It seemed that fate was taking pity on its favorite chew toy and granting him a rare bout of good luck. As Harry awoke, he quickly wondered what the price would be. After all, things didn't work out this perfectly around him. It simply didn't happen. Sure, he managed to survive all sorts of crap, but it was never this clean or precise.
Never in a million years did Harry think that if he drained himself on the Saturday night before classes, he would awake on Monday morning, just in time for said classes, thus avoiding any punishable offences. But, alas, he did, and so with some trepidation he began to make his way to the Great Hall, wondering when his luck would end.
Ah, there it went. As he turned the corner he stumbled upon McGonagall and Dumbledore making their way towards breakfast, heads down in conversation. Before Harry could turn and run, McGonagall spotted him and all hell broke loose.
"Good morning Mr. Potter. I see you've-"
"Harry!" Dumbledore cut McGonagall off, (not a wise idea in any circumstance), and charged at his young victim. "I demand to know what you've done to the wards this instant!"
McGonagall, glaring at Dumbledore for interrupting her, turned curious eyes upon one of her favorite students. "That's what that magical discharge was? It shook the whole castle down to its foundations! We thought we were under attack!"
"Sorry professor, I didn't intend to startle you. I was simply updating the wards and found they were a little much for me."
Neville, approaching from the other side, heard Harry's comment and snorted. His friend was a master of understatements. "Yah mate, after all, more than a little and you'd've slept more than a day and a half, after all," he quipped with a roll of his eyes. In response Harry blushed and shot his friend a glare which had absolutely no effect on him.
"A day and a half?! Mr. Potter, do you need to go see Madam Pomphrey?"
"Never mind that, what did you do to the wards?! They're like nothing I've ever seen before, and could be dangerous. After all, the worst place to experiment with wards is in a school full of children!"
McGonagall glared at her boss for discounting a student's safety but refrained from commenting. She, too, was curious about the wards that now encircled the grounds. Instead of regular wards, which were made of strands of magic woven together in specific patterns, these wards were completely solid, almost like a bubble in its design. Furthermore, the power simply radiated off of them. Honestly, for the first time in a long time, she finally felt safe in the castle she considered to be home.
Ignoring the headmaster's hypocrisy, Harry managed to respond civilly, er, sort of. "I assure you, Albus, the wards will harm no students or teachers. Just because you've never seen the like doesn't mean that they're dangerous, it simply means that you don't know everything. A shock, I'm sure, but I believe you'll come to terms with it."
Harry could have sworn that McGonagall sniggered at that, but he was more concerned with the growing look of rage upon the headmaster's face. In all honesty, it shocked Harry to the core. He was used to the headmaster hiding his emotions behind his grandfatherly mask. To see such open anger, loathing, and even hatred was new for him.
"I demand you connect me to the wards at once! I am the headmaster and the school needs to be safe! If you don't I'll have to go to the board on this!" Spittle flew from his mouth as that last statement and Harry stepped back in disgust, his face turning cold.
"Complain if you want, headmaster, but it will achieve nothing. These wards were designed by the founders themselves and are accessible only by their controlling heirs. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm late for breakfast."
As Harry stalked off, he failed to see the glimmer of realization in his enemy's eyes. Harry had said the wards were controllable by the founder's heirs, but Albus was well aware of the fact that he was only heir to three of the founders. That left one more heir out there for Albus to find and exploit. Completely abandoning breakfast, Albus turned and rushed off to the library, eager to start his new project. He failed to see his deputy narrowing her eyes at his back in suspicion.
McGonagall was no fool, she knew there was bad blood between Harry and Albus. At first, she'd thought it to be a typical case of a teen rebelling against their authority figure, but as time went on, she began to see what Harry was talking about. She'd always assumed Albus knew what he was doing and simply had an unorthodox work method, but the past few days had led her to doubt that. Perhaps Harry was right after all, and, if so, then he needed to know what had just happened. Vowing to let him know, and to keep her eyes open, McGonagall turned and made her way to breakfast, where Harry sat with his friends, completely unaware that he'd just made a new ally.
"What've you got today?" McGonagall had passed out class schedules after Breakfast, along with a note asking Harry to meet with her that Afternoon for tea. He'd simply nodded at her, then went on to examine his schedule.
"Care of Magical Creatures this morning, then a break, then Runes with Daphne. You?"
"A break, then Herbology, then potions," Neville responded.
"One good, one bad."
"You're telling me! At least I'll have someone to sit with. Daph's in Herbology with me and Susan's also taking potions."
"Yah, it's nice we won't be alone for classes. Plus, I doubt anyone problematic, like Malfoy or Weasley, will be in either of my classes today." Neville nodded in agreement.
"When'd you get so lucky?"
"I don't know mate, but to be honest it's kind of making me nervous."
Classes passed that day as expected. Hagrid was his usual self, and runes was mostly review. True to his prediction, neither Malfoy nor Ron were in Harry's classes that day. It was a double blessing, really. One, he didn't have to see their obnoxious faces, and two, when he did (tomorrow) the zero tolerance policy would be in full effect and the fun would really begin. The only downside to things had been that he and his friends, and especially his girlfriend, couldn't openly greet each other like the friends they were. They knew some people would explode at reality, and were hoping the zero tolerance policy would help dissuade some and punish others.
Soon after Runes ended Harry nodded subtly to Daphne and made his way to McGonagall's office for her requested meeting and to get his interview out of the way. Knocking on the open door he was quickly instructed to step inside and served tea.
"Alright Mr. Potter, I'll come right out and say it. How private is our conversation right now?" A look of surprise crossed his face before he flicked his fingers and threw up some spells.
"No one can listen in, as of now, not even portraits. I wasn't aware you were taking my claims about Dumbledore seriously."
She pursed her lips at that but nodded all the same. "Yes, well, at first I'd thought you were simply being a rebellious teen, but lately I've noticed things that have changed my mind."
"What kind of things?"
"First there's the fact that you're requests make more sense than his. Being Lord Hogwarts you could have held our jobs over our heads and demanded A's in the course and no homework, but instead all you asked was for us to treat all students fairly and to look out for their wellbeing, something we should have been doing already. He, on the other hand, has asked the teachers to keep an extra close eye on you and report any and all incongruities back to him. For the record, none of us agreed, not even Severus. His fury at that was rather alarming. He's not one to lose control like that."
"Speaking of that, lately I've seen the anger surface more and more. It's like he's losing control of himself." Harry nodded in agreement but didn't comment. "There's more, though. His interest in your life in simply unhealthy. He asked me to change to classes you'd signed up for but I wouldn't do so without your permission. That, too, made him furious."
"Then there were the wards, which should have detected basilisks and blood quills, and the funds, which he had no reason to steal and no excuse for, other than his silly phrase 'it was for the greater good'. With his beat down at the Wizengamot and misdeeds coming to light, combined with his interest in your life and temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way, many of us are beginning to question his decisions.
"And there's one more thing." She told him about Dumbledore's reaction that morning, which brought a brief flicker of worry to both their faces.
Finally, Harry spoke. "Professor, I'll admit I was prepared for a much more hostile meeting today. I understand my behavior has been disrespectful, but then again, it was intended to be so since I've lost all respect for the man. It sounds like you, too, have begun walking down that road. In trying to control my every action he may well alienate himself completely.
Speaking of this, I must ask, hypothetically and completely off the record, if you will be able to take over his functions if the situation worsens. This is not official, mind, but you've impressed me today with your ability to see through his grandfatherly persona and to take action when you felt it necessary."
McGonagall stared at him for a moment, as if gauging his sincerity, before she nodded slowly.
"Excellent. I understand this is a man you've known and respected for years, but I'm afraid we're both going to have to realize that neither of us really knew the man, or perhaps he is no longer the man he once was. Either way, I suggest extreme diligence in your part, and strong occlumency barriers."
She nodded again. "Many of us have taken up the mind arts as a hobby recently, seeing as how certain events have come to light. I believe Filius is the leader of that movement. Either way, I'll be sure to keep you appraised of our progress."
"Thank you, I appreciate that. Is there anything else you wish to discuss today, be it about the headmaster or anything else school related?"
"Not at the moment, though I may think of something later."
"In that case I'll be going. Feel free to owl me, either as Harry or Lord Hogwarts, if you do think of something. If it's of a serious nature or an emergency, call for Dobby and he'll be able to contact me quickly."
With that said they parted ways, one to share the news with his friends, the other to share the news with her colleagues. It seemed that Harry had more support in the school than he realized.
The next day, Tuesday, was the day to group had been waiting for. After living and training together for months on end, it was difficult to have to cut contact completely and pretend as though things were the same as before. The last three days had been a mismatch of sneaking around, making subtle glances, and turning to tell a friend something, only to remember they weren't there. Now, though, warnings and detentions were a thing of the past, and they were ready to face the music. The zero tolerance policy was about to find its first victims.
Things started off with a bang, literally. Harry, Daphne, Neville, and Susan all walked in to the Great Hall for breakfast chatting away. Neville and Susan were holding hands, while Harry had an arm slung around Daphne's waist, holding her tight. Every once in a while he would lean down to whisper something in her ear and she would flash him a smile or laugh before making a response.
As the audience noticed the change the noise level in the room dropped, first to whispers of disbelief, then to a silent apprehension. It was like they knew what was coming and were just waiting for the show. And boy, what a show it was.
Harry and Daphne had placed bets on who would crack first, Dumbledore, Malfoy, or Ron. Harry had said it would be Malfoy, while Daphne held out it would be Ron.
Sure enough Daphne was right. As the four passed the Gryffindor table on their way to the Hufflepuff one, a certain red head with horrible table manners and a filthy mouth sprung to his feet, screaming obscenities at Harry for 'consorting with a filthy snake' and 'sullying the Gryffindor image'. Actions fueled by anger, he fired off a curse straight at Daphne's head. By the color of the spell, Harry knew it could prove fatal.
As one the group reacted. Susan shielded as Harry tackled Daphne down to the floor. Neville quickly fired off a stunner, hitting the red headed boy straight in the chest and knocking him out cold. Then all four stood and assumed defensive positions, knowing that was only the start of things.
Sure enough, as Draco Malfoy opened the doors to the Great Hall and saw the boy who'd made him into a pauper with his arm around the one girl he himself wasn't able to have, Malfoy saw red. All weekend he'd undergone the humiliation he himself had once placed upon others, and the pressure had slowly begun to build. It just so happened that he had reached his breaking point that very morning, and with no thought to any consequences for his actions, no slytherin cunning anywhere, he pulled out his wand and fired off a cutting curse at his greatest enemy.
He became further enraged when said enemy simply batted the curse aside as if it were a bothersome house fly and fired a stunner back without even looking at him.
Draco proved more intelligent than Ron as he quickly dodged behind a table before springing back up to fire once more. This cat and mouse game continued for several minutes, causing untold damage to the great hall and several injuries among innocent students, until Susan was able to sneak up behind the blond prat and hit him with a stunner. After making sure no one was seriously injured, the group of four approached the teacher's table, still alert for trouble.
They were especially watching Ginny's reaction at seeing her brother put down like the animal he was, but she made no move to join the attack, simply glaring at Daphne with jealous hatred. For a few moments everyone was on edge as they waited with baited breath to see if anyone else was stupid enough to attack. The tension was almost suffocating until Harry nodded to his companions, who holstered their wands. The hall gave a collective sigh of relief and sat back to watch the show, which was by no means over yet.
"Mr. Potter, I'm very disappointed in you."
"What?! Are you kidding me! I was simply defending myself from attack! If anything you should be disappointed in them!"
"Oh I am, I assure you, and proper measures will be taken for their actions. I think detention for a week with Severus will cover things."
"A week," Susan interrupted, enraged. "They could have killed any one of us and you're giving them a week of detention?!" Dumbledore simply looked at her disappointedly and shook his head.
"Has Mr. Potter influenced you so much that you've acquired the blood lust he has? Yes, those two students made a mistake in the heat of their anger, but it was clear that those actions were provoked. After all, you four don't normally come in here like you did today. What else could it have been but an act to provoke attack?"
Harry, his friends, several students, and most of the staff were looking at him as if he'd grown an extra head. After deciding that that comment was too stupid to waste the energy in replying, Harry turned to his friends and took charge.
"Susan, call your Aunt. Have her bring aurors; tell them their needed for two attempted murders. Daphne, bind those two idiots. We don't want them to wake up and hurt anyone else. Neville, help Madam Pomphrey to treat any injured students. Professor McGonagall, would you be kind enough to let Susan borrow your floo?" She nodded without looking to her boss and rapidly headed for her office, Susan hot on her tail.
Poppy and Neville headed over to Gryffindor table, which was closest to the carnage and had the most injuries, and began healing the scratches and bruises resulting from the fight. Thankfully no one was injured more seriously.
Harry took the next few minutes to explain Albus's mistakes to the old fool. "Headmaster Dumbledore, you are charged with the safety of each student at this school. That safety is put in jeopardy when you allow violent offenders, who fired lethal curses at children, to stay in that school. I don't care if they were provoked by something as inane and he holding my girlfriend's hand, their actions speak for themselves. You also seem to be forgetting that there's a new zero tolerance policy in place. The same policy calls for expulsion of any violent, purposeful aggressors. So here's the deal. Either you expel them, or I'll fire you and get a headmaster that will. Understood?"
Dumbledore looked like he wanted to argue but managed to hold his tongue. "Understood. I'll have their parents notified immediately and their belongings sent home." In truth, Albus was more worried at the fact that Harry was dating a Slytherin than the fact that students had almost died that morning.
Just ad Harry ended his 'talk' with the headmaster, Amelia Bones came onto the scene, having been warned in advance of that days possible outcomes and therefore having been ready to rush off at a moment's notice.
A priori incantatem on both the sleeping wizard's wands revealed a reducto from Ron and a crucio from Malfoy. As the two wizards were revived and arrested for attempted murder and quickly escorted off the premises in magic suppressing cuffs, Harry turned to Dumbledore. "A reducto to the head and a crucio into a crowd. Still standing by your wish to keep them in a school, Albus?" Without waiting for a reply he turned his back on the headmaster and stood to address the students.
"Fellow students," he began, "You've now seen the effects of the zero tolerance policy first hand. Those two students will be charged and face the full extent of the law. They'll also be expelled. It is up to a court to decide whether they retain their magic. To address you're no doubt many questions, yes, Daphne and I are dating, as are Susan and Neville. And yes, we are the ones pressing charges. Attacking the head of a most Ancient and Noble Family is punishable by death." Here gasps were heard around the room. He paused for a moment, before ending on a warning. "Be happy we were kind enough to throw them to the dementors instead. Next time we might not be so forgiving."
There were many out there wondering if the dementors were actually better than a quick death, but they all got the message loud and clear. Harry Potter and his friends were not to be messed with!
After the events of that morning everyone steered clear of Potter and his pals, or, as they were now known, the fearsome foursome (don't laugh at the name too much, it was Lavender who came up with it and for her it was actually pretty good. When he first heard it Harry wasn't even sure she could spell it). This being the case, the rest of the week was mostly uneventful.
Mostly, of course, being the operative term. There were several incidents scattered across the week that do in fact rate mention.
First were the rest of the teacher meetings Harry, as Lord Hogwarts, attended. For the most part they were all pretty much the same. Few teachers had complaints or suggestions just yet, as most were still trying to figure him out. Still, most proved supportive of his aims and changes and told him so. Filius Flitwick was especially supportive of Harry's recent activities, saying it was about time someone cleaned Hogwarts up. He also made sure Harry knew that he could contact him at any time for help or advice, something which Harry was grateful for.
The real surprise proved to be Snape. Harry had saved him for last, knowing it would be especially unpleasant. Indeed, Harry had actually set aside his entire afternoon around the upcoming meeting. Figuring he'd need to be cheered up both before and after, he invited his friends over for dinner and asked Daphne to stick around so he'd have something nice to come home to. His friends proved supportive, although Neville hummed a funeral dirge as Harry set off towards the dungeons.
"Why does Snape live in the bloody dungeons anyway," Harry muttered to himself as he approached the Potion Master's office door. "There's plenty of rooms upstairs." Clearing his head of such unimportant, yet completely logical thoughts, Harry gave himself a shake and knocked on the heavy wooden door.
"Enter."
Geez, Harry thought to himself, it's like I'm here for detention and not to check on his freaking job. Greasy git. Snape sat at his desk, grading papers, and gestured to the seat in front of it without looking up at him. Once Harry was seated and Snape had finished writing what was most likely a scathing report on the misuse of commas or such nonsense, he looked up, making eye contact with his least favorite pupil. Harry suddenly felt grateful that he knew occlumency and promised to get Daphne something very nice for her birthday.
For several minutes the teacher and pupil, employee and employer, adult and child, simply stared at each other, faces blank. The only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock, which Harry couldn't recall ever seeing before. Both of them sat rigidly in their chairs, eyeing the other up. Then suddenly, as if a string had been cut, Snape gave out a sigh and settled back in his chair.
For the first time Harry detect emotion on the professor's face, and he was absolutely shocked to find that Snape actually looked kind of impressed. Despite that shock, his training held and his face remained blank and detached.
"I'll be honest with you, Mr. Potter," Snape's voice began smoothly, snapping Harry out of his thoughts. "When I went to Dumbledore those years ago it was with the same goal in mind as you: to see to the demise of the creature known as the Dark Lord. I will admit, though, that it took me much longer to see what kind of man he was under his grandfatherly façade than you did."
Harry was trying really, really hard not to show surprise and confusion as Snape talked. When he was sure he was in control, Harry managed a question. "I'm afraid I don't understand."
Instead of the sneer and nasty comment he was expecting, Harry simply received a nod.
"That is unsurprising. For a man who advocates trust and peace, the headmaster is surprisingly tight lipped about most of his plans. I believe that is what leads to the mess we find ourselves in currently, as well as many similar messes in the past." Harry nodded in agreement. Dumbledore keeping secrets was a huge part of Harry's hatred towards the man.
"Tell me, what do you know of why I am here. Teaching, that is."
Harry felt uneasy at the question. His first thought was because you like to torture children? but he didn't think that would do any good. Still, Snape seemed to know what he was thinking as he gave a humorless laugh.
"I assure you, Potter, it isn't because I simply hate children that much. In actuality the situation is much more complex. To understand, though, I shall have to start at the beginning. I grew up just a few houses down from your mother. It was I who told her she was a witch, and we instantly became friends. I believe we were nine at the time. I was a socially awkward child with a poor home life and as a result had few friends. Lily and I, however, simply clicked, and soon became quite close. We remained so up through sixth year, despite the house difference. Then it all fell apart."
"You're father and his friends," Harry noticed that the phrase was said without the usual hatred, "had taken an instant dislike to me at Hogwarts and turned their sights upon the greasy slytherin. I fought back with all that I had and retaliated in kind. Over the years things escalated, until that fateful day which I believe you saw in my pensieve." Harry ducked his head in embarrassment but Snape didn't seem too upset with him now.
"What you didn't see was my response to the situation. I was upset, victimized, embarrassed, and my pride was severely wounded. Why Lily, a girl, stuck up for me in front of a crowd, I struck out and called her a mudblood. It was the worst mistake of my life, and one that she never forgave me for. I joined the death eaters soon after."
"Then a few years later I overheard a prophecy being given and raced back to my new master like an obedient puppy. It wasn't until later, when the dark lord became convinced you were the child it spoke of, that I realized my mistake. I begged him to reconsider, to spare her life, anything, but he wouldn't hear of it. I went to Dumbledore that night and switched sides, becoming a double agent. I hoped it would be enough to save your mother, but it wasn't."
"After the war I was arrested and sent to Azkaban to await trial. Only the word of Albus Dumbledore kept me from the dementor's wrath, and it was with relief that I followed him back to Hogwarts and accepted him offer to teach potions. I made an oath to your mother, to protect your life, an oath to myself, to end his, and an oath to Dumbledore, to do as he bid. None of the oaths were magically binding, but I meant them all."
"The first few years were fine, but as time went on I began to see more of the real Dumbledore, and each time I like it less and less. I stayed because I owe my life to him, but things have finally gone too far. I told Lily I'd protect you, and I failed. For that I am sorry. I can't change what happened then, but I can change what happens now. If you are interested, I am willing to become a spy for you, a triple agent if you will."
Harry simply looked at him, his jaw hanging open in surprise, and Snape actually chuckled. "I'm sure you have questions, Mr. Potter. Now is your opportunity to ask them."
"Why now," Harry blurted out. "You've hated me ever since you saw me and have always treated me like so. So why are you telling me all this now?"
"I did indeed hate you, and for no fault of your own, but because you looked like the man who tormented me for years and cost me my first and only friend, and because you were a constant reminder that I'd failed to protect her. As for why I'm telling you this now, the answer is simple. It's because you actually stand a chance"
"Say what you may about our status before, but you must admit that you were as likely to beat the Dark Lord in a fight as Longbottom was to produce a proper potion. This past week, however, and most of the summer, you've changed. I was watching you the other night with your friends and I must say you played everything very much like a Slytherin. Plus, I trust Miss Greengrass to prevent your ego from inflating too much." Harry had to smile at that, but then he frowned as another thought occurred.
"Alright sir, you've explained the enmity and reason for change, but what about the occlumency last year?" A familiar scowl graced Snape's features.
"That still remains a frustration to me. The headmaster assured me that you knew the basics and needed to experience the Dark Lord's style of Legilimency to be properly prepared. You're lack of skill at the subject was decidedly disappointing after the headmaster's declaration of your promise in the art."
"Wait," Harry said confused, "Dumbledore told you he'd taught me occlumency?" Snape looked at him confused.
"Yes, he said he'd provided you with reading and prepared you with the basics. Is that not the case?"
"Sir, my first occlumency lesson consisted of you screaming legilimens and battering away in my head. I came out with the nastiest headaches." Harry thought he'd seen Snape mad after the pensieve incident, but if that was him being mad, this was Snape being furious.
"That bearded bastard! He told me you were prepared! And when I asked him to check up on you he said you were fine! If I'd known I would have done things very differently!"
Harry had honestly thought Snape had hated his guts and simply enjoyed causing him pain. To find out Dumbledore was the cause behind such a massive misunderstanding was just another strike against him.
"Well if I wasn't convinced before I am now. I'd be honored to have your help, sir." Harry told him about Dobby and shook his hands, feeling better about much of everything.
Daphne was prepared to confront a raging Lord Potter. When Harry burst through the door she thought for sure things had gone horribly and rushed to him with a calming drought. When he pushed the vial aside and crushed her in a hug, twirling her about like she were a little girl, Daphne couldn't help but be relived.
"I take it things went well?"
"Oh Daph, things went fantastically! We've now a spy in the dark lord's camp. We're even closer to defeating the dark bastards, both of them!" Daphne wanted to ask about that comment but Harry soon distracted her with his lips and the question went flying from the room, and did most of her clothing.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, Albus Dumbledore gave out a loud whoop. He'd found what he was looking for.
A/N: Thanks for the reviews! If you see a typo or grammatical problem let me know and I'll fix it asap. I've been told to get my butt in gear and get a beta so I'll do that as well. See you Sunday!