UPDATE: Please re-read this chapter, some paragraphs were missing regarding confusion over the teaching of Defence the Dark Arts. Kind regards to the lovely reviewer cadisraizel for pointing this out. All corrected now!
Hello Darkness... My old friend.
Well... Life has some twists and turns. Here I am with new chapter, after all this time.
I've been itching to update for sometime now, I have many chapters half written with so many plots. It's just trying to find the time and motivation to snap to it and write what I love. It's only been recently that I've been stalking my work and trying to get my fingers to type again and guess what? I'm here, it happened!
Thank you to old readers and new ones for your patience with my stories.
Here is the next go round!
Life is weird.
Warning/Disclaimer: Not Beta'd and also this does not belong to me.
Chapter Seven: Muggle this, Muggle that.
The last couple of days flew by for Harry, the House of Black being quiet with even three people under the roof. He hadn't seen much of Snape and Malfoy and for that he was honestly glad, especially with the fact that now Snape had seen most of his worst memories.
He probably had told Malfoy too.
Though Snape had kept his distance since seeing his memories, but Harry felt that the Potions Professor and himself had something in common. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he had an inkling Snape's childhood at home wasn't great either.
He knew his dad and Sirius treated him like shit, obvious from the memories that he had seen but was Snape abused too? Neglect was obvious, and his memories showed that.
Harry came out of his thoughts, looking around the tube to the few muggle faces that were on. If only they knew what threat was happening in the world.
He sighed, coming off the tube at Victoria station, the only one to walk out onto the platform. The underground only had a few scattered people about, mostly with drunk people. Harry though had eyed the vending machine as he walked to a nearby bench, getting some loose change out. He put the loose change into the vender, pushing the buttons to get a chocolate bar.
He got it out of the vender, opening the chocolate from its wrapper and taking a bite out of it as he walked around to another platform, sitting down on one off the many benches. He finished his chocolate bar, enjoying the taste, tongue licking at his lips as he stuffed the wrapper in his pocket, crossing his feet as he relaxed.
He had time to waste, his train at half past midnight. The Underground station near to Grimmauld Place was either Highbury and Islington, which both stations being somewhat old and decrepit like his Godfather's house.
Sirius.
Harry grimaced back the pain at the thought of the man. If only he was here, he knew Sirius would be happy of the fact that he was now living in his home. The place was empty without him, it wasn't the same anymore. Harry's eyes searched around, graffiti and advertisement everywhere, looking at the one in front of him to distract him from his thoughts.
The tube going to Westminster zoomed past, a sudden air of the underground crackling, lights flickering in the station, the muggles noticing nothing. The air started to fill with electricity and Harry could feel it, everything felt alive.
Harry snapped his head up, Dumbledore appearing as the tube exited the station, his eyes going wide, but looking blankly at the headmaster. Something clicked in Harry's mind.
He was meant to leave a note to say he was out, so Snape and Malfoy knew something of his where about's.
Shit.
Harry stood up, running his hand through his hair as he walked slowly to the edge line of the platform, Dumbledore gazing at him to try get eye contact with him as he moved to stand next to him.
"You've been reckless this summer, Harry. You left Professor Snape and Mister Malfoy nothing to say where you were. Foolish on your part my boy." he warned, looking now at the wall with a pretty lady on it with a glass bottle.
Harry looked at the billboard, the advertisement of the magic of perfume distracting him as the woman on the poster quite beautiful. How muggle touch up on photos could make someone look so flawless.
"I didn't even realised that it is past midnight Professor, my apologies to Snape and Malfoy that my forgetful mind was rather distracted by being normal for a day, some nobody in the world as I sighted many monuments," Harry paused, looking into the Headmasters eyes. He felt the prod of his mental barriers, shoving the man out.
He had ordered many reading texts of many different subjects over the summer, one of the box sets was of Occlumency, finally getting a grasp for the mind arts that Snape never taught him. It was like his mind had opened up to learning it.
Dumbledore held his face perfectly, not showing a sign of shock that his biggest chess piece had learnt something that he was best at.
"There are many things like riding around on trains... that takes my mind off..." Harry's mind flashed back to Sirius, not bothering to continue the sentence as his attention was drawn by a passing tube train again.
Dumbledore nodded sadly, knowing of whom the boy has talking about. "Take my arm," Harry looked from the passing tube, to Dumbledore's arm, eyes tracing the light blue silk robe to the older man's hand. Harry held in his gasp, the hand was black! From the tips of his fingers to his wrist. It was lightened in some areas of skin, dark blue veins sticking out.
"Dumbledore?" Harry asked, knowing that only a curse could do such a thing. He had read that some people had created curses to warn off people of their homes, artefacts and even speaking their names, but Dumbledore ignored him by placing his arm nearer to Harry.
"Do as I say."
"I don't have to do anything you say, remember?" Harry snapped, starting to get agitated by the old man.
"Harry my boy, please. There are things I need to discuss with you." Dumbledore pleaded.
Harry sighed, knowing he had to obviously obey the man. He knew Dumbledore still wanted him to be the guide for the light, but he wasn't going to be. He would go with him to see what he wanted. After all his Gryffindor curiosity got the best of him.
Harry slowly placed his hand onto the Headmaster's arm and before he knew it, he was taken out of Victoria station, suddenly staggering to the ground of a weedy path way. He looked at the ground, taking deep breaths of air, his arms clutching his stomach. He breathed through his nose, gaining his balance and fixing his glasses.
"I think apperation is worse than flooing." Harry muttered, his second time at side apperation.
"I'm surprised you haven't vomited your hearts content out Harry. Then again, you do like fast things." Dumbledore started to walk, amusing himself at his reaction and current appearance.
Harry got himself together and finally caught up with Dumbledore, walking down a random road in the middle of the night.
"Where are we Professor?"
"Budleigh Babberton; be warned Harry, It's a muggle village." Dumbledore said, Harry pulling a face behind the old man's back.
"No shit Sherlock, no wait! Gandalf." Harry muttered, wand suddenly out and pointing to the sound in the over grown alley way. He lowered it, earning a snigger from the man he had pointed it at.
"I see you finally found Potter, Headmaster..." Snape said, robes billowing behind him as he came out of the over grown alley way.
"Yes, I found Harry here in one of the many underground stations in London." Albus said as he continued to walk, stopping at a wooden gate at the bottom of the lane. Snape turned his head to Harry, lip curling.
"That will be the last time I will be searching for you Mr Potter." Snape spat out, annoyance in his eyes.
"Apologies Professor Snape, my mind hasn't been in the right place today. Last night's meeting... Vision lasted longer than normal." Harry said the last bit quietly, looking at Snape as he knew what took place.
"I believe you saw everything, correct?" Snape said through gritted teeth, knowing that the boy saw him on his knees withering from the cruciatus curse. Harry nodded, keeping his mouth shut though. Snape sighed, looking at the boy's scar, which was slightly inflamed.
"I suppose I cannot blame your current state of mind. Then again..." Snape cut himself off as Dumbledore's patronus flew into view, the proud phoenix rising into the air and diving to a stop in front of them both.
Severus was going to insult the boy's brain, how dim-witted the boy truly was for leaving his and Lucius's protection and dancing off on his own in these times.
"Severus the house has been attacked by death eaters, evidence found by a mask. I can't find Horace. I just hope Tom doesn't have him." The phoenix flapped its wings, Severus beckoning Harry to follow as the patronus lead them to the house, instantly disappearing at the gate.
"Wand out Mr Potter, I dare say you might need it. You know how to protect yourself, but it may have escaped your mind that you happen to be one of the strongest students in Defence against the Dark Arts. For once use your dim-witted mind, if this becomes a situation I cannot get your arse out off you're going to have to help yourself." Snape hissed quietly, making Harry grunt in response, wand already out as they both walked to the wrecked front door, entering the muggle house. Dumbledore was waiting for them in the wrecked living room, Harry already wordlessly made his wand glow with light with a bright lumos spell, climbing over things in the wrecked passage way, following Snape.
"Muggle houses are rather interesting when not wrecked. How they are made does fascinate me." Dumbledore muttered, his wand pointing to the crack in the ceiling, blood spilling from it.
Harry hoped to Merlin that this Horace person wasn't dead. The blood that was everywhere was not a pleasant sight.
Dumbledore swept his blackened hand along a wooden cabinet, dipping his finger in the puddle of blood and, patting the drop of blood to his lip. Harry watched Snape bend his head down to another spot of blood, his hooked nose sniffing the dark substance.
"Dragons Blood Headmaster."
"Obviously Severus, or I wouldn't put it to my lips." Albus smiled, Severus sniggering at Dumbledore's words.
Harry looked around, his eyes landing on a blue and white striped arm chair, he moved closer, feeling the magical energy coming from it.
"I think Harry's found him Severus." Dumbledore moved towards Harry, clapping his shoulder as he moved past, Albus poking the chair.
"Horace!" Dumbledore called, his lit up wand pointing to the stripped arm chair, the amusement on his face was very much obvious to the fact that the ex Head of Slytherin house was an arm chair. A head popped out of the top of the armchair, looking around at each face.
"Albus!" Horace startled out, unfolding himself to reveal a short, stocky man wearing blue and white striped pyjamas, the same colour the armchair had been.
"Oh Horace, I do believe you make a very convincing armchair." Harry raised a eyebrow, wondering who the man was.
"I know why you're here Albus... you can't fool me with your brilliance, but the answer is still no."
"Severus, you couldn't just go watch the front of this house could you, report back to me. I don't expect any body to linger."
"Yes Headmaster." Snape nodded, glancing at Harry until he swept out of the room, front door shutting.
Dumbledore looked at Horace and smiled. "Well Horace. There was actually something else I also wanted to see you about, but first I need to use your loo." Dumbledore whipped his wand out, waved it once and watched as the messy house cleaned and reordered itself.
Harry started to gape, quickly shutting his mouth. He spun around slowly, watching the room quickly fixing it self.
This is why he loved magic.
"That was fun." Dumbledore smiled and walked off to the toilet.
"Well, I bet you know what the other reason Dumbledore is here for I suppose, Harry?" Horace looked at Harry and grinned, "Yes I know who you are."
"Who doesn't?" Harry said flatly with a shrug.
"Well of course, my dear boy. You have defiantly grown since the last time I saw you. Lily had brought you to see me, I never saw her more truly happy. You were just seven months old."
"You knew my mum?" Harry said quietly, his eyes showing sadness at the mention of her.
"Yes, I was the Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin house at Hogwarts when Lily started her education. She was my best potions student," Horace smiled sadly. "I suppose you don't know the other reason do you...?" He whispered as Dumbledore returned carrying a rather curious magazine in his black hand.
"Mind if I take this? I do like knitting patterns." Dumbledore beamed as he flipped through the pages, putting the magazine in his robe pocket.
"Surely the muggles who own this house won't even notice a missing magazine Albus." Horace rolled his eyes, smiling a small smile to the headmaster.
"Harry and I best be off; we have a fair bit to sort out before school starts up again as you know Horace, but one who is unwilling can be of no real help now can they?" Dumbledore questioned, his manipulating side coming out. Harry noticed, keeping his mouth shut. Harry swore that Dumbledore winked at him but couldn't be too sure, it may have just been the twinkle in those god damn eyes.
They started to walk out, meeting Snape at the gate.
"All clear Headmaster." Snape said, nodding to Dumbledore. Harry could here running footsteps coming from the house, the man called Horace at the front door, panting.
"Alright... I'll do it! But I want a new bigger office Albus!" Horace shouted, closing the door behind him as he went back into the muggle home.
"Congratulations is in order then Severus! You are now officially the New Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." Dumbledore patted Snape's back, Harry suddenly snapping his head round to meet the cold faced Professor. His mind was screaming in rage, his beloved subject was going to be hell for him. His life was going to be pure hell this year.
"Congrats Professor Snape, you won't be getting rid of me this year either it seems! But you already know my results and I am best in my class after all." Harry said sarcastically, beaming a smile at Snape.
His smile didn't last though, his thoughts going to when Remus said the other day that he was the new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor.
"Wait, but what about Remus, I thought he had gotten the job?" Harry said in a confused tone, looking at Dumbledore with a questionable look.
"Yes, that is correct Harry, Professor Lupin has returned to the post. He has agreed to my plans for both Professor Snape and himself to teach the subject together." Dumbledore chuckled.
"I'm sorry but how in hell is that going to work? No insult but Snape hates Remus. It will end in disaster and there's already a curse on the job." Harry asked, giving a sharp look at Snape, knowing the hatred between Remus and the potions master.
"Don't worry my boy, Professor Snape here will be teaching the sixth and seventh years in Defence and his advanced potion class this year. Professor Lupin will be teaching the fifth and lower years in Defence and the Defence Against the dark Arts advanced class."
"But Professor Lupin thinks he's teaching me, you sure he knows all this information?" Harry looked between Dumbledore and Snape with curiosity.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Lupin hasn't read his contract properly." Severus said sarcastically, his mouth sneering in disgust that he was going to have to converse with the werewolf. "Just my look isn't it Potter. I thought I was going to be getting rid of you altogether this year. Shame." Snape spat out, giving Harry the most dirtiest of looks.
"Now boys," Dumbledore warned them both, walking down the lane. " I hope this term that both of you can get along better. Harry, Severus will be taking you to the Weasleys for now. They are expecting you and you will be staying at their home for the last couple of weeks of summer."
"I'm sorry to say Sir, but I'm staying at the Grimmuald Place for the rest of summer." Harry spluttered out, Dumbledore stopping in his tracks, turning to look at Harry.
"But it's already been arranged my boy. Mrs Weasley has prepared for your stay, you wouldn't want to disappoint her and Ron of course? Remus is still recovering from his transformation and Professor Snape and Mister Malfoy can't stay for much longer." Harry fisted his hands behind his back, knowing clearly that Dumbledore was trying to manipulate him.
"Like I said Headmaster, I'm sorry but I would prefer to stay at my home. Remember you can't tell me what to do anymore old man." Harry answered, not letting the man know his reasons. Dumbledore sighed, looking at Harry with a blank face.
The silence in the air hung like the black death, Harry starring Dumbledore out, watching the man give in.
"I will see you at the beginning of term Harry, I will send for you to meet in my office. Severus you may take Harry back with you Headquarters." Dumbledore smiled, eyes not twinkling as he vanished.
"How do you cope Snape?" Harry asked, turning to the quiet man who had been watching Dumbledore and Harry.
"Cope with what Potter?" Severus raised his chin, looking slightly down at the boy.
"His manipulating ways?" Harry questioned, looking at Snape dead on.
"You're not as dumb as you used to be Potter," Snape paused, looking at the young man before him. "The Headmaster is a Gryffindor at heart, but his mind is purely Slytherin. He is a powerful figure Mr Potter, you do not, and I repeat do not ever get on his bad side." Snape warned, knowing what the Headmaster was truly like. He had been there, the threat of Azkaban over his head
"But aren't you fed up at being his most played chess piece? I know I am..." Harry said quietly, shrugging his shoulders.
Severus tilted his head, knowing what the young man felt. Severus knew how to play the game but knew how hard it has been so far.
"I have to admit that Albus does care about you in his old ways, even though what I have blatantly seen in your memories shows otherwise. This year is going to be hard Potter." Severus held his arm out to Harry.
"He's dying, isn't he? His hand is pulsing with a very dark curse." Harry looked at Snape, knowing the Headmaster was getting weaker. Snape nodded as Harry placed his hand on the potions masters offered arm, vanishing into the night and back to Grimmuald Place.
Thank you for reading this next chapter of Survival is Bliss. Reviews appreciated and welcomed.
Kezza x