MD: Ok I was going to put dinner in the last chapter but I think it will
work better in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter: 21
Dinner
Standing before the mirror Harry was trying to button up the frock coat of his blue "Snape" robes. Snape had recommended that he wear them for dinner being that is was a semi-formal affair. The man had even loaned him a white shirt to wear under the coat, but now he was having difficulty with the buttons and they were leaving in fifteen minutes, sighing in frustration he gave up on the buttons and took a hairbrush from the side table. Trying to manage his now shoulder length hair, it wasn't as messy with the added length, when the brush snagged on a knot. Harry sighed, and started when nimble fingers plucked the offender from his hand.
Severus watched Harry struggle with his hair for a few moments, wincing unconsciously when the brush snagged a knot. Deciding that he should help before the boy hurt himself or pulled out his hair, he took the bush from the boy, ignoring his startled reaction working the bristles out of the tangled mess. Then taking a comb off the table, he raised an inquiring brow to his charge who turned and was looking at him.
Harry turned to Snape after the elder man had gotten the brush out of his hair. Finding him holding a comb, asking to comb out his hair left, Harry confused and strangely unbalanced. Then realizing the man expected an answer, he nodded and turned back to the mirror.
Severus smirked at the boy's acquiescence, and set upon the task of working out the knots and getting the mess in some semblance of order. When he finished Harry had started fiddling with the buttons once more without luck. Stilling the young mans hands with his, caused emerald orbs to lock on to his face. "Allow me..." Snape said with a gentle smile.
"Aren't you afraid I won't learn how to do it myself if you do if for me" Harry asked as he buttoned the coat with nimble fingers.
"No, because I will make you do it yourself at a later time, but right now we don't have the time to doddle" He replied helping the young man into his outer robes. "There we are." Snape said fixing his collar and tucking a stray hair behind the boy's ear. "We should get going." Snape walked toward the door, when a sudden hissing stopped them both mid-stride.
Harry, can we come? Astra asked slithering over to Harry, Azimuth not far behind her. Harry looked from the small snakes to Snape.
"What do they want?" The dark haired man asked exasperation clinging to the edges of his words.
"They want to come," Harry stated plainly, kneeling so he was not towering over the small reptiles.
After a moment Snape replied, "Very well, but do keep them under control. I don't have antivenin should they bite someone." Harry nodded allowing the two snakes to curl around his wrists one occupying each arm.
Entering the sitting room they where met by one Nyphadora Tonks, dressed in stunning silver and blue robes, her hair was a shinny blue-black falling in gentle waves around her face and over her shoulders. To say the least she looked stunning and Severus nearly fell over when Harry ran into him as he stopped short. "Wow Tonk's you look great, where are you going" the teen asked rushing over to the young woman.
"I'm going with you, Dumbledore asked that I accompany you this afternoon, hope you don't mind?" she asked looking at Severus for acknowledgement rather than Harry. The dark haired man stared at her intently for a moment before nodding and walking to the door.
The walk down to the castle gates was a quiet one. Severus was nervous about something Harry noted and Tonks was embarrassed. Deciding to watch them, he fell back a little and observed hoping to find what was bothering them. As they walked along the distance between them lessened and conversation ensued. "Are you sure you don't mind Severus?"
"Why would I, it means less talking for me," Snape said smirking, and it was not his normal smirk this one actually caused a spark to reach his eyes. "I'm sure Albus has a good reason for asking you to come along." 'A good reason indeed...what is that meddling old fool up to now?' When they reached the gate, Snape stopped waiting for Harry to reach them. "We will Apparate to London, and take the night bus from there to our destination."
"Harry doesn't know how to Apparate, Severus."
"I know that, I will take us both."
"Is that even possible," Harry, asked looking at the two older wizards, thinking back to the summer before when the order members had gathered him from privet drive.
"Yes Harry, but very few wizards can do so. Only those with a great deal of control and power have ever been able to do so successfully." Tonks eyed the ebony haired man carefully before, disappearing with a slight pop.
"Ready Harry," Severus asked pulling the boy's attention from the spot Tonks had just stood. The boy looked at him skeptically for a moment, fear and wonder flickering across his features. "It will be fine Harry don't look so worried. Relax," He ordered resting his hand on the boys shoulder, pulling him close before they disappeared.
Harry's whole body felt strange, he could feel Astra and Azi on his arms, the rest of his body felt tingly, every thing seemed to be spinning, and then it stopped. They were standing before the Leaky Cauldron; Tonks was waiting with the knight bus beside her. "All right there Harry," She asked at his dazed expression. He nodded and groaned when the conductor, Stan he thought his name was, spoke up.
"Arry as in Arry Potter?"
"Yes, Harry Potter. Now if you don't mind we are in a bit of a hurry." Severus pushed passed the man steering Harry with a hand on his shoulder and gave the driver instructions to the McKinley's, before taking a seat on the bed beside his charge. Tonks sat across from them keeping Harry in the corner, away from any nosey passengers.
The ride was a relatively quiet one with no incident until the bus stopped and let someone quite unexpected on. Severus got up and sat beside Harry pulling the boy to lie against him. "Pretend you're asleep..." He whispered, smoothing Harry's hair over his scar. "Tonks cast a glamour on him."
Tonks looked at him strangely for a second but did as asked, finishing moments before her cousin took the bed where Severus had been sitting moments before. "Hello Severus, what are you doing here? Draco is behaving well I presume?"
"Ah Narcissa, yes Draco is fine." The woman nodded and Harry concentrated on keeping his breathing even while watching her from beneath the vale of hair hiding his face. "May I inquire as to why you are traveling in such a fashion?" Narcissa eyed Tonks and Harry cautiously for a few moments.
"I haven't been feeling well, and didn't think it wise to Apparate or floo to my destination." Severus nodded to her slowly not trusting her answer but knowing better than to pry. "What about you, Severus? Who are the boy and this beautiful young woman?" Severus glanced at Tonks, who blushed and smoothed Harry's hair.
"This is my cousin Aika's nephew, Harold. He was watching Isaiah and Maggie last night and hung out with Draco today. I'm afraid the little monsters and your son tried him out though." Narcissa chuckled, and to Harry's surprise it was quite a pleasant sound. "As for this young woman, I'm surprised you don't recognize your own cousin." Narcissa's chuckles stopped abruptly and she looked at Tonks in surprise.
"Well its not exactly like we have been all that close Severus." Narcissa scoffed, folding her hands in her lap.
"Yes well, I do believe this is our stop, good evening Narcissa." Severus interrupts, shaking his head when Tonks bends as if to shake Harry awake. "Don't wake him it's been along day." Lifting the boy easily he stood carrying Harry off the bus, followed closely by Tonks, where they where met by Remus. "Lupin?" Severus asked with a frown.
"Tire the boy out already?" The werewolf teased, a glint much like Dumbledore's in his amber eyes.
"I'm not asleep, Professor." Harry said quietly from where his head rested on the potion master's shoulder.
"Oh? Well you look quite comfortable anyway Harry." Harry blushed and Tonks chastised the werewolf for his teasing.
"What are you here for anyway, Lupin?"
"Well if Harry is pretending to be asleep, I'm assuming you've already seen the reason I'm here. Now if you will excuse me, I shall explain when you return." Lupin then turned and got one the bus, which promptly went on its way.
Severus put Harry down and Tonks straightened his robes, before they continued down the street. "Severus where on earth are we?" Tonks asked with more than a little irritation showing in her voice, as she put a hand on Harry's shoulder, keeping him between them.
"Severus Snape?" A young man asked walking out of the shadow of a doorway, his black cloak hiding his face, causing Snape to step defensively between Harry, Tonks and the stranger.
"That depends..."
"The moon is bright tonight." The stranger whispered, but in the silence of the night, his voice carried.
"But surely the multitude of the stars can out shine the moon." Tonks replied stepping from behind her dark protector.
"Ahh... Ms. Tonks, I assume." The man lowered his hood revealing long dark hair falling in waves to his waist, pale skin and violet eyes that when they caught the light shined with a frightening intensity.
"Mr. McKinley." She greeted with a broad smile.
"Please call me Dryden, Mr. McKinley is my father's title." Tonks nodded and the young man stepped up to Severus. "Mr. Snape, Dryden McKinley, my father sent me to fetch you. If you will follow me."
"I see, and why wasn't I informed of this?" He asked following the young man of about twenty, his gaze centered on Tonks, while keeping Harry in front of him, one hand resting on the boy's shoulder, ready to move him from harms way.
"Dumbledore didn't feel that you needed to know, that's why he had me come along. Besides, it was a last minute decision for yours and Harry's safety."
"I see." The disgruntled Potion's master deadpanned as the got into the carriage and Dryden climbed into the driver's seat. "So why exactly did you ask where we were?"
This time is was Dryden who spoke, throwing a glance at them over his shoulder as he started the team forward with a gentle click and a snap of the reigns against their rump. "How else was I supposed to know who you were? I would've been waiting in that shop for hours."
"Dumbledore's idea I assume." Snape asked though it was not really a question.
"No actually, it was my fathers. He has a weird sense of humor, likes to keep people on their toes." After that, the rest of the ride was quiet; Harry sat between Tonks and Snape, both seemed rather tense. Snape seemed overly protective and it confused him to no end. While he was thinking the situation over in his head, a strong breeze blew through the open carriage making him grateful he had his fur-lined cloak as he pulled it around him, which rewarded him with a worried glance from his professor, one he failed to notice. This lack of observation caused him to start when the older man moved his arm and wrapped it around him.
Severus knew that the boy would be warm enough with his cloak but some paternal instinct must have taken over because when the boy shivered he found himself putting an arm around his charge offering his warmth. Gracing his charge with an upturning of his lips as the boy looked at him in surprise. "We don't need you getting sick again." He said calmly as if it explained his actions to there entirety, they did not but he was the only one who knew that and he did not intend on telling any one, not yet any way. It was too soon, he needed time. Time to figure out the parental urges he kept having, and why only Harry and Draco that managed to bring them out.
Tonks sighed mentally; Severus would have made a good father if so many things had not fucked up his life. It was sad really, he was a good person, but many circumstances beyond his control and a few bad choices and his life was ruined. Harry seemed to be doing well with the man though so maybe there was still some chance for both of them.
When the carriage stopped before a rather large house, Dryden helped, Tonk's down, and found himself on the receiving end of the scowl of one Severus Snape. It would have un-nerved him had the other man not been keeping Harry Potter warm with a parental arm wrapped around the boy's shoulders.
As they climbed the marble steps to the front entrance, Harry felt Astra and Azi slither up around his arms. Azimuth settled himself around Harry's neck, while Astra slithered up around Severus' wrist, causing the man to remove his hand from his charges shoulder startled by the coolness of the serpent against his skin. "Harry." Snape's startled whisper mixed with Astra's encouraging hiss causing Harry to turn around. "I asked you to..." Harry hissed at the snake causing the others on the steps to stop and watch him.
'Astra, what are you up to?' Harry could feel the unease rolling off his guardian, and did not understand what about the little snake had unnerved the older man.
'You care for this dark one, Harry?' Harry blinked at the question, before nodding. 'Then I will stay and watch over him as I did for the young dragon.' Considering what the little serpent said, he looked up into Snape's coal black eyes.
"Well?" Snape asked raising a brow holding his arm away from his body. Harry tried to stifle his laugh, but wound up snorting instead.
"She is watching after you." Snape's brows furrowed and Harry sighed. "Draco and Ron got in a fight today, I sent Astra to look after Dray, and she has taken the same liberty for you."
"I see, and why would she feel the need to do that?" Severus asked stroking the little serpent with his fingertips, keeping his face neutral when the boy shrugged despite the frustration that he felt. "Fine tell her to move." Harry gave him a confused look, and he exhaled sharply rotating his wrist, causing the boy's eyes to widen realization. Then after he hissed something to the snake, it moved to settle around Snape's shoulders in the same fashion its brother had around Harry's.
"Every one sorted out?" Dryden asked from the top of the steps when the pair turned to them, Tonks stood beside him an amused grin on her face after watching the exchange. A curt nod from the potions master was all they received as the two on the steps made their way to them.
Up in her room Gwendolyn McKinley was standing before a full-length mirror, she was getting ready for dinner with her fathers new client, whom he claimed was Harry Potter. Of course, he had laid that claim to them before in jest so they were skeptical even though he insisted that it was true. If it were though... why would Harry Potter need a lawyer? Pulling her hair back into a low ponytail she ran her hand through the auburn strands ensuring that there were no tangles before straightening her oriental dress robes. A knock on her door brought in her fair-haired mother into her room.
"Almost ready dear?" Marissa McKinley asked stepping over to her only daughter, the trail of her silk evening gown whispering against the sliver gray carpet. "Your brother should be back soon."
"Yes mother" She said fussing with her bangs along with those hairs too short to stay in the ponytail. Taking out her wand, she spelled the longer pieces to curl around her face, grateful she had passed her qualifying exams or O.W.L.S as they called them in England, and thus allowing her to do magic outside of school. "Shall we head down then?" She asked tucking her wand in the holster built in her sleeve; a habit that her brother had started. One she couldn't complain about because it had gotten her out of sticky situations with her fellow classmates quite a few times. Her mother nodded and they left the room collecting her younger brother as they made their way down stairs.
8888
Harry waited with baited breath in the foyer as Dryden went to fetch his father. Snape stood behind him and Tonks to his right. The room, in which they stood, decorated in white marble, gold inlay, dark rich woods and burgundy carpets, was slightly intimidating. Before them stretched, a grand staircase at the top a walk way spanned either side wrapping around to a balcony directly above them. The ceiling was enchanted much like Hogwarts' great hall, but instead of showing the night sky there where cherubs, angles and dragons transversing their way across the panels. On either side of the staircase was a hallway and a set of double doors, Dryden whom had moments before disappeared behind the double doors on the left returned with a slightly shorter man with auburn hair and slightly tan skin. The man was dressed in a tuxedo, and Harry felt uncomfortable in his robes. Then almost as if he sensed Harry's discomfort the man smile at him, blue green eyes sparkling, causing him to wonder idly if the man was and relation to the headmaster before deciding that it was more of a friendly sparkle than the knowing one the headmaster always wore.
"Mr. Potter," the man addressed him and he shifted uneasily. "Professor Snape, Lady Tonks."
"Mr. McKinley." Severus replied dryly noting Harry's growing discomfort, and shifted the focus of their host to himself.
"Please call me Alex, Mr. McKinley makes me sound old." Again, the man gave them a friendly grin, and Snape nodded in agreement.
"Well shall I take your cloaks so that we may start the evening?" Dryden asked politely from where he stood at his father's side, earning praise from the man as he walked away with their cloaks.
"Good boy that one." Mr. McKinley said staring after the young man for a moment before turning and motioning for them to follow. "Turns twenty this fall, finished his Auror training last spring, and was supposed to start work last week."
"He didn't?" Tonk's asked a bit confused.
"He did but you wouldn't know it... he never goes into the office unless he has a report. No, he prefers to stay here where he can watch over his mother. My wife is a squib, so he feels obligated to watch over her since...well you know."
Harry who had been observing his surroundings as they walked through the house snapped his focus back to the man with this revelation. So this family was of wizarding origins then?
Gwendolyn watched as the small party following her father entered the last door at the end of the hall, the dinning room. "What are you doing runt?" She jumped swinging around so fast that she nearly fell, and would have knocked over a vase if her brother had not caught her, steadying her.
"How many times have I asked..."
"And how many times have you been told not to spy?" Dryden smirked peering down at his sister's angry amber eyes.
"I was curious..."
"Wanted to see if dad was fibbing about Harry Potter...You'll just have to wait and see." He said steering the younger McKinley back to his mother and younger brother. Just before they reached them, he whispered something to her and after receiving a nod, he released the girl to their matron.
"We should probably head in." Mrs. McKinley voiced once her two eldest appeared. "Your father will start to wonder where we have gotten to."
Harry played with the hem of his sleeve under the table as Tonks and Mr. McKinley talked rather animatedly about the Auror training program. He didn't want to be here, he just wanted to forget what had happened, he really didn't need memories that still had fresh wounds drugged up, not after he had finally started to find comfort in the company of his friends and professors again.
Harry's obvious unease, well obvious to the trained eye, sent Severus into protective mode all over again, not that he had ever truly gotten out of it. Reaching out he stilled the boy's hands, causing his charge to tense, then using the contact he sent out a wave of his energy to comfort the boy and help him relax. This done he released the boy's hands and seemingly returned his attention to the conversation, but he didn't miss the slight quirk of the boy's lips from his comforting gesture.
The sound of the door opening redirected everyone's attention to those just entering the room. Dryden came in first, followed by a young woman about Harry's age, another woman probably their mother, and a little boy. "There you are." Mr. McKinley stood going to wrap an arm around the second woman's waist, giving her a kiss before introducing the three new faces. "Gentlemen, and Lady, allow me to introduce you to my family. This is my wife, Marissa; you've met Dryden, my daughter Gwendolyn..."
"Dad...." The girl rolled her eyes, and Harry couldn't help but smirk. "It's Gwen if you please." She said in an irritated tone taking her seat across from Harry.
"Yes well, and this is my youngest Jonathan." Mr. McKinley stated allowing the rest on the arrivals to take their seats. Ms. McKinley took the chair to her husbands left, then Dryden, leaving Jonathan to sit beside his sister.
Dinner passed quietly the two youngest McKinley's didn't believe their father when he introduced him as Harry Potter, but when they looked at him for proof of his identity he could only glance at Snape and focus on his food. He didn't want the attention or the unabashed awe, so he ignored their curiosity, not caring that it was rude.
Severus noted the boy's glance, and the annoyance in his eyes, ignoring Tonks' questioning glance and the intent stares of the McKinley's he also continued with his meal. Suddenly Astra moved on his shoulders brushing against his hair, it was a barely noticeable sensation but to his senses, it set off an internal alarm. Straightening before he could stop himself brought the focus of his companions to him. Lifting his hand to brush the hair away from the tiny hissing creature he looked at Harry hoping that the raven-haired young man could shed some light as to why the little serpent had started moving. As expected Harry started a conversation with the little one without being asked, assumingly to find out what was wrong. Chancing a glance at their hosts, he found them just as he expected staring at the boy in wonder. Dryden and the girl Gwen seemed to be handling it better than their mother, and the little boy didn't look like he understood at all what was happening.
The halt of the slow fluid hissing brought his attention back to his charge, the snake shifted again and he raised a brow at him. "She's too hot, and your hair was suffocating her." The boy's eyes sparkled with mirth, and Severus couldn't hold back a smile of his own.
"It's her own fault; she is the one who perched herself there to begin with." He said removing the little serpent from his shoulders.
"Not true sir, she would have been perfectly comfortable around your wrist where she was to begin with." Harry replied, looking more relaxed than he had since they arrived.
"Indeed," Severus returned in his normal indifferent manner, normally he wouldn't engage in such childish banter, but it was helping Harry to deal so he would. "...excuse me for not wanting her to be crushed should I place my arm at a position which could hurt her." He looked at the vibrant blue snake resting in his hand, who had watching them converse with avid interest, she hissed at Harry once he finished.
"She would have moved had that been the case."
"I see, well perhaps in this case it would best for her to return to your capable hands for now Harry." He handed her to the boy, but the snake hissed indigently, slithered up his arm, and perched on the back of his charges chair. Raising a brow in question, Harry shrugged and turned back to the meal. Then promptly regretted it, as all eyes were focused on the two of them, flushing the young man drew back against his chair and lowered his gaze, in what Snape assumed was an attempt to disappear into the woodwork.
Severus glanced at their host, who promptly cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention barring Harry's to himself. "Well now if everyone is finished, I suppose we should get down to business. Gwen, Jonathan would you take Harry into the Den while I talk to Mr. Snape and Lady Tonks please."
Severus and Harry's eyes shot to the lawyer, the potion master's eyes cold and calculating while Harry's filled with panic and annoyance. "I don't think that is a very good idea Mr. McKinley." Tonks objected, but McKinley raised his hands in a placating motion.
"I understand your worry, but it will only take a few moments. I must speak with you about a few things that Harry doesn't need to be around for." Suddenly the air shifted, Severus could feel fear and anger race along fragments of thought clearly coming from his charge.
"Is it absolutely necessary for us both to be present?" He asked with a cold demanding edge to his voice. McKinley Sr. looked at him strangely for a moment, before shaking his head.
"No but as the one who has been spending the most time with the boy, Mr. Snape I do need to speak with you." Severus nodded and reached beside him standing he grabbed Harry's wrist.
"Give me a few moments, and we will talk." McKinley nodded and watched as the Hogwarts potions master led Harry Potter out of the room.
Gwen watched after the fierce looking man. She knew of the feared potions master of Hogwarts and of his infinite hatred towards Harry Potter. Her cousin Lila in Hufflepuff had told her the stories, but this mans actions towards the boy confused her. If this boy was Harry Potter then why did they get along so well when they were supposed to hate each other?
In the hall, Severus rounds on Harry positioning the boy back against the wall. Harry flinched, and Severus bent down before him. "Harry..." He sighed when his charge would not look him in the eye. "Hey, what's wrong?" Severus put his hands on either of Harry's shoulders. "Harry look at me." When the boy finally met his gaze, he was surprised by the anger he found in the depths of his charges green eyes. "Harry?" He asked raising one slender brow.
The boy's jaw was clenched, the young man before him was very different from the timid one he had arrived with, but what could have triggered such a reaction. "I won't be left in the dark again. With all due respects sir, not this time, this is not something I asked for, but I'm here anyway. I will have a say in matters that deal with what is going to happen to me."
"Do you thing I'm going to leave you in the dark?" He asked tilting his head.
"He asked to speak to you, making it very clear that he doesn't think its something I can handle." Harry spat, struggling to keep his temper in check.
"Or, he might realize that this is a touchy topic and wants to talk to me before speaking with you so you're caused as little stress as possible." Severus countered reasonably. Harry's anger was extinguished in the light of Snape's reasoning and he nodded, still looking slightly uncertain with the situation. "I'll tell you what..." Severus dropped his hands to grip Harry's elbows. "...If he says any thing he says to me, which he doesn't share with you, we will talk about later on." Harry nodded, launching in to Snape's embrace when the older man brushed a stray hair from his face. "Everything will be ok Harry, you'll see." He soothed supporting the lithe form clinging to him. "We should go back in now the sooner we get this over with the sooner we can leave." Severus said pushing the boy away gently, receiving a nod in agreement which he returned with a smile.
MD: Ok Done sorry it took so long. I've been getting writers block off and on through out this entire chapter. Its done now although it didn't cover nearly what I wanted it to....Any who the next chapter should be out a lot sooner, and will possibly be a bit shorter...and I'm trying for more Draco vs. Ron they should resolve their differences soon...I think...scratches head
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter: 21
Dinner
Standing before the mirror Harry was trying to button up the frock coat of his blue "Snape" robes. Snape had recommended that he wear them for dinner being that is was a semi-formal affair. The man had even loaned him a white shirt to wear under the coat, but now he was having difficulty with the buttons and they were leaving in fifteen minutes, sighing in frustration he gave up on the buttons and took a hairbrush from the side table. Trying to manage his now shoulder length hair, it wasn't as messy with the added length, when the brush snagged on a knot. Harry sighed, and started when nimble fingers plucked the offender from his hand.
Severus watched Harry struggle with his hair for a few moments, wincing unconsciously when the brush snagged a knot. Deciding that he should help before the boy hurt himself or pulled out his hair, he took the bush from the boy, ignoring his startled reaction working the bristles out of the tangled mess. Then taking a comb off the table, he raised an inquiring brow to his charge who turned and was looking at him.
Harry turned to Snape after the elder man had gotten the brush out of his hair. Finding him holding a comb, asking to comb out his hair left, Harry confused and strangely unbalanced. Then realizing the man expected an answer, he nodded and turned back to the mirror.
Severus smirked at the boy's acquiescence, and set upon the task of working out the knots and getting the mess in some semblance of order. When he finished Harry had started fiddling with the buttons once more without luck. Stilling the young mans hands with his, caused emerald orbs to lock on to his face. "Allow me..." Snape said with a gentle smile.
"Aren't you afraid I won't learn how to do it myself if you do if for me" Harry asked as he buttoned the coat with nimble fingers.
"No, because I will make you do it yourself at a later time, but right now we don't have the time to doddle" He replied helping the young man into his outer robes. "There we are." Snape said fixing his collar and tucking a stray hair behind the boy's ear. "We should get going." Snape walked toward the door, when a sudden hissing stopped them both mid-stride.
Harry, can we come? Astra asked slithering over to Harry, Azimuth not far behind her. Harry looked from the small snakes to Snape.
"What do they want?" The dark haired man asked exasperation clinging to the edges of his words.
"They want to come," Harry stated plainly, kneeling so he was not towering over the small reptiles.
After a moment Snape replied, "Very well, but do keep them under control. I don't have antivenin should they bite someone." Harry nodded allowing the two snakes to curl around his wrists one occupying each arm.
Entering the sitting room they where met by one Nyphadora Tonks, dressed in stunning silver and blue robes, her hair was a shinny blue-black falling in gentle waves around her face and over her shoulders. To say the least she looked stunning and Severus nearly fell over when Harry ran into him as he stopped short. "Wow Tonk's you look great, where are you going" the teen asked rushing over to the young woman.
"I'm going with you, Dumbledore asked that I accompany you this afternoon, hope you don't mind?" she asked looking at Severus for acknowledgement rather than Harry. The dark haired man stared at her intently for a moment before nodding and walking to the door.
The walk down to the castle gates was a quiet one. Severus was nervous about something Harry noted and Tonks was embarrassed. Deciding to watch them, he fell back a little and observed hoping to find what was bothering them. As they walked along the distance between them lessened and conversation ensued. "Are you sure you don't mind Severus?"
"Why would I, it means less talking for me," Snape said smirking, and it was not his normal smirk this one actually caused a spark to reach his eyes. "I'm sure Albus has a good reason for asking you to come along." 'A good reason indeed...what is that meddling old fool up to now?' When they reached the gate, Snape stopped waiting for Harry to reach them. "We will Apparate to London, and take the night bus from there to our destination."
"Harry doesn't know how to Apparate, Severus."
"I know that, I will take us both."
"Is that even possible," Harry, asked looking at the two older wizards, thinking back to the summer before when the order members had gathered him from privet drive.
"Yes Harry, but very few wizards can do so. Only those with a great deal of control and power have ever been able to do so successfully." Tonks eyed the ebony haired man carefully before, disappearing with a slight pop.
"Ready Harry," Severus asked pulling the boy's attention from the spot Tonks had just stood. The boy looked at him skeptically for a moment, fear and wonder flickering across his features. "It will be fine Harry don't look so worried. Relax," He ordered resting his hand on the boys shoulder, pulling him close before they disappeared.
Harry's whole body felt strange, he could feel Astra and Azi on his arms, the rest of his body felt tingly, every thing seemed to be spinning, and then it stopped. They were standing before the Leaky Cauldron; Tonks was waiting with the knight bus beside her. "All right there Harry," She asked at his dazed expression. He nodded and groaned when the conductor, Stan he thought his name was, spoke up.
"Arry as in Arry Potter?"
"Yes, Harry Potter. Now if you don't mind we are in a bit of a hurry." Severus pushed passed the man steering Harry with a hand on his shoulder and gave the driver instructions to the McKinley's, before taking a seat on the bed beside his charge. Tonks sat across from them keeping Harry in the corner, away from any nosey passengers.
The ride was a relatively quiet one with no incident until the bus stopped and let someone quite unexpected on. Severus got up and sat beside Harry pulling the boy to lie against him. "Pretend you're asleep..." He whispered, smoothing Harry's hair over his scar. "Tonks cast a glamour on him."
Tonks looked at him strangely for a second but did as asked, finishing moments before her cousin took the bed where Severus had been sitting moments before. "Hello Severus, what are you doing here? Draco is behaving well I presume?"
"Ah Narcissa, yes Draco is fine." The woman nodded and Harry concentrated on keeping his breathing even while watching her from beneath the vale of hair hiding his face. "May I inquire as to why you are traveling in such a fashion?" Narcissa eyed Tonks and Harry cautiously for a few moments.
"I haven't been feeling well, and didn't think it wise to Apparate or floo to my destination." Severus nodded to her slowly not trusting her answer but knowing better than to pry. "What about you, Severus? Who are the boy and this beautiful young woman?" Severus glanced at Tonks, who blushed and smoothed Harry's hair.
"This is my cousin Aika's nephew, Harold. He was watching Isaiah and Maggie last night and hung out with Draco today. I'm afraid the little monsters and your son tried him out though." Narcissa chuckled, and to Harry's surprise it was quite a pleasant sound. "As for this young woman, I'm surprised you don't recognize your own cousin." Narcissa's chuckles stopped abruptly and she looked at Tonks in surprise.
"Well its not exactly like we have been all that close Severus." Narcissa scoffed, folding her hands in her lap.
"Yes well, I do believe this is our stop, good evening Narcissa." Severus interrupts, shaking his head when Tonks bends as if to shake Harry awake. "Don't wake him it's been along day." Lifting the boy easily he stood carrying Harry off the bus, followed closely by Tonks, where they where met by Remus. "Lupin?" Severus asked with a frown.
"Tire the boy out already?" The werewolf teased, a glint much like Dumbledore's in his amber eyes.
"I'm not asleep, Professor." Harry said quietly from where his head rested on the potion master's shoulder.
"Oh? Well you look quite comfortable anyway Harry." Harry blushed and Tonks chastised the werewolf for his teasing.
"What are you here for anyway, Lupin?"
"Well if Harry is pretending to be asleep, I'm assuming you've already seen the reason I'm here. Now if you will excuse me, I shall explain when you return." Lupin then turned and got one the bus, which promptly went on its way.
Severus put Harry down and Tonks straightened his robes, before they continued down the street. "Severus where on earth are we?" Tonks asked with more than a little irritation showing in her voice, as she put a hand on Harry's shoulder, keeping him between them.
"Severus Snape?" A young man asked walking out of the shadow of a doorway, his black cloak hiding his face, causing Snape to step defensively between Harry, Tonks and the stranger.
"That depends..."
"The moon is bright tonight." The stranger whispered, but in the silence of the night, his voice carried.
"But surely the multitude of the stars can out shine the moon." Tonks replied stepping from behind her dark protector.
"Ahh... Ms. Tonks, I assume." The man lowered his hood revealing long dark hair falling in waves to his waist, pale skin and violet eyes that when they caught the light shined with a frightening intensity.
"Mr. McKinley." She greeted with a broad smile.
"Please call me Dryden, Mr. McKinley is my father's title." Tonks nodded and the young man stepped up to Severus. "Mr. Snape, Dryden McKinley, my father sent me to fetch you. If you will follow me."
"I see, and why wasn't I informed of this?" He asked following the young man of about twenty, his gaze centered on Tonks, while keeping Harry in front of him, one hand resting on the boy's shoulder, ready to move him from harms way.
"Dumbledore didn't feel that you needed to know, that's why he had me come along. Besides, it was a last minute decision for yours and Harry's safety."
"I see." The disgruntled Potion's master deadpanned as the got into the carriage and Dryden climbed into the driver's seat. "So why exactly did you ask where we were?"
This time is was Dryden who spoke, throwing a glance at them over his shoulder as he started the team forward with a gentle click and a snap of the reigns against their rump. "How else was I supposed to know who you were? I would've been waiting in that shop for hours."
"Dumbledore's idea I assume." Snape asked though it was not really a question.
"No actually, it was my fathers. He has a weird sense of humor, likes to keep people on their toes." After that, the rest of the ride was quiet; Harry sat between Tonks and Snape, both seemed rather tense. Snape seemed overly protective and it confused him to no end. While he was thinking the situation over in his head, a strong breeze blew through the open carriage making him grateful he had his fur-lined cloak as he pulled it around him, which rewarded him with a worried glance from his professor, one he failed to notice. This lack of observation caused him to start when the older man moved his arm and wrapped it around him.
Severus knew that the boy would be warm enough with his cloak but some paternal instinct must have taken over because when the boy shivered he found himself putting an arm around his charge offering his warmth. Gracing his charge with an upturning of his lips as the boy looked at him in surprise. "We don't need you getting sick again." He said calmly as if it explained his actions to there entirety, they did not but he was the only one who knew that and he did not intend on telling any one, not yet any way. It was too soon, he needed time. Time to figure out the parental urges he kept having, and why only Harry and Draco that managed to bring them out.
Tonks sighed mentally; Severus would have made a good father if so many things had not fucked up his life. It was sad really, he was a good person, but many circumstances beyond his control and a few bad choices and his life was ruined. Harry seemed to be doing well with the man though so maybe there was still some chance for both of them.
When the carriage stopped before a rather large house, Dryden helped, Tonk's down, and found himself on the receiving end of the scowl of one Severus Snape. It would have un-nerved him had the other man not been keeping Harry Potter warm with a parental arm wrapped around the boy's shoulders.
As they climbed the marble steps to the front entrance, Harry felt Astra and Azi slither up around his arms. Azimuth settled himself around Harry's neck, while Astra slithered up around Severus' wrist, causing the man to remove his hand from his charges shoulder startled by the coolness of the serpent against his skin. "Harry." Snape's startled whisper mixed with Astra's encouraging hiss causing Harry to turn around. "I asked you to..." Harry hissed at the snake causing the others on the steps to stop and watch him.
'Astra, what are you up to?' Harry could feel the unease rolling off his guardian, and did not understand what about the little snake had unnerved the older man.
'You care for this dark one, Harry?' Harry blinked at the question, before nodding. 'Then I will stay and watch over him as I did for the young dragon.' Considering what the little serpent said, he looked up into Snape's coal black eyes.
"Well?" Snape asked raising a brow holding his arm away from his body. Harry tried to stifle his laugh, but wound up snorting instead.
"She is watching after you." Snape's brows furrowed and Harry sighed. "Draco and Ron got in a fight today, I sent Astra to look after Dray, and she has taken the same liberty for you."
"I see, and why would she feel the need to do that?" Severus asked stroking the little serpent with his fingertips, keeping his face neutral when the boy shrugged despite the frustration that he felt. "Fine tell her to move." Harry gave him a confused look, and he exhaled sharply rotating his wrist, causing the boy's eyes to widen realization. Then after he hissed something to the snake, it moved to settle around Snape's shoulders in the same fashion its brother had around Harry's.
"Every one sorted out?" Dryden asked from the top of the steps when the pair turned to them, Tonks stood beside him an amused grin on her face after watching the exchange. A curt nod from the potions master was all they received as the two on the steps made their way to them.
Up in her room Gwendolyn McKinley was standing before a full-length mirror, she was getting ready for dinner with her fathers new client, whom he claimed was Harry Potter. Of course, he had laid that claim to them before in jest so they were skeptical even though he insisted that it was true. If it were though... why would Harry Potter need a lawyer? Pulling her hair back into a low ponytail she ran her hand through the auburn strands ensuring that there were no tangles before straightening her oriental dress robes. A knock on her door brought in her fair-haired mother into her room.
"Almost ready dear?" Marissa McKinley asked stepping over to her only daughter, the trail of her silk evening gown whispering against the sliver gray carpet. "Your brother should be back soon."
"Yes mother" She said fussing with her bangs along with those hairs too short to stay in the ponytail. Taking out her wand, she spelled the longer pieces to curl around her face, grateful she had passed her qualifying exams or O.W.L.S as they called them in England, and thus allowing her to do magic outside of school. "Shall we head down then?" She asked tucking her wand in the holster built in her sleeve; a habit that her brother had started. One she couldn't complain about because it had gotten her out of sticky situations with her fellow classmates quite a few times. Her mother nodded and they left the room collecting her younger brother as they made their way down stairs.
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Harry waited with baited breath in the foyer as Dryden went to fetch his father. Snape stood behind him and Tonks to his right. The room, in which they stood, decorated in white marble, gold inlay, dark rich woods and burgundy carpets, was slightly intimidating. Before them stretched, a grand staircase at the top a walk way spanned either side wrapping around to a balcony directly above them. The ceiling was enchanted much like Hogwarts' great hall, but instead of showing the night sky there where cherubs, angles and dragons transversing their way across the panels. On either side of the staircase was a hallway and a set of double doors, Dryden whom had moments before disappeared behind the double doors on the left returned with a slightly shorter man with auburn hair and slightly tan skin. The man was dressed in a tuxedo, and Harry felt uncomfortable in his robes. Then almost as if he sensed Harry's discomfort the man smile at him, blue green eyes sparkling, causing him to wonder idly if the man was and relation to the headmaster before deciding that it was more of a friendly sparkle than the knowing one the headmaster always wore.
"Mr. Potter," the man addressed him and he shifted uneasily. "Professor Snape, Lady Tonks."
"Mr. McKinley." Severus replied dryly noting Harry's growing discomfort, and shifted the focus of their host to himself.
"Please call me Alex, Mr. McKinley makes me sound old." Again, the man gave them a friendly grin, and Snape nodded in agreement.
"Well shall I take your cloaks so that we may start the evening?" Dryden asked politely from where he stood at his father's side, earning praise from the man as he walked away with their cloaks.
"Good boy that one." Mr. McKinley said staring after the young man for a moment before turning and motioning for them to follow. "Turns twenty this fall, finished his Auror training last spring, and was supposed to start work last week."
"He didn't?" Tonk's asked a bit confused.
"He did but you wouldn't know it... he never goes into the office unless he has a report. No, he prefers to stay here where he can watch over his mother. My wife is a squib, so he feels obligated to watch over her since...well you know."
Harry who had been observing his surroundings as they walked through the house snapped his focus back to the man with this revelation. So this family was of wizarding origins then?
Gwendolyn watched as the small party following her father entered the last door at the end of the hall, the dinning room. "What are you doing runt?" She jumped swinging around so fast that she nearly fell, and would have knocked over a vase if her brother had not caught her, steadying her.
"How many times have I asked..."
"And how many times have you been told not to spy?" Dryden smirked peering down at his sister's angry amber eyes.
"I was curious..."
"Wanted to see if dad was fibbing about Harry Potter...You'll just have to wait and see." He said steering the younger McKinley back to his mother and younger brother. Just before they reached them, he whispered something to her and after receiving a nod, he released the girl to their matron.
"We should probably head in." Mrs. McKinley voiced once her two eldest appeared. "Your father will start to wonder where we have gotten to."
Harry played with the hem of his sleeve under the table as Tonks and Mr. McKinley talked rather animatedly about the Auror training program. He didn't want to be here, he just wanted to forget what had happened, he really didn't need memories that still had fresh wounds drugged up, not after he had finally started to find comfort in the company of his friends and professors again.
Harry's obvious unease, well obvious to the trained eye, sent Severus into protective mode all over again, not that he had ever truly gotten out of it. Reaching out he stilled the boy's hands, causing his charge to tense, then using the contact he sent out a wave of his energy to comfort the boy and help him relax. This done he released the boy's hands and seemingly returned his attention to the conversation, but he didn't miss the slight quirk of the boy's lips from his comforting gesture.
The sound of the door opening redirected everyone's attention to those just entering the room. Dryden came in first, followed by a young woman about Harry's age, another woman probably their mother, and a little boy. "There you are." Mr. McKinley stood going to wrap an arm around the second woman's waist, giving her a kiss before introducing the three new faces. "Gentlemen, and Lady, allow me to introduce you to my family. This is my wife, Marissa; you've met Dryden, my daughter Gwendolyn..."
"Dad...." The girl rolled her eyes, and Harry couldn't help but smirk. "It's Gwen if you please." She said in an irritated tone taking her seat across from Harry.
"Yes well, and this is my youngest Jonathan." Mr. McKinley stated allowing the rest on the arrivals to take their seats. Ms. McKinley took the chair to her husbands left, then Dryden, leaving Jonathan to sit beside his sister.
Dinner passed quietly the two youngest McKinley's didn't believe their father when he introduced him as Harry Potter, but when they looked at him for proof of his identity he could only glance at Snape and focus on his food. He didn't want the attention or the unabashed awe, so he ignored their curiosity, not caring that it was rude.
Severus noted the boy's glance, and the annoyance in his eyes, ignoring Tonks' questioning glance and the intent stares of the McKinley's he also continued with his meal. Suddenly Astra moved on his shoulders brushing against his hair, it was a barely noticeable sensation but to his senses, it set off an internal alarm. Straightening before he could stop himself brought the focus of his companions to him. Lifting his hand to brush the hair away from the tiny hissing creature he looked at Harry hoping that the raven-haired young man could shed some light as to why the little serpent had started moving. As expected Harry started a conversation with the little one without being asked, assumingly to find out what was wrong. Chancing a glance at their hosts, he found them just as he expected staring at the boy in wonder. Dryden and the girl Gwen seemed to be handling it better than their mother, and the little boy didn't look like he understood at all what was happening.
The halt of the slow fluid hissing brought his attention back to his charge, the snake shifted again and he raised a brow at him. "She's too hot, and your hair was suffocating her." The boy's eyes sparkled with mirth, and Severus couldn't hold back a smile of his own.
"It's her own fault; she is the one who perched herself there to begin with." He said removing the little serpent from his shoulders.
"Not true sir, she would have been perfectly comfortable around your wrist where she was to begin with." Harry replied, looking more relaxed than he had since they arrived.
"Indeed," Severus returned in his normal indifferent manner, normally he wouldn't engage in such childish banter, but it was helping Harry to deal so he would. "...excuse me for not wanting her to be crushed should I place my arm at a position which could hurt her." He looked at the vibrant blue snake resting in his hand, who had watching them converse with avid interest, she hissed at Harry once he finished.
"She would have moved had that been the case."
"I see, well perhaps in this case it would best for her to return to your capable hands for now Harry." He handed her to the boy, but the snake hissed indigently, slithered up his arm, and perched on the back of his charges chair. Raising a brow in question, Harry shrugged and turned back to the meal. Then promptly regretted it, as all eyes were focused on the two of them, flushing the young man drew back against his chair and lowered his gaze, in what Snape assumed was an attempt to disappear into the woodwork.
Severus glanced at their host, who promptly cleared his throat drawing everyone's attention barring Harry's to himself. "Well now if everyone is finished, I suppose we should get down to business. Gwen, Jonathan would you take Harry into the Den while I talk to Mr. Snape and Lady Tonks please."
Severus and Harry's eyes shot to the lawyer, the potion master's eyes cold and calculating while Harry's filled with panic and annoyance. "I don't think that is a very good idea Mr. McKinley." Tonks objected, but McKinley raised his hands in a placating motion.
"I understand your worry, but it will only take a few moments. I must speak with you about a few things that Harry doesn't need to be around for." Suddenly the air shifted, Severus could feel fear and anger race along fragments of thought clearly coming from his charge.
"Is it absolutely necessary for us both to be present?" He asked with a cold demanding edge to his voice. McKinley Sr. looked at him strangely for a moment, before shaking his head.
"No but as the one who has been spending the most time with the boy, Mr. Snape I do need to speak with you." Severus nodded and reached beside him standing he grabbed Harry's wrist.
"Give me a few moments, and we will talk." McKinley nodded and watched as the Hogwarts potions master led Harry Potter out of the room.
Gwen watched after the fierce looking man. She knew of the feared potions master of Hogwarts and of his infinite hatred towards Harry Potter. Her cousin Lila in Hufflepuff had told her the stories, but this mans actions towards the boy confused her. If this boy was Harry Potter then why did they get along so well when they were supposed to hate each other?
In the hall, Severus rounds on Harry positioning the boy back against the wall. Harry flinched, and Severus bent down before him. "Harry..." He sighed when his charge would not look him in the eye. "Hey, what's wrong?" Severus put his hands on either of Harry's shoulders. "Harry look at me." When the boy finally met his gaze, he was surprised by the anger he found in the depths of his charges green eyes. "Harry?" He asked raising one slender brow.
The boy's jaw was clenched, the young man before him was very different from the timid one he had arrived with, but what could have triggered such a reaction. "I won't be left in the dark again. With all due respects sir, not this time, this is not something I asked for, but I'm here anyway. I will have a say in matters that deal with what is going to happen to me."
"Do you thing I'm going to leave you in the dark?" He asked tilting his head.
"He asked to speak to you, making it very clear that he doesn't think its something I can handle." Harry spat, struggling to keep his temper in check.
"Or, he might realize that this is a touchy topic and wants to talk to me before speaking with you so you're caused as little stress as possible." Severus countered reasonably. Harry's anger was extinguished in the light of Snape's reasoning and he nodded, still looking slightly uncertain with the situation. "I'll tell you what..." Severus dropped his hands to grip Harry's elbows. "...If he says any thing he says to me, which he doesn't share with you, we will talk about later on." Harry nodded, launching in to Snape's embrace when the older man brushed a stray hair from his face. "Everything will be ok Harry, you'll see." He soothed supporting the lithe form clinging to him. "We should go back in now the sooner we get this over with the sooner we can leave." Severus said pushing the boy away gently, receiving a nod in agreement which he returned with a smile.
MD: Ok Done sorry it took so long. I've been getting writers block off and on through out this entire chapter. Its done now although it didn't cover nearly what I wanted it to....Any who the next chapter should be out a lot sooner, and will possibly be a bit shorter...and I'm trying for more Draco vs. Ron they should resolve their differences soon...I think...scratches head