Chapter Eight: To be Judged


After that night, Harry became a frequent visitor to Professor Lily's classroom. Though he had no interest in Muggle Studies, he spent hours upon hours talking with Lily about her childhood and her muggle family. About how much she disliked her sister's family and how much she missed her parents (whom had been some of the first to die under Voldemort's first reign of terror).

In turn, Harry told her much about his family and childhood, carefully avoiding the subject of his mixed blood and where he lived. Lily had learned, however, that Harry's family was "high ranking", something that delighted her to no end. Not because of his high connections, but because of the chance it gave Ginny Weasley to experience the "other side". She had also been interested when she learned that Harry and Ginny were already "practically engaged" and expected to be so after Christmas (at least, Harry did. Ginny had no idea).

Though she argued the point at first, saying that they were both too young, she had eventually given up in favor of squealing over how happy she was for them. Harry had rolled his eyes and groaned on a number of occasions, but it had not deterred her one bit.

More than once, James Potter had entered his wife's classroom to find her immersed in a deep conversation with the boy she was quickly growing to adore. His nonexistent enthusiasm about their new relationship was ignored by his wife, who insisted that she would not stop talking to him just because James had "had his dignity stolen away by a seventh year". James had huffed out of the room and dared not argue with her again.

Jayden was also adamantly against "the Harold git" spending so much time with his mother. It seemed that now her attention was taken by someone else, he was beginning to realize that perhaps he wasn't the center of the universe. And this was something that he simply could not accept. He was the Boy Who Lived! He had encountered Voldemort more times than anyone his age and lived to tell about it! So why was he suddenly second-best to this foreign student who seemed to believe himself above everyone else, to a point where he stole away peoples' girlfriends and even their parents?

Harry had a good laugh after Ron relayed Jayden's latest complaints against him. But he was shocked to realize that he felt a wicked sense of delight at having brought Jayden down to this. Now the supposed "Boy Who Lived" was the one groveling for attention!

During this time, Harry also found himself growing closer to Sirius Black, who had seen fit to accept his apology, and also ask for forgiveness himself (which Harry had readily given). Sirius had discovered Harry's very un-princely-like delight with playing pranks (something he had discovered while playing a prank on some mean Slytherins with Draco), and proceeded to bring him dozens of pranks he had bought from the Weasley twins.

It was soon after this that Harry made a shocking discovery in Filch's office, which he had entered to alert the man to his cat's possible mutilation if he did not get her out of Peeves' clutches.

In a file cabinet drawer that had been left open, Harry spotted a folder that read, "Dangerous Unidentifiable Objects". Intrigued, Harry opened that file and found what looked to be an empty parchment. Sensing the strong spells and enchantments on the parchment, he quickly slipped it into his robes and hurried out of the room.

Once he safely reached his rooms, he tapped the parchment with his wand and waited for it to do something. He had received quite a shock when it began to talk back to him, commenting on his "dashing good looks" and "bloody good sense of humor". Then a line of words appeared on the page.

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.

Harry had smirked and then repeated the words outloud, watching as a map of the castle and it's grounds appeared. Labeled dots moved about the castle, the people belonging to those dots unaware that they were being watched.

This discovery had been one of Harry's favorites, allowing him to appear out of nowhere to surprise his friends, and escape quite a few unwanted meetings with Jayden Potter.


"Severus is taking me to visit mum over Christmas break."

Harry looked up in shock, as Draco made this startling announcement. They were seated in his sitting room, doing homework so they wouldn't have to do it during the holidays.

"He what?"

"I'm spending Christmas with Sev and mum," Draco said calmly. Harry felt his heart speed up with alarm.

"Oh," he said duly, wondering what on earth Severus had been thinking.

"I figured he would want to see her, and she has been hounding me to bring him," Severus muttered, entering the room. Harry turned to glare at him.

"You'd better know what you're doing," he snapped into his uncle's ear as he passed, making sure Draco didn't hear. Severus nodded and continued on to the large desk in the corner of the room. Harry watched him and sighed.

Between Draco learning his secret, and Ron and Ginny knowing it, his secret was slowly becoming public. And he knew that it was only a matter of time before everyone else knew as well.

The only question was, how much time did he have before his whole life was revealed to the wizarding world?


Harry kissed Ginny goodbye as she climbed into the horse-less carriage that would take her to the train station, and then watched her until the carriage disappeared.

"Come, Harry," Severus said softly, putting an arm around his nephew's shoulders. Even though he knew he would see her soon, it was still hard to be away from her.

Severus led Harry back to where Draco, Arnea, and Hestia stood waiting for them. Together, the group walked towards the Forbidden Forest and entered it, taking a path that all but Draco knew very well. When they finally exited the forest, the group froze, staring around themselves.

"Welcome home," Severus announced, immediately changing back into his true form. His black hair was now wavy and reached to just below his shoulder blades. He was taller, his skin was a healthier pale, his ear-tips extended to a smooth point, and his black eyes glittered with gold lights that hadn't been there before. Draco watched in awe as the others followed his example.

Hestia's straight blonde hair became almost white and fell to her bottom. Her blue eyes turned a bright, sky blue, her ears pointed, and her cheeks rounded prettily.

Arnea's black hair reached to her mid back, with purple streaks running through it. Her eyes turned an interesting shade of purple-blue, her ears pointed as well, and her body became curvier than before.

Delian's height increased, as did the length of his wavy hair (which now reached almost to his knees in this form). His hair was highlighted with blue, and it softened even more than before, to the point of almost silk. His eyes returned to their original emerald green with gold speckles, and his ears pointed.

Draco watched the transformations in awe, his gray-blue eyes widening greatly.

"Wow," he muttered, causing the others to laugh.

"Come. My brother and his wife are waiting for us," Severus said, turning and leading the group though the large town that surrounded the palace. As they passed, many of the town's inhabitants came out to watch them go by. Draco noticed that Delian (Harry), Arnea, and Hestia all made it a point to greet people they knew and call out 'hello's' to those they didn't. By the time they reached the palace, all five of them were laughing hysterically at a comment one of the young children of the town had made as they passed.

"Delian! Delian!"

The group looked up to see a beautiful little girl racing down the marble stairs of the palace to meet them. Her golden curls bounced with each step, and her bottle-green eyes sparkled with joy.

Harry laughed as Camenae threw herself into his arms, hugging his neck tightly as he lifted her up.

"Hello, Cami! Did you miss me?"

"Yes. And sisters, too." She whimpered, burying her face in his neck. He chuckled as Hestia rolled her eyes and Arnea giggled.

"She has been talking non-stop about your arrival since we got the letter saying you were coming today."

"Father! Mother!"

Arnea and Hestia hurried up the stairs to embrace the two people standing there. They laughed at the girls' exuberance.

"How was your journey?" Zephyr questioned, going down to hug his brother. Draco watched this in slight confusion, but wisely kept his mouth shut.

"Uneventful. Draco liked it when we returned to these forms, however," Severus commented, motioning to the young man behind him. Zephyr smiled and shook the blonde's hand.

"It is nice to meet you, Mr. Malfoy. Your mother speaks of you often," he said kindly. Draco frowned slightly.

"Where is my mother?"

"Right here! Oh, Draco! I missed you so much!" Narcissa called, rushing down the steps to hug her son. Draco grinned into her shoulder and rolled his eyes at Harry, who worked to keep from laughing.

"Come in! Come in! No need to stand outside for hours, and father wishes to speak to us," Aire announced. The group happily complied and entered the palace.

Little did Draco know what he was about to learn about his friend...


"How is school going?"

Ron looked up as Charlie asked this, shrugging. All of the Weasleys had gathered at the Burrow the night before to celebrate the Christmas hols together, though Ron and Ginny had gone to sleep early due to exhaustion and had said little to their siblings then. But now that it was morning and Ron knew that they wouldn't escape the questions now.

"Alright, Jayden is madder than a dementor because Delian stole 'his girl', but other than that, it's been great."

"Wait! Isn't Delian Ginny's imaginary friend?" Bill asked with a chuckle, as Ginny glared at him.

"No. He's as real as you and me. He's dating Ginny."

At Ron's statement, the entire table turned to stare at Ginny. Fred's fork dropped from his fingers and George gaped like a fish. Percy (who had only just been accepted back into the family) stared at Ginny in disbelief. Bill and Charlie were looking as though they hoped it was all a joke, and Mr. Weasley's face grew red and indignant. Mrs. Weasley, however, was a different story.

"Boyfriend? Oh, Ginny darling! How wonderful! What is he like? What year is he in?" She rattled off. Ron and Ginny looked at each other, rolling their eyes.

"He's in my year, mum. He is a great bloke, actually. He is really smart, and the only Gryffindor that Snape doesn't take points from and give detention to...of course, that could be because he is his nephew..."

"WAIT! Gin, you're dating Severus Snape's nephew?" Bill asked in horror. Ginny giggled at the look on his face.

"Yes, Bill, I am. Delian is wonderful. Plus, I've known him all my life, so that's an added bonus."

"Well, you will have to invite him over sometime. I want to meet him," Mrs. Weasley commented, much to the dismay of all the males in the room, save Ron.

"He's already invited Ginny and me over for a few days after Christmas. I'm sure he'll come to visit, though. He wants to meet all of you," Ron stated, shoveling food into his mouth and ignoring his brothers' aghast looks.

"Wait a moment. His surname wouldn't happen to be Harold, would it?" Fleur asked in perfect English, from beside her husband. Ron nodded.

"Yes. Why?"

Fleur's face lit up and she gave a squeal.

"Because I know him! He and his sisters, Ceres and Arnea! They went to my school, Beuxbatons! Ceres was my close friend, and Delian was as well. He was the sweetest boy! Oh, Ginny! You are so lucky! Every girl in my school loved him, though he paid no attention. And all this time, it was you his heart belonged to! How romantic!" She cried, her eyes twinkling as she clapped in delight. Bill shot his wife a stunned look.

"You know him personally?" He asked. She spun to look at him and beamed.

"Yes! You'll love him, I'm sure!" She soothed, putting her hand on his arm.

"I'm not so sure I like the idea of Ginny dating..." Arthur Weasley commented sternly. Ginny turned and glared at him.

"I am sixteen, dad. I've loved Delian all my life, and nothing anyone here says is going to change that," she announced. Her anger had flared up over her father's comment, and her face was red with suppressing it.

"But Ginny..."

Arthur's argument was cut off by a soft knock on the front door. Ron, who wanted to avoid anymore confrontations, hastened to answer it. When he saw who was on the other side, however, his mood completely changed.

"Delian! Come on in! We're just finishing breakfast," Ron announced, ushering the darker boy into the house. When Ginny heard this, she gave a squeal and rushed into the living room to meet him. He laughed as she threw herself into his arms, and hugged her close.

"I thought I would come over and visit. I realized that your family might want to meet me before allowing you to stay with us," he said, chuckling. Ginny beamed up at him.

"Come into the kitchen! Everyone's in there."

She and Ron pulled him into the room where the rest of their family sat in wait. The Weasley's stared at the tall, beautiful young man who had his hand interlocked with Ginny's, and he stared back, his eyes moving over all of them.

"May I try to guess who is who?" He asked. Ginny and Ron looked mischievous and gave the affirmative. Delian walked to Mrs. Weasley and kissed her hand.

"This is the mother of the family, Mrs. Weasley, whom Ginny and Ron praise to the skies."

At this, Molly Weasley blushed and nodded. Harry turned to look at those seated at the table. He motioned to the head of the house first.

"This Mr. Weasley, the monarch of the Weasley clan and the voice of reason. Then comes William, the curse-breaker, and his wife, Fleur, whom I know well. Next is Charles, the dragon-tamer, and his fiancee Tonks. Then Perceval, who works at the ministry. Then come Fred and George, the self-made multi-gallionare pranksters," he finished, beaming at his accomplishment.

"How do you know so much about us?" George finally spoke up. Harry grinned.

"I grew up listening to stories about Ginny's brothers. I used to pretend that you were my brothers as well, for I had none."

"No brothers? The horror!" Fred yelped, causing the tension in the room to melt. Harry laughed.

"No. I have four sisters, though."

This time, the Weasley boys looked horrified for a completely different reason.

"Oh, mate, I am so sorry," Bill sighed, causing Ginny to frown and hit him over the head as the others chuckled lightly.

"I never minded. Granted, it does get hard when they start to date..." he trailed off as the Weasley boys nodded and looked at him pointedly. Harry had the grace to blush.

"So yes, I understand what you are going through right now. I had to have a long talk with Ron before he finally let me be, and I don't expect any less from any of you," he said calmly, much to the surprise of the family. Mrs. Weasley finally broke the silence that filled the room after this comment.

"They will do no such thing. Ginny is old enough to make her own decisions. The only thing they should be doing is getting to know their possible brother-in-law. And I, for one, intend to do just that, right now," she informed them. Harry and Ginny had glanced at each other at the brother-in-law comment, but said nothing as Mrs. Weasley pulled Harry from the room, talking non-stop to him on the way.

"I told him he shouldn't come over, for his own good, but does he listen? NO!" Ron muttered. Ginny simply grinned and followed her mother and boyfriend out of the room.


By the end of the day, Delian had won the entire family over. He and Charlie shared a common interest in dragons, and they spent a lot of the time talking about Charlie's work in Romania. Bill had gotten into a huge debate with him over the importance of lock-breaking. Percy had been very pleased to know that Harry was a natural when talking about politics. Fred and George were delighted when they learned that Harry loved pranks.

Fleur was pleased when he told her of Ceres' son, and promised to visit as soon as she could. She, of course, knew of his rank in the Four Realms and vowed to be there on the day he was crowned. Tonks was thrilled when he requested she give him an example of her image-changing techniques. She was even happier when he began to request her for certain looks. It seemed as if she reveled in the attention.

Mr. Weasley had taken to the boy when Harry was able to tell him much about muggle objects (some he had learned about from Lily Potter, others he had had experience with in the past). Mrs. Weasley was shocked when he offered to help her with dinner and proceeded to whip up a culinary masterpiece when she asked him to help her with the potatoes.

During dinner (which Mrs. Weasley insisted that he stay for), the Weasleys were further surprised when he announced that he already had Christmas presents for everyone. They put up a fuss for a while, but when they saw how much he truly wanted to give the gifts to them, they accepted.

Once dinner was through and the dishes were washed (Harry insisted on helping with this, too), Ginny walked him to the edge of the forest.

"They love you," she giggled, as he pulled her into his arms. He smiled.

"That was the point. Well, no...actually, I just wanted to meet the people that I've heard so much about all these years. It was selfish, I know, but I enjoyed it. You are really lucky, Ginny. Your family may not have much money, but they have love enough to make up for that."

"So does yours."

"Yes. It is strange. I enjoy spending time with different types of families, just to see the different types of love they have for each other. My family, your family, the Potters. We are all so different but we all have so much love in our lives. It is amazing," he whispered. Ginny smiled and kissed his lips.

"Our love," she whispered. He grinned.

"And our love."

They kissed for several more minutes, until Harry realized how late it was. After a quick 'goodnight', they moved apart, her back to the house and him into the forest.

"I hope you enjoyed yourself."

Harry looked over to see his uncle emerge from the shadows of some trees nearby.

"Very much. Thank you for asking," he retorted. Severus sighed.

"Harry, you didn't tell them anything, did you?"

The younger man rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"What was I supposed to tell them, Sev? That I had mixed blood, was a future king, oh, and by the way, I happen to have once been known as Harry Potter? They would send me to St. Mungos in a straight jacket!" He sneered. Severus looked at his nephew proudly, well aware of who Harry had inherited that famous sneer from.

"Perhaps they should now," he teased, earning himself a whack on the arm. Together, the two men walked home, joking the whole way back.