Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.

A.N. Lucy's behaviour etc. is taken from my own dog, Lucy, with the only difference that my Lucy (unfortunately) is not magical. Just so you know...


When Severus and the twins returned downstairs, Harry noticed immediately that his guardian seemed highly amused.

'You better not eat anything of the dessert if you don't want to be turned into a canary,' he warned him.

'Sorry sir, a what?' Harry thought back in confusion.

'A bird. The twins brewed a prank potion that will make the consumers turn into a bird. They seem quite good at brewing in spite of not even being first-years.'

'That sounds cool, but thank you for the warning, sir,' Harry replied, amused. 'I wished I could learn to brew,' he added as an afterthought.

'With Lucy's assistance, you will be able to brew,' Severus reassured him. 'We can try it out during the weekends if you wish.'

'Oh yes please.' Harry felt extremely happy at the idea. 'Lucy, will you help me brew potions, when Severus teaches us?'

'Of course.'

HP

On Saturday morning, Severus gave Harry his first Potions lesson. So far, he had only held monologues about ingredients, their method of preparation and their purposes and taken him into the garden to have him touch and feel one or the other herb. He knew that Cicero had also been teaching the child; however, he did not know to what extent. This time, he decided to make Harry prepare the ingredients for a simple healing potion.

Harry seemed to be over the moon with joy. Together with Lucy, he was sitting on a workbench, which Severus had specifically made for them in his private lab. He laid out the recipe and observed in surprise that was close to shock how the child began to prepare the required ingredients without needing any explanation whatsoever.

"Harry," he asked after a short while, "why do you exactly know what to do?"

'Cicero taught me how to prepare everything,' his ward replied, before he eagerly continued with the task at hand.

'No.' Severus shook his head in determination. 'I'm not going to brew that potion. Harry will do it.' He waited until the child finished preparing everything, before he gently led him through the brewing process. Thirty minutes later, a flawlessly brewed potion was simmering in the cauldron.

'He's amazing,' he thought in surprise. 'With Lucy showing him the work station, he's not handicapped in any way. He would well be able to attend first-year classes right away.'

He let out a deep sigh, pondering what to do. Only last night, he had checked the Weasley twins' first-year concoctions, only to realise that they were perfect.

'I shall see to it that all three of them will get special tutoring. They're more adept than any other student has been after Lily and myself,' he decided, resolving to speak with Albus, Minerva and Poppy about the matter at the first opportunity.

He was brought back to reality, when a small voice penetrated his mind. 'Severus?'

"Ah, sorry Harry, I was just thinking about something. You seem very adept at brewing, and the Weasley twins handed me the phials of all first-year potions, which they brewed together in their bedroom. Each single potion was perfect. I believe that I should take the three of you and give you special Potions classes. Would you be interested?"

'Of course. I'd like that,' Harry thought back in apparent excitement.

HP

"If the twins are so brilliant at brewing, why don't you ask them to become your student assistants?" Minerva cast him a challenging look. "Due to your multiple workloads as Potions professor, Potions master, head of house and guardian of an eight-year-old, you're entitled to have one or even two assistants. Considering that the Weasleys aren't exactly a rich family, the boys will surely be happy to be able to receive some pocket money."

The headmaster looked at him in obvious amusement. His two older colleagues had brought up the matter of a possible student assistant multiple times; however, Severus had always refused.

"I'd have to work together with them first to see if I can tolerate them in my lab," he replied, carefully. "I also have someone else whom I wish to make the youngest potions master of all times," he added, more to himself than to his colleagues, who unfortunately had good ears.

"Harry?" Poppy smiled, knowingly.

Severus nodded. "This morning, he brewed his first potion, and I am going to take the whole batch to you later on. His brewing is accurate, and he knows as much about ingredients as a fifth-year student."

"You have taught him well." Minerva smirked.

"No, that wasn't only me. Apparently, Cicero has been teaching him for at least two hours every day, and Harry can distinguish ingredients by sensing their magic. I've never had a student who was able to do such a thing."

Albus let a hand wander over his beard. "Perhaps, you and Poppy should consider making him your apprentice, although I am sorry to say that the Defence Against the Dark Arts class will be the most important for him."

Poppy glared at the headmaster. "Misty and Cicero have already done so. While Cicero taught him about Potions, she has been teaching him Healing and already asked me to take over for her once he becomes a student in two years' time."

"Do I understand it correctly that we do not have to ask Remus and Miranda to teach Harry?" Albus enquired. "I believe that he already has enough teachers."

"Yes." Severus nodded at the headmaster in confirmation.

"Still, you should hire Remus for Defence Against the Dark Arts, even if he'll only be able to teach every second year. We'll surely find something to occupy him every other year," Minerva added, giving Albus a sharp look.

"That I will do my dear. I've already invited him to join us at Hogwarts on Saturday."

Minerva turned to Severus in clear excitement. "Will you allow Harry to invite his friends for his birthday?"

Severus let out a deep sigh. Of course, he had considered the matter and had decided against it. "So far, I believe that the Weasleys have not realised who he is, nor have the other students, and it should remain that way as long as possible. People would surely look differently at him if they were aware of his identity."

"That sounds absolutely correct," Poppy agreed, warmly. "Severus, as I said before, being a father to an eight-year-old suits you well."

Severus contented himself to roll his eyes at his friend, however, did not reply.

"You could still invite the Weasleys for another day." Minerva cast him a questioning look, and Severus nodded in agreement.

'I must speak with Harry about his birthday,' he resolved.

HP

When Harry woke up the following morning, his guardian was sitting on the edge of his bed, and from the small sounds of contentedness coming from Lucy, Harry realised that he was gently petting the canine.

'Good morning, Lucy.' 'Good morning, Severus,' he thought to his new family members.

"Good morning, Harry," Severus replied in his soft voice, while Lucy turned around to lick his face in apparent delight.

"Harry, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, before we grace my overexcited colleagues for breakfast in the Great Hall."

When Harry gave him a telepathic 'Okay,' he slowly began to speak. In fact, he held a longer monologue about how Harry's parents had been murdered and how he, the freak, had always been considered a hero in the magical world ever since that night. Harry listened with bewilderment.

"The magical world is quasi worshipping Harry Potter. Fortunately, apart from my colleagues and your elf teachers, no one at Hogwarts has realised who you are, as we were careful to only use your first name, when we introduced you to people. If anyone knew your last name, I am certain that you would attract a lot of attention. I suppose that you don't wish for that?"

'No,' Harry quickly confirmed.

"Why I am telling you this now," Severus continued, "is because your birthday is on Saturday and we would love to invite your friends for you; however, as everyone in the magical world knows the thirty-first of July as Harry Potter's birthday, I suggest inviting your friends at a different time."

Harry nodded his agreement. 'Yes sir. Thank you, sir, for being so thoughtful.'

"We will still have a birthday party for you here at the castle, and the headmaster invited Remus Lupin, who was one of your parents' best friends, to join us for breakfast."

'Does he know that I…' Harry slowly trailed off, knowing by now that Severus would not accept if he said that he was a freak.

"He knows who you are and he'll be thrilled to meet you." He let out a deep sigh. "At a later time, I'd like to introduce you to a few of my friends who have children of your age. My godson, Draco and my friend's son Theodore, for example, are both going to attend Hogwarts together with you in two years' time, and I believe that it would be good for you to become friends before meeting them as first-years."

'Who wants to become friends with a freak?' Harry thought in disbelief. 'Well, except for Charlie and Tonks maybe.'

"There is also something which my colleagues and I are not able to teach you," Severus continued, seeming thoughtful. "You are the heir of the Potter family and when you turn seventeen will be able to become Lord Potter."

Harry listened in surprise, when the professor explained that he would be going to take his seat on the Wizengamot, the government for the British magical world, and that he would have many responsibilities of which the professor did not know enough to teach him. He told him that he would be the heir to the Prince family, however, his mother had been disowned by the family, when she married his father, who had been a muggle.

'Oh, it's not only that muggles hate freaks, but magical people hate muggles, too,' Harry thought in surprise. 'They're all people. Why does it matter if they can do magic or not?'

"Therefore, we will need to ask one of my friends or their wives to teach you what it entails to be the heir to one of the most important, old families," Severus continued. "However, as long as you don't feel comfortable speaking yet, I'd rather wait until you'll feel more confident."

'Thank you for explaining things to me,' Harry thought, gratefully. He had not understood everything, however, he appreciated that Severus took the time to speak to him and try to tell him what he needed to know.

HP

When Harry woke up on Saturday morning, he felt Severus once again sitting on the edge of his bed. From the occasional turning of pages penetrating his ears, he realised that the professor seemed to be reading a book.

'Good morning.'

"Good morning, Harry and happy birthday," Severus replied, while Lucy lazily stretched her limbs, cuddling even closer to him if that was at all possible.

'Thank you, sir.' 'I am nine, so it's still two more years, before I'll be able to become a student at Hogwarts,' Harry thought, not realising that he had sent his thought to his guardian, before the older wizard replied.

"Are you so eager to attend classes? I believe that right now, you're having much more opportunities to study what really interests you than when you'll be a student and have to attend classes according to the curriculum."

'It's great to be taught by you, Misty, Cicero and Barney,' Harry thought back.

"Harry, we can always change your lessons," Severus said, seeming pensive. "Instead of the elves, we can ask a witch or a wizard to teach you, for example."

Harry remained thoughtful for a moment, wondering if he could tell Severus what he felt.

"Tell me," the older wizard challenged, almost as if he had been able to read his thoughts.

'Classes with Barney together with Nina and Tony have been very interesting so far. I'm not allowed to speak about what we learned, but from September onwards, Nina and Tony need to practise more what the house-elves need to do, and according to Barney, it won't be so interesting for me anymore.' He slowly trailed off, uncertainly fingering the edge of his bed covers with both hands.

"Harry," Severus replied in a soft voice that immediately made Harry feel reassured. "Will Misty and Cicero continue teaching you?"

Harry nodded. 'Yes sir, but only two hours each every day.'

"So that makes you free for the rest of the day to study with someone else," Severus said in apparent understanding. "Thank you for telling me. I will discuss this with my colleagues and perhaps with my friends. Is there anything particular that you wish to learn?"

Harry shook his head. 'Potions and Healing is the most interesting, but you, Misty and Cicero are already teaching me, so I'm good.'

Severus nodded in apparent understanding, before he turned to Lucy. "Lucy, could you please show Harry an image, when I give him my present now?"

'A present? For me?' Harry thought in disbelief. An instant later, he observed how Severus pulled a small parcel out of his robe pocket. It was wrapped in dark blue paper, and the man handed it to him.

'Thank you, sir,' Harry replied, as he eyed the small gift in amazement.

"Unwrap it."

Harry slowly unwrapped the gift, eager to not tear the nice wrapping, only to reveal a gold chain that was equipped with a pendant of an animal.

"That's a lynx, the symbol of the Prince family. I told you about my origin a few days ago."

Harry nodded, eagerly.

"This pendant is equipped with all kinds of safety charms, which might help in case someone chose to attack you. It also works as a Portkey. If you grab it with one of your hands and say "Home", it will take you into the living room of our quarters."

'Thank you so much,' Harry thought, feeling more cared for than he could remember having felt ever before.

'Harry, talk to him,' Lucy's thought penetrated his ears. 'You can do that, and it would make him happy after giving you such a wonderful gift.'

"Thank you, Severus." His voice was barely audible; however, his guardian had not missed it, and a small smile began to play on the professor's lips.

"You're very welcome, and I am very happy to hear your voice. Thank you, Harry."

Harry felt his cheeks heat up in embarrassment, and he nodded, gratefully, when Severus suggested that he should get up and ready himself for breakfast in the Great Hall.

HP

When Harry took his seat between Minerva and Severus as usual, he felt the unknown magic of a wizard, whom he had not met yet. Before he could even ask Lucy who was there, she already sent him an image of the man sitting opposite of him.

"Harry, this is Remus Lupin," Minerva introduced the wizard, who seemed to be of about the same age as Severus. "He was one of your parents' best friends. Remus, these are Harry and his watch dog familiar Lucy."

"Hello Harry and Lucy. I am very happy to meet you," the man said, smiling in their direction; however, the image vanished, as soon as Lucy, who had put her paws up onto his lap to oversee the table, let go of him and made herself comfortable on his feet.

'Speak aloud,' she urged him, causing Harry to utter a very small "Hello."

'He feels strange,' Harry noticed and pondered the matter for a moment, before he realised what exactly the man was missing. 'Severus, I think he needs shrivelled moon berry fern.'

"Harry, please explain." Severus seemed uncharacteristically excited.

Harry shrugged. 'He feels wrong. I don't know why, and I can't explain why, but I think he is missing shrivelled moon berry fern.'

Severus remained quiet for a moment, and Harry sensed that everyone else seemed to tense upon their quiet conversation. He inwardly sighed in relief, when the older wizard spoke again.

"Harry, I believe that we should have breakfast first. Afterwards, we will ask Mr. Lupin to accompany us to our herb garden and discuss the matter with him. Agreed?"

Harry nodded with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Harry." He recognised the headmaster's voice. "Please just talk aloud like everyone else. There is no need for secrecy with only six of our colleagues and Mr. Lupin around, who, as Professor McGonagall explained, was your parents' best friend. You can trust everyone here."

'Everyone but you,' Harry thought, however, remained quiet, while the smile slowly vanished from his face.

"Albus, leave Harry in peace. How can he trust you, considering that it was you who placed him with his atrocious relatives?"

Harry thought a quick thank you to Minerva, before he returned to mulling over their guest's scent. Somehow, the name 'Moony' popped up in his mind, although he could not explain it. 'Uncle Moony?' he tentatively thought to the man, feeling immediate excitement coming from the other side of the table.

"Yes Harry, that's me." He sounded delighted and quickly explained to the teachers that Harry seemed to remember him from the time, when his parents had still been alive.

"Are you sure?" Dumbledore sounded doubtful.

'I remember him, because I can sense his magic,' Harry thought to his guardian, who relayed the matter to his colleagues.

"Harry is able to feel magic?" Uncle Moony sounded surprised. "I know that he always was very powerful, but still, this is unusual to say the least."

"He is also a natural healer." Poppy sounded proud of him, and Harry wondered why.

"Now Harry, do you know how to magically cut a cake?" Minerva addressed him, sounding happy.

Harry shook his head, casting the witch sitting on his left side a small smile. 'Lucy, can you come up and help me please?'

An instant later, Lucy's front paws came up onto his lap, so that the canine could oversee the table. Minerva gently showed him a spell, causing Uncle Moony to ask if he already had a wand.

"Harry's magic is so strong that he doesn't need a wand, although we'll have to train him in wand magic, before he'll become a student here," Minerva explained, smiling, when Harry simply cut the cake with a small flick of his hand.

The professors highly commended him, but Harry was glad, when Poppy stood from her chair and distributed the cake on his behalf. Once she was done, everyone sang a birthday song for him, before they were finally allowed to eat it.

'My first birthday,' Harry thought, feeling very happy, as he slowly enjoyed the delicious cake, sharing one or the other strawberry with his familiar, who was back to obediently sitting between his feet, however, with her snout firmly placed on his lap.

'Harry, there is a pile of presents for you. Do you wish to look at them first or rather go to the herb garden with Remus and me?' Severus unobtrusively thought to him.

'Go to the herb garden first,' Harry replied without wavering. As eager as he was to receive presents for the first time in his life, he could feel that Uncle Moony needed his help, which was more important right now.

As soon as Harry finished his cake and his hot chocolate, he felt that Severus rose from his chair. "Lupin, Harry wishes for you to accompany us to our herb garden for a moment. Poppy, would you perhaps be willing to grace us with your presence?"

"I believe that Harry has to open a pile of presents first."

Inwardly groaning at the headmaster's words, Harry firmly thought to Minerva, 'Please excuse us for a while. I need to do something for Uncle Moony first.'

"Of course, Harry," Minerva replied in a soft voice. "You can still open your presents later on."

tbc...

Thank you so very much for the kind reviews for the previous chapter. Please tell me what you liked or disliked in this chapter and what you expect from this story. Any ideas are welcome, and my muse appreciates any constructive feedback.