Eight: Life keeps on rolling, somehow
As always, my love and hugs for my beta Salllzy. Secondly, my huge thanks and appreciation for your reviews, responds, and kudo's. I truly appreciate it, and I always love to read your opinions.
I do hope you still approve of the pacing, and I am still debating on who to add to the chaos :). I had to cut this chapter into two after some good advice, so it's a bit shorter than usual.
Past time After the war, when Harry thinks too much
When Harry had received that blasted letter from Severus, something had bloomed in his chest. It wasn't often that people cared for Harry – just Harry and not the Teen-Who-Lived, The Saviour, or any of that nonsense. After the big battle, he had shared some words with Severus in the infirmary, but the man looked like his personal mission to save Harry was done. The life debt was paid in full. Harry was safe and sound: he had survived.
Harry had always wondered if Severus had helped him from his fifth until his seventh year because he had to because of the vow he took, or that he cared for Harry in a way that Harry only had just realised. The raven-haired teen had never known for sure because those years were muddled in his head. He could not remember much but the training from Dumbledore, Severus' training, the MMA, the pretending, the plotting, hugging Ron, hugging Draco, wanting to kiss Ginny but not really anymore later on, wanting to kiss Blaise but holding that thought in his head because he felt that this would not be the right time, Severus who would give him detention so he could learn even more occlumency, or the constant people whining around him. If it had not been for Ron, Draco, and Luna then Harry would have not survived at all. No, Harry's last few years had been hazy at best. Not a week went by without something happening like poisoning, lying "friends" or another crazy Dark Lord follower. Until that letter came, that screamed the stern but caring Severus, Harry had thought that he would never see nor hear from the man again after he had walked away from the infirmary.
Past time After the war, Hogsmeade, the apothecary
Harry walked in the small shop, dressed in some dark green slacks, a black button-up, dragon hide boots, and a black cloak that would not interfere with the work that was involved with brewing. His old leather school bag thrown casually on his shoulder, Harry looked like a different person altogether. Draco had insisted that he started looking the part, and Harry had found no fault in that. He had been happy to burn his Dudley castaways and had Draco splurge on his behalf with Ron in tow.
That had also been the week that Harry decided that he should get rid of his glasses and he found a magical optometrist who was able to help him with a special developed potion, that he had to take for at least a year, but after that it would be able to settle itself. Draco had refused to use the Potioneers from the shop and had insisted they used their own Masters. Little did Harry know that those came from Severus, until he had seen the notable handwriting again.
The lady behind the counter smiled softly as she pointed towards the back where he guessed that Severus would be. He nodded as formality dictated, and walked towards the back. The back was a lot bigger than Harry had anticipated, and he noticed that there were two big workstations, while the walls were filled with shelves with all sorts of materials, ingredients, and other materials that were needed for brewing. It looked like a potion master's heaven. Severus Snape, potion master, extraordinaire stood in front of one of the workstations, obviously waiting on him. Dressed as always in his black robes, but with a bit shorter hair, that had been pulled back in a high ponytail with a leather strap, to make it easier to brew. A few strands of hair had escaped the tie, and it made the man look many years younger. Maybe not being pressed down under the yoke of two masters also did wonders. His neck, where Nagini had attacked, still had some light scarring, but he looked healthier than ever.
"Hello professor!" Harry smiled nervously as he did not know what to say towards the man that made sure that he survived the mess he had been in.
"I have not been your professor in over a year, Mister Potter-Black, nor does this situation call for all those formalities, so you may refer to me as Severus once again, if you wish." Severus was still a man of formalities, so Harry just smiled, and relaxed at the same time.
"Then why do you use my formal name, Severus, as you well know it is Harry for you."
"If you wish." The man added, and he gestured towards the second workstation. "I do believe that we may have never started on the right foot. I would like to go over the basics again, and then prepare you for your N.E.W.T.'s. I believe you would be able to at least get an A for potions." With that, Severus felt silent and looked towards the other. Harry realised that he just got something no one else next to Draco would ever get: private tutoring from Severus. The master had never taken on an apprentice, nor would he ever do that, as Draco had said numerous times.
"I appreciate that you are taking the time to help me with this, even if I don't know what I want to do after this, I would like to have the best grades possible. Although the plan to join the Aurors is not on the list anymore." Harry smiled softly. All those years he thought he wanted to do what Sirius did, be a copper as aunt Petunia would always say. Harry really had thought that he would want that, but after fighting a big battle, becoming the Master of Death, and burying more people than he would have liked, he passed on that opportunity. It did not surprise him that Kingsley had offered Ron the same, but it had surprised him that Ron chose to go back to Hogwarts, now that it almost had been rebuilt, to redo his seventh year, as an eight year.
"I believe you would be considered proficient to get your Defence Master if you wished. I would most certainly offer an apprenticeship if you pleased." The features on his former professor were really soft, it was a caring look, and a look not many people often gave Harry. He looked less burdened, which would be logical after the former spy had done so much for the wizarding world and yet they did not know nor acknowledged it. Those ordeals had been stuffed away real quick, after the war.
"I would be honoured!" Harry smiled for the first time in a long time and he felt genuinely happy. A master in defence would open many doors, even if he did not know which one he would take. There were so many roads to cover, so many things to see. Harry had lived a sheltered life and he wanted to rectify that. He loved defence, he excelled in it. Somehow those spells, charms, and wards came naturally to his magic. Or like Death had told him; his magic had chosen him. So he would love to invest in that particular branch and see what would come of it.
Past time Harry gets his N.E.W.T. scores
It had taken Severus almost three months to teach Harry the utmost basics for potions. Gone was the strict teacher that Harry remembered from six years at Hogwarts. All he saw was a gentle teacher, who coached him, asked him the difficult questions so he could learn for himself, and who taught him all he needed to know. They had both decided that Harry would never become a master brewer, but he was sufficient enough to brew some household potions himself and receive that needed Acceptable for his N.E.W.T.'s.
Harry had applied himself again with Severus' personal coaching. Where Minerva taught him transfiguration, Filius would help out with charms and arithmancy, Pomona had given him a few extra classes in herbology and then she had pushed Neville to train Harry as part of his apprenticeship that he wanted. Neville had been a wonderful teacher for Harry, as he knew more than he always had let on. Maybe the fact that he was courting Luna also helped. Neville was kind, soft, and knew how to explain certain things to Harry that nobody else had thought of. He often made references to the gardening knowledge that Harry had and for the first time in years Harry started enjoying learning. He became an avid book reader, working himself through the Black library, the collecting pieces from the different estates, and then some from the Malfoy works.
The day he got his results, he had hosted an informal graduation dinner with most of his tutors and best friends. George had offered to help him with dinner, as Neville had supplied him with some excellent herbs. Harry had insisted on cooking himself, so Kreacher had opened up the formal dining room in Grimmauld place, and had outdone himself. The tables were decked with the finest Damask white table cloths, with dark green table runners in the middle, where silver candlesticks were placed with the Black crests as well as the Peverell crests. The napkins were done in the same green with silver lining, and the bone chine was decorated with fine gold and blue flowers. All in all, it described the current Harry the best.
Minerva had laughed when she had entered the house, as she saw Kreacher mumbling happily that he was able to arrange a dinner, yet that he was only helping Harry cook, and wasn't allowed to cook most of the dinners himself. The woman had worn her finest Gryffindor red robes, especially after seeing the semi-scowl that Severus had worn, as he floo'd in. Severus had opted for the casual look that Harry had seen him wear more than once as they had practiced for his defence lessons. It weren't the stern black robes he had always worn, but he had worn a green dress shirt, with dark green loose robes over that, that accentuated his eyes. The Malfoy family had looked like they were visiting royalty, yet Draco hugged both men in the kitchen, and went to look for Ron immediately, who had been in a passionate discussion about chess with Lucius and Severus.
Filius had escorted Pomona for the dinner, and Luna had come in with her father who had helped Harry with his Care of Magical Creatures, as Neville had come with his grandmother. Hermione had declined as she was busy with her apprenticeship with the ICW, and she wasn't able to make it. The boys had felt her absence for a long time, but realised that the witch needed to find her own way in her own time. Andromeda, who had made peace with Narcissa on the latter's insistence, had attended with Teddy in tow, who she was taking care of as she found that it wasn't Harry's duty. She did allow Harry to visit as often as he would, and she sent him letters every week with Teddy's progression even if he had visited. She had also been the one to help Harry with the History of Magic. It had been Lucius who had guided Harry with Astronomy and who taught him Law as well.
After the first course that had consisted of a carpaccio with truffle sauce and red wine, Minerva had looked proudly at Harry, and opened the letter from the Ministry as Harry had requested.
"Well, mister Potter, I believe it is time that we celebrate with the main course." She said sternly, but smiled at him before standing up with the letter in her hands, looking fondly at her former student. "As headmistress I am naturally pleased that you decided to rekindle yourself with school work, and I believe that I can speak for everyone attending tonight that we know that you did not have the easiest paths in life, but I for one may say that I am very proud of you my dear. You have shown bravery, cunning, loyalty, creativity and you have applied that not only to your own life, but have shown other people what kindness, friendship" – here she looked at both Draco and Ron, and winked at them – "forgiveness, and being a true gentleman can do. You have sacrificed more than others, but I hope you also find more in life." A few tears seemed to well in her eyes and she was handed a handkerchief from George, who sat closest to her.
"Thank you mister Weasley. Now, without further ado. Harry has asked me to announce his grades." She skimmed over the parchment for a few seconds, and then smiled. "Naturally Harry has received an Outstanding in Defence Against the Dark Arts." With that everybody started laughing, and Harry merely shook his head, but inclined his head towards Severus, who had a soft and small smile on his face.
"That means mister Potter-Black will not be rid of me yet." The man announced proudly, in which he claimed him as his official apprentice and Harry smiled. "I will see you on Monday then, Harry!"
"Ah, that is lovely news, my dear!" Minerva waved the parchment around, "Let us continue. Exceeds Expectations in the Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Herbology, Potions, History of Magic and Transfiguration. You have gotten a very nice Acceptable in Arithmancy." She smiled, as Harry looked shocked to hear his mark for Potions, but was very happy with his marks for Arithmancy as he had not taken that course during his years. "Well done, my dear, well done."
"Well, I believe this is my mark to resign with these grades, Minerva." Severus laughed darkly, but was thrown a dark look by his colleague and friend.
"Don't you dare yet, Severus Tobias Snape! I know where you live!" She said dark in a mocking manner.
The man in question held his hands up in the air, and smiled towards Lucius. "I told you there was one person I am still more afraid of." This was rewarded with a general laughter all around and Lucius shook his head, while Narcissa poked him elegantly. They all knew who Severus was talking about.
"Well then, you received a Poor in Divination, but I do not believe this to be a problem, will it, Harry?"
"No, absolutely not Minerva!" Harry laughed while Ron whistled for that mark and applauded with George the loudest. Harry floated the glasses of champagne over with a wave of his to everyone present at the table. "I do believe it is time for a toast."
Harry stood up, which silenced the whole table immediately. He had never speeched before, even going as far to have Draco do his speeches under Polyjuice if it were really needed.
"You all may know that my love of speeches isn't very high. I also hate being the centre of attention, but as Ron always put it very lovingly; 'trouble finds me'." There were some laughs and acknowledgments across the table, and Harry took his time before he went along. "I was lucky enough that Sirius and Lucius tried to teach me a little bit, so that I now can stand before you and not be a rambling idiot." Harry took a breath, but held his glass high.
"First off, as I have never given a real speech, I would like to take this moment to celebrate the ending of an era for us all. I would also like to remember those who have fallen, even if some of them might have deserved it, sometimes life can groom you to become something that you might not have wanted." They all knew he thought about Dumbledore, Voldemort or people like Remus, Bellatrix and his parents. Some people had the misfortune of growing up in a world that was already disformed for them.
"I am very glad to be able to call the people at this table my friends, my family, my confidants, and overall people that I love. I needed to learn what all of that meant, but I believe I finally did so. You all have helped me in one way or another, tutored, taught, defended me or you were there when I needed you most. For that, I am eternally grateful and I hope I will be able to repay that one day, one way or another. So I would like to propose a toast, and thank you all for coming, and please enjoy the next course that Kreacher generously has decided that I was allowed to help."
Narcissa smiled, Ron and Minerva had tears in their eyes and Pomona was looking enthusiastically around the table. Luna had that eternal smile in her eyes, while she held Neville's hand, who in his turn, upped his glass a bit more and said; "To Harry, our friend, our brother, our savior." The last part he said with a wink, but if someone had seen the tears well in Harry's eyes, nobody would have commented on that.
Present time The Farm
Draco and Mack decided to go back to the Peverell grounds and loot some other farms in the area along the way, and with the help of Luna convert some of the animals that were still alive on various farms that they had seen to their own. They packed their smaller tent within mere minutes, Mack said his goodbyes to Hershel, and they left. Draco hugged both his brothers tight, but refused any assistance from Ron or Harry, knowing that Mack could still shoot a gun very profoundly if Draco was not able to fix the problem himself. Mack had warned Harry that death was on their doorstep, as he felt it in the earth, but Harry had brushed that off as his own energy that Mack unknowingly must have felt. He had not wanted to scare the man too much, so he had not told them about his "little" problem.
Ron decided to stay with Harry, as he knew that he was needed. The ex-auror would make some runs to other cities or stores that were too crowded for muggles in the meantime with George's help. Ron could apparate easily on George's coordinates, so these course of actions had been quickly decided through a mirror call with some members of the council. Ron and George were still clearing everything they could, placing everything under stasis charms, preserving what they could, or reworking materials for the camp. Their storage units were ridiculous, but necessary according to Luna.
With magic the Inferi were cleared easily, and the resources collected. Ron had been doing it for so long now, that even though he stayed vigilant, it was a piece of cake. Without magic it was sometimes too dangerous. Others could not clear buildings as easily and an Inferi could come from any direction. Mitchell had offered to go along on runs, but George had told him firmly no. Not until they would go out with more people and more people they did not have at this point.
Severus informed them that everything was as calm as could be even though Marriet was feeling unwell. Draco took care of her for now, with help from Elenoir, and that being on the road could be good for Harry. He needed time for himself, as Severus had told him. Severus also knew that the man did not like being cooped up and proposed some ideas to Harry in a way that the younger wizard knew he could not refuse. Severus had been one of the only stern, strict, but fair adults in his life: his word was law.
Harry might take that secret to the grave, but he saw Severus as a sort of honorary uncle or godfather that he never had before. Sirius had been a good man, but gone too fast to make a lasting impression. Remus was more of a kind neighbour and not an uncle. Severus and Lucius were the closest that came towards a parental figure from the male front, and as much as Harry hated admitting it: Narcissa and Elenoire were the people he would always listen to. Molly had lost that special place after the whole Grimmauld debacle, after Sirius had died and Harry had become Lord Black.
