Ten years old Harry Krum watched his fourteen-year-old brother board the ship to Durmstrang. He looked happy and seemed to be anticipating the new school year. And Harry knew that he would do the same thing next year.
"Want to join him, huh?" his father grinned and squeezed his shoulder. "Just wait, you'll join him next year. And don't forget, you'll join Severus at Hogwarts for the next month."
Harry smirked and waved his wand a little while muttering a string of curses – turning the hair of everyone at the harbour tartan coloured.
"I couldn't," he mischievously said. "Do you know how much things we just didn't get done this summer? We haven't been able to go through Viktor's advanced potions and dark arts course yet."
His father rolled his eyes and swiftly turned everyone's hair back to normal again.
"I know," he replied. "Now, we should get home. Your port key will activate in an hour. I just hope you have packed."
Harry shrugged.
"Cloths, my books and the homework Severus assigned me," he answered. "Do I need anything else?"
"No," Alexei smiled. "Hold on, and I'll get us home."
Harry excitedly grabbed his father's hand. It seldom happened that one of his parents let him come along when they Apparated, but he loved it. It was much better than taking a port key or flooing. The former was too jumpy and the latter made him nauseated. He couldn't wait until he was allowed to do it by himself.
As they materialized in the kitchen, Harry spurted up the stairs, returning down with a backpack slung across his back and the black she-cat he'd named Circe bouncing after him. His mother looked questioningly at his backpack.
"Are that the only things you're bringing?" she curiously asked.
He noticed her apprehension and patted the black weave reassuringly.
"Don't worry," he quipped. "I shrunk everything before I put it in. It's easier that way."
Elin nodded and grabbed a beautiful, small blue stone lying on a nearby table. Then she handed it to her son.
"Here you are," she said. "Do you have Severus' port key?"
The black-haired boy nodded.
"Yeah," he reassured her and held up his wrist.
It was encircled by a thin silver chain, and in the end hung a small stick, no longer than an inch. His wand. Alexei frowned as he saw it.
"Is that really practical?" he questioned. "What if you need to perform magic?"
Harry rolled his eyes and lifted his left hand.
"Accio fork!" he commanded.
The fork that had lain on the sink flew over to him, settling securely in his hand.
"I can do wandless magic still, you know" he reminded his parents. "Neither Viktor or I depend on our wands. They're more like a focus – it's easier with them, but we certainly do not need them for everything."
Circe meowed at his feet, reminding him that he was going soon. Harry flashed a last grin at his parents, scooped Circe into his arms and closed his eyes in preparation. Then, the chain heated up for a second, the world popped and he was gone.
***
The Great Hall was filled with people, seeing as it was their annual beginning-of-the-year feast. The students were eating, chatting or – in the Weasley twins' case – playing pranks at the other students. The teachers though, were discussing the reason for Severus Snape's absence. Normally, he sat at headmaster Dumbledore's left side, next to Remus Lupin, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, glaring at Sirius Black, the Arithmancy teacher, over dinner. Now, he was mysteriously gone though, and most wondered where he was. It just didn't feel like a true feast without Snape glaring at the students, Sirius and Remus all the time.
But as the doors slammed open in the middle of the feast, they got their answer. Because there he came, black clad and scowling as usual. The fact that took everyone by surprise though, was the boy walking at the young potions teacher's side, dressed in mugglejeans and a hooded, black shirt with the emblem of the Bulgarian ministry.
He looked to be around eleven years old, 5'5" tall and slender. His skin held the gingerbread colour younger children often get in the summer with a slightly greenish tint to it in sharp light. The eyes had a brilliant shade of sea green, and his decidedly greenish raven hair flowed down his back almost to his waist. And he had an all too sunny smile on his lips.
They walked through the hall, taking no notice of the sudden silence and halted in front of the headmaster himself. Snape said something to him and Dumbledore nodded. Then they seated themselves at the end of the head table.
Albus Dumbledore rose.
"I have a few announcements to do," he declared. "First, Mr. Filch asked me to tell you that the list of forbidden items inside the castle this year has been extended to include singing rubber kangaroos and exploding ever-stench cookies. The Forbidden Forest is forbidden to enter as usually.
"We also have a new teacher this year, Mr. Simons, whom will be teaching Ancient Runes. Other than that, I have the pleasure to tell you that professor Snape has brought a visitor to us, the son of one of his closest friends. But I'll let him speak for himself…"
The boy got to his feet and calmly looked out over the hall of students with their attention directed at him and only him.
"Hello," he clearly said. "My name is Harry Krum and I'm ten years old. I'm here at Severus' – professor Snape's – request to take part in some of the subjects here. So, it's likely that we'll meet during the month I will stay here. See you all again."
***
Harry yawned as Severus and he walked out from the quarters they shared. It was the first day of his coming month, and he was going to attend potions with 2nd year Gryffindors and Slytherins. Severus looked weary at only the thought, and when Harry asked why, he felt sympathy for the man he considered his big brother.
"They don't respect me the slightest because of my young age," he explained. "As you know, wizards are considered 'adult' when they have reached fifty years. And all the teachers – but me, Sirius and Remus - have well passed fifty. And they have already everyone's respect because of their history of pranks and renowned relationship with the famous Potter family. I am only thirty years old, only graduated twelve years ago. They feel like they do not have to respect me, they do not recognize me as an authority. So to get them to obey my instructions, I have to deduct points and be down right nasty to them, even if I don't want to. And it gives me a reputation of being a bastard. I'm not proud of only being able to get my students to do what I want by scaring them. But it is the only way."
Harry had halted by then and looked seriously at Severus.
"I respect you," he softly and seriously said. "But I also consider you a big brother. And if I do that, others can too. Try to be nice to them by being firm. Or you will some day in the future find yourself to be a bitter man without any friends. Both you and I will profit from it."
Severus smiled a little.
"It would certainly shock the students, wouldn't it?" he agreed.
Harry grinned and gestured towards the door not far away.
"Then let's go" he invited.
And side-by-side, they walked into the noisy classroom. Harry was surprised by the foul smell of the room. He usually connected making potions with a spicy, slightly peppermint smell, but this was just…disgusting. Deciding to fix the problem as soon as possible he looked around, choosing to sit in the back of the classroom where he had a nice overview of the classroom. He slid into a seat next to a mischievous looking redheaded boy just as Severus started speaking.
"A new school year has begun," he softly said with his unnaturally silky voice, "and with that, a new year of potions. As second years, you will be introduced to slightly more advanced potions than the ones you've done so far. Even if it still will be complicated for some of you. Don't hesitate to ask me or my guest Harry…"
Everyone's eyes turned towards him now, and the red-haired boy next to him grinned mischievously. Sensing that the boy was about to play a prank on him, he did his 'tartan hair' trick Wandlessly as to not clue anyone in. His audience started to smile, and Severus continued speaking, an amused look on his face.
"If you need help," he brightly finished. "Now, Harry, I would appreciate if you turned Mr. Weasley's hair back to his normal colour."
Weasley looked baffled at Severus' revelation, but as Severus turned to the blackboard to write down the ingredients, he turned to Harry and grinned.
"That was so cool!" he excitedly whispered. "How did you do that? I'm Fred Weasley by the way. The other redhead over there is my twin, George. We're the residing pranksters here."
Harry silently laughed and took the offered hand.
"Harry Krum," he whispered back. "And I used wandless magic. Can you do that?"
Fred shook his head.
"No," he answered. "Professor Binns, our history teacher (he's so boring you wouldn't believe it), told us that only a few wizards and witches ever masters wandless magic, as it's a very complicated way to do magic."
He was confused. Both he and Viktor had no problems with practising it, and when Severus tutored them in it, he did it effortlessly also.
"Oh," he said, furrowing his eyebrows. "I never knew. My brother and I have never had a problem with it. And Severus was the one who taught us how to control it fully."
Fred looked awed and stole a look at Severus.
"He knows wandless magic?" he exclaimed louder than he intended, catching Severus attention.
"Yes, I can do wandless magic" he smirked. "Now, Mr. Weasley, I would suggest that you start on your potion. I will not take any points from Gryffindor this time, but I would consider paying more attention on the lesson the next time if I was you, Mr Weasley."
Everyone gawked at the tall, forbidding man who taught them, a new respect born in their eyes. And Harry couldn't help but realize that he had just helped Severus on his way to acceptance in a major way.
***
Remus Lupin and Sirius Black sat in the DADA classroom and discussed the events that took place almost nine years ago. When two of their best friends died together, their son disappeared and a man they thought was their friend betrayed them to Voldemort and tried to frame Sirius for it all.
"How did you know?" Remus quietly asked. "I mean Peter had given you no clue that he was trying to frame you. How did you have enough foresight to shield your face, cast a silencing charm on Peter and Disapparate away before the ministry got there?"
Sirius' face looked as dark as his surname.
"I was suspicious already when I found out about the betrayal," he grimly revealed. "And I know Peter. He was one of the sneakiest of us Marauders, he wouldn't do anything without a back-up plan…"
He didn't get any further as a timid knock on the door interrupted him. Remus frowned and glanced at his magic enhanced watch.
"Strange," he commented. "My first lesson after lunch doesn't begin for another ten minutes."
Sirius gave him a look.
"Are you going to leave the kid outside?" he pointedly said.
Remus sighed and heaved himself from his chair to walk over to the door. He opened the door and let the person outside into the room. It was the child friend of Snape, Harry Krum. Wearing a dark, teal coloured robe for the day, he looked decidedly exotic with his long hair and brilliant green eyes.
"Hello" he politely said, studying first Remus, then Sirius.
"Hi," Remus replied, shutting the door.
Sirius waved at the boy from across the room while checking out the drawers in Remus' desk. He found a box of chocolate frogs and immediately started stuffing his mouth with them. The werewolf looked disapprovingly at his friend, and then turned his eyes to Harry who looked quite smug for some reason.
"So what brings you here?" he kindly asked.
Harry briefly looked at Sirius.
"Severus are teaching the second group of 1st years this lesson," he explained "and I've already been at the other lesson. So I wondered if I could participate in your lesson today."
Remus frowned. He was teaching third years this lesson; surely Severus had to know that? A ten-year-old would never be able to keep up with the lesson. He opened his mouth to say no, but was interrupted by loud cursing from Sirius. And very explicit such too.
Shocked, Remus turned to reprimand the swearing Animagus at the back of the room. And was met by the sight of Sirius chasing suddenly alive and hopping frogs of chocolate. He blinked once, twice before raising an eyebrow.
"And just what are you doing, Padfoot?" he casually asked, even if it was obvious that the dark-haired Marauder was an unwilling part of this scenario.
Sirius paused in his chasing and threw an irritated look at them.
"Ask the boy," he proposed. "I saw him cast the spell to make them come alive."
Remus threw a surprised look at the boy who was looking innocently at him. Too innocently. How could a ten-year-old do such a complicated charm, he wondered. He knew for a fact that fifteen year olds often had problems succeeding with it.
"Harry?" he sternly said.
The boy faked a disappointed sigh and waved his hand at the hopping frogs.
"Finite Incantatem!" he ordered, suddenly holding a greenish wand.
The frogs halted on their ways, and Sirius started to gather them together again. Then he walked over to the two of them.
"You're really good at that," he commented. "Who taught you that spell?"
Harry shrugged.
"I 'remembered' it." He answered. "I've known it for a couple of years now. I love to play pranks on people."
Sirius' eyes lit up at that statement.
"You do?" he eagerly said. "Then…"
He and Harry started to chat, talking about pranks and switching spells between them. Remus sighed. Sirius had certainly found a kindred spirit when it came to pranks. It was strange really, that a friend of Snape could be so nice. But then again, lately, Snape had been nice as well. He had even made a number of tentative feelers in their direction, trying to make friends. And after this episode, it was not completely out of the question to accept it.
***
Severus smilingly studied the group of friends who'd gathered to say goodbye to Harry. Much had changed since the boy had arrived to Hogwarts. His own reputation had been redeemed for example, and Sirius, Remus and he had actually been able to put their past behind them and become friends. Fred and George's pranks had become more refined and the whole school had actually taken to Harry. It was funny actually, considering who he was. But it was better this way…
But now, the boy was returning to Sweden and his parents. Back to theoretical lessons and an autumn together with his friends. Just waiting for the next year to come, when he was going to Durmstrang for his first real school year.