Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong
Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.
"Harry," Severus spoke up, once they were back in their own quarters, accompanied by Minerva, Poppy and Remus. "I appreciate that you stood up for me, but it's fully all right for you to accept the Order of Merlin even if I won't receive it."
'No.' Making sure that everyone understood his response, he fiercely shook his head.
Severus let out a deep sigh. "In fact, there are several things, which I'd like to discuss with you. First of all, I believe that we need to inform Salazar of our findings. Harry, do you wish to tell him?"
Harry shook his head. 'Please tell them, as you can inform everyone at the same time.'
As Lucy was fast asleep on the sofa next to him, Harry was unable to observe Severus' reaction; however, he could imagine that he rolled his eyes in obvious annoyance. Nevertheless, the older wizard informed Poppy, Remus and Salazar that Harry was indeed a descendant of Salazar through his mother Lily.
"I just knew it." Salazar sounded pleased, much to Harry's surprise.
'He seems happy that I'm related to him,' he thought in amazement, recalling what his sole living relatives had used to tell him about no one wanting anything to do with him.
"As his father James was a descendant of the Gryffindor-Ravenclaw family, Harry is the heir of all four Founders of Hogwarts," Severus informed his colleagues.
"Doesn't that make him the owner of Hogwarts?" Minerva sounded strangely excited.
"It does," Salazar confirmed, "which means that he is able to hire and dismiss professors including the headmaster, and he can also overwrite any decisions of the staff."
'I won't do such a thing,' Harry thought to Severus, 'at least not before I am a student and know more.'
Severus repeated his words aloud, only to add, "Wait until the headmaster hires an absolute idiot as a professor."
'All right,' Harry conceded in amusement.
"There is one more topic, which I'd like to discuss with Harry; however, I believe that he will appreciate your input on this matter. "I've debated a possible name change of the Potter name with Buckbean to prevent Harry from being known as the boy who lived at such an early age. After I accepted the lordship for House Prince…"
"You what?" Poppy's voice was laced with excitement and delight at the same time, causing Harry to inwardly chuckle.
"Yes, he is the Lord Prince now," Minerva informed her colleagues, sounding equally pleased.
"As I was just going to explain," Severus drawled, "Buckbean suggested that I should adopt Harry and make him a member of the Prince family. I am not sure if Harry is able to make such a far-reaching decision at this stage, as he does not have much experience, nor does he know everything about me…" He slowly trailed off.
'I'm sorry, Severus, but what does adoption mean?' Harry asked, tentatively.
"If I adopted you, you would become my son, and we could change your name to, for example, Harry Prince," Severus explained in a soft voice.
All of a sudden, Lucy jumped from where she had been sleeping peacefully, relaying the image of her view, as she dashed around the table, put her front paws onto Severus' lap and eagerly began to lick the man's face in apparent approval.
'I didn't even notice that she woke up,' Harry thought, as he watched his familiar in amusement. 'Would you really be my father then?' he thought to his guardian, feeling thrilled at the idea, although a voice from the back of his mind shouted at him to not get his hopes up.
"Yes," Severus confirmed, gently pulling the canine off his face. "Lucy, it's all right. I've taken a shower this morning."
'I'd like that,' Harry replied, smiling. 'He really wants to be my family,' he thought in delight.
To his surprise, Severus thought back to him instead of speaking aloud. 'Harry, please listen to my colleagues' advice before deciding. If you do not accept to become my son, nothing will change to our current situation. It's really up to you.'
Severus rose from his chair. "Would you please advise Harry? I'm sure that he'd appreciate your opinions on this matter. In the meantime, I will make a short trip to the herb garden. Lucy, will you accompany me? Perhaps, you should even tell me about my past," he added as an afterthought.
"Harry," Minerva spoke up in a soft voice, when Severus and Lucy left the room, "did you understand what Severus' question entailed?"
Harry nodded. 'He offered to become my father,' he thought to the kind, old witch, only to add to himself, 'in spite of knowing that I'm a freak.'
"Severus is a good man," Minerva offered her opinion. "He has made grave mistakes in the past, but he was your mother's best friend for many years, and he really wants to become a father to you. I believe that he has changed a lot for the better, since you came into his life."
"I agree. Having each other seems to be good for both of you. He has already been behaving like a father to you, ever since you came to live with him a few months ago." Even if he could not see her, he somehow felt that Poppy was smiling broadly.
Remus let out a deep sigh. "I agree with Minerva and Poppy. However, I believe that it won't suffice to change Harry's surname, considering that he's the spitting image of James. Severus might want to consider blood adopting him, so that his features might change a bit. The question is if Severus will be allowed to adopt Harry at all." He sighed again, before he continued to speak. "In fact, Severus was in our year at Hogwarts, and your father and our common friends often got into fights with him. I don't know if it's our fault, but anyway, at some stage, he decided to join Voldemort. Shortly later, he regretted it and became Professor Dumbledore's spy. I believe that this is what Severus wanted us to tell you. He seems to be very conscious about his past as a follower of Voldemort."
'That's the evil one who killed my parents, right?' Harry thought to Minerva.
"Yes Harry, Voldemort was the one who killed your parents. Ever since then, Severus has been wearing black clothes, grieving about your mother. He is a good person in spite of the grave mistake he made in his past, when he was still a teenager."
She sighed, before she continued, "Remus, considering that he's one of the lords of the Wizengamot now, I am sure he will be able to adopt Harry, provided that Harry wants it. Good that he accepted the lordship at the right time." Minerva seemed contented by the fact.
As the conversation turned to revolve around the Wizengamot, Harry unobtrusively tuned the voices out and thought to Misty, 'Severus offered to adopt me, and I'd like to accept. What do you think about it?'
It only took a few seconds, before the always calm elf responded, 'That's the best that could happen to both of you. Congratulations Harry. I think that Severus will be a wonderful father to you.'
Smiling, Harry turned his attention back to the conversation around him, just when he sensed that Severus entered the room. An instant later, he felt his familiar jump onto the sofa and lick his face all over, almost as if they had been separated for hours.
'Hi Lulu,' he greeted the canine, feeling very happy. 'Hi Severus,' he thought to his guardian, 'if you're sure that you want me, I'd love to be adopted.'
HP
First thing the following morning, Miranda returned to Hogwarts and joined Harry, Severus, Minerva, Poppy and Remus for breakfast in Severus' and Harry's rooms.
The witch was very friendly and told Harry that she had known his birth parents well due to being in the year after them in Gryffindor. She had been a prefect and often worked together with Lily, who had also been a prefect and even head girl in her seventh year. "Your mother was a wonderful witch, and she taught me a lot of things during my first six years at Hogwarts," she added, smiling.
Harry liked her immediately, and when the professors informed him of the plan to have her and Remus take turns teaching him, while the other would instruct the students, he happily agreed. He cast Severus an indignant look, when his guardian mumbled something sounding like "Harry would welcome anyone save a dragon to teach him."
'No, but I like Miranda,' he thought to Severus, before he excused himself, pointing out that his lessons with the elves were going to commence shortly.
HP
While the elves had allowed him to let Severus in on the secret that he could turn invisible and pop himself all over Hogwarts, the other professors could not know. Therefore, Harry retreated to his own room, before he popped himself and Lucy right into their classroom, where Nina and Toni greeted them as happily as they always did.
"Today will be our last lesson together, as from tomorrow onwards, Nina and Tony will practise house-elf duties in the castle," Barney informed them, causing Harry to become very sad.
'I know, several of the human professors will teach me, but still, I loved my class with Nina and Tony. They were my first friends ever,' he thought in disappointment.
"Barney?" Nina sounded extremely excited. "Will wes be able to remains friends with Harry?"
Barney nodded in confirmation, making Harry inwardly sigh in relief along with gratefulness towards Lucy, who sent him pictures as usual. "As Harry is privy of elven secrets, elven magic recognises him as one of our own. Therefore, Harry has the same privileges as any elf and can come and visit you outside of class time whenever you wish. Today, I will show you a place in the castle, which only elves know. You can only get there by popping, thus, no human is able to enter the place, just like the elves' quarters.
The three children became extremely excited at the idea and began to wonder where that spot might be. While Nina guessed that it could be in the dungeons and Toni suspected the Forbidden Forest, Harry had to admit to himself that he did not have a clue. 'As popping is magic, it could be anywhere, although Barney said that it was within Hogwarts.'
"First of all, I will teach you to make a so-called 'Roundkey', which can be used to pop us all together to a place within the castle," Barney continued.
Making a roundkey was difficult for the children, and they had to practise for almost two hours, before all three of them were able to flawlessly make a roundkey which actually worked.
Finally, Barney commended them and suggested using Harry's roundkey, which had the form of a snake. "It is a good form, as it makes it easy for all five of us to hold on to it. Harry, please allow me to change the destination accordingly."
Harry nodded in confirmation. 'That's why I made it so big,' he thought, knowing that Lucy's paws were quite big and that a broomstick had just about the right thickness for her to comfortably hold on to it.
"Secret place," Harry spoke the activation code, glad that it was so easy to speak aloud in front of the elves due to Misty's request and encouragement.
An instant later, they found themselves out on the grounds in a small garden with the castle in the back and the shore of the lake right in front of them.
"Won't the students be able to see us?" Nina enquired, pointing out that they were not far from the Quidditch pitch.
"No, this garden is charmed to be invisible to humans. Harry is the only human who is in the possession of certain elven rights. Harry, at one stage, we need to take you to the Isle of Elves, so we can introduce you to the Elder Elves and confirm your elven rights. We can do this at any time during the next few years. Misty and Cicero will discuss this with your guardians."
"Thank you, Barney," Harry replied in a soft voice. "I'd love to visit the Isle of Elves."
"Can we go there together with Harry?" Nina's excitement was contagious, and Harry watched the teacher in expectation.
"We needs to meet with the Elder Elves, too, don't we?" Toni added, sounding thrilled at the thought.
"Yes, we will arrange something for the three of you to go together. This is up to Misty and Cicero though. Perhaps, they will take you next summer."
'I can't wait,' Harry thought in expectation. 'This is going to be so much fun.'
"Lucy will be able to come, too, won't she?"
'Thanks for asking,' Harry thought to Nina, feeling very grateful towards his friend.
"Of course." Barney sounded decisive, and Harry inwardly sighed in relief.
'I wouldn't go anywhere without Lulu,' he resolved. 'If she can't go somewhere, I simply won't go either.'
HP
On the following day, Harry had his first meeting with Regina Lestrange, the mind healer. Before their meeting began, Severus had enquired if he would be all right speaking with her just by himself, and Harry had quickly pondered the matter and come to the conclusion that he would be fine provided that Lucy was with him.
At the beginning, Ms. Lestrange asked him questions about his life at Hogwarts, and Harry happily thought to her about his classes with Nina and Toni and the elves. He registered in relief that she seemed to accept his thought response and did not insist that he had to speak aloud. However, he instinctively knew that it was going to be a topic sooner or later.
He cuddled Lucy close, when the dreaded question came. 'No one wants to hear a freak,' he bluntly told the Squib.
She let out a deep sigh. "Is that what your relatives told you?" Her voice was as gentle as it had been before, and Harry hesitantly nodded.
"When my parents realised that I did not have magic, when I was about your age, they told me that I was a shame for the family. At the age of eleven, magical children usually receive their Hogwarts letter, which you will receive next summer. However, I did not get one, because I didn't have enough magic."
Harry already pitied the kind Squib, when she shocked him to the core, as she continued. "My father kicked me out of the family. He instructed an elf to take me to the muggle world and have me attend a muggle school. I have two older brothers, Rabastan and Rodolphus." She let out a deep sigh. "Rabastan has always been bad; however, Rodolphus was a very kind wizard, and he kept in touch with me until about eight years ago. He even saw to it that I received and still receive the Daily Prophet to keep in touch with the magical world. Unfortunately, Rabastan seems to have corrupted Rodolphus. From the Daily Prophet, I learned that they attacked and tortured people and ended up in Azkaban. The magical prison," she explained, apparently realising that Harry would not know what it was. "I still don't believe that Rodolphus did what he did by his own free will. Probably, Rabastan and his crazy wife, Bellatrix, somehow forced him, but I can't prove it, especially as I am only a Squib and not respected in the magical world at all."
'I am sorry,' Harry thought to her. 'Maybe when I am an adult, I will be able to help you.'
Ms. Lestrange smiled. "That's very kind of you, Harry. Thank you so very much." She paused for a moment, before she changed the topic. "Harry, I'd like to suggest something to you. If you do not wish to speak, you could try to express your feelings by art."
'Art?' Harry mouthed in surprise.
"Yes. This can either be painting or music. In your case, I'd rather recommend music. I know that there is a magical music instrument the Suikan. Of course, I am not able to play it; however, you will be able to play it using your magic. You'll just have to direct your thoughts into the instrument to make it play. You can make it sound like a variety of muggle instruments, such as, for example, a trumpet, a violin or a piano."
'I'd like that,' Harry thought to her, feeling somehow uncertain. 'If she recommends it, I can at least try it out,' he thought, somehow feeling eager at the idea.
"I will explain the matter to Lord Prince," Ms. Lestrange promised. "He'll see to it that you get a Suikan. I look forward to hearing you play, when we meet the next time."
'Thank you so very much,' Harry replied, smiling, the thought 'She wouldn't mind me speak aloud with her' crossing his mind.
HP
Severus immediately agreed to take Harry to Diagon Alley that very afternoon to buy a Suikan for him. "I suppose that we can simply buy it at the music shop?"
"I am afraid not," Ms. Lestrange replied in her soft voice. "Do you perhaps know Mr. Oniche, the instrument maker? His shop is in a small side street to Diagon Alley. I could accompany you if you wish."
"If you have time, we'd be happy if you joined us," Severus replied, and Harry nodded, eagerly. 'She's really nice,' he thought to his guardian, who gave him an unobtrusive nod in return, probably trusting that Lucy showed him everything – which she always did.
HP
The Suikan looked like a ball with some small openings on one side, where the sounds would come out as Mr. Oniche informed Harry. He suggested for Regina and Severus to go and have a coffee somewhere, while he would instruct Harry how to play the instrument. "It will probably take the boy at least an hour to get out any sound whatsoever, and I might be able to help him over the beginning."
'Harry, would it be all right for you and Lucy to remain here by yourselves? We'll be back in an hour at the latest,' Severus thought to him.
'Of course. Please go and enjoy yourselves. Ms. Lestrange is really nice,' Harry thought back, smiling. 'Severus somehow is friendlier to her than to others, apart from Minerva, Poppy and Remus,' he thought, somehow feeling amused by the thought. On the other hand, Ms. Lestrange was so gentle that he could not imagine being anything but nice to her.
HP
Playing the Suikan was everything but easy. During the first hour of intense practice, Harry did not manage to get out any sound whatsoever. However, Mr. Oniche patiently taught him how to play and encouraged him to practise regularly stating that he would succeed in a week's time at the latest.
"If you have any questions, you can send me an owl at any time," Mr. Oniche promised, when Severus paid for the instrument and profusely thanked the man for teaching Harry.
They accompanied Ms. Lestrange to the Leaky Cauldron, where she was going to take the Floo to her home, before Severus cast Harry a questioning look. 'Harry, are you sure that you will be able to pop yourself, Lucy and me home?'
'Yes sir,' Harry replied, smiling. He had practised together with the elves many times and knew that he should be able to pop one adult in addition to Lucy and himself. They retreated to a dark corner of the pub, and an instant later, they arrived in their own living room at Hogwarts.
"Amazing," Severus commended him. "Thank you, Harry. This is indeed preferable to the Floo travel."
tbc...
Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter. Please tell me what you liked or disliked in this chapter and what you expect from this story. Any ideas are welcome, and my muse appreciates any constructive feedback.