The Prince-Who-Lived

Chapter Sixty

Alan raised his head slightly and took a minute to figure out how to read the mantle clock upside-down. He concluded it was about seven, which meant it was morning. The last time he'd looked, it'd been nine.

Glancing further around the nicely furnished room, Alan found his clothes on the floor, and, sticking out of one pocket, the polished wand Luna had lent him. Dully, he thought he'd have to find his spare wand now, but something rebelled against the thought. Luna had given it to him, hadn't she? She'd probably do very little with it; she wasn't a particularly strong witch, and that wand… Merlin, Mary, and Mordred, the only other wand that had channelled his power so well had been Harry's, and even that had paled next to this one. Maybe Luna was right, and that was the Elder Wand she'd claimed. If so…

If so, he was reacted exactly as the fairy-tale described. Alan groaned and tried to roll over, but was stopped by Luna's weight across his thighs. He glanced down at her blonde hair tracing across his chest as she slept on despite his waking. He looked further to where her pale skin terminated under the blanket, and sighed deeply.

He didn't need her wand. It was hers. And hadn't he not believed her? He didn't want to be knifed in his sleep over a piece of wood. She could have it back.

The point stuck in his craw, but he stubbornly determined to follow through.

Someone pounded on the door and Alan jumped. Luna stirred against him and glanced blearily at the door.

"Unlock." She murmured. "Let them come in."

Alan didn't have to chance to remind her they were naked. The door just swung open under the pounding, and Blaise stood in the doorway and just stared. Alan glared at him and dared him to comment.

After a moment, Blaise picked up his jaw and offered; "Neville says that he got called on his mirror by his half-panicked mother. They're wondering where we all are."

Alan nodded and answered lightly, "I'll be just out, then."

Blaise turned, and then stopped. "Alan, why are you nearly falling off the bed?"

Luna didn't give him a chance to answer. "I like this angle much better, you know? It's fun to see the blood rush to his head."

Alan closed his eyes, not wanting to see Blaise's reaction and said, "Blaise, just shut the damn door."

He ignored the stifled sound of snickers and glared back at Luna. "Get up, girl. I need to be dressed."

Luna happily got off and slid to the floor to find her own clothes, which apparently were folded neatly on the chair. Alan had to walk around the whole bed to make sure he had all of his. He figured Luna had come up with some kind of spell to keep everything orderly, but at least he did know how to spell the wrinkles out. Once they were both dressed, Alan leaned down to kiss Luna lightly and then they left the room to face the rest of their friends.

Alan immediately figured that both Blaise and Neville had also had the exact same evening he had. Neville was grinning ear to ear, his arm resting over Hermione's shoulders as she leaned up against him as though glued to his side. Blaise had a grin much closer to Alan's; 'the cat that got the canary' was the only thing he could think of to describe it. It's match was on Ginny's face. However,

"Where's Harry?"

Neville flushed slightly. "I think Daphne and Susan are trying to figure out where their clothes ended up. When I glanced in, Harry's were right by the door, so …"

Alan glared at Blaise. "Seems like both of you two decided to see just how explicit the other rooms were."

"Hey," Blaise defended. "Neville woke me up the same way."

"Early riser?" Luna asked absently.

Hermione went scarlet.

Alan stifled a grin. "Apparently."

"In more ways than one." Blaise deadpanned.

Neville, in his normal fashion, just leaned down and kissed Hermione's cheek. Alan suspected it was to hide just how pink his cheeks were. Further teasing was postponed as the last door opened and Harry stepped out, followed by Daphne and Susan, who were still arguing over something. Harry had a wry smile on under pink cheeks, and Daphne and Susan were both sneaking covetous glances at his back. As all eyes landed on them, Harry coughed lightly and offered, "So, I heard we were wanted downstairs?"

Neville gave a long glance at Daphne and Susan before he forewent that comment and answered seriously, "Yes, Lily and James are quite worried and so's your godparents."

"What, nobody missing the Slytherins?" Harry teased.

Blaise and Alan scowled at him, but Neville answered, "Desdemona is here looking for Blaise, yes, so's Susan's aunt. Hermione's parents called Remus – as he's the only one with a phone – to ask him to check on her for them, and Xeno Lovegood has been asking around but doesn't seem particularly concerned yet. Daphne, I'm sure you can guess that your parents wouldn't ask the Potters or Longbottoms, now would they?"

Daphne's smile faded a bit, but she nodded shortly. "I guess that means we're wanted downstairs, then?"

Neville nodded, and Daphne quickly glanced to Susan before pulling Harry into a long and rather drawn-out kiss. Alan resisted the urge to start counting; it wasn't like she could kiss him in public right now.

When Daphne was done, Alan led the way downstairs. His hand hovered over his pocket a moment before he disregarded it. They were expected somewhere; it could wait.

IIII

Downstairs, his mother pulled Harry into a hug the moment she saw him. Amelia Bones grabbed her niece in the same moment; not far off, Neville was being cried on by Alice but she was smiling so widely Harry wasn't sure how to take that. For the moment, though, it was all about Lily's tight hug and James' hand on his shoulder.

When he could think again, Alan wasn't far away, talking lightly with Green. If he'd been hugged, it had been short. They looked more like it was an intellectual discussion than anything else. He couldn't find Daphne anywhere nearby, nor could he find Blaise. Molly was sobbing all over Ginny not far in the other direction, and Luna migrated back through the crowd to grab Alan's hand now that she'd spoken with her father. Harry couldn't help but smile, but soon Dumbledore came over with a small smile on his face as he glanced between Harry and Alan both. Harry had a suspicion he knew what he wanted. Alan glanced over and shrugged at Green, who smiled in turn, but Harry left it to Dumbledore to tell his mum and dad that he wanted a private word.

As if he could come up with words to talk his mother into letting him go anytime before he turned seventeen.

"Lily, may I steal your son a moment? There are still a few things I need to know from his experience, and Alan's."

Lily frowned, but, surprisingly, glanced down at Harry with a question in her eyes before she said, "I think that's Harry's choice. You will be coming home tonight, though." That brought her eyes back up to Dumbledore, who only smiled.

"School is indeed cancelled for the next week. You will have your son this evening, if you are willing to come with me, Harry?"

Glancing back over at Alan, Harry shrugged. "If Alan's going, I'll go. After all, we did bring him down together."

Alan grinned back at him and walked over to shove him. "Yeah right, like I had much to do with it."

Harry didn't respond; that one comment had gotten far too much attention from everyone not related to him nearby. Susan eagerly waved to him as he followed Dumbledore, leading to her getting intently questioned by her aunt. Harry turned away before his blush betrayed him.

They were out of the Great Hall and back up several flights before they went behind the gargoyle into Dumbledore's office. He waved them into seats, and smiled at them both.

"I'm sure you're both aware of how badly your fight with Voldemort has gotten distorted in such a short time?" Both boys nodded, Harry suspected Alan was suppressing the desire to snort same as he was. "I have heard everything from a circle of golden fire, to Alan surviving Voldemort's killing curse, to Voldemort exploding. Would you care to make the truth known?"

Alan glanced to Harry before he started to talk. Harry listened just as intently; he didn't know how that fight began either.

"I was in Scrivenshafts when the Death Eater's attacked and immediately went out to fight. I … don't remember how, but I was knocked down, I think by Luna to avoid a spell. My wand got broken, and she … lent me hers." Alan frowned and slid his hand over his pocket. Harry frowned in turn. Shouldn't he have returned the wand already? Harry knew he had a second one in his room. Dumbledore, also, was clearly interested in that development, but Alan moved forward, either not noticing or ignoring their reactions. "I then ran out and engaged Voldemort. During that, I told him we'd destroyed his horcruxes and he told me that he'd had seven horcruxes."

Dumbledore didn't stiffen, or otherwise react. Alan was watching him closely enough Harry knew he'd noted the lack of surprise. Alan, however, merely continued.

"I was, naturally, shocked, but as he kept talking, he mentioned it was ironic." Harry caught a short glance his way, "He tried to haul me over to him, and he tried to take out my eye. It wasn't hard to make the connection, so I glanced around, found Harry nearby, and took a stupid chance and used the Killing Curse on my eye." Alan shrugged dryly. "As you can see, it clearly worked and I was apparently right because it didn't kill me, but my eye is now blind."

"And bruised to all Hell." Harry added. Alan only glared back.

Dumbledore smiled slightly and nodded. "I am glad you did not perish, although taking such a risk was not something I had expected of you."

Alan's mouth twisted. "I won't be a tool to keep that bastard alive. So, tell me already. Did you already know that I was possibly a horcrux?"

Dumbledore sat back quietly and looked between them. Harry kept his face cold, and Dumbledore finally rubbed his nose and straightened back up. "I had a guess, Alan, simply an educated guess. I did not expect how matters played out, but I am pleased that they turned out much better than I had hoped."

"Better than you hoped?" Harry repeated.

"Yes." Dumbledore looked down for a moment, and then back to Alan. "I must admit, I had no thoughts on how to remove the horcrux without the host's death."

Alan looked back at him in silence before he whispered, "You expected me to die?"

"I did." Dumbledore admitted. "And I expected Voldemort to be the one to kill you. I had not thought your eye would contain the horcrux independently of your own soul. That he struck so precisely was a stroke of luck, I think."

"Luck." Alan drawled. He looked over at Harry for a long moment, leading Harry to suppress the need to snicker, and then back to Dumbledore. "I suppose you could say that."

"Is your eye now fully blind?"

"Yes."

Dumbledore opened his mouth and then shut it again before turning to Harry. "I believe I should finish what I set out to learn. Harry, may I ask how your duel went?"

Harry shrugged, and shuddered. "I saw Alan turn his wand on himself; I had fought my way to him as soon as I knew the Death Eaters had arrived. We – Daphne, Susan and I – had been right at the Three Broomsticks and Daphne got hit. I gave Susan my mirror to ask Neville for the counter, and sent her inside. I assumed they'd be safe, and I knew I had to get to Alan because I expected Voldemort to be there and if he failed, or needed backup, I was the only other option."

Dumbledore nodded his agreement, and, upon another accusing stare from Harry, said, "I did anticipate the attack, and made no effort to be in Hogsmeade due to putting Alan and Voldemort together. I did take steps to achieve my ends; there is no point in lying to two keen young Slytherins, now is there?"

Harry didn't even flinch at the title and smiled lightly. "At least you admit it. I can feel better about that."

"And Alan did survive, which is a blessing I am utterly grateful for." Dumbledore added. "I have never been happier to be wrong in my life."

Harry cracked a smile, and then continued, "When I saw that Alan –wasn't in a state to keep fighting, I lit into Voldemort, blaming him for Alan turning his wand on himself."

"Funny, you then turned on me the moment you saw I was awake." Alan grumbled. Harry just grinned.

"And we duelled." Harry shrugged. "I didn't notice much else, although…"

"There were reports of golden fire erupting from your duelling as each spell hit an invisible wall about four metres from you and Voldemort." Dumbledore offered. "That was the most coherent report I had of that."

Harry hedged; he really hadn't been paying attention, and it sounded so melodramatic, but… "I thought I might've seen something like that, but the tall black-robed snake-faced bastard kinda stole my attention."

Dumbledore frowned, and then held his hand forward. "May I see your wand, Harry? I suspect that might have something to do with the effects you witnessed."

Harry blinked and pulled his wand out, glancing down at it only for a moment before handing it over. It looked the same as always to him.

"Holly and phoenix feather." Dumbledore murmured. "Paired against Yew and phoenix feather … both from the same phoenix." He pulled a wand from within his pocket and then laid them both down on his desk. Fawkes crooned from where he sat in the corner; Harry had gotten so used to the bird he hardly noticed him anymore. As he crooned, however, golden light glinted down both wands, just a shine that Harry blinked at as he stared.

"That's amazing." Alan murmured. "Are you saying because they were brother wands, that's what caused the fire?"

"I believe just that." Dumbledore answered softly. "The most amazing power I have seen, the miracle of two wands, united in origin, tamed from two ends of power, meeting in ultimate battle … and Harry won." Dumbledore turned to beam at him. Harry felt himself flush again.

"It was…" Harry cut off as Alan frowned at him, and finally, he admitted, "It was exhilarating, fighting like that. To the death, with someone so powerful. I don't think I used nearly as many of the deadly curses as I thought I would; it was more … power. Skill. Anything that would break his shields and make him move, and then one got through, hit him dead on, and I threw him over me without even thinking, barely remembering Alan had –had died, as far as I knew then. I was sad, and just about to turn around when Alan shot him."

"And just about to finish him off." Alan added irritably. Harry maturely stuck out his tongue at him.

Dumbledore smiled at them both again, and asked strangely, "Have you two considered the snitch I gave you for your birthday?"

Alan frowned at him. "Not really, why? I think Harry found it again something during Christmas and ran around the house cackling or something. His father got in on it and played as well, but it's not done anything interesting yet and I doubt it ever will. Why, is there some great big secret about it?"

Dumbledore glanced over at Harry; Harry just gave him another raised eyebrow, adding, "I've tried everything."

Dumbledore just shook his head. "If you ever find it, I think you will be less impressed than anyone else might be. But if you don't, I can tell you will enjoy it still."

Harry and Alan exchanged looks and sighed again. Harry thought about standing, and then asked cautiously, "Has it made it up to you from the Slytherins yet…?"

The Headmaster merely chuckled. "About transferring you to Slytherin, and Alan to Gryffindor? Yes, it has. If you are both in agreement, as are your year mates, I don't see any reason why it should not be done. There must always be a first for everything, after all, although this has some precedence. Students who are just ill-suited to their house after a year or so, friends who stubbornly cannot be parted…" His twinkling eyes glanced over both, "Friends swapping houses, however, is a new one. As with all the others, if the houses are in agreement, as are those changing house and the Head of House, it will be done. I presume you mean to do so for seventh year?"

"Yeah." Harry nodded. "I wanna finish this year as Quidditch Captain. I think I'll appreciate not having any more work next year. The workload is killing me. Let Ron be Captain."

Alan frowned and sighed. "I have no clue what Slytherin is going to do for Quidditch next year… You may be drafted, Harry."

Harry sent a rude gesture at him, and then glanced between his friend and Headmaster. Dumbledore read it correctly, and waved them both out. "Thank you for confiding in me your part in the fight. I congratulate you both on your wonderful work, and believe it might be better for you to talk to your father, James, about what the Minister might do with your actions and awards."

Harry and Alan met each other's eyes and shuddered artfully. "Great. Politics." Alan offered. Harry concurred, and pushed open the door, leading the way down. As he walked, Harry just rubbed his face. Alan asked after several moments,

"What are you going to do with your father finding out about you transferring to Slytherin? Wait until you ask your mother to buy you new robes?"

"Nah." Harry answered absently. "I'll tell him sooner, maybe during dinner or something."

Alan snorted. "Just a short aside about Quidditch, as per usual?"

"That'd work."

Alan went silent for a long moment and then offered, "I want to see it."

Harry stopped and looked up at him. "Maybe I should ask mother to invite all you over for dinner sometime this week while we're free. I can ask in front of my friends, so you and Blaise can stop being pains about it all."

"Blaise would pay good money to see that, I'm sure." Alan grinned. "And Desdemona would love another chance to try and win Sirius' regard."

Harry blinked. Alan walked past him, grinning widely. Harry just shrugged again and kept up. The shock value would wear off, he was sure.

IIII

Alan turned the Elder Wand between his fingers, staring intently down at the wood. He wasn't its master; he knew that. He'd tried to cast another spell with it, and while it was powerful and impressive, it had resisted him. Luna's allowance had worn out, apparently, and if he wanted it for himself…

He was being ridiculous. He had another wand. It … just wasn't well matched to him. He considered for a moment taking Voldemort's, but he hadn't won that. He'd have to get it out of Harry, and then…

Someone knocked on the dormitory door, and Alan glared up at it, unconsciously moving the wand into his pocket. "Who is it?"

"Severus. Alan, may I come in?"

Alan hesitated, but answered, "Yeah."

Severus stepped in with a frown on his face, and slowly slid the door closed. "How … is everything going?"

"It's only been three days." Alan answered softly. "We're eating at Grimmauld tomorrow evening."

"That is not what I meant, Alan." Severus snapped. He visibly tempered his reaction and answered, "I'm wondering how you're feeling about … everything else. The Dark Lord's death, your friends…"

Alan pulled the wand out again and cautiously turned it over. Luna had been watching him, waiting … waiting for him to return it, he knew. He wondered if she was testing him… "It's been pretty good. It's a relief, having Voldemort gone, but … you know, I've adapted fast. I'm just happy he's gone, and not sparing it any more worry." Alan's mouth twisted, "Well, except for worrying about the media coverage that's going to converge upon Harry and I getting our 'awards for outstanding courage'."

Severus nodded seriously to the statement, and smiled wryly, "While I would have admittedly enjoyed being recognized like that, I suppose you have more of your mother in you." Severus snorted. "Although that has been abundantly clear your entire life."

Alan hesitated; his hands stopping the motion of the wand and cautiously, Alan asked a question he hadn't been able to ask for years. "What was my – Amber like?"

Severus froze. "Has your aunt not mentioned her?"

"They weren't on good terms for about a decade before she died." Alan softly admitted. "Ginger always stiffened up and said they hadn't been close, so I just stopped asking. Regulus hadn't known her that long, although he could tell me she always got her way, but other than that…"

Severus steepled his fingers and sat beside Alan on his bed, thinking. Finally, he answered, "Amber was a lot like you. While you are my son to look at, anyone who met Amber … and then met you, would clearly see her in everything you do and say. Amber would have been an instant Slytherin. She knew how to make everyone do what she wanted, but she wasn't malicious. Just … firm. I saw it the moment I saw Blaise go from hating you to following you everywhere in your first week. That was just something your mother would have done."

Alan snorted. "What, tell the truth and then have someone follow her because of it?"

"Precisely." Severus nodded slowly. "She was … an honest and valuable woman."

"Did you love her?"

Severus looked away.

Alan scowled at him and put his hand on his shoulder. "Why did you have me if you didn't love her?"

Severus took a deep breath and stood. Alan snarled,

"Great, just leave then. Don't answer; it's not like I care." Alan turned scarlet as his voice broke. He was sixteen years old; he didn't start crying just because his father couldn't … care about a woman dead fifteen years. He wasn't even upset about it, just…!

"I may not have loved her, but she helped me understand whom I did love." Severus admitted softly. "And she helped me learn how to live with that love, knowing it would never go anywhere. I was distraught, yet grateful, and Amber comforted me the only way she knew how, and I suspect something was … forgotten in the moment."

Alan didn't turn to look at him, wiping his face carefully, and glaring down at the Elder Wand as though it was at fault.

"I do not regret it, Alan." Severus's voice was closer behind him, and hesitantly Alan felt his hand touch his shoulder. It slid over, and then cautiously tightened, squeezing his shoulder cautiously. "I never regretted it before I met you, and … you are an admirable son. I couldn't have asked for a better child with more commendable attributes."

Alan smiled weakly and hesitantly touched his father's hand that was on his shoulder. Softly, he joked, "You only love me for my Potions skills."

The hand tightened again, and Alan nearly jumped as Severus sat beside him on the bed and pulled him into a hug – cautiously, and so carefully if Alan had so much as twitched wrong it would have fled. He didn't move for fear of losing it.

Alan just sat and enjoyed the moment for what it was.

IIII

Severus' moment of tenderness didn't last particularly long, but Alan was smiling still twenty minutes later when someone else knocked on the door. Luna walked in without waiting for him to acknowledge her. Alan fought the desire to tuck the Elder Wand away and finally stood up and walked back over to her, the wand loosely held in his left hand.

Luna looked him over and brushed her hand over his cheek. Alan caught it in his hand and kissed her lightly. When he pulled back, he pulled her hand forward and pressed his left hand against hers.

"Thank you very much for letting me use your wand, Luna." He whispered.

It was a struggle to let go, but when Luna smiled at him, his fingers slipped off the wood with ease. Luna leaned forward to kiss him again. When she pulled back, her only words were,

"Thank you."

IIII

Harry was surprised Sirius had agreed, but the get-together five days after Ron's birthday – and Voldemort's defeat – had more Slytherins than Harry really knew what to do with, and surprises for a few parents. Molly's reaction was so far the funniest. Ginny was wearing robes Harry suspected had been bought brand new for this occasion of high company, and as soon as Blaise arrived she sauntered straight up to him. Molly froze in horror as Ginny dropped an ice cube down his back; Desdemona Zabini was similarly furious, but Blaise just laughed it off and pulled Ginny into his arms to kiss her.

Harry wasn't sure she'd managed to get her jaw off the floor yet, and it'd been nearly a half hour. Then again, Victoria had also given everyone something to look at as she waited eagerly for Morgen's arrival and had gained liplock with her girlfriend after giving a full dissertation of what Harry suspected was the entire guest list to reassure her that it was okay. Morgen still may not have been brave enough to follow through save for Theodore rolling his eyes and pushing her into her girlfriend's arms.

Following this, the Hodges arrived. As Harry and all his friends had expected, Nanna had yelped in happiness, jumped over their father's lap, and ran straight into Dillan's arms.

The rest of the Order was a tad surprised. James' sour expression at the inclusion of the Hodges had abruptly turned to stunned disbelief, matched only by Daphne finally getting up her courage to saunter over and sit herself on Harry's lap where he was sitting next to Alan, across from his parents. He supposed that knowing Harry was friends with Slytherins was a bit different from seeing all the Slytherins he was friends with – and how close some of those 'friends' were. Sirius had handled it a bit better, well enough he asked the worst question Harry could imagine at the worst time.

"So, Harry." Sirius coughed lightly. "Is this your … girlfriend?"

Harry could only blush, stammer – and choke as Susan walked into the room. Daphne … well, he wasn't sure if he could call it 'saving' or not…

"He's still auditioning me." She chirped. "Susan, come introduce the competition, would you?"

Harry wished the sofa would just swallow him whole. Susan strode over and glanced between Harry's red face and his very curious parents before she sat on the arm of the sofa next to him and leaned down to kiss his cheek.

He was so going to kill Alan. Blaise made it back into his good books by sending his mother over to talk to Sirius again. Most of the attention turned to Sirius' blustering and indecision – Desdemona had found a target for her next husband apparently – but James had not been distracted. Harry decided now would be a good time to migrate to the food table and await the perfect moment to drop his bombshell on his father. Maybe he'd forget the girlfriend issue, then…

It didn't come too quickly. Neville had a spit-take before James did. Jonas sauntered over and bowed to Melanie, presenting the grounded girl with a small package. Her curse was set to wear off tomorrow, and she curiously accepted it and smiled before she waved Harry and Neville over. Obediently, without waiting to be asked, Neville scanned the package for curses and smiled tightly at Jonas.

"Clean. Who's it from?"

"Her penpal." Jonas answered cheekily. He strode back to the twins without further ado, and Neville swallowed before he glanced down – and had to swallow again. Melanie was lifting a beautifully wrought gold necklace from the box, followed by a matching bracelet and earrings, each set with a dark red stone. Neville took another deep breath and smiled down at her like his teeth hurt. Clearly, he was repressing the desire Harry knew quite well from when Nanna had been chasing flying strawberries with Dillan – over-protective brother instincts.

Neither of their sisters would appreciate it. Melanie looked up at him and blushed lightly.

"What do you think?"

"Very pretty." Neville offered. "The stones are garnets, I think, aren't they?"

Melanie looked confused and fumbled with the box. It fell off her lap and she swore, but Neville deftly picked it up and returned it to her lap, slipping his hand in and pulling out the letter, handing it over quickly. Melanie scanned it, blushed, and answered in a high voice, "Yeah, they're garnets. You know that really well."

"Melanie, you know I read too much. I'll leave you to your letter."

Melanie just nodded, already deep into reading it fully. Neville turned aside and muttered just for Harry's ears. "At least they were just garnets."

Harry stifled a snicker. Back at the buffet, James and Sirius were standing across from each other, deep in conversation with Severus, Green, Lily and Jonas. Harry noted Blaise, Theodore, Alan and Daphne all within hearing range and quickly met Alan's eyes and smiled. Alan blinked in return, and raised his hand in a seemingly casual manner. Victoria drew Morgen over; curiousity brought Frank, Alice, and Remus behind them. Harry stepped up and eyed Ron before he shot,

"Ron, would you want to be Quidditch captain next year?"

Ron stared at him, startled, and James choked.

"Harry, are you giving it up?"

"Why?" Sirius demanded.

Harry just shrugged casually. "I have too much of a workload to keep up with it; I almost can't even play, although I don't have to do too much practice with how natural it is." Harry glanced at them both as though it was obvious. He waited until they moved to drink to settle their nerves before quickly adding, "But aside from that, I don't think Slytherin would appreciate me just assuming the role upon transferring in next year."

It worked perfectly. James and Sirius spat immediately, dousing each other as Severus moved out of the way and Jonas jumped. Harry could only laugh, and shoot an amused look at his mother.

"Mum, did you set them up like that on purpose?"

Lily sent a loving smile at her now-irate husband and admitted, "Yes. Severus told me you and Alan were going to trade and that he suspected you would be shocking him with the news. Really, James, surely you've learned that your son can be just as evil as you are when he tries."

James coughed and wiped his face down, sending Harry a wry smile. "I suppose I should know by now, shouldn't I?" He sighed hard, and then smiled warmly again. "I hope … you like the dungeons then?"

"Alan tells me it gets pretty cold." Harry nodded. "But really, he needs to move up there. I think the damp seeped into his head, after he pulled such a classic Gryffindor stunt this week, hm?"

That still got a reaction from the Slytherins – and not a particularly friendly one, even if they could tolerate it from a friend. Alan, however, brushed it off and grinned at Harry. Harry only grinned back.

IIII

The evening wound down happily, for most at least. Sirius looked rather thoughtful as Blaise and Desdemona finally said goodbye, and Nanna waved Dillan off with a sad smile. Victoria and Morgen had spent most of the evening deep in conversation, and Morgen was still thinking as she flooed out ahead of Theodore and Daphne. Daphne had already gotten her kiss goodnight; neither Susan nor she had wanted to leave first, but when Amelia called and demanded Susan be sent home, and Theodore also had to leave, as he was Daphne, Morgen, and Tracey's lead home so as not to be flooing in from an 'unacceptable' fireplace, Susan and Daphne had traded off their pleasant goodbyes, and had left. Both were gone; Theodore was going through last and paused before going out.

"Harry, you're really going to become Slytherin for a year?"

"Of course." Harry offered, startled he'd asked.

Theodore bit his lip for a moment, and then offered him his hand. "I'd like to really get to know you."

Harry frowned. Theodore had never indicated he really wanted to be friends with anyone; the way he lived, he would never have any real friends, or at the most very few. Mostly, friends were show to him. He'd taken his title, in a way, when he'd killed his father, which made him suspect to the other purebloods for that alone. While it wasn't unheard of, current politics and Scrimgeour in particular weren't very tolerant of such things. James had mentioned that he hadn't liked the older Nott's death, and while he'd been a Death Eater, that his son had likely killed him didn't endear him to the young Lord.

Harry was the son of a very well liked, high-ranking Light auror. The current Head Auror was his adopted uncle, and the Minister was very good friends of both men. Indeed, Harry was set to receive an award from the Minister himself for his part is defeating a Dark Lord. Having Harry's friendship would go a long way to freeing Theodore from suspicion. It would be very useful to him.

Harry smiled and accepted his hand. "Sure, sounds like fun."

Theodore grinned widely in return.

~FIN~

A/N: And that is all, for this draft. *grins*

Yes, this is being rewritten. Any thoughts you wish to mention will go into consideration for the rewrite and a possible seventh year fic as well.

Please Read & Review - you know those are author's bread and butter. They will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for reading. Catch you later!

Fire & Napalm