BLOOD OF THE MOTHER By BertaS Dec. 2005
Disclaimer: not mine.
Chapter 34 – An Eventful Day
Prying Tillie off of Severus when they arrived at the Tonks residence was enough to have Harry in stitches from laughter, that is, until he tried to put Lily down.
They were required by the girls to stay to supper and to tuck them in together in the large bed in the guest room. Ted was already planning the remodeling that he felt necessary, and had fire called a magical construction company.
When they arrived back at the school that evening they were exhausted and collapsed in their beds, only to have to get up and repeat the exercise the in the morning, visiting five more orphanages and relocating eight more children of various ages.
Rita Skeeter reported on the closing of 'The Squib Orphanage' as well as the relocation of 'Harry's children' as she called them in the Prophet.
This went nicely with the story from a couple of days before depicting Harry's reaction to question concerning the treatment of the 'War Orphans' by Nigel Rathburn.
This was the reason that Harry had owls finding him all day from people saying they were willing to take in a child or two. Quite a few members of the DA had convinced their parents to make offers, even some of the muggle born who were obviously receiving the paper, Hermione and the Creevys included.
Harry made a list of those that offered and forwarded the letters to Tonks and Madam Selma who were coordinating the resettlement of the displaced children. Despite saying that she had no more room Madam Selma had accepted much of the overflow. Tonks said it was a little crowded but the kids accepted that it was only for a few days.
When it was all settled Madam Selma had actually placed sixty-five percent of all orphans in not only the 'Squib Orphanage' but in Saint Bernadette, as well as most of the magical children in the Muggle facilities. To Harry's surprise this included quite a few that were victims of Death Eater attacks, as well as the children of said Death Eaters.
Of course, Harry would not receive these figures for several days. At which time he would also receive a list of all magical/squib orphans that had not been placed along with their birthdates.
Friday found Harry laying in bed trying to figure out what he was forgetting, there appeared to be nothing that required his urgent attention.
After his lie-in and shower, he found Severus setting on the couch reading. "Good morning Sev." He flopped into his chair, "Do you know if there is there something I'm supposed to be doing today?"
Severus put down his book and smiled, "I too felt as though I should be doing something today. I checked with Dobby and he says that it is the thirty-first of August and that there is nothing that we have to accomplish today other than, relax and," he had a bit of a pained expression, "have fun."
Harry grinned but quickly grew morose, looking into the small fire in the hearth.
Sev was concerned. Harry never looked like that when he was contemplating fun. "Harry, are you well? Do you not wish to inflict some new and horrible muggle game upon me?"
Harry looked up as the corners of his mouth twitched, "I thought maybe we could go flying." He said in a thick voice as he looked back toward the flames.
Sev was surprised, "I quite like to fly. Shall I have Dobby get our brooms?" he was very confused by Harry's attitude.
"I don't know. Umbridge took mine. I don't know where it is." He looked at Sev with tear filled eyes. "Sirius got it for me." he curled in on himself as the tears poured down his face.
Severus was shocked, but did what he knew Harry would do if he where the one who was upset. Kneeling in front of Harry's chair he pulled his master into a hug holding him and rubbing his back. He laid his cheek on the soft unruly hair as he murmured words of comfort until Harry had calmed. When Harry expressed his embarrassment Sev told him "Stop being ridiculous. You need to grieve, I may not have gotten along with him but he was important to you."
"Thank you, Sev." Harry wiped his nose on the handkerchief Sev handed him.
"I will see about having your broom located." Severus promised as left the room, he returned shortly explaining that the elves where searching
Several hours later as the two came in from outside:
"Come on Sev, you can't tell me that you never wanted to. Who's going to see any way?" Harry coerced with a huge grin.
"It is against the rules, my Liege, we can't." Severus bit his lip he was reluctant to tell Harry 'no' on anything, "It has nothing to do with what I desire. I'm still a teacher, I have to follow the rules." he looked up watching as the staircases moved around randomly in the entrance hall. What Harry suggested sounded terrific, but Sev knew it was dangerous and that it was forbidden.
"Hum, tell me who gave you that rule?" Harry stood looking intently, a glint in his eye, at his Potions Master.
Sev shrugged as he turned back to look at Harry, "Albus, I guess." He didn't know where the rule came from just that it was a rule.
"Uh-Hun, I thought we decided that we weren't going to trust anything he ever told either of us." he nudged the broom Sev held. "I bet I can beat you to the top."
They were well matched as they dodged the staircases that seemed to want to play along by moving into their paths almost as thought trying to block their assent. Harry was to the top touching the ceiling only seconds before Sev. They were both grinning fit to split their faces as they speed back toward the floor. For some reason they both came to a rest at the first floor landing were Sev drew his wand and threw two polishing charms, one for each banister. Harry threw a cushioning charm at the floor and they each slid down Harry managed to stay upright while Severus landed in a heap at the feet of Sibyll Trelawney.
The Divinations teacher just smirked as Sev sat up and grinned at her, "Hey, Sib, have a good day?"
She nodded "Yes, not nearly as eventful as yours but then, I knew that it wouldn't be." and began to climb the stairs. Harry was intrigued that she never once hesitated even when the stairs shifted around under her.
Next Chapter –Dumbledore's trial and Harry's friend's reaction to him not being on the Express.
A/N Thanks for reading and reviewing.