AN: Thanks for all the lovely reviews. Thanks again to my wonderful Beta the talented Raisinous Fiend.

Christmas

Part one

December 1996

December blew in with three inches of snow and bitter cold. Harry sat huddled in his cloak, on his rock on the far side of the lake, trying to keep out the cold that lingered despite the warming charm he'd cast around the boulder. "Why are we out here again? It's too bloody cold," he asked crabbily.

"Hush, brat, the fresh air will do you some good. You've been studying far too much," Devlin replied. He was sitting on the boulder shoulder to shoulder with Harry. "Give me one of those fags I know you have."

Sighing, Harry pulled out the pack and took one for himself before passing it to Devlin. "Why are you always taking mine? I thought you were rich, can't you afford your own?"

"Of course I can afford my own, you impertinent brat," Devlin growled. "I simply have a horrible time remembering where I left them. Other than my wand I always forget where I've left things." Lighting a cigarette, he returned the pack to Harry. Leaning back on his elbows, he turned to Harry and flashed a wicked grin. "Drives Vane up the wall when I've lost something again… That alone makes me not try too hard to keep track of them."

Harry laughed at the image that provoked; they sat for several minutes smoking in companionable silence. Finally, turning to Devlin, Harry asked worriedly, "Am I ready? Do you think I can pass my N.E.W.T's?"

"Still worried about taking them a year and a half early? Don't be. With the level of private tutoring you've received, I expect you will surpass your wildest expectations," Devlin said softly before drawling arrogantly, "Besides, with the Bar's superior assistance, how could you expect anything less?"

Harry looked out over the frozen lake. "Conceited git," he grumbled. "I know I've learned a lot the last five months, but I only have a few weeks left till I have to take the damn things. I don't want to let you and Severus down; you've put so much effort into helping me," Harry said soberly.

Devlin sighed and sat up. "Harry, look at me." Harry turned his eyes to the pale green ones of Devlin. "You're a smart kid. There is no doubt in my mind that you will do an outstanding job on your N.E.W.T's. If I thought you weren't ready, I would tell you, but you are. As long as you try your best, you could never let me down and I know Severus feels the same, even if the uptight bastard will never admit to it."

After a moment's hesitation, Harry nodded. "I hope you're right. And thanks, I'm going to give it my best," he vowed vehemently.

Late the next afternoon Harry sat on the floor of Snape's sitting room, wandlessly levitating three cauldrons. He was trying to lift a fourth when they started teetering. He tried desperately to stabilize them, but could only watch with growing dread as they started falling. Oh shite was Harry's last thought before the world went black.

Severus entered his quarters after a tiring day of attempting to cram information into dunderheads too concerned with the upcoming holidays to attend to their potions. As he passed by the doorway, he heard a resounding crash; turning towards the fireplace, he watched in horror as an iron cauldron fell onto Potter's head. Heedless of the other two falling cauldrons, he dashed to the brat's side. Blood was pouring from a cut on the top of Potter's head. The young man's eyes were closed and for a moment Severus feared the worst, until he noticed Potter's chest rise and fall.

Quickly pulling out his emergency potion supplies from his robe, he hurriedly poured a wound-closing potion on the cut. Seeing it seal up, he gently palpitated Potter's head and neck, checking for any further injuries. Having found none, Severus pulled out a pain draught and returned the pouch to its pocket. After casting a cleaning charm to remove the blood, he maneuvered Potter's head into his lap and waited impatiently for him to return to consciousness.

Someone was running their fingers through his hair. Oh that feels nice, he thought absently.

A firm thigh shifted beneath his head, and Harry realized he was lying on someone's lap. Pain suddenly crashed down on him, making him moan. Gentle hands shifted him till he was leaning against a firm, obviously male chest, and a cold glass was pressed to his lips.

"Harry, drink this. It will stop the pain," Severus said gently.

Harry drank the potion and dropped his head back onto a strong shoulder. It was comfortable leaning on Snape this way; who would have thought the man could be so warm? Snape had one arm around his waist, holding him upright; the other took up its former task of running through Harry's hair. Held tightly against Snape's body, surrounded by the heat the man put off, Harry relaxed and felt the pain ebb away.

A few minutes later he heard, "Up on the couch with you." Snape disengaged himself and helped Harry to his feet and over to the couch. Gently pushing him down, Snape examined his head and asked, "Does it hurt anywhere else?"

"No, just my head, but it's already feeling better," Harry assured quietly.

"Are you sure? No pain, dizziness, or nausea?" Severus queried.

Harry looked at Snape, surprised to see that the man actually looked worried. "No, the pain's almost gone now."

"Good." Severus took a step back and paced before the fireplace for several moments; then: "Has all of the pain gone now?"

"Yeah, head feels normal now, thanks." Harry was beginning to worry about Snape; the man looked almost frantic. It had only been a cauldron after all; Harry had had worse injuries playing Quidditch.

Severus looked Potter over. His eyes were dilating and focusing properly; the brat could hold a normal conversation, and he wasn't holding his head… all signs pointed to a full recovery. Good. "What in Merlin's name were you thinking?" he yelled suddenly. "Levitating cast iron cauldrons above your head, do you have no sense? Of course you don't, you're a fucking Gryffindor…" Severus ranted.

"Now wait a minute, it was an accident. It's not like I wanted to drop the bloody things," Harry protested.

Severus glared. "An accident? You could have cracked your thick skull, or broken your neck. You could have gotten blood on my carpet."

"Your bloody carpet? You're worried about your carpet? Nice to know where I rank − below the carpet," Harry spat.

"You should have more sense than to practice complex charms alone. You're nothing but an irresponsible, immature brat who thinks of nothing but himself," Severus said crossly.

Standing quickly, Harry glared at Snape. What had caused this reaction? "And you're just an uptight, spiteful bastard with the sensitivity of a troll."

Straightening to his full height, Severus gave Potter his most intimidating scowl before he drawled silkily, "I haven't begun to be a bastard yet, boy. You will cease your insults in my quarters, you ungrateful little pest."

"You can kiss my arse, Snape," Harry said hatefully, and stormed out.

The sound of the slamming door echoed in the room as Severus spitefully kicked a cauldron to the side and dropped into a chair. It was possible he'd overreacted to Potter's injury. Oh who am I kidding, I did far more than overreact. I purposely provoked the brat into a screaming row because he scared me. I never intended to care about the brat; never intended to let him close enough that he could scare me. Severus sighed. Now to find Potter and apologize, no matter how distasteful he would find the task.

Severus stood in the entrance hall, slowly realizing he had no idea where Potter would have gone. A snow storm had blown in and it was bitterly cold; surely the brat would not have gone outside. Heaving a sigh, Severus concentrated on the locating charm on the necklace he'd given Potter. After a moment he pinpointed Potter's location, the Astronomy Tower. Did the boy have no sense? He'd stormed out without his cloak and ran to the coldest tower.

Climbing the steep spiral staircase, Severus could feel the cold before he reached the door. He opened the door and stepped onto the tower, seeing Potter sitting in one of the embrasures. "Potter, get away from the edge," he said sharply.

Harry sat so still it was as if he'd become part of the crenulations. "Go away," he said through gritted teeth.

Severus sighed. "I wish to speak to you. I find it hard to do so with you dangling over the edge like that."

Pulling his legs back over the edge, Harry pulled himself upright and turned to Snape. "Have you come to spew more insults? Perhaps to tell me I managed to get blood on your precious rug?" he spat bitterly.

"Potter…" Severus began.

Harry eyes were shadowed with a mix of hurt and anger as he overrode Snape. "What's so special about that carpet anyway? Did you…"

"Sod the bloody carpet, Potter, you scared the shite out of me with that stunt!" Severus interrupted with a yell. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, forcing his tone of voice into submission. "Damn it, brat, somehow you always provoke me into screaming at you."

Harry laughed hollowly. "Yeah, well, you do the same to me," he said. His mind whirled at what Snape had just admitted; taking a deep breath, Harry offered softly, "I didn't mean to scare you. I was just practicing my wandless magic."

"It is possible I overreacted to the situation," Severus allowed, and added grudgingly, "I should not have insulted you like that. It was uncalled for."

Harry snorted. "What, you should have said I was an immature boy in another way?"

"I don't think that of you," Severus said softly. "I have difficulty expressing… concern for someone… close to me." He hated the struggle for words, but trying to express his emotions verbally was not something Severus was comfortable with. Perhaps he could show it with actions instead. He noticed Potter shivering and opened his thick cloak. "Come here, brat, you must be freezing."

Recognizing the apology intrinsic in that action, Harry slowly stepped into Snape's open arms. He felt the man's strong arms enfold him in the warmth of the cloak and sighed. "I'm sorry for calling you names, too."

Laughing, Severus tightened his arms around Potter's back. "Your insults are improving. Sensitivity of a troll, indeed." He rested his cheek on Potter's head, strangely content with the brat in his arms. He would worry about that later, much, much later.

"They can help us, why shouldn't we tell them?" Harry demanded.

Severus sighed. It had been three days since their argument and he was not looking forward to another. "Potter, it is not always wise to lay all your cards on the table. It is often best to have something in reserve. You never know when you might need it."

Harry sprawled on the couch. "Are you saying they're not trustworthy?"

"No, that is not what I'm saying," Severus said coldly. He sat in his armchair and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "All I'm attempting to say is that I am unused to simply giving away vital information without receiving something in return."

Harry sat up and faced Snape. Looking into his eyes intently, he said, "But we are getting something in return. Their help." Seeing Snape start to disagree, he rushed to say, "Look, teaching takes up most of your time, and I don't know enough to do it myself. Between you and Luc we would have the best chance of discovering how to destroy the pieces of Tom's soul."

Putting aside his automatic reaction, Severus listened; Potter was making sense. He waved his hand, gesturing for him to continue.

Harry let out a relieved breath and marshaled his arguments. "Gabriel is a master at wards, you've said so yourself. He could help with that." Harry looked to see if Snape was still listening, continuing, "The way Vane's mind works, he could help us locate them. If you add Devlin and the others, there is no chance we would fail. Severus, I really believe asking the Bar to help with the Horcruxes is the best way to go."

Sitting back, Harry gave Snape space to think about his argument. After several minutes passed in silence, Harry added what he believed would be the deciding factor. "Plus, you'll have people as devious as you are to plan your revenge against Dumbledore."

Severus chuckled darkly. "That is if Devlin can keep from simply hexing the headmaster into oblivion. When it comes to those he considers his, Devlin can be surprisingly direct."

"They really would be a help, Severus. We should tell them," Harry said insistently.

Taking a moment, Severus examined Potter's idea from all sides and had to agree that the benefits would outweigh the risks. Reluctantly pushing aside his innate desire to hoard information, Severus said, "I agree. The Bar should be told. Their help would be invaluable. It is fortuitous that I am free this holiday, as no Slytherins are staying behind."

"Great! So we'll spend the Christmas holidays at the house. I've always wanted to have lots of company at Christmas, we can invite them whenever," Harry enthused.

"Hmm, if you insist. I'll see to the arrangements; perhaps the Bar will be free to meet as soon as the holiday starts." Suiting word to deed, Severus knelt on the hearth and made his fire-call.

Harry had a difficult time keeping the smug grin off his face. Snape actually listened and gave in to one of his ideas. He was still basking in the feeling when Snape lifted his head from the fire.

"We have been invited to spend the holidays at Sinister Place. It seems that the Bar has decided to use the time to help you review for your N.E.W.T's, if you wish," Severus repeated the offer he'd just received.

Harry smiled happily. "That would be great. I've never been invited to spend Christmas with anyone before. Is it okay with you?"

"Potter, as long as I don't have to spend my holiday surrounded by menaces on a sugar-high I will be content," Severus drawled. "I'll inform Luc that we will be there as soon as term has ended and the miscreants are on the train."

The first day of winter break was clear and cold; those that were leaving Hogwarts to spend Christmas with their families had just boarded the train. Harry and Severus' bags were packed and sent with Dobby to Sinister Place. Severus needed to attend one last detail, and then they'd be free to leave. Locating the headmaster, who was sucking a lemon drop, halfway down the platform, Severus strode quickly to his side.

"Headmaster, Devlin and the Bar have asked me to extend their invitation for you to spend Christmas day at Sinister Place," he said smoothly.

Dumbledore smiled and twinkled. "I look forward to it, Severus. I must admit to being curious about them. What time shall I arrive for the festivities?"

"The festivities," Severus sneered, "should start at noon. Shall we expect you then?"

"I would not miss it for all the lemon drops in the world," Dumbledore said happily.

"Then I will wish you a pleasant holiday, Albus. Potter and I are expected shortly." Inclining his head in farewell, Severus strode off the platform.

Twenty minutes later, Harry stumbled out of the Floo, but managed to keep his feet. Hearing applause, he looked around to see Luc and Vane waiting in the entrance hall. "Much better, Harry, I'm sure your face is grateful that you are learning the proper way to exit the Floo," Luc mocked.

Rolling his eyes, Harry cleared the way for Snape, who exited the Floo with the grace that controlled all of his movements. "Happy Christmas, Vane. Luc, bite me," Harry said pleasantly.

"Where and when, brat?" Luc asked with a feral smile, showing all his teeth.

Vane quickly intervened before the two started bickering again. "Harry, Devlin is waiting for you in the library. He wants to get started on your revision."

Harry nodded and headed out of the room. When he brushed past Luc, Luc growled at him. Smiling brashly, Harry leaned close and whispered, "How you would like to sleep upside down stuck to the wall? This time I'd silence you so nobody would help you." Luc winced. Satisfied, Harry whistled jauntily as he walked to the library.

The day passed in a fury of revision, for Harry had been given outlines of what to study in every subject he planned to take a N.E.W.T in. Tired after the long day, Harry was relieved when dinner was served. The roast lamb was excellent and filling, and when everyone finished the meal they adjourned to the study. When everyone was settled and had a drink, Harry brought up the subject of the Horcruxes.

"I need your help," he began.

"Harry, you know we're here for you, all you have to do is ask," Gabriel said.

Devlin threw a pillow at Gabriel. "I think that's what he was doing. If you would shut up, maybe he'd tell us how we can help." Ducking the pillow the young man threw in retaliation, Devlin looked at Harry and said, "Go on then, brat, you have our attention."

Grinning at the exchange, Harry continued, "The headmaster gave us some information about the Horcruxes, but claims he doesn't have any idea where they might be or how to destroy them." Sipping his drink, Harry gathered his thoughts. "I need your help with locating them and figuring out how to get rid of them. Severus is too busy with teaching to devote a lot of time to it, and I have no clue where to begin."

Vane spoke up, "Why don't you tell us what you do know, then we can plan from there."

"You'll help me then?" Harry asked.

Harry didn't duck in time to avoid the pillow that struck him in the face. "Of course we'll help you. I've said it before: you're one of us. Anything you need, we'll help with. Anything," Devlin growled.

"Touching. Do you wish to hear about the Horcruxes or are you to busy bonding with Potter?" Severus sneered.

Severus did duck in time; he glared at Devlin who grinned unabashedly. "Do hush, Severus. You're one of us too, but you're too uptight to ask for help. Now tell us what you know about the Horcruxes," Devlin demanded lazily.

Severus spent the next ten minutes detailing all they currently knew about the Horcruxes and the memories that the headmaster had spoken of. Everyone sat deep in thought until Harry spoke again.

"Oh, and Dumbledore thinks that Severus and I are dark. He told Moody that after we took care of the Horcruxes he'd make sure we weren't a threat to society," Harry blurted out.

"He said what?" Devlin spoke in the cold, hard voice that Harry hadn't heard since the day they'd met.

Sebastian spoke for the first time. "You had better explain before the git does something rash. I don't fancy bribing the guards at the Ministry holding cells again."

Filing that intriguing information away for future taunting material, Severus hurried to explain what Potter had overheard. Once he'd explained, he added in an ominous tone, "I have no intention of allowing this insult from Dumbledore to go without redress. But now is not the time. He has information that we need."

Expression hard and unyielding, Devlin sat in silence; eventually he nodded stiffly. Seeing Devlin would wait for the right time, Spencer summed up the situation. "So we have two problems. One, we need to locate and destroy the Horcruxes. At the same time, we need the old man for information, but can't trust that he'll refrain from doing something stupid if his principles are ruffled."

"I think that covers it," Harry said. He hadn't truly believed Snape when he said that Devlin would be upset on his behalf; the thought of someone else willing to defend him was a warm balm to Harry's wounded self-esteem.

"When Harry finishes his N.E.W.T's, he will come here. He can work on his mastery and research the Horcruxes from Sinister Place as easily as he could at Hogwarts." There was no yielding in Devlin's tone.

Severus sighed; Devlin tended to be overprotective of his family, and it appeared that he had added Harry to that category. Before he could intervene, Potter spoke.

"Don't I get a say in where I'll be living?" Harry asked.

"As long as you say 'yes'; otherwise you'll do as you're told," Devlin drawled.

Barely restraining his temper, Harry glared at Devlin. "Where do you get off ordering me around? I'm not some kid that has to obey your commands."

Taking a nonchalant sip of his whiskey, Devlin stated forcefully, "You will be moving to Sinister Place when you've completed your exams."

Harry set aside his glass. Getting to his feet, he declared in an unyielding tone, "I'll live where I choose. Nobody will ever again make decisions for me, not even you." He turned to the group watching the exchange and nodded. "I'll see you in the morning."

Severus watched as Potter exited the room with his shoulders squared and head held high. He observed Devlin's apparent fight to call him back and force Potter to do his will with amusement. He noted with pleasure that Potter had learned to control his anger. "At least you were spared the brat's tendency towards pouring a drink over your head," he drawled.

Ignoring the heated glare from Devlin, Severus added, "You might find him more cooperative if you simply tell him you are concerned for his safety. Are you not the one that noticed Potter does poorly with having his decisions made for him?"

"You have no objections to Harry leaving Hogwarts?" Devlin asked.

Severus considered that question. It would be in Potter's best interest to be outside the headmaster's reach. That reason negates the fact that I will miss him. It is difficult to believe that the brat has managed to worm himself into my life so far in such a short time. That I find myself capable of putting another's wellbeing above my own willingly is something of a shock.

"No, I have no objection if Potter wishes to move in here. I have recently discovered that Potter's wellbeing is one of my priorities," Severus said softly.

Sighing, Devlin admitted, "I've discovered that as well. Will you tell him he should move in here?"

"I will not. If Potter comes to me and asks my advice, I will give it," Severus said, adding, "but I will not demand that he do anything. Indeed, I doubt he would allow it."

Vane grinned and said, "Face it, Devlin; you're going to have to break down and talk to Harry. I know you hate explaining yourself, but if you want him here, you'll have to."

Devlin rubbed a hand over his face. "Yeah, I know. Well, excuse me while I go explain myself to the brat."

"Do you want me to go talk to him for you, Devlin? He might listen to me," Gabriel offered.

"No. I fucked up, I'll make it right," Devlin said.

Sprawled in an armchair in his room, Harry absently threw balls of Black fire at the door. Watching as they harmlessly impacted before dissolving, he brooded over Devlin's high-handed decree. I wouldn't mind living here, but I won't allow him to order me around like some dumb kid. Other than Snape, there's no one I would really miss at Hogwarts, and I could still see him easily enough. Harry was so lost in thought he didn't hear the soft knock on his door.

Having thrown another ball of flames at the door just as it opened, Harry watched in amusement as Devlin yelped and dropped to the floor. "It won't burn you. Right now it won't burn anything," he drawled indolently.

"For Merlin's sake, do you have to throw fire in the house? You scared the shite out of me," Devlin griped as he picked himself off the floor. Observing the Black flames in Harry's hand with interest, he asked, "You say it won't burn anything right now?"

"Yeah, here, catch." Harry tossed a fireball to Devlin and watched the indecision race across Devlin's face before the older man quickly snaked out a hand and caught it. "See, no heat."

Devlin closely examined the fire he held, before passing it hand to hand for a moment. "This is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. How do you control the heat? And how are you keeping it alive?" he asked, awed.

"It's all willpower. I don't want the flames to burn, so they don't. I want it to shape itself in a ball and stay that way, so it does," Harry stated. "Can't really explain it, kind of just is. Black fire does what I want it to."

Passing the fire back to Harry, Devlin said, "Like I wish you would do for me."

Tensing in his chair, Harry looked Devlin in the eye. "I won't allow you to order me around, Devlin. If you have suggestions, I'll listen, but I'll decide what's best for me. I've spent too many years following orders like a good boy, I can't do it again."

Devlin sighed and gestured towards the matching armchair. "May I sit? I promise we'll talk about it. I won't try to force you to do anything."

Shrugging, Harry waved permission. He sat silently, waiting for Devlin to start; he'd already made his feelings known.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have demanded that you do anything. I don't have the right," Devlin said softly.

Harry looked at the other man intently. "Then why did you do it? You can't have thought I'd simply go along with your decree."

Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Devlin spoke roughly, "Harry, I don't like you so close to that insane old fool. I want you safe. I want you where I can assure your safety, personally."

"I get your motives for why you want me here. But what I don't get is why you just demanded it. You could have tried asking me," Harry said.

"Because you're part of the Bar…" Devlin began.

Harry sighed and interrupted, "I know, you've said so before, but I don't see how that's relevant."

"But I don't think you understand," Devlin said softly, found Harry's eyes with his own and declared, "Harry, being part of the Bar means you're part of my family. I would fight to protect you just as fiercely as I would for Gabriel, Vane, or any of them. You are part of me."

Swallowing past the lump in his throat, Harry murmured, "I didn't realize." They sat quietly for several minutes while Harry absorbed the fact that he was part of a family again. His voice was less confrontational when he finally asked, "And that makes it okay to demand my obedience?"

Devlin snorted. "No, just means I get to try and you get to yell about it. In the end we'll sit down like this and talk it out," he said before adding, "I can't change who I am. It is my nature to demand first, instead of ask. Comes from being the oldest of this unruly lot."

"Oh, and it has nothing to do with your natural arrogance?" Harry asked with a smirk.

Devlin raised an eyebrow and spoke in that cold voice of his, "Mr. Potter, are you accusing me of being a vainglorious man?"

"If that's the same as an overbearing git, then yes," Harry said with a laugh at Devlin's posing.

In his normal tone Devlin said, "You're still impertinent and defiant, but that's why I like you so much. Harry, I really do think it's best that you come here after your exams, but I'm asking you this time. Will you at least think about it?"

"What's the general consensus on the subject down there?" Harry asked.

At Devlin's innocent shrug, Harry snorted. "I'm young, not stupid. I know you talk about me when I'm not around."

Devlin gave up the pretense, and offered, "Everyone agrees it is in your best interest to remove yourself from Hogwarts and to get as far from that controlling old fool as you can."

"Yeah, that's what I thought, too. Guess I'll be moving in," Harry said with a grin.