Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling.

Terms used: Anirage is the technical name for Wizardkind. Aniragi is the language. Spells are sometimes in Aniragi rather than Latin or English.

Chapter 14:

Kingsley was definite. "We could lose him. Not only that he could disappear, but Molly thinks he's terribly unhappy."

Molly and Arthur were included in the conference, since Harry had turned up at their place. Also Mick, who said, "He wasn't at PT this morning. And Neville told me he was worried. I think Neville knows him better than anyone."

McKenzie said, "And you said that the teachers have been told to clamp down hard?"

"Yes. Dumbledore has sealed up the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets in case there was a way out there, and found three weaknesses in the walls, and one in the aerial wards. He's positive now that Harry will not find escape."

McKenzie was tapping his fingers against the table in indecision. Going against Dumbledore could put his career at risk. He rose with decision, "I might ask the Minister to join us, I think. Kingsley, organise some coffee, maybe some morning tea."

Mick said gratefully, "I would appreciate that. I missed breakfast. Dumbledore was demanding I locate the boy instead."

McKenzie paused, "Did you find him?"

"I spotted him on his broomstick, heading towards the Forbidden Forest. He has some sort of a retreat there, like a tree-house. When I told the headmaster, he stated that Potter would have his broomstick confiscated."

Molly said softly, "Is he trying to destroy the boy?"

"Merely bring him into line. All Potter has to do is pretend to think he's a god, like nearly everyone else does."

Mick said, "Remember the Mind-Magic accusation? I've watched Dumbledore, and I'm beginning to believe it. He has a habit of crossing his arms over his chest, and putting each hand in the opposite sleeve. He always wears dangling sleeves. Then he can touch his wand without being obvious."

"He wears his wand in his sleeve?"

"Yes."

Arthur asked, frowning, "Mind-Magic?"

McKenzie said firmly, "Please don't repeat it. There is no proof, and I don't know why Potter believes it."

Arthur said slowly, "Children can make their beliefs fit their desires, sometimes."

McKenzie said dryly, "So can adults."

"I have always thought Albus a very wise man. Even when I couldn't understand his rationale for his actions, I accepted it on faith."

Molly was looking doubtfully at her husband. It had been the same for her, but each time when Harry had come to her from the Dursleys, invariably half-starved, she'd been angry at the headmaster.

McKenzie glanced around at the assembly, and reminded, "Kingsley, a morning tea."

Cornelius Fudge and morning tea arrived at the same time, and Fudge's eyes immediately rested on a plate of sweet chocolate cakes. He had a fondness for sweet things, and Kingsley knew it. He was served with his coffee, before McKenzie started.

"Dumbledore is handling Harry extremely badly. Harry is already a formidable fighter, and we do not want to provoke a revolt."

Fudge said, "Dachier Kuhnast contacted me last week. He wanted to know whether our promises to Harry were honoured. He pointed out that the boy took down the one he was told was Voldemort, without fuss or difficulty, as well as MacNair, who actually had been a Death Eater. He also reminded me that he'd had to dodge two Death Curses. He was the only target of Death Curses. It's why he wanted to award him a Civilian Services Award."

"Why did you refuse, Minister?"

"Albus told me we should not allow the boy to get too conceited. He said he was spoiled."

Kingsley said, "You should have seen his delight in just ordinary things. He told me that until last summer, he'd never been to the beach, never been to a fun fair, hardly ever been shopping. I don't think he is any danger of being spoiled by being an ordinary child for a few days!"

Mick put in, "The whole time, he was perfectly obedient, and did exactly what he was asked to do. And as a duellist... Voldemort's ability might be legendary, but Harry... It's lucky he's neither hot-tempered nor aggressive. I'd hate to try and arrest him."

McKenzie said persuasively, "Whether You Know Who is alive or dead, Minister, Harry Potter should not be alienated. I think we have to insist to Dumbledore that Harry be granted emancipation, and that he be treated leniently."

Fudge sighed, "You will come with me to see him then, also Kingsley. I will try and lay down the law to Albus Dumbledore."

"Try not to meet his eyes when he argues. That will avert the influence of any Mind-Magic he might attempt."

Fudge nodded, "Especially if I notice he has his hand up his sleeve."

Snape watched Harry as he went about making the Pax Roonkel Potion. It was an unusual potion, the Pax Roonkel. It was made to end life, but only the lives of those who were ready and willing to end their lives. Most wizards, when very old and ready to die, could simply die in their sleep. But magic became weak when a wizard was very old, and then he might request the potion. Sometimes a fatally wounded wizard might also request it, though in that case, usually the healer simply used a spell. Yet it was harmless to a healthy person. Healers were encouraged to try it when training. It had a pleasant taste. Harry went about the task methodically, but Snape noticed him take two vials of potion at the end, one for assessment, as was standard, and one that he pocketed. Now why should he have done that?

Neville hovered at the door when Snape called Harry to him at the end of the lesson. Snape asked, "Easter break? Do you still want to spend it with me?"

Harry replied indifferently, "I'm ordered to stay here."

Snape looked at the boy thoughtfully, wondering what was wrong. He said suddenly, "You're not doing very well, are you? Is it the broken bond still?"

Harry looked away. The broken bond? He said what he felt, "Sometimes it seems like I've done what I had to, and now I don't need to bother any more."

Snape grabbed his chin almost roughly, and looked into his eyes. Neville started coming towards them furiously, and shouted, "Stop that! Can't you see he's sick?"

Snape snarled, "Silence, Longbottom! I'm hardly going to hurt Harry Potter." Neville strode the last few feet, glaring at Snape.

Harry said quietly, "Go to lunch, Neville. The Professor won't hurt me."

Neville hesitated, and Harry said, "I'll catch you up in a few minutes."

"I'll be just outside. Call if you want me."

"I'll call."

Snape sat down at his desk and ordered, "Pull up a chair." He watched, frowning as the boy obeyed. "I saw you take a vial of the potion."

"You said it was harmless to someone who was healthy."

Snape held out a hand, "Give it to me." Harry handed it over, and Snape tapped it on his desk. Harry waited. Snape took out his wand, said the word for the Privacy Spell, and commented, "I have never allowed any portraits in this room or my office. Blabber-mouths, some of them."

Harry smiled slightly. Not many people took much notice of the portraits, but they could speak, watch, and they could visit any other painting in the castle. Snape asked, "Do you have any charms on you at the moment?"

"Tracking charm, anti-disapparation charm. I don't know when they were put on."

Snape nodded, then said definitely, "The headmaster will not allow you to leave. Are you able to, or do I need to help you escape."

"I can leave when I choose."

"I thought so. You are to come to me for the Easter break. That is an order, and you're to do what I tell you. You are not to take Pax Roonkel, and you are not to end your life. You will leave Friday, before the end of lessons. You're more likely to be able to get away quietly. Once out, you will meet me at an apparation point I will tell you, not my home. We're going right away from here."

Harry's spirits lifted, "Right away?"

"Right away, the same as we did in the summer."

Harry was profoundly grateful, and thought himself silly when there were suddenly tears in his eyes. Snape said briskly, "I haven't made full arrangements, but do you still have your passport?"

"Yes, Severus."

Snape put a hand to his shoulder, and said roughly, "You can get better. You will get better."

Harry took little notice of Dumbledore when he was called to his office, and assured that the limitations on his movements were only out of concern for his safety. And Dumbledore looked at him, and said gently, "I care about you very much, Harry. Right from the moment I took you from your parents' home. You survived because of your mother's sacrifice. I know you well enough to know that you won't let her down, won't let me down."

"Yes, Professor Dumbledore."

There were no more detentions, and then Landen said that he would go in with the fifth year Arithmancy students. At dinner, he was handed a new timetable for the next term, and McGonnagal said kindly that she was sure he would study hard, and show himself worthy of the special attention. Harry was finding it very hard to study, but didn't skip classes, and resumed PT in the mornings.

Friday afternoon, Mick asked where Harry was, and Draco answered, "Vince said that he hurt his foot in Construction, and had to go to Madam Pomfrey. I guess he's still there."

Mick hesitated, and then said, "Look after yourselves. I think I might check."

Dumbledore had given up on tracking charms, but he was aware that Arthur had put one on the boy while he slept. According to that, he was on his way to the Burrow.

Harry waited at Edinburgh Airport, his passport in his pocket, a quite small backpack at his feet. It held more than it appeared, like his miniaturised, foldable bookshelf, and a few keepsakes, in case he chose not to return. He'd assured Ginny that he was fine, and told her not to worry about him, but to look after Hedwig until he came back. Hedwig had the tracking charm, as Arthur Weasley would probably soon discover.

Dachier Arne Kuhnast was at the Ministry, pressing Vance McKenzie to shed light on the rumours that the Lord Voldemort was dead. He and Fudge were to go to Hogwarts that evening and present Harry with his German medal, and Fudge was intending to assure him full access to his money, plus freedom to come and go on his seventeenth birthday. Surely by then, it could be ascertained whether the Dark Lord was alive or dead.

***x***

Zondra said to her cousin, "What if I'm willing to take the risk? I can probably conceive one child at least. Someone with the power you describe - his children would be a real asset to the clan."

"If Voldemort's alive, you may not live to bear the child."

"You've chosen your mate, and yet you forgot her, and wanted to take a young man, who could never have your children."

"I can't stop thinking about him. I wish now that I hadn't stopped."

Zondra looked at him critically, and said, "You're too big. You might have damaged him irreparably."

Gunther admitted, "I might have. I've talked to a few people since, how to take a boy, and not hurt him. Or not hurt him much."

"Did he resist you?"

"He had no thought of resistance. A moment of fear right at the start, and then he wanted me." He smiled complacently, "Man or woman, who can resist a Yusdu?"

Zondra said uncertainly, "If I took him, you wouldn't try and take him off me, would you?"

"I was wondering about sharing. If he was bonding with you, and you maybe locked your legs around him to hold him still, I could take him then. Do the silcieun at the same time, and he'd belong to us both."

"Why should I share?"

"Because if I hear that Voldemort's dead, I'm going to beat you to him. Maybe better to share than fight."

Zondra smiled, "A three-way Bond. I've always been fond of you, Gunther."

"We could practise. Not the silcieun, of course. Just the mechanics of the exercise."

Zondra laughed, "That would be a great deal of fun."

***x***

On the plane to a beachside resort in the South of France. Snape glanced at the boy beside him. Harry stared out the window. He'd scarcely said a word, just allowed Snape to take charge. It was like his spirit was gone. Snape thought of what the Healer had told him about broken Magical Bonds. That the death of a Bond-mate might not kill the other straightaway, but with a Soul Bond, such as the Vere Ultima Bond, or indeed, any bond strong enough to read each other's thoughts, its loss was almost invariably fatal within the year. That sometimes the victim of a broken bond could seem well for months, and then the end came quickly, the symptoms being increasing apathy and decreasing appetite. It was so unfair - that the boy should have done what was expected of him, at the cost of his own agonising pain, and could now die.

Severus Snape was going to do his best that the boy didn't die. The previous summer, what had seemed to heal him was the beach, his different surroundings, (Snape smirked to himself,) - and discovering sex. What had he said? That it was worth living simply in order to have as much sex as possible. He would give him what he could, different surroundings, and the beach. Maybe he'd discover a nice French girl. Harry had a magnetic personality that attracted people, all sorts of people. Even if he was the Boy Who Lived, Snape didn't think he would have had as much success with the Hogwarts girls if there hadn't been something else. He'd seen Trevor ogling him as well, especially as Harry became taller and stronger.

There had been the Yusdu, too. What was it that had attracted the Yusdu so much? It was unprecedented that a male Yusdu chose a boy, and one so slightly built. Further, once a Yusdu made it known that they'd Chosen, if not yet Bonded, it was expected that every other person was immune. Bijn Yusdu. It was not what he would have wanted for Harry, who should be a great wizard in his own right, not a mere shadow of one of the Golden Ones. Yet, what if a new bond was the only way to save his life?

Harry wasn't thinking. Only days after his return from Germany, Snape had been repaid for the expenses incurred in summer, but he didn't give a thought now to sharing the costs. There was a small meal served on the plane, which he toyed with and put aside. He wasn't hungry, hadn't been hungry for days. Snape noticed, but said nothing.

He said something later, when he had Harry standing semi-naked in front of him, inspecting, and then took his readings. He exclaimed, "For goodness sake, Harry! Why didn't you come to me before?"

Harry looked at him, mildly surprised at the sudden heat. Snape took the reading again, just to make sure it was really that low. His 'Life Vigour,' the vital force that was the essence of a person's wellbeing... Normal was 100, and Snape had measured Harry's as 105, the maximum regarded as normal. Now it was 74, the reading expected of a very old or very sick man. Snape paced rapidly back and forth. What was he to do with the boy?

Harry wandered to the window, looked out over the beach, and smiled. Snape sighed. There was no point returning him to Hogwarts, or taking him to St. Mungo's. That was another thing the healer had told him. There was no known treatment for a broken Soul Bond. He'd give him a few days, see what happened, and if he continued his decline, he'd take him to Munich and hand him over to Zondra Vardrier. The boy might not realise his full potential as Bijn, but he'd be happy. Only a Hecatema and her mate had as fulfilling a love as Bijn Yusdu.

Meantime, he ran a hand over Harry's shoulders, and said, "Better than the weed you were in summer." He stroked over ribs, far too clearly seen, but only asked, "How tall are you now?"

"Five foot, seven, last check."

"You still have regular medical checks." Harry nodded. Every fortnight, just another reminder that he was only a tool, not a person. Snape asked, "Does she have a Nisco?"

"No. She just measures height and weight, has a look at chest, tells me to eat more, asks how I'm feeling, and that's it."

Snape asked, "And do you tell her how you're feeling?"

Harry shrugged, and Snape said dryly, "I'll take that as a no."

Harry said hesitantly, "There's a beach..."

Snape smiled, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe after all, it would be all right.

Three days later, very early, Snape muttered a protest when Harry disturbed him. Harry tried to be more quiet, but he was in the habit of having a run in the early morning, and there was the most wonderful beach...

Snape smiled in satisfaction as he settled himself to go back to sleep. The readings were already improved, and the previous day, he'd noticed him eating ravenously. There wasn't a girl yet, but give him time.

Later that day, Harry said casually, "There was someone at the beach I like. And Marie said there's been a cancellation, so there's a free room. Not that I mind sharing, but not if she agrees that she'd like to watch a film with me tonight - in my room."

"Didn't you say you met someone at the Sports Centre?"

"I thought Gabrielle was lovely, but then this enormous fellow with bulging muscles was looking me up and down. She might have mentioned him... I really have to learn some languages."

"You were really planning on asking her to bed without even knowing her language?"

"I thought she actually asked me, but maybe she only wanted to know the time."

Snape laughed, "I guess you'd better learn a few languages!"

Harry grinned, "So I'll pay for the room, and maybe Tonette will start teaching me French."

The following day when Harry obediently reported to Snape for his daily check, he smiled in satisfaction. LV 90, energy high, an improvement in weight. The improvement continued, until the LV was back at 104. Snape slapped him on the back, and said, "Next time, the moment you start feeling as if it's not worth even eating your dinner, you come to me. That's an order. A very firm order."

Harry smiled, "Yes, Severus." Neville and Ron and Hermione cared for him, and Ginny, Fred and George, but every other adult who seemed to care for him - he never knew whether it was personal, or merely because he was the Chosen One, the one to finally defeat the Lord Voldemort. He valued the friendship of Severus Snape very much.

The following morning, they were sharing breakfast, and Harry made his suggestion, that Severus took credit for finding him and returning him to school. "You could tell them you persuaded me, that you can control me even. Then maybe for summer, Dumbledore will agree that you could be trusted with me."

Snape was surprised, "You want to go back?"

"Not yet, but maybe two days before school, you can boast that you have me safe."

"I could say that the telepathy classes had the effect that you have some trust in me. I claimed that before Christmas when I volunteered to help look after you."

"You were very good. I felt safer with you than anyone else."

Snape felt a surge of pleasure that he was trusted by the boy who was at once an abused child and an extremely powerful wizard.

Harry admitted awkwardly, "I know I was stupid. I sort of gave up a bit. There was no reason for that, and I'm better now."

Snape relaxed, "I'm glad. And I've been overcautious, I think. My role as a spy is still not known, and further, I suspect that the other Death Eaters are as relieved as I am to be free. He'd become dangerous to serve, fatal to refuse to serve."

"There were some new recruits after his resurrection, all the same."

"Very few. A few sons of Death Eaters were reluctantly offered by their fathers, the Ryan brothers, for wealth, I suspect, many who served at a distance, of course. But when it came to taking the Dark Mark, they were apt to emigrate instead. He could keep his inner circle obedient through use of the Dark Mark, but it had become too widely known." He gave a sad, wry half-grin, "How I could have felt honoured when he inflicted it! And even that was painful. A reasonable man does not hurt his followers."

Harry asked curiously, "Have you ever talked about it to anyone?"

"Seldom. Dumbledore knows the facts, but I guess I'm just not a talker."

Harry smiled, "I'm honoured then."

"School? If you're sure, I think it's a good idea."

Dumbledore stared at Snape in pleased astonishment. "You have him?"

"At my home. I found him by chance, wandering in Edinburgh and looking lost. I think he was quite relieved when I was firm with him."

Dumbledore nodded, "He's just a child still. It's easy to forget that."

"He's obedient. And I quite like the boy. You could just leave him with me for a couple of days, and I'll return him Sunday afternoon."

Dumbledore ordered, "Bring him straight back. I want Poppy to have a look at him."

"As you wish, of course, Albus. He is the tool of the Light. Our weapon. Yet do you think..." He hesitated. Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, and Snape said, "He is not unintelligent and is fully aware that he may not survive the fight with Voldemort. Luckily he has a desire to please the adults in his life. You may remember that from when you tried to have him master Occlumency."

Dumbledore nodded, "He tried very hard, but never managed to resist me."

"Telepathy was the same, but I did gain his trust, while he blames you for the limitations on him that he resents. I can convince him that any limitations I impose are only what he wants himself, for his own safety. I am finding it quite easy to manipulate him."

Dumbledore smiled, "Wanting to please us, being willing to sacrifice himself, is a consequence of his early upbringing. He was made to feel like something contemptible, so needs to feel himself worthy. He might pretend to himself that he won't go against Voldemort, but when the time come, he'll do it."

Snape smiled, "So it was deliberate. I did wonder."

Dumbledore said, "I made sure his life was never threatened, of course. But each time he was hit, or thrashed, or made to miss meals, it served our purposes."

Snape felt a little ill, but agreed smoothly, "You were always the strategist, Albus. I never understood why he took so long to rebel. But he's been disobedient twice now, so maybe a light rein might be preferable. Clamp down too hard, and he will rebel again."

Dumbledore frowned at him, thinking. It's what Fudge and McKenzie said, as well. He wondered if they quite realised how powerful a wizard Harry would be. He had to be kept under control. Either that, or maybe it was best if he was somehow weakened. He would not consider the spell that Dippett had used on the young Tom Riddle, of course. The seventeen-year-old had never known, and there was no change in physical appearance. Just that afterwards, he lost his desire for sex, and had been supposed to lose his desire to dominate others. That one had backfired tremendously, though Dippet swore it had worked nicely on an earlier troublemaker with too much power. One of the headmaster portraits from the seventeenth century had also used it. Three times, and asserted that it had been very effective, the wizards becoming far more peaceful as a result. But then, Harry Potter was usually peaceful, and it would be a shame if the Potter family quite died out, as so many of the old families had done. In any case, he'd do nothing until he knew that Voldemort was really dead.

Snape offered, "Poppy will probably be quite happy to come to my place to look him over. Yourself as well if you like. I think you'll be happy he's sufficiently subdued."

Dumbledore drummed his fingers on the desk, and finally nodded. "Very well. Better that he goes to you than we lose him."

Snape said respectfully, "I think so too, Albus."

The respectful tone did it. Dumbledore forgot that he'd intended severity, and thought he'd turned Snape to his way of thinking. He asked genially, "When would you like us to come?"

Snape was very pleased with Harry's performance that evening. He was quiet and subdued, and when Dumbledore and Pomfrey arrived, he was working on an essay for Defence. Dumbledore said severely, "Well, Harry? You left without permission. Again."

Harry looked down at his books, and said, quietly and humbly, "I'm sorry, Professor."

"Did you find your Mr. Kemp again?" Harry didn't answer but his head drooped a little more.

Dumbledore said harshly, "Answer me, Harry!"

Harry said, very quietly, "I was too old. He didn't want me."

"I see."

Harry said, "I'm very sorry, Sir. Professor Snape explained how anxious everyone was."

Dumbledore changed tactics. "Very well, my boy. But this term I expect you to work harder, especially with Professor Larkin."

"Yes, Sir. I'll do the best I can, Sir."

Dumbledore studied the bent head of the boy, apparently remorseful. He asked in a gentle tone, "Look at me, Harry." Harry looked up, and Dumbledore ordered, "Tell me how you left the grounds, Harry."

He had his arms crossed, each wrist buried in the opposite sleeve. Harry looked at him frankly, exerted his own Mind-Magic, and said, very respectfully, "Please don't ask me that, Sir. I cannot tell you." Dumbledore accepted it, and Snape cheered the boy. Defeating the expert at his own game. What a wizard Harry would make! Yet he wanted to be a builder?

Madam Pomfrey asked, "Where should I take him for his examination?"

"What do you check?"

"Weight, usually height, though not this time, general fitness, just a general check."

Dumbledore said casually, "Perhaps you should check for sexual abuse." Harry threw a look at Snape. He had no intention of consenting to that, no matter how humble he was trying to act.

Madam Pomfrey asked, "Harry, do you wish me to do anything further than normal?"

Harry was quiet, but definite, "No, Madam Pomfrey."

The nurse said, "In the case of a teenager, doing an unwanted examination is sexual abuse in itself. Harry has the right to refuse."

Harry gave her a glimmer of a smile, and Snape said, "Harry, take Madam Pomfrey to your bedroom."

Harry stood straightaway, and Madam Pomfrey followed him.

She smiled at him when she had him alone, and said, "Being very humble, aren't you, Harry?"

Harry hesitated, unsure how to reply. The nurse laughed, "It's all right, Harry. The headmaster doesn't take defiance very well. I know that."

Harry grinned, "I was at a beach again for a while. It was a lot better than staying at school, lonely and miserable."

"Harry... About Him. I mean, is he dead?"

"He must be. I never believed that only I could kill him. They might leave me alone when they finally realise. And I really think it's safe to use his name!"

Pomfrey shook her head, "When they find his body, then I'll feel myself safe again. I lost my husband, you know."

"You've seen it when he hurt me, Madam Pomfrey. Sometimes it was aimed at me, and sometimes it was when he killed someone, or tortured someone. That hasn't happened since... I think the last time was when I was watching the last Quidditch match of the year. I don't have dreams of what he's doing any more. If he's not dead, at least he's gone a very long way away."

Madam Pomfrey patted his shoulder, and said shakily, "I hope so, Harry. I hope so."

Harry asked, businesslike, "Do you want me to take off my shirt?"

The nurse pulled herself together, and said, "Shirt off. Just the usual."

"Thank you, Madam Pomfrey."

Dumbledore asked the nurse, as they re-entered the room, "Well?"

"He's fit and healthy, though no further increase in weight."

"Good enough." He rose, and said to Snape, "Return him Sunday, Severus. I'll be very disappointed if he absconds again."

Harry said earnestly, "I want to finish my schooling please, Professor. One day, I want to have my own building firm. But meantime, if you say so, I'll study Defence and Duelling."

Dumbledore was appeased, "I do say so, my boy. It may seem hard to you now, but you will thank me one day."

"Yes, Sir."

Only after they left, did Snape smile at Harry, "Well done."

Harry slumped in a chair. "The bastard wanted me humiliated." He looked up seriously at Snape, "I think maybe I should try and know what he's thinking. He doesn't wish me well."

Snape said, "He has skills himself, remember. If you try and probe, he will feel it. Just knowing his surface thoughts - he won't feel that."

"You have those skills as well."

"You didn't want to learn them, remember?"

"If it's a matter of self-defence, I will learn what I need to learn."

Snape said calmly, "I don't believe he would seriously harm you, even if he does like to be in charge. And once he knows Voldemort's dead, he'll forget about you. He is not a person who likes to hurt."

"He left me with abusive guardians. Would he not hurt me?"

"He manipulates people. He didn't do it only in order to have you hurt."

"I think he liked me there so as to keep me humble."

Snape asked, "Did they knock you around much?"

"Not a great deal. A beating once in a while when I really upset them. And my cousin used me as a punching bag." He grinned, "It's how I developed quick reactions, dodging the sly punches. But after Hagrid came for me, there was never anything more than being shoved around a bit. All the same, I don't quite understand why I kept tamely returning every year."

"Because Dumbledore said?"

Harry frowned, "Partly, I guess. Just that now it seems so spiritless."

"You had no money, as I understand."

"If I'd kicked up enough of a fuss, surely someone would have taken me in. I did consider going to Muggle community services, but was too afraid of my uncle. The most severe beating I ever had was when I complained of abuse to a teacher. I don't know if she did anything more than ask my uncle about it. When I returned to school, she took care never to look at me."

"And you think that Dumbledore knew of this."

"I told him I was never given enough to eat. I didn't tell him there was physical abuse, and anyway, as I said, that stopped after Hagrid put a scare into them."

"You've never told anyone this, have you?"

"I guess not."

Snape offered casually, "Would you like me to punish them for you?"

"They were victims of Dumbledore. They hated and feared magic, and he forced them to look after this annoying brat who caused strange things to happen, sometimes. They're not wicked people. Punishing them would serve no purpose."

Snape said, "My father was abusive. After a while, an abused child comes to believe that he deserves it, and that not only will no adult help them, but his shame stops him admitting he needs help."

"Probably something in that." With an abrupt change of subject, Harry said, "I have homework, and I didn't bring any of my books. Do you think it's safe to go and get them?"

"You'll be seen."

"I can apparate into the dorm, pick up what I want, and apparate straight out. I won't be seen. I was just wondering about the wards, whether there was some sort of system to say that someone was inside."

"I'd be very surprised if any alert was made about that."

"You're not surprised I can apparate in and out?"

"I was when I first guessed - very surprised."

Harry chuckled, "I was very surprised myself when I first managed it."

Snape asked, "What else can you do that no-one else can?" Harry hesitated, and Snape said, "You're right. You should keep your abilities very close to your chest, especially anything that involves greater power than normal."

Harry volunteered, "I don't need a wand, and if I forget incantations, it doesn't make any difference."

"Just a few things?"

"Any standard spell. Complex wards and enchantments I wouldn't try and do like that, but I don't know any of those anyway."

Snape said firmly, "Never tell anybody else. Not your girlfriend, not your particular mates, no-one. You should not have told me. It's not that I'll share it, but I've lived a life of deception. I know. The only safe secret is an unshared secret. And a wizard too powerful can be perceived as a threat."

Harry nodded seriously. He'd already shown far too much, especially in duelling. It would be difficult to deliberately allow himself to be defeated, but he guessed as long as he kept telling himself it was only a pretend fight, not a real one.

Snape said, "Pick up your homework if you like. I have a good library, which will help. And ask me for help when you need it."

Harry smiled, "Three days left. I reckon I can do most of it in three days if I work at it."

***x***

Trevor said to his close friend, "Just three days left before school resumes. You have to tell your parents." Malene nodded, and smiled, "You'd really like to be my husband?"

"To be a father! Not a Marriage Bond. You can have other men, and so will I have men."

Malene's mother was astounded when Malene told her she was pregnant. Witches simply did not have accidental children. To have a child, it was necessary to take the charm off - the standard charm that had a female body in a state of healthy stasis - no periods, no pregnancies. Malene said humbly, "I thought he wouldn't come back, you see. I thought he'd do as Granny Abbot says, defeat the Dark Lord, but be killed at the same time or maybe as a result."

Mrs. Winton asked, "Harry Potter?"

Malene nodded.

"So will he marry you?"

"I won't ask him. He's still going to die. Just that it wasn't that time. I think he's very sweet, but I'm not in love with him. He doesn't share himself, or only on the surface. Even with a Marriage Bond, I don't want him as a husband."

"What then?"

"Trevor Lyons. He's the last of the Lyons, heir to the estate. He adores Harry, and is thrilled to think he might have the chance to raise his child."

Trevor was speaking to his parents. "I have hardly any power myself. You know that. Any blood son of mine would be lucky to spell a candle alight!"

His parents looked at each other. It was true. The Lyons family had married cousins too long, and now they were almost infertile, lacking in power, and their sole heir was firmly attracted to men.

Trevor said quietly, "He was nearly chosen by Yusdu. By a male Yusdu. Yusdu are attracted to power, above everything. Girl or boy, Harry Potter's child, who could be my child, will probably have more power than the Lyons have had for generations."

Trevor Lyons and Malene Winton were married the day after. Sunday, Trevor returned to school. He was seventeen, he'd go for his NEWTs, and then start to learn to manage the family wealth. There was no need to keep the marriage secret, but they planned to be discreet about the child, at least while its sire was still alive. Malene was in Sixth Year. She was to stay with her parents for the time being, and work at her Housekeeping and Parenting skills.

***chapter end***