Chapter Eighteen
When the Christmas break finally arrived, Harry and Hermione went ahead to the Manor. Harry had invited her to spend a few days there before she went to her parents'. Snape was going to join them the next day, as he had a few things to get settled before leaving the school until January.
It was the first time Harry had Apparated on his own to the Manor, and it was the farthest he'd Apparated at all. Hermione laughed as he checked himself over to make sure he'd left nothing behind.
"What?" Harry grumbled, once he was certain he was altogether there. He took her by the hand as they passed through the wards. They still felt stable, and he was surprised he could still feel them at all.
Hermione gasped. "Harry, this place is huge!"
Harry laughed. "That's what I said."
"Absolutely beautiful," she continued in a breathy whisper. She tugged his hand. "I want to see. Come on!"
Harry let Hermione drag him up the dirt path towards the large building.
"Where's the garden you planted?" she asked, looking over the grounds.
"Around the side, I'll show you before the sun sets. Right now I want to see if the portraits are out yet," he said, placing his palm on the door, causing it to open.
"What do you mean 'out'?" Hermione asked, stepping through the door.
Remember that fight I had with Ron? Because he wouldn't tell me what Thelonious said...at least I think it was Thelonious. Anyway, the people in the portraits all disappear when Snape and I are here. I was hoping they might show themselves this time."
"That's very odd," Hermione said, turning to hang up her cloak on a coat hook. "Normally they are more obedient to the master of the household, much like the house elves."
"Well, clearly mine are used to being self reliant because they're being bloody obnoxious!" Harry shouted the last bit down the entry hall.
A disgruntled snort could be heard off to Harry's left and he glared. "There's no need to shout, young man. Our ears work perfectly fine."
Harry whirled to face the portrait, expecting it to be empty, but there was man there, sneering down his nose at Harry.
"You're there!" Harry said, surprised.
"Of course I am here, and you are there."
Harry bristled. When he said he'd hoped they'd be out and about, he hadn't hoped to be insulted. Hermione laid a hand on his arm and he shot her an irritated look. He could be pissed off if he wanted to be.
"Don't act like you've been there all along," Harry said irritably. "Has everyone finished hiding now?"
"Depends on what you mean by hiding. Are we all out in the open? Then yes, for the most part, we are all here."
Harry dashed to the stairs, hoping to see Thelonious in his portrait.
Only when he got there a little girl resided in the frame playing with a doll. He tried not to act too put out and smiled when she looked up at him.
"Harry!" The girl cried in delight, Harry suspected she was around five. "Your mummy always talks about you! But she didn't say you were so big!"
"My mum?" Harry asked, feeling as though the breath had been knocked from his lungs. "My mum is here?"
"Of course." She giggled at his dumbfounded expression and for once he was glad that Hermione had kept up with him and was by his side because he felt ready to fall over.
Her fingers interlaced with Harry's and he squeezed her hand tightly in return. "Do you know where she is? Where I can find her?"
The girl giggled again and shook her head. Ringlets of black fell across her face as she clapped her hands over her mouth. Looking around her, the little girl crawled forward and beckoned Harry closer.
"You've got to find it first," she whispered conspiratorially.
"Find what?" Harry asked, keeping his voice low as he played along.
She shook her head again with a giggle. "The hallway, silly."
Harry glanced at Hermione, wondering if that made any sense to her.
"Harry has to find where her portrait is hung? On his own?" Hermione asked gently.
"Yes, in the hallway," the little girl repeated. She looked to her right and yelled, "Coming, papa! I have to go. 'Bye!" she cried and skipped out of the frame.
"Wait!" Harry shouted, but the girl had already vanished and could be heard humming at the top of the stairs.
"Do you know what hallway she was talking about?" Hermione asked.
"No, it could be any one of them! The portraits have all been empty; she could be in any of them!" Harry cried, wanting to pound the wall in frustration.
Hermione grasped his shoulder and squeezed. "It's all right, we'll find it. There are only so many places it could be."
Harry turned with a desperate expression on his face. "You have no idea. I was here for a month and I still haven't seen all of this place."
"We've got nothing else to do," Hermione said, trying to keep her voice hopeful.
"You're sure you want to help me with this?"
Hermione rolled her eyes and sighed. "Harry, I came to spend time with you at your home. If I get to meet your mother it will be an honor, even if she is just a portrait."
Harry grinned.
"Now come on," she urged, nudging him with her elbow. "I don't even know how many floors this place has, let alone how to get anywhere."
"I still don't know how to get places," Harry said, laughing. "Alright, let's go and find my mum!"
Two hours later, they sat in the kitchen, Harry brooding over his tea and Hermione trying to get him to eat something.
"We'll find it, Harry. At least you know it's here!"
"I wish I knew why it was here though," Harry sighed, resting his head on his palm.
"I doubt your mother's portrait is here alone, Harry. I have the feeling your father's is here too."
Harry gazed at her in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"It's just a theory, but I doubt your mother would have her own portrait in your family home, even though she did marry in. She was raised as a Muggle, her first wizarding portrait would have been one done for your parents' wedding."
"Oh," Harry said, blinking as he processed the information. "Both my parents. That would be...brilliant," he said, grinning.
A few seconds later, his face fell. "If I can find them, that is."
Hermione reached across the table and gripped his hand. "We'll find them, Harry. If only because I doubt they can wait to speak with you either."
The rest of the day and most of the evening had been spent exploring the Manor and searching for the portraits. If Harry heard, "I'm sorry, but you have to find it yourself," one more time he was going to burn the whole lot of them.
It was late now and he had shown Hermione to the room she'd be sleeping in for the next few days. The candles were dim in their holders in respect for the sleeping residents of the paintings. Harry missed Hermione's presence, even though he could now take time to think on his own.
The futile search had left him drained, but he couldn't sleep.
He walked along the darkened corridors, trailing a finger along the cool walls. He felt numb and exhausted, but he couldn't go back to bed. It was just like wandering the halls of Hogwarts late at night; a distraction.
He turned down another corridor, and slowly came to a halt. Bewildered, he looked around at the sheets covering some of the paintings and at the thick layer of dust on the floor. He rubbed his fingers together, smearing dirt and dust between them, before wiping them off on his pajamas. Why hadn't the house elves cleaned this mess up, he wondered, moving forward again cautiously.
The sheets were just adding to his unease, so he began pulling them off one by one, revealing the paintings underneath. All of them were pictures of the interior of some building with hundreds of people bustling around in each.
Harry watched as someone carrying a platter of food tripped and fell sending the food flying. The figure hurried to pick things up, but someone had seen the mishap and was now making it worse by grinding the food into the floor. Harry watched as the figure gazed on in distress before trying to chip the food off the stone floor with his fingers only to have them stomped upon by the same man who had smeared the food.
"Will you leave him alone?" Harry snapped, flushing when everyone in the picture stilled to look at him.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Leave him alone!" Harry repeated.
The man scowled, digging the toe of his boot into the servants hand once more before backing off. "As you wish," the man sneered, before storming away into the portrait beside his.
"Are you alright?" Harry asked the servant who was cradling his hand against his chest.
"Y-yes," the man stammered. "Thank you."
Harry nodded, and looked around at the sea of faces all of whom were waiting to see what he'd say next. A younger girl who looked to be about eleven moved forward. She curtsied low much to Harry's bemusement. "Your majesty, I must thank you for putting Jasphar in his place. We have been wanting him gone for a long time."
"Uh, you can just call me Harry," he said, smiling at the girl.
The girl looked scandalized. "Sir, I could not possibly!"
"No, really; please, please call me Harry," he begged, and then paused. "What is your name?"
"Mary. Mary Miller," she said. "It has been so long since anyone has been in residence. We are all very excited."
"Why were your paintings all covered in sheets?" Harry then asked, gesturing down the corridor to the ones he had yet to reveal.
"The elves did not notice this corridor. It is under a magical protection and the other portraits are not allowed to speak of it. This is the wing for the Royal Family, and is therefore off limits to outsiders. But you are not an outsider," she finished, beaming at Harry.
Harry wrinkled his nose and sighed. He should have known. "Are all the paintings like these three?"
"No," Mary answered, blonde curls bobbing as she shook her head. "Further down the hall are a few large family portraits and some individual ones. Your mother and father have been hoping you would find your way here. They have been—"
"Mum and Dad are down here?" Harry interjected, hope flaring.
Mary smiled. "Of course they are."
"But how? I mean," Harry broke off in thought. "Why is their portrait here in the manor? Severus said my dad didn't even know this place existed."
"He did not, but all portraits are magically duplicated to go to the family home along with wherever you wish the original to hang."
"How far down? Where are they?" Harry asked excitedly.
Mary laughed. "They are at the end of the hall, the third to last painting on the left, beside the door."
"Thank you, Mary," Harry said, giving a little wave before running down the hall and stopping at the third to last painting. Feeling unaccountably nervous, he wiped his damp palms on his thighs before taking the sheet and slowly pulling it from the frame.
"It's about time," Lily scolded gently as the last of the white sheet fell from the frame.
"Mum," Harry said, a bit breathless. He was embarrassed that his eyes were welling up. They were here!
"Hey, what about me? Giving your mum all the attention, some blokes might get jealous," James teased, dodging a blow as Lily made to swipe at his head.
"Hi, Dad," Harry said, grinning so wide his cheeks were beginning to ache. "I can't believe you're both here."
Lily managed to smack James once hard against the chest before answering. "We've been waiting ages to see you, love."
"If I had known about any of this, I would have come sooner," Harry said. "Nobody would tell me anything."
"You had to find this place on your own."
"It's a rite of passage," James supplied promptly, but his face fell. "One which I decided to ignore."
"Then you know? I won't have to explain all this insanity?" Harry asked, relieved he wouldn't have to start at the beginning.
"I imagine it came as quite a surprise," James said, looking sheepish.
"Quite a surprise?" Harry repeated. "I passed out."
James laughed and Lily shoved him. "Stop laughing at your son," she scolded.
James tried to school his features, but Harry could tell he was still trying not to laugh.
Harry shook his head. "It's not funny. You'd pass out too if you suddenly discovered you were royalty."
"Is Severus with you?" Lily asked.
"Who cares, he's here with a girl," James said, grinning at Harry. "Is she your girlfriend?"
"She's my best friend," Harry stressed. "And she's my best mate's girlfriend. I couldn't touch her even if I wanted to, and I don't."
"So where is Severus?" Lily asked again, and this time Harry picked up the concern in her voice.
"He's coming. He had some things to take care of so he doesn't have to go back until January," Harry assured her.
"Harry, I know you've got no choice in this, but once the bonding is done, you never have to let him touch you again," James told him, and his fists were clenching at his side. "Nobody would blame you."
"What if I want him to?" Harry shot back, becoming irritated.
"But you don't," James said with confidence, "so it's a moot point."
"Can't wait, actually," Harry said, taking a perverse pleasure in seeing his father's reaction. This wasn't how he had planned his first conversation with his parents would go.
"Harry. James," Lily chided, and Harry backed down.
"Sorry."
"It sounds like things are going well then," Lily continued, smiling. "Thelonious and Carlisle will be pleased."
"Wait, what?" Harry yelped his face colouring so fast his dad started to laugh again.
Lily smirked and tossed some of her hair over her shoulder. "Did you honestly expect them not to be interested in this?"
"I didn't expect them to have portraits."
"They're looking forward to meeting you. Both of you," Lily added, laughing.
"I'll never be able to look them in the eye," Harry moaned.
"Carlisle's not so bad, Thelonious is a prat though," James said, earning him a look from Lily. "Oh come on, Lil, you know he can be a stubborn bastard. If it wasn't for him, we could have seen Harry the first time he was here."
"Be that as it may, he's still a good man and you know that, James." Lily smiled down at Harry. "I believe you met his daughter earlier."
"I did?" Harry asked confused.
"The little black-haired brat," James added, earning a sharp pinch that made him yelp. "Lil!"
Harry glared at his father, wondering if he was always such a prat. "She was nice. If it wasn't for her, I may never have found my way here."
"Wait she told you?" Lily asked worriedly.
Harry shook his head. "No; but she mentioned talking to you. She didn't tell me you were here." He gestured around the hall.
"Ah, that's alight then."
"Then her papa called her away, so I'm guessing it wasn't a surprise to Thelonious at all," Harry added.
"He's a bit impatient," Lily said, smiling.
"I think your mum has a crush on him," James added, tugging gently on Lily's hair.
"I think you're delusional," Lily countered with a small smile.
Harry grinned and sat down on the floor. He leaned back on his palms and just listened to his parents bicker.
There was no sign of Harry when Hermione got up the next morning, and she assumed he was either having a lie in, or outside somewhere. She went to the kitchen and made herself tea and toast, then went to the library to examine the shelves.
After an hour of browsing, she left with two tomes in her hands and an eager expression. The books in Harry's library were rare, and she doubted she'd ever get the chance to get her hands on half of them ever again. She deposited her finds in her room and set off to find Harry once more.
After searching for fifteen minutes and still not finding Harry anywhere, her worry increased. The house was huge, yes, but Harry wasn't willing to split up last night, so the idea that he would wander about by himself made little sense. She hadn't spotted him outside, and the fresh layer of snow was undisturbed.
An hour later, she had become a bit frantic. When she heard the door to the entrance hall open and close, she hurried in that direction.
"Harry! You had me worried! Where were – oh, hello, Professor," she said, blushing. "Is Harry with you?"
"No," Snape answered shortly as he hung his own traveling cloak beside Hermione's, "and nor should he be."
Hermione tugged at a lock of her hair. "I can't seem to find him."
"It's a big house," Snape said, brushing passed her.
"No, you don't understand, I haven't seen him since last night!" Hermione cried, following after him.
Snape froze. "And you just thought to tell me this now, you foolish girl."
Hermione bounced up and down a bit. "I thought saying he was missing was self explanatory!"
Snape went to grab his cloak.
"He's got to be inside somewhere; I already looked around the outside, there were no footprints in the snow," Hermione told him, wishing he would just hold still and actually listen to her for five seconds.
Snape growled and swung around to face her again. "Tell me exactly what you were doing yesterday."
Hermione told him about the search for his parents' portraits and that when she went to bed, she'd assumed Harry had gone too.
Snape stormed to the nearest portrait, which happened to be of a young maid. "Where is Potter?" he snapped, causing the girl to cower.
"Hush, Severus."
Snape stepped back, stunned. "Lily?" She looked just as she had the last time Snape had seen her.
Lily smiled. "You look well, Severus."
"As do you," Snape replied, blinking stupidly for a moment. "Granger seems to have lost your son. Do you know where he is? Is he alright?"
"He's fine. He was sleeping when I left to come and find Hermione."
"How do you—Harry told you," Hermione trailed off.
"He said you've been a wonderful friend," Lily said, smiling gently at Hermione. "Thank you."
"Where is Potter?" Snape asked through clenched teeth. He wanted to see for himself that the brat was okay.
"Calm down, he's fine. I already told you."
"Evans."
"Oh for goodness sake, Severus." Lily shook her head in exasperation. "Follow me then."
With a last scowl at Hermione, Snape followed Lily along the walls until they reached the dusty old corridor, Hermione following after. Harry was sitting on the floor, his back against the wall, apparently sound asleep.
They watched as Lily walked through the paintings along the walls until she settled in the one beside Harry's head.
"Harry, love, it's time to get up."
Harry didn't so much as stir.
"Potter! Wake up!" Snape said much louder, causing Harry to scramble up, reaching for his wand.
"What happened? What's wrong?" His gaze darted around the room frantically, searching for the unknown danger. When he realized where he was he lowered his wand and glared. "Git."
"That's what you get for worrying me," Snape replied, smirking.
"Leave him alone, Snape," James warned, causing Snape to whirl.
"Or what? You'll throw paint chips at me?" Snape taunted.
James bristled and Harry could almost sense the impending explosion. He held his head in both his hands as he tried to fend off the headache he was developing. "Can you please not fight until I'm awake?"
Snape turned his attention to Harry. "I'll not stand for his insults," he growled.
"Then don't, but I wasn't only talking to you either."
"Don't put Harry in the middle of your old, petty arguments," Lily warned, glaring at the two men in turn. "James, why don't you go and tell Thelonious that Severus has returned."
"I'm sure he already knows," James answered, still glaring at Snape.
"James, please," Lily repeated, looking meaningfully at Harry.
With a final sneer at Snape, James disappeared from the portrait.
"What are you doing back already?" Harry asked once James was out of sight. "I thought you were busy."
Snape looked between Hermione and Lily before answering. "Perhaps I missed your company," he said stiffly.
Harry's smile was dazzling. "I'll eat my shoe if that's the truth."
"How would you like it prepared?" Snape asked, smiling. "I'm sure some barbeque sauce might help with the taste."
Harry laughed, and scrubbed at his face. He glanced up at his mum who had moved back into his view.
"How long was I here?"
"All night, love."
Harry blinked in surprise.
"And I couldn't find you, so I'm glad Professor Snape came back early," Hermione said, not masking her irritation. She smacked Harry on the arm. "You shouldn't make me worry!"
"I'm sorry!" Harry yelped.
"You should be."
"If I could speak to Potter alone for a moment, I would be most pleased," Snape said, keeping his as calm as well as he could.
"I'll return to the library. Come and find me when you're done, Harry." She kissed him on the cheek and disappeared down the long hallway.
Snape held out a hand, pulling Harry up, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him close. "I did miss your company," Snape murmured into Harry's neck. He looked pointedly at Lily.
"Oh fine, I'll go and see what's taking James so long," Lily said, exiting the portrait.
Harry chuckled, wrapping his arms around Snape and gripping the back of his shirt. "I'm not going to eat a shoe."
"I'm sure I could find you something much more pleasant to eat," Snape replied, pressing his hips against Harry's. Harry looked at Snape's face, wide-eyed and grinning.
"Do you like that? To do that, I mean?" Harry asked. He felt Snape shiver as he answered.
"Yes, I love doing that, very, very much."
Harry groaned softly. The dead silence caused him to look around. All the people in the paintings were staring openly, many with wide grins and nods of approval. Harry blushed, and buried his face against Snape's neck. "We need to get out of this hallway."
"There's a door down here, let's try there," Snape said, taking Harry by the hand and leading him down the corridor. He opened the door and they stepped inside.
The room was every bit as dust-covered as the hallway but twice as musty and Harry sneezed violently.
Snape banished the majority of the dust with his wand, pulling Harry inside. He kicked the door closed and tugged Harry to him again, this time kissing him hungrily, placing his hands on Harry's hips and pulling them flush with his own.
Harry grasped at Snape's shoulders as he tilted his head to the side and parted his lips.
"I really did miss you," Snape murmured, kissing along the juncture between Harry's neck and shoulder. "Thinking about you was distracting me, making me useless," he nipped the skin with his teeth, "so I came to claim you."
"You did finish what you had to do though, didn't you?" Harry asked, hoping Snape would say yes. Now that Snape was here he didn't want him to leave again.
"Mmm, yes, it's good enough," Snape said, resting his forehead on Harry's shoulder, trying to gain control of his libido.
"I told you they would be fine, Carlisle," a silky voice drolled from the wall.
Harry jerked away from Snape so fast the man almost lost his balance.
"Jumpy." Harry craned his neck, trying to find the portrait that had spoken. "Clearly your descendant."
"That is enough, Thelonious."
"And that would be yours," Snape said, scowling at the two men in the portrait who were looking far too amused. He snorted, studying the two men in the portrait who were in turn studying him.
"This would be the King and his Steward then?" Thelonious asked with a wry smile.
"Thelonious, stop being so irksome," Carlisle chided, his eyes sparkling.
"Don't worry. Snape is the most irksome person I know," Harry told them, grinning at Snape.
"Cheek, brat," Snape warned, studying the men in the portrait.
"I can see you're as respectful of your king as my steward was to me. Which is to say, not at all," Carlisle said, grinning at Thelonious.
"Coddling doesn't build character," Snape replied, smirking.
"Do you suppose sarcasm can be passed down?" Harry queried.
"Well you've made a case for idiocy being passed down," Snape said, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement.
Carlisle grinned broadly. "I see you two are finally getting along."
"When are you going to complete the bonding ritual?" Thelonious asked, folding his arms across his chest in a manner very reminiscent of Snape.
"Christmas," Snape replied, "not that it's any of your concern."
Harry looked between the two of them.
"It is very much my concern," Thelonious replied, his hand going to the hilt of the sword belted at his waist. Carlisle put a restraining hand on his arm.
"It's between them, Thelonious, let it go," Carlisle warned.
"Harry!"
Harry watched as the same little girl from the night before appeared in the portrait. She clung to her father's leg, her thumb migrating to her mouth. "Da', do you see him?"
"Yes, love, I see him," Thelonious said, resting a hand on her curly black hair. The little girl waved to Harry and Snape, smiling. "Hi again!"
"Hello," Harry said, grinning.
"I'm 'sposed to get Harry. His mummy wants him."
"She does?"
"Uh huh, Miss Lily's nice, do you know her Da'?"
"Yes, Katherine." Thelonious scooped the little girl into his arms and kissed her hair. "Where did you leave James?"
"Jamie wouldn' come out," she explained to Harry with a knowing nod. "He's littler than me. He's shy."
"Maybe you should tell him that we're pretty nice and that we would love to meet him," Harry said, smiling at the little girl, causing her to giggle. "Do you think you could show me where my mum is?"
She grinned up at her dad, who set her on the ground. "This way, your majesty," she said, breaking into giggles again. Chuckling, Harry followed her from the room.
Once Harry was gone, Carlisle and Thelonious were both glaring at Snape. "How in the dark is he?" Thelonious asked.
Snape shrugged. "As much as he needs to be. He knows more than he did the last time we were here."
"So he understands the ritual?" Carlisle asked.
Snape shrugged. "I haven't seen fit to tell him."
"You need to tell him," Carlisle said.
"No, he doesn't," Thelonious answered. "Events are already in motion. It will do the boy no good to worry over things he cannot change."
"He has a right to know!"
"And it is my place to tell him, if I so choose," Snape informed them.
Thelonious nodded and Carlisle took a deep breath before agreeing. "Just don't put it off for too long."
"When the time is right, I will tell him," Snape replied.
"The time is closer than you would like," Carlisle warned. "There are four more days until Yule."
"I will handle this my own way," Snape reiterated.
"Go and find your mate," Thelonious said. "I don't think he was quite finished kissing you."
"Perhaps if we hadn't been so rudely interrupted…" Snape returned, glaring at the two men then leaving the room.
Carlisle grinned at Thelonious. "Speaking of kissing..."