Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings belong to J.K. Rowling.
A/N: So sorry for the long wait, I lost both my parents last year and it's been a difficult time for me. I finally have been getting back into writing my stories.
Previously – Remus apologized to Harry for how he had treated him and they had a good talk, Lily and Severus find out that Harry's scar is a Horcrux and are determined to find a way to get rid of it without Harry having to be killed by Voldemort, although they haven't told Harry about it.
A day after meeting with Remus, Harry walked with his mum and Severus and met with his friends at the entrance to the Great Hall for breakfast, noticing the grin on Ron's face. He could see some amusement in Hermione's eyes although she had a disapproving frown on her face. "What's going on, guys?"
Lily and Severus were looking at them curiously as well.
Luna wandered up. "I think it looks wonderful," She said in her dreamy voice. "All the tables should be decorated in different House colors."
"What?" Severus went into the Great Hall, where the room was filled with laughter and his eyes sought out the Slytherin table, which looked painted in sparkling red and gold. He sighed. His students looked furious.
Lily looked over his shoulder and bit her lip to hide her smile. Okay, that was funny. Whoever had done it shouldn't have but still, it waspretty funny.
Harry began laughing. "Oh, that's brilliant. Who did it, Ron?" He asked eagerly.
Severus spun around and glared. "Yes Mr. Weasley. Who did it?"
Ron's eyes went wide and his smirk faded. "Uh...did what?"
Severus eyes darkened and he stalked over to the Slytherin table, trying to cancel whatever spell had caused it. He scowled when nothing worked.
"I'm sorry Severus," Professor McGonagall said as she walked up to him, frowning. "The Headmaster and I tried to undo it but apparently some special compound was used. If they were still in school, I'd say it was the Weasley twins who were responsible."
"I'm sure they are," Severus huffed. "Someone here probably got the compound from their joke shop."
Professor McGonagall nodded ruefully. "Most likely."
Severus glared at the other students who were still laughing, although no table was laughing as much as Gryffindor. He glowered at the lions until one by one they went silent and stopped looking over at the Slytherin table. Slightly appeased, he turned to his snakes. "Do not give them the satisfaction of knowing this bothers you," he told them.
"Aren't the Gryffindors going to get into trouble?" Theo Nott whined.
"I do not know who is responsible for this, although I will try to find out," Severus said.
"It was probably Potter," Draco spoke up. He glared at his Head of House. "And of course you won't punish him." He said sarcastically.
"Harry did not do this," Severus said coolly. "And do not presume to tell me what I will and will not do, Mr. Malfoy."
Scowling, Draco looked away.
"Don't worry Draco, we'll get trounce those stupid lions in the Quidditch match later today," Zander Vaisey said, who played Chaser for the team.
Severus sighed and went to the Head Table, sitting in his usual seat next to Lily.
"Are they all right?" Lily asked, glancing at the Slytherin table.
"They have been humiliated in front of the whole school," Severus said in a frustrated voice. "So no, they are not all right."
"I'm sorry," Lily said quietly.
Severus shut his eyes for a moment. "No, I am sorry. I should not have snapped at you."
Lily didn't say anything, she knew Severus was just concerned for his Slytherins. Now that they knew he was not on Voldemort's side, they assumed he didn't care for them but she knew he did. Thoughtfully, she stared at the Gryffindor table. Most of them were grinning and laughing, looking over at the Slytherin table now that Severus wasn't glaring at them. Harry, however, wasn't laughing anymore. He looked worried and kept glancing up at the Head Table, looking from Severus to her. She gave him a reassuring smile and wink as she flicked her wand, murmuring a charm and suddenly the Gryffindor table had little green snakes in the pattern, and they moved continuously all around the top of the table. The Gryffindors squealed in surprise and as the rest of the room noticed, the other students began laughing.
"You did not have to do that," Severus said, a twinge of a smile on his lips.
Lily shrugged. "It will fade in an hour. Besides, they don't look that upset." It was true, many of the Gryffindors were laughing while others seemed to think the charm was impressive, especially the first years. Only a few upper years looked annoyed. "The House rivalry has always gone too far. It's supposed to be for fun, a healthy competition. Instead of an all out war."
"It's always been like this," Severus said softly. "Worse now, with Voldemort's return."
Lily nodded sadly. The wizarding world needed to be rid of Voldemort, but first she and Severus had to deal with Harry's horcrux.
/
Later that afternoon, Harry stood with Luna as the match was beginning to start. He had found out it was Dean and Seamus who had ordered the compound that had decorated the Slytherin table. Everyone was still talking about it, as well as the snake pattern on the Gryffindor table. The Gryffindors had been speculating who had done it, although Harry had known right away it was his mum. He wasn't mad, he had thought it was a pretty brilliant charm. Most of the Gryffindors had actually been amused by it. Now, though he needed to focus on the match.
"A kiss for luck?" Harry asked Luna with a grin as he prepared to join his team in the sky.
Luna leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips, her eyes bright. "I get a kiss for luck too."
"What do you need luck for?" Harry asked curiously.
"Professor McGonagall asked me to do the commentary for the game," Luna beamed.
"Uh, really?" Harry scratched behind his neck. "Huh." Slowly he grinned. If nothing else, this game would be interesting. "I think that's great." He pulled her close and kissed her. "Good luck."
Harry flew up to join his team, hovering near Ron.
"Hey," Ron frowned. "Is – is Luna going to do the commentary?" He was watching as Luna sat at the podium, next to Professor McGonagall.
"Yup," Harry smirked.
"Oh," Ron bit his lip as Madam Hooch threw up the Quaffle. "This should be fun."
It didn't take long for Luna to start talking as the game started. "And there's Ronald Weasley, the Gryffindor keeper. He's getting much better, I think because his girlfriend Hermione is in the stands and he wants to impress her. Oh, Ginny got the Quaffle from Caldwell, did you know she's dating Dean Thomas now? I think they make a very cute couple..."
"Miss Lovegood, stick to the game please," Professor McGonagall said curtly.
"Hmm, all right. Oh, there's Malfoy hovering near Harry. See, instead of trying to find the snitch himself, he'd rather Harry do the job for him. Not a sign of a very strong seeker, if you ask me, of course, he's only seeker because his father bought his place on the team..."
Harry bit his lip to keep from laughing at the furious look on Malfoy's face.
"Oh dear, now the chaser from Slytherin has the Quaffle...what's his name again? Ugaoo?"
"Urquhart!" McGonagall said loudly.
"Right. Of course... oh, I think Harry has seen something. See how Malfoy is following him? Look at Harry fly, he really is a natural. He's such a good player...and kisser, if you want to know..."
"Miss Lovegood!" McGonagall snapped.
Merlin's beard, Luna! Harry thought as his teammates snickered. He didn't even want to see the looks on his mum or Severus's faces. It was bad enough that he could hear laughter from the stands.
"Oh, I suppose we should check the score...hey, does anyone else think the clouds look like little baby Hippogriffs? I do, I think they -"
"The score is seventy-forty to Slytherin!" McGonagall snapped into Luna's megaphone.
"Is it? Uh oh, Katie Bell was almost hit by a Bludger, sent by Penguin Derrick..."
"Peregrine Derrick!" McGonagall said wearily.
"Right. And now Malfoy is trying to knock Harry off his broom. Thankfully Harry is too good of a flier to fall off but isn't it just like that little ferret..."
"Miss Lovegood!"
Finally, after Gryffindor and Slytherin were almost neck and neck with the score, Harry caught sight of the snitch and after faking Draco out, he sped towards the golden prize. His hand curved around the snitch as he pulled up just in time before hitting the ground. The spectators burst into applause and cheers.
"Way to go, Harry!" Ron cheered as he flew next to him. "We won!"
Harry grinned as he and his team flew to the ground. His teammates began surrounding him with congratulations, pounding him on the back.
"Take that, Slytherin!" One of them yelled.
"It's nice to know your girlfriend likes your kissing," Dean Thomas teased as the other teammates made loud kissing noises.
"Oh, shut up," Harry said good-naturedly.
After changing, Harry headed out to the stands and was met with his mum and Severus. He sighed when he saw the smirks on their faces. Please don't comment on it, he thought fervently.
"Miss Lovegood certainly did an entertaining job, didn't she, Harry?" Severus chuckled
"A good kisser, hmm?" Lily raised an eyebrow, holding back a laugh.
Harry groaned, his face flushing. "Please don't make fun of me," He begged.
Laughing, his mum obliged him and hugged him. "Congratulations Harry! That was a great match!"
"You did extremely well," Severus agreed with a small smile.
Harry looked at him a tad uncertainly. "I'm sorry." He said, realizing Severus must be disappointed that his House had lost.
Severus sighed. "You do not have to apologize for winning, Harry. Obviously I always hope for a Slytherin win, it is my House. But that does not mean I'm not happy and proud when you win."
"Really?" Harry perked up.
"Really, you ridiculous child." Severus said in exasperation.
"Sev, you have such a way with words," Lily teased. She turned back to Harry. "Go on. Celebrate with your friends. And thank Luna for the enlightening commentary." She chuckled.
Blushing furiously, Harry went to find his friends.
"How did I do, Harry?" Luna asked brightly as he approached.
Harry stared at her for a moment before breaking into a grin. "I thought you were brilliant." He watched as her eyes lit up and pulled in her for a kiss.
"Knock it off, we have a game to celebrate!" Ron said, his arm around Hermione.
Walking to the Tower together, where Dean and Seamus were for sure already getting a party started, they were interrupted when Malfoy suddenly swooped in front of them, his goons Crabbe and Goyle behind him. His silver eyes were flashing as he glared at Harry and then at Luna.
"You have some nerve, Loony..." Draco sneered.
Harry stiffened. "Don't call her that...you little ferret."
Draco's face went red with anger. "You must think you're so special, don't you Potter?" He spat out.
Harry sighed. "What's your problem this time? I mean, besides losing to Gryffindor yet again."
Draco positively glowered at him. "Professor Snape looking proud of you...after winning against his own house!" He shook his head. "I don't know how you got him to turn towards your side. Hey, maybe he really does like your mud-blood of a mother." He smirked. "It's the only reason he acting nice to you. Professor Snape doesn't care about you."
"Sod off, Malfoy!" Ron shouted. "And don't use that foul word!"
"Mudblood?" Draco said with relish. "Your mother is inferior, Potter. Just like you."
"And yet she outsmarted Voldemort," Harry smirked, stressing the name. He watched Draco flinch. "How is your Master doing these days?"
"Shut up!" Draco pointed his wand at him. "You'll get what is coming to you, Potter. Just wait."
Harry gave an exaggerated yawn. "Are you finished yet?"
Draco gave a low growl and began to cast. "Confri -"
"Color Intensionem Et Rubeum Auri!" Harry shouted, remembering reading this spell from one of Severus's books.
Draco backed up, looking at him warily. "What did you do?" He demanded as those around began laughing. Even his own friends were snickering.
"Merlin, that's great!" Ron snickered.
"Harry," Hermione tried to sound disapproving but she was smiling.
Luna gave a giggle. "I like it. It sets off your eyes," she said to Draco innocently.
"What?" Draco conjured a mirror and stared at his reflection in horror. "Change it back, Potter!"
Harry grinned at the former blonde, who now sported red and gold hair. "It will wear off," he said with a shrug. "In like a day or so."
Draco was clearly seething and Harry hid a smile.
"You can laugh now Potter, but I won't forget this," Draco hissed.
"Of course you won't, you'll remember every time you look in the mirror," Harry snickered.
"I can't wait to see you killed," Draco spat out before stomping away.
"Evil git," Ron muttered.
"Harry, aren't you supposed to walk away from Malfoy's taunts?" Hermione asked, still looking amused.
Harry shrugged. "Oops," he said.
/
"You know there is to be no hexing students," Severus scolded, pacing back and forth in front of the errant person sitting in front of him. "Stop laughing! Even if it was just a change of hair color, it is against the rules. You know this, so why – stop laughing!"
Lily was bent over in mirth, tears practically coming out of her eyes. "Oh, but his hair...a Malfoy with red and gold hair..." Her giggles continued.
Severus crossed his arms across his chest. "How are you going to scold your son when you can't stop your giggling?" He lips twitched slightly at the thought of young Malfoy in Gryffindor colors. The Slytherin table he had been disgruntled with but the hair on Malfoy...well...that was amusing. The little nuisance had had it coming for years.
"I know, I know," Lily tried to get herself under control. "He should have walked away. But I believe Minerva has already scolded him for the hex. And at least he didn't physically attack him this time."
The door opened and a sheepish looking Harry entered. "Hi."
"Well, if it isn't Hogwarts own hairdresser," Severus said snidely.
Harry cleared his throat. "Um, I know you're probably mad but...well, at least I didn't attack him this time."
Severus shook his head. "Like mother, like son."
"He was being a prat, it was in defense!" Harry protested.
"Defense against what?"
"He started to cast the blasting curse at me," Harry said. Professor McGonagall had been about to take points from him until he had told her that. She had looked shocked and then angry, then half-heartily finishing her scolding. Thankfully, she hadn't taken points or given him a detention.
All amusement fled Lily and she stood up. "He what?"
"I cast my spell before he could cast his," Harry shrugged. "Then he said -" He hesitated.
"What did he say?" Severus asked in a low voice.
"He couldn't wait to see me killed," Harry said in a low voice. "He's a bloodthirsty little thing, isn't he?" he tried to joke after a moment.
"I will be having words with him," Severus said through gritted teeth. Draco was obviously too far gone if he was ready to kill a student, in front of witnesses. The boy was following in his father's footsteps, all right.
"This is why I don't want you wandering the castle alone," Lily said seriously.
"I wasn't, Ron, Hermione, and Luna were with me," Harry said. "We were on our way to the Tower."
"Maybe you need more... how about a house-elf?" Lily suggested, looking at Severus.
"There is that one that Harry knows, Dobby," Severus said thoughtfully.
"Uh," Harry bit his lip as Dobby popped into the room.
"Professor Snape Sir called for Dobby?" Dobby asked cheerfully, decked out in his colorful sweaters and mismatched socks.
Lily was staring at him with a bemused expression.
"How would like to shadow Harry, discreetly, to make sure he is safe?" Severus watched as Dobby hesitated. "Is there a problem?" He asked in surprise. He knew how fond of Harry the elf was.
"Dobby is already shadowing somebody," Dobby said, looking dejected. "But Dobby wants to help keep Harry Potter Sir safe too!"
"Who are you shadowing?" Severus asked with a frown. Had Dumbledore assigned him to somebody?
"Mistress Lily Potter," Dobby beamed.
Lily's mouth dropped open. "What?"
"Dobby keeps Mistress Lily safe, yes he does! Harry Potter Sir asked and Dobby is happy to do it!"
Lily and Severus both stared at Harry.
Harry coughed. "Uh, well after the welcoming feast I was worried so I asked Dobby to keep an eye on you." He shrugged.
Lily smiled softly. "You're a good kid, Harry. I appreciate it, I really do. But I think now it would be best if Dobby watches out for you. If Dobby doesn't mind, of course."
"No, Dobby does mind at all, no ma'am, Dobby is proud to protect Harry Potter Sir," Dobby rambled.
Severus rolled his eyes while Lily laughed. He was impressed with Harry, it was a good idea to have had extra protection for Lily. But it was Harry who needed it, he was the goal for the dark lord. And if Harry had someone extra looking out for him, then he and Lily could focus on finding an answer to destroying the horcrux in Harry.
TBC: