Little Suzi: *Shares your moment*
Charlie YuY: Harry being on the English Quidditch team? Perhaps after school.
Xikum: I'm going to put parseltongue back in, but I don't think I'm going to do wandless magic. My take on wandless magic is presented in "The Last Sorcerer."
Luna Rose and Phoenix Child: A Slytherin with Gryffindor qualities…kind of like Blaise! I myself am a true Slytherin. But my muse is a Gryffindor…*sigh* that's the way of life.
Suni, Coffee-Addict from Hell: Nice name…well, you were the 225th reviewer! *Streamers and confetti thrown* That means this chapter is yours! And I'll include your item (really wasn't that hard in this chapter).
Chaser: He'll probably spend Christmas Eve there at any rate. It all depends on how many students stay for the holidays.
Kateri: You already had your chapter ;P Oh, don't worry…Sev hasn't dropped the whole Dursley thing, just put it on the back burner.
Lei Dumbledore: You just keep comin' back for more!
Snape coolgirl: I don't think he's gonna switch. I was going to have him switch, but I had some protests via emails, with very good arguments. Though I think I am changing Blaise to Gryffindor.
Saimhe: I'll try to put more "fluffy/sappy things" in future chapters for you. They're still trying to get comfortable around one another.
Lee Lee Potter: Doesn't it? *pictures rabid Severus*
Karri: Well thank you! And welcome aboard!
Takari4ever7: Well, you're in luck, because one of those things is actually in the chapter! Is this soon enough for ya? Hehe
Iniysa: Thank you so much! I love all you guys!
Pineapplehead: Yeah, my first exposure was "Dogma" all those years ago, now I can't get enough (I have only five of his movies, but that's steadily increasing).
Alana: Welcome! Here's some more for ya!
Well, now that that's done, on with the chapter! This one's for Suni, Coffee-Addict from Hell, who was the 225th reviewer!
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Harry woke the next morning after the most restful night he'd ever had. No dreams, no curses and screaming, and no snoring. He sat up, finally realizing he was still in Snape's chambers. He dressed in a leisure robe, an emerald green cotton, and stepped out into the main room. He checked the clock when he didn't find Snape and saw that it was lunch time. Dobby popped in and waved at him.
"Dobby is being sent by Professor Snape, sir. He is saying that Harry Potter is to stay here and rest all day. Dobby is to make sure of that, sir."
"Dobby, I'm tired of being cooped up. I need to finish my homework for tomorrow." Dobby snapped his fingers and Harry's book bag appeared next to him.
"Here is Harry Potter's things, sir. He can do them here, sir." Harry sighed, realizing he couldn't win, and sat on the floor, spreading his things out in front of the fire place. Dobby sat down with him and faced the fire, not looking at anything.
"Why are you doing that, Dobby?"
"What is Dobby doing, sir?"
"Avoiding looking over here. It's like you don't want to look at my work."
"House elves is not allowed to study magic, sir. We is not even allowed to look at it." Harry laughed.
"Then could you get me something to eat? I'm starving. Maybe breakfast?" Dobby leapt up and smiled.
"Dobby is going, sir! Dobby is getting Harry Potter breakfast." He popped out and Harry delved into his work. Snape returned from lunch to find Harry munching on toast and writing an essay.
"What are you doing?" Harry looked up as he took a drink of milk from the goblet.
"Homework. I didn't get much done before the Quidditch match, and I only managed to finish your essay before my vision."
"Really? Let me see it." Harry gulped and dug through his bag. He pulled out a scroll and handed it to the professor, who sat in his chair and perused the work. Harry turned back to History of Magic and his breakfast. Once that was complete, he looked up at his father, who was almost finished with his essay, a small smile playing on his thin lips.
"A very comprehensive essay. Though you need to present your paragraphs in a more logical manner. You jump around a lot."
"You want me to do it over?"
"Is this your work or not?"
"It is."
"Then it is not to be redone. That would be akin to cheating." Harry sighed and put the final touches on his Transfiguration homework. Snape sat and read as Harry completed all his homework.
"Done!" Harry let out a whoop of joy as he carefully tucked all his assignments into his bag.
"Are you always this excited at finishing homework?" Snape mused.
"Of course. You can't tell me you don't remember what it was like to be a student here?"
"Actually, I prefer to forget most of it, save the time spent with Lily." Harry nodded, understanding.
"So what happened at lunch?" He leaned back against the couch, staring into the fire.
"Albus announced a costume party for Halloween next Friday."
"What! That's just great. Now I have to find a costume." Snape smirked evilly, and Harry sat up. "You have an idea, what is it?" he asked eagerly.
"How badly do you want to see how you look without the charms?" he asked casually. Harry's emerald eyes lit up.
"You want me to go as your son? You're off your rocker!" Snape gave him a warning glare.
"Careful, Potter, I am still your professor." Harry grinned sheepishly. "You can go as me. Somehow, you'll have to propose that the Gryffindor prefects go as the professors."
"That's possible, and not a bad idea. But you? Can you imagine how mad you're going to have to be?"
"I can always be away at the time. I'm sure it will be quite a shock to the students."
"Can you see Malfoy's face?" Harry erupted into laughter, and Snape chuckled. "So you really want to do this? Take the charms off, I mean."
"Why not? Let's see what you really look like under 'James Potter.'"
"It's so strange, knowing what you look like isn't the truth." Harry leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. "You know, up till the minute I turned eleven, I had no idea I was a wizard. I mean, strange things happened around me, but I never paid much attention. For my cousin's birthday, we went to a zoo. That was the first time I ever talked to a snake. My cousin pushed me down and pressed up against the glass. I was so mad, and then the glass vanished. The snake slithered away after my cousin fell in." Harry began to chuckle, "Then, when he tried to get out, the glass was back. Another time, I turned my teacher's hair blue."
"I was raised a wizard, taught to harness that raw power. A wizard or witch who never attends magical schooling can be a danger. The magic grows, but they are not taught how to use it."
Harry's eyes sparkled mischievously, "Sometimes even trained wizard explode that power though." This time, Snape let out a real laugh, which evolved into fits. Harry joined him, and soon, both of their sides ached with laughter. Harry's face was streamed with tears, and Snape's once-pale face was crimson. Once they settled down, Harry stood, though it took him a few tries.
"I don't think I've ever done that."
"I know I haven't," Snape replied, and Harry giggled a little.
"Imagine, the feared potions master breaking out into laughter on an inside joke with Harry Potter. I could sell that to the tabloids!" Harry shouldered his book bag.
"Don't you dare. Remember, you're spending holidays with me now." Harry gulped melodramatically and walked with Snape to the portrait. He stayed back as Snape checked the hall with a spell, then nodded. Harry rushed off with a quick wave to his room, walked in, then walked out again. From there, he trekked to Gryffindor Tower, where he was set upon by Hermione.
"Harry! You're okay! You weren't in the Hospital Wing and when we asked Madam Pompfrey where you were, she didn't know, and Dumbledore wouldn't tell! Oh, we were so worried!" He hugged her tightly, relishing the feel of her in his arms. Blaise elbowed Ginny silently and raised and eyebrow before he ran and enveloped the two in a bear hug. Ginny laughed and joined them, sending the mass to the ground in an entanglement of arms and legs. Fred and George stopped what they were doing and joined, and soon, all of Gryffindor (and a Slytherin, a Hufflepuff, and a Ravenclaw) were piled on Harry. He whispered a spell to save Hermione, who then slipped out easily. Blaise somehow got thrown out, and the two started pulling people off of the pile. They all dissolved into laughter and Hermione pulled a very frazzled Harry to his feet.
"You okay?" she asked, not knowing how much he could take. He smiled and kissed her cheek.
"Fine, would you like to go the costume party with me?"
"Of course!"
"I need to talk to all the prefects!" he yelled. They came over, along with Katie Bell, and he led them into his room.
"I have a great idea. The prefects could go as Hogwarts professors!" Several of them laughed in agreement, but Hermione frowned.
"Why Harry?"
"Because it will be funny!" a sixth year prefect exclaimed. "That's a great idea Harry!" Chatter broke out immediately as they all plotted whom they were going as. Hermione laughed at last, accepting the idea. She leaned and whispered to Harry.
"This wouldn't have to do with a certain professor now would it?" she smirked.
"Nope, none whatsoever," he returned. "Whom are you going as?"
"Don't know. There is a limited supply of female professors. I'll talk with Katie and the prefects and we'll work it out. You, on the other hand, are probably safe. No one will be going as—"
He clapped a hand over her mouth. "Shh! It's a surprise." She nodded.
"Yeah, the surprise of a lifetime." They all left, talking and coordinating so no one doubled up.
The week was uneventful, though the Gryffindors were strutting around proudly after the Quidditch match. Harry managed to avoid having too many points taken in Potions, and actually came out on top this week. Classes were cancelled Friday, to which every student cheered. Harry walked nervously up to the Headmaster's office half an hour before the party. He was about to find out his true self, what he really looked like. He gave the password and ascended the stairs, knocking lightly before he was allowed entry. Snape wasn't there; he'd already gone on to Hogsmeade, but Harry and Dumbledore promised not to put the charms back on until he returned.
"Are you ready?" the Headmaster asked, pulling out scrolls and his wand. Harry inhaled deeply, and nodded.
A/N: Wow was I sooo going to leave you there. But since I haven't worked the item in yet, I'll continue. *points finger accusingly at reader* You got lucky this time.
The Great Hall was decorated in oranges and blacks, pumpkins hung where the candles should have been, and most of the professors were away, either at the party in Hogsmeade or locked away in their tower (in Trelawney's case), fearing the wild teenagers that ran rampant in the halls.
Only three teachers remained, other than Dumbledore, who entered quietly from the back. McGonagall dressed up as Lady Guinivere from Camelot, while Dumbledore played King Arthur. Covial dressed up as his favorite wizard (himself), while Flitwick decided on a Muggle costume. Something called a "munchkin" if he remembered properly. There was also something about flying monkeys, but the best he could do was an owl with a glamourie.
The students filed in by ones and twos, or in the case of the Hufflepuff house, its entirety. Harry shifted nervously in front of the gargoyle, where he'd told Hermione to meet him. She had opted to dress up as the only Headmistress Hogwarts had ever had, Daela Belirican. She insisted that they had made no stipulation that it had to be a current professor, an argument she had won, and that she wasn't going to risk losing points by going as McGonagall. She rounded the corner, and halted immediately. If she hadn't known Harry was Snape's son, and that Snape was off the grounds, she could have sworn it was he who was standing in front of her.
"Harry? Wow, you look…like Snape." He smiled, and as she neared, she could see the boy she knew in the one before her. In truth, he looked a lot like the potions master, but there was more Lily in him than just his eyes now (which had been charmed black for the night). His hair was no longer unruly, but pulled back into a loose ponytail, as it was now shoulder length. He had taken his useless glasses off for the night, reveling in the feeling of not wearing them and still being able to see. He was more muscular than normal, though it was only visible in his face, as the rest of him was covered in black robes. Donated, in fact, by Snape himself.
"Yeah, it's me."
"You're missing one thing," she said thoughtfully. He raised an eyebrow inquisitively and she shuddered.
"Whoa, Harry, that is scary. But here," she reached around and pulled the ponytail out. She then pulled her wand. "Lubricus." Instantly, Harry's soft black hair was oiled down, and hung shiny around his face. "Now you look like Snape." He laughed and offered his arm, which she took, and escorted her to the Great Hall. When he entered, a few people moved out of his way, thinking he was indeed the potions master. Hermione detached from his arm and left to get punch.
"Professor, I thought you were going to Hogsmeade?" drawled a voice from behind him. He turned and stared down at Draco Malfoy. He smiled cruelly. This could be fun. Draco was normally dwarfed by the tall potions master, but Harry wondered if he noticed the difference wasn't so drastic now. Harry had grown, and was in fact taller now, but still not as tall as his father. He knew he couldn't fake his father's silky voice, so he inclined his head gracefully as a greeting.
"Better then, maybe the Gryffindors won't be so proud now. I have seen their precious Potter yet. Maybe he chickened out." Harry could no longer contain himself in light of the smugness.
"Or maybe he's got more guts than you realize." To see the look on Draco's face, Harry would have come as Snape even if the man wasn't his father. Of course, he'd probably be in detention the rest of his life, but it would have been worth it. The Slytherin narrowed his eyes and smirked.
"You've done it now, Potter. When Snape hears about this, you'll be gone forever."
Harry decided to bite back a comment about permission and sneered. "You honestly think I'm afraid of him. With Voldemort after me? You have got to be kidding. By the way," he called over his shoulder as he walked away, "Nice costume." Draco looked down, and instead of the deep green robes of Salazar Slytherin, he was wearing a white fur coat with claw feet. He walked over to where Hermione was watching with Ginny and Blaise and hugged Ginny.
"That was great, Ginny!" Blaise pulled him off mock-angrily.
"Hey, back off, Snape, she's mine!" They dissolved into laughter as others around them looked at them strangely. The door opened and several people giggled. Harry looked over the sea of heads to see Ron entering with Padma Patil on his arm. She was wearing a dainty dress that looked like it was from America's "Old West," with one difference. She had spiced it up a little, putting blue and silver glitter on her sleeves. Ron was adorned in a cowboy outfit, with shiny silver spurs and a metallic blue cowboy hat. Harry walked over, and Ron's eyes widened.
"Relax, Ron, it's me, Harry. I was just going to compliment you on your costume and ask how you were doing in Ravenclaw?" Ron seemed to regain some composure, but Padma stared in wonder.
"Wow, Harry, you are brave. What if Snape sees you?"
"He won't; he's in Hogsmeade. And since he didn't see anything, he can't punish me." He flashed a grin and turned back to Ron.
"I miss you guys in the dorms. They're all a bunch of bookworms," Padma elbowed him the ribs playfully, and he tickled her back. Harry raised an eyebrow and smirked, which stopped them.
"That's really good Harry. How long have you been practicing?" Harry smiled at Patil.
"Not long, but it's really easy to pick up. Smirk, scowl, glare, sarcasm. Easy." She giggled and Ron led her onto the dance floor as Harry sought out Hermione.
The night lasted long, but too soon for everyone, it was over. One more slow dance ended the night, and Harry took the opportunity to whisper in Hermione's ear.
"I love you." She started and looked at him. He had dispelled the eye coloring charm, and his emerald orbs shone with love. She closed her eyes as he kissed her, losing herself in him.
Harry wanted to skip up to the Headmaster's office, but remembered his father's lecture on image and reputation. So he sneered instead, sending students fleeing. Perhaps he's right, Harry mused, it is kind of fun. He gave the password and jumped the steps two at a time, and careened into the office. Severus was waiting with the Headmaster, but he had to sit back down when he saw the boy. Dumbledore waved his wand and muttered the counter spell, and Harry's features shifted into not a spitting image of his father, but a mix of traits from both parents. He pulled his now degreased hair back into the loose ponytail and took off the black robes, revealing a lightweight red robe underneath. The smaller robe showed the boy's muscles well, and his face was fuller and without glasses. He strode forward and sat next to Snape, who was regaining his lost composure.
"This was the best night ever!" he exclaimed. "Of course, I imagine you'll be livid when you find out who I went as." Snape smirked.
"Tomorrow will be enjoyable." Harry choked.
"Tomorrow? What do you mean?" Dumbledore stepped in.
"It just so happens that the Order is meeting tomorrow, in a secret location. I will have Severus retrieve you at breakfast under the pretense of serious punishment," Harry glanced over at Snape, whose eyes shone with merriment. "You will meet Valiant, from the Underground. I'm also sorry to inform you that Sirius will be there as well." Harry's face fell, but he covered it well.
"That's okay, Headmaster, it's not like I hate him and never want to see him again. I'm just confused with him right now."
"I could do with never seeing him again," Snape put in. Harry shot a mirthful glare at his father and stood.
"I should get going. Don't want them too suspicious." He made for the door, but was stopped by the Headmaster clearing his throat. He turned to raised eyebrows. "Oh, right." He walked back over and took one last look at himself in the mirror. Dumbledore smiled softly and recast the previous charms, returning him to his former image. Harry looked back at James Potter and slipped his useless glasses on his face.
"Good night then," he left after receiving two replies. He was welcomed in the Tower by praise and adoration. Everyone loved his costume, and had to admit he'd pulled it off well. Fred and George were clapping him on the back.
"Well done Harry!"
"Didn't think you had it in you!" He smiled and accepted the congratulations, kissed Hermione good night, and trekked up to his dorms. Blaise was already asleep, and Dean and Seamus were talking quietly in the corner. He sighed, changed into nightclothes, and slept peacefully through the night.
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NOTICE: In your review, name one object (anything you like) and the 250th reviewer will have the next chapter (after the review) dedicated to them personally, and I will include the item somehow (promise it won't be hokey…unless it's something totally off the wall). If it ever gets that high, I will also do that with 275th reviewer, 300th, etc…so review away people!