Chapter 7 - Explanations Galore

"Alright, you two, what was Ms. Lovegood talking about? What's so special about the number six?"

"Oh, umm, according to something we found in the library professor, there would be six people who would lead the wizarding world into a new golden age."

"And the six are?"

"Harry and myself, Neville and Susan, Luna and…" Hermione tapered off, not sure about how the last name would be received.

"Yes, Ms. Granger?" Severus asked silkily.

"Draco."

"I see. And why didn't you say anything about this?"

"You see we found the information before the incident in potions, and well, we didn't know how to say anything about it. Especially considering the fact that we thought that Draco hated us."

"Good point, so does this prophecy or whatever you found, tie in to the goblins' prophecy about Harry?"

"I don't think so, but, Papa, we won't know that until we talk to the goblins. But first we need to get together with the others and explain everything. Then, we need to talk to the goblins after that."

"And just how are you going to get to the goblins? Dumbledore doesn't know that you have your sixteen year old mind back. And why does Ms. Lovegood want you to talk to your godfather?"

"Well, first, we'll worry about the goblins after we have our discussion. Dumbledore will be no problem since you can make an excuse of taking us to Diagon Alley for some more clothing and such. As for Sirius, well, he doesn't know what happened here, does he?"

"Not to my knowledge."

"We'll need to inform him. Plus, he and Remus will be a big help in keeping Dumbledore out of our hair until we get our sixteen year old bodies back, or in Hermione's case, seventeen. Gosh, I'm in love with an older woman."

"Harry," Hermione shrieked as she playfully swatted Harry on the arm.

"That's another thing we need to discuss, Harry. As far as I know you two are in love with the youngest Weasleys."

"Ugh, please. Us? In love with the potions-crazed fan chit and the bottomless pit? Never going to happen. Plus, Harry and I have been together since fourth year at the Yule Ball."

"What? But you went with Viktor Krum," Draco exclaimed.

"Yes, but afterwards, he and I mutually agreed to just be friends, because he could see how Harry and I interacted. When Bilius came along and upset me, Harry came back from the Tower to comfort me even though I sent him away. We ended up talking for the rest of the night in the Common Room."

"You know, Ms. Granger, with whatever you found in the library, it makes it seem as if the six people you mentioned in pairs will pair up."

"Oh, well, um, they will, Professor. I'm not sure if it is a prophecy or not, but it implied that the six of us in those pairings would bring the wizarding world out of the Victorian era and into a golden age. Hmm… I hope it doesn't mean the golden age of Elizabeth I. That would be incredibly awkward."

"Not to mention it would be a major setback in time, love," Harry said.

"Well, yeah, there is that. Anyway, Harry and I have kept our relationship secret for the past two years, now. The only other ones who know will never tell."

"Ms. Lovegood, Ms. Bones, and Mr. Longbottom, I presume?"

"Yes, along with you, Papa, and Draco, as well as Sirius and Remus."

"Oh," Snape said starting to feel a little insecure about his growing relationship with Harry.

"Papa? Something wrong?"

"No. Now, when are you three going to talk with the rest of your group of hellions?"

"Hmm. Tomorrow, Hermione?" Harry asked.

"Sure, I'll owl Luna to set the meeting for tomorrow night. Where?"

"The ROR. At seven thirty. Tell them to come solo, so as to not draw attention," he said as he gave her a pointed look.

"Got it. Um, Professor, do you have parchment I could use to write the letter?"

"Of course, Ms. Granger, in the study through the ebony door."

"Thanks, sir. Come on Draco, you can help me write the letter."

"Okay, but-" Draco tried to protest, but Hermione kicked him in the leg, giving him her patented death glare.

With Hermione and Draco…

"What was that all about?" Draco asked as soon as Hermione shut the study door, citing that she needed to think to be able to code the letter.

"Severus is feeling insecure about his relationship with Harry, especially with Sirius and Remus coming into the picture. Harry sent me a message saying that he needed to speak with him in private."

"Message? How? He never talked to you or addressed you, except a brief glance, saying he needed to do that."

"Draco, one side affect we've discovered about the six of us is that we're telepathic to a certain degree. Harry and I were that way even before we found the 'prophecy', so there is nothing to be worried about."

"But then, why don't I have it?"

"You will soon. Remember, Draco, that you used to be semi-evil and hated us. However, you'll have a tougher time with Neville and Susan. They tend to be a bit protective, so you'll just have to be good for the time being," she said as she began to write.

After a few minutes of Hermione writing, Draco asked, "Hermione, when you said that the six of us would pair up, does that mean that I'm with Lovegood?"

"Yes. She's not all that she seems, Draco. To the rest of the world she is Loony Lovegood. It's a defense measure for her, as much as my know-it-all persona is for me."

"Oh. Umm, what is she really like then?"

"Ah, you'll have to find that out for yourself, because she'll act different with you than she does with us," she said as she finished the letter.

"In other words, I'm screwed."

"No, just be yourself and you'll be fine. Now, just give me a second to talk to Harry to see if he's done."

Draco heard a muffled "ow" from the sitting room, and wondered what Hermione did to Harry.

With Harry and Severus…

"Papa, what's wrong?" Harry asked, knowing that Severus was upset about Sirius and Remus.

"Nothing. Why would there be anything wrong?" Severus uttered panicking.

"Papa, is this about Sirius and Remus?"

"No."

"I think it is. We may have had a rough start, Papa, but we have a better relationship now. I know we only had one true day together, but you mean a great deal to me. You're my papa. Sirius and Remus mean a great deal to me too, but they are more like the fun-loving uncles. You aren't like that and that is why you are my papa, and not my uncle."

"You'd still probably want to live with one of them when we get you back to normal."

"No. Honestly, neither would be a great guardian for me. Both still act like kids at times. I'm content right where I am. With you. I don't want to lose this. I don't think you want to either."

"No, I don't. You can't imagine my elation when I heard you call me Papa for the first time. I was a little worried when you got your memories back, but relieved when you wanted to still have a father-son relationship. I guess when the mutt and the wolf were mentioned, I was nervous again, thinking that I would lose you to them. I confess that a day was enough to get me attached to you. I don't know what has come over me."

"Love."

"Humph. I'm the scary bat of the dungeons, I'm not supposed to have love."

"Everyone needs love, heck, even Voldemort needs it. Unfortunately, he will never attain it though."

"So I'm not going to lose you any time soon?"

"No, Papa. If I have my way, then you will never lose me."

"Harry, you should know, I'm not normally a kind man. I'm mean, cynical, sarcastic, and acerbic. I'm a very possessive man, and what I get, I keep forever."

"I know, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now, is that everything resolved?"

"Not quite," Severus said with a sly smirk on his face.

"What have we not resolved?"

"I believe you owe your Papa a hug."

"Too right I do," Harry said as he launched himself into Severus's lap.

"Thank you, Harry."

"You're welcome, Papa. Ow."

"What? Is it the Dark Lord?"

"No, just an annoying little girl with a seventeen-year-old mind."

"Huh?"

"The six of us can talk telepathically in a way. Draco will be able to do it soon, as he has more interactions with all of us. Hermione just shouted in my head, causing me to cry out."

"Ah."

Hermione and Draco exited Severus's study and came back and sat on the sofas.

"Is everything resolved, Harry?" Hermione asked.

"Yep. Now, I don't know about you two, but I'm hungry, and seeing as it is lunch time, I think we should eat."

"I concur, Harry," Severus said ordering them all fish and chips, with sweet tea, and apple slices on the side.

Now, just as the majority of the dysfunctional family was sitting down to eat, Minerva walked in and joined them. The others, knowing that Minerva knew nothing about their sudden remembrances or Luna's news, filled her in. To say that Minerva was shocked, was the understatement of the century, but she seemed to be taking it all in stride, even their renewed memories and subsequent prank on the headmaster.

"You certainly don't do things by halves, do you Harry?"

"Nope. I don't do normal, and I never will."

(A/N I'm terribly sorry for the two-month wait for the update to this, but I've hit a major writer's block, and I only get short bursts of inspiration. Hopefully, my new college creative writing class will help. I start on Monday. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and who has been patient for this update. I have a plan on how I'm going to update which I will post in my profile. Oh, and the extra specific details about what they ate were due to a pm I received saying I should cover more details. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Please read and review).

Riddle Potter 23