If He's Anything Like Me
By Ammie Hawk
Disclaimer: I need a vacation…
AN: On the Ninth Day of Christmas, I give you chaos and disorder. Or another chapter, whatever works. Anyway, I hope ya'll enjoy.
Chapter 7: Why Me?
Harry sat alone at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall awaiting the arrival of the rest of the student body to arrive for the welcoming feast. The only other people in the hall were the teachers and his fathers who were all seated at the Head Table. The only staff missing at the moment were Hagrid, who's duty was to retrieve the first years from the train; Professor McGonagall, who was in charge of greeting the new students; and Dumbledore, though it was unclear why the headmaster was absent.
About five minutes later, the entrance hall exploded in a rush of sound as the students began arriving. As they began pouring into the Great Hall, green eyes began scanning the crowd for his best friends. Before he found them, however, his eyes locked with grey. A blond brow rose in silent inquiry to his presence there before anyone else, to which he gave a subtle shrug in response. The Slytherin obviously wasn't going to press the issue as he continued making his way to his own table.
"Harry!"
His head turned at the sound of his name and he spotted Ron and Hermione making their way straight for him. They took a seat on either side of him, and almost immediately began to question him.
"So why weren't you on the train?" Ron asked. "You were right behind us."
Before he could answer, the door opened and silence filled the hall as McGonagall led the first years to the front of the hall. He was glad for the distraction, though. He wasn't sure what to tell them. Would they believe that the barrier wouldn't let him through and that Trowa had to bring him? Or would they think he was just trying to avoid them? Or that he thought he was too good for the train?
"Harry," a familiar voice said quietly.
Harry's eyes darted around, trying to see who was speaking to him but everyone was focused on the Sorting Hat, which had just started singing. He shook his head, maybe he should just focus on the Sorting too.
"Harry, its Quatre. Please look at me."
Green eyes darted to the Head Table and locked with aqua. The blond smiled encouragingly as he maintained eye contact.
"I'm speaking in your mind, Harry, so just answer in your mind."
"How is this possible?" Harry asked confused.
"I'm not sure," Quatre smiled. "I've never had a conversation like this before, but you and I seem to share a deep connection. I'm pretty sure it's because you are my son. That aside, I need you to calm down. I can feel your anxiety all the way up here, and if you're not careful, you will start affecting everyone around you."
"I'm sorry," the raven head bowed dejectedly.
"You have nothing to apologize for. I'm not scolding you, I'm cautioning you. You are not in trouble. You just have to be careful. Now, about your friends, all you can do is tell them what happened, the barrier was sealed and Trowa had to bring you to school. Whether they choose to believe you is entirely on them, and there is nothing you can do about that, so why worry about it."
"I guess," Harry sighed.
"Harry, you cannot control how others think," Quatre reiterated. "All you can do is tell the truth and hold to it. As long as you know that, worrying will only make you miserable."
"Okay," he gave a small smile and finally broke eye contact, turning his attention back to the Sorting.
Only, it seemed that he missed the whole thing, as McGonagall was gathering up the Sorting Hat and stool. Dumbledore, who had entered the hall at some point, got to his feet and after a few words and the feast began. As soon as their plates were full, Ron turned his gaze back to Harry.
"So," he said around a mouthful of chicken, "gonna tell us what happened?"
"The barrier wouldn't let us through," Harry took a deep breath, "so my dad brought me here."
"Your dad?" the redhead scoffed. "You're still trying to play that card?"
"Whether you want to believe it or not, it's the truth," tears pooled in the emerald orbs. "Trowa is my dad, as are Wufei, Heero, Quatre, and Duo. It's weird, but it's still the truth. You can't fake a DNA test."
"Harry," Hermione cut in, putting her arm around his shoulders and giving Ron a dirty look, "we're not disputing that. We were just wondering why you weren't on the train. You told us, and we're fine now. Aren't we, Ron?"
"No, we're not," Ron threw his fork down, his voice, rising drawing the attention of those nearby. "We spent the entire train ride talking about this. He's acting different, and it all started with those guys claiming to be his dads."
"You… you talked about me?" Harry asked, hurt.
"Of course we did," the redhead sneered, his volume still increasing. "You've been acting weird since Diagon Alley!"
"Weasley," a cold voice said from directly behind the trio, "Potter. Both of you into the hallway, now."
Both boys looked back into the hard black eyes of Severus Snape. They knew better than to argue, so they both got up and made their way to the entrance hall. Once the door closed behind them, the Potions professor crossed his arms over his chest giving the pair a calculating look.
"Now," he said quietly, but there was an edge to his voice, "care to explain why the two of you felt the need to disrupt the feast with your outburst."
"We were just talking, sir," Ron said defiantly.
"Is that so, Potter?" a dark brow rose as he turned to Harry.
"He was accusing me of lying, sir," green eyes studied the floor. "He said that Trowa and the others weren't my dads, and that they were making me act weird."
"Traitor!" blue eyes narrowed into a glare. "You're a liar, Harry Potter!"
"Detention, Weasley," Snape held up his hand. "You may return to the feast, Potter. I feel I need a further word with Mrs. Weasley."
Before Harry could make his way back into the Great Hall, the doors opened and Albus Dumbledore walked out, followed closely by Minerva McGonagall.
"What seems to be the problem here, Severus?" the twinkling blue eyes fell on the Potions professor.
"Just a minor altercation, Headmaster," the Potions Master frowned. "I have handled the disturbance. Potter was about to return to the feast while I had a few words with Weasley."
"It will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys' punishment, Severus," said Dumbledore calmly. "They are in her House and therefore her responsibility." He turned to Professor McGonagall. "I must go back to the feast, Minerva, I've got to give out a few notices. Come, Severus, there's a delicious-looking custard tart I want to sample—"
Snape gave Harry an almost apologetic look as he allowed himself to be swept back into the Great Hall, leaving them alone with Professor McGonagall, who was still eyeing them like a wrathful eagle.
"Now," she said sharply, "as the feast had not even finished, I will not take any points from Gryffindor, but you will both get a detention."
"But, Professor," Harry protested, Snape wasn't even going to give him a detention.
"No buts, Potter," her lips thinned dangerously. "You were both disturbing the meal, so you will both be punished. Now, go back inside, the feast is almost over and the Headmaster will be giving out the start-of-term notices."
With that, she turned on her heel and made her way back into the Great Hall. Ron gave Harry a slight sneer before following her. Green eyes filled with tears before he harshly wiped them away and went back inside. He didn't return to his previous seat but found an open spot at the far end. A moment later, Dumbledore got to his feet and motioned for silence.
"Now that we have enjoyed another delectable feast," he beamed at the assembled students, "I have a few start-of-term announcements before I dismiss you for the night. First off, Mr. Filch has posted a list of banned items, which can be found on his office door for anyone who is interested. Secondly, first years should note that the Forbidden Forest is named such for a reason, and that students should not set foot in there. Now on another note, we have some new staff appointments this year. In a unanimous decision by the Board of Governors, it has been decided that Professor Binns, our long time History of Magic professor should be given a much deserved retirement so he can enjoy his afterlife. Professor Barton-Chang will now be taking over the History of Magic classes," Wufei rose and gave a bow to the assembled students before retaking his seat. "Also, we are doing something a bit different this year for Defense Against the Dark Arts class. With the string of Professors we have gone through in the past several years, I thought it would be best if the job were divided between two professors this year. So, please join me in welcoming Professor Yuy, and Assistant Professor Lockhart." Heero nodded stoically, while Gilderoy Lockhart beamed, showing off his overly white teeth, and waved jovially. "Now, off you trot, and sleep well."
Harry got up with the rest of the students and blended in with the upperclassmen as they made their way up to Gryffindor Tower. He debated slipping down the hallway to his fathers' quarters, but thought better of it and continued to the portrait of the Fat Lady. Once inside, he avoided everyone and made his way up to the second year boys' dormitory. He managed to change and pull his curtains before any of the others entered the room. He listened quietly as his fellow year mates settled in but didn't feel like talking to any of them so he pretended to be asleep. After a while, the rest of the boys became quiet and sleep finally claimed him.
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Once the feast was dismissed, Heero and Quatre made their way silently to their room. Neither of them spoke as they traversed the corridors, though they both knew there was something on the other's mind. When they reached their suite of rooms, they bypassed the empty living room, Wufei and Trowa having apparently retired for the evening, and went straight up to their bedroom.
When they had gained the sanctity of their room, Heero closed the door and quickly discarded the robe Dumbledore had required him to wear to the feast. He then sat down on the bed and began untying his shoes as Quatre began unbuttoning his own shirt.
"Quatre," the shaggy haired brunet said, shucking his shirt and tossing it deftly into the hamper next to the bathroom door, "what happened during the Sorting, you seemed distracted?"
"Oh, that," his husband chuckled slightly. "I was busy having a conversation with our son."
A single brow rose over Prussian blue eyes, showing bewildered curiosity.
"Apparently," he continued, "whether because of my abilities or the fact that he is my son, or both, I am able to communicate telepathically with Harry. He was feeling anxious about his friends' reactions to his missing the train. I managed to calm him down so he would not end up affecting the rest of the hall."
"I see," Heero nodded.
"What about you?" teal eyes turned to regard his husband. "You were furious. Don't try and deny it."
"It's Dumbledore and his insistence on this Assistant Professor bullshit he's trying to pull," the former Wing pilot sighed. "I don't need or want an assistant."
"I know," the blond went over and straddled him. "If you want the truth, he seems a bit frantic to hold on to his position, he feels threatened by your appointment, and Wufei's."
"Well," Heero smirked, wrapping his arms around the other's waist, "we'll just have to make him live to regret it, won't we?"
Quatre threw his head back and laughed, "You are evil, love, but you're also right. I can't pinpoint what exactly it is, but something about that meddling old fool sets my teeth on edge."
"I don't want to talk about him anymore," the brunet shook his head. "He can ruin someone else's night."
"I agree," the blond draped his arms around his husband's shoulders. "You know, there is something I've wanted to talk with you about."
"Oh?" a dark brow rose curiously.
"I know we've never discussed it before," Quatre rambled, slightly nervous, "and we've always been careful, but learning about Harry has got me thinking. And I was wondering, how would you feel if we tried for one of our own."
"Harry is our own," Heero pointed out, smirking slightly.
"I know that," the blond pouted. "And I'm glad we found out about him, but haven't you ever thought of having a baby with me?"
"No," he shrugged slightly. "I've never thought about children at all, until Relena named me Teddy's godfather. After that, it's never crossed my mind. Having Harry come into our lives has just been something we've had to come to terms with."
"I see," teal eyes closed in disappointment and he turned his head away.
"Quatre," Heero reached out and turned his head back to face him, "just because I haven't considered it doesn't mean I won't. As you said, we've never discussed it. However, if it's something you want, I won't say no. You know I can deny you nothing."
"I don't want you to agree just because I want it," the former Sandrock pilot stood up and began pacing. "Having a child is not like getting a new car or buying a house, it's a full time responsibility for a human life, and you need to be fully committed to it or there is no point. I refuse to raise a child on my own."
"I would never do that to you," he stood as well and put his arms around the other, effectively stopping his pacing. "When we got married five years ago, we agreed we would be equals in all things. If we decided to have a child, we will raise it together. I would not break that vow because of something I have never considered before. What I'm saying, is that if you want this, I am willing to try."
"I love you," the blond turned and placed a kiss on Heero's lips.
"I know," he smirked, lifting Quatre into his arms and carried him to bed.
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Down in the dungeons, Severus and Duo had just gained the privacy of their own quarters. As soon as the door closed behind them, the braided man turned to regard his husband. The Potions Master quirked a brow curiously, patiently waiting for the other to say what was on his mind.
"So," Duo crossed his arms over his chest, "want to tell me what happened at dinner?"
"Potter and Weasley were having a disagreement about whether you and the others were actually his parents," he shrugged. "I tried to defuse the situation but Dumbledore stepped in. There was nothing I could do after that point."
"Okay," the former pilot sighed, "you tried. But then again, did you really?"
"Duo," Severus sighed, "I am trying to come to terms with the fact that Potter is your son, but it is difficult to let go of the animosity I have held to for the past decade."
"Severus, don't lie to me," Duo shook his head. "There's more to it than that. For the past month you've been pulling away from me. Now tell me why Yasu's existence bugs you so much."
"I've asked you before to stay out of my head," he rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"Well, if you actually talked to me, I wouldn't have to get inside your head, now would I?" the braided man countered.
"How long have we been together, Duo?" Severus asked.
"Don't try and change the subject."
"I'm not," onyx held amethyst. "Now, please answer the question."
"Fine, I'll bite," Duo shrugged. "We've been together for ten years now."
"And in those ten years," the Potions Master ran a hand through his hair, "you didn't trust me enough to tell me you had a son. Nor, apparently, do you trust me, your mate, enough to give you a child. No, instead, I have to find out from the Preventers that you have a child with four other men. Now, put yourself in my shoes, and tell me how I should feel about this, because I really don't know."
"It's not like that," he put his head in his hands. "Sev, you have to understand, no one knew about Yasu. When Yasu was born, I was in the middle of fighting a war. I left him with a friend so I could continue fighting, but when I went back to retrieve him, she didn't remember who he was, much less where he'd gone.
"After that, I searched everywhere for him. That's actually about the time I met you. Anyway, I couldn't find him. I failed, Severus. I failed the one person in this world who was everything to me. I didn't tell you about him because I could not bring myself to face my own failure. It hurt too much to even think about him," tears pooled in his amethyst eyes and he angrily wiped them away. "As for kids, it has nothing to do with you. I don't even know if I can have anymore. After I lost Yasu, I didn't trust myself, couldn't trust myself to have another.
"As I said, it has nothing to do with you. You are amazing, and wonderful, and everything I ever wanted in a mate. I'm sorry that I can't guarantee that I can give that to you. And you're right, if I was in your shoes I'd be pissed. But if you're going to be pissed, please be pissed at me and don't take it out on my son. Now, with that being said," he looked down and wrapped his arms protectively around himself, "if you want me to go, I'll go, and I'll never darken your door again."
Onyx eyes rolled as Severus sighed exasperatedly, "You always were overly melodramatic, Duo." He went over and put his arms around the smaller male, "I don't want you to leave. It hurt that you kept this from me, but I can understand your reasoning. I love you and, quite frankly, I don't know what I'd do without you. As for children, I know I was the one that brought it up, but it's not that important to me. If we have them, we have them, if not we'll manage. And I promise I will do better with Potter… or Yasu… or whatever he wants to go by."
"Promise?" the braided man looked up at him.
"I swear by my magic, I will do better," he swore.
"Good," his husband leaned back in his embrace, "I'll hold you to that. Though, we should probably head to bed, you do have work tomorrow."
"Brat," a smile pulled at the Potions Master's lips, as he lifted his mate into his arms and carried him into their bedroom.
Ammie: There it is, the latest chapter. I do have major points in this fic planned out, but if there is something you'd like to see, feel free to let me know and I'll see if I can't incorporate some of them. Anyway, please let me know what you think.