Let's just say that the disclaimers in the previous chapters still apply.
A/N – For some reason this one was difficult to write. Very difficult. Teenagers, bah.
Sadilou says Harry talks like I do… I guess she would know.
Gusha waves at all the nice reviewers, just about two hundred reviews. We feel loved.
*****
Harry was too preoccupied to study that evening in the common room.
"Harry!" Hermione said. "For the tenth time, will you pay attention?" She frowned. "What's gotten into you today?"
Harry sighed and focused on her face.
"Malfoy was lurking around when Severus and I came in from flying this morning." He said. "I need to figure out what to announce about our relationship and when."
"Oh." Said Hermione, exchanging a glance with Ron.
"The thing is... I'm getting used to him, but…" His voice trailed off helplessly.
"You still haven't made up your mind about him, right?" Ron said. "He's been a git for four years and nice for two weeks."
"Exactly." Harry said. "And it's nobody's business that I was adopted. I mean, I shouldn't have to defend that." He drummed the feather end of his quill on the table.
"Well," Hermione mused. "We could start a rumor that it is a condition of Asphodel Maddis' will that you get along in order to inherit something jointly."
"That's almost the truth." Ron said, becoming enthusiastic. "It could shut people up long enough that people are used to seeing you together."
Harry smiled in relief. "I'll let Severus know at lunch tomorrow. Could you two set the rumors flying after that? I would rather not comment too much myself."
"Sure." Hermione agreed. "I can tell Lavender and Parvati in strictest confidence. It will be everywhere by dinner. Now will you concentrate? The O.W.L.'s are just months away!"
"Of course, Hermione." Harry said. He picked up his quill with a smile that would have reminded them of his father if they had ever seen Severus properly smile.
There was peace at the table for about thirty seconds before Ron threw down his own quill.
"This is nutters!" He exclaimed. "Why are we studying on the Friday before the first Hogsmead visit of the year?" He glared at Hermione. "And don't give me that 'the O.W.L.'s are only seven months away' look either." He pushed his chair back onto two legs.
"Ron…" Hermione began.
"So, Harry, are you looking forward to Hogsmead." Ron said, ignoring Hermione's sputtering.
"I'm not going, actually." Harry said, tapping the feather of his quill on the palm of his other hand.
Ron's chair came down with a bang. "Why ever not? It's just before Halloween. We need to stock up."
"I'm going with Severus to meet my great aunt. I forgot about Hogsmead when I agreed to go." Harry bit his lip. "It has been…an interesting day."
Harry grinned at his friends. "I guess you two will just have to make a date of it."
Hermione blushed, Ron gulped. They looked at each other and away quickly.
"I'll tell you what." Ron said, almost desperately. "I nicked a Zonkos mail order form from Fred and George. I'll go get it, and you can choose what you want. Then Hermione and I can pick it all up for you."
Ron was up and halfway out of the room before Harry could protest.
"Despite what you think, you're not helping." Hermione told him when Ron was safely out the door.
Harry widened his eyes and pantomimed innocence.
"Stop it, Harry. You know what I mean." Hermione said stiffly.
"Can you honestly say that you don't have romantic feelings for him?" Harry asked.
She shifted in her chair, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Because I can tell you that he wishes he dared to risk our," He gestured between them and at the door to indicate Ron. "Friendship."
"Harry…" Hermione began. He didn't interrupt her this time, but she paused anyway. "I do feel for him in ways that I don't feel for you." She admitted quietly. "But …" She paused again. "But I am afraid that it will affect our relationship." She made a similar circular movement to include all three of them.
Harry nodded. Glad she finally admitted it aloud. "Hermione."
She looked up at him.
"It already has." Harry said gently. She opened her mouth, but he shook his head. "The tension between you is almost painful." He told her. "I am becoming less comfortable around you two when I need you the most."
She drew in a deep, ragged breath. She blinked and looked around the room again. "What should I do Harry? What if our romance ends badly?"
He smiled wanly at her. "Then we, all three of us, are incredibly unhappy."
She snorted inelegantly and smiled back.
"But if it never gets off the ground, we are incredibly unhappy anyway." Harry's mouth twisted wryly.
"You look like him when you do that." Hermione said, suddenly cheerful.
"What?" Harry said, twisting his expression into Severus' trademark scowl. "This?" He assumed another of his father's expressions. "Or this. Or…"
"Stop." She said laughing. "That is just too scary."
Harry grinned and settled back in his seat. "I have been practicing in the mirror. It catches Severus off guard."
She laughed again.
Something, perhaps movement in the doorway, caused Harry to look up just in time to see Ron scowl and turn back up the stairs.
Harry stood, startling Hermione who was still mirthful.
"What?" She said, staring up at him.
"I just think I should go see what Ron is up to." Harry said. "I'll be right back."
He strode off, leaving Hermione shaking her head. She tried to turn to her work and found she was too distracted to study.
Harry caught up to Ron in their room. He was shredding a piece of parchment between his hands.
"What?" He said, still scowling, as Harry entered.
"I'm not sure." Harry said, picking up a scrap of parchment bearing the letters 'Zon' on it. "But I think I have a bit of an idea."
"Why can't you just mind your own business?" Ron said bitterly. "We don't need you throwing us together every five minutes."
His scowl faded and he turned his back on Harry. "It's not like she notices me that way with you around."
"What?" Harry's jaw dropped open and he stared at his friends back. "There is nothing at all like that…"
"Sometimes I don't think she even wants to be around me. I think she must put up with me just because…"
"That is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard you say." Harry said angrily.
"It's you she's comfortable with." Ron insisted, kicking the bedpost.
"That's only because she doesn't think of me that way." Harry insisted. He growled. "Sometimes I don't know why I put up with you two."
Harry stalked over to his desk and spoke to Zinnia. "I'm going out. Want to come?"
She had barely time to hiss a negative before he stormed out of the room.
"Hermione" Harry placed both palms on the table and leaned towards her. "Don't let the density of a fifteen year old boy stand in your way." She stared at him in mute surprise. "Go up there and pounce. I'm going out."
He continued out the portrait hole.
Harry wandered, or stalked, rather aimlessly. Just as his frustration was waning, he found himself in front of the entrance to the kitchens. He tickled the pear and entered.
"Harry Potter, sir." Squeaked the nearest elf. "How may we be helping you, sir?"
"I…" Harry hadn't thought that far ahead. "Could I have some hot milk please?" He requested after a moment.
"Certainly, sir. At once." Within moments he was sitting in front of a fire, feet up and milk in hand.
He was in just the right spot to observe the entrance of the kitchen's next nighttime visitor.
Harry had never seen Draco Malfoy appear tender and kind before. He sat motionless, trying not to stare.
When Malfoy entered the kitchens, Dobby, his family's old elf greeted him warmly.
Malfoy knelt on one knee to be at eye level with the little elf and spoke to him, just as Severus always did. Harry couldn't make out what was being said over the din of closing the kitchen for the night.
"Humby." Harry said quietly, intending to ask if Malfoy came often.
The old elf was instantly at his side. "Yes, Young Master?"
Harry looked at the old elf in surprise. Humby had never called him that before. Then again, Harry could not recall Humby ever speaking to him directly before.
"Master Severus has explained all." Said the old elf shyly. "It is a family secret."
"A family secret?" Malfoy's cold voice speculatively.
Humby gasped and clasped both hands over his mouth. "Never, never, never…"
"Shh." Said Harry. "Don't worry, Humby. Relax. Malfoy is not prying into your family's business."
Humby peered up at the two boys. "Humby will fix a snack. Young…Harry Potter and his friend will want a snack."
"Have a seat, Malfoy. Humby is bringing a snack." Harry gazed after the little elf. "Do you come here often?"
"Have a seat? What would I do that for?" Malfoy glared.
"It is better not to upset Humby." Harry said mildly, sipping his milk.
"Better not to upset Humby?" Malfoy stared at him as if he had gone mad.
"Listen," Harry said, eyes suddenly flashing anger. "I came here for some peace and quiet." There was a large crash as the shelves in one of the ovens were removed for cleaning. Harry winced slightly. "So if you cannot at least be civil, please find another corner of the kitchen to haunt."
"You've changed, Potter." Malfoy said quietly.
"Odd, you don't seem to have." Harry said. "Still the very image of your father."
Malfoy's jaw clenched. "Why shouldn't I be?"
"No reason." Harry said idly. "Come on; sit if you're going to stay."
Malfoy sat, then pointedly took a book from his pocket and proceeded to ignore Harry. Harry drank his milk and stared into the fire, ignoring Malfoy.
Humby appeared with the 'snack' a few minutes later. He set up a small table and magicked food onto it.
"Dobby has helped with choosing Draco Malfoy's favorites, sir." The elf said before bowing away.
Malfoy stared at the table in astonishment. He looked up at Harry.
Harry shrugged and smiled a bit sheepishly. "Humby brought us a snack."
There was less food than the average lunch in Severus' rooms, but more variety. It was all arranged with a level of care that went beyond even the formal banquets.
"This doesn't change anything, you know." Malfoy said suddenly. "We have not suddenly become friends."
Harry smiled his father's smile. "Naturally not." He said.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "You have been spending a lot of time with Snape, haven't you?"
Harry set his cup down and pushed away his footstool. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and looked Malfoy squarely in the eye. "I have. I was asked to by someone whose opinion I greatly respect. There is nothing…unnatural about our relationship, but we are slowly growing to like one another. Would you please respect that?"
Malfoy gazed into his eyes, considering. Then he nodded and reached for a small pastry.
Harry relaxed into his chair once more and chose a thin sandwich from the plate.
The kitchens slowly quieted as work was completed for the day. After another half an hour of nibbling and thinking, Harry felt calm enough to return upstairs. He glanced at Malfoy, but decided not to speak to him again.
"Dobby." He said instead.
Dobby suddenly appeared beside him. "What can Dobby do for Harry Potter, sir?"
"Is Humby resting, or is he still at work here?" Harry asked.
Dobby's eyes widened. "I believe Humby is still working sir. He is usually the last one to stop, sir." His voice was squeakier than usual.
"I would like to take what's left of this upstairs please." Harry said. "Was there anything you wanted to take with you, Malfoy?"
"No, I'm fine." The other boy said, not looking up from his book.
"Dobby will see to it sir." He bowed.
"Humby." Harry said quietly.
"Yes, sir?" The old elf said, suddenly at his elbow.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Harry asked gently.
"There is still work to do, sir." The old elf said with dignity.
"Did Severus mention whether your joint potion would work even if you didn't rest?" Harry asked, probing a bit.
Humby looked guilty. "Well, he might have mentioned side effects, sir."
"Side effect? That sounds nasty. I think we should make it an order, Humby." Harry said. "I order you to rest every evening so that your potion does not have side effects."
Humby whimpered a bit, but his face firmed almost immediately. "Is it work to rest when I don't want to?" He asked.
Harry considered a moment. "Yes, I think it might be."
"Humby will do this work for the yo…for Harry Potter, sir." His eyes darted around and he lowered his voice. "Only don't tell Master Severus that I am resting." He said.
Harry grinned. "No, we won't let on, will we."
Humby left to seek his bed, and Dobby stepped forward with Harry's parcel of food.
"Harry Potter is a great wizard. This is a great thing for Humby, sir. We has been worried. All of us." Dobby ducked his head.
"Thank you, Dobby." Harry said, and left the kitchens.
Draco Malfoy watched him go, book lowered.
*****
A/N – I am not terribly surprised that no one has correctly placed Aunt Rose. It was very obscure and the clues are spread out over several chapters. The answer should be next chapter (unless it gets away from me)
A/N – For some reason this one was difficult to write. Very difficult. Teenagers, bah.
Sadilou says Harry talks like I do… I guess she would know.
Gusha waves at all the nice reviewers, just about two hundred reviews. We feel loved.
*****
Harry was too preoccupied to study that evening in the common room.
"Harry!" Hermione said. "For the tenth time, will you pay attention?" She frowned. "What's gotten into you today?"
Harry sighed and focused on her face.
"Malfoy was lurking around when Severus and I came in from flying this morning." He said. "I need to figure out what to announce about our relationship and when."
"Oh." Said Hermione, exchanging a glance with Ron.
"The thing is... I'm getting used to him, but…" His voice trailed off helplessly.
"You still haven't made up your mind about him, right?" Ron said. "He's been a git for four years and nice for two weeks."
"Exactly." Harry said. "And it's nobody's business that I was adopted. I mean, I shouldn't have to defend that." He drummed the feather end of his quill on the table.
"Well," Hermione mused. "We could start a rumor that it is a condition of Asphodel Maddis' will that you get along in order to inherit something jointly."
"That's almost the truth." Ron said, becoming enthusiastic. "It could shut people up long enough that people are used to seeing you together."
Harry smiled in relief. "I'll let Severus know at lunch tomorrow. Could you two set the rumors flying after that? I would rather not comment too much myself."
"Sure." Hermione agreed. "I can tell Lavender and Parvati in strictest confidence. It will be everywhere by dinner. Now will you concentrate? The O.W.L.'s are just months away!"
"Of course, Hermione." Harry said. He picked up his quill with a smile that would have reminded them of his father if they had ever seen Severus properly smile.
There was peace at the table for about thirty seconds before Ron threw down his own quill.
"This is nutters!" He exclaimed. "Why are we studying on the Friday before the first Hogsmead visit of the year?" He glared at Hermione. "And don't give me that 'the O.W.L.'s are only seven months away' look either." He pushed his chair back onto two legs.
"Ron…" Hermione began.
"So, Harry, are you looking forward to Hogsmead." Ron said, ignoring Hermione's sputtering.
"I'm not going, actually." Harry said, tapping the feather of his quill on the palm of his other hand.
Ron's chair came down with a bang. "Why ever not? It's just before Halloween. We need to stock up."
"I'm going with Severus to meet my great aunt. I forgot about Hogsmead when I agreed to go." Harry bit his lip. "It has been…an interesting day."
Harry grinned at his friends. "I guess you two will just have to make a date of it."
Hermione blushed, Ron gulped. They looked at each other and away quickly.
"I'll tell you what." Ron said, almost desperately. "I nicked a Zonkos mail order form from Fred and George. I'll go get it, and you can choose what you want. Then Hermione and I can pick it all up for you."
Ron was up and halfway out of the room before Harry could protest.
"Despite what you think, you're not helping." Hermione told him when Ron was safely out the door.
Harry widened his eyes and pantomimed innocence.
"Stop it, Harry. You know what I mean." Hermione said stiffly.
"Can you honestly say that you don't have romantic feelings for him?" Harry asked.
She shifted in her chair, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Because I can tell you that he wishes he dared to risk our," He gestured between them and at the door to indicate Ron. "Friendship."
"Harry…" Hermione began. He didn't interrupt her this time, but she paused anyway. "I do feel for him in ways that I don't feel for you." She admitted quietly. "But …" She paused again. "But I am afraid that it will affect our relationship." She made a similar circular movement to include all three of them.
Harry nodded. Glad she finally admitted it aloud. "Hermione."
She looked up at him.
"It already has." Harry said gently. She opened her mouth, but he shook his head. "The tension between you is almost painful." He told her. "I am becoming less comfortable around you two when I need you the most."
She drew in a deep, ragged breath. She blinked and looked around the room again. "What should I do Harry? What if our romance ends badly?"
He smiled wanly at her. "Then we, all three of us, are incredibly unhappy."
She snorted inelegantly and smiled back.
"But if it never gets off the ground, we are incredibly unhappy anyway." Harry's mouth twisted wryly.
"You look like him when you do that." Hermione said, suddenly cheerful.
"What?" Harry said, twisting his expression into Severus' trademark scowl. "This?" He assumed another of his father's expressions. "Or this. Or…"
"Stop." She said laughing. "That is just too scary."
Harry grinned and settled back in his seat. "I have been practicing in the mirror. It catches Severus off guard."
She laughed again.
Something, perhaps movement in the doorway, caused Harry to look up just in time to see Ron scowl and turn back up the stairs.
Harry stood, startling Hermione who was still mirthful.
"What?" She said, staring up at him.
"I just think I should go see what Ron is up to." Harry said. "I'll be right back."
He strode off, leaving Hermione shaking her head. She tried to turn to her work and found she was too distracted to study.
Harry caught up to Ron in their room. He was shredding a piece of parchment between his hands.
"What?" He said, still scowling, as Harry entered.
"I'm not sure." Harry said, picking up a scrap of parchment bearing the letters 'Zon' on it. "But I think I have a bit of an idea."
"Why can't you just mind your own business?" Ron said bitterly. "We don't need you throwing us together every five minutes."
His scowl faded and he turned his back on Harry. "It's not like she notices me that way with you around."
"What?" Harry's jaw dropped open and he stared at his friends back. "There is nothing at all like that…"
"Sometimes I don't think she even wants to be around me. I think she must put up with me just because…"
"That is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard you say." Harry said angrily.
"It's you she's comfortable with." Ron insisted, kicking the bedpost.
"That's only because she doesn't think of me that way." Harry insisted. He growled. "Sometimes I don't know why I put up with you two."
Harry stalked over to his desk and spoke to Zinnia. "I'm going out. Want to come?"
She had barely time to hiss a negative before he stormed out of the room.
"Hermione" Harry placed both palms on the table and leaned towards her. "Don't let the density of a fifteen year old boy stand in your way." She stared at him in mute surprise. "Go up there and pounce. I'm going out."
He continued out the portrait hole.
Harry wandered, or stalked, rather aimlessly. Just as his frustration was waning, he found himself in front of the entrance to the kitchens. He tickled the pear and entered.
"Harry Potter, sir." Squeaked the nearest elf. "How may we be helping you, sir?"
"I…" Harry hadn't thought that far ahead. "Could I have some hot milk please?" He requested after a moment.
"Certainly, sir. At once." Within moments he was sitting in front of a fire, feet up and milk in hand.
He was in just the right spot to observe the entrance of the kitchen's next nighttime visitor.
Harry had never seen Draco Malfoy appear tender and kind before. He sat motionless, trying not to stare.
When Malfoy entered the kitchens, Dobby, his family's old elf greeted him warmly.
Malfoy knelt on one knee to be at eye level with the little elf and spoke to him, just as Severus always did. Harry couldn't make out what was being said over the din of closing the kitchen for the night.
"Humby." Harry said quietly, intending to ask if Malfoy came often.
The old elf was instantly at his side. "Yes, Young Master?"
Harry looked at the old elf in surprise. Humby had never called him that before. Then again, Harry could not recall Humby ever speaking to him directly before.
"Master Severus has explained all." Said the old elf shyly. "It is a family secret."
"A family secret?" Malfoy's cold voice speculatively.
Humby gasped and clasped both hands over his mouth. "Never, never, never…"
"Shh." Said Harry. "Don't worry, Humby. Relax. Malfoy is not prying into your family's business."
Humby peered up at the two boys. "Humby will fix a snack. Young…Harry Potter and his friend will want a snack."
"Have a seat, Malfoy. Humby is bringing a snack." Harry gazed after the little elf. "Do you come here often?"
"Have a seat? What would I do that for?" Malfoy glared.
"It is better not to upset Humby." Harry said mildly, sipping his milk.
"Better not to upset Humby?" Malfoy stared at him as if he had gone mad.
"Listen," Harry said, eyes suddenly flashing anger. "I came here for some peace and quiet." There was a large crash as the shelves in one of the ovens were removed for cleaning. Harry winced slightly. "So if you cannot at least be civil, please find another corner of the kitchen to haunt."
"You've changed, Potter." Malfoy said quietly.
"Odd, you don't seem to have." Harry said. "Still the very image of your father."
Malfoy's jaw clenched. "Why shouldn't I be?"
"No reason." Harry said idly. "Come on; sit if you're going to stay."
Malfoy sat, then pointedly took a book from his pocket and proceeded to ignore Harry. Harry drank his milk and stared into the fire, ignoring Malfoy.
Humby appeared with the 'snack' a few minutes later. He set up a small table and magicked food onto it.
"Dobby has helped with choosing Draco Malfoy's favorites, sir." The elf said before bowing away.
Malfoy stared at the table in astonishment. He looked up at Harry.
Harry shrugged and smiled a bit sheepishly. "Humby brought us a snack."
There was less food than the average lunch in Severus' rooms, but more variety. It was all arranged with a level of care that went beyond even the formal banquets.
"This doesn't change anything, you know." Malfoy said suddenly. "We have not suddenly become friends."
Harry smiled his father's smile. "Naturally not." He said.
Malfoy's eyes narrowed. "You have been spending a lot of time with Snape, haven't you?"
Harry set his cup down and pushed away his footstool. He planted his feet firmly on the ground and looked Malfoy squarely in the eye. "I have. I was asked to by someone whose opinion I greatly respect. There is nothing…unnatural about our relationship, but we are slowly growing to like one another. Would you please respect that?"
Malfoy gazed into his eyes, considering. Then he nodded and reached for a small pastry.
Harry relaxed into his chair once more and chose a thin sandwich from the plate.
The kitchens slowly quieted as work was completed for the day. After another half an hour of nibbling and thinking, Harry felt calm enough to return upstairs. He glanced at Malfoy, but decided not to speak to him again.
"Dobby." He said instead.
Dobby suddenly appeared beside him. "What can Dobby do for Harry Potter, sir?"
"Is Humby resting, or is he still at work here?" Harry asked.
Dobby's eyes widened. "I believe Humby is still working sir. He is usually the last one to stop, sir." His voice was squeakier than usual.
"I would like to take what's left of this upstairs please." Harry said. "Was there anything you wanted to take with you, Malfoy?"
"No, I'm fine." The other boy said, not looking up from his book.
"Dobby will see to it sir." He bowed.
"Humby." Harry said quietly.
"Yes, sir?" The old elf said, suddenly at his elbow.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Harry asked gently.
"There is still work to do, sir." The old elf said with dignity.
"Did Severus mention whether your joint potion would work even if you didn't rest?" Harry asked, probing a bit.
Humby looked guilty. "Well, he might have mentioned side effects, sir."
"Side effect? That sounds nasty. I think we should make it an order, Humby." Harry said. "I order you to rest every evening so that your potion does not have side effects."
Humby whimpered a bit, but his face firmed almost immediately. "Is it work to rest when I don't want to?" He asked.
Harry considered a moment. "Yes, I think it might be."
"Humby will do this work for the yo…for Harry Potter, sir." His eyes darted around and he lowered his voice. "Only don't tell Master Severus that I am resting." He said.
Harry grinned. "No, we won't let on, will we."
Humby left to seek his bed, and Dobby stepped forward with Harry's parcel of food.
"Harry Potter is a great wizard. This is a great thing for Humby, sir. We has been worried. All of us." Dobby ducked his head.
"Thank you, Dobby." Harry said, and left the kitchens.
Draco Malfoy watched him go, book lowered.
*****
A/N – I am not terribly surprised that no one has correctly placed Aunt Rose. It was very obscure and the clues are spread out over several chapters. The answer should be next chapter (unless it gets away from me)