Draco nodded
and stood and led Harry
to the Bathroom. Once there, Harry lifted the back of his shirt and Draco
stared in shock, there
were five great big gashes across his back, and a frightening number of
scars.
Bringing his wand up, Draco remembered a cleaning spell
and cast it on Harry's back, he then took the bandages Harry was holding and
wrapped them around his
torso. That settled it, no one was going to hurt Harry anymore, he wouldn't
let them. He helped Harry
into his robes and they went out and joined the others, Draco keeping next
to Harry the whole time.
~At Hogwart's that night~
Severus watched the first years got led in and smiled when he saw his
godson, Draco. Then he
started, he recognized Crabbe and Goyle's sons but there was a boy that
seemed to be hiding behind Draco.
Severus also noted Draco was glaring at anyone who got near his companion.
He watched as when Minerva stopped
the group and had them get together that Draco and the other three stayed on
the outside. The other boy
slowly came around and Severus saw the scar and knew who he was. /God! He
has lily's eyes!/ He thought.
Then he wondered something, why was the boy so shy, Lord knows James hadn't
been he thought with a snarl.
Harry was staring around the room cautiously, no one would hit him there
right? He wasn't too sure,
and decided to stay with Draco who seemed to really care about him. He
looked around to all the people, Harry
didn't really like people. People never helped him, they were mean to him.
He then noticed people seemed to
be gathering closer to the old hat, and Harry shook in surprise when it
started singing, he reached down and
grabbed Draco's sleeve near his hand and held on. He listened to the song
'Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see
I'll eat myself it you can find
A smarter hat than me
You can keep your bowlers black
your top hats sleek and tall
But I'm the Hogwart's sorting hat
and I can cap them all
There's nothing hidden in your head
the sorting hat can't see
so try me on and I will tell you
where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor
Where dwell the brave at heart
their daring nerve and chivalry
set Gryffindor's apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal
those patien Hufflepuff's are true
and unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw
if you've a ready mind
where those of wit and learning
will always find their kind;
Or Perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve thier ends.
so put me on don't be afraid
and don't get in a flap
you're in safe hands(though I have none)
For I'm a thinking cap"
Harry held on and whispered to Draco,"I wanna be with you, I don't want to
be alone, I don't want
to"
"Don't worry Harry, everything will be ok,"Draco whispered softly. Glaring
at a boy with red hair
and freckles who got too close to Harry,"go away, your not fit to be near
us!"He sneered.
Then Draco's name was was called. Harry watched him go, feeling suddenly
all alone, he tried to move
closer to Vince and Greg who were standing behind him protectively.
Severus watched as Draco was sorted into Slytherin and noticed that the
Potter boy seemed even more lost
and timid than before without Draco near. Then Minerva got to his name.
"Harry Potter."
Harry nervously began to step forward trying to ignore the
whispers, when he got to the stairs, he
began to tremble. He sat on the stool, he was now shaking so hard that the
stool nearly toppled. The hat
fell over his eyes.
/Harry Potter/ the hat said /well, well, you've gone through many
things boy. And still many things to come.
You aren't really that brave, for shame, your mother was quite brave. Now
your father, he is also brave but in another
way. I know exactly what to do with you. you can be great in either
Slytherin or Gryffindor/
/Please!/Harry thought/ put me in Slytherin, I need to be with Draco/
/I have made my decision/
"SLYTHERIN!"
Harry nearly ran to the table when Professor McGonagall took the hat
off him. He sat down next to Draco as the Slytherin's
all stared at him wide-eyed. Harry felt a comforting hand take his gently.
He smiled a small smile to Draco and they
watched the rest of the sorting. After Dumbledore gave his speech everyone
began to eat.
Severus watched everything from the teachers table, he watched as Harry
seemed to become more timid as the night went on,
he also watched Draco's possessive, protective nature come round more than a
few times. Standing up he decided to go and talk
to his new Slytherin's.
Harry was beginning to tremble with exhaustion, he leaned on Draco, not
knowing that half the halls eyes were following
their Head of House their way. He knew Draco was worried, he could see it in
his eyes. He suddenly yelped as a hand settled on his
back turning and pulling away he looked up into dark eyes, Harry recognized
him as who Draco had said was Professor Severus Snape.
To Harry's abused eyes he looked like the kind of man who would strike a
child. Harry was now trembling and partially in Draco's lap
he was scooted over so far.
Draco picked up on this and looked into his godfather's worried eyes, to
anyone besides Draco it would appear he was glaring,
but Draco knew him.
"Professor, Sir, can we come to your rooms, we need to talk to you,"Draco
said in a soft voice so no one would hear them.
"Draco! WE can't! You can't tell! No, I'll get in trouble,"Harry said, in a
worried whisper.
"Harry, shut UP for a minute!"Draco yelled and instantly regretted it. His
normal friends would be fine with him yelling at them
like that, but not Harry. Glancing up, he saw Harry was tense and had his
eyes closed, as if awaiting a strike. That froze Draco's heart
"Oh God, Harry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I won't hit you I promise, I'm sorry I
yelled at you,"He whispered taking Harry's hand and stroking
it softly.
By now Severus had a good idea about what was going on,"Mr. Malfoy, bring
Mr. Potter and follow me, we'll have this conversation now."
Severus said and swept away towards the doors knowing Draco and Harry would
follow. Harry, oh God, something was really wrong with that child,
and Severus had finally noticed the bruise on his face. The lousy people he
lived with hit him.
Draco led Harry out of the room, he was upset to see that Harry was being
cautious around him and he was going to have to really watch
his temper when Harry was involved.
Harry followed Draco closely, he had been almost positive the other boy
would hit him, but he hadn't, and that confused Harry. Isn't
that what love was? Hurt? Professor Snape led him them down into the
dungeons. Harry glanced around, fascinated at the room they were in. It was
filled with all kinds of potions things, cauldrons and bottles and bottles of
things.
Severus spoke gently, having seen what happened earlier,"Harry may I please
see your back?"
Harry and then looked to Draco, he had seen how his friend had reacted
earlier to people nearing him, so therefore if his friend trusted this
man, shouldn't he. He nodded and unbuttoned his robe, he turned back toward
him and grabbed one of Draco's hands as the other boy helped him lift
his shirt. He heard the gasp from the teacher as Draco unwound the bandages
and his back was revealed.
"Harry, who did his to you,"Severus whispered, Lily's child was hurting and
that hurt him.
"My uncle, it was my fault,"Harry whispered he didn't really understand the
Professor's concern, all children got hit, didn't they?
"Oh Lord child, I told Albus to let you live with me but he said that
although they wouldn't accept you he said you would be protected,"Severus
whispered, he went to get a potion as Draco gently put Harry's shirt back
over his back.
"Take this child,"Severus said pressing the goblet into Harry's hand.
Harry stared at it for a moment, considering, but seeing Draco's trust in
the man, he downed the goblet and his back began to feel better. Feeling
the professor lift his shirt he shuddered for a moment, before the hand only
gently swept over his back and he didn't feel any pain.
"You are healed now,"Severus whispered, before sitting down at his desk,"we
need to tell the headmaster." Severus watched in horror as those
beautiful emerald eyes filled with tears, dear god, how could he not care
for this boy,"Harry, Draco, come here."
Harry suddenly wanted to be in the man's warm arms and so when Draco
stopped at the end of the desk, Harry crawled into the man's lap, not caring
how silly he looked, and wrapped his arms around him, laying is head against
the strong chest.
Severus was in shock for a moment before wrapping his arms around the boy
in his arms,and rocking him gently.
"Ahhh,I seem to have found you three."A voice said in the doorway.
Turning they all saw Dumbledore, but Harry wasn't worried, he was safe, he
settled even further into the Professor's embrace.
Draco watched Harry with a smile, he looked like he felt safe for the first
time since the train. Draco knew his godfather would protect Harry just
from the way he was holding him with utmost care.
"Albus, he cannot go back to those....people."Severus spat out. He looked
down at Harry, who's eyes were beginning to drift
shut and smiled absently.
"why not....surely the Dursley's aren't that bad,"Dumbledore said
confused.
Severus glared at him and then as gently as he could, so he wouldn't wake
Harry, he lifted the boys shirt off of his back and showed the Headmaster
and his friend the scars. After looking into the Headmasters sad eyes, he
pulled Harry's shirt back down, stroking the boys back as
he did so /Dear Lord, he's so small, he looks and acts much younger than he
is/ then he said what he had
said in the first place,"He can stay with me."
"All right Severus it's settled, now Severus get these two into bed and you
get some sleep too, tomorrow begins classes, for
everyone,"Dumbledore said with a smile and turned and left.
Severus gently shifted Harry in his arms and stood up,"I'll walk you two to
the dorms, since Harry is asleep."He said and led Draco
out of the room while carrying Harry.
When they got to the dorms Severus lay Harry in his bed and covered him up,
and he watched Draco climb into
the bed near Harry. Sighing and drifting off to sleep, both of them still in
robes, Severus smiled and left the room. He had a lot
of things to think about, for one, try as he might, he couldn't hate Harry,
the boy was too innocent
to hurt to hate. For another, something about him reminded him of himself.
He went to sleep that night
thinking about how he would get those muggles back for hurting such a sweet
innocent boy.
~Next Morning~
Draco awoke to someone halfway laying on him, he was puzzled who would lay
on him. He opened
his eyes and smiled, it was Harry who had the top half of his body laying on
Draco's chest with his
arms wrapped around him.
Smiling he poked Harry,"Harry, time to get up, ok?"
Harry slowly opened his eyes and smiled embarassed,"Sorry about getting in
bed with you Draco
I had a bad dream."He whispered and hugged the boy again.
"It's all right Harry,I'll always be here for you,"Draco smiled and sat up,
thus forcing Harry
to sit up also,"lets get ready to go to breakfast."
Harry nodded as they both got up and began to get ready for the day. Then a
thought hit Harry,
"Draco, how did I get here yesterday?"he asked with a blush,"I fell asleep
in the professor's lap!"
"He carried you,"Draco said, laughing at Harry's tone of voice,"he really
likes you Harry, he
told Dumbledore that you are going to live with him instead of your horrid
family."
"I remember him from when I was little,"Harry said, softly. He did too, he
remembered being held
against that warm, strong chest while visiting Hogwarts, he guessed.
"You do!?"Draco asked shocked, how did Harry know his godfather.
"When I was little I remember him holding me, like he did last night, I
felt protected, like I had
a family."Harry ended in a whisper, trying not to cry. Draco quickly killed
the sad silence by tickling Harry.
"Come on breakfast time!" He exclaimed yanking Harry down to the Great
Hall. When they got there Harry
became slightly timid again, but this time looked around more, and then his
eyes fell on a teacher wearing a turban.
"Draco,"he said softly, yanking on the other boy's sleeve,"that man, the
one with the turban, something's not
right with him. He's...he's not good."Harry whispered worriedly.
Draco listened to Harry's tone of voice and knew Harry was sensing
something none of them had. He was so serious
and his voice sounded wise. He gently pulled Harry to the table, almost
frowning when Harry once again became timid
and afraid.
"Draco!"Pansy Parkinson, a girl Draco couldn't stand came over and pushed
Harry away from Draco and latching onto
Draco's arm. Harry froze, why had she shoved him? What had he done?
Draco pulled away from Pansy with a glare and looked at Harry, who looked
so confused and hurt. He went to him
and grabbed the sleeve of his robe and pulled him toward the table, leaving
Pansy standing there, bewildered.
"Harry are you ok?"Draco asked softly as they sat down. Harry looked like
he was going to cry, and this made
some of the Slytherin's closest to him to be annoyed.
"Look,"Blaise Zambini said hotly,"Potty's gonna cry!"
"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!"an older Slytherin called. And Draco knew what was
going on, some of the Slytherin's
parents were supporters of Voldemort and some weren't, in days and years to
come, it would be obvious who's were.
"Harry,"Draco whispered,"we have potions with the Gryffindor's and I hate
to tell you this, but Severus is
rather mean in classes, don't let it bug you. He is nice."
Harry nodded and continued eating, trying to ignore all going on around
him.
~Hallway outside of the potions room, last class that day~
"Harry I'll be right back, I left my quill, you save us our seats ok?"Draco
asked and smiled when Harry looked
worried,"this is Professor Snape's class, he won't let anything happen to
you."
Harry nodded and entered the room, alone, he went to where the other
Slytherin's were sitting and sat down. He
looked up just in time to see a red headed boy, one Draco despised come in,
and then the trouble started. He stalked over
to Harry.
"So Potter, think you are all that! You are a traitor, you know your
parents were in Gryffindor, what would they
say to see you now?"He said laughing.
"I don't know, I know nothing about them,"Harry whispered, he was beginning
to get nervous, the professor wasn't in
there yet and he was alone.
"Oh really, I've heard that rumor that the reason you are in Slytherin is
so you can join the dark Lord is that true?"
"NO!"Harry yelled and then glared darkly at Weasley,"Tell me, how many of
your siblings have worn those robes before you?
I heard you were poor, but those robes are atrocious!"
That was the finale insult because suddenly Ron was on top of Harry,
punching him, and Harry simply lay there trembling.
Suddenly he remembered all of his beatings. He then began to sob, and
suddenly Ron was pulled off of him, by a very pissed off
Professor Snape.
"Mr. WEASLEY! WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?"he growled darkly.
"H-he started it Sir,"Weasley stuttered, white faced.
Severus glanced to where Harry was sobbing into Draco's chest and clutching
him tightly,"I really doubt that, Mr. Weasley,
50 POINTS FROM GRYFFINDOR! Now sit down, all of you!" Severus reached down
and touched Harry's shoulder, he had stopped crying, but
he flinched very hard away from Severus' hand,"do you want to stay in
class?"
Harry nodded and stood up, and winced as he gently wiped a trickle of blood
from his lip. He sat down, Draco right by him,
sending out glares to anyone looking at Harry in the wrong way.
Severus began his lesson, with harsh words and glares. He noticed that
while they were making the potion, Draco would reach out
and touch Harry in a gentle manner, almost as if reassuring him.
After class Draco talked Harry into staying with him to talk to Professor
Snape, when everyone was gone they approached the Professor
"Sir, we need to talk to you, it's important,"Draco said in a soft voice,
looking around to see if anyone was listening,"It's about
Professor Quirrell."
"He's evil,"Harry stated in a sure voice,"well the one inside of him is."
Severus stared at Harry in shock,"what do you mean."
Harry began to tell him.
*Flash Back*
Harry watched as the Professor began to walk by, stuttering all the while.
And was puzzled as to the the Professor seemed to stop right
by him. Then while the Professor was stuttering on about Vampires he heard
it. A soft voice, whispering just to him, coming from the Professor
but not his mouth, Harry would say his mind was in his. But that wasn't
creepy what was creepy was what it said /young Potter, you should join
me, if you don't join me, you will meet your parents demise/ with that the
Professor had moved on. Harry had immediately told Draco.
*End of FB*
Harry reached up and touched Severus on the left arm, on the material that
covered the dark mark Draco had told him that Severus and his
father had the dark mark, the mark of voldemort's people. But Draco had also
told him about them being double agents.
"He wants me to get that,"Harry whispered and was suddenly in tears again,
this time it didn't surprise the other two when Harry crawled into
Severus's lap and buried his tears there,"he's here for something, but I
don't know what."
Severus didn't know either, but he would watch Quirrell. He began stroking
Harry's back. Poor Harry who had to rely on his Professor and his
friend for the comfort that was never given to him by his family.
Harry smiled when the arms encircled him, he wondered if that is how it
felt to have a father, protected....he grinned and began playing with
one of the many buttons on his Professor's coat.
Draco pulled a stool over next to his godfather, and smiled at Harry.
"Pro..."
He was cut off by Severus, who realized the two would be with him a
lot,"call me Severus in private, boys."
"Severus,"Draco continued,"he's coming back isn't he?"
Severus didn't know what to say, but he was shocked when Harry said
"He never left, he's still around, I can feel him you know."Harry whispered
rubbing his scar.
Severus pulled Harry tighter,"What do you mean you 'feel' him?" He
whispered, using a hand to trace Harry's scar.
"I never knew what it was till Hagrid told me about Voldemort, but it's him
he feels evil,"Harry whispered and went back to playing with Severus's
buttons.
Draco stared in Harry in horror,"You 'feel' him? Oh Harry!"He exclaimed
horrified, most of the Slytherin's wanted to join Voldemort when he came
back,
but not Draco.
"Draco, what's it like,"Harry asked suddenly.
"What's what like?"Draco asked curiously, for Harry's voice had taken on a
sad quality.
"Having a family, a father, and a mother?"Harry's clutch on Severus
tightened, and he was glad when the arms around him tightened also.
"I don't know how to explain it, Harry, I'm sorry,"Draco whispered.
"Does it feel nice, and protected?"Harry questioned, softly. Draco
nodded,"and loved, you feel love." He added
Harry hugged Severus,"I feel protected here,"he stated softly, leaning his
head on Severus's chest, mimicking the gesture from the day before, but his
face was facing Draco this time.
Severus's voice caught in his throat. The boy had just practically stated,
they were like family. Smiling at the feeling of pride that came from that
thought he said,"now you two get to dinner." He smiled as Harry slid of his
lap and he and Draco left the room. At the moment, he felt like a father,
and it
was a good feeling. Putting on his stony mask he slipped from the room and
headed towards the Great Hall himself.
Harry and Draco sat down at the table and began to eat, when suddenly
Draco's owl dropped his mail. Draco read his letter, while Harry read the
copy of
the Daily Prophet, he gasped as he read the headline and what followed it
and nudged Draco.
"LOOK! The vault that was broken into was one Hagrid had to go to,"he
whispered, handing Draco the paper.
Draco immediately knew what Harry was getting at.
"So whatever they were looking for is here?"He asked, and Harry nodded,
Draco continued,"that's not good."
Harry shook his head,"not at all."
Draco smiled and showed Harry his letter,"Father is coming to visit
Dumbledore this weekend and he wants to meet you,"
"what if he hates me?"Harry asked,"what if he won't let me be your friend
anymore?"
"Oh Harry that won't happen. He would rather me be your friend then Greg
and Vince,"Draco whispered, he had since meeting Harry, hardly even talked
to the
two boys.
Harry nodded, and then curiously,"Does your dad have that colour hair?"
Draco laughed and nodded,"yup!" Harry seemed obsessed with his hair, it was
the first day of school and already Harry had talked him out of gelling it,
so it
now was soft. Harry grinned and the two began to eat.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow chapter one is over with. Sorry for the screwed up format,it's my beta
readers fault(an accident that I'm too lazy to correct) THANKS SARA!!!!
BTW! Nature's Spirits will be updated tomorrow