A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or any character thereof.
A/N: This is a long chapter. I had it originally divided up into two but I figured it's been a while since I've given everyone a long one, I just combined them.
Chapter 53
"Dammit Albus. It's because he's my son."
Everyone in the Headmaster's office - portrait, Fawkes, and the Headmaster himself - just stared at Severus as if he had grown a second head.
The silence was overwhelming so Severus continued snarling, "But you already knew that didn't you - or you at least suspected it. Enlighten me. Were you ever going to tell me?"
The Headmaster cleared his throat. "Severus, Harry is not your son. I would not have kept that from you." He turned to look out the window briefly before looking back at the man he had long considered his own son. "I, however, will not deny that I've long suspected as much but I checked myself."
Severus snorted. "You didn't give Lily very much credit." He then sighed and took a seat across from Albus' desk.
He watched as the Headmaster sat himself in the chair next to his instead of his customary seat behind the desk.
Severus then explained about the letter that he had received and the paternity test he had performed. "I've spent the past 3 years despising my own flesh and blood Albus. I'm certainly off to a great start."
"Severus you didn't know. Lily certainly hid it well. However you are correct in that you'll have to watch yourself. There are still many of Voldemort's spies around. Why didn't you come to me when you learned of this?"
"I needed time to think - time to sort through things, which I've still not done."
Severus leaned forward and rubbed his temples, lost in thought. He barely registered Albus leave the room temporarily.
"Take this Severus. You deserve to have it more than I do," he said upon re-entry to his office.
Severus looked up and saw Albus holding a picture. "What's this?" He looked at it then looked back to Albus in shock. "When did you take this?"
"I'm sure you remember the day."
Severus stared at the picture. "I do but I don't remember this being taken."
Albus smiled. "Neither of you noticed."
They talked for a couple more hours before Severus returned to his own quarters.
After he had left, Albus put his head in hands. There was no way that he could tell Severus what he suspected now.
It pained himself to even think of it. He knew that it would kill Severus. He needed another option. He would find another option.
Unfortunately, he couldn't research anything until this summer when he was free to travel. Sighing, he picked up his mail to finish going through it - anything for a distraction.
Meanwhile, Harry and Ron were being scolded by Hagrid for ignoring Hermione. The gate keeper had invited them down to his cabin under the pre-tenses of tea.
Feeling horrible, they set off to look for her to apologize because they both realized that he was right.
When they entered the castle they saw that another Hogsmeade weekend would be in two weeks. Lupins speech still haunted his memory so Harry begged off when Ron suggested he sneak down to the village.
They eventually located Hermione in the common room surrounded by about 15 books. Fifteen thick books.
"We're sorry that we've been so rude to you Hermione," said Harry as he sat down across from her.
"Yeah," echoed Ron.
Hermione looked up. "Oh Ron. I'm sorry Crookshanks ate Scabbers."
"It's alright. Maybe mom will get me an owl now," he said hopefully.
Harry was glad that everything seemed alright between them. He hoped that it would last.
Their fighting made him feel like he was in a tug of war between them.
The next weekend Hedwig brought Harry a letter from Hagrid.
"Hagrid lost his case. Buckbeak is going to be executed," Harry said with alarm.
Ron frowned. Hermione looked really upset.
"Doesn't he get an appeal?" asked Ron.
Hermione nodded.
"He'll win the appeal and this time you won't have to do the research alone Hermione."
Hermione then launched herself at Ron who nearly fell out of his chair.
Harry just snickered at his friends shocked expression.
It was currently the middle of March. Albus was in his office holding two letters. One was from the Board of Governors, the other from the Minister of Magic.
Their contents made him want to smile and grimace at the same time. He could only imagine the headache that this was going to cause.
Sighing, he picked up his new quill (it had a purple spine and the feathers on it had green polka dots) and began to write out a reply. While he couldn't stop what was going to happen next year, he could do his best to ensure that no deaths occurred.
The security measures around the castle had increased 10 fold since the last break in. Harry, Ron, and Hermione couldn't go visit Hagrid in the evening like they used to because of this so that left them discussing things in their Care of Magical Creature's class.
"We'll figure out a way to save Buckbeak Hagrid."
Hagrid just sniffled as a response.
After Hagrid dropped the class off at the castle, the Gryffindor's headed towards the Charm's classroom.
"Have you ever seen anything so pathetic?" asked Malfoy to Crabbe and Goyle. "And he's supposed to be our teacher!"
Harry and Ron both moved towards Malfoy but Hermione got there first.
SMACK!
Everyone looked at Hermione in shock. "Don't ever call Hagrid pathetic." Before Harry and Ron could stop her she had her wand drawn.
Finally Ron spoke up, although reluctantly. "Hermione. Don't. He's not worth it."
Malfoy took that chance and ran away with Crabbe and Goyle following behind him.
'And I thought I had a temper,' Harry mused to himself. "Let's go. We're going to be late for class," pointed out Harry while trying not to laugh.
That charms lesson was difficult for Harry. First, for some unholy reason, he couldn't cast the cheering charm correctly and Ron had just merely looked at him apathetically. Then Ron tried and it sent Harry into a fit of giggles.
But the strange thing was that Hermione never showed up throughout the entire class even though she had been right behind them as they entered the class room.
"No Neville. Not yet," whispered Harry.
Neville froze as he was about to add the morning glory pulp to his restorative draught.
"Potter! No talking! Detention tonight."
Unfortunately when Snape had yelled, it startled Neville - who dropped the pulp into his potion - bowl and all.
Several of the Slytherins laughed out loud.
"Clean it up Longbottom," said Snape with a sneer. He sounded exasperated.
After Harry had made sure his potion was stabilized, he helped Neville clean up his work station.
After class, Harry was told by Snape that he would be helping Filch clean the castle.
Neville was waiting for him in the hallway. "Sorry Harry."
"It's alright," Harry said.
"No it's not. I'm lousy at potions. You were just trying to help."
Harry suddenly got an idea. "Tell you what. If you want, you can help me study for our Herbology test next week and I'll help you with the potions exam we have coming up."
Neville smiled. "All right. Let's go eat. I'm starved."
Harry nodded. He was too. The two boys headed off to find Ron and Hermione to go to dinner.
It was currently the middle of April. Thankfully it was a dry day since Harry kept hitting the ground - a lot.
"Good job Potter! Push yourself against your broom to go faster! Push! Push!"
Harry followed Wood's instructions and pulled himself in tighter to his broomstick.
"Now execute Rollins Turn!"
Harry grimaced. He had yet to do this move right without falling from his broom - which was why he was only flying about 3 feet above the ground at the moment.
Twisting his ankle around the broom in an attempt to anchor himself to it, he swung his body to make himself go into a spiral straight towards the fake snitch at the end of the field. (The move was supposed to speed him up in the air.)
He got 3 full rotations in before he lost his grip on the broom and went crashing to the ground.
"Oomph!"
"You alright Potter?"
"Yeah!" Despite the fact that this was the 6th time he had crashed into the ground, he laughed. It was a fun move to try to do, even if it did make him dizzy.
"Keep practicing Potter. I need to go rescue Katie from the twins."
Harry looked up and watched as Fred and George were playing with a Bludger around Katie. She looked like she was about to hex someone.
He went over and picked up his broom and as he went to mount it, he felt a presence nearby, like someone was watching him.
Madam Hooch was in the stands. She was watching the players in the air, so it wasn't her. He let his eyes wander over to the gateway to get into the Pitch.
It was there that he felt that the sensation was coming from but he didn't feel any threatening vibes. He let his eyes linger in that spot a second longer before he mounted his broom and took off again.
Severus merely shook his head. He was using an invisibility potion instead of the charm and Potter still seemed to sense his presence.
He idly wondered if it was just him Potter could sense - maybe because of familial magic? - or if he could sense anyone invisible.
Severus grimaced as Potter crashed into the ground again. At least the boy had the sense to only practice that move while just a couple of feet above the ground.
From where he stood, he could see the light in Potters eyes at the joy of flying. It was clearly something he loved to do.
May 19, 1994
Hermione has lost it. First she punches Malfoy, which was bloody brilliant, then she misses Charms. And to top it off she walked out of Divination today.
I still haven't figured out how she keeps disappearing and reappearing out of thin air but she looks like she's about to have a nervous breakdown.
At least her and Ron aren't fighting anymore.
The Gryffindor / Slytherin match is June 4th. Oliver is obsessed and he's not the only one. I have to catch the snitch only if Gryffindor is 60 points ahead of Slytherin.
I'm feeling the pressure from everyone.
-Harry
"Here's your book back professor."
Remus took Severus' meditation book back. "Did you have any questions?"
"No sir. I did have some trouble clearing my mind the way the book described so I'm going to see if I can find a beginners book on meditation in the library. Do you think Madam Pince will let me check one out over the summer?"
Remus nodded. "She will. She'll have you fill out some extra papers though."
"Let me guess. Something about being tortured for eternity if I return the book with a crinkle in the page?"
Remus chuckled. "Something like that. Since exams are coming up, I figured that you would want more time to study so I was going to stop the patronus lessons."
"But sir, I still can't make mine chase the dementors down like you can. I still don't know how I sent that one at Malfoy and his goons."
"You can make a shield constantly which will allow you to escape - a solid shield at that. It's very impressive Harry."
"But when will I be able to cast one like yours?"
Remus smiled. "I imagine soon. Let your magic grow some more. The possibility is obviously there as well as the talent. Just keep practicing in your free time."
"Yes sir," Harry said slightly disappointed.
"And if you ever want to know anything else about your parents all you have to do is ask."
Harry perked up some. "All right professor. I need to go. I have an extra potions essay to write tonight."
"Some father you are!"
"Where were you when I needed you the most?"
"Why do you hate me? What did I do that was so wrong?"
Severus sat up sweating in his bed. He had came to the decision that he would tell Harry the truth at the end of the year last night before he went to bed.
He had previously decided that he wasn't going to tell him yet but then he re-read Lily's letter (even though he had it committed to memory). Lily wanted him to, so he would.
But now, after having that dream, he wanted to wait. He needed to wait.
It had to be a sign that he wasn't ready yet - not that it would have taken much for him to back out of telling the boy.
Severus knew that he wouldn't be able to get any more sleep so after a shower, he headed towards his office to work on some grading.
"We can do this team. We just need to have confidence. We are faster and better and smarter than Slytherin. We are all to go to bed early tonight. We need to be well rested for tomorrow."
Harry cheered along with the rest of his teammates.
After they changed, they headed back up to Gryffindor Tower in high spirits.
Severus eyed Minerva. They had encountered each other in the staff lounge. "That Quidditch Cup is staying in my office - where it belongs."
"Ha! We have your number this year Severus."
"We'll see," he said.
The Quidditch match the next day would definitely be interesting.
Severus watched as the players took flight and the game began. Malfoy and Potter both circled over head searching for the snitch.
He eyed the parent's stands. Lucius was not in attendance today due to a prior engagement.
He saw Albus looking at him more than once - no doubt wondering who he was cheering for. The answer would probably surprise him. He was silently cheering for his son while outwardly cheering for Slytherin.
Albus caught Severus' gaze. 'Then again, maybe not,' he thought. He simply sneered at the Headmaster then refocused on the game.
When the score was 30-0 Gryffindor, Severus saw Potter go into a dive as if he had seen the snitch and Malfoy followed. He then groaned as Potter pulled a defensive move that made the two beaters and Malfoy crash into each other.
After that, the game turned dirty.
About 40 minutes into the game, Severus did something that made his colleagues look at him with concern. He had let out a bark of laughter when Malfoy grabbed the tail of Potters broom to keep him from the snitch.
Albus had merely rolled his eyes at the outburst.
It was perhaps an hour and a half later that Severus stood with the rest of the staff and watched with anticipation as Malfoy dived for the snitch - followed by Potter. It was on the opposite edge of the field and Draco was closer.
Severus felt his heart clench when he saw Potter go into Rollins Turn to speed himself up. As far as he knew, Potter had yet to master the hard move and he was a helluva lot higher than 3 feet above the ground. After 4 rotations Potter had inched in front of Malfoy and straightened himself out. Perhaps 5 seconds later, he closed his hand around the snitch.
Gryffindor had won the match with enough points to win the Quidditch Cup.
From where Severus stood, he could see the excitement in the boys eyes. Actually he suspected that it could be seen by everyone there.
He watched as the Headmaster handed Wood the cup, who in turn passed it to Potter. The boy lifted it over his head in the sea of Gryffindors.
Severus heard a cough beside of him. He pointedly ignored it. The cough happened again. He sighed, pulled out a bag of money, and handed it over to the very smug head of Gryffindor.
As Harry was leaving the Gryffindor locker rooms, he saw Malfoy leaving the Slytherin locker room across the way. He was alone.
Harry told his teammates to go on, that he'd catch up. He then wandered over to Malfoy.
"Come to gloat Potter?"
"No." Harry looked around. There seemed to be no Slytherins waiting on him. "You know, friends won't disown you over missing a snitch, at least mine didn't."
Draco sneered. "I don't need advice from someone like you."
Harry shrugged. "You do know that you almost had it right?"
"What are you on about?"
"The snitch. You almost had it. I've never been able to control more than 5 rolls of Rollins Turn. I took a chance on you being shocked at seeing me do it and slowing down some - long enough for me to stabilize myself in the air."
Harry saw that the blonde was surprised.
"I've got a party to go to. Don't let your house mates keep you down."
As Harry walked away, he heard Draco say, "I've been out Slytherin'd by a Gryffindor."
Harry just grinned.
Eventually exam week rolled around. Harry was nervous but Hermione looked like she was seriously about to have a nervous breakdown.
For the most part, he and Ron had tried not to say anything around her for fear of being snapped at but when they saw the exam schedule she made for herself, they couldn't resist.
"Uh, Hermione?" said Harry cautiously.
She looked up from searching for a book. "What?"
"I think you have your schedule wrote down wrong."
Hermione picked up the piece of paper that Harry had pointed to. "No I don't."
"But Hermione, how are you going to take two exams at once?"
"Don't be ridiculous Ronald. I'm not going to take two exams at once. Help me find my Arithmancy books."
Harry and Ron simply shrugged at each other and helped her hunt for the book she wanted.
Harry's first final was Transfiguration. He spent the first half of Monday morning answering questions and writing an essay. When he turned it in, he was led off to a side room where he was then told to turn a teapot into a tortoise. After he was done, he frowned at the tortoise. It had steam coming out from under it's shell.
After lunch, Harry headed to his charm's final. It didn't take him long to do the essay portion. He smiled as he thought of his mother when he handed it in and how she was a natural at the subject according to Professor Lupin.
"Alright Mr. Potter. I want you to perform a cheering charm on Miss Halligan here." Flitwick pointed to someone that Harry vaguely recalled being a 6th year Hufflepuff.
Harry took a deep breath and performed the charm. He was pleased that he finally got it right. He had practiced for 3 hours the night before on Ron - much to his dorm mates amusement.
After dinner, he went to study for his History of Magic and Ancient Runes exam. Neither of these would have practical portions.
By Tuesday night he was ready to collapse. The history of magic exam had been brutal. His Ancient Rune exam hadn't been so bad. It had been on the Eldar Futhark Runestones and the Marcomannic Runes. He had breezed through it.
The Astronomy exam was done in the special room in which a spell had been cast on the ceiling to mimic the night time sky. That exam included drawing a nasty diagram. It took Harry almost all 3 hours to finish. Wednesday afternoons exam was for the Care of Magical Creature's class. They had to keep a flobberworm alive for an hour. It was the easiest exam ever. Harry, Ron, and Hermione spent the time talking to Hagrid about Buckbeak.
Thursday morning found Harry trying to plant a Puffapod and pruning a centibush (which tried to strangle him at one point) after his written Herbology exam. The afternoon's written potions exam was fairly easy. For the practical portion he had to brew a confusing concoction. There were two ways to brew it correctly. A fast way and a slow way. The fast way required exact timing of the ingredients to be added and would, oddly enough, make it more powerful than the slow way. They had only brewed the slow way in class but Harry wasn't a Gryffindor for nothing. He finished long before any of the other 3rd year Gryffindor and Slytherin students.
As Harry was leaving he would have bet his Firebolt that he had seen approval in Snapes eyes. It gave him a weird feeling.
When Ron and Hermione found him in the tower, he was beating his head on the desk. His brain hurt. He idly wondered if the Giant Squid would like some company in the Black Lake.
His defense exam on Friday morning was an obstacle course that Professor Lupin had set up. After he came out of the trunk (it was enlarged) where the boggart was, Lupin said, "Well done Harry! Full marks!"
Harry grinned.
On their way back up the castle (Ron was laughing at Hermione's boggart of McGonagall telling her that she had failed everything), they ran into Minister Fudge.
"Harry!" he exclaimed.
Harry smiled tentatively. "Hello Minister."
"Just come from an exam?"
Harry nodded.
"I'm afraid that I'm here for some unpleasant business. There is going to be a mad hippogriff executed tonight and since I needed to check in on the Black situation, I was asked to step in to over see it."
"Has the appeal already happened?" asked Ron alarmed.
The minister looked at Ron strangely. "No, no. It's scheduled for this afternoon. Well, we had best get on. Have a good day Harry."
Harry watched with horror as an axe glistened in the sunlight on the belt of one of the committee members.
"Come on. Let's get some lunch before divination," said Ron sullenly.
The Divination exam involved crystal ball gazing. It seemed that Professor Trelawney was seeing each of them separately.
It was finally Harry's turn. He saw squat in the crystal ball so he made believe that he saw Buckbeak getting off free of the charges. Just as he was about to leave, Professor Trelawney's voice changed and her eyes glazed over.
"It will happen tonight. The Dark Lord lies alone and friendless, abandoned by his followers. His servant has been chained these twelve years. Tonight, before midnight, the servant will break free and set out to rejoin his master. The Dark Lord will rise again with his servant's aid, greater and more terrible than ever he was. Tonight, before midnight, the servant will set out ... to rejoin ... his master ..."
Harry watched as Trelawney's head fell forward. When she looked up, her eyes were clear. "Is something wrong?"
"You ... you just said that the Dark Lord was going to rise again."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Not even I would be so presumptions to predict something like that. I think that you must have dozed off."
Harry slowly backed away and all but ran from the tower.
When he arrived back at the dorm, Ron had a letter from Hagrid. Buckbeak had lost his appeal and would be executed at sundown.
A/N: Told you it was a long one. :p I don't remember how long the next one is off the top of my head. As you saw, there was a massive shift in the time line too but I'm so excited to head on to book 4! Of course, we need to finish book 3 first. *eyes the stack of papers next to her desk* Hmm.. I don't actually remember how many more chapters are left in book 3. Oh well, we'll find out soon enough! I look to have the next chapter up by Friday or Saturday, depending on how well some of my editing goes and how much more I can get typed.
A/N: This story will stick mostly to canon of the Prisoner of Azkaban book, and some quotes are from the book directly. However, every once in a while, a scene or two from the movie may sneak in. (All that of course aside from the fact that a lot of scenes from my own mind are sneaking in as well - evil cackle!)
A/N: Some of what's written in the Prisoner of Azkaban will change to suit my whims for my own story! Don't hate me! (Evil smirk!)