Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all related characters and ideas are the whole intellectual property of Ms. J.K. Rowling and are hers alone to sell. I do not receive, nor would I accept any compensation for any of the owned intellectual property of Ms. Rowling (nor that which she has licensed to WB etc.). What follows is just a wacky little ditty I wanted to get out of my brain. It only got there because I so love that which Ms. Rowling created. No copyright infringement is intended.

Secrets

'Hey, Harry?' Hermione cringed as Ron spoke across the breakfast table, his mouth full of eggs. 'Are you staying at school again this year for Christmas?'

'Dunno,' Harry answered, glancing up to the head table briefly. 'We didn't stay last year – we just came back for the feast, so I don't know if Dad has to be on duty this year. Either way, we'll probably be back for the feast as usual. Why?'

'Just wondering… I mean it would be an ideal time to try and find where this Chamber is though, wouldn't it?' Ron added casually. 'What with so few people around, and the teachers in cheery moods…'

'What are you doing for Christmas?' Harry asked in a deliberate attempt to change the subject. He didn't want to fight with Ron and Hermione again, but he also didn't want to get talked into any more trouble either.

'We're both staying at Hogwarts this year Harry,' Hermione answered diplomatically. 'That's why we were wondering what you were doing.'

'Why aren't you going home?'

'Oh, my parents are doing a charity thing where they'll be going to a third-world country to do free dental work on people, so I told them to go ahead – that I'd be fine here…' Hermione answered quickly.

'Oh…' Harry frowned, turning to Ron. 'Are your parents going to Romania again?'

'No.' Ron shrugged, piling more bacon on his plate. 'Egypt this year – to visit Bill.'

'Oh… Well, I'll ask Dad after Quidditch practice.' Harry stuffed a final piece of bacon in his mouth before picking up his broom and following the rest of the team out of the great hall.

*****************

Albus Dumbledore has completely lost his mind. Severus was sure of it. Either that or he was deliberately tormenting him.

To allow that incompetent twit, Lockhart loose on the student body to teach them to duel!

Severus knew it wouldn't be fair to try to keep Harry away from the duelling club, but he also knew that he didn't trust Lockhart to keep the students from killing each other either. Indeed, the idiot was as likely himself to mispronounce a spell and end up injuring a student as he had Harry when he'd messed up a simple bone-mending charm.

Now, though he still fully expected a disaster at least this way, with him helping to run the club, he could be there to hopefully fix anything Lockhart managed to mess up. Plus, the added bonus had been the look of panic that had flashed on the man's face when Severus had volunteered to work with him on the club!

'Dad?' Harry's chuckling voice finally brought Severus out of his thoughts. 'Hey, Dad – what are you thinking about? You look like you've just given a detention to someone especially cheeky or something…'

'Or, something…' Severus smiled back at him. 'What do need Harry?' Then noticing Harry's muddy condition he asked: 'Good Quidditch practice?'

'Yeah. Seriously though – have you been tormenting Lockhart again?'

'That's Professor Lockhart to you brat.' He gave Harry a mock stern glare. 'And, no. I merely volunteered to help him on a project he's starting. One you may be interested in I think.'

'A project of Lo—Professor Lockhart's? I doubt it…' Harry snorted.

'I'll be helping him start a duelling club…'

'Duelling?!' Harry yelled in excitement. 'Are you serious? That's great!' Harry's smile faded a bit as he thought on it. 'But Lockhart? I don't know – I'd be afraid he'd accidentally remove my skull instead of just my arm bones this time…'

Severus actually laughed out loud at that, not that he hadn't considered a similar possibility given Lockhart's lack of skills. 'That's why I'll be there as well. If nothing else, I can pick up the pieces. And if you think I'm letting you on the other end of another one of his charms or spells, you've got another think coming. You'll partner with select students, or me only.'

'So you're letting me join?!' Harry asked, his excitement level rising again.

'Yes.' Severus smiled. 'It's open to all students, and you are a student at this school are you not?'

'Cool! Thanks Dad!' Harry leaped up, heading for the door.

'Wait,' Severus called. 'Didn't you come down here for a reason?'

'What?' Harry swung around. 'Oh, yeah. What are we doing for Christmas? Do you have to stay through this year?'

'Yes, it's my turn to stay. Why?'

'Oh, Ron and Hermione are both staying and they wanted to know what I was doing. Is it alright if I stay in the dorm during the break? I mean, I'll stay up with you on Christmas Eve… but the rest of the break could I? There'll be other kids staying and we could hang out and stuff…'

'That should be fine Harry.' Severus smiled again at his son's enthusiasm. 'You'll have time to stop in and visit your old Dad every once in a while?'

'Sure, Dad,' Harry laughed, heading out the door. 'Every once in a while…'

*****************

The next morning the Gryffindors, having heard all about it from Harry the night before, were the first to queue up in front of the notice announcing the duelling club that night.

Everyone was excited and word spread fast about the new club – even with everyone knowing who would be leading the club (Harry had told the Gryffindors the night before and they had quickly spread the word) it seemed like nearly the entire student body showed up that evening.

Harry had arrived early with Ron, Hermione and the twins and a bunch of other Gryffindors so they could get a spot right up in front of the raised platform that had replaced the house tables in the Great Hall. He was fairly bouncing with excitement, and he wasn't alone. There hadn't been a duelling club at Hogwarts for a good many years and it seemed that the older students were as excited by the prospect as the younger ones.

Harry made eye contact with his Dad who was standing quietly in the shadows at the far end of the platform as Lockhart gassed on about his exploits, and quickly had to look away to keep from laughing at the look of disdain in his father's eyes.

'… and I don't want you to worry,' Harry couldn't help but roll his eyes as he caught the end of Lockhart's speech. 'You'll still have your potions master when I'm through. Professor Snape? If you're ready for a little demonstration?'

Harry almost felt sorry for Lockhart as his father mounted the platform and moved into position. It was like the cat eying a mouse the way Severus eyed Lockhart – like something to be toyed with for a bit before it's devoured…

Lockhart though was oblivious, smiling pompously and swinging his wand around going on a bit more about duelling techniques and how amazing he was… Harry really wished he'd just get on with it.

'First, we bow to eachother,' Lockhart said loudly, bowing low with great flourish while Severus merely inclined his head slightly, raising his wand in a kind of salute.

If Harry hadn't been convinced before that Lockhart was exaggerating his experiences with formal duelling, this convinced him. He had been to a couple of duelling competitions with his father – Uncle Albus was frequently called on to judge, and Uncle Filius, Auntie Vi, Auntie Broom and Severus had even competed on occasion. So, Harry knew that Lockhart's bow, though flashy was not how it was usually done.

'We raise our wands,' Lockhart shouted as he and Severus took their positions (Lockhart wavering a bit as he swung his wand around dramatically).

'And, we begin!'

The blond professor was still swinging his arms about when Severus called out his spell: "Expelliarmus!'

Many of the girls cried out in alarm, and Harry had to restrain himself from cheering when Lockhart was blasted back by the force of Severus' spell as his wand arched upward out of his hand, high into the air before being caught by his now smirking opponent.

'Ungh,' Lockhart grunted, levering himself up and striding back along the platform. 'Excellent idea Professor Snape – That, boys and girls, was the Disarming Charm, as you see – I've lost my wand.' He stopped in front of his opponent who held out his wand, a deadly smirk on his face. 'Yes, thank-you professor,' he said nervously, taking his wand back.

'Ah…' Lockhart seemed to struggle to regain his composure for a moment. 'Yes… there are, uh, ways to counteract that spell…Uh…' Turning away from Severus, he started to regain his usual confidence.  'And I could have easily stopped Professor Snape from disarming me, of course, but I wanted you all to see how it worked.'

Yeah… riiiight… thought Harry, smirking at the venomous look his father was aiming at Lockhart.

'Well, enough demonstrations then.' Lockhart blustered, turning back to face the crowd of students. 'Partner up and prepare to duel!'

Before the students could start moving though, Severus cut in with further instructions. 'Partner only with someone from your own year. If there is anyone who cannot find a partner from their own year come to me. Do not begin until everyone is partnered and we give the order to start.'

Approaching Harry a moment later, Severus scowled, shaking his head 'no' at Harry's choice of partner. 'Weasley,' he demanded just loudly enough to be heard by Harry and Ron. 'Have you replaced your damaged wand yet?' He didn't wait for the obvious answer (Ron still hadn't worked up the nerve to owl home about his wand, especially since it was broken when they had crashed his father's car into the Hogwarts grounds at the beginning of term – his spellotape repair job was hit and miss at best)

'You'd best just observe for now then,' Severus said with a further negative shake of his head. 'You're as likely to injure yourself as your opponent inadvertently with your wand like that.'

'Uh, professor?' Hermione asked nervously (and no wonder she looked nervous as Millicent Bulstrode was moving toward her looking for a partner) 'I could partner with Harry.'

'Yes,' Severus replied, nodding. 'That will do. Weasley, you observe, and Harry, you partner with Miss Granger for now.'

'But professor!' Millicent whined as she approached. 'I don't have a partner.'

'Me neither sir,' Draco strode up with his usual arrogance. 'I'm hardly willing to partner with just anyone,' he added with a sneering look at Hermione that Severus missed as he scanned the crowd.

'Very well then Mr. Malfoy,' Severus replied, stepping back and gesturing to Millicent. 'You're in luck. Miss Bulstrode is also available. Spread out now everyone,' he called out a little louder so all around could hear. 'Give yourselves a little room to manoeuvre.'

'Everyone partnered?' Lockhart called cheerfully from back on the platform. 'Excellent! Now, on the count of three, everyone raise your wands and practice the disarming spell. One…' he lowered his voice dramatically as if counting out the beginning of the Quidditch World Cup. 'Two…. THREE!!'

Perhaps it shouldn't have been such a surprise when chaos erupted. After all, put together a few hundred teenagers who are usually strictly prohibited from doing magic against each other and basically say 'Go ahead, now's your chance!' and what do you expect?

Lockhart was looking panicked, crying out 'Stop! Stop! I said disarm only!' but finally it was Severus who managed to regain control by bellowing out 'Finite Incantatem!'

Harry was helping Hermione to her feet from where she'd landed when Harry's Expelliarmus spell had hit her (Harry had stuck to the prescribed spell – after all unlike the other students, his dad was in the room). Looking up through the greenish haze that now hung over the room from all the illicit spells that had been fired about the room by the other students he caught his father's eyes on him and nodded briefly to indicate that he was fine.

'I'm sorry Hermione,' Harry said as she swayed slightly on her feet, looking around for her wand, which Harry pressed quickly back into her hand. 'I didn't mean to hit you so hard with that expelliarmus. Are you alright?'

Ron had joined them by now and was glaring at Harry as he helped to support Hermione. 'Are you alright Hermione? Jeez Harry what did you do?'

'I'm fine!' Hermione insisted, pushing them both back. 'He did exactly what we were supposed to be doing. That was brilliant Harry!' She smiled now and Harry felt instantly much better. 'I hadn't even thought the spell yet when yours hit me. I'm going to have to practice to get faster!'

'Harry!' Harry spun around, hearing his name called by Lockhart from the platform. 'Step up here please, we're going to demonstrate how to block unfriendly spells.'

Harry reluctantly made his way up, after glancing at his father and receiving an encouraging nod.

'Professor Snape says you have some small knowledge about blocking spells?' Harry nodded slowly, glancing once more toward his father, having obviously missed something while he'd been apologizing to Hermione.

'Excellent!' Lockhart beamed. 'Now, who will partner with you for the demonstration? Miss Granger still looks a little wobbly on her feet…'

'I will professor!' Malfoy called out, stepping up to the platform confidently.

'Yes! Wonderful! Step up here Mr. Malfoy.' Lockhart angled Harry so he was at one end of the platform facing Malfoy who had taken position on the other.

'Now, I know your father said you've had some training in this, but I'd better just review for you. Make sure you've got it right!' Harry's scowl at Lockhart's implied slur on Severus' training of Harry's defensive techniques quickly changed to a hastily concealed smirk as the professor attempted to demonstrate… and promptly dropped his wand.

'Whoops!' He grinned with a wink to the front row girls. 'My wand's a little overexcited! Ready boys? Now Draco, on three you'll send your spell at Harry here, and Harry, you'll use the blocking technique I've shown you to block it!'

No, Harry wanted to say. I think I'll use the technique my Dad and Uncle Albus taught me – that'll at least work… but decided against it, instead merely nodding before walking to the centre of the platform to meet Malfoy.

'Scared Potter?' Malfoy whispered so only he could hear once they were standing face to face.

'You wish.' Harry gave him as menacing a glare as he'd ever seen his father give anyone as they bowed (neither giving more than a slight jerk of the head) and stepped back to take their positions.

'On three then,' Lockhart called out excitedly. 'One… Two…'

Unbelievably, in front of everyone, his head of house and his opponent's father included, Malfoy fired his hex on Two instead of waiting for the count of Three. Harry didn't hear what spell he used, merely reacting instantly and bringing up his shield as he'd been taught.

Now, right or wrong, Severus had always worried a great deal for Harry's safety, knowing that not all Death Eaters had been captured, or even changed their ways dramatically after the fall of the Dark Lord. So, when Harry'd displayed an early ability to control his magic, with the headmaster's approval he'd begun to train him at quite a young age to defend himself magically. Harry'd learned after much practice involving blocking spells shot at him by both his father and Dumbledore himself to be quite adept at reacting quickly and without preparation to defend himself quite well.

So, Harry successfully blocking a second year student's disarming spell wouldn't have been a surprise to Harry or Severus… except, what Malfoy had sent Harry's way was anything but a simple disarming spell.

The snake the blond student had conjured bounced off of Harry's shield and rebounded back to where it had originated, landing, quite enraged now, at Malfoy's feet where it promptly raised itself up, baring its fangs.

Danger!!! It'll kill me if I don't kill it first!!!

Harry didn't stop to think. Not even thinking about who was in danger, he just instantly reacted to what he heard… 'No!' he shouted. 'Leave him!'

The 'words' were already out of his mouth before he'd even registered what was happening. It was instinct – if he hadn't been a parselmouth, he'd've shouted to the snake in English. As it was, he only realised his mistake when he saw the looks on the faces of all around him.

Horrified, he turned to his father. Severus had already done away with the snake and had grabbed Malfoy by his collar and was admonishing him angrily.

What else could he do? He fled, running out of the Great Hall as if the hounds of hell itself were on his heels. He could only imagine what happened next – Had Severus tried to cover it up? Had the students cursed his name? Were they even now owling their parents? In a blind panic he just ran and ran, wishing he could hide from the world and no one would ever find him again.

******************

Half an hour later, Severus found him sitting crouched and curled in on himself, arms wrapped around his shins and his forehead resting on his knees – the picture of desolation in his not-so-secret (from Severus at least) secret hiding place on the parapet at the top of the teacher's wing tower.

Cringing at how close to the edge Harry always sat, Severus made his way over, lowering himself to sit beside him.

They sat in silence for several minutes before Harry finally spoke… 'Will I have to go away?' His voice, though filled with fear and sadness, was barely over a whisper.

'Of course not.' Severus assured him immediately. He put his arm across Harry's shoulders and gave him a reassuring squeeze as well.

Harry leaned into his father's hold and drew in a quivering breath. 'It was an accident Daddy…' His voice shook as he tried not to cry. 'I didn't mean to… it just… it was going to bite him and…' He lost the battle as a few tears escaped.

'I know.' Severus held him closer. 'I know you didn't do it on purpose.'

Harry took a deep steadying breath, obviously calmed a bit by his father's acceptance. 'I guess it was really stupid of me,' Harry said after a moment, swiping hurriedly at his eyes. 'It can't have been poisonous can it? Malfoy couldn't have conjured one complex enough to be seriously poisonous…'

'Likely not,' Severus agreed quietly, handing Harry a handkerchief. 'But that is beside the point. I'm very proud of you.'

Harry snorted, taking off his glasses to wipe his face with the handkerchief. 'Yeah, right…'

'And why shouldn't I be proud of you?'

'Because, as usual, it's not enough for me to just mess up. No, I've got to do it big: I didn't just tell someone I'm a parselmouth… Nooo, I gave a practical demonstration in front of most of the school in the Great Hall!'

'Did you mean to speak parseltongue in front of them?'

'No!' Harry answered quickly. Turning to face his father directly, Harry replaced his glasses and gave Severus an almost pleading look. 'I swear Dad, I just – reacted I guess. I didn't even realise I'd spoken parseltongue until everyone was staring at me…'

'And that is why I'm proud of you.' Severus smiled briefly then sighed at Harry's sceptical look. 'You're a credit to your house Harry. You were worried about that boy being hurt. Without thinking for a moment about your self, or the fact that he brought the situation on himself by attacking you when he knew you were planning on blocking his spell…' Severus sighed, reigning in his anger at Malfoy. 'You merely 'reacted' – you helped another without hesitation.' He gave Harry another squeeze across his shoulders. 'And it's a credit to you being you that I know that it wouldn't have mattered to you who it was – even Malfoy – even if you'd had all the time in the world to think about it, you still would have done your best to help him.'

Harry didn't reply to this, but his blush and slight smile told Severus that he'd been heard nevertheless.

'So,' Harry said after a minute. 'What happens now? I mean, I assume you didn't obliviate the entire school… so…'

'So…' Severus sighed, releasing Harry to retrieve something from his pocket. 'For now, you go back to your common room. If anyone bothers you about it you tell them that you're the same boy they've always known and think about that before they assume anything based solely on some foolish stereotype. And if anyone really troubles you, you have this.' He handed him a small frog figure. 'Portkey,' he explained. 'The activation word is Sanctuary while pressing on the top of the head here.' He demonstrated how the head of the figure could be depressed slightly.

'Thanks Dad.' Harry took a deep breath and released it slowly, flexing the muscles in his shoulders and pocketing the portkey before standing up. 'Well,' he said with a sigh, looking nervously toward the door back into the castle. 'I guess there's no time like the present to face them…' He didn't move for a long moment before he finally took a few steps toward the door.

'Hey Dad?' He turned back to regard his father seriously. 'Do I even want to know what's going to happen with Malfoy?'

'He'll be dealt with. Harry…' Severus said to stop any comment from his son when Harry opened his mouth to interrupt. 'He's been warned before about hexing students – even as recently as this evening – you didn't see what he did to Miss Bulstrode. It's an internal Slytherin house matter now, and so, nothing for you to concern yourself with. You are not in trouble. He is, and he brought it on himself – and not just because it was his own spell that got reflected back to him alright?' He had walked up to Harry while he spoke and now in reach, he pulled him into another hug, kissing him lightly on the top of his head, just as he'd done so many times before to comfort or console his son. 'Go on to bed and don't worry about it alright? You let me know if anyone gives you any trouble. I'll speak with Albus this evening to see if there's anything else he thinks we should do. Love you child.'

'Alright.' Harry sighed, giving his father a quick hug back before stepping back. 'Goodnight Dad. And thanks…' And with that, Harry steeled himself and turned and left to make his way to Gryffindor tower and whatever reaction the other students would have now that they knew this one of his secrets…

TBC