Hey everyone, hope you are still enjoying Guardianship! I love getting your feedback and I do tend to suffer from writers block, so if you want something in particular to be included or you want to see more of the Slytherin's or of anything else in this story, let me know! Really loved writing the Hermione/Harry interactions in this chapter!

Enjoy, and please review :)

Harry had told Professor McGonagall that he no longer wanted to study Divination. When asked for his reasons, Harry told her that the advice came from Severus. He did not need the extra class, and it was not important regards his future career prospects. McGonagall had accepted that rather easily, conceding that she was not a fan of the class herself, and told Harry he need not go to anymore lessons. She would make sure he was struck off the class register.

Hermione was appalled at his decision, while Ron thought it was the most brilliant thing ever – of course that was only until he realised he could not drop the lesson, and therefore would have to endure it without Harry for the rest of the year.

They had not spoken again, in the past week, about the prospect of starting a defensive-learning group. Harry had done as Hermione had asked, and thought about it carefully, but he remained unsure. He had messed up an intricate painting by thinking about it too hard, and had had to start all over again.

He wanted to ask Severus' opinion, but something was stopping him. He felt as if he went to Severus for everything nowadays – every time he had any kind of small problem, classroom or personal, he would immediately go to Severus for advice. He had become very reliant on the man he had once sworn was his worst enemy (apart from, of course, Voldemort).

Though, Harry did not particularly mind the realisation he was quite reliant on Severus. He enjoyed having and living with someone he could talk to, someone older, and fatherly, that could give him advice when he needed it. He simply felt like he was getting on Severus' nerves. He had written to Remus several times, something that delighted the werewolf, but he preferred how balanced Severus was.

He still enjoyed talking to Remus, though he had not told him about the prospect of setting up a defence club. He was not sure what the man would say, and since the Gryffindor trio had not decided what they were doing for certain yet, he decided to wait. It would be better to ask him questions about curriculum, or something akin to that.

On Friday evening, Severus and Harry ate together in their rooms. Harry would be going to the Slytherin common room again that night, but he had not told his friends about it. He sat at the dining room table, swirling with spaghetti around the bowl with his fork.

"Is something that matter with your food?" Severus asked crossly, and Harry immediately stopped. Severus encouraged impeccable table manners, and that included not playing with one's food.

"No, no, the food is great." Harry said, taking a forkful of bolognaise into his mouth as if to prove his point.

Severus narrowed his eyes at the young man sat across from him. He placed down his own fork, leant his elbows on the table, and intertwined his hands, "Harry, what is going on? Are you nervous about Malfoy confronting you again?"

Harry snorted, "Hadn't given the ferret a second thought, as a matter of fact."

Severus' lips twitched at the nickname, "Then would you like to tell me what is bothering you?"

Harry stared hard at the table for a second, "Do you mind me asking questions all the time?"

Severus leant slightly back in alarm, "What in Merlin's name do you mean by that?"

"Well it's just that," Harry fidgeted, "I know I ask questions a lot. I ask for advice a lot. Usually it's on really meaningless things, like homework, or Umbridge, or my friends… I just wondered if you wanted me to stop, so much, because it's not very interesting for you…"

Severus sighed. Harry had improved massively, physically and emotionally and intellectually, since July. He had been willing to talk about his time with the Dursley's, eventually, and his self-worth had much improved. He had taken nutritional potions, and went for early morning runs every now and again, and his physique was now alike to his classmates. He did not get angry, worked meticulously on all forms of learning (academic, natural magic, meditation) and was starting to stand up for himself against his friends. Every few weeks, however, he seemed to relapse. Just for a short while, something would make him doubt himself, or his relationship with Severus, or the fact that Severus wanted him around.

Severus leant forward again, and patted Harry's hand, "Of course I don't mind you asking me questions. You are my ward, and I encourage you think of these quarters as your home. Are you uncomfortable asking me questions?"

"I don't want to get on your nerves." Harry said sadly.

"You aren't getting on my nerves, at all." Severus reassured him, "What brought this on?"

Harry shrugged, "I wanted to ask you about some things, didn't know if I should."

"What did you want to ask me?" Severus said, and when Harry eyed him nervously he added, "I don't mind at all, Harry. I like you asking me questions, and placing that trust in me. It is strange, I know, how our relationship has evolved, but I enjoy the fact you place trust in me now. Please, ask me anything you like."

Harry ran a hand through his hair, "Ok… I know that. Alright." He smiled sheepishly, "Sorry."

"Don't be, at all. You have come a long way since July, Harry, I am very proud of you."

"Thanks Severus." Harry smiled again, happily now.

Severus smiled back, reminded Harry that their session in the Slytherin common room was not for a while so they had time to talk, and magically sent their dishes back to the kitchens. Neither of them seemed hungry anymore. They took their usual places on the sofas, "So, what did you want to ask me about?"

"Well, I talked to Ron and Hermione about Umbridge… About doing something along the lines of the defence club, so we could be prepared for our OWLS, and for Voldemort, too." Harry apologised when Severus twitched slightly, not used to the name in the ranks of the Death Eaters, "She had slightly different ideas to me…"

"In what way? Was she not supportive of the idea?" Severus questioned, "I would have thought an extra-curricular to prepare for exams would be exactly what Miss Granger wanted."

"It was." Harry assured him, "But… Well… She thinks that I should teach them."

Severus raised an eyebrow, and leant back into the cushions, "Oh."

Harry waited a few seconds, and then said, "So you think it's crazy too, right? I mean… Me, teaching. It's ludicrous… And the way Hermione phrased it, I don't think she means just the three of us, I think she wants me to teach other people as well. Half the school thinks I am an absolute nutter. She hasn't come right out and said it yet but…"

Severus nodded along to his words, "Well, perhaps you should wait and see if that is in fact her intention. Teaching just your two friends a few spells, such as the Patronus charm, would not be so bad. Would it?"

"No, I suppose not. I just, I really think she has bigger plans for this than I did. I was thinking of the three of us, looking up things in the library and practising a few spells…" Harry chewed his lip nervously, wringing his hands, "And if she does want to involve other people, possibly other houses…"

"You aren't such a fan of that?" Severus finished, and Harry nodded his affirmation, "Who, in your belief, would do a better job at teaching defence? Of course, I mean someone available to teach a band of students, and hide it from Umbridge, within the school."

"We already ruled you out." Harry said quickly, "Hermione agreed. I don't want you to be sacked."

"Very kind of you Harry." Severus drawled, but with a smile on his face, "I am well aware it cannot be me. I presume you already looked at the possibility of Mr Lupin, and even Mr Black, and ruled them out, along with any other member of the Order."

"Hermione says we wouldn't be able to meet them often enough." Harry replied miserably.

"Then, if not a qualified teacher, or an Order member, it has to be a student in charge." Severus pointed out, "Personally, given your experience dealing with the Dark Arts the past four years, I believe Miss Granger might be right."

Harry's eyes widened, "You think I should teach them? Whoever 'them' is?"

Severus nodded, once, "I think you would do a very good job, actually. Miss Granger might be intelligent but she is not a leader, not in this school. Students do not respect her."

"They don't respect me either, they think I am mad!" Harry argued.

"Then don't invite the people who think you are mad." Severus told him simply, "If Miss Granger wants other people involved, let it be the Weasley twins, and those of Gryffindor who believe in you, let it be Miss Lovegood and Miss Chang from Ravenclaw, and your friends from the Hufflepuff Quidditch team. Perhaps you can even persuade Mr Weasley that inviting Miss Harper and Mr Pritchard from Slytherin would be a wise idea."

"You think they would really listen to me?" Harry asked.

Severus smirked, "Anyone with any sense would listen to you, Harry, when the other option is to listen to Professor Umbridge."

Harry chortled, and relaxed a little, "I suppose that's true. I've never thought about teaching before, in any sense."

"Well you expressed unknowingness to your future career," Severus stated, remembering their conversation from a while back, "Perhaps you can explore teaching through this club of yours and Miss Granger's, see if it is something you would like to pursue."

Harry made a humming noise, just as the living room clock chimed. Severus stood, and adjusted his sleeves, "Time to go?"

"Yes, the Slytherin's will be expecting me and Jane will be expecting you. May I give you one last piece of advice, and ask something of you, before we go?"

"Of course." Harry said, pulling on his shoes.

"Please be careful, there is only so much I can do to protect you." Severus' said, rather softly. There was real concern in his eyes, something like what Remus had when Harry had kept having to face Dementors in third year. It was a fatherly concern.

Harry straightened up, noted the concern and said, "I thought you wanted us to do this."

"I do, believe me, I do." Severus told him, still very serious, "I just want you to be careful. I don't mind what you get up to, even, just keep me informed so I can help you."

Harry smirked, "My, my, Severus, you are such a rule breaker nowadays."

Severus swatted him over the head, "Don't be cheeky, young man."

"Sorry." Harry laughed, "I promise, I will keep you updated and I promise to be careful, for the first time in my life."

"Good." Severus nodded, "The second thing is about the Slytherin's. I imagine that your friends are not wishing to include them in your plans. If a group were to form, that is, would Slytherin students who are trustworthy be invited?"

Harry frowned, "We haven't discussed it. As I said, Hermione hasn't outright told me she wants to form a larger group. I don't think they would want to invite Slytherin's, her and Ron, but I would want to invite Jane."

"I am more than happy to help you and your friends in this regard. I despise that awful pink woman." Severus shuddered, and then continued solemnly, "However, I am asking in return that you help the students of my house, the ones you trust and would be happy to teach. Their education is being affected too."

Harry hesitated, he knew his friends would disagree, but it was the least they could do in exchange for Severus' help, "I will talk to them." He promised Severus.

"Thank you Harry." Severus said, clapping him on the shoulder. Small touches like that had become habit between them. They had only hugged a few times, when discussing particularly difficult moments with the Dursley's mostly, but claps on the shoulder and pats on the hand were no longer uncommon between the pair of them. It was comforting, "Come on, we are going to be late."

HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP-HP

A week later, Harry still had not had the discussion with his friends. That Sunday they sat around the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room, finishing homework that was due in, and Harry was waiting for the right moment. It was the start of October and their defence lessons were only getting worse and worse.

Hermione had eased up on helping Harry with his academics, as he had predicted she would. She didn't mention their lessons or their homework's so much, and didn't remind him about work due in anymore. She only questioned what grade or mark he got on something. He was beating her not only in Charms now but in Transfiguration and Potions too, at least on the last tests and essays they had done. Even now, she was sat on the sofa instead of working at the table with Harry, with her work on her knees and her knees up to her chest. There was a large stack of books next to her, sliding onto the cushions. Every now and again, she peered down at Harry's work, or what book he was using.

Harry finished planning his Potions essay on snake antidotes and tapped his pen on the table. He liked using muggle pens while he was planning essays and other work, just to scribble out notes and references to texts, it was much easier.

"I've had a think about the whole… um, the whole teaching thing. I mean, the defence stuff we talked about." He said suddenly, awkwardly.

Hermione and Ron paused doing their work and looked down at him. Ron leant back from the table and crossed his arms; Hermione carefully placed her parchment pieces down and leant forward, "And?" She said eagerly.

Harry shuffled, "Do you intend to invite other people, or would this be between us three?"

"Well I really think you ought to teach anyone who wants to learn." Hermione said, looking slightly anxious but also self-important, "I mean, we are talking about defending ourselves against V-Voldemort. Oh, don't be pathetic Ron. We should really offer the chance to other people. They need to be able to defend themselves too."

Harry nodded at this; Severus had made a similar point when they had talked it over again, "And we would all agree together, the people who we would invite to these meetings?"

"Of course." Hermione nodded, "Though, I have already drawn up a brief list."

Harry ignored the comment for a second, "You truly believe me teaching is a good idea?"

"Yes, Harry." Hermione said gently, "There's no point pretending you aren't good at Defence Against the Dark Arts. You were the only person last year who could throw off the Imperius Curse completely. You can produce a fully-fledged Patronus. Viktor always said –"

Ron snapped his head towards her, "Oh yeah? What did Vicky say?" Harry rolled his eyes. It was hard to believe that just over a year ago, Viktor Krum had been Ron's idol in the world of Quidditch.

Hermione huffed at the response, and crossed her arms across her chest, "He said Harry knew how to do things even he didn't know, and he was in his final year at Durmstrang. That's incredibly impressive, Harry!"

"You're not still in contact with him are you?" Ron interrupted.

"It doesn't matter." Harry said loudly, as a fight was about to break out, "In any case, I know that I have, previously, done a few things that could be considered… Um… Well, the point is, I would be willing to at least try it. The whole teaching thing, that is. We've got to do something about Umbridge."

Hermione beamed, "That's wonderful Harry! I was thinking then, we have a Hogsmeade weekend coming up soon, shall we ask anyone who is interested to meet us in the village and we can talk it over?"

"I suppose so." Harry nodded, "Can I see your list, Hermione? The one with the people you want to invite. How many people are you going to talk to? How are you even going to talk to them?"

"I'll fetch it, it's in my room." Hermione said, standing up. She paused, gave Harry a very quick look, and then gathered up all her papers and books in her arms, "As for how I will talk to them, well, everyone on the list has expressed how much they hate Umbridge's classes, so I suppose I will lead with that."

As she made her way up to the dormitory, Ron scrunched up his lips, "Do you think she's still in contact with Krum? I mean, it's been months since the Triwizard Tournament ended. I didn't see her sending letters through the summer. I suppose she received a few though. Do you think they are still in touch?"

"I've really no idea Ron." Harry said tiredly, absentmindedly flicking the page of his book on anti-venom. He really couldn't be bothered with Ron's pettiness – it was almost as annoying as Hermione's bossiness. Ron frowned, moved away from the armchair he was leaning on and lay down on the floor instead, stretching out his back.

Hermione returned within a few minutes, carrying a scrunched up piece of parchment in her hand. Even though there was no one in the Common Room (many were outside enjoying the last of the good weather), she looked both ways as she came down the stairs, overdramatically checking no one would hear them.

"Here you go." She said, handing the parchment to Harry.

He took it, and scanned the names. All of the usual people they associated with were on there, as he had suspected they would be. Ginny and her older brothers, Luna and Cho, Padma and Parvati, for example. Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas' names had question marks next to them. There were several more people from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw on there, including Hermione's study partner, Megan Jones. There were, however, no Slytherin's on the list.

"That's more people than I thought there would be." Harry said, momentarily stunned, "What about Jane and Graham and Sophie? I've met a few other Slytherin's too who I think would really like to come along. Shall I let them know? You don't know them Hermione."

There was a pause, and Hermione and Ron shared an awkward look. Harry sighed, knowing he was about to get into an argument again. He took a deep breath, before Hermione started.

"Harry, I'm not too sure that's a good idea." She said.

"Why not?" Harry replied, politely but pointedly.

"Well, because the other Slytherin's might get suspicious. They could tell Umbridge." Hermione reasoned.

"Any other member of any other house who isn't invited could also get suspicious and tell Umbridge." Harry pointed out in return, "It isn't fair to exclude them entirely just because of the house they are in. You invited your study partner, why shouldn't Ron and I invite ours?"

"I don't want Graham there." Ron said, suddenly, "I agree with Hermione."

"I thought you liked Graham." Harry said, puzzled.

"He's an alright guy, and sure house unity seemed all jolly and fun for two seconds there at the start of the year," Ron said, shrugging his shoulders along the floor, then he sat up, "What with us all sitting around the table in the library, but this is getting serious and we have to be serious about it."

"I am being serious about it. They need to be able to defend themselves too." Harry said, a little anger leaking into his voice, he pressed his forefinger nail into his thumb, "They have to face Voldemort as well, and they are on the same side of us."

Hermione replied forcefully, "But their housemates aren't, I don't think we should risk it."

Harry threw up his hands, "There are more than likely Death Eaters in Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, not just Slytherin. The Sorting Hat did not decide people's house based on their allegiance in an upcoming war, it decided their house on their traits. Those traits could be used for either side."

Hermione sighed, "But we know the majority is in Slytherin. The people we know about are in Slytherin, the people we know to avoid are in Slytherin. Harry, it just isn't smart."

"I really disagree." Harry shook his head, "I don't think it is smart to leave out the majority of a Hogwarts house based on some, some, of their fellows. I want to invite Jane and her friends."

"Harry –"

"No," Harry said, no longer negotiating, "I know Jane will keep our secrets. She hates Umbridge as much as we do, as do her friends. We've discussed it at length actually… Plus, Severus asked me to include his house. Their education is at risk too. Severus is helping us, we should do this. It's the right thing to do."

Ron sighed, groaning, "Fine, bloody well invite them. If they get us found out, it's on your head."

Harry resisted snapping back at him, and instead looked at Hermione, who's brow was furrowed, "Hermione?"

"When did you get the chance to meet Jane's friends? And discuss Umbridge? At length." She asked him, turning a very suspicious look on her friend, "Harry? What are you hiding? When did you meet other Slytherin's?"

Harry looked guiltily down at the table. He had gone to the Slytherin Common Room for the third time two nights ago, and had enjoyed himself immensely. Malfoy hadn't bothered him, and Jane said he had left the rest of them be the past two weeks too. They had done work together, but Harry also found Jane and her friends a lot of fun to be around.

"Harry." Hermione said sharply.

"What?" Harry said hotly.

"You are hiding something from us." Hermione accused, her voice turning shrill.

"It is none of your business who I talk to in my spare time." Harry reminded her.

"We are your friends." Hermione said, suddenly hurt, "Harry, what is going on?"

"Yeah, mate." Ron said, looking confused, "What's going on?"

Harry sighed, "You aren't going to like it, which is why I didn't tell you." He warned them, and they both crossed their arms, "The past three Friday nights, I have spent with Jane in the Slytherin Common Room, with her and her friends. They had a study night, Severus goes along, so I have been going too."

Hermione and Ron gaped at him.

"Are you for real?" Ron hissed, standing up suddenly.

"Ron –"

"Nights in the Slytherin Common Room, really, Harry? Are you kidding? Are you dumb? Malfoy could attack you any time he likes!" Ron started to vent, while Hermione just looked aghast.

"I only go when Severus is going –"

"And you lied to us about it! You told us you were spending time with Snape!"

"That wasn't a lie –"

"Oh please," Ron mocked, "If it wasn't a technical lie, it was a cover up for what you were actually up to. Giving up nights with your fellow Gryffindor's in order to spend time with the bloody snakes of the dungeons –"

"They are my friends!" Harry burst out, his meditation techniques failing. Ron stared at him. It was the first time he had shouted so far this year, "It is not a crime to have other friends, it is not a crime to have friends in Slytherin, it is not a crime to spend time with them!"

"But in the Slytherin Common Room!" Ron shouted, pacing around the room, and Hermione quickly shushed him, looking towards the stairs with a scared look on her face. She was probably worried that Seamus would run down any second and start a revolution.

"Yes! In case you had forgotten Ron, my guardian is the head of Slytherin house. I am honorary. He allowed me into the common room, on Jane's request, so we could study together. Doing so, I met her friends, who have become my friends." Harry let out a huff of breath, "I trust them. They aren't like Malfoy. I want them at these defence meetings."

"This isn't about the defence meetings, Harry." Ron said angrily, "You promised you wouldn't go making friends with all the bloody Slytherin's in Hogwarts, and yet here you are!"

"Merlin Ron, it's not like I am suddenly fighting for Voldemort!" Harry rubbed his eyes with his fingertips. Severus was right, keeping this from Ron and Hermione was a stupid idea.

Ron stopped pacing, "This isn't about that, Harry. You lied to us. You went behind our back. Most importantly… They – are – SLYTHERINS."

"I don't care!" Harry shouted back, getting to his feet, "Merlin, Ron, you need to grow up and out of these prejudices you have. You have a lot of siblings who were all in Gryffindor, your parents were in Gryffindor, your whole family is Gryffindor, I get that you have a preference, that's alright. You cannot, however, keep calling everyone in Slytherin evil! It's not bloody true!"

"Malfoy –"

"Malfoy is one person in Slytherin! He does not represent them all!"

"Boys!" Hermione shouted suddenly, getting to her feet, "I wouldn't have brought it up if it was going to cause this much fuss, let's just calm down…"

"I don't think so." Ron said spitefully, and proceeded to storm his way out of the portrait door.

Harry took in a large breath of air, and then blew it out, trying to calm himself down. He turned to Hermione, afterwards, who stood with her hair hanging in her face, staring at the floor, "Your turn, Hermione, what are you going to say to me?"

"Harry…"

"No, go on."

There was a pause.

"Harry, I wish you would have told us." Hermione said miserably.

"Why? So you could persuade me out of going?"

"Stop doing that." Hermione snapped.

"It's true though, isn't it? You tried to persuade me to stop seeing my own guardian, because he lives in the dungeons." Harry said, collapsing onto the sofa again, "How do you feel now I have been spending time in the Slytherin common room itself?"

Hermione did not sit down, and simply said, "I feel like… You should hope Ron doesn't tell Seamus."

Harry huffed, "Probably will."

"You could try having more faith."

"You suggested it."

"I shouldn't have pointed out what you said in the first place… I should have waited until Ron was gone. I should have known he would react like that." Hermione said, shaking her head, "You are right, he has always had prejudices. Why didn't you tell us Harry?"

Harry laughed without humour, "Because I didn't want you to react like that." He pointed towards the portrait door.

Hermione made a humming noise, and then turned to him with a serious look on her face, "Why is it that you keep getting angry at me recently? You never used to. I mean, you used to get angry, but we have never fought like this, not really. And you spend so much time… well, elsewhere, now."

"I don't like being controlled." Harry said simply.

"I'm not trying to –!" Hermione immediately tried to argue.

"But," Harry interrupted, and she went quiet, "You do, Hermione, not necessarily on purpose, but you do. I don't like being told who I should spend my time with, or who I should be friends with, or when I should do things. I don't like being 'warned', I much prefer being told and then advised. Do you understand?"

Hermione sighed, "Yes, I suppose so. I've always been very bossy. I don't mean to do it, Harry, I promise. It's just how I have always been."

"Can you try dialling it down?" Harry laughed, but at the same time tried to look serious. Hermione nodded, and then unexpectedly threw her arms around him, "Hermione!"

"I'm sorry." She muttered into his shoulder. He sighed, and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. It was different to the hugs he had shared with Jane, or Cho, which made his heart flutter a little. This was very familiar, and comforting, and he had missed it.

"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have gotten so mad at you, I should have just told you what was bothering me." He muttered back, and kissed the side of her head, "And I am sorry about not telling you I had been spending time in the Slytherin Common Room, I never really expected to end up there."

Hermione laughed lightly, and pulled away from him, wiping at her eyes, "I forgive you. I understand. If I was acting like that… Well, I suppose you wanted some time elsewhere."

"That and I do really like Jane too. We have fun." Harry conceded, shrugging his shoulders.

Hermione giggled, "How much do you like her, hm, Harry? As much as Cho?"

"Oh, shut up." Harry blushed, nudging Hermione's shoulder as she laughed a little louder, "So… Is it alright if I invite them along to this meeting in Hogsmeade? I think that would be best for everyone. We can't exclude them, and honestly I don't want to."

Hermione fidgeted, then sighed, "Yes, I suppose, but I think Ron will need some time to cool down. I will try talk to him as soon as I can, but I think he may avoid you for a while…"

Harry squeezed her hand, "Thank you 'Mione. I think you will really like the girls in Slytherin, actually. Have you talked to Sophie much? She said she loved your Yule Ball Dress. She was asking where you got it but of course I had no clue."

"Oh, I'll tell her." Hermione smiled, "Thank you Harry, I am glad we are friends again, properly. I'm going to go upstairs and finish that homework. I'll see you later."

"See you later." Harry said, watching her go upstairs and then sinking into the cushions. He checked the time with a quick spell, packed up his things, and made his way to library.

Jane was usually there about this time. He could start explaining.