Ok I've decided to take a new approach to 'How' I'm writing this story.
Chapters will be longer and take on a different style. No changes to the plot.
I'm looking for feedback on whether or not to continue the story like this. Enjoy!
"I'm telling you this in confidence Harry. Conor is aware but Voldemort is not, and we would like it to stay that way".
Harry stared at his headmaster in shock. He had a little brother.
"I'm also telling you this because I feel you will understand the seriousness of the situation and appreciate what would happen if he were to fall in with the wrong crowd. I'm hoping this will help you to understand better what I'm going to ask of you".
Harry felt numb from shock but his mind snapped back to attention at those words.Dumbledore frowned "I want you to join the Slytherin house for the remainder of your year here Harry".
Harry stared at his headmaster in disbelief. "You want me to w-what?" the words escaped him in a rasp. He blinked and stared at the old Wizard as if he'd not heard him correctly.
Dumbledore nodded tightly "In you beats the heart of a true Gryffindor Harry, only with that kind of guidance will Conor follow the path we have marked out for him".
"But Slytherin sir? I mean I-Why?" Harry couldn't find the words to speak, one shock overriding the other. He frowned across the table at his professor "Why not just place him in Gryffindor in the first place?".
Dumbledore smiled seeming pleased by the question. "It is not for me to decide Harry, where students should be placed. It is not for me to meddle in Conor's fate"
"But you are willing to meddle with mine by placing me in Slytherin" Harry winced at the menace in his own voice.
"Yes," he said. "Make no mistake Harry, I only ask you this because you are one of the strongest young wizards I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Your sense of morals is nothing short of admireable".
Harry felt a blush rise in his cheeks at that and turned his head away from the old Wizard. Did the Headmaster really think that flattery would be enough to make up his mind. Why would he, Dumbledore think that Harry owed this boy, owed him such dedication. Harry didn't even know the boy, and yet, he'd known within two minutes of talking to him that Conor was an innocent.
Dumbledore seemed to sense the inner struggle going on within him, his features softened.
"Can I trust you will think this over and come to me tomorrow with your answer?".
Harry nodded reluctantly awarding him a tired smile from the blue eyed Professor. The past few hours had been hard on Harry but Harry knew that if he did accept Dumbledores proposal they would only get more difficult. The past few hours...He frowned.
"Sir, will it not look bad or obvious if I'm placed into Slytherin right now? Won't the public, won't Voldemort.." Oh Merlin's beard.
"You are of course referring to the recent revealing of your parentage. Yes Harry it will look bad. The ministry will no doubt hound me over the decision but they do not know of Conor and never will if I can help it". Dumbledore pushed back his chair and came around the table to sit in front of Harry. Harry's eyes scrolled down to the headmasters left hand, and the short stump of the missing finger there. Harry swallowed remembering the battle in which Dumbledore and Voldemort had teamed up to fight the council. He had lost the finger while trying to protect him.
"Nobody will be informed of why you are changing houses. In light of recent events the puplic may put pressure upon the ministry for answers who will most likely pass it off as a publicity stunt. It goes without saying then that I must also ask you not to tell anyone your reasons, or at least, only tell those you must".
Harry knew instantly that Dumbledore meant Ron and Hermione. "I understand sir, and I promise I'll think about it". Dumbledore's smile widened and a twinkle shone in his bright eyes as Harry stood up. "Goodnight Harry".
"Goodnight professor" Harry muttered, his hand was already reaching for the door out of the headmasters office. Harry burst out of the revolving staircase breathing heavily. He had a lot to think about. Harry was angry at the old man for pushing this on top of him at once. In one night he'd had to come to terms with the half the school finding out Voldemort was his father. As if that wasn't bad enough now, he would now have to reinforce most of their suspicions by moving into the Slytherin house. Harry sighed and he spent quite a while roaming the corridors before he returned to the common room.
His head hurt from thinking too much. He couldn't join the Slytherin house, he just wouldn't do it, but then Conor clearly needed him.
"So?" Drolled the voice in the back of his head "who is he to you?"
Harry stalked up yet another torch lit corridor and paused when he heard raised voice from around the corner. Whoever they were they were having a rather heated argument. Harry not wanting to interrupt looked for an alternate corridor when he paused recognising the voice.
He crept to the corner and peeked around.
In the dull light of the torches Harry could clearly see the fours students standing halfway up it. One blond student had another pined to a wall by the scruff of the collar and was spitting insults at the young boy in the Slytherin uniform.
Harry stepped out silently.
"So I disgrace the name pure blood do I?" Draco spat into Conor's face making the young boy wince and crinkle his nose. "I should just sprout a sign on your back now, kick me, because that's about all I'll be doing".
Crab and Goyle snickered behind Draco who's eyes glittered dangerously. "And if Potter thinks he's such a hero, where is he now huh?".
"Shut up you weasel! The only reason you're not hanging from the roof is because Harry's not here"Conor retorted.
Draco pulled Conor away slightly before slamming the him back into the grey stone wall with force. "You're right, he's not, so I'd keep my mouth shut if I were you. Where is Harry? Why isn't he here to protect me" Malfoy mocked in a high voice gaining more snickers from his grinning counter parts.
"He's pointing is wand straight at your heart"
Crab and Goyle stopped laughing and Malfoy released his grip on Conor and turned around. Harry was seething in anger.
"There you are" Draco laughed shrilly.
Harry sneered keeping his wand pointed at the greasy blond youth. "Did you like the girls bathroom Draco? I've heard is nice and flowery in there". Crab and Goyle snorted in laughter at that.
"Shut up!" Draco hissed back at the them pink eard. He glared at Harry backing up slightly. "You think you're so great Potter, just because you're the Dark Lord's son. You don't deserve him! And as far as that Mudblood filth your dating is concerned, you can tell her from that if she thinks she's pushing me around with that badge of hers shes" -Smack! Harry felt pain lace through his wrist and hand as Malfoy staggered back bracing his jaw. Harry stared in shock, he hadn't meant to do it and to his surprise Crab and Goyle went to Dracos aid. Harry felt his anger bubble again as Draco whiped out his wand. Harry flashed his in an ark "Serpensortia!". A bang sounded that echoed in the corridor and dark scaled snake shot from the end of his wand onto the ground in front of Draco. From hiss right Harry heard Conor gasp.
The wide hooded cobra hissed angrily and all three cronies froze at once.
"Give them a bit of a scare" it escaped him in a hiss and lengthy Cobra raised up their knee height hissing and rocky from side to side. Crab and Goyle who were behind Draco stepped backwards and took a run down the corridor leaving Draco alone.
His narrowed eyes lifted up to Harry's. "You think your hissing scares me Potter? You wouldn't dare" he mocked.
Harry hissed and the Cobra struck out in a false strike at the Slytherin's foot. A high shriek and Draco was stumbling back after his long gone friends.
Harry let a sigh of relief and disapparated the snake in a puff of smoke. He looked to Conor, the young mans brilliant green eyes were bright on him. Eyes so like his own, so like his dads "You ok?" Harry asked.
Conor nodded righting himself and fixing his robes. "I am now, thanks" he smiled.
"Dumbledore told me" Harry flinched, he hadn't meant for it to slip out so emotionlessly.
The boys eyes widened in hope. Harry smiled wryly "It's nice to think I have a little brother, even if it is only because of Voldemort".
Conor's felt blushed red at that and a shy smile appeared on the boys face "Yeah, same here".
Conor bent to pick up his wand and Harry found himself taking in the boys appearance, marking similarities. He wasn't especially tall or mature looking which was one of the reasons he hadn't stood out from the first years in the sorting ceremony. His jaw was less pronounced than Harry's and his face rounder but there was still the black messy crop of hair that stood up in places, and Conors green eyes were large, round and curved slightly up at the corners. Harry blinked as he realized he was staring at the boy. Why shouldn't I be? I just found out we're brothers. At that thought a burning protectiveness filled Harrys chest.
"If Malfoy gives you trouble again I want you to go to teacher, or better yet come to me" Conor smiled "But don't tell him anything important, his dad works for our dad".
Conor's gaze widened and he bit his lip. "What's dad like Harry?" he asked.
Harry felt his heart strings tug. What was he meant to say to that? How could Harry describe Voldemort in any other way than how the world saw him.
"Not yet, there's plenty of time for that, and I'm just too tired right now" Harry offered lamely. He felt drained but he didn't turn from Conor or walk away.
Conor hesitated a moment before he spoke. "Why didn't you tell the snake to attack?"
Harry's eyes widened "You're a parseltongue too?" Of course he was, he was Voldemort's son.
"I am? I mean I AM!" Conor shrieked. "I never noticed it before". Despite how tired he felt and the weight of responsibility over him, Harry had to hide the smile that threatened to break. Conor really was a likable sort.
"Because no matter how much of a greasy git he may be that would be wrong" Harry said.
Conor nodded and Harry around, suddenly realizing how late it was. "You'd best get going to the dungeons, it's past curfew".
Conor nodded. "Will I see you tomorrow?" he asked enthusiastically. Harry groaned inwardly knowing he would face the same difficult questions tomorrow.
"Sure" He forced a smile into play and waited until Conor had left before heaving a heavy sigh. How would he brake the news to his best friends?
In the morning Harry had gotten up early before classes. By the time students were leaving for breakfast Ron and Hermione were caught up on the events of the previous night and more importantly, Dumbledore's request.
"You can't go to Slytherin, you just can't!" The redhead paced up and down in front of the couch were they sat.
Hermione frowned beside Harry where he sat. "Ron's right Harry. Conor seems like a nice boy but you moving into Slytherin after that report in the witch weekly is crazy".
"Ha! See? Even Hermione agrees with me" Ron shot.
"However" Hermione spoke "I think I have to agree with Dumbledore on this one, Conor needs Harry". Ron groaned and Harry smiled at Hermione. He knew she'd understand. Ron wasn't taking it quite so well though and he continued to pace as he fought for more cons against Harry decision.
"What about Quidditch? The Gryffindors wouldn't have a seeker".
Harry frowned "I didn't think about that. I guess I could ask Dumbledore to let me keep playing though".
Ron nodded "Oh yeah and sleep in the same room as the house you beat? You're braver than I am".
Harry sighed, he didn't like to admit it but Ron was right. "Ron stop it! You're being unfair. This is bigger than Quidditch, and it's Harry's decision" Hermione finished and turned to Harry.
"I don't like it, but I think you should tell Dumbledore you'll do it". Harry kissed her briefly and took her hand. "Thanks".
Harry looked up at Ron who glanced between them. He frowned "Fine do what you want, don't come crying to me when some Slytherin hexes you in your sleep though".
Harry chuckled. "I won't" he promised.
Glad the emotions between them all had but seemed to run out, Harry announced he was going to give Dumbledore his answer and that he'd meet them later in class.
Along the way Harry couldn't stop thinking about how different it would be now. It had been the encounter with Malfoy the night before that had made up his mind. Harry couldn't let Conor deal with that alone. He couldn't be with Conor all the time but it would certainly discourage Draco and the others from giving the boy a hard time.
Harry reached the gargoyle and muttered the password. He made it to the door and wrap softly. He expected Dumbledore to be asleep still but a voice sounded inviting him in.
Harry entered to see Dumbledore sitting in his usual seat and Professor McGonagall standing in front of him. Dumbledore smiled. "Good morning Harry. Please, come in".
Harry closed the door and entered. His glanced up at Professor McGonagall curiously.
"It's ok Harry, Professor McGonagall knows". She smiled wryly at him.
"Oh, right. About what you asked me professor?...I'll do it. Harry had expected Dumbledore to smile or show some kind of reaction but instead the old headmaster nodded and turned to Professor MacGonagall. "Minerva, would you mind calling Professor Snape for me?".
She nodded "Certainly Albus". She walked towards the fire grate and took a handful of powder from the bowl on the table beside it. Harry watched as she threw the powder into the flames and they changed to a green color. In the next second the hooked nose professors stepped out of the fire dusting himself off.
"A simple message would have been enough" Snape growled. He frowned seeing McGonagall, and Harry standing around the table.
"Severus. Come in please. Forgive me for calling you so early but there is an important matter to discuss that could not wait".
Dumbledore turned his attention to Harry once more. "Are you sure about this Harry? Have you thought it through? You realize of course that this will make things rather more complicated for you".
Harry nodded. "I want to be there for Conor professor. And if that means leaving Gryffindor then so be it".
Dumbledore smiled in understanding. "Minerva, you may go". She nodded and put a hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Actually Professor" harry cut in "I was hoping to talk to talk to you about still being able to play Quidditch". She raised a thoughtful eyebrow "I believe that may be arranged" she smiled and turned to leave.
Snape stood forward looking confused. "Excuse me headmaster, but just what is going on? Why have I been called here and why is it Potter must leave Gryffindor?"
"All in good time Severus, please, both of you, take a seat" Harry did.
Snape sent a disdainful look at Harry "I'd rather stand thank you".
Dumbledore shrugged "If you wish. I have called you here to inform you that Harry will be moving into the Slytherin house for the remainder of the year".
Snape blinked and stared at the headmaster "You cannot be serious".
Dumbledore's lips curved up in a smile "I am serious Severus. You know the situation with Conor and Harry here has agreed to join the Slytherin house to look after him".
Snape shot Harry an uncertain look. "But headmaster..."
"That is my final word on it Severus" Snape shut his mouth and sent a glare at Harry.
Dumbledore turned to look at Harry again. "You may wait outside now Harry".
Harry nodded and stood to leave. He leaned back against the door and sighed. The conversation was still going on inside.
"...go easy on him Severus. Harry is doing this for Conor and I don't imagine the transition will be at all comfortable for him".
"But Dumbledore, if the ministry hear about this, if the Dark Lord hears about this".
"Then I will deal with it Severus! I have made up my mind".
Harry sighed and stood away from the door leaving the conversation behind. He stepped down the stone steps and exited out of the Gargoyle at the end. It was a few minutes before Snape emerged from the hole. His eyes fell on Harry leaning against the wall and he grinned maliciously. "Stand up straight Potter" Harry obeyed spreading the sneer on his professors face. "You will follow me to the Gryffindor common room to collect your belongings and deposit them in your new dorm".
Harry nodded deciding not to speak. They walked briskly down the corridors before they came to the portrait hole and the painting of the Fat Lady.
Harry muttered the password. She stared at Snape suspiciously. "Go ahead Potter. I will wait for you here. Do not be long" he hissed.
Harry entered with a sigh I must be crazy