Chapter 7 - Curse Free

Monday morning shined bright with the sun reflecting off the newly fallen snow. Harry opened his eyes and immediately thought of the previous night. The thought of being free from the curse made him smile.

Then he looked towards the fire and saw his father fast asleep with his legs propped up on the table and his head leaning back on the chair at an awkward angle. He remembered his harsh words directed at the only person who ever cared enough to actually stay with him all night. Shame washed through him. Would Severus be angry at him when he awoke or would he just pretend it had never happened?

After staring up at the ceiling for quite a while he heard Severus yawn. Harry turned his head and saw his dad rubbing his neck.

"Morning."

"Good morning Harry. How is your leg?" Severus asked as he stood up, straightened his cloak then walked towards his son's bed. His piercing black eyes inspecting his son for any signs of the curse.

"Feels great so far," Harry said looking everywhere but at his father's face. He pushed the covers back and stood up. "Um, thanks for staying last night but, you really didn't have to," His face heated up with shame.

Severus waved away the thanks, quite aware of the fact that his son was feeling uncomfortable.

"I told you not to be ashamed of what happened last night," Severus said watching as the teen ducked his head and turned away. "Dementors are vicious creatures Harry."

"Yeah, well, I don't know why I said all those things and acted like that. I'm sorry." Harry said feeling a mix of emotions over his behavior. He knew part of it was due to the curse but didn't know why he had said some of the hurtful words.

"I am not quite understanding why you feel so ill at ease?" Severus asked forcing Harry to turn around then lifting his chin up.

Why did his father do that, force his face up that way? It unsettled him further and he pulled his chin away, stepping back before answering, "It's nothing. Can't we just forget about it?"

"Very well … for now. I will bring it up again this evening. I am through giving you your space," Severus declared in a dark tone, as he walked towards the door. "You have no reason to feel guilty and I will not allow you to continue to do so. Not for Voldemort, nor the death eaters or even the words spoken to me last night."

"You don't understand, I knew you wouldn't," Harry whispered out, half hoping his father hadn't heard.

Severus stopped mid stride on his way out of the room. He turned back towards his son with robes billowing. "Stop this! It is not edifying, it will tear you apart in the end. I should know."

Harry's head shot up, he looked into his father's eyes. Yes, there was a darkness there that would never leave those obsidian eyes, never be truly free from guilt. Harry knew that darkness, he saw it in his own eyes now.

"I don't know how … I don't know how to stop feeling so… so responsible. I thought after the curse was gone I wouldn't feel so bad but …" Harry placed a hand on his chest, over his heart, "I can't stop feeling it."

"You must force yourself to stop! I won't stand for it!" Severus demanded harshly. He took a deep breath, immediately regretting his loss of temper. He couldn't bully his son into feeling free of guilt. He could see he had upset Harry when the teen looked away and turned his back on him. "We will speak about this tonight," Severus said in an even tone, knowing full well he should stay and push the topic.

Harry waited until he could hear his father's bedroom door close across the hallway before he turned around. He knew it was wrong to feel this way but didn't have an answer as to how to fix it. He vowed not to let it ruin his first curse free day.

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Harry ate breakfast by himself since Charlet insisted on eating breakfast in bed and Severus said he was too busy to eat. He was glad for the time alone. The curse was gone, Voldemort was gone, he was free from threats! Well, almost free from threats if you didn't count the few death eaters that were still being hunted by both the Aurors and the Order and if you didn't count Vespa. He was determined to push all feelings of guilt aside and focus on the good stuff happening in his life.

His leg felt good as new, giving him a renewed energy he hadn't felt in a few weeks. He felt like running or flying to expend some of this pent up energy. Even though he had hated going to the training camp there were a few good things that had come from training. One of those being the exercise he had become accustomed to. He missed running out in the open ravine for long distances and using the magical weight machines.

With that thought in mind Harry went upstairs to change into athletic pants and shirt then put on his trainers. He went downstairs, looking for his father. He found him in his office writing a letter at his desk.

Severus looked up and motioned for Harry to come in and take a seat. He finished scratching out his letter before applying a wax seal then sending it off with an estate owl. It gave him a few moments to make sure he wouldn't loose his temper again

He had just received word from the ministry that Sirius Black was trying to reopen the adoption case and have Harry taken away. It bothered him to no end that his son had not informed him that Black was even trying to do this. He was not worried about it actually happening since his influence with the ministry was so strong now but just displeased that his son had not trusted him enough to confide in him. Nevertheless he didn't want to be the one to bring it up, Harry should be the one to talk about it. Perhaps a small nudge in that direction was all the boy needed.

Severus stared intensely at Harry before asking, "Is there anything you wish to talk about?"

Harry furrowed his brow, "What do you mean? I thought we were going to talk about that stuff tonight."

"I am not referring to the conversation we had this morning," Severus said in an exasperated tone.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Severus sighed, feeling frustrated with his son's lack of trust. "Not that I know of."

Harry was more confused than ever. Severus was looking at him with disappointment but he had no idea why. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?" He asked, trying to get a feel for what his father wanted to hear.

Severus shook his head, looking more disappointed than ever. "Your leg is better?" Severus finally asked, giving up on hearing anything regarding Black. He stood and walked around his desk.

"I feel great," Harry said, making his voice sound as normal as possible, purposely ignoring their earlier conversation. "Actually, I feel so good I wanted to go outside and fly for a bit."

"Let's not rush into anything," Severus warned as he crouched down in front of Harry. "Let me take a look at that leg."

Harry rolled up his pant leg. His leg looked as if nothing had happened.

Severus waved his wand around the limb before declaring, "Not a trace … yes, perhaps you are ready to exercise once again. Are you aware of the exercise room located down in the dungeons?"

"No sir. I didn't know there was one here."

"Come, I'll show you," Severus stood up and led Harry down the dungeon staircase. They passed the laboratory door and went passed a few more doors before stopping in front of two black wooden doors with giant handles on each. Severus pulled one of the doors open to reveal a long narrow room with nothing in it.

"I don't get it?" Harry said as he walked across the empty room and ran his fingers along the stone wall.

"Would you care to run in the woods or perhaps on a grassy field?" Severus asked.

Harry looked at the tall black stone walls, then back at his father. "I used to run in the ravine. It had a long gravelly strip that was perfect for running," he said looking uncertainly at the wall again.

The Potion Master waved his wand then tapped the wall. In a blink of an eye they were standing in a long narrow ravine. The walls disappeared and in their place were tall craggy mountains, similar to the mountains at the training camp. The trail looked as if it went on infinitely from the place they were standing.

"Cool! How did you do that?" Harry asked as he began to stretch, feeling the cool breeze push his hair back.

"This room is similar to the Room of Requirement. You just need to think of the area you wish to be in. When you are finished simply tap the wall with your wand. I will be down here in the laboratory for most of the day with Draco if you need me for any reason. If your leg begins to bother you, please come and find me at once," Severus instructed.

Harry agreed, then watched his father grab hold of a rock in the mountain and step through a door. This place was so cool. He turned and started running down the long gravelly path before him. He ran past a stream of water and through the sort of dried trees that grew in the ravine back at the training camp. He could even hear birds chirping and smell fresh air.

The run was exactly what he needed. He could feel the last vestiges of anxiety fall away. He was no longer worried about Sirius or being taken away from Severus. He knew he could ask anything of the ministry and they would give it to him after what he did to Voldemort. He had no doubts they would not remove him from Severus without permission from both of them. There might be a few perks to come from this fame thing after all.

Sirius would get used to the idea of him living with Severus eventually and hopefully even see what a good father Severus had become. Harry decided not worry about it anymore and just enjoy the holiday season.

He had been racking his brain for a good gift to buy his father but had come up empty handed so far. He thought maybe he would go into Diagon Alley today and see if there might be anything that caught his eye.

Within an hour he felt tired but thoroughly relaxed. He cooled down by walking another half mile before pulling his wand out of his back pocket and tapping the wall. The room immediately went back to the long narrow stone. Harry opened the door and walked down the hallway.

He could hear his father's voice in full teacher/lecture mode as he approached the laboratory door. He hated the way their conversations had gone so far today and hoped to get on better terms with his father again. He didn't like feeling as if he had let Severus down in some way.

Draco was bent over a cauldron, slowly adding newt eyes one at a time. He was asking Severus if he was supposed to add more but the Potion Master wouldn't tell him.

Severus was standing across the room working on his own potion, "Read the composition once again Mr. Malfoy." He spotted Harry standing in the doorway, "How was the run?"

"It was great. It felt good to work out after limping around for the past week," Harry said as he was walking into the room. He leaned against the work table and peered into Malfoy's cauldron. "What are you guys working on?"

"Something too complicated for someone with your pathetic potion abilities to help with," Draco teased with a smirk.

"Hah, I worked on that at training camp three weeks ago," Harry shot back, once he looked a little closer.

"Sure Potter. What do you think this is then?" Draco asked as he stirred a little more causing steam to rise.

"It looks like a variation of the strengthening solution, only this potion also makes you appear larger," Harry informed the Slytherin with a small bit of pride. He remembered this potion well since Tupin had made him brew it several times until it was perfect. "And you better stir that counterclockwise before you loose the whole batch."

Draco stopped staring at him and quickly stirred before his potion was ruined. He had a shocked look on his face that almost made Harry laugh.

"I am not certain how Aurorer Tupin accomplished it, but your sudden aptitude in potions is notable," Severus said with a hint of resentment that he was not able to bring that hidden quality out of his son.

"She accomplished it by zapping me with hexes every time I made a mistake," Harry said gloomily.

"Oh," was all the Potion Master said as a furious look crossed his face before he masked his emotions.

"Don't go getting any ideas Severus," said Draco, before adding more newt eyes. He looked up and saw Potter give a quick shake of the head then quickly scooped a couple newt eyes back out of the cauldron.

"Harry, did you require my assistance?" Severus asked impatiently. He had much material to cover with Draco if the boy was to stay current in his studies. He was none to pleased to see Harry furtively helping the Slytherin.

"No, I was just on my way upstairs."

"Fine, then I will see you at lunch," Severus stated as he turned his back to check on a potion.

Harry felt a bit stung over being dismissed.

"While you're up there, maybe you should think about taking a shower?" Draco teased.

"Maybe you should think about keeping your mouth shut," Harry answered back as he reached for a jar of what looked to be eyeballs of some sort.

"Maybe you should think about…" Draco was suddenly cut off from finishing his statement by Severus as the potion master whipped back around and looked warningly at the jar of eyeballs in Harry's hand, "Maybe you should both think about having detention during your holiday."

Both boys huffed over hearing that but they stopped teasing each other and Harry put the jar of eye balls back down on the counter.

Harry started walking out the door but stopped and looked back at Severus, "Dad, do you think I could go to Diagon Alley today for a bit?"

Severus kept his eyes on his potion as he answered, "No. I do not feel it is safe until the last of the death eaters have been captured. In addition, I believe your appearance would cause quite a stir during the crowded holiday season."

"So, I kill Voldemort but am still a virtual prisoner because … because "

Draco drolly interjected, "Because you're too popular and might get mobbed by your adoring fans."

Harry shot the Slytherin a dirty look, "I could wear a disguise or my invisibility cloak,"

"Or you could stay home," Severus added with a warning tone. "Whatever you need may be purchased by Kinzi or by owl. It is not worth the risk to have you traipsing about town."

"Fine," Harry said begrudgingly. He knew his father was right but hated the thought of being a prisoner because people might get over excited when they saw him. But then the thought of all those people crowding him everywhere he went made him believe Severus might have a point. The stores would be packed during the holidays and he definitely would not go unnoticed.

"If you still feel the desire to go into town tomorrow, I will be available to take you. Today I am tutoring Draco," Severus offered when he saw the disappointment on Harry's face.

"Thanks, that would be great."

"Do you mind if I tag along?" Draco asked.

Harry wondered if the Slytherin had any friends left. Probably not, considering who his friend's parents were.

"I do not see why not," Severus said as he lowered the flame on his cauldron then looked over to Draco's cauldron. "Have you finished stirring counter clockwise?"

Draco picked up the ladle and began to stir once again, with a little smile on his face.

"We haven't covered that strengthening potion in class yet?" Harry asked as he leaned against the door frame.

"I am tutoring Mr. Malfoy on the upcoming potions we will be doing in class for the next few months."

"You think you will have to stay out of school for that long Malfoy?" Harry asked feeling a tinge of guilt for bringing Draco into this whole situation.

"Ask your Dad. It's up to him," Draco replied darkly as he shot a look at the professor.

Severus turned his back but answered, "We will see." He didn't say anything further.

Harry shook his head, "Things will mellow out soon." Hoping that they would so the Slytherin could return to school. He enjoyed the easy banter he had with the Malfoy, it made him feel normal.

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He showered and changed into jeans and a button down shirt, with a jumper pulled over that. Then he started making his bed since Kinzi hadn't quite gotten around to it yet. He put away his clothes then swept the hearth clean before folding a quilt and draping it across the foot of his bed, like Aunt Petunia used to be partial to. Usually the moment he left his room the tiny house elf would pop in and start to clean before he even had a chance to close the door. He had been surprised to find his room exactly as he left it this morning.

It was such a nice day out he decided to go for a fly. Harry grabbed his warmest cloak and gloves then at the last minute decided a hat might be a good idea since it was so cold outside. He went down stairs and found his broom in the cupboard by the backdoor. As he walked by the dining room he noticed the breakfast dishes still on the table. Maybe Kinzi was sick? Did elves even get sick?

The moment Harry stepped out the back door, he completely forgot about the house elf. The expansive lawn and clear sky were beckoning out to him. He jumped on his broom and kicked off with gusto. The cold air whipping across his face felt great! He looped up high then swooped down, his toes skimmed the ground before he shot up once more. He flew so high his head started spinning and the alarms let off a warning buzz. He flew until his hands were so frozen he could barely hold onto the broom. It was the greatest broom ride he had in a long time!

Once he stepped into the kitchen he stopped short when he saw Charlet standing in the big room looking lost.

"Harry, have you seen that brainless house elf, Kissy!" Charlet asked with anger.

"Her name is Kinzi and no I haven't seen her. I think she's sick or something because I saw the breakfast dishes still left out."

"My aunt was right, she always said Severus ran his household incompetently. He doesn't even have control of his own house elf!" Charlet said in a condescending tone.

Harry couldn't believe the audacity this girl had, after all Severus had done for the ingrate, "Why don't you just call on your own house elf ?" Harry asked as he grabbed a bottle of butterbeer out of the icebox.

"My house elf disappeared too. She's probably sleeping in some rubbish bin. Wait till I get my hands on that bloody little beast! She's going to get a beating that she'll never forget!" Charlet yelled as her temper rose.

Harry gave her a dark look, "We don't beat the house elves in our house."

"Don't you dare tell me how to treat my own elf. I'll beat it whenever I want! Severus should beat you too, maybe then you'll learn some manners!"

Harry turned his back on the awful girl and headed down to the dungeons.

"Don't you turn your back on me while I'm talking Harry! Where are you going?" Charlet yelled in her grating voice.

"We should probably let Severus know that both house elves are missing," Harry said in a calm tone. He walked down the dungeon stairs with Charlet following behind. He could hear her complaining the entire way down to the dungeons and had to stop himself from turning around and telling her to shut up.

Severus was almost through with his potion when he saw both of his charges walk into the laboratory.

Draco immediately ran his fingers through his hair and straightened his shirt when he saw Charlet.

Charlet went right up to Severus and griped, "Severus, both house elves have disappeared! And right when I really need their help too!"

Severus looked to his son and saw him nod. The Potion Master held his wand up and called for his house elf. When Kinzi failed to show up he waved his wand around to check the wards on the house. He wasn't surprised to find they had not been compromised. House elves could apparate through wards without a trace. He went to the floo and called Albus at Hogwarts.

The Headmaster's head appeared in the green flames.

"Severus, good to see you. How is Mr. Potter's leg? Has there been a relapse?" Albus asked with concern.

"No, Harry is fine. He actually exercised on the leg without any ill effects."

"Good, good," Albus replied.

"The reason I am floo calling is pertaining to my house elf and Charlet's house elf. It seems they have both disappeared," Severus explained.

"Oh yes, all of the house elves at the school have disappeared as well. It appears they are forming a union of sorts. Dobby informed me yesterday that since Voldemort's demise the elves have decided to ban together to demand more humane rights for themselves. They called a meeting for this morning. I am not sure how long it will last," Albus said jovially as if he were happy the elves were finally standing up for their rights.

"Thank you Albus. I suppose we will make due on our own until they return," Severus said.

"Yes, it will be a nice lesson for the wizard children who have never had to fend for themselves," Albus added before saying goodbye and good luck.

When Severus turned back around he saw both Draco and Charlet with looks of horror on their faces. Harry didn't seem bothered by the whole occurrence.

"But …but how are we supposed to eat?" Charlet whined, looking to be heading into a full panic.

"Lunch should be easy enough to handle on our own. As a matter of fact we could dine down here." Severus waved his wand and the work bench transformed into a table with four chairs around it. The three teens sat down at the empty table with Draco pulling the chair out for Charlet.

Harry knew he could offer to make lunch for everyone but he wasn't feeling particularly generous at the moment.

"Brilliant, now what are we supposed to eat?" Draco asked with annoyance as he took his own seat.

Severus gave him a sinister look as he settled down into the last chair. "It is within my ability to spell forth tea and biscuits but I am afraid that is the extent of the menu I know."

"But you've spelled forth all sorts of meals while we were at school?" Harry said to looks of incredulity from both Draco and Charlet.

"He could spell forth meals after the house elves have already cooked them," Draco explained as if he were talking to a five year old. He looked towards Charlet and saw she had a small smile.

Severus nodded in affirmation. He raised his wand and a pot of steaming tea along with a plate of chocolate biscuits appeared. A swish later and a bowl of fresh apples appeared.

"Oh," Harry had no idea that was how it worked, "Dad, do you have anymore of that nutritional supplement you made me?"

Severus nodded, "Accio Harry's nutritional supplement." Four bottles of green liquid hovered over to the table.

Harry grabbed the bottle closest to him and pulled off the stopper. He drank some before saying, "You guys should try this. I think Severus could start a business selling this stuff."

Charlet looked dubiously at the bottles but Draco picked up a bottle smelled the contents then held the bottle up towards the light. "I detect niacin amide, potassium citrate, thiamine, thestral hair …." He took a small sip, then a much longer sip before finishing, "pumpkin juice with added riboflavin, chocolate and coloring." He looked towards the professor for confirmation.

Severus had a smirk, "Well done, almost everything. There are a few more ingredients that I will let you work out on your own."

Draco's smile turned into a frown and he continued sipping on the supplement until it was gone. Damn, he had thought he would impress Severus with his own abilities in potions.

Charlet had rudely poured herself a cup of tea first then slammed the pot of tea down on the table without offering it to anyone else. She daintily took a biscuit off the plate and nibbled on the edge before declaring, "This is marginal at best. Am I to be forced into eating this rubbish until those damn house elves return?"

"No, you could do without if you so desire," Severus stated warningly.

Charlet let out a huff before shoving the last of the biscuit into her mouth. She took an apple out of the bowl and began to cut it into even slices.

Harry ate an apple, six biscuits and another two nutritional supplements before he noticed everyone staring at him, "What?"

Draco shook his head, "Merlin Potter, I better keep my hands off the table or you might mistake them for another biscuit. You eat like a savage!"

"He has no manners," Charlet declared haughtily. "He acts as if he was raised by animals."

"Well he was raised by Muggles," Draco informed condescendingly and both he and Charlet sniggered.

Harry gave both teens a hostile look. "I was hungry … I ran and flew today," he explained with irritation over having his manners critiqued.

"You flew?" His father asked in a foreboding voice.

"Yeah," Harry saw the dangerous look on his father's face and quickly changed his answer, "Yes sir."

"Who gave you permission to fly?"

"I didn't know I needed permission. I didn't leave the premises, I stayed within the wards."

Severus placed his cup down with a sharp clink on the table, "I thought I made myself clear this morning that you were not to rush into anything?"

"But … I thought," Harry began before Severus cut him off with a sharp retort.

"You shouldn't think. It is obvious you don't have the ability."

Both Draco and Charlet snickered until the Potion Master gave them a sharp look.

Harry quickly stood up, "Severus, I am sixteen. I shouldn't need permission! You are far too over protective!"

He stormed out the laboratory in humiliation. Part of him felt angry at his father for embarrassing him in front of the others and part of him felt bad for disappointing his dad once again. He felt like he couldn't do anything right today.

He went up to his bedroom and slammed the door closed. After pacing for a few minutes he finally flopped down on his bed. Bloody hell, this day was not turning out like he thought it would. He felt stupid for over reacting too.

It was ironic; he had always wanted a parent to care about him yet when he finally had one he didn't like being told what to do. No wonder Ginny and Ron were always complaining about their parents. He never thought he'd have the luxury of yelling at a parent, knowing that they would still be there once you cooled off.

An hour later he heard a knock on his door before his father walked in. Severus walked towards the bed and sat on the edge.

"I apologize," The stoic Potion Master stated grimly. "You are too old to have such restrictions on you. I am having difficulty determining that fine line of going too far with your safety."

"That's okay," Harry said quietly, "That's all I ever wanted when I was young, you know? A parent that cared enough to want to keep me safe. Just do me a favor?"

"What would that be?"

"I would appreciate it if you waited until we were alone before getting on my case," Harry stated.

Severus hid his smile over the very 'teen' statement his son requested. "I will keep that in mind for future reference. How was your flight?"

"Good, it was nice to feel so free. I hadn't realized how much I missed it."

"I am glad for you. Perhaps we could stop by the Quidditch shop tomorrow and see the newest broom? It seems the proprietor of that establishment would like to gift you with a new broom that has not even been released to the public yet."

Harry sat up, "Are you serious! I didn't even know they were making another new broom. Do you think I should accept it?"

Severus' heart clenched for the decency this boy still had in him after all that he had been through. Any other teen wouldn't think twice about accepting such a gift but Harry still questioned his value.

"Do you grasp the magnitude of what you did for the Wizarding World, Harry? Do you know how much pain and suffering you have alleviated for everyone?" Severus could see the uncertainty in his son's eyes. "No, I don't expect you do understand what you did." He placed a hand on his son's shoulder and gave him a light squeeze. "Yes son, I do think you should accept the gift. You deserve it and much more, even if you do not feel that you do."

Harry wished he could explain how culpable he still felt, "How long do you think I'll feel this way? When will this …" he grasped at a place over his heart, "this feeling go away?"

Severus didn't have an answer, more than anything he wished that he did. "I don't know son. I was never as virtuous as you are, so my experiences with death were quite different than yours are. Perhaps you must begin by forgiving yourself." Severus moved closer and the teen pressed his forehead against his shoulder.

"I don't know how," came a quite whisper from the Gryffindor's muffled voice.

"Then I will help you," Severus whispered as he rubbed the back of his son's head.

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TBC

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Author's notes:

I am trying to write a more realistic Harry and show how a sixteen year old might feel if he were responsible for so much death. Even if the people that died were evil I think an emotionally abused youth might have a problem with it no matter how many people told him that it was a good thing.

Some readers want Harry to be stronger but I think it is a processes of healing to get to that point, (at least in my story it is). He has all that emotional baggage to deal with that has always been pushed away in the past. This story will deal with the fame and fortune that are being thrust on him as he tries to deny that he is worthy of it. Of course there will be plenty of Draco and Charlet mixed in for fun.

As far as reviews are concerned - I wrote Harry's Last Hope because of a muse that I couldn't shake, I am writing this because so many people asked for it. So, I require your help to stay motivated. I have a rough idea where this story is heading but have changed directions with it twice already. So, with that in mind; anytime I get 100 reviews another extra bonus chapter will be posted on that day, otherwise I will post on Friday as usual.

How long will the story be- I am not quite sure yet.

I would like to thank everyone that has reviewed so far. Hearing from you makes my day.

Thanks for reading this, Rachel

Next Chapter:

Harry Is That You Or The House Elf

Harry makes dinner for the Malfoy's and Charlet.