-146 - Home
Harry waited by his tent as Order members began to apparate into the camp. Moody informed him that a group of Order members were going to escort them back to Hogwarts. He thought the high security was rather odd but didn't question anyone about it. The last Order member to apparate into the camp was Remus.
Remus immediately looked around for Harry. He saw the raven haired teen standing by his tent wearing a black sweater and jeans that fit rather snuggly. The look actually suited the teen. Remus couldn't believe the incredible change in the young man. He was at least a few inches taller and he looked to be several pounds heavier with a very athletic build. The girls were really going to flip for the kid now, Remus thought, James would have been proud of the new look.
Remus approached Harry with his arms open for an embrace but as soon as he got close enough Harry stepped back and thrust his hand forward for a handshake. Remus took hold of Harry's hand and pulled the boy closer for a hug, "I think we've been through too much together for a handshake." He felt the young man tense up and then pull back from the hug. Remus gave him a questioning look but Harry looked away.
Harry saw Remus come towards him with his arms open and he had to push his anger down. It bothered him to no end that Remus had been one of the people to push for this training to happen. When Remus pulled him into a hug he had to stop himself from physically pushing the man away.
He knew Remus had wanted to talk but with the way he was feeling he felt it best they didn't. It wasn't the actual training that he protested against, it was the way he had been forced, not to mention the constant stinging hexes thrown his way. There must be a better way to train then to be shot at for not learning fast enough. The spells, blocks and hexes he had learned plus all the combat training had been great to become skilled at but the way they had been taught left something to be desired. All in all if this training had been done with his consent and with even a modicum of respect for his well being, he wouldn't have had a problem with it. The other issue he had difficulty accepting was the fact that he had been so cruelly cut off from everyone else, especially his father. He had needed his support during the training.
Moody strutted out of his tent and began barking out orders. Harry took hold of his trunk and walked towards the ex-Auror, leaving Remus standing at the tent with a distressed look on his face.
"Potter you're to stay by my side the whole way up to the school. I don't want to see you running off as soon as you see your friends either," Moody snarled out irritably.
"Yes sir," Harry immediately responded. He couldn't wait to get the hell away from the man but knew he had to obey.
Remus stood on one side and grasped Harry's arm, while Moody grasped the other before setting off the portkey. Harry barely had time to balance himself before landing outside the gates of Hogwarts. The Order members had their wands drawn and flanked him on all sides.
Harry again wondered why the security was so high. He began to speculate that something must have happened while he was away. He looked up at the towering school and smiled. He was home. The school was shrouded in fog but the tips of the building could be seen from below. His stomach was in knots over seeing his father again but he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be than here.
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Severus sat down for supper, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his son. He didn't care if Harry was still angry at him; he just wanted to ascertain for himself that his son was secure. The meal began but he couldn't fathom eating until he saw that Harry was safely home. While Harry was away it had crossed his mind several times to go check up on the boy. He even went so far as walking down to the gates on his way to apparating into the camp. But at the last minute he talked himself out of going due to the fact that his son obviously didn't want him there. If Harry hadn't been doing so well he would have gone regardless, but … it became evident that Harry was thriving without him.
The doors to the Great Hall opened and a stream of Order members appeared. They walked up the center aisle towards the head table and Dumbledore. The Headmaster rose from his seat and walked around the front to greet them. Severus followed as his eyes scanned the group for his son.
Harry immediately saw his father upon entering the Great Hall. He was aware of the stares and whispers that arose from the students. He couldn't get over his anger towards Severus but knew this was not the place to vent his emotions. He was actually glad that Moody had trained him to hide his emotions and remain stoic.
Severus caught sight of Harry surrounded by the Order members. He pushed through them to get to his son. Harry stopped walking as Severus approached. They looked each other in the eye for a moment before Severus stepped forward and embraced his son. Harry stood stiffly waiting for the hug to end. He couldn't believe that Severus was acting like nothing had happened. The man hadn't even seen fit to send him a measly note saying that he was forgiven. Harry bristled at the false hug his father was giving him.
"I have missed you son," Severus said quietly into his ear. Harry tensed up and stepped back. He looked his father in the eyes with incredulity. How could Severus say that after ignoring him for six weeks?
Severus was amazed at the change in his son. He had filled out and his face looked more mature. He had forgotten about everything when he went to embrace his son, and was saddened when Harry had pulled away from him. It felt like a dagger to the heart when Harry looked at him with those accusing green eyes.
Moody grabbed hold of Harry's arm and pulled him forward towards the Headmaster. Dumbledore hugged Harry and this time Harry hugged back. He had missed Dumbledore more than he had thought. The man had always been kind to him, always ready with a thoughtful word of encouragement. The Headmaster looked older, his eyes looked tired but happy to see him.
The Headmaster clapped his hands and invited all the Order members to supper. A long table was made ready with the swish of a wand and the Order members went to sit. Harry looked down Gryffindor table and spotted Hermione and Ron waving frantically for him to come join them.
Harry turned back towards Moody and shook his hand, "Thank you sir for the training program."
Moody beamed like a proud father, "It was my pleasure! Good job Potter."
Severus watched his son conduct himself like an adult. He was stung when Harry stepped past him, ignoring him completely and went to join his friends at Gryffindor table.
As Harry approached Gryffindor table he was flooded with greetings from his fellow classmates. He sat down next to Hermione and Neville, and looked around for Ginny.
"She's not here mate," Ron stated from across the table. "My mum insisted that she go home after we had another scare last week. A couple Death Eaters tried crossing the Black Lake. Luckily that monster that lives in the Black Lake got em first. All that was found was their masks and shoes."
It took Harry a moment to comprehend what had happened. He looked at Hermione for confirmation but was taken aback as she starred back at him with her mouth open. "What?" Harry asked and was puzzled by her odd gawking stare.
Hermione was dumbfounded over Harry's new look. He had grown and filled out so nicely and was so tan. She looked at him in a whole new light, "Harry you're, you're, … gorgeous!" Hermione quickly blushed and giggled in embarrassment.
Ron grumbled from across the table and Harry actually felt his face heat up over the compliment. He knew he had grown because his clothes were too short and tight but he hadn't thought he looked any different than before. For the first time he noticed girls starring at him and giggling. He quickly looked down at his empty plate and began to heap food onto it. After eating nothing but oatmeal for five weeks his stomach couldn't get enough real food!
Harry filled his friends in on the training program leaving out the parts about Moody shooting hexes at him and the part that he hadn't received one friggin letter from his father. He already knew Moody wouldn't let his friends write to him but surely Severus wasn't denied the communication.
They were astounded that he had been trained to perform so many advanced hexes and blocks. Ron was beginning to act a little jealous but Harry reassured him that he would teach him as much as he could.
Hermione kept watching him out of the corner of her eye until Harry couldn't take it anymore. "What!" Harry asked with irritation.
"It's nothing … it's just that you've changed," Hermione finally managed to say.
"How? What do you mean I've changed?" Harry asked, as he ran a hand down the front of his sweater.
"I-I don't know. You just seem … older, more serious perhaps," Hermione stated as she raised a hand to rest on Harry's arm.
Harry instinctively moved his arm away, then shook his head over doing so. It was going to take time to learn how to be touched again. After repeatedly getting shot with hexes for so much as touching another person he knew it was gong to take some time.
"See …" Hermione charged, "It's like you're so formal now."
Ron spoke up with a mouth full of pie, "What do you expect Hermione, he's been training like a soldier. Of course he's not goin to be the same old Harry Potter."
Harry was taken aback over that statement. Had he really changed that much? He tried to make himself relax but it was definitely forced.
When the meal was almost over Harry felt a hand grip his shoulder. He looked up into his father's dark eyes.
"Son, come down to the dungeons when you are finished," Severus requested.
Harry immediately answered, "Yes sir." His training with Moody was still so fresh that he wouldn't have dared to argue.
When he turned back around he saw the looks his friends were giving one another. He looked at Ron questioningly.
Ron quickly spat out, "Harry, your dad's been a right foul git since you left. He's been taking points from Gryffindor every chance he gets and handing out detention for nothing at all."
Harry looked at the large hour glass representing Gryffindor house points and saw that they were in last place.
"Why? Did something happen?" Harry asked. Hermione gave Ron a pointed look as did Seamus and Dean.
Ron's face turned a bright red and he nodded his head before blurting out, "Right after you left I went to talk to him and he did something with his wand and looked into my head and found out about the party and about the time I took the pain potion with you."
Harry shook his head, "That's not right. Sorry guys but I think he's still mad at me too. So I don't know if there's anything I can say to get him to back off."
Everyone grumbled at hearing that. They were all kinda hoping that with Harry's return things would improve.
"Well, at least we don't have to take Defence class with him anymore," Ron announced.
Harry's stomach flipped over the idea of taking Defence with Moody everyday. He not only feared the deranged old carter but he also hated the idea of getting hexes shot at him for everyone to witness.
Supper ended before Harry knew it and he begrudgingly walked down to the dungeons. On his way down he bumped into Malfoy and Crabbe.
Crabbe immediately began taunting Harry, "Back so soon Potty? I'll have to let my dad know when the next Hogsmeade trip is."
Malfoy took a deep breath and shook his head over the foolish statement. Crabbe's father would kill him if he knew he was walking around boasting about Hogsmeade day. "Hey Crabbe, why don't you get started on your homework," Malfoy commanded and watched as the big idiot strutted away.
Harry continued walking down to his father's quarters as Malfoy followed him.
"So, how was training with Moody?" Malfoy asked as he matched Harry's stride.
"It sucked, but I did learn a lot. Just make sure you tell your dad that I…" Harry stopped midsentence realizing how Moody would pummel him for sending messages to Lucius. "Forget it." Harry stated flatly.
"I can't tell my dad anything. I haven't heard from him since that day in Hogsmeade but I don't want to see him anyways," Malfoy replied bitterly. "I mean after what he did to Severus and all."
Harry looked at the Slytherin, trying to assess the truthfulness in his words. Malfoy did seem genuine but he would need to cast Legilimens on him before believing the Slytherin. "Yeah, well I haven't heard from Severus or seen him since I left either," Harry declared with resentment.
Malfoy looked at him with surprise and Harry answered, "I guess I haven't turned out to be the son he expected."
"Yeah right!" Malfoy snorted skeptically. "The sainted Potter prince."
Harry shook his head, "Shut it Malfoy. It's true, he's probably sorry he got stuck with me." Harry didn't say goodbye as he left Malfoy with his mouth hanging open standing in the hallway outside the dungeon quarters.
Harry walked into the dungeon and spotted his father sitting at his desk. Severus remained seated as Harry walked towards him. Harry stood before his father's desk awaiting his instructions.
Severus looked up at his son standing so formally before him, "Please have a seat."
Harry sat stiffly on the edge of the chair. The dungeon had a warm fire roaring and was filled with the familiar smell of mint and pinewood. Harry tried to relax but he couldn't get past his anger over Severus ignoring him for so long with only Mad Eye as his superior.
Severus looked at his son for a moment, "It is good to have you home. I will order a new set of garments for you seeing as you grew so much."
Harry didn't say anything. He would have rather done without the magical porridge if it had been up to him. But of course nothing was up to him.
"Harry, you are angry," Severus stated bluntly. "I did not want to send you. You do understand my position?" Severus knew the letter had explained everything clearly but was troubled over Harry's lingering resentment.
"Yes sir," Harry stated without emotion.
"Do you wish to tell me of your experiences while you were away?"
"No sir," Harry declared coolly. Severus waited to see if his son would expand on the answer but when nothing else was forth coming he folded his hands before him in frustration.
"Was Moody a fair instructor?"
How could Harry answer that question without opening up and losing control of his emotions. Moody had taught him well and he would not be losing his temper again. Harry simply nodded his head and bit his lip.
Severus sighed in frustration. He couldn't force the teen into talking to him.
"Very well, I see this conversation is clearly one sided. Would you like to stay in your bedroom this evening?"
Harry's eyes darted to the table and took in the cups of steaming hot chocolate and biscuits. He did want to stay but his resentment over being ignored overruled his thoughts, "No sir."
"Yes, I thought you might answer that way," Severus stated dryly. "Whatever resentment you have over being sent away is well deserved. Although, I am sorry you still feel that way. You may go."
Harry stood up and strode out the door without another word. He was bristling over his father's assumption that he already understood the reason Severus sent him away for so long without contacting him. Without forgiving him.
Harry ran up the many flights of stairs to his room, hoping to get some of his frustration out by exercising. When he stepped into Gryffindor Tower he was flooded with questions about his long absence. Half hour into the interrogation by his fellow students he wished he had chosen to stay down in the dungeons. Everyone wanted him to show them the new spells he had learned. He eventually said he was really tired and excused himself for bed.
His room mates kept giving him cautious stares as if he would use his new found spells on them. It bothered him when Neville accidentally bumped one of his picture frames to the floor and then squealed in fright. What did Longbottom think he was going to do to him anyways? Harry was grateful when he was finally able to close his curtains and fall asleep.
That night he was awoken with a terrifying nightmare that he couldn't remember. He had been quite aware of the fact that his connection with Voldemort had ceased to exist while he was at the secret location. Now that he was back at Hogwarts he could feel the tendrils of evil trying to infiltrate his thoughts once again. He threw up his Occlumency walls once more, feeling slightly better.
He couldn't sleep and made his way into the bathroom to inspect his wounds. He pulled his shirt off and looked at the blazing bruises that wouldn't stop throbbing. He had to get a hold of the ingredients to brew some more healing balm. Maybe he could 'borrow' some from Severus' stores. It wasn't like he would be doing anything wrong by making that potion.
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The next morning during breakfast Moody walked up to Gryffindor table and barked out, "Potter."
Harry immediately rose and faced the man, "Yes sir." His friends looked at each other with alarm.
"I would like you to prepare yourself for a combat mission during your free period. I will contact you when we are ready. We will be giving a demonstration for Professor Dumbledore and Minister Fudge, along with a few others," Moody watched as the teen seemed to bridle at the idea of 'performing' for others.
"Yes sir," Harry bit out, hating the task ahead of him.
Moody walked towards the head table feeling quite excited to show off his apprentices new found abilities. Severus watched the exchange with disdain. He hated to see Harry used like a side show attraction. When Moody had proposed the idea last night he had only agreed to it if Harry approved as well.
It was obvious by Harry's response that the young man would not go against anything Moody proposed. Severus would need to keep a close eye on Moody.
Harry watched as his father approached the Gryffindor table, "Harry, at any time you wish to stop this demonstration you need only ask. I too will be in the stands watching."
"Stands? Where is the demonstration going to be held sir?"
"Moody has chosen the stadium used for the first task in the TriWizard Tournament. He feels it will be safer," Severus answered with condescension, clearly bothered by Moody's choice of location.
Harry swallowed hard. Moody must have something big planned to need that location. Suddenly Harry wished he hadn't eaten as his stomach did a somersault. He looked up at his father's concerned face and felt annoyed over the man's sudden distress. He made sure to sound strong as he replied, "Thank you sir." He didn't need Severus' false emotions. Where had the man been for the past six weeks as he was getting hexes shot at him all day?
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When breakfast was over Hermione and Harry walked down for Potions. They sat in the back so Harry could catch a break from all the gawking stares. He knew he had grown but why was everyone making such a big deal out of it? He had to borrow one of Ron's uniforms because his were too small and short. The uniform was soft from repeated washings and had a frayed collar but it fit him perfectly, much to Harry's satisfaction.
Severus walked into the classroom and immediately spotted his son sitting in the back. He began lecturing on the advance potion they would be brewing today, all the time watching his son out of the corner of his eye.
When the lecture was over Harry gathered his ingredients and began brewing the potion. Hermione could see the difference in the way her friend now worked. He was efficient and very exacting in everything he did. His hands worked like they were automated to cut with precision.
Severus made his way around the room, throwing out reprimands along the way. He stopped in front of Harry's cauldron and watched with disbelief. How in the world had Harry improved so quickly? If he hadn't been watching his son in action he wouldn't believe this could actually be Harry's potion.
Harry didn't look up at his father but ignored him completely. He shut down his emotions and concentrated on the task at hand as he had been taught. Tupin had been a harsh potions instructor, making him do everything over if it was not chopped perfectly. He added the last ingredient and began to stir.
"You have improved. You have been practicing I see," Severus stated. He waited for Harry to acknowledge his presence. His son pointedly ignored him.
"Mr. Potter, I am speaking to you," Severus said sternly.
Harry pressed his lips together before answering, "What exactly would you have me say to that sir?"
"'Thanks dad', would suffice," Severus bit out sarcastically as he watched his son look up at him with contempt.
"I'm not allowed to call you 'dad' in class. Those were your rules sir," Harry stated coolly.
"Very well then, I revoke that rule."
"Thanks dad," Harry stated without sentiment as he looked Severus in the eye.
Severus turned on his heel and strode away with robes billowing behind. He hated the way they were interacting with each other. Harry was so proper, void of all emotions. He couldn't let this go on any longer. He wanted his son back.
When class ended he spat out harshly, "Potter stay." Hermione gave her friend an encouraging smile but stopped herself before placing a hand on his arm.
Harry took a deep breath, trying to calm himself for the lecture he would certainly be getting. He packed his book bag and waited patiently in front of his father's desk for the last student to leave.
When the door closed Severus waved his wand adding a silencing spell, then walked around the front of his desk. He looked at the angry teen and tried to come up with something that would repair the damage done to their relationship.
"Harry, we must put our past behind us," Severus said in a much kinder voice. When Harry didn't answer he began to feel irritation over the boy's stubbornness. "I know you have a free period right now. I wish you to stay down here and talk with me."
Harry stood stiffly, "Professor Moody asked that I prepare for a demonstration sir."
"Moody's demonstration is not my concern," Severus said with a bit of resentment.
"But, it was a direct order," Harry declared with a touch of panic that Severus picked up on.
Severus shook his head, "My orders override Moody's requests. I am your father, or have you forgotten?"
Harry breathed deep as the anger crept in, "It's not me who has forgotten."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing sir," Harry said as he swallowed his anger once again.
The pain from the bruises Moody had inflicted throbbed as he readjusted his book bag. Harry changed the subject and asked, "Sir, do you mind if I brew something while I am detained?"
'Detained?' thought Severus with resentment. However he merely replied, "No, please be my guest." The sudden change in topic was not lost on him. He would address that issue before Harry left.
He watched his son walk into the storage room and return with a handful of ingredients. He sat back down at his desk and began to grade papers, all the while glancing at Harry. It looked as if the boy was brewing a healing balm. He looked over Harry carefully, wondering why he would need that balm. Harry looked healthier then he'd ever seen him.
"May I ask why you are in need of the healing balm?"
Harry was concentrating so deeply on his brewing that he was startled when Severus spoke.
"Training sir." Harry replied as if it should have been obvious.
Severus furrowed his brow, "Yes, I suppose Moody is rather severe."
Harry gave him an odd look that Severus couldn't decipher. "Yes sir he is."
When Harry finished he began to pour the balm into a jar. Severus walked over and inspected the balm. It was perfect, on the same level he himself would brew. "Perfect," he stated as a thought suddenly occurred to him. "You've brewed this many times before?"
"Yes sir," came Harry's even voice.
"I would like to know more about your training. Did Moody ever … harm you in any way?" Severus was taken aback over Harry's angry glare.
Harry didn't know how he was supposed to answer that question. Surely Severus had been aware of Moody's training techniques. How could he ask him that question?
He decided to answer truthfully, "Yes sir."
"In what way did he hurt you?" Severus asked forcefully.
Harry snickered and shook his head, "You really don't know … or are you just trying to find out how much I failed?"
Severus had no idea what the boy was referring to. "Harry, did Moody hurt you when you didn't meet his expectations?" Severus asked as his heart began to beat harder with anger.
Had Severus really no idea about the harsh training regimen? Harry shrugged, too embarrassed to reveal how many times Moody dealt out punishments.
Severus grabbed hold of Harry's arm and rolled up his sleeve while he held it gently. It was littered in bruises of all colors. A deep bruise on his forearm looked ready to burst with the blood trapped underneath. "He did this!"
Harry looked at him. "Yes sir. You must have known how he was training me!" Harry said with bitterness.
"Why didn't you tell me? Why didn't you contact me Harry!" Severus was angry at Harry for hiding this, angry at himself for not learning more about the training and most definitely angry at Moody for having the audacity to even consider harming his son.
"I did contact you! I just wasn't doing good enough to be forgiven but I tried my best! It just wasn't good enough for you," Harry yelled in frustration. Why couldn't Severus understand that he had tried, he'd given it everything he had.
"What do you mean you contacted me? Did you receive the mirror?" Severus asked as realization was beginning to dawn on him with dismay. Had Moody held his letters from his son? He dug through his pocket for the mirror but remembered he had put it in his office when Harry returned.
"Stay here," Severus commanded as he went into the office.
Harry was so confused. He had no idea what Severus was talking about regarding a mirror. At that moment a school house elf popped into the classroom with a worried look on his face.
"Mr. Potters, you must comes with me! Professors Moody be angry. He gives me this portkey and says he's waiting!"
Before Harry had a chance to inform Severus he was leaving, he felt the sickening tug and was portkeyed out of the room.
Severus returned with the matching mirror to the one he had sent his son. He looked around and as soon as he saw his son had fled he began to search for the boy.
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TBC