Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter that privilege belongs to JK Rowling
Warning: This story mentions abuse and has male on male sex themes so if you don't like it then I suggest you stop reading it
Pairings: HP/SS, RW/HG, NL/LL, DM/PP, GW/DT
Summary: Harry is being abused by his relatives; the Weasleys are mad at Harry for hurting Ginny; Severus Snape gets de-aged and has a surprising sorting. There are no horcruxes in this story. AU, OOC.
A/N: I'd like to thank you for your reviews. I know some of you were worried that Remus was going to tell Harry about Lionel. I can assure that Remus won't be directly involved in telling Harry at all. I originally had a different plot for Harry to find out the truth, but I decided to change it to something else, which I think will work better with how this story is going to go.
Beta: I finally have a beta-reader who has been absolutely amazing and has helped me so much, so thanks a heap for your wonderful work.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
Harry ran outside, unsure where to go. He ran toward the Black Lake and sat down under a tree on the opposite side so no one could see him, or so he thought, until he heard the sound of approaching feet.
"Harry." Lionel called, seeing that his boyfriend was hiding behind the tree. He didn't want to startle him so he called out to give Harry some warning that he was there and not someone else.
"Hey." Harry replied, looking up toward his boyfriend.
Severus sat down next to Harry, neither saying anything as they both were lost in their own thoughts as they stared off across the Black Lake.
"You alright, Harry?" Severus asked, after a little while.
"I guess." Harry replied solemnly.
Severus let out of sigh; it wasn't one of frustration or annoyance, but more a comment on Harry lack of communication and it made him bite the bullet.
"Harry," Severus started, taking a deep breath, "are you upset at the fact that the whole wizarding world knows that you are gay?"
"No." Harry replied simply.
"Then what is it, Harry? What has you so upset?" Severus asked, more than slightly confused at Harry's response.
"I am upset at the fact that, once again, my private life is splashed across the front page and the information comes from someone who doesn't have the guts to say who they are," Harry replied with anger and hurt evident in his voice.
"Harry, you don't think it was Weasley or Granger, do you?" Severus asked.
"No. I don't think so. They have known I was gay since we first came back and if they were going to do something they would have done it by now. No, I think it is someone else." Harry replied firmly.
"Any idea who it could possibly be?" Severus asked.
"I thought it might have been Malfoy, but I don't think he could. In all his years of taunting me he has always said things directly to my face; he never once went to the papers. Besides, he hasn't said or done anything to me this year, in fact, I think he is on my side in this war."
"If it wasn't Malfoy, any clues as to whom it might be?"
"Not a one. I know I have enemies within the school; some are the children of the Death Eaters who actually believe in what their parents are doing. I have no doubt that in both the sixth and seventh years there might be actual Death Eaters. Not necessarily high ranking ones, but certainly someone ambitious who might do anything to prove themselves to Voldemort . . . including using anything they can get against me."
"If that is the case, Harry, what are you going to do?"
"I will do what I always do, be myself. I don't care what Rita Skeeter prints about me. It is not going to change who I am. I am not going to respond to the article because I know it will only fill Rita Skeeter with glee, thus giving her an excuse to write more crap about me. Besides, it pisses her off if I don't respond," Harry said, enjoying the thought that he would annoy the bug eyed journalist.
"I'm glad to hear that you won't stoop to her level. People like that thrive on attention and Rita Skeeter is no different. She has always had a way of making herself look good at the expense of others."
"She did a good job of that in my fourth year."
"What did you do?"
"Nothing...well not exactly nothing. Hermione, Ron, and I found out something out about Rita in our fourth year that nobody knows, and if people did know, especially her boss and the ministry, she could find herself in a lot of trouble. Rita knows that we know this bit of information about her and I think it might be time to remind her of that," Harry said, remembering the deal they made in his fourth year, when they discovered that she was an animagus, a non-registered animagus at that. They'd promised to keep her little secret and she'd promised to stop publishing stories about Harry in return. Harry was thinking that he might just send her an owl to remind her of that promise.
Severus watched Harry's expression and could see that he was forming some cunning plan in his mind to get back at Rita Skeeter for what she had printed in the paper. He also wondered what information Harry had on Rita that could get her into a lot of trouble; surely a person of Rita's vast experience, gained through her years as a journalist, would have learned that she needed to be careful and to keep her secrets closely guarded so no one could use them against her. But then again, she was a Hufflepuff and not a Slytherin.
"What are you planning to do, Harry?" Severus asked, hoping that Harry would share what he knew about the infernal woman.
"Let's just say that I am going to send her an owl and remind her of what I know. Plus, I think it is about time that the wizarding world starts to accept homosexuals, wouldn't you agree, Lionel?" He was smirking and had a rather mischievous glint in his eyes.
Severus was impressed. If he hadn't known better, he would have thought Harry was a Slytherin himself.
"But for now," Harry started again "I don't care if everyone knows that I'm gay. I am not going to hide that fact about me. I am going to hold my head up high and show the world that I am no different than I always have been." Harry said, radiating confidence.
"Good for you, Harry," Severus said standing up and dusting the dirt off his robes. "But now I think it is time we head back inside, otherwise I think McGonagall will have us in detention again if we are late for Transfiguration."
Harry looked up towards his boyfriend with a huge smile; no matter how bad things got, he was sure that Lionel would stick by him just like he would stick by Lionel.
Seeing Harry smile, Severus felt as if his previous life was non-existent. All that mattered to him was Harry. He couldn't believe that he used to think of Harry as nothing more than an arrogant, lazy, spoiled, brat, who was above everything and everyone. But now, he sees him as a modest, caring, understanding young man who, despite what life has dished out to him, has a great capacity to love and forgive others. He can see that Harry is extremely loyal to those he cares about, including him. He can see his fierce determination to learn whatever he can so he could defeat the Dark Lord. Now that Severus has seen Harry for who he truly is, in his own mind he had no doubt that Harry can achieve anything he wants too, including the defeat of Voldemort.
Severus held out his hand and Harry instantly grasped it. Helping Harry up, Severus pulled him into an embrace and gave him a deep but slow kiss, no longer caring if anyone saw them.
"I will be with you all the way, Harry." Severus said, his voice betraying the deep emotions that he was feeling for Harry.
Harry smiled at him and gave him another quick kiss. "Thank you, Lionel." Both Harry and Lionel headed back into Hogwarts hand in hand with their fingers interlaced. Despite the dangers that surrounded them both, especially with the war escalating and the fear of someone discovering Lionel's cover, both boys had never felt this happy and content in their lives. Harry often wondered if Lionel would still be there for him if he survived the war, and Severus, wondered if Harry would stay with him once he knew the truth, but for now it didn't matter. All that mattered to them at this point in time was the person whose hand they were holding.
"Potter!" someone called out in a voice that Harry was all too familiar with.
"What is it, Malfoy?" Harry replied, sounding slightly irritated but not like he used to when Malfoy constantly taunted him.
"I have something I need to tell you; it's important." Malfoy said. His voice still carried his arrogant tone but it was laced with worry.
"Fine." Harry replied, rather curious as to what had the Malfoy heir so worried.
"Meet me in the potion section of the Library. There is a table down at the end in a quiet area secluded from everywhere else." Malfoy instructed him.
Harry eyed Malfoy for a minute before he gave his answer. In the past, Harry would have been very wary of meeting Draco Malfoy in such a private place away from everyone. But with recent times and Malfoy's change of behavior towards him, Harry was seriously considering it. Lionel had told him that Malfoy and Pansy both came to see him when he was in the infirmary, and both seemed to be concerned for him, which was more than Ron and Hermione had done. Harry concluded that Malfoy was genuine about talking to him. He felt a slight squeeze of his hand and he looked over to Lionel who gave him a slight nod, indicating that he should talk to him.
"Alright, Malfoy, we will meet you." Harry replied.
"Alone, Potter!" Malfoy said sternly.
"No, Lionel comes or I don't go. It is as simple as that, Malfoy; it's your choice." Harry said, giving Malfoy the ultimatum.
Malfoy looked over Lionel, he could see that Potter and Lionel were holding hands with their fingers interlaced and he had a feeling that this was the boy that he was kissing in the picture on the front page of the Prophet that morning. But, now that Malfoy had gotten a closer look at the seventh year Gryffindor, he felt as if there was something familiar about him. With his shoulder length black hair, his dark onyx eyes, and his high cheek bones, he was strongly reminded of his Potion Professor. He knew it was impossible because the boy, Lionel, was his age, but something told him he was not what he appeared to be, in fact, he had a sneaking suspicion that this was Snape. He remembered seeing a picture of his Father and Snape together while they were still at Hogwarts and he's sure that this is what Snape looked like, and considering he had the last name of Prince, he was almost one hundred percent positive that it was he.
He could see that both Harry and this 'Lionel Prince' cared deeply for each other just by the way they were still holding hands, how close they stood to each other, and by their body language. If his suspicions were correct, he would be a perfect ally to have. Unlike his father, whose total loyal was to the Dark Lord, he had always had a feeling that Snape's wasn't. Draco had intended to seek out his Potion's Professor this year to see where his true loyalties lie, and if he was correct and Snape was loyal to Dumbledore, then he was going to ask him for help.
Unlike his father, Draco Malfoy did not want to be a Death Eater. He wanted to make his own choices, but his father had promised him to the Dark Lord's service, much to the younger man's despair. When the Dark Lord wanted to brand his arm last summer, Draco had only just managed to convince him not to in case someone, especially Dumbledore, saw that he had the mark. He swore that he would take it at the end of the school year. The Dark Lord contemplated it for a while and agreed, but he did give Draco a task to complete, a task which Draco had no intention of performing. In fact, he was hoping against hope that Potter would destroy the Dark Lord before school finished or he would be forced to take the mark or be killed because he refused to do the task the Dark Lord had given him.
"Alright then Potter, you can bring him and only him." Malfoy said, giving his response to Potter's ultimatum. He then quickly walked off toward Transfiguration before one of the students loyal to the Dark Lord saw him talking to Harry Potter.
Harry just shrugged his shoulders as he watched Malfoy walk away. Lionel and he looked at each other; Harry gave him a small smile while Lionel squeezed his hand lightly before they both headed off to class too.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
Draco was sitting at the table in the library that he'd told Potter and his boyfriend to meet him at. He had his elbow on the table with his chin resting in his hand while he drummed his fingers. If anyone could see him now they would think that he was a polyjuiced version of Draco. A Malfoy would never be caught looking anything less than aristocratically perfect. In truth, Draco was nervous about his talk with Potter and, he suspected, Snape. He was, in essence, giving himself over to Potter, effectively declaring his support for him. His girlfriend, Pansy, had been trying to encourage him to speak with Potter about an alliance. Like Draco, Pansy did not want to follow her parent's footsteps when it came to joining the Dark Lord.
As he waited, Draco couldn't help but mull over the things he has observed from Potter and the former Golden Trio. He, like the rest of the school, had noticed that the Golden Trio no longer existed, but he didn't know why. He had been in the Great Hall when he saw the Weaselette slap Harry, followed very quickly by the altercation between Lionel and the Weasel. The rumors that Harry was gay started shortly after that confrontation. Draco could care less if Harry was gay. He didn't believe a person's sexuality defined who a person was, but according to his father, homosexuals should face the end of a wand. Despite what everyone seemed to think, Draco was the opposite of his father and more like his mother. If things went as he hoped they would go, he could finally show the true Draco Malfoy to the rest of the world and drop the arrogant, spoilt brat persona that he let everyone believe he was.
When this morning's edition of the Daily Prophet arrived and announced that the Boy-Who-Lived was gay, Draco could not help but feel sorry for Harry. He, like the rest of the school, was silent, but he could see from where he was sitting at the Slytherin table that Harry was upset and ran out with his boyfriend following closely behind him. He also took note that Granger, the Weasel, and the Weaselette were delighted by Harry's humiliation. Draco found that very disturbing, considering they were once his best friends. Then he noticed a couple of guys looking rather lustfully towards Harry, but Draco had a feeling that the relationship with Lionel was rather serious, more serious than he first thought. Once the initial shock wore off, from what Draco could gather from the other students' conversation and body language, most of them didn't seem to mind that the Boy-Who-Lived is gay. In fact, it was only a handful of students that seemed to dislike the fact that Harry was gay.
It amazed Draco how many of the older generation thought that homosexuality was wrong. If they just looked back in history, both muggle and magical, they would find that it was widely accepted throughout the ages, but somewhere along the line, society started saying it was wrong and homosexuals were forced to start hiding. This was such a narrow minded way of thinking. The majority of the current generation accepts homosexuality and acknowledges that you cannot stop a person's natural sex drive.
"I never thought I'd see the day when Draco Malfoy is slouching around and not showing his usual 'I'm so much better than everyone else' demeanor," Harry commented as he and Lionel approached the table where Draco said to meet and sat down next to each other.
"I guess the same could be said about you meeting me in private, Potter." Draco snarled back at him.
"If you're going to be rude about it, I could just leave then." Harry said, starting to get up when Lionel grabbed his arm.
"It might be a wise idea, Harry, to hear what Draco has to say." Lionel said as he pulled Harry back into his seat.
"Listen to your boyfriend, Potter." Draco said, taking the malice out of his voice. He knew that if he was going to get Potter's help he would need to put his past animosity towards him aside, otherwise, he'd be stuck becoming a Death Eater.
Harry reluctantly sat back into his seat and crossed his arms over his chest, unsure why Draco Malfoy, the bane of his existence, wanted to talk to him, and just why his boyfriend also insisted on it. Thinking about it made him realize that his boyfriend had addressed him as Draco not Malfoy. Did he know him personally? Perhaps they were friends or past lovers . . . Harry didn't know, but maybe he could discuss it with Lionel later.
"Fine then, I will listen to what you have to say, Malfoy." Harry said, his voice was a bit stubborn sounding with a hint of malice in it.
Draco was a bit annoyed at how this meeting had started off. He really wanted to put their differences aside, but as usual, the animosity between them that had started back on their first day at Hogwarts seemed to thwart his best intentions. For his own good, Draco knew he had to put it aside. If he didn't, well, he would hate to think what his life would become if he didn't get Harry Potter to help him. Letting out a sigh, Draco decided to show Potter that he was sincere about his motives for this meeting.
"I didn't ask to meet with you so we could start fighting, Potter." Draco said, keeping his voice neutral and at a low level.
"Then why did you call this meeting, Malfoy?" Harry asked, his voice sounding a bit curious but also cautious.
"For a couple of reasons."
"Like what? What reason could you possibly have to meet with me?" Harry asked, slightly agitated.
"I know since we first started here at Hogwarts that we have never gotten along. I, for one, am sick and tired of fighting with you, just because it was what my father expected me to do, to be the perfect son, a Death Eater in training." Draco said the last part with a lot of malice in his voice.
"Even if your father expected you to act like that, why did you if you didn't want too?" Harry asked, picking up on Draco's distaste towards his father.
"Because, Potter, it is what my father expected me to do. I'm sure you know all about that, don't you?" Draco said, with no hatred or malice towards Harry but in a tone of voice that told Harry exactly what he meant.
"Yeah, I do." Harry simply said, understanding what it is like to have the expectations of others to meet when you don't really like them. "If you didn't like what your father expected, then why do it? I mean, it is not like he would have known."
"Wrong, Potter. My father would have found out. What you don't get is that there are a lot of Death Eater's children in this school. Some support what their parents do and others, like me, don't. But in the end, we are all the same. We all fear our parents and what they can do to us if we don't follow them into the ranks of the Dark Lord," Draco said, speaking the truth behind what was a grave situation for him.
"I guess I sort of understand. Your situation makes it even harder for me; it's as if I have to kill Voldemort right now, and the sooner I do it, the better it will be for everyone, right?" Harry simply stated, with no emotion at all coloring his tone. It sounded as if he was devoid of any feeling towards killing another being.
Severus and Draco both stiffened at hearing Voldemort's name, but Harry didn't notice it. His thoughts were more on what he was supposed to do: save the world, or at least stop Voldemort.
"That's one way to put it, Potter," Malfoy said. In some ways, he felt sorry for Potter having to deal with the Dark Lord and the wizarding world's expectations of him. But he was counting on Harry's sense of obligation himself. His motives were different to those of the population, and most would probably call him selfish, but the one thing his father taught him that he agreed with was that 'a Malfoy must always look out for one's own needs' and that is what Draco was doing.
"Thanks for that, Malfoy," Harry said sarcastically.
"You said you wanted to speak to Harry for a couple of reasons . . . what about, other than you don't want to become a Death Eater?" Severus asked, intervening between the two former rivals before something drastic happened.
"You are right; I don't want to be a Death Eater, but whether or not I become one unfortunately lies with Potter."
"What do I have to do with whether or not you become a Death Eater?"
"It has everything to do with you, Potter. Father has already promised me to the Dark Lord. I was supposed to be marked this past summer but I managed to convince my father and the Dark Lord to wait until I have finished school. I expect the day I finally leave Hogwarts is the day I would have been marked, now it will probably mean my death instead," Draco explained to Harry, lowering his voice at the mention of leaving Hogwarts and his death.
Both Harry and Severus' heads snapped up at the mention of the possibility that Draco was going to be killed. "Why do you say that he is going to kill you, Draco?" asked Severus. He was extremely concerned that something could happen to him, but he managed to keep his voice neutral. He may not like Lucius Malfoy, but Draco was different from his father and he had always hoped that the boy would not be forced into the service of the Dark Lord. Unfortunately for Draco, Lucius always did just what Lucius wanted to without care for anyone else.
"Because the Dark Lord gave me a task to do and I basically have refused to do it. The one thing the Dark Lord hates is any of his servants refusing to perform any task he has given them. By doing so, I have forfeited my life," Draco replied solemnly.
"What was it you had to do?" Harry asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I was to spy on you, learn everything about you...your strength, your weaknesses. Any little bit of information I could get. Then, once I did that, I was supposed to start putting a few drops of this potion into your drink each day," Draco said, pulling out a sickly green colored potion vial.
"What is it?" Harry asked, taking the vial from Malfoy and taking a rather curious look at it.
Severus stiffened instantly when he saw the vial of potion that Draco pulled out of his robes. He recognized the potion instantly; he invented it. It was years ago when he was truly loyal to the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord asked him to come up with a potion that was odorless as well as tasteless. It had to have the properties of a slow release poison that could not be detected. The victim would initially feel like they were getting a cold but as the doses increased so did the symptoms, which included the shakes, sweating, fever, nausea, diarrhoea, and pains throughout the body. After about two weeks of constant suffering, death would claim the victim. It was a slow and painful way to die, and at the time, Severus was proud he could develop such a complicated potion. But when the Dark Lord started using it on innocent people, Severus began to doubt the Dark Lord and his doctrine. The final push came when the Potters were targeted; that was when he turned back towards the light.
"I'm not sure; all I know is the Dark Lord said to put two drops into your juice every morning until the vial was completely empty," Draco explained to him.
"And what was going to happen then?" Harry asked, fearing what the answer could be.
"I'm not sure; he never told me what this potion was. All I know is, I was to inform the Dark Lord once I administered the last drop; he would then come and finish you off, so he said," Draco told Harry, who instantly paled at the thought of Voldemort.
Harry looked at the potion and thought about what Malfoy...Draco, had just said. If the Dark Lord had wanted Draco to feed the potion to him, Harry had a bad feeling that the potion was not a pleasant one, perhaps it was something to weaken him so it would be easier for Voldemort to kill him.
"I really wish I knew where Snape is, he would be able to figure what this potion was." Harry stated.
"I could have not agreed with you more, Potter, but unfortunately he is not and no one knows where he is, including the Dark Lord . . . which is lucky for him." Draco informed Harry.
"Why's that?" Harry asked.
"Because, he is number two on the Dark Lord's hit list," Draco stated matter of fact.
"Right behind yours truly," Harry replied dejected. "Anything else?" Harry added as an afterthought.
"Yes, there is," Draco replied melancholically.
"By the sound of your voice, it's not good," Harry said, looking at Draco without his former hatred and malice.
"You know how I told you I was meant to be spying on you but refused to do it?" (Harry nodded his head) "Well, someone else is; I'm not sure who, but someone is sending information about you to the Dark Lord."
"Any suspects?"
"Not sure, although Crabbe or Goyle could, but they are both too stupid to think to step up to do what I was meant too. Nott maybe, but he is all talk. Blaise is neutral, and as for the girls, I know Pansy is with me and the rest would rather be a house elf then serve the Dark Lord. As for the rest of Slytherin I'm not really sure. What about from Gryffindor?"
"No one from our year but it could be possible with some of the others though."
"What about Granger and Weasley?"
Harry gave a sigh at the mention of his former best friends. "Both Ron and Hermione may not like me anymore, but they wouldn't join Voldemort. Besides, Hermione is muggleborn and we know how much Voldemort loves muggleborns, and Ron's family is considered blood traitors," Harry said, adding a little bit of sarcasm.
"So, I guess we can rule out the seventh years from our respective houses, what about the others?" Draco asked, thinking out loud.
"Not sure, I really don't have much to do with them." Harry said.
Silence fell over the small group as they tried to figure out who could have joined the ranks of the Dark Lord, or as Harry always calls him, Voldemort. During the exchange between the former rivals, Severus remained quiet. He has had his first insight with Harry and his regards to the Dark Lord. At first Severus thought that Harry would go barging off to save Draco from the Dark Lord, but after listening to what was said, Severus could see that Harry was actually sitting and thinking things through logically. Perhaps Albus was right about Harry. Trouble seems to find him instead of him looking for it.
As Harry and Draco tried to think of who could possibly be a Death Eater, Severus was also going through some possibilities of his own. Unlike Harry and Draco, Severus has had a lot to do with the seventh year Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws. He would agree with what both boys said about their own houses, but Severus could think of a couple from the lower years in both Gryffindor and Slytherin and one or two seventh years from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.
As he thought about a couple of students he will keep a closer eye on, his eyes drifted over towards Harry and the vial of potion he still held in his hand. If Draco had done what he was supposed to do, then he would have started adding the potion to Harry's drink, by his calculations, the vial would have lasted to just after the new year. This meant that the Dark Lord would have waited at least a week after the vial was empty before attacking since Harry would have been too sick to fight. He would have been at his weakest, thus giving the Dark Lord the perfect opportunity for an easy kill.
But now he was not too sure. Since Draco isn't doing what he was ordered to, the Dark Lord would be furious and Lucius would be bearing the brunt of that fury, at least until he could get his hands on Draco. This might cause the Dark Lord to move up his strike against Harry since he couldn't be sure if Draco failed in his task or not. Severus also had a feeling that this may have been a test of loyalty for Draco; it was extremely unusual for the Dark Lord to be talked out of marking someone. If it was a test of loyalty, then no matter what Draco did or did not do, he was marked for death. He didn't doubt Draco's information or the potion that Harry held, but what he did doubt was the timing of the strike. If Draco had administered the potion as directed, then the strike would be in mid January, but since he didn't, it could be happen at any time. Severus had to talk to Albus about his suspicions immediately.
"Lionel," Harry said.
Severus was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't hear anyone speaking to him.
"Merlin to Lionel," Harry called again, waving his hand in front of Severus' face to gain his attention.
Abruptly pulled from his thoughts, Severus replied, "Yes," as he grabbed the hand waving in front of his face, something he found extremely annoying.
"I was asking if you have any idea who it could be," Harry said.
"Not really, but I agree with you, Harry. I don't think it is a seventh year from Gryffindor but the other houses I'm not so sure about because I don't know anyone," Severus lied. He needed to maintain his cover, but he did suspect a couple of students.
"I think we should keep our eyes and ears open and keep each other informed if we think someone is suspicious," Draco said.
"We, Malfoy? Does that mean you are going to help me?" Harry asked, rather surprised at Draco's wording.
"Yes, Potter, it does; I know Pansy will help too." Draco replied with determination.
"Alright, but I'm not sure if I should trust you." Harry said with an air of caution.
"I think you can, Harry." Severus stated.
"What makes you so sure, Lionel?"
"My instincts tell me he is telling the truth." Severus said cryptically. He hoped Harry would trust his judgment.
Harry thought about it for a second before he decided that he would give Draco the benefit of the doubt. He fully trusted Lionel and Harry knew that he wouldn't lead him astray with something as important as this. "Ok, Lionel, I trust your judgment; (turning towards Draco) I trust Lionel when he says he believes you, but I warn you, Malfoy, if you cross me, you will be facing the end of my wand." Harry promised in a serious tone of voice.
"I have no intention of turning my back towards you Potter. This is as much for my and Pansy's benefit as yours." Draco promised.
"Can you believe this, Malfoy? We actually had a civil conversation without wanting to hex or insult each other," Harry said, lighting up the mood.
"I know, who would have thought the Ice Prince of Slytherin and Gryffindor Golden Boy could have a civil conversation?" Draco gave a small laugh.
Harry couldn't help but laugh at their pseudo names. Then he thought of something and now seemed the most appropriate time to do it. Handing the potion vial to Lionel, he stood up and walked around to the other side of the table where Draco was sitting and held out his hand. "Hello, I'm Harry Potter." he said, hoping that Draco would take his hand.
Draco knew what Harry was doing, they may not be friends yet, but it could have possibilities. Harry appeared to be willing to put aside their differences and offer a clean slate; Draco was more than happy to accept. Standing up and turning to face Harry, he shook his hand and said formally, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Draco Malfoy."
They gave each other a courteous smile before returning to their own seats.
"I guess lunch is almost over and I have Runes next." Draco said, standing up and collecting his backpack.
"I have a study period, so I'm going to stay here and work on the transfiguration essay McGonagall assigned us this morning." Harry said as he stood up to move to another table closer to the transfiguration section.
"I guess I'll walk with you to class, Draco." Severus said, also standing up with his backpack in hand.
"I guess it must be hard not having Granger to help you anymore, Potter." Draco said as they started to walk away from the table.
"It's Harry, Malfoy, and no its not. I'm pretty good with transfiguration, although I'm not as good as she. My work has always being my own and not copied like Ron's." He did miss having them as study partners when Lionel wasn't around, but the truth was that he would rather study with Lionel than Hermione and Ron because he actually got his work done. Ron never wanted to work and Hermione and Ron's constant bickering was distracting.
"Draco. If I'm to call you 'Harry' then you can call me by my given name."
"Sure, Draco." Harry said. It sounded weird calling Malfoy by his first name, but he would do his part to keep things civil.
"If you don't mind me asking, what happened between you, Granger, and Weasley?" Draco asked, rather curious at what had caused the rift amongst the trio.
Thanks to this morning's edition of the Daily Prophet, Harry decided he might as well tell Draco. "It started at the end of our sixth year when I broke up with Ginny. Ron and the rest of the Weasleys got mad at me because I broke Ginny's heart; she was devastated by the break up." Harry started relaying the story to Draco. "So anyway, I never heard from any of them during the summer holidays and I figured they needed time to cool down. Ron was still angry with me at the beginning of term, and when Hermione confronted me about the breakup, I told her I was gay; she went ballistic. She thought I had an illness and decided she had to find a cure for it. It's funny, I thought she'd be more opened minded about it since she was raised in the Muggle world, but I was wrong. Then she told Ron. He said I was a disgusting freak and Ginny slapped me. They both told me to stay away from them. I have tried to talk to them since, but they won't listen to a word I say. It's made me wonder if they ever were my friends at all," Harry explained to Draco.
"Well, if you ask me, if they were truly your friends they would have accepted the fact that you are gay. I'm not sure why Granger thinks it a disease when it's not. There is no way you can cure a person's natural sex drive. As for Weasley, he has a tendency to jump the wand so to speak. They should have accepted that this is who you are," Draco said adding his two Knuts in, for what it was worth.
"You sound like it doesn't bother you." Harry said, rather surprised at Draco's analysis of his former best friends.
"Despite what people think, I am not what people believe I am. Sure, I had to play the part of a Death Eater's child, but I refuse to be like my father and I do have my own beliefs and values. To answer your question Harry, no, it doesn't bother me at all." Draco said as they stopped by the entrance of the library. "Are you bothered by the fact you are gay, Harry?"
"No, in fact, I like who I am and I'm truly happy that I can be myself." Harry replied with a smile as he grabbed Lionel's hand.
"Well I guess you better say goodbye to your boyfriend then as we need to get to class." Draco said just as the bell rang.
Harry was about to say something to Lionel, but instead, Lionel gave Harry a quick kiss on the lips and told him he would see him after class. Harry couldn't help but smile at Lionel and said goodbye as he headed back into the library as Lionel and Draco headed off to class.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
Severus had a feeling that Draco Malfoy suspected his true identity, judging by the looks he was receiving during their Rune lesson. He did go to school with the boy's father after all. He now found it kind of odd when he thought about attending school with Lucius Malfoy because he no longer considered himself thirty seven; he thought of himself as a happy, care free, seventeen year old in love with the most wonderful man he had ever known.
The last three months had been amazing for Severus. So much had changed in his life that he didn't want to go back to the man he was before. On the other hand, if he was still able to spy on the Dark Lord he could have helped Harry prepare for the battle. Honestly though, he had done a lot more over the last two months with Harry's training and Occlumency lessons than he could have done in addition to his duties as a spy.
Severus was making his way to the headmaster's office; he really needed to talk to Albus about what Draco had told them today and his resulting concerns. He hoped he was wrong about his assumptions regarding the Dark Lord's plans but his instincts were telling him otherwise.
As he approached the Gargoyle that guarded the office of the headmaster, he took quick note of the corridors…making sure no one was following him before whispering the password to gain access to the Headmaster's office. "Jelly Slugs," he said. He'd intended to wait for the Gargoyle to rise up, but couldn't resist the impulse to jump on the moving stairs and take the fast way. "Come in, Mr. Prince," Severus heard Albus call out just as he was about to knock on the door. Severus guessed that someone was in the office with the Headmaster or he would have used his first name. By addressing him as Mr. Prince, Severus calculated that it would be prudent to play the part of a student.
"You asked to see me, Sir" Severus said, noting that Albus was with the Minister of Magic.
"Yes I did, Mr. Prince." Albus said, happy that Severus was playing the part of a student in front of the Minister of Magic. "You must try one of these ANZAC biscuits, they are divine, Mr. Prince," the Headmaster said to him, picking one up as he and the Minister of Magic were walking out of the office while chatting about various topics including the Dark Lord and his latest movements.
Severus looked over to the plate of biscuits sitting on the Headmaster's desk. Picking up one of the biscuits, he examined it closely before taking a bite. Severus had to admit it wasn't too bad. Unlike the Headmaster's usual preference, it wasn't too sweet. Taking another biscuit, Severus sat down in his usual chair and chewed on his biscuit while awaiting the Headmaster's return.
After a few minutes, the Headmaster returned to his office. With one look from Severus, Albus warded the door so no one could get in. He also cast a silencing charm and Muffliato in case any unwanted ears were listening in, not that anyone would be able to get away with it as Albus always seemed to know who was headed to see him before they reached the Gargoyle.
"Now, my boy, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company on this wonderful afternoon?" Albus said, slightly amused as Severus glared at him for calling him 'my boy'. Despite how much Severus tells him not to, Dumbledore was sure that deep down he likes that someone besides Harry cares for him.
"It seems that the Dark Lord is preparing for the final showdown." Severus said, getting straight to the point and bypassing the usual pleasantries the Headmaster always insists on.
"We've always known that this day would come, my boy. I hoped that Harry would be finished with school, but I guess that is not going to happen. Any idea how soon he will attack, Severus?" Albus' voice was full of concern and the twinkle in his eyes had dimmed.
"From what I have learned, it will be no later than mid January," Severus said bluntly.
"And is Harry aware of this new development?" Albus asked, extremely concerned at the news that Tom could be attacking anytime. He was already formulating plans to ready Hogwarts for the final confrontation.
"He is aware that the Dark Lord is preparing to come after him, but is uncertain of the time frame," Severus said. He was trying to keep his voice as neutral as possible, but the realization that he could possibly lose Harry was just a bit too much for the stoic man.
"We need to get him prepared," Albus said, sensing the man's extreme worry over his lover.
"He is well equipped with a wide range of spells and defenses, plus his Occlumency skills have increased dramatically."
"I see you have been training him, Severus," Albus said, his twinkle resuming.
"Of course I have been training him. What did you expect me to do, Albus? Sit by and watch as one of the Darkest Lords that ever existed tries and kill him?" Severus snapped back at him.
"I expected you to do exactly what you have done, my boy; help him to prepare for the final confrontation," Albus said. He would have been amused at Severus' behavior if the situation wasn't so serious. It was unusual to see Severus lose control of his emotions like he was now, and in Albus' mind, he had no doubt that Harry had cemented is his place in Severus' long-forgotten heart.
Severus was battling to bring his emotions under control. He was scared, as much as he hated to admit it; he was scared that in less than two months he could lose his Harry forever, and he was uncertain that he would be able to continue on with his life without Harry in it.
"I can't lose him, Albus," Severus said in a defeated tone.
Albus looked at Severus. The man looked so defeated, lost even at the thought of losing the only person he has ever truly loved. He swore to himself that if he could prevent anything from happening to Harry he will do everything in his power to keep him alive.
"I'm sure he will prevail, my dear boy," Albus said, after he got up and moved around to the front of his desk to take the seat next to Severus.
"How can you be so sure that he can make it, Albus?" Severus asked, his voice very skeptical.
"Faith, my boy. I have faith in him and you as well," Albus said, his voice carrying the sincerity of his belief.
"I love him, Albus. I love him so much that it hurts, and I don't want to lose him," Severus said while visibly fighting back his emotions. He refused to relinquish his tight control of his emotions even though his fear of losing Harry was overwhelming him.
Albus could see the internal struggle Severus was having with his feelings. He placed a comforting hand on his shoulders, and although he could feel him trembling, Severus somehow still managed to keep a hold on his emotions. Albus thought that it might be time to tell Harry the truth.
"I think, Severus, that it is time to tell him," Albus stated.
Severus didn't need the Headmaster to elaborate on who he was talking about or what to tell him. Severus knew that the time had come to tell Harry, and he hoped with all his might that Harry listened and accepted him for who he was.
"Have faith in him, my boy," Albus said as if he was reading Severus' mind. Severus frowned at Albus for a second but gave him a nod of understanding. Albus gave Severus a pat on the shoulder for encouragement and as support.
Severus then said, "I believe Draco Malfoy also suspects who I am."
"Do you anticipate any problems from him?" Albus asked.
"No, I don't. He and Harry have called a truce and Draco has allied himself with Harry."
"That is good to hear, unity between houses could aid our efforts." Albus said, pleased that Harry and Draco are putting their differences aside.
"That's not all," Severus said. "Draco was given an assignment by the Dark Lord; I think it was a test of loyalty for he apparently talked the Dark Lord out of marking him, which is extremely unusual. (Albus quietly said he agreed.) He told Draco to gather as much information on Harry as he can. He was also supposed to place two drops of this potion (Severus pulled the vial out of his robes) into Harry's drink every day."
"I have never seen a potion like this before," Albus commented as he took the vial out of Severus' hand for a closer inspection.
"I would have been surprised if you had, Albus. I invented it before I defected from the Dark Lord, and if I'm not mistaken, this should be the last vial of it in the Dark Lord's store," Severus said with certainty.
"What does it do?" Albus asked, aware of Severus ability to create lethal potions for the Dark Lord.
"It is a slow acting poison. Swallowed in one go, a victim would be in agonizing pain for hours, maybe days depending on the individual, before death claimed them. Administered as the Dark Lord wanted, Harry would have started to get sick with common cold-like symptoms. As time progressed, his symptoms would have gotten worse along with unbearable pain. My guess is that's what the Dark Lord wanted. By the time of the attack, Harry would have been too weak and too sick to fight him, thus making the kill simple for the Dark Lord." He went on to explain how the potion was odorless as well as tasteless. Severus also explained that it was extremely hard, if not impossible, to detect. There was no antidote. The one positive was that Severus was the only one who knew its recipe and how to brew it; therefore, the Dark Lord's supply was extremely limited. Since Severus had taken all of his notes when he defected, the Dark Lord was unable to obtain more or get another Potion Master to copy it by using a recipe.
"I guess we are lucky that Draco Malfoy had a change of heart." Albus commented.
"I have always believed that Draco was only doing what Lucius had expected him to do. I always hoped that Draco would not follow in his footsteps."
"I, for one, am glad that he didn't. On that note my dear boy, it is approaching dinner and I believe a certain young man will be wondering where his boyfriend is," Albus said, his eyes twinkling madly again as Severus resisted the urge to roll eyes. Getting up from his seat, he bade the headmaster farewell before heading out to the Great Hall for dinner and to see his beloved Harry.
HPSSHPSSHPSS
"Wotcher, Harry!" Tonks said to Harry as they nearly ran into each other.
"Hey Tonks!" Harry cheerfully greeted his honorary godfather's wife as they almost collided outside the Great Hall's entrance.
"Look at you, Harry, growing up so fast and all...It feels like only yesterday that I first met you at the Dursley's." Tonks said, lifting her hand up to Harry's cheek.
"Tonks, that was only two years ago. Merlin's beard, the way you are talking sounds like we haven't spoken in ages." Harry said, slightly exhausted after spending all afternoon studying.
"Sorry, Harry, I guess it must be the pregnancy making me all mellow." Tonks said with a small laugh and removing her hand from Harry's face just as Remus came around the corner.
"Remus!" Tonks said happily as she gave her husband a small, chaste kiss.
"Tonks," he said happily, returning her kiss and rubbing his hand over her abdomen before turning to Harry.
"Alright there, Harry? You look tired," Remus said, slightly worried about his honorary godson.
"I'm fine, Professor. I was just studying all afternoon."
"Nothing better than a good meal or some chocolate to lift your spirits then Harry." Remus replied, thinking how hard it must be to study for your N.E.W.T.S as well as the work load the teachers give to their students.
"You must come around for a cuppa soon, Harry. Remus and I would like to talk to you about something important." Tonks said in a slightly serious tone.
"What do you need to talk to me about?" Harry asked, slightly worried that something terrible had happened.
Remus could sense Harry's anxiety level rise and decided to put the young man's mind at ease. "Don't worry too much, Harry, it's nothing bad...it's just that Tonks and I are planning on asking you if you would be our baby's godfather, that's all."
Harry instantly relaxed, feeling rather excited at the prospect at being the godfather to his honorary godfather's child. "Great, um I would love to have a cuppa with you guys."
"Great, Harry! Come around Saturday after the game, if you like." Tonks said as Remus placed an arm around his wife and she instantly leaned into his touch.
"Definitely!" Harry was beaming.
Remus and Tonks looked at each other quickly and smiled before Remus indicated with his hand that they should head into the Great Hall. Harry went first, followed by Remus and Tonks who made their way up to the staff table.
Harry headed over to the Gryffindor table. Spotting his boyfriend, he bee lined for him but slowed down when he noticed that he looked anxious. He was fidgeting with his robes and didn't seem able to sit still. He also had an extremely worried look on his face, which was unusual for his boyfriend who was always well composed and in control of his emotions.
"Lionel." Harry said cautiously, trying not to startle his boyfriend but failing miserably when Lionel nearly jumped out of his skin.
"Merlin's beard, Harry, you nearly frightened the life out of me!" Severus said, placing a hand over his chest in an effort to stop his racing heart.
"You seemed rather distracted...Is everything alright, Lionel?" Harry asked, sitting down next to his boyfriend.
"Yes it is," Severus lied; he didn't want Harry to get concerned or worried about what he needed to talk with him about.
"Are you sure?" Harry asked, not quiet believing him.
"I am now," Severus said as he leaned over and gave Harry a kiss on the lips.
Harry couldn't help but blush at the small display of public affection from his boyfriend, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was troubling him.
During dinner, Severus was able to bring his emotions under control. He didn't want Harry to worry about him; in fact, he wanted to cherish every second he had with the beautiful green eyed wizard who had captured his heart before he told him the truth about his true identity. He'd thought that perhaps after the game on Saturday they could go somewhere and talk, but Harry had just mentioned that Remus and Tonks wanted to have him around for afternoon tea on Saturday after the game and knew he had to wait. Perhaps on Sunday…yes, Sunday was as good a time as any to tell him the truth. He asked Harry if they could go for a walk around the school grounds for some alone time on Sunday, sort of as a date. Harry agreed, and despite the anxiety Severus was feeling about the seriousness of the conversation he was going to have with Harry, he let out a sigh of relief. Harry seemed to think that Severus' unusual behavior earlier had been because he'd been nervous about asking him out. There was no turning back now . . .
TBC...