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Chapter Twenty One:

"Have fun shopping, Harry?" asked Fred, grinning madly.

Harry glared at him, glancing down to check that his new gloves were covering the tattoo.

Rosie had suggested just hiding it, like he was able to hide the star tattoo and his fangs. But that's what didn't make sense… He couldn't. Usually he could hide anything he wanted, even his world famous scar. But this weird tattoo that just seemed to appear from no where was as stubborn as Hermione herself.

Oh, Goody.

"Give us a fashion show!" roared George, pounding his fist against the table.

Harry just shook his head. And at that moment, it finally struck Harry how weird the Order was. A werewolf, a thirty year old man who's primary hobby is to sulk in the dungeons, and a grizzled freak sporting a magical blue eye that wanders so much it should have it's own fucking passport.

Not forgetting Tonks, of course.

Harry, lost in his thoughts, jumped when the doors banged open.

Silhouetted against the light from the grounds, stood Kingsley Shackbolt, hunched over slightly using the doorframe for support.

He looked up, panting.

And then he said five small words that sent the Hall into chaos.

"Fudge is coming to dinner."

.

"Tonks, I'm afraid you cannot be present for the dinner. It's much too hazardous to your job at the Ministry if you are found here. Harry, Hermione, Rosie and the Weasley's, your story is that you were brought here for special protection by me. Understand?" said Dumbledore gravely.

They nodded in understanding.

"Alastor, I cannot allow you to stay either. I know you are an old friend of mine, but it would be a huge coincidence to be at Hogwarts."

"Of course, Albus."

Dumbledore turned to the teens.

"Now," he said, his moustache twitching. "I am not going to tell you to behave yourselves, because that would take all the fun out of it. But I do beg you to not lose your temper. Especially you, Harry. He cannot exactly put in the papers how Harry Potter and his friends are naughty scoundrels with terrible manners, but he can put in how you tried to attack the Minister of Magic."

Dumbledore regarded them gravely over the top of his half moon glasses.

"If, by chance, Mr. Percival Weasley accompanies Fudge to the dinner, I beg you to remain calm if the need arises."

Dumbledore sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily.

"Remus, you are allowed to be present if you wish, as you are the Astronomy professor, but I will warn you, Remus, Fudge may not be… welcoming toward you."

"I understand, Headmaster."

"Albus, Remus. Please call me Albus."

As the small group of Professors and students started to thin, Dumbledore called Harry back.

"Harry… You are welcome to… erm… insult the Minister if the need arises. But use your Slytherin cunning and try to do it subtly."

Harry smirked.

"Of course."

.

Severus entered the lounge in his customary black robes and his trademark scowl upon his face.

Harry gave a short laugh when he saw him.

"Putting on a show for Fudge, Dad?"

Severus' scowl got even darker.

"I'm not fond of the Minister, angel."

Harry flashed a brief smile, before it disappeared.

Severus' scowl disappeared, replaced by a look of concern.

"Something wrong?"

Harry lay down on the couch, staring at the ceiling with a sullen expression on his face.

"Harry?"

Harry sighed, his eyes still locked on the ceiling.

"My life is so bloody confusing."

Severus sat down on the couch next to where Harry's head lay.

"Do you want to talk?"

Harry thought for a moment. If he told him about the tattoo, Sev may want to tell Dumbledore. Fathers are like that… But… Harry felt a nagging feeling. He did want to confide in Severus, to see what his opinions were.

Harry raised his left hand, and Severus took it gently, removing the glove.

"Harry," said Severus, a hint of warning in his voice. "You didn't go to one of those muggle tattoo places, did you?"

Harry laughed at that.

"No! It's… I dunno. We were in this shop and it just… appeared."

Severus sighed, frowning.

"Harry… Have you ever seen a black wing recently? Anywhere. It may give us clues to why it appeared in the first place."

Harry was about to respond with the customary 'no'. But he stopped. He had seen a black wing. Hell, he had black wings. But no one knew about them except Rosie… But why would Harry get a tattoo for Merlin's sake! They were just wings!

"…No," Harry lied eventually.

Severus tilted Harry's head up so they were making eye contact.

"Are you sure, angel?"

Harry's throat constricted.

"I…"

Harry pulled away from his father's grasp and sat up, staring into the fire.

"Where have you seen it before?"

Harry fidgeted uncomfortably, still avoiding eye contact.

"I can't tell you," Harry whispered.

Severus sighed.

"Angel? Why not?" He whispered.

Harry knew why not. It haunted him. It scared him half to death… that feeling of being lonely…

Harry forced down a sob.

"Because you'll hate me."

Harry closed his eyes, desperately trying to banish the disgusted face of his father that his mind's eye had conjured up.

Severus reached toward Harry.

"I would never hate you-"

Harry tore out of his grasp and stood up sharply.

"You will! You'll hate me because I'm nothing more than a freak! No one loves a bloody freak!"

"HARRY!"

Severus grabbed Harry by the shoulders, looking angrier then Harry had ever seen him.

"DON'T YOU EVER SAY THAT! IT'S NOT TRUE! AND YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY PEOPLE LOVE YOU!"

Harry, who had tears streaming down his face, gave a strangled yell as pain surged through his back. He felt the skin break, the wings burst powerfully through the slits and right through his baggy grey tee shirt (he wasn't wearing his new clothes, luckily). Harry's wings folded themselves neatly against his back.

Harry fell to his knees and shied away from where Severus was standing.

Harry kept his head facing downward, and his eyes tightly shut. His hands were balled into fists.

"Merlin…" he heard Severus whisper. "Harry…"

But as Severus took a step toward Harry, Harry just backed himself away until he hit the wall.

"Harry?" Severus whispered, his voice shaking. "Harry? Speak to me…"

Harry raised his green eyes, sparkling with tears, to meet Severus' black ones.

"I know you hate me," Harry whispered. "And I know you probably won't want me as your son… but please… please don't tell anyone else."

Harry's wings flattened themselves against Harry's back.

Severus dropped to his knees in front of Harry.

"You're bleeding," Severus whispered. Harry could feel the blood trickling down his back from where the wings had burst through. "I'll be right back."

Harry heard footsteps leave the room.

He hates you,whispered a little voice in Harry's head. Nobody loves a freak. He hates you…

Harry squeezed his eyes shut.

No he doesn't. Harry thought back fiercely. He doesn't hate me… He doesn't hate me…

Harry's breath was coming in short gasps. Faintly, he felt someone dabbing a warm wet cloth around his shoulder blades. Soothing words were being whispered in his ear, and someone was stroking his cheek…

Harry cracked his eyes open.

"I'm sorry," Harry whispered.

The soothing words stopped.

"Why, angel?"

Because you're a freak, whispered the voice.

Harry, his mind hazy, repeated this dutifully.

"Because I'm a freak."

"Why do you think that?"

Harry frowned. He wasn't really registering who was asking the question, or what was being asked, just that someone was asking him, and he had to answer.

"Because people have told me," Harry said.

Harry was oblivious to the sharp intake of breath beside him, or the angry tone of voice.

"Who?" Severus growled.

"My relatives… the Dursleys."

Harry snapped back to reality as Severus pulled him into a tight hug.

"I hope you weren't particularly fond of that grey tee shirt you were wearing," said Severus. "I had to cut it off so I could clean off the blood."

Harry gave him a shaky laugh. "It wasn't a favourite, don't worry."

There was a silence.

"They're beautiful, Harry."

Harry stiffened slightly in the embrace.

Severus pulled back and smiled at him.

"I've got a surprise for you."

Severus pulled Harry to his feet, still smiling.

"I finished it today when you were out." A slightly worried look flitted across Severus' face. "You can change it if you don't like it, but…"

Saying no more, Severus took his hand and led him to the other side of the room. There were two doors – one which Harry knew lead to Severus' rooms, and one which he didn't recognise.

"Close your eyes."

Harry obeyed, and he heard the soft click of a door being opened before Severus lead him somewhere.

"Open."

Harry opened his eyes, and he gasped.

"Dumbledore gave me permission to put in a spare room… and you can stay here sometimes if you don't want to stay in Gryffindor tower…"

Severus fidgeted uncomfortably.

"Do you like it?"

Harry's new room was made up forest greens, dark blues and soft greys.

"I love it," Harry breathed.

The walls were a soft, light grey, nearly white. It had a mahogany desk in the corner, with some parchment and ink stacked neatly upon it, with a matching chair sitting before it. He had a double bed, the duvet dark blue and the sheets a forest green. The frame of the bed was mahogany, like the desk, as was his bedside table. He had a fireplace opposite the bed, also mahogany, with a forest green armchair in front of it. His wardrobe, situated near the desk, was mahogany.

"You can change it if you don't like the colours, and you don't have to stay here if you don't want to-"

His ramblings were cut off as Harry wrapped him in a tight hug.

"I told you, I love it. So shut up. And of course I'll stay here sometimes! You don't know how aggravating Gryffindor Tower can be."

Severus laughed.

"Oh!" said Sev, his eyes lighting up suddenly. "How about you meet Fudge with your wings still out, that would give him a fright!"

Harry rolled his eyes.

"Yeah," Harry drawled. "I'm sure that would go down real well, Dad."

Severus just smiled.

"Get changed. Fudge will be here soon. And I can see your new clothes!"

Harry groaned.

.

Harry emerged in the Great Hall a bit before Severus (so not to arouse suspicion) cool and wingless.

He was dressed in his new black boots, his jeans, tee shirt and his black turtleneck, and his finger less gloves (which he was growing rather attached to.)

And, much to the disappointment of Rosie, without shades.

Harry, although he was completely and utterly oblivious to this fact, had developed into a rather handsome young man. His straight shoulder length hair was tied into a loose ponytail at the base of his neck with a strip of dark blue velvet.

It was no longer possible to deem Harry 'the scrawny kid'. He wasn't too broad, helping his seeker abilities, but had his fair share of muscle. He was, however, rather tall. He was reaching Ron in height, which was thought to be impossible.

Harry, luckily, did not inherit his father's nose. He had quite chiselled features, which he inherited from Severus, and eyebrows that arched elegantly over his eyes. Eyes that were no longer hidden behind glasses seemed to sparkle with intelligence as he surveyed the room, and when his hair shone under the light, you could catch a hint of auburn. A strand of hair fell loose, softening his face.

"Jesus, Harry," said Ron, his mouth hanging open. "You… you look bloody different!"

Rosie, Ginny and Hermione stood up proudly, wiping invisible tears from their eyes.

"Unfortunately," said Rosie loudly, holding an invisible trophy and sniffing theatrically. "Tonks cannot be here to accept this award with us."

"Rosie, Tonks, Hermione and I, took on the seemingly impossible task of transforming Harry Potter, the scrawny fashion disaster of the year, into a… well, to put it bluntly, a really, really hot guy," Ginny said.

The room erupted into laughter.

Harry glared at them, before taking a seat at the table, fighting down the blush that threatened to rise in his cheeks.

Luckily, on Harry's behalf, Severus and him didn't look strikingly similar. There was a resemblance, if you looked closely, but it wasn't very obvious.

The table, it seemed, was divided into two parts. Adults, and Teens. On one end, was the adults, striking up sophisticated and polite conversation with the person next to them. On the other side, however, it was… a bit louder. Harry was sitting between Rosie and Fred. Very dangerous.

Severus entered with his customary scowl, and sat sullenly next to Lupin, which he didn't seem very enthusiastic about.

Then Kingsley came, then Dawlish, and Fudge.

And to Harry's complete and utter horror –

Umbridge.

.

The first half of the meal was as boring as listening to one of Professor Binns' lecture on Goblin rebellions.

"Hmm," Harry heard Dumbledore said absently to Fudge. "Yes. Unfortunately our Sports Professor, Professor Letum, cannot join us tonight…"

Fudge and the Professors seemed to be content on making small talk, but the conversation that was most entertaining by far was the one between McGonagall and Umbridge.

"So, Minerva," said Umbridge in her sickly sweet voice. "I hope that Mr. Potter's ban on Quidditch has not been removed?"

Umbridge's toad like eyes flicked toward Harry. McGonagall's mouth thinned.

"It is no longer in your hands, Dolores," McGonagall bit out, her fists clenched. "You no longer work at this school, remember? Or need I remind you that you were chased out of the school after being frightened to death by our Divination professor."

Harry snorted. Umbridge flushed and clenched her fists.

"The Ministry and myself still has power over this school, Minerva," she hissed. "You are in no position to insult me, or the Minister of Magic!"

"So, Harry!" Fudge cut in loudly, casting a nervous glance in Umbridge's direction and plastering on a fake smile. "You've got taller!"

"That's usually what happens, Minister," Harry replied coolly.

Fudge blinked, taken aback for a moment. Then he gave a hearty laugh. "Of course! Of course! Good news about Sirius Black, eh? Thank God he's finally dead!"

Harry's eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to reply but McGonagall cut in.

"Try the sausages, Minister," she said tersely.

Fudge grinned at her.

"I would like propose a toast!" Fudge declared loudly. "We will prevail through this war! We will face up to You-Know-Who! We will fight-"

"That's not what you were saying last year!" said George darkly. "Why the sudden change of heart? Afraid you'll loose your job in the office?"

"George!" Mrs. Weasley hissed.

Fudge faltered. There was an awkward silence.

"A-as I was saying," said Fudge uncertainly. He cleared his throat. "W-we managed to defeat You-Know-Who once, we can do it-"

A low humming noise filled the area. Fudge faltered yet again.

The source of the noise was traced back to Harry, who was idly running his finger around the rim of the crystal wineglass, producing a low, pure sound.

Hermione kicked him under the table.

"Hmm?" Harry said, as if coming out of a slight doze. "Oh, oh yes of course. I was just bored out of my skull, is all. Won't happen again."

And Harry pushed the glass away from him, and turned his full attention on the Minister, staring at him unblinkingly.

"Ah, y-yes," Fudge said, unnerved to no end by Harry's stare. "Where was I? Oh… yes… We managed to defeat You-Know-Who once, we can do it again! Erm… The light side will-"

And, again, his speech was interrupted.

This time, by a low snore that emitted from Ron, who had apparently fallen asleep.

"Long day!" Fudge attempted to joke. When no one laughed apart from the simpering one from Umbridge, he tried again. "The light side will prevail! Ah… We will strive-"

Another snore, this time coming from Fred, interrupted his speech yet again.

Sora laughed, but it was quickly turned into a hacking cough from Umbridge's death glare.

Another snore. Rosie head had lolled onto the table.

Everyone, it seemed was falling asleep.

Harry pulled his wineglass toward him yet again and started running his finger around the rim, and this time, Ginny, Sora and Lupin joined in.

So, attempting to raise his voice above the loud snoring and the low humming from the wineglasses, Fudge worked on. "We… we may lose… we may lose some soldiers-"

There was a screech from above. A great barn owl swooped down to meet them, landing in front of the Headmaster.

Dumbledore fed the owl and patted it, before removing it's burden exclaiming loudly, "Oh, look! It's from Wilfred! And… Oh my! He's brought me some socks!"

"WE WILL STRIVE ON AND-"

Hermione then did something very out of character; she jumped to her feet, pointing at something in the doorway and yelled, "Look! It's a centaur!"

Umbridge jumped up as if electrocuted, screaming her head off, and ran out of the hall as fast as her squat legs would allow.

"WE MAY LOSE SOME SOLDIERS IN THIS WAR-"

But it was impossible to continue over the noise. The snoring, the humming, the screaming, and the loud exclamations from Dumbledore about his new socks drowned out anything Fudge wanted to say.

Fudge, flushed and angry, stormed out of the room, quickly followed by a stern looking Dawlish and an amused Kingsley.

As soon as the door shut behind them, the humming stopped, the sleeping woke, and Dumbledore just grinned.

Harry grinned and wrapped Hermione in a tight embrace.

"Hermione!" he said happily. "That was hilarious! You're my hero…"

Hermione huffed and rolled her eyes but blushed all the same. "Well you lot were all being distracting," she said bluntly. "So I joined in."

"That," said a voice from behind him, "was the funniest thing I've ever seen. Minus the Lockhart stunt, of course."

Harry whirled round.

"Who said that?" he hissed, looking round and only seeing Lily. It was a woman's voice, definitely.

"Well, duh," said Lily, rolling her eyes. "Who else?"

Harry's eyes grew as wide as saucers.

"You can talk?" hissed Harry.

Lily seemed to shrug.

"Not exactly," she said, stretching out on the floor.

When she didn't elaborate, Harry grew frustrated. "What do you mean, 'not exactly'?"

"Only you can understand me," she said indifferently.

"And why the hell is that?" Harry whispered darkly.

Lily regarded him for a moment. "Well, seeing as you can understand me, I guess I'm your familiar."

Harry looked blank.

"Ugh," said Lily, rolling her eyes. "Young ones today are so uneducated."

And with that, she yawned, stretched, and walked lazily out of the room.

Harry blinked, and then sprinted after her.

"Hang on," Harry hissed when he caught up with Lily in the Entrance Hall. "What do you mean about the Familiar thingy?"

"Some people have an animal which is magically bound to them. They are able to communicate with them, what we are doing right now."

"Right," said Harry slowly.

"I could already understand your language, Englich, or whatever. But other humans and beasts, excluding my own kind, cannot understand mine. Apart from you. In short, if anyone sees you, you will look like a complete weirdo because you're talking to animal that just growls in answer."

"Wait," said Harry, frowning. "So I can understand you, and I'm definitely speaking in English right now, but anyone else couldn't understand you. They'd just hear Tiger-Talk or whatever."

"Correct," said Lily.

"Woah…" Harry whispered. "Sooo… how come you can understand English?"

"Because I'm smart," deadpanned Lily.

Harry waved her comment aside.

"Do you have any cool abilities?" asked Harry eagerly.

"Excuse me?" Lily said coolly.

"Like… do you have x-ray vision or something? Or can you shoot laser beams out of your paws?"

Lily gave him a disgusted look.

"I can do… one thing," she said mysteriously.

"What?" asked Harry quickly.

"I can turn into a…" at this she made a disgusted noise. "House cat. If you wish to keep me as a pet." She seemed to shudder with revulsion. "And I refuse to eat cat food," she said briskly. "I will go out hunting when I wish. I only eat small animals and Slytherins."

Harry laughed at this, and she seemed to give him a small smile… well, as much as a tiger could, anyway.

Then she started changing shape before his eyes. Seconds later, a small white kitten with black stripes across her back appeared.

"Awesome," Harry whispered in awe.

Harry heard the doors bang open.

"Harry?" said Lupin. "Who's that?"

Harry grinned up at them.

"Lily."

"Lily?"

"Yep. Apparently she can turn into a house cat as well."

"Don't tell them about me being your familiar," said Lily warningly, but all the others heard was a small mew.

Then Lily changed again. And there, once again, was the tiger.

"Fascinating," said Dumbledore absently, stroking his beard.

"Can I keep her in Gryffindor Tower then?" Harry begged. "Please?"

McGonagall huffed. "You can't keep tigers."

"But you can keep cats."

"The rulebook doesn't say that you can keep cats which turn into tigers!"

"The rulebook doesn't say you can't keep cats which turn into tigers," Harry reasoned.

McGonagall seemed to be having an internal struggle.

"I will allow you to keep Lily," Dumbledore said. "If she remains in her house cat form in the company of others and when she is inside. She may, however, change into a tiger when she is out of sight, and at night, if she wishes to go hunting."

Harry grinned.

He would have so much fun with Lily.

AN: Oh… My… God… This is such a long chapter! My wrists are hurting so badly, so for the love of Carpel Tunnel, REVIEW!

Athenakitty:

Will Severus got a big bruise on his leg? No.

Will Harry get back at the girls for the shopping trip? No.

Will Harry get Severus on a clothes-shopping trip? No.

Lady Lily3: I made it longer and I posted sooner! School will start next chapter. Thanks!

Shdurrani: Neither. Actually, I just made up the Leather bound book on the spot. . Anyway, glad you like it!

Volleypickle16: Cheers!

Uten: One won't appear on Harry's right hand. I just wanted one on his left hand, but oh well. You'll find out what they mean later on. What Harry finds out in this chapter doesn't necessarily mean it's completely solved. He still has no idea why it's there. I didn't want them to be able to take down Voldemort easily, and more powerful characters will come into play. Thanks!

Klover P: I know green and black is a bit gothic, but that's what I felt would suit him most. He doesn't still wear glasses, no. Thanks!

Alaranth-88: Thanks!

Lek Nufrak: Eventually… maybe. Harry and Rosie will get together eventually, but lets face it. Harry is completely clueless about girls, and so it's not just going to be WHAM 'You're my soul mate! Let's get married!' yada yada yada. Thanks!

Talons: I know… Harry in Trench Coat… Mmm… Erm – anyway! I read your story about Harriet and so far it's GREAT! I left a review. Oh, and I drew a picture of what I imagine Harriet to look like. I also joined your Yahoo! Group. I've got one if you want to join mine. I've got three members so far… Oh well! Four if you want to join! I've sent you a message on your Yahoo Group page, so if you want to see it just go to 'Messages'. Thanks!

Alana: Rosie and Harry romance? Soon. I'm not giving anything away! Thanks!