Disclaimer: I don't own the book characters or plot line, however I DO own the plot line of this fanfiction along with my own made up character, Hailey.

A/N: There's slash here, don't read further if you don't like it. Hope you all like the new chapter! Reviews answered at the end. . . .



Harsh Realities



Diagon Alley





At dinner that night Harry received an owl from Ron and Hermione saying they would meet them in Diagon Alley the next morning and have lunch together in the Leaky Cauldron. Severus and Harry of course left dinner early intending to get every possible moment they could locked up in one of their bedroom's. Hailey teased them mercilessly, much to Albus's amusement.

Severus and Harry had explained their relationship to Albus, who had just smiled at them knowingly before helping Hailey in her teasing efforts. Needless to say, Harry and Severus were not amused. When the two left for Severus's bedroom after dinner, they left Hailey alone with Sirius and Remus.



That was NOT a good idea.



Within half an hour the three had completely redecorated the Slytherin Common Room. It literally matched the Gryffindor common room with a few things added on. The walls were all painted a neon pink, the floors were done up in bright orange carpeting, and there was a portrait of Godric Gryffindor over their fireplace.

Their beds were covered in stuffed animals enchanted to say something overly sweet when picked up. Their bathrooms had been completely reorganized. The water had been enchanted to come out as chocolate tasting laxative. There were ducks enchanted to swim in the 'pools' without making any noise, unless someone tried to remove them.

The best part of the entire prank was that once you walked in or out of the entrances to the Common room, your mouth would be slapped with a metal padlock that no one was able to unlock if you tried to tell a Professor or another student about the Common Room or the bathrooms or the bedrooms. They timed it to disappear completely after the first week of school.

Hailey and Remus had vouched for Harry's absence to Sirius as he was in his room practicing on becoming an animagus. Which he had been doing in his spare time with Severus helping him, and making progress on. Hailey hadn't wanted to train for that just yet, as she really didn't have the need for stealth that Harry did now that he was both spying and sneaking around with Severus.

It was utterly amazing to everyone who knew of his sudden spying for Voldemort how quickly the idiot fell for Harry's turn to the "dark". Harry had become close friends with Draco, and had his suspicions that Draco wasn't happy with his current position of being a Death Eater. He, Severus and Albus, had come to the conclusion that Albus would approach Draco about spying during the next year.

The morning came and it was time for their trip to Diagon Alley soon. Harry rolled over in the nice comfortable bed, turning in the arms that held him close with a smile on his face. Severus smiled down at Harry, who he'd been watching for a while. Harry leaned up and kissed Severus gently before whispering, "Morning love."

Severus smiled a bit wider and whispered back, "Good morning beautiful."

Harry chuckled slightly and whispered, "Compliments already? I must have been better than usual last night."

Severus smirked and said, "Oh no, my little lion. You may have been quite good last night, as you generally are every night, but that compliment had nothing to do with it."

Harry raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? Than why. . .?"

Severus smiled, kissed Harry lightly on the lips and then said, "Just felt like it. I should go shower before your godfather comes in to 'wake you' like he did the other day."

Harry chuckled and said, "Well, thank Merlin for my Dad's invisibility cloak."

Severus nodded, understanding the unspoken agreement that Harry had issued since the day he'd read the letter from James and Lily. Harry referred to Voldemort/Tom Riddle as 'Father' but only in the Death Eaters or Riddle's presence, while he referred to James Potter as 'Dad' just as he would have if James had survived the attack that morning at Godric's Hollow.

They both got up, sharing one last kiss before Severus turned and left for his own rooms to get ready for the day. Harry quickly showered, and put on his tight green leather pants - Severus's favorites - and a black button down silk shirt, pulled on his black leather boots, attempted to comb his hair, and walked back into the common room he now shared with his sister.

Hailey was sitting in front of the fire, reading through her newest issue of "Witch Weekly", in a tight black leather skirt short enough to make Harry's eye twitch at the thought of his sister going out in public in. The rest of her did nothing to calm Harry's now twitching eye as he went into Big-Brother mode.

She wore a white leather tube top, which only covered her well-endowed chest, and then had strips of white beaded leather covering her stomach. Her leather boots, which Harry was sure would have half of Diagon Alley's male population Cumming in their pants, went up to just below her knees and almost literally 'hugged' her legs perfectly.

Then there was her hair, if the outfit wasn't enough. Her now ringlet curled red hair fell perfectly at just below her shoulders, and was charmed to sparkle. Her eyes were suspiciously sparkling as well, and her make-up done perfectly. All in all, Harry was preparing himself to just start cursing half the Wizarding World when they arrived at Diagon Alley. At this point, she'd be lucky if he let her out of her sight for more than two seconds.

Hailey looked up and saw her brother's eye twitching as he took in her outfit and laughed out loud before saying, "Harry, you're my brother and I love you. But if you try to keep me from flirting today, I'll hex your balls off. And then I'll castrate Severus. Do I make myself clear?"

Harry glared at her and said, "Fine. You can flirt all you want to. But if they start to make moves on you I'll hex THEIR balls off. I refuse to let my sister be used as some little boy's way into fame."

Hailey smiled and said calmly, "That's all I'm asking for. Now, let's go get Severus and go."

Harry agreed and they walked out the door only to find Severus about to knock on it. Harry nearly drooled at the sight, Severus was once again in leather pants - black of course - and a black button down shirt, which was similar to Harry's but not quite as it wasn't silk but cotton. Severus smiled slightly and said, "Ready? Miss Potter, I seriously hope you're not thinking of wearing THAT in public."

Hailey rolled her eyes and said, "I've already threatened to hex Harry's balls off for trying to get me to change outfits. His eye only JUST stopped twitching. Try to get me to change, Professor Snape, and I'll castrate you without a second thought."

Both Harry and Severus grimaced, but shut up about it the rest of the way to Albus's office for the only fireplace connected to the floo system. Hailey walked with them, nearly gloating at the thought of being able to silence both a Riddle and a Snape in one sentence. She wasn't about to let her brother dictate her life after not being in it for so long. She certainly didn't blame him, but fact was fact.

Finally they reached Albus's office, Severus gave the Gargoyle the password, and they made their way into the office. Albus smiled up at them from his paperwork and said, "Ah! Hailey, Harry, and Severus! I hope you three have fun at Diagon Alley today. Do make sure you say hello to the Weasley family for me."

Harry smiled and nodded before saying, "Of course Headmaster."

They all said their goodbyes, and quickly flooed to Diagon Alley. Once there they looked around slightly confused, as they expected to see the Weasley family waiting for them. Harry looked around with slightly narrowed eyes for a moment before seeing a flash of red and realizing it was the Weasley family. Smiling, he pulled both Hailey and Severus over to the group calling out, "Ron! Hermione!"

It was as if he'd announced a sale was on at Honeydukes, the Weasley and Granger families turned and smiled at Harry. Ron and Hermione rushed forwards and quickly embraced Harry. Ron managed out a joyful, "Good to see you Harry."

Hermione was grinning as she said, "Oh Harry it's simply wonderful to see you! You went shopping! And look at you, you've gotten handsome! Seamus couldn't come today, but you know, we're going to have to set you up with someone just as handsome as you are now that you've given yourself a make- over."

Hailey snorted, and then blushed as she realized she now had the attention of the group. Harry scowled at his half-sister and then said to the two families, "Uh, This is my sister, Hailey. And of course, I'm sure you all remember Professor Snape? He's brought us here for the day from Hogwarts."

Severus looked distinctly uncomfortable with the group, and Harry solved that rather quickly with a question, "Professor? Did you want Hailey and I to meet you in the Leaky Cauldron when we're finished?"

Severus frowned slightly and then muttered, "Are you sure that's wise Mr. Potter? We wouldn't want you or Miss Potter running off down Knockturn Alley now."

Hailey frowned herself and then said, "Please, Severus, we're not babies. And I meant my threat before I flooed here, if the two of you don't back the hell off I WILL hex your balls off."

Severus and Harry grimaced, and earned sympathy flinches from the males listening. Harry however quickly retorted, "Hailey you should really call him Professor when we're not in private."

Hailey raised an eyebrow but nodded, silently. Severus sighed and then said, "Just be back before dinner. I have a few errands I need to run myself before the day is over. We will dine at the Leaky Cauldron before we go back to Hogwarts. And Hailey, do cover the hell up."

Hailey glared at him and Harry's eye twitched in agreement with Severus's statement. The Weasleys and Grangers were watching in amusement at this point, wondering about the apparent change in relationship Harry now had with the Professor. Hailey ground out between clenched teeth, "I do not need to be looked after, nor do I need to cover up!"

Severus nodded in agreement and then said, "No, you don't. However, I'm not about to cover up any murders your brother commits because of the reactions to your clothing that the male population of the Wizarding World is going to have."

Harry's eye twitched again, Hailey looked between her brother and his boyfriend before sighing and saying, "Fine. I won't flirt today. Happy Harry?"

Harry simply grinned, causing the rest of the group to chuckle while Severus snorted. Severus turned to Harry though and asked, "You have your wand?"

Harry nodded and Severus smirked before saying calmly, "Hand it over."

Harry looked outraged but Ron beat him to it by saying, "What!? Why should he hand it over to you?"

Harry sighed and handed his wand over to Severus, turning to Ron and saying, "Because he's right. I'd kill anyone who flirted with Hailey in front of me, same as you would Ginny. However I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you don't have half the problems I will as Ginny has six older brothers and everyone with half a brain knows not to mess with her."

Ron seemed to accept this and as he looked to protest again Molly jumped into the conversation by saying, "Alright, let's get started shall we? Let's get the new robes out of the way first. Come along now, George, Ron, Ginny, Hermione, Harry and Hailey let's go."

Harry winked at Severus, who watched Harry's ass as the group left for the store. Hailey stayed close to Harry as she didn't want her brother to freak out, and because she didn't really know anyone yet. Harry noticed George had looked at Hailey much the same way that Ron looked at Lavender and the way that Seamus looked at Hermione. He knew that Severus and himself looked at one another differently then most people did, their relationship simply couldn't be out in the open.

Perhaps he could set them up with one another at some point? He introduced everyone to Hailey as they walked, and introduced them to Hailey. They purchased their robes without much trouble, Harry had quickly learned that George had come along to meet Harry's sister, while Fred maintained the shop in Hogsmeade.

After going through the robe shop quickly, gathering up new portions supplies, and of course a quick shop to the Quidditch Store, they went to purchase their books. Even though Harry had already purchased his school supplies, he'd wanted to take Hailey to Diagon Alley with the Weasleys. It was after all, tradition to go every year.

As they walked in, Draco and Lucius Malfoy were walking out. Both parties came to an abrupt halt and then Lucius said, "So this is Hailey Potter?"

Draco was trying very hard not to look Hailey over like a piece of meat, as he nodded hello to Harry. Harry put on his best 'Lockheart Grin' and said, "Mr. Malfoy, Draco, lovely to see you. Yes, this is my sister, Hailey. Hailey this is Lucius Malfoy, and his son Draco."

Both parties completely ignored the gobsmacked Weasley family as they took in the exchange. Hailey fluttered her eyelashes slightly at the younger Malfoy before saying to both men, "Hello, Sirs."

Draco took the initiative and offered his hand to Hailey, who took the offered hand. Draco bowed slightly and brought it to his lips, barely touching his lips to her hand. He then straightened and smiled at Harry and Hailey before saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hailey."

Hailey flushed slightly and nodded before removing her hand from his. Draco and Lucius left, both nodding slightly to Harry, who nodded back. Ron and Hermione threw betrayed, questioning looks at Harry. Harry smiled tightly at the Weasleys and Hermione before saying, "I'll explain later. Not here."

Ron, apparently, had a temper that day. He walked over to Harry, grabbed his left arm, thrust the sleeve up and checked it for a Dark Mark. Harry raised an eyebrow and then said, "The man killed my parents and you honestly think I would EVER join him?"

Hailey slapped Ron across the cheek and pulled Harry into the store before anyone could say anything. They could hear Molly Weasley ranting at Ron for not trusting Harry, and for ruining their day by bringing up Voldemort. Hailey and Harry both found a few books they'd wanted to purchase and bought them, before saying goodbye to the Weasleys and Hermione, ignoring Ron.

George had mentioned stopping by the castle soon with Fred, which Hailey and Harry were both looking forward to. They made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron where Severus was sitting with the Malfoys, sharing a drink. Harry sank into the chair next to Severus, who raised an eyebrow at Harry's rather dark looking face. Hailey pursed her lips and explained quietly to Severus, Lucius and Draco what Ron had insinuated.

Lucius and Draco raised eyebrows at the dark mood Harry was in, to which Harry responded, "It's more I'm pissed that he's simply standing by what he's been raised to believe. He doesn't even question it."

That appeared to satisfy their inquiry, though Draco's face looked thoughtful. After a brief conversation regarding further holiday plans during which Hailey, Severus and Harry had been invited to dinner with Draco, Narcissa and Lucius, they left for Hogwarts; all three of the small group breathing a collective sigh of relief after the first Malfoy/Weasley confrontation they'd been forced to undergo.