Author: Raven
Disclaimer: If it were mine, the world would be a really messed up place.
Summary: Harry and Severus end up staying together during part of the summer. What secrets are revealed?
Chapter 23
"I'll see you guys later, in the common room," Harry called to his Ginny and Hermione as they parted ways.
"Yeah, bye!" they called after him carelessly, already chatting about something else with out a care in the world.
Harry chuckled and walked down a staircase. At the end of it, he turned down the right-hand hallway towards Severus' classroom. The door was closed. Harry knocked, and was answered by Severus calling, "Come in, Harry."
Harry opened the door, only to be met by Jerome. Harry smiled. "Hey, Jerome. I didn't expect you would be down here so soon!"
Jerome grinned. "Well, you know, I couldn't stay away from my boy too long. I have to make sure you don't forget everything I taught you."
Harry snickered. "Oh yes, you taught me everything I ever knew. Without you in my life Jerome, the wizarding world would have no hope."
Severus snorted. "Don't boost his ego too much, Harry. If his head gets any larger, we might have to take him to St. Mungo's. And since everybody pretty much thinks he's dead, that might not work out too well."
Harry shook his head ruefully. "Well damn, that's unfortunate. Jerome, I guess I'll have to stop complimenting you from now on."
Jerome faked a heavy sigh. "Well, Harry, I know it'll be hard, but I'm sure you can manage. It's all for me, you know, so you'll be complimenting me in your own special way." He managed to squint out a few tears and sniffled a little bit. "I'm sure you'll be okay," he said chokingly. "My little boy is growing up," he pretended to break into sobs.
Severus broke in again. "Hey, isn't that my line?"
Jerome immediately quit the act. "Nope, it's Lily's." He turned to Harry and patted him on the shoulder. "Tough luck kid, no sobbing mummy for you."
Harry smirked, but then got serious as he sat down in front of Severus' desk. "I need to ask you something, Dad."
Severus looked up when Harry called him Dad. Harry raised an eyebrow, like to ask if it was okay. Severus didn't respond, but one could tell by his face that it was perfectly alright with him. "Yes, son?"
"Did you know that Draco Malfoy was a Death Eater?"
"I merely suspected," Harry's father replied. "Why?"
"Because he talked to me today. Showed me his mark. Said his father forced him into it."
Severus nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised."
"And he wants out. He wants to join the Order, spy for us. I told him that he probably couldn't join the Order since he's only a sixth year, and he said he'd be fine with just reporting, but he needs someone to report to."
Jerome jumped in. "So this would be exactly what we needed to shock Dumbledore into some action. This is exactly what we wanted," he said excitedly.
Harry nodded, and Severus allowed a tiny smile to show on his face. "Tell Draco he has his man. We can all do it. Together."
Harry and Jerome both immediately nodded. "Yes," Jerome said. "That'll work well. And we can finally get you out of there like we wanted, Severus."
Severus nodded. Harry said, "Yes Dad, I can definitely agree to anything that'll get you free. I'll talk to Draco tomorrow. For now, I believe you two have a lesson to give me."
Severus and Jerome nodded. "You'll love this one," Severus predicted.
"Yup, this one's a doozy," Jerome said cheerfully, rubbing his hands together. Severus and Harry looked at him oddly. "What? It's an American expression…"
Harry walked slowly up from the dungeons, gasping with every breath. Jerome had not been lying when he said the lesson was going to be a doozy. They hadn't actually done any magic; it was all physical. They had started with sit-ups. Oh so many sit-ups. Harry didn't think they would ever end. Jerome just kept going, "Up, up, up, up, up," and on and on and on. And Severus was just counting in his head, chuckling slightly at his son's fatigue. After the sit-ups, they had done push-ups. Those were even worse. Harry must have done 300 before they let him quit. And then, he ran laps. At least 150. They let him quit once he puked.
"Why, oh why, oh why, did I ever even think of remotely liking those idiots," Harry groaned as he neared Gryffindor tower.
"Yeah, I thought the same thing," a familiar voice said to his left.
It was Ron. "What are you talking about?" Harry asked, once he realized who it was.
The red-head looked sheepish. "I'm talking about Snape. I couldn't understand why you would ever accept him as your father." He hesitated, looking awkward. "I guess I never gave him a fair chance. I heard you telling Hermione and Ginny some stories about him today, and he sounds like he might not be a terrible father. So I guess I'm kinda saying I'm sorry for being such an ass."
He held out his hand to shake Harry's, but Harry just pulled him into a quick hug. "You're my brother, man, brothers don't need to shake hands."
Ron grinned. "Okay, brother. I'm good with that as long as I don't have to call Snape Papa."
IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE: Aww, they're back to being friends! I just couldn't wait any longer… forgive me, please. But I'm sure you won't mind. And I even brought Jerome back into the story according to popular demand. I know Salazar isn't back yet, but never fear, he is not forgotten. But the most amazing thing is, look at how many chapters I have gotten out in like three days- three! Aren't you all so happy? I'm kinda feeling the end of this story coming… but right now I'm pretty sure there will be a sequel. And unlike some people, don't worry ya'll, I would never abandon a fic. So review and tell me what you think of the "end the story and maybe have a sequel" idea.
REVIEW RESPONSES:
Thanks to: luvbug080688, EternalEcho, Rubber-duckiesofdoom, Purple Raveness, Lady Lily3 (hey, I posted soon!), starangel2106
4: It never clarifies in the book whether Blaise is male or female. So I do both. In my other story, "Touch Me," Blaise is male. So it really just depends.
oRouth: I so love you more. Times three, for all the times you reviewed.