AN I have been sick so sorry for the longer wait. Longest chapter yet WOOT! I know it's been kinda dragging but it should pick up after the nest two to three chapters. I just wanted to establish feelings, where some characters stand and throw some information in that will effect things in the future. Enjoy the plot twists. This is not betad. All mistakes are my own. WARNING! I am horrid at spelling and I do reread and proofread my work but I still miss some things. Also I own nothing because Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling. The only thing I own is the plot. Some plot twists await in the next few chapters! Enjoy!
He was currently in his new room, which was massive compared to what he was use to. Evidently it had been Sirius's when he was young. Harry was laying on the large canopy bed. Harry had always thought that canopy beds were a bit girly but this one looked more posh or regal then girly. Severus had tried to spell them off but they refused. Sirius had tried to convince them but to no avail. Harry chuckled remembering the frustration of his guardians over the drapery around his bed. He supposed it was growing on him.
They had let Harry decided on the color scheme, which was greens, browns and creams, which gave the room a very earthy feel to it. He thought it was calming. They told him he could decorate as he wished. Harry did find his bed to be very comfortable. There was a rather large wooden wardrobe with a dresser set that matched the dark brown wood of his bed. A mirror was attached to the main dresser that, to Harry's relief, did not talk. Off to one side there was a desk, tall bookshelf, and a rug on top of the wooden floor. Sirius had told him if he needed more shelving to let him or Severus know.
Harry thought about the last couple days. It had taken until the night they arrived at number 12 Grimmauld Place for all the information to sink in. It had taken until they were all moved in for him to come to terms with it. There was an odd air about the house. It was like it was waiting for the other shoe to fall. Harry wondered if he should say something to get rid of it.
Harry made his way down stairs. He wandered into the library figuring he could find at least one of his guardians in there.
Sure enough he found Severus sitting in one of the chairs reading a book. He looked around and didn't see Sirius.
"Where is Sirius?"
"He is getting ready for his first visit to a mind healer." replied Severus.
"Oh yeah, that's happening today. He's not going to like it is he?" asked Harry a bit worried.
"Probably not." Severus answered with a sigh.
Harry played with the him of his shirt before bringing up why he wanted to talk about.
"I wanted to say that ever since the first night we were here, what we talked about, well everything we've talked about since you got me, really...Well it's weird and it will take a bit to get use to, but it doesn't bother me. Not really." explained Harry awkwardly.
Harry watched the man who's got the tiniest start of a smile on his lips.
"You are incredibly understanding and accepting, you know that right?" Harry was told.
"Well, it wouldn't be the first time my world changed drastically all at once. The first time I barely remember. The second time was when I started getting letters from the school and then Hagrid showed up, told me I was a wizard. I found out I was famous for supposedly killing the Dark Lord before I could talk properly. I found out my parents were killed by said Dark Lord and didn't really die in a car crash, that my father wasn't a drunk." replied Harry shrugging.
Severus's knuckles turned white as he clutched the book he had been reading. His eyes turned hard. Harry was afraid for a second. In truth Harry had been trying to help smooth over the issue but it seemed his comments made it worse.
"They told you what?" said Severus in an icy tone. Harry gulped. Maybe he shouldn't have brought it up.
"That my parents died in a car crash because my dad was a drunk. They told me thats how I got the scar on my forehead." replied Harry who heard the fear in his own voice.
Harry heard a sputtering sound and turned around to find Sirius standing there.
A murderous look on spread across the grey eyed man's face. Harry blinked.
"Calm down Harry and stay put while I go try to convince Sirius to not go on a murderous rampage." Severus told the boy as he stood up. Harry watched him walk over to Sirius and gently wrap his arms around the man.
"I'm gonna kill them Sev. The bodies won't even be identifiable." growled Sirius who was a ridged as a board.
"While I agree with you, I doubt Aurors will be pleased about it. That and as much as Harry dislikes them I doubt he wants you to kill them. The last place he needs you is in Azkaban." Severus told his husband who was starting to relax.
Severus unwrapped his arms and put his hands on Sirius's shoulders. "Able to walk around in public without murdering people?" he asked. Sirius was scowling but nodded.
Severus put one arm around Sirius's shoulders and turned to Harry. "Come on Harry, might as well get him off to his session and check-up while he is in an agreeable mood."
Harry couldn't help but grin. He was really starting to enjoy the man's sense of humor.
They arrived at St. Mungos via the floo, much to Harry's annoyance. He really hated the floo.
Harry looked around. It was apart of the hospital he hadn't been to. Then again, he had only been here once. He followed his godparents up to a desk. A young brunette witch was sitting at the desk reading a magazine and chewing gum.
It wasn't until Severus cleared his throat before she lazily looked up at them. She then went wide eyed and stammered "How can I help you?"
Severus glared at the girl. Harry almost felt sorry for her. "We are here to see Healer Fear." said the stoic man with a hint of ice in his voice. He was clearly not impressed with the girl.
The brunette pointed to their left. "Third door on the right." she stammered.
The three of them followed her directions and ended up in a small sitting room. There was about six chairs scattered about the room with a few small tables. One had children's toys underneath it, neatly place in a bin, while the others had magazines and some books on them in neat piles. There was a door with a name plate that read "Healer Gwynn Fear".
The three of them were standing looking around the room when the door opened. A woman with tan skin, long flowing almost white hair and big brown eyes greeted them.
"Hello, I'm Healer Fear." she said walking up to the three of them with her hand outstretched.
Severus stepped forward and shook her hand. "I'm Severus Snape. This is my husband, Sirius Black and our godson, Harry Potter." Sirius and Harry took turns shaking the woman's hand who smiled warmly at them.
The healer turned to Severus. "You and your Godson can wait here in the sitting room if you wish. Mr. Black will come with me when he's ready. We will talk and in about an hour the session will be done. Any questions?" she told him clasping her hands in front of her. When she got none she smiled at Sirius and said "Well I will be waiting in my office when you are ready." and turned to walk into her office.
Harry thought her voice sounded like what he imagined chocolate would sound like. That is if chocolate were a sound.
Sirius turned and looked at Severus who gave him a look back and rubbed his hand up and down Sirius's arm. Sirius gave a small smile. Harry hugged the grey eyed man. Sirius's smile wider.
"Thanks pup." he said and walked into the office. Harry and Severus sat down in the sitting room.
Sirius walked into the room and closed the door behind him. Healer Fear was sitting at her desk with a folder open. She looked up at him and smiled.
"Please sit."
Sirius sat down and sat rigidly in his chair. He was not sure if he was going to like this but the healer seemed nice enough.
"How are you feeling today?" she asked him.
Sirius thought about it. Really he was quite agitated but he was better than he had been in a long time.
"I'm alright." Sirius answered.
The healer looked at him. She folded her hands under her chin. "Want to talk about it?"
"That's why I'm here right?" Sirius said somewhat bitter.
"Well, you could be stubborn and not answer questions and not work out your feelings and possibly issues here, you could do that elsewhere, or you could not do that at all. It's up to you really." she replied.
Sirius nodded. "Well, right now I'm agitated. Partially because I don't really want to do this. The other part...is rather complicated."
"Did you want to explain?"
"I have to don't I?"
"Not if you are not ready to." she replied.
Well, that did change what he thought these things were going to go. Sirius seemed at a loss at where to start.
"We don't have to talk about it." the healer said.
"It's not that...I'm not sure where to start." replied Sirius.
"We can talk about something else if you wanted." she suggested.
Sirius nodded. Healer Fear smiled. She looked down at the folder and opened it.
"Now, you and your husband have been married about seventeen years, yes?" she asked. Sirius nodded.
"You two seem to be close." she stated. Sirius nodded again.
"How are you two dealing?" she asked.
Sirius hesitated before answering. "He's been really supportive. The first time we met after I broke out he was rather upset. He asked for an explanation. I gave one the best I could at the time. We've talked loads after that. There were a lot of emotions to deal with at first. We seem to have worked out most of the issues. I feel bad sometimes because he turned cold and bitter after I...but he seems to be getting better. He's been really good to Harry since we've got him." answered Sirius.
"And you two have had Harry about a week and a half. How is he handling everything?" the healer asked next.
"Really well actually. I expected an explosion of emotion. Maybe it will happen yet. He was really accepting of me once I explained what happened to him since day one. He seems to be reacting well to Severus too." Sirius smiled.
"Did you feel up to talking about Azkaban?" the healer asked.
Sirius hesitated. "I'm not sure..."
"We can take it slow and if you become too uncomfortable we can stop." said the blonde woman.
Sirius chuckled.
"What?"
"Nothing, it just..It was starting to sound like the conversation I had when I lost my virginity." replied Sirius trying to hold back more chuckles. He noted the healer was now having the same problem.
"Well both can be rather uncomfortable." she replied with a grin.
"Yes they can." replied Sirius shooting her a grin. She lost her battle and broke out into laughter.
Sirius chuckled. He decided he liked this woman.
Severus was sitting reading a book while waiting for Sirius. Harry was sitting in a chair next to his reading as well. About forty five minutes into the session Severus heard the door from the hallway open. He looked up to watch two small girls enter the room. He heard a voice come from the open doorway.
"You two better behave." said the voice. The two girls nodded in unison.
"What did you want to drink?" asked the voice. The two girls went into a moment of thought.
"White grape." replied one.
"Apple." said the other.
"Alright, I'll be back in a few minutes." replied the voice and the door closed. It wasn't a voice Severus had heard before. It was deep but not quite baritone with a smoothness to the voice.
Severus looked at the two girls. They appeared to be identical twins with pale sandy blond hair and dark brown eyes. They looked at each other, grinned and quietly walked to the toy box.
Severus raised an eyebrow. He watched the two find a bag of large blocks. They emptied the bag and started placing blocks on top of each other. He watched them hold a silent conversation with looks and gestures about what they were building. It seemed they were trying to see how tall they could get the construct without it toppling over. It got higher and higher before wobbling. He heard Harry take in a breath before the whole thing toppled down. Evidently he wasn't the only one amused by the young girls.
One of the blocks landed by Severus's foot. The girls started picking up the blocks. The next thing Severus knew there were two pairs of chocolate brown eyes looking up at him from the floor where the block had landed. The two girls smiled up at him.
"I'm Eirwen." said the girl to the left who had a yellow headband and a brown dress.
"I'm Eiriol." said the other who had a brown headband and a yellow dress.
"I'm Severus Snape." replied the dark eyed man. The girls grinned and turned to Harry.
Harry chuckled and replied "My name's Harry Potter."
The two girls smiled.
"Are you waiting on someone?" asked the girl whom Severus believed was named Eiriol.
"Yes, my husband is a new patient for Healer Fear." he told the two.
The two girls turned toward each other and nodded before looking at the two again. "Momma said she had a new patient." remarked Eirwen.
"Did you say your last name was Snape?" asked Eiriol.
"I did." answered Severus wondering where this was going.
"Our brother Fin said one of his professors was named Snape." commented Eirwen.
Severus thought. "I don't recall a student named Fin." he told the two.
"Oh, his name is Gryffin. Gryffin Fear. Just like daddy." replied Eiriol.
"I believe I remember a Gryffin Fear. A Ravenclaw. Going to be a fourth year if I remember right." said Severus. These two seemed rather intelligent for their age.
They smiled again and shared what Severus hoped but doubted was merely excited looks. It was then the door opened again. They all looked to see a man walk in with some drinks. He was tall with a strong jaw, long pale sandy blond hair, with an unusual yellow color of eyes. He was wearing tan pants, matching vest, white button up shirt under the vest, brown leather boots, and a brown robe that was clasp around his neck and left open with the sleeves being unused.
"Daddy!" the two girls yelled running up to him.
"I hope my girls were on their best behavior." he told the two, holding the drinks out of their reach.
"Yup!" they both answered.
"Lying to me on a wednesday." the man muttered causing the twins to break out into protests. The man chuckled.
"Here's your juice." he said handing the juice to the girls. They happily took their drinks and sat in a chair together to drink them. The man turned to Severus.
"I'm sorry if they were bothering you." The man apologized.
"They were not bothering Mr. Fear, they were actually quite entertaining." assured Severus.
It was then that the door opened and Sirius walked thru. Severus was relieved to see his husband a lot more relaxed than when he went in.
Sirius walked up to Severus, Harry and Mr. Fear.
"How did it go?" asked Harry. Severus watched his husband for an answer.
Sirius nodded. "It went well, I think." he replied. A small smile spread on his face. "Well, shall we take off? I still have a check up and we have a dinner party tonight." said Sirius.
By the end of the visit, both the mind healer and the checkup healer had said Sirius was recovering well.
Right now Harry found himself getting ready for dinner with the Malfoys. He looked around his wardrobe. He doubted he needed a formal dress robe. He also doubted something casual would be acceptable. But what on earth was considered in the middle? Harry shrugged and picked out a green robe that matched his eyes with black pants and shirt. He changed and looked himself over in the mirror that was inside one of the doors of his wardrobe. He tried flattening his hair but gave up. He looked himself over once more. It would have to do.
Harry made it to a sitting room to find his guardians waiting for him. Severus was in his trademark black robes that Harry thought he must have a dozen sets of if not more, and Sirius was in dark blue robes.
"There you are! And don't you look dashing!" Sirius commented upon seeing him.
"Supporting Slytherin today?" asked Severus. Harry looked at the man. Was he teasing him?
Harry's surprise was answered by a chuckle and a smirk from Severus.
"What?" asked Harry confused.
"Ignore him Harry, he finds odd things amusing." said Sirius who also chuckled.
They were teasing him. Harry mock glared at the two which only resulted in more chuckles.
Just then the floo activated. Out of the fireplace stepped Lucius Malfoy followed by his wife and son.
"Sirius!" Narcissa exclaimed and hurriedly threw her arms around her cousin. "How are you? I heard you had your first session."
Sirius hugged her back. "It went well I think. She said I was doing a good job at being open about things. Said not to feel bad if some things are harder to talk about than others."
Narcissa let Sirius go and looked at him. She smiled and asked "Which healer is it?"
"Gwynn Fear." answered Sirius.
"Oh I've hear a lot of good things about her!" Narcissa turned to her husband who was being greeted by Severus. "Darling, wasn't she was the one who helped out the Lovegoods when poor died so unexpectedly?" Lucius looked at his wife and nodded.
"Yes. If I remember right their daughter saw it. She was nine at the time." Mr. Malfoy told his wife.
"Lovegood? As in Luna Lovegood?" asked Draco. It was the first time Harry had heard him talk today. He sounded a bit taken back.
"Yes, that was her name. Poor girl. From what I understand she is having a ruff time socially because of it."
"Yes, she is very..." Draco began to say but saw his father's raised eyebrow. "unique." The blonde boy got a look from both parents as if to say that better have been what he had intended to say.
"If your mother or I hear that you have bullied her in anyway you will regret it Draco. Infact I will dissapointed to hear if you did not stand up for her if you had the chance." said Lucius Malfoy with a stern look.
"But I didn't know..."Draco stopped his sentence when he saw his mothers look. He turned to Harry. "Did you know?"
Harry was unprepared to be pulled into the conversation. "To tell the truth I haven't heard of her. I was kinda busy every year and I ran from gossip like it was the plague." replied Harry a little sheepish.
"Really Potter? You've never heard anything about a strange girl a year below us?" Draco asked with a sneer.
"Well second year I was kinda busy with a giant snake and last year..." Harry looked over to Sirius.
Sirius decided to change the topic. "You know, I did use to babysit the two of you when you were babies. Sometimes together." said Sirius.
"What." said Draco.
"Yeah, and the two of you actually got along great." replied Sirius. The two boys looked at him like he had lobsters coming out his ears. Sirius chuckled and turned to Severus. "I take it they are what, archrivals or something?"
"They get along about as well as a house and fire do." replied Severus.
"What's the matter Harry, he too arrogant for you?" said Sirius teasing the boys. Draco shot Sirius a glare and Harry sent a glance to Draco.
"Sort of." replied Harry. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy and Severus seemed to be content watching the interaction.
"Don't let it get to you pup, most, if not all, purebloods are arrogant. Particularly when they are young." commented the gray eyed man.
"What about you?" asked Harry
"Me too, especially when I was your age. You probably wouldn't have liked me too much. I was a git." replied Sirius.
"He was an ass." interjected Severus. Sirius gave him a smile. "A vain ass." Severus corrected. Sirius laughed.
"What is with all the foul language! None of that!" insisted Narcissa covering her ears.
"Now, now Cissa, we all know what kind of mouth you had in school." bantered Sirius with a grin.
"Sirius Orion Black! Do not tell such lies in front of my son!" by this time the whole group was laughing.
"Did mother really have a foul mouth father?" Draco asked amused.
"Only when she was mad." he replied grinning at his son.
"You are banished to the couch tonight!" declared the blond woman to her husband before huffing and leaving toward the dining room.
"I'm sorry Lucius, I didn't mean to get you put into the doghouse." apologized Sirius.
"Oh don't worry, I won't be for long." replied the blond man with a smirk.
"Oh, ewwww! There are young people in the room you know!" Draco exclaimed, putting his hands over his ears. Harry made a face. The others laughed.
"Harry, take Draco here and find something fun to do while dinner is being finished." Severus told him.
Harry gave an uncertain look toward his guardian and shot as big a glare as he dared to Draco.
"Come on." Harry said, leading Draco to the backyard.
Once outside Harry was really at a loss at what to do with Draco. The greenhouse was unfit due to being overran with cobra lilies. The shed had not been looked in and Harry was not going to be the first one to wonder in there in Merlin knows how many years.
"So what now Potter." asked Draco with a sneer.
Harry glared at the boy. "Really? You can't just be civil?" asked Harry.
Draco scowled and looked away.
"What? Mommy and Daddy tell you to play nice Malfoy?" asked Harry.
"Shut it Potter!" replied Draco.
"Why Malfoy? You never gave me a break at school?" pushed Harry.
"Like you are all innocent in that category Potter!" declared Draco.
"At least I don't walk around and act like a total prat all the time!" yelled Harry.
"You have no idea what you are talking about Potter!" yelled Draco.
"Then tell me about it." demanded Harry.
"Forget it Potter!"
"Tell me something Malfoy, did you learn to be a total git, or does it run in the family?" asked Harry.
"That's it Potter!" Draco leapt for Harry.
The two rolled around on the ground, kicking and punching at one another.
At one point Harry lost his glasses. He was pretty sure he hit Draco in the mouth and he was pretty sure he was going to get a bruise on his face. They managed to break apart after a few moments and stand up.
The two backed away from one another, glaring at the other. Harry sighed. He was so done with this stupid rivalry. To Harry's surprise it was Draco who spoke first.
"Potter, look, I'm tired of all the fighting. I'm sorry for the stupid crap I've done and said to you ok." Draco apologized with some exasperation in his voice.
Harry nodded. "I'm sorry too."
Draco nodded back. The silence became awkward.
"Could you explain it to me?" asked Harry.
Draco gave him an odd look "Explain what?"
"What it was that you said I wouldn't understand." answered Harry.
Draco sighed.
"I never wanted to treat you that way Potter. My father told me to. I argued with him at first but...he told me there was more to it then I would be able to understand. When I offered you my friendship I was actually going against my father's wishes. When you turned it down it just became easy to comply with them. After you started getting snotty back it was easy to go along with."
"Why did he want you to treat me bad?" asked Harry.
"He didn't say to treat you badly, just to not be friendly with you. Treat you with the stereotyped Slytherin attitude." explained Draco
"But why?" Harry wanted to know if his hunch was right.
"He didn't fully said but I think it has something to do with Dumbledore." said Draco.
A few minutes latter found the adults in the dining room awaiting the two boys. A moment later found the two walking in, chatting together. There was a bruise forming on Harry's cheek and Draco had a split lip.
Narcissa gasped. "What happened?"
Draco looked at his mother "I don't know what you're talking about." Narcissa looked at Harry. Harry answered with "Nothing happened." Narcissa looked at Lucius who smirked "I don't see anything wrong." She then looked at Sirius and Severus who seemed unphased.
The blond woman glared at the room. Severus told the boys to go ahead and sit down.
Everyone was seated and dinner was served. Narcissa seemed a bit miffed. The three men chatted while they ate. About five minutes into the dinner Draco and Harry shot each other a look and started snickering.
"I'll never understand boys and becoming frineds over fistfights." declaired Narcissa Malfoy and the whole room erupted into laughter.
The next morning found Harry excited and nervous. He was sitting in a chair in the sitting room near the library. Sirius and Severus were busy outside trying to help the house elves straighten out the mess in the greenhouse. Evidently Sirius's mother's cobra lily's had taken over everything else in the building and were wreaking havoc on the poor houselves who tried to put it in order.
His friends were coming to spend the day. He couldn't wait to see them but was nervous with how they were going to react or think or already thought about everything. He knew Ron and Hermione had said they were fine about it but...
Just then the fire in the fireplace turned green. Harry stood up and took a couple steps toward the fire.
Out stumbled Ron. A grin spread across his face as he spotted Harry and move out from in front of the fireplace. He ran up to his friend and gave him a big hug. Harry laughed.
"Harry!" came the sound of Hermione's voice and the two were joined by the girl to create a group hug.
"Hey now!" came the sound of one of the Weasley twins.
"Don't leave us out!" was heard from the other as they joined in the hug.
"Very rude!" the first declared.
"Rude indeed!" the second agreed.
"You two are impossible." came Ginny's voice. The group turned to look at her.
"Ginny, join in the love hug or go away." said Ron in good humor.
"Ronald!" scolded one of the twins. Harry thought it was George.
"Don't be so mean!" said Fred.
"Very!"
"Rude!"
Ginny just laughed and joined the hug. They all started laughing.
Harry wasn't sure who it was but someone lost their balance and the group ended up a tangled mess on the floor.
That was the moment Severus decided to walk in.
"Harry, have they..." He stopped and gave the group and odd look before glaring at them. The group untangled themselves. Harry swore he muttered something about touchy feely teenagers.
"Now that you all have arrived, I have some requests. First, you have access to any of the rooms on this level except the offices, as well as the yard except for the greenhouse, it is being cleared out at the moment and can still be dangerous. As far as the other floors, the dining room and, if he wishes it, Harry's rooms are accessible. Please don't go exploring, the house was just redone so all the interesting sites have been stored at Gringotts, so don't go looking fo them. Also, Sirius and I's bedroom or the potion's lab are forbidden unless under the most dire of circumstances. If you need something and one of us are in the room, please knock or call. Second, I don't want to have to take someone to St. Mungos today so please do not do anything to cause this to occur. Thirdly, please don't terrorize the house elves. Ours have been known to terrorize back." The teens all nodded as Severus explained to them the dos and don'ts for their visit. "I would like to remind you of the don't break anything or pranks rules that you are already aware of. If you want to be destructive, do that elsewhere please. If there are any issues please let Sirius, a house elf, or I know. " Severus paused and looked at the teens who were still nodding. He eyed each teen, especially the twins. Harry could tell he thought at least one of them were going to not follow the rules, whether it be by accident or intentional.
"Those seem fair." replied Hermione.
Severus held up his hand to stop any further remarks. "I have more." Severus took a breath. "You can do as you wish on your own but I will warn you right now, that if I found out that any funny business goes on between any of you then that will end. Against my better judgement, all of you have my trust with this for the moment. Do not lose it." He shot them all a warning glare and they answered with nods and 'Yes sir!'s.
Severus nodded. "I am going back out to the greenhouse. Sirius and I will be out there if anyone needs us. A house elf will announce when lunch is ready." with that Severus turned and left the room. Harry chuckled.
"He seems to be doing well." Hermione was the first to speak.
"Really Hermione." said Ginny.
"What?" asked the bushy haired girl.
"We get the do's and don'ts and you comment on how he seems to be doing." said Ron.
"So?" asked Hermione.
The two red heads shook their heads at her.
Hermione scowled and looked at Harry who chuckled.
"Don't worry about them Hermione, they don't realize that his speech was really him saying 'Be careful, I trust you, and have fun'." said Harry.
"Harry!"
"You have learned!"
"To understand"
"Slytherin talk!" the twins declaired, clutching their hearts dramatically.
Harry grinned. "Sirius taught me." Everyone laughed.
"So how are you handling Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry shrugged.
"It's a lot to take in. I suppose if I wasn't here to interact with Sirius and Severus then I would have a hard time believe a lot of it. Everything I've learned has supported everything they've said since day one. That reminds me, you won't believe some of the things I've learned! Follow me to my room and I'll tell you" Harry quickly led them to his room. Everyone arranged themselves on his bed with Harry in the middle. He told them about what he had learned about Tom Riddle, Elementals, Sirius's recovery, Draco, Luna Lovegood, and how Sirius and Severus got together.
After lunch found everyone in the library. They had convinced Severus to participate in a chess tournament much to every teens surprise and Sirius's amusement. They tried to get Sirius to join but he turned them down saying he wanted to finish a book he was reading, who took shelter on a chair almost directly left of the fireplace.
Two hours later the tournament was down to Severus and Ron. Harry had lost his first round to Ron. Harry knew he was not as good as his friend but wondered how he would have stood up to the rest.
Everyone was watching the tense match enthusiastically. Harry was completely lost on who was winning. He had watched the two plan and carefully move chess pieces across the board for the last thirty minutes. He was able to call a few of Rons moves because he had played him so often but Severus's strategy was different then Rons. Ron would divide and conquer while Severus would draw out with sacrifices and distractions before going in for the kill.
Severus had just pulled a rook out into a position where Ron could easily take it with a bishop but if he did then Severus's knight could get the bishop. Would Ron take the bait? Everyone was holding their breath.
It was then Harry noticed a slight tremor. He looked up and noticed the walls and floors had begun to shake. Everyone was alarmed. Just then the fireplace turned a familiar shade of green.
That wasn't right, Harry thought to himself, the library's fireplace was not hooked up to any floo.
Severus shot up and pulled out his wand.
And then from the green flames stepped a tall woman with long black hair in loose curls and pale skin. Her dark grey eyes matched her dark grey robes that brushed the floor as she stepped forward.
Who is this new person? Will she try to harm them or is she friendly? Will Harry and Draco become friends or will they just be civil? Input and comments welcome! R&R!