Chapter 19

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS!"

Harry groaned. He'd been awakened to the sounds of Remus and Mad eye who were now decorating their shared bedroom.

"It's not bloody-fucking Christmas yet..." Harry grumbled from his bed and pulled his comforter over his head. "Still another bloody week of this non-sense..."

"Come now Simon! Join us! You can't laze about all day in bed" Remus bellowed cheerfully.

Harry muttered a "watch me" under his breathe and before he knew it, Moody had removed his comforter and sheets.

"BLIMEY! IT'S COLD DAMN IT!"

"HA! HA! HAAA!" Mad eye was enjoying himself.

"C'mon my boy! What's Christmas without some spirit! Come on and join us some."

Mad eye obviously had no intention of letting Harry sleep. Harry glanced at the clock on his side table. Seven O'clock in the morning. He couldn't believe it. He sighed heavily and eyed the two other men who seemed unconcerned with his mood.

"Simon, should I separate you from Severus for a bit. Your beginning to pick up his mood swings." Remus chuckled to himself.

Harry got up and grabbed a few of his belongings and headed to the showers. Before he left he looked back and smiled. He was after all happy for this second chance with these people. He truly never imagined seeing them again. But God be damned if he was going to be waking up all week like this while those two ninnies decorate for a child's holiday. He made his way to the showers and got in. He'd been living in this house for months now and they had added a second shower recently due to too many individuals fighting over showering rights.

Typically it was Ginny who had taken up the shower, and Ron who did the arguing. Either way the men now had their own showers. It was nicely made and he was happy for the added privacy. It was difficult enough trying to remember a locking spell to keep other parties out. In this house, there really was no shame in kicking someone out.

Harry began to lather when the door knocked.

"I'm in here!" Harry hollered over the roar of steaming water hitting his chest.

Another knock at the door.

"OCCUPADO! E-SPECKA ESPANOL!" Harry's frustration began to grow as his sarcasm seeped out.

Another know once more.

"BLOODY HELL ENTER IF YOU MUST!" He waved his hand at the door, removing the charm placed. He returned to his shampoo, not caring if anyone saw him at this point.

"Finally! Bloody imbeciles, honestly. Could have left the bag outside in the hall when you entered you ignoramus!" Severus marched inside not knowing who he was yelling at.

"Well excuse me but it's not my bloody job to carry about your luggage! Damn it-" Harry got soap in his eyes. Severus' head jolted to the sound of Harry's voice.

"Simon?!"

"Well who the fuck bloody else. Can't sleep! Can't shower! Fuck now I'm supposed to carry your shit. Bugger off!" Harry was fairly cranky from the way the day was going and he knew he was taking it out on Severus but he didn't particularly care. Maybe Remus was right. He was spending quite a bit of time with the man.

Apparently Severus didn't take to his little tantrum since he pulled out his own wand and placed the tip into the shower and shot sparks out, then immediately disappeared with only the sounds of Harry yelping and slipping in the shower.

Severus swiftly sauntered the halls back towards his lab. He had been spending more time there now that he felt he couldn't return back to Hogwarts. He had explained at his last Death Eater meeting that he never really wanted to teach and it had been something he'd been forced to do by Dumbledore. Hardly a lie after all. Meanwhile Albus had been cast from the castle and now he only had a few left in there to give information. Minerva was one of them. Severus wasn't sure how long she'd last at it though.

Voldemort had reigned terror on the other houses and of course requirements were for only wizards that earned their magic be allowed to enter the school. Meaning either pure-bloods or half-bloods.

Severus was lost in thought about this when he was hit by Remus who was now carrying a large tree and heading to his rooms.

"Remus, how much longer do you plan on taunting the man?" Severus' lip curled.

"Please Severus, don't ruin my good time. It's not often I get to have fun and he needs this now more than ever. After what you told me about his family trying to murder hi-"

"SHHHHH! You don't know whose listening...Let's talk in my room..."

Severus led Remus to his private rooms. They were locked to nearly all outsiders.

Once inside, Severus placed a silencing charm on the doors.

"I don't trust that family and if they are working for the dark lord who knows what they're capable of." Severus wasn't afraid, but it didn't hurt to be cautious.

"But Severus, I thought you obliterated those memories?"

"I only got rid of the last few weeks from when they were here and they made that particular pact. I had no idea how far they'd been working with him. I can't very well erase their minds...or can-"

"No, Severus you can't" Remus rolled his eyes at Severus' clear disappointment.

"Have you found anything else about Harry's whereabouts?" Remus hoped Harry was alive and not knowing for sure was eating away at him. He was in a bit of a better mood lately as he kept his hopes high. The thought of Harry being somewhere lifted him. He could feel it. Harry was close.

"Anyway, it's best we keep this between us. I don't trust anyone and Simon is clearly in danger. It is far more vital we train him well to be prepared. He may be more of a target than we knew before."

Remus' eye quirked.

"Why would the dark lord want him? What importance does he lead?"

Severus had to think quickly. He couldn't tell Remus that Simon was Harry. The dark lord didn't know Harry's new name so his identity for now was safe.

"He was given Simon's address and we've seen him go after Potter's relatives. Now there's another wizard in the family who didn't get his magical abilities from his parents. The dark lords favorite to hunt. He has to know by now that Simon would be the only one with knowledge of Potter's whereabouts but of course he does not."

Remus nodded with understanding. They had to protect Simon. If not for Harry, then for the first Dursley friend he had ever made.

The men finished their discussion then Remus headed for the door. Severus lifted the charms and Remus opened the door to find a wet Simon, clothes and all. He had small burn marks all over his body and it seemed to be raining inside. Upon looking up, there was a cloud hovering over the man, still raining and grumbling angrily. Simon was furious.

Remus broke out in laughter.

"WHAT THE BLOODY HELL HAPPENED TO YOU! BAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAA!"

Remus began to cry tears of laughter and joy. Severus joined Remus and had to hold himself back from acting as ridiculous as Remus.

"That arse..." Harry pointing at Severus now "he bloody attacked me in the shower after he barged in for his bag. Can't make this blasted cloud leave!" Harry was fuming at his ears.

Severus had forgotten the curse was placed. Simon had to have been waiting outside that door for over half an hour! He waved his wand and the cloud dispersed into a fog then nothingness. Harry sighed with relief and then the fury returned.

"Remus, could you give us a minute...Alone..."

Harry's eyes could slice through Remus' soul, and with that Remus backed out of the door beside him. All that he left behind was a "sorry Severus" before scurrying off out of sight. Harry shut the door once Remus was gone. Harry turned around and looked at Severus.

"What have I done to deserve this? Is this a prank you two have conjured up!?"

Severus' lip was still curled.

"C'mon, can't you admit it was funny. If it had happened to someone else you yourself would be joining us in a laugh."

Harry sighed. "No I wouldn't. It's something my father would do, something Remus and Sirius would do, something even you would do. But in all my years at Hogwarts, when did I ever actually do something like that. I'm sorry if I am being overly dramatic but I haven't had a good rest in days and I just need some peace..."

Severus understood Simon's frustration. Remus was driving him nuts intentionally trying to get Simon into the holiday spirit.

"I will talk to Lupin and ask him to back off a bit...but there's nothing I can do about Mad eye..." A thought came to Severus, "It's not much...and it would only be until the season ends...If you bug me I will send you back out faster than you can catch a snitch! But...I suppose you could room...with me."

The last words came out like poison. He wasn't sure if he'd regret it or if he'd be insulted since both were possible at this point.

"...Do you mean it?" Harry's eyes perked up.

"Listen you dunderhead, if your going to get sentimental you can help yourself out! I am offering you a place to sleep, nothing more. If you disturb my work in ANY way I will destroy you!"

Severus tried to emphasize death but Harry was just glad to be able to sleep. He decided to start packing his things immediately. He ran off in a dash and yelled "THANK YOU!" from out in the hall. Severus thought to himself,

"yep. Regret it already..."