Disclaimer – Isn't mine.
Chapter 4 – Coming of Age
Harry was woken by Draco actually jumping on his bed the next morning. He cracked one eye open. Thankfully the eye correction spell done on him within a week of his arrival meant he could see the blonde Slytherin bouncing mercilessly by his side as he chanted for Harry to get up.
'Just how old are you really?' Harry muttered irritably.
'Older than you, Golden Boy, so get up.' Draco shot back.
Harry growled but obligingly pushed back his covers and slid from the sheets.
'You sleep almost naked?' Draco squeaked.
Harry stood there in his shorts and raised an eyebrow. 'Yeah, so?'
Draco blushed brightly. 'Severus will be so pleased.' He muttered under his breath.
'What?'
'Nothing.'
Harry's eyes narrowed but he didn't comment further instead crossing to his wardrobe and pulling out jeans and a shirt.
'What's for breakfast anyway?' He asked as he pulled the shirt over his head and stuffed his feet into some shoes.
'Pancakes, I believe.' Draco grabbed his arm and pulled him out the doorway and down the flights of stairs towards the dining room.
They walked into the dining room to find Tom, Lucius, and several other high ranking Death Eaters already eating. Beside her father sat Pansy Parkinson.
'Hi Pans.' Draco said cheerfully as he began piling pancakes onto both his and Harry's plates.
'Hi Draco. Hello Potter.' She added.
Harry smiled politely and sat down. 'Hello Pansy, how's your summer so far?'
Pansy shrugged. 'Pretty boring actually. That's why I begged to come with father today. I was dying to see Draco.' Draco rolled his eyes at this pronouncement. Harry snorted as she went on. 'Of course I wasn't allowed to come before now. Father said there was some top secret, no one can know thing going on. Naturally I was intrigued and just had to come. It took me three weeks to wheedle my way into it and I get here and find out it's you. Of all the things I thought, Potter, you certainly weren't one of them.'
Harry just stared wide eyed at the young woman, barely able to even comprehend the sheer amount of words that came out of her mouth so early in the morning. Draco was sniggering loudly beside him and eventually he glanced around the room looking for the one person who could explain it to him, only to find the potions master missing.
'Where's Professor Snape?' he asked quizzically.
'Severus had to check on Mr Zabini and then return to Hogwarts. The muggle loving fool needed him for something. He should return in a few days.' Tom explained, his red eyes watching and taking note of Harry's expressions.
'Oh...right...of course.' Harry said slowly, his expression not changing thanks to all his lessons, except for his eyes if you knew where to look. And Tom did. He decided he was going to have to have a little word with his potions master.
'Brilliant Harry, that means you won't have practice tonight. We can play some chess, hopefully without you falling asleep.' Draco said around a mouthful of pancake.
Harry shook his head. 'No, I still have work to do. Professor Snape would not be happy with me skipping it. We all know what's at stake.' He said solemnly as he pushed his food around his plate. Pansy opened her mouth to question what he was talking about but Draco managed to catch her eye and shake his head.
The meal continued quietly and eventually Harry gave up trying to eat and decided it was time to fly. He spent most of the day in the air with Draco, not taking the usual trip to Diagon Alley and precisely at six he met Lucius and Tom in the dueling room and let loose on one of his toughest sessions yet. The senior Malfoy, being a master swordsman himself, began instructing Harry in the art of swordplay and the Boy-Who-Lived took to it like a duck to water. By the time the clock struck midnight Harry was almost dead on his feet but he felt as if he had really accomplished something.
Magic was so easy for him now. Most of the time he could just stand there and shield himself while sending curses and hexes back at his opponent from his almost endless arsenal. Fighting with the sword allowed him to get his hands dirty, so to speak, and with Lucius' experience it also allowed him to release some of his anger without fear of injuring the other man.
He slept the sleep of the exhausted that night, no dreams plaguing him and the next day he got up and did it all again.
He was working incredibly hard but something was missing. It was like he was waiting for a sign that what he was doing was right and as much as he tried to figure out what was wrong it seemed to become even harder.
Draco began to get concerned when over the next few days Harry became melancholic to the point of barely eating or speaking. He still kept up with his training and he still flew with Draco in the mornings but something was troubling the young man and nothing Draco could do would get Harry to tell him what it was.
He woke the morning of his birthday and dressed almost automatically before walking down the stairs to the dining room.
'SURPRISE.'
Harry, still not quite thinking coherently managed to stun all of those closest to him and half of those on the other side of the table before he realised what he'd done. The full inner circle had gathered in the dining hall to throw Harry a birthday party. He took in the stunned expressions of those who were still conscious and blanched. 'Sorry.' He murmured.
'You know most people just open their gifts and cut their cake.' Draco laughed and Harry's expression became sheepish. He quickly reversed the stunning spell and allowed Draco to drag towards the table and sit him down beside an enormous pile of gifts.
'Happy birthday, Harry.' Tom said softly and Harry smiled at him.
'Thanks, Tom.' He whispered back.
'Open, open, open.' Draco sang thrusting a brightly wrapped gift into Harry's hands and pulling at the ribbon atop it.
'Seriously, how old are you?' Harry rolled his eyes causing those around them to snort.
It took him over an hour to open them all many from people he really didn't know. He thanked each and every one though before enlisting Draco and Pansy's help to levitate everything up to his room and carefully putting it all away.
Many of the younger Death Eaters although only those whose parents were in the inner circle joined the Quidditch game that day and Harry and Draco faced off against ea
ch other in a thrilling race for the snitch. The elusive gold ball led them on a merry old chase that at times was downright dangerous, but in the end Harry prevailed, as he always did and found himself hoisted onto the shoulders of his pseudo teammates and carried back into the Manor for a celebratory drink.
Draco seemed to hold no hard feelings for Harry's win, saying that after six years he was used to it. This earning him a glare of reproach from his father to which Draco just shrugged and told him to try and beat Harry himself if it was so easy.
Those in the room waited for the inevitable explosion from the Malfoy patriarch but it never came, instead the man glanced coolly at Harry, one elegant blonde eyebrow raised. 'I do believe you are a bad influence on my son, Mr Potter.' He drawled softly.
Harry smiled innocently. 'Oh undoubtedly.' He agreed and moments later Lucius Malfoy actually laughed, and rather loudly. It was something that had even Draco staring in shock.
An enormous feast was prepared and a large cake followed it. It certainly was one of the best birthdays Harry had ever had. But still something was missing. Just on the edge of his mind something lingered but Harry couldn't quite grasp it.
He glanced around the room as he idly pushed his piece of chocolate cake around his plate and then it hit him. 'Oh.' He breathed, dropping his fork.
'Harry?' Tom asked curiously.
'I...ah...I have to go to the bathroom.' He stammered, quickly standing and fleeing the room.
He didn't go to the bathroom however, he went to the library where he could pace in front of the fireplace and work through what had suddenly just become startlingly clear to him. Eventually he stopped pacing and moved to his window and stared out into the gathering darkness.
It was where Draco found him almost half an hour later when sent by the Dark Lord to find him.
'Harry? Harry, are you alright?' Draco asked hesitantly.
Harry didn't show any sign of having heard him continuing to stare out the window in spite of repeated attempts to get his attention. Eventually Draco left and Tom Riddle returned several minutes later in his place.
Tom reached out and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. 'Harry? Harry, what is it? Harry, please talk to me.'
Harry remained silent and Tom stood quietly at his side for several minutes before speaking.
'Harry, is this about Severus?'
The Boy-Who-Lived sucked in a breath and hung his head. 'I don't...I want...' Harry trailed off and Tom turned him gently to face him.
'What is it, Harry? It can't be that bad. Surely.'
Harry shook his head and didn't speak, shrugging the Dark Lord's hands off his shoulders and turning back to stare out the darkened window.
Tom stared at him for a few moments longer before turning on his heel and sweeping from the room.
The emotions rolling off the Dark Lord as he swept back into the dining room were completely foreign to all but Lucius Malfoy. He alone knew what was troubling the man and didn't hesitate when instructed to bare his arm.
Tom raised his wand and pressed the end against Malfoy's dark mark. 'Morsemorde, Severus Snape.' He hissed in Parseltongue.
It took almost fifteen minutes for Snape to appear, the potions master sweeping into the dining room and to the end of the hall to kneel at the Dark Lord's feet.
'I apologise for my tardiness, Mr Lord. I had a slight difficulty in getting away.' He said honestly.
'Leave us.' Riddle commanded his eyes never leaving the bowed head before him as all hurried from the room, Lucius closing the door and leaving the Dark Lord and the Death Eater alone.
'I am truly sorry, My Lord. Dumbledore was being incredibly nosy and I couldn't get away.' Snape said again, hoping against hope that the Dark Lord would remember Harry's wishes.
To his relief and surprise Riddle waved his hand dismissively. 'Yes, yes, Severus. I didn't call you here about the muggle loving fool. There is a problem with Harry.'
Snape's head snapped up. 'Harry?' he breathed. 'What happened? Is he alright? He's not hurt is he?'
Riddle's eyes narrowed and Snape halted his rambling questions and dropped his head, inwardly hoping that Riddle would not take his questions the wrong way. 'You do care for him then.' The Dark Lord hissed.
Snape didn't answer but the silence enough was telling.
'When did this start?' Riddle asked. 'Severus?' he added when Snape didn't answer.
Snape's shoulders slumped a little. 'My Lord, I...I'm not sure it has. I'm not even sure how Harry feels.'
Tom Riddle eyed the man before him thoughtfully. 'Harry is in the library, Severus. I believe you need to go to him.'
Snape waited for several moments but no further comment was forthcoming and Snape quickly stood. 'Yes, My Lord. Thank you.' He said, bowing quickly before backing from the room.
Snape opened the door silently and watched the Boy-Who-Lived stare distractedly out the window. There didn't seem to be anything physically wrong with him but to Snape's eyes he seemed almost...lost.
He crossed the room, stopping behind and to the left of the young man and raised his hand, placing it on Harry's shoulder.
He watched in the reflection of the window as Harry closed his eyes and sighed softly but didn't speak. In the month Harry had been at Malfoy Manor it was the most introverted Snape had seen him. It was almost as if he was afraid of something.
Afraid of getting hurt, the potions master reasoned.
As if reading his mind Harry turned and stared up at him, his green eyes bright. 'Hi.' He whispered.
Snape smiled. 'Hi yourself.'
Harry's eyes darted nervously sideways before he glanced down at his hands. 'I...I...missed you.' He stammered not looking up.
Snape waited silently, not moving his hand from Harry's shoulder. Eventually, as Snape knew he would, Harry raised his head, his eyes unsure. 'I missed you too.' Snape said softly.
The young man's face broke out into a smile and he tentatively reached a hand out towards the potions master. Snape captured the hand with his own and pulled Harry tightly against him. 'Happy birthday, Harry.' He whispered.
Harry woke the next day and smiled as he stretched in the ridiculously large bed. He was now of age, in either world, and Snape had returned. Severus, he corrected himself.
Pushing the covers back off his bed he got up and padded softly to the bathroom. Finishing quickly he pulled on some training robes, knowing the potions master would want to see what he had been learning over the last four days, and headed down towards the dining room.
Harry stepped through the door and the soft conversation stopped immediately. He nodded a good morning to Lucius and Tom before offering Severus a small smile and receiving one in return.
'Where's Draco?' he asked curiously as he sat down.
'My son is still asleep.' Lucius scowled.
'As you yourself usually are at this time, Harry.' Tom added, an amused glint to his red eyes.
'What time is it?'
'Eight o'clock.' Severus told him and Harry's eyes widened.
'Really?'
Snape nodded.
'Yes, I am hoping Draco grows out of his slothful habits soon.' Lucius said coolly.
'I wouldn't get too hopeful.' Harry snorted. 'You'd only be in for a devastating blow.'
Tom and Severus both laughed.
'Well, you don't seem to have too many such habits, Mr Potter.'
Harry just shrugged. 'I guess it's all part of being a child. You know, having fun while you can before you have to become a responsible adult.'
'I repeat, you don't seem to have such habits.'
'Yes, but I've never really been a child either.' Harry said simply, helping himself to some cereal and toast.
'Have you been training?' Snape asked the Boy-Who-Lived who smiled gratefully at the change in topic.
'Yes, I thought I'd show you after breakfast.' Harry told him. 'I want Dumbledore to eat his words.'
Snape smiled at the wicked smirk on Harry's face. 'I'll second that.'
'How's Blaise?'
'He's alright.' Snape placed his knife and fork beside each other on his now empty plate and smirked. 'He says you can keep your relatives however.'
Harry rolled his eyes. 'Lucky me.'
Tom raised an eyebrow. 'They can be taken care of, Harry.'
'You sound like the Godfather.' He chuckled and Tom laughed with him. Lucius and Snape, having no idea of the muggle reference just looked at him quizzically.
'I'm serious.' Tom tried again once their laughter had dissipated.
Harry smiled warmly. 'I know you are, and thanks but no thanks. I never have to see them again anyway, so it's kind of a moot point.'
'The offer's always open.'
'I know.' Harry said softly and picked up his last piece of toast.
After the meal was finished the four men moved through the hall to the training room, Harry was silent the entire way and it was obvious to all that he was nervous about the outcome. If Snape didn't think he had progressed far enough to keep the headmaster happy then it would leave a shadow of necessity hanging over the rest of the summer.
They all filed into the specially warded room, Harry automatically heading to the far end and turning around to face the three adults.
'Just relax, Harry.' Severus told him and Harry nodded stiffly not listening to a word the potions master had said.
'Begin.' Riddle called out.
'ENVISHIO.' Harry bellowed immediately dodging the curses Malfoy and Riddle sent his way. Snape sent his directly after and it was on for all.
Harry ducked, rolled and jumped, only using his shield when he had to. He caught Snape in a partial body bind and a locked silencing charm he had found in the Malfoy Library about ten minutes into the duel. Malfoy found himself stuck to the wall minutes later. The duel with Tom Riddle took almost twenty minutes to end but like the others he two found himself unarmed, this time his wand sailing across the room into Harry's hand.
The Boy-Who-Lived was bent over eyes closed and breathing heavily when he heard the telltale whistle of a sword coming towards him and he wandlessly summoned another off the wall nearby and opened his eyes, bringing the sword up to meet the other before it could remove his head from the top of his shoulders.
It seemed that Lucius Malfoy had finally worked out a way to end that bonding hex.
Harry threw himself into the fight with Draco's father, thrusting and leaping, always keeping the man on the defensive which he had found the older wizard hated. It was hard work. After more than thirty minutes dueling three of the strongest wizards of their time three on one, Harry was in no mood to continue this little revenge attack from the blond wizard. He lunged, feigning left as he brought his right hand up and buried it in the man's stomach, curling his sword around the other and flicking it out of Malfoy's hand as the wizard clutched at his stomach, wheezing heavily.
'Yield?' Harry gasped hoarsely.
Lucius nodded, unable to speak and Harry dropped his sword to the floor and bent over his hands resting on his knees and he sucked in large lungfuls of air. He really needed to run more.
Tom Riddle began clapping slowly from his position by the door but Harry didn't even raise his head.
'Bravo, Harry.'
Harry just nodded in response taking several deep breaths before finally standing up straight to find Tom smiling at him, Lucius scowling at him and Draco, who must have joined them at some point, gaping at him in astonishment.
He looked at Draco first. 'Not a word.' He said softly, not needing to explain further. Draco snapped his mouth shut nodding in understanding.
Harry looked at Snape, his face still unsure. 'Well?' he asked tentatively.
'Merlin's beard, Harry. You can't possibly think that wouldn't be enough.' Severus said honestly.
'You're coming of age has certainly made itself known.' Tom added.
Harry blinked as a thought hit him.. 'Oh no, what if he goes there? To see I mean.' He breathed, his voice laced with concern. 'What if Dumbledore wants to see earlier than September first?'
'Blaise!' Draco's voice held an edge of hysteria.
Snape shook his head and clasped Harry's shoulder. 'Relax, Harry. I'll go and see Blaise and the headmaster. Have you still got that galleon Granger gave you for your little club?' Harry rolled his eyes at the title but nodded anyway. 'I've got the one I confiscated off Longbottom. I'll use it if I need you. Be ready to return Portkey.'
Harry nodded again as the potions master gave him a small smile and swept from the room, after a bow in the Dark Lord's direction of course.
'I'd better go get that medallion out of my trunk.' Harry said and quickly hurried from the room, Draco on his heels.
Severus hurried after the Headmaster silently praying Harry had received his message in time, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-eye Moody, Remus Lupin all trailing behind them. Flitwick had stayed behind, being too conspicuous in a muggle neighbourhood. And Moody wasn't, Snape mused.
Dumbledore marched up the front walk of Privet Drive and knocked firmly on the door. It swung open moments later as Vernon Dursley readied himself to yell at whoever would have the audacity to visit on a Sunday. That was a family day. At the sight of the five rather menacing looking wizards on his front doorstep he paled and tried to slam the door. Moody stopped him by sticking his wooden leg in it but all winced when they heard a crack.
'Mr Dursley, we have come to see Harry.' Dumbledore said in his most commanding voice once the door had swung open once again.
'Freak's up in his room, where he's been all summer.' The whale like man growled before waddling towards the kitchen and leaving them standing there.
Snape slipped first through the door and made his way up the stairs to Potter's room. He knocked once, an action that earned him an odd look from Lupin who was right behind him, before swinging the door open. Harry was just pushing his wardrobe door closed and lightly locking it so the doors wouldn't swing open. Snape looked carefully at the young man and realised he had got the message, thankfully.
'What do you want?' Harry sighed as Dumbledore stepped into the room. 'I thought you said you would see me at Hogwarts.'
'Hello Harry. How are you?' The elderly wizard smiled charmingly as if he hadn't heard Harry's harsh words.
'How do you think I am?' Harry retorted throwing himself down on his bed and folding his arms across his chest. 'I'm locked up like some criminal without any contact from anyone but Snape.'
'Come now, Harry. We just wanted to see how you're getting on.'
'Just wanted to check your weapon wasn't backfiring.' Harry muttered under his breath so that only Snape could make out the words.
'Potter, stop this ridiculous nonsense immediately.' The potions master snapped giving Harry a pointed look.
Harry sighed again and rolled his eyes. 'I'm fine. I've been working on everything you gave me. Can't tell yet how much difference my coming of age has made but my reflexes do seem quicker if that helps at all.' He recited monotonously.
Dumbledore beamed and Harry couldn't help but snort. The old man looked as if he'd just discovered a new form of lemon drop.
'Care to show us, Harry?'
Harry shrugged. 'Only if you want the Ministry to expel me.' he said mildly.
'Harry, you're seventeen now, you can use magic as much as you want.'
Harry raised an eyebrow. 'Oh really? Can you confirm that with the Minister because he seems to be under the impression that I can't.' He replied handing over a scroll Blaise had shoved in his hand before Harry had locked him in the closet.
Dumbledore scanned it before handing it off the Shacklebolt.
'This can't be right.' The Auror mused.
'I'm happy to show you.' Harry went on. 'But you'll need to do some serious warding.'
Dumbledore shook his head. 'No, no, Harry. That's fine. Kingsley will talk to Cornelius and try and get this reversed. In the meantime, keep up with your studies and whatever happens we will see you at Hogwarts on the first.'
'Now Dumbledore, don't be so hasty.' Moody growled delving into his robe pocket and pulling out a small box placing it on the ground and enlarging it with his wand.
Harry's breath caught in his throat. It was the man's trunk. It had a large room in it that Harry remembered from his fourth year.
'Ah, Alastor. Your trunk, wonderful idea.' Dumbledore was smiling cheerfully once again. Harry and Snape exchanged glances but the potions master couldn't quite read the impassive expression that now covered the young man's face.
'After you, Harry.' Dumbledore gestured to the trunk as soon as Moody had opened a particular lock. Harry nodded stiffly and climbed in and down the little ladder that hung on the side. He glanced around the room as he waited for the others to come down.
Dumbledore attacked the moment he landed on the floor, heedless of the others who were still climbing down the ladder. Harry had fallen to his knees as the Tormentia curse caused his muscles to spasm and waves of pain to wash over him, and thought distantly that he really should have seen that coming.
It took not quite so long this time to throw it off but Harry guessed his anger had something to do with it. The moment it was finished he had barely a second to throw up a shielding charm before five other hexes barreled his way. He sent almost a dozen back more quickly than he thought possible as he staggered to his feet.
Moody's cutting curse caught his shoulder and Harry grunted in pain. Shacklebolt moved around the edge of the room and tried to get behind the Boy-Who-Lived as Dumbledore continued his frontal attack. Lupin followed the Aurors example and moments later Harry felt a bruising hex hit his left leg and he staggered sideways and almost fell.
It was no good. Here he was dueling five of the strongest wizards once again in as many hours. This time the supposed light. He couldn't do it. His breathing was laboured after the bone breaking hex sent by Moody snapped several ribs that he could feel pressing insistently at his lung. His lower left leg was almost completely numb from the knee down and his had a large gash on his shoulder.
And he was tired. So very tired. He battled away from almost twenty minutes before succumbing to another Tormentia curse that caused the pain of his broken ribs to sweep up and over him until he knew no more.
He woke minutes later to an enervate from the headmaster's wand only to have several potions thrown immediately down his throat. He breathed deeply as the pain faded slightly when his ribs knitted back together. Eventually he looked up to see them all staring at him.
'Quite impressive, Harry.' The headmaster said, his eyes twinkling blindingly. 'You have obviously been working hard.'
'I said I would, Professor.' Harry added the title when he felt the subtle squeeze on his shoulder from the potions master who was still half holding him up.
'Your skills seem to have evolved further since your coming of age and you are quite correct regarding your reflexes. It will be very interesting to see how far we can push these new gifts. Very interesting indeed.' The headmaster said slowly if not calculatingly.
It was in that moment that Harry realised that in Dumbledore's eyes he was no longer a person. He was now officially just the weapon of the Order of the Phoenix and it made the decision he had made earlier that summer all the more prudent. As if knowing exactly what he was thinking Snape subtly squeezed his shoulder once again before hefting the young man, quite roughly to his feet.
'I assume you can stand on your own two feet, Potter.' He sneered.
The hidden meaning contained in the words was quite clear to Harry and he nodded. 'Yes, Professor.' Harry said softly.
'Well, Harry, we must be going. I trust you will keep up the good work. I'll look forward to seeing how much further you will have progressed. I will see you on the first.'
'Yes, Sir.' Harry said, keeping his eyes planted firmly on the floor and not looking up at the headmaster, even when they all levitated themselves out of the trunk and into Harry's room.
Suddenly Snape grasped his arm and winced.
'Go, go, Severus.' Dumbledore waved his hand dismissively and the potions master hurried from the room.
Harry heard the front door slam and watched almost dispassionately as Moody re-shrunk his trunk and dropped it in his pocket.
'Good bye Harry and happy birthday for yesterday.' Dumbledore smiled, patting Harry's shoulder before walking slowly from the room. Lupin and the others added their congratulations before they finally left Harry alone.
As he heard the door shut a second time Harry sighed heavily, stumbling backwards until he fell onto the small bed and shook his head, still unable to comprehend what had just happened.
He heard Blaise call out tentatively and unlocked the door with a wave of his hand.
'Harry. Harry, are you alright?' the Slytherin asked hesitantly as he climbed out of the wardrobe. It was at that point that Snape swept back into the room and over to Harry, giving Blaise a nod before kneeling beside the Boy-Who-Lived.
'I thought you left.' Blaise said curiously.
Snape shook his head. 'No, just hid downstairs until they did' He explained before turning back to Harry.
'Harry, it's not true. Don't you even think of believing it.' The older man said firmly referring to the thoughts that had been swirling around in Harry's head since the Headmaster's calculating gaze.
Harry blinked several times but didn't speak.
'Transfer the tracking spell and take him back to the Manor, Severus. I don't know what went on in that trunk but you need to get him out of here.' Blaise said, gently clasping Harry's shoulder and pulling him to his feet. Snape nodded, quickly switching the tracking charm to Blaise that Harry must have transferred moments before they had arrived before wrapping an arm around the boy's shoulder and activating the Portkey pendant Harry had hidden around his neck.
'Thank you Blaise.' He said quickly before they were whisked away.