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Harrison's POV

In the following weeks leading up to the Winter Solstice, things had settled down. His magic still acted out but with a better outlet now. Charlus came in the afternoons to help him work on his control. On the weekends he spent most of his time at Black Lake training or in his animagus form.

With the time and nutrient potions, he was beginning to put on some much-needed weight. The potions were allowing him to look less like he had been starved most of his life. Though that wasn't far off. Even at the orphanage, there was never enough food.

Keeping to his training meant that the extra weight would turn into muscle not fat. He had worked hard for the muscles that he had and would not lose them due to slouching on his training. Salazar would kill him if he slouched in training anyway. He'd rather not piss off the ancient Slytherin.

This particular day found him in the Room of Requirement. The weather outside was storming and thunder brought back too many bad memories. Asking the room to keep outside noise to a minimum helped him stay calm.

Hiding in this particular room would hopefully keep Lyon from finding him. The Old One was relentless in his pursuit to talk to the teenager. Not that Harrison was making it easy on him. For two months the man had ignored the signs of what he was. He could have been helping Harrison but instead, he only made things worse. A long-lasting mistrust of adults had been built long before that. Lyon and Riddle had only cemented it.

"Harrison there you are," came Severus's voice, "I've been looking for you everywhere."

Harrison grumbled as he shut his journal, "I have been here all day. What did you need Sev?"

Severus glanced at his journal before he replied, "Professor Riddle and Dumbledore are looking for you."

Of course, they were. He wasnt quite sure what to make of the old man. Like any other adult, he didnt trust him. Something about the grandfather's attitude rubbed him the wrong way.

Sighing he shrunk the journal and put it inside his cloak. If someone saw the inside of his journal he would be in a lot of trouble. There were spells and potions lost to the world for one reason or another. Many in this day and age would be considered dark and illegal.

Only a handful were of his own creation, a fact that he hoped to change if he had time. First was making sure it was updated on what he had learned in his travels.

Following Severus down to the Great Hall they met up with a curious Ravenclaw. He had dirty blond hair and blue eyes. If memory served he was Barty Crouch Jr. the only son of a Ministry Official. Rumors had it that the two recently had a fight and he would not be returning home for the holidays.

Harrison had nothing against the other boy. Ravenclaw as a house didnt do anything to bully him, unlike Slytherins and Gryffindors. They were generally neutral in their positions. So he inclined his head in acknowledgment of the other. In return, he was given a wry smile that made Harrison return.

Together the trio entered the Great Hall to find Dumbledore, Riddle, and Lyon arguing quietly. It didnt take a moment for the three men to realize that he had entered. All of them turned to face him and Harrison straightened in response.

His hand twitched every so slightly towards his wand. If they were going to attack him he knew he would lose. That didnt mean he wouldn't go down fighting. At the very least he would give as good as he got.

Lyon greeted cordially, "Mr. Potter welcome..."

Harrison interrupted with a growl, "What do you want? I believe I have made it quite clear of my stance on you."

Before the man could reply there was a large clap of thunder that had Harrison reaching for his wand before he realized what he was doing. When he realized he released his wand cursing the weather under his breath. He hated storms and the unease that they brought with them.

Riddle for his part frowned at him in thought. Harrison simply glared back daring the man to say anything.

"I was hoping we could talk about the issue we have been skirting around," said Lyon breaking through his thoughts, "Preferably in private."

Severus took a step closer to him making it obvious that wasnt happening. Crouch had his arms folded across his chest watching the professors warily. Harrison had to wonder what that was about. He barely had any interaction with the Crouch heir. It would be a question for Severus later. First, they had to deal with nosy adults that couldn't take no for an answer.

Harrison growled, "I have nothing to talk to you about, Professor and if I did Severus would be there as well. Quite possibly my father would insist on being in the room. Let me make this once again abundantly clear. I do not trust any adult in this building for a number of reasons."

All three men opened their mouths to argue but Severus beat them to it, "Until things change their won't be any trust from Harrison or myself. Every time you as professors overlook a student bullying another it destroys another piece of trust you were given. It's not just bullying either. Overlooking abuse from a student's parents just because they're blood makes you just as bad as the abuser. Blood status should not matter here yet the staff as a whole overlook what is happening because you're willfully blind. Or you just dont care."

Dumbledore returned coldly, "You cannot make false accusations like that, Mr. Snape. Trivial student squabbles are not bullying. Every case of reported abuse is investigated."

Harrison snarled, "Investigated yeah right. You investigate without actually taking into consideration that humans lie to save their own skin. This is why the only House that has absolute faith in you is Gryffindor. While my time away may have been hell it did teach me something. You're a liar and children dont deserve to be afraid to go home."

"100 points from Slytherin for disrespect," snapped the old man.

Harrison was unfazed. He had simply spoken the truth. Out of line or not, he did not regret his words. Now how would the Old One react? He must be feeling the time crunch to get Harrison to accept him. If the stories were to be believed everything comes to a head on the 15th birthday of each old one. Powers grow exponentially and they need someone that they can trust to contain their powers.