Chapter 7
Mrs. Weasley came in spitting fire. Harry couldn't look at her. He kept his head down and his hands against the wall. He couldn't believe that he had just come from sincerely apologizing to her for punching Ron in the face. He didn't feel bad for fighting Ron. If anything, that was Ron's fault. He did feel bad for getting in a fight again. Mrs. Weasley deserved better.
Harry listened to her shouting, but all of the comments seemed to be directed at her son. Ginny was glaring at Ron, and Hermione was leaning against the bookcase and biting her lip. Harry looked from one to the other and then back again at Mrs. Weasley. Ron couldn't get a word in edgewise, and it didn't look like he was trying very hard.
"Just WAIT until your father gets home," Mrs. Weasley screeched. "You were already in trouble, young man, and NOW look! Poor Harry!"
Harry wanted to object. He didn't want to be in trouble, but he didn't consider himself the victim either. He'd had enough years of that. He'd been trying to pin Ron down, not playing helpless punching bag.
"Mrs. Weasley," Harry said carefully, stepping away from the wall even though Remus hadn't given him permission. "That's not really how it happened…"
"Nonsense, Harry," Mrs. Weasley interrupted, shaking her head at Ron. "I don't know why you can't just leave things be, Ronald Weasley!"
Although Harry had to agree with her there, he still wasn't going to allow her to have the idea that he wasn't a party to the fight. He stepped closer, almost to her. With one last look at the door to make sure that Snape wasn't there yet, he desperately tried to make his case.
"Mrs. Weasley, I think you have the wrong idea," Harry began.
"Molly," Remus stopped her before she could cut Harry off again. "Both boys were fighting. I had to freeze them."
"Is that true?" Mrs. Weasley asked Harry.
"Yes, but," Harry started to say.
He was interrupted again.
"It's not!" Ginny said. "We were talking, and it was none of his business, and he came over and stuck his nose in."
When Mrs. Weasley looked at Harry for confirmation, he nodded. "Well, that part is true," he said. "But I guess a fight started from there." Harry hesitated. "I didn't really want to fight, but I didn't back down either. So, I guess we are both to blame this time."
"No!" Ginny insisted.
"Be quiet, Ginerva!" Mrs. Weasley ordered.
"What started the fight this time?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Although she addressed her question to Harry and Ron mainly, she seemed to be asking all of them.
Harry looked at his hands. He was thinking that he would have been better off trying to talk to Ginny alone. Harry couldn't help sending an accusatory glance at Remus. He remembered thinking that it would be okay since there was an adult in the room.
"I see," Mrs. Weasley said quietly.
"I'm sorry, Molly," Remus said tiredly. "I should have intervened sooner."
"It's not your fault, Remus," Mrs. Weasley told him with a grim expression. "They are all old enough to know better." She looked around the room. "All of you, go to your rooms. Just stay there." She looked at Harry. "I don't know where Severus is, but I imagine he will want you there anyway. I am going to go prepare some sandwiches for lunch. There are no Order members here, so it's just all of us. When it's ready, I will send Fred and George to collect you, and there had better be no trouble."
They all nodded. Harry went to his room and shut the door, but he didn't stay there long. He grabbed his cloak from the bottom of his trunk and bolted for the door. As soon as he was sure the coast was clear, he stole out into the hallway and back downstairs. All he could think about was how badly he had mucked up. He dreaded the confrontation with Snape. Harry didn't want to talk to the man. He didn't want to see anyone.
Since he was being quiet, the portrait of Sirius's mother at the front door didn't hear him or make a sound. Harry didn't bother to use his wand. He just concentrated and focused on the doorknob, using all of his energy and anger. It clicked and turned.
As soon as he was out the door, Harry slipped his invisibility cloak over his head and moved quickly. The last thing he wanted was for Muggles to see him. He moved swiftly and quietly until he found himself in a park a few blocks away, and then he sat down against a shed and took the cloak off. There was no one around to see him, so it seemed safe to do so.
He wasn't sure how long he sat there, staring at his cloak in his lap and holding his wand clenched so heavily in his hand that he realized it was getting painful. There wasn't really a plan in his mind when he had left Grimmauld Place. He simply couldn't stand being there a minute longer.
"You've really done it this time," he said to himself out loud.
"Oh, I don't know," he heard a voice from behind him say. "I think there's probably a few more ways you could up the ante. I don't think you've robbed Gringotts yet. I would have heard."
Harry didn't even bother to turn around. He just put his head down. Even his pathetic escape attempt hadn't lasted an hour. He really was inept.
There was a shuffle of footsteps behind him, and then Bill Weasley sat down next to him. "I can tell why you picked this spot. It's quiet. Peaceful."
Harry just shook his head miserably. "Whatever."
"I think it's about to rain, but that's your lookout," Bill continued.
Harry gave Bill a sideways look. He couldn't figure out why Bill wasn't yelling at him yet. True, as the oldest of the Weasley children, Harry thought of him as barely an adult, but he was an Order member. He should be furious at Harry for running off, not commenting on his hiding spot.
"Doubt I'll be here long enough for it to matter," Harry mumbled.
"Oh, you're moving on then?" Bill said amiably. "Where to?"
"You're not going to turn me in?" Harry asked skeptically. "You can't be serious. How did you even find me?"
"You're right," Bill said with a solemn nod. "I'm just the decoy, to stall you. There are a dozen Aurors surrounding us right now, ready to put you under arrest."
"Really?" Harry cried in disbelief.
"No!" Bill shoved him good-naturedly. "Of course not!"
"Oh," Harry allowed himself a grim smile in return. "Well, why are you here then?"
"Just to talk, I swear."
Harry didn't believe him. "Who else knows where you are? Where I am?"
It hadn't escaped Harry's notice that Bill hadn't answered him when he asked how he found him. While Bill might have been joking about the Aurors, it didn't mean Order members or Snape didn't know where Harry was. He was in trouble, and he knew it. There was no way he could get away from Bill.
"I meant what I said before," Bill said, ignoring Harry's questions. "It's a peaceful spot. I don't imagine you get much peace, do you, Harry?"
Harry looked down at his cloak and his wand. He didn't think that question needed a response. There was a madman after him. People had wanted him dead since before he was even born.
"Harry," Bill went on. "I'm sure things don't seem fair from your point of view. Life has dealt you a bad blow, no question. I never took you for the type to feel sorry for yourself."
"Who says that's what I'm doing?" Harry demanded.
"You ran away," Bill said.
"I just had to … to leave," Harry explained. "I wasn't running away. I wouldn't."
"You could, Harry, and no one would think less of you," Bill said quietly, "disappear. Go into hiding. Maybe until you are a little older. Even go into training. Or use that as a cover story until Voldemort has been dealt with. By someone else. No one said you had to be the one to deal with him."
Harry glared at Bill. "You think I'm running from Voldemort?" he growled. "THAT BASTARD KILLED MY PARENTS! I would NEVER run from him."
"I didn't say I thought that," Bill reminded him. "I said no one would blame you."
"Well, I'm not a coward," Harry snapped. "I'm not running away. I just needed time to think."
"It's not about cowardice, Harry," Bill began. "You don't have to face him. And revenge …"
"No," Harry interrupted. "I know you're older than I am, but you don't understand. No one understands what I am going through. What I have gone through. I have faced him. Three times. Four." He pointed to his forehead. And it's not about revenge. It's about ending it. Once and for all."
"Okay," Bill put up both his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I get it."
The two of them sat there, watching the wind lazily blow the leaves through the trees. Neither said anything. Harry was starting to get cold. He wasn't sure what else to say. He knew that he couldn't stay here forever. He hadn't really had a plan when he left.
"You never told me how you got out," Bill said.
"You never asked," Harry replied.
"Fair enough," Bill looked at Harry with a grin. "I imagine they've fixed that particular security flaw by now anyway."
Harry groaned. "I hate being trapped. Anywhere."
There was a pause. Then Bill said, "I get that. I was never much one for being told what to do either."
"Is Snape mad?" Harry asked.
"I think you have to talk to him and see for yourself," Bill said after a pause.
Harry nodded. He was mad. Of course, he was. Harry had disobeyed pretty much every rule Snape had given him all at once. Snape had to be furious.
"Look, Harry, Snape's a strict bastard, but he's not going to kill you," Bill said. "Just go and take your medicine."
"Right," Harry said with a grimace.
"I think that the Snape I went to school with is a bit different than the Snape you go to school with," Bill said pensively. "He was younger then, just fresh out of the war. A real Death Eater. Dark. Scary. Very angry and a little sad. He wasn't as likely to favor Slytherins. I learned a lot from him."
Harry nodded, not sure what Bill's point was.
"I've gotten to know him, working in the order with him," Bill continued. "He's a good man. He holds himself in, but he's not who, or what, most people think he is. It's hard to be a double agent. I don't imagine you make many friends. It's not a career with a long life expectancy."
"He's giving it up because of me," Harry said glumly.
"Yes and no," Bill said. "The role he has to play now is more important. Everyone agrees that keeping you alive is key. How to do that—that's what they disagree on. No one consulted you. Well, that's to be expected. No one has so far, right. Bah, that's the way it goes. You got their attention now, Harry. You got what you wanted. You got yourself a trainer. Don't mess it up."
"I think I already did," Harry said. "There's no way Snape is going to go through with it now. Why would he? I've already shown him I'm a screw-up."
"What, by running away?" Bill asked.
Harry nodded. "By fighting with Ron, and by disobeying orders and running off. Some soldier I am."
"You're not a soldier, Harry," Bill said. "You're a fourteen-year-old boy."
"I'm just as much a part of this war as everyone else!" Harry insisted.
"In some ways," Bill agreed. "You're a special case. You are both the target and the weapon. Your status is unique. You need to be protected at all costs. For that reason, you absolutely cannot go running off without anyone knowing where you are."
Harry thought it had certainly taken him long enough to get to the lecture. Still, he was right. What Harry had done was risky. There was no denying that. He had no doubt worried and frightened a lot of people.
"You might as well take me back now," Harry said glumly.
He didn't stand up. Harry stayed where he was as if he couldn't move. He put his head down on his knees as if he could disappear just by wishing it.
"Tell me what you're most worried about," Bill said gently. "Snape thrashing you?"
Harry shook his head. "He's going to be disappointed in me," he said softly in a voice so low he wasn't sure Bill could hear.
Even though Harry couldn't see Bill, he heard him turn to someone behind him. Harry tensed at the sound of a throat clearing. He didn't look up.
"I believe I will take it from here, Mr. Weasley," Snape said.
"Sure thing. I'll meet you back at the Headquarters," Bill said genially.
Harry heard retreating footsteps, and then Bill was gone. He still hadn't looked up. It wasn't that he was afraid to—he just couldn't seem to make his head move.
"I think it's time that you and I had a bit of a discussion," Snape's voice said firmly from above him. "You can stay where you are. That's fine. I know you are listening. I do not have to hear your confirmation to know you are aware of the foolishness of your actions. Fortunately for you, there were no consequences from your little escapade—this time. The incident with the dementors was not your fault. You behaved admirably and acquitted yourself with bravery and urgency in a difficult situation. This incident, however, was entirely of your own making. You did not know what the circumstances were, and you put yourself in a situation of reckless endangerment for no reason other than, as far as I can tell, you were throwing a tantrum."
"I wasn't!" Harry said.
After he said it, he realized that the last part of Snape's speech might have been designed to get a rise out of him. He looked up to see that Snape was standing above him with one eyebrow raised. Harry stood up, deciding that sitting on the ground while Snape was above him was a decidedly uncomfortable position.
"Is that so?" Snape asked. "You had a well-thought-out and sensible reason for your excursion this afternoon?"
Harry put his hands in his pockets and looked at his feet. "Well, no," he admitted.
"I thought not," Snape held out his hand. Harry put his cloak into it. "Let's return to Headquarters so that we may continue this conversation in a more secure location."
"Yes, Sir."
"Take my arm."
Harry took Snape's arm and felt the uncomfortable sensation of Apparation once again. This time, he understood what was happening when they appeared in front of the absent house. Snape gave him a pointed look.
"Do you remember the note I had you read before?"
Harry nodded. Before his eyes, Number 12 Grimmauld Place appeared once again between Number 11 and Number 13. The other houses just moved aside to make room. Snape let them in.
"I believe we have missed lunch," Snape told him. "I will have sandwiches sent up."
Food was the last thing on Harry's mind, but he said nothing. He followed Snape until they went to the corner room. Harry sat in the chair, and Hedwig immediately flew to perch on his shoulder. Harry smiled despite his sour mood as she began preening his hair in affectionate welcome.
Snape closed the door and set a silencing charm. Harry recognized it this time. He was grateful for the privacy. He was afraid there was going to be a lot of yelling soon.
"Well, Harry," Snape said, after sitting carefully on the bed since there was no other chair. "Do you have an explanation for your behavior other than childishness?"
"No, Sir," Harry admitted. "I just wanted to get out."
"Get out?" Snape asked, a look of confusion briefly crossing his features before the familiar mask of sternness returned.
"It was just … all too much," Harry stroked Hedwig gently, wishing he could explain. "I don't know why you care. I guess you want to be done with me now anyway."
"Ah," Snape said. "So that's it."
"What?" Harry asked.
"The prospect of having a dependable guardian, one who is not an utter buffoon and won't ignore you completely, frightens and confuses you, so you tried to scare me off with your reckless disobedience," Snape said knowingly.
"No!" Harry protested. "That wasn't it at all.
"Humph," Snape said. "I believe it was. No matter, you will have to get over that idea. Because it won't work like that. Guardians are not normally so mercurial, your experiences with them notwithstanding."
Harry looked at him in confusion. That hadn't been why he'd left. He didn't think so, anyway.
"You should know, Harry, that you are not the reason for the lack of permanence of the people in your life," Snape said firmly. "Nothing you did caused your parents to die, or Black to run after Pettigrew, or your aunt and uncle to reject you, or Lupin to … well, Lupin might be a special case. There was nothing he could do to be in your life because of a condition from before you were born. You must accept this at some point, Harry. They are all adults, and their flaws are not yours; their choices are certainly not yours, though their decisions affect you nonetheless."
Angry tears had started to form in Harry's eyes. He wanted to yell at Snape, arguing against his words. Nothing came out. On some level, Harry accepted what Snape was saying. It didn't make it any easier. He was going to need to move on past the decisions that others had made that had screwed up his life.
"What do I do now?" Harry breathed.
"I believe I already told you that," Snape said. "You will have to make the decision yourself. No one else can do it for you. If you continue to hold onto the past, your life will be ruled by anger. Take this from someone who knows. I am telling you not to make the same mistakes I made."
"You just don't want me to turn down a dark path," Harry mumbled.
"No, I don't," Snape said. "I can tell you from experience that that way holds nothing for you. I tried it and rejected it for a reason. I thought I could get power and acceptance. I thought I could find revenge there. Look at me, Harry. Revenge is not the answer. The quest for power is not the answer. If you want to defeat Him, I will show you how. But that is not the way."
"What's the prophecy got to do with it?" Harry demanded.
"That is a story for another day," Snape said. "I told you I don't believe in prophecy, and I don't. If you defeat him, it will because he seeks you out and for no other reason. He will seek you out, and you will be ready."
"You will still train me? Harry asked hopefully.
"I will," Snape said. "We still have a fair way to go in terms of establishing trust, I see. There is time for that. You need to work on your maturity, young man."
"Yeah," Harry said, his shoulders slumping in shame. "I'm sorry."
Snape nodded. "I think you should eat something, and then we will talk a bit more. You don't eat enough."
Snape called, "Kreacher!"
"The Head of Slytherin House calls?" Kreacher said as soon as he pops in.
"A platter of sandwiches please, Kreacher, as well as a pitcher of pumpkin juice and coffee," Snape said.
Kreacher snapped his fingers, and the items appeared. Snape gave the elf a nod of thanks, and Kreacher bowed and vanished. Harry gaped. He had never seen Kreacher so deferential. With Sirius, the elf had seemed to spit nails.
"You have a way with him," Harry commented.
Snape snorted, and with a wave of his hand, plates and cups appeared, as well as napkins. He looked at Harry and then mumbled something, and Harry felt his hands cool slightly. Harry realized it was a sanitizing spell. They ate in silence. Harry gave a bit of turkey to Hedwig, who nibbled them gratefully. She really did seem back to her old self.
When they were finished, Snape vanished the remains of the meal; Harry looked expectantly at Snape.
"Am I in trouble?"
"Do you believe you should be?" Snape asked.
"Um, well, I guess?" Harry sputtered.
"And why is that?" Snape looked at Harry carefully.
Harry hated this. He wished Snape would just sentence him with anything and get on with it. This interrogation was torture.
"Well, I fought Ron after you told me to stay away from him, and then I left without permission after you told me not to leave the house," Harry said slowly. "I think that was bad news."
"I would agree. Why?" Snape said calmly.
"Why?" Harry gaped. "Because … well, you said it was dangerous."
"Which?" Snape pressed.
"Oh … I guess fighting could be dangerous," Harry said slowly. "I was actually trying to avoid a fight, though. I was trying to pin him."
"Why?"
"Because you told me not to talk to him, and I didn't want to disappoint you."
"That's the only reason?" Snape asked.
"Well, no," Harry admitted. "It was stupid. Fighting was stupid. It seemed dumb to fight and a dumb reason to get in trouble. Then I lost my temper. Then I realized I lost my temper and tried to make up for it by just pinning him instead of fighting him. Not sure it worked. I still got in trouble."
"You did?"
"Well, I thought I did. Remus called for you, and I thought… I thought I was in trouble," Harry looked at Snape.
"You thought you were in trouble with me, so you ran off," Snape concluded.
"I wasn't? I wouldn't have been?" Harry asked.
"Don't you think you should have waited to find out before jumping to conclusions?"
"But Remus …" Harry started to say, then he stopped.
Remus hadn't really said anything except to send for Snape. Harry was the one who had panicked and assumed that he was in a lot of trouble with his new guardian. Then his mind had apparently somewhere got him thinking Snape would want nothing more to do with him.
"I'm such an arse," Harry said softly.
"I think," Snape said, "that you will find me normally more than reasonable when you actually talk to me. You did not talk to me this time, though. Instead, you assumed that I was going to punish you or refuse to have anything more to do with you and ran off."
Harry nodded miserably.
"To answer your question, Harry, I am not sure what the end result would have been if you had followed Mrs. Weasley's instructions and stayed in your room," Snape said firmly. "I would have listened to you, including what you just told me. It does sound like you attempted to diffuse the situation, at least somewhat. I believe that you made some good choices and some bad ones."
He leaned forward, crossing one leg over the other. "However, the decision to run off was not reasonable and had no basis in rational thought. I believe you simply panicked. Is that right?"
"Yes, Sir, I guess so," Harry said.
"Were you angry?" Snape asked.
"No, I don't know, maybe," Harry responded with a shrug.
"Because most of the time I have known you, while you have often responded recklessly, you have not often acted as outright foolishly as you did today," Snape insisted. "This was an extreme, even for you. There is normally a rationale for your decisions. It is not usually something I agree with, but it is there. You do not appear to have one this time. You were angry; you wanted to leave. Were you trying to make me angry with you?"
"No, Sir," Harry said. "I don't think so."
"You do seem repentant," Snape told Harry.
"I am, Sir," Harry agreed.
"Hopefully, this will not happen again once the ritual has been completed," Snape said with a sigh.
"Are you going to thrash me?" Harry asked.
Snape looked at Harry in surprise, maybe because he was being so frank. "Is that what you expected me to do?"
"Well, yeah, kind of," Harry said, his cheeks reddening in embarrassment.
"You should be relieved to hear that I plan to do no such thing," Snape told him. "You deserve a punishment for this foolish behavior. Normally, I would have no problem delivering one. The circumstances, in this case, are unique. You need to learn to depend on me, which includes expecting a reasonable consequence when you have earned one. We haven't established communication of expectations sufficiently yet. That is quite clear."
Harry was looking at Snape in something akin to shock. He couldn't believe the man had just told him he wouldn't be punished for any of it. He'd basically just said Harry had behaved so stupidly that he couldn't punish him.
"But, Sir," Harry protested. "You punished me when I fought with Ron."
"That was more of a learning exercise," Snape said. "I do not think another essay is going to do us any good here. Telling you to write an essay on why you shouldn't run off when you're in hiding? What would you learn from that?"
Harry hung his head. Snape had a point. He had made foolish decisions, and Snape seemed to think punishing him by not punishing him was the most painful thing. Harry had to admit the man was diabolical. He felt like a complete prat.
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
"The ritual is in a few hours," Snape said, transitioning topics so fast that Harry looked up in surprise. "I would like you to avoid conflict with any of the inhabitants of this house between now and then, if possible. I am not confining you to your room. I am asking you to use your judgment. If a conflict seems inevitable, leave."
"Yes, Sir," Harry said gratefully.
"The robe is in your room," Snape said, standing. "There are no lines for you to learn. We will conduct a brief rehearsal without you or the witnesses. If you want to be there for the rehearsal, you may, but your part is simple. You will follow Dumbledore's instructions. The entire thing takes less than twenty minutes."
"Can Hedwig come with me yet?" Harry asked, almost pleading. "She looks great."
Snape was considering this, Harry could tell. "She may. Be careful with her. She still should not fly great distances. She can sit in the window, and she may fly out the window to the tree."
"Thank you, Sir."
Snape nodded, and Harry left with Hedwig on his arm. Just having her with him made him feel much better. He had missed her terribly even when she was down the hall. She nuzzled his ear as he walked.
"Hi, Harry," Hermione said.
Harry froze, remembering Snape's words about avoiding conflict. He nodded to Hermione and finally decided that he could answer her casually. He didn't need to talk to her.
"Hi," he said evenly.
"I'm so glad Hedwig is back," she said genuinely.
With a nod, Harry continued past her, went into his room, and closed the door. He felt a pang of guilt at that. Hermione had been his friend for a long time, and it felt wrong to fight with her. He just wasn't ready to give it up yet.
Since Harry didn't have a perch in his room, he set Hedwig down on the dresser and opened his window. She jumped over to the windowsill and seemed content to perch there. Harry stretched out on the bed and relaxed.
When he woke up, he realized he didn't remember falling asleep. He hadn't even dreamed, which was rare. He suspected Snape of drugging him, although he couldn't prove it. In this case, he was grateful. Sleep, when it came, meant nightmares.
Without thinking, Harry used his wand to cast a Tempus. It was half-past four. Harry saw that Hedwig was still asleep, her head tucked under her wing. He went to use the loo and wash his face and then returned to his room and put on the robes Snape had left for him. They were pale blue formal robes, nicer than his school robes, but not quite the dress robes like he'd worn for the Yule Ball. Harry figured this occasion was in-between. Since he was wearing robes, he wore his school shoes. They were scuffed and getting too small, but they were all he had.
Stepping out into the hall, Harry saw that Snape was there. His robes were identical to Harry's but a slightly darker shade of blue. The man met him and then raised his wand over Harry's head and sprinkled tiny drops of water on him. Then he started attacking him with a comb.
"Hey!" Harry cried.
"Stay still!" Snape snapped, batting his hand away with the one that wasn't holding the comb.
Resigned to his fate, Harry let Snape try to tame the unruly mop of his hair. He knew there was no point but didn't bother telling Snape that. After a few minutes, Snape was either satisfied or gave up and then turned to appraise Harry's robe. That must have suited him, but then he saw Harry's shoes. He raised an eyebrow, but Harry just shrugged sheepishly.
"Come along," Snape said.
He led Harry to the drawing-room. When they got there, Dumbledore was already waiting in brilliant violet robes. He was standing behind a table with three candles and a large, shallow pewter bowl that was shimmering with a pale blue liquid, almost the color of Harry and Snape's robes.
Right after Harry and Snape arrived, Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, Remus, and Sirius filed in. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny were each wearing slightly worn dress robes. Sirius's formal robes looked brand new, while Remus's were nearly worn to tatters in places. Harry imagined that Sirius had tried to buy him new ones, and he had refused. He felt terrible about being the cause of any discomfort for either of them.
"Welcome, everyone," Dumbledore said in a kind but grave voice. "We are here to celebrate the binding of Harry James Potter to Severus Snape Prince through the Heir Ritual. To witness for Severus are Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. To witness for Harry Potter are Ginerva Weasley and Molly Weasley."
Harry had looked at Snape in surprise when the announcement about Sirius and Remus was made. He should have realized why they were here. If he needed witnesses, Snape did too. Snape had chosen witnesses so that Harry could have the people here who mattered to him. It was touching, and Harry found his throat closing up.
"Let us begin," Dumbledore continued. "Severus Snape Prince, do you accept Harry James Potter as your heir?"
"I do," Snape said gravely.
Dumbledore looked over to the table. The candle on the left flared to life.
"Due to the age of the heir in question, we have chosen to include him in the ritual," Dumbledore said. "Harry James Potter, do you accept the position as heir to Severus Snape Prince?"
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
As before, a candle sprang to life. This time, it was the one on the right.
"Magic will henceforth recognize Harry James Potter as the heir to Severus Snape Prince. Severus Snape Prince, it is your responsibility to provide for your heir, guide him, and love him as a natural-born son."
Dumbledore paused. The third candle in the middle of the other two lit. Its flame was brighter and higher than the other two. Harry could hear Mrs. Weasley crying softly.
"There is one last step, which is optional," Snape said to Harry. "There is a potion which will make you not only my heir but my blood relation. It is completely up to you."
"Will it change the way I look?" Harry asked.
"Not in the least."
"Then yes, I want to do it," Harry said. He had never had a parent and never been related to anyone by blood that actually cared about him.
Snape nodded. He walked over to the bowl and gestured for Harry to move forward also. Harry now noticed that there were two Potions knives next to it. Snape picked one up and motioned for Harry to pick up the other. The Potions professor then cut a small nick in his finger and held it above the bowl. Harry did the same thing. Snape put the knife down and held his hand over Harry's, murmuring a few words. The cut closed. Snape's cut closed as well. Snape then picked up a glass stirring rod and stirred the Potion with a few more words.
Harry watched in wonder. He had never seen a potion used with a spell or with blood, for that matter. This must be very advanced. It was probably also illegal. When it was finished, Snape filled two vials and handed one to Harry. Harry drank it without hesitation and saw Snape do the same.
"The ritual is complete," Dumbledore called out. "Congratulations to you both!"
"Whoo-hoo!" Sirius called. He ran over to Harry and clapped him on the back.
"There is cake and presents downstairs for both of you," Mrs. Weasley said. "No arguments!"
Although Harry suspected that the last part was directed at Snape, he smiled and nodded at her. Remus was shaking his hand, and he could barely concentrate as first Dumbledore, and then Sirius congratulated him as he was led to the door.
"Congratulations, Harry," Ginny said shyly. "I guess you have a family now."
"Yeah," Harry responded. "I guess I do."
He followed them downstairs as that sank in. It was a technicality, but Snape was legally now his father. Harry was not sure whether to be more relieved or worried. At least now he could do what he was meant to do—train to defeat Voldemort.
When they arrived in the kitchen, the twins shot streamers at them. The table was piled with presents, something Harry was not expecting at all. Mrs. Weasley somehow managed to get around to the cakes and slice them, and began passing around pieces for everyone. Harry found that he was not in the least bit hungry. Everything seemed dreamlike.
"Well," Ginny said. "Open something!"
Harry reached out and took what she handed him. He looked at the tag. It was from Sirius. He opened it carefully. It was a … mirror.
"What is this?" Harry asked.
"That," Sirius said, coming up behind him, "is one of our more brilliant inventions. I thought it might help you survive the rule of the Dungeon Bat."
Harry looked at him in confusion. "What does it do?"
"It's a communication device," Sirius said. "I have the other one."
"Wow," Harry said. "You mean it?"
"Yep," Sirius said. "I'll show you how to use it later."
"Thanks, Sirius," Harry said, genuinely touched. It was a fantastic gift.
"Of course, Pup," Sirius said. "I meant it when I said I am going to be in your life. I'm not abandoning you."
"Here," Remus said, handing him another wrapped package. "Open mine."
Harry took it and ripped the paper quickly, getting more into the mood. It was a book, clearly used, titled Household Charmes Used for Defense. He looked at Remus questioningly. It didn't look like the type of book he should have.
"Open it," Remus said with a smile.
Shrugging, Harry opened it. There was handwriting inside, he read aloud, "Property of Lily Evans … this was my mum's book?"
"It was," Remus confirmed. "I have it because … never mind, long story. I am gifting it to you—useful stuff in there. Don't worry, I asked Severus first. He will explain the rules, I am sure."
"Wow, thanks, Remus!" Harry said happily.
Remus looked genuinely pleased to have gifted Harry an heirloom from his mother. Harry had his father's cloak, but nothing meaningful from Lily. The book meant a lot, and he suspected Remus knew that.
"Mine!" Ginny shouted, tossing a package at Harry.
"Hey!" Harry said.
He opened Ginny's package, a defense training journal, and then a box from the twins. He immediately wanted to hide that because he suspected Snape would not like to see the 'prototypes' they supplied him with. Hermione had given him a book on defense that he had to admit was pretty brilliant. Dumbledore's gift was a box of sweets that puzzled Harry, but then again, Dumbledore usually puzzled Harry.
"Here you go, Dear," Mrs. Weasley said. "From the family."
She handed him a basket of sweets with a hand-knitted scarf wrapped around the handle. The scarf was light blue. Harry was beginning to notice a pattern there. The biscuits and pastries smelled terrific.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley," Harry said.
"You need to eat when training!" she insisted.
"Of course, Ma'am," he assured her.
It took forever to get out of the party and back upstairs. Snape sent all of Harry's gifts to his room. Harry knew Snape had some, too but had no idea what. He hadn't gotten Snape anything, and he was beginning to wonder if he was supposed to. Snape had, after all, given him a beautiful robe. When he got to his room, he was exhausted. He opened the door, but Snape was right behind him.
"You have one more gift, Harry," Snape said, almost quietly, after closing the door.
"But, Sir," Harry said, gesturing to the robe.
"That's not a gift," Snape told him. "It's a guardian's responsibility to provide you with clothing. We'll get to that. I suspect you need shoes too." Harry blushed, looking at his scuffed school shoes." No matter, Harry. The deficits of those who have cared for you before are not your fault. This is your gift from me."
Snape held out a small box, wrapped in plain blue paper the exact color of Harry's robes. Harry took the box gingerly, almost reverently. Something told him this wasn't an ordinary present. This meant something.
Harry removed the paper carefully and found a small pewter box with a hinged lid. It was intricately carved with a crest. Harry didn't recognize the crest, but he figured it was the Prince family crest. He opened the box to reveal a gorgeous ring, platinum with a crest like the one on the box. Inside the crest was a crystal. Harry ran his finger over it in awe.
"Amethyst," Snape said.
"Wow," Harry could think of nothing else to say.
"This is the Heir Portkey Ring, Harry," Snape said. "When you use the code word, it will take you to the manor. The manor is heavily warded and unplottable. You will be safe there. It is only to be used in emergencies because I have to set it again before you can use it the next time."
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
"I am going to spell this to be invisible," Snape continued. "Unless you choose to show it to someone. Only someone you deeply trust. Never take it off for any reason. Any reason. Understood?"
Harry nodded.
Snape picked up the ring and put it on Harry's finger. Then he waved his hand over it. The ring was invisible and almost weightless. Harry had to concentrate to know it was there at all. It almost made him sad. It was beautiful to look at.
"If you want to see it, just say, revelare princepo,"Snape said. "Just don't do it while anyone is watching. You can leave it visible when you are in the manor. He waved his hand, and the ring was there again."
"Are you ready to go?" Snape asked.
"Yes, Sir," Harry said. "Once I pack."
"I'll take care of that," Snape said.
In a moment, Harry's things were packed. With a wave of Snape's hand, they vanished. Harry looked at Hedwig. He knew she couldn't make the journey. Harry looked at Snape.
"I will take you there and then come back for her," Snape said.
"Okay," Harry said, breathing a sigh of relief.
They walked downstairs and then outside. Standing on the steps, Harry understood that he needed to take Snape's arm again. He hoped that the cake stayed down.
"I have something for your stomach when we arrive, should you need it," Snape said, giving Harry a look he could only interpret as mild amusement.
Nodding, Harry took Snape's arm. Moments later, they appeared—nowhere. Harry looked at Snape in confusion.
Snape held out a piece of parchment. Scribbled on it were the words, 'Prince Manor is located in Dartmoor in Devonshire, England' in barely discernable handwriting. Harry wondered who the Secret Keeper was.
After he read the words and Snape vanished the parchment, he looked up, and a gorgeous stone house appeared in front of him. It might be more appropriate to call it a manor, as Snape had done. A flagstone walk led through a front garden flanked by topiaries. The house was at least three stories tall and covered with vines. The leaded windows were lined on either side with intricately carved shutters. Gargoyles guarded stone precipices, and Harry could swear he saw a tower or two. It was the most fantastic house he had ever seen.
"Welcome to Prince Manor."
