AN: The muse is unforgiving and hasn't really told me anything, so the chapter is a little vague and short. To those who've been counting on regular Monday updates, you'll be disappointed yet again. I honestly don't have the fortitude to write so frequently and am going to be updating slower, probably once a month or so. Sorry fans, but Real Life has priority.
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Chapter 12. Negotiations
With the hostilities inside the castle and outside a raging war, many of the teachers curriculum relied heavily on the more defensive and offensive magic. School books contained many of the more dangerous spells that peace time never saw. Dark creatures were heavily studied and protective measures were stressed in every class, be it Potions or flying. Healing class was encouraged to be taken by all graduates as healers were a vital part of any community at war. But more importantly everyone was expected to work together to defeat the threat of Voldemort. All, but the Slytherins that is. It would be safe to say that if it had been possible for the magical community of Hogwarts to expel every Slytherin from the school, this would have been done. Even during the fight between the founders the fighting hadn't been this bad. The situation was at a stand still nothing could be done one way or the other.
In this time of uncertainty, Severus' and Harry's relationship was a shining target for comments inside Slytherin and Hogwarts corridors. Harry was largely regarded as an eccentric, but powerful Light-sympathizer and Severus as a perfect Slytherin who hadn't really chosen any side as his own. This little difference between the two, made many Slytherins cautious. Harry would have been an ideal gathering point for those Slytherins who wanted to defy their families and public opinion and support the Light. The only hiccup was his relationship with Severus. Severus had always been attracted to the Dark, be it the Dark Arts or the darker aspects of magical knowledge. That fact was well known in Slytherin. It was that point that made Harry's station as a Light wizard so very interesting. He seemed to be totally Light, but his association with Severus suggested otherwise. Little comments and insulations were made by many Slytherins as they flogged to Harry in search of safety in his dubious care. Harry didn't have the funds to properly help the Slytherins in need, but he had the magical power, knowledge and connections to try to get a few out of danger.
Severus knew that Harry had never been rich, but strangely he seemed to always get by. Severus was aware that Harry had permission to stay at Hogwarts for summers because of his fennsey companion's care and proximity. What he didn't find out about until later, was the odd jobs Harry did for the Groundskeeper Hagrid on those summers. It wasn't until fifth year that he realised that all Harry's money came from these odd jobs and only the trust fund that provided for orphan muggleborns, paid for his tuition and housing at Hogwarts. Every little gift was made twice dearer for this fact alone. But what Harry lacked in funds, he more than made up for connections. It seemed that every truly important person in the magical community knew of Harry or was indebted to him in some way. This made him a very dangerous adversary for those who crossed his path. And satisfied Severus' Slytherin self preservation and protective impulses as he sometimes worried about Harry's future wellbeing.
The depressive atmosphere at Hogwarts made for frustrated wizards and witches, some wanting to do something, anything just to make some progress in the war. To end it, one way or the other. A vast majority was tired of all the fighting and was even now demanding for a solution. Many of the magical world didn't care anymore who won as long as the war ended.
The war had halted into a stand still after the Battle of Huntington where Lord Voldemort was said to have been driven back by Dumbledore for the first time. No one really knew what had really happened in the battle, but it was followed by a worrisome calm that made everyone nervous. A calm that screamed trouble for the Light side.
TBC…