So sorry for the delay. I had this finished three days ago but as I was proofing it I found that I didn't like how the chapter flowed, so I ended up deleting half of it and rewriting the other half. Also I would like to further everyone's understanding about Severus and Harry's relationship to get rid of any confusion. Think of their relationship like Stephenie Meyer's Quileute tribe's imprinting. As long as Harry is still too young, Severus will be his protector/mentor. As Harry gets older Severus will be his friend and developing love (adult like love), then when the time is right intimacy will enter into the relationship.
Also during my research I had found that even parents in the UK call their children 'love', so having Severus do it is completely innocence. As is calling him little mate.
Okay my rant is over.
Happy reading and enjoy!
"Can you believe that Halloween is tomorrow?" Draco asked their group when he sat at the table that morning.
"School tends to blend the days together with the amount of work they gives us." Marcus explained.
"I don't see why they have to give so much work. I swear my hand is going to fall off." Theo complained.
Harry snorted at his friend as he continued to read the new defense book that came with his morning mail. In fact his morning mail was almost completely books. Aunt Petunia sent him the Muggle ones, he was on the mailing list at the local bookstore. Aunt Petunia had also sent him her daily letter and a batch of homemade cookies. His friends liked them.
He missed the glare Theo sent his way. "You can't tell us that you actually like doing the work."
"Oh where have you been Theo? Harry is at the top of our year." Draco boosted. He left out the fact that he is in second.
"Potter, is that true?" Blaise asked.
Harry looked up from his book and smiled at his friends. "Yes, sadly, its true. You blokes have no need to feel jealous I still like you."
"Oh come off it Harry." Theo pushed his shoulder. "We aren't jealous. In fact we couldn't be happier that you have Slytherin in the lead for the House Cup."
"Well in that case I'll continue on. Oh and Draco failed to mention that he's in second." He couldn't pass up the chance to put Draco in the spotlight.
The blonde stuck his tongue out at his friend as the others started their ribbing. He was proud of it and his father was too. Although Lucius Malfoy had mentioned that he could do better. Draco ignored that part of the letter.
"Harry, are you ready for double defense?" Draco asked changing the subject.
"Of course. I hope Quirrell moves on from shields. Everyone including Weasley can cast a proper shield."
His friends all nodded in understanding. Professor Quirrell spent the last month teaching them about the different shields to use and the spells that can be deflected. Classes were almost as boring as Binns'. Harry had noticed that last week Quirrell gotten worse and needed to stop every few minutes before continuing.
He had told Severus about this. The older man warned him again to keep a good distance, even in class. Both of them tried to get into the man's head but something kept pushing them out. That something felt cold and evil. Neither knew what to do and they kept trying every so often.
"Was he like this last year, Marcus?" Theo asked.
"No, not that I can remember. Just have some patience. He probably wants to make sure you know which shield to use before you start learning offense spells."
"The best defense is a good offense." Harry quoted not looking up from his book. Missing the looks his friends gave him.
"What does that mean?" Blaise asked.
Harry sighed, marked his page and closed the book before looking at his friends. He forgets that some purebloods don't read Muggle books or even watch television.
"It a sports saying. As a coach you train your offense team to be better than your opponent's. For an example, in Quidditch the Chasers are the main scorers. You, Marcus, as the captain need to train your Chasers to get the ball and keep it, to make sure that the other team never gets a chance to score. In doing so it will guarantee that you will have enough points to win if the other team's Seeker catches the Snitch."
The whole table had stop talking to listen to the first year. The Quidditch team liked what he was saying. Blaise, Theo and Draco had looks of amazement on their faces. Harry just looked bored.
Severus had heard every word his mate said. He was making his way down the table to leave the Hall when he heard Zabini ask Harry to explain. It didn't surprise him that Harry knew something like that. Hell he wouldn't be surprised if Harry told him he had read The Art of War.
"Where did you hear something like that?" One of the team's Chasers asked.
"A book, a muggle book. Muggle sport coaches use it when they're training their team. American Football being the number one sport that uses it. They want the team to keep the ball on their side as much as possible, not giving the other team a chance to score."
"Hey, Marcus, can we use that?" A Beater asked nudging the boy's shoulder.
"I think we can. Professor, can we?" He spotted the Potion's teacher standing behind Harry.
"I don't see any problem in that Mr. Flint. Try to keep excessive force to the minimum."
Marcus smirked, "We'll try, Professor."
Severus held back the smile and nodded. He walked away before he could get roped into another conversation.
Harry watch Sev walk away, he wanted to talk to the man before class started. Looks like he'll have to wait until Potions. Draco waved his hand to get his attention.
"Yes, Dray."
"Are you going to watch the team practice after dinner?"
"Dray we only have an hour free. Its Thursday, remember."
Draco hated when Harry reminded him of the days. Just once he would like his friend to forget so he could miss Astronomy. He hated listening to the teacher talk about the stars and trying to find the constellations in the night sky. Draco knew Harry loved the subject. He seen the peaceful look on his friend's face when the other boy looks up at the stars.
"Right. I promise I'll only make you stay an hour."
"Alright Draco, I'll watch the practice with you. Now come on we have to get to class."
He and Draco, followed by Blaise and Theo, left the Hall and went to class. The double Defense was a bit better today. Quirrell actually moved on to offensive. The first hour was spent listening to the lecture and the proper wand movement. The next hour he taught them the bat-bogey hex, saying that if one did it right it would give you time to run away.
Harry wondered what the point was. If you were going to duel someone duel them, don't run. To him that just seem like the cowardly way. Defeating your opponent and subduing him would guarantee that he wouldn't get the chance to track you down and kill you. Harry concentrated on the teacher and pushed back when the barrier pushed him.
It hurt his head but he didn't give up. Then finally he broke through when the barrier got weak. He couldn't get a clear picture but he did get flashes. He saw a giant dog, a troll, a hooded figure and the word stone was being whispered through the mind. The headache was getting worse the longer he stayed so he severed the link and put up his walls.
When he opened his eyes he saw classmates leaving. His friends were giving him weird looks. Harry just shook his head and grabbed his stuff. Thankfully potions was next.
All through Potions, Severus watched Harry. The boy focused on his work and ignored everything else. He tried to use their link but found a steel wall blocking his way. Harry's magic was also keeping him out. Shaking off the confusion he continued his lesson.
Draco, Blaise and Theo were worried about their friend. Ever since Defense Harry had been quiet and withdrawn. Neither could shake the feeling that something was wrong. Blaise and Theo had figured that Harry had just connected what tomorrow was and he wanted to be left alone. Draco thought he had upset Harry by pushing him to go watch the practice.
The headache Harry was feeling was draining. Slowly he was losing his focus and all he wanted to do was sleep. So while his potion was brewing he cleaned up his station and put his stuff in back his bag. After bottling and labeling the vial he put it on Severus' desk.
"Sir, do I need to stay?"
Severus looked at the boy and knew by the tense way he spoke something was wrong.
"Mr. Potter, is everything alright?"
"Yes, sir. Do I need to stay?" He asked again.
"No, Mr. Potter. For homework read the next chapter and write a two foot summary in your own words to show that you understand what the potion does and why those ingredients are used. Its due on Monday."
"Okay. Thank you, sir." Harry gave Severus one last look and then turned around leaving the classroom.
His first stop was the hospital wing. He asked Madam Pomfrey for a pain reliever potion, he didn't asked Severus because he knew the man would want to know why. The school's nurse fussed over him and tried to keep him in the wing. Harry had promised that he was going to go straight to the dorms and get some rest. She let him go after that.
True to his words he went to his room. Harry had slept all through lunch and Transfigurations. When he woke up he felt better until he casted the tempus. He casted the spell to straighten his clothes then grabbed his bag and rushed to Herbology.
Out of breath he apologized to Professor Sprout who told him that she'll let it go and took twenty points. Harry could live with that. He took his place next to Draco and listened to the teacher continue the lesson.
"Harry, where were you?"
"I fell asleep and forgot to cast an alarm. Was McGonagall mad?"
"More like annoyed. She told us to tell you that she wants you to see her at dinner." Theo answered.
Harry nodded and followed his friends to the Great Hall. He handed his bag to Blaise and went up to the staff table. McGonagall was sitting between Dumbledore and Severus.
"Professor, Theo said you wanted to see me."
"Ah yes Mr. Potter. Tell me why you missed today's lesson."
"I'm sorry Professor. I wasn't feeling well and fell asleep and forgot to cast an alarm. I don't know if it will matter but Madam Pomfrey knew."
"I'll speak with her when she gets here. Also twenty points from Slytherin for missing class. Ask your friends for the homework. You may go, Mr. Potter."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." He turned around and started to walk away but was stopped when Dumbledore called his name. He turned and looked at the old man.
"Detention with Mr. Filch after dinner and tomorrow night, Mr. Potter." Dumbledore spoke sounding a bit pleased.
Harry kept his mouth shut and glared at the old man. He knew that Dumbledore had purposely spoke a little louder than necessary. The whole hall had gasped and went silent. Harry kept his head up and didn't show any emotion. He wasn't going to give the old man the satisfaction.
"Yes, sir." He spoke in a tight controlled voice. "Anything else."
"No. That is all Mr. Potter."
Harry just turned and went to his table. The glares on his housemates' faces wasn't missed. At least they weren't pointed at him. After several tense quiet minutes the rest of the hall went back to their dinner and conversations. Harry ignored everyone at his table. He was too livid to trust himself to talk without snapping at someone.
"Albus was that necessary?" Minerva asked in none to pleased voice. She couldn't believe that the Headmaster had given Potter detention for skipping class.
"Yes my dear. Students know that missing class is not tolerated unless they are in the hospital wing and Poppy won't release them. Also he was late for Herbology."
Minerva's back went straight. That was a load of rubbish. A student never got detention for missing class unless they were caught doing something that broke a rule, not falling asleep because they were unwell.
"Well if that's the case." She stood up and looked at her House. "Mr. Weasley, Ms. Granger you two have detention tonight for skipping Potions class today. You too will serve it with Mr. Filch."
She sat back down and didn't even hide the small smug smile. Minerva wasn't stupid, she knew that Dumbledore favored those two and lets them get away with everything. It just made her mad that she had no proof.
Severus was trying hard to keep the smile off his face and his temper under control. He was pissed that the old bastard gave Harry detention, but he was pleased that Minerva stood up for him. The power play between the Headmaster and his Deputy was amusing to watch. He was happy when she gave Weasley and Granger detention for missing his class.
He had given them detention but Albus went and let them off. Told them that they didn't have to serve it. Severus wanted to hex the old bastard right there in the hall full of students.
Like Harry, Severus kept his mouth shut and his temper under control. All through dinner the staff had ignored the Headmaster. The students on the other hand were trying to figure out what had happened.
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger had glared at Harry. It was his fault that they had to serve the detention Dumbledore got them off of. They hated that he was the school's favorite. Ron was going to use a few of his brothers' pranks to get back at him. Hermione was had her own way for getting revenge. After all Dumbledore had promised her the top spot and she wasn't going to let Potter take that from her.
"Harry, are you going to be alright?" Draco asked outside the Hall.
"Yeah I'll be fine. You three just go watch the practice and I'll see you afterward."
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure, Theo. Now we all have to get going."
Not another word was said as they went their separate ways. Severus had met up with him along the way. He wanted to ignore the man but Sev wasn't going to let him.
"Harry stop ignoring me. Tell me what happened."
Harry sighed. "It was nothing but a headache. Madam Pomfrey gave me a pain reliever potion and I promised to lay down and sleep it off. As I told McGonagall I forgot to set the alarm."
"Harry, don't lie to me."
Harry stopped at looked at the older man. "I'm not lying. Yes I'm leaving something out but the rest of it isn't a lie. Just drop it Sev. Now I have detention to serve and I'm not going to let you make me late."
He stalked off and left the older man standing there with a hurt and dumbstruck look on his face. It hurt him too but he really didn't want to tell Severus how he had gotten the headache.
He was the first one to show up. Filch even with the scowl was pleased about that. It was quickly replaced with annoyance when Weasley and Granger showed up fifteen minutes late.
"You three will be helping Hagrid tonight. So follow me."
The four left the castle and went to Hagrid's hut. The half giant was waiting for them. He was also holding a crossbow.
"Evening Mr. Filch. I'll have them back in an hour." Filch nodded and walked away. "Now you lot are going with me into the forest."
"But Headmaster Dumbledore said it was forbidden. I'm going to report this to him."
"Shut up Granger. Dumbledore knows about this." Harry snapped at the annoying female.
"You can't talk to her like that." Weasley yelled.
"Yeah can and I did. What are you going to do about it Weasel?"
Weasley raised his wand. Harry had already casted a shield. Hagrid had spoke stopping the redhead from saying anything.
"That's enough. Now lets get this over and done with. Harry, you and Fang go right. Ron, Hermione you two are with me and we'll go left."
"What are we looking for Hagrid?" Harry asked.
"An injured unicorn. Something killed one last week and I found blood of another today. Harry if you find it shoot red sparks up in the air and I'll get to you as quickly as I can. Stay safe."
Harry nodded. He and Fang went off in the direction Hagrid gave them. Ten minutes of walking in a straight path, he heard whispering. Silently he walked towards the sound and came upon a cloaked figure hovered over the injured unicorn. Harry saw that the horse was slowly losing it's life.
He raised his wand and casted the cutting hex. It was the first that popped into his head and one that was slightly less lethal. It hit the figure in the back causing it to turn and growl at him. It charged at him and before he could cast the stunning spell something jumped in between them. The cloaked figure went off in another direction.
Harry ignored his protector and went over to the majestic horse. It was no longer breathing. He placed a hand on its neck and bowed his head.
"Harry Potter, there is nothing you can do for it."
Harry turned and found a centaur standing next to him. He had read about them. You had to treat them like goblins, with respect. He bowed his to the half-man half-horse whose name he had yet to learn. The creature had bowed back.
"I'm sorry. I thought I stopped whatever that was in time."
"I know but you were just too late and its not your fault. You must be careful Harry Potter, there is a great evil on these grounds."
"I appreciate the warning. Can I ask your name?"
"I am called Firenze. Let me ask you Harry Potter, do you know what is inside the school right now?"
"No I'm afraid I don't. Is it something important?"
"Very important and dangerous if it gets into the wrong hands."
"Do you know what it is?"
"I don't. Just be cautious."
"I will. Now I must call Hagrid. Do you want to stay?"
"I will, just to be sure that thing doesn't come back."
Harry nodded and shot the sparks into the air. While he and Firenze waited, the centaur had answered all his question about the centaur race. They heard Hagrid rush towards them.
"Are you alright Harry?"
"Fine. Firenze was keeping me company."
"Many thanks, Firenze."
"No thanks necessary Hagrid. It was my pleasure to stay with him. I must leave you now Harry Potter. We must talk again."
"It was nice to meet you, and yes we must."
The centaur had left them alone. Hagrid watched until he was out of sight before looking back at Harry.
"What happened Harry?"
"I stopped something and it started to attack. Firenze showed up and stopped it. I'm sorry Hagrid, I was too late to stop it, the unicorn is dead." He pointed towards the horse.
"Its not your fault. All that matters is that you are safe. Lets go back and wait for Mr. Filch to return."
They went back to Hagrid's hut. He gave them some tea and told them about the creatures that were living in the forest. Harry had heard some rattling inside the pot that was in the fireplace.
"Hargid what's in the pot?"
"Oh let me show you." The half giant got up and removed the item. He placed it on the table on the table for them to see.
"A dragon egg. How did you get a dragon egg?" Ron asked.
"I won it playing cards in the Leaky Cauldron. The person wanted to get rid of it. I told him that after Fluffy, a dragon wouldn't be hard to raise."
"Fluffy? What's a Fluffy?" Hermione asked.
"Fluffy is a Cerberus. A three-headed dog. I raised him when he was just a pup."
"Hargid you can't keep a dragon at Hogwarts. It needs to be with it's own kind." Harry voiced his opinion.
"What if he doesn't want to be with his own kind?"
"That's not for you to decide. You must send it off before it hatches."
"No I won't do that. You three need to promise me that you won't say anything."
Weasley and Granger had nodded but Harry remain silent. He wasn't going to promise anything. He looked into Hagrid's mind and saw the night the giant had told them about. The man Hagrid was playing with wore a hood to hide his face.
Harry turned and looked out the window. Filch was making his way towards the hut. Not wasting any time he walked out and met the older man halfway. He heard Weasley and Granger tell Hagrid good night.
Filch dropped the two Gryffindors off first and then escorted him to the dungeons. He went in but waited a few seconds before leaving again. Harry walked passed the Potions classroom and stopped in front of the portrait. Saying the password he walked through.
"Sev are you here?"
Severus walked out of his study and spotted Harry. This was the first time the boy had been inside his personal rooms. He had gave him the password for emergencies only.
"What are doing here?"
"Well first I'm here to apologize. I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier, I didn't mean to hurt you. Now for the main reason I think we need to sit for this."
Harry sat in the chair next to the couch where Severus had sat down. He put a sticking charm on the man. Severus was going to do something stupid if he didn't.
"I accept your apology. I also apologize for how I acted and for calling you a liar. I know you would never lie to me just like I would never lie to you."
Harry smiled. "Accepted. Now I regret to inform you that tonight's detention was a set up."
Severus growled. "What does that mean?"
"It means that I wasn't serving detention with Filch but with Hagrid. Weasley, Granger and I were tasked to help him find an injured unicorn."
"You were sent into the Forbidden Forest!" He yelled and tried to get up. "Harry release me right now."
"No, so just calm down."
"Calm down! Like hell will I calm down. That old bastard sent three students into the Forbidden Forest. One of them just happens to be my mate." He ranted.
"Sev please. There's more I need to tell you and I don't have a lot of time."
"How can you not be mad about this?"
"I am mad, but I made peace with it. Besides the only thing I'm truly upset about is missing Astronomy. Are you ready to hear to the rest? And please keep silent until I'm done."
Severus huffed. "Fine."
"Good. Now I was the one to find the unicorn. Something was attacking it, I sent the cutting hex at it and it came at me. Firenze the centaur jumped in between us, the thing ran off. Firenze told me I needed to be careful because there was a great evil on the grounds. He also said that there was something important and dangerous, if the wrong person got to it, inside the castle.
There wasn't much said after that. We talked and waited for Hagid and the others to show up. Hagrid took us back to his hut. I heard rattling inside a pot that was sitting in the fireplace. He showed us what was inside. Sev, the man has a dragon egg. He told us he won it in a card game. I looked inside his head, but I couldn't see who it was they wore a hood over their heads. Hagrid made us promise but I didn't...I couldn't."
He stopped and looked at the older man. Severus was processing everything Harry had told him. None of it sounded any good. He can't believe that things were this bad. Part of him wanted to take Harry far away from this place.
"I'm going to give you something that is imbue with multiple protection charms. I know the potions I gave you protects you but this is extra protection. I'm going to dig deeper into Dumbledore's head to see what it was that he's hiding. As for Hagrid and that damn egg, I'll owl Charlie Weasley. He works on the dragon reserve."
"No offense, but can you trust this Weasley?"
Severus smiled. "Yes I do. Harry you can too. In fact the only Weasleys you can trust are Bill, Charlie and the twins Fred and George. The others are set in their ways to follow Dumbledore blindly."
"Alright." Harry waved his hand and removed the sticking charm. "I'm gonna head back and get the Transfiguration and Astronomy homework from Draco before he goes to sleep. Good night Severus."
"Good night Harry."
Harry quickly made his way back. He walked into his room and found his friends around waiting for him. They all looked relieved to see him.
"Hey what are you four up to?"
"Waiting for you. How was detention?" Draco replied.
"Fun. Weasley, Granger and I were sent into the forest with Hagrid."
"WHAT?!"
"Settle down before you wake everyone up. It was nothing. Although I made friends with a centaur."
"Harry, I can't believe you got to go into the forest." Marcus responded first.
"I can't either. Despite the circumstances the forest isn't scary at all."
"We'll take your word for it." Blaise spoke in a deadpanned voice.
"You do that. Now can we please go to sleep. Draco I need the homework from Transfiguration and Astronomy."
Draco handed over a small piece of parchment with the two homeworks written down on it. Harry gave him a smile of thanks and bid the others good night. Before going to sleep himself he wrote a long note to Aunt Petunia.
He can't believe the boy managed to survive the forest. Damn him. Damn Minerva too for giving his little spies detention. Those two were the only ones gullible enough to do as he asks.
Something had to change. His staff minus Quirrell were taking the boy's side. He won't stand for that. If he had it his way none of them would still be working here, but the board of governors are the only ones with the power to fire teachers. That will change when he gains control over the Wizarding World. First he needed to get rid of the bloody Boy-Who-Lived.
So much pain. Why weren't the potions working? How was that brat able to sneak up on him? The day was getting closer and soon he will be back and Harry Potter will regret surviving.
First he needed a stronger potion. The pain was unbearable. How could a blasted eleven year old have a strong cutting hex? Where did he learn it? Someone was helping him and he was going to find out.
A/N: Everything I had Harry explain to the Slytherin's is true. You can find it in Wikipedia. I also know that they knew about the dragon egg before the detention and that it was the reason for the detention. And I also knew Draco was given that detention but I changed that to fit this chapter.