A/N- Hello everybody! Thank you for those brilliant reviews! I am deeply honored and very happy that so many people are interested/still interested in this crazy story. I'm finally out for the summer, thank the gods. I intend to write as much as I can while I'm down the shore. Hopefully you will all enjoy what comes out of this week.
Thank yous are on the bottom as well as a wonderful offer: The 888th review will trigger the one update every Friday deal...Go go go!
Enjoy!
"No matter how many times I tell them that I'm normal,
That I'm not missing any part
That I have trouble dealing with the way people treat me,
Like if I were at war
That I'm sheepish,
that I don't like being stared at..."
-Lili by Diam's
Return of Emerald
Chapter 37: In Turmoil
Hasan was not sure who had uttered it first, but once it was said, there was no taking it back.
"THAT'S HARRY POTTER?"
"Did you take a look at his scar?"
Hasan tuned them out with difficulty as he stared at the headmaster with blazing emerald eyes.
"M-my boy...!" Albus, for the first time in many years, was speechless. Fawkes let out a contented little squawk and looked at him too. "We had thought...we had...we had lost you." The last part was said in a whisper, but there was no mistaking the fat, wet tears that poured from the man's blue eyes.
"We need to go somewhere private," Snape grunted from behind him, voice laced with pain. For a moment, Hasan had almost forgotten that Snape had suffered too.
Albus nodded in accession. Slowly, Hasan followed him out with Snape at his side, feeling the weight of everyone's stares at his back. He could just hear as the double doors shut behind them, the higher-than-normal voice of Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"Everyone, please stay calm! We will remain inside this hall until we are certain that all immediate danger has passed! I repeat! Please stay calm-!"
The hall erupted into chaos. No one wanted to simply stay put, after all. The great savior of the Wizarding World had been found! They had a duty to spread the news!
Sirius turned to his mate, mouth agape. He could not believe what had just happened. His godson, one he had believed to be lost forever, was alive and well, and had hidden beneath his nose this whole time! Remus was in a similar state of shock, but it was somehow different from his...Sirius saw no immediate significance in this.
"Let's go meet our godson!" Sirius whispered determinedly, and they both snuck from the room.
Meanwhile, Neville had gone white as a sheet. If half the kids were talking of Harry, the other half were talking and pointing at him.
"Neville? Are you going to be okay?" Hermione asked softly. She always was the most perceptive.
"I-" Neville shook his head. He could not afford to show his weakness here. "Of course I'm fine."
Hermione bit her lip and looked away. The boy was obviously not fine, but it seemed he had resolved to keep his silence. With his head down, Neville endured.
.oOo.
Hasan sagged against his Head of House. His head gave a mighty throb and he suddenly realized how very tired he was. Snape sighed beside him.
"Hasan, the headmaster will have many questions for us. Despite what your present emotions are for Altair at the moment, I hope you are prepared to protect Altair at any cost. His vision is the one that will end this war. Not the Dark Lord's and certainly not Dumbledore's."
Hasan's brilliant emerald eyes snapped to his, stray black hair falling around his face. He could not believe Severus had said that aloud with the Headmaster so near! Snape must've guessed his thoughts correctly for he gave a slight smirk and gestured towards his wand. Ah, the wonders of magic!
"I will." Hasan said with conviction. He would sort out and eventually make peace with Altair, he knew, but how could he forgive the man who had sent him to that terrible home? Who had forced him to grow up in an orphanage? Who blatantly ignored the Slytherins and favored the Gryffindors? Who forced Neville into a role that no one would ever want? How could he possibly side against his father with that?
They followed Albus Dumbledore silently through the corridors. Hasan leaned heavily against the Potions Master who comfortingly offered his hand to hold. It was unusual behavior, but then Hasan could feel the slight tremors going down the man's arm, and perhaps Snape needed this comfort just as much Hasan did.
"Jellybeans," Albus mumbled sadly to the gargoyle. The stone statue moved with a groan and they ascended the spiral staircase. Albus had yet to talk to either one of them, but as he turned around, it was not from lack of understanding.
"You both have suffered tonight from Lord Voldemort" Albus said wearily, "I will go right now to Madam Pomfrey's to retrieve some of Severus' excellent healing potions."
The headmaster made a show of walking past the two Slytherins, and exiting the way he had entered. Snape released a breath as he dug around his cloak pockets for the correct calming draughts and anti-cruciatus potions (a.k.a. Voldemort level healing potions).
"Why did he leave?" Hasan asked, as Snape handed him the vials. "He knows you carry these potions around as a spy and Potions Master, so then why leave?"
"I believe he is giving us some privacy to collect our thoughts."
"Our-" Hasan froze. "Does he suspect you knew?"
Severus downed his potions with a shudder. "It's a remote possibility, but I don't think he thinks anyone capable of keeping secrets from him, least of all one of this magnitude. It makes it all the more shocking that a thirteen-year-old wizard managed to accomplish just that. No, I think he believes I have some power to comfort you as your Head of House. It is a little known duty that I am in charge of all my snakes' emotional well-being." He smirked at the end, which eased the tension a bit.
"I know we talked about this but, does it remind you of him? I mean, when I look like Jam- my father? I don't want..." Hasan abruptly cut-off. He was not an emotional person by nature. What did he care if Severus couldn't stand to look at him, now that he was a miniature James Potter?
Severus forced himself to look into Lily's eyes. "No, it doesn't bother me. I thought it would, and the idea does affect me, but I see you, Hasan. Even now." His onyx eyes trailed up to the signature Potter mop.
The boy frowned, "This hair is way too short." Shutting his eyes, he imagined making his hair longer and straighter, but no sooner had he sent his magic to work than a killer migraine formed at the base of his skull and struck him painfully in his spine. "Ow!" Hasan hissed.
"What is it?" Severus asked, worry evident in his voice.
"I can't...I can't change back." It shouldn't have mattered as much as it did, but Hasan suddenly felt incredibly exposed and vulnerable. He began to hyperventilate as the gravity of the situation settled in. The one thing he was afraid of most: Harry Potter. And now? He was stuck as him! What a dream! What a dream! What a completely fucked up nightmare! "I can't go back! I can't be Harry Potter!" Hasan whispered, bordering on hysteria. It was one thing to be exposed. It was another to know the door was shut forever. Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around his shivering frame and his movements stilled.
"Hasan, you need to stay calm for Professor Dumbledore. Can you do that?" A nod. "Your magic is heavily depleted right now and that is most likely the cause for why you can't change back. I know how hard this must be for you." Severus could only imagine the amount of power it would take to sustain a glamour for that long. And as Hasan's enchantment wasn't an ordinary glamour, Severus could only wonder at the magnitude of the boy's desire to hide.
Hasan buried his tear-stained face into his professor's robes, not caring about dignity at the moment. "I-I'm sorry for being so teary eyed all of a sudden," Hasan murmured, pulling back from the warm embrace. "It feels as if my magic has snapped and is coiled up inside of me, ready to strike. It's so tense and ready, but I can't control it."
"Do not worry," Severus said lowly, "I will do all in my power to prevent Mr. Longbottom's unfortunate fate to befall you."
Hasan dried his eyes and nodded. "I know you will. Thank you."
.oOo.
There was a soft knock on the door. Hasan scrambled out of Severus' reach, an embarrassed blush flaming on his cheeks. He didn't want anyone to see him so weak! Imagine, Hasan the apathetic Slytherin suddenly turned boy hero, can't even manage to stand up on his own! No matter what persona, it looked awful and Hasan was loathe to ever portray himself as weak, thank you very much.
Hasan steeled his face, prepared for his first interrogation session, when Remus and Sirius stumbled in through the door. They appeared out of breath and a bit shaky as Sirius shut the door and locked it with a click. Snape's eyebrows rose on his forehead.
"What are you doing here, mu- Black? Lupin?" Severus asked harshly. He stepped unconsciously between the two remaining marauders and Hasan.
"What do you mean, Snape? That's my godson!" Black yelled, but instead of being an accusation it came out as weak exclamation. The shock was enough to leave him speechless, his eyes focused on the little James Potter in the room.
Remus cleared his throat. "Severus, keep in mind that we have missed Harry Potter for far longer than you have."
Hasan swallowed as he watched his supposed godfather drink in these words.
"You?" Sirius asked mouth agape, staring at Snape. "You knew before this?" Suddenly, Remus' reaction in the Great Hall wasn't as puzzling. "And Remus! You knew too?"
Snape sneered, though he really did try not to. Remus just looked at his husband sadly.
"I'm sorry, Sirius. But the truth is out now. I was going to confide in you. I'm sorry."
Sirius looked about to argue, some of his rage coming back and coloring his face, when Hasan stepped from behind Severus and looked straight at him. His emerald eyes flashed with something like anger.
"You have no right to make accusations, Professor Black"-Black flinched-"They did what I wanted them to! There is a reason why no one has ever found me. It's because I don't want to be found! Hasn't he (he shot a glare at Remus) told you about my boggart yet? It's Harry-fucking-Potter! And if you truly cared, why was I raised in a fucking orphanage? Abandoned by my supposedly loving relatives? Why?-" Hasan stopped here, choking on his air, because there was simply no more breath to throw.
Remus and Sirius both paled considerably. Yes, they had forgotten that before he was Harry he was the boy they recognized as Hasan. They couldn't simply swoop in and pick up where they left off, playing peek-a-boo as Lily brought them biscuits...
Severus hated himself for this, but he felt it was necessary, "Hasan, Black as you may recall was in Azkaban during most of your childhood, and Lupin has his case of lycanthropy. I would not put all the blame on them."
The marauders looked up hopefully. Dare they believe their ears? Did Severus Snape just defend them?
Hasan looked uncertainly at his Head of House. He knew he wasn't thinking clearly due to normal human reactions of distress, but he was just so mad at having his life exposed for the world in a single instant. Literally, he bled for it.
"Okay," Hasan huffed. He looked down at his feet, trying to gather his magic and change back again, but the snake inside did not rise to the bait. He stayed pitifully as Harry Potter. Well, Hasan thought, Voldemort can rip my persona from me, but Dumbledore sure as Hell cannot take my life. His Slytherin wits kicked in as he considered the upcoming confrontation between the Past and Present Savior of the Wizarding World. He lifted his brilliant green eyes, causing Snape to wonder what his young snake had planned.
"Remus, Sirius," the use of their first names caused both of them to give their full attention. Hasan nearly smirked. "I can't ignore everything that has happened and pretend like I'm the Harry Potter that you want, but I am willing to forge a connection for the future."
"What do you need us to do, Hasan?" Lupin asked cautiously, reminded of the way Lily looked before proposing a grand scheme.
"I need my family to be protected at all costs," Hasan said simply. He locked them in his gaze. "Family is the most important thing to me, I cannot lose that too."
Snape glanced at Hasan for a moment. Did the boy even realize how deep their love went for him? Or was he sensing surface emotions and manipulating them the best he could? While he admired Hasan's ability of foresight, he didn't want him to grow up heartless either. Perhaps a talk for another time then...
"We promise, Hasan. We-" Remus gave a tiny shudder. "Albus just passed the gargoyles! I set up a sensor ward," he added in explanation.
Hasan could feel his face harden. He expected Remus and Sirius to leave him, run for the fear of being caught, but they did not. They stood their ground and Albus Dumbledore opened the now unlocked door to be met with four pairs of unrelenting eyes.
.oOo.
In the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall organized the other professors into pairs and directed them to a corner to cast wards. If Lord Voldemort was indeed back to full power, they had a duty as teachers to protect the children at all costs, which included ancient incantations they had studied and rarely used. The words flowed from the tongue, nonstop in a constant hum. While the teachers were otherwise occupied, the students pounced on the opportunity to get some much-needed answers. And who better to provide those answers than Neville Longbottom? The Boy-Who-Lived-to-be-a-Fake! Ha! Or Luna Lov- Wait, where was that witch? No matter, they had one to torment.
"You're a big fat liar, Neville Longbottom!" Ginny Weasley was the first to cry out, slapping him straight in the face.
She was soon joined by others who stuck their ugly heads into his line of vision, mouths continually opening and shutting, spewing accusations and profanities.
"We trusted you!" a young Hufflepuff shouted. "My parents told me to admire you for being the destined hero of the Wizarding World and now I find out you are a farce!"
"He must have lied to Dumbledore!" a Ravenclaw piped up. "He must be so evil to have lied to Professor Dumbledore!"
A sea of people swarmed up to him in a crashing wave. Daphne was suddenly at his side, after having pulled Ginny from the table.
"Get off him you bitch!" Daphne snarled in a very un-Daphne-like manner. "Was beating him up not enough? He's too good for you!"
Ginny reared back and growled low in her throat. "Greengrass, you fucking snake. I bet you knew all along, didn't you? Had a real laugh after I pined after that son of a bitch!"
Hermione rose up with Theo beside her, "We stand with Neville Longbottom!" Her voice vibrated throughout the entire hall with a quick sonorus cast by Theo. "Whatever we have been told was told by the Daily Prophet, which we all know is not the most reliable of papers. Do you dare to doubt Albus Dumbledore? Whatever happened between Neville, Professor Dumbledore, and Ha-Harry Potter was worked out between them beforehand. Don't you think the Great Albus Dumbledore would have known this all along?"
She glared forcefully at the Gryffindor table, willing them to support her. Of all the four houses, Gryffindor was the most likely to worship Dumbledore's word. After her housemates gave their nods of agreement, she turned her attention to the Ravenclaw table. They could not argue with her logic. Albus Dumbledore was faultless, after all, there was absolutely no way he could have not been aware of the situation.
Hermione began to sag with unbelievable relief as the other two tables followed in their agreement. She had no idea what had really gone on, and she suspected that Dumbledore had absolutely no idea about Hasan from his words earlier, but she was willing to vouch for Hasan. For the boy who was her first friend before Hogwarts began. I call myself Hasan indeed. The little bastard had known the whole time as well.
Clearing her throat, Hermione stepped down from the table awkwardly and allowed Theo to wrap her in a supportive hug.
"Good job," he smiled into her hair. She nodded, unable to help the shudder that wracked her body. Her entire world was backwards. Everything she knew about Hasan was now worthy of being questioned. What really happened in her first year when they went to get the stone? What really happened last year when Draco was taken by the basilisk?
.oOo.
Daphne was stunned as Hermione stepped down from the table. She never imagined anyone would have lied to protect Hasan like that. Sure, Daphne fancied Neville at the moment despite his false title, but never would she have guessed that Hasan, that Hasan the boy who was always so queer and goddammit! She had just talked with him about this whole debacle weeks ago!
She turned toward Neville, hand reaching out to comfort him, but he flinched away from her touch. The Great Hall was silent now, except for the quiet murmurs.
"I...can't do this anymore," Neville whispered, his watery eyes pleading with her for relief. "Well, it's out now I suppose. Everything I've ever done. Everything I thought I had accomplished, I- I wish I could tell you I lied about everything, but I can't. I don't really know what happened at the end of our first and second years. Only Hasan does. Hasan...he fucking used me." Neville slumped in his seat, arms crossing over his chest. "I feel so foolish. I acted like a real prick while I thought I had saved everyone, but what glory is there in being used? By Dumbledore to cover up his secrets? By Hasan to hide his?" Neville moaned in his hands.
Daphne watched him with as much sympathy as she could, but ultimately, she could not stand his all-consuming self-pity. With a heavy sigh, she stood up.
"Neville, when you're ready to talk about this I'll be here. But maybe you should sort yourself out first." It took all her strength to walk across the Great Hall and towards the Slytherin table.
Draco was frozen in shock, his lower lip trembling like a child's. Tracey was frowning at him and offered a knowing look to Daphne as she approached. Blaise, Pansy, Crabbe, and Goyle were all watching the scene play out.
"You had no idea, did you?" Tracey asked Draco softly. She touched his shoulder softly and bowed her head.
Draco didn't respond. His mind was in a whirlwind. Everything became crystal clear in an instant. So that's why the Dark Lord wanted to learn about Hasan- about Potter. Probably why his father did too- but he knew that didn't make sense as his father couldn't have known. He squeezed his eyes shut. He knew something was off about that Hasan kid. What normal child defeated a basilisk? What normal child knew where the Chamber of Secrets was? What normal child could cast a patronus? Had Hasan grown close to him because he followed the old adage "keep your enemies closer" knowing full well that Draco was fated to become a Death Eater? Salazar, Draco felt like such an idiot.
And on top of that, he began to question once more if joining the Dark side was really worth it. He had never seen or heard his godfather in such a state as that. He knew the Dark Lord was flippant with his cruciatuses, but what Severus had suffered through seemed more than a simple cruciatus. He grimaced as he remembered the way Snape fell to the ground, twitching helplessly. His unbreakable godfather, crumbled like a ragdoll.
Was that the future Draco wanted for himself? Was his childhood hero nothing more than a bully with too much power? He refused to think of this now as more tears rolled to the surface. He was dimly aware of Tracey cuddling him closer to her, and he relished in her warmth, knowing he needed the comfort.
.oOo.
Albus was shocked but not surprised to see Remus, Sirius, and Severus standing protectively in front of the Boy-Who-Lived, faces grim and ready for battle. He had not been prepared to discover his missing savior today, but he was damned sure he was going to make the best of it.
To save what ties he could.
To salvage what alliance the boy would allow.
Really, Dumbledore realized the boy owed him very little. He could only imagine what Minerva would be saying or rather shouting at him later that night. (Good thing she was busy erecting wards to keep Voldemort out.) He didn't think he had the strength to deal with either at the moment.
With slightly moist eyes which twinkled kindly, Albus opened his mouth. He needed this boy on his side. The world needed it. This moment would decide everything...
"I am sorry," he said.
His words hung in the silent air like a white flag of truce between them.
"SORRY?" Sirius was the first to react, "YOU LOST MY GODSON AND YOU'RE SORRY!" The man bellowed, teeth locked in a feral growl, similar to the one his Animagus form would make.
Albus bowed his head before holding up a hand. "I admit I have made a great many mistakes in the past. But I am willing to work past this. I am willing to work with you, Harry. If only you can forgive an old man's mistakes."
Hasan shifted uncomfortably behind Severus. Dumbledore had the nerve to say that he was willing to work past Hasan's hardships in life? But then, perhaps it was for the best that Albus was so ready to look towards the future. He just wanted the attention to be off Altair really. He had rather expected to be part of this war all along. Well, ever since Voldemort decided to kill him multiple times.
With nothing revealed on his face, Hasan stepped out from behind Severus and looked in the headmaster's watery ice blue eyes.
"Hasan, Professor Dumbledore. I prefer to be called Hasan."
The headmaster looked slightly startled before nodding quickly. "I can do that, Hasan. Now, why don't we all have a seat? I'm afraid there's quite a lot to talk about." He looked pointedly at Severus as he said this- more specifically at Snape's forearm- as he conjured three more high-backed chairs.
Hasan sat directly across from the headmaster, Severus and Remus protectively on either side. This formation did not escape Albus' notice and he was slightly put off by the fact the boy had more support than he did at the moment.
"Lemon drop?" Albus offered cautiously. There was no response and Albus lowered the tray, not even taking one for himself. "I first want to discuss you, Hasan."
The headmaster leaned forward at his desk, twinkling eyes locking with emerald.
"You probably know that we have tried to search for you since we discovered your disappearance." Hasan nodded. "You probably have also gathered that we have been lying to the Daily Prophet as to your whereabouts. Hence why Gilderoy Lockhart was killed on his search in the mountains. But now the truth is out. The Daily Prophet and the rest of the Wizarding World will have their eyes on you all the time. So I think it's best if we just laid all the facts out here before they lay them out for everyone else."
Hasan thought about it briefly. On one hand he could keep his silence and hope that the Daily Prophet didn't get that far. Or, he could tell the headmaster the truth and earn his trust. It was a logical argument, he would give him that, and he really did need the trust factor.
"What do you want to know?" Hasan asked guardedly, no emotion showing on James' face. "I'm not promising to answer anything, I just want to know."
Albus sighed as he took in Hasan's expression. James had never looked that serious- his life had been rather carefree, up until the point where Voldemort decided to kill him. But that was beside the point.
"I need to know where you were living before coming to Hogwarts and with whom."
Hasan could feel the people beside him tense, the pressure in the room already threatening to smush them all to the ground. "I will not have you taking me away from him and under your custody," Hasan stated forcefully.
"So it's a man?" Albus asked curiously, pleased to have gleaned as much.
Hasan didn't appear phased by what seemed to be an apparent slip of the tongue. He wasn't going to go through all the trouble of keeping gender neutral pronouns, incorrect plurals, or all the pronouns in the conversation. It would be rather taxing and rather confusing.
"Yes, I am living with my father," Hasan bristled shortly. "In a rather unplottable and unknown location."
"But can you at least tell me who?" Dumbledore pressed. Hasan only glared, lips glued shut. He wouldn't turn in his father, he wouldn't! The man in front of him probably wouldn't even believe him. Altair was dead. And the Ministry would never admit to making such a mistake.
"Albus," Remus cut in, finally making good on that promise Hasan supposed, "I don't think we should push Hasan, do you? He's just been outed as Harry Potter. Surely he can keep some of his secrets?"
They waited as Dumbledore ruminated. He needed this information, but he needed Hasan's trust, but he also needed to keep Hasan safe which meant knowing the information... "In any other circumstances I would have to agree, but by morning the Daily Prophet will have splattered this scandal all over the front cover. There will no longer be any option for privacy. Hasan, I know you do not know me well enough to decide whether you'll trust me or not, but there are others out there who are certainly not to be trusted. They might decide to apply to adopt you if no one can claim you are someone's son." His grandfatherly eyes pleaded for them to understand. Even if Hasan didn't like him at the moment and never told him who his father was, the absolute worst case scenario was to have the boy adopted by supporters of the Dark. Trust be damned! Harry Potter would be dead within the day. "I only need proof you are living with an appropriate guardian. One who does not have a criminal record and one who has legally adopted you."
The slight widening of Lily's eyes, imperceptible to a less keen eye, gave away everything Albus needed to know. Oh Merlin! Was the boy already in Dark hands! Or perhaps it was the criminal part? The legal part? The appropriate part? Albus flexed his fingers. Wasn't the name Castell familiar? Wasn't it? A pounding headache began to bloom in his lower skull and he was again reminded of that red remembrall...if Albus didn't know any better he would have said Hasan's guardian was the one to blame for all of it. But wasn't that absurd? He hadn't even known Hasan for as long as he suspected the obliviates were there.
"Hasan," that was Snape's voice, and Albus was pulled from his thoughts and into the present. Severus was looking at James Potter's spawn with a look of genuine sadness. When had Snape gotten so close to Harry Potter? Oh wait, Harry was Hasan, and Hasan was a Slytherin. Of course they would be close. "You know just as well as I that something must be done."
Hasan nodded, thin shoulders slumping before him. "But who?" he asked quietly, just for Severus to hear. "Who?" he said a bit louder for the room, fixing his posture. "Will you-?"
Severus let a heavy sigh escape him. "I'm a Death Eater, Hasan. And Sirius, while freed, is still largely viewed as a suspicious character, not to mention he's with Remus, a werewolf!"
Dumbledore suddenly understood what they were discussing. Adoption. Or at least a cover adoption- something to show the press. He was struck at how very Slytherin the plan was and was again reminded that Hasan was a Slytherin. How could he have forgotten that quickly? James' and Lily's child a Slytherin...
"Hasan, I would be more than willing to-" Albus began before he knew what he was saying.
Emerald eyes snapped to his. He faltered, understanding that as false as it might be, Hasan was not going to let anyone he didn't trust into his private life. Albus quickly wracked his brain for the names of Hasan's friends. He needed them to be Light wizards, people who would keep Albus updated and in the circle of communication, because he rather doubted Hasan wanted anything to do with him now.
"Perhaps Mr. Longbottom or Mr. Weasley would be willing to have you join their family?" Albus offered.
Hasan sighed, knowing that both Neville and Ron hated him right now...as well as hated each other.
"Headmaster, I really don't think that would be a good idea. Mr. Longbottom's ineptness and tendency to cause accidents will probably injure Hasan within the week and do you really think Molly can handle another child?"
Albus sighed heavily. There was little he could do. With as little information as he did know, his hands were tied. He would just have to get the boy's record from the Ministry tomorrow. (Albus scoffed away the idea that this was somehow betraying the boy's fragile trust in him.) And if Hasan really didn't want to be adopted by anyone, he knew a certain cat Animagus who would certainly be willing to try. Hasan, after all, enjoyed her classes.
"We should continue this tomorrow, Albus," Severus said tiredly. "Hasan and I have had a rather trying day and if you'll excuse us, we really do need to catch our rest."
Dumbledore nodded numbly, watching as his spy, cleared-convict, werewolf, and savior left his office. In the stillness of the night, Albus felt unbearably alone, the obliviation weighing heavily on his mind.
.oOo.
Draco woke up with that damned bright sun glowering in his eyes. With a groan, he pulled the covers back over his head, and snuggled back into the pillow he didn't remember lying on the night before.
"Draco! Come on, everyone's getting up and helping to move the tables back in!"
That painfully cheery voice was Daphne and that painful pinch to his arm was also Daphne. With a groan, Draco popped out his head to see that kids were indeed helping to move the four large dining tables back into the center of the hall.
"You have got to be kidding me," Draco muttered, "We are wizards, not muggles! Someone should just spell them back in place!"
Daphne shook her head with a laugh. When Draco had collapsed from grief and exhaustion the night before, everyone had been concerned that he would go back into his reclusive state like he had in the beginning of the year. Luckily, it seemed that Draco and his snark had recovered one hundred percent.
"Honestly, Draco," Hermione drawled in a perfect imitation of himself, "Sometimes there are advantages to doing things the muggle way. See how McGonagall is teaching House Unity through this?"
Draco raised his head in time to see Justin Finch-Fletchley fall under the weight and wince as his bottom hit the floor. He opened his mouth to make a cutting remark when none other than Gregory Goyle bent down and offered his hand.
Hermione laughed as Draco's jaw hit the floor.
"What do those goons think they're doing?" Draco asked sharply, climbing out from under the covers.
"Contributing to a better society," Professor McGonagall intoned from behind him.
Draco, Hermione, and Daphne gave a small jump as the Deputy Headmistress appeared from out of nowhere. With a smart flick of her wand, Draco's makeshift bed was gone, eliminating what little hope Draco had of crawling back into its warmth. "While we can move everything with a little magic, it is far better to learn how to get along, don't you think? And besides, that is good quality wood. It takes at least twenty students to move such a large object, and while I don't doubt your abilities, Mr. Malfoy, one mistake could very well result in someone getting injured...or worse, our good tables suffering a dent! Now then, if you'll excuse me."
Minerva McGonagall swept past them in her teaching robes, taking her place among the rest of the staff. Some people were missing though, like Snape, Dumbledore, Hasan, Black, Moody and Lupin, but then there was also an unexpected surprise called Kingsley Shacklebolt who looked quite comfortable being up there in front of everyone.
"Ahem!" McGonagall cleared her throat. "We have lifted the extra wards around the great hall so that you can all write to your families and continue your classes. In their places we have welcomed the help of Kingsley Shacklebolt and Nyphadora Tonks who will be on a rotating schedule to guard the castle. All mail will be checked, coming and going, to ensure we do not have any accidents."
"But why do we need all this, Professor?" Lavender Brown asked stupidly.
"Because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned."
At this, the entire hall was in an uproar. All the memories of the previous night came flooding back. Kids turned to each other and screamed. People dug in their bags and started handing out parchment and quills. It couldn't be true, but if it was, they would be the first ones to tell their families.
"How do you know?" someone from the Hufflepuff table asked, "All we saw was Professor Snape and Castell-er- Harry Potter scream a lot and kind of spasm..."
McGonagall glared at him and said in a voice for all to hear, "Severus Snape has been a spy for the Light, but he bears the Dark Mark. Harry Potter also bears a Mark from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Their suffering last night could only be caused by the Dark Lord's resurrection."
"But it can't be true!" a first year cried, "He can't be back!"
Minerva sighed, "If it were not true, I would tell you in a heartbeat, but it is. Warn your families, tell them to properly protect themselves. We will do our best to protect all of you."
"And what about Harry Potter? Isn't he supposed to be training in the mountains?" someone had the brains to ask.
Minerva smiled grimly. What the fuck was she supposed to tell the students? It was all Albus' fault! Damn the old codger! "I will leave that to Professor Dumbledore to explain," she said stiffly. "I also want to inform you that the Yule Ball will still be going on. Now more than ever, as we are on the brink of yet another Wizarding war, we need time to enjoy ourselves. For that reason, the next Hogsmeade weekend has been moved forward to this week. We will extend the wards of Hogwarts school to encompass the entire Wizarding town. All other trips will be cancelled. We have only allowed this one in case anyone needed to do some last minute shopping. That will be all."
As the last table slid into place, kids clambered into their seats, not caring what table was what house at the moment. Draco took out his quill and parchment and stared. What was he to write? With the Dark Lord's resurrection, with Harry Potter's reveal, was he expected to play a larger role in this war than he had ever intended? What if the Dark Lord wanted him to lure Harry Potter to him? Was that something Draco could do? Never mind that he was angry at Hasan for lying to him. For keeping secrets. For being the damned figure head of the WRONG side of the war! Was Draco ready to tell his father that yes, he was willing to officially become a Death Eater?
"Did you know?" Tracey asked, sidling in beside him.
"Know what?" Draco asked blankly. He knew he had the attention of the whole table now, a mixed bag of mainly Slytherins and Gryffindors.
"That Hasan-"
"No, I didn't." Draco cut her off, trying hard not to snarl in her face. He didn't mean to hurt her, he was just so damned frustrated. With everything. "Sorry, I-"
"No, don't worry about it," Tracey said softly. "I know how it must feel, to have been tricked like that. I mean, I never suspected him either. Castell is a pureblood name, a rare one since the British branch died out years ago. How could he have known that information? All the pureblood archives are just that, in pureblood archives, in homes, in blood-locked tomes."
"Well, he had to have been raised by somebody," Theo said thoughtfully as he played with Hermione's hair. "Perhaps it was a Castell."
"But that doesn't make any sense," Tracey said, "The last Castell died years ago. Remember? I think Atticus was his name? I can't remember. Draco, you should know this."
"What? Why me?" Draco sputtered.
"I-" Tracey blushed, "perhaps I shouldn't have mentioned anything."
"What?" Draco asked, starting to get angry. "Tell me!"
Daphne locked eyes with him, "It was pushed under the rug- not exactly something you would want to talk about. I- um..." she looked around her and cast a privacy charm around Tracey, Draco, Theo, and Hermione. Draco noticed and looked at her strangely. What was it that everyone kept dancing around?
"Sometimes when your mother used to come over, Draco, our mothers would- um, talk. About engagement to Astoria, um-" her eyes flickered to Tracey, "-it didn't work out, so yeah nothing to worry about Tracey. But sometimes they strayed from the topic and I overheard- I didn't mean to, but I overheard that before Mr. Malfoy settled down with Mrs. Malfoy that, oh. He had a sort of lover."
Draco blanched. "A-a what?"
"Well, you know when-"
"I know what a lover is, Daphne." Draco rolled his eyes. "But how come I've never heard of this?"
"Well, it's not exactly the sort of thing you tell your children, is it?" Tracey cut in, "I mean, do you really want to know all about your parents' love life?"
"No, but this is different," Draco nearly growled, the anxiety mounting, "So what does this have to do with Hasan?"
"Well," Tracey and Daphne exchanged a glance. "It was a Castell," Tracey said softly.
"My father had an affair with Hasan's mother!" Draco yelped, eyes going wide.
"Not an affair," Tracey said softly, "Not Hasan's mother either- remember he's Harry Potter. And oh, he wasn't exactly a woman."
Hermione felt her heart go out to the young Malfoy heir as he seemed to sway a bit. He looked tens seconds from dissolving into a pile of goo at their feet.
"His name was Altair Castell," Daphne said. "But like we said, he's been dead for years. And it could all just be a silly coincidence."
But Draco didn't believe in coincidences any more.
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A/N- What did you think of people's reactions to Harry Potter? Are you happy with Dumbledore? Where will Hasan end up? How will Draco cope? Will Neville be able to survive? Do the other purebloods know about Altair?
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