Child of Mine
Chapter 10
New Pets and Developments
~*~
Severus wasn't sure if it was the warm bundle of child wiggling slightly in his arms that woke him or the light rhythmic tapping on his leg... of unknown origin. Stretching slowly to ease cramped muscles, he readjusted his hold on Harry and opened his eyes to check on the boy, then froze in terror. He was gazing directly into solid gray eyes that were sleepily scrutinizing him from under long lashes. It was one of the cat-like creatures from the forest that had been hunting Harry and Firenze. The thing was larger than the last time he'd seen one... but that could be due to the fact that it was in his face and not ten or fifteen feet away.
He also now knew what the unknown tapping on his leg was... the creature's tail was flicking up and down across his calves. Worse, it wasn't just the sleeping Harry that had been a dead weight on his arm... The cat, which he could now see quite clearly was at least the size of a tiger, was resting its great head on his arm, right next to Harry's head. Severus stopped breathing, pushing down the panic that was trying to rise up and choke him. He was still dressed in his robes, so his wand was still on him, and accessible since he was laying on his left side, leaving his right hand somewhat free to reach into his pocket. However, his arms were both wrapped around Harry, and unfortunately, pressed up against the chest of the huge cat which was... Purring?!
If he moved, the creature might attack... if he didn't move, the thing might attack anyway. Severus flicked his gaze down the leather-skinned body of the giant feline and saw that it had a paw casually draped over Harry's body, almost possessively. He scowled, realizing that there was very little he could do at this point without alerting the cat and getting Harry mauled. How the hell did this monster get in the castle, much less the hospital wing, in the first place? More than that... where WAS everyone?! He dragged his eyes back up and locked them, once again, with the cats. Sighing quietly in resignation and mild frustration, Severus whispered to himself, though the cat was close enough to hear it as well, "Well, Cat... it's your move."
Seemingly in response to this, the large feline stretched sinuously and purred even louder as it stretched, lifting it's head and leaning forward to nuzzle a very startled potions master's face.
Severus' eyes widened in disbelief as he watched the sleepy-eyed cat gently, almost lovingly, rub it whiskered face along his own, then turn it's face to nuzzle through Harry's hair, scenting him and... sighing happily?! What the hell was going on around here?! This creature and it's... pack... had been chasing Harry and Firenze through the forest in order to eat them. Why, now, was it acting like Harry and Severus were a part of it's family, or perhaps like it was some unusual, over-sized pet. He was searching his memory trying to figure out just what this thing was. He'd had a quick look before, in the forest, but neither he nor Remus knew what they were. Now, with this... closer look, he still had no knowledge of what it might be. It was definitely a magic creature, especially after the way it and the others had melded with trees and vanished, but why couldn't anyone find out what it was? Unless they knew, they might not have a good way to fight them. At the very least he knew one thing that could drive it away... the Avada Kedava. But that meant he had to get to his wand, and that wasn't happening anytime soon.
Still, it wasn't attacking. Perhaps it wasn't going to attack. Severus doubted that, being the pessimist that he was... but there WAS the evidence laying before him... purring and cuddling with Harry and him. He couldn't reconcile the two aspects of the creature that he'd seen so far. He watched in horrified fascination as the cat began grooming Harry's naturally messy hair, its large tongue bathing the boy's entire head in but a few swipes, plastering the hair down to his scalp more successfully than any gel could. If he wasn't so scared, Severus would have been extremely amused at the sight.
Harry wiggled and made a tired swipe at the head of the creature, trying to push it away, "No, Daddy... no bath. Wanna Sleep," the child whined.
"Mmmrrooww," the creature replied in a raspy, whispery voice.
Harry scowled and opened his eyes, looking up at Severus, "Daddy?" He couldn't figure out why daddy sounded like a cat.
"Yes, Harry. I'm right here. We have a visitor," Severus explained quietly. "Do you remember the forest? The... cats... that were chasing you and Firenze?"
Harry's bright gaze looked to his father in confusion for a moment before he spoke, "Kitty?!" his voice hopeful, he turned his neck in the direction of the 'kitty'. "KITTY!" Harry sat up and hugged the cat's head as best as he could, a wide smile on his face. Severus watched as the large tiger-like creature closed his eyes blissfully and nuzzled into Harry's cheek. Then Harry pulled back, an indignant pout on his face, and did something that nearly gave Severus another coronary.
"BAD KITTY!" Harry smacked the cat square on the nose and it made a noise in it's throat, whining out a pitiful 'mew' (well, pitiful for a large tiger anyway...). "You hurt me and Firends!" (Firenze is what he meant. Hey, move the letter "I" and you have 'friends'.)
The cat lowered his head in submission (furthering Sev's shock) and seemed very contrite about the matter. It made another sound in its throat and gave them... No, Harry, a pitiful and apologetic look.
"It's ok," Harry forgave him, correctly interpreting the cat's reaction, and once again he hugged the cat, who after a moment nuzzled back.
Severus felt his body just ever so slightly relax. Just barely, but enough that it was brought to his attention he hadn't even been breathing and all his muscles had clenched and locked when his foster son had smacked the thing that could have had them for breakfast.
~*~
Albus felt as if there was a weight on his shoulders as he reached the hospital wing. It had taken him an hour to write his letter to Sirius and he had absolutely dreaded giving it to one of the best school owl's for them to take it to Harry's godfather. It had taken nearly an hour for him to write it because for once he was choosing his words very very carefully and he had ended up rewriting it twice. He did not want to have an enraged, over-excited, homicidal godfather bursting in on them carelessly. And to do so... He had to write a letter that was so carefully worded that writing it was as easy as walking through a nest of starving, mad wolverines while wearing raw steaks tied to your body.
Heaving a great sigh, he pushed open the door to the medical wing and noticed at that exact moment he could hear Harry's squeal of happiness even before he entered the room. Harry was awake and laughing? A look of curiosity was quite clearly seen on his face once he got past the doorway and inside the hospital wing. There in the middle of the floor young Harry and a large smoke gray feline were on the floor, playing. Harry was tugging on the long tail and the cat every now and then would nuzzle Harry's stomach, causing a giggle to arise from the child. Severus was also seated on the floor, a few feet away, his hand in his pocket, undoubtedly clasped around his wand. The Potion Master's unwavering gaze was locked solely on Harry and Harry's new found 'pet', skepticism and amusement were at war in his eyes and on his mouth.
"Severus...?" Albus whispered very low.
"For the past ten minutes Harry's been playing, Poppy's not been back, I believe she thinks we're still asleep. The cat hasn't tried hurting Harry, in fact it's like he's trying to play with a cub of his own..." he answered the headmaster quietly, voice calm and unflustered. But Albus knew his friend well enough to know that he was both tense and worried about the situation.
Harry looked up from gumming/gnawing on the cat's tail and saw his grandfather now in the room. At least, he believed that's what the funny white haired man was called. He had no recollection of how he knew such a big word, but he felt as though it were the correct name.
"Ganpa, look at tha kitty!" he grinned proudly at Albus who gave Harry a shocked look.
He raised an eyebrow as Severus snorted. "Yes, 'Ganpa' look at da kitty," the younger man chuckled lightly, enjoying the startled expression on his old friend's face.
"Grandpa?" Albus repeated, still feeling caught off guard by the intimate title Harry had bestowed him.
"Well, if I'm 'daddy' you're 'grandpa'. After all, you're more of a father to me then my own was," the young wizard favored him with an affectionate glance and smiled when Albus grinned and relaxed somewhat as he went to sit next to his... Son.
"So, 'son', how did this big cat end up in my hospital ward playing with your son?"
Severus gave a put - upon sigh, "Your guess is as good as mine. I have no idea, I woke up with that thing on me," he shuddered slightly. "Not one of the best ways to wake up, I assure you."
"I shall take your word for it. I wonder why this... Creature hasn't attacked Harry or yourself... Is this the creature Firenze and yourself had been talking about?" Severus nodded. "Oh my, if only there was a way we could talk to it... Or communicate with it- -"
"It seems to understand Harry well enough," Severus' smile was strained as he watched Harry try to throw a ball of rolled up gauze to get the kitty to play fetch. The cat was too swift, though, and quickly lashed out a paw and stopped the toy before it got more than a few feet. Harry giggled and the cat purred even louder, content.
"I doubt that that... Cat could understand us-" Albus mused, trying not to laugh at the antics of the two being spoken of.
It was then said 'cat' turned his great head to Albus and Severus. It stared steadily at he two, unblinking.
"Kurshar," (Harry's baby speech slaughtered Krr'Shar's name.) "says he knows what you're saying." the boy stated matter-of-factly.
"That answers how we're going to talk to him, I suppose." Albus whispered. "Kurshar?" The cat shook his head and rolled his bright eyes. "It's not Kurshar? Can it do for now?" Albus asked with amusement, still slightly skeptical it might understand all their language fluently.
'Kurshar' (Krr'Shar) nodded, sighing deeply.
"Are you intending to hurt this child?" Albus was quick to ask, though he was only a breath faster than Severus himself, who had been wanting the answer to that very question.
The cat shook its head negatively and nuzzled Harry's cheek, then stood up and sauntered over to Albus, his wet nose touched older wizard's hand. It was at that moment the headmaster felt a surge of magic within his mind when the strange power passed between 'Kurshar' and himself. He (Albus) was able to see a brief picture of Harry being taken care of by... Krr'Shar. THAT was the creature's name. Emotions of protectiveness and care rushed through him and he realized that it was what Krr'Shar felt towards Harry...
'I will not harm my cub.' Albus gasped in surprise at the words in his mind, they sounded odd, but there was no mistaking who had 'said' them. 'I will protect him, nor will I harm his clan, for that would upset him, your people are safe from us.'
"Why are you here?" he asked aloud.
'My cub called me. He wishes me to stay by and protect him. And I shall.'
"Albus?" Severus whispered. "What's wrong?"
"It seems that Krr'Shar is a telepath." Albus answered. Severus raised his eyebrows at the change in the pronunciation of the name.
"I see," he muttered. "And..?"
"He has said he will not harm Harry or anyone else, that he is here to protect Harry." Albus explained. "I can tell that he isn't lying, because his emotions are on display to prove his words... He seems to consider Harry his cub."
"But he's MY c- so-- Er..." Severus trailed off slowly, stunned at what he was saying. Then he continued hesitantly, "- - Respons... ibility."
Albus was nearly beaming with happiness. Harry had wormed his way into Severus' heart... nothing could make the old wizard happier.
'I have no intention of taking the Dark Protector's cub from him,' Krr'Shar informed the older man, having read Albus' thoughts.
"Dark what?" he raised an eyebrow at the feline.
'That is who is guarding the cub known as Harry... The Dark Protector. Correct?'
"I suppose that is one way of describing him." Albus' lips quirked upwards.
Severus gave Albus another curious look. "Describing who?"
"You, Mr. 'Dark Protector'." he smiled at the younger man, eyes twinkling as Severus scowled at him.
"So what are we going to do with him?" Severus asked, not amused with Albus and the cat... Krr'Shar... talking about him behind his back, in front of his face.
"Well... What I'm about to say might sound crazy..."
~*~
"He was right... no wait... He wasn't! This isn't crazy... IT'S BLOODY INSANE!" Severus growled savagely as he shut his bedroom door behind him.
Krr'Shar was to stay in his rooms, or outside the castle during class and regular school time, and Harry would, of course, always be with Severus. While Snape stormed the halls, school robes billowing, he carried Harry in his arms, who was listening to his father's rant.
Harry looked up to him confused, "Daddy mad?"
"No. Daddy is irritated."
"Harry bad?" he questioned in mild confusion, trying to think if he had done something wrong recently.
"No, Harry, you've been behaving very well. You've been an angel... as uncharacteristic as that is for you to be... Or me to say for that matter..." Severus told the young boy gently, with just a twist of irony coloring his tone.
"Harry good?" the child perked up.
"Yes," Severus gave in, opening the door to his potions class just as Harry strangled him with a hug.
The Quidditch game had been near two days ago and it was Monday morning and time for the first period class with his first years. Amber and her friends were the first to arrive and it turned out Amber had a box of Muggle crayons and a coloring book. ('The Lion King'... What on God's green earth was that?). He set Harry down by his desk and allowed Amber to show Harry what to do.
Class was uneventful and completely fine (although the Gryffindor's still got hell from him every now and then). Second period found Harry wandering about among the seventh years who were busy brewing one of the more difficult potions practicing for the NEWTS.
Since Harry was relatively quiet and the students weren't complaining that he was 'underfoot', Snape did not stop him. The twins were greeted with a big hug by the boy twenty minutes into the class. Although they hadn't really noticed him until he hugged Fred's knees so tight that the older boy had nearly toppled forward. (Harry then did the same to George.)
"Food!" Harry whined quietly at George as he was picked up by Fred.
"Food? We're in potions class and you want FOOD?" George rolled his eyes, then cast a quick glance around the room to make sure Snape hadn't noticed this unprofessional behavior. (for a student that is)
"We do have those cookies we were working on with Snape in our bags-" whispered Fred quietly.
"Oh fine idea, brother - mine, turn the boy - who - lived, poor innocent Harry here, into a female," hissed George.
Harry was giving them a very intense look, as if listening carefully to what they were saying, but they were too busy to notice. Fred put Harry down so he could return to cutting up the ingredients.
"Run along you," George ruffled the boy's hair. "Lunch will be in an hour and a half. And don't even TRY to convince me that Professor Snape didn't feed you breakfast. We'll have a talk with the Professor later about keeping snacks in here for you."
The twins turned their backs on him and Harry plopped down underneath the table near their book bags, disgruntled and wondering if he should throw a temper tantrum. Looking up then back to said belongings of the twins he began to try and open them. Tugging on the ties of one of them stubbornly until it finally undid. He lifted the flap of the book bag and then began rifling through the books, extra quills, parchment, and occasional joke item. He then found a blue paper bag with a waxy finish. He opened it and inside were a lot of small cookies (about fifteen). Pulling out two, he looked at them and put them into the chest pocket of his overalls and then placed the paper bag back where he'd found it. After closing the flap to the book bag (though he was unable to re-tie it), he crawled over to his abandoned crayons and went back to doodling on the pages.
He was quiet for the rest of the class.
~*~
That lunch Harry ate all his food happily and begged Lupin to pick him up half way through the man's own meal. So, under death threat from Severus, Lupin complied. No need to piss off the Potion's master over something as trivial as holding Harry... which was something he really didn't mind doing anyway.
Severus was conversing with Sinistra (surprise surprise) and Lupin was sitting next to Albus, with Minerva on his right instead of being next to Severus.
"Moony, I 'ave a cookie for you," Harry smiled at him and pulled out the two cookies (the sides had slightly crumbled).
Remus raised an eyebrow, "Oh do you? And where did you get these from?"
Harry smiled, "Snack from class."
Remus smiled back and took the two small cookies. "Are you sure you don't want one Harry?"
"Uh - uh! I wanna give them to you! You're my Moony."
Remus felt his heart melt. (*Author chuckles evilly, * He's gonna kill him later...) "Why thank you, Harry."
Both cookies were eaten and Remus shuddered as an unusual after taste was left in his mouth. He took a swig of his juice and placed Harry on the table before him. His body was feeling strange, he was light headed... almost dizzy, and it was a bit warmer then usual. "Where did you get those cookies from Harry?"
"Fred and George," the child grinned proudly.
The werewolf raised an eyebrow and a sinking feeling hit his stomach. "Oh no... Severus?"
Severus looked up to him, "Yes Rem...us...." his eyes widened and the teachers closest looked up at them, and when they saw Remus they gasped in shock.
"What the bloody hell is it?" Remus asked, completely out of character. And then realized... his voice... was just a tad bit... Different. A wave of apprehension washed over him as he watched Severus' eyes trail down his body... Warily, Remus looked down.... And screamed.
"MOMMY!" Harry cried happily as he launched himself at his Moony.
I mean... his Mommy.
~*~
Author Notes: Well, well, well, Lookie what I finally posted! Eight and one forth pages! Isn't it simply amazing? That I posted it I mean. I must apologize for the near three month delay but it was really due to circumstances beyond my control. Now this chapter is most likely going to disturb those rabid haters of homosexuals, slash stories and so on. BUT if Remus is a woman now and Severus is a man than it's technically not Slash. Now I am unsure of whether any romance will develop at all between these two, BUT I can also say, I'm not so sure Remus is going back to being male. If he does, you haters of slash will probably be running away (if you haven't all ready).
Do not try and tell me any kind of same sex pairing is wrong, or so on. I do to my characters what I believe will make the most interesting turn of events, and I pray you are not so scared that you will be running off merely because of the fact our little Remy is now female. As I said, I'm not even sure if Romance is even going to insue. If it does, (cause it might not) I will keep the rating at pg-13 or below.
Yes, Harry is a devious little troublemaker, but then again, his inner child is trying to replace what he lost the night of his parents murder.
PLEASE when you review, if you want to be told when I update, LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!!! Preferably IN your review. Because let me tell you, two hours of going through THIRTY ONE PAGES of reviews, and searching through EACH AND EVERY PROFILE for an email address…. Was TEDIOUS and loooooong…… But hell, it was worth it. I have no life. And it managed to THOUROUGHLY annoy my sister to all hell and back.
Now, on to me thanking people:
Sawyer, Haruka Potter, Cerberis, IrishAngel0583, Dragonlet, EkittyKatKid, Floramorada, TNF, Pinkmoon, Q, Danielle_Rogers, Ash, MystickAngel, No Need To Know, Jenny, ReadBooks172, Hot, Katie, Chil'lin Blues, Tanya, Tabbi, Katrina, Ranko, Lil' Juliet, Kay, J. Lynn, Dog – Boy, Kebi, Lizza, Ronnie, JCM, Katherine, Becky, BlueSkywalker_2000, Linds, EnoimreH, Relle, Crydywn, Wyltk, Atheis and Aeris, Loverwren, Whisper, Lolajack, Madame Padfoot, Ja'Kai, Das, Thorn Angel, Melrae, AMM, Ariana Deralte, Silvertenshi, Airmid, Emil, Emma, KnightSky, Treltroever. A;oce, Kim, Elizabeth Bathory, Luna Rose/ Phoenix Child, Shadowgrl, IcyEyes202, Lila Mae, Ryoko Enigma's Kitten, Xela Lupe, Mordsith Karianda, Prophetess of Hearts, Teigra, TJ, Nicky, JK, ^_^, Darl ppm. Stormy, Parseltongue, Phoenix, Sherylyn, VMR, Katie – (MY GOD THAT'S A LONG LIST!) Thank you very much for reviewing my story, for your compliments, your encouragements, and for making me laugh and think over what I should do. I apologize to you all for taking so LONG to post this. I really didn't mean to hold off thanking you. It's soooooooo hard to actually figure out all the thank you's and who to email. I really am very honored that you all even read my story and I really cherish the reviews you've given me, it shows that what I do is appreciated and that I might have a chance at actually writing well…. Anyway…. Thank you. And God bless you.
Quoth the Raven – Indeed Poor Severus, it's rather interesting how so many of my reviewers believed that Krr'Shar was going to be the mother figure. I wonder why…. If you don't have your address shown on your profile please give me it so I can make you aware of whenver I update.
S. Maldiva – Thank you, I rather not make Snape his REAL father in this, less fun to play around with if he was.
BeSnaped – Thank you very much, and hm… who earned a place in your favorite authors list? *thinks hard… * Alan Rickman? ^-^
Auroress13 – There, I posted. You can no longer maim me.
Jona – I'm very glad that you have enjoyed this so much, and I promise to write as fast as I can.
PandaBear007 – I wouldn't want Harry to grow up either. And yes, Sirius is thick headed, but then again so is Snape.
Rio Rapter – I loved your little song and I very well just might meld it somehow into my story, thank you very much, I will give you the appropriate credit when I do so but I will need your e-mail address just in case I have to correct a line or two for phonetic reasons.
Kit Cloudkicker – How is Sirius gonna react? Have you ever watched the footage of Saint Helen's erupting?
AngelStar88 – You can ramble away whenever you like, thank you for posting a review.
RowanRhys – A lot of stories can be like that, the summary DOES help decide if one will read it or not, but sometimes summaries can be decieving. And good luck with helping your daughter, I'm glad I was able to make you laugh.
Toko – The mother figure is indeed Remus, Uncle is Sirius, Father is Snape, and Grandaddy is Albus. And pouncing Remus… NOT a bad idea. *Grins as mind wanders… *
Padfoot Sighting – Thank you very much for you compliments, they really are appreciated. I am continuing as fast as I can, and yes Sirius will come into play soon enough.
Vanderdecken – As you can see, the cat only takes place as a guard, not a mother. ^__^ And… Snapie??? Oh my.
Anneliese (the one with the stupid computer) – Thank you very much, I'm getting much death threats daily because of my delay. And the relationship between Harry and Snape… well You'll see my dear.
Deity – Why was it taking long to update? Bad luck. Lots of it. BUT I must admit waiting forever while watching your readers whither away and die from withdrawal can be interesting.
Allsnjill- thank you very much for your continuos reading.
Arinya – Don't pull your hair, it's rather painful.