Disclaimer: No matter how many times I wave my wand, I do not hold any rites to any of the Harry Potter series, but I am grateful to JK for writing them.
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Chapter 29: Birthday Presents
Severus and Lucius walked down Diagon Alley, they were both still in their black formal robes from the funeral. Lucius walked with his head held high though he was very nervous, the last time he came to Diagon Alley he was attacked with tomatoes and rotten eggs.
The people were in fact looking at both Lucius and Severus, but more at Severus who was now thanks to Skeeter's article a National Hero.
People passed them and gave nods of acknowledgment and some even bowed in respect as he passed. No one came up and spoke to him however, his reputation of being a snarky bastard was too well known. The glares he was giving people did not hurt either.
Diagon Alley was crowded, Hogwarts students had gotten their school list and the place was crawling with new and returning students. Severus cursed himself for waiting till the last minute to buy Harry's birthday present.
Severus saw many of the students point him out and some of the Slytherins looked also at Lucius who was at his side.
"Severus, did you have anything in mind for Harry?" Lucius asked. They had put up a muffliato spell around them so they could talk to one another and no one else would understand what they were saying. The spell did not stop them from hearing what was going on around them.
"No, I am not good with these kind of things, I know he does not like big flashy stuff and would prefer something personal." Severus said looking at the Quidditch Store at the new broom in the showcase and shook his head and walked away leaving Lucius to walk quickly after him.
"Why don't you give him, yourself naked with a big bow, ready to give in to his every desire" Lucius said cheekily.
"No, I want something special" Severus answered seriously.
"And that is not special?" Lucius stopped and looked at him.
Severus had continued walking and said "No, that is an every night thing".
Lucius looked at him in shock and then laughed hard. Severus had continued walking and Lucius in tears from laughing had to run up to meet him. Lucius ignored the strange and astonished looks people were now giving him.
When he joined up with Severus he looked a little more serious "Wow Severus I never took you for...."
"And I would not be for any other man but have you noticed how much power he has, I can't dominate that" Severus stopped and looked at Lucius "He protects me and takes good care of me and yet at the same time allows me to be independent and be myself. He is a better man than the Dark Lord and Dumbledore, I submitted to both of them in different ways and both of them used me and couldn't care less whether I lived or died. Actually both of them seemed to take perverse pleasure in seeing me subservient and crawling on the ground. Harry is not like that, even though he is the dominant one in the relationship he doesn't behave as if he is a master, he treats me as an equal. He told me he didn't want a slave but a strong powerful wizard to share his bed and his life. With him I have grown to be a better, stronger individual."
Lucius smiled at his friend and put his hand on his shoulder "You really do love him a lot, Severus I am really happy for you."
"Potions Master Snape, it is a pleasure as always, please please come inside, I have been waiting for you to come." Tom Hammond owner of the Apothecary came running out of his shop to greet them.
Severus had not realised they were a few feet away from the Apothecary and while he had not originally intended on going there this trip, it was one of the only places in Diagon Alley he liked going, so he followed the man in.
There were a few students buying their potions store and all of them hurriedly bought their items and left at the sight of their Potions Professor.
"Please Potions Master Snape, I was deeply pleased to see that you were finally granted the honour you deserved and I was most pleased to tell everyone that you order your supplies from me..." the normally serious Hammond was beaming.
Severus actually liked Hammond, he was a good man who had never judged him or treated him differently despite the rumours of his involvement with the Dark Lord. As a matter of fact the reason why he originally bought from Hammond was because all of the other apothecaries had refused to sell him. He had once told Severus that he enjoyed talking with people who had an appreciation for potions and that was all he cared about.
"Yes and I will continue buying from you, because you have the best ingredients in all of Great Britain." Severus said with a small smile and if it were possible Hammond seemed more pleased.
Lucius looked at Severus strangely but said nothing.
Hammond smiled "I have something for you, please wait a moment."
"... in all of Great Britain; exaggerate much Sev" Lucius said with a raised eyebrow.
"I like the man, he has a good heart and you know I have good dealings with him, why jeopardise that" Severus said and then noticed a little girl with long black hair and bright blue eyes looking around in wonder.
"Are you here for your Hogwarts potions kit?" Severus asked the girl in a soft tone.
"Yes, I am going to be starting there in September and got my list here" she showed him the list.
Severus looked at the list and frowned, he had forgotten he wanted to change some of these ingredients, well it was too late. He walked around the store and started putting the ingredients into the little girl's shopping basket. Then he started putting items and ingredients that were not on the list and the little girl looked at him confused.
"The list doesn't say to get a stirrer."
"No but having your own is dead useful".
"Thanks."
Severus pulled out a quill from his robes and crossed out something on the list.
"Don't get the standard pewter cauldron, get the one with protections on it and spill proof that would help avoid accidents in class. And when you go to Flourish and Blotts ask them for the book called 'The Essential Beginners Guide to Potions' if you read that before your first day of class then potions would be much easier and I am assuming you are new to the Magical World?"
"Yes I am, I only found out I was a witch two days ago" the little girl answered.
"Okay then you should get a book called 'A Muggle's Guide to the Wizarding World' it would be most helpful."
"She should also get 'Everything a Muggle Parent should Know about their Magical Child' I am told it is a good book" Lucius said and seeing Severus unasked question he explained "Burbage wanted it to be given to every Muggle Parent but I... the Board refused".
Severus nodded and wrote the book down, and then looking at the girl said "I am writing a note to Mr. Dalton from the Cauldron Shop so he would sell you the cauldron I am recommending."
Then a short thin and pleasant looking lady obviously the girl's mother came in followed by Filius Flitwick.
"Why hello Severus, I see you have met Miss Emily Jules, this is her mother Rachel Jules. Mrs Jules this is our Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House Severus Snape and with him is Mr. Lucius Black a former member of the School Board." Filius introduced them.
"You're a Professor, no wonder you knew where everything was. Look mom he helped me with my potions stuff and told me about other books to get, he said it would help me" Emily said.
"Thank you for your help, sir" Mrs. Jules looked at him with a smile.
"It is a pleasure."
"So are you ready, we still have to get your cauldron and your books" her mom said.
"No I still have to pay for everything" Emily said as she noticed Hammond coming from the back.
Severus turned and watched Hammond count up the girl's items.
"Hammond don't cash the stirrer, it is on me."
"Thank you sir" the little girl said politely.
"You are welcome, anything to help a future Potions Mistress" Severus said giving her a wink.
"Thank you sirs" Mrs. Jules said as her daughter returned to her side and they both waved as they went out.
"And for you Potions Master Snape, my gift to you this one of a kind, Potions Case" Hammond handed Severus a wooden chest.
It was beautiful. It was of a dark wood, and polished with a clear varnish, there was the Slytherin snake and the Prince Crest carved on the top and Severus name engraved in gold. Severus passed his hand over the top and looked at it in wonder.
"Open it" Hammond said with excitement.
Opening the chest, Severus saw that it contained thirty potions ingredient bottles each one containing a different ingredient. Hammond reached over and showed him a latch which uncovered a second layer with thirty empty bottles for him to store his own ingredients."
"This is beautiful Hammond; I... Thank You." Severus said quietly.
"You are quiet welcomed, it is an honour to have you as a customer. Besides you made me a rich man, every student of Hogwarts comes here to buy their things."
"I... I will be sure to mention you in my next article in Potions Quarterly" Severus said with a small smile.
As they left the shop Lucius said "You really have changed but for the better... you are actually making people smile".
Severus snorted... and walked off.
Lucius was amused, at Flourish and Blotts they met Anthony Blake and the twins Jonathan and Mathew Joseph and Severus helped all three first year students get their books and recommended some books for them and answered many questions about Hogwarts and Slytherin house. Mr. Flourish presented Severus with a rare 12th Century Potions Journal.
At the Stationary store he met Tamara Irwin and recommended the self inking quill and since she was muggle born, he got her a practice book on how to use and maintain the quill. He looked at her parents who were looking overwhelmed especially with Tralawny who was attracting a lot of attention. He spoke to them for over half an hour and recommended several books for them to get. Mr and Mrs Cross owners of the store presented him with a box of handmade high quality rice parchment and a gold tip white peacock feathered quill and a case of his favourite red ink.
As they left the stationary store, Mr. Dalton of the cauldron shop came running down the alley to him and asked about the note he had given Emily Jules. Mr. Dalton asked if he wanted all of the first years to get that cauldron instead of the one on the booklist and Severus nodded. Mr. Dalton asked him to come to the shop, where they were greeted with a loud crash as eleven year old Sean Madley stumbled over his two left feet and landed into a pile of cauldrons. His sister Laura a fifth year Hufflepuff student was chastising him for his clumsiness.
"Come now Miss Madley you have been known to destroy several cauldrons in your time" Severus said as he helped the boy up.
Lucius used his wand and rearranged the cauldron display.
"Professor Snape, sir I... I... am sorry sir, my brother Sean is a bit clumsy and often does not watch where he is going?" the girl stammered and looked scared, she tried to put her brother behind her as if shielding him from Severus.
"Clumsy? Well now let's see, Mr Dalton I would recommend you exchanging this pewter cauldron young Mr. Madley has just purchased and give him one of the sturdier cauldrons, the thicker one that would not break and with the protections I recommended."
As Mr. Dalton changed the cauldron Severus looked at the scared boy who obviously had been pre-warned by his sister.
"Now Sean is it? Don't worry you are a little bit clumsy because you are going through a growth spurt and your body has not yet adjusted to its new height. I went through the same thing when I was your age; I fell down so much, my best friend used to walk around with an entire First Aid Kit." The little boy giggled and his sister tapped him on the head and told him not to be rude.
"It's quite okay Miss Madley, I felt no insult. Now Sean have you gotten your robes yet" the boy indicated he hadn't and that this had been their first stop.
"Well I remember falling and tearing my robes all the time" Severus said in sympathy and with a wave of his hand repaired the small tear in the boy's pants.
"Yes I remembered that too, I think by the end of first year Severus was an expert in the repairing spell."
"Thank you Lucius. Anyway to save you some embarrassment, since there are idiot boys who would like to tease you about tearing your clothes" Severus gave Lucius a glare "you should ask Madam Malkin to put extra protection on your clothes and put the spell so it would adjust to your growth spurt."
"Amm thank you for your advice sir and I mean no disrespect but we were not going to Madam Malkin's we were going to..." the girl started and then blushed.
Severus understood, they were going to the second hand clothes shop "Give me your book list" the boy gave him the parchment and Severus wrote a note on the back of the list. "Here give this to Madam Malkin and to all the other shop keepers in Diagon Alley that you are going to."
The siblings read the note and gasped as it was for the shop owners to put both siblings' school purchases on Severus' personal account.
"Thank you sir, but we don't take charity" the girl said lifting her head and Severus saw the little boy almost in tears at his sister's announcement.
"It's not charity, you are the best Hufflepuff potion's student I have had in years and you have potential, so for you Miss Madley it is a scholarship, and for you Sean... well I often have need for someone to help me clean my lab and help me cut up ingredients on a weekend... so if you are willing to take the job this is a loan."
The boy quickly nodded and his sister thanked Severus.
"Now Miss Madley, my recommendation, take the galleons you do have and purchase some nice clothes for you and your brother, to wear on a weekend. I know there are many Hogsmeade weekends and I know you want to look your best and starting Hogwarts is hard enough, you don't want your brother to get unwanted attention."
The girl looked at him with wide eyes and nodded. The two thanked him again and left.
After Mr. Dalton presented Severus with a gift of a small Golden Cauldron, they too left the store. And Severus noticed Lucius giving him a questioning look.
"She had a hard time when she started, your son especially and many others would tease her about her plain second hand clothes, she often spent her weekend in her dorms or in a corner of the library to avoid the teasing. Even though she is in Hufflepuff she studies like a Ravenclaw because she spends so much time in the Library. On her first trip to Hogsmede a group of Slytherins blocked the gate so she would not leave and told her that people in rags and no money weren't allowed into town, she spent the day hiding in Hagrid's cabin. I don't think she has ever gone to Hogsmede."
"She reminds you of yourself at that age" Lucius said knowingly and Severus looked at him and nodded.
After trips to several stores where Severus met new and returning students and spent time talking with them and recommending several purchases, the word had spread that Severus was helping the first years and many new and several returning students came to him and asked questions which he and even Lucius answered.
They had to make another trip to Flourish and Blotts and Mr. Flourish put out several copies of the books he had recommended to Emily. They then put up a sign saying the books were highly recommended for first year potions students and Muggle born students and parents.
After a few hours however Severus started to get a little frustrated, they had gone to almost every store in Diagon Alley and while he had his pockets filled with gifts for himself, as he had been presented with gifts from most of the shop owners, he still hadn't gotten one for Harry.
"God, I am tempted to even go into the Weasley's establishment" Severus said and Lucius laughed.
They saw Laura and Sean leaving Twilfit and Tattings, and then saw a group of four fifth year Slytherins surround the two Madleys.
Severus ran over to stop whatever confrontation was about to occur. He saw Filius running towards the group as well.
"What is going on here Mr. Baddock explain why you have taken Miss Madley's shopping bag?" Severus asked in his stern professor's tone.
"Sir, I was just going to return it to Mr. Twilfit as everyone knows she can't afford to shop there so most likely she stole it." Malcolm Baddock stated in a pompous tone.
"My sister didn't steal it, she bought it with her own money, she worked hard all summer to save that money" Sean said stepping in front of his sister to protect her.
Lucius looked in admiration at the little boy who was a foot smaller than the others.
"Probably as a whore" one of the other boys said and was immediately the recipient of a punch to the stomach as Sean sought to defend his sisters' honour.
Filius lifted Sean off of the much taller and bigger Graham Pritchard and Severus grabbed the Slytherin.
"Apologise NOW Mr. Pritchard, your comment was totally derogatory and rude, and I will not tolerate such behaviour."
The Slytherin boys now looked at their Head of House in shock and Graham apologised.
"Is there a problem here" Brian Watson came up flanked by two Aurors.
"No problem. Nothing a trip to my office on September 1st would not solve" Severus gave his Slytherins a knowing look and all the boys gasped and looked scared; Graham looked like he wanted to cry.
"Well it seems you two professors have it well in hand" Brian said waving the Aurors away "At this time we often like to do extra patrols."
Filius nodded and introduced Mrs. Jules and Emily to the Head of the DMLE.
Severus looked at his students "I will be having a meeting with you gentlemen the first day of the new term and if I hear that you have harassed either Miss Madley or her brother you would not like to feel the consequences now go."
The boys ran away as fast as they could.
"Thank you sir" Laura said as she picked up her bag.
"You are quite welcome Miss Madley."
"Now Mr. Madley, I am sorry to say while I was hoping you would end up in my house, it is obvious you are destined for Gryffindor" Severus said to the little boy.
Brian laughed and Severus explained.
"Young Mr. Madley defended his sister's honour against Mr. Pritchard and indeed I think he was willing to take on all four boys".
The little boy blushed.
"Definitely a Gryffindor and maybe a future Auror as well" Brian said looking at the little boy.
"I think his heroic action calls for a reward. What do you say to some ice cream" Filius said with a big smile.
Sean's eyes lit up and then looked at his sister who nodded and then she said "Thank you Sean and I have just enough left to get you the Owl you were looking at, I think you deserve it."
"An OWL that's it, why didn't I think of that earlier" Severus said as he slapped his forehead.
Filius looked at him and asked "You alright there Severus?"
"I have been looking whole afternoon for a birthday present for Harry."
"Cutting it close aren't you? I organised his present over a week ago, I got him an original 'Art of War' scroll" Brian stated with a smirk.
"Wow how ever did you manage that?" Lucius asked.
"There are some perks to being the head of the DMLE."
"I got him a three hundred year old bottle of rum originally from South America" Filius said.
"Thanks I am going to enjoy that" Severus said and Filius, Brian and Lucius laughed.
"I think I better head over to the Owl Emporium, after he lost Hedwig, he has been almost afraid to go there, but I know he will like an Owl."
Sean looked up at him and said "if you see a pretty brown owl with white spots, she's mine" making sure Severus did not buy the one he wanted.
"Sure, I don't want to be a recipient of your right punch, Mr. Madley" Severus said seriously and everyone else laughed.
As Filius took the others for ice cream and Brian went back patrolling; Severus and Lucius headed for the Owl Emporium.
----
Harry turned the corner and grabbed the wall. Every step was painful; he looked at the portrait of the Griffin about ten steps ahead of him and groaned. Harry moaned at every step, his body ached in places that he didn't think could hurt.
The Griffin on the wall looked at him with sympathy and opened for him.
Harry groaned and almost fell as he entered. Kreacher came running up "Master Harry, you are in pain, let me help you."
Harry nodded and Kreacher levitated him to his bedroom.
Kreacher watched his master and shook his head, he popped out.
Severus was about to have some of Narcissa's apple crumble dessert when Kreacher came in. The elf whispered in his ear.
"If you all would excuse me, I have to return home" Severus said calmly and after taking a minute to thank Narcissa and Lucius for dinner, he apparated to the Hogwarts gates. Ogden was waiting for him and took him directly to Gryffindor Tower.
"Harry, Harry what happened?" Severus said as he dashed into the bedroom.
Harry groaned.
"I'm calling Justine" Severus said as he looked at the black and blue marks all over Harry.
"No" Harry groaned again.
Severus looked at him and Harry with great difficulty turned over to lie on his back "No, don't call anyone, I will be okay."
"Harry what happened to you? You looked like you were beaten" Severus said sitting on the bed next to him "Who did this to you?"
"Godric, Sal" Harry murmured and closed his eyes.
Severus looked at him confused "You are delirious Harry".
He called Misty and asked her to bring various pain potions, the healing bath lotion and the healing oil.
When Misty returned he gave Harry a pain potion and after a minute, Harry sat up.
"Now Harry tell me what happened?"
"I got... Defence Master..."
"You got a Defence Master? Who?" Severus asked.
"Godric, Sal..."
"Harry I don't understand" Severus said.
Harry then explained how the founders met him in the Room of Requirements and how all the portraits of the Defence Masters of Hogwarts were there and how the magic of the room allowed them to become corporal, so they would be all training him.
"So... in reality your Defence Master is Hogwarts herself?" Severus said.
"Yes, the magic of Hogwarts with the knowledge of all the past Defence Masters and the founders... the heritage magic of the founders allows them to be corporal and be as they were when they were alive."
"So what happened?"
"I fought Godric with swords and then Salazar with wands, they wanted to see how much power I had and what I knew, then I had to fight Godric with wandless magic and by hand... they handed me my arse. I have never fought anyone like them, I felt like a first year." Harry said.
Severus laughed "You have gotten masters who would not be pushovers".
"They are pure magic, they can't get tired, they feel no pain... I used a powerful Sectumsempra on Salazar and sliced him in half and he levitated his upper half which continued casting spells and his legs moved to the other side and kicked my butt" Harry said, half in anger, half in disbelief.
"Oh Harry, I am sorry but this really is the best for you."
"What getting my arse kicked?"
"No, you are getting an opportunity no one has ever gotten, the training is going to be intense and especially in the beginning it is going to be harsh, but it is going to get better. When you are through your training you are going to be better than anyone alive or even in history because your training is going to be an accumulation of all the knowledge of the ages and it is going to be much higher than a Mastery."
"I know Severus, but I dread tomorrow, I am so sore already and I have training again tomorrow..."
Severus smiled "I am going to draw a bath for you and you will soak in the healing lotion, it should sooth your muscles."
Five minutes later Harry was sitting in a steaming bath with the blue healing water which was a muscle relaxer.
Severus walked outside and saw Godric and Salazar sitting each with a glass in their hands.
"Are you trying to kill my lover?" Severus said with a smirk.
"Us no... Harry is a wonderful student, my God, Severus you should have seen him. He lasted for over five hours, it was amazing. Even when I was his age, I would not have lasted more than two hours under such intense training. He is a brilliant fighter." Godric said in excitement.
"He sliced me in HALF; the only man who was able to defeat me when I was in my prime was Godric." Salazar said in disbelief.
"He was able to fight with sword, wand, wandless and even hand to hand; and he takes instruction and learns. I had to wait a thousand years for such a student and it was worth the wait." Godric said with a big grin.
"When I was fighting him, I was cheating and used wandless wordless parselmagic on him, so he only knew what I was doing with my wand. He knew something was off and he kept adapting. It was amazing." Salazar beamed.
"So where is he?" Godric said looking around.
"He is soaking in hot steaming water with a muscle relaxer and healing bath lotion" Severus answered.
"Ohh I had a nice formula for one of those, what do you put in it" Salazar said and Godric rolled his eyes.
"Why don't you tell him about Harry's move where he jumped up and flipped mid air and..." Godric realised he was now talking to himself as the two potions masters were in heavy discussion.
"No, you shouldn't use the milk, use a few drops of phoenix tears, just two to every gallon of liquid, let in seep in, don't stir for thirty seconds and then stir counter clockwise for a minute" Salazar was explaining.
"Every time I use the aloe with the phoenix tears, I find adding a reverse stir every ten seconds, heightens the potency" Severus said.
Salazar nodded "Yes, yes...but what about if you a drop of sheep oil..."
"...After the second reverse stir, yes that would work, but what if we use it from a lamb instead..." Severus started.
"Yes, it would cause the potion to be richer and increase its effectiveness, but you would have to decrease..." Salazar had put his drink down and was deep into the conversation.
"Would you two potions geeks stop it you are giving me a headache" Godric shouted and they were quiet.
Severus was about to mention that Godric was incapable of getting a headache when a voice from the side said "you don't have to decrease any of the sandalwood Salazar, if that is what you are thinking, if you use distilled water instead of spring water."
Salazar gave Lily a big smile and Severus said "But distilled water may have an effect on the aloe..."
Godric screamed "I am going to spend the evening with Galen and the boys, you three are going to drive me crazy, Severus don't forget Harry in the tub, I am sure he is probably asleep by now" Godric put his drink down and walked out of the frame.
Severus saw Harry resting in the tub he was not asleep but almost there "Come on Love, let's get you dried and in bed".
Severus opened a big fluffy towel and Harry slipped in. Severus dried him off and then helped him into the bedroom, where Harry plopped on the bed.
Lying down on his stomach, completely naked, Harry didn't want to move. He then felt a warm tingly feeling as Severus poured oil over his back, arms, butt and legs. Severus then used his hands and starting at the top of the neck, slowly massaged each muscle, each curve, each indent, each and every inch of Harry. Severus felt Harry's muscles relax and his hands kneaded into the flesh. Harry groaned and Severus was pleased.
After working on Harry's back, arms and legs, Severus moved his hands over the globes of Harry's bum and his hands moved in a circular fashion, making sure and getting on the inside of each cheek and then moving down to the undercurve.
Severus was fully stimulated; he reached over to ask Harry if he wanted him to go deeper, when he saw that Harry was sound asleep.
Severus shook his head and sighed. He bent down and kissed Harry's forehead and walked out the room and went to take a cold shower.
----
Harry heard his name being called; he slowly came back into consciousness "Sev?"
"Kreacher told me you have a tradition that I didn't want you to miss, you have less than a minute left" Severus said with a smile.
Harry looked over at the alarm clock and saw it was 11:59 pm; he sat up and looked as the hand struck midnight.
"Happy Birthday Harry" Severus said and gave him a kiss.
Harry quickly pulled the covers over him to cover his nakedness as Kreacher came in with a sleepy Dante; they were followed by Misty who was carrying a large double chocolate fudge cake, with lighted candles.
They all sang Happy Birthday and Harry blew out the candles. Harry was truly happy.
"Master Harry I have a gift for you" Dante gave Harry a drawing of him fighting the snake.
"This is beautiful Dante I love it."
Misty gave Harry a potion's vial of something that was shimmering; she reached over and whispered in Harry's ear what it was. "Really?" Harry said in surprise and Misty nodded and smiled, both she and Harry turned and looked at Severus and smirked.
"I don't think I want to know" Severus said shaking his head.
"Master Harry, I too have a gift for you, but you will get it tomorrow" Kreacher said seriously and Harry nodded.
"However, this came from Miss Hermione and Master Draco a few minutes ago" Kreacher gave Harry two packages.
Harry opened the one from Hermione first and saw it was a magical Blackberry cell phone. As he turned it on it rang and saw the caller ID indicating it was Hermione. He spoke with her for a few minutes and hung up only when he saw Dante closing his eyes.
Draco's gift was a boomerang.
"And where is your present Severus?" Harry said looking around after they all had a piece of cake.
"And who says I got you anything, wasn't the kiss good enough?" Severus smiled cheekily.
"No, I want my present; I know you got me something."
"Well okay I did" Severus laughed and then whistled.
Harry saw a big jet black owl fly in and land on the bed next to him. Harry looked at it in shock. The owl turned and Harry saw that it had green eyes.
"Severus, he is beautiful" Harry stroked the bird's feathers and then burst into tears.
----
With the dawn Harry found himself running around the lake, the sun was rising and his running partners kept pace with him. Galen, Sancho and Carlos ran at his side, Eric was slightly behind them, however Constantine was about half a mile ahead of them. Overhead Harry's new owl Horus was flying peacefully.
Harry laughed as he considered that even though he felt the wind blowing in his face and smelt the fresh unique scent the lake had, he was in fact not around the lake but inside the Room of Requirements. He just loved magic.
"Come on Harry you are starting to slow down" Galen said sternly.
Harry nodded and quickened his pace.
An hour later, Godric and Salazar came to the lake side where the boys were stretching out.
"Harry you have the rest of the day off, since it is your birthday, but know that tomorrow the real work begins" Godric told him and laughed when he saw Harry's expression.
"Yes happy birthday Harry" Constantine said with a smirk and Harry suddenly felt himself being lifted as Sancho and Eric grabbed him and tossed him into the cold lake.
----
After a hefty breakfast, Kreacher insisted that Harry dress in his formal burgundy robes with the Potter, Black and Gryffindor crests on them.
"Kreacher do I have to wear this get up?" Harry moaned.
"Yes, now stop whining it is most unbecoming" Kreacher said sternly as he attached the silver sword and scabbard to a magical harness on Harry's hip.
"I think Master Harry looks really beautiful" Dante said with a smile.
"So do I" Severus said from the doorway.
"Why do I have to wear this?" Harry moaned again.
"Because as Lord Black you must receive those under your protection, propriety dictates that they bring you gifts on your special day."
"But I don't want them to bring gifts. I don't want anyone to get me something because they are compelled to" Harry said with a frown.
"I do not think anyone who will come feels compelled to, they bring gifts because they love you and want to show you that you are special to them" Severus said and then kissed Harry gently on the lips.
Ogden came in and indicated that Harry's first guests had arrived and were in the Great Hall.
Harry sighed and with Severus left his apartment.
----
Minerva was repositioning the table in the Great Hall and was moving around the chairs and Pomona was decorating the hall with a light vine, when the dos Santos family, Bohus and Filius came in.
"Is there something happening today?" Felipe asked Filius.
"You really are a foreigner" Pomona said with a laugh "All British Wizards know this day, I suspect many of them know it better than they know the Queen's birthday. Today is Harry's birthday."
Bohus scoffed.
"Are we having a party?" Julieta said.
"A party no, not really, as a prominent Lord and the Head of two great families, Harry family and his friends will be coming to give him presents" Minerva explained.
Elena quickly whispered to her husband and he ran off.
"Shouldn't he be doing that in his own home, if I remember clearly there should be a Potter Manor and a Black Manor still standing, and I don't understand why he lives here anyway, didn't he graduate he is not a student neither is he staff" Bohus said angrily.
Minerva took a deep breath "Stefan, while it no longer is a formal title recognised by the Wizengamot, Harry is Lord Gryffindor and as such has an apartment here at Hogwarts, which he is free to live in at anytime he desires."
"Lord Gryffindor, why that is ridiculous, you all keep giving the boy a hyped up sense of superiority he doesn't deserve" Bohus said with a raised voice.
Minerva looked like she was going to flay him when Filius put his hand on her arm to calm her and then he turned to the DADA teacher "Whether you or anyone else thinks he does or does not deserve it, it is not our call, Hogwarts herself has recognised him as Lord Gryffindor and answers his call."
"So is there a Lord Ravenclaw or a Lord Hufflepuff..." Bohus said sarcastically.
"Neville Longbottom is Lord Hufflepuff" Pomona said with pride "He and his girlfriend Luna are now inspecting my gift to him, and well Hogwarts as well. His own greenhouse to grow what he pleases."
"Great, then my complete set of gardening tools will fit right in" Filius said smiling.
"Longbottom, I thought he was nothing more than a squib?" Bohus said with a mocking laugh.
"You must have gullysprites dancing in front your eyes, they force people to see things as they are not, because you underestimate both Neville and Harry... you must be careful other DADA teachers have done so in the past and now they are no more." A dreamy voice said from the entrance way and they all turned to see Luna standing with a scowling Neville.
Neville looked magnificent in Black and Gold robes with the Longbottom Crest which had a circle around it indicating he was the heir and the Hufflepuff Lordship crest on it embossed in gold. He had a light glow around him indicating he was definitely not a squib.
"A happy belated birthday to you Neville, I am sorry I missed you yesterday, but I hope you got my gift." Minerva said to Neville and gave him a hug.
"Yes the Lion statue fits in quite nicely in my new gardens at Longbottom Manor; we spent some time yesterday arranging it. Gran was also very happy, thank you Minerva."
Filius informed Elena that Neville's birthday was the day before and she and Julieta walked over and gave him birthday greetings.
Ogden came in an announced to Minerva that the Black family had arrived and she left to greet them at the door and Ogden left to inform Harry.
A few minutes later Minerva came back in accompanied by Lucius and Narcissa and the two children Richard and Claire.
"What is that Death Eater doing here, I thought he would have been rotting in Azkaban?"
"I have paid my debt to society sir" Lucius said with his head held high.
Bohus sneered "You haven't paid enough as far as I am concerned, and these children are that devil's spawn are they not?"
"That is enough. I am sick and tired of your disrespect and patronising tone Bohus; Lucius and Narcissa and the children are under my protection and I will not have you speaking to them in that manner." Harry's cold and powerful voice came from behind.
"You protect those who should not be protected; these children should have died with their father. Your father would be ashamed of you" Bohus said in a disgusted tone.
"No child should be made to pay for their parent's mistakes or actions and these children have a bright future ahead of them and if you continue to speak ill of them, you wouldn't" Harry was now pulsing with magic.
Severus immediately backed away and dragged Narcissa and the children to the side, Neville moved Julieta behind him and Elena seeing the action stepped back as well.
"Is that a threat?" Bohus magic was also now visible as well.
"No it is a promise" Harry said coldly.
"You wear that sword on your hip let's see if it has some purpose or if you are a fraud as I believe you are. Draw your sword" Bohus said as he drew his own sword.
"I wouldn't need to" Harry said and in a blur of movement Harry was suddenly at Bohus' side. What followed in the next second no one was really sure.
Fred and George who had just arrived and were standing in the doorway swore Bohus sword became red hot and shattered by Harry's mere touch.
Brian who was standing next to Fred indicated that Harry used muggle techniques and was so forceful in his block that Bohus' hand and sword was shattered.
Filius indicated that the power from Harry's magic repelled Bohus and in that second destroyed the sword and his hand.
Severus indicated he didn't see what happened because he blinked.
They all agreed on the punch to the face.
Bohus was in an instant sprawled on the ground with a broken arm and shattered hand, and a broken and bloody nose, his sword lay at the side in multiple pieces.
Harry stood above him with not a hair out of place.
To all of their surprise Bohus started laughing.
He sat up and cradled his hand "I am truly sorry, Lord Potter Black, but I was testing to see how far I could push you before you showed me your true ability. I am sorry if I offended anyone, but I knew you were outside the hall. You would make a great apprentice."
Harry pulled the man up "Yes, I would, but not with you."
Bohus' face fell.
"I do not like your teaching techniques and I don't think you have anything to offer me" Harry walked away.
----
Bohus sat on the hospital bed as Elena repaired his bones and nose. She had just told him he could go when Neville Longbottom walked in.
"If you could excuse us Senora dos Santos" Neville said and Elena nodded and left the hospital and went back to the Great Hall.
"Listen I already explained and apologised" Bohus stated as he looked at Neville whose piercing blue eyes were cold.
Neville snapped his fingers and Bohus found himself flying through the air and pinned high up against the hospital wall, unable to move, unable to use any magic. The man had been an Auror for over 70 years, forty of which he spent as an International Auror, he had fought some of the most powerful wizards in the world, he was considered the best Defence Master in Europe, but right now was one of the rare times he actually found himself in true fear.
Neville walked gracefully towards him, his voice was calm, cold and barely above a whisper "I know you explained and apologised, otherwise you would now find yourself without a job. I want you to listen and listen well. This is a school and the children you would be teaching are in fact that children; not Aurors, not harden criminals but innocent little children. Yes there would be those whose parents were Death Eaters and yes there would be some whose parents would have taught them some dark arts magic, but they are impressionable children who would be struggling between right and wrong. As Harry told you, no child should be punished for their parents' mistake or actions. Your job here is not to punish, intimate or judge in anyway. Your job is to instruct, encourage and guide them in the right direction. Talking from experience, children who are taught using fear, do not learn and do not live up to their full potential."
Neville waved his hand and Bohus moved down the wall until he and Neville were eye to eye.
"If you don't think you can do that, then you should leave. I heard Filius and Pomona explain Harry and my Lordships and while it has no power outside, it holds immense power here. What you are experiencing right now is the power of Hogwarts, within these grounds our magical power is magnified, she listens to our call. The castle itself has its own power. I see fear in your eyes and you would be right to fear me if you make yourself an enemy of Hogwarts but I want you to note that my power is nothing compared to Harry's. However if I think you are a threat to any student, teacher or any resident here, you WILL feel my power and you WILL be fired and thrown physically out of the grounds."
Neville released him and Bohus slumped forward only to be physically thrown back by Neville's powerful arm that pinned him "If you ever disrespect Harry again, I WILL kill you and that is a promise."
Neville released him and then said "You are welcome to join us for lunch in the Great Hall and since it is party I suggest you find a gift."
Neville then walked out and left the stunned Bohus on the floor.
