I do not own Harry Potter or anything else you recognise but the plot as well as anything you don't is mine.
Chapter 4 - Training and Teasing
Draco Malfoy knocked on the painting of the wood nymphs shortly after dinner that evening. The Headmaster had explained to him where Potter and his wife were staying in the castle during lunch that day.
Potter's wife! Merlin, that would take some getting used to.
He heard footsteps and the painting swung open, revealing Gwen's smiling face and bright eyes, the bangs covering her ears, a rainbow of colours.
'Oh, Mr Malfoy. Please come in. Harry is just finishing up his training.' Gwen said politely, gesturing for Draco to follow her.
Draco could hear the clang of metal on metal through the open door to the training room and had to bite his lip to stop himself from trying to peer through the door. He sat down on the edge of the sofa, back ramrod straight, and politely accepted the cup of tea Gwen offered him. They conversed quietly for a moment, listening as the clang became a clack, obviously signalling a change of weapon, before Malfoy couldn't stop himself.
'Can I watch?' He asked hopefully, glancing at the doorway.
Gwen smiled, but shook her head, standing by the dining table and refilling her cup. 'I'm sorry but Harry hardly ever lets anyone watch him train, particularly someone he doesn't know very well.' She smiled inwardly as the boy in front of her plastered an emotionless mask over his face but not before she saw the slightly crestfallen look in his eyes.
Just then Harry walked through the door, wiping the sweat from his chest with a towel thrown over his shoulders and not even noticing Malfoy sitting stiffly on the sofa.
'Gwen.' He grinned wickedly. 'Come here.'
Gwen shrieked and ran around the table as far away from Harry as she could get. 'Get away. You're all sweaty.' She scolded.
'Oh Gwendolyn.' Harry teased, darting around the table, grabbing the elf and tickling her mercilessly. Draco watched with an almost morbid fascination at the interaction between Harry and his wife. It was certainly nothing like the way his parents acted towards each other, well, not that he could remember anyway. Maybe they were like that in the beginning, although Draco doubted it. He had heard that Harry and Gwen had been married for more than seven years. Draco had been born less than a year after his parents were married and he couldn't remember a time when he was six or seven, or any age for that matter, that either of his parents had even laughed in the company of the other.
'Harry.' She gasped. 'Stop it. We have a guest.'
Harry stopped his attack and whirled around to see Malfoy sitting on the sofa by the fire. The young Slytherin looked as composed as ever but Harry thought he could see a glint of both amusement and curiosity in the boy's eye. 'Malfoy. Sorry. I didn't realise it was so late. I'll just get changed.' Harry stammered, blushing brightly as he ducked into the bedroom.
Malfoy let out a snort, coughing quickly to cover it. 'Is he always like that?' He asked, eyebrow raised.
Gwen chuckled. 'Pretty much. He has a lot to deal with, both in this world and ours. We try to laugh a lot.' She said. 'Besides I like him like that. Everyone does.'
Draco shifted slightly. 'Are you...you know ...' He stammered.
'Am I what, Mr Malfoy?' She asked, knowing exactly what he wanted to know.
'Really a Princess?' He choked out.
Gwen smiled. 'Yes. I am.' She said agreeably.
'Does that mean Potter's a Prince?' Draco asked painfully. Gwen could almost see the anguish at his having to ask this question peek out from under the Malfoy mask.
'Yes, although I still don't think he is all that enamoured with the situation.' She laughed.
The blond Slytherin scoffed. 'Why not? I would have thought Saint Potter would be happy to lord it over everybody.' Malfoy said bitterly; sneer back in full force before he looked away.
Gwen just studied the teenager in silence for a moment. 'You really don't know Harry all that well, do you? Just the stories.' She said softly causing Draco looked back up at her. 'I think you should really talk to him. He really is nothing like you would think him to be.'
Draco didn't reply, instead looking away again into the fire.
'He doesn't like the attention at all. He just wants to be like everyone else.' Gwen insisted.
'Fat chance.' Draco snorted. 'He's Harry Potter.'
'He knows that. He just wishes he wasn't.' She said sadly.
Draco looked at her oddly but before he could question her further Harry walked back in.
'Are you coming?' He asked Gwendolyn.
'No.' She shook her head. 'I'll stay here. I'll see you when you get back.' Harry leaned down, swept her into his now clean arms and kissed her so passionately it almost had Draco hot and bothered. His parents had definitely never been like this.
'Let's go.' Harry said brightly.
Malfoy thanked Gwen politely for the tea and followed Harry out of the portrait hole. 'He should be waking up any minute.' Harry told him as they walked in silence towards the hospital wing.
'Why did you do it, Potter?' Malfoy asked softly.
'Do what?' Harry said nonchalantly. Draco just cocked his head to the side and raised an eyebrow, an expression Harry saw out of the corner of his eye.
The older wizard shrugged and sighed. 'Because I could, and because he didn't deserve to die.' Harry answered softly. 'Not for something he had no control over, and something I did.'
Malfoy snorted. 'Potter. You didn't do anything. You didn't tell the Dark Lord.' He added guiltily.
'No Malfoy, that's where you're wrong, it was my decision to show you all the stone and in particular that last image.' Harry admitted, 'although it was quite powerful, don't you think?'
Malfoy snorted again. 'It certainly had all of Slytherin talking.'
Harry snorted with him. 'It wasn't until later that evening when Albus told me Professor Snape had returned to Voldemort that I realised what had happened, what he'd done. What I'd done.' Harry finished softly.
'Why do you call him Professor Snape? I know you call Dumbledore and Lupin and Pomfrey by their first names.'
Harry smiled in the dimly lit corridor. 'Back at home, it's an honour to call someone by their first name or have someone call you by yours. It is given to someone you trust, someone you hold in high esteem. It is considered an insult to use someone's given name without their permission.'
Harry could see Malfoy's mind ticking over as they rounded the final corner. As they walked up to the door Harry reached out to grab the handle and was stopped by Malfoy's hand on his arm. Harry looked at him quizzically.
'Potter, would you...would you call me Draco? Please.'
Harry smiled. 'Of course, Draco. Thank you.' He said softly.
Draco's mouth twitched in that Malfoy way of a smile.
They walked silently across the wing, Harry dragging Draco into the shadows when Poppy made an appearance, before they continued to the closed door in the corner. Harry placed his palm flat on the door, whispering the counter charm to dissolve the wards before opening it slowly an ushering Draco through in front of him. Harry closed the door and stood back against the wall as Draco walked quietly over to the bed. Snape looked much more peaceful now though the purpling bruises on his face were finally making an appearance of great proportions.
'Severus.' Draco whispered, shaking the man gently. 'Severus, can you hear me?'
Snape's eyes fluttered a few times before opening fully and seeing his godson. 'I have told you the Dark Lord is completely mad, haven't I?' Snape croaked.
Draco snickered, helping the injured man sit up enough the sip some water. 'Yes, you have, and I'm actually starting to believe you finally, if it makes you feel any better.' Draco replied.
Snape smirked. 'It does.' Snape's eyes clouded and he hissed in pain as he tried to shift position.
'Don't move Professor. The bone in your thigh was badly broken. It hasn't finished healing properly yet.' Harry said softly.
Snape's eyes whipped up and narrowed at the sight of Harry leaning against the wall. 'What are you doing here, Potter?' He snapped.
'Nothing. Just checking you were okay.' Harry told him as he opened the door once more. 'Night Professor, night Draco. Don't stay too late.'
Harry snorted as he heard Draco smack Snape on the arm before he shut the door.
'What did you do that for, idiot? He saved your life.' Was the last thing Harry heard before he walked quietly from the wing and back to his rooms.
Harry woke early the next morning and slid quietly out of bed. Throwing on some light cotton pants, t-shirt and running shoes he crept towards the door.
'Going somewhere?' Came Gwendolyn's teasing voice.
'Just going running,' He whispered. 'Go back to sleep.'
Gwen eyed him for several moments. 'Alright, just this once. But tomorrow I'm coming with you.' She promised.
Harry snorted and blew her a kiss before closing the door softly. He made his way outside and down to the lake where he began to stretch. Harry loved the mornings. They allowed him time to think and plan. Time when he didn't have to put on a brave face or mask his emotions. Time just to be himself.
However he knew that, that time, this morning was coming to an end when he felt a presence behind him. Well, two presences actually.
'Ron, Neville.' Harry said, continuing to stretch.
'How did you know it was us?' Ron said incredulously, coming around to sit in front of him.
'Saw your reflection in the water.' Harry snickered.
'We saw you from the window, what are you doing down here?' Neville asked.
'Running.' Harry said, standing up.
'Running?' Ron looked at him quizzically.
'Yes Ron. Running.' Harry laughed and took off around the lake. Ron and Neville watched him for quite some time before taking off after him on his next pass.
'Do you...do you do this often?' Neville panted several minutes later.
'Every day.' Harry said cheerfully, having no problems breathing. 'Well, up until a few days ago, anyway.'
'Bloody hell.' Was all Ron could gasp as he and Neville struggled to keep up with Harry. Another circuit of the lake and Ron and Neville gave up, throwing themselves down on the grass, they watched as Harry went round several more times.
'You'll seize up sitting there like that. Get up and stretch.' He scolded. 'You'll thank me for it later.'
Ron and Neville looked at him sceptically but got up and began stretching all the same. Ten minutes later they were heading up to the castle.
'Can we come and run with you again tomorrow, Harry.' Ron asked hesitantly.
Harry sighed inwardly. There went his quiet mornings.
'Sure.' He smiled. 'Same time then.' Harry grinned at his friends and walked quickly back to his rooms.
'How did you go last night?' Gwen asked as she washed his hair for him. She loved doing this simple task. It had been quite late by the time he had returned last night, having stopped by to see Albus, and she had been asleep.
'He asked me to call him Draco.' Harry smiled softly.
'Well, that was quick. He certainly changed his opinion of you sooner that I thought he would.'
'It wasn't his opinion of me that we had to change.' Harry reminded her.
Gwen shrugged. 'I know, but if he sees he was wrong about you, he may begin to believe he was wrong about others too.'
Harry looked thoughtfully at her. 'You have a very good point.'
'Of course I do.' She said teasingly. 'Now where was I?'
Harry grinned at her wickedly. 'Just about here I think.' He whispered, reaching behind him and yanking her into the bath with him, fully clothed.
'Harry James Potter.' She shrieked and another torrent of Elvish burst from her mouth. Harry just grabbed her head, pressing his lips to hers and cutting off any further protests she may have had.
Harry walked around the back of the classroom peering into various cauldrons and commenting on the potions within. Two days after he'd rescued the potions master Albus had asked him to take on the man's classes until he returned and Harry had agreed, starting that very morning.
He glanced down at one rather volatile looking potion, instructing the second year Hufflepuff to add two more dragon scales before moving on to the next.
Harry's estimation of Snape had risen after their first class of third year Ravenclaw/Gryffindors this morning and was getting higher by the minute as he walked among the third year Hufflepuff/Slytherins he was currently teaching. To peer into some of the vilest concoctions ever made, never knowing when the next one you stuck your nose in front of was going to explode.
The man had balls. Big ones!
As if she knew what he was thinking Gwen winked at him and Harry blushed, causing several girls at the nearby table to giggle. Harry grabbed a Hufflepuff's hand to stop her from accidentally adding unicorn hair to the potion.
'No.' he said firmly. 'You shouldn't add that. You shouldn't even have it out. It's not on the list' He added, pointing to the blackboard.
'Excuse me, Professor.' A little girl at the next table had her hand waving in the air.
Harry groaned inwardly. 'Yes Miss Zellor.' He asked calmly.
'What would have happened if Jenny had added the unicorn hair to this potion?' The little dark haired Hufflepuff questioned.
'The unicorn hair would react with the asphodel causing the potion to.' Harry replied as he saw something sail across the aisle to land in another Hufflepuff cauldron out of the corner of his eye.
BANG!
Harry spun around instantly and focused his wand at the exploding cauldron
'Impedimentia.' He snapped. 'Incapsulatia.' The potion froze where it was, which was about four feet above and around the top of the cauldron, and was then covered in a round gel like ball.
'Baneita anasha.' The gel ball folded in on itself and disappeared.
Harry sucked in a breath and whirled on a smirking Slytherin. 'What in the hell did you think you were doing?' Harry yelled. 'Are you a complete dunderhead. You could have injured someone seriously. Name, now.' he demanded.
'Sean Didier.' the boy sneered.
'Well Mr Didier. Fifty points from Slytherin and detention with Filch. Every night. For a week. Now clean up your mess and sit quietly until the class has finished.' Harry snapped before stalking back towards the front of the class.
'You sounded just like Professor Snape.' A Hufflepuff giggled as he walked past.
'Must be the dungeon air.' Harry murmured with a wink.
The rest of the lesson past quickly with most of the Slytherins glaring at Harry but no other mishaps, and the students all filed out dutifully to lunch when the bell rang.
'Excuse me Professor?' Came a little voice from the doorway and Harry sighed inwardly.
'Yes, Miss Zellor.'
'What was that last spell? The one that made the bubble disappear. I've never heard it before.'
Harry smiled at the inquisitive thirteen year old. 'I'm not surprised you haven't heard it Miss Zellor. In fact I would be surprised if anyone had ever heard it. It is Elvish and I made it.'
The young girl's eyes went wide. 'You made it?' She breathed incredulously.
'Yes, Harry is exceptionally good at Spell Building.' Gwen added.
'Spell Building?' The young Hufflepuff looked at them quizzically and Harry suppressed a snort at the look on her face.
'Did you think that spells just make themselves up? Someone has to make them.' He offered instead.
'Is it hard to make them?' Rose Zellor had walked back across the room and was looking at both Harry and Gwen intently.
'It does take both a fair amount of power as well as a lot of concentration.' Gwen told her.
'Do you think I could do it?' She questioned hopefully.
'One day maybe.' Harry said.
Seeing the crestfallen look on the girls face his expression softened and he knelt in front of her. 'I tell you what.' He offered. 'You think of something that might make a good spell and I will help you make it. Okay.'
Rose's eyes were so wide they almost fell out of her head. 'Really?'
Harry nodded. 'But it's our little secret.'
The girl nodded and, with a wave, practically bounced out of the room, book bag swinging.
'That was sweet of you.' Gwen said as Harry stood up.
'She's a sweet kid.'
'Underneath you are just a big softie.' Gwen said wrapping her arms around him. 'Even if you do slip into the Snape death glare every so often. Don't think I didn't see you.' She snickered.
Harry shrugged as they walked arm in arm from the classroom. 'Like I said. Must be the air.'
The next morning Ron and Neville were waiting for Harry down by the lake. They stretched with him and ran with him, well part of the way anyway. And they talked.
The morning after they were joined by Seamus and Dean.
The following morning, Ernie McMillan, Justin Finch-Fletchley and Terry Boot joined the impromptu group.
Michael Corner, Colin Creevey, Padma and Pavarti Patil and Lavander Brown came the next day; Harry was surprised at the girls but they kept up all the same.
Ginny and Hermione turned up the next day, obviously spurred on by the other girls as well as Gwendolyn, who had joined Harry by the third day.
By the weeks' end the group had grown to over forty five people. On Sunday morning Draco was waiting when Harry came down.
'What's he doing here?' Ron spat bitterly.
'Ron.' Harry said warningly. 'This group is open to anyone who wants to run, as long as they play by the rules.' Harry arched an eyebrow at Draco who nodded. 'Good. Let's get started.'
The following morning Blaise Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle joined as well. The Gryffindors, Ron particularly, was extremely distrustful of the Slytherins but Harry convinced them to give the others a chance.
Snape looked down at the group running lazily around the lake, well, all except the tall dark haired figure that was lapping everybody, some repeatedly. Poppy had released him this morning and although he still had to walk with a cane, courtesy of Goyle Snr, given time, all would heal. He stood watching from the Hospital wing as Harry finished and had everyone stretching.
He moved onto what looked like some sort of martial arts but from that distance it was a little hard to tell. The others seemed to try to follow him, but it wasn't until Harry summoned a nearby stick that Snape could see that the movements were actually weapon stances; different attack and defence positions. He watched in wonder as the students all tried to diligently follow what Harry was showing them, even his Slytherins. Things had obviously changed over the last week.
Just then Harry threw the stick towards the forest. It sailed through the air over two hundred metres before landing, with what Snape imagined was quite a loud thwack, straight into the trunk of the whomping willow like an arrow into a target. It quivered back and forward before the end broke off and fell to the ground. Harry seemed to shrug and laugh, most of the group joining him, before he herded everyone back towards the castle for breakfast.
The following week passed quickly; Harry and Gwen continued taking Snape's classes as the potions master didn't seem in too much of a hurry to let anyone know he was back. Lucius Malfoy had let his son know that Voldemort had Snape but not that Snape had escaped. Whether he actually knew or not, Harry wasn't sure, but he assumed it would have been common knowledge among the Inner Circle Death Eaters.
He walked around the classroom checking various potions. He saw that Hermione had her hand up and almost grimaced. 'Yes Hermione?' Harry asked hesitantly.
'Professor.' Hermione questioned, a glint of amusement in her eyes. Harry rolled his; Ron and Hermione had taken to teasing him at every opportunity. 'It says in the book that this potion can be used for many other things. How can it be changed? Wouldn't it change the properties too much by adding any other ingredients?'
Harry stopped at the back of the class as the students turned to look at him. 'Yes. Miss Granger.' He said cheekily and most of the class snickered at the address. 'But you don't just add other ingredients. You substitute some for others or varying the amounts of the individual ingredients you can change the use as well as the intent of the potion. The base of the potion, however, remains the same.'
Harry noticed that most of the class had suddenly gone wide eyed and frowned but continued with his explanation. 'By adding two extra runespoor eggs and removing the newt eyes you can create a Death-Cap Draught.' The eyes were wider and most of the class had paled slightly.
Harry wasn't quite sure why and if he was honest with himself it was freaking him out slightly. 'By increasing the amount of Phoenix tears from two to three, you would have neutralised the explosive content of the werewolf hair without losing its other properties, and by adding an extra third of a flobberworm skin you would in turn make an Angels Trumpet Draught.' Harry looked at the wide eyed, slack jawed students in front of him and stopped speaking.
The entire class seemed to be frozen in place and Neville looked to be actually trembling; all except Draco who was grinning. Harry arched an eyebrow at the Slytherin before turning his attention back to the others. The reason for their apparent shock finally became clear when slow clapping resounded throughout the room and a drawling voice called out behind him.
'Well Mr Potter, I see the Headmaster hasn't completely lost his marbles, leaving you in charge of this class.'
Harry whirled around, ginning broadly. 'Professor Snape.' He said, crossing swiftly to the door. 'How are you?' He asked in a lowered voice.
'Fine. Thank you.'
Harry started at those words. He couldn't remember Snape actually thanking anyone. Not even Albus. 'Should you be out here?'
'Voldemort will find out soon enough. Draco has informed me that the Dark Lord has put a price on my head.' Snape murmured with a shrug.
'All the more reason to stay out of sight.'
Snape shook his head. 'I've never hidden before and I'm not going to now.' He said slowly. 'Now.' He added in a louder voice, lifting his head so the entire class could hear him. 'While staring at me is unavoidable, I'll admit; it is not going to help you pass your N.E.W.T.s. So get back to work.'
This time it was Harry's turned to stare. Did Snape just make a joke? Obviously a near death experience can change anybody, even Snape. Harry saw that most of the class was still staring except Malfoy who was laughing softly.
'You heard the Professor.' Harry said quickly. 'Back to work.' The students quickly snapped back to the task in front of them as Harry and Snape walked to the front of the room.
'Welcome back, Professor Snape.' Gwen said softly.
'Thank you, Your Highness.' Snape replied. Harry suddenly thought he had been pulled into a parallel dimension.
'Are you feeling alright, Professor?' He asked casting a glance over at the older man.
'Just fine, Mr Potter.' Snape replied, the edge of his mouth curling with what on anyone else would have been a smile.
'Okaaay.' Harry said slowly. ' I think I need to go lie down. I'll see you later.' Harry walked swiftly from the room, shaking his head and leaving Gwen and Snape looking after him in amusement.
'I think you just turned his nicely shaped world on its head.' Gwen snickered.
'I didn't think Mr Potter actually had a nicely shaped world?' Snape questioned, amusement lighting his onyx eyes.
The Elven Princess laughed. 'He doesn't, not really, but now it's not even the right way up.'
Snape snorted. 'Would you ask him to join me after dinner? I do need to speak with him.'
'Of course.'
'Thank you.'
Gwen smiled and walked from the room, winking at Draco and Hermione, both of whom had been watching the interaction with interest.
'Everyone should be finished by now.' Snape yelled. 'Only a complete dunderhead would require more than an hour and a half to complete this potion. Mr Longbottom?' Was the last thing Gwendolyn heard as she closed the door softly behind her.
Professor Snape was back now. It was a shame Harry missed it.
Harry sat comfortably in Gryffindor tower; Ron and Hermione by his side.
'Snape was awfully strange today, don't you think?' Ron said as he tried to get out of the 'check' Harry had gotten him in.
'You don't know the half of it.' Harry snorted.
Hermione lowered her copy of Hogwarts, A History. 'Why? What happened?'
'Let's just say that the Snape you saw in class today is a scary thing up close.'
Ron snickered. 'What happened to him, anyway? Where has he been and why is he limping? '
Harry stilled. 'I can't say. Sorry.'
Two years ago, Hermione, and in particular Ron, wouldn't have accepted this answer, but it went to show how much things had changed as neither questioned him further and both turned back to their current tasks.
'I don't know how you did it Harry.' Ron groaned. 'I've never seen anyone play chess like this before. I just cannot get out of it.'
Harry laughed as Ron tried to take his bishop but only ended up losing his queen and ending the game. 'I learnt from a master; someone who has been playing chess for over six hundred years.'
Ron stared at him incredulously. 'Can I meet him?' He asked excitedly.
'One day.'
Hermione lowered her book again. 'Are you going back? Once...you know.'
'Once Voldemort is gone?' Hermione nodded. 'Yes. I'm going back. It's my home. It's Gwen's home. We have a duty to the elves.'
'You really do have a serious hero complex.' Hermione grunted.
'You don't know the half of it.' Gwen called out from the doorway, causing the three friends to exchange glances before they all burst out laughing. 'What did I say?' The elf protested coming to sit on the arm of the sofa next to Harry.
'Nothing darling. You had to be there.' Harry snickered, taking her hand in his and kissing it softly. 'What?' He asked, seeing Ron's expression.
'Sorry.' the redhead blushed. 'It's just so weird to think of you as married.'
Harry laughed. 'So it's not weird that I'm older or bigger, just that I'm married.' He said arching an eyebrow.
'No. The other stuff's weird too. Just the married thing is really weird.' This time Hermione and Gwen joined in the laughter.
'Well I, for one, think it is lovely.' Hermione giggled.
'Thank you Hermione.' Harry grinned.
'I think you deserve every happiness.'
'I agree.' Gwen said softly.
'So, will your kids have pointy ears?' Ron burst out and then ducked as Harry thumped him with a pillow.
'Hopefully.' Gwen said brightly.
'Hopefully?' Hermione questioned.
'Very hard to be King without the pointy ears.' She responded with a laugh. 'Although Harry will do it.' She added kissing him on the temple.
'You're going to be King?' Ron said incredulously.
'One day.' Harry admitted, blushing brightly.
Ron looked at Hermione, and Harry watched as an almost silent conversation passed between them. He didn't know what was said but he certainly didn't like the wicked glint the two had in their eyes. 'Don't you dare.' Harry hissed.
'No, Your Highness.' Ron snorted
'Never, Your Highness.' Hermione added.
'Oh Merlin.' Harry groaned, slapping his hand over his eyes. 'I knew I should have never told you.'
'You didn't tell us.' Ron said.
'No. Gwen did.' Hermione finished.
Harry turned on her. 'Oh, so this is your fault.' He said sternly, but Gwen could see the twinkle in his eyes. Seeing the mischief there, she quickly leapt from the couch and bolted through the portrait hole. 'Gwendolyn Potter, get back here.' Harry yelled, sprinting out the portrait hole after her.
'This is going to be so much fun.' Ron laughed as Hermione giggled loudly next to him.
It was later that evening that Harry stood nervously twisting the hem of his sleeve as he waited for Snape to answer the knock on his door.
'Mr Potter.' Came the cultured voice as the door swung open. 'Thank you for coming.'
There was that unforgettable 'thank you' again. It certainly was nice, but three times in one day was a bit much. Well, from Snape anyway.
'Hello.' Harry greeted the other man politely and took the offered seat by the fire. He looked around in silence at the warm inviting room, completely out of character with the very image the other man projected. Snape was watching him carefully, waiting for his reaction. 'Very nice.' Harry said in a surprised voice.
'I'm glad you like it.' Snape snorted. He poured to glasses of whiskey and handed one to Harry. 'I asked you here because I wanted to thank you.'
Again! thought Harry.
'You already did. In the classroom, remember?' Harry took a swallow of the whiskey and coughed loudly.
Snape smirked. 'My own recipe. I recommend very small sips.' The potions master told him. 'Anyway I wanted to thank you properly. No one has ever saved my life before.'
'Albus did.' Harry countered.
'Yes, Albus did; but not in such a direct way. Not by putting himself in danger.' Snape conceded.
'You're not going to have a go about my so-called hero complex, are you?' Harry groaned, rolling his eyes and causing Snape to snort again. 'I've already had a lecture about it from Gwen.'
'I have been telling you about your hero complex for years, Mr Potter.' Snape said silkily.
'I thought that was just about me being a bigheaded celebrity and a trouble magnet and...' Harry cocked his head to the side and looked at the fire thoughtfully.
'A reckless boy who had too much heaped upon his shoulders at far too young an age.' Snape finished and Harry looked at him with an eyebrow raised.
'Well, I've heard the first bit, but the end is new.' He said slowly. 'I didn't realise you thought that way.'
'I didn't always.' Snape admitted. 'Just since the end of your fourth year.'
'That seems so long ago now.' Harry said sadly. 'Do you still think I'm spoilt and bigheaded?' He asked hesitantly.
Snape shook his head. 'No, I was the one who helped Albus question your relatives under Veritaserum when you disappeared.' Harry paled. 'Don't worry.' Snape said softly. 'We made a promise to each other and to you never to tell anyone what we had found out.'
Harry nodded slowly, casting his eyes downward. 'Damn.' He breathed almost inaudibly. Snape now knew all of his secrets from his childhood. How the Dursleys had treated him, how they had starved him and locked him in the cupboard under the stairs. 'I...I...have to go.' Harry murmured suddenly, jumping up from the chair and heading for the door. Snape grabbed his arm as he flew past.
'Sit down Potter.' He barked and Harry jumped automatically. 'Sorry.' Snape continued in a softer tone. 'Force of habit. Please sit down Mr Potter.'
'You can call me Harry, you know.' Harry said softly, sitting back down.
Snape looked at him quizzically. 'I thought...'
'You thought what, Professor? That I didn't respect you?' A small amount of hurt laced Harry's words.
'Well I haven't really given you any reason too.'
Harry hesitated. 'You forget the things I see, Professor.'
This time it was Snape's turn to pale significantly. 'All of it?' He whispered, brows arched.
Harry sighed. 'All of it.' He confirmed. They sat in silence for several minutes, each going over what they had seen, directly and indirectly.
'Harry, would you call me Severus?' Snape asked softly, not meeting Harry's eyes.
Harry smiled inwardly. 'Are you sure, Professor?' he asked, giving the other man a chance to refuse. Snape looked up, finally catching Harry's eye.
'I'm sure.' Snape smiled; a real, genuine smile. Harry was almost speechless by the way it changed the other man's face.
'You should really smile more.' Harry told him.
Severus snorted. 'Doesn't fit the image, Harry.'
'Voldemort has found you out, Severus.' Harry drawled. 'You don't need the image anymore.'
'Who said it was for the Dark Lord? Besides, I kind of like it.' Severus sniffed.
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Try saying that while looking at me.'
The potions master smirked. 'No. I know your occlumency is probably as good as mine by now.'
'Whatever.' Harry snorted, waving a hand in dismissal of the subject.
'I hear Draco has been talking to you.' Snape said carefully a few moments later. Harry nodded. 'Do you think he is softening yet?'
Harry studied the other man carefully. 'It is too early to be sure as yet. He was born under that pureblood mantra. I believe it will take some time before Draco sees that all of his beliefs, the ones drilled into him since birth, are not as correct as he thought.'
'I've also heard that he asked you to call him Draco.' Harry nodded again. 'Although I believe he still calls you Potter.'
'Yeah,' Harry said indignantly. 'What's with that? I told them all in the first Weapons class to call me Harry.'
'Yes, you did.' Snape agreed. 'But at that stage he still thought of you as Potter. And after hearing your rationale on the way to the hospital wing that night, he won't call you Harry until he has earned your respect. Respect and trust.'
Harry nodded his understanding. Just then the clock over the fireplace struck ten. 'I really should go.' Harry said, a little reluctantly but standing up all the same. 'I have training in the morning.'
Snape nodded as they stood up and walked towards the door. 'Thank you again, Harry.' He said softly, holding out his hand.
Harry took the offered hand and looked into the other man's eyes. 'You're welcome, Severus.' He replied.
Harry heard the door close softly behind him as he wandered back towards his rooms contemplating the complex man that was Severus Snape. As he walked down the corridor before the entrance hall he heard soft whispering coming from a classroom. Harry shifted to one of his three animagus forms and padded silently into the classroom.
'My father told me the Dark Lord is gearing up for an attack on Hogwarts. He is desperate to get to Potter.' Draco said.
'Mine said that it will happen before Christmas.' Goyle added.
'We have to tell someone. They need to be prepared.' Crabbe whispered. Harry almost fell over in shock as he heard both Crabbe and Goyle saying complete sentences instead of just grunting.
'What about Harry? We could tell him.' Blaise suggested.
'How would we tell him though? He probably wouldn't believe us.' Draco said sadly. Harry padded silently over to the group and sat before it. Blaise was the first one to notice him and yelped in shock, falling backwards off the desk he was sitting on. The others looked at him and just stared.
'Potter?' Draco said tentatively. Harry smiled to himself and with a pop transformed. Where a black panther with bright green eyes had sat now stood a tall dark haired man.
'You lot really should think about locking and silencing spells.' He said softly, waving his wand and casting both quickly. 'How did you know?' He questions, turning to Draco.
'The eyes.' The Slytherin stammered, still gaping at Harry open mouthed.
'Oh right. Crabbe, Goyle.' Harry greeted them. They just grunted in reply. 'Enough of that. I heard you both.'
'Bollocks.' Goyle swore.
'Now you know.' Crabbe's brow furrowed in thought. At least Harry hoped it was thought. Having never seen the expression on either boy's face before it was a little hard to tell. This place had certainly changed over the last year.
'Why the act?' Harry asked curiously.
'It's to put the Dark Lord off.' Goyle said.
'If we were smart like Draco the Dark Lord would want to mark us all the sooner.' Crabbe offered.
'We have to figure out a way to get rid of him before that.' Goyle added, their manner of speech instantly reminding Harry of the Weasley twins.
'But you have been acting this way since first year.' Harry said eventually. 'You can't tell me you were thinking about Voldemort back then.'
'Actually we were. When you see your first revel at age nine, it kind of does something to you.' Crabbe said with a rather revolted grimace.
'Tell me about it.' Draco muttered.
Harry frowned, this didn't make sense with what the Seers had seen. Maybe there had been more than one path for Draco after all and the Seer's just hadn't Seen it.
'This is too much.' Harry breathed out, shaking his head and causing Draco and Blaise to exchange an amused glance.
'So will you help us, Harry?' Blaise asked, having picked himself up off the floor and climbed back onto the desk.
'Of course. You only had to ask?'
'How much did you actually hear?' Crabbe said.
'Most of it, I gather. About the attack anyway. Can I ask you all something?' The four Slytherins nodded. 'Why? I mean I know Blaise' parents are neutral but the rest of you. Why now?'
The three boys looked at each other and replied with one word at exactly the same time.
'Snape.' said Goyle.
'Snape.' said Crabbe.
'Severus.' said Malfoy.
Harry nodded slowly. 'Oh.' He murmured. He knew that Draco was close to Severus, being is godson and all but the others?
'Distant uncle.' Crabbe supplied in response to Harry's confused expression.
'Mother's cousin.' Goyle added.
'Ah. Right, well I want to help you. All of you. Let's start from the beginning.' He suggested, gesturing for the four boys to take seats around him.
They stayed there for more than two hours, going over what Draco, Vince and Greg, as they insisted Harry call them, knew.
'Alright, let me talk to Albus in the morning and we'll work something out.' Harry smiled.
'Will you let us know?' Draco whispered.
Harry nodded. 'Now, is there anyone else in Slytherin in the same position as you three?'
'Millie.' Blaise said quietly.
'Millie?' Harry's xpression was distant as he tried to think of whom they were talking about.
'Millicent Bulstrode.' Draco added.
'Ah. Her parents?' Harry asked.
'Are Death Eaters.' Blaise confirmed.
'Why doesn't she come running with us in the mornings?'
'Her parents are unhappy enough that you are teaching her let alone her spending time with you outside of class.' Greg replied.
Harry's brows rose to his hairline. 'They are that bad? That loyal to Voldemort?'
'Worse.' Draco whispered.
'Every holiday we worry she isn't going to come back. I think this Christmas she might not.' Vince told him.
Harry looked thoughtfully at them for several moments. 'What if we had Severus tell all the seventh year parents that he is having special classes over the holidays. I seem to remember that Miss Bulstrode is having some difficulty with her NEWT Potions. He could say it's for that.'
The Slytherins' eyes positively lit up and Harry let out a soft chuckle.
'Harry, you're a genius.' Blaise snickered.
'Would they go for it?' He asked curiously. Maybe Slytherin parents thought differently to others.
'Probably.' Draco nodded in agreement. 'I know mine would, thank Merlin.'
Harry let out a gusty sigh then and stood up. 'It's all set then. I will talk to Severus in the morning and let you know. Now, get to bed all of you before I take points.' He added with a wry grin.
He dropped the locking and silencing charms and watched as they all filed out of the room frowning when the blond Slytherin hesitated in the doorway, looking back at Harry with an unreadable expression on his face. 'Draco? Was there anything else?' He questioned.
'Thanks Potter.' Draco said softly.
'Harry.' The older man insisted.
'Harry.' Draco amended with a small smile.
Harry smiled back. 'You're welcome, Draco.'
'Hello.' Gwen whispered as he climbed into bed. 'It's late. I thought Professor Snape might have done away with you and used your body parts for various potions.'
Harry snorted. 'Fifteen years ago he probably would have.' Harry chuckled. 'Or would that be five seeing as we are here? Did I ever tell you of the time Ron and I flew to Hogwarts in a Ford Anglia and were almost killed by the Whomping Willow?'
'You're changing the subject.' Gwen scolded. 'What happened?'
Harry snickered and proceeded to tell her everything. She gasped when he got to the part about the four Slytherins. He told her what they had said and what he had proposed.
'Say something.' Harry prompted finally as Gwen sat there open mouthed.
'You're kidding me. Crabbe and Goyle can talk?' She breathed incredulously and Harry laughed loudly.
'I can't believe out of everything I told you, that is what you remember.'
'Well you have to admit. It's quite a shock.' She insisted.
'Yes, well, you're probably right. If I had been on two feet instead of four I probably would have fallen over.' Harry agreed.
'Who were you?' She smiled, moving closer to him. She loved Harry's animagus forms.
'Black.' He murmured.
'Show me.' She pleaded. Harry smiled and transformed with a pop. Gwen's eyes lit up as she stroked the stunning panther sitting in front of her. 'Stay.' She whispered, lying down. Harry smiled to himself and laid beside her, purring contentedly as she ran her hand down his side. Eventually they fell asleep that way. The elf and the large black panther cuddled together, sleeping soundly; the only noise in the room, a soft purr.
'Can you be ready to face him by Christmas, Harry?' Albus said.
'Bring him on.' Harry said firmly.
Severus snorted. 'Cocky, aren't we?'
Harry smirked at the other man. 'You forget. I have been training for this for more than ten years.'
'I'll give you that one.' Severus said grudgingly.
'One point to me then.' Harry grinned.
Severus rolled his eyes as Albus coughed softly to get their attention. 'What about Miss Bulstrode and the others?'
'I think Harry's idea has merit.' The potions master stated and Harry smirked brightly.
'Another point to me.' He all but sang.
'I'm going to smack you.' Severus warned but Harry just continued smirking at him so Snape ignored him and turned back to Albus. 'If you or any of the other teachers had asked the students to stay, the parents might become suspicious but if I do it, it won't seem nearly as unusual. They don't know that I know about the attack but they know what I'm like regarding the students' schoolwork. Miss Bulstrode and Messrs Crabbe and Goyle are woefully behind in their NEWTs potions and I would lay Galleons that after what happened, their parents would believe that I will no longer cut their children any slack.'
Harry snorted loudly 'Ron owes me five galleons.' He muttered wryly.
'Pardon?' Severus voice was glacial.
'Oh nothing.' Harry said brightly, although he could see by the look on Albus' face that he knew exactly what Harry was talking about and was having great difficulty suppressing his own mirth. 'What about Draco? He certainly isn't failing. Although…..if you aren't cutting them any slack anymore...' Harry trailed off and Albus couldn't help but laugh at the indignant expression on the potions master's face.
'I'll have you know that Draco earns every grade he gets.' The potions master sniffed.
'Yeah right.' Harry snorted and the older man's annoyed expression became intensely curious.
'What is wrong with you?' He questioned, arching an eyebrow. 'You've been acting like a delinquent thirteen year old all morning.'
Harry couldn't help but snicker again. 'You're right. Sorry. I always get a bit funny after I sleep as Black.'
Even Albus looked confused this time and the look on Severus' face was priceless.
'Black?' Albus questioned.
Harry rolled his eyes and once again transformed. This time Severus went the whole hog and fell off the chair in shock, staggering sideways before righting himself.
Albus was opening and closing his mouth like a fish out of water. 'Who taught you that? I didn't think the elves could be animagi?'
Harry changed back laughing. 'They can't. It just happened one day.'
'Just happened?' Severus said, having recovered enough to sit back in his chair.
Harry shrugged lightly. 'Well, I was playing a game with several of the pages in the court and I was chasing them. They're damn quick little blighters, I tell you. Anyway, I was running down a hallway thinking Gwen would never let me live it down if I lost them and I was concentrating really hard and suddenly I was running on four legs, not two. Scared the crap out of the elves.' He added with another laugh.
'I'll bet it did.' Albus snorted.
'Have you heard of anyone ever becoming an animagus just by concentrating hard enough, Albus?' Severus asked.
The Headmaster looked thoughtfully at Harry. 'No. No I haven't. But Harry isn't really a good test case. I haven't heard of anyone surviving the killing curse either, mother's sacrifice or not.'
Harry's eyes widened. 'You mean that...'
Albus held up his hand. 'I don't mean anything yet Harry, but it definitely deserves more research. Now I think breakfast might just be ready.' The elderly Headmaster said, changing the subject. Together the three men rose and made their way towards the great hall.
'Do you have any other hidden talents?' Severus asked wryly.
'Well, now that you mention it.' Harry smirked. 'I do have two other animagus form.'
Snape's eyes widened and Albus chuckled. 'Really? Three forms. How unusual.' He grinned proudly.
'What are they?' Severus asked, intrigued.
'Wouldn't you like to know.' Harry smirked.
'Brat.' Severus mumbled under his breath.
'What was that?'
'Nothing.' Snape said quickly causing Harry to snort loudly.
Albus chuckled to himself at their antics as they made their way through the large doors. Harry hadn't seen anyone this morning as he had met with Albus and Severus first thing and Gwen had taken the training down by the lake. Harry nodded to several students as they walked up towards the head table. He caught Draco's eye and winked noticing the boy and the two either side of him releasing the breaths they were holding. He leaned down and kissed Gwen.
'Helarshana.' he whispered. (Hello and good morning)
'Helarshana.' she replied. 'Anash direc tonash divan atar?' (All went well this morning?)
'Gelos atru nicos alast.' Harry said, helping himself to some eggs. (Good as could be expected.)
'Tonis aten yuash shivar wulos anike?' (Will you meet them again tonight?)
'Anoe isara kafir.' (After dinner.)
'Good.' Gwen replied in English. Harry smiled at her as she leaned over placing a kiss on his nose. Suddenly the doors were flung open and for the second time that year a strange group stood in the doorway. This time there was over ten of them.
'Father' Gwen shrieked, leaping nimbly over the table and down the centre aisle. Harry quickly following her.
'Darius, it's wonderful to see you.' Harry said warmly, shaking the Elven King's hand. 'Did Madolyne accompany you?'
Darius moved to one side to reveal the Queen standing behind him; looking stunning as usual in her royal blue dress and cloak.
'Harry.' she whispered with tears in her eyes. 'Wilei misara yuash.' (We missed you.)
'Mia misara yuash tre.' (I missed you too.) He said quietly as Gwen's mother enveloped him in a hug. The group of four took no notice of anyone else as they caught up with each other. The warriors there to protect the King and Queen were still surrounding the group and hadn't let anyone else other than Gwen and Harry within ten feet. Students around the hall were watching wide eyed, breakfast forgotten.
'Now where is this Dobby I've been hearing about?' Darius asked.
Harry snapped his fingers and a loud crack was heard.
'Yes Prince Harry Potter Sir. Can Dobby do something for the great and wonderful Prince Harry Potter?'
Harry rolled his eyes as Gwen giggled softly. 'Dobby.' Harry said firmly. 'I want you to meet someone.'
'Dobby meet someone, Harry Potter Prince, Sir?'
'Yes Dobby.' Harry turned and gestured to the two Elves beside him.
'Dobby. This is King Darius and Queen Madolyne.' He said softly. The introductions were quite unnecessary however, for as soon as Dobby set eyes on their rings and crowns he began shivering. He stuttered several times before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fainted.
'Well, that wasn't quite the introduction I expected.' The King chuckled heartily.
Harry snorted as three more house elves appeared, bowing to the royal family before whisking Dobby back to the kitchens.
'What are you doing here?' Gwen said, clutching her father's arm. Queen Madolyne still had her arms around Harry's waist and was gazing up at him with tear filled eyes. It was obvious to all that she adored her son-in-law very much.
'Your mother missed you.' Darius told her.
'Missed Harry more like.' Gwen snickered as Madolyne gave Harry another squeeze.
'I missed you both.' She said firmly.
'We've missed you too.' Harry grinned, his arm over his mother-in-law's shoulder, 'How's everything at the Glade? No problems yet?' Darius and Madolyne glanced nervously at each other; an action that instantly had Harry on alert. 'What is it?'
'Something has happened.' Darius admitted. 'Your work here has changed the future already and we have word for you from the Seers.'
'It's bad.' Harry said. It wasn't a question.
Darius nodded. 'Yes. Can we go somewhere private?' Harry hesitated a moment before sending a nod in Albus' direction and escorting the group back to their rooms, leaving the great hall buzzing loudly behind them.