Disclaimer; Harry Potter-verse isn't mine – it belongs to JK Rowling, I'm only borrowing them!
Chapter 45
Harry smiled weakly at Lucius who was looking somewhere between amused and shocked, Sev had yet to speak; Outkast was grinning and the rest of the group where standing around in various degrees of stunned silence. Sirius was the first to snap out of it;
"Well it could be worse, I'm not sure how but it could be!" He said grinning
"Hey!" Harry replied indignantly. After that most of the Order left the Malfoy's to sleep, until the only ones that were left were Harry, Sev and Outkast although she lurked in the corner only hanging around to prevent things from going too far. Severus sat down, but then stood up again and started pacing. He stopped and looked at Harry.
"Ok, you're gay when did you decide this?" Harry shrugged
"Well if you're asking me when I first had a boyfriend then not long about two months, however I guess I sort of knew ever since the thing with Cho didn't work out." He said, Harry had decided that honesty was probably the best option in this case. Severus nodded
"Ok, so not long. Harry you must be more careful, the wizarding may be more accepting then the muggle one but your sexual preference may well hinder your employment prospects" Harry rolled his eyes, Outkast sighed
"Well never mind, he can come and work for me" she grinned
"What as a DADA teacher?" Harry said as if she was mad, Outkast rolled her eyes,
"No silly as an Alighter, and someday you can be the Dia" Harry looked blank, but Severus went pale
"No, no this can't be happening, please tell me your not" He whispered sinking into a chair. Harry looked from one to the other
"Ok… What's and Alighter and what's a Dia?" Outkast took a seat on the bed; she kept an eye on Severus, but addressed Harry
"Harry, a long time ago, abuse of kids although not always as extreme as what you went through as a child was common place, as a result of which the Wizarding world set into place a system to protect Magical children who were subjected to such treatment. The Alighters were first formed when Merlin himself cast a spell on the most powerful magical families of the time, the eldest child would have a gift that was also a curse. You see after the spell any child with magical powers would, when in desperate need be able to find an Alighter even though the Alighters did not search for them. The Alighters would care for the children and protect them from harm even it the forfeit was their own lives. The Alighters were given a leader, the most powerful would be given the status of Guardian of the Alighters, somewhere the Alighters could go if they found themselves unable to cope or if a child was in desperate enough need then they too would be able to seek the Guardian directly. Over time the term Guardian got shortened by a child who could not say Guardian but only Dia and the term stuck. Dia's have exceptionally long lifespan's, for example the Dia before me was over 500 when she was killed. A Dia with no heir, i.e. no children would train the eldest or most powerful of the children that had found them as the next one. The Dia in my time was killed by brother when he was trying to get me, and hence I became the Dia, my powers' increased as did my lifespan. But I am bound Harry to help any child that crosses my path, I know all the Alighters, and I can call them to my aid. I have no heirs, and as the other child I protected is now an Alighter, that makes you the next in line as the Dia. Unfortunately given the circumstances surrounding some to of the children we help, it can be a perilous job, many have died protecting their charges" Harry too had paled, now and was having trouble taking this all in. Outkast smiled
"Hey it's not that bad, you can hold down another job and you have power that not even the Minister himself can wield. As a Dia you are above the law, they will do anything for. Hadn't you noticed how I can achieve things others would never be able to do?" Harry nodded that was true; Outkast seemed to have an amazing way of getting things done. She looked at Sev
"Oh don't be so down, it's a pretty good deal really" he stared at her
"So not only has he got to defeat the Dark Lord but then he has to spend the rest of his time protecting innocent's tell me who protects him?" Outkast met Sev's eyes, knowing what he was saying,
"I'm sorry but that it the way it is. I promise though that I have no intention of leaving or dying so hey it might never happen, all I ask is that you never turn a child away, no matter your misconceptions of them" she looked back at Harry and was relieved when he nodded
"I'm sorry this is a lot to get my head around, do you mind if I have some time to myself?"
"Of course not hun, we'll be downstairs" with that Sev and Outkast left Harry watching over the two slumbering men.
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Down in the kitchen muffled whispers came to a stop when Outakst wondered in looking very tired, followed by Sev, who was in full sneering I'm-the evil-scary-potions-master-don't-mess mode. He cast a silencing spell on the room before slamming his fist into the nearest cupboard denting the wood.
"Easy on the furniture its antique" Sirius snarled, for once Severus ignored the animagus, he had other things on his mind
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?" He screamed at Outkast, she turned and glared at him
"It's not what I was thinking, it's the rules Merlin set out, and I didn't have any more of a choice then Harry"
"I don't care how you do it but take it back" he glared at her but there was fear hidden in the anger
"I wish I could Sev, but the truth is I became Dia when I was only a little older then Harry is now and he needs to know in case I don't ….. just in case"
"What's this about Harry?" Sirius had completely forgotten about the damaged cupboard at the mention of his beloved Godson. Severus snarled
"She's the Dia and she just chose her successor" Sirius hit the table hard enough to split the wood, sending splinters flying.
"What? NO!"
"It's done Siri, we can't change it even if we wanted" Remus said from the corner
"And what do you know about it?" Sev snarled at the werewolf. Remus looked from him to Outkast she shrugged
"Might as well tell them, they're gonna find out eventually" He cleared his throat
"I'm a Alighter" he said quietly Sirius jaw dropped
"Since when" Remus stared at the table not meeting his friend's gaze
"Since I was old enough, at the time I was under the care of the Dia, she was new and still grieving, we helped each other through it" Severus looked from Remus to Outkast putting the pieces together,
"Ok, if Lupin was your charge too why can't he be the Dia?"
"Because while there are no rules about werewolf's being Alighters, indeed a fair few are as they are regularly lost children – the Dia must be able to respond to any problems at any time and for an obvious reason a werewolf can not do this. I'm sorry Sev but Harry's the only other charge I have had since I inherited the title there is no room on this" Sirius growled and grabbed her by the throat snarling
"How dare you do this to my Godson!" Severus rolled his eyes – stupid Gryffindor's
"Let her go idiot"
"Why?"
"One, because if you kill her Harry will have to take over now, two because she didn't really have a choice, three because we needed to know and four who said he was your Godson, after all I'm his father and I certainly didn't choose you" he smirked at the reaction, Sirius dropped Outkast and stared at Severus, it suddenly dawning on him that he may lose any right he had to Harry.
"You wouldn't"
"Wouldn't what?" Severus said clearly enjoying the pain he was causing the ex-convict
"Take him from me" Sirius was trying to talk around the lump in throat causing his voice to crack, Severus snorted
"Of course I would you moron, he's my son and I don't want you as Godfather"
Sirius looked at him bleakly, like his world had just caved in. Outkast cleared her throat and stared pointedly at Sev, who rolled his eyes
"Unfortunately, Lily did want you as Godfather and whilst I can not stand you I would not dishonour her so much as to revoke it" he turned and left the room, his robe bellowing. Sirius collapsed into the nearest chair
"Lily, I love you" he muttered breathing heavily. Remus patted him on the back, unfortunately this bought Sirius' attention back to him. Sirius stared at him
"You were one of the lost?" Remus sat down and looked at the other occupants in the room. The got the hint and left, Remus took the now vacant seat next to Sirius;
"It was a long time ago Siri, before I started at Hogwarts" Sirius kept quiet and stared at him, if Remus thought he was getting away with that excuse of a story he had another thing coming. Remus rolled his eyes
"Ok, I guess it was about when I had just got bitten and my father didn't take too kindly to my condition, I guess he thought that if I was weak enough at the full moon I wouldn't transform. Needless to say all this did was leave me in extreme pain all the time. One day I got out the house, I wondered around scared and alone and stumbled, pretty much into Ayesha as she was known then. She smiled and was nice to me and got me something to eat. I found myself pouring out all the worries I had and everything that happened to me. She didn't say anything just listened without ever losing concentration. She told me that in time it would get better, and showed me where I could go for refuge. I don't think I would have survived without her. Anyhow a week later I was in the refuge and I heard someone crying, I investigated and found her curled in the corner, she told me that she had lost someone close to her and that her brother had betrayed her. Of course at the time I didn't know who her brother was. She was clutching her arm, seemingly trying to apply enough pressure to stop the pain. I prised her hand away and saw the red raw burn of the dark mark, I found the potions she used to ease my pain through the transformation and applied them but they didn't help. I never left contact with her and then when I found out Lily was pregnant I asked her about becoming an Alighter and she told me I already was. I guess in my heart I already knew but I needed it confirmed. It's not a bad thing that has happened to Harry, honestly Sirius he will be fine." As he finished his speech Remus laid a hand on top of his arm and gave him a reassuring smile. Sirius stared at him with all trace of joking missing
"You better be right Remus, because if anything happens to Harry I'll kill her and all that follow her" He got up snatching his arm back from the werewolf and headed for his bedroom. Remus sat alone in the kitchen; somehow this all seemed clearer as a child.
ssssss
Harry stared at the door for a long time thinking about the conversation he had just had, he was supposed to kill Voldemort and now he also had to take care of lost souls. He wished he knew what he had done in a previous life to deserve this fate but answers weren't forthcoming. He sighed perhaps it wouldn't be too bad, after all Outkast was managing to hold down a business, a job and be the Dia right? He sighed and turned his attention to the younger Malfoy, brushing his blonde hair away from his face
"I hope you wake up soon I'm going to need you" he placed a kiss on his head and settled down to wait.
sssssssss
Outkast found Sev in the bedroom he had been assigned, she sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him.
"Are you mad at me?" she said holding eye contact. Severus studied her face for a long moment before sighing
"I'm mad at the situation, that both you and Harry have been forced into this, I'm mad you didn't feel you could tell me and that once again my son' fate has been sealed. No, I'm not mad at you, I'm just mad" Outkast nodded, she looked so young and unsure of herself
"I didn't know what to say or when to tell you but he needed to know and I guess I just put that first, it kinda goes with the job" she smiled weakly, he snorted
"Yeah I know first priority the charge" she nodded
"That's the drill" he smiled at her
"I can live being second to my son" he whispered kneeling in front of her, she smiled wider
"I'm glad" she replied before closing the final inches between them and kissing him. It was only a brief kiss and she pulled away, he grinned at her as he lent in for a deeper kiss pushing her back against the bed.
sssssssssss
Ron and Hermione were enjoying a comfortable silence in the living room, Hermione was reading and Ron was playing chess against himself, leading to both sides calling him a traitor. He sighed, bored of the game and looked over to Hermione to find that she was staring at him, he gave her a weak smile, she blushed realising that she had been caught staring and returned the smile weakly. Ron, being as about as observant as a concrete fox hadn't noticed that anything was out of place. Hermione rolled her eyes, she had been trying to get him to notice her subtle 'I like in more then a friend' hints since September but he hadn't caught one of them. She decided a more direct approach was needed and closed her book, crossed the room and sat on the stunned Ron's lap; she smirked at him before lowering her lips to him. He sat stock still for a second before getting the idea and kissing her back, unfortunately for them Arthur chose that moment t come and check on them.
"What is going on?" He asked amused, Ron yelped and stood up, dumping Hermione on the floor. She grunted and glared at him but he was too busy stuttering an explanation to his father to notice.
"Err, hi dad we were just err talking yeah" Ron managed to say whilst turning beet red. Arthur just raised an eyebrow
"Must have been a very in depth conversation, you were so engrossed in it you didn't hear me coming. What was it about?" Ron open and closed his mouth like a fish a few times but didn't say anything. Hermione just rolled her eyes
"Oh give it up Ron we were caught in the middle of kissing" if it were possible Ron went an even deeper shade of red. Arthur cleared his throat
"Yes you were, so I supposed it's time for me to have a chat with you Ron and as Hermione is here, she may as well her it too" Arthur was now also showing signs of the famous Weasley blush. He sat down in an armchair, Hermione too was blushing this was definitely one conversation she didn't want to have. The Weasley patriarch also seemed to be having problems.
"No you see when a man and a woman love each other very much…"
"Oh God don't do this" Ron groaned burying his head in his arms, the reply came from an unusual source
"Don't do what?" Outkast was standing in the doorway swigging a can of cherry cola eyeing the three in amusement.
"He's trying to give us the sex talk" Hermione pouted "and he's not doing a very good job of it" she added as after, Outkast grinned
"That's easy, what goes up must come down" she stated and then left to presumably annoy someone else. Ron thought about what she said and returned to his familiar shade of red
"That's disgusting" he said screwing his face up
"But strangely accurate in an Outkast kind of way" Hermione commented she got up and left before Mr. Weasley could add any more.
ssssss
Sirius returned to the Malfoy's bedroom to find his godson, Harry hadn't really moved, he just sat staring at the young blonde. He sat down next to Harry and tapped his shoulder; Harry started but then relaxed realising who it was. Sirius smiled weakly
"Hey kid, I just had an interesting chat with your dad and Outkast." Harry nodded
"A lot to take in isn't it?" Harry whispered, Sirius sighed
"You'll get through it, you always do, besides I know someone else who managed it, well not Dia but Alighter at least, perhaps you should talk to him" only after he had finished talking did Sirius realise what he had said, he cringed when Harry replied
"Yeah that wouldn't be such a bad idea, who is it?" Harry asked innocently, Sirius ran a hand through his hair,
"Err, Remus, but hear me out, you could talk to him still you wouldn't be on your own, he'd understand and if he ever did anything like that again imperio or not I'd rip his throat out. Although I think I would have to get in line" Harry nodded
"I'll uh think about it" he rubbed his eyes, the gesture making him appear younger then he was. Sirius wrapped an arm around Harry, not registering his flinch and held him tight
"What I wouldn't give to have been able to have saved you long ago from them" He whispered.
"I would have given anything to see you as a child" he stroked Harry's hair as he talked unaware that he had an audience, the figures left quickly keeping in the shadows.
sssssssss
Next morning Harry came sleepily down to breakfast, he nodded at his father and Outkast who were sitting down at the table. Had Harry had been more awake then maybe he would have registered something was up given that Outkast was barely seen before noon. Instead he sat where he was directed and nodded his thanks when she put a drink in front of him; he took a long swig of the substance that turned out to be pumpkin juice. However it had a bitter aftertaste, he looked up at her to find smiling at him. He went on alert and risked a glance at his father who was smirking,
"I never did get you back for the comment about the whips did I?" he asked silkily. Harry looked panicked and let out a started scream as he felt himself start to shrink.
sssss
Draco had been resting quietly enjoying the new found freedom that came with his relationship with Harry being out in the open, when yelp from the kitchen got his attention, it didn't take him long to realise that the voice belonged to his boyfriend and was out the door in a heartbeat, barely stopping to grab his wand on the way. Out in the corridor he bumped into Hermione and Ron both of whom seemed to have been thinking along the same lines as him as both were heading in the same direction with their wands out too. He nodded at them and they continued, picking up more order members on the way.
Draco came to such an abrupt halt as he saw into the kitchen that the two Gryffindor's slammed into him. The peered round his shoulder's trying to see what had caused his reaction. Outkast and Severus seemed to be fighting back manic laughter whilst cooing at something in a bundle of clothes.
"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" came a high pitch voice from the bundle; Sev lost it and roared with laughter
"I beg to differ, it's very amusing"
"What's going on" Draco asked, trying to keep the air of a Malfoy about him whilst being terribly concerned over the fate of his beloved. The bundle squeaked and whatever was in it buried deeper.
"Oh we'll have none of that Harry, out you come" Outkast said and started fighting with him until his face popped out the top of the shirt. Draco was stunned
"What happened to him" he asked, having to shout over the collective 'aww's coming from various members of the Order. Harry glared, but the effect was spoilt only making him appear cuter then he already did
"Sev de-aged me" he grumbled, Draco tried to look disapprovingly at his Godfather but was finding it difficult, so he settled for the trademark Malfoy smirk.
"Sev, did you really de-age your son?"
"You bet I did, for the next two weeks we will have the pleasure of the four year old Harry, this version comes with all the emotions and maturity of his physical age, unfortunately he still has all his memories" he shrugged at their questioning looks
"Couldn't leave him completely defenceless now could we?" Harry fidgeted inside Outkast's arms, even at four he wasn't used to being held. As she put him down the collar of the t-shirt he'd been wearing fell off one of his shoulder's he grabbed at it in little hands hold it tightly around his neck, seeing as it was the only thing he was still wearing. This caused another round of cooing by the Order, Harry looked pleadingly at Draco, he green eyes shining, and made clearer as his glasses had fallen off. The young blonde felt his heart melt looking at the little face and stepped forward, scooping up the little back hair wizard in his arms. He then fixed anyone who came with in three feet of him with a death glare and stalked out towards his room. Downstairs Ron looked from Severus to Sirius to Outkast, all seemed elated at the idea of his best mate being a four year old
"Are you really going to leave him like that until school starts?" he asked sceptically
"Failing Voldemort induced emergencies we sure are" Outkast said. Sirius looked at Snape
"You know I hate to say it but that was a brilliant idea" Sev snorted
"No it wasn't it was revenge" he stated before leaving the room going in search of his son. Sirius looked confused and was about to say so when Outkast shook her hear
"Don't ask, believe me you won't want to know. Just enjoy it, everyone missed out on watching him grow up the first time so now you have two weeks to show him how childhood should be" Sirius nodded, Harry should have been his the first time he wasn't about to miss out again. He looked at the faces of the older Order members apparently he wasn't alone. Molly was already making plans for a shopping trip to get clothes and toys with Tonks, and it looked as if the Weasley boys with the exception of Ron were working out just how to entertain their new little brother. His eyes fell on Remus; he felt the longing and the sadness that was on display in the werewolf's eyes. He sighed; he had to make Remus feel included
"Come on Moony, lets show these youngster's a thing or two, as Harry's Godfather's it's our responsibility to teach him how to prank and pass on how to make mischief to the next generation" he slung his arm around Lupin's shoulders and led him out of the room
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"I'm going to get him back, you watch me I'll show him" Harry ranted, Draco thought that there was something deeply disturbing about a four year old plotting revenge, but decided it was probably better not dwell on it. All of a sudden the ranting stopped, Harry went disconcertingly quiet. Draco looked down at him. He was still dressed in the t-shirt that swamped him, as neither boy was old enough to do magic outside of school, Draco had to pull the material away from his face. When he did he was met by two mournful green eyes,
"Why did he do this to me Dray?" he whispered, he seemed to be on the edge of tear, with only will power preventing them from falling. The blonde studied the young innocent face before him.
"I don't know Harry, but it wasn't to hurt you I'm sure" Harry nodded
"I wish I was" he whispered before curling up in a ball. If anyone thought that the size of the 16 year old Harry could curl into was impressive it was nothing to the 4 year old version, he practically disappeared. Draco opened his mouth to say something reassuring when Sev walked in he looked from Draco to the tiny ball curled in his lap.
"Hello Draco I was wondering if I might relieve you of Harry for a bit" Severus walked across the room not expecting to be refused. Draco was about to comply when he felt the shivering ball tense up and try to tunnel into his stomach.
"I don't think he wants to go with you Sev" Snape raised an eyebrow but the sarcastic retort he was about to issue died on his lips as he saw Harry tremble. He met the accusing glare of the younger Slytherin for a second before taking action. He nodded at Draco
"So I see, unfortunately he doesn't have a choice. Harry please get up and come with me" Harry chanced a glance at Draco who had wrapped his arms around the young Gryffindor and didn't show any signs of letting him go. Harry smiled weakly; at least some one was on his side;
"It's ok Draco, I guess you might be right anyway" the blonde wanted to take all the doubt away from that young voice but knew he couldn't he just nodded and relaxed his grip. Harry got off Draco's lap and immediately tripped of the hem of the shirt. Severus rolled his eyes
"I guess Molly was right about the clothes" he muttered picking Harry up off the floor and stalked towards the door. As his hand came to rest on the door knob he turned to face the now glaring Slytherin.
"What did he mean, you might be right?" Draco's glare intensified
"I said that there was no way you'd hurt him. He's not so sure" Sev felt Harry tense in his arms, he felt his hand get warm and noticed that the ring he was wearing was turning black. He acknowledged the comment but didn't reply instead he left heading back to his own room. Each step he took he could feel the heat increasing in the ring.
ssssssss
Sev closed the door to the bedroom and set Harry on the bed, the little boy looked closed to a full scale panic attack, his breathing was rapid and his eyes kept darting about. Severus knelt down in front of his son
"Harry, calm down your safe no one is going to hurt you I promise" his words did little to help the child so he reached for him, Harry stopped shaking and became rigid under his touch, he rubbed the boys shoulder's and arms whilst making soothing noises, never once moving from his position in front of him. After around five minutes Harry had calmed slightly and though he was still very tense he didn't look like he was about to hyperventilate. Severus sat down next to the boy, moving slowly to try and avoid frightening him.
"Harry what's wrong?" he asked softly, the boy just shrugged
"I'm fine"
"Uh huh, sure you are, that's why you so jumpy and look like your ready to bolt" Harry wrapped his arms around his chest, drawing his knees up to his chin. Severus felt his heart break; he gentle drew the child onto his lap and wrapped his arms around the shivering ball.
"Harry I promise I won't be upset or angry and I won't hurt you, but please be honest with me. What's wrong?" Harry chewed his lip thinking about what to say. Severus watched him for a moment before tugging the bottom lip free
"Don't bite yourself" he whispered squeezing Harry tighter to him. Harry didn't make any indication that he had heard him, but didn't start chewing his lip again
"I'm sorry" he blurted out suddenly, Sev looked at him in surprise
"For what?"
"For whatever it was that made you want to punish me. I promise if you turn me back I'll never do it again" Severus turned Harry around on his lap so he could look him in the eye; he placed a kiss on his forehead.
"This isn't a punishment Harry, but you need to realise that you're safe here with us, and you're not going to do that until you're dependent on us for protection, it's something most kids learn early on. This is our way of making up for it, I promise you that there is no one in this house that means you harm" he snorted
"If this mornings reactions are anything to go by you are going to be more spoilt then Draco, I actually think that Minerva is drawing up a schedule for who gets you when because the arguments are already starting." Harry viewed him sceptically Sev continued
"Seriously, this morning the only reason that Hermione, Tonks and Molly won was because sadly they are right you will need clothes. But I have feeling that you won't be the only ones going shopping" Harry rolled his eyes, great shopping a great way to start out your life as a four year old.
AN; Yes I know it too me ages, I'm really sorry my life's basically been throw into disarray of late, I will attempt to update more regularly, thank you for being so patient you're all great!