Okay, so while this chap does a bit of introductions and we see some important happenings, this is kind of a filler chapter. I'm debating combining this with the last chapter into one big chap. Bonus, we see what is decided about Umbitch. Also, I have been getting comments about how long my story is taking. I don't want to rush this story in the least, but rather squeeze every drop of fun I can out of the circumstances. That being said I am trying to speed things up a little now that I'm no longer giving most of my characters back stories. Enjoy!
Thankyou so much to all who reviewed! I know I didn't respond to all of you this time. I apologize. Work has been exhausting recently. I'll try to get to you all soon.
Harry Potter and the FOLD
The Path to Walk
Harry puffed out a bit of air as he ran. He was one of those in front, racing against Dennis. He had spent too many years running from Dudley and his gang to be slow. The circuit was a new part of the grounds that Dudley and the triplets had put together, with some help from Smarten and the Twins. The first lap they were supposed to jog, then sprint, then jog, then go through the obstacle course at a leisurely pace, then jog, then obstacle course fast, then walk the obstacle course, then two more jogging laps before stretching. It was quite the warm-up, but Harry found himself glad for the muscle exercise today. He was only around until the end of breakfast then he was off to meetings for most of the day, if not all of it. The longest Governor's meeting had been 18 hours, but it wasn't unusual for them to last at least six. Harry was likely to be sitting for most of the day.
As he enjoyed his run, he was completely unaware of the dark gaze that followed him whenever he was in view of a certain window on the second floor. The tall, dark man had been up an hour already, set to leave later that morning. He had gotten to sleep late the previous night as well, going over the scene with the boy in his mind over and over again trying to piece together the inconsistent images and meanings his senses had given him.
-Flashback-
"Only myself"
Harry looked thoughtful a moment before nodding. "Yes, I think I'd prefer you, Professor." Severus kept staring at him. Surely the boy was pulling his wand. Prefer him? The bat of the dungeon? He hadn't realized the child had this much of a sense of humor.
"Potter, I think you need your ears cleaned. Either that or I do, are you aware you just volunteered to spend time with me, alone?"
Harry glared at him. "My ears, and yours for that matter, work fine. And compared to spending time with Dumbledore rattling about in my brain, yes, I would rather choose you, Sir." Severus stared at him.
"You would rather choose me?" The phrase made an odd taste in Severus' mouth. When was the last time anyone had thought that besides his mother? Especially if your other option is Albus Dumbledore. "He is the most powerful wizard in the world and you would rather choose your most hated Professor?" The boy didn't even wince at the snark in that incredulous statement.
"I don't really have much of a choice either way, do I Sir?"
Severus narrowed his eyes in thought as he agreed with the brat.
-End Flashback-
He had waved Potter to bed soon after that statement, seeing the boy suppress his third yawn in as many minutes. The child preferred him rooting around in his memories. He had clearly stated to the child that the teacher would not just see the memories as a pensieve would, but experience the feelings and sensations, especially in an untrained apprentice. There was also a good chance, he realized, that Potter would see his memories. After all, one of the best beginner defenses is to push the attacker back into his own mind and memories. This process nearly always dragged the victim along for the ride. Severus would have to be incredibly careful about which memories he had in his mind during the lessons that the Boy-Who-Lived-To-Annoy-Him had agreed to attend. What a mess.
000
Harry shook the soot from his hair as he rolled onto a dark purple rug from the floo. He was meeting Silvia Serpenta at her home before heading to the governor's meeting. He sighed as he regained his balance. He kept promising himself that he would learn to floo without tumbling headfirst out of the grate. He had yet to do so though. How was it he was so graceful on a broom and so ungraceful in a floo?
"Welcome to my Home, Lord Potter, Lord of all Gryffindor, Slytherin and Ravenclaw." Harry looked up smiling slightly at the middle-aged witch who made her way over.
"I thank you for your hospitality and your time, Madam Serpenta"
"Tea with me, My Lord, and please, Silvia. At least here when we are alone." She was dressed in green and black robes with her brown hair in braids trailing behind her. Harry nodded, trying to remember the correct vernacular.
"My thanks, it sounds delightful. And it's Harry."
She bowed her head as she poured them both tea. "So, Harry, what brings you here? Andy said you wanted to speak of the meeting today. Know that I won't discuss any decisions to be discussed at the meeting together in private."
Harry shook his head as he accepted the tea from her and a peanut butter biscuit. "It isn't that. I wanted to talk about the protocol of the meeting and to explain to you at least why I decided to hide my identity." She nodded, relaxing back as she sipped her tea.
"My reputation is very dynamic. I have very little say over the current view of British wizarding society and even less interest in being in the spotlight. Really, I would be very happy for the public to have never heard my name until I inherited my father's lordship, but since that is relatively impossible." He spread his hands helplessly. He and Andy had put this speech together yesterday. He really hadn't any ideas, nor had any of his friends, for another way to influence the wizarding world's view of their savior and he was taking Merlin's wisdom to heart in the public was fickle.
"I am also hoping that another heir to the Ravenclaw and Slytherin chairs will appear eventually taking that burden off my chest. However, since I am in those spots, I want to step forward and help when I can." He watched as Silvia digested this. The witch seemed to think before her answers.
"So you don't want any of the other Governors knowing it's you?"
Harry nodded. "I just want to help." Silvia glanced out the window.
"Harry, do you know my family's history?" Though puzzled at the change in topic, Harry shook his head. "No? My ancestor was a very interesting person. He was the eldest of seven sons. Sons of whom the youngest was named Salazar Slytherin." Harry blinked as he sat forward at this. "The family didn't like Salazar's opinion that they should teach students. The family was very proud and didn't think they should share their knowledge with anyone. Eventually, Salazar ran away with Godric and Rowena and they found Helga. The four of them created Hogwarts." Harry nodded, aware of this story from his time talking with Godric and Salazar.
"This is mostly well-known, but what isn't as well know is that the eldest of the family cared a great deal for Salazar. He never forgave himself for letting his youngest brother run away. In the end, he left the family to his brother, the second son and went in search of Salazar. When he finally found Hogwarts it was already underway and the four of them were discussing long-term running. He made up with his brother and volunteered to run the school's Board of Governors. It was more of an advisory role back then."
"Generations later my family is still being elected as the head of the board of governors on top of our normal careers. My grandfather was my predecessor, my father eschewed the family legacy. He disliked the duty and the burden he felt his ancestors had passed down and thought that our family had paid for their abandonment of Salazar Slytherin enough." She shook her head ruefully. "I'm afraid my father believed that the day he passed from this world."
Harry glanced out the window. He had wondered what his father had felt about the burden of being a lord, and running all the different estates, all those futures counting on his decisions. He wished he could split the responsibility up a bit, but it wasn't allowed as things stood. Madam Serpentia's voice drew his attention back to the room.
"In a way, I felt a bit sorry for my father, that he felt this was a burden passed down through our family." Harry looked at Madam Serpenta, in amazement. "When my grandfather handed the position off to me fourteen years ago, I was barely out of school myself. He took me aside and told me something I didn't understand until recently.
"This position is not only a duty and honor, Silvia, it is also an imperative. You may not see it yet, how important your position is, but someday you will see. Someday you will be grateful that you are in this position, because you will have something far more special that you must do."
Silvia looked at Harry. "My eldest starts Hogwarts this year and suddenly I realized exactly why my grandfather never saw this position as a burden. I can help in the future of our world and ensure the future of my children." She smiled at him. Harry thought she looked completely content. "There is nothing more important to me today than my children. That is why my family has maintained this duty so long." She leaned forward.
"You may feel overwhelmed now Harry, but you are not alone. Shaping the future of others is a dangerous and terrible burden, but it is also infinitely rewarding, if you know where to look."
Harry blinked at her as he digested that. Suddenly he didn't feel quite so small.
000
Lady Cissa was standing off to the side of the entryway when they arrived. She turned and waved them over with her wand before turning back to her original conversation. They were shocked to see the conversation was with a gargoyle. Stan's eyebrow went up as Tasha smiled. They had decided to come early in the morning rather than wait until evening. They waited patiently until Lady Cissa was finished with her conversation and turned to them.
"Lady Cissa, I would like you to meet our second daughter, Anya and our youngest Annette. Girls, this is Lady Cissa." The witch gave them a smile and nod and then gestured to the gargoyle still next to her.
"It is wonderful to meet you. This is Granyte. She is the leader of the Gargoyles who live in the alley. She requests that you call her Gran. She was hoping you each would have some clothing you could part with for an hour so she can introduce your scent as residents of the community." Tasha glanced at Stan, but seeing his nod she removed a handkerchief and Annette's jacket. It wasn't terribly bright yet so the girls were fine. Anya handed over her father's handkerchief and the scrunchy she had used to hold her wild black hair in place. Tasha didn't know where that girl's curls came from, neither of her sister's had them, but they made her black hair quite a nuisance sometimes. The Gargoyle nodded and took a running leap into the air before soaring for the far end.
"Come, I'll show you the apartment we thought you would like. It is under the store." She continued explaining the layout of the building as they walked. Stan left those details to Tasha, he was on high alert for anything else in the area. He could sense a few of his brethren about and it wasn't long before he located them. He recognized the Alin brothers in the bar at the end of the street and the Freders were in the Marble building on the left. He tuned back in to the conversation when they stopped at a building.
"Like I said, the shop is this first floor. The upstairs has two apartments and the basement has two apartments. A family, the Smiths, are moving in upstairs. The other apartment is open right now. The Freders have one of the apartments in the basement, they help run the Library across the street. The other apartment we've set aside for you and your daughters. The shop is accessed like the other apartments, a door into the stairway." She led them into the basement and continued to talk to Tasha as Anya and Stan looked around. It wasn't a bad apartment. It had two windows in window wells outside that were large enough for a person to fit through and the door in the back. Stan looked at his youngest as she closed her eyes. Annette's nose was stronger than even his, she opened them again to smile and give her father a thumbs up. He grinned widely, showing their new landlady his fangs for the first time. He was pleased to see that although she didn't relax, she also didn't pause in her conversation.
He felt Freder Sr. and the second son come downstairs, probably out of curiosity. The knock on their door confirmed his instincts. Introduction were not terribly necessary since the Freders were Brethren and thus knew Stan's family quite well. The son drew Lady Cissa away with some questions as Kain approached Stan.
"If I may ask, have you decided Great One?"
Stan glanced over at Lady Cissa, but she seemed to not have heard. He bared his teeth at Kain quietly. "Its Stan right now." Kain ducked his head in acknowledgement. "We are taking Lady Cissa up on her offer on the assurance that we meet her benefactor this summer."
Kain nodded his head. "The Alin brothers and their wives will be pleased, as will my family. What about the Camdens? I understand you have become acquainted with them."
Stan nodded, keeping an eye on his youngest as she poked the far window with a stick, frowning. "Tasha and Martha were best friends. They still are."
Kain continued his report. "The Smiths upstairs are the same as the Camdens, except no human blood there. You've met the gargoyles?" Stan nodded. "Odd bunch, seventeen in the roost, but Gran, their leaders seems to have them under control and seems to like us so far. They have a wand maker setting up down the street already and Gringotts is putting in a presence." Stan nodded again, but instead of responding to Kain he called out to Annette.
"Annie, stop climbing the walls." Everyone looked over at the eleven-year-old who was halfway to the window.
"But Papa, the gargoyles are out there. Can I go play with them? Please? They have my jacket. Pleeeeease?"
Stan sighed and looked at his wife. Tasha was simply smiling before sending a questioning glance at their other daughter. Anya was fifteen and well capable of looking after her sister and she looked as bored as Annette likely was. Anya smiled and nodded to her father.
"Oh alright, but listen closely and keep clear of the Potions store and the Deco Store until your mother or I can come too." Both girls nodded and were out the door so fast Stan wondered if they had already learned to Apparate. Stan walked over to his wife, who was inspecting the kitchen. She hadn't even given the windows a second thought. He didn't know what he would have done without her. She had to be one of the only humans who not only didn't mind living in darkness, but didn't even think about it. He glanced at Lady Cissa, but she was heading into the other apartment with Kain and his son.
Knowing that for a few moments at least they were alone, Stan slipped his arms around Tasha's slim waist. Her scent was as enticing as the supple flesh of a young woman and he could hear the blood flow faster under her skin.
She leaned against him, sighing contently. "Could you be happy here, Stan?"
He bent down, grazing her neck with his nose to take in more of her soothing scent. "Our daughters could be safe and have a future and you would be near Martha. Yes, we could be very happy." She huffed softly and he relaxed his arms enough to let her turn in them to face him. Her arms came up around his cold neck and though he always felt for it, she didn't not even shiver at the reminder of his heritage.
"I know our girls already like the place. Even my ears can hear them laughing outside. I want to know if you like it, my husband."
His dark eyes regarded her seriously. She told him once that when their eyes met she almost felt telepathic. He wished she was for a brief moment so she could feel how much his family meant to him. He knew that his eyes were turning red just being this close to her. She called it the embers of love, he knew it was the power of blood pooling in his veins.
"Yes, I would be quite happy here."
000
Harry sighed again and softly asked Slice if he could retrieve him a sandwich or something. They had been at it for over an hour about a change in budget for the Care of Magical Creatures. They wanted to re-allocate since Hagrid collected his own specimens and thus barely used the money for class, or anything at all. Harry had chortled at that. His large friend was very simple and money simply didn't interest him. In fact, if Harry remembered right, all Hagrid's gifts to him had been homemade, so aside from his salary and maybe some fencing, Harry doubted Hagrid used any money for class in the least. They were debating where to send the money. Harry's two cents had been to add their textbooks to the library. That had been taken up with vigor, and it was the only thing they did seem to agree upon. Pretty good for a half formed thought aloud.
Harry thanked Slice for the sandwich from Misty and sat back as two of them went at it about whether they should redo any of the common rooms. He could see Silvia smiling on the side as she watched with a very Dumbledore-like grin. He rather thought she was enjoying herself. He knew now that should the hearty discussion get out of hand or completely off topic she would call everyone to order and they would listen pronto.
Harry had already discussed all but one of his topics. His discussion for the children from the Knockturn alley project came after the next topic of the DADA Instructor; many of the others had sighed in relief when Silvia had announced, albeit warily, that they had an applicant. Apparently few wanted the job.
Harry could understand why.
000
Stan chuckled to himself as he watched Anya and Verity stick their tongues out at Ray and Jacob. The Camdens had arrived with their son Ray, who Stan was well aware had caught his daughter's eye some time ago, and the Aldrich's twins, Verity and Jacob. Since Verity and Anya were only a year apart and Ray and Jacob less than two apart the four had grown up paired off. Especially on the full moon. The twin's were impressive in their full furry form and Ray was just as intimidating. Cleon, Greta and Mick Smith were joining them in a little bit. The Alin brothers had five kids between the seven of them, well three brothers and a sister with two wives and a husband. The Freders had somehow managed to give birth to their eighth child in the last month. Stan still couldn't believe they had eight. Three girls was currently more than enough drama for him. Of course, the eight were spread over thirty years, but that still seemed horrifying to Stan.
He leaned back to keep Martha and Tasha in view. Martha's pregnancy was due any day and the full moon was only a week away. They might have to induce. It could be risky for a human to give birth to a werewolf during a full moon, Stan wasn't even sure it had ever happened before. Not that he thought they were going to have much luck convincing Martha of that. There was no risk to the child only the mother on the full moon, whereas inducing risked both of them. She knew that as well as any of them and her husband had yet to convince her to induce.
They had all decided on an indoor picnic in the community center. That was what Lady Cissa called it. Really, Stan thought it would turn into a community hall. It was built strong, part of the old keep that was in the area. The solid stone and metal could probably withstand an attack from both outside and inside. It would be turned into a minor fortress. They could spend the full moon in here and the children could play here without danger. He was comforted that his family had finally found a reasonably safe home, at least for the time it lasted.
000
"The next item on the agenda is the new DADA professor. We have a request from the Minister of Magic. He wishes us to appoint Undersecretary Dolores Umbridge." The room was completely silent for two blinks before chaos overcame the entire place. Harry had to blink again himself as the noise of nearly all ten governors talking at once deafened him. He shook his head as Silvia regained control of the room and the discussion resumed normal if slightly louder levels.
"What are her qualifications?"
"Why is the Minister butting his head into school business?"
"He obviously wants to confront Albus."
"We can't just think of the political aspect, there are children at stake here."
"If we deny the Minister there could be all sorts of trouble."
"Why would the Minister try to appoint someone, if they couldn't at least do the job."
"I agree she might have an agenda, but she must be able or he wouldn't have risked it."
"it is still not his place to try to interfere with Hogwarts."
"Then what, we reject simply because he is the one making this request?"
"We could simply look at her qualifications and judge solely on that."
"It won't work, we all have the politics in the back of our mind."
"What we need is a more objective approach."
"A test?"
"Probationary Professor." At Silvia's comment the room went silent. "We have already agreed to test all the children at Christmas time to better equip the professors for what they need to teach. We can work off that." Harry saw some of the others nodding with her.
"Yes, a secret probation though, no one at the school is to know. The children will take an extra test just after Halloween. There used to be monthly tests, we can unearth those." Silvia nodded. She was getting nods around the table. Harry didn't have an opinion, being too new in the wizarding politics to know the woman and being one of those children made him feel weird deciding on their teacher.
"Since there are no objections, that issue is decided. I will tell Albus to approach Madam Umbridge Monday. The next order is one brought up by the new Lord of Gryffindor." Harry rose at this, a dark fog clouded around him indicating that he wished to remain anonymous. Silvia had already addressed this issue and squelched any arguments in their infancy with her subtle sarcasm and authority. Harry could definitely see this woman a Slytherin.
"As many of you know the Knockturn Alley Project has moved forward and now is the residence of Various Non-human Occupants. Many of them have children and have approached me to request their children be allowed to attend Hogwarts and be protected from Professor prejudice by this board." He waited as murmuring spread throughout the room. He had expected that though. Silvia had said to give them a moment to whisper or he wouldn't get anything done. When he saw many of the eyes turn back to him, more thoughtful, Silvia spoke up.
"What species are you proposing to allow?" Harry winced inwardly at the term species, but suppressed it for the more important aspect of this interaction. He took a deep breath this was the part where he had the most battle.
"Children with heritages in Vampire Clan, Lycanthropy, Veela, VooDoo Witchcraft, and Giants." He stopped. He had to, they wouldn't have heard him above the din that erupted.
"Let Werewolves into Hogwarts? You are delusional!"
"No vampire is going near my children!"
"Giants, honestly!"
Silvia waved for quiet.
"Honestly, indeed! Ask the Lord questions if you have them, but keep yourself civil, this is not a Quidditch Game but a Board Meeting." That settled most of them down. Harry waited patiently as the first person stood. He was a bit of a portly man. According to Slice's information he didn't have any children of his own, but he was quite fond of his niece.
"Why do you think we should grant this request?" Harry cocked his head. It was a fair, if incredibly prejudiced question.
"Because those children have done absolutely nothing wrong except be born. They might one day be something important, but only if they are taught." The man looked thoughtful but Harry continued. "And because if we do not start reaching out to Non-Human races somehow, we may eventually have a war on our hands. They are being persecuted and are getting angrier about it. We may not need You-Know-Who to return to destroy the Ministry, we will incite those we are persecuting to do so." Whatever they had expected from him, this was obviously not it. Even Silvia looked completely stunned. Harry wasn't sure what they were so stunned about.
"Err. Are there any other questions?" This seemed to snap at least one person out of their stupor.
"Have you thought of how to keep the children safe?" His question was hesitant, as if testing the words to see if they are really what he wanted to say.
Harry nodded, before remembering they couldn't actually see him. "Yes. The children with Lycanthropy would be magically locked in a room each night of the full moon. The room should be large, but completely enclosed, probably in the dungeons, and they have the option of taking Wolfsbane potion. The children with Vampire genes are forbidden from drinking any blood without supervision and must attend a weekly medical exam to ensure they are both complying and surviving the rule. The Veela are not to be allowed alone with a male under the age of 17 without adult supervision."
"And the Giant child?"
"Should they get into any fights, if brute physical force, as opposed to magic, is used the Giant child is expelled immediately. If they only fight with Magic, they will be punished as any other student." Harry had talked with Cissy about this quite a bit, this was the plan they came up with that might satisfy everyone.
"It might work." Harry looked over at the witch to his left as she tapped her chin.
"Governor Hailey, are you suggesting we let- let-."
"Yes, we have tried in the past to find a solution to this but this is the first time a plan might work."
"The teachers should be told."
"Not all of them, that could incite the very prejudice they are asking our help for, only the Headmaster need know." The others were shaking their heads until Silvia spoke up.
"How about the Headmaster and Heads of Houses. That way there is an adult in every part of the castle who knows. Madam Pomfrey of course will know and the Care of Magical Creatures Professor can know, but I suggest leave anyone further up to the children and their parents."
Harry liked the sound of that.
"Agreed." His acceptance was echoed around the table and Silvia put it to a vote. They won by a few votes and the motion passed. Harry sighed as he sat back down, relieved as they went on to discuss the acquisition of house elves.
000
Tasha had just finished discussing the shop schedule with Martha when she saw her old contact out of the corner of her eye. Discreetly she ducked out of the conversation Martha was having with their new Veela friends to slide against the wall and down an alley. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Stan shift so he could still see her. That helped her settle her nerves a bit as she looked at the shadows where she knew the figure was standing.
"I didn't expect to see you again."
The figure sighed and nodded. "I didn't ever expect to need to, but things are stirring again. I've seen the signs for a few years, but its finally happened."
"The Dark Lord is back?" Tasha stifled a gasp of her own. She felt more then saw her husband enter the alley next to her. She knew he had heard her. She felt cold hands on her shoulders as she pried her own hands away from her mouth.
"He is." The dark figure jumped at a sound down the alley as he answered, but since Stan barely glanced at it, Tasha didn't worry. The news she had just heard was far more troubling.
"Has he started recruiting yet?"
The figure shook his head. "Not yet. He is still recovering I think. He doesn't want the Ministry's attention just yet."
"So Potter was telling the truth last month?"
The figure nodded, jerkily. "I was there." Tasha closed her eyes briefly in sympathy for both males. She doubted the Dark Lord's return had been fun for anyone present.
"We will pick up where we left off then?" The nod was expected. They both knew this routine well. "Again, no names, no faces. Pass them on."
"Agreed. As soon as possible start the vine back up."
Tasha nodded. "I'll send out letters this week." She rubbed her arms as she shivered in the warm air. It felt like a nightmare coming to pass. "Do you need any of the syrup?" The figure froze. He hadn't asked for any in over a year, which had made Tasha suspicious. Suspicious that he was purposefully not letting himself take the syrup.
"I should have some on hand, just in case."
Tasha nodded. "Remember more than two doses a day will make you immune to it faster."
The figure nodded warily. She could understand that. She had seen this man in the throes of what the syrup blocked. To never have relief from that was not something she wished on this man. She knew he thought it was his payment, for the mistake he made as a teen and the guilt he felt over his role in the last war and since. Still, she didn't want to see that again.
"Wait here for Stan. He'll bring you some soon." There was no reply as she ducked away with her husband at her back. He could slip away easier then she could and she knew he'd rather be the one this man interacted with. Once she was out of the alley she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, simply feeling the sunshine a moment.
At times like this she had the most sympathy for her family. Even her daughters would never feel joy at the sun's rays. Although they didn't feel the burning their father did, the rays were still irritating to their skin. In this moment, knowing the days that she was about to repeat, she needed the sunshine on her face for just a moment.
000
Harry was able to get home in time to join the group for their afternoon exercises. Dudley split the group in half. Half continued the dodging exercises, though this time both partners threw the ball, yelling some spell and they could yell a shield or counter spell if they wanted. The rest of them Dudley took aside and taught some basic fighting moves.
The fighting moves surprised Harry a bit. He always thought of fighting as punching and kicking, but that wasn't what Dudley was teaching them.
"There is a big difference in learning to fight for sport and learning to fight to survive. You need to survive." His opening speech, though short had caught them all by surprise. Harry hadn't known Dudley had thought this hard about the war. He was right though. They weren't fighting for points like Dudley did at school. Harry and Neville, who was still his partner, slowly worked their way through the exercises in locations on a body to hit. Some, Harry was already quite familiar with, the groin for example, and he knew that no one was particularly dangerous after they had been poked in the eye. He was now also practicing boxing ears to disorient someone, aiming for elbows, shoulders, hips, ankles and kneecaps instead of the larger and easier targets of thighs, chest and face. He already knew that if you hit the diaphragm it knocked the air out of someone, but he hadn't known that it was nearly impossible to ignore being hit in both ears at once. Dudley had each of them gently cup their ears and then rapidly bring their hands together encompassing their ears gently, but quickly. Harry had felt his head ring for a moment and knew it would sufficiently distract him if he was ever on the receiving end. He also learned that it was ridiculously easy to break some part of someone's jaw as long as you made contact and no one could ignore that.
Dudley had some dummies set up and had them practicing turning around and aiming for between plastic bags of chalk. If they missed the chalk would puff. In that hour, although many became covered in chalk, they all left for their last lesson chattering excitedly about practicing.
Harry settled himself in a familiar chair as the talking around turned to muggle fighting tactics. Tonight the Grangers were going to discuss muggle spying tactics, so he was content to simply watch as the conversation flowed naturally into that topic. He smiled as Eileen joined in the discussion a bit adding her Slytherin version of psychology to the mix. Harry rather thought his professor took after his mother in this. Speaking of his professor, he wondered if he had gotten back to Hogwarts alright. Poppy had pronounced him mobile today so he should have left shortly after Harry did this morning.
He hoped it would be a while before the professor returned with occlumency lessons. While he had accepted what Luna said about needing Snape around, he still wasn't sure he liked it and he was well certain he would like occlumency lessons even less. Still better Snape than the Headmaster. The Potions Master may not be is favorite person, but he always let Harry do something before he yelled at him. Whether he yelled at him for a real offense or not wasn't the issue at this point. The issue was that Harry still did whatever it was. Albus Dumbledore asked, cajoled, guilt-tripped, sneaked, conned and even subtly threatened to get his way. Harry had little doubt that anything had ever happened in his life from the time he turned eleven until the Dark Lord's return that Dumbledore hadn't approved of or in some way was involved in. He most certainly did not want someone that controlling in his mind for any reason. He loved the old man like a grandfather, but right now he really wasn't sure he liked him all that much.
That in and of itself was a contradiction he was having a hard time wrapping his head around. He had finally asked Hermione about it, without names and she logically pointed out that while he knew all the Weasleys were completely loyal to each other, he knew for a fact there were numerous time when Ron disliked his brothers, especially Percy and the twins. That had helped Harry somewhat. Although it wasn't as drastic as what the Headmaster had done, it comforted Harry to know that he didn't have to stop caring for the man even though right now he really didn't like or trust him.
000
Severus sighed as he practically melted into his bed. Trust the headmaster of Hogwarts to find enough time to meet with him long enough to wear him out after the week he had had. It was true that communicating everything that had been going on was important and took quite some time, but a large portion of the meeting was Severus avoiding a few particular questions of Albus'. Harry had asked that his plans not be revealed to the headmaster and Severus could respect that. In addition, the abuse Severus now suspected happening in Harry's past was the reason for his emancipation that Severus couldn't tell Albus. It wasn't as much that he didn't want to tell the Headmaster or that he didn't want the man to know, but that he really didn't know what had happened to Harry himself. It made for a complicated topic that Severus wasn't ready to discuss with Albus. He was able to tell Albus that he had somehow convinced Harry agree to Occlumency lessons with him.
Severus caught his breath as he realized that he was thinking of the child as Harry instead of Potter. Thank Merlin he hadn't said 'Harry' to Albus or the old man might have had a coronary. He leaned against the head rest of his bed, ignoring his sleep shirt next to him for the moment as he reviewed the past few days where he was at Potter manor. Now that he had some distance from the craziness there he could see the gradual transition he had made from Potter with a snarl to Harry with mild respect and something Severus recognized as irritable fondness that he displayed towards his own godson. Severus shook his head. He was simply tired.
As he meditated and then fell asleep he reminded himself to contact his godson. He hadn't heard from him in a few weeks and during the summer that could be a very bad thing.