Harry had known he would be in the dungeons, and though no windows, the sitting room felt like Spinner's End, it would take time to get used to. His bedroom had a canopy bed, a desk, wardrobe, some bookcases, and a chair by the fire. The room already was unpacked, and with red and gold, it felt a bit homier. Remus had the room right next door, and Severus had the one across the hall, an odd living arrangement. He knew it was safer for him, and he had promised himself he would make a real effort to know his dad, but he was still unsure about this. He was grateful Remus was there, for Draco was head boy, and would be floors away.
For now he was crashing, for he decided to come back to school with them, under the excuse he could booby trap his tower. He was not surprised Hermione had been named head girl, the only girl who could have competed was Susan Bones, and that was barely close. Heads did not have to be top of their class, but usually were.
Draco came in and plopped down on the bed. "You know your......Sev is going to make you a snake. You're living in the dungeons after all."
Harry smirked at him. "Well then we can swap, and you can play seeker for Gryffindor. You're going to be living in a tower with Hermione I remind you."
He had to laugh when Draco buried his head under his pillow, and Harry wondered what Hermione would think, or Ron for that matter. They had been dating, well last time he had heard from them for it had been some time now, and Ron would hate her living with Draco. He had not heard from them all summer though.
Remus poked his head in."We're headed up for dinner you two. You'll have to eat with us teachers this week."
Draco stood up and moved across the room. "You're not worried about seeing the coot?"
There were a number of things Harry was worried about, or not looking forward to, and that was one of them. The man had known for years about the abuse Harry suffered, not to mention he kept Harry and Severus apart, and he did not know when to stop. He knew his dad had proof to see the man in prison, though he would not use it unless pressed for Albus had done a lot for the war, but that made it worse. Harry was no longer the chosen one, his life was expendable, he worried.
They found all the teachers were already in the hall at a big round table, and the only seats left, were dispersed, but two were on either side of Albus, and one just off, the fourth one was across the table. While he would not usually choose Minerva and Professor Vector for company, he took the distant seat, without being told.
Severus and Draco sat together, Remus on the other side. Severus spoke. "Our apologies for running late. Our errands ran a bit late in London."
Minerva looked at Harry. "Now that you are a Snape, should I be worried I am losing you to Slytherin?"
It was the first time anyone called him a Snape, and technically he wasn't, he was actually a Potter-Black legally, from two adoptions. He and Severus had never addressed the issue, likely since Harry would not even call him dad. It seemed odd to change his name, even if he got closer to Severus, for he had always been Potter.
Albus cleared his throat."Now Minerva that really is no issue. Harry is a Gryffindor through and through, like all Potters before him. Besides the hat has chosen."
Severus was the one who responded. "My son is happy where he is, but if he chose, he could change, we know the rules. Besides it isn't always in the family."
He reminded the man all Blacks were Slytherins but Tonks had been Hufflepuff, and Sirius had been Gryffindor, there were always exceptions. Albus quietly reminded both Severus and Minerva that Harry would have to go through the hat again, and it would put him back. He was not at all pleased with the topic, they could tell.
Harry cut through the tension trying to end this. "The hat wanted me in Slytherin, so I assume it would. It doesn't matter; I have no intention to re-sort."
Seeing Harry was about to leave Filius spoke up. "I heard there were a few new businesses in town. The seventh year freedoms should help their profits."
Sending his old friend a grateful smile, Severus was relieved when Harry sat back down, for he knew Harry was upset. Harry hated tension, especially when he was the cause or involved in it some way, and he had shown that this summer. The broken dishes and Harry accusing them of fighting over him like rabid dogs over a bone, he knew his son needed them to back off. It was another reason he knew they should consider Beauxbautons, the tension was not good for Harry.
Severus stopped the old man after dinner. "I meant it Albus; you will keep your distance from my son. He is no longer your little chosen one. Back off."
Albus showed some of his true side. "Worried are you? Remember Severus, Harry has always looked to me like a grandfather."
With that the old man left, and Severus knew he was wrong, Harry was too smart. Harry had allowed the old man in, even when he knew about the abuse, because he had been so vulnerable, and alone, the reason he kept them apart. Now Harry had Remus and him, and knew the truth about Albus, and would not fall prey, he hoped.
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Harry had become good at avoiding Albus, not that hard in a place as big as the school, for he had no desire to try and play nice. Harry knew even a few years ago he may have had a better chance with his dad, before occulemency lessons or before Sirius came back. The man was to blame not only for Harry being in an abusive home, but for the distance and pain between him and his father, and he could not hide it. Filius seemed to know, and he did his best, to offer Harry back up.
When the other students finally arrived, Harry was worried, for of course the truth had come out to most. He was some how not shocked when he found even his own house was shooting him looks, and he reminded himself he was used to this kind of reception before. When he was not needed to play the hero, he was the freak.
Neville came over to him. "Is it true then? I mean the Prophet is usually crap, but Ron was telling everyone on the train."
Harry was not shocked sadly that his friend was the one. "I am. I learned this summer my mom and Professor Snape were married, and he is my dad."
Ginny had over heard the comment, and even though she already knew, she avoided him like the plague, a change from her always mooning all over him. Harry knew she may have problems, the Weasley kids were no fonder of Severus then the Malfoys, but he had not expected such a bad reaction. At least Neville was good. Neville was always loyal, he was never really able to make friends other then Harry and Luna, and was grateful for those he had. And he and Harry both knew what it was like to lose their parents, well Neville's were mad, but Harry gained his dad, and Neville always had his Gran. Neville was better suited to Hufflepuff.
Hermione made her way over but even she kept her distance a bit. "Professor Dumbledore told me about the summer. I am so sorry Harry."
Harry looked at Ron who was hanging back a bit still. "You know I am not contagious or something. You won't become a Snape by coming near me Ron."
Unlike his sister, Ron did come over, but he was not his usual warm self, and Harry reminded himself that he had half expected it, especially from Ron. The twins may have been amazing, and the older members of the family would likely be good, but Ron had never out grown his prat phase. Percy had, but he hadn't/
Hermione led Harry into the hall. "Give him some time. He is simply worried you'll turn Slythrin on us. You know he'll be driving you crazy soon enough."
Harry wished he could believe her but even she was physically as well as emotionally distance. "I'm sure."
Through dinner Harry felt so many eyes on him, and he shared a look with Severus, and part of him thought maybe they should go to France. He wanted to finish here, but he was not sure he would survive a semester of the looks, and keeping an eye on Albus. It might be nice to be in France, where he would finally have anonymity.
