"Harry Potter and The Hidden Prophesy"

I own no part of the Harry Potter stories, I simply enjoy them enough to pay homage to them in my own writing. Please don't sue me!!! This story takes place after year 5 and focuses on Harry, Snape, and some new characters. There is mention of slash and pregnancy, but no details. AU no HBP. Enjoy!

Chapter 12: Harry's Birthday

Ron spent much of the next days red-faced and quiet, especially if he was near Hermione. The group spent much of their days swimming, playing Quidditch, and joking around. They were secretly preparing for Harry's birthday and everyone worked to keep the Boy-Who-Lived preoccupied.

Molly planned a dinner with the Order and Remus and Tonks agreed to supply fireworks after the meal. The gifts were wrapped and the decorations made, all that was left was to keep Harry out of the house so they could prepare. Thankfully, Sebastian and Dru needed Harry for his robe fitting for the wedding the following day. They took the young boy to Hogsmead early in the afternoon with plans to keep him out of the house until six.

The Burrow was bursting with people by evening and everything was ready for the birthday boy.

"They're here!" Arthur Weasley cried. "Everybody hide!"

The crowd of Weasley's and Order members quickly disappeared behind furniture as voices could be heard coming up the drive.

"Why did we have to be fitted together," Harry complained just outside the door. "I mean, Sebastian, he saw me in my boxers…"

"Bitch, bitch, bitch," Drusilla mumbled.

"Oh for God's sake Harry," Bash laughed, "It's not like he was checking you out or anything. He's got some standards."

"Hey," Harry whined as they entered the house. His voice grew quiet. "Where is everyone?"

At that cue, the crowd jumped up and the lights turned on. "SURPRISE!"

Harry drew his wand and jumped in front of his brother in a defensive stance. He was clearly surprised.

"Christ Harry!" Fred laughed.

"Put that away, Golden Boy," George chuckled as a flushed Harry put away his wand.

Hermione and Ginny tackled him with hugs as Ron clapped him on his back.

"Sorry we gave you such a fright, dear boy," Dumbledore smiled as he patted the younger man on the head.

"Speak for yourself," Snape mumbled as he drew away from the wall he had been leaning against. "And I most definitely was not looking at you in your underwear…"

Harry blushed scarlet and Sebastian started laughing hysterically.

"Bastard," Harry shook his head.

"Hey!" Sebastian protested.

"I was talking to Snape," Harry clarified.

"Brat," Snape growled.

"Happy Birthday, Harry," Mr. and Mrs. Weasley smiled.

"Thanks," Harry grinned.

Remus and Tonks reached Harry and shook his hand with congratulations as Moody toasted him from across the room.

"We have dinner," Emily Weasley said softly as Charlie patted Harry's shoulder.

"Great, I'm starved!" Harry cried. "Bash hasn't let me eat all day!"

"And it was for a good cause," Sebastian shrugged. "Mrs. Weasley's been cooking all day."

"And we shall eat all of her delicious food!" Dumbledore cheered as the group moved to the kitchen.

Snape walked near Moody. "I need a drink," he whispered.

"Can't take all of this cheer sober, Snape?" Moody smirked.

"No," Snape said honestly. "Do you have anything you'd be willing to share?"

Moody rolled his eyes and handed Snape his flask. "Don't let Molly catch you."

Snape snorted and took a large hit from the flask. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," Moody grinned as he pocketed the flask and the men sat down to dinner.

The meal was a loud and boisterous affair. Everyone ate their fill of Harry's favorite dishes and drank butterbeer until Molly ended the meal with a large chocolate cake. A round of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" was sung and the cake was handed out. The young people left the table in favor of the well-lit gardens as the rest ate in the house.

"'appy birthday 'arry," Fleur cooed as she sat next to Bill on a wicker bench. "'ow does et feel to be sixteen?"

Harry shrugged. "I still feel fifteen. No big change I'm afraid."

Fleur smiled and nodded and Harry sat next to Ron.

"So mate, you ready for all of your presents?" the redhead beamed.

Harry smiled. "I can't wait!"

"You did get him something more then a Quidditch figurine, didn't you?" Hermione asked with a huff.

"Yes," Ron spat as he blushed. He was still embarrassed about seeing his friend naked.

George walked up to the trio and threw Harry a pair of sunglasses. "Well, these are from Fred and I Harry. We figured you wouldn't want the adults to know what they did."

Harry blushed and pocketed the glasses. "Um… thanks."

"Hey, they do more than show people without their clothes!" Fred said with flair. "We've got these set to detect charms, curses, wands and dark magic."

"What?" Harry shouted.

"Wicked!" Ron grinned.

George tore the glasses from Harry's pocket and placed them over his eyes. "Any dark magic will show up as a bright sparkling green."

Harry looked through the glasses at the boys. "I don't see anything!" he protested.

"That's because we don't have any dark magic on us, twit!" Fred laughed.

"Look around. Someone has to have something dark on them. Look at Moody or Snape!" George instructed.

Harry shrugged and stood. He turned and walked into the kitchen with Hermione and Ron following. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary until he looked at Remus. The older man had a bright green teeth mark impression burning from beneath his shirt at his collarbone. It must have been from the bite that caused his lycanthropy. Harry then turned to Moody who had green sparkling around his magical eye; in a knife that he hid in his boot and from a pouch he carried under his cloak. Harry shuttered and hoped that he would never get on Moody's bad side.

The rest of the adults in the room were clear and showed no signs of dark magic, until he turned his gaze to professor Snape. The man had a green necklace and several green vials and pouches within his robes, but his left forearm was brilliantly green from his Dark Mark.

"Do you see anything, Harry?" Hermione asked curiously.

Harry swallowed hard. "Yup."

"Anything good mate?" Ron asked.

"Let's just say that we don't want to get on the bad side of Moody or Professor Snape," Harry smirked.

The trio was interrupted by Sebastian who looked at Harry's glasses and sighed. "Good Lord, they have another pair!"

"No, Sebastian. These detect dark magic," Ron said with a flush.

Harry paled as he gazed at his brother. The same green necklace hung from his neck that Harry had seen on Snape's. Harry removed his glasses and stared at Sebastian. "What is the necklace?" he asked with trepidation.

Sebastian quirked his eyebrow in the same manner as his father and withdrew a leather necklace with a gold medallion on it. "It is a protection charm, Harry. Dad gave it to me ages ago when I started school. Why?"

"It's got dark magic in it," Harry said earnestly.

"I'm not surprised. Dad will use any method he can to protect me," Sebastian shrugged.

"And you're not afraid of it?" Hermione whispered.

Sebastian shook his head. "It's kept me alive on several occasions."

Harry rolled his eyes. "So you don't have a problem with it being dark?"

"No I don't," Sebastian said firmly. "Nothing in this world is pure good. Sometimes you need a little evil, especially if you're fighting evil."

"So is this what we're to expect in Defense next year?" Hermione asked with unmasked anger. "Lessons in dark magic?"

Sebastian sighed and put his hand out to receive the sunglasses. "Amongst other things, yes."

"Why?" Harry asked with concern. "Why do you have to teach us about the dark?"

"Because you can't fight the unknown. You need to understand what is useful and what is dangerous about dark magic," Sebastian shook his head.

Harry handed him the glasses and he began inspecting them. "What good can come from evil?"

"Healing spells often have a bit of dark magic in them as do potions," Sebastian replied coolly. "This medallion has charms to repel curses that are considered dark. It also has a stasis charm that will keep me alive if I am struck down."

"And those charms are dark magic?" Hemione asked with curiosity.

"Yes," Sebastian supplied as he looked around the room. "But it also has the love my father has for me, binding the charms and the protection. It has both dark and light elements to it."

"Is that normal? For objects to be light and dark?" Harry asked.

"Well, Moody's eye works based off a dark charm used to spy on people. The charm itself is dark, but he uses it to see, so it's also light. His knife is tipped with a dark poison, but it's sheathed in a sack that only allows him to wield it in extreme cases of dark magic. He carries medicinal potions in that pouch to help keep someone alive and the bases of the potions are supplied with dark magic."

"So dark magic can be good. We get it," Ron pouted.

"And seemingly benign magic can be used to hurt people, Ron. It goes both ways," Sebastian explained. "A simple cleaning charm can be used to torture people…"

"What?" Harry asked.

"How?" Hermione demanded.

"Scrugify takes all of the dirt and muck off of you, right? Well, if you keep using it, it can take all of the bacteria and then cells of your skin off of you. Dad told me of a man who lost four layers of skin to the spell during a Ministry inquiry."

"Well bugger me," Ron sighed as Harry and Hermione winced with pain.

"They cleaned the skin right off him, it was terrible," Sebastian continued. "Thank goodness, Dumbledore intervened or he'd have been killed."

Harry stared at his brother, bemused.

"The world is not black and white or good and evil, Harry," Sebastian smiled. "We live in shades of gray."

Harry crossed his arms in front of him. "Then how does your father fit in?"

Sebastian turned his gaze to his father. "He lives in that gray area Harry and he can't get out. He's stuck there permanently because of the bloody Dark Lord and his Dark Mark." As Sebastian spoke, he stared at the green mark pulsating under his father's robes. The mark was only on the forearm and the green did not move beyond. Sebastian grinned. "Harry, can I keep these for a bit? I want to show them to Mr. Lupin."

"Sure," Harry shrugged as his brother walked into the living room.

"That was weird," Hermione said with a frown.

"Yeah, what was he on about?" Ron agreed.

"Don't know," Harry sighed as the three went back outside. They interrupted Drusilla asking the twins for some assistance.

"Whatever they're asking, don't do it," Ron warned.

"Actually, I'm asking them to help me, Ron, but thanks," Dru smiled as she turned back to the twins. "So do you think you can help me?"

Fred beamed and George grinned evilly. "Absolutely!"

"Good," Dru clapped. "I've been at him for a month, but he refuses to cut or style it and I won't have him a mess for my wedding pictures!"

Harry shot Dru a curious look. "Whom are you forcing a makeover on?"

"Severus," Dru said nonchalantly.

"You've got to be kidding!" Hermione gasped.

"Good luck!" Ron laughed.

"He's always had his hair like that," Charlie said from his seat on the bench. "I would give up if I were you."

"Never!" Dru smiled. "Besides, I've got him just where I want him."

"Oh really?" Harry inquired.

"Moody's been slipping him drinks all night. He's pissed!" Dru smiled. "Now all we have to do is get the drop on him. The boys can stun him and keep him down while I perform a severing charm on that hair and then scrugify it clean. I'll have to put a stasis charm on it to keep him from messing it about, but it'll do. He'll look so much better!"

"Doing underage magic?" Hermione inquired from the porch.

"Yup," Dru beamed. "But I'll just borrow Sebastian's wand and it'll look like he did it!"

"You do know he's going to kill you afterwards, right?" Charlie asked as the voice of reason.

"Naw, I'm marrying his son tomorrow. He'd never risk hurting Sebastian like that," Dru grinned wickedly.

"It's a bloody good thing you didn't go to Hogwarts," Ron sighed. "You and the twins together are too much!"

Fred and George nodded in agreement. "Ah the fun that would have been ours," Fred sighed.

"The pranks. Oh the pranks!" George laughed.

The conversation was interrupted when Molly stepped outside. "Time for presents, children."

The group of young adults laughed at Molly's label for them and followed her into the house. The living room was filled with people and presents for Harry. He sat in a chair and Dumbledore placed a paper crown on his head and handed him his first gift.

"Happy birthday, my boy," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. Harry opened the pink box to reveal a pensive. "It is for your lessons," Dumbledore explained as Harry nodded and glared at Snape. "I wish I could stay longer, but I'm afraid I have to go check something at the castle. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Thank you Sir," Harry smiled as he reached for another gift. He received books on Quidditch, sweets, a broom kit, a miniature dragon, a Weasley sweater, and a new quill set. When all of the presents were opened, Sebastian and Snape approached Harry with a small box of their own.

"Harry," Sebastian smiled. "Father and I have a special present for you." Harry opened the box and found a gold medallion on a leather cord. He recognized the medallion from his brother's neck and eyed Snape's suspiciously.

"It is a protection charm," Snape explained slowly. It contains charms to repel curses and hexes as well as healing and stasis charms. There is a tracking charm as well. It is linked to Sebastian and my charms as will ours be to yours."

"You don't have to take it today, Harry. I understand if it's too sudden, but I want you to have it, as a part of the family." Sebastian smiled nervously.

Harry blushed. He remembered his earlier conversation with his brother and their disagreement. He was surprised that Snape had made a charm for him. Harry remembered that Sebastian said that love bound the magic to the medallion, but did that mean that Snape loved him? The thought was not as terrible as he would have imagined.

Harry took the necklace from the box and Severus withdrew a knife. "You must add a drop of your blood to the gold on all of our medallions to activate the charm"

Harry nodded and Sebastian drew some blood from Harry's fingertip. A drop was placed on each gold coin and each shimmered as the charm activated. Sebastian helped Harry secure the necklace around his neck and then gave him a firm hug. "Welcome to the family!"

Harry smiled and Snape patted his back. The affection touched Harry and he watched as the older man returned to Moody's side.

Remus stepped up to the two young men and examined the medallions. "Beautiful craftsmanship, Severus. Did Flitwick help you?"

"With the initial charms yes, but Albus helped me forge them," Snape replied softly.

"You should go into business," Tonks laughed. "I'd wear one!"

Snape gave a half smile. "I'm afraid we only made three. Neither of us had the strength to create more and they must be forged at the same time to retain their power."

"Wait, so you made them years ago?" Sebastian asked.

Little balls of pink dappled Snape's cheeks. "Yes."

"Before or after Harry was born?" Sebastian asked with a stony expression.

"After," Snape said calmly.

"Were they all made for us?" Sebastian asked with a growl. Harry eyed him wearily.

"Yes," Snape spat. "I wanted you boys to be safe!"

"So this was after Harry's parents died?" Sebastian continued.

"Yes!" Snape shouted. "And that will be enough, Sebastian!"

The younger man glared at his father and the older man took Moody's flask greedily.

"Bash?" Harry entreated softly. "What was that about?"

"Nothing of importance," Sebastian said coldly.

"Sebastian," Harry whined.

"I needed to know if he made it for you or if he made it for your father," Sebastian said with a huff.

"What? Why?" Harry asked curiously.

"I just… I didn't want the magic tainted, that's all," Sebastian spat as Remus approached.

Remus handed Sebastian Harry's sunglasses. "These were very enlightening, Sebastian. Professor Dumbledore has gone to speak with Madam Pomfry about your suggestion."

"I see," Sebastian sighed. "When will we know?"

"Soon, I hope," Remus smiled and patted Harry's head. "Well Harry, Tonks and I are heading home. Happy birthday!"

"Thanks Remus!" Harry smiled. "And thanks for coming Tonks!"

"Anytime Harry. Happy Birthday!" the pink haired auror laughed as she followed Remus out. Bill and Fleur left soon after and Charlie and Emily followed.

Ron challenged Harry to a chess game and Hermione settled down by the fire to talk with Ginny. Sebastian spoke with Dru for a while, attempting to talk her out of her plan, but when his father struggled to stand up, he knew that resistance was futile.

"Severus," Dru smiled. "Let me help you." She helped the older man to stand as Moody waved goodbye. Molly and Arthur had disappeared to the kitchen, leaving Severus with the teenagers. As Severus stood he could feel the twins jump on either side of him. "Now!" Dru shouted as the twins cast stupefying charms and Severus was held down. Ron, Harry, Sebastian and Hermione jumped out of the way as Drusilla shouted a severing charm. Severus' hair was lopped off very short and started to stick up a bit wildly. Dru then cast a scrugifying charm and his inky hair started to smoke.

"Shit!" Sebastian shouted as his father's hair continued to smoke. The noise alerted Mr. and Mrs. Weasley who came running from the kitchen.

"Put out the fire!" Ron cried as Harry handed him a glass of water.

"NO!" Hermione shouted. "Don't put water on it! It's a charm! Just wait until the smoke clears."

Several minutes later the gray cloud of smoke disappeared and Severus was released onto a chair. His hair was short and clean, but the inky strands had lost their hue. There was a dash of gray settled in the hair, giving Severus a salt and pepper effect. "Enervate!" Sebastian cried and his father woke.

"What the devil have you done?" Severus shouted at Drusilla who eyed him with an expression of fear.

He looked to the floor and saw his hair in shreds. "Blast!" he cried as he stood and looked for a mirror. "You placed a scrugify on my hair! It could have burned clean off!" The man ran to the washroom and stared at his face with disbelief. "God damn it!" he shouted as he returned to the living room. "I look like an old man."

"You are an old man," Sebastian laughed as his father shot him a dirty look.

"You won't be saying that when you're 34," Severus mumbled.

"Well at least you still have hair," Arthur sighed as he rubbed his balding head. Ron, Harry, Fred and George all laughed softly at this and Snape shot them death glares.

"But I won't be able to fix it for three months!" Severus cried as he glared at Dru. "Otherwise I will loose my hair!"

"I'm sorry Severus," Dru said softly. "I just wanted it cut and clean for the wedding…"

"Of all the stupid, irresponsible, selfish things you've done…" Snape shouted.

"Dad, for Christ's sake, its just hair," Sebastian sighed.

"And it's just a damn wedding!" Severus shouted as he ran his hands through his short hair. Though he protested and felt uncomfortable, Snape looked good. The women in the room were all pretty quiet as they stared at the effect.

"You look very handsome," Molly said at last.

"Yes, Professor Snape, I hardly recognize you," Ginny grinned.

"I always thought Sebastian must have taken after the Potters, but I see it now. He looks like you. He has your chin and your lips and the ears are exactly the same," Dru giggled.

"Drusilla!" Sebastian protested.

"What? It's true. Now I know why James Potter switched sides. Severus, you're so handsome," Drusilla remarked. Ron, Fred and George laughed, but Harry remained quiet. He blushed to the tips of his ears.

"Shut up Dru," Sebastian laughed. "Or we'll all loose our dinners."

Dru rolled her eyes and stared at Severus. The older man stared at the ground as though he were willing it to open and swallow him hole. "I think it's time we leave."

Sebastian sighed. "Yeah. Sorry Dad." Snape raised an eyebrow and turned to the floo. With flourish, he escaped into the chimney.

"Happy birthday Harry," Hermione smiled as she kissed his cheek.

"Hey," Ron protested as he clapped his friend on the back. "Cheers mate!"

"Thank you for the lovely evening," Dru said genuinely to Mrs. Weasley.

"And for your gracious hospitality these last few days," Sebastian smiled as Dru flooed away.

"Good night Harry. Try not to dream of Snape seeing you in your knickers!" Fred laughed. Molly swatted him upside the head and used her free hand to cover George's mouth and protect Harry from his remark.

"Happy birthday, Harry dear," Molly smiled as Arthur helped him load his presents into the floo and Sebastian took them with him.

"Thank you for making dinner Mrs. Weasley and hosting the party. It was the best I've ever had!" Harry beamed as he went into the floo and shouted "The Three Broomsticks!"

As the group left the Burrow, those who remained turned to each other and began laughing hysterically.

"Snape's new hair is hot!" Ginny giggled.

"He did look rather handsome," Hermione agreed.

"Oh no!" Fred chuckled. "He won't look evil anymore."

"All the girls will be begging for detention!" George hollered.

"Oh hush you two," Molly spat. "Severus looks the best he's looked since he himself was attending Hogwarts. He doesn't need your ridicule."

"Yes, but mother dear, what could it be that's causing Snape to look so handsome?" Fred asked with a mocking tone.

"Yes he simply glows!" George agreed with a cackle.

"Well, I don't know," Molly sighed with exasperation. "But it has nothing to do with that haircut!"