Harry rolled over and groaned. Monday mornings weren't something he was
particularly looking forward to. As much as he didn't have to worry about
being poisoned, potions still wasn't his favorite class. Not to mention he
still hadn't changed Draco back to his original state, but he was certain
that everyone else was still finding it rather amusing. The scar on his
head ached numbly, he wasn't entirely sure why either since he'd been
surprisingly empty of dreams lately. Grumbling, he grabbed his new cloaks,
bound his long hair back, and cursed to himself as he attempted to get his
leather boots on.
"Bloody things, can't see why they have to be so bugging hard to get on." Harry muttered to no one in particular. "Just once it'd be nice to be someone who wasn't always getting into trouble, famous, or ruddy attracted to things that cause problems."
"Unfortunately, that's not the case today, Harry. Come on, time for breakfast and I'd prefer you eat here at least unlike those dreadful Dursleys didn't remember to do."
Harry turned his gaze on to his father whom decided it was fun to sneak up behind him without warning. "How long have you been there for?" "Long enough to see you've been dawdling again. But I'm serious; I want you to be eating properly here since you're already thin enough as it is."
The boy nodded, hating to admit it, but he felt rather regal in his new robes and heirlooms. Striding out of his chambers he was instantly smothered by Remus who was still bustling with questions that hadn't been answered the night before. Harry grimaced as his father hit the man with a simple silence spell, but had to agree, it was nice to not have to answer any questions at the moment.
Everyone in the Great Hall instantly realized something had happened. Harry had entered after being removed from the Gryffindor dormitories, looking more like Snape than ever, and wearing what most of them were able to recognize, the robes of the late Godric Gryffindor. The whispers started immediately, the hole room buzzing with noise as the boy sat down by his close friends, wishing once again that he didn't have to be here and out in the open with all the people. He was definitely starting to act like his father and favor being along more and more.
He ate a simple breakfast of toast, a few pieces of bacon and orange juice before excusing himself from the table, wanting time to think as he made his way down towards the cold potions room. Everything always happened to him. First everything that led up to his 6th year, then finding out James wasn't his real dad, but the greasy git of a potions professor, being bit by Remus, and now finding himself as the Heir of Gryffindor. How on earth could things possibly get worse, he thought as comfort, realizing not too much could make his life any more difficult than it already was.
Being the first one inside the class, he walked up to his father and sat down since he knew that he'd have about 20 minutes before people started showing up. "Dad? Why is it always me?"
Severus looked up at his son; surprised to see just how much he'd grown in the last month, almost as tall as himself. "That, Harry, I'm not sure of. I wish it wasn't for your sake, but these things seem to be drawn magnetically towards you," he said, trying to console the boy, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "But you should be proud to wear your Heir cloaks, even if they are going to bring you more unwanted attention."
The boy nodded, settling himself back at his seat and pondering over the last month. As bad as he made it out to be, he realized it wasn't entirely bad since he had a living relative, and a father no less. Hermione came strolling in moments later, a large stack of books threatening to fall out of her arms.
"Harry! Are you feeling better? I noticed you weren't eating much at breakfast nor where you very talkative."
Severus threw a glance over at the boy, who'd immediately turned his head away. "Harry, you told me you were going to eat. Do I have to have Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley make sure you eat before leaving the table? Like I said before, you're too thin as it is!"
To Harry's luck, at that very moment Draco came running through the halls. "POTTER! Take this spell off of me! It's been long enough for you to know the reversal! Either that or you... could ask your father," the blonde said with a sneer. Severus blinked, he knew the boy could be smart when he wanted to be, but managing to put Harry and himself together must have taken some actual thought process. Unlike everyone else who'd figured it out, Draco was the first to actually say something, not to mention a very dangerous enemy to know since Lucius still had connections with Voldemort.
"Yes, Mr. Potter if you'd be so kind, I think Malfoy here has served his time long enough as a female," He drawled, not wanting to give Draco any hint of acknowledgement. His son nodded, muttering the reverse spell and watched as Malfoy was once again male.
"Happy now?" Harry spat, flopping back down at his seat, agitated now more than anything. Around that time the rest of the class piled in and Snape was forced to start the class. It was just another routine NEWT standard potion that many of the students were already having problems with. Although, to his delight, Harry had managed to get his finished correctly by the end of class.
For the next month, Harry's life simply just went on. He had his classes, homework, talks with either his dad or Remus, once in awhile Albus, but he was still not pulling out of that slump he'd gone into. Halloween was approaching quickly, and Harry knew what that meant, making him even more irritable than usual. If someone hadn't already figured out Harry's lineage yet, they did now with the boy's almost always scowling face and glares he cast out to people. He did honor his father's request to make sure he ate though, his frame starting to fill out and leave him with a rather toned body than the scrawny one he'd had just a couple years previous. His thoughts drifted back to the night's events to take place, banging his head on the wall and hiding in his room, completely skiving off any class that he'd had that day.
"Harry, it's time to go."
The boy nodded listlessly and wandered behind Remus as they made their way up to The Room of Requirements. It wasn't quite dark yet and Harry sat down on the bed and curled up. He didn't know how he'd ever get used to this, even with the potion and his father and friends looking out for him. At that moment the door flew open with Severus carrying two goblets. "Sorry, still taste as bad as always." He muttered, looking at the taste of disgust on their faces.
Once again Severus had to hold Harry's limbs as he started changing since he wanted nothing more than to claw himself to death. It went pretty much simultaneously as it had the previous month, Harry trying to hide himself away from the other two and Severus placing a charm around the bed. Classes were in the morning, but when Harry woke up, even with the help of the potions, he was in no condition to be out of bed. Snape sighed, regretting to have to leave his boy alone for the day with Remus, but missing his classes wasn't entirely a great idea, not with those bumbling 1st and 2nd years he had today.
The days went on, nothing much happened of great importance to Harry's life for a change, letting him go by unnoticed for the time being. His scar hurt once in awhile, but nothing like it had that night of the Death Eater attack. The dreams of Voldemort and his followers had stopped, but Harry suspected that Severus had placed something into his drink at one point to have it do so, but he wasn't complaining. For the first time in the last few years he was actually able to sleep without fear of seeing Cedric's death or the fight at the Ministry.
Snow began to float around the grounds, making Harry shiver when he was outside walking by himself and hoping for some peace and quiet. He'd become quite hard to find these days unless it was Remus, his dad, or Albus. Even to his friends he rarely would be seen around them. Severus was concerned about this, knowing that the boy was normally full of mischief and talking with his friends. Harry had been particularly distant around Snape, and the man couldn't figure out why.
One night as all the students were making their way off to their homes for the Christmas holiday, Severus was able to corner Harry for the first time in about a week. "Harry, please, talk to me. Why have you been avoiding everyone lately?"
Harry closed his eyes tightly, knowing that he would've been caught sooner or later. "My thoughts have been on the prophecy that the Headmaster told me about last year." "Why? What was it?" This caught Harry by surprise, he'd thought Dumbledore would've told Snape about what had to be done. "Voldemort will either kill me or I will kill him." It was all that needed to be said, Severus pulling him in for a big hug, sensing he could use one right about that time.
Since most of the students had left, only a few Ravenclaws and Gryffindors had remained for the holidays, making Harry at least happy with the absence of Slytherins for a week. For him, he was delighted at the strange calmness that surrounded the building at the moment instead of the usual chaotic nature.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!"
Was the next thing he'd heard, rubbing his eyes and seeing both Remus and Severus standing at the foot of his bed. Practically dragging him out of bed, leaving only time enough for him to get dressed, they made way for the Great Hall. Since there were only a few there, the Professors and students sat at one table, enjoying the breakfast the house-elves made. Wizard crackers were placed along the table, startling someone every time they'd go off. Before Harry left the table, he'd gotten quite the collection of prank supplies and sweets.
"Hey, Harry, c'mon!" Remus said, jumping around like a little boy, "There are more presents back at the room!"
Severus led them off towards his own personal chambers, surprising Harry completely when he opened it up and was completely decked out in Christmas decorations. "Wow..." was all he could say. A large pile of presents was under the tree, more than he'd seen before in his life. For the first time in awhile, he cracked a smile and tossed Remus a gift. Harry received the normal from his friends, candy and quidditch books. Remus's was a large book of hexes that looked promising to try out on Malfoy when he returned to the halls. From his father he got a many books, mostly related to potions of course, and a small ring that had at one time been Lily's that Severus decided it was time to pass on. Harry smiled to himself, glad to have something of his mother after all this time.
"Dad? Here, this is for you."
Severus looked questioningly at it, not really having been expecting anything, but tore opening the package and pulled out a small picture book. His gaze softened as he looked through the pictures of Lily from school and afterwards, pictures of Harry in there too before he'd been shipped to the Dursleys. "Hagrid gave me the pictures in my first year and I thought maybe you'd like your own set of them..." He trailed off, seeing a large smile on his father's face and what looked like the illusion of a tear in his eye.
"Thank you Harry, this is definitely more than I could've asked for."
Albus came through the doors a few minutes later, finding the trio deep into their newly received books. "Harry, Severus, there is a matter we need to discuss. Remus, you're welcome to stay here as well since you might be asked to help out. It's time for Harry to start his training in wandless magic. I'd put it off too long already, but we must start very soon, next week after the full moon. It will be hard and exhausting, but the Death Eaters are getting agitated again and Harry is in danger yet again, as I'm sure you know, Severus."
The man nodded, not wanting Harry to hear that he'd been summoned to Voldemort's meetings a few times during those past months, nor to worry. Already he could see his son's eyes peering up at him, curious as to know what had been going on.
"You haven't told him then of their plots? Or rather he hasn't seen what has been going on in his dreams?" "No, Headmaster, I've been giving him dreamless sleep potions nightly to make sure he's able to get rest. I hadn't known about the prophecy's contents at the time, but hearing it just recently, I think he has enough to deal with at the time than with worrying about the meetings."
Albus sighed, clearly not happy with Severus's actions. "I suppose, but I'd suggest informing the boy before they do decide to go ahead in their plans. And be wary of young Draco, he sent word to his father on your newfound relationship to Harry and I would be careful next time you are summoned."
Harry was getting particularly annoyed now, sick of having things kept from him. "What is going on!?" He shouted, louder than he would've liked, but getting his point across either way.
Severus lowered his head. "You know that the Death Eaters are after you now that you've found out your Gryffindor's heir, but now that they've found out that you're my son which is going to prove disastrous when I'm summoned next. He'll either flat out kill me or find a way to add you to his own ranks of Death Eaters. And with your current powers, I have no doubts he'd prefer the later, knowing then no one could stop him."
"Great. Just great. Just one question."
"Oh?" His father asked, looking down at him concerned.
"How big of trouble am I going to be in after I test this entire book of hexes on Malfoy for revenge of all the trouble he's now caused?"
Snape groaned, wondering just how long it'd take for grey hairs to make their appearance.
"Bloody things, can't see why they have to be so bugging hard to get on." Harry muttered to no one in particular. "Just once it'd be nice to be someone who wasn't always getting into trouble, famous, or ruddy attracted to things that cause problems."
"Unfortunately, that's not the case today, Harry. Come on, time for breakfast and I'd prefer you eat here at least unlike those dreadful Dursleys didn't remember to do."
Harry turned his gaze on to his father whom decided it was fun to sneak up behind him without warning. "How long have you been there for?" "Long enough to see you've been dawdling again. But I'm serious; I want you to be eating properly here since you're already thin enough as it is."
The boy nodded, hating to admit it, but he felt rather regal in his new robes and heirlooms. Striding out of his chambers he was instantly smothered by Remus who was still bustling with questions that hadn't been answered the night before. Harry grimaced as his father hit the man with a simple silence spell, but had to agree, it was nice to not have to answer any questions at the moment.
Everyone in the Great Hall instantly realized something had happened. Harry had entered after being removed from the Gryffindor dormitories, looking more like Snape than ever, and wearing what most of them were able to recognize, the robes of the late Godric Gryffindor. The whispers started immediately, the hole room buzzing with noise as the boy sat down by his close friends, wishing once again that he didn't have to be here and out in the open with all the people. He was definitely starting to act like his father and favor being along more and more.
He ate a simple breakfast of toast, a few pieces of bacon and orange juice before excusing himself from the table, wanting time to think as he made his way down towards the cold potions room. Everything always happened to him. First everything that led up to his 6th year, then finding out James wasn't his real dad, but the greasy git of a potions professor, being bit by Remus, and now finding himself as the Heir of Gryffindor. How on earth could things possibly get worse, he thought as comfort, realizing not too much could make his life any more difficult than it already was.
Being the first one inside the class, he walked up to his father and sat down since he knew that he'd have about 20 minutes before people started showing up. "Dad? Why is it always me?"
Severus looked up at his son; surprised to see just how much he'd grown in the last month, almost as tall as himself. "That, Harry, I'm not sure of. I wish it wasn't for your sake, but these things seem to be drawn magnetically towards you," he said, trying to console the boy, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "But you should be proud to wear your Heir cloaks, even if they are going to bring you more unwanted attention."
The boy nodded, settling himself back at his seat and pondering over the last month. As bad as he made it out to be, he realized it wasn't entirely bad since he had a living relative, and a father no less. Hermione came strolling in moments later, a large stack of books threatening to fall out of her arms.
"Harry! Are you feeling better? I noticed you weren't eating much at breakfast nor where you very talkative."
Severus threw a glance over at the boy, who'd immediately turned his head away. "Harry, you told me you were going to eat. Do I have to have Miss Granger or Mr. Weasley make sure you eat before leaving the table? Like I said before, you're too thin as it is!"
To Harry's luck, at that very moment Draco came running through the halls. "POTTER! Take this spell off of me! It's been long enough for you to know the reversal! Either that or you... could ask your father," the blonde said with a sneer. Severus blinked, he knew the boy could be smart when he wanted to be, but managing to put Harry and himself together must have taken some actual thought process. Unlike everyone else who'd figured it out, Draco was the first to actually say something, not to mention a very dangerous enemy to know since Lucius still had connections with Voldemort.
"Yes, Mr. Potter if you'd be so kind, I think Malfoy here has served his time long enough as a female," He drawled, not wanting to give Draco any hint of acknowledgement. His son nodded, muttering the reverse spell and watched as Malfoy was once again male.
"Happy now?" Harry spat, flopping back down at his seat, agitated now more than anything. Around that time the rest of the class piled in and Snape was forced to start the class. It was just another routine NEWT standard potion that many of the students were already having problems with. Although, to his delight, Harry had managed to get his finished correctly by the end of class.
For the next month, Harry's life simply just went on. He had his classes, homework, talks with either his dad or Remus, once in awhile Albus, but he was still not pulling out of that slump he'd gone into. Halloween was approaching quickly, and Harry knew what that meant, making him even more irritable than usual. If someone hadn't already figured out Harry's lineage yet, they did now with the boy's almost always scowling face and glares he cast out to people. He did honor his father's request to make sure he ate though, his frame starting to fill out and leave him with a rather toned body than the scrawny one he'd had just a couple years previous. His thoughts drifted back to the night's events to take place, banging his head on the wall and hiding in his room, completely skiving off any class that he'd had that day.
"Harry, it's time to go."
The boy nodded listlessly and wandered behind Remus as they made their way up to The Room of Requirements. It wasn't quite dark yet and Harry sat down on the bed and curled up. He didn't know how he'd ever get used to this, even with the potion and his father and friends looking out for him. At that moment the door flew open with Severus carrying two goblets. "Sorry, still taste as bad as always." He muttered, looking at the taste of disgust on their faces.
Once again Severus had to hold Harry's limbs as he started changing since he wanted nothing more than to claw himself to death. It went pretty much simultaneously as it had the previous month, Harry trying to hide himself away from the other two and Severus placing a charm around the bed. Classes were in the morning, but when Harry woke up, even with the help of the potions, he was in no condition to be out of bed. Snape sighed, regretting to have to leave his boy alone for the day with Remus, but missing his classes wasn't entirely a great idea, not with those bumbling 1st and 2nd years he had today.
The days went on, nothing much happened of great importance to Harry's life for a change, letting him go by unnoticed for the time being. His scar hurt once in awhile, but nothing like it had that night of the Death Eater attack. The dreams of Voldemort and his followers had stopped, but Harry suspected that Severus had placed something into his drink at one point to have it do so, but he wasn't complaining. For the first time in the last few years he was actually able to sleep without fear of seeing Cedric's death or the fight at the Ministry.
Snow began to float around the grounds, making Harry shiver when he was outside walking by himself and hoping for some peace and quiet. He'd become quite hard to find these days unless it was Remus, his dad, or Albus. Even to his friends he rarely would be seen around them. Severus was concerned about this, knowing that the boy was normally full of mischief and talking with his friends. Harry had been particularly distant around Snape, and the man couldn't figure out why.
One night as all the students were making their way off to their homes for the Christmas holiday, Severus was able to corner Harry for the first time in about a week. "Harry, please, talk to me. Why have you been avoiding everyone lately?"
Harry closed his eyes tightly, knowing that he would've been caught sooner or later. "My thoughts have been on the prophecy that the Headmaster told me about last year." "Why? What was it?" This caught Harry by surprise, he'd thought Dumbledore would've told Snape about what had to be done. "Voldemort will either kill me or I will kill him." It was all that needed to be said, Severus pulling him in for a big hug, sensing he could use one right about that time.
Since most of the students had left, only a few Ravenclaws and Gryffindors had remained for the holidays, making Harry at least happy with the absence of Slytherins for a week. For him, he was delighted at the strange calmness that surrounded the building at the moment instead of the usual chaotic nature.
"Happy Christmas, Harry!"
Was the next thing he'd heard, rubbing his eyes and seeing both Remus and Severus standing at the foot of his bed. Practically dragging him out of bed, leaving only time enough for him to get dressed, they made way for the Great Hall. Since there were only a few there, the Professors and students sat at one table, enjoying the breakfast the house-elves made. Wizard crackers were placed along the table, startling someone every time they'd go off. Before Harry left the table, he'd gotten quite the collection of prank supplies and sweets.
"Hey, Harry, c'mon!" Remus said, jumping around like a little boy, "There are more presents back at the room!"
Severus led them off towards his own personal chambers, surprising Harry completely when he opened it up and was completely decked out in Christmas decorations. "Wow..." was all he could say. A large pile of presents was under the tree, more than he'd seen before in his life. For the first time in awhile, he cracked a smile and tossed Remus a gift. Harry received the normal from his friends, candy and quidditch books. Remus's was a large book of hexes that looked promising to try out on Malfoy when he returned to the halls. From his father he got a many books, mostly related to potions of course, and a small ring that had at one time been Lily's that Severus decided it was time to pass on. Harry smiled to himself, glad to have something of his mother after all this time.
"Dad? Here, this is for you."
Severus looked questioningly at it, not really having been expecting anything, but tore opening the package and pulled out a small picture book. His gaze softened as he looked through the pictures of Lily from school and afterwards, pictures of Harry in there too before he'd been shipped to the Dursleys. "Hagrid gave me the pictures in my first year and I thought maybe you'd like your own set of them..." He trailed off, seeing a large smile on his father's face and what looked like the illusion of a tear in his eye.
"Thank you Harry, this is definitely more than I could've asked for."
Albus came through the doors a few minutes later, finding the trio deep into their newly received books. "Harry, Severus, there is a matter we need to discuss. Remus, you're welcome to stay here as well since you might be asked to help out. It's time for Harry to start his training in wandless magic. I'd put it off too long already, but we must start very soon, next week after the full moon. It will be hard and exhausting, but the Death Eaters are getting agitated again and Harry is in danger yet again, as I'm sure you know, Severus."
The man nodded, not wanting Harry to hear that he'd been summoned to Voldemort's meetings a few times during those past months, nor to worry. Already he could see his son's eyes peering up at him, curious as to know what had been going on.
"You haven't told him then of their plots? Or rather he hasn't seen what has been going on in his dreams?" "No, Headmaster, I've been giving him dreamless sleep potions nightly to make sure he's able to get rest. I hadn't known about the prophecy's contents at the time, but hearing it just recently, I think he has enough to deal with at the time than with worrying about the meetings."
Albus sighed, clearly not happy with Severus's actions. "I suppose, but I'd suggest informing the boy before they do decide to go ahead in their plans. And be wary of young Draco, he sent word to his father on your newfound relationship to Harry and I would be careful next time you are summoned."
Harry was getting particularly annoyed now, sick of having things kept from him. "What is going on!?" He shouted, louder than he would've liked, but getting his point across either way.
Severus lowered his head. "You know that the Death Eaters are after you now that you've found out your Gryffindor's heir, but now that they've found out that you're my son which is going to prove disastrous when I'm summoned next. He'll either flat out kill me or find a way to add you to his own ranks of Death Eaters. And with your current powers, I have no doubts he'd prefer the later, knowing then no one could stop him."
"Great. Just great. Just one question."
"Oh?" His father asked, looking down at him concerned.
"How big of trouble am I going to be in after I test this entire book of hexes on Malfoy for revenge of all the trouble he's now caused?"
Snape groaned, wondering just how long it'd take for grey hairs to make their appearance.