My second chapter! I hope you enjoy it!
FYI any flames will be used to heat up my nights. Constructive criticism is rather nice as long as you are respectful to me. I know improvements can be made, but really this is only my second story, cut me some slack. There is no way I can reach the likes of say Wyrdsmith, who is an amazing writer in my opinion, yet. If you can't say it politely, don't say it at all.
On another note, I'm not doing this to please anyone, but my own plot bunnies. If you don't like my fic, just leave please and take your hate with you. There's enough hate already in this shitty world.
Chapter 2: Changing tack
When Harry woke up, decidedly well rested despite the events of the previous night, he found himself in a room he didn't recognize. The poster bed had silky, dark coloured sheets and the room was dominated by earthly tones and lots of wood. A large wardrobe stood in one corner and there were two wooden, possibly oak, doors. As he crawled out of the bed, it was big enough to fit four, he noticed his robe and tie on a chair. His shoes had been placed next to it. The first door he opened led to the bathroom, where he relieved himself and had a quick wash. The other door opened into the living room where he and Professor Snape had had their talk yesterday. The professor was sitting in his chair with a mountain of scrolls before him, though Harry was sure they weren't essays as the ink that was being used wasn't red.
"Good morning, professor. I'm sorry for stealing your bed."
"Nonsense Mr Potter, I've been up all night anyways so it was no hardship. I'll call for breakfast and then we will discuss your situation." He called out "Mimsy, breakfast please" and a house elf appeared with breakfast for two. Seeing Harry's inquisitive glance he explained. "Mimsy is the house elf I have been assigned when I became part of the staff. I know of your friend's pursuit to free all house elves and I must say that for once she has missed a lot of facts in her search. House elves thrive on the magic of their masters once they have entered their service. Without a master they slowly die. There certainly are those who abuse their elves horribly, but the same could be said for children, don't you think?"
Harry nodded, the spoon he was using for his porridge still in his mouth. That was a very sensible explanation and he couldn't help but wonder why no one else had bothered to inform Hermione of this. The house elf, Mimsy, had provided toast, bacon and eggs, porridge and a bowl with fruit. As Harry was still recovering from the malnourishment that summer, he left the bacon and eggs, finding them too heavy for breakfast. Professor Snape subsequently set 3 potions next to his plate. "These are for strengthening your bones, repairing your internal organs and replenish the essentials you are still missing. All of them are necessary to correct the damage done by the malnutrition you have suffered so long."
Harry looked distraught; he hadn't thought his condition was that bad. "Sir, will you please go into detail with me about the scan you did yesterday and the repercussions of it?"
"Certainly Mr Po… Harry, but there is another important change we will need to discuss first, is that all right with you? Do drink your potions first, they are too important for your recovery." After downing the potions (Yuck, couldn't they be better tasting?) and clearing the plates away, they made themselves comfortable for what promised to become a lengthy discussion.
"After I put you to bed yesterday, I began the necessary procedure for adoption. Your situation is unbearable and I could not in good conscious let it go on any longer. There are of course a lot of intricacies when it comes to adopting an heir of another House. Please wait a bit longer with your questions. The Ancient and most Noble House of Prince stands on equal footing with the Ancient and most Noble House of Potter however. As the only offspring left, I have been eligible to take up the mantle of Lord Prince for quite some time. Because of reasons of my own I have not done so, until yesterday evening that is. By adopting you I will make you my son and heir and you will have the protection of two Houses. If you want to I can become regent of the Ancient and most Noble House of Potter, or you can choose someone else."
"Why would you want me, the son of your bully, to become your own?"
Severus looked warmly at the bewildered child before him. "I will not deny that having Lily's child as my own is a bonus, but I see part of myself in you. Bullied, few friends, neglected. I've been through all of that myself, for my father, a muggle, wasn't a good or even kind man. I cannot abide child abuse and I can't think of any other acceptable candidates. I don't hate you any longer, you roused my interest yesterday and I believe that some basic instruction, which you never had, will go a long way in your studies. But the most important part is that I want you to be able to have a proper childhood. You have more than earned with everything you've had to go through."
Harry felt himself tearing up. For the first time in his life someone, an adult, wanted him for who he was. Not because of the boy-who-lived thing or because he was a friend of their child or because they had known his parents. Unable to restrain himself, he hugged the man that wanted him, just Harry, and promised to protect him. If his professor was surprised at his forwardness, he didn't show it. He merely closed his arms around him, somewhat awkwardly, and patted his back.
They stayed like that for a good five minutes or so, before Harry extracted himself, embarrassed at his boldness. Professor Snape kindly ignored his redness and coughed. "We still have a lot to go over before lunch when we will both be missed. I suggest we fill in the paperwork, go over some rules and then tackle your scan." Harry nodded and he was given a couple of scrolls. Professor Snape explained they needed to file everything in triplicate: one copy for the Department of the MCP, one for the goblins and one for their solicitor. This way no one would be able to contest the adoption. Harry would not be formally acknowledged as heir until his fifteenth birthday, a relief really. It meant he would have nearly a year to become accustomed to his new position in life.
The matter of the adoption resolved, they smoothly arrived at the next topic. Professor Snape gave Harry permission to call him Severus in private and told him he would have to follow a set of rules. Punishment would never be as sever as the Dursleys had carried out, and the offence would be explained. At most it would be an essay or a loss of Hogwarts' privileges. Severus told Harry he would prefer it if Harry didn't stray from his bedroom at night; who knew what could happen to him.
Harry would be expected to have finished his homework to an acceptable degree on time. Failing marks would lead to a loss of privileges like Hogsmeade and flying. At this Harry interjected that he kept his marks so low, because the Dursleys had punished him in primary for outshining Dudley and that he didn't want to lose his friends because of it. He confided that he had secretly studied Ancient Runes and Arithmancy, as he found it far more interesting than Divination and the way Hagrid gave Care of Magical Creations. Severus added a note to his list to speak with Professor Babbling and Professor Vector to test his son so he could drop the useless electives.
It was made clear that Severus expected Harry to be on his best behaviour at all times when in public and that the school rules were to be respected as well as his personal rules. He also impressed on Harry that if he felt he was in over his head, he needed to come to Severus. It was not Harry's duty to solve dangerous occurrences; he needed to make himself scarce and make sure he stayed in one piece. Harry quickly agreed to this. He might be a gryffindor, but his slytherin side was just as big when it came to self-preservation.
Harry was shown a room that would be his from now on, should he want to escape from the Gryffindor tower. It was smaller than the other bedroom, but very cosy and Harry liked it already. The tower was too busy and loud sometimes, not really a proper environment for studying. All in all he found his new state in life very agreeable. He had no doubt that he and Severus would clash from time to time, but he felt safe in the knowledge that the other man would not abandon him, because of a disagreement.
At last they were ready to begin with Harry's health. He would need to continue his potions regime for at least three months; afterwards Severus would do a new check-up to determine his state of health. A lot of bones would have to be broken and set correctly, something Severus would like to do soon. He explained to Harry that every time he went flying he was in danger of rupturing his organs and breaking his bones. Therefore all flying activities would be temporarily suspended. Luckily there was no Quidditch or Harry's popularity would take a dive in Gryffindor. For Harry's eyes he recommended an eye-correcting potion, which Harry gladly accepted. A hair-lengthening potion was suggested to tame Harry's bird nest. He was more sceptical to this, but Severus assured him that long hair was a tradition with male heirs and proficient duellers.
Having discussed all urgent points with still an hour to lunch, Severus began to question Harry about his oath of last night. "I found a little book in my bag some days ago. It turned about to be about magical oaths and vows. When I was faced with another year of shunning by most of the school, I didn't allow myself to hesitate. The book explained that while wording is important, the intent behind them is what powers the oath. The wording is both a way to direct your intent and convey it to the listener."
"Very perceptive of you Harry. Very slytherin as well, the way you drew your panic and desperation to the surface."
Harry blushed at being found out. "The hat wanted to put me in Slytherin at first, said I would be great there. I knew that would never be accepted though and pushed for Gryffindor. Besides, what is more cunning than a snake in lion's clothes?" Severus chuckled; Harry was as insightful as Lily had been.
When Harry hadn't come back to the tower after dinner, Hermione had begun to panic. Now as lunch began, even Ron couldn't help but worry at his best friend's disappearance. Harry hadn't slept in the tower, nor had he been present for breakfast. Ron frowned to himself; he was ashamed to admit, even to himself, that he had been very jealous of Harry when his name came out of the cup. Harry's oath and despair had put everything back in perspective. Of course his friend wanted no part in a deadly tournament that he wasn't ready for. Why only a day before, Harry had told him he was glad this year would be a peaceful one. Steeling his resolve Ron promised himself that he would support Harry every step of the way from now on and that he would make sure that his envy didn't rear its head again.
Hearing Hermione gasp, he looked up from his plate and saw his friend standing in the doorway of the Great Hall. Only he looked so different! His hair, untameable on a good day, was longer, reaching a little past his shoulder blades in large waves. Gone were the round glasses that obscured his green eyes, exposing them to the world so they could be admired. Ron shook his head, embarrassed at the prose he used to describe Harry in his head. Sure Harry always had been a delicate beauty, that didn't mean Ron desired him that way! He liked girls very much, but he didn't doubt that Harry would be able to make the straightest man lust after him.
While most of the boys in their year had started to become manlier, hitting their growth spurts and such, Harry still was very short and even feminine in appearance. It was a regular topic to tease him with in the dorms and though Harry usually had a calm countenance, he was quite sensitive about his looks. Whoever had convinced Harry to go through with this deserved both kudos for managing it and a good questioning as to their intentions. Huh, from the looks around him it seemed he would have to play the overprotective brother rather sooner then expected and with a different person as well.
Standing up Ron walked up to Harry with an easy smile on his face, which seemed to be a huge relieve to him. Draping an arm over his shoulders, Ron threw a deadly glare through the Hall, making most people turn back to their plates and conversations. Thankfully Hermione had been so astute as too place them on one end of the table, slightly away from the rest of their House. This way they would be able to talk without being disturbed.
As he and Harry arrived at their places, Hermione jumped up and drew Harry into a hug, before seating them and filling Harry's plate. At once 3 potions appeared next to it. Harry flushed at their inquisitive glance. "I'm on a potions regime to, you know… The Dursleys…" He trailed of, embarrassed.
"Oh, Harry I hadn't realized that they had done such lasting damage! But of course I should have, looking like a first year does make it obvious." Ron had realized after that fateful summer when they had rescued Harry. He wasn't that thick. He glowered, while Harry looked down, still very much uncomfortable with admitting the abuse he had suffered. "You don't think… Professor Dumbledore couldn't have known, could he?"
"Professor Snape said that he didn't most likely. Something about old coots and a blind believe in family."
Ron looked up sharply and Hermione raised her eyebrows. Harry just grinned sheepishly, running his hand through his hair. "Professor Snape asked me to come with him yesterday, after… He asked me after all our adventures and my time before Hogwarts. Hearing about the Dursleys he did a medical scan, hence the potions. When I fell asleep he put me to bed, that's why I never came back yesterday. I'm sorry for worrying you. Anyway, this morning he told me that this situation couldn't go on any longer and he offered to adopt me." He chuckled nervously at their incredulous looks. "I know, it's very odd for him, who has been so mean to us, to be the first to actually understand. But he has explained his reasoning to me and I'll enlighten you further in private. He did give me some rules I'll have to follow, but they are very reasonable and so are the punishments for breaking them. He even gave me a room in his personal quarters!"
In the face of Harry's palpable joy and gratefulness, Ron and Hermione couldn't but be happy for the fortune that had befallen him. He deserved an adult that would look out for him and support him unconditionally. Ron was slightly more sceptic than Hermione, with her absurd respect for authority figures, but willing to give Snape the benefit of doubt. He did hope that Snape knew what he was doing, because where Harry went, Ron and Hermione were sure to follow. "Was it professor Snape who instigated your change in appearance?"
"Yes I wasn't to sure about the hair at first, but apparently it's a common practice and it did tame it at last. Besides it helps my image of the innocent child who was put into a dangerous tournament against his will."
Having finished eating they left the Great Hall, somehow arriving at the doors at the same time as Malfoy, who was accompanied by Parkinson and Zabini. "Wow, Potter preparing to go through life as a girl, from now on? I truly didn't expect you to be able to become more feminine. Why, you even surpass Granger, although on second though, that isn't very difficult." Harry was ready to blow his fuse and Ron became red in his face from anger. Why couldn't Malfoy keep his lousy comments to himself for one day? Hermione was rather amused; really this was such a crude attempt at pulling Harry's pigtails. Perhaps she might help him out a bit, just for fun. If he wanted Harry for real, he would have to prove himself though.
"Really Malfoy, I'm surprised you have noticed Harry's beauty. Are you certain you hate him as much as you like to profess? I'm beginning to get convinced you have a little crush on him."
Malfoy backed away, his pale skin easily showing the blush that appeared."As if, Granger!" He hurried away into the dungeons. Hmm she had obviously hit him where it hurt. Finally she would be able to do some matchmaking! Harry deserved happiness and he and Malfoy would make such a striking couple. Malfoy had grown rather tall and he was developing a lot of muscles thanks to Quidditch and general flying. Hermione's inner fan girl was bouncing around in her excitement; at least until her inner bookworm slammed her down for making to much noise.
Still embarrassed over the whole episode, Harry led them down to professor Snape's quarters. "I'm going to have a lot of bones broken and regrown and I would prefer having you guys with me for this. Besides I want to show you my room and I know you want to question Se… Professor Snape." They nodded in agreement, Ron snickering at the rather fitting password. The comfortable of the rooms surprised them and they hugged Harry to express their happiness for him.