Friday morning, Severus decided that if he was going to risk rejection and expose himself to the pent up hatred over Dumbledore's death as part of his deal with House, he was going to make House fulfill his part first.
"Tippy," he called out.
"Yes, Headmaster?" she said, popping in immediately.
"Tell Professor House and Professor MacDougal to come to my office this evening at 7pm."
"Right away, Headmaster."
House grimaced when Tippy gave him the message; he knew what this was all about. Still, a deal was a deal and he intended to go through with it so that Severus couldn't back out. That evening after dinner, House returned to his quarters to pick up the parchment with the pedigree on it and made his way to the headmaster's quarters. He arrived at five minutes after seven, in typical House fashion, to find Snape and MacDougal sitting together, an empty chair alongside Snape and a tea service for three on the table in front of the chairs.
"Headmaster, Professor," House greeted them both, taking his seat and pushing the chair back a bit farther so that he could direct some of his nervous energy to twirling his cane in his right hand.
"I called you both here because Professor House has something he wishes to share with you, Professor MacDougal, but was uncertain how to approach you," Snape said as Tippy appeared and poured out tea for all three of them, deftly avoiding House's cane.
"Oh. By all means, Professor," MacDougal said, giving House his full attention.
House grimaced again and shot Snape a glare before clearing his throat and sitting forward in his chair. "You've heard that I just came to the wizarding world this past summer?"
"Yes, I have," MacDougal answered. "It's completely unheard of, but Filius has nothing but praise for how quickly you've learned magic."
House shrugged, uncomfortable to hear any praise and brushing past it quickly. "The first thing I did when I got here was set up an account at Gringott's. They told me that most squibs are rejected by their wizarding families and are more comfortable in the muggle world."
"Clearly you aren't a squib," MacDougal observed. "A muggle born that slipped past the Ministry's notice?"
House shook his head no. "My mother was a muggle. I never knew my real father. Gringott's conducted a pedigree spell and found out that I'm related to a wizard family."
Jesse started to respond then suddenly narrowed his eyes, puzzling through why House would want to tell him about this. House was staring at the teapot on the table, crushing a parchment in his hand.
"Wait. You wanted to tell me this? Me, specifically? It's my family you're related to, isn't it?" Jesse asked, completely stunned.
"Here's the proof," House said gruffly, tossing him the parchment and getting up to pace around the perimeter of the office, unable to sit still and wait to be rejected.
Jesse caught the parchment and watched House pace for a moment before unrolling it and reading it over carefully, looking up at House in astonishment.
"We're brothers?" he said aloud.
"Half-brothers," House said flatly. "The goblins told me it was likely the family wouldn't accept me as a squib and I've since found out that it would be better to have been a squib than a bastard so…"
"Stop. Don't call yourself that!" Jesse said, rising to his feet. "When I was four years old, my father had a string of aurors and muggle detectives in the house, all pouring over a picture of him with a woman. He wanted to find her and her son. He looked for two years before he gave up. He was looking for you," Jesse said fervently as House froze in place and stared at him. Jesse started toward him but that snapped the last of House's resolve and he fled Snape's office without a backward glance.
"Let him go," Snape said when Jesse made to follow him. "He was not well treated by his muggle step-father. To think that he was wanted by his wizard father is more than he can handle right now."
Jesse stared at the door a moment longer then resumed his seat with a sigh, staring at the parchment.
"I have to tell my father. He still has that picture in his desk," Jesse said.
"Keep it secret a while longer," Snape advised. "Give him some time to get to know you, and you him, before informing the rest of your family."
"But," Jesse began then stopped himself. "No, you're right. Father will understand that reasoning when it's explained. I can't believe it. After all these years, to have him right here in Hogwarts."
"What of the rest of your family?" Snape asked curiously. "Will they accept him?"
"I'm pretty sure they will. It's no secret that Da' was looking for them all that time ago. Where's he been all this time? Why couldn't they find him?"
"His muggle step-father was in the military and the family moved every year or so all over the world, but mostly in the United States. The only reason he even knew of our world is because he and I were friends for a summer when we were thirteen and his father was stationed in England."
Jesse shook his head in shock. "Thank you for setting this up, Headmaster. And let him know I'm happy to have another brother. I'll do the same when he's a bit less spooked."
"I will do so. Good night, Professor MacDougal."
"Good night, Headmaster."
House kept right on running after he left Snape's office, out onto the grounds to the shores of the Black Lake. MacDougal's revelation that his father had been looking for him had shaken him to his core. He'd prepared himself to be rejected or at best politely acknowledged and ignored but this… using aurors and detectives and two years of time to look for him. He'd studied the pedigree. Jesse was two years his junior, the first born son of Herbert's marriage and eldest of four, two boys and two girls. Herbert had gotten married the year after House had been born and had a family. Why would he have looked for him?
His head spun and he realized he was only shallowly breathing, sweating and dizzy. Shit, he thought with a groan and sat down on a log, putting his head between his knees and trying to slow his breathing down. He hadn't had a panic attack since just after being released from Mayfield's psych ward. A few minutes later, he heard someone approaching.
"Professor? Are ye' alright?" Hagrid asked, coming up behind House.
House shook his head and tried to get up, to deny there was any problem but his head spun again and he started to fall.
"Easy now, I've got ya'," Hagrid said as he caught him and set him gently back down onto the log. "Just try to take some slow deep breaths, Professor. That's it, nice and slow," he said, continuing to encourage him until he was finally able to slow his breathing.
"How are you feelin' now, Professor?"
"Still dizzy," House replied.
"Ya' need a calming draught, you do. Come on, let's get you back to the castle," Hagrid said, helping House to his feet and supporting him when he stumbled. A few steps later, House stepped aside and vomited which set his head to pounding.
"I'll get you to the castle, now, you just let me do the work," Hagrid said, bending down and lifting House into his arms, cane and all.
House groaned; the change of position didn't do him any favors.
"I know, I know, but you'll be just as dizzy and sick sitting out here in the cold," Hagrid said soothingly, carrying him as carefully as possible. Within a few minutes, Hagrid had him back in the castle and in the infirmary.
"Hagrid? What's happened?" Pomfrey asked as he gently set House down on a bed.
"Looked like a panic attack, it did. Fast, shallow breathing, dizzy. 'Fraid he threw up trying to walk back here," Hagrid reported.
"Thank you, Hagrid, I'll take care of him from here."
"Feel better soon, Professor," Hagrid said and left the infirmary.
Pomfrey cast a quick diagnostic spell and confirmed the panic attack even as House told her that's what had happened.
"Just let me get you a calming draught," she said, going to the storage cupboard and returning with two potions bottles.
"This one first, a stomach soother, then the calming draught," she said, handing them to him one at a time.
House swallowed both potions with a grimace then closed his eyes and waited for them to take effect, sighing when then did so.
"Better," he said hoarsely. "Going back to my rooms now," he said, attempting to get up but the room was still spinning and Pomfrey had to catch him from falling.
"I think you'd better stay here and rest for the night," she said, urging him back into bed.
"I need my potions," House argued, trying to resist her efforts to get him to lay down but groaning as a wave of pain crashed in his skull. "Tell Malfoy to bring them."
"I'll send him right away, just lay down and rest," Pomfrey chided, finally succeeding in getting him into bed and covered up. She summoned a house elf and asked them to take the message to Malfoy then spelled House into some pajamas, drew some privacy barriers around his bed and darkened the area.
Ten minutes later, Draco came into the infirmary carrying House's potions.
"Ah, Mr. Malfoy. Thank you for bringing the potions," Pomfrey said, taking them from him.
"What's happened to him?" Draco asked.
"Nothing," a hoarse growl said from behind the curtains.
Draco shook his head and came into the cubicle behind Pomfrey.
"You look like shit. What happened?"
"Nothing," House asserted wearily. "I had a damned panic attack and now I've got a migraine."
Draco nodded, relieved it was nothing worse than that and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, transfiguring it into a towel and conjuring some water onto it. He wiped House's face with it and rolled it up behind his neck. Pomfrey nodded approvingly and gave House his other potions.
"He needs rest more than anything, Mr. Malfoy. You can stay for a few minutes though," she said then returned to her office.
"Help me up," House demanded, starting to turn the blankets back.
"No," Draco answered firmly, pulling the blankets back into place. "You really do look bad, worse than you did that first week of school. Stay here for the night and don't push yourself for once. I'll get Tippy to look after you too," Draco threatened when House continued to try, drawing a harsh chuckle from House.
"Fine," he croaked out, too dizzy and pained to put up much of a fight against Draco and knowing he'd have no luck with Tippy. That was why she was caring for Snape after all. "Go away then and let me rest."
"I'll see you in the morning," Draco said, putting the candle out and stopping by Pomfrey's office. "He may try to leave anyway. I threatened to have Tippy take care of him if he does."
"That might just be enough to make him stay put," Pomfrey said. "Good work with the cloth, Mr. Malfoy. Don't worry; it was a panic attack. He'll be alright with some rest."
House woke up the next morning and looked around the infirmary with a groan and tried to sit up. The dizziness and pounding was gone leaving nothing but a dull ache and stiff muscles, much to his relief. Pomfrey came in when she heard him.
"How do you feel this morning?"
"Stiff and sore," House answered.
"Have you had a panic attack before?"
"Yeah, when I was under psychiatric care I had some. This is the first one in a couple of years."
"Here are a couple of calming draughts. I suggest you carry them with you in case you have another, at least for a week or two. It's my experience with the students that these things occur in clusters," Pomfrey said, putting the bottles on the side table. "And you might consider a sleeping potion for a couple of nights as well. A good rest is the best thing for this type of situation. Well, your clothes are on the chair; you're free to leave as soon as you're able."
"Thanks."
Once Pomfrey left, House took his morning potions, carefully got to his feet and dressed, tucking the calming draughts into his teaching robes. As he headed out of the infirmary he met up with Draco, just coming down to check on him.
"You've been released, I hope?" Draco asked with a smirk.
"Nice," House answered, rolling his eyes. "Yes, I've been released."
"Are you going to breakfast?"
"No. I'm in no mood for the chatter of a hall full of teenagers," he said.
"Call for a house elf, that Winky that Potter called before. Have her bring you something in your rooms," Draco suggested. "Take it easy for the day."
"When did you become such a nag?" House asked gruffly but he nodded, appreciating Draco's concern all the same. "Go study something," he told him as he headed off to his than teaching the weekend healing class, House remained holed up in his quarters until Monday morning.
He nodded at Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione as he passed through the house tables to the teacher's table at breakfast. His eyes sought and met Jesse's eyes, held them long enough for a nod of greeting, then he went to his seat next to Madam Hooch. There was an envelope addressed to him on his plate which he picked up and tore open.
House, I was asked to convey to you that Professor MacDougal is pleased to have another brother and would like to speak to you again when you are ready to do so. Minerva has set the dinner for Tuesday evening. Whether you receive an invitation or not… please attend. - Snape
House pulled out a pen and scribbled a quick reply that he'd be there, calling quietly for an elf to take the message to Snape, then put a bit of food on his plate. Despite the changes the potions and brace made in his pain levels, he still found it difficult to eat much in the morning, although he made certain he at least ate toast with his tea.
Finishing off a couple of pieces and pouring another cup of tea, he sat back and looked out over the students chattering away at the table. Ron had now joined Harry and Hermione but looked to be in a foul mood judging by their expressions. Suddenly, Ron's voice rang out over the whole hall.
"You did what! Are you mad! Malfoys at Grimmauld Place! Sirius is probably rolling over in his grave!"
"Ronald! Be quiet!" Hermione yelled as a silence fell over the hall.
"It's my house, Ron! I'll invite anyone I like and I don't need your permission!" Harry responded hotly. Ron's hostility and judging criticism was really starting to get on his nerves.
"After all the work my mum did and had us do to clear the dark magic out of that house and you just go and invite it back in! Maybe you really are the heir of Slytherin!" Ron exclaimed, jumping to his feet as Harry followed suit. It was clear a fist fight was about to break out but was stopped by Bill Weasley stepping in between the two of them.
"Alright, break it up!" Bill said sharply. "Ron, come with me."
"You're on his side too? Have you all been imperiused?" Ron asked incredulously. Bill frowned and took Ron by the scruff of the neck, frog marching him out of the hall to his office.
As soon as the Weasleys left the hall a furious buzzing whispering broke out as the students all gossiped and speculated on why Harry Potter would let the Malfoys live in his house. Harry grimaced at all the whispers and marched out of the hall himself with Hermione, Neville and Luna rushing after him. Draco got to his feet and left the hall as well, hurrying to catch up to Harry and his friends. He needed to know if they would still be welcome at Grimmauld Place now that it was about to become public.
"Harry, wait for us!" Hermione called out as she and the other two ran after him. Harry slowed down enough to let them catch up with him.
"You really let Malfoy and his mother stay at Grimmauld Place?" Neville asked, wanting to make sure he had the facts right first.
"Yes, I really did!" Harry snapped, rounding on his friends. "They can't leave Britain and they're locked out of all their accounts and properties! They have to live somewhere! I spent almost ten years living in a storage cupboard under the stairs at my aunt and uncle's house; I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy!"
"They were living with Professor House in Hogsmeade but the landlord told the professor that they had to go or he would be evicted," Hermione explained. "Professor House decided to move immediately. He said he didn't want to rent from someone like that."
"So, I told them they are welcome at Grimmauld Place. It's a Black residence and Narcissa Malfoy is a Black. Why shouldn't they live there?" Harry demanded angrily.
"I think that's very noble of you, Harry," Luna said calmly. "No one deserves to be homeless and Draco is very different this year. Besides, Sirius made you his heir; that makes you the head of the Noble and Ancient House of Black since there are no other male heirs."
"Oh yeah. That means it's your duty to look out for Narcissa and Draco," Neville added, nodding at Luna's comments.
"So does that mean we can stay?" Draco asked, stepping forward out of the shadows. "You know it's going to be all over the Evening Edition of the Daily Prophet," he added.
Harry only looked even more determined. "I invited you three to stay as long as you like and I meant it. You can stay. I won't be the one to put your mother out homeless, Draco," Harry added sincerely.
"Thanks, Potter - Harry," Draco corrected himself seeing Harry's frown. "I know you're going to catch a lot of shit for this. It means a lot to me. If there's anything we can do to help, just ask."
"Did you get an invitation to dinner with Headmaster Snape?" Luna asked the group. All of them nodded. "I hope we can convince the Headmaster to want to recover and come back to the school."
"How do you know what he's feeling?" Draco asked, startled that McGonagall might have told them.
"Well, I imagine that he expected to die in the war," Luna said with a shrug. "Maybe he even wanted to. Now that he's going to live, I think he might have some trouble accepting that and knowing what to do next."
"That's quite insightful of you, Lovegood," Draco said, impressed.
"Time for class," Hermione said. "Coming Draco?" she said as the group turned to go. Draco was surprised to be included but he wasn't about to turn a gift like this down. Not anymore.
"Coming," he answered, patting his book satchel and falling into step with them.
