(Flashback)
He had been in this place for a week; though his parents assured him no time was passing in the real world, it still felt disconcerting.
He was sat at a desk reading another tome filled with swirls and squiggles, the language of the Veela. His mother had shown him how to match the swirling shapes with letters from the alphabet. Luckily from there it was rather simple.
"This is one of the easiest languages of the Ancient Tribe. The Ancient Tribe was a group of beings that united their species as one. None of the beings were leader as all could speak…everyone was equal. The Ancient Tribe is made up of Veela, Centaur, Vampire, High Elves, Dark Elves, Lycanthropes, Phoenixes, Magical Humans and Draconians of course. There were other creatures that occasionally showed up for the council but were only ever interested in remaining neutral. They include Non-Magical Humans, House Elves, Merpeople, Thestrals and Dragons. Of course Merpeople could only be at the meeting if they were held near water, the Dragons only if there was a large clearing and the House Elves only at night when they didn't need permission from their masters. Vampires also had problems if it was held during the day and I'm not going to bother you with the problems that occurred on Full Moons. Let's just say that it was hard for the meetings to occur for everyones benefit. That is why the Tribe fell apart and problems started to pop up."
"What kind of problems?" Harry was curious. 'Surely they could have worked something out'
His Father answered him from behind whilst ruffling Harry's hair.
"That would be the usual ones. One group of beings saying another was insulting them yadda yadda…you get the drift"
"Honestly James, you explain things as well as a fish would explain how to swim"
"Yeah"
"Humph, flap your fins, James" Lily rolled her eyes as she replied sarcastically.
Harry laughed as happiness curled through him. It had took him a few 'days' to get over the shock but afterwards he had bombarded them with question after question. Sometimes the answers left him feeling a little disappointed but he pushed such feelings aside…hell, he was with his parents after all.
"You see, Harry, things weren't that simple" Lily glared for a moment at James. "For one thing, most of these beings had at one point or another been mortal enemies. Take for instance Vampires and Humans…or High Elves and Dark Elves. They hated one another purely on instinct. The only thing that stopped them from attacking each other at these Tribe meetings was because of the presence of…"
"…US" James shouted gleefully, his voice echoing around the cavern.
Lily huffed again.
"Because of the presence of Draconians" She finished with a satisfied smile.
Harry raised his eyebrow.
"I thought you said everyone had a say and everyone was equal"
"Well yes…but all these creatures loved Draconians. All of them respected your kind"
Harry had learnt many things in the last few days, the most important being that his Mother, the kind, caring and loving Lily Potter…was a Draconian Mate and of course his father, James Potter…was Draconian.
-----x-----
Having lessons with his parents was a strange experience but he did enjoy the pranks his Father played and the snapping attitude of his mother. He took turns between his parents so that he got as much information as possible. It was his Dad's turn today.
"Our family has been Draconian for as long as we can remember Son, too many decades to count really. Our position used to be that of Royal Advisor. We would offer our thoughts and feelings willingly. Sometimes though…when there was no King to stand for us, Advisors would be second in line for the throne. I am sorry to say Son that this is where it gets complicated. We haven't had a King for the last 500 years, the last died around 1503 and his name was King Dante Kokkinos. Since then my family, YOUR family…has taken on the mantle of King.
No King has ever shown up to reclaim the mantle from us…that is to say none have been powerful enough to take it. YOU now hold this mantle and it is up to you to keep it safe. There are only 500 or so Draconians left in this world so you must do your up most to make sure they remain safe and have the best King possible."
His father seemed incredibly serious for once as he spoke and Harry could tell that it bothered him that he didn't have an answer for the question of 'Why there had been no King'.
"But surely someone must have been capable of beating you in a fight?"
His father smiled softly.
"It isn't a battle that proves your worth as King, Harry. It is the Magic that is willing to come to your aid."
(End of Flashbacks)
-----x-----
"Of course Potter, now how about you tell me the truth" Snape growled.
"I don't have to explain myself to you" Harry snapped in return. 'So much for getting along' Harry knew he shouldn't have let Snape get under his skin but it bothered him that Snape was demanding things from him.
Harry placed the tome back on the table and started towards the door.
Snape hand flashed out as he walked passed and grabbed his arm.
"You can't just…" Snape started but Harry had whipped round and was glaring at him; eyes ablaze with defiance.
"Watch me" Harry snarled, yanking his arm out of Snape's grip
He had almost made it to the door before Snape's voice came again…much quieter.
"Please"
Harry halted. 'Since when does Snape, say please?'
-----x-----
'Why is it always Potter that gets me to do things I don't usually do?'
Severus asked himself. It seemed that when he was around Harry he never had any reservations.
He noticed that Harry had stopped though and right now he knew he needed to act contrite.
"I apologise…I didn't mean to be insulting or controlling…" The next second he found himself pinned to the floor beneath an angry 9 stone (57.15 kilogram) teenager.
"Enough…what the hell do you want Snape?"
'Well…now is the time to be honest I suppose' he thought to himself
-----x-----
There was no way that Severus Snape would apologise unless under extreme torture Harry knew. So why was he acting sorry now for simply acting as was his want.
"Perhaps you would let me up, Potter" Snape snipped
Harry sat back on his heels and didn't remove his weight, raising an eyebrow in amusement.
Snape sighed and stared up at the ceiling.
"Many people believe that I've have been fully emancipated by the ministry for the crimes I committed as a Death Eater. The truth however, is that Albus Dumbledore is held responsible for me. I'm on…parole shall we say. If Dumbledore says the word I can be thrown into Azkaban without a trial. No-body would petition for me either…obviously."
Harry's eyes bore into Snape's even as he looked away. Searching for the truth, Snape no doubt thought. Harry knew though that he wasn't lying. He could smell lies thanks to being a Parselmouth, after all. It was why Dumbledore always bugged him; never telling lies and yet never telling the truth either. No, Harry wasn't looking for lies. He was thinking about the possible ways Snape being nice to him would get the man out of this situation. Harry knew he had quite a bit of power at the ministry now and probably more in future. Question was; what did Snape want him to do with his power? And what would Harry himself get out of helping him?
Well question one and two were rather easy to answer…1) to stop his mate being tossed in Azkaban on a whim, but then Harry had the ability to get him out again anyway. 2) Snape? ...Harry wondered if it was that easy to get Snape to agree to what he had in mind.
"On one condition…" Harry smirked
-----x-----x-----x-----x-----
Well it's nice to know people opinions on Harry and Draco's relationship…so thanks to everyone who commented on that!!
Mmmmmmmmm bet Snape's having a tough time…9 stone of Hot Sexy Teenager on his lap…lol
I know my story's rather complicated so if anyone has troubles following it, just say and I'll try to help you along.
Now, how many people would hate it if I made Hermione Ok but Ron Evil…ish?
Ahhh and before I forget…which Weasley's want Harry dead and which don't? Let us see if you can guess where I'm going hmmmm…
p.s. Harry ain't that heavy when he's human!! Still rather hard to move beneath someone who has you pinned though...
Lupa xxx