Harry woke up the next day to the sound of Malfoy's voice, but it certainly wasn't Draco.
'…too soft on him Severus. If he stays here you will coddle him so much he won't be able to breathe without your help.'
'You know well enough by now Lucius that I am not the coddling type. I never coddle any of my students or else they'll never learn anything.'
Harry quietly got out of bed as he listened to the conversation that was going on in the lounge. He grabbed his clothes and made his way over to the bathroom.
'Yes, but we all know that you have a soft spot for Draco, don't we? You are jeopardising all my years of teaching by letting him get away with too much. For two years in a row now he has been beaten in most of his subjects by that mudblood girl, even in potions and …'
Harry turned the shower on full blast, drowning out the voices that were continuing their argument.
Five minutes later he turned the shower off again.
'…Not a child father, I can do what I want and I want to stay here with Severus.' That was Draco.
'Did you think that was a choice I was offering, Draco. Let me make it clear that it certainly was not. Your mother is worried sick and you are going back—'
'And since when have you known how mother feels? She's probably forgotten what you look like by now, that's how much she's seen you. Do you really think she's moping about at home waiting for you to be cleared and come home? You're not the only one being unfaithful in this marriage and if you think—'
A sharp crack hit the air and Harry winced in sympathy.
'How dare you…'
Harry turned the shower on again as he was getting dressed, even though he no longer needed to use it.
By the time he finally turned the water off again and exited the bathroom everything was silent in the living room, in fact it was silent everywhere which made Harry wonder exactly where the other three had gone.
He opened the door slightly and peeked out into the living room, expecting it to be empty. What he saw instead was Snape lounging on the sofa reading a thick tome. Much to Harry's displeasure Draco was there too, on the chair opposite engrossed in his own book. He didn't look at all as if his father had just come in, insulted him and then whacked him about the face, that is apart from the fact that his left cheek was slightly red, the mark in the form of a handprint.
Just as Harry was about to announce his presence Draco looked up at Severus, his features deep in thought. 'If the potion never turned green,' he said. 'It means there was no glamour at all, right?'
'We've already established that Draco.' Snape replied.
'I know that but listen. There are spells, enchantments that completely change a persons features but they have glamours fitted into them which makes them a lot more powerful and easy to control. Like the Elexis for example.'
'And your point?' Snape looked tired and actually tried to cover up a yawn.
'Well if someone had Elexis cast on him the potion wouldn't turn green either because the glamour is added onto the enchantment, not onto the person themselves. I still think we're dealing with a very intricate glamour charm on top of whatever enchantment was used. It would strengthen the spell and avoid someone just waving a wand and cancelling the spell with a few words. It's safer.'
'Elexis had nothing to do with—'
'Oh forget Elexis. It was just an example.'
Snape thought for a moment. 'It is amazingly simple then, if that's what was done. I've been disregarding all the enchantments I could think about and read about because it didn't fit with the consistency…'
'And disregarding the glamours because it didn't fit with the colour.' Draco finished.
Now Harry had no idea what they were going on about but he did know that it was about him and decided it was about time he was included in this conversation.
He stepped fully into the room. 'And what exactly are you two talking about on this fine morning?' He said cheerily.
'None of your business.' Draco snapped.
'Draco.' Snape said in warning.
'In fact I think it is my business seeing as you are in fact talking about me.'
'Oh in that case do join us.' Draco said in a fake polite voice. 'And tell us, what do you think this enchantment is.' Draco rested his head in his hands and looked at Harry expectantly as if he would like nothing more then to hear Harry's views on the matter.
Harry shook his head in disgust and plopped down on the sofa as far away from the potions master as was possible. 'So, you know what it is? You can remove it?' He asked, trying to add at least a little enthusiasm into his voice.
'That is what we have been discussing this morning while you have been lazing in bed.' Snape replied dryly. 'Now I think we will both need to go back to the lab for a few more tests on this idea. You are welcome to join us Harry, so long as you don't touch anything or do anything whatsoever.'
'Oh I would love to Severus.' Harry replied sweetly, the name rolling off his tongue. 'But unfortunately I have to go eat some flobberworms and then write an endearing letter of love to the Dark Lord before finally seeking out Lucius and offering to suck him off.'
With that Harry got up and flounced off to his room, leaving sounds of retching from Draco and low chuckling from Snape in his wake.
--
Harry lay in bed reading some of his textbooks for a while, or at least trying to. He ended up reading the same line of his charms book over and over again before finally giving it up as a lost cause. His mind kept on wandering off to what the other two were doing in Snape's private lab, whether they had found out how to remove the glamour, whether he wanted them to, and what on earth possessed him to talk about sucking off Lucius Malfoy, even in sarcasm.
Snape had found it amusing but then Harry was starting to understand his sense of humour. It was the type of thing he would find funny. Harry actually smiled at that thought now and then cringed when he realised he had been doing so.
A short while later Harry was called back in for lunch. Draco and Severus were already seated when Harry finally joined them. There was a tray of toasted sandwiches in the middle of the table with a variety of fillings and next to them a bowl of potato wedges and a simple salad. Harry had to stare for a while to make sure he was seeing things right.
Snape? Making toasted sandwiches and wedges? Maybe this was done for Draco's benefit, like everything else. Maybe Harry should start asking for meals like this himself, not that Snape would ever agree to it for his benefit.
The two of them were already deep into a conversation about Harry's glamour- or whatever it was, and Harry just sat there gloomily picking at his sandwich.
'Well I'm surprised you didn't think of it yourself.' Draco was saying in his haughty voice. 'I mean it is amazingly simple.'
'Which is probably why I didn't think of it and you did, seeing as you have a very simple mind and mine is a lot more complex.'
'Why you …' With that Draco launched a piece of lettuce across the table at Snape which hit him square on the noise.
Harry shivered slightly. If it was him who did that he would probably have got another slap. All Draco got was the piece of lettuce launched back at him, the dressing on it spoiling the front of his shirt, much to Draco's anger. Harry tried his best not to laugh at that.
'Seriously it is very ingenious using something like that. Most people don't think of the simple things because they think of them as too simple for people to actually use.' Snape continued as if he hadn't just had a food fight with his Godson.
'And so to actually use it is like a double bluff.' Draco continued.
Snape inclined his head slightly.
'You just won't admit you couldn't do it without me.' Draco teased.
'We've already established that you are simple so you think of the simple things. That's nothing to be proud of.'
'Do you want another piece of lettuce launched at you?' Draco actually lifted a piece off his plate in warning.
At that Harry pushed his plate away from him and stood up suddenly.
'I can't deal with this.' He said softly and quickly made his way to his room without looking back.
Once there he plopped down face first on his bed, his heart thumping loudly.
What was wrong with him?That scene between Snape and Draco Malfoy had really upset him and he had no clue why it did.
It wasn't as if he wanted Snape to treat him that way. It wasn't as if he was jealous of the ease the two had with each other. So why did he have this ache deep in his throat.
And now that he thought of it, why would Snape make toasted sandwiches and potato wedges for someone like Draco Malfoy? It was far to mugglish and common for his taste.
--
Two hours later Harry was actually called into the potions lab. He had been reading one of his old DADA books about non-verbal spells and had found that he had actually gotten quite into it.
Blocked again, and again, and again until you learn to keep you mouth shut and your mind closed, Potter.
Well he'd managed one of them at least. Why didn't Harry realise before that Snape was actually shouting useful tips to him, telling what he had to do to defeat the Dark Lord? Probably because he had just killed the headmaster at the time.
When Harry finally entered the lab Snape was waiting impatiently with his arms folded while Draco was busy stirring a dark green potion that smelt worse than polyjuice. His brow was creased in concentration and he didn't even seem to notice that Harry had arrived.
'I think it's ready.' He said, quite nervously in Harry's opinion. 'The colour and consistency seems right but as we've never made this before I really can't tell—'
'It will be fine Draco.' Snape replied in a no-nonsense voice, grabbing the ladle from the boy.
Draco hurriedly moved away from the cauldron as Snape took his place. He grabbed the empty goblet that was lying next to it and literally poured all of the contents of the cauldron into it. The goblet automatically grew bigger to accommodate all the liquid.
He handed the potion to Harry. 'Drink.' He said, reminding Harry of the first night he arrived here. But Harry was not going to drink this time until he found out what this was and how it worked.
'What, is this it? What does it do?' He asked, fully expecting Snape to tell him that it would give him riches beyond his wildest fucking dreams.
'What do you think it will do you imbecile? Give you jelly legs.' Okay so Harry's last thought wasn't exactly right but Snape still couldn't answer without sarcasm. 'It will remove the glamour, you twit. Now drink.'
Harry sighed but still lifted the goblet to his lips, holding his nose against the awful smell. Then two things happened almost at once. At the first taste of the substance Harry gagged reflexively and his body revolted as he tried to spit it out. However at the same time the goblet was pushed more firmly against his lips and hands pulled his head back almost painfully and kept his nose pinched so that he could not breath. As Harry gagged and his stomach twisted the potion was forced between his lips and tipped down his throat. The fingers holding his nostrils shut stayed where they were until Harry swallowed then everything was gone.
Harry came to bent over double, coughing and trying to calm his stomach, which was still trying to revolt. Finally he managed to stand up.
'What the hell was that about?' He yelled to no one in particular.
Snape stood opposite Harry, looking at him appraisingly. 'I knew with the mix of ingredients that the potion would be foul and figured you would not be able to swallow it without some help.'
Harry glared, then turned to see Draco leaning against the wall and smirking at him. He had been the one holding his head back, Harry could tell. 'I'm glad you enjoyed that.' Harry spat at him.
'Yeah, I did.' Then his smirk grew wider. 'Have sweet dreams Potter.' Then he sauntered out the room.
'What's that meant to mean?' Harry said as he turned to glare at Snape.
Snape sighed. 'Just that you might have a … slightly uncomfortable night, what with all the changes your body will experience.'
Harry's hand suddenly shot up to his hair at Snape's words and then down to fell his face. 'Do-do I look any different?' He asked worriedly.
Snape sniffed haughtily. 'Imbecile.' He muttered as he strode out the room.
--
Harry could only pick at his turkey salad that evening, his stomach still revolting, only this time it was not at the foul taste of the potion but at the thought of what the potion was going to do to him.
He knew that he hadn't experienced any changes yet and probably would not do so until night time but that still didn't help his nerves. It also didn't help him that neither Draco nor Snape would tell him anything.
After dinner both of the boys helped Snape clear up the dinner and the potions room before Snape sent Draco to his room with a stern warning Harry didn't quite understand.
'Come.' Snape said to Harry. Leading the way to Harry's bedroom.
Harry followed reluctantly and sat down stiffly on his bed. He watched as Snape went to the cupboard and brought out a pile of books, which he then placed on the bedside table.
Harry's heart sank as he eyed the books apprehensively. Probably potions books no doubt.
'They're not potions.' Snape said as if he had read Harry's mind. 'You actually need to have books you would be happy to read tonight.'
As Harry took a closer look he caught words like quidditch, defence, hexes and broomsticks. And also a certain book called The top 100 cheats used in professional Quidditch and how to use them effectively. Harry couldn't help but laugh. He was still surprised Snape had actually given it back to him.
'Now.' Snape began as he sat down next to Harry on the bed, blocking off his view to the books.. 'Like I said you are going to feel some changes tonight. The way the spell works- and Draco and I are pretty sure this will work- is that it only starts the process when you are asleep and not before.'
'So I won't feel anything.'
'You may feel the back of my hand if you interrupt me again.' He waited for Harry's slight nod and then continued. 'It will start when you are asleep and hopefully a lot of it will take place while you are in the unconscious state. Unfortunately the more the potion starts working the more painful it will become and soon enough it will become so painful as to wake you up.
'Once you have awoken I doubt you will be able to get back to sleep again. That is why I have given you these books to read. You will not be able to sleep and you will need something to take your mind off the pain. As the night wears on I don't think that the books will even do that but they will do to start with and then you'll just have to grin and bear it.'
'How painful will it actually be?' Harry asked, his voice hitching.
'You had to re-grow the bones in you arm in second year after that idiot of a professor vanished them, is that correct?'
Harry nodded. 'Will it be like that? That was painful enough.'
'It will probably be about ten times worse.' Harry blanched. 'But the same type of pain.'
'Why will it be worse? I had to re-grow my bones from scratch.'
'Yes and in this case you will be changing the very structure and shape of your bones.' Snape replied. 'Things will be shifting about in your body rather than just growing back where they already were before.'
Harry shifted about on his bed uncomfortably. 'Isn't there a pain relief potion I can take?' He asked hopefully.
'No. Any other potion you may take could react badly to the one you already have.'
Harry nodded.
'You're no stranger to pain.' Snape said. 'Think of this as more practice in pain. After tonight Cruciatus will feel like a ride on your broom.'
Harry nodded again in defeat. 'Should I try to sleep now or wait a little?'
'I don't suppose it matters as you will most probably have the same amount of sleep no matter when you start. But like everything the sooner it starts the sooner it stops. If you try to sleep now you may be alright for lunch.'
'For lunch?' Harry spluttered. 'It takes that long?'
'Yes.' Snape replied. 'Probably longer as I doubt you'll be able to get to sleep that quickly tonight.'
'You're telling me.'
'This is where Occlumency comes in. You will need to clear your mind of these painful thoughts in order to get to sleep. I can stay with you if you want but I believe you are capable of doing so yourself now.'
'Yes, I'll be fine.' Harry said more bravely than he felt. 'If you don't mind I think I'll go and have a shower now and then read for a bit until I feel tired.'
'Okay.' Snape said and got up to leave. As he was about to walk out the door he turned back. 'You may have some strange dreams as well but I wouldn't worry too much about them, you will be in a feverish state.' He paused for a moment. 'If you need me … you know I'm only next door.'
He parted on these words, closing the door softly behind him.
Harry stared at the closed door in awe. That sounded almost … fatherly. He banished those thoughts with a shake of his head and went into the bathroom for his shower.
He probably had the longest shower in history as he was dreading going to sleep. But to be brutally honest with himself he knew that the pain he was going to be feeling was only part of the reason, and not a very big part at that.
The main reason he did not want to go to sleep was because he would most probably wake up looking distinctly different, and he did not want to look any different. He knew that he wasn't that good-looking, he had messy hair that would not stay put, he was too short and his eyesight was so bad he needed his glasses on every minute of the day.
But what was the alternative? A big, hooked nose, greasy hair, sallow skin, skeletal figure. Harry shivered at the mere thought. He liked how he looked, he liked the fact that he looked like James even if he wasn't his real father and was a bit of a bully. He was used to the way he looked and knew what to expect when he looked in the mirror.
He touched his nose apprehensively just to assure himself it was still the same size. He wanted to savour every last second of what he thought of as his proper appearance.
After a long while he finally dragged himself out of the shower and to his bed, huddling under the covers. For some reason he was shivering uncontrollably even though his shower had been extremely hot. He grabbed for The Cheats Used in Professional Quidditchbook and opened it to a random page, forcing his mind to read the words.
Unfortunately this particular dive cannot be used anymore as referees now know what to look for and if caught the player could be disqualified for
Harry shut the book with a snap and chucked it back onto his bedside table. It fell off the other end with a clatter, bringing another book down with it. Harry read the title from the spine which was now facing him. Hogwarts: An Interesting History.
Harry frowned and then reached over to pick it up. Underneath the main title were sub-headings of what to expect from the book. Tricks, treats, secret passages, poltergeists, quidditch, teachers, detentions and lots more!
Harry smiled to himself and opened the book to the first chapter. The Founders: What they were really like. Soon enough he was chuckling softly to himself, totally absorbed by the book.
It was about twenty minutes later that he started to feel sleepy and put the book down. Five minutes later he fell asleep. Ten minutes after that his eyelids started to flutter.
He dreamt.