BLOOD OF THE MOTHER By BertaS Jan 2006
Disclaimer: I own 2 kids, 3 dogs, a cat and a fish. If I owned HP & Company, I would have more fish.
Warning: this chapter mentions same sex couples and m-preg, nothing graphic or detailed, in a joking manner. This in not a slash story.
Chapter 38 – Settling In
Harry opened his eyes to see Severus sitting beside his bed, apparently in deep thought. He stretched and yawned, "hmmm you alright Sev?"
Severus started, "Yes, I did not disturb you, did I?" he continued when he received a negative headshake, "I was a bit surprised to find you still asleep." he smiled.
Harry chuckled, "Madam Pomfrey made me take a potion after I had company for breakfast, which included a rather loud confrontation between Ron and Draco. One good thing about it though, apparently they came to a decision that there actually is something they agree on."
"Indeed," Sev raised an eye brow, "that is rather amazing, since to my knowledge the Malfoys and the Weasleys have been feuding for several centuries. If one says the sky is blue the other is almost sure to disagree." He paused, "Will you be informing me of what they have decided to agree on? Or must I guess?"
They both laughed, "Well, they both seem to feel that I am incapable of going Dark." Harry became solemn and whispered, "Which is some thing I feared, when I found out what I was going to have to do."
Severus moved to sit on the edge of the bed, "Harry, there are very few people I know that do not have the capacity for evil." His voice dropped to a whisper, "You are one of them," he hesitated and leaned forward in a deep bow, "My Liege."
"Thank you Sev." he lay his hand on Sev's shoulder, "Please sit up." Harry was thinking 'Why do you do that? Why do you feel you have to?'
When Sev raised his head he was smiling brightly and answered Harry's thoughts, "I desire to show you respect, My Liege."
They were startled by a little "Hem-hem" clearing of a throat, and turned to find a grinning Luna Lovegood who curtsied, "Hello Harry, Professor Snape." She moved forward and presented Harry with a basket of odd flowers, kissed him on the cheek and said, "I hope you get to feeling better soon." She turned to the Professor and kissed his cheek as well, "You too Professor." After which she breezed out of the infirmary.
Harry laughed at the stunned expression on Sev's face and looked at his flowers. He realized that they would be called weeds by most but were actually quite pretty. "Ya know, she may be strange," he shook his head, "but I think, I'm beginning to really like her."
Severus smiled, "Yes, she is undeniably different, I wonder if she realizes that she has gifted you with several rare ingredients." He touched one of the small purplish flowers and realized that it and several others in the basket were commonly used in the Bruise Ease Ointment and in several love potions.
Madam Pomfrey came out of her office, frowning at Severus and her patient, "You are supposed to be resting, Mr. Potter."
"I'm fine Madam Pomfrey." He smiled at her as Sev moved to allow her access to her patient. "Honest, I haven't been doing anything but laying here."
She looked like she would like to argue with him as she waved her wand over him in a complicated series of motions, "Well, I suppose I can't justify keeping you any longer." She picked up a jar of the smelly ointment, "Use this twice a day, and if you need help getting it on your back come see me. I suggest that you at least attempt to rest in your dorm for the rest of the day." She looked at him sternly.
"Yes, Ma'am." Harry quickly changed into his clothes and left walking with Sev toward the dungeon.
As they entered what they had both started thinking of as their quarters, Sev said quietly "I forgot that you would have to move back to the Gryffindor tower." He seemed uncertain as to what to do.
"Yeah, me too." Harry said, "You are okay with it, aren't you? I mean, I don't want you to feel like I'm abandoning you or anything." He looked anxious.
"I will be quite …" Severus looked around his quarters, "busy." Harry could tell that he had changed what he was going to say.
Harry grinned, "Well if you get bored or lonely you can always give me detention." He laughed at the rather indignant look that Severus gave him, "Or just ask, I'd be happy to spend the evening with you, playing or whatever, alright?"
Severus nodded, "Thank you Harry. You are of course welcome here anytime. If you need to get away or have a quiet place to study or if… well I doubt you will become bored or lonely." He ducked his head thinking that he sounded like a prat.
Harry nodded, "Thanks Sev. We'll work some thing out. I usually have tea with Hagrid at least one or two Saturdays a month. I'm not sure which days Quidditch will be on, and I'm thinking the Defense Association should meet on Friday evenings." He noticed Sev's shoulders sag a little more, "Sev, I will always make time for you." He gripped the older mans shoulder. "Like I said, we'll work out something."
Sev smiled shyly and nodded, "I'm sure we will. Do you require assistance with your things?"
"I think I can handle it." Harry laughed as he went to his room to pack. He finished just before noon and asked Dobby to move what he was taking during lunch.
When Harry and Severus walked in to the great hall together there was a sudden hush then a surge of talking as everyone repeated all the gossip that they had heard recently.
Severus went to sit between Lupin and Sprout. He was soon in an animated conversation. Lupin expressed the desire to have Severus address the NEWT level DADA classes with a 'Potions and the Dark Arts' lecture. They also continued discussion of the combined Herbology and Potions project. A lot of the teachers seemed to be eager to show how their subject interacted and related to the each other.
Harry sat in his usual place at the Gryffindor table with his friends but was kept busy with a steady stream of students who wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him on the destruction of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or to wish him a speedy recovery from his injuries. One girl shocked them all by congratulating him on his taming of the Potions Master.
As the girl walked away Hermione almost snorted pumpkin juice out her nose when she heard her muttering, "Why are all the good looking ones taken, or gay, or both?" Hermione was pretty sure that neither of those applied to Harry or the Professor.
When Harry and his friends left the great hall headed toward the tower and their common room, Hermione took the opportunity to relay what she had over heard the girl say and caused all the guys to blush and laugh. Every one except Harry laughed even harder when Ginny sighed, "You'll look so cute when you're expecting Harry."
Hermione cackled, "Oh Gin! That's such a funny image. But it's not possible. Men don't have the right equipment."
Harry snorted, "Hermione, just because you haven't heard of it doesn't mean it isn't possible." He shivered, "The explanation Sev gave me took four hours and you really, really don't want to know." He continued to shake his head, an all over body shiver wracking his frame and a totally grossed out look on his face.
Harry quickly held up his hand, "And don't even ask, why we were discussing it, it doesn't matter." He added when he saw Ron open his mouth.
On the third floor they were interrupted, "Harry? Can I talk to you?" It was one of the seventh year Ravenclaw boys that Harry didn't really know. He thought the boy's name was Richard but was unsure.
"Alright," he turned to his friends, "I'll be along in a few minutes."
They stepped into an empty class room, "Did you... well... did you know what would happen... when you killed Vol... Vol... HIM? Did you know they would...? Did you know?" the boy was near tears.
Harry shook his head, "I take it one of your parents was..."
Richard nodded, "Both of them. Dad was… well, I understand he was at your house, slicing hex." He motioned toward his neck, "That was better," he shrugged a little, "quicker at least, than Mum. She kept screaming, like she was in pain. Clawing at her arm, she went completely insane. I barely managed to get my little sister out before Mum burned the house to the ground. Harry I really need to know if you knew."
Harry shook his head again, "No, I didn't. It took a while to sort out the mass of information I got from removing Sev... umm... the Mark from Professor Snape's arm. By the time I understood it all, it was too late to help most of those that were in custody and the ones that weren't..." He shrugged, "There was nothing we could do. We didn't know who they were." Harry hung his head, "I'm sorry. If there is any thing I can do…" he was almost in tears himself.
"It's okay Harry. I just needed to know that it wasn't deliberate. You didn't just leave her… them to suffer on purpose. Thanks Harry." he turned to leave.
"Wait, Richard, it is Richard isn't it?" the boy nodded, "Your sister, is she some place safe, where they will take good care of her?"
"She's here, a first year," he smiled a little, "In Gryffindor even, Dad would have had a fit." he half laughed half sobbed, "Mums sister said we could stay with her during holidays. Her husband is a muggle-born, but they seem to be nice people."
Harry smiled, "We Gryffs will watch over her. I'm sure there are others we need to watch over as well. Slytherin was hit pretty hard. Sev only has one seventh year left and a pair of first year twins that haven't anyone at all. I don't know where they are staying. I checked all the orphanages I could before school started and didn't meet them."
Harry shook his head and sighed, "There are an awful lot of little ones, between two and ten that are going to need a lot of help. I've set up a fund for tuitions, and one for the support of a couple of the orphanages. I recently got a large inheritance. I'm not trying to buy anyone, I just… I don't know… feel responsible, I guess." he shrugged, "Does that make sense?"
Richard nodded, "I understand, Harry. I don't think any of it's your fault. Don't forget, you need to take care of yourself too. There are those that will try to take advantage of your generosity."
Harry smiled, "I guess that's what I have friends for. Remember, if you need anything let me know, I want to help."
Richard nodded and held out his hand, "Thank you Harry."
When they left the room they found Neville waiting, "We decided that we didn't want you walking around unguarded." He turned to Richard with a polite nod, "No offence meant, of course."
Richard grinned, "None take, Longbottom. As I understand it that is what friends are supposed to do. I'll see you around." He gave an abbreviated bow and walked off down the hall.
When he was out of sight Neville said, "We were a little worried he's from one of the old families, one that's known to be supporters of Voldemort." He was frowning.
"Neville, you know that you can't judge the child based on the choices or actions of the parents. You are not Frank and I am not James, right? He's not his parents." Harry was looking at him with an intensity that Neville had never seen.
Neville nodded, "You're right. It's hard though, not every thing is black and white anymore, there seems to be an awful lot of grey. The line between good and evil seems, I don't know, blurred some how. It used to be easy," He motioned with his hands, like sectioning something off, "these people are Death-eaters, they are evil, these people support Dumbledore they're good." He shook his head, "It's going to take some time to figure out who's on which side."
Harry had to agree as he thought of his Aunt's Prophesy concerning the grey, he would have to discuss it with Severus and decide whether or not to tell his circle of friends.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and talking in the common room and dorm.
Seamus had walked into the bathroom while Harry was trying to get his ointment on his back. He had insisted that Harry lie on his bed and let him put it on for him. Harry was already asleep by the time the Irish boy was through gently massaging it in.
A/N next chapter classes start.
Reviews are appreciated, if there is something you would like to see let me know in a review. Or comment on the group the link is on my author page. There are also some bits and pieces there that don't fit in the story.