Sensing Magic
by Teddylonglong
Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.
During the two weeks before the beginning of the new school year, Harry was very busy, however, extremely happy with his life. He had lessons in general primary school knowledge and easy magic with Miranda, therapy with Regina, healing lessons with Misty and instructions concerning potions and ingredients with Cicero. Nevertheless, he felt absolutely thrilled, when Severus offered that he could assist him and the twins, who had already unofficially begun working for him as student assistants. With Lucy's help, he assisted the three of them with the brewing of simple healing potions for the hospital wing.
"Harry…"
"… while we're not students yet…"
"… you're even two years younger…"
"… So why are you so competent…"
"… at brewing potions?"
Harry hesitated for a moment, before he replied in a soft voice. "Misty and Cicero have been teaching me ever since I came to live with Severus."
Two gasps alerted him to the fact that he had to have said something wrong, and he instinctively leaned closer to Lucy, who was sitting on her chair next to him to relay images of his workspace.
"Messrs. Weasley, as my assistants, you may also call me Severus; however, only in private. In front of other students, I am still Professor Snape."
"Yes sir."
"Of course, sir."
'Sorry Severus,' Harry quickly thought to his guardian, who immediately reassured him that it had been all right in this case.
'We never discussed this before, because you did not speak to others; however, in front of students, you must address not only myself but also my colleagues with Professor and their surname.'
'Yes sir,' Harry confirmed, smiling.
'You're doing extremely well speaking, by the way,' the professor added, making Harry feel very much reassured. It had been easier to talk to the people of whom he was sure that they liked him and wanted him to speak.
Regina had slightly disagreed with his theory and pointed out that it might be his emotions, positive as well as negative, which caused him to speak at times, for example, when he had been upset towards Sirius Black or the headmaster.
"So, tell us, Harry…"
"… who are Misty and Cicero?"
Harry grinned at the image of two identical faces looking at him in Lucy's image. "Both are elves. Misty is the healer of the elves and also works for Poppy, and Cicero is Severus' assistant."
"Cicero!"
Before Lucy could relay the image, Harry felt the familiar magic of one of his favourite elves nearby, and he smiled happily.
"Cicero, these are Fred and George Weasley, soon to be first-years and my student assistants. Weasley and Weasley, this is Cicero, my elf assistant as Harry so eloquently explained."
'Is he upset?' Harry wondered. While he had the professors refer to the elves as house-elves, something similar to slaves, the elves were always merely speaking of themselves as elves, and Harry respected them too much to think of them as mere slaves.
"No, Harry, Cicero is Master Severus' house-elf." The elf's voice was firm; however, Harry felt safe enough to disagree.
"Be that as it may, Cicero is a brilliant elf and knows everything about potions and herbs. When I grow up, I will fight for the right of the elves," he added as an afterthought, recalling what Barney had told him, Nina and Toni about the Statute of Supremacy made by the British Ministry of Magic in 1256.
"Thank you, Harry." Cicero gave him a look of what seemed appreciation.
"Cicero?"
"Yes, Master Severus?"
"I shall assist my son in this. If you wish to be freed and work for me receiving money for your assistance, I shall see to it, provided that you'll still be willing to work for me and Harry of course. Please think about it."
Harry grinned broadly, when Lucy relayed the image of the relatively tall elf who opened and closed his mouth, apparently uncertain of how to reply.
"Thank you, Master Severus," he finally said. "May I discuss this with Misty?"
Severus nodded. "You may do so, but I'd appreciate it if you did not inform the elves about it who are bond to the headmaster."
"Of course not." With that, Cicero excused himself and popped away.
"Wow Professor…"
"… that was simply amazing."
"Thank you, Messrs. Weasley. Now, however, please continue preparing these ingredients. Otherwise, we'll never be able to finish Madam Pomfrey's stock on time."
'Severus is going to help me fight for the elves' rights, and he offered to free Cicero,' Harry thought in amazement, feeling very happy at the idea. 'We should also do something to help Regina or the Squibs in general,' he thought; however, realised that he did not have enough knowledge in that area to do anything at the moment. He was brought back to the reality, when Lucy showed him an image of one of the twins pushing over a small pile of mushed frog legs for him to add to the concoction in front of him. Banning all thoughts about elven or Squib rights from his mind for the time being, Harry set to concentrate on his task at hand.
HP
On Saturday afternoon, Severus was alone in his lab, which had almost become a rare occasion, as the twins had been assisting him the whole week. 'I am really lucky to have found them. They're good and seem to be reliable as well. I will have them attend their first-year class, however, will make them brew advanced potions from second to fifth-year, and if we don't have urgent potions to brew for the hospital wing during the evenings, they will brew according to my lesson plans as well. They should be able to take their OWLs at the end of their first-year.'
Thinking of the twins, the thought of another child pressed itself to the front of his mind. 'Harry. What to do with him? He's as adept as the twins. Should I have him attend the first-year Potions class together with them? We could ask Miranda, Regina, Misty and Cicero to plan his lessons around the first-years' schedule. Is he ready to attend classes with so many students yet though?' He let out a deep sigh, deciding to ask Regina for her opinion.
Just like every Saturday afternoon, Harry was just having his lesson with the Squib, and on most occasions, Severus invited her for tea together with Harry and him to discuss Harry's progress. Often, the Squib even remained afterwards to speak with Severus in private, not wanting to discuss the details of such a sensible topic in front of the child. Severus had to admit to himself that he did not feel the Squib's presence as annoying as that of most other people. Apart from Harry, Minerva and Poppy, he could barely tolerate any others. 'She is really tolerable though, and she doesn't grade on my nerves at all. I feel sorry for her being a Squib though. I wonder how things would have turned out if she had been at Hogwarts during my own time as a student.' He interrupted his musings in favour of his concoction, which had to be stirred clockwise twelve and a half times.
HP
"I'd love to attend the Potions class together with the twins." Harry's voice was laced with enthusiasm.
Severus let out a deep sigh. "Harry, if you attend normal Hogwarts classes, you must speak aloud when the professor asks you a question. Can you do that? In front of twenty or more other students?"
'No, I can't do that,' a voice from the back of his mind screamed.
"I don't think so," he whispered, disappointed.
Severus nodded in apparent understanding.
"Will he have to do that, considering that you're not speaking about classes in general but only Potions, where you are the professor? He should not attend any other class anyway, considering that the other students are two years ahead of him."
Harry gratefully turned his head towards Regina, hoping that she would understand the gesture as one of appreciation.
Severus nodded. "Yes, Harry should only attend my class at this time, and, Harry, that is not a necessity. You may stop attending the class at any time. It's still soon enough if you will officially become a first-year in two years' time."
"Thank you," Harry replied, gratefully, resolving to pull through with attending Potions together with the twins. 'They're funny and friendly. I really like them,' he thought, feeling very happy at the idea of having friends.
He inwardly smiled, when Severus invited Regina to attend dinner together with them in the Great Hall, pointing out that it was their last peaceful dinner before Christmas, as the students were going to return to Hogwarts the following evening. 'I think he likes Regina,' he thought, 'and it's good that he doesn't care that she's a Squib.' While he felt very sorry for the woman, who had been shunned by her own family because of being a Squib, she was one of the nicest adults he had ever met. 'People really have attitude problems,' he mused, recalling how the Dursleys had behaved towards him because he was a wizard, how magical people treated house-elves, going as far as to enslaving them, and how Squibs were kicked out of families for not being able to cast magic. 'When I'm grown up, I'll try to remedy these problems,' he resolved. 'Maybe Severus, Cicero and Misty will help.' To his relief, Regina accepted the invitation.
'From tomorrow evening, everything will change,' Harry thought, as he and Lucy followed Regina and Severus through the still empty halls of the castle. 'The students will be back, and the corridors will be crowded again.' Somehow, he could not help feeling excited at the idea of having the many young witches and wizards back at the school. 'Perhaps, I can even gain more friends,' he thought in anticipation, 'and at least Charlie and Tonks will be back, and the twins will be here as well.'
HP
Harry readily made space for Regina to sit between him and Severus, as he could imagine that the Squib would feel more than just a little self-conscious between all the wizards and witches, even if only the teachers were gathered in the Great Hall.
Severus introduced her as Harry's mind healer, Healer Lestrange, causing several people to gasp.
"Lestrange?" Remus was the first to find words.
"Regina is the sister of Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, however, was kicked out of the family several years ago," Severus replied, evasively.
Only when Sirius spoke up, Harry realised that he could feel his unofficial godfather's magic from Remus' direction. "As your brothers are both in Azkaban, you should be able to overcome this and claim the head of house position as the Lady Lestrange. I advise speaking with the goblins about this. I was also kicked out of the family by my mother; however, when I went to speak with the goblins, the ring accepted me and I became the Lord Black."
"Congratulations, Lord Black." Regina's voice was as gentle as usual; however, Harry could sense disappointment, when she added, "I don't believe that this will work in my case though."
"Severus, Remus, why don't you invite Sirius, Miranda and Miss Lestrange and spend some time just with the younger teachers in Hogsmeade after dinner? I will remain with Harry and Lucy."
Harry smiled at Minerva's words, knowing that Severus was happy that the number of younger staff at Hogwarts had recently increased.
'Harry, would you mind?' Severus thought to him, seemingly torn between wanting to go and having the responsibility for him.
'Of course, Sir. Go and have much fun,' he quickly thought back, before he silently addressed Minerva. 'Thank you for staying with us. Can you please teach me how to become an Animagus?'
He instantly felt sorry for his silent question, when Minerva, who had just taken a sip of her white wine, choked in shock.
"Easy Minerva." Severus gently tapped the woman's back. "What happened?"
"Sorry," Minerva replied, glancing around Severus and Regina at Harry. "It's just that your son, who is just nine years old, telepathically asked me to teach him the Animagus transformation."
"Minerva," Sirius spoke up, grinning. "Remember that it's my godson you're talking about. If anyone can manage the Animagus transformation before even becoming a student at Hogwarts, it will be him."
As Lucy had turned towards Sirius, Harry could not see Severus' expression; however, he had the impression as if his adoptive father was amused, as was Regina next to him.
"If that's what you really wish, you'll manage," she commented in a barely audible voice, apparently only meant for him.
"Thank you, Regina," he whispered back, feeling very happy and cared for.
"Harry." Harry inwardly groaned in annoyance, as the headmaster addressed him. "You are not even a Hogwarts student yet, and the Animagus transformation is so difficult that it is not even taught to students. Please do not pester Professor McGonagall about this. She won't be able to teach you such advanced magic, before you are much older and have much more experience."
Harry chose to not comment on the headmaster's words, and inwardly sighed in relief, when Severus rose from his chair. "Well, Regina, Miranda, Lupin and Black, are you ready to leave?"
HP
"Lucy, can you relay images to Harry for two more minutes, before you go to sleep?" Minerva asked, when they entered their living room, apparently knowing that Lucy used to sleep immediately following dinner.
Waggling her tail against Harry's leg, Lucy walked over to the professor and reassuringly licked her hand, before she took her usual seat next to Harry on the sofa.
"Thank you, Lucy," Minerva replied, before she turned to Harry. "First of all, you need to decide which animal you wish to become."
"A dog."
The professor nodded, smiling. "You must clearly envision the dog. Do you want to become a dog like Lucy?" Seeing Harry nod, she continued, "Can you see her clearly in your mind? You should study every feature of her, although I know that it's probably difficult, as you can only see through her eyes."
"It's fine," Harry replied, eagerly. Lucy had shown him each of her body parts, even her face in a mirror a couple of times, so that he knew exactly what she looked like. It was not as if he had been unprepared, when he asked Minerva to teach him.
"Very well. Before I tell you what to do, you must promise me to not practise on your own. Only practise when Severus, I or any other adult are with you, who can call me for help in case you envision any problems."
"Will do," Harry promised, sincerely, thinking that Lucy would well be able to call for help if needed. 'She is an adult,' he thought, smiling.
"When you're sure you know exactly what you wish to look like, you try to change your left hand into that of your canine form," the professor instructed him, as she swiftly transformed her left hand into a small paw. "This is the hardest part. If you manage this transformation, you will be able to manage to become an Animagus very soon. But remember, the first part is hard, and many witches and wizards are not able to become Animagi."
'I will,' Harry resolved and eagerly tried to make his left hand look like Lucy's, however, to no avail.
"I believe that's enough for tonight," Minerva suddenly said, just when a light snore alerted him to the fact that Lucy had already fallen asleep.
"Thank you so much for teaching me," Harry replied. "I hope I can change into a doggy soon. Good night, Professor. I will go to bed with Lucy. You don't have to babysit us. We'll be fine."
"Are you sure?" Minerva's voice was laced with concern.
"Yes. I can always call Cicero if we need him for some reason," Harry replied and thought to Severus, 'Can you please tell Minerva that she doesn't have to babysit us? We're going to bed now anyway.'
'Are you sure, Harry?'
'Yes.'
'Good night then.'
'Good night and have fun with Regina and the others.'
A few minutes later, Harry was in bed cuddled against Lucy. He instinctively tried to change his hand into that of Lucy a couple of times without any success, before he drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Lucy and him roaming the grounds together in their canine forms.
HP
Harry was just having breakfast in the Great Hall the following morning, when Ginny's voice penetrated his mind. 'Good morning, Harry.'
'Hi Ginny. How are you?'
'I'm sad. Today, the twins will leave for Hogwarts, and I'm going to miss them so much. Everyone is talking about their Sorting. I can't hear it anymore. Mum, Ron and Percy say they have to be sorted into Gryffindor, while Dad and Charlie say they'll do fine in any house, and the twins want to be sorted into Slytherin. Do you know if there's a way to bribe the Sorting Hat into sorting someone into a specific house?'
Harry remained pensive for a moment, before he telepathically relayed the question to Severus.
'My advice is to simply think Slytherin if they wish to be sorted into Slytherin. Other than that, you could ask Salazar in his portrait. It was his colleague, Godric Gryffindor, who invented the Sorting Hat after all.'
Harry gave him an unobtrusive nod, before he relayed the message to Ginny, promising to ask Salazar for an advice within the hour.
"Have you decided whom to grace with your presence at the Sorting ceremony tonight?" Severus asked aloud, making everyone look at him in clear expectation.
Harry shrugged. 'As I don't know where the twins are going to be sorted, and Charlie and Tonks are in Gryffindor, I suppose that it's going to be Gryffindor,' he thought back.
'Will you please say that aloud and make Minerva happy?' Severus quirked an eyebrow.
"Gryffindor."
"That's a very wise decision," the headmaster commended his response, unaware of the reasoning behind his choice.
'We shall remedy your problem of only having friends in Gryffindor during this school year. I shall introduce you to some of my Slytherins at the earliest opportunity,' Severus promised, causing Harry to smile.
'Thank you, sir. May I go home and speak with Salazar?'
Severus rose from his chair. "Please excuse my son and me, as we have an errand to run. I shall see you at the welcoming feast."
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.
I am wondering if this story is proceeding too slowly. What do you think?
