A/N: ! IMPORTANT ! I have a new yahoo group:
http(colon)(double slash)groups(dot)yahoo(dot)com(slash)group(slash)a(underscore)sensibly(underscore)tainted(underscore)group
Please join! You'll find my story Broken Shards of Peace there, as well as all the chapters for Growing Pains and Broken Mind, Fractured Soul. I'm also running polls and have pictures posted. ! IMPORTANT ! I've also discovered a chat feature on the Yahoo group, so I decided I'd try to be on it to talk to anyone who wanted to from 12 to 1 in the afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 5 to 6 on Mondays and Wednesdays.
A/N2: I hope you guys appreciate this chapter. It's extra long. I was going to break it into two chapters, but it all went together so well that I couldn't. It might be a week and a half before the next update, so read it slow!
Confrontations
Silas and Gabriel watched grimly as McGonagall left Harry in the headmaster's office alone. Gabriel literally snarled when the Headmaster used a subtle glamour to gain their Host's compliance and trust and began asking questions. The most usual kind of glamour disguised physical appearances, but the more powerful could disguise true intentions and exude certain basic cues like friendliness or attractiveness. Kitten had used one such and now Dumbledore was gently ensnaring their Host's senses as well.
"No." Silas grabbed his arm. "It won't do any good to go Out now. Let this run its course."
"I have to do something! Who knows what that bastard is doing!" Gabriel yanked his arm away, eyes flashing.
"No. That's what he wants. As soon as we switch in his company, he'll have power over us." Silas shook his head.
"What are you talking about?" Gabriel demanded, exasperated.
"He's had months to think of a way to use our condition against us, Gabriel." Silas sneered. "You don't think he was sitting on his hands and merely waiting for us to return, do you? He will have some plan to make it so that he can control how and when we switch."
"That's impossible." Gabriel said. "Isn't it?"
"Nothing is impossible."
Gabriel stood, tense as a drawn bow, not really sure which way to jump. On one hand, he trusted Silas' judgment. But on the other… the Gryffindor sighed and ran his hands through his hair. He really hated inaction, especially when they were possibly under attack. He turned his attention outward and watched in dismay as Harry accepted candy from Dumbledore. He looked over at Silas, but the Slytherin shook his head. "Not yet," he said, attention still glued to what was happening Outside.
"No." Gabriel could not bear to let this go any further and disappeared.
xXxXxXx
Dumbledore smiled his kind smile as he watched with bated breath as the teen took the candy from him. Harry hesitated when it was halfway to his mouth, but continued. Dumbledore looked away from the potion-tainted candy and into emerald green eyes. His smile faltered as he stared into the hardened, angry gaze of someone not at all taken in by his friendly glamour.
Gabriel stood and threw the candy back in Dumbledore's face, bouncing off the headmaster's cheek. He glared down at the man who was beginning to glare back and said in a hard voice, "You are a mortal man, Albus Dumbledore, and you will be held accountable for your actions. This isn't a game! You are messing with people's lives, and you have no right to do so." He leaned forward eyes flashing. "What happened, old man? Have you become senile? I imagine your younger self would have hated what you have become; god only knows that the wizarding world would hate you too if they ever knew the truth of your actions."
"Enough!" Dumbledore roared, surging to his feet as rage washed away his shock. He visibly tried to calm himself as he stared at the teen who was boldly staring back. "You are certainly brave, Gabriel. That will help you in the future, but beware creating enemies where there are none."
"I'm not afraid of you, Albus. I pity you." Gabriel straightened, his wrist flexing just so, forcing his wand to fall subtly into his hand from the sheath on his forearm. "Think of everything you've done, all the people you've hurt, and for what? What have you accomplished?"
What are you trying to accomplish? Why are you baiting the man? Silas yelled furiously. Get out of there, now!
I'm successfully distracting him from his plan to do whatever you think he was planning to do. Now leave me alone! He thought back.
"I don't expect you to understand." Dumbledore said solemnly. "But you will in time."
His hand snapped up with surprising speed and a spell raced for Gabriel's chest. The Gryffindor dodged and shouted off a spell of his own. The office was small and there wasn't much room to dodge and Dumbledore had the advantage, knowing exactly where everything was. Gabriel tried his best and almost made it to the door when he was immobilized and left staring at the ceiling as he landed, hard, on his back. He prepared to sink under and allow Silas Out, when Dumbledore agilely leapt over the desk and shouted a spell, his wand digging into Gabriel's temple. The teen silently wailed as he felt magic spear into his consciousness. Everything went black.
xXxXxXx
"You moron!" Silas yelled as Gabriel materialized in the Gryffindor's bed. He studied the cold band of metal around the alter's head. It looked like a crown, but Silas knew better. This was a constraint. It was because of the spell Dumbledore had cast and he knew that didn't bode well for any of them. He touched it and Gabriel hissed in pain. It felt like ice, but was relatively soft, like white-gold. "Why did you do that?" He sighed, his anger draining away into worry. "I told you he was planning something for you."
"I'm sorry." Gabriel mumbled. He looked drugged. "But I couldn't let him hurt Harry."
"I know." Silas covered the Gryffindor's hand with his own. "We'll get this off you somehow."
"Thanks, Sy." Gabriel smiled as his eyes fluttered closed.
Silas stood to let him sleep and heard Boy begin to wail in pain. He ran from the room and saw Harry tossing on the couch as if from a nightmare. The window in the sitting room was pushing in toward them. Dumbledore was trying to get into their mind! He hissed and ran to the couch, pulling Harry into his arms. He flicked his fingers at Gabriel's door, locking it with the strongest spell he knew. He did the same to Boy's cupboard door and Demon's stone one before running to his room with Harry and locking the door behind him.
He carefully laid Harry on his bed and, with surprising gentleness, brushed his hair from his face, "It'll be alright."
Harry relaxed in response and his breathing deepened. Silas smiled down at him before hurrying back to his door and pressing his ear against it. He could hear footsteps. He hissed at his door and an engraved snake became animated and blinked at him. SSS Tell me what is happening in the next room, SSS he ordered.
The snake obediently went flat in the listening posture, his tongue flickering. SSS There is a man looking at the carvings of the Gryffindor's door... He shakes his head and tastes of amusement and awe. He is trying to open it, but fails. He tastes of unhappiness, but that changes to interest as he hears the fearful child in the cupboard. He goes and listens… He talks, trying to sooth the child, but he is only making Boy cry harder… He is trying to open the door, but cannot. He shakes his head and moves on… He studies the stone door. He listens. He touches it and recoils. He tastes of fear and worry. He moves on… He is standing in front of me. He is looking at the carvings. He tastes determined. He raises his hand and says strange words… He looks toward the window to Outside. He nods and moves toward it... SSS
"You will understand in due time, my boy, that this is for the best." Dumbledore said loudly. Silas sneered at him through the door.
SSS The man is gone. SSS
SSS Thank you. SSS
The snake nodded and went still as wood once again. Silas sighed and unlocked his door with a wave of his hand. He grabbed the handle and pulled, but it did not open. It was still locked. Silas hissed furiously, "You think this will keep me locked up? Think again, devil-spawn." He patiently began going through every unlocking spell he knew, flicking his fingers, eyes glowing with intensity.
xXxXxXx
Severus stormed toward the Headmaster's office. His blood had run cold when he saw Longbottom come running into the Great Hall with panic and fear on his face. He didn't even need to be told what had happened; he just stood and slipped out the staff door, heading for the headmaster. Rage boiled just beneath the surface of his thoughts, but he managed to keep his expression to his normal scowl. If Dumbledore had Harry… He cut off the thought and walked faster. When he got to the gargoyle, he tried every password he knew and wasted several minutes, but the damn thing wasn't moving. He cursed as he kicked it.
"I doubt that's going to get you inside." He spun and found himself staring down at Rowena. Her head was tilted curiously. "Have you kept our bargain? Have you taught the Elemental how to meditate?"
"I have." Severus bit out. "But now is not the time for this."
"Isn't it?" She smiled. "I said that in exchange for you teaching him to meditate, Salazar would help you with Harry."
"And?" Severus asked carefully. He had thought the Slytherin phantom had already paid that debt by explaining what he had discovered about Harry's condition and revealing Demon's connection to both Harry and Voldemort. Although, with his knew knowledge about where Silas stood in the scheme of things, he wondered how the connection to Voldemort really worked. He'd have to think about that more later. He narrowed his eyes at the girl phantom before him.
"Harry is not better. He still needs help, and therefore Salazar is still obligated to help you." She winked. "But only if you ask for it."
These phantoms were wasting his time with stupid word games! Harry was in trouble, but it still pissed him off to be forced to such extremes. He gritted his teeth and asked, "Salazar, will you help me?"
"Fine." Severus spun around again to see the young teen leaning insolently against the gargoyle. Salazar smirked, "But I'm not the one that can get this lump to move. That's Helga's area. She's the one that moves the staircases and whatnot. I can ask her, but you'd have to offer something in return."
"You're enjoying this." Severus accused.
"Well, yes." Salazar shrugged. "It's been awhile since I was awake and it's good to have some fun now and again."
"Harry's in trouble!" He roared.
"Yes. He is. So you should hurry up, don't you think?" Salazar laughed.
Severus fumed, but obediently brought up all he knew of Helga Hufflepuff. She had been an expert in architecture and magic related to building. The castle was her design and she created many of the spells that allowed it to be built and preserved. And Salazar had implied that Helga-the-phantom's area of interest was the physical castle, as well. So what did the castle need?
"Wake her." He nodded.
Salazar raised an eyebrow and the air next to him shimmered. A stocky girl with thick, braided, golden-blonde pigtails appeared. She had a round face and bright hazel eyes under thin eyebrows. She looked around in confusion and yawned. "What's going on?"
"I offer you my body and magic to reinforce or repair any part of this castle in exchange for you waving the security on this gargoyle so I may pass." He said solemnly.
"What?" She blinked at him in surprise. "But that's the Headmaster's guardian."
"This is how it is." Rowena said, walking up to the other girl. "Salazar woke because a student here has a unique mental condition. He paid a second student with my tutelage in Elemental magic in exchange for more information. But in order to teach the boy, I needed Severus' help. I paid off my debt for his assistance by promising Salazar's help with the first student with the unique mental condition. And in order to follow through with that bargain, Salazar has woken you so that Severus can reach said student who is being held captive by the increasingly unworthy Headmaster, who is beginning to place politics over his duties to this school and the students it houses."
"Why didn't you say so?" She smiled at Severus and waved her hand.
The gargoyle moved aside silently and Severus raced up the stairs, wondering if he could hex phantoms. His irritation disappeared completely, however, when he burst into the Headmaster's office to find the ancient man bending over Harry with his wand at the teen's temple. The boy was unconscious and the room was a mess. He had a very good idea what had happened here and ground his teeth in impotent rage.
His first instinct was to rip the man away, but that would cause damage to Harry. He'd have to get Dumbledore to come away on his own. He snarled and dug his fingers into the headmaster's shoulder and hissed, "Headmaster. Stop this instant. You are making a mistake." He continued to talk the man back until Dumbledore opened his eyes with a gasp and let his wand fall away from the teen's head. Severus clenched his fists in rage, but managed not to punch the fool in the face for touching his child.
"Severus." The old man said tiredly. "Help me to my seat."
The Potion Master did as he was told silently. Once Dumbledore was settled, he asked, "What should I do with Potter?"
"Take him to the Hospital Wing." Dumbledore answered after a moment's consideration. "Tell Poppy he fainted while I asked him about his summer." He looked at his clock and sighed. "It is about time I gave my speech to the Great Hall. Meet me here when you are done. I have much I want to discuss with you."
"Yes, sir." Severus bowed stiffly. He flicked his wand and stalked from the headmaster's office, the unconscious teen floating behind him. He got to the infirmary in minutes and Poppy tisked in disapproval as he levitated Harry into the bed. He ignored her mutterings about accident prone students and waited for her diagnosis.
"He's healthy as far as I can see." She frowned. "Maybe a rejuvenation potion?"
Severus helped her, but still Harry lay unconscious. They tried several spells and got the same lack of results. Severus finally said, "Let me see what I can do."
Poppy highly disapproved of Legimency used without consent, but she had to admit her patient's condition worried her; she could find no reason for his unconsciousness. She nodded. Severus told her to hold the teen's eyes open and he stared down into their depths. It was easy to slip into the defenseless mind.
After all the hours he spent teaching Harry Occlumency, the teen's mind was almost as familiar to him as his own. Therefore, he knew immediately something was wrong. The darkness didn't feel right as he passed it. It was too empty. He stepped into the sitting room and looked around. He frowned. He'd never seen it empty or with every door shut.
xXxXxXx
Silas had tried everything he could think of and couldn't unlock his damn door. He fumed as he sat heavily on the floor, his back leaning against his bed, and closed his eyes. They snapped right back open, however, and he spun around on his knees, leaning over Harry. "What was that? Did you say something?"
"Sev'rus." Harry sighed in his sleep, a small smile on his lips.
Hope and gratitude burned through him and he ran to his door, "Severus? Are you there?"
The dark-eyed man strode to the door, "Silas? What is going on?"
"That bastard locked me in." Silas explained icily. "I've tried every unlocking spell I know and I'm hesitant to try blasting it open. I don't know what that will do to our mind."
"It is never a good idea to destroy parts of your mental landscape." Severus agreed and stared thoughtfully at the door. "Do you know what he incanted?"
"No. He was speaking too softly to hear through the door."
"Where are the others?" Severus frowned.
Silas quickly explained everything that had happened. As Severus listened, he began trying to break the spell locking the door closed. Silas glanced worriedly to the bed and saw Harry stirring restlessly. "Harry needs Out. He's been suppressed almost too much as it is lately. It's not good for him."
"Almost there." Severus reassured. A popping noise sounded and suddenly the door opened inward. Silas threw it open all the way with a sneer; Harry immediately faded.
Severus smirked at him, "You can handle everything else here?"
"Yes." Silas hissed, ruffled that the man was able to unlock the door when he couldn't.
"Good." Severus nodded and disappeared as he eased out of the teen's mind.
He blinked and found himself staring into confused green eyes. Poppy was fusing and casting more diagnostic spells, but they were coming back clean. Harry thanked her and assured her he was fine, blushing under the attention and worry she had focused on him. Satisfied, she released him from the hospital, but admonished him to be more careful.
"I will." He smiled sweetly. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"It was no problem, dear." She pat his cheek.
Harry stood and followed his teacher from the infirmary. "What happened, sir?" He asked as soon as they were alone.
"I was wrong." Severus said grimly and Harry bit his lip as waves of guilt and anger rolled off the dark-eyed man. "I thought the Headmaster would consult with me before he made a move, and I would, therefore, have time to think of a way to block his attempts at gaining control over your mind."
"What did he do?" Harry asked, his face pale.
"He placed some sort of binding on Gabriel and locked Silas in his room. Had I not unbound him, he would not have been allowed Out."
Harry shook his head, tears burning his eyes. "It's my fault. I trusted him… Why did I trust him?"
"He wore a glamour that subtly influences those around him into trusting and liking him. It was not your fault." Severus squeezed his shoulder. "I am sorry. We were not as prepared as we should have been. But that doesn't mean we will leave things as they are. I suspect I will discover exactly what the Headmaster has done tonight, and we will work together to undo it."
Harry nodded and hugged the man.
Severus pat him awkwardly on the shoulder and pulled away. "You should get to your dorm. The Welcoming Feast should be over."
"Okay." Harry smiled shakily.
"Everything will be fine, Harry." Severus found himself saying gently. "Don't forget to Occlude."
"Yes, Severus." Harry smiled, feeling much better as his teacher unknowingly wrapped him in care.
"I'll meet you tomorrow after curfew. Come to my quarters." Severus looked down at the teen sternly.
"Okay. Goodnight." Harry waved and jogged down the hallway, toward Gryffindor Tower.
Severus shook his head and walked slowly toward the headmaster's office. He had a lot to think about and plan before he returned to face his employer. Bitterness burned the back of his throat. Once he had once been able to think of the man as a second father, a beloved mentor, but no more. And he would never be able to forgive the headmaster for taking that away from him. Why was it that everyone he looked up to was eventually corrupted? And why were the sins they committed always so unforgivable?
xXxXxXx
Harry had just reached the portrait of the Fat Lady and could hear the approach of some students. He did his best to ignore the curious stares as he made his way through the fairly full common room and up to the Fourth year boys' dorms. He was just glad none of them asked him anything. He opened the door and found he was the last one there. Ron, Neville, Dean, and Seamus all sat on their beds. At his entrance, Neville jumped up and wrapped him in a worried hug.
"Are you alright?" Neville whispered in his ear.
"Yes." He smiled, hugging his brother tight. "Just really tired."
"I'll tell you what you missed." Neville offered loudly, trying to overt suspicion and keep the others from asking his best friend too many questions.
"Sure." Harry went to sit on his bed. He smiled at Ron when the redhead frowned at him worriedly.
"Dumbledore was late," Neville began, sitting next to his friend, offering his shoulder for Harry to lean against and still able to watch the others in the room. "But he announced there would be no Quidditch this year. Instead, Hogwarts is hosting the TriWizard Tournament. There will be a champion chosen from each school, but you have to be seventeen or older to enter. There will be three Tasks and the winner gets money and a trophy, as well as glory for their school."
"Sounds dangerous with the age limit." Harry said uncertainly, feeling the excitement in the other three boys. He hastily tried to erect a stronger barrier to block his empathy.
"It is." Neville agreed. He wasn't excited or interested in the Tournament. "They stopped having it because too many kids were getting killed."
"But Dumbledore said that they have done what they could to make the tasks safer." Dean argued.
"Imagine winning the trophy!" Seamus said hungrily. "I wish I could enter."
"And the galleons. Think of what you could do with that many galleons." Ron agreed eagerly.
"We also have a new Defense Teacher: Professor Moody." Neville continued.
"My dad had to go and intervene the night before school started." Ron told the others. "Mad-Eye was going to get in serious trouble if it weren't for him. He lives in a muggle neighborhood, you know, and set up magical alarms that made the trash bins go crazy and was shooting off curses and hexes like there was no tomorrow. He claimed someone was trying to break into his house, but admitted the intruder ran away before he could see them clearly."
"I've heard seventh years talking about him on the way up." Seamus grinned. "He's paranoid of everyone! He won't even drink anything anyone gives him and only drinks from his hip flask. But he was a good Auror during the first war. No one brought more Death Eaters down than he did."
"I bet we'll learn loads from him." Dean bounced excitedly.
"I hope so." Ron shook his head. "We haven't got a good track record for DADA teachers, have we?"
"What's he look like?" Harry asked curiously.
Dean and Seamus excitedly described their near teacher in horrifying detail. Neville and Ron laughed as they made Harry swallow nervously. Conversation drifted back to the Tournament a little while later, but within the hour they were getting tired. It had been a long day for all of them, so they got ready for bed.
"Night, Harry." Neville called.
"Goodnight, all." Harry answered sleepily.
"Goodnight." Seamus and Ron mumbled. Dean just grunted.
xXxXxXx
"Severus." Dumbledore greeted. His eyes were hard as flint and his face was unsmiling. "Where were you? And where is Harry?"
"I took him back to his dorm, sir." He just barely refrained from saying 'Master' and grimaced. That alone said a lot about Dumbledore's actions lately if it woke those old habits. "Poppy was not able to find anything wrong with Potter, but the boy wouldn't wake up. I had to enter his mind and prod him out of his mental defenses."
"Is he aware what has happened to his alter?" Dumbledore asked thoughtfully.
"I don't know, sir. He was withdrawn and silent."
"Very well, Severus." The headmaster sat tiredly behind his desk and gestured for him to take a seat across from him. "Did you take the time to examine his condition?"
"I did not." Severus answered, sitting. "I did not feel it was appropriate with how distressed he was."
Dumbledore nodded vaguely, "After spelling him, I entered his mind to see how well it had taken. I discovered evidence of not just two alters but four. One of the doors could have been Harry's, but I am not sure." He described what he had seen. "Did you encounter anything like this when you had detention with him last year?"
"No, sir." Severus lied easily. "There were only three doors at the time; one was Silas, one was Gabriel, and the last was Harry's own."
"I see." Dumbledore stroked his beard pensively. "So Sirius did affect Harry's condition. He made Harry create a new alter. It is imperative we find out as much about this new alter as we can. As well, we need to find Sirius. We need to know what happened this summer."
"Yes, sir." Severus bowed his head. "May I ask what spell you used on the Gryffindor alter?"
"Ah, yes." Dumbledore smiled proudly. "I worked all summer on that. It is a variant of the spell used to expel evil spirits, but instead of expelling the mind in possession at the time, it anchors it. The second part of the spell I based on portkeys, just inverted. Instead of bringing you somewhere else, it will bring someone else to it. It was rather difficult, but I managed. I set the spell parameters to transport and lock Gabriel's mind to the forefront whenever the key phrase is spoken."
"Ingenious." Severus bowed his head. "But what will that accomplish?"
Dumbledore sighed. "He is the only one who can save us. If we can protect Harry from suffering the hardships of the battles to come, but at the same time be able to train a warrior that will think of nothing but the battle, then we have won without having to sacrifice an innocent child. But we can't leave the chance of one of the other alters forcing Gabriel away from a battle. Once he is in a perilous situation, he will have no choice but to fight, and, indeed, because he is Gabriel, he will not even want to run away. He will fight and win, and we will all be saved and peace will return."
"It is unreasonable to rely on a child to save us." Severus growled, unable to keep his silence. "We should fight for ourselves."
"I know you feel you must repent for your past, but the best way to do so is to ensure the safety of the world. Harry is a child of fate. We cannot stand in his way. We must help him as much as we can, and Gabriel is a blessing. Within this alter we have a way to keep Harry unweighed down by his burden, while he still fulfills his destiny." The headmaster smiled kindly at his spy. "Go, Severus. Attend to your new Slytherins. I can see you are tired. We will talk more about Harry's condition later."
"Yes, sir." He said as he stood and made his way to the door.
"Oh, and if you have any contact with Harry, I want to know immediately. I don't care how small the interaction."
"Yes, sir." Severus bowed and left the room.
xXxXxXx
Silas looked up as Gabriel staggered into the sitting room. He looked haggard. Dark circles lay under his eyes and his mouth was tight with pain. The white-silver band around his head hadn't shrunk or disappeared. The Gryffindor fell onto the couch heavily and grumbled, "What's going on?"
"Harry's sleeping. It'll be dawn in a couple hours." Silas answered softly, afraid he'd cause the other pain if he spoke loudly.
Gabriel flashed him a wan, grateful smile. "Any idea what this is?"
"Not yet. We'll know more tomorrow night. I would have gone to the library, but was afraid of drawing too much attention to us." Silas scooted closer and peered at the metal band. "What does it feel like?"
"Like thorns of ice are cutting into my scalp." Gabriel grimaced. "But it doesn't feel as bad as it did when it first happened. Maybe the pain will go away." He looked over the back of the couch and grimaced. "Has he been doing that all night?"
Silas looked at the cupboard door and nodded solemnly. Boy had been crying softly ever since Dumbledore had attacked. "I hope this doesn't set back his progress with the mutt."
"Me too." Gabriel sighed and looked back at Silas. The Slytherin teen was pale and unusually still. Guilt burned the back of his throat. "Listen, Sy, I'm sorry."
"Don't be." Silas met his alter's eyes. "Who knows what Dumbledore would have done if you hadn't intervened. I should have had a plan to deal with him instead of being so certain that he wouldn't make a move so soon."
Gabriel sighed and looked toward the dark window. There really wasn't anything else to say. Silas sat silently at his side and they waited for the sun to rise, listening to Boy's quiet cries.
xXxXxXx
Harry woke to Neville shaking him. Dean and Seamus had already gone down to breakfast and Ron had brought Hermione up with him. The two were sitting on Ron's bed, watching him, while Neville stood by his bed. Harry felt concern and fear from Ron. Hermione was depressed and disillusioned as well as worried. Neville was angry and concerned. The emotions swirled around him, poured over him and he sat up with wide eyes.
"I'm alright, guys." He tried.
"What happened, mate? Where did Professor McGonagall take you?" Ron asked, definitely determined to hear the answer.
Harry looked to Neville nervously. The brunette frowned, "If you don't want to say…"
"If we're ever going to understand what's going on and be able to help you, then we need to know." Hermione spoke up, but she wouldn't meet any of their eyes.
"She brought me up to the Headmaster's office. Dumbledore dismissed her and I sat in front of his desk. He… He put up some kind of glamour so I would trust him and questioned me about my summer and Sirius. I promised I'd keep his secrets, but I almost told him things I didn't want to. He gave me a lemon drop and I passed out." He shook his head sharply as the distress from Ron and Hermione spiked. "I woke up in the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey couldn't wake me, so Sev… I mean, Snape…" he blushed. "He did something to wake me up and I came back here."
"You think there was something in the lemon drop?" Hermione gasped, her eyes wild.
"What else do you think it was?" Ron demanded harshly. "It's not like anyone could stop him. Unlike us, Harry has no parents to complain to."
"Ron!" Hermione said sharply.
"It's true!" He glared.
"But… but why?" She pleaded with the others for an explanation, a justification, an excuse, for he headmaster's actions. "Why would he do that?"
"I think… I think I scared him." Harry answered, tears burning his eyes with sympathetic sorrow. He could almost feel her desperate confusion as the last of her faith began to crumble. "He was afraid I'd be out of his control after spending all that time with Sirius and he wanted to make sure I obey and trust him again."
"What do you think he did while you were passed out?" Ron asked darkly.
"I don't know." Harry lied and blushed hotly, feeling guilty, but he wasn't ready to tell them about his condition.
"Oh, Harry." Hermione came over and wrapped him in a hug. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do!"
"We're going to miss breakfast." Neville said quietly. "Come on."
Ron nodded and took Hermione's hand. Neville followed them, leaving Harry to get dressed. The teen did so and hurried down after his friend, building up his mental shields as he went. When they reached the Great Hall, one glance at the ceiling showed them that it had stopped raining, but that it was still cloudy and grey. Harry was glad he had brought his cloak with him as it was a bit chilly. Hermione sat silently for a few minutes, not touching the food. Eventually, she stood and said she had to go to the library. Harry looked questioningly over at Ron.
"She discovered Hogwarts uses house-elves last night and won't eat the food, saying it was made by slave labor." The redhead shrugged.
"Oh." Harry looked at the food and considered pushing it away, but thought of Omi and resumed eating. If all house-elves were like Omi, they'd be hurt if he didn't eat. He had just finished when he saw a blonde head go by. "I'll meet you guys outside." He told his two friends as he ran out of the Great Hall. "Owen!"
The first year turned around, his blue eyes curious. He spotted Harry jogging up to him and his face went slack with surprise. A brunette stood at his side and actually looked like he might faint. Harry smiled, hoping the two boys wouldn't be afraid and stopped in front of the blonde first year.
"Sorry I didn't get to see your Sorting. I see you got into Hufflepuff." Owen nodded dumbly. "Is this your dorm mate?"
"Uh…" Owen blinked a few times and blushed bright read. "Yeah… Uh, this is… this is Kevin Whitby."
"Nice to meet you." Harry smiled and shook the other boy's hand. "Owen's a great friend." Kevin nodded mutely, eyes still huge. "Well, I… I wanted to return something to you. Thanks for letting me borrow them." Harry smiled and reached into his book bag for the Omnioculars Hermione had used to record the game for Owen.
The blonde took them, understanding dawning behind his eyes. He grinned up at Harry. "You're welcome. I'm glad you liked it."
"It was really great. Thank you very much." Harry said sincerely.
"You're welcome." Owen said again and laughed.
Harry laughed too and noticed his friends leaving the Great Hall. "Well, I have to get to class. I hope I can talk to you more later."
"That would be great. See you later." Owen waved and grabbed Kevin's hand, dragging him away.
"That was Harry Potter!" The brunette gasped.
Ron looked over at Harry with a grin and threw an arm around his shoulders. "Charming first years, now, are you?"
Harry smiled at him as Neville laughed. They didn't see Hermione until they reached the green house. She looked much better and the boys shook their heads at her in bemusement. It was amazing how much books could reassure the girl. She blushed and hit Ron on the arm. They didn't get to talk much after that. Professor Sprout had them collecting puss from bubotubers. Neville explained in a low voice what the puss was good for as they worked. Harry was intrigued that such a thing could be so useful in potions, but Ron was just disgusted. Dean and Seamus agreed with him and the three groaned loudly after every blister they popped.
They were relieved to finally be released and made their way down to Hagrid's hut for Care of Magical Creatures. Lavender and Parvati were looking a bit nervous and Dean and Seamus trailed behind the group. Hagrid was waiting for them with a big grin on his face, making them groan quietly. Nothing ever good came from Hagrid smiling like that.
"Mornin'!" The half-giant boomed. "Be'er wait fer the Slytherins, they won' want ter miss this. Got us Blast-Ended Skrewts!" He pointed down into the crates that were littered around the lawn.
"Ewww!" Lavender squealed and jumped back several feet after peaking in.
Harry and his friends eased closer to one of the shaking crates and looked in. The creatures inside looked like deformed, shell-less lobsters, horribly pale and slimy-looking, with legs sticking out in very odd places and no visible heads. There were about a hundred in each crate, each about six inches long, crawling over one another and bumping blindly into the sides of the boxes. They smelled strongly of rotten fish and every now and then a flame erupted at one end, propelling them across the box quickly.
"On'y jus' hatched," Hagrid beamed proudly, "so yeh'll be able to raise them yerselves!"
"And why would we want to raise them?" A cold, drawling voice asked. The Gryffindors turned and saw the Slytherins had arrived. Glares were quickly exchanged between the two groups. Draco sneered at the look of confusion on Hagrid's face. "I mean, what do that do? What is the point of them?"
Hagrid stammered, obviously not knowing the answer, and quickly ordered them to try feeding them. Seamus was grumbling about puss and giant maggots when Dean yelled with pain. Hagrid ran over to him, but it was only a mild burn. He told the teen he could hold out on going to the infirmary until the end of class. Lavender demanded what the pointy things on some of the Skrewts were, and Hagrid proudly said that the boys had stingers and the girls had suckers to drink blood.
"Well, I can certainly see why we're trying to keep them alive." Malfoy said sarcastically. "Who wouldn't want pets that can burn, sting, and bite them all at once?"
"Don't think they are pets." Harry shook his head and looked over at the blonde conversationally. "Maybe they're good for something else."
"Yeah!" Hermione said in an aggressive tone. "Just because they're not very pretty, it doesn't mean they're not useful. Dragon's blood's amazingly magical, but you wouldn't want a dragon for a pet, would you?"
Ron snickered and looked sideways at Hagrid. Draco glared, remembering the detention he had received for telling on them about their dragon smuggling. Harry shot his friends a subduing look, "I don't want to fight."
"Help me with this, Har." Neville called and the brunette went over to his friend.
Ron and Hermione shared baffled looks and went back to their own crate. Draco watched Harry's back, face blank for a few moments before turning back to his Slytherins. They worked hard and by the end of the class period everyone had some kind of injury or another. Even the Gryffindors were grumbling about Hagrid and Skrewts as they trudged back up to the castle.
It was lunch time, but Hermione left them again to go to the library. Ron shook his head, while Neville and Harry stared after her worriedly. They didn't get to see her again until after their afternoon class of Divination. Professor Trelawney was teaching them how to read their horoscopes from the position of the planets in the sky. Ron, Seamus, and Dean were goofing off so Trelawney assigned them lots of homework, not that Lavender or Parvati minded. Divination was their favorite class.
"Have lots of homework, guys?" Hermione came up to them smiling as they met outside the Great Hall for dinner. "Professor Vector didn't give us any."
"Well, bully for Professor Vector then." Ron glared at the amused Hermione.
Harry was about to say something when Draco walked up with a paper and a large smirk on his face, "Hey, Weasley! Have you seen the paper?" The blonde then read the article out loud. It felt like half the school had stopped to listen as it described the fiasco with Moody and how Ron's dad had to get him out of trouble. They hadn't even gotten Ron's dad's name right, calling him Arnold instead of Arthur. Draco laughed at that most of all.
Hermione and Harry grabbed for Ron as the redhead surged forward, "I'd rather my parents be unknown, than arrogant arseholes like yours! You know your mother, Malfoy? That expression she had at the World Cup like she has dung under her nose? Has she always looked like that, or was it just because you were with her?"
Malfoy's pale face went slightly pink, "Don't you dare insult my mother, Weasel!"
"Keep your big mouth shut, then," Ron snarled as Hermione, Harry, and Neville tugged him away.
BANG! … The crowd rippled in shock and people screamed in surprise as Draco shot a spell at the Gryffindors' backs. Harry felt something white-hot graze the side of his face and fell back in fearful, shock. Silas took his place and twitched his wrist, spinning to face the blonde with his wand ready. Gabriel had wanted to surge Out, but the Slytherin had managed to beat him to the punch. He wasn't sure what would happen if Gabriel came Out while Dumbledore's spell was active and wasn't willing to find out because of a childish squabble. He had just turned around to face the blonde Slytherin when a second loud BANG roared through the Entrance Hall.
"OH, NO YOU DON'T, LADDIE!"
Professor Moody, limping down the staircase, had his wand pointing at the white ferret, shivering on the ground where Draco had been standing seconds before. Silas was shocked. A million things could go wrong when you transform a human into something else and it was very disorientating, causing the person to panic and often times incurs lingering emotional distress. He'd never seen a teacher use transfiguration as a punishment at Hogwarts for any reason. Not even McGonagall and she was the most likely professor who could pull it off without damaging the student.
There was a terrified silence as the students watched Moody. The scarred professor turned to Silas, "Did he get you, Potter?" His voice was low and gravelly.
"No, sir." Silas answered evenly, meeting his normal eye. The other was rolled up, showing only white.
"LEAVE IT!" Moody shouted.
"Leave – what?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"Not you – him!" Moody growled, jerking his thumb over his shoulder.
Crabbe, who had been about to pick up the ferret, now stood frozen, his eyes wide and scared. Silas realized that Moody's fake eye must be magical and was able to see out the back of the man's head. Moody turned and started to limp toward the transfigured boy. The ferret gave a terrified squeak and took off, streaking for the stairs to the dungeons.
"I don't think so!" Moody roared, pointing his wand at the ferret again. It flew ten feet into the air, fell with a smack to the floor, and then bounced upward once more. "I don't like people who attack when their opponent's back's turned. Stinking, cowardly, scummy thing to do…" The ferret flew through the air, its legs and tail flailing helplessly."
Silas! Do something! This isn't right! He's really hurting him! Gabriel yelled furiously. How dare a teacher do such a thing to a student? This was just short of torture!
Silas get his teeth. It disgusted him as well, but what could he do? Everyone was here and watching. Moody kept bouncing the ferret, scolding it with dark humor. A pained squeal came from the delicate animal and Silas bared his teeth and flicked his wand, keeping it down by his side. He could only do a few non-verbal spells and this one wasn't one he had tried before. But it would have to work. The ferret hit the ground and shimmered, returning Draco to his rightful human shape. Moody spun around, searching the crowd by Silas, looking for the one who had freed his victim. Just before the man's eyes landed on Silas, a voice cut across the silent Hall.
"What is going on here?" Professor McGonagall shoved through the crowd. "Mr. Malfoy!" She looked down at the boy, blinking in confusion and pain on the ground. Understanding dawned and she spun on Moody, "We never use transfiguration as a punishment! Did the Headmaster not discuss the rules with you? We give detentions, Moody! Or speak to the offender's Head of House!"
"I'll do that, then," Moody growled, staring at Draco in dislike. "I know your father of old, boy… you tell him Moody's keeping a close eye on his son… you tell him that from me… Now, your Head of House'll be Snape, will it?"
"Yes." Draco glared defiantly up at the professor.
"Another old friend," Moody smiled, making the girls in the crowd gasp and lean away from the ghastly sight. "I've been looking forward to a chat with old Snape… Come on, you…"
Professor McGonagall watched them go anxiously, a pinched look on her face as Moody grasped Draco by the upper arm and marched him down to the dungeons. The students broke into quiet mutterings and began to break up. Silas kept his face blank as he trailed after Ron and Hermione, who had decided to forgo the library in favor of gossiping with her friends. They settled at the table, Neville shooting him a look of recognition and engaging Ron and Hermione so they didn't notice anything was different about Harry.
Did you see that? Gabriel fumed. She didn't even punish Moody for what he did! She even let him take Malfoy off alone! If he had done that to a Gryffindor or anyone from any other House, Moody would have hell to pay!
I know. Silas acknowledged, sneering as Ron said he wanted to remember what happened to Draco forever with a blissful expression. Hermione even laughed with him.
Tell them off! Gabriel yelled
Silas shook his head. No. I don't care what they think. He stood and ignored the questions that came after him. He walked silently through the deserted corridors and quickly found himself in the library. He had a lot of research to do if he was going to figure out what the hell the headmaster had done to Gabriel and then learn a way to reverse it.
xXxXxXx
Harry blinked and found himself standing in front of Severus' door. He knocked and figured it must be after curfew. Severus let him in and quickly shut the door. The sitting room was warm, the fire in the hearth blazing. Harry smiled happily and bounced over to his favorite couch and curled up on the corner, closest to the fire. Severus smirked at him and took a seat in his favorite leather seat.
"Is Draco alright?" Harry asked. Severus lifted an eyebrow. "I was there when he and Ron got into a fight. A spell was cast and then I blacked-out. I only just now woke up, but Draco is the one who usually comes away from duels with my friends the worse for wear."
Severus inclined his head, dark anger coming off him in waves. "This time it wasn't your friends that roughed him up. Moody intervened after that first spell and transfigured him into a ferret. He slammed him into the floor repetitively until someone from the crowd took pity and turned him back into a human. McGonagall informed him that he is not to use transfiguration on students again and Moody brought Mr. Malfoy to me for further punishment."
"Oh, no." Harry stared, horrified. His hands were over his mouth. "Is he alright? Was he injured?"
"He had severe bruising that I took care of. He also had a cracked rib. That will take a few days to heal."
"Will Professor Moody get into trouble?" Harry shook his head, shocked.
"No. Of course not. He only injured a slimy Slytherin, after all." Severus said bitterly. He rose quickly from his seat and poured himself a drink. Harry winced at his mentor's feelings of betrayal and helpless rage. But before Severus had even finished his drink, all the man's emotions were tucked away and he turned back to his student. "That is not what we are here to talk about."
"I'm still sorry." Harry said softly.
"I know." Severus relaxed and took his seat. "I talked to the Headmaster. The spell he put on Gabriel is the combination of two inverted spells. The evil-spirit exorcism and the portkey spell. It gives the Headmaster the power to call Gabriel forth and keep Gabriel Out for as long as he wishes. He plans on putting you in perilous situations and calling 'his' warrior Out to deal with it. He plans on tucking the powerful warrior away so that you return to the innocent and malleable boy when he doesn't need you to fight. He doesn't know that I freed Silas, of course, and he realizes that there is one more alter besides Gabriel and Harry. He thinks Sirius is the reason the new…"
Severus trailed off as Harry's face paled and his green eyes opened wide. Severus mind caught up to his mouth and he realized what he had just said and wanted to curse. He had been distracted with the Moody-Draco issue brought back up and then was so intent on coming up with a plan that he had forgotten just who he was speaking to. He had gotten use to being with Silas. He mentally shook himself, feeling icy dread curl in his gut.
"Harry…"
"I'm… I'm a…" Harry shook his head slowly, tears rolled down his cheeks. He looked up pleadingly at his mentor, begging him to take it back and make everything make sense again. "I'm not… an alter… right? I'm… real…"
"Harry! Breathe!" Severus said sternly and leaned forward to capture the teen's slender hands. Harry did as he was told, grasping his teacher's hands desperately, his eyes never leaving Severus'. "I'm sorry, Harry. I didn't mean for you to find out like this."
"No." Harry began to cry.
"Yes." Severus said gently. "But you are as real as you ever were, Harry. Listen to me." He shook the boy gently and Harry obediently tried to calm himself so he could hear. "Silas is the Core personality. You were born from him. You are a very large piece of him. You are real, as real as Gabriel and Rose and Boy and Kitten. You aren't make believe and neither are they. Their feelings and experiences are true. But it is true you differ from the other alters. They were smaller fragments than you, not as complete as individual people. Silas made you Host. That means that you are the one who is conscious most often. You are the one that lives day to day. That status allows you greater understanding and diversity in your personality than the others like Rose, Boy, and Kitten. As Host you have the ability to absorb other alters because of your greater consciousness."
"But… but Silas is… I'm…" Harry bit his lip hard. "I don't understand… How long have you known?"
"I didn't find out until the end of July, Harry." Severus answered reluctantly.
"So this is why…" Harry pulled away, his tears coming faster. He curled up over his legs and stared mournfully as his teacher. "This is why you've been spending so much time… time with Silas and not… not spending much time… with me. I'm not as… important as Silas."
"What?" Severus scowled. "What are you talking about?"
"You always come for Silas and then leave as soon as I come back. He's more real than me." Harry pointed out.
"That's not true." Severus shook his head and came to sit next to the distraught teen. "I have been busy with school and I've been teaching Silas because I have come to question his judgment and hope to better it in the future." Harry turned his face away, not believing him. "Harry, you are as real and as important as Silas. All of the alters are important."
"Are you trying to get Silas to accept me back?" Harry asked. "Am I going to disappear? I… I don't want to die."
"Harry!" Severus pulled him into a hug. Desperate times call for desperate measures. "I would never let you die! Do you hear me? Never! I have not discussed merging anyone with Silas. I would have talked to you about it first."
Harry huddled in Severus' embrace and sobbed. He was frightened and suddenly felt threatened. He loved Severus and Neville. Remus and Sirius. He didn't want to leave them. But he loved Silas and Gabriel, too. He didn't want them to suffer. He was just so confused and hurt. He felt a warm pressure at the back of his head and soft words.
Harry, don't be upset. Gabriel said. We wouldn't do that to you. You'll never disappear.
Is Rose gone, Harry? Silas asked gently. Have we not always taken care of you and let you make most of the decisions? We intervene now and then, but not very often.
That was true, Harry agreed. They did always consider his opinions and let him make the decisions. Like with telling Ron and Hermione about the Dursleys. Silas didn't want to, but let Harry do it because Harry thought it was best. And Rose wasn't gone. He was Rose as well as Harry. She lived within him always. But if he wasn't the Core, why did they care so much about what he thought and wanted. "Why?"
Because, Harry, Gabriel answered, you're our Host. We trust you and love you. We want to protect you and make you happy. You are our heart.
Severus thought the question was for him and answered, "Silas feared to be rejected and persecuted for who he was, so he created you out of his purest intentions and motivations to protect him and to give you a chance to experience life without prejudice."
I am an alter, too, Harry. Silas sighed. We are all alters because none of us are whole. I am Core alter. You are Host alter. And Gabriel ad Boy are Guardian alters. Demon… Well, Demon is a Dark alter. I am not more important than you. We are the same.
"What happens when we unite?" Harry asked timidly.
"Then you will be one person." Severus answered simply. "There is a long way to go before we come to that point." Severus pulled away and looked down at the teen's tear soaked face. "Are you alright?" Harry nodded tiredly. "I will order us cocoa."
Harry smiled as the man got up and went to the fire place. He leaned against the couch and closed his eyes. It felt weird to know he was born from Silas. He was their heart? He felt proud that he was protecting them and needed, but he also felt sad. He knew something bad had happened to him at the Dursleys besides being made to feel his family's hate and to be their slave. Boy guarded those memories and experiences and he was a mess because of them.
Another alter had been a mess. Kitten. He couldn't remember her very much. Just knew that it was horrible and hard to deal with. He knew he helped, but somewhere along the line, he had forgotten about her and what she stood for. He now understood that Silas had taken those memories and scars from him. Silas and Gabriel were always protecting him, like he was their younger brother. And in a way, he was Silas' little brother, having come from him. It was weird. Finally knowing all this made him feel both strong and weak.
Why can we talk to each other like this now? He asked, concentrating inward.
Because now you know, and that knowledge lowered the barrier you held between us. Silas answered.
Silas and I have always been able to talk like this when one of us was Out. Gabriel added.
Does that mean when I come In, I'll be able to watch what you guys are doing?
No. Silas said gently. As Host, you have to be… protected. We come Out to deal with situations that you can't handle. It would be pointless to have us otherwise.
But I don't have you. You have me. Harry said tearfully. I'm so confused.
Nothing has changed. Gabriel said firmly. Nothing. Only now we can talk to you if you really want us too. You can mute us again if you wish. It's all about control. You know how to Occlude. Just do it Inside as well as Out when you don't want to hear us.
"Here." Severus handed the teen the warm mug of cocoa and took a seat across from him. "I'm sorry you felt I was ignoring you in favor of Silas. It isn't true and now that we are living together again, we will see more of each other. I have made a deal with the castle and the Headmaster will not be aware of you leaving the dorms after curfew to come see me. He has ordered me to come to him every time I've spoken with you, so I cannot give you detentions like I did last year."
"I understand." Harry said, sipping at his drink.
"Harry…" Severus was at a loss, but suddenly knew just what to do. "Lower your barriers."
"What?" Harry looked up confused.
"Do it." Severus nodded sharply.
Harry did as he was told. Instantly he felt his mentor's care and regret, worry and determination. You couldn't lie with your emotions. At least not easily. Harry smiled at his teacher happily. There was no doubt that Severus cared for him and was determined to protect him as well as the other alters. Gabriel was right. Nothing had changed. None of the important things had, anyway. He could also feel Severus' worry. He didn't want to worry anyone so he buried his hurt and smiled. He got up and went to his teacher, hugging him tight.
"Thank you, Severus. I love you." Severus let him, but Harry smiled as he felt a strong wave of embarrassment wash over them both. He pulled away and wiped at his face as he went back to his couch. "How did you get the castle to do that?"
Very grateful to change the subject, Severus explained. "It seems the Hogwarts phantoms are not happy with the Headmaster's guardianship. They have woken and are evaluating him. I have promised my help, as well as bringing fresh stone to reinforce some of the weaker areas of the castle. In exchange, they will keep the Headmaster ignorant of your whereabouts after curfew. But that means he can still sense where you are during the day. And if someone were to tell him you've been missing, I can't prevent that either. I know Silas is good with illusions. I believe having him make an illusion of you sleeping as well as casting a mild sleeping spell on your dorm mates should be an adequate defense. No one will see you under your invisibility cloak as you come down here."
"Okay." Harry agreed. "But do you know how to take off the spell on Gabriel?"
"I do not." Severus shook his head. "But I will. The Headmaster crafted a new spell. I will have to study if for a while before I understand how to undo it. Until then, we need the Headmaster distracted from you. It should not be difficult once the other schools arrive. He will have much to deal with, but until then we need to think of something to keep him busy and away from you."
Maybe something to do with the Ministry? It's in an upheaval right now anyway. It would be easy to stir it up some more. Silas said thoughtfully.
"Maybe something to do with the Ministry?" Harry repeated dutifully.
"Maybe. I will have to think on it." Severus nodded. "We can't decide on anything tonight. How are you feeling? Was your last week at home enjoyable?"
"It was." Harry smiled. "Sirius worked hard with Boy and Gabriel. He was really upset that Gabe kept beating him in a duel."
"We will have to continue working with Boy. Perhaps on the weekends for an hour or two."
"I did have something I wanted to tell you." Harry remembered. He folded his hands in his lap nervously. Now that he knew Silas was the Core, he felt incredibly guilty for going against the Slytherin's wishes.
Harry, stop it. Silas hissed angrily. If I really didn't want it to happen, I would have been more forceful. It doesn't really matter. They're your friends. I don't care what you do with them. But if they betray us, I will get revenge.
"What is it?" Severus asked worriedly.
Harry had to think for a moment to remember where he was in the conversation with Severus. "I thought that Hermione and Ron might… not do anything wrong if they understood better why I do the things I do." He looked up at his mentor through long lashes and messy bangs. "I told them about the abuse with the Dursleys, but I didn't tell them about my condition."
"I see." Severus looked at the teen thoughtfully. "They are your friends, Harry. I must admit I am not comfortable with the idea of them knowing everything. They are young and their reliability is questionable. But you must do what you feel is best." Harry smiled weakly, his eyes clouded with uncertainty. Severus decided to move past that for now. "May I ask how they reacted?"
"Hermione was really upset. She's really disappointed in Dumbledore. She looked up to him a lot and is finding it hard to accept that he's done some of the things he has. Ron was mad, but for me. He wants to help. Neville is watching them. I don't think he trusts them completely either… They saw Professor McGonagall lead me away when we arrived. They asked me what happened and I told them that he questioned me while wearing a glamour and then gave me a lemon drop that made me pass out. I said I woke in the Hospital Wing and that you were there because Madam Pomfrey couldn't wake me and she needed your help."
"I bet Ms. Granger was very upset at the news." Severus crossed his legs thoughtfully.
"She was." Harry agreed and sighed. "I really don't like getting them so upset and worried, but they were so upset I wasn't telling them things and Hermione wouldn't have told the Headmaster where I was if she understood what I was running from."
"Perhaps not." Severus agreed. "It is best they know the truth, in any case. The Headmaster will target them because they are close to you and it is best they have at least some warning. Things will get better as time passes."
"I hope so."
"Do you feel like playing a bit before you go to bed? I haven't heard you play in a while."
Harry bit his lip. He was still torn up over being an alter and wasn't sure he could handle playing right now. He knew if he did his hurt would be made known to his mentor and he didn't want Severus to worry. He didn't doubt Severus cared about him, but felt lost. Did he care for him because he was a reflection of Silas?
No. Severus had cared before he learned Silas was the Core. But… did Harry really care for Severus. Silas was pretty ambivalent about everyone, so did that mean Harry's love for his new family and friends exaggerated and not true?
He shook his head. Severus was waiting for an answer. He nodded. Maybe playing would help him figure all this out. Severus chuckled and spelled the furniture to one side of the room as Harry deactivated the spells on his piano. He took his seat and looked once more at his mentor before starting to play.
Chapter end.