Life Renovations
Chapter Six
All In The Family
They were in a garden now. The bright sun overhead illuminated every inch of the small paradise, chasing every shadow and imperfection away with the darkness; just as being with his parents now was doing to his heart and soul. Harry felt mostly cleansed of his troubles, his agitation, and all the angst presently in his life, and for this moment sitting amongst the grove of fruit trees and flower beds, side by side with his parents, he allowed himself to feel completely at ease, letting the peace of that feeling cocoon him. And with this peace came a new resolve.
"Mum, Dad, I have something to tell you."
"Go on then, Harry. We're listening."
"Yes, well…this is kind of hard to say to you…"
"Whatever it is, sweetheart, we will listen and try to understand. There's no reason to fear our reactions." His mum smiled at him while patting his hand. Harry turned his hand over so that their fingers laced together. Feeling her palm against his gave him an abundance of courage.
"Right, um…Well to get right to it, I can't be Dumbledore's puppet any longer. I don't like the way he does things or the way he treats his own people for the sake of the Greater Good. And to be honest, I'm not completely for the Greater Good. The Wizarding World needs to be protected and this won't happen if Dumbledore gets his way. Also, I feel that I'm not… I'm not exactly Light. I'm really sorry."
Lily and James shared a knowing look over his head before turning back to him. James dropped a hand onto his son's hunched shoulder. "Harry, there's no need for you to apologize. Have you forgotten that we've been watching over you, and that we see what Dumbledore has done?" he asked, and then went on without waiting for his son to answer. "Now that we're no longer living, we see more now than ever. And all we want is for you to be yourself and think for yourself. Don't be what Dumbledore wants you to be for the sake of the Greater Good. I'm very proud to know that you came to this decision on your own.
"And as for you not being exactly Light… I think that has something to do with your magical Inheritance, though we don't know what's going to happen. That's something we can't see yet. And Harry? We're dead. We are not going to judge you. All we want now is for you to be happy and live your own life."
Harry's eyes were shining as he looked at his father. "Really?" James nodded.
"Yes, you most certainly make the name Potter proud," Lily said gently squeezing his hand. Harry had to fight hard to keep himself from dissolving into tears and cleared his throat before speaking again.
"I have no idea what to say."
"That's alright. We understand." James suddenly looked up into the sky and frowned. "Lily, it's almost time."
Harry winced when his mother squeezed his hand so hard he thought it might break. Who knew a dead woman could be so strong? He felt a hand caress his cheek and looked over to find his mother with tears in her eyes, but she was smiling at him.
"Mum, please don't cry," he pleaded with her; though the thought of his parents leaving him again made his own eyes water and he tried to blink the tears away. He gathered her close in his arms and ran his hand reverently over her beautiful amber hair. "I'm so happy I got to see you."
"Harry, before we go there is something important I need you to do for me," Lily said to him, her tone suddenly very serious.
"Anything, Mum. You only need to ask." He was worried because his mother looked really tense. But then she sighed in contentment and was happily snuggled in between her son and husband when James put an arm around her in support. "What is it?"
"Harry love, sometime after you wake, Severus will come to have a very important discussion with you." Harry shot a glance at his father to find the older man with a sneer on his face when Snape's name was mentioned. "I only ask that you give him a chance and listen to what he has to say, and believe your father and I when we say that Severus is telling you the truth."
"The truth about what?"
"I dare say you'll soon find out. Now, there's also something else, something that has to do with my family…"
"Do we really need to tell him this, Lils?" James murmured, and received an angry glare from his wife. After that, his father wisely kept his mouth shut, though it was obvious to Harry that his father didn't like what he was about to be told.
"What? It can't be that bad…. Or wait, maybe I can guess?"
"You could try, but you'll not guess it in a million years."
"Our family is actually related to Slytherin?" Harry started to laugh, but quickly shut his mouth with a snap when he caught sight of the looks on his parents' faces. "That's not it, is it? You can't be serious!"
"Ha ha! No, Harry, but good guess," James said, chuckling. "Actually, the Potters are decedents of Gryffindor. Far stretched decedents but descendents none the less."
Harry stared at his father blankly for a good three minutes with his father staring straight-faced right back, only blinking every so often, before Harry finally shook his head in amusement. "Oh very funny. You almost had me there for a minute."
"James speaks the truth, love. You do have Gryffindor's blood in you."
"Oh." Really, what else was there for him to say? I mean, just…. really?
"Eloquent as always, son," James started to chuckle at the look on his son's face.
"Anyway, what your mother is getting at is that you are actually a pure blooded wizard."
"But Mum's a muggleborn, aren't you?"
"No dear, I was adopted as it turned out. When we… well when we died and moved on I was met by my biological mother. I was more than a little shocked, I must tell you."
"Oh, um…ok. Don't see why you'd have to be nervous to tell me that. I didn't care that you were a muggleborn or that I was a half-blood, so it really doesn't make much difference if I'm a pureblood, except now I have something to shove in Draco's face…" he trailed off with a dreamy smile on his face.
"Oh! Isn't it wonderful, James? Our baby is in love!"
"WHAT? No I'm really not. Where did that come from?"
"Like I said before, why did it have to be a Malfoy?"
"As if he had a choice," Lily whispered to herself before giggling. "Fate is Fate."
"But I'm not in love with anybody," Harry protested weakly, though he knew his parents wouldn't believe him by the looks on their faces. Well I'm not!
"Malfoys," James muttered.
"James…. you know that Lucius' son isn't that bad, and if Lucius would open his eyes a little and think logically about certain things, then he wouldn't be so bad either."
"I don't want to speak about Lucius Malfoy," James spat vehemently. "After what he did to Sirius-" he cut off and pressed his lips together, looking altogether furious. Harry wondered what exactly Malfoy had done to Sirius.
"What did he do?"
James shook his head forcibly and looked away. Lily squeezed Harry's hand. She looked at her husband. "Malfoy had no choice."
"Whatever, Lils. I don't want to talk about that wizard."
Harry looked back and forth between his parents and shook his head. "This is the weirdest conversation I've ever had. Scratch that, this entire situation is weird."
"You're right about that. Now," Lily smiled, "back to what I need to tell you."
"There's more?" Harry wasn't sure he wanted the conversation to go on.
"Yes. Now don't freak out," Oh, god! Harry thought, "but my biological mother's maiden name was Prince and I have a biological brother who is still alive."
There was a moment of silence where Harry registered what was said. "Wait, so you're telling me I'm not related to the Dursleys and that I have a living relative somewhere? This is fantastic! I can't wait to tell Siri—Did you say Prince?" Harry's face paled, and by the way his father's lips were stretched into a thin line, he knew his thoughts on that name were correct. Harry slowly raised himself to his feet and looked off towards the setting sun. "Are you trying to tell me that that snarky, slimy, greasy bastard IS MY UNCLE?" he really hadn't meant to yell that last part out, but he really couldn't help it. His father snorted as his description of Severus Snape.
"Harry, language! Watch how you speak about your uncle."
"But, Mum," Harry whined as he sank to his knees beside her, "Snape hates me! I'm sure he and Uncle Vernon are co presidents of the I Hate Harry Potter club."
"That fat bastard is not your uncle, Harry!" Lily's voice rose shrilly.
"Lily, language!" James mocked before turning to Harry. "I'm not happy about it either son, but it is the truth. Severus Snape is your uncle and you need to tell him."
"No way! He'll want to kill me! Besides, he wouldn't believe me anyway."
"That's why you're going to tell him about the journal our mother hid away before she died. She hid it under the first stepping-stone out of the back door at his old childhood home. Once he reads that, he'll have no choice but to believe. You really should give him a chance, both of you. He was a good friend and I wished it would have remained that way."
"It's my fault the relationship you both had ended. I'm sorry about that."
"Dad, I've always wanted to ask…."
"Why I was such a bastard to him?" Harry nodded. "Everything he told you about me is true I guess. I was a spoiled pampered immature boy who didn't know any better. I thought he was trying to take Lily away from me, even before we started seeing each other, not to mention the fact that he was using the Dark Arts for dark purposes."
"Isn't that what the Dark Arts are for?"
"There are other uses. I'm sure Snape wouldn't mind explaining it to you."
"Severus Snape is my uncle…did I mention how strange this all is?"
"Harry, one more thing. If he believes you and reads the journal, Severus is going to have a hard time coming to terms with this information. He is a hard man, but despite that, his heart is very fragile." Harry and James both snorted at this, and earned themselves a glare. "And this will take some time for him to come to terms with. It will be very hard for him, especially after what transpired the last time we spoke. I want you to promise me you'll give the wizard a chance, Harry."
Harry gritted his teeth, knowing perfectly well how Severus Snape was going to take this. Still… he was his uncle. He was family by blood. "I promise, Mum. But I'm telling you right now, he'll not want to be anywhere near me. Not only am I James Potter's son, but I'm also a Gryffindor, and you know how much he hates Gryffindors."
"Not all, apparently. He seems to have a thing for intelligent Gryffindor witches."
"James!" hissed Lily. James snickered. "We're giving too much away!"
James shrugged. "Not really. One more thing, Harry," he went on before Lily got started. "You'll be an adult soon, and not only will you receive your magical Inheritance, but you'll also receive your family inheritance. You are the sole Potter heir, and as you may or may not know, our family is very wealthy. The vault you have now is nothing compared to what you're going to get come your birthday. Among many other things, you'll receive the deeds and titles to all Potter estates…"
"Estates? As in plural?" Harry squeaked.
"Yes, and I'm giving you my permission to do with them what you will. Many of the homes are very well hidden and warded, and would be very useful if you needed a place to keep away from Dumbledore and the corrupt Ministry, and allow you to work on your ambitions." James leaned forward and gave him a conspiring wink, which took Harry back a bit.
"You know about the Sorting Hat wanting to put me in Slytherin?"
"Oh yes. Can't really say I was surprised as it tried to do the same to me."
"Really?"
"Yep, but I chose Gryffindor for reasons different from you. And despite what people think, the Slytherins are worthy allies when they want to be, and in most cases are more loyal than even Gryffindors. I'm sure your Draco could tell you that…"
"He's not my Draco! I don't know why you think I'm in love with him."
"Right, kiddo. Whatever you say. But just remember, we've been watching you. Watched you last year at school…" James smiled indulgently at his stubborn heir and ruffled Harry's thick black hair when his son turned away to hide a telling blush. Then he shrugged when Harry turned back with an unbelieving stare and stood, helping his wife up as well.
When Harry was standing he suddenly found himself in a crushing hug with his mom.
"Oh Harry, I can't tell you how much this time we've had with you means to us."
"Will this happen again? Can't I see you like this again somehow? It's going to hurt too much, Mum. We haven't had enough time." Harry's arms tightened around her and he bent his head so that it was buried in her neck. He didn't bother to check his tears and let them fall. "I don't think I can let you go."
"You don't have to let us go. We're always watching and we'll always be here for you, even if you can't see us."
Harry didn't move or reply to that; just continued to hold onto his mother as they both cried. He heard his father chuckle and then felt his father's form press against him from behind, while his arms encircled both his son and wife.
"If I hadn't known about your sexual preference before, I would definitely have guessed you were gay by the way you two are carrying on right now. It's not the end of the world." But even as he said this, to try and lighten the mood, Harry heard how his father's voice trembled, and his father was hugging back just as tightly as Harry and Lily.
"I don't want to be alone again. I love you both so much. It's not fair that you have to go. Don't leave me alone, please," he begged in chocked sobs.
"Harry, look at me." He turned around to look at his father and wiped the tears away from his eyes. James put his hands on Harry's shoulders and squeezed gently. "We love you too, and we always will. You'll not be alone, I promise. You'll see as soon as you wake up. And it's time to open your eyes, all right. It's time to wake up now."
His father's voice started to sound distant, and the pressure of his hands on Harry's shoulders began to lessen even though they were still firmly placed there.
"No! I'm not ready to go back."
"It'll be alright, love." He felt his mum place a kiss on his cheek, which felt like the soft flutter of butterfly wings. She was fading too, and Harry's tears continued to fall. "It's time to wake up now. Your friends need you, just like you need them. Don't worry; everything will work out fine, Harry. You need to wake up now…"
"I don't want to!"
The surroundings around him were quickly fading away, just as his parents, until he could only make out their eyes, which were burning brightly with their love for him. He heard his mum's laughter.
"He's so stubborn, your son," Lily laughed tearfully. "Wake up now, love. You need to open your eyes."
"No."
James and Lily Potter were completely gone now. Still he raised a hand to where they had been standing but of course he felt nothing. Harry closed his eyes and collapsed to the ground in a trembling wave of anguish and he rocked there with his knees to his chest, having no idea how much time passed.
"Come on, Harry. Open your eyes." A soft voice tried to coax him out of despair. And then a much louder voice filled with impatience startled him. "Wake up idiot Gryffindor!"
Harry's eyes flew open again when he recognized the voice as Draco's and some of his sorrow did fade away. He wanted Draco. He needed him. It was that same feeling. The same feeling he'd had last year, watching Draco at school. The overwhelming yearning for the blond. Only now, he could talk to Draco; look him straight in the eye. He had a chance with the blond. Draco had made that much obvious when they'd been in his mind. Harry pulled in a calming breath and stood up. And then he allowed himself to let go of his unconsciousness.
By dinner time that night, Number Twelve had settled down to a relative peaceful quiet. Bill and Remus had been tended to, fortunately their wounds weren't too critical, and it was surprising that they hadn't been attacked by Death Eaters or any other of Voldemort's forces; instead they'd been in a bizarre boating accident on their way to some obscure cave off the coast of France. Everyone within the Order wondered why they'd been on a boat in the first place. Dumbledore had explained it was necessary to arrive at the cave by muggle means, which really did nothing to satisfy the questions or put any minds at ease as to what Dumbledore was up to.
Madam Pomfrey came and went, checking up on her patients, and gave Draco a clean bill of health and permission to leave the room whenever he wanted just as long as he returned to a bed whenever he felt fatigued. To her surprise, Draco declined in leaving and remained with Harry and the two Gryffindor witches. And if either of the girls suspected that Draco was reluctant to leave the room and his bed because he wanted to stay where Harry was, they didn't say anything about it.
Severus returned at one point for a visit and to drop off potions for Harry, and for a moment he could only stand in the doorway shocked to see his godson willingly conversing with the two witches, and one a muggleborn witch at that. Just before he left, Severus had given Draco a hard knowing stare when Draco said he wanted to remain at Grimmauld Place for the time being. The girls burst out into giggles after that. They had obviously used up all their restraint.
Hermione and Ginny spent most of the day keeping Draco company and all three of them were surprised at how easy it was for them to get along when they let go of House rivalry, especially for Draco. He found the Weaslette's fiery attitude immensely entertaining, because unlike her idiot brother, Ginny had a sense of humor and she could also stand toe to toe with him when it came to shooting out verbal barbs. And Granger reminded him way too much of Pansy, except the Gryffindor was a tad bit more anal about schoolwork. Though that didn't bother Draco, as he was the same way when it came to his studies, and he and Granger spent much of the time conversing about Potions, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes. And he was thankful that they kept his mind away from worrying too much about Harry and wondering when he would wake up.
For Harry's sake, Hermione was glad to find she and Draco had much in common, and she very much enjoyed the debates they had on certain subjects. After hanging around Ron and Harry for so long, it was a relief to be able to speak to someone who could understand and follow her every word without her having to explain every little thing she was trying to say. And Ginny found Draco had a wicked sense of humor, and was way too fun to tease about things…mainly she teased him about Harry. It was worth it every time when she mentioned Harry and his eyes would immediately move to rest on Harry just before his pale face blushed. Who knew Draco could blush so much. At first he had been adamant about them not using his first name, and he even went so far as to threaten them with bodily harm, but Gryffindor's were a stubborn lot apparently because they wouldn't relent, and as the time passed he gave up and reluctantly started calling them by their first names after their insistence, though he did have trouble the first few times he tried addressing them as Ginny and Hermione. He'd wondered briefly about how his father would react if he could see his son now. But then he just shrugged. Lucius wasn't here so it really didn't matter. His father hadn't been with him in a very long time.
"You actually brewed the Polyjuice Potion in our second year? Are you serious?"
"Quite serious."
"That potion is N.E.W.T level."
"I know. We brewed it in the girls' bathroom. The one Moaning Myrtle haunts."
"And why would you make that potion? Certainly not for extra credit. Professor Snape would never allow that." Draco was already interested, but when Hermione looked away and her face resembled that of a tomato, he leaned forward eagerly, his interest shooting through the roof. "This should be good. What is it?"
"Well if you promise not to get too mad. I mean it was our second year after all."
"Just get on with it already, Granger."
"Alright, alright. No need to get snippy with me, Draco Malfoy!" He gasped and sat back, momentarily shocked. She'd sounded just like Pansy. "Well as you recall, that was the year the Chamber of Secrets was opened…oh, I'm sorry, Ginny! I wasn't thinking…" But Ginny was waving her hand.
"Like you said, it was your second year, my first. And Harry helped me get over it. You know it was just another thing that we had in common, being affected by You-Know-Who directly…"
"Okay, on with the story, please."
"Geez, Draco. Are you always this impatient, or is it because you're just so worried about Harry, hmm?"
"Whatever…" but he did blush, much to Ginny's pleasure and his disgust. "Just get on with it."
"Well anyway, we wanted to find out who the heir of Slytherin was, and well, we kind of thought it was you."
"Me? Well… Yes, I guess I can see where you'd get that." His nose raised a little and he smirked.
"And that's why we needed the potion. We were going to take the potion and sneak into Slytherin House. Harry and Ron drugged a couple of cupcakes for Crabbe and Goyle, stole some of their hair and uniforms, then transformed into them and went to interrogate you. Of course you told them you had no idea who the heir of Slytherin was… And that's the end of the Polyjuice Potion story. Nothing else happened, nothing at all."
"Hold on, what about you? Did you not take the potion? You did the brewing after all. I don't see Harry and Weasley brewing the potion on their own or even with help for that matter."
"That's true, they weren't very much help."
"You are stalling, Granger. Didn't you take the potion?"
"Well of course I did! I made it didn't I? Of course I'd want personal experience with taking the potion."
"What happened then? What part did you play in yet another one of the Golden Trio's sleuthing missions?"
"Nothing worth mentioning."
Ginny snorted and earned a glare from Hermione. "Oh it's worth mentioning. Hermione was going to go as Bulstrode and took a hair from her when they got into a fight."
"Ginny, stop right now! Malfoy doesn't need to know. It's not an important part of the story."
"It's back to Malfoy now, is it?" Draco asked, clearly amused by Hermione's reluctance to talk.
"So anyway, instead of a human hair, Hermione accidentally picked up one of Bulstrode's–"
"Cat hairs... You turned into a cat!" Draco started to chuckle and as the girls watched transfixed, the chuckle turned into a full-fledged laugh. He started laughing so hard he bent forward and wrapped his arms around his middle.
"I think we've done it, Hermione!" Ginny exclaimed, bouncing up and down on her seat. "I think we've finally broken Malfoy! He's gone insane. At last!" Ginny jumped up and pumped her fist in the air.
Draco looked up at her when it became imperative that he pause his laughter just enough to breathe. He was half glaring and half snickering, and a couple of tears of mirth managed to leak from his eyes. He thought he had control over his himself, that is, until he pictured Hermione as a cat again. Being a top potions student meant that he knew exactly what had happened to her and in his mind was the picture of Hermione as a black humanoid cat, complete with fur, whiskers, and a tail. Oh Merlin, he would give anything to have an everlasting picture of that. Well almost anything, as long as it wasn't his hair.
He started to laugh again until suddenly it changed into a despairing cry and he bent over clutching at his chest just over his heart.
"Draco? What is it, what's wrong?"
Draco didn't answer Hermione. It was impossible for him to say anything at the moment as it felt like his heart was being ripped to shreds. He was being overloaded with anguish and loneliness. The despondent emotions tore at his soul. He vaguely heard the girls calling his name, but all he could do was shake his head.
"Ginny, something's wrong with Harry too!" Hermione had looked over at Harry and saw he was crying in his sleep; he made no noise, but his face was drenched in tears. Draco dragged himself off his bed and over to Harry's.
"What's wrong with him?" Hermione cried. "Is he in pain? We should do something! Are you feeling what he's feeling, Draco? Is that what's wrong with you?"
The Slytherin nodded his head, his hand still over his heart. Earlier, after Severus' had left and the witches had thoroughly and successfully terrified him with their Gryffindor openness, Draco explained about the strange bond he and Harry seemed to have. Hermione, in her never ending quest to gain more knowledge, immediately began firing out questions and then promised she'd go to the library after Harry woke up and do some research.
"What should we do? Should we wake him up?"
Under different circumstances, Draco would have found it funny that Hermione's mind seemed to have shut down, but what Harry was feeling therefore what Draco was feeling, it was anything but funny.
"Contact Madam Pomfrey. Just in case." Draco pushed Hermione to the door and she quickly ran out to retrieve help. Due to her worry over Harry, she failed to notice where she was going, rounded a corner and ran smack dab into a human wall and promptly fell back onto her bum. Hermione looked up to see whom she'd run into and was dismayed to see Professor Snape staring disdainfully down at her.
"I'm so sorry!" She quickly picked herself up as she was certain Snape would not be any help.
"Miss Granger, is there a reason why you've decided to run around and knock into innocent bystanders?"
"We need Madam Pomfrey and I was hurrying to the Floo."
Severus' eyes narrowed and he stepped closer to the witch. "And why exactly do you need Madam Pomfrey?"
Hermione frowned and answered. "It's Harry. Something is wrong with him."
"He's awakened then." Severus moved around the witch and began his way to Draco and Harry's room, but stopped when Hermione called out to him.
"No, sir! He's still asleep."
"Then what is it?" he bit out, impatience written clearly on his face.
"Harry is sleeping, but there are tears falling from his eyes. We think he might be in pain and I didn't know what to do. Draco," Severus' eyebrows went up past his hairline at that, "told me to Floo call Madam Pomfrey."
"I see. Perhaps I should have a look before you interrupt Pomfrey's work. She may not be needed." Hermione didn't bother to argue and followed after him.
Back in Harry's room, Draco hovered close by looking frantic and feeling completely useless. There wasn't anything he could do to stop the tears from falling. But at least Harry wasn't screaming and he didn't look like he was in any physical pain. However, there was still emotional pain that was nearly drowning Draco and he just didn't know what to do! He wanted- no he needed to make it stop!
Draco curled his hands into fists, watching Ginny murmur softly into Harry's ear, caressing away the tears that fell, and in that moment he had never hated a Weasley more. That she could sit so close to Harry and have no worries about what people would think or say if she got too close to the Golden Boy because no one would ever put up an objection with her being so near him. It made him want to lash out at something.
As if she could feel his burning gaze on her, Ginny turned to look at him and raised one red eyebrow when she saw the hate and torment in his eyes. "Draco, stop trying to kill me with your eyes. It couldn't possibly work." She turned back to Harry and smiled. "Come over here and help me wake him. I think that's all he needs. Madam Pomfrey did say he'd be waking up about this time anyway."
Draco blinked at that. Blinking away the hateful feelings brought upon by jealousy. Had she just invited him to… he hesitated before moving, realizing he'd be admitting his feelings for Harry to her and to pretty much everyone else and Draco wasn't sure if he were ready for anyone to know it for a fact. But when he looked into her dancing eyes, he realized he didn't care, because Ginny obviously knew and she didn't seem bothered by it at all. Nor had Hermione.
That had surprised him, because the Slytherins and Gryffindors had the worst rivalry between Houses in the history of Hogwarts, and he always assumed none of the Gryffindors would ever give him a chance, especially these particular Gryffindors, whom he'd had the most negative experiences with. But Ginny's smile was soft and welcoming as she looked at him and so he let his mask fall and allowed the worry to show on his face as he came to stand by the bed across from Ginny. He didn't hesitate this time and lifted one of Harry's hands in his slightly bigger one. It was warm, which relieved him a little, and he began rubbing circles against the brunet's palm with his thumb. To his surprise, Harry's fingers slowly flexed and then curled around to hold Draco's thumb in place.
"Did you see that, Ginny? He moved. He must be waking up."
"He's not crying anymore either."
Draco nodded and he conjured a tissue to wipe at the left over tears. It was then Severus and Hermione returned, and for a moment, when Draco looked at his godfather, he stiffened and almost dropped Harry's hand, but Ginny quickly reached over to stop him.
"He needs you right now, Draco. He's always needed you. Did you know last year when you two stopped your fights and basically began ignoring each other, Harry got so depressed? He didn't understand why, but Hermione did." She looked at Hermione and the other girl nodded.
"I didn't know exactly why. I didn't know he was hiding a massive secret from me," she said, mock glaring at her sleeping friend. "But I knew that it involved you in some way. You've both always been connected one way or another, and it's not really a big surprise that you two are now literally bonded."
When Draco looked at his godfather again, Severus was glaring at Hermione but other than that he didn't seem too bothered about what was happening between Harry and himself so Draco tightened his grip on Harry and tried to mentally soothe the sleeping Gryffindor.
"What do you think is wrong, Professor Snape?" Hermione asked.
Severus moved to stand beside Draco and looked down at Potter; resisting the urge to scowl at the young man, reminded by the frailty of Harry's body that he wasn't the boy Severus had always thought him to be. And he was trying to come to terms with that and possibly see Potter in a different light. It was obvious Draco already saw it, and for his sake, Severus intended to see if he and Potter could possibly get passed their differences.
"We won't know until he wakes up, I'm afraid."
"Then let's wake him up now." Hermione leaned forward, brushing Harry's hair away from his pale face. "It's time to wake up now, Harry." She gasped when Harry moved his face away from her voice. Hermione's lips trembled and Ginny wrapped a comforting arm around the girl.
"It's alright Hermione. He probably doesn't realize it's you."
"He must hate me now."
"Don't be ridiculous, you silly girl! You should know that is not how Potter's mind works when it comes to his friends."
Every one stared at their Professor in shock. It seemed Snape knew more about Harry than he ever let on. And unlike Ginny and Hermione, Draco knew his godfather, and knew Severus had just tried, in his own Snape fashion, to comfort Hermione. This left Draco dumbfounded. Usually his godfather would rather die a horrible death one hundred thousand times before he would ever think about comforting a Gryffindor.
"Come on, Harry. Open your eyes," Ginny coaxed softly and smiled when Harry's eyelids began flickering.
They all expected to see his eyes open in the next few moments, but when nothing happened, except for the continuing tears, Draco lost his patience, leaned close to Harry's ear and yelled, "wake up idiot Gryffindor!"
"Draco, control. It wouldn't be in your best interests to deafen the boy."
"Sorry, Professor Snape."
"But look, it worked! He's waking up!"
Harry heard more voices than he expected to when he woke up. They were speaking softly around him and he felt someone holding his hands. On top of all that, something wet was on his face. Someone noticed he was waking and there were several inhaled gasps. He would have found it funny under different circumstances, but now he was only concerned about who was around him at the moment and hoped Draco happened to be one of those people.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever was to come, opened his eyes and froze. Not only was Draco there holding his hand, but Ginny was holding his other hand with Hermione smiling at him from beside her and Professor Snape staring with eyes void of any emotions. Or should he start calling him Uncle Sev now?
"Harry, how do you feel?" he turned his gaze on Hermione, and she flinched at the hard stare he gave her.
"I feel fine." Harry kept his voice flat. He didn't know why Hermione and Ginny were here and he was certain he didn't want to deal with that now, especially if Ron were around as well. He felt he needed to deal with Professor Snape before anything else and he turned to look at the man. "I need a Pensieve and a wand. I'm not sure if my wand is still useful as I'm pretty sure Dursley tried to destroy it." Hermione's expression turned puzzled then. She'd never heard Harry refer to his uncle as Dursley.
"And why do you need a Pensieve, Potter?"
"There is something I need to show you." Harry thought that showing the parts of his memory where his parents were explaining to him about Snape would much easier and faster than having to try and explain to the Professor and making him believe, because the Pensieve wouldn't lie, and Snape would see for himself what Harry had dreamed had actually been real.
"Very well, I'll return with what you need. By the way, I took the liberty of removing all of your things, including your owl, from the Dursley home when I returned your aunt and cousin. I rescued your wand as well. There will be no need for you to ever return there, Potter." Severus removed the long piece of wood and handed it to Harry. He dropped Ginny's hand to take it and felt Draco's satisfaction that his hand hadn't been dropped. Their eyes locked and Draco smirked which in turn had Harry blushing and turning away to look up at Snape's shoulder.
"Thank you, Professor."
Severus' head bowed in a curt nod before he turned and left the room. Everyone was silent, and it was only a little uncomfortable. The silence stretched on; no one really knew what to say. Finally silence became too much for Harry. "What's on my face? Why is it wet?" he'd wiped his hand across his face.
"Well…you were crying in your sleep, Harry," Hermione supplied. "And we didn't know what to do." They were all looking at him expectantly for some kind of explanation.
"…bloody hell. Isn't anything within the Wizarding World kept private?"
"Course not, Potter. You should know better by now," Draco said, trying to keep his voice light. He wanted to know what was wrong, but didn't think Harry was ready for that.
If you want, I will tell you later... Can you do something for me? Draco raised an eyebrow in question. I need you to take Hermione and Ginny somewhere and distract them for a while. At least until I've finished talking with Professor Snape.
What's in it for me?
Harry rolled his eyes. Whatever you want. Just add it to the tab.
Yes, you seem to be racking up a rather large bill, Harry. I do hope this will be a permanent activity.
Harry's eyes lit up and he laughed. For the first time in many months, Harry's laugh was real, and not forced. It felt wonderful, and it affected those around him as well. Draco was mesmerized. He'd never been a recipient of one of Harry's laughs before, always having seen and heard it from a far, and had always wanted to be the one those shining emerald eyes were smiling at. Draco almost rolled his eyes at himself. He was getting way too soft. And it was all the fault of the Gryffindors.
That would depend on what you require for payment, wouldn't it?
Hmm, I suppose I'll have to really think about it then and get back to you. And I will take Hermione and Ginny for you, Harry. I'm sure Hermione would like to get to the library already. Draco enjoyed the pure shock that entered Harry's eyes upon hearing the names Hermione and Ginny come out of his mouth.
"Um, hello? Hope I'm not spoiling a romantic moment or anything." Draco shot Ginny a quelling glare. "But I thought I'd just remind you that you weren't alone."
"We are aware of that, Ginny. Come on, let's go to the library." Draco reached over, grabbed Ginny's arm, and started dragging her away.
"Harry…"
"It's okay, Hermione." Harry gave her a small smile. "We'll talk later. There are just some things I have to go over with Professor Snape alone."
Hermione smiled in return. "Okay, Harry."
And so do we.
Harry looked over, eyeing the blond shyly beneath his eyelashes. Of course, Draco.
It was Ginny and Hermione who had to drag Draco from the room after that. When Severus returned, he found Harry alone and sitting up in bed, his head turned away from the door, towards the window. Severus was very curious as to why Potter wanted to use the Pensieve. "Here is the Pensieve, Potter. I will leave you alone for a moment." He put the Pensieve on the bedside table and turned to leave.
"No, sir. The Pensieve is for you." Severus turned and fixed Harry with a stare. Harry quickly went on before he lost his nerve under that stare. "Something happened when I was asleep and I was asked to give you a message."
"And who is the sender of this message?"
"My mother."
Severus' stepped back and looked as if he'd been slapped. "What?"
"I said my mother has a message for you."
Severus narrowed his eyes to angry slits. "Potter, if this is your idea of a joke-"
"No, Professor Snape, I swear I'm telling you the truth. That's why I want the Pensieve, to show you I'm not making it up. Please. Please look, Professor."
Harry laid the tip of his wand against his temple and drew out the specific parts of his parents' visit that he wanted the Professor to see. Some parts he put in weren't really necessary, but Harry wanted Snape to see what his parents really thought of Severus.
"Very well. I will look in the Pensieve."
"Thank you, sir."
Severus nodded, and then touched the surface of the fluid that resembled liquid wind. The room went silent after Snape was taken into his memories. He wondered what Snape's reaction would be. Obviously it wouldn't be very good, that was a given. It would be a miracle if Harry escaped unscathed from this.
Why so nervous, Harry?
Harry released a breath and relaxed against the head board. Draco's voice eased his nerves, which Harry suspected had been the expected outcome. He had to smile at that. His relationship with Draco had changed drastically in the span of hours and he could honestly say it made him happier than he had been in a very long time.
Snape always makes me a little nervous.
He's not so bad once you get to know him. He's my godfather, did you know? Harry was pleased that Draco trusted him enough to divulge personal information to him like that. It really was a good sign.
Really, wow. No, I didn't know.
Are you going to tell me why you've got Severus up there with a Pensieve? Harry looked at the Pensieve and widened his eyes, nerves returning again.
He's my uncle. He's Uncle Snape! At the moment, Harry didn't care that his tone had been slightly crazed. There was complete silence again as Draco absorbed this shock. And Harry could feel the shock coming from Draco through the bond. Then the shock was taken over by amusement.
I suppose I can see why that would make you cry. Harry's light mood immediately vanished, and his knuckles turned white as he clutched his hands into fists. Merlin, Harry. I'm sorry. What is it? Tell me what happened? Draco sounded worried, and Harry felt Draco's need to come back up to the room.
It's all right, Draco. I'll be fine for now. Stay with the girls.
Fine.
Stop pouting. It won't do you any good.
I am not pouting, Potter, replied Draco with a mental sniff. Harry rolled his eyes. He'd never noticed before, but Draco was very good at distracting him.
That's why we'd be good together. Draco felt Harry's own shock. What? Did you think I had any other motive, Harry? Did you think I just wanted to be your friend?
No, I just thought… I don't know what to think right now, Draco.
Listen Harry. I'll stay here with Hermione and Ginny until you're ready for us to return, all right?
Yeah, okay. Hey, I wanted to ask…where's Draco and what have you done with him? The Draco I know wouldn't be getting on so well with my fri… with Hermione and Ginny.
They're not so bad, I suppose. Now that you mention it, you do know they are still your friends, right? They've both been really worried, and Hermione broke up with Ron so she could move in here to help you any way she can.
Hermione broke up with Ron because of me?
It's not your fault. He definitely had it coming, especially after what he tried to do.
What? Harry couldn't tell what Draco was thinking, but whatever it was it was making the Slytherin very angry.
Nothing.
Draco…
Maybe I'll tell you later.
Harry leaned back against the headboard and closed his eyes and waited for Snape to finish with the Pensieve. A little time later he opened his eyes and was surprised to find Snape out of the Pensieve, standing pale, and staring wide eyed at Harry, who sat up slowly, keeping his eyes locked with his uncle's. "Sir?"
"Lily…" Severus broke eye contact and stared at the ground. He brought one hand up to his face while the other flew back behind him and he stumbled back and grasped at the edge of the bed. He took deep breaths to try and steady himself, though it was hardly working. Severus lowered himself down to the bed.
What must he be thinking, Harry wondered. He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help but stare at the wizard before him. Snape looked devastated. "I didn't know…my sister?" he spoke to himself but Harry was hanging on his every word. Some strange part of him wanted this snarky bastard to recognize him as his family, as his nephew. Severus Snape was the only living blood connection Harry had left and that meant something to him.
Abruptly, Severus stood, looking fully composed if not a little urgent. "I must go," was all he said and made his way to the door.
Harry sighed. Of course nothing would change. He was an idiot to have entertained the thought that Snape might have wanted some sort of family connection as well. "I understand, sir." He'd tried to sound untouched, but Severus heard the disappointment beneath the words. He stopped at the door and turned back to the young man.
"Harry." Hearing his name come from Snape's mouth made Harry snap his head up to look at Snape in shock. "I will get the journal to verify all this and then I will return." Then he opened the door and was gone. Harry was still in shock, and for a moment he became light headed and thought he might do something completely unmanly, like faint.
I'm contacting Madam Pomfrey.
No, Draco! I'm fine.
No, I'm getting Pomfrey. And with that tone, Harry knew nothing he said would change Draco's mind.
"Dammit!"