Disclaimer: Obviously I do not own Harry Potter, any other characters, or any aspect from the ORIGINAL Harry Potter Universe. My name is not J.K. Rowling and of that I am glad.
Warning: this will be slash. End of story. Get used to it.
A/N so I am on vacation. And it's been forever. I am dreadfully sorry. Will you ever forgive me? Well I'm in Washington right now. Was in California last week and am thoroughly enjoying myself. But right now we have been in a car for hours and I am bored. The voice in my head started voicing the last chapter of this story and I just knew I had to write more. So here I am. Forgive a wayward soul.
Previously-
The doors to the hall opened and the candles flickered. A figure stood in the entry wearing black slacks, trainers, and waistcoat; the grey silk underneath moving slightly against the breeze. His dark hair hung to mid back and swung slightly to the side. He held in one hand a ebony intricate cane as the other pushed the door closed. His green eyes sparkled up at to the head table his eyebrow raised questioningly before a wide grin spread across his face as he met the familiar, stunned faces, of comrades.
"Honey I'm home."
Presently-
Harry started walking down the center isle toward the head table, the soft tap of the cane a precise companion. He watched with satisfaction the reactions of some, glares from others, and smiles from more. The Malfoy's stood to the side, Bellatrix eyeing him carefully. He stopped in front of the table and nodded lightly to her tapping his right ring finger against the head of the cane. A ebony silver ring flashing in the light. The only hint of surprise from her was the slight dilation of the eyes. Draco Malfoy was another matter though. His eyes focused on the ring and there was a sharp intake of breath. He nodded again at the two senior Malfoy's, Narcissa being the only one who knew the identity of her lord. They both nodded softly.
Harry skipped of the figure sitting next to Lucius, he did not want to see the angry glare so soon, and looked at Minerva; smiling widely.
"Well am happy to see you."
Minerva stood and walked down the steps and embraced him.
"Harry why didn't you tell me you were coming back?" she looked over her glasses and raised an eyebrow. "Or that you were coming from a family." There was a growl before Harry caught a light movement next to Lucius. His right hand tightened around the dark Holly wood head of the cane pulling the twelve inch wand from within and swung his arm towards the moving figure. Three feet away stood Severus Snape, Potions master, in a elegant black suit, his hair tied back by a single green band.
For moments the stood there, Severus scanned his face his black eyes trailing down his neck stopping briefly On the Now midnight blue Celtic design before taking in the rest of his appearance. Harry though was watching for signs that the Vampire would advance closer. He knew now what the man was, who the stranger in the room had been. Brief anger simmered under the surface. He pulled the silver ball between his lips and raised his eyebrow.
"Good Evening master Snape." The man raised a matching black brow and took a step forward. Harry twisted his wrist allowing his wand to point straighter towards the man. The dark eyes flashed before he took a step back.
"You were bitten?" An anxious look passed through the dark eyes before everything was covered behind a mask. Harry lowered his wand a centimeter as he scowled at the older man.
"If I was?" Anger flashed behind the mask as the man scowled back.
"Who would dare…" He flicked his wand at the man, immobilizing and silencing him. As he approached the figure he could feel every eye on him. He smirked a little, they expected the worst. Or best depending on how one looked at it. He stepped up to the man, placed his right hand on his shoulder as he leaned over to his left ear.
"Wouldn't dare what, Severus? The vampires I know are not afraid to show who they truly are. Yes that Glamour you wear is quite unique, I don't believe one vampire I met wore one. You see I was told just this last month that any of them would love to have me as their one. But they wouldn't because I already have a chosen don't I? When he stops hiding I will approach him. As I said three years ago just in a different context. You want me to accept you? You must first accept yourself and then me." He turned on his heel waving his wand nonchalantly.
"Minerva may I see you in your office?" He looked up at the ceiling for a moment as he walked; his wand now safely tucked back into the head of the cane. "And Bellatrix, it would be a pleasure if you and the Malfoys' joined me some tea tonight. Say around 22?" He raised his hand to the door and said a silent goodbye to his privacy.
He walked silently past students, ignoring their wide eyes looks. He was far too used to it now anyway. He was aware of his companion as they walked towards the office but it was silent, neither willing to bring up what had just been said.
A familiar statue stood in front of them and Harry reached out to pet the head of the Guardian. He turned to look at the headmistress.
"Phoenix rises." As the stone gargoyle moved aside he raised an amused eyebrow at her. She looked at him over her glasses before walking up the stairs. The both sat at their respected seats. Hers the high back that sat behind the large wooden desk and him the soft black plush seat in front of it.
"This is a new chair." He sat back into the comfort it provided. She smirked at him before summoning some tea.
"It is not the first; I believe I have actually had to replace that specific chair at least eight times now over the last three years."
He gave a sheepish look before shrugging. "I have not done anything to the chair."
She handed him a cup before taking a sip of her own. "No but a certain acquaintance of ours did. He seemed to hate even looking at the chair."
Harry slowly lowered his tea to the table before shifting in the chair. He did not feel as comfortable in the way this conversation was going. She gave him a knowing look.
"What is it you wished to speak to me about?"
He rested his elbow on the arm and waved carefully. "I am hoping to ask permission to commandeer some rooms from the castle that I may use."
"Why do you wish to stay at the castle? Surely you have your own home?"
"I wish to stay here for many reasons. But only with permission."
She thought for a moment.
"Severus would like that."
He looked away, out the window to be specific. He watched a hippogriff rise above the tree line before diving back down.
"I am not so sure on that statement. But if it helps you say yes I will not deny that that man is part of the reason I wish to stay."
"If it puts him in any other mood than the one he's been in, than by all means."
"Thank you Minerva."Harry stood and nodded at her. He walked over to the door before making his way silently down the stairs.
She's right you know. I thought I got rid of you. Never. He mentally rolled his eyes, as he passed a couple of third years. Their eyes going wide before they ran off. Hmmm, that is new. Harry shrugged. What are you going to do about him? Nothing. Then why are you here?
Harry looked in front of him and stared at the familiar sneer.
"Ah, the young one returns."
"Good evening sir."
"And he learns manners."
He ignored the jab and sighed, looking around he tried to figure out what had brought him down this way.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm trying to figure that out myself actually."
"Unless you are here to mend what you have broken I suggest you leave."
Harry gave the portrait a cool look. "It is on my list. But as I told him. He must accept himself before he should approach me. I know enough of his people to know that they do not hide." He turned to walk away.
"He may need help from someone else. He has spent too many years hiding."
He stopped for a second before he continued walking. He had tea with family soon. He grimaced. Narcissa he could stand. It was her son, husband, and sister he was unsure of. But s he had promised he would try to keep the open mind.
As he was walking he found an inconspicuous door a few corridors from Snapes room. He gave it a curious look before opening it.
And it did not budge.
He stared at it for a moment his hand still on the handle. There was nothing special about the door. It was plain. Normal. Something people just walked by without second though. Depending on what was behind it, it would be perfect. No one expected him in the dungeons. And you will be close to Severus. As he thought he ran his fingers over the handle the smooth grooves taking shape. The smooth metal shaping into jagged patterns. Harry looked down at the handle and almost laughed. His hand grasped the midsection of a snake ready to strike; its eyes sparkling up at him.
{May I ask if you would open?}
{You may speaker, but I may not open. Only those with good reason may stay in these rooms.}
{I wish to stay close to those I care about so that I may be more able to protect them. I wish a place to rest, to learn, and to train. But I need some place I can stay that no one will think to find me.}
The snake said nothing for a moment. Before nodding slowly. {I will grant you entry.} And he struck; sinking his fangs into the soft skin of his hand. Harry winced as the snake released his hand and the door opened slowly.
{You may enter at will. But if you are not in the room no one will be granted entry." He rubbed his hand as the puncture marks healed slowly. He nodded at the snake.
{Thank you Guardian.} He said grudgingly. {Couldn't have warned me though?"} The guardian hissed a laugh as the door closed behind him.
As the door closed Harry surveyed the room in all its glory, pentagonal glory. Surprisingly all the walls were a grey blue color. The hardwood floor, which spread from the door to the other 4 doors and entry to the kitchen, was a deep maple. There was a large plush green rug sitting in front of the intricately carved fireplace, depicting the death and rebirth of a phoenix on the right side while on the left the hatching and growth of a mighty basilisk. Sitting on top of the rug was a Black soft leather couch, love seat, and a single black high back chair, sitting in the middle of the furniture was a dark ebony wood table. With the fireplace to his left, on the other side was a single wall filled with matching dark Ebony wood book shelves. Some had books already resting there while others were still blank. He at least would have plenty of room for his own collections. On the next wall was the opening to the kitchen, it looked to be recently updated and well stocked. He made a mental note to inspect it further after speaking to his 'family'. There was a large landscape painting of waves crashing into a beach, separating the kitchen and another door. Walking over he opened the door and sighed at the large four poster bed, covered with black sheets with midnight blue hangings that matched the hangings on the enchanted bay windows that ran along a short portion of the left wall. The floor was covered in an evergreen carpet that and there was a beautiful oak armoire sitting also against the right wall.
Closing the door he opened the one next to it, which opened into a stylish open bathroom with a large bath that could make the prefect bath run for its money. Closing this door he walked past a wall that held blank portraits, expect for the center one. The man sleeping in the portrait was none other than the same man that guards the Potions masters quarters. Thinking it better than to wake the snarky founder he moved quietly to the next door. Inside was a large work table that held at least 10 different types of cauldrons. The wall to the right was pretty much entry to a walk-in ingredient cupboard. To the right was all the equipment needed to brew and storage, which already held dozens of potions. Feeling excited he left that room to the final room. Not knowing what it could be he opened it. And it was blank. Almost like that of a new canvas. He felt a little down thinking he would have liked a room he could practice his other masteries without damaging anything he almost left but then the room started to change into exactly what he wanted. Which was almost a replica of the room the Room of Requirement gave the DA. Getting a sudden idea he thought of somewhere he could swim, and again the room changed into a small but deep swimming pool complete with towels and chairs. He smiled and left the room patting the door. We're going to become great friends.
He looked back into the main room he smiled.
Time to get ready for the family.
Severus POV
He could feel the spells dissolve but he remained still. His thoughts too much in turmoil to move. Harry would not accept him. Why should he? Severus knew who he was. And he was not a nice man. He had been hiding behind his masks for so long he was unsure if they were masks at all. You must first accept yourself he knew he had hidden his heritage from the world. It was a risk to too many. The only that had known where the other professors and the Malfoys. He looked down at his hand the aged skin he knew was not entirely his own. Could he let his masks go? He clenched his fist.
A/N Okay. Probably not what you were all thinking. But this is how it came out. And I sort of like it. Well tell me what you think. TTFN.