aalikane: Yep! It sure is! Thanks for the review!
Klover P: HOW CAN YOU FEEL SORRY FOR LOCKHART?! Lol. You'll find out Snape's reaction soon enough…
Volleypickle16: So glad you like the chapter! Thanks for the review.
Anonymous: Yep. I hate Lockhart too. Hey, we have something in common! Anyway, I only made Severus find out because it's so fun to make everything so chaotic! Glad you like the clones, but… blushes what does OOC stand for?
jeangab057: Heh heh. I love getting Harry in trouble! Glad you like the chapter and thanks for the review…
Fiery Phoenix: You'll find out what Snape's reaction in this chapter… evil grin Anyway, thanks for the review!
Hellhound Rider: Glad you like me being evil and cruel! But I'm ruthless when it comes to Lockhart… He's only a fiction character but that doesn't stop me from hating his guts. Thanks for the review!
Athenakitty: Yep! Thanks for the review.
Alana: Glad you like my story, thanks for the review and here's the new chapter! Duh…
Tasidia: I'll try and give Ron and the others a bigger part, thanks for the advice! Glad you like my story.
Oh crap. I have my French Oral next Thursday. Oh crap oh crap oh crap…
Here's the new chapter!
Chapter Thirteen:
Harry stood by the Hogwarts entrance, nervously awaiting the arrival of his father.
"Stop fidgeting," snapped Rosie, though she was looking rather nervous as well. "You will be fine."
"Easy for you to say," mumbled Harry darkly, kicking at the dirt and glaring at a nearby tree. "You don't have a rabid over-protected father at your neck who will never let you out of his sight again."
She looked thoughtful for a moment. "Good point. Look, here they are now…"
Harry looked towards the forest, a group of fairly healthy looking Order members were making their way to the castle.
"Should I tell Sev that Rosie is, in fact, Nightmare?" asked Harry.
Rosie shrugged. "Don't mention it if he doesn't bring up the subject, but if he does ask, tell him."
Harry nodded.
"Shadow and that bloody Nightmare again," growled Moody, hobbling toward the door. "Killed the whole lot of them. Lucky they left out Snape, though. It would be a… pity if we lost our favourite spy…"
Moody's magical eye swung around to study Snape's face. "Why didn't those two kill you, Snape?"
"He knew," He said flatly. "Shadow knew I was a spy,"
Moody's eye (his real one) widened. "How?"
"Beat's me. He helped me, though. Healed my cut,"
"See!" roared Moody, pointing an accusing finger at Severus. "That's what he wants! We start to trust him, and then we fall right into his trap! CONSTANT VIGILANCE!" Roared Moody, and everybody jumped.
Rosie cleared her throat quietly, and everyone looked at her.
"Erm… is anyone hurt?" she asked in an almost whisper.
Damn she was a good actress.
Everyone shook his or her heads.
Harry, however, was very carefully avoiding Severus' gaze.
Tonks gave a wide yawn, stretching her arms out.
"Think I'm gonna go to bed and watch Finding Nemo, again…" she mumbled sleepily, her eyes half closed.
The rest of the Order nodded appreciatively, heading towards the entrance.
Harry gave a wide, fake, theatrical yawn as well, eyeing his father warily as he did so.
"Me too," he said, trying with all his might to sound very tired. "Think I'm going to go to Gryffindor Tower and go to bed…"
But as he made his way to the door, Severus yanked him back.
"You're not going anywhere, mister,"
Harry gulped. He was in some serious shit.
Too right you are! Called Rosie cheerfully. Harry scowled.
Severus put a hand on Harry's shoulder and led him down into the dungeons. To his quarters.
He stopped at a large painting. It was completely black, apart from an eerie head floating in the middle of the painting. The man, (well, the man's head) was deathly pale, and had eerie, blank, emotionless eyes.
Harry shivered.
Snape whispered something to the portrait the Harry couldn't hear, and the portrait studied him for a moment.
"Very well," his voice was deep, cold… It made you feel like you were being plunged into dark, ice-cold water.
The portrait swung open.
"In," said Severus briskly, and Harry swore he heard the portrait mutter, "Ooh, you are in trouble, Mr. Snape…"
Harry stepped inside, and his eyes widened. It was beautifully decorated. The walls were dark blue, and there were some rather comfortable over-stuffed black leather armchairs sitting in front of an empty fireplace. Definitely not what Harry was expecting.
"What were you expecting? A coffin?"
Well, yes, actually…
Severus nudged him inside and closed the door behind him.
"What do you want to drink? Tea? Coffee?" asked Severus, walking over to the kitchen.
"Erm…"
"Let's cut the crap," snapped Severus suddenly, fixing Harry with a glare.
"Language," scolded Harry automatically, then he blushed.
A small smile crept onto Severus' lips.
"Whatever. Sit down."
Harry sat rigidly on a black leather armchair.
Severus opened his mouth to speak, but - unable to find the right words, shook his head and began to pace back and forth in front of Harry.
"Erm… you wanted to say something to me?"
Sev stopped and stared at Harry.
"You're grounded."
Harry blinked.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. You. Are. Grounded."
Harry opened and closed his mouth.
"But – You can't do that!"
Severus leaned down so his face was mere inches from Harry's.
"I can and I will, Harry. I am your father, and therefor have the right to ground you,"
"If it wasn't for me you would be dead!" snapped Harry, now on his feet.
"It's too dangerous, Harry! It is not wise for little boys to meddle in things that is none of their business!"
"But it is my business! I'm the one who has to kill that fucking snake-faced bastard!"
Sev paled and sat down. "Dumbledore told you the prophecy?"
"Yes! He did!"
A fire burst into life in the empty grate.
"Harry-"
"I'm sick of people treating me like a child! I'm sick of people trying to protect me from the world!"
Harry was dimly aware that his non-human form was now in place and that his eyes were now a brilliant glowing white.
"Harry," said Severus soothingly. "Calm down…"He traced a long, pale finger over the star tattoo on Harry's forehead.
Harry closed his eyes and collapsed onto the sofa.
"Sorry…" he mumbled.
Severus sat beside him.
"It's understandable. No hard feelings?"
"No hard feelings,"
Severus nodded, clearly satisfied.
Harry gave a short, bitter laugh. "How does it feel to have a freak for a son?"
Severus gave a small smile. "It feels wonderful,"
Harry studied Sev's face. "You mean it," a pause. "Sevvie?"
Severus scowled. "Don't call me Sevvie,"
"Why not?" whined Harry. "You suit it."
"Do not,"
"Do too,"
"Do not,"
"Do too,"
Severus glared at Harry. "I'll tickle you!"
Harry burst out laughing. "Tickle me? You are seriously loosing your touch, dad!"
Severus raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
He lunged at Harry.
God, he hated being tickled.
Harry desperately tried to shove his father off, but Severus wouldn't budge.
"Stop it!" gasped Harry.
Seriously, Voldemort should teach this to his Death Eaters. Drop your wand, lunge at your opponent and tickle them to death.
"Do you surrender?" asked Severus, beaming.
"Never!" Harry cried, turning into his black shadow form and diving straight through Severus.
Severus blinked. Harry tapped him on the shoulder.
Sev spun around. "How did you get there?"
Harry grinned in triumph. "With skill that a puny human like you would never hope to accomplish!"
Severus rolled his eyes. "Whatever." Then he frowned at Harry. "If you're Shadow… then who is Nightmare?"
"Ah, thought you might ask that. Rosie,"
"That new girl?"
"Yeah."
"What does she have to do with anything?"
Harry sighed, giving his father an almost pitying look. "She isn't actually from New Zealand. She has special powers and stuff, like me. She was born in England but has lived in Silontian-"
"Silontian?"
"A different world. We're kind of… bonded. We can talk telepathically, and we were destined to help each other in this war. It's kind of impossible to beat each other at anything. We are equally matched."
"So that's why you two ended up stalemate when you to were doing hand-to-hand combat."
"Yeah,"
Severus nodded in understanding, and stared at Harry.
"Do you fancy her?"
Harry blushed. "Ew! No! You're my dad! You aren't supposed to ask those questions!"
Severus snorted. "Yes I am,"
Harry shook his head. "I'm doomed."
Severus yawned. "It's time for you to go to bed,"
"How come when you're tired it means I have to go to bed?"
"Because that's the rules. Erm… I don't have a spare bedroom. Not used to having company. Do you mind sleeping on the couch?"
"No, that's fine,"
Severus nodded, and yawned again. "I'll get you a pillow and a blanket,"
He left the room.
Harry…
# Mmm? #
You know how you really hate Lockhart…?
# Yes… #
And you know how the twins have left this school, therefor leaving the position of troublemakers in chief open…?
# Yes… #
What do you say that we give Lockhart a little… gift, to say 'Glad you're feeling better'.
# I like the way you think. #
I have something in mind… You'll see the results in the morning.
Harry, now feeling better than ever, grinned.
What has you so happy, young Harry? Hissed Azorath sleepily, emerging from Harry's sleeve.
Nothing, Az. Go back to sleep.
Azorath disappeared back into Harry's robes.
"Here we go," said Severus, dropping the pillow onto the sofa. "Tired?"
"No,"
"Too bad. Lie down, it's pretty hard to get to sleep with your eyes wide open and when you're sitting up."
Harry lay down, resting his head on the pillow that was surprisingly soft.
Severus pulled the blanket over Harry, making it cover Harry's nose and mouth so only his eyes and the top of his head were visible.
"There. Now are you tired?"
Harry's eyes were closing.
"No…" he mumbled.
"You look pretty tired to me…"
"Mmm…"
Harry's eyes closed.
Severus brushed a stray hair from his face and planted a light kiss on Harry's forehead.
"Sleep well, little one."
AN: Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Sniff I couldn't resist it! I had to write it! BLAME MY MUSE!
Anyway, review!