Chapter 5
The room was completely empty, no sign of life anywhere inside of it. "I need to know where Harry is." He stated into the nothingness. One of the walls morphed into something like a screen and Severus saw trees moving at an incredibly fast pace. He heard a panting sound followed by a twig snapping and a sharp look to the other side while the movement stopped suddenly. Slowly the image crept along until the trees parted and a deer was seen drinking out of a small pond. A very low, almost nonexistent growl was just barely heard. Snape's eyes widened when he saw the deer had spikes down its back. "The Forbidden Forest." Severus gasped.
He very nearly ran from the seventh floor to the main hall on the ground floor, taking every secret passageway that he knew of. Harry was hunting a Siplia. A magical creature classified as XXXX by the Ministry of Magic, meaning it ranked right up there with thestrals, unicorns, winged horses and the like. If he wasn't incredibly careful he could get seriously hurt. Not to mention it was 11 at night and Snape couldn't see shit, which he realized as he stood staring at the forest from one of the more traveled entrances. "Severus?"
The man whirled around and came face to face with Harry. "You're alright."
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" Harry asked.
"The room showed you hunting Siplia, and you've been missing for 5 hours." The older wizard said with a penetrating gaze.
"Wow 5 hours, really?" Harry carded his fingers through his hair. "I'd not realized I was out that long. Though that kind of explains why it's so dark."
"How could you have lost track of that much time?"
"I was hunting Siplia." Harry reminded him.
"What happened to a release session in Room of Requirement?" Severus demanded, nudging the younger man along to come with him back to the castle.
"Oh that... Well, I went in there, and I tried to put up with the nonsense the room provided, but things wouldn't run or beg or anything I needed. Basically, I can't stop the urges unless I'm actively hunting."
"Harry, something needs to be done about this."
"Why can't I just hunt in the forest once a week?" The young man protested as they entered the school grounds.
"Because if a student should happen to catch you or get in your way, it would be hell trying to get out of that. Not to mention the forest is full of magical creatures with sentience. The unicorns and centaurs would become angry if you started hunting their kind."
"I'd hunt a dragon before I'd hunt either one of those."
"What about this. How about you ask Macoval if he would be willing to allow your presence in their hunting every Sunday evening? That way no magical creatures get hurt and start a rebellion, you get it out of your system, and they get an extra hand gathering food."
Harry stopped for a moment and thought about it. "That's actually a fairly brilliant idea." He said with a smile on his face. The smile quickly vanished and his body became rigid.
"What's wro-"
"Shh!" Harry snapped. He listened to the area around him and stalked silently towards a hallway. He stopped in front of a gargoyle and crossed his arms over his chest. "Come out of there." He ordered.
Severus walked up to him and looked around quite confused. He saw and heard no-one. "Harry, I don't-"
"There's someone there behind the gargoyle with an invisibility cloak, and a feather-light charm on their feet. I think it's Mr. Acklery or Mr. Grimsworth, I can't tell they both sound so similar."
"How did you know?" Mylor Grimsworth's voice rang out as he slipped the cloak from his head, much to Snape's surprise.
"The way you breathe, the tiny sounds you make when you're trying not to make noise by touching anything, and your walk. You and Mr. Acklery have nearly identical tells, but once I spend more time around you, I'll learn to distinguish between the two of you."
"You're like a search dog or something." Mylor commented.
"Right. Cloak and charm, no escort. I assume that means no pass as well, and Astronomy doesn't start until midnight. Why were you sneaking around?"
"I just wanted to have some fun." The boy admitted.
"Well go have fun in your dreams. Five points from Gryffindor and detention Tuesday with Mr. Filch." Harry ordered, snatching the invisibility cloak from the boy's shoulders. "And this will go to Headmistress McGonagall until the Christmas holidays."
"Oh that's not fair!" Mylor cried.
"Oh but it is. Hurry on now before I make it 10 points." Harry said, handing the young man a slip of paper.
When Mr. Grimsworth stalked off angrily, Severus leaned in. "Where did you get the pass?"
"I Accio'd it." Harry explained.
"Of course you did." Severus said with a small shake of his head. He was going to have to get used to this new 'wave my hand and any spell I want happens' Harry. As well as the 'let me hunt and kill something once a week' Harry. He gave a sigh and started back in towards their rooms.
(¯`·. Hp/Ss .·´¯)
Severus jolted awake by a burning sensation on his wrist. Dear Merlin, his bracelet was heating up for the first time in 11 months. "Shimmering Fur." He said frantically and was port-keyed to... wait. Where the hell was he? He looked around and took in his surroundings. He was in a cell somewhere underground judging by the lack of windows and the bars around him. It looked familiar though, except for the fact that the walls were rainbow colored, that just didn't fit.
No... It couldn't be. This place was destroyed in '98 when Potter Granger and Weasley rescued some of the abandoned abductees right before the war ended. "Severus" A cold voice that he knew called out. "Our Lord is very displeased with you."
"You're dead." Snape told the voice assuredly.
"This is no time to be making threats." It snarled.
"No, you are dead. You died over a year ago."
The man looked down at his arms then back at Severus. "I feel rather alive at the moment."
Another figure stepped into the room. "Ahh Lucius, I see the traitor does have the decency to wake up." The sickly snake like voice called.
"Yes, it seems your sleeping potion did wonders for him."
"Well, if it's a nightmare he wants, it's a nightmare he'll get."
Wake up. You're sleeping. It's a nightmare. Wake up, you're sleeping, it's a nightmare. "Wake up, you're sleeping. It's a nightmare Sev. Come on, wake up."
"Mmmm." Severus grumbled as he blinked rapidly sitting up in his bed. "Wha?"
"You were having a nightmare." Harry told him, not removing his hand that was wrapped around Snape's arm.
"Go back to sleep." Severus said while laying down as the remains of his nightmare faded from his memory.
"I can't sleep." Harry admitted.
"Why not?"
"Because I'm meeting with Macoval today."
"Weren't you talking about needing a good duelist who could focus on physical fighting soon for a demonstration for your 7th years?" Severus inquired.
"Yeah, but I can't pull you out of class."
"Why not ask Macoval? You have both 7th year classes today after lunch. It would give him something new to do, and since he's coming here anyway for a lunch meeting, it would be easy to ask. Of course you'll have to okay it with Minerva, but that shouldn't be a problem."
(¯`·. Hp/Ss .·´¯)
Harry glanced around as the room started filling with chattering children, some who were looking over the visitor cautiously. One of the children realized immediately what Macoval was and trembled a bit as he walked up to Harry's desk. "Uh, Professor Potter?" He asked timidly.
"Yes Mr. Kirleth?" Harry asked the 7th year Ravenclaw.
"I don't know if you uhm... if you know this or not, but he, uh, he's a... a werewolf." The child whispered.
Macoval chuckled and Harry nodded. "Yes I am aware. Not to worry David, he's not going to hurt anyone. He's here for a demonstration. You can take your seat now."
Around five minutes later the class settled down and Harry took a stand. "As you can see, we have a visitor today. This is Macoval. Now, for the first part of the class, I want your attention and participation. The normal rules for correct answers to questions apply. Does everyone understand?"
"Yes Professor Potter." The class chorused. Macoval raised an intrigued eyebrow.
"Right. What have we been studying since you've all come back? Ms. Cram?"
"Sentient Magical Creatures of levels 4 and 5 as dictated by the Ministry Classification, and the first chapter of 'Confronting the Faceless', which we were supposed to read last year but didn't because Professor Dedworth didn't know what he was doing." Olivia Cram answered, causing scoffs and smirks to go throughout the room.
"That is correct and you get two points for Ravenclaw for that, but what have I said about taking stabs at people who can't be here to defend themselves? Mr. Loftobs?"
"If you've got something to say about someone, tell it to their face or keep your trap shut." The young man answered.
Harry smirked. "Quite right. Two points to Hufflepuff. Now, on sentient Magical Creatures of level 4, what are the most misrepresented ones? Mr. Condor?"
"Centaurs and Merpeople."
"Correct. Two points to Hufflepuff. Level 5? Ms. Bertram?"
"Werewolves and Acromantula."
"Correct. Two points to Ravenclaw. If you were to see a werewolf in human form, what, if any, distinguishing characteristics would give them away? Mr. Beamish?"
"Scars and amber eyes."
"Mmm, half correct. Amber eyes yes, but not every werewolf is littered with scars. In fact, there are many who live in clans outside of the wizarding world who don't feel the need to restrain themselves and thus, have no markings from accidental self mutilation. So one point to Hufflepuff."
"What about when they're bitten? Doesn't that leave a scar?" Mr. Beamish asked.
"Normally yes, but not all werewolves were bitten or scratched. When two werewolves mate, their child is born with the gene, and if a werewolf and a non-werewolf mate, their child has what is assumed to be a 50% chance of being born with the gene. Yes Ms. Stretton?"
"Isn't the only way to tell if someone is a werewolf when they're not in the middle of their transformation by their eyes? Like there's no other way until they're in wolf form."
"You are correct. Why is this a problem? Ms. Cram?"
"Because any witch or wizard that's not a werewolf who has a basic understanding of a glamour spell can alter the color of their eyes to that of amber. Being a werewolf disables the effects of a glamour spell before it can start."
"Correct, two to Ravenclaw. Now, our guest has agreed to do a physical duel with me, no magic. Yes Mr. Kirleth?"
"What uh... what does a physical duel have to uh, do with Defense Against the Dark Arts?" He asked with an audible gulp.
"Glad you asked. If you are not proficient in wandless magic, and you become disarmed, you may have to rely on physical fighting. So you're going to need to know maneuvers that can help you out when your opponent is casting hexes at you. Macoval here was kind enough to teach me how to do exactly that with a charmed training dummy, and we are going to show you how that's done. Yes?"
Kirleth spoke up again. "Doesn't he have the chance to hurt you being physically stronger than you though? I mean, considering... and all."
Macoval chuckled and spoke for the first time that class. "Dear boy, you need not worry about him. Kione, or Mr. Potter as you know him, is one of the best physical combatants I've trained. If anything, I'd say you need to worry about me getting hurt."
Harry grinned. "I'm not that good on the defensive part of physical combat and you know it."
"Yes, but your offensive skills put even my father to shame, and he was our clan's best fighter in nigh a century."
Whispers started flying around the room and both men standing at the head of the class shared grins. Harry quietened them down though. "Now, before you lose track of what we're doing, let me remind you, I am the only one that Macoval is going to be dueling, and we shall have a protective barrier up around us the whole time. Mr. Kirleth, would you please share with the class your assessment of Macoval?"
The boy gulped again and nodded slowly. "Mr. Macoval is physically stronger than Professor Potter, and he probably has sharper eyesight and hearing."
"Stronger not really that's about the same, better eyesight, no. Mr. Potter's sight has been fixed with magic, and through his training with us, it has become even better than mine. Though his hearing is still a bit lacking." Macoval said with a wry grin.
Harry chuckled. "And how did you come to this conclusion Mr. Kirleth?"
"Because Mr. Macoval is a werewolf." The boy answered. Gasps and wide eyes went around the room.
"Correct. 2 points to Ravenclaw. Don't look so shocked. I'd like to remind you that the year before you lot came to Hogwarts a werewolf was the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and there was never a problem with him. Right then, are we ready?"
Macoval took off the outer robe that Harry had supplied him with and nodded. Really, such silly things they wore. "Are we going to focus on specific tactics or is this a free brawl?"
"This is a free brawl, but if you wind up coming back, then we'll do specific tac- whoa!" Macoval charged in and grabbed hold of Harry's wrist as the young man swiped his leg around catching the werewolf's leg in the crook of his knee. "If you weren't- ah- paying attention- mmph- his nod signaled the beginning of the- hey!"
Macoval twisted Harry's arm around to which the young man responded by snaking his leg back around, twisting the other man's foot outward. "The beginning of the duel." Macoval finished for him. He maneuvered Harry into a headlock. "The question I asked was a- wah!"
Harry pinched the werewolf's inner elbow causing his arm to loosen some and ducked down, grabbing one of the man's legs and pulling it out from under him. "It was a diversionary tactic- ah- that almost worked." Macoval grabbed on to Harry's arm before he hit the ground, pulling the young man down with him and they struggled for a bit to get the upper hand. Literally.
Eventually, Harry wound up victor with his right arm pressing down on Macoval's neck, his right hand cupping around the side of the man's face, and his left hand resting on top of the man's head. They both panted for a moment, catching their breath. "In this position, should we have been fighting to the death, I could snap his neck easily and that'd be the end of it." Harry said standing up and holding out a hand to help Macoval up from the floor.
"That was an interesting fight." A voice called from the doorway, startling Harry for quite possibly the first time since he'd been back.
"Seve- I mean Professor Snape. What are you doing here?" Harry asked, still slightly out of breath.
"Class ended 8 minutes ago, I was sent to find the missing students on behalf of the staff." The man replied with a smirk.
"I didn't hear you come in." Harry admitted. The 7th years watched in fascination from the duel that had just happened and in amusement of the two professors.
"You were in the heat of a fight, and like I said earlier, your hearing's still lacking. You focus in on one thing instead of everything around you." Macoval teased.
"Well it's nice to know it's still possible for someone to surprise me." Harry said. "Class dismissed I suppose."
"Are we going directly in to another duel during your next class, or will there be a break?" Macoval asked popping his back while the students gathered their belongings.
"There will be about the same amount of time we spent here with questions and answers. Expect a few more students to identify you right out. It's Slytherins and Gryffindors, meaning while they both may not be the smartest houses, they're excellent at putting things together, sort of. Once we start talking about sentient magical creatures, I'm sure at least half of the class will know you're a werewolf."
"Oh they're not easy to shock then?"
"No they are, it's just the Slytherins are paranoid, and the Gryffindors jump to conclusions for the most part."
(¯`·. Hp/Ss .·´¯)
"Daddy we go home." Teddy said with a sad face and watery eyes.
"Teddy, what are you doing up?" Harry asked while holding out his arms as the wobby toddler, who nearly fell into them.
"Daddy go home. Don' like him." Teddy said with a sniffle.
"Him who?" Severus asked giving a concerned look to the boy.
"Him." Teddy said pointing to his room as Alden walked out.
"What? You don't like Alden?" Harry asked.
"No, Teddy like Aldy. Don' like him." The toddler said, pointing yet again to his room.
"Him who? I don't understand." Harry said with a furrowed brow.
"Peeves." Alden supplied, sitting down in a chair and rubbing his forehead and yawning. "Peeves is in our room and refuses to leave or listen to reason."
"Oh for the love of Merlin." Severus grumped while he got up. "I'm going to find the Bloody Baron, he's the only one who can get that confounded poltergeist under control." He said, transfiguring his sleep-clothes into something similar to his normal teaching robes and stalking out.
Harry went into the room and attempted to talk to the annoying ghost, but it was to no avail. Peeves wound up running them out of their own chambers. He left a note on the door via a sticking charm for Severus along with the Marauder's Map so he could find them if he needed it, while the small group wound up walking through some corridors.
"Why did you look so tired in class today?" Alden inquired.
"Macoval came by and we did two demonstrations of free brawling for the 7th years while explaining why they should learn basic physical combat in case they become disarmed at some point in a duel." Harry explained. "After two rounds of hand to hand with a werewolf, anyone's bound to be tired."
"Yeah I'd guess so." Alden replied with slightly wide eyes. "Do you think I'll get to watch you duel with someone one of these days without holding back so much like you did with Dawlish?"
"Probably in your 7th year. I plan on making it a point to have duels at the end of the year for the graduating class where we don't hold back, well, unless I'm holding that part of me back, but you know what I mean."
The boy sighed. "Yeah I know. It's just sometimes I thi-"
"Shh." Harry said, stopping mid-stride holding his arm out in front of Alden to keep him from moving forward. He listened intently and a small noise to the left caught his attention. A rustling of fabric, probably one of those squishy soft pajama sets. Oh for the love of Merlin. "Mr. Grimsworth, come out of there." He stated, tapping his foot.
A groan came from a small area where a suit of armor used to stand and a head popped out from behind a suit of armor. "What gave it away this time?" Mylor complained.
"Your pajamas were rustling, those noises I told you about last time that you make when you try not to touch something, and your foot was sticking out beside the armor." Harry said with a raised eyebrow.
"I really need to learn how to be stealthier." The boy commented.
"No, you really need to learn how to follow the rules. 10 points from Gryffindor and we will walk you back this time. Detention with me on Friday." The young professor stated nudging the boy along and starting up the grand staircase.
"That's not fair!" Grimsworth protested. "It was only 5 points last time!"
"Yes, and you obviously didn't learn from that, hence why the amount rose. Every time I catch you out, it will rise again and again."
"By 5, or doubled?" Alden wondered aloud.
"Hey you're not helping!" Mylor cried out.
"By 5." Harry said with a smirk. "I fear if I were to double it for every infraction this one causes throughout the entire year, we'd be in the negatives come Halloween."
"It's only been twice." Grimsworth countered.
"It's only been a week." Harry supplied. "Use that math. Twice a week, start with 5, double it until Halloween."
Mylor counted in his head while they walked. "Five hundred and eighty?"
"640." Alden corrected.
"Daddy?" Teddy asked sleepily from the man's left arm.
"Merlin!" Mylor said with a small jump. "Where'd he come from? Who is he?"
"This is Teddy, mine and Professor Snape's second adopted son." Harry explained before seeing to the toddler.
"You're married to Professor Snape? That's not just a rumor?" He received a nod. Really, first years were amusing sometimes with what they did and didn't know. "Who's the first?" Mylor wondered.
"Me." Alden told him.
"But you're a Slytherin." Mylor said with curiosity. "If one of your parents are head of your house, then doesn't that mean that there's an unfair advantage there?"
"Not at all." Alden told him. "They both treat me just like any other student in class. If I do something that's deserving of points, they award them, but if I do something against the rules, they take them away."
"Did you get in trouble tonight then? Is that why you're with him?" Grimsworth asked as they ascended to the fourth floor.
"Oh no, Peeves came into mine and Teddy's bedroom, then Sev- I mean Professor Snape went to go get the Bloody Baron because he's the only one who can control Peeves, then Professor Potter tried to convince Peeves to leave, but he wound up chasing us out of our rooms instead. So now we're just kind of wandering around until Se- Professor Snape comes to get us."
"You can use our first names in cases like this, I don't mind and I don't think he will either." Harry told the young man while rocking Teddy a bit on his hip. A noise from behind them caught his attention and after a few seconds he grinned. "No I take that back. You can use my first name, he's trying to keep up that whole fearsome dungeon bat reputation and I don't think students hearing us calling him 'Severus' all the time is going to help."
"Oh well thank you for the consideration." Snape's voice rang out as he walked up towards them.
Alden and Mylor jumped and Teddy smiled sleepily at the man. "Papa." He called reaching out his arms.
"I think he wants you to hold him." Harry said, turning a bit to switch out.
"Yes, of course he does." Severus said reaching out and taking hold of the toddler, who immediately clung to his shoulder. "Teddy, have I ever told you that you are as bad as your father at making me look soft in front of the first years?"
Harry chuckled, Alden smiled, Teddy said 'huh?', and Mylor just stared. He'd never seen the mean grumpy Potions Professor in such a state. Granted he'd only seen the man for about a week, but still. One week is more than long enough for Snape to give a lasting impression on anyone. "It's like you're two different people." He finally said.
"Mmm, yes. And if I catch wind of sappy stories being passed around the school about me, I shall make sure that Gryffindor has no chance at winning the cup this year." Severus told the child.
"You can do that?" Mylor asked.
"Not within the rules." Harry said. "And we know what happens to people who break the rules, don't we Teddy?"
"Don't answer that Teddy." Snape ordered the nearly asleep toddler.
"Kay." Teddy mumbled into his shoulder.
They reached the Gryffindor common-room and Harry motioned the young boy inside. "I say we take my office back so we don't have to walk that whole bit again."