Quick Note: I have to admit, I haven't read over this piece all that much, and I know I should have seeing as this isn't a relaxed chapter. I'm just not with it today. I almost didn't post, but I couldn't leave it hanging. Lol, so here you are.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Harry,
Disturbing and startling news has reached me. I would like to see you on the first Hogsmeade Trip, which I am told is this coming Saturday. Meet me in the Three Broomsticks at noon, and I really do hope that there is a 'joking' smile on your face when you appear. I'll see you soon.
Love,
Your dad
It was the last weekend in September, and the first Hogsmeade Trip of the year. Harry had been confused all week wondering how his father would know about his relationship with Lucius when a very fair few knew about it in the first place. Harry was sitting at the Gryffindor Table, eating a quick breakfast. He was probably the most stylish male in the room. He was wearing a red short sleeved shirt that clung against his upper body comfortably and the trousers were a little more loose fitting with a thin fabric like material, they too were red but with black tiger marks up and down the legs. His hair was pulled back to the base of his neck and he had a fang earring in one ear, while the other was a black onyx gem. He had a simple black cord around his neck and one around his right wrist. He was trying not to be nervous about speaking with his father. They hadn't spoken since their fall out at the beginning of September.
He cringed inwardly at the image, when Hermione nudged him, "You okay?"
"Fine." said Harry, taking a few mints from the table and standing. "Are we ready?"
Ron hadn't spoken the entire morning, and he was also looking a little green around the edges. When Harry inquired he just shook his head, while Luna was found staring dazedly at him.
Harry had kept this letter from Lucius, hoping to keep this conversation as quiet and undisturbed as possible. There was a chance that things could turn out good but then - there was also a chance things could go even more topsy-turvy.
Harry's eyes flicked once up at Lucius, before heading out of the room, with Hermione's hand in his. Ron and Luna followed them out.
It was a comfortably cool morning, there was a lot of sun but the air was cool and brushed along exposed skin causing it to ripple with goosebumps. It was the perfect weather for walking around all afternoon after being cooped up in a castle for a month.
He walked with Ron, Luna, and Hermione for the first couple hours of the morning. Harry mainly stuck with Hermione, while Ron seemed to shrug everything they say off. Luna was as quiet as she always was except for the occasional amusing remark she would give them.
"I really don't want to talk to dad about this." said Harry, as he picked up a couple of Honeydukes sweets. "Frankly, it's none of his business."
"I'm sure, he's just concerned for your wellbeing, Harry." said Ron, for the first time.
Harry scoffed, "Concerned?" The teen laughed, "Yeah right! Dad is more concerned about his pride and ego than he is about his son. If he was at all concern he would have kicked Roger Davies arse the moment he stepped within range. I know if my son or daughter was done the same way I was done - I'd be in bloody Azkaban."
"My dad would have killed him-" said Hermione, softly.
"My dad would have fed him to a Graphorn." commented Luna.
Ron grimaced, "Well, maybe he's trying to do something right this time?"
"I doubt it. The only way he'd do something right, is if mum or Sirius, stepped in and made him." Harry picked up a set of Pepper Imps, which was his ultimate favourite candy. "He cares about me in his own joking, carefree, childish way."
Hermione didn't respond to this, she couldn't exactly tell him he was wrong, when Harry was being quite accurate. Ron however, tried to defend Harry's father, and this caused the Potter Heir to look at him strangely.
"Ron? Why are you defending my dad? You said it yourself at the beginning of the year, that he was thick for what he did-"
Ron shrugged quickly, "I just think, maybe you should give him a chance… couldn't you try just this once? He might understand… or he might talk sense into you…" Harry and Hermione exchanged looks, while Luna whistled.
Harry shook his head, "I'll pretend I didn't even hear that." He said, placing the candy upon the counter for the cashier to get a hold of.
Hermione was staring hard at Ron now, who was avoiding all eye contact.
"It's nearly noon, Harry. You want to go by yourself?"
"No, what he has to say you can hear too." said Harry, taking her by the hand and leading the way out the door.
The Three Broomsticks was packed with Hogwart's students. They were all bustling through and several males were hitting on Madam Rosemerta, even little third years were goggling at her.
Harry stared over top of heads and after much moving he saw his father in the back, and grimaced visibly. "Dammit, there has to be loads of people here, huh?" He murmured, seeing Draco and his friends about six tables away from his father.
"Well, let's get this over with." said Harry, weaselling through the crowd. Ron and Luna followed along. Several people greeted them as they shifted through the students.
"Oye!" Squeaked Hermione, as Harry pulled her with him. Finally, they emerged to the back, and Harry saw that his dad sitting there drinking a bottle of butterbeer and staring hard straight ahead of him.
Sucking up his nerves, he cleared his throat, "Dad?" said Harry, stopping in front of the table.
James looked up, "Harry! Finally! You're late."
"No, we were two minutes early, you try getting through the mass of people."
James smiled, he slid up from the table and touched his son's shoulder's, looking him over, "You look great."
Harry nodded, "Thanks, dad." said Harry, casting a side glance to Hermione. "Uh, what are you here for?" feigned the teen.
"Sit, Harry!" Insisted James, pushing his son down into the booth.
They all sat, Harry was between Ron and Hermione. Hermione on the end and Ron at the edge of the wall and he was staring down at the table. When a server came over Harry declined anything to drink and looked to his father. He wanted this to get over with.
"Does mum know you're here?"
James winced, "No, she has absolutely no idea." He said, taking a drink of butterbeer. "However, as soon as I heard-"
"Heard what?" interrupted Harry. "And - who did you hear it from?"
"Who, I heard it from isn't important Harry." said James, quickly. "What is is the fact that my son is seeing -" James closed his eyes. "A - A Malfoy…" He breathed out the name as if it were foul or poisonous.
Hermione's hand slid from her lap and squeezed Harry's leg in comfort. Harry raised head and stared James in the face, "Yes, I am seeing him."
"No!" James said all too quickly. "No, Harry-"
"Yes, I'm seventeen. I believe I am of age to make that decision on my own."
"No, way. I am not having my son date a damn Slytherin - especially him." said James shaking his head, his jaw was locked firm. "I forbid it."
Harry stared at him, "Dad, this is my relationship, not yours."
"You're my son!" snapped James hotly. "And I will not have you - go - running around with -" He swallowed, "Someone like that. How long has this even been going on?"
Harry was beginning to get angry; his cheeks flushed just slightly, "Not that it's any of your concern, dad who I am seeing. It's been about month…."
"A- A month? Are you serious?"
"No, I believe he's at his house-"
"Shut it Harry!" snapped James, agitated. "A month?" He then said, shaking his head. "No, Harry. I can't have this happening-"
"Why? It's my relationship. I have to live with it, not you."
"You're a Potter! Not some common potential Deatheater mate!"
"He's not a Deatheater!" hissed Harry, his eyes flashing fire. "Don't you dare accuse what you don't know, dad. You have no fucking right to judge someone by outer appearance."
"I'm not! I'm judging by who the hell he is and don't you use that tone with me." ordered James, his finger now pointing to Harry, his teeth were gritting together, "It is a simple matter, get over it, and move on."
"No!" Harry snapped, loud enough for those around to hear. He nudged Hermione, who quickly scrambled up. Harry kicked out of the booth; Ron was sitting there looking as if he had seen better days. "I'm not doing anything of the sort. It's my life not yours. You did nothing for me back in July, why the hell are you acting so concerned now?"
"I'm not the only one concerned Harry! Your own best friend was the one who wrote me and told me of this news." James growled, waving to Ron.
Harry reared back onto the balls of his heels, he looked as if he had been smacked and now he was at a loss for breath. A caved look washed across his face; his eyes turned to Ron, who refused to look at him.
Hermione closed her eyes and murmured, "I had hoped not…" She whispered. Luna cringed openly, and stared at the crowd who was all looking at them, with open ears and great interest; Draco had slid up with a look of great concern.
"Ron?" breathed Harry. "Wh- why would you do that?"
"It doesn't matter why, Harry! What matters is that I had a right to know, and I'm glad he told me. This isn't going to go on any longer. You get over it-" He demanded spitefully.
Harry turned back to his father, and glared, "No, I'm not. I told you once, twice, and now, I am going to say it for the third time. NO! Get over it, I'm not listening…"
"Yes, you will Harry James Potter you will listen to me and stop seeing Lucius Malfoy. I demand it." There was a ripple through the Three Broomsticks. Harry grimaced inwardly, his face was flushed but not with embarrassment, it was mostly of anger, "I thought it was a fucking joke to begin with - but turns out it's not!" yammered James incredulously.
Harry closed his eyes for a brief moment, he felt Hermione's hand entwine with his, and her hand rubbing up and down his arm. "I'm not going over this with you again. We're through with this conversation." He opened his green eyes, which flashed dangerously, "Suck up your wounded Gryffindor Pride and get over it…" hissed Harry through clenched teeth. Harry began to back up, as the crowded parted for them but James advanced on him.
James snarled, "Harry! Don't you walk away from me!"
Harry shook his head and looked over at Ron, who now had his eyes clamped shut; Harry said nothing, he was to hurt and betrayed to talk to his friend. "Good bye, dad." With his hand clamped tight in Hermione's, he turned his back to go, when his father shouted;
"If you continue seeing him and I will cease to acknowledge you as my son!" He bit out spitefully.
A cold rippling sensation shot through Harry's entire body; a feeling of frozen agony sliced at his now bleeding heart, when the announcement was made. Hermione turned and stared at James in alarm, then her eyes went to Ron, and they narrowed. The Three Broomsticks had suddenly gone from whispering to utterly silent at the public announcement.
Harry wasn't sure he could move, wasn't sure if he wanted too. He'd never known his father to say something like that in all his life. They'd never even had many difficult fights, but this. This was beyond belief, one thing doesn't go his way, and he turns spitefully.
"Harry…" The voice was quiet, but it was stern. "All I'm asking-"
Mustering up the last bit of courage he could to speak without bursting into tears, he turned and faced his father, "Is something I cannot do. You - can't handle it when one small matter does not go your way. You get scared and you turn and do stupid things - just like another Gryffindor we all know… you are not so far from Peter Pettigrew father…"
What happened next seemed to go by in extreme slow motion, Harry had not saw it coming until he felt it, an earth shattering crash came baring down and forced its contact with Harry in a sharp and painful backhand to the right side of the face, that sounded as if a fish had slapped against icy cold water. Cries of horror rippled; the red hot searing pain flared, his vision blurred with black, white, and watery spots, the impact on his smaller frame had caused him to stagger backward; he would have fallen to the ground had it not been for female hands coming out to secure him.
Screams rampaged through the room, and while Harry was being righted up by Luna; Hermione struck like only a furious mother would if they had harmed her very own blood child.
"Aspergo Unda!" She hissed, her wand pointed straight at James, and before the flushed, angry, and surprised father at his own physical violence could react, a powerful spray of icy cold water shot out and pushed the older Potter back, ignoring the demands to stop from Madame Rosemerta. "You stupid - ignorant - idiot you! You ever touch my Harry again, I'll do worse, I don't care who you are!" she then whirled around on the redhead who looked as if he wanted to help Harry, but when he saw the wrath in Hermione's brown eyes, he took a step backwards, "And you! Of all the people, Harry's not stupid! But he never once believed that it was you who would be so cold and cruel as to start this, over a stupid, petty, feud that virtually has nothing to do with you!" Instead of cursing him, she reared back and slapped him just like James did Harry. "Harry's right, the only problem you two have is your ridiculous, childish, selfishness, and pitiful attempts to patch up that pride that has been wounded. Get over it; it's not your life." Her voice had raised so much it nearly cracked.
The Three Broomsticks could not believe what they were witnessing today. Madam Rosemerta was standing by with horror on her face, while Draco swiftly left the scene to get back to Hogwarts. There were reporters, who had stopped in mid-scribble of on their parchments to listen to the angry witch. The rest of the room was in utter disbelief.
By this time, Harry had come to his senses; ignoring the massive spot of pain that threatened to explode in his heart, and the burning red and purplish mark that was gracing the side of his otherwise pale face, he straightened, staggered to Hermione. The room flinched, and some of the room even called out to Harry, to warn him about getting harmed again, but as soon as he touched Hermione's hand, the girl turned to him and cupped his cheeks, in the most loving of ways.
"Oh, you poor thing-" she said, in a whimper. "Come on! Let's get you out of here…" Harry said nothing, as she pulled a silky cloak from her bag, and nudged Harry out the door and kicked the first reporter that tried to follow.
"HARRY!" Was the last thing, Harry heard James say.
"Come on, Harry." They ignored the look from people who walked by; Hermione did all the work leading him around the Three Broomsticks until they weren't in view of others. Hermione wrapped the invisibility cloak around the two of them. "Harry?" She whispered making sure the sheer cloak fit them perfectly. "Please, Har, talk to me?"
Harry shook his head and lowered his head, the pain in his chest had become too much. It was restricting and he felt as if he had no room left for anymore pain that swelled. The tears fell and he brought his hands to his face and shielded them, wincing at the pain in his cheek.
"Oh, Harry!" Hermione could only use one hand, to touch him. She had to keep them cloaked and from the viewers of others. "Come on, let's get back to Honeydukes and then we can go through the cellar to Hogwarts."
Harry couldn't respond for he was consumed with pain and turmoil. A type of turmoil, he had never felt before in his life.
It took all of thirty minutes to get back through the cellar of Honeydukes; they came out of the one-eyed witch. Hermione staggered first, and helped Harry out, her hands gingerly holding the broken teen close, as she tapped her wand against the nose of the witch and it sealed shut. "Come on Harry." whispered Hermione, guiding him through the halls.
Harry lowered his head and made his hair fall forward into his face to block the view of his stinging bruise. He hiccupped twice and lost his breath on countless occasions. The boy's prefect bathroom was free of all people, so they took advantage of that and entered the lavish bathroom. Hermione put the cloak up, she was shaking her head, and tears were in her eyes but her hands remained steady as they ran a washcloth underneath the warm water tap. He just leaned against the sink and stared downward unfocused on the floor. Hermione pushed his hair back and tended to his the bruise. "Look up for me-" She said softly. She smiled when he did. "There you go-" she said, wincing when Harry flinched harshly. "Oh, I'm so sorry,"
The two were unaware that another occupied had slid the tapestry of the prefect bathroom aside and slid in.
Harry swallowed and wiped the tears that fell, "We- well, I, I've made my decision and I stand by it."
"He's just being an idiot." whispered Hermione. "He doesn't mean it, and when your mum finds out - she will kill him - literally."
Harry shrugged a shoulder; he heaved two swift breaths trying not to start crying again, "H- he never listens to me anyway." Harry closed his eyes. "H- He h- hears what he wants and sees what he wants nothing more and nothing less." He coughed, and shook his head. "I- I'm not changing m- my decision."
"And you shouldn't have too." scowled Hermione, "Turn for me?" Her voice had gone down a hundred notches again to the tenderness she truly possessed. Harry shifted so that she could brush against the side of the face, she sighed, "I don't know any healing spells-" she said sorrowfully. "None that will get rid of this anyway- he hit you hard-" Her face flushed angrily when she said this.
"Harry." said a low voice from behind them.
Harry jumped, and Hermione grasped his arm and looked over to see Professor Snape standing there. "Professor!" squeaked Hermione, her eyes widening.
Severus tried to look at Harry's face but the teen concealed himself with one eye closed and the other was staring at Hermione's blouse unseeing.
"Harry?" He walked over, and grasped the teen's shoulder. Harry flinched, "Look up at me." demanded Severus.
With a resigned breath Harry raised his head and brushed his black hair away from his face. Harry's bruise was swirling with tan brown, purple, red, and black. It was humongous it covered the lower part of his eye and all of his cheek.
Severus looked surprised at the damage, "Draco told us something happened - but he wasn't clear. Did Potter senior do this?" He didn't need to ask the question to know the answer.
Harry frowned and looked down, but Severus refused to allow the teen to do such and raised his chin, "Harry? Answer me."
Harry moved his face from Severus and nodded, "Yeh."
"Oh, it was a horrible scene! I could have killed them!" said Hermione, going angry once again.
"Come, Lucius is looking for you."
Harry cringed openly, as Hermione gathered up the invisibility cloak and turned the running taps off. She wrapped her arm around Harrys and held onto one side of him; while Severus touched the boy's back and led them out of the prefect bathroom. Harry kept his head down and the left side of his face covered from anyone who was to walk by them.
They only had to go one floor up, but the walking felt like eternity. He found himself unconsciously leaning into Severus trying to control his emotions. Severus didn't even tap against the office door. They entered the very familiar office. Harry sank down in Lucius' usual seat; his head drooped down, to where his chin was against his chest. Hermione came around and gathered up his hair with her thin fingers, while Severus went over to the fireplace, "Lucius!" He called, after he threw some powder into the blaze.
Harry didn't know the timeframe, but before he knew it Hermione's hands left his hair and she was talking rapidly, but he was too distraught to understand her words. All he felt was those familiar bare hands which touched just under his neck.
"Be careful, Professor. It's pretty bad-" said Hermione, reaching out as Lucius lowered himself slightly and pushed Harry's chin up.
The sight caused Lucius' eyes to widen, Harry shook his head and tried to look back down but Lucius wasn't having it.
He held Harry's face steady, and caressed the edges of the bruise. "Severus?"
"I have a potion. But, don't you think the Headmaster ought to see this?"
"I'm sure it'll be in the papers in the morning. Harry doesn't need anymore humiliation."
"All violence against students must be reported."
Lucius rolled his eyes, "It will be, believe me, Severus." said the man fiercely. "Get me that potion. I'm not letting him walk out like this."
"Very well." said Severus, sweeping out of the room.
Lucius brushed Harry's hair out of the way and pressed a kiss to his lips, he needn't ask if Harry was alright, for he very well knew he was not.
Harry's eyes fluttered closed and the stinging temporarily left his face as he felt Lucius' kiss along his trembling lips. Harry brought his hands up to touch him; his body begging for affection.
"I apologise-" said Lucius, parting from him.
Harry shook his head swiftly, "Don't." said Harry, his voice going from non-existence to firm. "Don't be sorry, because I'm not."
Lucius gazed at him with a look of astonished approbation. Although, he honestly should not be so surprised at Harry's fierce determination, he was after all a wizard who ran on his heart and always answered to it rather than his logic.
That's what made Lucius unconsciously wrap himself around the feeling teen's finger. It could also lead back to stubbornness.
Most likely both.
Lucius gave him a small smile, and tilted his head so that he could see the bruise better, "Damn, what was he thinking?"
The young girl in the room who had been silent the entire time snorted, "You answered your own question, Professor."
Lucius gave a half-hearted nod, "Stand up for a moment, Harry." When he stood, Lucius sat down and grimaced as his knees popped. He pulled Harry down onto his knee, and he curled up with his unblemished cheek pressing against Lucius' chest. Hermione was sat in the hard chair just opposite of the desk, staring at Harry with concern. "Where is that abominable man?" asked Lucius, speaking of Severus.
"Want me to go get him, Professor?" asked Hermione.
"There's no need." said Severus, sweeping through the room and right behind was a very concerned Professor Dumbledore.
"I should have known." said Lucius dryly.
Harry's head raised and he grimaced, when Dumbledore's light blue fell on the bruise. "Oh, dear, dear, dear. James really outdid himself this time."
Lucius arched an eyebrow, "I figured the first thing out of your mouth was a pink termination slip."
Dumbledore crossed the room to the desk, "Why would I do such a ridiculous thing, Lucius?" He shook his head, his beard twitching. "You ought to know me better than that, my child."
Lucius pursed his lips together, at being called, 'child' but he said nothing and looked at him with mild curiosity when Dumbledore took the potion from Severus personally, uncorked it, and then asked Harry to take it. He brushed against the boy's hair, as he took the potion, and quickly downed the revolting contents.
"How would I know? In most cases a student and teacher relationship is forbidden." said Lucius, slowly.
"Do you want me to fire you?" asked Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, as he watched Harry's face heal up.
"Most certainly not." scowled Lucius darkly. "How am I to know what goes on in that - head of yours."
Dumbledore smiled, "Well, then, Lucius do not worry yourself over this. For one Harry is of age to date whom ever he chooses and for another who am I to interfere with a relationship? No matter the circumstances."
"Not to mention, Harry's your favourite." commented Severus, with more amusement than accusing in his voice.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled but he didn't deny it, while Harry blushed and tried hard not to smile. "Harry? How are you feeling?"
Harry sat up properly, his fingers brushing against his cheek. Although, the bruise was gone he could still feel the sting against his sensitive flesh. He shrugged, "I don't know." He didn't want to tell everyone how he felt. He was feeling betrayed and hurt. His father's words and Ron's betrayal just cut him so deeply. They were equally bad as one another. Harry was unsure if he could ever forgive Ron for what he caused now, for betraying his confidence in that sort of way.
And his father? Harry didn't know what to do about that. He had a feeling that it would never be repairable; it would always be stiff whenever in the vicinity of one another. Eventually, James may apologise and Harry would accept but this one time feeling of betrayal would be unforgettable. A person could forgive but to forget was something that would take a whole lot of time and in the end - it would never leave the subconscious mind.
Dumbledore gave him a tender smile, and cupped his cheek with his hand, "James did not mean what he said. He would never mean a word of that. He blows up without giving any logical thought ahead of time." He said, softly. "I will be inquiring to James as to why he harmed a student, not just his son. It is my duty to make sure my students are kept safe."
Harry groaned, "Don't make this into something any bigger than what it already is going to be made out to be Headmaster."
"Oh no, dear, nothing public. I assure you. I believe after your mother has had her say with him, he will have had enough bleeding ears to be going on with."
Harry sighed and his shoulders sagged, "I just wished people hadn't found out this way." he said, feeling Lucius' hands rub up and down his back. It was a nice soothing feeling. "It wasn't proper."
"Had to come out sometime and unfortunately your father decided to make a few moronic decisions." said Lucius.
Harry looked over his shoulder at Lucius, "You're not the least bit upset?" He was surprised, with the way the conversation ran between him and his father. He was sure, Lucius knew everything.
"No, I am not, Harry. It was out of your control. I do not think anything could have prepared you for what happened." Lucius' hand ran up the back of Harry's neck and brushed against the skin with his thumb and middle finger.
There was a tap at the door, and then a click. "Father? Did you find, Harry-" Draco stopped when he saw the room full of people and Harry sitting on his father's lap. "Apparently so." Draco assessed Harry, and then glanced over at Hermione. "That was wicked what you did."
Everyone looked to Hermione, who blushed. "What did you do Hermione?" asked Dumbledore curiously.
She hesitated, "Uh - well-" She looked down at her shoes.
Draco laughed, "It was the best! She slapped Weasley and then she cursed Harry's father. He so did not see that coming."
Severus blinked and stared over at Hermione, who was turning into a candy red apple. "They deserved it and I would do it again-" She looked up defensively.
"I was too blind to see." said Harry, remembering the blurred vision.
Dumbledore left the office soon after, followed by Hermione and Draco. "Do you have my cloak?" asked Harry, closing his eyes and resting himself against Lucius.
"Yes, I do Harry." said Hermione, pulling it out of the bag that was hanging about her neck and arm. "Want it?"
"No, just making sure you got it."
"I'll put it in my trunk." Afterwards she kissed Harry's cheek and then nodded to the two Slytherin professors before heading out of the room.
"Come Harry, let's go to the room." said Lucius, in as soft of a voice as he could, due to the flashing anger in his eyes. He gave Severus a look that could kill, when Harry disappeared through the portrait, "Potter has a lot to own up too." hissed Lucius to his friend, before spinning around and disappearing through the portrait.