Bellatora-
Harry and Draco went in to the professor's quarters expecting to be reprimanded upon entry. They were both relieved when they realized the professor was not in the room yet. Draco paced nervously in front of the desk while Harry plopped down on the sofa.
"Calm down Malfoy, what do you think Severus is going to do to you anyway?" Harry asked as he put his feet up on the coffee table and accioed his gold Snitch.
Draco watched the Gryffindor taking swipes at the tiny ball with wings, wishing he could feel that relaxed. If his father found out about Potter and the race he knew he would be in serious trouble. Even though his father was in Azkaban, Lucius still had enough connections in the Wizarding world to make his life hard.
"You mean to tell me you're not just a little nervous? Severus is not exactly the most understanding teacher I know," Malfoy said and took a swipe at the gold ball as it fluttered by his face.
Harry shrugged, feeling braver than he normally would have due to the effects of the pain potion.
Just then the Professor made a dramatic entrance coming through the floo with his black robes billowing and an angry scowl on his face. He spotted his son and immediately said, "Explain yourself."
Harry quickly took his feet off the coffee table, "I had to take Malfoy to get pain potion for the Warrior Blast that I hit him with and then I guess we got a little side tracked." Harry watched the Professor's face become even darker with anger.
Severus was appalled at the lack of regret the boy showed. He knew how important the Defence classes would be if Harry was ever to be captured or in another fight with Death Eaters. The boy seemed utterly oblivious to that fact.
"You missed Defence class to race on your brooms? Has it ever occurred to you that Moody is here specifically to teach you how to fight? Is there no brain in that hollow head of yours!" Snape caught sight of Malfoy snickering. He rounded on him in a flash.
"Mr. Malfoy, do you think your father will find this funny?" Snape watched as the pale boy turned even paler.
Severus pointed to his desk, "Sit. I want you to write a letter to your father explaining the escapade you pulled today."
"Severus, can't you just give me detention or something?" Draco asked with anxiety.
Malfoy dragged his feet to the desk, and sat down as he begrudgingly dipped the quill into ink.
Snape turned his attention back to his son. "I can understand Draco's lack of judgment due to the pain potion but you have absolutely no excuse Harry!"
Harry looked down quickly as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked up when he heard his father's sharp tone.
"Harry, did you take the pain potion as well?"
Harry didn't want to admit that he had taken it, not after that warning from yesterday.
"No sir." Harry answered then saw Draco look up sharply and shake his head over the lie he just told.
Severus began to think he was being too lenient with the boy, just as Moody had suggested.
"Harry, I am at a loss. I should think you would be eager to learn Defence with a teacher like Moody."
"Severus, he was just teaching the Warrior Blast again. He taught the same thing yesterday," Harry complained.
"So you feel that you are above this particular lesson do you? Perhaps you feel that you are already equipped to handle an attack using that curse?" Severus questioned with a raised eyebrow.
Harry wished he hadn't seemed so confident now. He watched as all the furniture in the room disappeared except the desk and chair Malfoy was using.
Severus walked to the opposite side of the room planning on establishing the veracity of his son's statement.
"Raise your wand."
Harry raised his wand, readying himself for the lesson his father was planning on teaching him. He watched as Severus cast the Warrior Blast his way. His shield went up for a split second before the blast broke through and hit him on the shoulder. He dropped his wand and grabbed his shoulder.
Severus stood completely dumbfounded over the demonstration his son showed to defend himself. He couldn't imagine how this boy could possibly defend himself against Death Eaters, let alone Voldemort!
Harry stood in humiliation over his pathetic shield. Why didn't the shield hold? He picked his wand up ready for the next attack.
"I do not wish to harm you again. Perhaps another lesson on exactly how to hold that block up is in order?"
"No, I know how. I'm not sure what happened the last time but I've held up that shield before," Harry said sounding much more confident than he felt.
Severus shook his head before throwing another Warrior Blast towards his son. This time he watched the shield go up but with so little strength that it didn't even slow the blast down. The blast struck Harry on the same exact spot as the previous one had.
"Ouch! What the bloody hell are you trying to do, kill me?" Harry yelled as he rubbed his shoulder.
Draco watched the scene before him, expecting Severus to pummel Potter after being talked to like that.
The professor walked towards his son with fury, "I am utterly appalled! That shield was pathetic Potter!"
The Potion Master stopped before Harry, trying to piece together the reason why Harry had been so weak. It all boiled back down to the pain potion. That particular pain potion would make holding up this shield nearly impossible.
"I am going to ask you one more time. Harry, did you take the pain potion today?"
Harry looked away but answered, "No sir."
Severus knew he was lying by the way he wouldn't meet his eyes. He grabbed Harry's chin, forcing the boy to look up.
Harry tried to pull away as his father delved into his memories, searching out the lie that was fresh in his mind. The pain potion made it impossible to occlude his thoughts.
"Get out!" Harry yelled out and pushed the professor's hand away from his chin.
Severus had seen all that he needed. He knew Harry had just lied to him and had indeed taken the pain potion unnecessarily. Did this boy ever stop to think of the consequences of his actions? He didn't trust himself to be this close to his son when he was this angry.
"Get to your room! I will deal with you once I have thought of an appropriate punishment for lying and skipping class, not to mention using the pain potion unnecessarily." Severus hissed out shoving the boy towards the hallway.
Harry stumbled back, catching his balance. He then went storming off to his room, slamming the door.
He couldn't believe how the professor was acting. All he had done was to have a little race! Having a parent at the school was turning out to be quite problematic. Other than the occasional howler, no one else had to worry about getting punished by their parents during the school year.
His shoulder hurt but not nearly as much as it would have if he hadn't taken the pain potion. He stood in front of the mirror to get a better look at his reddened shoulder. The mark left from the blast covered his entire shoulder with an angry red swollen welt.
Severus walked into his son's room and saw him standing in front of the mirror inspecting his wound. He felt regretful that he hadn't been aware of the fact that Harry had taken the pain potion. If he had known that he never would have tried to teach him the shield. It wasn't possible to hold that shield while under the influence of that particular pain potion.
"Perhaps you will think twice before lying to me in the future," Severus admonished as he walked towards Harry with healing balm. "However, I feel you should know that I never intended for the blast to break through your shield. I only sent a mild blast, ignorant of the fact that you had taken the pain potion. It is nearly impossible to hold that shield in place while under the influence of that particular pain potion."
Harry turned around, facing his father. He eyed the healing balm longingly, "It's okay. Sorry I lied."
"Is that the extent of your apology?" Severus asked and handed the healing balm to Harry.
"No sir. I'm sorry I didn't go back to Defence class too."
Severus hoped Harry truly was sorry but had his doubts. He noticed his son had not mentioned any regret for taking the pain potion.
"Taking that potion more than twice in a week will surely cause a desire for more. I have witnessed this potion bring far bigger men than yourself into the throes of addiction," Severus explained. "As a matter of fact I want you to sleep down here for the next couple of days so I can keep a closer eye on you."
Harry thought this was going a little overboard. There was no way he was going to let himself become addicted to anything. He had too much going on in his life to be dealing with that stuff. He thought about objecting but knew he was already in enough trouble and didn't want a new argument on his hands.
"Yes sir."
"We will continue with the Defence lesson I was trying to teach you tomorrow. Until further notice you are required to come straight back to the dungeons as soon as class ends. There will be no Quiddich or riding of brooms for the foreseeable future. Do I make myself clear?"
Harry stood with his mouth open, not believing his ears. He was grounded!
"Close your mouth Potter. Any objections will add more days to your punishment. Now, do I make myself clear?"
"But, it was just a race …" Harry tried to argue.
"You have just added another day to your confinement," the professor said in a matter of fact tone as he walked to the door.
Harry kicked at his trunk, "Yes sir."
Severus looked back at his son, "I must say that I feel rather distressed over the lies you felt the need to tell me. I thought we had developed a far stronger relationship based on respect and trust."
Harry went from being angry to feeling like an idiot. He had never really thought his lie would hurt his father but looking up and seeing Severus' eyes made him think he had done just that.
"Severus, I do respect you and trust you. I shouldn't have lied," Harry offered lamely. It seemed far little to say after all the rotten things he had done in the past week.
"I have ordered lunch for us. Will you be joining me?" Severus wanted to make sure he kept an eye on Harry for the next few hours and thought lunch was a good excuse to keep the boy around. He knew the potion was not yet out of Harry's system, making him vulnerable to the idea of more.
"Yeah, lunch sounds good," Harry answered, not feeling the least bit hungry but not wanting to leave his father on such bad terms.
When Harry followed Severus out into the dining room he was surprised to see Malfoy still sitting at the desk writing his letter. The Slytherin looked lost in thought as he scratched away at the parchment.
"Draco, I have ordered lunch, would you like to stay?" Severus asked.
Draco looked ready to decline but spotted the table filled with gourmet foods.
"Yeah, I'll stay. That food looks better than the slop they serve in the Great Hall."
"Gee we're honored," Harry said sarcastically as he sat down across from his father.
He looked at the food with aversion, not thinking the snails looked very appetizing at all. He watched Draco and Severus place several snails in a bowl and begin to eat them. Harry's stomach protested so he looked down at his own empty plate. He put a small amount of chicken and vegetables on it, hoping Severus wasn't paying him any attention. He knew how thin he was and exactly how Severus felt about nutrition.
Draco was talking enthusiastically about the new Quiddich store that was opening in Hogsmeade.
"I saw an advertisement on a pair of gloves they are going to be selling. The gloves make it virtually impossible to fall off your broom while you have one hand holding on."
"Harry, I am buying you those as soon as possible," Severus declared matter of factly.
Harry rolled his eyes at the obvious put down, "Gee Dad thanks."
This made Draco laugh hysterically, for some reason he found it hilarious. His laugh was contagious and Harry couldn't stop himself from joining along. Severus looked at the two boys as if they were mad.
When the laughter finally died down Draco spoke up first, "So Potter, I bet you're going to the new Quiddich shop on Hogsmeade day?"
"Yeah, that's the first place I'm going," Harry answered but noticed his father shaking his head. "What?"
Severus was hoping to postpone this conversation but thought he should let the boy know before he began making plans, "No Harry, you may not go. The Order does not feel it is safe for you to be wandering around town."
Harry looked indignant, "Since when does the Order have any say over when and where I go?"
Draco looked down at his plate, not wanting to get mixed up in this conversation. By now the whole wizarding world knew about The Order and Draco knew that his father was not held in high esteem.
Severus looked towards Draco then back at Harry, "You would not be safe in the streets of Hogsmeade. I will not take that chance with you."
"Severus what do you want to do, keep me locked up at the school the rest of the year? What's the big deal anyways?"
"The big deal is that you are number one on the Dark Lords most wanted list and I have no intention of letting him lay hands on you," Severus said as calmly as he could.
"But, I have to go. Ginny's birthday is coming up and I want to get her something. Besides all my friends are counting on me going."
"Your friends will understand. You may order something nice for Ms. Weasley from my jeweler. I will open an account for you."
Harry snorted with contempt over the suggestion, "No way, I'm not getting her jewelry. Severus, why can't you just let me be like everyone else for once?"
"Because as much as I would like you to have a normal teenage life it has become quite clear that you are not like everyone else. The sooner you realize that the better off you will be. This conversation has run its course," the Potion Master folded his napkin and placed it next to his plate.
Before Harry could protest further the floo lit up and Moody's head appeared. Both Harry and Draco stiffened at the sight of the teacher.
"Severus may I have a word in my office?" Moody asked in his gruff voice.
"Certainly," Severus said. When he walked by Harry he flicked his wand and more food appeared on the Gryffindor's plate.
Once Severus was gone Harry dumped the food back onto the platter.
Draco shook his head, "I never thought I'd see the day Snape acts like a nurse maid. Bloody hell Potter, he's worse than my mum!"
Harry wasn't sure if he should get angry at Malfoy or laugh. He'd been thinking along those same lines himself.
Draco looked towards the fire before whispering, "Just use that invisibility cloak you used a couple years ago to sneak down to Hogsmeade."
Harry remembered their encounter from third year. Draco had been picking on Hermione and Ron and Harry had used his invisibility cloak to scare him. It was hard to believe they had so much fun together today when he remembered back to that day.
"Yeah, I guess I could but I hate to lie to Severus again," Harry said thinking out loud.
"Oh yeah, that was pretty stupid to lie to him about the pain potion. Why did you lie anyways?" Draco asked.
"I dunno, I wish I hadn't though," Harry turned back around when he heard the flames in the floo shift. He watched Severus come back into the room with an odd smile on his face.
Draco saw the smile too, "What's made you so happy Severus?"
Severus walked up to the table and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, "It seems that Moody was quite impressed with the excellent display you showed today Harry. He seems to think your potential is boundless. He actually showed me the wall your blast hit and plans on leaving it there to show others."
"I can attest to the power he has, seeing that the blast went straight through my arm!" Draco declared with attitude.
Harry mumbled out, "Sorry."
"Yes, I can only imagine the pain that would cause," Severus said a little too enthusiastically to Draco's liking. "I am quite pleased to hear you have not been performing at the same level I witnessed today. Quite pleased indeed."
Harry thought he would take the chance and ask, "Pleased enough to let me go to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
Severus contemplated the request before offering, "I will talk with the Order tomorrow evening regarding your request. I suggest you keep yourself out of trouble until then."
"Yes sir," Harry said with hope.
Severus narrowed his eyes at his son before saying, "Besides I fear you will use that invisibility cloak of yours and try and sneak into Hogsmeade if I deny you."
Both boys looked at each other with alarm. How did the professor know they were just talking about that?
Severus took hold of Malfoy's letter and locked it in his desk drawer. "I will hold on to this and the next time you step out of line it will be owled that same day to Azkaban."
"Thank you," came the relieved voice of the Slytherin.
"You boy's best get going to class."
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Harry did his best to stay out of trouble the rest of that day. He went to afternoon classes then went back down to the dungeon after supper. His friends seemed to think being grounded was a far cry better than doing detention with Filch. Harry actually didn't mind hanging out with his Dad in the evening.
Now that he was used to it, the dungeon actually made him feel at home. Harry enjoyed the roaring fire and serenity compared to the noisy sounds of the Gryffindor common room. The only thing he missed was Ginny and thought he would take a chance and ask Severus if she could come down.
He waited until he was finished with his homework before approaching the professor.
"Professor, can I ask you a question?"
The professor looked up from the papers he was grading. "Yes, you may."
"Erm, does my confinement exclude having friends over? I was just wondering if I could ask Ginny down tomorrow night to dinner and to study?"
After a long moment the professor finally answered, "If you do well in class tomorrow without further incident then I believe it would be fine to have Ms. Weasley join us for supper."
"Thanks," Harry said as he gathered up his books and headed for bed.
He had Charms, Double Potions then a private Defence lesson with Moody. Harry knew his father would be apprised of everything that happened in that lesson so he vowed to do his best. It had made him feel good when Severus had come back from his meeting with Moody earlier and complimented his accomplishments in Defence. He had never had anyone care how he did in class before.
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Later that night, Harry was in a deep sleep when Voldemort attacked with ferocity. He could see the evil beast torturing a Muggle man. Harry quickly tried to build up the blocks protecting his thoughts but it didn't seem to be working as well as it had in the past. He could see everything happening in this particular torture session and tried with everything he had to close his mind to Voldemort. He must have screamed out because suddenly he was startled awake.
When he was awake he had more control of his occlumency skills and built the walls with ease. Now the only problem was he didn't want to go back to sleep and let Voldemort back in. Getting up quietly, he paced around the dungeon bedroom, grateful he wasn't in the Gryffindor Tower. Finally feeling as if he would fall asleep on his feet he made his way into the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face and thought about taking a cold shower to wake himself up. He could feel his scar pulsing with pain and knew the torture session was not through yet. Thinking the shower might wake his father up he decided to go into his room and pace some more.
On his way back to his room he stopped in front of his father's bedroom door to listen and see if he had awoken the professor. While he was standing silently in front of the closed door he noticed the pain in his scar had lessened dramatically. Was it possible that Severus really was helping him to block out his visions? He had slept on the sofa in the professor's room before and it certainly had worked to keep Voldemort out of his dreams. But, that had been when he was sick and still had the poison running through him, so he hadn't felt so self conscious about sleeping in his father's room. He didn't want Severus to think he needed to do that every night just to catch a few hours of peace. But the other option was to continue pacing in his room and he knew he needed the sleep to do well in his lessons tomorrow.
Finally he decided to just stay where he was out in the hallway. He sat down leaning up against the wall with his legs stretched out before him. He let his eyes close, feeling the barrier still there that he was sure came from his father. He quickly fell into a peaceful deep sleep.
Early the next morning, he was awoken to the sounds of his father getting out of bed. Harry quickly stood up and made his way back to his own room. He was glad that the barrier his father offered had worked so well without having to alert Severus that he was actually using it.
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Classes went well that day with a successful potion. He and Hermione had made the freezing draught with ease. The studying he had done last night paid off and Hermione complimented his knowledge, which was a rare occurrence. When Draco passed by his table he gave him a quick nod and Draco nodded back. Other than that they didn't talk again.
Ron and Hermione walked Harry to Defence class, stopping just outside the door.
"Do you want us to go in with you?" Ron asked but Harry could tell he really didn't want to.
"No, it's okay. I feel pretty good today," Harry said as he threw up his block before opening the door. Ron and Hermione stepped away from the door looking back to see if Harry had been hit with anything. The last they saw he walked into the room and closed the door behind him.
Harry saw Moody sitting calmly behind his desk so he lowered his block. Moody smiled at him and called him over to the desk.
"Vigilance boy, constant vigilance will get you through this war. Now, how bout you show me that Warrior Blast one more time."
Harry waited until the professor was in place and had his wand held before him. He felt the energy build around him before yelling out, "BELLATORA!"
The blast was dead on, hitting the professor's block in the center. The energy from the blast was so strong that the professor had to use both hands to hold onto his wand. Moody held tight but knew his block was doomed when he saw the middle buckle inward. He stepped aside just before the blast broke through the block and hit his desk. Wood splinters went flying in all directions.
"Oh bloody hell, I didn't mean to do that sir," Harry said but the professor's big grin made him stop apologizing.
"Now that is the way to throw that blast! Ten points to Gryffindor!" Moody exclaimed. "Now, get yourself ready because I'm going to return the favor." Moody stood with his wand pointing at Harry. "The problem with your shield is that you are pushing your own energy into the shield. You need to gather energy outside of yourself. Do you understand?"
Harry nodded his head as he closed his eyes, pulling energy from the room. It was much easier gathering energy from the room than pushing his own into the shield. He felt his block was solid and opened his eyes to find Moody aiming the blast his way. When the blast hit, Harry hardly even felt a ripple in his shield. He decided to try something different and pushed the energy back out with a snap. The blast ricocheted off the shield bouncing back and hitting Moody in the arm.
Moody was so stunned that he dropped his wand, a mistake he hadn't made since his days in training. Harry took that moment to call forth, "Expelliarmus!" Moody's wand came flying to Harry's out stretched hand. Harry looked at the wand with amazement before he felt a heavy hand patting his shoulder.
"Congratulations! That's the first time I've ever seen that blast thrown back! Brilliant move boy! Another ten points to Gryffindor." the ex Auror claimed as he took his wand back.
They practiced variations of that blast and shield for the next two hours. When they finished up it was almost time for Harry to meet Ginny for supper in the dungeon. Moody gave Harry a heavy pat on the back and told him to keep up the good work.
Harry left the room feeling better than he had in a long time. He had actually been surprised when the blast ricocheted and flew back to hit Moody. He could feel his magic getting stronger as the lesson wore on.
When he got to the dungeons he barely had enough time to shower and change into fresh clothes. The lessons had been more grueling than a Quiddich match.
Harry was ready just as the doorbell rang. He opened the door to see the Ginny standing before him in a pair of jeans and a tight fitting pink t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up on the sides with the same little butterfly clasps that she had worn to the dance. Harry couldn't take his eyes from her. He was exceedingly happy he had her all to himself for the evening. They gave each other an awkward hug not really sure how to act around each other now that they had kissed.
Harry led her into the living room and they sat down on the sofa. Severus came up from the laboratory and found the teens sitting side by side.
"Good evening Ms. Weasley. I trust you found the apartment with ease this time?'
Ginny blushed as she remembered the last time she had come down and passed the door three times.
"Yes sir, I found it the first try. My Dad said that he's coming over this evening for an Order meeting. Do you mind if I stay to say hello to him?"
"Not at all. You would be most welcomed," Severus replied honestly. "The meeting will begin at eight o'clock, perhaps you two should study in Harry's room at that time?"
Harry sat up straighter, "Um, if it's okay with you Severus, I would rather attend the meeting?"
Severus shook his head, "I think not. Or do you forget the last meeting you attended?"
"Yeah, and I'm glad I did attend. If not I would have been shipped off to some secret location!"
Ginny looked up at him with concern. Harry shook his head, letting her know not to worry.
"I never would have let that happen. You must learn to trust that I will watch out for your best interest," Severus admonished as he flicked his wand and the table filled with supper.
"Severus, just answer one question for me … is this meeting regarding me?"
Severus knew where this was leading to but answered honestly, "I suppose we will have a fair amount of discussion regarding your safety and progress."
Harry stood up and held a hand out to help Ginny stand before turning back to look at his father.
"Severus, you ask that I act like an adult but then you treat me as if I am still a child. If this meeting is about me then I want to there."
The boy did have a point but Severus found it hard to admit that he wanted to keep Harry sheltered just a bit longer. The last meeting had brought about so many negative comments that he wished his son had never heard. In the end none of that talk made any difference anyways. Severus knew he had the final say over what his son did and he wasn't about to let the Order members dictate otherwise.
"Very well. If you must then you may attend. However, if you so much as raise your voice at one of the members you will end up locked in your room. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes sir," Harry said feeling relieved to have a say on his future.
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TBC