A Restless Hero's Reward I

Chapter Seven

DISCLAIMER: I own only my ideas.

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"Presents!"

Link couldn't stop the yelp when Harry jumped on him, glaring as he groaned and rubbed at his face. "Whussat?" he grumbled, refraining from burying himself back in the covers and pillows.

"Presents!" the raven said again, stressing the word and tugging at Link's arm. "C'mon! They're going to open them without us if you don't get up!"

The brunette yawned widely, a trait he took from his wolf form, as he let Harry pull him down the hallway and nearly topple him down the stairs. "Dammit, Harry! Can't I at least put on a shirt?!" He smiled gratefully at the eldest Weasley, who conjured a housecoat for him. "I appreciate it...er... Bill, right?"

"Yep! And I understand. It's a bit drafty in old places on a good day," the long-haired Weasley replied. "Besides, you don't need anyone but Harry oogling you all morning," he added, motioning with his head toward a pink-turning-cherry-red-haired woman. "That's Tonks, I don't think you've met her yet."

Link was still caught up on something. "'Oogling'?"

"Slang for staring while salivating or fantasizing."

He blushed brightly with a weird look on his face. "Yeah... I certainly don't need Harry getting mad at me," he agreed before finding aforementioned raven at his back and pushing him toward a sofa. "Okay, okay! I'm going!" He understood why his friend was so excited when he discovered that Harry was giving out the gifts.

"But...we don't have anything for Link..." Mrs. Weasley said softly as she sat with a box of sweets on her lap from her husband, even more thankful for the physical reminder that he had survived Nagini's bite.

Link smiled and shook his head. "All I want is Harry's happiness, and you all make him happy. You also accepted me like I have always been here. I could ask for nothing more," he assured, moving to gently, yet tightly, hug the woman. "I am the one who has nothing for you."

"Oh, posh!" the woman denied vehemently, earning laughter from everyone and a sheepish grin from the brunette. "You've done plenty already! Now, there's two more gifts under that tree!"

Harry picked them up, knowing one of them. "Here... This is from me," he murmured as he handed it to Link.

Link's eyebrows raised in surprise, having assured his friend that he didn't have to get him anything yet pleasantly surprised at the same time. He carefully unwrapped it, not wanting to tear anything up. "Dear Goddesses," he whispered, staring at the small necklace. "It's...beautiful," he added just as quietly as he took it out of the box, admiring the sapphire and emerald colored wolf pendant that was in mid-howl. The chain itself was silver, just long enough that the charm would rest perfectly in the middle of his clavicle.

"I thought you'd like it," Harry mumbled, blushing lightly and happily agreeing when Link asked for help in putting it on.

"I can feel the power in it...the protective spells," the wolf-at-heart murmured, gently holding it in his hand again while it rested around his neck. "I love it, my sky... Thank you," he added, feeling the Triforce's power rise to enhance the power of the spells on the charm, making everyone gasp when it gained a golden hue in the light.

Harry grinned again, turning to pick up the last gift - a small box wrapped in cloud-covered, blue paper. "It doesn't have a name on it..." he said as he looked around.

"It's for you...from me," Link replied, knowing that the meaning of the paper clicked in his friend's mind right then.

Emerald eyes rolled skyward. "And you told me not to get you anything? Shame on you," he muttered as he opened it, his jaw dropping at seeing a golden ring with red and green swirls of color.

"I made it using the power within me... It'll protect you should I ever not be able," Link informed him, smiling softly when Harry held it up. Even he couldn't help a soft gasp at Harry's gaze when the raven deliberately placed it on his left ring finger. "Are you sure...?" he asked quietly, barely above a whisper.

"Absolutely positive," the raven assured, moving to sit beside the brunette then gently kissing him.

While everyone else was in shock, Mrs. Weasley quickly waved her wand and captured the moment in a moving photo, having been a mother for too long to let it pass. "I told you that you two were good for each other," she said to them before clapping her hands three times. "Time for a late breakfast! And I'll have no comments on the happy couple!" she said, adding the last part with a glower at the entire room.

Break

That night, Link and Hadrian lay together on the bed, the brunette tracing the outline of the ring he had made for his friend. He was still surprised, having thought that their moment in the bath was a one-time thing - not including the small kiss in the Room of Requirement and greenhouse.

I missed you for a reason, Hadrian teased. I care for you, Link, and I like kissing you, he added, sitting up to prove his point with a chaste press of his lips.

Link grinned. If you would have given me a hint sooner, I would've been ecstatic to continue to indulge you, my sky, he retorted, earning a snort and a wry smile.

I wonder if you would have rather tantalized me, Hadrian muttered, knowing his assumption to be true from the unrepentant smirk that curved the Changeling's lips.

You would have enjoyed my advances just as much as I, and you know it.

The raven shrugged, flicking his red-shining, dark hair over his shoulder. You would like to think so, hmm?

I know so, Link replied before happily short-circuiting his friend's brain with a flood of affection across their bond and a soft kiss. We need to sleep... I feel as though the next few days will be strangely intense.

Hadrian groaned with an annoyed roll of his eyes. Your instincts are always right... he agreed, flopping on the bed and snuggling into the brunette.

Break

By the time the holidays came to an end, the happy couple was prepared to viciously maim Fred, George, and Sirius. The mischievous trio had mercilessly teased the two when Molly wasn't nearby to scold them, so the duo had taken to hiding in their room when they could.

"Hadrian..." Link muttered, pausing to wait for his friend to look at him, "Is it time to go back to Hogwarts yet?"

Hadrian couldn't help a grin as he asked, "What's this? Life in a humanoid form getting boring?"

"No. Life with a multitude of pranksters involved is taxing the last of my sanity."

The raven chuckled, laughing harder when the Hylian cracked a grin. "You know you adore them, Link. Don't try to deny it."

"If I could get back at them, I would be much more tolerant," the brunette retorted, rolling his eyes when Hadrian still didn't stop his chuckles. "However, I do believe it is time for us to return to our parts in this play, my sky."

Hadrian grumbled incoherently before shifting into Harry, reaching up to check the length of his hair. "I need to let this grow out some more..."

Link gently pulled at a lock of the dark hair with a soft smile. "You look fine, Harry. Remember... In this form, you are as people expect you to be. As Hadrian, you are as you wish to be."

"And as Haldir, I'm old enough to drink."

Link shook his head with a 'why me?' grin.

Break

Harry and Link stepped into Snape's office, but the snarky man wasn't there yet. When Harry started to wander about the room, Link growled loudly at him. This is not a place to attempt to find things about your Professor, Harry.

Harry gave the wolf a dry look. I'm simply curious. We know next to nothing about the man.

The Changeling shook his head. If you must know so badly, simply ask him. If he wants you to know things, he will tell you. Snooping about his office is not a way to stay on his good side, my sky.

The raven sighed. I suppose you're right, Link... He ran a hand through his hair. "I simply wonder about the man behind the 'greasy git of a Potions Master'. I want to know why he plays two sides...why he protected me when he seems to hate the very air I breathe," he admitted aloud.

Link stepped over and nuzzled Harry's hand. It is as I said, my sky: if he wants you to know, he will tell you when you ask him.

"Just like your father, Potter! Snooping about my personal effects!"

Harry jumped and stumbled, and Link tried to stop him from falling by catching his sleeve in his mouth, but the young wizard knocked into a cupboard. He tried to catch his balance but caught a Pensieve instead.

Link let out a furious growl as his friend disappeared into the magical liquid and turned to snarl at Snape.

"I should've known! The boy is nothing like his mother! She actually had respect for people's privacy, unlike his bastard of a father!" the Potions Master sneered, stepping toward his cupboard. "Get out of my way, you mangy fleabag. I need to get the stupid boy out of there."

Link growled louder to keep the man back, even snapping at him when he came too close, to buy time as he fed power along their connection.

Harry gasped as he was finally free from the terrible memories, and he leaned against the door, sliding down it as he tried to catch his breath. "I...hate...Pensieves..." he choked out, rolling over to empty the contents of his stomach. "That... Professor...was that my father?"

"Idiot boy! You just couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to take a peek and see how your father and his friends enjoyed torturing me, didn't you?" the dour man snarled.

"No, wait-"

"Get out! These sessions are over! Be happy that I'm a teacher or I'd curse you to within an inch of your life!"

"Would you-"

"I said, OUT!"

"Would you shut up for a moment and let me speak?!" Harry snapped, his eyes flashing lime as he slowly stood, his hand on Link's back to keep his footing. "Did you ever think for one bloody second that I'm not my father?! That I simply look like him?! I'm his son, Professor! Not him!"

Snape opened his mouth, but he was immediately silenced as Harry continued.

"I've seen what makes your anger boil when you see me, so you should know that I had no problem with you until you started in on me! I didn't even know who you were! I didn't even know magic existed!"

Snape's lip curled and he sneered, "Yes, of course... The pampered child didn't know about magic? What other lies have you told, boy?"

Harry chuckled softly, a sad smile on his face. "You people are so uninformed... Let me show you," he said, whispering the last part as he reached out with his magic and pulled the snarky Professor into his mind.

Break

Link lay down beside Harry, waiting on his friend while hoping the young wizard didn't bite off more than he could chew. What are you thinking, my sky? Or are you finally sick of this ongoing battle between the two of you? he wondered, leaping to his feet when the two returned to themselves.

"It makes you want to puke, doesn't it, Professor?" Harry asked softly, closing his eyes while he tried to push the pain of his memories back. "If you're wondering why I never told anyone... It's because no one would believe me. It is as you said: I'm supposed to be a pampered child."

Snape simply stood there for a minute or two, still sorting through everything he had just learned. "My question, Potter...is how I could not see it. I've dealt with no few amount of abused children. I am Dumbledore's man when it comes to them, no matter their House."

Harry sighed. "I'm a skilled actor... I'd have to be to survive as long as I have. The only reason I'm not in Slytherin is because I begged the Hat to put me anywhere else," he admitted, his bone-weary voice and posture earning him a soft, concerned whine from Link. "I'll be okay, Link... It will take some time, but I'll be alright."

You know your friends are going to badger you about being back so early, the Changeling mentioned.

The raven dragged a hand down his face. "My friends are overbearing and overprotective, Link. You know this."

Snape is also looking at you like you have a second head.

"Ugh... Delving into those memories always throws my thought processes three sheets to the wind," he grumbled.

Snape couldn't stop his eyebrow from raising. "You shouldn't think all of your teachers are stupid, Potter. I had begun realizing what your wolf was ever since the fiasco with that Ministry toad-hag. The real clue, however, was his willingness to help Madam Pomfrey. I know he is a Changeling."

"Yet you haven't told anyone?"

Snape smirked. "I am Slytherin, Mr. Potter. My information is on a need-to-know basis."

Harry couldn't help a grin. "Well, Link..."

Link shook himself out as he returned to his Hylian form. "Ah... It feels good to be on two legs again," he mumbled as he turned to his friend and gently turned his face up with both hands, ignoring Snape's weird look at his ears. "Why did you do that, my sky?"

"I'm sick of this feud between us. If knowing how I truly am will stop this...then I'll accept Professor Snape knowing. He hasn't told anyone of you...so I feel like I can trust him."

"I'm rubbing off on you," Link mentioned, pulling Harry to him for a gentle, but tight embrace. When they pulled away, he was looking at Hadrian.

"Hello, my name is Hadrian James Potter," he said to Snape while holding his hand out. "Who are you?"

The man blinked for a moment, still processing what was happening, before gingerly reaching out to take the hand. "Severus Tobias Snape...a pleasure to meet you," he drawled, earning a smirk from the dark-haired teen.

"This is the reason why I looked so little like my mother, sir. I was expected to be a replica of my father as I grew up after showing up like a miniature copy of him, so I tapped into my Metamorphmagus powers once they became controllable," Hadrian explained and added, "Also as an extra precaution, I had cast the Fidelus over this part of me and Link... I do not mean that we distrust you, Professor...but those around you."

Snape nodded. "I can understand your wariness," he replied, smirking when he added, "It is very Slytherin of you, Mr. Potter."

Hadrian snorted but smiled. "Mum would be proud of my cunning, sir, and you know it."

The dark man chuckled.

Break

Instead of returning to Snape's office for Occlumency lessons, the man was actually teaching Harry more about Potions. Link was more than happy to join in on the lessons and was amazed by the subject.

Snape was amazed that they both took to it like fish to water.

"Mr. Potter... You will stop hiding your ability in my class," he demanded after one evening's session was finished.

"I'm not supposed to be good at Potions, sir. I'm already thought of as Dark because of my ability to speak Parseltongue, remember?" Hadrian replied calmly as he and Link cleaned their work space.

"Hadrian is the icon of the Light, Lord Snape. Should people discover that he is learning the art of Potions from you, a man marked by Darkness, he will be forsaken by these people," Link added. At Snape's shocked look, he smirked. "Yes, I know you are a Death Eater, Lord Snape. I can smell it on you and see it radiating from your arm throughout your entire body and magic."

Snape looked down at his arm before nodding. "If you still want to be an Auror, Potter, I'd suggest stepping up your ability a notch at the OWLs. I take nothing less than an O."

Hadrian rubbed his forehead. "Honestly, I'd rather just fade into the background once this is all over... Who knows, maybe I'll go down fighting... Anything is better than constantly being in the spotlight. The headache isn't worth it.

"The only reason I told Professor McGonagall that I wanted to be an Auror was because it is what is expected of me. I was born to kill a Dark Lord... Why not live and die by fighting Dark Wizards?" He laughed humorlessly. "Of course, that's all depending on whether or not I'll be labeled as 'Dark' because I have to kill a man," he finished, earning a contemplative look from the Potions Master.

"What would you like to do, Mr. Potter?"

Hadrian smiled softly. "I want to teach."

"Ah, yes... I've seen evidence of your ability to do so," Snape mentioned, smirking at the wide grin that curved the young wizard's lips. "I'm quite surprised that you haven't noticed the Gryffindor points glass..."

The teen frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Each and every time one of us Heads of House steps into our House Commons, we have this urge to grant five points to whoever made those parchments...and we do like to visit our students quite often lately."

Hadrian's jaw dropped, Link pushing it back up with a laugh. "No one likes for children's growth to be stunted, my sky...other than the Ministry, of course," the brunette said, smiling at his friend. "You would make a wonderful teacher, and all of these students and Professors know it."

"Do you think Professor McGonagall might have been a bit upset when I told her my career of choice?"

"That is likely, my sky."

"It is a good thing you still have time to change your course of choice, Mr. Potter."

Hadrian grinned.

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"Can I help you, Mr. Potter?"

Harry grinned and stepped around his desk, having waited for everyone to leave after Transfiguration. "I was told that I still had time to change my career choice, Professor," he began.

"Oh?"

"Yes... I don't want to be an Auror, Professor... I never did. That is what is expected of the Boy-Who-Lived," he explained, earning an understanding nod. "I want to be a teacher."

A smile lit McGonagall's face. "I'm proud of you, Mr. Potter... You should do what you want to do, not what everyone else wants." She swished her wand, summoning a folder that she laid out on her desk. "I had hoped that you would reconsider, so I didn't turn this in quite yet."

Harry laughed. "You know your lions well, Professor," he complimented.

"What I don't know is what you would like to teach."

"Well... It's not exactly a class... I'd like to be a well-rounded teacher. I want to be able to help students who are having a hard time or students who want to be able to practice without fear of hurting themselves or others," he replied, earning a thoughtful look.

"I believe you're onto something, Mr. Potter..." she said. "This sounds much like a remedial class."

"But I want it to be available to everyone, not only those who need it," he said, feeling like he had definitely made the right choice. "Muggleborns come into this school with no prior knowledge of the wizarding world, pure-bloods have no idea how to treat others of lesser status with equality and tolerance, and half-bloods are often tugged between the two.

"However, everyone has problems with spell casting. I have a friend who had trouble casting a simple Stupefy or Expelliarmus, and he's pure-blood. I have many friends who had problems casting different levitation charms. I want to help them all, not just those who think they need it or those who think they want it- Everyone," he stopped there, giving a soft sigh. "I know you teach spells, but you don't have time to make sure all of the students can do them properly... I want to be the teacher that takes over after you've taught the spell to make sure they master it... Am I making any sense?"

McGonagall smiled brightly, her eyes sparkling. "You are absolutely brilliant, Mr. Potter. Fifteen points for such a marvelous idea. I'll see if I can speak with the others and see what they think of it."

Harry couldn't help a sour look as he said, "I hope you're talking about the other Professors who actually have the proper credentials to teach their subjects." He grinned when she laughed.

Break

"You're late, Mr. Potter," was the sweet-voiced greeting as Harry and Link walked into the Defense classroom, the conversation with McGonagall having taken longer than expected.

Harry barely refrained from rolling his eyes as Link gave a low, growling bark at Umbridge. "I have a note from Professor McGonagall-"

"Well, give it here. Let's see what excuse she's written for you."

"I believe that is a matter that I discussed with my Head of House and is, therefore, none of your concern," he replied as he took his seat and opened his book.

Link watched as the pink-dressed woman gripped the note tighter as he moved to stand between Harry's seat and her, wanting to be prepared should she try anything.

You worry too much. She isn't stupid enough to pull something with an entire room full of Gryffindors and Ravenclaws watching, Harry soothed as he calmly scratched at one of his friend's ears.

I have good reason to worry, my sky. I have dealt with no few ambushes, and these children wouldn't know what to do should a teacher suddenly attack a student, Link replied, continuing to watch the woman as he lay down, offering appreciation for Harry's softening charms on the floor.

I would know what to do...and besides, you are watching my back. That is much more than can be said for anyone else. Harry smiled softly as he continued reading his disguised book, trailing his fingers through Link's fur.

Break

The students were surprised to see Filch putting up a decree stating that they couldn't speak with their Heads of House in a private setting. They began whispering to each other about it, some much more distraught than others.

Harry and Link watched from next to the wall, both of them barely restraining themselves from tearing into either Umbridge for putting up such a heinous restriction or Dumbledore for allowing the Ministry to isolate the students from their main sources of counsel.

"Harry... You know she did this because of what you said the other day, don't you?" Hermione asked as she came up beside him, making sure to cast a privacy charm around them. "She doesn't like not knowing what is going on at every turn..."

"She is nothing but a spoiled brat who has gotten her way one too many times," Harry replied, his voice promising retribution. "These children need their Heads of House, especially the younger years. That conniving waste of flesh is using them against me, Hermione..."

"What makes you think that?"

"It's because everything this woman does is to try to remove any power or influence I have in such impressionable lives. She is happy to live with her head buried in the sand..."

Hermione gave him a long look, trying to understand what he was saying. "What are you getting at, Harry?"

Hard chips of emerald ice focused on her, and Harry answered, "She is simply saving us the trouble of having to bury her completely when Voldemort decides to move."

"Harry!" Hermione gasped, shocked that he would say such things. "You don't mean that!"

"Why would I waste my time saying what I don't mean to say, Hermione? She is using these decrees to try to turn the students, the teachers, and my friends against me." Harry paused and growled softly. "Dumbledore is doing nothing in protection of his students and staff.

"I'm not quite sure if that is because he feels as though his hands are tied or if it is because they are tied. I've barely seen him all year when, normally, he goes out of his way to make sure the Golden Boy is doing alright," he continued, "I need to talk to him and figure out what, exactly, is going on here. I refuse to see people so young have their youth and innocence stripped away."

"What can you expect to do, Harry? You're only a boy, too, remember?" she asked softly, biting her lip when he shook his head.

"I was never allowed to be a child...therefore, I will protect the childhoods of others, no matter how little of it is left for them to live," he replied, reaching down to gently rub one of Link's ears. "Link is just as irate and restless as I am. He had to find, save, and protect the children of his own village when they were kidnapped... I won't let any form of the same happen here."

Hermione stared at him for a moment before sighing. "Alright... You know I'll help you every step of the way. What do you need me to do?"

"I have an idea...and I'm going to need you to make new parchments. I want them modified so that students can talk to them and have the holograms talk back...almost like communication devices. I want separate parchments for each House and the master of the group be sent to the Head.

"We've taught the students how to perform the highest privacy charm they can for their magic level. They can be sitting in the middle of their House Commons and still be able to carry a private conversation," Harry informed her. "See... If you read and think about what Umbridge has written, she means that students will have to have another in attendance when speaking to their Head of House...and she would most likely prefer herself.

"However, all they really have to do is bring a friend along. If that friend already knows what is going to be spoken of, then the students don't need a private setting.

"Umbridge is trying to facilitate a sense of paranoia and distrust between the students. She doesn't want them rallying against the Ministry, which is what they think Dumbledore is doing - making an army. What will happen is that they will band together even more...and I'm going to help as much as I possibly can. It doesn't matter to me if they turn on me in the end or not... They were never truly given a choice in the matter...not like their parents and other adults were given and still are being given."

Hermione smiled softly. "You're lucky that you have a Pensieve, Harry... I don't think I could remember everything without a recording charm and that would be much too dangerous."

Harry laughed.

Break

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End Chapter Seven

Wow, I was having a bit of a hard time with this one...then it just took off like a rocket! XD

Reviews make me happy!