AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey, finally gotten around to posting again. Yeay. Um…review responses at the end. No spoilers for the fifth book, which I'm ignoring for the purposes of this one. My brain has died completely and I can't think of anything I need to say here.
Hope to post chapter 13 on Monday 7th July, so look for it after 6pm English time.
And for those reading it, chapter five of Deal will be posted 6pm English time on Thursday.
Anyway, on with chapter twelve.
Enjoy.
Chapter Twelve: The Day's EndBy the end of the day all four students were exhausted. Partly through an awareness of the promise Snape had made to the children that they would have fun, and partly through a desire to avoid any productive thought on what would come next they had devoted the remainder of the day to entertaining their friends. They had gone outside upon leaving Snape's office and spent two hours playing hide and seek, tag and other energetic games which you never tired of at five and were too tired for at seventeen. They had only stopped when Blaise had observed that they could expect to see the first students returning from Hogsmeade sooner rather that later. Heeding Snape's warning that no good could come of either boy being found in his current vulnerable state they retreated inside wherein a short debate followed as to the safest place to head to, which was concluded when Hermione suggested they go to the Prefect's Room.
This room was rather a suite of rooms set up to make the head boy and girl accessible to the school population at large, rather that isolating them within their particular house as was the case with the other prefects. Guarded, as all rooms were, by a portrait, it was accessible to all students, who were free to consult either head when and if they needed. The portrait opened into a waiting room type of area, fitted with three portraits, sofas, a low table and, since Hermione's appointment as head girl, numerous out of date wizarding and muggle magazines. From this room were further rooms available to prefects alone. Portraits to the left and right of the entrance lead to the head boy and head girl's rooms, which included private showers and a large desk, allowing the head's to remain in their room and available for consultation while studying. The final portrait situated directly opposite the entrance lead to a boardroom where all prefect's meetings were held.
It was to this that they then retreated, setting up camp inside he waiting room and ordering dinner. While the two children tucked in enthusiastically the other four played with their food, wanting to talk but having interest only in that which they could not talk about. Soon they noticed that everything was not quite right with the children.
"Haaarrry," Draco drew out the name, eliciting a smile from the subject of his attentions, "eat more. Pleaseeeeeeeee."
They noticed that while Draco had been tucking in as they believed, Harry had actually eaten very little. The child had taken what had always been his share at home and simply sat back and left the rest as if Dudley would swoop in at any moment, ready to complain loudly if there was not a sufficient amount left on Harry's plate to create a more that adequate 'seconds'.
"I'm ok," he protested weakly.
"Make him eat more Pansy," Draco pouted, angry at not getting his own way, even if this time his own way was purely selfless.
"Are you feeling ok?" Pansy put one hand to Harry's head in that long held and probably purely pointless tradition of stereotypical gestures. "You don't seem overly warm."
"I'm fine. I've eaten…" his voice trailed off but they caught the last two words , mumbled as they were. "My share."
"Harry," Hermione now tried, "you know it is something of a tradition here to finish everything on you plate. And then get more. I'm sure Draco would say the same," she smiled encouragingly at the other boy who was watching wide-eyed, waiting for someone to succeeded where he couldn't.
"Oh yes," he picked up his cue enthusiastically, "and maman would say the same. Please. 'Cus I want more and I can't have seconds til you finish yours."
"Here," Harry offered Draco his food and the other boy turned up his nose and declared in a decidedly stuck up manner.
"But that's YOUR food on YOUR plate. How horried."
Harry laughed at the utter disgust in his friends voice before quickly clapping his hand over his mouth and looking around uncertainly but before he could feel any real apprehension he heard accompanying laughter from Blaise and Seamus, amused at how closely the five year old resembled the seventeen year old.
Draco, however, was not amused and Harry was eager to appease him. "Sorry Draco. Look, let me eat this, then you can get seconds. Ok?" And he did and all was well for the next few hours, though all four adults were registering every expression, every half uttered sentiment and setting them aside until they could consider them at length.
***
By seven o'clock the atmosphere in the room was far calmer than in had been since they first arrived. Hermione and Pansy were on one sofa with the boys, while Balise and Seamus were on the other. Harry was curled up on Hermione's lap, Draco sitting neatly next to them, shooting the occasional jealous look at Hermione, who remained oblivious, occupied as she was in telling both children a story.
"…so the five of them, Anne, George, x and y, along with z the dog left the island and made plans to return to it the next day to find out more about…"
At this point Hermione broke off, Harry haven fallen asleep again.
"I think that maybe it's time for bed," she adressed Pansy quietly and when the girl nodded her agreement she shook Harry gently, "Harry, bed time."
The green eyes shot open, "no. Finish story."
"Oh love, it's a very long story. You don't want to miss it do you? Go to bed now like a good boy and I'll finish it tomorrow. How's that."
"She's turning into a parent," Blaise whispered to Seamus who grinned.
"Promise?"
"Promise."
"'Kay. Tired anyway. Come on Draco, bed now."
It was at this moment that all four realised that they had given now thought as to what they could do with the boys over night. Pansy, Blaise and Seamus would need to return to their dorms if they were to avoid exciting suspicion – Harry, on the other hand, ended up in the hospital wing so often that his non-appearance would raise no eyebrows.
"Um…I guess Blaise and Pansy, you'd better try and sneak Draco into Slytherin and Seamus do the same with Harry into Gryffindor?"
"How the hell do we get a child into either dorm unnoticed? Timely dungbom?"
"'Cus that'd go down so well Finnigan. I don't fancy being lynched, whatever you do in your spare timee."
"Gryffindor's have a sense of humour, actually, and would merely laugh like normal people."
"Children!" Pansy shouted, once again waking Harry up, "well I can't think of a better plan, so…yes, Draco you'll come with Blaise and I, ok?"
"No."
It was said with a firmness which was repeatedly startling, no matter how many times they heard the five year old Malfoy exert his will.
"Draco this isn't open to debate."
"No. I WANT to stay with Harry. Not you."
"Well you can't. Draco, you'll see him tomorrow. Come with us now," with this Pansy stood up and picked up her friend, who immediately began thrashing in her arms.
"Well that's just pissed him off. Does he always get his own way or something," Seamus muttered to Blaise as they watched Pansy try to calm down the angry child in her arms.
It was at this point that something rather unexpected began to happen. All four stopped still as the lights began to flicker, the portraits and wall hangings to shake and objects to lift slightly from tables. As they looked about them in confusions they vocalised their fears.
"An attack?"
"Voldemort?"
"Draco?"
"Harry," Seamus's voice was laced with a combination of shock and awed as all four turned to stare at Harry.
He was standing there, fists clenched and a look of confusion and fear on his face. As all four turned to look at him he backed away slightly, looking down to avoid their gaze. Everything increased in intensity as his fear mounted and it felt as if they were in the middle of an earthquake. It was Draco who acted first, starting forward and grabbing Harry's hand.
"Harry? Harry?" there was fear mixed in with the concern and this reached Harry more than what he said, "calm down. You've got to calm down. Remember what maman said? You've got to…"
Here he was interrupted by a loud banging on the door and all six jumped. As Harry was distracted his concentration broke and the objects fell back onto the table, the lights ceased flickering and the wall hangings stilled. Hermione jumped forward and opened the portrait and Snape and Lupin entered.
***
Severus Snape was at a loss as for what to do next and, as he had done so many times before, he had reached out to his mate.
"Re, I need you."
Just as four years before when Harry had witnessed Snape contacting Remus equally as stressful circumstances, Remus climbed out of the fire, brushing ash from his robes.
"You called, Severus," he inquired exactly as he had done four years ago.
"I think I've entered the twilight zone."
Remus shot his mate a concerned look for Snape was looking far more stressed than usual.
"What happened Sev," he asked in a far more serious tone.
"You know how I had to kick Potter, Draco and their merry men out of class last week."
"The only time in history when even you had to admit that Harry wasn't to blame?"
"That's the one. Well they came back to make up the assignment this morning and the end result is that we have two five year olds running around the school talking about 'Aunt Lily', how 'Uncle Remus' and 'Uncle Severus' live together and trailing off in an oh so subtle manner when talking of Lucius. Oh, and they both refuse to take the re-aging potion."
"They what?"
"Granger's theory is that, somehow, Potter knows that the potion will separate them and as such he won't let Draco take it."
"Ok. And he cares why?"
"Oh, that's the best bit. They're best friends. Their little five year old selves know each other. And it's all Narcissa's fault. Somehow she … well actually I'm not sure but Potter knows both Draco and Narcissa and, and, well the shit's hitting the fan in great big dollops."
Remus was thinking fast, trying to ignore the nagging voice that told him to grab the opportunity to see Harry as a child.
"Sev, I remember you talking about this potion. What happens if they retake it after so long as children?"
"I don't know. That's the other problem. Anything or nothing. It's never been tested. I have my theories…I believe that they will come out of it unscathed. The bigger problem is getting them to take the damn potion in the first place."
"Well that's easy enough. Surely keeping them out of sight is the bigger issue."
"Granger grasps that one, I think. Their faces were quite a sight when I reminded them that the Dark Lord would think all his Christmas had come at once if he found out about their current…affliction."
"Quite. So…"
"They're entertaining them. Should be fun. I remember Draco at five, hell it scared me for life. The smallest thing would provoke a temper tantrum if he didn't get his own way. And I guess that they'll secrete them in the prefect's room. It's under enough passwords and wards, more than they know. They'll be safe enough. But how do you plan to get them to take the re-aging potion."
"Well, once you're sure that it can be done..."
"…well I'm not leaving them as they are…"
"…obviously. Anyway, once we know they can take the potion, just contact Narcissa. They won't refuse her, I'm sure."
"You, love, are a genius. What would I do without you?"
"I'm afraid you'll never get to find out," Remus replied, briefly embracing his mate. With his face buried in Snape's shoulder the other barely heard his next comment. "And Sev, can I see him?"
***
"Well, what's wrong now. You look like, well like you saw a ghost," Snape snapped, frustrated by the shaken looks of the four adults.
"Harry…" they all began at once before trailing off, unsure of what they had seen.
"Potter got …angry," Blaise finally began, "and things began to fly. Literally."
"What?" Snape's voice was sharp and as Harry shrunk back further Draco stepped forward to defend his friend.
"He can't help in Uncle Sev, really he can't. Things just happen. On accident."
"By accident," Snape corrected absently.
"Wandless magic?" Remus muttered.
"I think so," Hermione, overhearing, was quick to add her tuppence worth, "he's made references to it before. Things happening when he gets upset. More than the usual things that pureblood families would experience and see as nothing. We, I just assumed that it was nothing that special, just, I don't know, something about Harry and his life."
"It wasn't happy?"
"No," the answer was short and the brevity frightened Remus. What had they left Harry to by not being able to take him in.
"Not now Re," Snape muttered, the other four noticing for the first time an underlying closeness between the men that in normal circumstance probably would only be seen if you were looking for it.
"UNCLE SEVERUS!" Draco shouted, having been ignored for the last few minutes.
"Yes?"
"Who's this."
"Remus. Uncle Remus."
"From Tante 'Cissa's stories," Harry spoke for the first time, his interest captured by the sudden appearance of yet another person of whom he had heard so much.
"Yes, from the stories," Remus replied softly, crouching down in front of Harry. "Hello Harry."
"I don't remember you," it was an almost abstract comment, a side remark that slipped out as Harry studied the face before him, "but I wish I did. I like you." This last was said louder and in a most decided tone, and Remus grinned at the boy before him.
"I'm glad, Harry. I've wanted to meet you for a long time."
"Did…did you have stories too?"
"Yes."
As the two were talking Snape was forcibly preventing Draco from interrupting, once again jealous that someone was taking his friend away from him. As his godson finally gave up with the kicking and flailing Snape breathed a sigh of relief and loosened his hold slightly. Instantly Draco squirmed out of his arms and made another bid for freedom.
"Draco, no!" Snape once again picked up his godson and took his over to the opposite end of the room. "Listen, let Harry talk to Uncle Remus, ok?"
"No. Don't want to. Harry's my friend, not his."
"Draco, Draco listen to me. Harry can have more than one friend. Just like you can. And what do you think would have happened if he had seen you just then. Seen you fighting me."
"He would have helped me."
"Or he would have gotten angry, or scared and lost control. Again. Draco, you saw how scared he got when that happened before. If you're his friend then you have to help him. And that means thinking about other people. Ok?"
Draco, sullen look still in place, bit out a brief "ok," before resuming his glaring at Remus. Snape breathed a silent sigh of relief and once again thank whoever might be listening that he would never have kids.
"Draco," Harry was grinning as he pulled Remus over toward him, looking happier than they had seen him all day, "this is Uncle Remus."
Draco just looked at them silently and Harry's grin faded slightly.
"Draco?"
Instantly Draco remembered what Snape had said about hurting Harry and he relented, "hi." It was a stilted greeting but it earned him a grin from Harry.
As the three talked, Snape moved over to his students who had been watching everything with wide eyes.
"What caused the upset earlier?"
"We were trying to get them to bed and Draco didn't like the idea of them being separated and Harry didn't like Draco being upset," Pansy explained.
"So Potter just lost it?"
"Yeah and it scared him more than any of us," Hermione was on the defensive now, unwilling to let Harry get into any trouble.
"Yes I imagine it would Miss Granger. So did you resolve the situation."
"No, you and Remus, Professor Lupin arrived then."
"Oh. Well why not keep them here?"
"Oh no. As much as I like Harry, and even this Malfoy, there's no way I'm looking after them two all night."
"Thank you for that vehement opposition speech Miss Granger but I rather meant all four of you. You and Miss Parkinson could stay in your room, and Zabini and Finnigan in Draco's with the children."
"But Professor Snape how will we get in. And what about our room mates?"
"Go back to your rooms, get a change of clothes, tell whoever you see that you're in the hospital room – I'm sure you can think of a convincing lie – and then come back here. And Draco's password is muggle born."
So they did just that.
***
A few hours later saw Hermione sitting by Harry's side of the bed as the two finally went to sleep. As his eyes fell shut she leaned forward and kissed him.
"Goodnight Harry. Love you."
"Love you too Hermy," he muttered, grabbing her hand, "I want to stay. With you. And Draco."
"You will Harry. You are going to live here as long as you want and everyone is going to love you and protect you. Your life is going to be so different from now on. I promise." She could feel here self about to cry so in a brighter tone added, "now go to sleep."
"'Kay," he muttered, letting go of her hand and snuggling into his pillow.
She walked out of the room, carefully stepping over Blaise and Seamus who were sleeping on transfigured camp beds. 'Yes things will be different,' she reflected, 'for you and for Draco.'
END CHAPTER TWELVEWell, that was chapter twelve. What did you think?
Review responses:
Smilez: well this one is longer that the others, I think. 7 pages on word excluding reviews and all that. Glad you like this, though.
Sharie: you think that was a cliff hanger? You're going to hate me later on J
Esaure: *dances around* fan art yeay! And my Snape smiles a lot so no complaints there.
Kimmy: you like Snape/Remus or not? I would never have thought of it without Piri Lupin-Snape's writing. She totally converted me. She's in my 'favourite authors' bit if people are interested.
Jade Maxwell: dirty or not, long stuff is good J Yeah, I'm not really explaining things at the moment, just hinting randomly. Had a shot at a temper tantrum thing – along with clichéd wandless magic scene – so hopefully it went down ok.
ShaeLynn: thanks for Seamus reassurance. Degree is in History and Criminology and I got a 2.1! Finished and posted the last chapter while waiting for results so any errors blamed on that!
Immortalis_Vespers: ah thanks. Well here was more. Hope you liked.
momma-dar: glad you like it. Thanks for reviewing.
Lichan: glad you like the story
TigerBlak: yeah 'tis cute! And Remus is here too so fun a plenty.
PeachDancer82: glad you like Snape – how was he this chapter? Healing power when he's older? You'll see!
NayNymic: glad Snape's going down ok – hope this one keeps him believable (and yeah, ok he's fictional but they can be believable too). Friends when they go back? Do you really want me to answer that? Hint: it'll be different, different to what people are expecting, I hope.
Wintermoon: ok once again reviews leading to panic. I read yours and was like 'oh god I hope I explain everything' and 'what if I've miss-hinted.' Agh! But the rampant praise made me feel so much better *relieved grin.* And yeah, as you can see, Snape's thrilled that Draco outed him! And you're hooked? Hope you weren't getting withdrawal symptoms. Oh, and funny how Harry/Hermione is so anti-cannon that it's wrong but we can all go Harry/Draco crazy! Women are crazy people.
Silver: glad you like it. Thanks J