There will be no Dumbledore bashing in this story; I actually like the ol' headmaster and so he will atone for his mistakes in my story. Also, in response to a review on the sixth chapter, I like the Weasleys so naturally I'm going to have them be friends with Harry. Also, once again sorry if the characters seem a bit OOC, I'm not really good at keeping characters in character in AU stories.
Part Eleven
A Birthday Party
The rest of June and most of July went by quickly with Harry getting used to living at Prince Manor with his father, not being a house elf anymore, and learning more about the school he would be attending in September. He already knew the basic information needed for most of the subjects he would be taking come his first year, Potions being one of the subjects his father focused on most. Harry got the basic art quickly and his father even commented on how fast of a learner Harry was.
Now, more than a month since he moved in with his father, Harry was currently sitting by the pond in his father's backyard while his father brewed in the basement. His father had asked if Harry wanted to join him but the boy had declined, more in favor of getting fresh air. Now he was currently watching the small multicolored fish and the family of ducks swimming on the pond's glimmering surface.
He stood up before walking toward the bluff and gazing out past the shimmering wards, which were clearly shown so that Harry knew when to stop so he wouldn't fall off the cliff, toward the sea. I wonder if father will take me down to the sea sometime, he wondered silently as he sat down cross legged on the bluff.
He didn't know how long he stayed there before he was aware of someone sitting down beside him. Glancing up, he found his father, dressed in casual black, also watching the sea. "Hi dad," Harry greeted him.
Snape glanced at him. "Hello son," he replied.
"Do you suppose can go down to the sea? I've never been there," Harry said turning his gaze back to the silvery waters.
"I suppose so. I have to wait half an hour for the potion to settle before I can bottle it so we have time," Snape replied standing up and Harry stood up as well. "After that, we need to start thinking about your birthday."
Harry's eyes went wide. "You don't have to get anything for me, dad. You've already done so much," he said.
Snape smirked. "It's still your birthday, Harry, and I already have some things planned for your birthday. We'll go over the guest list when we get back to the manor," he said before he led the way toward the edge of the bluff closest to the edge of the forest. Harry followed him and he spotted a well trodden stone path leading the way toward the beach at the bottom of the cliff.
"Come on, son," Snape said impatiently gesturing toward the stone path.
Harry nodded before he and Snape walked down the path and over the rocky bottom of the cliff toward the small sandy beach. The fresh cool air wafted around Harry as he sat down in front of the sea and trailed his fingers through the waters. "Can I come down here whenever I want?" asked Harry glancing at his father who was watching him and the sea with narrowed obsidian eyes.
"Only when I am with you. Since this area is past the wards, it may not be safe for you to stay here by yourself," replied Snape. "By the way, do you know how to swim?"
Harry shook his head, his eyes fear-filled as he remembered the last time he had tried to learn how to swim. "No," he replied softly. "My aunt and uncle never taught me how."
Snape seemed to have noticed the fear in the boy's eyes for he sat down beside his son. "What happened?" he asked.
Harry sighed and was silent for a long moment. "When I was about seven, Dudley and I were at a nearby pool and Dudley tried to drown me," he replied softly his voice shook slightly as he recalled the near drowning episode that he had experienced.
Snape put an arm around the boy's shoulder and narrowed his eyes. "Do you want to learn how to swim someday?" he asked.
Harry was silent for a long moment as he gazed at the sea. "I don't know. Why should I learn?"
"It is a good skill to have," Snape replied.
"All right. I guess that would be okay."
Snape nodded. "I will start teaching you after your birthday," he replied.
Harry nodded before returning his gaze to the sea. "It's so…peaceful here," he murmured.
"It is."
"Did you used to come down here often, dad?" Harry asked turning his gaze to his father.
Snape was silent for a long moment as if he was thinking about what to say. "Sometimes," he said finally before he glanced at the sky as the sun began to fall beyond the horizon. "Come, let's get back inside. I need to check on my potion anyway."
Harry nodded before he got to his feet and followed his father back up the side of the bluff, past the wards, and toward the manor.
"I'd like to invite Draco and his parents and the Weasleys," Harry was saying as he and his father went over the guest list for Harry's small birthday party. "I don't really know anyone else though."
Severus was silent for a long moment as he replaced the quill in the bottle of ink. "What about Professor McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey? I am sure they would like to come," he said. He would have mentioned someone else, an old friend of his son's stepfather, but he restrained himself; there was no way he was going to let that werewolf anywhere near his son.
"Okay," Harry said smiling.
At that moment, Cai popped over to join them. "Master Severus sir, Headmaster Dumbledore is contacting yous sir," she said bowing slightly.
Severus resisted the urge to scowl. What did that old coot want now? He thought as he got to his feet and nodded. "I'll be back in a moment, Harry," he said before he left his study and walked downstairs into the living room of the manor. He spotted Dumbledore's head poking out of the green flames of the fireplace.
"Severus, my boy, may I come through? This is really starting to hurt my neck," Albus said.
"I suppose," Severus said curtly.
Albus disappeared before reappearing a moment later as colorful as ever with purple robes and that familiar twinkle in his eyes. "Young Harry's birthday is coming up, Severus," he said dusting himself off before taking a seat on one of the chairs in the living room.
Severus resisted the urge to toss back a sarcastic reply and he merely nodded once in reply. "He is already getting excited at the thought of actually having a party, even if it's going to be a small one," he said. He sneered before adding, "I honestly don't want to know what the Dursleys did on his birthday."
Albus shrugged looking cheerful. "I also came by to give you this," he said holding out an envelope. "I would have just gone through with the automatic delivery system but I decided to give you Harry's Hogwarts letter myself," he replied as Severus took the letter.
Severus nodded. "I'll give it to him when I join him again," he said.
"Who is coming to Harry's party, my boy?"
He's acting as if nothing has changed between us, Severus thought grimacing inwardly. He knew that he still respected the Headmaster's power but their relationship had been shaken badly by the Headmaster's deceit. Severus knew it would take much for the Headmaster to repair the rift that had formed between them because he kept the knowledge that Harry was Severus's son away from him for nine years. And by doing so, he cost Harry more than he could possibly imagine.
"Harry is still deciding," Severus said finally.
"I would very much like to go."
Severus narrowed his eyes.
The headmaster stood up with a sigh. "I already promised you that I would not try to influence him in anyway but I just want to be there to celebrate his eleventh birthday and, perhaps, start repairing the damage I already made. I won't speak with him about anything concerning Voldemort or the prophecy and I won't influence him. I just want to be here."
Severus was silent for a long moment. He didn't need to be a Legilimens to know that the headmaster was truly remorseful for what had happened and he was truly trying to make amends. For a long moment, Severus thought about it and finally he decided on a solution.
"I will let Harry decide whether or not you can come to his party as it is his birthday," he said finally.
Albus nodded slowly and the two of them stood in silence for a long moment as they contemplated what to do. "I suppose I should head back to Hogwarts now," he said finally. "There are some things I need to take care of and I also need to speak to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
Severus narrowed his eyes; now that he wasn't going to spy for the Order of the Phoenix anymore, he found himself wondering if he had a chance at getting the position he's been seeking for a while now. "Who did you hire?" he asked.
"Quirinus Quirrell."
Severus sneered angrily. "That stuttering fool? You know I would make a better DADA professor," he said curtly.
"The position is cursed, Severus, and I do not want to lose you to that curse. I am sure Quirinus will be fine," Albus replied.
Severus snorted. "I suppose," he said. He honestly did not believe that the DADA position was cursed but almost everyone else he has ever talked to believed the same thing. It seemed as though no DADA professor lasted the entire year and they always had to hire a new one at the beginning of each year.
"Let me know what Harry decides, all right, my boy?" Albus said.
"Of course, Albus," Severus replied before he watched as Albus disappeared through the floo.
Harry glanced up as his father walked into the study. "What did Headmaster Dumbledore want, dad?" he asked curiously.
"To give me this to give you," Snape replied holding out the letter and Harry took it before reading it as Snape sat down in his seat.
"It's the Hogwarts letter you said I would receive," Harry commented examining the school supply list after he finished reading the actual letter.
Snape nodded. "We'll go to Diagon Alley after your party to get your supplies," he said. "We really don't have to rush because school doesn't begin until the first of September."
Harry nodded before placing the letter on the desk and examining his father. "Did he come by for anything else?" he asked curiously.
Snape nodded. "He wants to know if he can come to your birthday party this Saturday," he replied. Saturday was a couple of days following Harry's birthday and it was the best time to pick for a birthday party; Harry remembered that his cousin used to have birthday parties on the weekends as well.
"What did you say?" Harry asked a tad nervously. He thought the headmaster was okay but he really didn't like that it was because of the headmaster that he had been raised by the Dursleys away from his father for nine years of his life.
"I told him it was up to you as it is your party," Snape replied.
The boy was silent for a long moment twiddling his thumbs. "I guess he can come," he said finally. He wasn't above giving someone who seriously wronged him a second chance and that was what he was going to give Headmaster Dumbledore.
Snape raised an eyebrow. "If I may ask, why? You told me you didn't like the headmaster," he said.
Harry was silent for a long moment. "I'm willing to give him a second chance to make up for his mistakes," he said finally.
Snape's eyes flickered with surprise and fondness as if he was remembering something from the past. "That statement proves to me that you are more like your mother than I had originally thought," he said.
"Really?"
"Lily gave people second chances, even when…even when they didn't deserve them," Snape replied; he sounded as though those words came from experience.
Harry smiled. "He made a mistake, people make mistakes, dad," he pointed out.
Snape raised an eyebrow again. "I know that, son," he said before adding more quietly, "I know I made plenty in my past. I find it amazing that you are only on the verge of being eleven and yet you seem more…mature for your age."
Harry frowned. "How so?"
"Not many people would actually give someone who wronged them a second chance at your age."
Harry shuddered. "I sound like a grown up," he muttered causing a faint chuckle to escape his father's lips although his face remained impassive.
"I will tell the headmaster that he may come to your party then," Snape said. "Have you decided on anyone else?"
Harry frowned. "Can Hagrid come?" he asked curiously.
"I don't see why not. It is your party after all. Is there anyone else?"
Harry shook his head.
"Very well, it'll be a small party then but that can't be helped. I am sure you'll make more friends when you go to Hogwarts."
"I'm going to enjoy this party anyway, dad. I've never had a birthday party before after all," Harry replied.
Snape was silent for a long moment. "You deserve this, Harry. Every child deserves a birthday party, even if its' a small one or just one with family members. Your aunt and uncle shouldn't have withheld even that from you," he said. "Now then, we have until Saturday to get your party together. Tomorrow, you can talk with Cai about what kind of birthday cake you want."
Harry's eyes went wide. "I get to choose?"
"Of course."
Harry looked at his father in wonder; he never got to choose anything with the Dursleys. Even though it's been more than half a year since he lived with them, Harry could still remember his life with them clearly. It seemed that those memories came back only nearing a time when something big happened; his birthday, Christmas, Halloween and others.
Halloween. Harry didn't want to think about that right now, not just before his birthday and a couple of days before his party. He would never forget that day; it was the night his mother and stepfather had been killed and he, somehow, had destroyed He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
Shaking his head to clear it, Harry stood up. "I'm hungry," he complained.
Snape's eyes flickered with amusement as he stood up. 'I'm sure you are," he replied before he and Harry walked out of the study and toward the staircase.
The Saturday following Harry's birthday was the day of Harry's first ever birthday party. Severus watched as his son bounced with happiness as the first of the guests arrived through the floo. Lucius Malfoy stepped out of the green flames followed by Narcissa and Draco.
"Hello Severus," Lucius greeted his old friend.
"Lucius, Cissy," Severus replied shaking Lucius hand before doing the same with Narcissa. He still didn't entirely trust Lucius, not yet, but he knew that Lucius really did want to protect his son and his wife when the dark lord returned.
"Hello Godfather, Harry," Draco greeted them politely.
Severus inclined his head in greeting to his godson while Harry practically bounced over to join Draco. The two of them started talking and Severus noticed most of what they were talking about was related to Hogwarts in some way.
"Who else is coming?" Lucius asked.
"Some of the teachers at Hogwarts, the Weasleys and…"
"The Weasleys?" Draco echoed sneeringly. "Why would you invite them here, godfather?"
"Harry wanted them to come to his party," Severus replied.
Draco glanced at Harry. "Why?" the blond boy asked.
"Why not? Fred, George and Percy were really nice to me while we were at Hogwarts," Harry replied looking and sounding confused by the hostility that seemed to exist in Draco's voice.
"You'll be on your best behavior when the Weasleys arrive, Draco," Lucius warned. Severus knew that Lucius wasn't looking forward to having to deal with Arthur and Molly Weasley but, since Harry had been kind enough to invite him without his father suggesting it, he would not say anything about it.
"Yes father," Draco said although it sounded as though he didn't really like the idea.
"Why don't we go outside while we wait for the others to arrive?" Narcissa suggested smiling slightly.
"Cissy, will you take Draco and Harry to the backyard?" Severus suggested.
Narcissa nodded before she, her son and Harry walked toward the door and slipped into the backyard. The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed Severus to watch his son while speaking with Lucius beside the fireplace.
Lucius was still examining Severus as the Potions Professor examined him in turn. "Hagrid's going to be coming," Severus said finally. "Along with Minerva, Poppy and Albus."
"You invited Dumbledore here?" Lucius echoed looking surprised.
"Harry did. He seems intent on giving Albus a second chance even after what Albus did and what the headmaster's choices cost him," Severus replied
Lucius frowned slightly. "I'd have thought your son would hate Albus for what he did. I mean, you aren't known for forgiving people quickly," he said.
"Yes but Lily is," Severus replied thinking back to when his beloved Lily had forgiving him for calling her a 'mudblood' back in fifth year. That was definitely something he had regretted for the rest of his life, even a bit more than taking the Dark Mark.
Lucius shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I never associated with mud…muggleborns before," he said.
Severus knew of what Lucius had been about to say and he was surprised that the blond wizard had actually stopped himself before uttering the word. At that moment, the floo flared to life and Severus and Lucius stepped back as Molly and Arthur stepped through. Both of them froze when they saw Lucius before they glared briefly at Severus.
"Don't glare at me," Severus sneered. "Harry invited the Malfoys to his party."
"Mum! Dad!" Fred and George's voices complained from behind them and Severus realized that Molly and Arthur had accidentally blocked the floo and the twins had arrived just after them. Stepping aside, Molly and Arthur continued to examine Lucius warily as Fred and George stepped out of the floo. They were followed by Percy and two others.
"Severus, this is Ronald and Ginevra," Molly said gesturing to the two unknown Weasleys who were dusting themselves off and gazing around the living room with wide eyes.
"Bloody hell, I never thought I'd be in Snape's living room," Ron exclaimed.
"Ronald, watch your language," Molly scolded her youngest son who had the decency to blush in embarrassment.
Ginevra, Severus noticed, was also examining the living room but was silent as she did so. "Where's Harry?" she asked finally in a quiet voice and Severus could see she was gazing at her feet shyly.
"In the backyard," Severus replied. "You're welcomed to join them right now. We're still waiting on others to join us."
The Weasleys nodded and Molly and Arthur gestured for the twins, Percy, Ron and Ginevra to go ahead and wait for them outside. They then turned their attention to Lucius, their eyes narrowed. "Malfoy," Arthur greeted the blond wizard a tad coolly.
"Weasley," Lucius replied just as coolly.
Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes just as the floo flared to life again and Minerva stepped through followed by Poppy, Hagrid and Albus. Minerva frowned when she spotted Lucius and the glaring contest that was going on between him and Arthur. "What is Malfoy doing here?" she asked. Severus could see the same question in the eyes of Poppy, Hagrid and Albus.
"Harry invited them," Severus replied calmly. "And since this is his birthday party, I gave him free reign to invite whoever he wanted. Incidentally, he wished for the Malfoys to join us for his party."
Minerva nodded slowly in reply. "Where is he now?" she asked.
"In the backyard with Fred, George, Percy, Ron, Ginevra and Draco."
"Ah."
"Why don't we go join them? Are there any others coming?" Poppy asked.
"Not that I know of. Albus was the last one Harry invited," Severus replied before he led the way toward the door that led into the backyard.
"Your dad's backyard is amazing," Ron exclaimed gazing around with wide eyes. "There's so much room; you could easily fly without running into anything."
"Except, oh I don't know, the trees and the house," Draco sneered.
Ron glowered at the blond boy. "I didn't mean it like that, Malfoy," he snapped back.
Harry sighed. "Are you two going to be like this all day?" he asked.
Draco snorted before looking away while Ron grumbled under his breath but didn't say anything. Ginny smiled at Harry shyly while Fred and George were exploring the yard. The yard had been left alone for the party except for a long table that was in the center where the food, deserts and presents went; it was currently only filled with presents from the guests.
"Nice place…" began Fred.
"…you got here, Harry," finished George.
"Do you two always finish each other's sentences?" Draco asked his gray eyes narrowing.
"Sometimes," the twins said at the same time.
"How big is that forest?" Ginny asked quietly pointing toward the forest and Harry glanced at the girl.
"I dunno," he replied. "Dad says that the wards go about ten meters into the forest but I suppose it's bigger than that."
"Oh."
"Have you ever been in the forest?" Percy asked examining the tall trees that made up the forest.
"No. I've been too busy learning about Hogwarts and the classes that are taught there," Harry replied.
Ron snorted. "You're already studying and you haven't even started school yet?"
"Dad says he won't go easy on me even though I'm his son so I may as well know enough about Potions to not make a mess of things in his class," Harry replied with a shrug.
"Snape is a…" Fred said.
"…pretty hard teacher," George added.
"He sometimes favors his own house too," Percy said.
"Sometimes?" Fred and George echoed simultaneously. "Most of the time is more like it."
Harry decided that he would ask his father what the twins meant by that. He spotted Snape making his way over to them with Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, Mr. Malfoy, Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, Madame Pomfrey and Headmaster Dumbledore just behind him.
"Hi dad," Harry greeted his father cheerfully.
Snape raised an eyebrow. "You've been cheerful all day, son," he commented.
"It's my first birthday party ever, dad."
"I suppose it is."
"What do you mean by that?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry glanced at the freckle faced red haired boy but didn't answer; he was still a tad self conscious about what happened at the Dursleys. Luckily, Mrs. Malfoy walked over to join them and saved him from having to reply. "You did a wonderful job preparing for the party, Severus," she commented.
"Cai did most of the work, I just helped with the cake," Snape replied modestly.
At that moment, Cai popped up. "Master Severus sir and guests. Dinner should be ready soon, sir," she said bowing slightly.
"Thank you Cai," Severus said and Cai disappeared with a pop. A moment later, the long table was filled with a variety of different foods. Ron glanced at the table with wide eyes and he glanced at Harry who was already walking toward the table. He hadn't eaten since lunch and he was starting to get hungry again.
After the guests served themselves, Harry found himself sitting beside Draco and Ron with Fred and George sitting across from him. Percy and Ginny were on either side of the twins.
"I can't wait to go back to Hogwarts," Harry said as he finished eating a bite of his food. He had been taught by his father that it was inappropriate to speak while eating although it seemed Ron didn't have that same discipline.
"So am I. You got your Hogwarts letter already, didn't you?" Ron asked around his food.
Draco grimaced. "That's disgusting, Weasley," he growled.
Ron swallowed. "What?" he asked.
Draco sneered but before he could reply, Harry answered Ron's question. "Yeah, I got it just before my birthday," he replied.
"Ah, I got it early this week," Ron said.
"Same here," Fred and George replied at the same time.
"We should go to Diagon Alley and get our stuff together," Ron added. "I'm sure my parents won't mind."
Draco was eating silently before he glanced at Harry. "My father is going to take me to Diagon Alley this upcoming week," he said.
"That's what my dad said too. Maybe we can all go together to Diagon Alley," Harry suggested. He had heard of Diagon Alley from his father and had been there more than once with his father when he had first discovered his father was alive.
Draco sneered. "I honestly don't want to go shopping with the Weasley clan," he growled.
"Well it's not like we want to go shopping with you, Malfoy," Ron spat back.
Harry frowned at the hostility between the two and he noticed that it didn't stop with just Ron and Draco. Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley were ignoring each other in spite of the fact that they were sitting across the table from each other. Snape had a slight pained look in his eyes as he spoke with Mrs. Weasley quietly.
"Come on, why don't you two like each other? You hardly know each other," Harry said finally.
Draco snorted. "My father said that the Weasleys are poor blood traitors," he said.
"Yeah? Well my father said that the Malfoys are one of You-Know-Who's biggest supporters," Ron shot back.
"We aren't anymore," Draco sneered.
"Once a Death Eater, always a Death Eater," Ron spat back.
"Oh shut it, blood traitor," Draco hissed back.
Harry felt stung by Ron's words, considering his father had been a Death Eater and then he turned spy for Dumbledore, although Harry was still unsure of what that meant. Does this mean that my father is still a Death Eater? He wondered silently. He knew that Death Eaters were the biggest supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named but he found it hard to believe that his father was still one, not when his father insisted he didn't serve Voldemort anymore.
"Don't you dare call me a blood traitor, Death Eater spawn," Ron snapped back.
"Oh that's so original, Weasley."
"Why don't you shut up before I make you?"
"You and what army?'
"Boys! Stop arguing this instant!" Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Malfoy snapped at the same time before glancing at each other in surprise.
Mr. Malfoy narrowed his eyes at his son. "You know better than to pick a fight like this, Draco," he said firmly. "Of all time to do so, you decide to do it at your godfather's house in the middle of his son's birthday party? Have you no shame?"
Draco lowered his head before murmuring an apology to his father.
"Ronald Weasley, I know I raised you better than that. You have been extremely rude and you know better than that," Mrs. Weasley said firmly. "This is Harry's day and yet you are turning it into a verbal battle with Draco! Apologize to Draco at once."
Ron glowered at Draco but the commanding tone in Mrs. Weasley's voice had him complying immediately. He apologized to Draco and, after being prompted by a stern glare from both of his parents and his godfather, Draco returned it.
"I'm sorry about this, Harry," Mrs. Malfoy said. "I thought Draco had better manners than that."
"I am sorry as well," Mrs. Weasely replied.
"It's all right. I just don't understand why they don't like each other when they hardly know each other," Harry admitted sounding confused.
Snape sighed. "It's complicated, Harry," he replied.
Harry frowned at that but nodded and returned his gaze to Draco and Ron who were ignoring each other. "I don't see why you two should hate each other so much," he said. "I still think it would be a good idea for all of us to go to Diagon Alley together."
Draco and Ron looked about to protest but a stern glare from their parents caused them to shut it again.
"I think it is a marvelous idea," Mrs. Weasley said. "It's about time this feud between our families finally comes to an end."
"I couldn't have said it better myself," Mrs. Malfoy agreed.
Snape looked surprised at that while Mr. Weasley and Mr. Malfoy were flabbergasted by the announcement made by their wives.
Harry smiled although he didn't understand the surprise.
Draco glanced the boy. "I suppose that means we'll all be going to Diagon Alley together," he admitted.
Harry smiled. "Cool," he replied not noticing the glares Ron and Draco were once again giving each other. He still didn't understand the feud between the two families but he was glad that Mrs. Weasley and Mrs. Malfoy were actually agreeing to put it past them.
Although, Harry was still curious to the surprised look in his father's eyes.
Oh well, I can always ask later, Harry thought as he went back to his food.
"I am a bit surprised by the sudden agreement between you two," Severus admitted as he escorted Narcissa and Molly toward the floo with Lucius and Arthur, grudgingly, following them. "I know there's always been such bad blood between your two families."
Narcissa shrugged. "We're trying to change our ways, Severus," she replied. "Besides, I never understood why Lucius and Arthur hated each other to begin with; something about muggles I think."
Molly nodded. "Arthur loves studying muggles," she said. "And Lucius never really cared about muggles or muggleborn witches and wizards. I think that might have been the cause of it. That and You-Know-Who."
Severus could understand that part; Arthur had been a prominent member of the Order of the Phoenix while Lucius had been one of Voldemort's top Death Eaters during the last wizarding war. That would be enough to ignite a feud between the two families; Severus just didn't think that Narcissa and Molly wanted nothing to do with the feud considering they both have different lifestyles.
"I have to admit, Harry has a way with people," Molly commented as they came to a stop beside the floo. "I never thought I'd see the day when a Malfoy and a Weasley would get along in the same room but this party changed my views. Sure, there was that verbal battle between them but now at least they aren't at each other's throats."
Perhaps Harry was the one that changed Narcissa and Molly's minds about each other, Severus thought. He really wasn't sure what changed Narcissa and Molly's feelings about each other, considering the past when they were on opposite sides of the war. He decided that he wouldn't worry about that now.
"So we'll go to Diagon Alley next week?" Lucius asked walking over to join Severus.
"That would suffice," Severus replied. He glanced at the Weasleys before adding, "If you wish, we can meet at Gringotts on say Wednesday of next week."
"That'll be fine," Molly replied.
"We'll see you there then," Arthur said before he walked to the floo.
The Weasley children were saying goodbye to Harry although Ginevra still looked shy and Severus noticed that his godson was no longer sneering at Ronald Weasley as he was when the party first began.
This party sure changed many things, he thought silently and a bit wonderingly since he still had no idea as to what had caused the sudden change of heart for some of the people at the party. Even Minerva, Albus, Hagrid and Poppy were a bit surprised by Narcissa and Molly actually agreeing on something.
"The Burrow!" Arthur called tossing in the fire before he gestured to his children. Fred went first followed by Percy, George, Ginny and Ron. Arthur and Molly, after saying another goodbye to the other guests, departed after them.
"Amazing how one party can change things," Albus commented walking to Severus side as Lucius and Narcissa said their goodbyes before walking to the floo.
"Malfoy Manor!" They called before they stepped through the flames and was followed closely by Draco.
Poppy, Hagrid and Minerva, after saying their goodbyes to Severus and wishing Harry another happy birthday, disappeared through the flames. Albus glanced at Severus for a long moment. "Hagrid will likely be going to Diagon Alley around the same time as you, Severus, to pick up that…package we spoke of last week," he said.
Severus scowled angrily at the headmaster. He did not like the idea of keeping such a dangerous object anywhere near so many children, and especially his son, but Albus insisted that it would be better protected at Hogwarts. He knew it was pointless to try and convince Albus to change his mind after he has already made it up so he didn't even bother.
He simply inclined his head briefly in reply. "I know this, Albus," he replied.
"I just wanted to remind you, my boy," Albus replied cheerfully and Severus resisted the urge to hex the colorful old coot. Yes, he definitely thinks everything has gone back to normal, he thought.
"Thanks for coming Headmaster sir," Harry said timidly breaking into the conversation at that precise moment and saving Severus from having to reply.
"You are most welcome Harry," Albus replied smiling gently at the boy who smiled timidly back at him. Albus nodded his head before he turned to the floo and floo traveled back to Hogwarts leaving the living room in utter silence.
Albus had been surprised that Harry would give him a second chance and Severus could see that he was making the most of it, while at the same time sticking to the promise he gave to his Potions Professor. Severus knew that while the relationship between Albus and Harry was repaired for the most part, it would take much longer for the rift between Severus and his mentor to fully closer, if it ever closed again.
A/n what do you think?
Blaze: as I said at the beginning of this 12 page more than 6,000 word chapter, I decided that I wanted Albus to be good, if a bit misguided, in this story
Darth: and have him try to atone for his mistakes
Blaze: I also wanted to keep him as a grandfatherly figure to Harry so I decided to patch up that relationship, at least partially
Darth: but we also know that it'll take much longer for Albus to regain Severus's trust again but we're working on it even if the rift, as it said in the chapter, will never fully close again
Blaze: (raises eyebrows at Darth curiously) we?
Darth: yes 'we'
Harry: hi
Severus: hi
Dumbledore: (eating lemon drops) hi
Severus: (raises eyebrow) what the bloody hell is it with you and candy?
Dumbledore: (shrugs)
Voldy: hi
Harry: Why can't you give me a bloody break, you idiot? I just got rid of the last headache I got when you showed up! (Stalks off grumbling under his breath)
Dumbledore: (pulls out wand and points it at Voldy)
Voldy: Don't just stand there, Severus, help me!
Severus: (glances between Dumbledore and Voldy) you're on your own again (Walks off)
Blaze: (laughs) please review and I'll post part twelve as soon as I possibly can although I doubt it'll be anytime soon but I hope it won't take that long.