A.N.: So, this is the fiftieth chapter. My baby has grown! Just ignore me while I gush; I promise I'll come around eventually… Anyway, thank you once again for your continuing support. This chapter is dedicated to Harry coming to the realization that he's his own man from now on and to some character development I believe is quite needed at this point. Oh, there's also a hint for the future plot of the story hidden in there somewhere. Yep. Next chapter, Hogwarts! Enough from me though! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter too and don't forget to review!
Disclaimer; I fully understand I don't own Harry Potter but I will never stop begging.
TASTE OF FREEDOM
And as golden sparks flew around him and the black ink he had signed the contract with turned red, Harry knew it had worked. It was done. His fate was officially his own now, he even had that in writing. The future was suddenly less scary than it had been one day ago. And he was more ready than ever to face it.
It had been over ten minutes, Severus thought as he paced up and down the corridor outside Gringotts director's office. He kept staring at the door every time he passed it by, fully aware that just a few feet away -and behind that bloody door that kept him hidden from his eyes- his son was getting prepared to undergo an Emancipation Ritual. He could feel Lily's eyes on his back, her confusion over his anxiety palpable on her face.
"Severus, calm down!" She exclaimed after watching him glare at the door for the umpteenth time. "It's not like the ritual is dangerous!" Severus sighed and nodded, leaning back on the wall next to Neville; the boy was fidgeting, clearly understanding the magnitude of the event at hand just as much as he did. Sirius and Remus eyed him curiously while Albus chuckled softly. The potions master, finding the moment wasn't even remotely funny, huffed and crossed his hands over his chest. How long was this going to take? His nerves were a jumbled mess and his body was going solely on caffeine fumes; sleep had evaded him last night and thus he had opted to read a bit more on the Emancipation Ritual Harry was to cast on himself.
He had asked Nagnok to send him the exact ritual the same day the Potters had agreed to let Harry go through with it and had already read it, of course. It was nothing more than the standard wording that asked magic to recognize the caster as an adult from that moment on. Severus had seen nothing dangerous to it until late last night when his anxiety had propelled him all the way from his bedroom to the library; it had struck him a bit odd that one had to ask magic to be granted their emancipation, as if needing consent.
As it turned out, one did need magic's consent to become an adult in the wizarding world. Apparently, the original rituals cast upon the law that stated a witch or wizard became an adult at seventeen were the ones that had to recognize you as an adult when you wanted to be emancipated too. And, should they find you lacking in some way, you were denied the emancipation. So no, Harry couldn't get physically hurt by the ritual. That, however, didn't keep him from get hurt in a worse way.
"What's gotten into you, Snape?" Sirius questioned, unable to keep silent a moment longer. Seeing how the dog animagus appeared apprehensive himself, Severus opted not to be snarky for once. Well, not much.
"Rituals make me nervous. Why are you fidgeting though?" He eyed Sirius carefully and slid a bit further away from him. "Fleas?" He asked raising a perfectly arched eyebrow. Neville laughed out loud, some tension easing from his frame; Adrian smirked and soon followed his example while Lily and even Remus chuckled slightly.
"Why you…" Sirius seethed while Albus, his mustache trembling slightly, walked forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come now, Sirius, Severus." He said, looking at the two men with twinkling eyes. "Let us wait in peace for a few more minutes. It won't be long now." Severus sighed and nodded while Sirius returned to staring holes through the door.
"It's not such a big deal anyway." Adrian grumbled his eyes locked at the tip of his shoes once more. Neville and Severus shared a furtive look of confusion while Remus and Sirius one of understanding. Albus simply sighed while Lily rested her hand softly on Adrian's shoulder. The potions master observed the scene from the corner of his eye, trying to make heads or tails from the latest development. Adrian looked like he was… jealous? He inwardly rolled his eyes; he truly hoped the older Potter twin was simply having a teenage sullen fit and nothing more. He truly didn't wish for more strain to be place upon the relationship between him and Harry.
Severus was well aware that his son considered Neville to be his brother more than anything, but that didn't mean he had written off Adrian. If anything, Harry usually cared too much, putting himself in harms way if that meant he could keep somebody he cared for from getting hurt. His son had the tendency to place too much on his shoulders -he still hadn't found the way to make him completely unwind and he suspected he wouldn't till after the coming war was over- and he didn't need to carry his twin's misplaced jealousy too. And while the potions master was pondering on that, the door of the office opened and Nagnok walked out followed by James and a radiant Harry. It had worked, was all Severus could think of at the moment. Lily run forward and held her son close.
"It worked then?" She asked, while Harry nodded.
"Yes, it did!" The teen announced, smiling widely, his eyes looking for his father and brother over Lily's shoulder. He wanted nothing more than to run towards him and call him Dad for everyone to hear but he knew this was not the time yet; the shadow of Lord Voldemort was hanging over their heads still and, in order to keep his twin safe -Prongs and Lily, Remus and Sirius too- he couldn't afford and even bigger fall between them. They would know of how he regarded Severus; just not yet. And, looking at James' smile as Sirius patted his shoulder, maybe it was that he didn't want to cause his once family pain; they were trying to reconnect with him he knew though it didn't help. Maybe he could delay the inevitable, just for a little longer. Still, his eyes locking with the dark ones of his father, he couldn't help but smile wide once more. Severus beamed with pride and Harry couldn't help himself; he broke free from Lily's hold and made a beeline straight for Severus hugging him close while he did the same.
"I did it!" He exclaimed while Severus laughed openly.
"Of course you did!" The potions master stated matter-of-factly. "Never had a doubt!"
"Are you implying that you didn't spend the whole last night reading on the ritual?" Harry asked, taking a small step back to look into his father's eyes; the man in question cocked an eyebrow confused.
"That's irrelevant; you know how I worry and it doesn't mean I doubt you." Harry's smirk turned into a smile at that declaration. "And do you have Minnie spying on me or something?" Harry laughed at the notion.
"No, I just know you far too well." Severus smiled and then proceeded to sigh dramatically.
"Whatever shall I do with you, Harry?" They completely ignored the silence in the hallway -if once excepted Neville's snickering- as Harry smiled once more.
"By me ice-cream at Fortesque's, of course!" The green eyed wizard exclaimed, making Severus chuckle while shaking his head.
"Incorrigible, really." Harry smiled correctly interpreting his father's latest exclamation as a 'yes'.
"So, ice cream anybody?" Harry stated, turning to face the rest of the people at the hallway.
"You will allow me to say no, Mr. Potter." Nagnok stated, his toothy smile wide. Harry chuckled and nodded in acceptance.
"Of course. Thank you once more, Nagnok- nür." Harry stated, bowing his head towards his financial advisor. The goblin bowed back.
"Always a pleasure Mr. Potter. I shall contact you once more before you leave for Hogwarts; I believe it's time to renegotiate that clause on your contract with Nimbus Co." Harry nodded and thanked the goblin once more in Gobbledygook.
"Nagnok is headed for a huge bonus." He stated, looking at Severus with a smile.
"Agreed." The potions master offered still looking at the corner where said goblin had disappeared from their sight.
"And on that note," Neville stated, moving closer and hugging his brother, "congratulations, Harry!" Harry smiled -his face aching from all the smiling he had done in one morning and he didn't care one bit- and hugged him back.
"Thanks, Nev! And don't we have your new wand to pick up today too?" Harry had written to him -and Neville had agreed- that they should probably stop by at Ollivander's just in case; they could ask him to take a quick look at their wands to see if they still were in top shape after all.
"Now that you mention it, we do!" The brown eyed Gryffindor stated, throwing a hand over his brother's shoulders as they turned to Lily who had just cleared her throat to get their attention.
"We still have to do the family shopping for Hogwarts." She had stressed the word family while James behind her nodded, eyes narrowing. Harry inwardly sighed but didn't allow his good mood to dissipate; he had done it. He was free from all that had previously bound him to his parents' will; everything he did from that moment on was simply his choice and nothing more. That thought was enough to keep his smile true and bright on his face.
"Of course we do." He said, nodding once. "We'll get Neville's wand after that -he needs to shop for school too after all- and I did promise him. It's about time; did you know he was using his father's wand all this time professor Dumbledore?" He asked and watched as the Headmaster blinked once in confusion, distracted.
"No, I wasn't aware." Albus admitted, looking at Neville for confirmation.
"Yes, I did." The teen answered, catching on Harry's plan; if they had something else to focus on they wouldn't think too much of what they had just seen transpire between himself, Harry and Severus. The green eyed wizard sent him an apologetic glance and Neville just smiled; he was proud to have been carrying his father's wand for as long as he had and, thanks to his brother, he had managed to regard it just like that; like something to take pride from. "My grandmother finally realized that I should have a wand that actually fits me. Severus might have actually have had a hand in that decision." The Headmaster's eyes widened at hearing Neville calling Severus something other than 'professor Snape' but the wizard in question simply shrugged, not even pausing at the use of his given name instead of his usual title.
"Everybody must have a wand that fits them, Neville." The potions master stated simply. Harry nodded emphatically.
"Well, what say you we get out of here and walk somewhere the sun actually shines." Sirius offered, waving his hand around as to showcase how dark the corridor they were standing at was. "And congratulations, Harry. I never got to say that!" There was one more round of congratulations, heartfelt or -in the case of Adrian- not, and the group walked towards the main hall of the bank and out on the street, the conversation mostly steering towards school.
"So, how do you feel, being an adult and all?" Remus asked Harry softly as they went through the main door and out to the alley. The street was much more crowded than it had been when they had come, bright morning light coming from the skies. Harry smiled.
"Not very different." Harry offered. "Calmer though; much less to worry about right now." He avoided to explaining what his main sources of concern had been and the werewolf didn't ask seeing how his honorary nephew obviously spoke the truth. Harry walked with a lighter air around him and that was enough for one Remus J. Lupin.
"So, where to first?" James asked, looking back at the odd group around him. "Bookstore, apothecary…"
"Ice cream parlor." Harry and Severus stated simultaneously as Neville nodded. James was about to protest when he was interrupted.
"Fortesque's was advertising something about a new sundae when I walked by earlier." Neville stated.
"Was it chocolate?" Harry asked seriously.
"I believe so…" Neville offered.
"Lead the way then, Nev!" The green eyed wizard exclaimed. "What are you waiting for!" He looked at the rest of the people surrounding them. "My treat! Will you be staying, professor Dumbledore?"
"I'm afraid not, my boy. I have a few errands to run in Diagon Alley," he pointed towards the side street with the more specialized shops Harry was quite familiar with, "and then I must return to Hogwarts." The Headmaster stated. "But I wish you a good time and, once again, congratulations." Albus said his goodbyes and, with a last meaningful look towards Harry -as if he was trying to remind him of the conversation they had had at Potter Manor earlier that morning- left to run his errands, whatever they were. Harry had a feeling the Headmaster would endeavor to talk to him more come next term than he had during his past three years at Hogwarts and sighed softly, accepting that was something bound to happen with what the Headmaster had found out about him and Severus over the summer.
The walk to Florian Fortesque's was short and relatively pleasant; Adrian was silent and James spoke in short sentences but was otherwise quiet. Sirius seemed to be making and effort to be civil and Severus, recognizing that, extended the same courtesy. Their time at the ice cream parlor was quite interesting. They ran into the Patil twins that were out making their purchases along with Lavender; the three girls had just stared openly at the smiling and laughing Severus and Harry until Neville kindly informed the two wizards of that fact. A pair of dark and a pair of green eyes turned to where the smirking Gryffindor had pointed just in time to see three blushing fourteen year old girls scuffling towards the general direction of Flourish and Blots, Lavender making a soft squealing sound as she went.
"That was… unexpected." Severus offered, looking at an equally confused Harry. The potions master had expected it would have been much harder than that to expel his image as the big bad bat from the dungeons at Hogwarts. It appeared he was mistaken.
"Quite." Harry offered as Sirius snickered behind his ice cream, mouthing something about 'big green eyes' to Remus who tried and failed to hide his amused smile behind his sundae.
"I'm going to have a lot of fun at your expense this year." Neville deduced, taking a spoonful of his strawberry ice cream.
"Why thank you, Nev." Harry stated drily.
"You think that will happen often?" Lily asked, still staring towards where the three girls had disappeared into the crowd; it was extremely bizarre to have girls noticing her youngest son.
"Well, last time we were here," Severus offered, a devious smirk edging on his lips, "Harry almost caused a poor girl to drown in her ice cream because, what was it you did again?" He pretended to have problems remembering while Harry groaned and let his head fall on the table in an odd sensation of déjà vu. "Oh that's right! You looked at her!" A round of laughter echoed around the table; Neville was laughing loudly as his brother blushed while Sirius exclaimed;
"I called it!" Even James had to laugh at that. Adrian was the only one simply smiling, his eyes never leaving his brother's form; the older Potter twin looked somewhat betrayed and that made even more alarm bells go off in the potions master's mind. This didn't foreshadow well. Not by one bit.
Harry paid for the ice creams jovially, and they rose to leave; it wasn't much later that they walked into the whole Weasley family -minus Bill, Percy and Charlie, for obvious reasons- who was headed towards the bookshop themselves. They greeted each other and Adrian swiftly made his way towards Ron, whispering something to him the moment they were out of earshot; Harry didn't need his enhanced hearing to tell it was him they were talking about. He never intended to keep his emancipation a secret, that was true, but having his twin talk about it behind his back like that hurt him a little.
Well, he thought as Neville claimed his attention a few moments later -having noticed Adrian talking to Ron in the background- it didn't hurt as much as it would have in the past. He smiled at the brown eyed boy that inquired some thing or another about his Ancient Studies course, taking his mind off the muffled gasp coming from Ron after Adrian informed him of what exactly had transpired that morning. The large group had eventually run into Hermione and her parents in the bookstore. The girl's blushing countenance as she greeted her potion's professor and Harry matched the bewildered expressions around the shop. People they knew from Hogwarts were there and couldn't help but stop and stare at the changes that had happened, to their knowledge, over the holidays; there was almost nothing that remained of the image they had of Severus and Harry from last term.
Gone were the scrawny child and the dark figure of the strict potions teacher. In the place of a shy and awkward teenager stood an attractive and confident looking young man, tall for his age and dressed impeccably, talking vividly and laughing alongside with his best friend -who didn't fit the part of the shy and withdrawn Neville they knew either. And where there once was a cold man, feared and disliked by most now was a tall, imposing figure of a man with a handsome face, a rakish smirk and a strong body to replace his gaunt appearance. And Severus Snape looked happy too, presently charming Mrs. Granger, explaining how he was one of her daughter's professors in Hogwarts. No, the general whisper amongst the people who knew the two wizards concluded; there was nothing remotely reminiscent of how they remembered either wizard.
"So," Harry stated, ignoring the looks he received, "I will need an Advanced Arithmancy guide and a couple of books on introduction of old magic and ancient wards in addition to everything else. I'll be heading to second floor; Sev, do you still need that tome you were talking about?"
"The one about the newest theories on dragon's blood?" Severus asked. "Yes, it should be on…"
"Isle four, second floor." Harry muttered looking through his catalogue once again. "I'll fetch it." Severus nodded with a wide smile -effectively shocking a few second year students that passed him by- and returned to his conversation with the Grangers; apparently he had mentioned that Hermione was one of the top students in her year and that had caused the girl to turn crimson once again. Neville followed Harry to the second floor so that he could find his own book for Ancient Runes. As luck would have it -and having bumped into almost half of their year in one morning Harry should have expected something of the sort- once on the second and much quieter floor, Harry's eyes fell onto the form of Draco Malfoy. The blond teen was there to purchase his Arithmancy textbook and hadn't even noticed Neville and Harry as they went up the stairs; Harry took advantage of that fact and tugged Neville away from Draco, opting to pick up his own Arithmancy textbook last.
It had been days since he had last though of Draco Malfoy and his strange reaction to the Death Eaters' attack at the Quidditch Cup. With his emancipation ritual in mind he had pushed the incident to the back of his head; but now, seeing the boy in question brought everything back.
"Don't you tell me you're avoiding Malfoy of all people!" Neville whispered as he followed his brother to the other side of the room and behind an isle of books on Magizoology.
"I am, but not for the reasons you might think of." Harry muttered and quickly explained what he had seen when he had run after the Death Eater that had almost attacked the Robinsons.
"Are you serious?" The teen asked, looking around the corner just in time to catch Draco descending the stairs for the first floor.
"Dead serious. I just don't know what to make of all that." Harry stated, walking towards the correct isle this time.
"What does Severus have to say about it?" Asked Neville, still looking a bit shocked at the news; it was no secret that Draco had tormented him, especially during their first year at Hogwarts. Helping a group of Muggles against the Death Eaters seemed completely out of character for a person who had been raised to treat them as inferiors.
"Believe it or not, I haven't told him yet." Harry stated sighing, looking for the book his father had asked for. "With everything I had had on my mind, I pushed any thoughts of what happened that night back."
"Understandable." Neville muttered, looking for the fourth years' textbook in Ancient Runes and grabbing two copies.
"I just don't know." Harry stated, shaking his head. "I mean, that whole night was surreal and Draco defending Muggles only added to it."
"I get that." Neville assured him, as Harry picked his Advanced Arithmancy textbook before grabbing one more book on arithmological charts he had set his eyes on for quite some time absentmindedly. The two teens walked downstairs in contemplation. Their good mood did return eventually as they walked around Diagon Alley and, using their supposed need to acquire Neville's new wand as a reason, they walked away from the rest of the group and towards Ollivander's Severus walking with them, promising to bring them back to the Leaky Cauldron where the rest of the group would gather for dinner after they were done. James asked if he could accompany them but Neville kindly reminded him that he was about to pick his wand, not go book shopping and implied that he would rather not have a big audience. James had to concede to that and as such, the family of three walked towards the opposite direction of the rest of the group.
"About time." Severus stated smiling as they made the way towards Ollivander's. "I was certain James was ready to hex me at any moment."
"He might have." Harry agreed. "But then again, there were too many witnesses for a murder attempt."
"True." Severus agreed. "And now, if you two would be so kind to inform me what has got you so pensive since we left Flourish and Blot's, I'd be most obliged." The potions master was still smiling, even if his voice betrayed a small amount of concern. He hadn't noticed something out of the ordinary at the bookstore; nothing else than his son's and Neville's changed mood that is.
"You noticed that?" Harry asked smiling, wondering why he was even bothered to feel surprised.
"I would be a terrible father if I hadn't noticed my previously delighted son looking all glum and skeptical, seemingly out of the blue." Severus stated, speaking softly trying not to be overheard. Harry smiled softly before sharing a look with Neville.
"What if I told you it had something to do with one Draco Malfoy?" That seemed to give Severus pause as he regarded both his son and Neville critically. The brown eyed teen nodded in accordance and Severus turned his gaze back towards his son.
"You've got my attention." And Harry began explaining everything that had happened in a hushed tone, from the moment he had seen Draco in that clearing to how he hadn't managed to make anything of it in the few times he had allowed his mind to dwell on it. Their talk was interrupted for a few minutes while they entered Ollivander's and asked the wandmaker for a routine check on their wands who passed it with flying colours; not that Harry was surprised. Severus had asked him to repeat the whole story on their walk back, his mind going over every possible explanation. As it turned out, they were unable to actually talk about the fact until three days later.
After they had left Diagon Alley, Severus had to tend to the final details before the Wolfsbane became available for wide consumption and the paperwork alone took him a day and a half to complete. In the meantime, Harry had returned to Potter manor where Adrian and the rest of his family were set to get ready in order to resume Adrian's slightly neglected training program over the rest of the summer. The only change this time had been James' offer to Harry; he had asked his younger son to accompany them. It was a slightly shocked Harry that denied the offer.
He had explained that he had never been trained alongside Adrian and, while he appreciated the fact that he was asked to join the training, he would probably hold Adrian back. James had protested then, stating how training was important for Harry too, him being Adrian's brother. Harry had tried his best not to lose his temper; instead of yelling, he had frostily reminded his father that he hadn't been trained the past years with them either, but he could still hold his own quite effectively as he had demonstrated when fighting against the Death Eaters.
As that conversation progressed he found himself exceedingly pleased with his decision to cast the Emancipation Ritual. James could have simply ordered him to come along, something he must have realized himself, judging from his grim mood the next couple of days until they left. Lily had asked him of the exact same thing, hoping that she would succeed where her husband had failed; Harry was resolute. They had excluded him for all of his life practically and he had finally come to like that. Now it was their time to deal with the consequences of their actions.
Harry had flooed over Silbreith the very moment his once family had left, a wide smile on his face at his newfound freedom. Minnie had welcomed him warmly and had sent one of the house elves to Neville's house -by Harry's request- to call on his friend. The teen had arrived half an hour later and had swiftly joined Harry and Severus at the back porch.
"If this is how you spend your holidays I wonder how you can stand returning to Hogwarts every beginning of term." Neville stated smirking, reclining back on a chaise lounge, a glass of cold tea in hand as he looked at the lake in the distance.
"It's a hardship." Harry answered in mock desperation. Severus scoffed, staring at the lake himself.
"So," Neville asked after a silent moment, "have you thought anything concerning Malfoy? Because I just don't get it."
"Did you know I was almost made his godfather?" Severus asked out of the blue, making Harry breathe most of the tea he was trying to swallow.
"What?" The teen asked, green eyes wide as he stared at his father in complete disbelief.
"Yes." Severus offered sighing. "I had almost forgot so myself; it was back during my darkest period, when I had just finished my mastery on potions. Narcissa had written to ask whether I would consider it. From what I understand, Lucius in the end opted to make Rabastan LeStrange his godfather instead."
"Smart move, really." Neville offered sarcastically; Rabastan LeStrange was still in Azkaban for his crimes during Voldemort's reign.
"Well, hindsight is always clearer." Severus muttered. "I just can't help but wonder how things would have turned out had I been his godfather."
"I imagine I would have seen much more of him during the years." Harry stated. "I have no idea how that would have worked, considering everything though."
"It probably wouldn't have worked at all." Severus stated, shaking his head. "Anyway, no point in wondering what could have been. What's more important is what happened and what happened was Draco going against everything he has been taught and fighting against the very people he had been raised to support."
"And saving people he believes to be inferiors." Neville interjected. "Plus, with how he has treated me personally over the years, I find it hard to consider he secretly is all warm and cuddly on the inside." Harry and Severus chuckled at that, the green eyed boy shaking his head.
"Still, it's something to consider." Harry stated.
"Are we actually considering Draco secretly is warm and cuddly, once you get to know him?" Neville asked, cocking an eyebrow at his brother.
"What Harry, means, I suppose," Severus said, "is that nothing is what it seems." Harry nodded. "I wouldn't go as far as calling him that," the potions master continued with a smirk, "but, you have to remember, he is a Malfoy. Draco has been raised with a specific mindset; he as been trained from birth to consider Purebloods superior. No matter what his personal beliefs might have been, had he been raised in an unbiased environment that would have allowed them to develop without external steering, he has been through fourteen years worth of propaganda." Harry nodded once more, trying to imagine himself in Draco's shoes. And, since he couldn't picture the person he would have become had he received such an upbringing, he tried to imagine instead himself growing up with James as his father. Would he have hated Severus then? Adrian definitely did, or had, up to recently. He might have never even seen past Neville's shy exterior either, considering him nothing more than a fumbling awkward teen that was even more scared of their potions master than the rest of them were. And James was nowhere near as bad as Lucius Malfoy.
"Fourteen years of propaganda notwithstanding," Harry offered, his thoughts taking him once more to the night of the attack at the World Cup, "I know what I saw. Draco seemed more shocked at what he had done than I was at catching him doing it but that doesn't change the fact that he did cast that spell." Severus and Neville nodded, the potions master looking pensive.
"I can't believe I'm even having this conversation," Neville stated, "but I have to admit, stranger things have happened."
"I'd say." Harry agreed; his whole life so far was one of said stranger things and it had definitely happened.
"Still, we can do nothing more than speculate. Just keep an eye on him." Severus stated, cutting a piece from the chocolate cake Minnie had left for them on the table. "If you ever get free time over the year that is." He handed the cake to Neville, the only one that hadn't tried it yet, his eyes focused on his son, a slight tremble coming over his frame.
He had the appearance of a man ready to grab his son and hide for the next school year and in all truth, that was one of the thoughts that had passed through his mind that very morning; Albus, before leaving to oversee Adrian's training, had called the teaching staff and informed them that the measure taken to prevent injuries during the Triwizard Tournament was simple; no underage wizard would be able to compete. And, to avoid students using aging potions, the ward placed would have nothing to do with actual age and everything to do with what ones magical signature stated. And while the plan was quite smart, it left a specific loophole to be considered. A Harry shaped loophole. Albus obviously believed that Harry wouldn't have the experience required to be selected but Severus knew better; he would have to invest on calming draughts this year.
"You know I need this, Dad." Harry stated softly, correctly guessing what Severus was talking about, looking at his father in earnest. "I will never get a better chance to train in such a scale as the Triwizard Tournament offers before the war; and it will be a controlled environment to boot. The circumstances are ideal."
"I know that." Severus stated, closing his eyes and letting his head hit the pillow behind him. "You do realize I'll hate it anyway." Harry and Neville chuckled at the declaration. "I mean, I'll be ridiculously proud of you if you get chosen. But I'll hate it all the same." This time the teens next to him burst into laughter. "It's not even that funny!" Severus exclaimed, opening his eyes and throwing a pillow towards his son. Harry ducked swiftly, the pillow hitting Neville straight on the chest.
"Hey!" The brown eyed teen complained, throwing the pillow back.
"You must admit, it was a little funny." Harry offered, whipping a few errant tears and chuckling.
"Kind of reminded me one of Ron's predictions for Trelawney's class I overheard last term." Neville stated, a smile forming on his face as he reminisced.
"How so?" Severus asked, not knowing if he should be insulted just yet.
"They were working in pairs, I think, and Adrian was paired with Ron; apparently Adrian's tea leaves, according to Ron, predicted something of the sort 'you'll suffer, but you'll be happy for it'." Even Severus laughed on that one.
"Still, we don't even know if I'll get chosen." Harry reminded them making Severus roll his eyes.
"With our luck?" He shook his head in exasperation. "Harry, I have a feeling you would have managed to get chosen without even competing!"
"True." Harry quipped before dissolving into laughter. He only wished, as he watched the sunset by his family's side, that laughter would accompany them during the coming year too. Excitement at least, should things go as expected, was certain.
