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 37: Save the Children
Harry woke with Severus resting on his chest. He had held the grieving man until he fell asleep. He looked at the time, it was half four. It was the normal time he would get up to prepare for his training with his Hogwarts brothers. He knew he wasn't going to make this morning's run, Severus needed him.
He gently moved Severus and got up off the bed. He walked down the stairs to the office where Elijah's portrait rested.
"Elijah could you just inform Galen that I would not make this morning's run, I need to remain with Severus" Harry told the worried man.
Elijah nodded and walked out his frame, two minutes later he came back in.
"They said they understood and not to worry, you are where you need to be" Elijah said and Harry nodded.
Harry was waving his hand and repairing the office.
"Harry I want to thank you, for being here for Severus. After his mom died he was so angry and full of hate, it was after her death that he went to Voldemort. I know now that it was Albus' influence but it is one of my biggest regrets in my life. I was not there for him, when he grieved. I left him to Albus and had I done what I had always promised myself I would have, then he would not have been lost" the portrait of Elijah Prince said sadly.
"Elijah, the important thing is you are here for him now" Harry said.
Elijah nodded "Harry I am glad you are also here for him. I am glad he has found someone to love him the way you do".
"Thanks Grandpa Elijah... I could feel him getting up, I must go" Harry said.
"Call Jeeves, I had him go last night to Diagon Alley and pick up a few potions you might need" Elijah said and Harry nodded.
Harry nodded and called the elf, who gave him several anti nausea, hang over, and headache relief potions.
Harry helped Severus as he expelled his alcoholic binge from the night before. He helped him clean up and cleaned up the room. He gave him the potions that Jeeves had bought.
"Ugg, what first year student did you steal these from" Severus asked as he took the potions.
"Jeeves got them from Diagon Alley" Harry said smiling "Come you need a shower."
Severus walked as if dazed and only really woke up when Harry turned off the hot water in the shower and the ice cold water hit his body.
Harry helped his lover shower and then brought him back to the bedroom where he dressed him.
"Harry I am sorry... my head hurts" Severus said lying back down.
"Come I will make you breakfast and by then hopefully the headache potion will kick in" Harry said as he too put on clean robes.
"Can I stay here?" Severus said and Harry nodded and put the covers back over him.
Harry went to the kitchen and prepared breakfast and true to his word prepared a small chocolate fudge cake. He carried a tray up to the bedroom and Severus was treated to breakfast in bed.
After breakfast Harry brought a slice of the cake as dessert.
"Harry chocolate cake for breakfast?" Severus looked at him with a strange look.
"Last night you asked me to bake you a chocolate fudge cake... so I made one" Harry said and then put the fork in the cake and fed Severus a piece.
"Hmm, not bad but not as good as Misty's" Severus said.
Harry sat back "Severus I am really sorry about Misty..."
"I know, Harry I am sorry... I had no right to ask you, I know what it would have cost you. I just... Misty was my best friend for so long Harry. I didn't want to lose her."
Harry reached over and held his hand "I know."
"I buried her in the spot reserved for me; next to my mother... she was more a mother to me than my own. My mother only cared for my father, she could have humbled herself and gone to my grandfather at any time, but she didn't. Had she, we would have found out that he was paying my fees and that he cared for us. My mother put my father's wishes ahead of everything else. Misty always put me first. I got her as a gift from Master LeBlanc when I became a Potions Master... but she was never my servant, she was family."
Harry sat and listened as Severus told him many of the adventures that he and Misty had gone through. They took a walk down to the Prince cemetery where they put fresh flowers on the grave and then they slowly walked back to the manor.
Severus looked absently at the back where Octavius patrolled, the ghost waved and they walked over.
"How are you feeling Severus?" Octavius said coming over.
"Much better, thank you Octavius... and thank you for getting Harry last night" Severus said.
"You are welcome, my job is to protect you, even if it is from yourself" Octavius said with a smile that Harry saw was just like Severus'.
"Speaking of protecting would it be rude to ask why the back here is off limits?" Harry asked and saw Severus shake his head.
"Well it is simple, there is great danger there. When I was a child my father would often warn us not to go to the woods to the back of the manor and of course I did not listen and well as you can guess I learnt the hard way and well Beauty and I now protect here to stop anyone else from making my mistake."
"So what is this great danger?"
"One of my uncles was a potions master who experimented on various creatures and let's just say that they could not stay in the house."
"That is very noble of you to guard here but there is no one really around now to go there so why stay?" Harry asked again his curiosity peaked.
"Well when I died I had two younger brothers and I wanted to protect them. Eventually I stayed to protect their children. I have been guarding here over four hundred years now and until the danger is removed I will stay. I am sure you will appreciate it when you have children and they come to the manor."
Severus sneered "if our children are anything like him, you will have to be here day and night twenty four hours without moving."
Harry chuckled and Octavius laughed "Well be assured I will be here to stop them and on the very rare occasion I am not, like last night, Beauty will be, so don't worry, none will die on my watch."
Harry was about to ask another question when he felt his communications mirror alarm.
Harry answered, it was Neville "Harry we have a problem here, Hogwarts informed us that an unauthorised person entered the inner chamber. I got Ginny, Alex and Bill and we went down to the chamber but we did not find anyone, the guardian said no one visited but Bill said the wards indicate someone came down. Brian also called and said the American Minister of Magic is on his way and wants to speak with you and the goblins want to put a proposal forward but refuse to talk with anyone besides you. The centaurs have asked for a meeting and I want to be there..."
Harry looked frustrated and looked at Severus "Neville I..."
"We are on our way" Severus said close to the mirror "Neville tell them we will be there in about ten minutes."
Harry nodded.
"Okay thanks I will see you then" Neville said and ended the communications.
----
Ten minutes later Harry entered the inner chamber where Ginny, Bill and Alex were waiting.
Alex looked at him "All indicators show someone entered but we can't find anyone, my belief is that whoever it is may be in the labyrinth."
"All Alex's men and the goblins are accounted for, whoever it is does not know where they are going, the ward on the Basilisk Lair was not activated nor the one on the Library's passageway, so by process of elimination, they must be in the labyrinth" Bill put in.
Harry nodded and turned into his dog form and sniffed around and then to their amazement turned into his wolf form and listened carefully. He howled and then listened.
He turned back into himself "Whoever it is has a snake with them and its not Kaa. Bill come with me. Alex tie a rope around Bill, we would need a life line."
Alex conjured a magical line and latched it onto Bill "This will not only hold you secure but will map the area if you want it too."
"I don't really want it recorded but a map would be useful in identifying any structural damage" Harry said.
"I understand but don't worry I will use this knowledge wisely" Alex said.
Harry nodded and then said "Bill do you think you could cast a light?"
Harry turned into his wolf form and headed down a passage and Bill followed, they weaved in an out several areas and on several occasions Harry turned into either his dog form or his snake form. Bill deactivated traps that would have sent them to another area and they found two skeletons. Within half an hour they found Sunil Arjun sitting with his wand casting a weak light.
The boy screamed when he saw the large wolf coming to him and drew his wand screaming for the wolf to back off.
Harry turned back into himself and Bill came up to them.
"How did you get down here?" Harry said seriously.
Sunil looked at him uncertainly and took out a small snake out of his robes "I heard you speak in parseltongue, I had Raja with me so last night I asked him to repeat what he heard. I found the apartment and then the lab and then I came out to the circle place and I wanted to get back but I got lost. I am sorry."
"When this is over I am going to put a million wards on this place... Come on."
Harry took Sunil's hand and using Bill's tether link within ten minutes they rejoined Ginny and Alex.
The little cobra in Sunil's hand spoke "[you are going to be in ssso much trouble, your dad isss going to punisssh you]"
Harry looked at the snake but it was Ginny who responded "[Sssometimesss a ssspanking isss needed to put you back on the right path]" she looked at Harry and blushed.
"[Yesss and you Raja dessserve some punissshment asss well, you knew thisss area was out of boundsss, the sssmell of the Great One is all over thisss place, you could have led him ssstraight to a Great One]"
"[He doesss not ssspeak asss you do]" the snake said in his defence.
"[Yesss but you could have found a way, that labyrinth could have led to hisss death]" Harry tapped the young cobra lightly on its head.
Alex held Sunil and was about to put magical binds on him to arrest him when Harry put up his hand and called "Ogden"
Harry sent the house-elf for Arjun to meet them in the Great Hall. Harry told Alex that he and his men with Bill could continue mapping the tunnels and repairing what they could.
Harry saw the Indian man and Severus waiting for them. The goblins also came and Harry sent most of them down to the inner chamber, two remained to speak with him.
He directed Ogden to show the goblins to the small chamber at the side.
Knowing how he felt facing his 'grandfathers' Harry looked at the young man and said "Do you want to tell your father what you did?"
The seventeen year old boy looked like he wanted to throw up but told his father about his adventure, when he was through Arjun expression was similar to Godric's when Harry had made his confession.
"Harry I am truly sorry we seem to have really overstepped our welcome. I am assuming he is to be arrested?" His father asked.
"For being curious and having a sense of adventure that I am sure he got from you. No. I will accept any punishment that you give to him" Harry said and saw Kaa give him a disapproving look.
Harry smiled "But I am in a pickle, the inner chamber is strictly off limits and those who have been down below have sworn oaths not to speak of it. I briefly contemplated erasing his memory of the place but I have another proposal. I could use your archaeological expertise in a certain room I have yet to go to... but I must insist on both you and your son taking oaths not to speak of or inform any others of what you see there."
Instantly Arjun and Sunil gave their vows.
"[Kaa you disssapprove?]"
"[Once Sssaab goesss to your sssite, he will forget about his ssson'sss punissshment and once again the boy will be free to do asss he wissshesss.]"
Harry contemplated and then Ginny spoke up "Harry don't forget the goblins that are waiting for you and I believe the Headmistress and Brian were also looking for you. Since Master Arjun here also needs time to speak with his son, maybe we could meet after lunch to go the Chamber?"
"Excellent idea Ginny" Harry said and saw Sunil cringe.
Kaa looked at the girl strangely and Harry whispered to him that Ginny was also a speaker but it was not known to many.
Arjun and Sunil excused themselves and Ginny left to take a rest as her leg was hurting. Harry looked at Severus "My life is getting so complicated, do you think they will miss us if we go to the Caribbean for the next three weeks before school starts".
Severus smiled and kissed Harry "I think that is a good idea but somehow trouble seem to follow you where ever you go."
Harry sighed "I think you are right; here comes some now..."
Brian came in with Minerva, Potions Master Gadolin, Kingsley and another man who was later introduced as the American Minister of Magic. The American Minister wanted to know how their most prominent Potions Master died. Harry provided a penseive memory (skipping the part with Death) and the group left to go to the Headmistress' office.
Harry and Severus went to the small room where the goblins were waiting. The goblins showed them the original blueprints of the school and showed where there was originally a Slytherin Tower and that there were stables and several more greenhouses. The goblins showed him a proposed blueprint that showed Slytherin Tower, a new modern greenhouse area, a complex defence building with duelling rooms and a training area; a new large potions lab similar to Salazar's.
"I love it but it is not my decision..." Harry started.
"Do you think you could make a connection between Slytherin Tower and Gryffindor Tower and link my room to Harry's?" Severus asked and smiled when the goblins nodded.
"And what about a lab for advance potions?" Severus asked again.
"Severus stop, listen as much as I would like to say yes, it is the Headmistress' and the Board of Governor's decision" Harry stated.
"King Ragnuk said to discuss it with you or Lord Hufflepuff, that you are Lord Gryffindor" one of the goblin's said.
"Yes, I am but I matters of this nature must involve the Headmistress" Harry said.
"Or the Deputy Headmaster and I love it" Severus said and started going through some of the areas, including security areas. For the next hour Severus and the goblins went through several additions. At the end Severus said he would bring the proposal to Minerva that evening. Harry was quietly pleased the blueprints kept Severus' mind busy.
That evening went as a blur; Minerva hosted a press conference with Brian, Kingsley, Severus, Gadolin and the American Minister. Gadolin admitted that due to the Potions Guild error there was an accident which caused damage to the school and the deaths of two prominent guild members. The American Minister promised a donation of three million galleons to the school to help in the repairs to the school. The British Ministry also promised several million galleons. Minerva reassured the press that while the school was under some repairs it would be fully functional come September 1st.
After the press conference Severus and Minerva locked themselves with the new blue prints in her office. Harry went to the Basilisk lair with Arjun, Sunil, Alex, Ginny and Bill. The lair was huge, filled with weird vines which had strange yellow flowers and a purple fruit, part of the moat brought fresh water and the place looked like a small jungle. Bones which included centaur and elf bones, littered the floor and they found old shed skin and Basilisk waste. There was a huge raised platform with a cushioned area that was warm which obviously was where the snake slept. Above the platform there was a portrait frame which when Harry touched a young Salazar appeared, though Harry soon realised it only spoke in parseltongue . The room was also filled with parselscript and runes around the room. Arjun was in his element. Ginny took to the archaeologists and aided them in the translations.
Harry called Ogden who was able to tell them of the house-elves who disappeared six years ago and Ginny felt so badly, realising that she had to have been the one who called them.
By the time they settled to bed that evening Severus was excitingly telling Harry about the impromptu Board of Governors meeting and their excitement about meeting the founders and their approval of the new changes.
"The money we got from the Basilisk is funding the changes..." Severus was saying excitingly as he laid back on Harry.
----
The next day was full of fun, Harry and Severus spent the day with Lucius, Narcissa, Andromeda, Cassy and the children. Lucius, Severus and Harry took the children to a magical horse farm and bought the little girl the pony of her choice. Severus was going to buy a pony for Teddy as well but a call to his grandmother got a resounding No. Lucius bought four other horses and two winged chestnut Aethonon horses.
The highlight of the evening was when Draco stopped by and told them all about the hospital. Lucius told them that he was going to volunteer a day each week at the hospital feeling that it was important. Andromeda told him it was a good idea.
After a day filled with ice cream, cake and sugar filled hyper children (even Richard loosen up and actually started playing), Harry and Severus headed back to Hogwarts.
Harry settled with documents from Fireforge concerning the orphanages and Severus sat next to him with letters he had received.
There were several letters from individuals wishing to become potions apprentices and a few from potions masters requesting advice on potions. After an hour of replying he picked up a thin envelope with an untidy scrawl on it.
The letter came from Sean Madley, the young lad Severus had met in Diagon Alley who along with his sister Laura Madley had benefited from Severus' generosity.
Dear Professor Snape
My sister read in the papers today that there was an accident at Hogwarts and some potions masters died. I am really sorry as I am sure they were your friends and I hope you were not injured but I saw your picture and you did not look injured just really sad.
Two years ago my best friend Lucy died and I cried a lot and I miss her but my mom says that once you love someone they never really die and part of their love stays in your heart. I know you will miss your friends but they will never really die if you remember them in your heart.
Thank you for your help, my robes look great and I have read all my books especially the potions one and I am really excited.
See you on September 1st.
Sean Madley
***
Severus read the letter a few times and then sighed folded the letter and tucked it carefully in his robes. Harry looked at him curiously but didn't say anything.
After a few minutes Severus asked "Harry do you think potions class would be more interesting if I had the students more involved?"
"Involved how?"
"Like carrying them to help me gather ingredients or have them help me brew, like when I brew the wolfsbane for your facility?"
"I think that would be a great idea but it would help if you stop yelling at them and insulting them all the time, especially the non-Slytherins" Harry said with a chuckle and Severus raised his eyebrow.
"I was thinking of inviting the NEWT students to Hogwarts for a day to help me with the new NEWT potions lab. They could help me fix it up and stock it, you know get them involved. What do you think?"
"That's wonderful; I know a student like Hermione would have jumped at the chance" Harry looked at him "You know Severus, I have a list here of the children for the orphanage and there are twelve Hogwarts students on the list, eight of whom are Slytherin."
"Only twelve I thought the list would have been higher" Severus took the list and read it.
"So did I, Fireforge indicated that there are many others who were orphaned but got family members or friends to see about them, these have nowhere to go and are actually in muggle orphanages."
"I can't see Aiden Pucey staying in a muggle orphanage nor Lisle Rosier... I was so sure they would have had others to see about them" Severus said pacing "I am sure none of them have gotten books, uniforms anything ready for school."
"Well Severus the orphanage should be ready in two week's time we would..."
"No Harry that's too late" Severus walked out the office door.
"Where are you going?"
"To see Minerva"
----
An hour later Severus, Minerva, Harry and Filius walked into a muggle orphanage in London; they were all dressed in muggle clothing.
Even though it was late the nun who ran the orphanage agreed to speak to them; she indicated that seven of the children on their list were sent to her facility however, three of the children, Pucey, Rosier and a boy called Jimmy Peakes had run away.
They were allowed to see the children who were there. Twelve year old Lindi Quirke of Ravenclaw cried when she saw the professors, her older sister Orla looked dazed.
"Please are you here to take us away?" the little girl sobbed and Minerva nodded.
"Professor there is a little girl here, she is about four years old, who is definitely ma... like us" Rose Zeller a fourth year Hufflepuff student said.
"What is her name, she may be on my list?" Harry asked.
"Her name is Danielle, I don't know her surname."
"Rogers... I have a Danielle Rogers on my list but it says she is a twin, she has a brother David".
The children looked at Harry and then each other in shock.
"What is wrong?" Severus asked very quietly.
Rose looked at him "I've never seen a brother but she has a kitten named David, it follows her everywhere. That's how I knew she was like us. Some of the older kids kept harassing the kitten and when they hit it with a stick she sent what looked like a stunner at them, the four kids fell on the ground in a flash of light."
The nun who knew about the magical world confirmed that records indicated that she did have a brother but no one had seen the child since their parents' death in a fire a year ago, it was assumed that he had died. She also confirmed the child had shown signs of magic anytime they tried to take the kitten away. The nun indicated that they assumed the child had named the cat for her brother.
Harry shook his head "My list indicates David is alive."
While the other children went to pack their things a sleepy Danielle was brought in with a small black kitten in her hands.
Minerva quickly confirmed that the cat was in fact an animagus. After making sure no muggle was around except for the nun, Minerva turned into her Tabby cat form. The little girl yelped and watched as her brother meowed with the new cat.
Minerva turned back and informed the others that the little boy doesn't know how he turned or how to turn back. She waved her wand and a little naked boy with black hair appeared where the kitten had been seconds before. The twins hugged each other and then the little boy screamed when he realised he was naked. Minerva transfigured a piece of paper into a robe for him to wear.
Half an hour later the group had returned to Hogwarts and settled the children in an apartment in Gryffindor Tower.
Early the next morning the group once again went to several orphanages where they collected the remaining six Hogwarts students, all Slytherin. The four girls and two boys happily came with their Head of House and immediately headed for the dungeons. They were disappointed when they found out they had to stay in Gryffindor Tower.
They also picked up two muggleborn brothers, one who supposed to enter Hogwarts the year before and one who was to enter this year.
All the children were checked by Justine and Elena.
Severus and Lucius with Brian's help and resources spent the rest of the day searching for the lost children. Narcissa came and with Augusta and Minerva's help got the other children settled and checked for their needs. The ladies took several of the children in turn to Diagon Alley and arranged clothes, shoes, books, school supplies and in some cases toys for the children.
It wasn't until the following afternoon that Severus and Lucius found the three missing children. They found sleeping in an abandoned house along with another runaway Timothy Whitby a twelve year old Slytherin whose older brother Kevin was a Hufflepuff (they were both supposed to be living with an elderly uncle, Kevin was still there). The four obviously hadn't eaten in a while and Jimmy had a bad scar on his face that he had gotten in a fight protecting Lisle from a drunken man.
For the following two days Severus visited all his Slytherins making sure each was being well taken care of. Graham Pritchard who Severus had met in Diagon Alley the day before Harry's birthday fainted when his Head of House came in. In the end five other students joined the children at Hogwarts, including Kevin Whitby.
Justine examined them all and found that all of the older Slytherins had repulsion spells on them which were immediately removed by Filius.
Even with the spells removed there were still some animosity and a few fights started. It was only when Severus hauled a few over his knees and promised to bring his ruler for the next pair who fought, did the fighting stop.
Several of the students had suffered from nightmares, especially Timothy who had spent several weeks on the streets. Severus and Harry came over several nights to comfort the relevant child.
It was only when Timothy called at the Griffin portrait one night asking for Severus, did Harry and Severus realise that the children were aware of their relationship and most importantly seemingly approved.
When Severus asked some of the older Slytherins the next day, they told him that they accepted Harry as one of their own, especially since Salazar Slytherin had spoke so highly of him. Aiden also mentioned that he had seen Harry without his shirt and had totally approved since Harry was so hot, all of the girls agreed. After that all the children were frequent visitors to Harry's apartment.
By the Wednesday the goblins had finished with the foundations and had started on the new additions; the children especially the Slytherins were excited and gave several suggestions as to what they wanted their tower to look like.
----
After dinner Wednesday night Harry visited the Library's guardian "[all the repairsss are made and your library isss once more sssafe]".
"[Good what are you going to do now about the inner chamber?]"
"[Alex hasss given me the map of the labyrinth, which I am debating whether to dessstroy or keep in your Library; Neville isss collecting vine sssamplesss, ssseedsss and fruit from Rani'sss room; Ogden with Assshy and Arjun have collected all the ssshed ssskin and Basssilisssk waste from the room, they cleared everywhere elssse and all the wallsss and ceilings have been repaired. When we are done, Neville, Bill and I will ward the inner chamber ssso no one will get in without my permissssion or my knowledge.]"
"[You have done well and your sssoul looksss much better, you may put the labyrinth map in the library, it isss better that way, if you need it in the future you could accessss it.]"
"[I guessss that makesss sssenssse.]"
"[You are welcome to bring othersss down to sssee me from time to time. I will missss Alex, he isss a good sssoul, and isss very knowledgeable]"
Harry laughed "[I am sssure he will missss you asss well.]"
Half an hour later Harry charmed a new password for the Lair which had to be said after calling for the destination. Hogwarts made it such that for now Harry alone was allowed access to the inner chamber; she had to be informed beforehand if Harry had given someone permission to give the password.
---
On Thursday the Weasley's visited and the twins were in their glee and to all the professors horror, brought several of their merchandise for the children. The twins David and Danielle took to the two red-haired boys with much enthusiasm, which shocked everyone as they only responded to Minerva.
Percy had returned from Paris and he and his fiancé brought several gifts for Harry and Severus, including an old diary written in French and a potions journal.
"Both originally belonged to an old French vampire, who died sometime during World War II. We were lucky to find them in a muggle antique shop. The muggles obviously did not know it's true worth, we were able to get great deals for them".
"Thank you, you sound like you had a lot of fun in Paris."
"It was fantastic Harry, we had strolls along the Seine, visited many historical sites muggle as well as magical. We went to several muggle, museums, plays, fairs, and games. We went to a Quidditch match and even went to muggle sports like soccer and even a boxing match. We had loads of fun. Harry I can't even begin to thank you for the trip" Percy said and gave Harry a hug.
----
After much discussion with Arjun, Arthur allowed Ginny to take up an offer working for the Indian man. Ginny was joining the man at his research site in India. Arthur was hesitant at first but saw how happy his daughter was and eventually gave in.
Harry had to admit, the girl had really changed over the last few weeks and in the last week especially she had shown great talent with the Runes in the chamber. She had virtually taken Raja from Sunil and even Kaa liked her.
Before she left that evening Harry took her aside and gave her a Gringotts bank draft with 5,000 galleons "To buy new clothes and what not... I know Arjun will pay you well but you would need some start up cash".
The girl took the draft and understood the unspoken gesture that was made. They hugged and Ginny looked at him with tears in her eyes "Harry I am truly sorry for what I did to you and what I tried to do. I am glad you made that trip to Gringotts".
----
On Friday morning after his morning training Harry came in to find his apartment invaded with NEWT level students. Besides the four orphans who he was now accustomed to (Aiden, Lisle, Jimmy and Orla) there were eight others. He just thanked Merlin that he was no longer crawling his way back to his apartment every morning.
He entered the kitchen where Lisle and Jimmy were helping Severus make breakfast. Harry leaned over to give Severus a kiss but his lover moved away and sent him to take a shower. Harry sighed grabbed a Gatorade from his fridge and walked to his bedroom. As he passed the living room, he saw four Slytherins and two Gryffindors in heated discussions with Salazar and Godric.
Entering the sanctuary of his bedroom he sighed. He was about to head to the bathroom when he heard a soft knock on his bedroom door. Part of him was upset and when he opened the door he was glowing slightly. He immediately calmed when he saw Dante standing looking nervous.
"Come in Dante, what is the matter?" He lifted the tiny elfling in his arms and closed the door.
"I was wondering if... Master Sev says he is fixing his new lab and the students are helping ..." Dante started but then stopped, looking nervous.
Harry said more to himself "So that's what is going on... so what is the problem Dante?"
"I wants to... when Miss Misty was seeing about Dante, she lets me help her make potions and I liked it. I asked Ada if I could help Master Sev today and he says I am too little... but I am not too little, I helps Misty and I want to help Master Sev" Dante said quickly.
Harry smiled at the elfling "And you want me to talk to your Ada for you?"
Dante wriggled his nose a bit "He would listen to you. If you say yes, he has to listen to you".
Harry smiled and sat on his bed and put Dante to sit next to him. "Dante, I will talk to your Ada" the elfling beamed "... but, I will leave the decision to him, if he says no, then the answer is no, understand?"
Dante looked a bit disappointed but nodded.
"Good now run back to your room and I will talk to Kreacher" Harry smiled at the elfling as he left the rooms marvelling at the changes in him over the last few weeks.
Harry called Kreacher and after a few minutes of arguments the old elf finally agreed and left to tell his elfling he gave his permission.
Harry then showered and changed into formal robes. When he finally left his bedroom he looked impeccable and saw several of the girls giving him an approving look.
He entered the kitchen to find breakfast was finished but Severus had left a plate of pancakes for him.
By the time he left the kitchen Severus was herding the students (and an excited Dante) down to the new lab.
Harry sighed and picked up his documents from his office and walked out of his apartment in a bad mood. He met Neville on the way and at first they talked about the changes and about the children.
Neville looked at him with a curious look.
"Harry did you know Minerva has asked my grandmother to teach a class on wizarding etiquette and estate management?" Neville asked.
"No I did not know that but that is great. I remember Walburga kept saying that we needed a class in etiquette."
"Yes apparently so did some of the elders. The course is really for the lower school, first year to third years, all students muggle born as well as wizarding world raised students. I think for this first year however, it is going to be offered to all students. She would also be teaching estate management as a NEWT level course."
"I wish I had that option" Harry said thinking of how much he still did not know.
"Yes, well be careful what you wish for, Grandmother, told me she is going to be continuing both your and my tutelage on a private basis, be prepared to give up your Saturdays" Neville said and Harry groaned.
"Harry can I ask something, you seem a bit down, what's wrong? Is it the children?" Neville said as they reached the Great Hall.
"Yes... No, not really, it's just that Severus spends all his time with them and I know this is what it's going to be like when school starts. We promised we would spend time alone together every day and well since last week time alone means, half an hour in bed where all Sev would do is talk about the children. It's not like they are all children, some are just two years younger than us. Anyway I guess I miss a little alone time, just us. You know what I mean?"
"Of course I do Harry. It's like Luna and I, we don't get to see each other as before and I really miss her. I planned to take her away some time before school started but now I don't know, doing two masteries and with everything else it is hard on my time. Sometimes all I want to do is be in her arms" Neville said shaking his head.
"I had planned to keep Severus at Prince Manor last weekend after Misty died, but there was so much to do here... this last week has been really hectic and I can see the next two weeks being even more so. The goblins want to finish the renovations before the term starts and the other teachers come in next week. Severus is the new Deputy Headmaster and he has become overprotective of his charges. I have the orphanages and the werewolf facility to inspect today and interviews to conduct between today and next week. Plus I haven't checked the progress on Potter Manor and the elves in Devon..."
Ogden silently came in "Excuse me Master Harry, Master Neville, but Master Alex has asked if Master Harry could see him and Master Brian today for lunch, he says it is important."
Harry sighed and with a nod told Ogden "Tell Alex I will be in Diagon Alley for the day at Fireforge's offices, they could meet me there at twelve."
As the house-elf silently left Neville shook his head and looked at his friend sympathetically "I have to go Severus is waiting for me. Listen come over to my apartment for dinner tonight, I have a bottle of wine from the Longbottom estate in France, we could open it together."
"That sounds like a plan" Harry said with a smile and left.
----
The day was chaotic, after inspecting the buildings, he interviewed several people for his orphanages and by the time twelve came around he had found none he liked and doubted he would find any after lunch.
Lunch was even more disturbing as Alex and Brian told him that they were planning something drastic. They had gotten no information from Perenelle as to her husband's or Seth's whereabouts, so they were planning on having Potions Master Norton, who was Alex's spy 'break her out' and hopefully she would lead them to her private island. The plans were already in place for tonight and they were giving Harry and Severus a heads up.
By the time dinner came around Harry was ready to tear his hair out. His apartment was once again crowded but this time with dirty smelly excited teens (and one tiny elfling). He didn't even think Severus noticed him entering, showering, changing or leaving.
Dinner was sombre until Neville announced "Harry I have spoken to Minerva, Filius, Pomona and my grandmother; we are all going to see about the children this weekend and we want you and Severus to go and have a weekend alone together."
"What Neville, I don't know, we have so much to..."
"...do? Exactly, you two need time to yourself and this might be the last weekend you could do so for a while. Don't worry about everything, the children would be fine; Bathsheba Babbling is coming in this weekend and as you know she is the Gryffindor Head of House, so all the other Heads are going to be here. Come on I have already told Kreacher to pack your things and send them to Prince Manor. Of course if you want to I hear you have a house in the Caribbean, you could..."
"Prince Manor is fine, thank Neville. I really appreciate it" Harry said smiling.
----
High in the North Tower, Sybil Trelawney was casting her deck of cards. She looked at the cards as they fell and then sighed; her favourite couple was going to be in for a wild weekend, one that would change their lives forever.