Disclaimer: Never was mine / Never will be mine I am making no money from this story. Everything belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
Beta read by the irreplaceable JediCandy.
Chapter Twenty One – Future Plans.
It was almost Easter and Voldemort had finished his full return to power; he had never conducted much of his business away from his manor except for that one time in Harry's fifth year when they had met in the lobby of the Ministry and he had dueled with Albus Dumbledore. He even had even had the audacity to raid a second orphanage. The Order had been more successful this time in preventing the loss of too many children because of the help they had received from the Aurors. Voldemort's forces still managed to escape with eleven newly conscripted children. There was also an alarming rate of children being snatched in the streets away from their parents. The Minister had tried to calm things down but the people were not listening. It had almost gotten to the point where children under the age of eleven were rarely seen. If they were not old enough to go to Hogwarts, then they stayed indoors in relative safety. Quite possibly the most disturbing piece of news came to them via Severus Snape, the man-child army of Voldemort's were now being taught full time by none other than Lucius Malfoy! He had been put in charge of the newly established Dark Academy. The Order was worried that the constant exposure of corruption and violence from the fair-haired man would damage the children further. Lucius Malfoy was truly a sick and twisted individual.
The Order was loosing ground to Voldemort. The evil wizards new plan of action to swell his forces seemed to be unstoppable. Everything seemed to be going his way. Yes, Voldemort had returned in a blaze of glory!
***
Harry and Ron were waiting outside McGonagall's office for their career talks. Hermione was in there at the moment; typically her meeting had run over no doubt from all the questions she was asking. Harry had agreed to let Ron go in next because his was cut and dry; he wanted to be an Auror and that was that, whereas Harry had an idea of where he would like to go with his life but had no real idea how to go about doing such a thing. Hopefully McGonagall would not be too disappointed with his decision not to become an Auror. He looked up as he heard the office door open and watched as Hermione bounced out the office.
"Which one of you two gentlemen is next?"
"That would be me."
"This way, Mister Weasley." Ron got up and smiled at his friends before he disappeared behind the office door.
"Mione, how did it go?" He asked the visibly happy girl.
"Oh Harry, it was brilliant. I'll tell you what, when you are all finished why don't we meet by the lake and we can tell each other everything?"
"Sounds good. If you want I'll tell Ron when he comes out."
"That would be wonderful. I best head off and get one of my textbooks for some revision. I'll see you by the lake." Harry watched as she walked away. Obviously the news had been good, not that he was expecting anything less. Her grades were brilliant and any University would be lucky to have such a clever witch join them. He just hoped things went as well for Ron. Then again, the Auror division was hardly going to turn down an application that was backed by Dumbledore himself; not that Ron needed it, he was strong and courageous and would be an asset to any team. A little while later Ron stepped out of the office with a mixture of dread and excitement on his face, Harry wasn't even sure that such a thing was even possible until now.
"Mione's by the lake. Is everything okay?"
"Brilliant, mate, I'll fill you in later." Harry smiled and nodded.
"Mister Potter, your turn I believe."
"Coming, Professor." Harry walked into her office and sat down in the chair that was indicated to him.
"Now, Mister Potter, I am sure you know why you are here. We at Hogwarts attempt to set you on your chosen path with as little trouble as possible. Now let me see." He watched as she picked up his school file and thumbed through it. He blushed ever so lightly when he noticed how thick his file was compared to the others on her desk. No doubt it was from all the trouble he had been in over the years. "As I recall you wished to follow the same path as Mister Weasley and become an Auror. Your grades have certainly improved greatly over the last couple of years, even in potions. I'm sure the Headmaster would be more then willing to write your letter of recommendation also. I shall give you the forms, they need to be completed within the next few weeks and sent..."
"Professor?" Harry interrupted hoping he wouldn't annoy her by this too much.
"Yes, Mister Potter?"
"I um...I have..." Harry was mumbling.
"Speak up, Mister Potter."
"Sorry. It's just that I think I have, no, I know I have changed my mind about becoming an Auror." He finished a little more decisively.
"I see."
"Sorry."
"Why ever are you sorry, Mister Potter?"
"I didn't want to disappoint you."
"Disappoint me? Whatever makes you think that?"
"Because you stuck up for me against Umbridge about becoming an Auror."
"I see, but may I ask why you no longer wish to pursue that path?"
"I do still want to, well kind of. You see, ever since I have come to the wizarding world I have, in effect, been doing the job. I have been fighting the darkest of all dark wizards and I'm tired of it, and I still have more fighting to go. If this war continues on the way it has, I just feel there is another way I could be of some use. And let's face it, I am not going to be able to just go out there and do anything normal with Voldemort on my tail."
He saw his professor glance at him with sadness in her eyes and a little bit of pity. That irked him a little, he did not want pity. He had gone through his self-pitying stage back in his fifth and sixth years and was now over it. He reckoned this was one of the reasons he liked Severus so much, he never felt pity for him, sympathy, yes, but not pity.
"Potter... Harry, I know this has been difficult for you but you must not allow You-Know-Who to rule your life. Yes, you may have to put your application off for a year or so but you should still go for what your heart tells you to."
He smiled a little at her. "I am, Professor. I know in my heart I would not be happy doing that job, not in the long run. I want to do something more positive with my life, help people if possible."
"You sound as if you have thought about this a lot."
"I have, Professor."
"Do you have any ideas as to what you would like to do?"
"I have a few. I want to work with children, mainly the ones that will be forgotten by this war. You see, I have a lot of people leaving me money in their wills and for some reason some other people give me donations. Sometimes they are quite vast amounts and I feel uncomfortable using that money so I want to put it to some good use. That is what I have come up with, so far."
"Well, there are a few options open to you. You could train to become a Medi-Wizard and work with children that way, but they won't necessarily be orphans or homeless children, and the training is many years of hard work. You could work in one of the few halfway homes for run away youngsters. There are not many in the wizarding world, only one or two I believe. Or you could work in an orphanage, again there are not many of those around or you could even set one up yourself. How does that sound?"
"Good. Would the N.E.W.T's I have chosen to study work in those areas?"
"Well you won't have much use for your Defence Against The Dark Arts N.E.W.T but your Transfiguration one will always come in handy. Luckily you stuck with potions because that will come in very handy, especially if you have to look after sick children. I would suggest that once you graduate you look into doing a course in basic medicine, just enough so you know how to look after cuts and the odd broken bone. Maybe a small business course would be good to help you deal with the extra finances you have. Perhaps even a small course in counseling could be of some use." She handed him some leaflets, all with titles like 'Childcare: A Career' or 'Medi-Wizardry'. "These should be of some help to you, Mister Potter."
"Thank you, Professor. I'll read them and get back to you."
"Don't dally too long, Mister Potter, as we will need to start making preparations if you wish to take some of those extra courses."
"I won't Professor," with that, Harry smiled at his teacher and left her office heading towards the lake where he knew his friends would be waiting.
***
Harry rushed over to the lake to where his friends were talking excitedly. "Hey guys, so what's the news?"
"Harry, I have been accepted by all three magical Universities in the UK. I don't even have to wait until I have received my grades from my N.E.W.T.'s."
"That's my girl!"
"Oh, Ron!" Harry did not miss the small blush that crept across her cheeks.
"So where have you decided to go?"
"I have decided to go to the magical branch of Cambridge University. Oxford was tempting, so was Edinburgh University but Edinburgh is quite far away from where Ron will be training. Also, Cambridge allows me to study history of politics, which is something I am very interested in."
"Hey, Ron. Just think, one day Mione could be your boss when she becomes the Minister Of Magic." Harry couldn't help but laugh at that thought.
"You two! I have no desire to become the next Minister Of Magic. I see myself in more as an equal rights campaigner. See if maybe I could get SPEW off the ground again." Ron and Harry looked at each other and burst out laughing. Hermione just grumbled something under her breath about stupid boys.
"What about you, Ron, what had your knickers in a twist?"
"Mate, it's the application form. It's a killer! It's about thirty pages long. McGonagall said she would help me with it, she reasons I should get in with Dumbledore doing my reference and all. What about you, still want to be an Auror?" Ron asked Harry.
"Nah, not for me. Kind of fed up with dark wizards and all that comes with it. I'm thinking about working with kids. You know, like me. The ones that don't have a home, the ones nobody wants. I have a feeling there could be a bunch of Death Eater's kids at a loss for a home after this war. I'm hoping to help them in some way."
"That sounds very worthwhile, Harry."
"Thanks, Mione."
The three friends fell into a relaxed conversation about their possible futures, all the time unaware of a pair of grey eyes watching then from a distance.
***
Draco was not really sure why he was watching the golden trio. He hated them with a passion; they got everything he would never be able to have, such as automatic respect and adulation. The world was at their feet. Though he did have to admit to himself that the mudblood Granger would no doubt go far with her intelligence, being friends with Potter only helped her a little. Where as in his opinion the weasel would never have gotten far in life if he were not Potter's friend. No one would have paid attention to him; after all he was just another poor kid from that overly large family of mudblood lovers. He would have had to live with his lot in life – a low level ministry job like his father, but because he was associated with Potter he was to get an easy ride into becoming an Auror.
Draco was only a little jealous of him, he had wanted to be an Auror when he was younger, but he didn't think he could live with being so law abiding all the time, not with who his father supported -- the Dark Lord. He was another thing Draco was not all that interested in. He did not believe it fitting for him, a Malfoy, to grovel at anyone's feet, let alone a half-breed like him. The man was clearly insane. Far too obsessed with Potter's demise for him. Yes, he would like to see that superior smug look wiped off Potter's face but did he really want Potter dead? He enjoyed teasing and taunting him and, if at all possible, publicly humiliating him. Getting one-up on him was always fun. But Potter dead was another thing altogether.
Draco knew without a doubt that he was better then Potter because his blood was pure. He was a true wizard, but Potter had managed to get himself out of some tight situations with the Dark Lord before, therefore he should not be under-estimated. Also if rumour was to be believed, Potter was the one to rid the world of the Dark Lord. Not a bad state to be facing, Draco mused to himself. He had no desire to be anyone's servant. He would be the master of his own servants not the other way around. He was, even if he would only admit it to himself, a little shaken by what Potter had told him a few weeks ago about the Dark Lord's doings with orphans. He did not want to force his heir into slavery for that half human half serpent mudblood freak. He needed to make some plans, have a backdoor, so to say. So that depending on what way the war went he would be safe from either side.
***
Harry, Ron and Hermione were silent during supper this evening because their minds were elsewhere. After the meal they would be reporting for their first Advanced Charms and Duelling lesson with Flitwick. All three of them were apprehensive because professor Flitwick was going to be teaching them things that could one day save their lives.
Harry had to wonder what kinds of things they would learn, though he was not bad at the subject he had to wonder what it could offer in the way of extra defence or survival tactics. He could not see how a Cheering Charm could be used to defeat an enemy unless half way through a battle Voldemort decided he was too sad to continue and would not unless Harry helped cheer him up. Well, better then giving him a hug, Harry thought, though his death would no doubt cheer up the evil old snake in a way nothing else could.
***
When they had all finished their supper they headed up to the Charms classroom. They knocked and waited for admission. Once they had received that they entered the room. "There is no need to look so worried children, come on in." Flitwick encouraged them.
As Harry entered he noticed all the tables and chairs had been stacked up at the sides of the room, and down the centre was a duelling stage very similar to the one they had used in their second year with Lockhart. He sat down in the remaining chair in front of his professor's desk and waited to hear what they would learn.
"You all know why you are here, to learn the finer points of Charms and duelling and how, when they are combined, they can be quite deadly. After much though and debate about how and what to teach you, I have decided to only skim over the proper aspects and rules of duelling because the people you will be fighting will not stick to the rules. But you need to be aware of the rules so that you know how to break them. Any questions?"
Ron was the first to speak up; Harry reckoned it was because he and Flitwick were now spending more time together in this new mentor programme Dumbledore had set up that he was the most comfortable with him. "What do you mean, sir, about not sticking to the rules?"
"He means, Mister Weasley, that he will teach you to fight dirty, just as the enemy will." Harry's head snapped around to the dark corner that that voice had come from and grinned. Severus stepped out of the shadows and merely smirked at him and his friends.
"Ah! Severus, forgive me, I forgot you were here, you are much to quiet."
"Nothing to forgive, Filius." Severus nodded to him.
"As Professor Snape has just told you, you will basically be taught a lot of the tricks that are not condoned by the official board of duelling but could be useful in saving your lives one day. The reason I asked Professor Snape here tonight was because he is one of the best duellers I have ever had the pleasure to practice with and he has graciously agreed to help me with a few demonstrations. Anything else?"
The three of them remained silent. Harry had heard many stories from Severus of how these two got into epic duels for fun and believed that by the end of the night he would have a whole new collection of bruises.
"Excellent, Severus, shall we?" Severus nodded his agreement at his colleague and they walked towards the duelling stage.
"You three don't think you are going to sit there all night do you?" Severus asked Harry, Ron and Hermione in a typically sarcastic tone. They immediately jumped to their feet and rushed over to the stage.
***
"I have decided that for the moment we will not learn any new Charms but instead get comfortable at the idea of facing multiple enemies at the same time and work out the best way to get away from them. So who would like to volunteer to have a go first?" Flitwick asked them, Harry noticed Ron and Hermione shrink back just a little leaving him up front yet again. He rolled his eyes.
"I will, sir."
"Wonderful, Mister Potter, come on up."
"Please just call me Harry." He asked professor Flitwick as he climbed up onto the stage.
"As you wish, Harry. Now, Severus, if you wouldn't mind taking your position." Harry watched closely as Severus took off his cloak and stepped up to the stage in his full duelling robes. Harry couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in appreciation; they looked good on him, very sleek. Severus stood at the opposite end of the stage and smirked at Harry when he noticed his expression. Flitwick ushered Harry into position at the opposite end of the stage and then went and joined Severus at the other end and stood just in front of him.
"Umm, excuse me, Professors," Harry said with a little apprehension in his voice. "I don't have to duel the both of you at once do I?"
"Don't worry Harry, we will be using very low level Charms and hexes for demonstration purposes."
"Okay." Harry said without much conviction.
"Right! Okay now, you are faced with two enemies as Harry is now, what do you suggest is the best course of action?" Flitwick asked them.
"Run away." Harry mumbled in all seriousness, he was ignored as Hermione came up with a better option.
"You could always try and take down the one in front and attempt then to escape."
"How about running away?" Harry asked again to himself as no one was seemingly listening to him.
"Not a bad idea, Miss Granger, but..."
"Nah, I would... sorry, sir, I didn't mean to interrupt." Ron seemed to remember his manners.
"It's alright, Ron, please go on."
"I would attempt to take Sna... Professor Snape down first because he is the bigger threat, no offence, Professor."
"None taken, Ron, but why do you see Professor Snape as the bigger threat?"
"Because if I could only get one spell out, I would have a better chance at charging and taking you down physically then I would Professor Snape."
"Very good, Ron, excellent. Just how would you take Professor Snape down though without him just erecting a shield or I for that matter?"
"I see nobody is listening to my idea of just running away!" Harry whispered to himself. "That's because they are not facing these two!"
"Did you have something to say, Mister Potter?" Severus said in a smooth silky tone.
Harry looked at him and narrowed his eyes at the smirk Severus had. "No, not me, Professor Snape."
"No idea?" They all shook their heads. "Allow us to demonstrate." Flitwick went and joined Harry at his end and stood in front of him. "Ron almost had it right, in battle you have to make quick assessments and Professor Snape was the bigger threat, literally!" The small wizard laughed to himself. "For if it became necessary Ron could have taken me down physically. Now the move we are about to show you is not quite in the official duelling rules and is considered sneaky and under-handed but when you are faced with two enemies it is a good little trick to know. Are you ready, Severus?"
"I am."
"Good. As you can see Professor Snape is now taking on the role of the attacked and he will take down Harry, why don't you come up and take my place, Ron, in one move. Ready when you are." Ron reluctantly took Flitwick's place on the stage.
Harry knew the minute Severus had sprung into action he was doomed, he was totally looking in the wrong direction and even at the wrong thing. It had been an impressive move. Harry reminded himself never to face Severus in a duel because he would never have thought of that.
Initially it had seemed as if Severus was retrieving something from his pocket, which he had. He threw the shiny object into the air at a forty-five degree angel to Harry's left hand side. This had been the first thing Harry and Ron had done wrong, they had tracked the shiny object through the air. Harry wanted to find out what its threat level was, by the time he had realised it was only a coin Severus had transfigured it into a reflective surface. Harry turned to face Severus and heard him call out a hex but the aim seemed way off to his left. Then it dawned on Harry just what was going to happen, the hex bounced on the reflective surface at a perfect angel and hit Harry in the back, he went flying forward causing Ron to stumble a few steps. He managed to look up in time to see Severus spin, draw a sword from under his jacket and point it directly at Ron's throat.
"Wonderfully done, Severus. Now it was two against one but he managed to take you down. How and why?"
***
The rest of the time was spent in discussion about how both Ron and Harry had both been distracted by a simple trick with a coin and if it had been the battlefield they both would have been killed. They discussed other possible ways of making such a move work for them. They all got to practice trying to make the same move Severus had made, with varying degrees of success. They were informed that Professor McGonagall would help them with any trouble they had with the Transfiguring of the coin or rock or whatever else came to hand. Much to Harry and Ron's annoyance they were given a little light reading as Hermione would call it for homework. They had to read all 3041 pages of the official rules of duelling. They were told it was not mandatory but it would be most helpful to learn. Harry knew Hermione would make them read it in the few hours a day they had put aside for sleep in-between studying for their N.E.W.T.'s and eating. At least there was no deadline for this, so the pressure was off.
The three of them walked back to Gryffindor Tower in a relatively good mood. The lesson had been fun, informative, and, best of all for Harry, he had gotten to spend a few extra hours with Severus. It didn't matter that others were in the room; it was just nice to be able to sit and be civil with the man in company instead of having to act as though they hated each other.
***
Harry was on his way up to the Headmaster's office after receiving a note asking for his attendance at his earliest convenience. Harry decided that the news about his new career choice had reached the Headmaster's ears and that he would, no doubt, think of it as a waste of talent. But he had made his choice and he was determined to stick by it. He knocked on the door and awaited admittance.
"Enter." He heard through the door. When Harry had entered he was smiled at and waved to one of the chairs in front of the huge desk. "Tea, Harry?"
"Thank you, sir." A cup was placed in front of him.
"How about a sherbet lemon?"
"No thank you, sir."
"Okay, Harry. Down to business. We are not far away from the summer holidays and arrangements and plans need to be made. As you know, we moved your family to a safe location for a while, last summer, until the wards on your family home could be strengthened, which they now have been. I have spoken to your family, not so long ago, about you returning this summer."
"What! Sir, please isn't there somewhere else I could stay?"
"Harry, please. It is the safest place for you. The blood you share with your aunt and the added wards will keep you safe."
"Please, sir, isn't there any other options?"
"Your family has agreed to allow you to go back until your eighteenth birthday. They have told me under no circumstances are you welcome to stay after you turn eighteen. I am sorry for you, Harry."
"Don't be. I'm not." Harry was feeling everything from anger to misery. He was angry at having to return to his family but he was also sad that the last link to his mother no longer wanted anything to do with him. He truly felt alone. "What's going to happen to me after I turn eighteen?"
"I have arranged for the wards to be reset on Hogwarts a little earlier this year. Once you reach your birthday someone will come and collect you from your family and you will remain in the school until it is safe for you to get your own place."
"Can I stay at Severus' again?" He asked hoping for once he would get his own way.
"I am afraid not, Harry. Severus will be returning to the school in late August for the start of the new school year. We cannot risk you being found out staying there. It was fine last year because it was only for a few weeks. It would have to be for longer this time, and we cannot risk someone finding out. You will have to stay at the school where Voldemort and his kind cannot enter."
"Can I at least visit Severus?" Harry saw the Headmaster try to cover a small smile. Though the twinkles in his eyes never stopped.
"I'm sure something can be arranged. I am very happy that my two favourite boys are getting along so well." Harry could feel a little heat radiating from his face. He knew Dumbledore was aware that he and Sev had become close friends but he wasn't to sure if Dumbledore was fully informed on exactly how close they had become.
"Thank you, sir."
"Now if there is nothing else, Harry, you may be on your way."
"Okay, sir. Thank you." Harry got up and left the office. He was at a bit of a loss of what to do. It was another hour before supper and he was up-to-date on his homework. A small smile crept across his face; a few days have passed since he had seen Sev and he was desperately in need of a good kiss.
***
Draco stayed in the shadows as he watched Potter walk deeper into the dungeons. He watched as his fellow student knocked softly on his Head of Houses' office door and enter without even being given permission. Everyone knew that was a big no-no to enter Snape's office without permission.
The young blond guessed this to be his proof that something indeed was going on between Potter and Snape. He knew Potter had had some kind of extra lessons, remedial potions if he remembered correctly, in the fifth year but nothing in the sixth year. As far as he knew Snape was only giving one extra class this year and that was for the exceptional potions students. He knew this because he went to a few of them, when he had the time and that was why he knew for a fact Potter was not included in this class. Potter was a better student then he used to be but Potter was never going to be an excellent potions student, only adequate.
So what was the deal then? He knew Snape to be a Death Eater, but he wasn't entirely sure where the older man's loyalties lay. He was supposed to be the Dark Lord's spy on Dumbledore, but he had been at Hogwarts for a long time. Maybe in those years his loyalties had swayed to the crazy old man, Draco mussed. He wondered briefly if this was a plot of the Dark Lord's to get to Potter. Have Snape seduce him and gain his favour then hand him over, like a lamb to the slaughter. Draco dismissed that out of hand, loathed as he was to admit it there was very little that went on in this school that the crazy old muggle lover didn't know about. He would not allow the seduction of his golden boy if it were to put him in danger. So did that mean Snape was loyal to Dumbledore? The seduce him and turn him to the dark side was not what was going on, his father had been surprised to learn of Potter's crush. He would have found out if it were a plot of the Dark Lord's.
So, was this the real thing? It was not against school rules for them to be involved. Potter was of age and Snape was not dramatically older then him, not by wizard standards. Had their constant animosity over the years developed into something more, maybe even love?
A wicked smirk graced his pale features; this could be very useful to him. Especially if he could use it as his backdoor escape route if the war went the way of the light. Yes, things were definitely going to get interesting.
***
After Harry had entered Severus' office he walked over to the man who was at his desk working. "What are you working on?"
"Nothing that would interest you. I am sure your undersized brain could not handle it."
Harry sat down in the chair opposite the potion master and smirked. "You know I could surprise you."
"Indeed?"
"Yes, try me."
"Yes, you are very trying aren't you?" Came the sarcastic reply.
"Ha ha, very funny, Severus. Chances are, though, if it is a potions thing then I probably won't get it. I thought maybe I could tempt you into taking a brake, because if I know you, and believe me when I tell you I have your number, I doubt you have taken much of a break all day."
He saw Sev glance up through the curtain his hair provided and raise an eyebrow at him. "Think you know me that well?"
"I think I am getting there. I bet you haven't taken a break though."
"Just because I have a strong work ethic does not mean you fully understand and know me, Mister Potter. There are still many things to learn."
"I bet." A cheeky smirk graced Harry's lips. "But I wouldn't mind putting in the time to learn them though."
"Potter, you have a one track mind."
"Of course I do. I am a seventeen, you know. What else is there to think about?"
"Your studies?"
"Please! You expect me to be able to concentrate on school work when you are walking around no more then five minutes away from me?"
"Yes. It's called self-control, Potter. Heard of it before?" Sev's tone was dry and he was smirking at him.
Harry narrowed his eyes playfully. "Yes I have, thank you very much, Mister Snape. But you see the problem is that there is this professor that I have the hots for and he is driving me nuts. I can hardly concentrate when we are in the same building let alone in the same room."
"Then I suggest you keep your distance from Professor Binns if he has this effect on you." The smirk was now very obvious.
Harry looked mortified. "Oh, no! My big secret is out now, sir, whatever am I going to do? I know! If you kiss me silly I might get over my infatuation. Will you help me, sir?"
Severus gave him a wicked smile. "I think I can do something to help you, Potter."
"Really?" Harry jumped up from his chair and moved to the other side of the desk and promptly sat on his professors' lap.
"A little old to be sitting on laps aren't we, Potter?"
"I don't think so." Harry rearranged himself so he was astride Severus' lap and was facing him, he couldn't keep the smile from his face. "I think operation 'kiss Harry Potter stupid until he is over his infatuation with Binns' should commence."
"Good thing the man is already dead, otherwise I would have to kill him. I don't like competition."
"Ahhh, you can be so sweet at times." His answer was a stern look of disapproval. Harry leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on the lips he had been dreaming of. He pulled back and whispered confidentially. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
"That is because nobody would believe you."
"True as that may be, but at least I know the truth." He smiled again and lent in to continue kissing the man that plagued his dreams.
***
Once Severus had kissed him silly, as Harry liked to call it, and the young man on his lap was making noises of satisfaction, he decided it was a good time to approach the subject of the summer holidays. He was aware Albus had no doubt spoken to Harry on the subject already, but he wanted Harry to understand he had tried to get permission for Harry to spend the summer with him in his home. "Harry, has the Headmaster spoken to you about your living arrangements for the summer?"
"Please, don't remind me."
"I'll take that as a yes, shall I?"
"Mmmm."
"I want you to know that I tried to persuade the old man into letting you stay at my house again. He was having none of it; he believed you would be safer here. He is no doubt correct."
"Really? That's good to know, sucks big time though."
Severus let out a snort of laughter. "You have such an unusual way with words. We will see each other if you wish. Albus has assured me I can come by as often as I like."
"Of course I wish it. I know you don't like to spend your summers here but it would be really nice to see you."
"As it would to see you."
"I wish Dumbledore..."
"Professor Dumbledore, Harry." Severus interrupted Harry.
"Sorry, Professor Dumbledore would let me stay with you. I don't want to be anywhere else."
"Silly sentimental Gryffindor. It's time for you to head for supper."
"I don't want to go. Its nice here."
"Be that as it may, you will be missed if you do not make an appearance for your public." He enjoyed teasing Harry because he always fell for it. Harry gave him a playful smack in the arm for his teasing. He did get up and give him a quick kiss before heading out of his office. Severus stood and straightened himself out, it would do no good to go to the Great Hall looking disheveled people would think that he had been up to something.
***
When he had finished his supper, Harry excused himself from the dinner table and from his friends. He had some work to do, work that he felt could not wait. It was his Dark Mark studies. He knew the first part of the reversal incantation and the last part he was starting to understand, both were in Latin. The middle part was the tricky part as it was in parseltongue. The book Sev had given him was proving useful if difficult to translate. He had found the charm that Voldemort used and he was sure he had found the reversal of that charm, but because it was not designed to be used on humans he wasn't sure if the reversal charm would work.
While thumbing through the book he found two spells that were designed to be used on humans. One was a concealing charm and the other was a disguise spell. It was only a theory but he reckoned if he could somehow combine the human element of one of those spells to the removal charm then he might just be able to remove the Dark Mark.
Next Chapter: Harry gets to put his theories to the test.
A massive thank you to everyone that has reviewed my story. Thanks also to those that have read and enjoyed it.
Anarane Anwamane – Thank you very much.
Ataraxis – Thanks, and yes once school is over he does indeed deal with Severus. Lol, I just finished that chapter!
Pam Briggs – Thanks. Glad you like Draco as we will be seeing more of him.
Faithfulny – Thank you. Glad you liked both versions.
Wynjara – Thanks. You are right it could do wonders!
– Thanks, glad you are enjoying it.
Miss Teinge - Thanks, lol I agree.
Dragon lady – If you don't like slash honey don't read it!
Lady Lightning – Thanks. You will find out about Malfoy soon.
StarGazer-usa – Thanks for your review and the information, I promise to get around to it soon.
Aria-fic – Thanks. I think Harry should be a little tougher. Glad you liked that line; it was one of my favs.
TheSecretCharacter – Thank you very much you are so sweet, glad you liked the last chapter.
Kateri1 – Thanks. I tried to make it look that way to confuse Draco some more.
Athenakitty – Thank you as always hope you liked this one.
Doneril – Thank you. He will find out in the sequel, which is only 9 chapters off.
Rin DeRomanus – Thanks, I think Harry needs to be good if he is to lead an army!
Fuzzy-Bumpkins – Thanks. I hate cliffies so much I always try to end without one, but there has been the odd occasion a chapter needs one.
Calani – Thank you very much, hope you liked this one.
Quila – Thank you lol I agree.
Asitha – Thanks. Glad you like the way I have portrayed Severus, he was the one I was most worried about. He is very hard to write and thank God for good betas!
LeeLeePotter – Thanks. It was all over before help could arrive, and yeah I'd like to wipe that smug look of Draco's face – little prat! Lol.
Texasjeanette – Thank you hope you liked this one.
Flack – Thank you very much glad you are enjoying it. It would be cool to be able to change into a panther at will, wouldn't it! Also I'm glad you are enjoying the NC-17 versions of the chapters as well at glassesreflect ML, they are very tricky to write.
Midnite – Thanks. You will see about Draco, I don't think you will be to upset about him.
M/G – Thank you. Yes there will be. 30 chapters in this story then a sequel about the war.
Lunakatrina – Thank you glad you are enjoying it and I hope you liked this chapter.
Miss. Charlet – Thank you glad you liked it.
Badassgothicgirl – Thank you, lol you like Draco against the wall? I'll try and do it again for you!