Disclaimer: Everything you recognize from Harry Potter is property of J.K. Rowling. The characters Professor Enyami, Professor June, Professor Joa, Raven, Lex, and any other characters you don't recognize are mine.
Chapter 21 - Unintended Betrayal
"Did you find anything?" Severus asked when Harry and Hermione entered his office. It was three weeks after winning the trial, three weeks after the start of the researching. Those three weeks haven't been easy for either Severus or Harry. The public that remembered Severus being on trial for being a Death Eater at the end of Voldemort's first demise was livid that he would get custody of the-boy-who-lived, biological father or not.
Most of the students at Hogwarts weren't much better. The Hufflepuff house was almost equally divided on whether to believe Harry would truly turn to the dark side, and of course, being Hufflepuffs, stuck to whatever side they were on.
The Slytherins and Ravenclaws who were children of known Death Eaters, and even some who weren't, went out of their way to threaten, discreetly of course, Harry, saying that their Lord would take care of both the traitor (Severus) and his son. The Slytherins who were loyal to Professor Snape as their Head of House attempted to make alliances with Harry. Harry didn't refuse to talk to any of them, but he didn't trust (most of) them. Severus made sure to tell Harry which of his students he should be most cautious around.
Most of the Ravenclaws did their best to ignore him in a way that made Harry uncomfortable. If he tried to talk to one of them in class, they would just stick their head even further behind whatever book they were reading.
Most of Gryffindor was on Harry's side, but Harry could tell they were walking on thin ice around him. Like they were afraid he would just start yelling or acting like Professor Snape would when someone messed up a potion. Which did make him want to do so.
Luckily, the majority of the members of the Defense Association thought nothing of Harry's relation to Professor Snape. They all were used to the professor at the meetings, and they figured (wrongly) that the reason Snape was helping was because Harry was his son. No one bothered correcting them, though. It was easier to just go along.
"Not really," Harry answered at the same time Hermione said, "Yes."
"Which is it?" Severus asked with a snap.
"We didn't find anything that could help prevent it, but we did find something that could help us come up with something. In fact, I think . . ."
"Wait," Severus interrupted, walking toward the closed office door. He opened it just when a timid first year Slytherin was about to knock on the door.
"Yes?" Severus asked, and the kid blanched, obviously not expecting that. "Well?"
"I was wondering about our last assignment . . ." the girl started, but was also interrupted by Severus.
"Harry, help Miss Janus. You may use my classroom."
"But . . ."
"Go. I will speak with Miss Granger." Harry nodded reluctantly, but walked toward the DADA classroom, checking once to make sure Janus was following.
"So, what are you having problems with?" Harry asked the girl once they got to the classroom.
"Er . . . I was trying to figure out what would happen if more than one person used Expelliarmus on one person at the same time. We are supposed to write a report on disarming spells, but I can't find anything on it."
"It would simply increase the force used. I'd explain it more, but there should be something on it in The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)."
"In the charms book?"
"Well, it technically is a charm."
"Oh. Then why are we learning it in Defense?"
"Because it is a way to defend yourself," Harry answered obviously.
"Oh," the girl answered. Harry was about to get up and return to Severus' office when the girl spoke up again. "You're really Professor Snape's son?" Harry sighed.
"Yes."
"Then should you be in, you know, Slytherin or something?"
"What house you are in isn't dictated by whom your family is, it is by whom you are," Harry replied.
"Oh," the girl replied again, then left the room quickly, leaving Harry to walk back to the office, wondering what that was about. When he got there, though, Severus and Hermione were gone, and Harry had to sigh. As much as Severus complained about Hermione, they sure did get along all right when it came to researching and experimenting. Not knowing where to start, Harry headed toward Severus' lab. Fortunately, they were there.
"Don't bother leaving a note to tell me where you've gone," Harry mumbled when he saw them.
"Sorry, Harry, but we just figured something out!" Hermione said with excitement. Severus didn't even bother responding. Harry huffed, but went over to the cauldrons they were working on.
"Anything I can do?"
"Not right now, Harry. It would take too long to explain . . ." Hermione said. Harry just shook his head and left. He didn't like how they just shut him out of research about something that was happening to him like that. The way Severus just shoved him away to help the first year like that . . . it wasn't fair! He knew his potions just as well, if not better, as Hermione because of his extra lessons. He even experimented with potion alterations frequently . . . and often came up with something useful. So why does he keep pushing me away? Harry asked himself.
Harry wasn't about to say anything about it, though. They were doing this research to help him, so he should be happy . . . but it hurt the way they treated him. Finding himself in a depressed mood, Harry went to the Gryffindor tower to find Ron. He found his friend finishing an essay for divinations.
"Hey, Ron," greeted Harry.
"Hey, Harry. What's wrong?" Ron asked. Harry shook his head.
"Nothing much. Want to play a game of chess?" Harry asked. Harry had gotten better at chess and was now almost as good as Ron. He was even able to win a few games once in a while.
"Sure! Let's go to our room. It's starting to get crowded in here," answered Ron. Harry looked around. It was, indeed, nearly full. "It's snowing pretty hard out. No one wants to go outside." Ron and Harry made their way to the dorm room and Harry brought out the chess board he received from Severus for Christmas.
Four hours later, Snape and Hermione were standing over the cauldron that had turned out.
"Will it work?" asked Hermione.
"Of course it will," Snape said.
"But . . . don't we have to test it?" Hermione asked.
"No need. There is nothing odd in it, and I have worked with the ingredients we used quite frequently."
"Okay . . ." Hermione answered slowly. "Where's Harry? Wasn't he here just a little bit ago?"
"I do not know. I do not remember him even arriving."
"I know he was here, I talked to him. I don't know where he went though. Maybe he went to the library. Or the common room." Hermione checked the time. "Oh, it's past curfew . . ."
"I will walk you back to the tower, then," Snape said.
"Good night, Professor Snape," Hermione said when they arrived. Snape just grunted a response, then left. Hermione gave the password (Rotten Rodents), and looked around the common room. She was a little worried when she didn't see either Ron or Harry, but she figured they went to bed early or something. Tired, she decided to do the same.
For the next two days, Harry avoided Hermione, and only talked to Severus when required. The potion did seem to work, though. During the past few weeks, it was normal for the Voice to say something several times a day. After the potion, though, he didn't hear the Voice at all.
On the third day of Harry avoiding Hermione and Severus, Severus stopped Harry from leaving their classroom after Harry's extra potions lesson.
"What is wrong, Harry?" Severus asked gently.
"Nothing," Harry answered shortly, and tried to leave again. His father grabbed his arm and prevented him from going.
"You have been avoiding me for the past three days," the man stated.
"It's nothing," Harry insisted. Severus threw a charm at the door.
"Well, you aren't leaving until you tell me . . ." Severus threatened.
"What, so you're allowed to ignore me, but I'm not allowed to ignore you without being threatened?" Harry hissed.
"What are you talking about?"
"You just push me away when it isn't convenient for me to be around!" Harry yelled, and was somehow able to tear down the ward Severus put up and run out of the room before Severus, stunned, could stop him. It left the wizard thinking though. Am I really pushing Harry away? he thought to himself. He thought over the past three weeks, and realized it was true. Not on purpose, but he still did it. Whenever an idea latched onto him, or Miss Granger would think up another possible solution, and they were interrupted, he would send Harry to take care of whatever the interruption was. It was usually a student.
Severus shook his head and went to go find his son to talk to him. To try to explain and apologize. He knew that Harry had a hard time believing that people care about him. That happened when you were told differently your entire life. Severus did care for his son. He loved him more than he thought possible. He was new to this parenting thing, though. Before, he always buried himself in his potions work, his teaching, and his spying. He was used to paying attention to nothing but his work when it came to figuring out a solution.
He understood now. That attitude would have to change.
Harry went straight to the Great Hall for dinner. He wanted to finish eating before his father came to eat. He hadn't meant to say that, but it made him angry. Even as his father, Severus could get on Harry's nerves. Only now, it was for different reasons. He was greeted by Ron, who came in seconds before him.
"Why are you avoiding Hermione, Harry?" he asked when they sat down. "She's worried."
"Let her figure it out," Harry snapped, irritated. Ron shook his head, placing food on his plate. Hermione came and sat down across from them just then.
"I can't believe it!" she exclaimed. "You know how I was wondering why no one got the Daily Prophet this morning? It came late. Read it!" she said, tossing the paper at the two boys. Harry nearly choked on his food when he saw the headline.
Malfoy found innocent of Death Eater Charges
Lucius Malfoy, arrested for being involved in the attack on the Ministry last year, was found near death outside the Ministry of Magic with a magical note from You-Know-Who saying that this is what happens when you fight against him. He was unconscious for several days.
When he woke up, officials questioned him with a strong truth potion. Several Death Eaters were able to get past the Dementors that guard Azkaban and smuggled him out. They then tortured him and dropped him off at the Ministry.
Lucius Malfoy was found to be under the Imperious Curse, a forced follower of He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named. The Malfoy family is currently under Ministry protection.
"This is wrong!" Ron yelled. Everyone nearby stopped eating to look at him, and Ron blushed.
"What are they up to?" Harry wondered, outraged.
"I think it has something to do with Minister elections coming up. Turn to the second page," Hermione ordered.
Candidates for Minister Announced
There are three candidates for the upcoming elections for Minister. Of course, the current minister, Minister Fudge, will be running. In addition to him, Dan Drima, whose current position is head of the Cursed Artifacts section of the Ministry, and Kingsley Shacklebolt who is currently an Auror. More information on the candidates will be announced later.
"What does that have anything to do with Malfoy?" Harry huffed.
"Think about it, Harry! With the elections, Voldemort needs someone very influential to support a certain candidate. Well, we know it won't be Shacklebolt. He's on our side for sure. So, he either wants Minister Fudge or Drima to be elected. If Drima is neutral, he might be easily persuaded . . . " Harry sighed, getting Hermione's point.
"Well, we can't do anything about it, can we?" Harry asked.
"Of course not," Hermione answered.
"Harry, I would like a word with you," a silky voice came from behind Harry. Harry glared at his father, but got up and followed anyway, leaving Hermione and Ron to talk about what has been wrong with Harry for the past few days.
Harry and Severus ended up in Severus' rooms sitting across from each other, untouched tea in front of both of them. Severus got up and sat next to Harry.
"Harry, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was pushing you away. I get rather . . . involved . . . when I am researching something," Severus said, a little awkward. Harry gave him an unreadable look, but didn't say anything. "I am sorry, Harry. You must remember, I'm new at this father thing," he said, attempting to joke. Harry just shook his head. "What?"
"It's nothing."
"I already told you, it's not nothing. And, as I already told you many more times, I am here for you." Harry still refused to answer, so they sat in silence for what seemed like forever. In truth, Harry didn't know how to answer. It did hurt, but he knew that Severus cared about him. The fact that he came and got Harry right away to talk about it pretty much proved it. After fifteen minutes, he still didn't know how to answer. So, he just leaned against his father. Severus then put his arm around his child, and that is how they woke in the next morning.