A/N: Bumps! Bumps! The road gets harder here. Comments on reviews at the end.


It was Halloween, as always, when the bottom dropped out of Harry's life. No one at Hogwarts got Witch Weekly, as it was more like a Mrs. Weasley-type magazine, but she herself had clipped an article from the issue that had arrived just the day before, and sent it express owl to Harry. It arrived with his breakfast – and made him lose his appetite.

The Boy Who Lived – He Bats For the Other Team, read the headline, and Harry's mouth went dry as he scanned the pages. He had been wrong about Justin all along, completely wrong. What was worse, Justin probably thought he wouldn't know about the article, since it was in Witch Weekly. He returned to the beginning and read the article in greater detail. Apparently, Justin had arranged to have pictures made – Harry reddened when he remembered the occasions – and had made detailed notes about his and Harry's rendevous. Harry thanked his lucky stars that he hadn't done anything stupid like tell Justin about Snuffles. The last part of the article contained several quotes from anonymous students,' and Harry realised that Justin had done a very, very good job. The pictures were done so that you couldn't tell who Harry was kissing, just that it was a boy, and the person who wrote the article didn't use his real name. Still, there were details that absolutely no one else could've known, unless they were stalking both him and Justin, and Harry rather thought he would've noticed that at some point. Besides, the author hinted at the existence of the invisibility cloak. To make matters worse, the article went into some detail about Harry's rather... unusual parentage, and the fact that he wasn't really a Potter, but a Snape, a son of a Death Eater, as the article termed it.

Harry saw red. Both him, and his father? He handed the article to Ron. This isn't the way I would've told you two, but it's not like I planned this, hmm? I've got to go take care of a fag, he snarled, standing up and striding over to the Hufflepuff table.

Finch-Fletchley, a word, he all but growled, causing a startled Justin to look at him, faking innocence.

Harry? What's wrong?

Harry smiled, a sickly, humorless gesture. You know exactly what's wrong, you creep. Do you want to discuss it in here or in the corridor?

What are you talking about, Harry? Still playing innocent.

Ah... an article, actually. An article in Witch Weekly. I just want to know – was the whole thing a set up, or did the idea just occur to you after everything started?

Justin paled, and stood quickly. We'll go outside.

What, don't want the rest of your friends to know what you did? Isn't one of Hufflepuff's virtues supposed to be loyalty, Justin?

Justin stood and walked out of the room, a furious Harry stalking evenly behind him. By now the rest of the Hall was watching them, aside from Hermione, who was reading, and Ron, who had finished scanning the article. He passed it on to Hermione, and then realised that Justin must've been the author. And Ron got almost as angry as Harry had been. So what if Harry was gay? So what if he was the Boy Who Lived? He was Ron's best friend, and dammit if anyone was going to pull that shit on Harry. And Harry had only found his father, regardless of what the world might think. He turned to Hermione, who had also scanned the article. Oh, no, she whimpered. Poor Harry. It's going to get out here soon, you know that...

I know that, but I think I also know the root of the problem? Ron said grimly.

Hermione's gaze immediately shot to the Slytherin table, but Malfoy looked just as clueless as the rest of the student body who had just watched a furious Harry Potter and a quailing Justin Finch-Fletchley leave the hall. she asked, mystified, as she had had her head buried in a book during Harry's discussion with the Hufflepuff.

Come with me, Ron instructed, and soon the two of them were headed out of the hall, Hermione carefully placing the article in her pocket first.


Meanwhile, Harry had unleased his fist on Justin's chin and eye, and had used the full-body bind to keep him from moving while Harry let Justin know exactly how he felt, and how Justin would be Very Sorry that he had ever, ever crossed Harry Snape. At that moment, Hermione and Ron came on the scene, and none of them noticed the blond Slytherin who lurked in the shadows, listening to every word.

Ron said. Do you need any help beating him up?

Harry looked up, slightly surprised. I don't think he's worth any more than one of us getting into trouble over. Of course, if I was careful, I might could even get out of any trouble, but I doubt it.

Hermione grinned. You underestimate yourself, Harry. Remember, you look like your father now, and, well.

Harry grinned with sudden understanding, but it quickly disappeared as he turned back to the magically-bound boy in front of him. That's another bone I have to pick with you, you bloody arse. Bad enough to pick on me, and fine if you don't like my father, but you should not have stated that he's a Death Eater. If there's one thing that even Malfoy's picked up on through the years, it's that you don't. insult. my. family. Is that clear? He bared his teeth ferociously, and the Hufflepuff let out a whimper. Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, which had come undone from its customary ponytail. He really didn't understand how this had happened. Wasn't something like this supposed to be a Slytherin plot?

He undid the bind but kept his wand trained on the boy. Would you care to offer any explanations?

the blond boy stammered. I... it wasn't... I mean. It wasn't like I didn't have fun, but... my parents, they needed some extra money, and I...

Oh, get out of my sight, Harry said coldly. And don't even think about going crying to a professor about your black eye, or I'll make sure that everyone in the wizarding community knows who wrote that article.

Justin scampered away, and his movements made Harry's eyes narrow. Why didn't I ever notice that he reminds me of Pettigrew? he said, half to himself.

Probably because you generally aren't suspicious by nature, Hermione offered. Now, c'mon, let's get to class. You've probably got at least a day before this gets around to the rest of the school. The article I mean.

Oh, about that, Harry said softly. Like I said, it's not how I would have chosen to tell you, but...

Harry, it doesn't matter, Ron said firmly. It might to some people, but it doesn't to me, and it doesn't to Hermione. I mean, we're still your friends even though you're Snape's son! That's far worse, he joked, earning him a glare and a light punch, before the trio laughed and headed to their morning classes.

Draco Malfoy emerged from his hiding place, clearly confused. What article? What had that all been about? Granger had been right about one thing, he decided. Pot – no, Snape. Ew. That just didn't work right. Harry did underestimate himself, and he could do a fine imitation of his father. Perhaps it was time for Draco Malfoy to reassess Harry Snape.


Harry headed towards Potions class reluctantly, just before lunch. He had gotten the article back from Hermione, and he intended to give it to his father, so he would have some warning before the shit hit the fan, so to speak. He had really hoped to avoiding coming out to his father for awhile, thinking that he would rather feel a little more secure in their father-son dynamic before Harry asked him to deal with the whole other set of issues that stemmed from having a gay son.

At the end of class, Harry hesitantly approached his father's desk. I got an owl this morning, from Mrs. Weasley, with a magazine clipping in it. I think... I think you should read it, since it'll probably hit Hogwarts tomorrow or the next day, and it's about me. You're mentioned, too, and this isn't how I wanted to tell you this, but... here, he shoved the folded article into his father's hands and fled the room, feeling very un-Gryffindorish at the moment. Bravery, he thought. Shows how brave I am, I can't even tell him face to face!

Harry picked at his food during lunch, noting that his father still hadn't appeared from the dungeons. He grimaced. Probably trying to figure out how to put that charm back on and claim it was all a bad joke, so he doesn't have to accept it, Harry thought morosely. He was brought back to the present when Seamus sat down across from him.

Harry, what was going on this morning? You seemed really upset, Seamus asked nonchalantly.

Harry sighed. What the hell, everyone's going to know in a day or two. He sat back slightly. There's an article in this week's Witch Weekly about me, about my... sexual orientation. And about my father, but that's more incidental. You know, just a couple of paragraphs on the Death Eater Dad'.

Seamus' eyes widened. But... who would have known and then told someone? Did Malfoy or someone find out?

Harry shook his head. I wish. No, my EX-boyfriend decided to sell me out. Of course, he wasn't my ex until this morning, but, hey, Harry shrugged.

Harry stood up then, frowning. They had Herbology after lunch, and he was still partnered with Justin. Then a smirk crossed his face as he left the hall, a smirk that only three people noticed – Albus Dumbledore, Sev, who had just entered the room, and Draco Malfoy. All three knew it meant something interesting was going to happen.

Harry went back to Gryffindor Tower quickly, grinning to himself. Ananda had been complaining about not getting to see the rest of Hogwarts lately, and the only people aware of her obedience not to attack unless commanded were all Gryffindors. The subject of Harry's pet snake had never come up with Justin, but Harry was certain that Justin well-remembered being Petrified by the basilisk in their second year.

He approached Ananda's tank. Hello, sssweetheart. You want to come to classss with me thisss afternoon?

Harry would have sworn that he felt her mood improve. Yesss. Do I need to attack anyone? I ssensse anger.

No, no attacks, Ananda. Just sscaring sssomeone for me.

Ananda was even larger than she had been when Harry had received her, and she slithered up onto his arm, wrapping herself firmly around it. Before, she occupied only his forearm, but now she required half his upper arm as well. Dumbledore had agreed that Harry could take Ananda to any class, periodically, so Harry knew that Professor Sprout wouldn't mind. In fact, Ananda might be able to catch the one or two of the large rats that plagued the greenhouse for the kindly professor. Smiling, Harry grabbed his schoolbag and headed down the common room, where Hermione and Ron were waiting.

Harry, what were you doing, we're going to be late to – oh! Hello, Ananda, Hermione said, peering cautiously at the snake. She's grown since I saw her last, she said simply, addressing Harry.

Ron grinned. I take it you decided a little object lesson was in order for one Finch-Fletchley?



The trio walked through the halls and onto the lawn, and Harry mused quietly about their project. I'd do it all myself, if I could, but I certainly can't work with him now, he said.

Well, we're early, Hermione said matter-of-factly. Go offer Ananda's services at rat-catching, and ask Professor Sprout what you should do.

Harry squared his shoulders and went to do just that.

Professor Sprout? May I speak with you for a moment before class, please?

What? Oh, hello, Harry, certainly. And this is your snake?

Yes, her name's Ananda. I was going to let her try to catch one or two of those rats for you, if that's alright.

Of course! I'd be only too happy to get rid of them. One of them, especially, seems too smart. Looks old, too. A light clicked in his brain, and he instructed Ananda to merely stun each rat physically and bring them back to him to inspect for injecting them with venom. You'd better sit down now, Harry, class is about to start..

Harry reluctantly sat in his accustomed seat; he would have to partner with Justin for at least one more period. Still, he made sure that, today, Justin had to do the vitals on the Devil's Snare, which Harry usually took care of, rather than the essentially benign aloe vera plant. The two boys steadfastly ignored one another throughout the class, and Justin didn't notice Ananda bringing back a pair of rats for she had caught for Harry to inspect before she ate them. Harry examined both of them. All of their toes were intact, and there was no silvery paw.He smiled at his snake, praised her, and told her to go ahead and kill and eat them. Then she slithered off once more.

Justin did, however, notice a few minutes later when Ananda returned to Harry and curled oblingingly around his left arm, which was forced into close proximity with Justin by the size of the workdesk. Justin promptly fainted.

However, no one noticed, so Harry calmly woke the other boy back up and continued ignoring him. Justin had gone pasty white, and practically fled the greenhouse as soon as class was over. Harry stood and approached Professor Sprout. Ananda caught two rats today, ma'am. If it's alright, I'd like to bring her back here each class? She gets tired of kitchen food.

Of course, Professor Sprout smiled kindly. She noticed Harry's hestitation to leave. Was there anything else, Harry?

Yes, I'm afraid so, Harry frowned. I... made the mistake of getting close to my partner for our project, and now he's, well, he sold me out, quite literally. In the pages of Witch Weekly. Even a nice snippet or two about my Death Eater Dad.' Needless to say,

You don't want to work with him anymore, Professor Sprout finished. She smiled sadly at the boy in front of her. I get that magazine you know, but I didn't realise that's who it was. I'm sorry, Harry, no one deserves that. Starting next class, why don't you join Ron and Hermione, and take the aloe plant, since they have the other devil's snare. Justin can take your devil's snare and either work alone or join another group.

Thank you, ma'am, Harry said, smiling. Then he ran to catch up with his two best friends and told him of the rearrangement.

Did you talk to your dad, Harry? Hermione asked quietly.

Harry said, slightly ashamed. I gave him the article though. I thought I'd go by before dinner. Not that I want to, but...

It'll work out, Harry, Hermione said confidently, but there was a worried look in her eyes that didn't match her words.



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Comments on reviews: After reading everyone begging for Harry/Draco, and listening to my own muses, I knew I couldn't continue with the Harry/Justin pairing, but it serves an important purpose. More to tthe point, a relationship between Harry and Draco involves an entire other set of issues in addition to being Snape's son and being gay. So... sometime in the future, we'll have slashy goodness between Harry and the oh-so-sexy Slytherin, but for now... it's torture Harry time.

Thanks for all the reviews, though, they're lovely!!!