Chapter 7: More Questions than Answers

Lucius groaned as he attempted to get up only to collapse back onto the floor, "Fucking Archivist, a little warning would have been nice," he hissed as he struggled to get up again. He had no idea that his robes were so heavy that it would make it impossible for him to get off the cold and hard floor which was only making him more and more irritated. He saw a hand with long potion stained fingers before his fingers and took it rather reluctantly, "Not a word," he hissed to the grinning potion master. Severus hummed and continued smirking, "Of course not, after all I didn't know you were attempting to become a pancake rather than a wizard, I always thought it would be unbecoming of a Malfoy. Then again you guys are quite entrepreneurial that testing the waters of Gryffindor stupidity isn't out of mind," he shot. If it weren't for the fact that Lucius didn't have the strength to stand on his own he would have released the man's hand and shot a rather nasty stinging hex in his direction.

"Says the man who has left both boys with my wife, she'll have them dancing and playing instruments in no time flat," he commented. Severus crossed his arms and smirked, Lucius froze and realized just why he was so happy at the thought, "Severus, that's just cruel," he stated. Severus hummed and shrugged, "What was I supposed to do, I'm a responsible teacher and the wards on my private stores went off, those dunderheads could have gotten into something dangerous," he said smoothly as he attempted to looked innocent. Lucius scoffed at this and shook his head before chuckling, "This is revenge for the boys making you look like a Smurf isn't it?" he asked.

Severus shot a glare at the man, his black eyes looked soulless and it was clear that he didn't want other students to hear of the event which had transpired. Lucius held up his hands and shook his head, "Alright, alright, I won't speak of it again. You have to admit it was impressive it did last several days," Lucius said as he pointed at Severus and smiled at the memory. He could remember it as clear as day, the Potion Master slamming the door of his office open holding Draco by the ear, the massive blue smurf in neon robes which was supposed to be Severus was far too much. "Payback's a bitch," Severus said under his breath as he grinned merrily.

Lucius seemed to stumble and clung to Severus, "Seriously though what on earth are you doing here?" he asked coolly. Lucius felt himself being lead to the dungeons, away from the Headmaster's office, which was probably a good thing considering the man couldn't stand on his own. He had been leaning heavily on Severus most of the way, he was thankful that the potion master hadn't pointed it out and that the students avoided the man like the plague. They paused before the familiar portrait of Salazar Slytherin, "Ah Lucius it's good to see you again," the portrait greeted. Lucius stiffened and looked up to see a pair of very familiar emerald green eyes which looked strikingly similar to Harry's. "Like wise," he grumbled.

Severus arched a brow, "Any luck on finding my chambers?" he asked curiously. Severus stiffened and looked at the pair in confusion, "You mean the Chamber of Secrets?" asked Severus in confusion. Lucius and Salazar looked at him and nodded in unison, they both looked hopeful and Severus sighed, "No clue." The other two wizards moaned and looked at one another, "Have you told him?" asked Salazar as he reached over and began scratching a black snake under the chin affectionately. His long fingers did so with care as he stroked the large snake with care.

Lucius looked at Severus who stared at him expectantly, "Not yet, I just finished with the Archivist," he replied hesitantly. Only for the founder to chuckle lightly and smirk with glee, "What?" hissed Lucius with irritation only for the man to smile crookedly and fold his hands in his lap. "What did you think of her, an interesting one no?" he asked. Lucius' grey eyes widened, the man knew, he knew what the Archivist was like and gave him no warning. "You, you know how I got here don't you?" asked Lucius with irritation, his head was hurting again and he was beginning to be nauseous.

He felt himself double over, only for Severus to catch him, a moan left him as his hand shot up to his head. "Oh, the world's not supposed to spin when I'm not Apparating or using a Portkey," he mumbled as he closed his eyes in hopes of stopping the feeling. He felt Severus hold him up and then ask, "Salazar, can't we take this in my chambers, he can't stand and he's getting rather heavy, not to mention that he's cumbersome." If Lucius was feeling better he would have snarled, however at the moment he also understood that the faster they got out of the hallway the less likely other students would find them and spread rumors about the potion master having a heart. For the dark bat like potion master of the dungeon couldn't possible have one, he was too cold for that. Salazar hummed and swung open, "I'll see you in a moment, please send Harrow away, he's obnoxious as it is and may tell our beloved headmaster what I'm up to," he stated.

Severus slipped into his chambers and replied, "Certainly. Harrow, vanish!" The other potion master sighed and vacated his frame promptly, which allowed for Salazar to sweep in with ease. This time he had left his friends in the other frame and looked around at the backdrop of the frame curiously. He lifted a few pages of notes which had been left out for the sake of the painting and examined book titles. "Jonathan Carter Harrow, one of these days you will explain why you admire him when your work trumps his, Severus," said Salazar before turning around.

Severus ignored Salazar for the most part and placed Lucius on the sofa before the fire place, with the flick of his wand the hearth came to life and he looked at the blonde lord before him. "Would you like something for the pain and your stomach?" asked Severus after a moment. Lucius could tell that the man had been observing him carefully; he must have looked horrible for the Potion Master to offer. "It would be nice, but not essential," he replied simply as he put and hand over his head and closed his eyes. Black eyes narrowed before he held his hand out and the pair of phials flew through the air into his waiting hand. He snatched them out of the air and handed them to the blonde noble.

Lucius nodded his thanks and uncorked them before drinking both. He grimaced at the taste, while it wasn't as horrible as the ones Severus gave to children it was still unpleasant. "Who were the ones who broke into your stores?" asked Lucius curiously as he waited for the nausea potion to take affect. Salazar looked at Severus and asked, "Someone managed to break your wards? That's impressive, not even the Headmaster can." Severus sighed in exasperation before calling, "Sage!" With a pop the elf appeared she was dressed in the official robes of the Prince family with the crest of the Potion's Guild and Severus' personal seal. There wasn't even a hint that the elf belonged to the school, which made Lucius grin, only Severus could have his own elf at the school that wasn't in the clutches of the headmaster.

"Yes sir?" asked the elf beautifully, unlike others it spoke clearly and bowed a touch. Lucius was impressed and for a moment contemplated having Severus spend time with his elves, perhaps they could pick up a thing or two. "Please bring us a tray with both coffee and tea," he said simply as he rubbed his temples. "Yes master, Colombian or Turkish?" asked the elf smoothly. Severus paused for a moment and replied, "Turkish." The elf nodded before vanishing, coffee was one of Severus many vices, it was honestly what made it possible for the man to function. Without it, Severus honestly didn't look alert enough to be allowed near a caldron. "The Weasley Twins," Severus said after a moment. Lucius' jaw popped open as he looked at him, the Weasleys were a massive family but didn't cause trouble, excluding the twins.

"Aren't they second years?" asked Lucius after a moment, this only caused Salazar's jaw to drop. Severus hummed and nodded solemnly, Sage appeared once again with the requested drinks and a plate of biscuits before asking, "Is there anything else?" Severus shook his head and the elf vanished once more. "Yes they are," he replied after a moment before picking up the cup of coffee and helping himself. "Impressive, why are you so worried?" he asked. Severus looked at Salazar who now seemed genuinely interested, which meant he had no choice but to tell them. He took a swig of coffee and welcomed the rich flavor as it hit his tongue and soothed him a touch. Lucius always admired the fact that Severus could drink the stuff black, while he wasn't even able to stomach black tea.

The blonde sat up slowly and added a generous amount of cream to the tea before picking it up and taking a sip. His eyes widened a little, it was perfectly brewed, he was going to get Sage to the mansion to help him with his elves. "Simple, they're trouble! Honestly they should have been named Trouble and Terror, rather than Fred and George," Severus seethed, "They are constantly pranking Slytherins! I just wish they would prank their own house for once!"

Lucius looked over to see Salazar looking at him for a moment before asking, "Are you talking about the red heads? The ones who managed to cast a charm and make all the caldrons in your classroom dance during your session with the first years?" Lucius looked at the potion master in shock, to do something like that required skill, "Not only did they dance but they shouted insults and threw confetti," he stated briskly. Salazar stared at Severus, his eyes were wide with shock as he looked at the man, "These are second years? You're certain?" he asked after a moment. Severus nodded and looked at them, "Yes, they signed their work," he stated. Lucius was chuckling at the look of irritation on Severus' face, the twins showed a great deal of potential to do such advanced work at such an age, even if it did irritate the snarky potion master.

"How come they weren't sorted into Slytherin?" asked Salazar in confusion, Lucius wondered the same thing, that was a very Slytherin thing to do. Severus hummed as he looked at them, "They come for a long line of Gryffindors, it would have been nice to have them in Slytherin though," he commented. Lucius nodded in agreement, even though it meant breaking the rules, with skills like that surely they would have blossomed in the noble house of the snake. He felt his head begin to clear and he sat up straight, before crossing his legs smoothly.

"I met the Head Archivist, I couldn't find a thing on your chambers Salazar but I learned something interesting about where the Charter might be," he said after a moment, his eyes never left the founder who was now looking at Lucius intently, his brown hair was tucked behind his ear and he nodded for the blonde to continue, "It would appear that the copy the Ministry kept was taken out several years ago, by the current Headmaster. It didn't make sense to the Archivist since it's impossible to remove the documents without the Keeper knowing, especially Charters," he stated. Salazar looked puzzled, clearly the portrait knew how the archive functioned better than he did, which honestly wasn't that startling. Salazar had been around longer and probably was there when the archive was created.

Severus looked more confused than ever, "Charter?' he asked after a moment and Lucius remembered he hadn't explained to anyone what he had been looking for over the past few days. He turned his attention to the professor and began, "All schools have Charters, these are basically an agreement between the school and the Ministry as to what the school is able to do, and how it will be run. The Charter holds the fundamental laws of Hogwarts and how it is to be run since it was created," he explained, "However, the Charter was lost and it would appear that the current Headmaster is breaking a number of rules." Lucius paused and allowed for Severus to digest this, potions, defense and tactics were Severus' field of expertise but when it came to law, he was a little slower than Lucius, not as slow as the average man but still needed a moment to adjust.

"How does that help us?" asked Severus after a moment. Lucius looked over at Salazar, wondering if the portrait would jump in, which thankfully he did. "Severus, do you know the principles in which this school was founded?" asked Salazar after a moment. The Potion Master glared at him, Lucius was confused for a moment, he honestly thought the founder would explain the Board of Governors. "Yes to teach magic to all those who are willing and able to learn it, regardless of name, title, blood or wand, we teach for a better future," he said after a moment. Lucius gaped, he hadn't heard that in a long time, he had heard the motto chanted over and over again but not the final line of the contract which every teacher signed when they agreed to teach at the school. "Magic is neither black nor white and it is our duty to teach both, and even the gray, we do not determine their destinies they determine their own," he continued.

Lucius was quiet, that wasn't in the contract and then he realized what Severus was reciting and his jaw dropped, "We give them the tools, foundations and skills they need to go into the world and make a name for themselves. We do not hinder students, we do not oppress them, we help them shine. The houses allow for students to blossom with their peers but not to serve as walls preventing them from socializing with others. It is our duty to protect, teach, demonstrate, and practice magic," he finished, his voice was proud and strong it echoed in the room as though he had said it in the Great Hall. Lucius could feel the castle hum and stared at the walls as they trembled a little at the resuscitation of the oath, it was an oath every teacher made promising that they would do everything in their power to teach young witches and wizards. It was as if the castle was humming in approval and overjoyed to hear those words spoken once more.

"Yes Severus, those are our principles and yet only light is taught, not the dark. You don't teach the children that there is darkness and gray areas, you don't teach them how to defend themselves," Salazar said slowly, "I know you teach them the curriculum designed by the Board of Governors, however it isn't adequate and I'm sure your colleagues would agree." Lucius stared at Salazar, clearly he knew more than he was saying, "As you know there is a Board of Governors which is supposed to advise the Headmaster and aid him in making sure that the original Charter and all of Hogwarts rules are upheld. However over the years this group of individuals is lacking several important members," Salazar explained.

Severus was sitting pensively before looking at the founder and asked curiously, "Who?" To this Salazar smiled, it was warm and Lucius stared at the man in confusion, "The heirs of both the Founder and the Pravels," he replied. Severus stared at him, it was the same way he remembered staring at the portrait when he had learned of this. Yet Salazar didn't smile at him, "In addition, the Headmaster is to be selected by the Sorting Hat, which hasn't occurred since Armando Dippet took his post. This right was suspended in fear that someone would attempt to force the hat to name a dark wizard as the Headmaster," he said with ease. That part Lucius didn't know and part of him was wondering why Salazar had even agreed to being the guardian of Severus' chambers, none of the other professors had ever had a Founder guarding their door and yet Salazar was his.

"So if we find the charter we can return the school to the way it should be?" asked Severus. Salazar nodded and replied with a smile, "In a way, yes, it will be different of course since times have changed but I believe it would be for the best. Besides I would love to hear whose name the hat shall shout." Lucius took another sip of tea and began to mull over a few names which would probably be considered, but then again the Hat was unpredictable, and to be honest there was no way he would be able to think of every possible candidate.

He placed the delicate white cup on the saucer once more and turned his attention to them, "There is one more issue, if Albus has the charter than it's somewhere in the school and we don't have the resources to go looking for it," commented Lucius which brought them all back to the present. Severus hummed and crossed his arms before looking at them, "Perhaps we do," he said simply, "Draco and Harry will get their letters over the summer. They might be able to find the one thing that none of the others ever could, the Charter."

Salazar and Lucius looked at one another, "That's brilliant but a little desperate," he commented. The blonde nodded in agreement with Salazar, it would be very dangerous for the boys to go looking through the castle for such an important document, not to mention that they still had to find Salazar's Chambers for what ever it was that would help them. "I'm afraid I have to cut this short, I have to find a paternity potion and brew it for Tom, and I still have to track down those ingredients which were stolen," Severus briskly stated, Lucius nodded when he noticed Salazar glaring at him. "Honest, you didn't tell him?"

Severus arched a brow and crossed his arms as he glared at Lucius, "Tell me what?" Lucius swallowed hard before replying, "Salazar has a potion which will do the job, the problem is that it's in his study, there aren't any others that will work as well." Severus sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "You mean in the Chamber of Secrets which none of us knows where it is," he commented. Lucius smiled nervously and replied, "That's it."

He watched the Potion Master lose composure for a moment, he looked as though he were about to murder the blonde, "Of course it is, I guess I have to go looking for it," he mumbled. He was about to turn on his heel when he noticed his floo go off, hastily he stuck his head in the fireplace, "Severus, do you know what potion would cause a student's tongue to become stuck to the roof of their mouth and have boils?" she asked. Lucius did everything he could to stifle a snicker, obviously the found it. "Why?" he asked after a moment, dreading the reason which the woman would soon tell. "Mister Fletch, Mister Milligan and Miss Harkinson are all sporting a new look," she replied. Lucius looked at Severus who now looked very angry, "I'll come to the infirmary at once," he said simply before pulling his head out of the hearth. "It appears several snakes have been pranked again by the Weasley Twins," he commented before slipping away.

Once Severus was gone Lucius looked up at the portrait and sighed, "What do you know?" he asked pointedly. There was something Salazar wasn't saying, it irritated him, "Quite a bit, but some things Mr. Malfoy should be left to reveal themselves," he stated before vanishing from the frame. Lucius groaned, he disliked it when people became cryptic, it always caused more issues. He paused after realizing he had to somehow get home to his wife, who was probably furious. "No time like the present," he commented before slipping out of Severus' chambers and heading toward Hogsmeade to the Apparition Point.

~~xXx~~

The sun was warm as it flowed in through the windows, Narcissa had left the boys to read for a while, so that she could tend to some business with the elves. Harry was becoming more and more accustomed to the lifestyle of the Malfoys, he was honestly grateful that they were willing to teach him and look after him. The Dursleys never did, Harry felt a little bad for taking advantage of their kindness, he felt like an intruder in their world. Their world was beautiful, over the past few days Draco had shown him nearly every room in the mansion, each one of them had a theme and Draco explained not only the items in it but the importance of ancestry. The boy was honestly one of the smartest he had ever met, despite the constant nagging to do pranks, the boy was honestly a nice kid.

Harry stared out the window at the snow blanketed grounds, the sun made the mansion glow, it looked like a setting from a movie, like everything else in the house. It was honestly perfect, Lucius was always home by 5 and they ate dinner, a dinner which Harry didn't have to cook and he could enjoy it with the Malfoys and Tom. Tom was always in the study, the door was almost always open, he loved curling up in an armchair by the fire and reading, he didn't have to talk to the mysterious man to feel happy, he was content by simply being in the same room as him. Narcissa was always dressed in an elegant dress, she would teach them everything from etiquette to proper enunciation and the importance of blood lines. She spoke beautifully, but never criticized muggle borns about not having their blood, she was more upset with the fact that they didn't adjust to their world, they brought their beliefs in and suppressed tradition.

Yet the one who taught the boys about their future school wasn't Tom, Lucius and Narcissa but Severus. Harry later learned that Severus' true title was actually, Professor Severs T. Snape, Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Somehow whenever asked about the school the man's black eyes would light up as he spoke of the houses and many classes offered there. Harry smiled as he thought of the man's deep and lush voice humming in his ears, as he painted a picture of the castle. On more than one occasion Severus had called it his home, and to be honest with the amount the man knew about its history and the majesty of the place, Harry wouldn't mind calling it home as well. He was nervous for a moment as he looked at the steadily growing mountain of books on the floor that he had read. Draco was curled up in a comfortable chair dozing off, rather than reading. The massive slate Wolf Hound was curled up at the boy's feet, Harry smiled as he looked at Shamus.

He sighed as he slowly touched the glass in the windowpane; it was cold under his fingers, so much had happened over the past few days. He had been welcomed into a family, which he didn't see as his own. Part of him wondered when he would be returned to the Dursleys, and for one of them to say happily that it was all just a joke. "Hatchling?" hissed a familiar voice. Harry looked over on the floor and grinned, "Hello Nangini, isn't it cold to be wandering around on your own?" Harry asked curiously, he wasn't about to be blamed for the serpent getting a head cold.

She slowly lifted off the floor and slithered onto Harry's lap, she was cool to the touch but smooth like a river stone, "I was wondering where you where, Tom's being his boring elusive self again and he won't pet me," she remarked. Harry chuckled he had grown accustomed to listening to the man's familiar rant, she had quite the sense of humor, clearly something she had picked up from her master. "Sorry to hear," Harry replied as he stroked the massive snake, she blinked before settling against his chest, "You're quiet are you feeling alright? Master has been worried about you more than himself, so much so that he forgot to look after himself, silly man," she commented. Harry chuckled he loved hearing Nagini's thoughts on Tom, she always had an interesting take. He could tell that she was enjoying basking in his warmth as she curled up on top of him.

"Tom's just protective, how is he anyway?" asked Harry curiously. Nagini blinked before replying, "Boring, haven't I said that already?" she asked in a huff. He smiled a she looked at the serpent before him and nodded, he just was hoping she would tell him more. She was being vague, which usually meant that Tom wasn't in the mood for talking either. "You did, I guess. What should we do?" asked Harry after a moment. Nagini imply lifted her head before looking Draco, "We could scare the blonde," she suggested. Harry suppressed his chuckles, he didn't think Draco would appreciate Nangini's opinion of scaring him. "No, let's let him sleep, he's been odd lately," Harry replied.

"Odd? How so?" she asked as Harry stroked her head absentmindedly and looked out the window, "Like he's hiding something, I don't know maybe I'm reading too much into it. I feel like an intruder already," he commented, he didn't know why he was telling her, but she seemed like the only one who would listen, even if she was Tom's familiar. "Why? They love you hatchling," Nangini said simply as she wrapped her tail around Harry's arm in an attempt to soothe him. Harry continued to gaze out the window and watched as the sun begin to lower itself in the sky, "That doesn't make me feel like any less of an outsider," he commented as he looked sadly out the window, they were Draco's family, not his, he was a Potter, not a Malfoy or Riddle or Snape even, they would never be his.

"Hatchling, just because they aren't blood doesn't mean they can't be family. You don't have to be related to be family," Nangini explained. Harry felt his eyes sting as he dropped his hand from the snake. "If they don't have to be, then why did my relatives treat me so badly?" he sobbed before picking Nangini up and placing her on the floor. The snake looked at him in alarm as Harry curled up in a ball, "I just wanted to be loved, and yet they couldn't love me. Now I'm intruding on someone else's family, I feel like a misfit, that piece that should have never been in the puzzle box," he choked as he felt his tears pour down his cheeks. They gave him gifts, dressed him, fed him, and somehow loved him, yet he felt as though he was abusing them.

His chest hurt, he loved Draco, he looked up to the boy and his family. Even Severus and Tom had a place in his heart, but it wasn't the same, he was a boy without parents, the boy who was picked on for not having a mother and father, a freak. He just couldn't understand why they loved him; he didn't even know how they could when no one else did. Harry clutched his knees and buried his head in them, his eyes closed as sobs racked his body, he was careful to remain quiet, and he didn't want it to look like he didn't appreciate what they were doing for him. His eyes burned as he felt salty tears slide across his lips, it hurt to be there.

Suddenly there was warmth and he smelt sandalwood and spices, a pair of strong arms was wrapped around him and a firm chest was by his head. "Shush Harry, you're meant to be loved. You are so loved Harry," a deep voice whispered, they were soft words, filled with love and tenderness. Harry could hear them echo in the man's chest and stiffened, he was still afraid of being hit, especially since he was crying. "Harry, we love you so much. You're not an intruder," the voice continued, it was sweet and seemed to make Harry slowly uncoil, he looked up to see a pair of concerned red eyes looking down at him. He was in Tom's embrace, it was a nice feeling. The man reminded him of a mother, more than he did of a father. He was stern in public but affectionate and emotional in private. "Tom?" he asked curiously, only then was he aware that they were speaking in Parseltongue.

The older wizard nodded and ran his fingers through Harry's messy hair, "I'm here Harry," he whispered softly. The man did look better than before, he had more color in his face and looked stronger than when Harry had caught him that morning before he fell. He could tell that the older wizard was kneeling on the floor, yet he didn't complain about his knees. "Why do you love me?" he asked slowly. He watched as Tom stared at him, it looked as though Harry had managed to break his heart. "Children are meant to be loved and what those people did to you should have never happened little one. Never," he said sternly.

Harry smiled a little before he threw his arms around the older wizards neck and held the man close, of all the people in the manor, he knew Tom wouldn't lie to him. He couldn't, "How we go drink some hot chocolate in the music room and I'll play something for you," he suggested gently. Harry's green eyes widened, he had heard Narcissa play cello, but he had no idea Tom played anything. He thought the man wasn't into muggle inventions. "You play?" asked Harry with a hint of excitement as Tom stood up, only now did Harry notice the man was in a beautiful long black robe and wearing a black dress shirt and jeans, he looked relaxed and comfortable in them. He took Harry's small hand in his own and lead him into the Music Room. Sitting in the middle standing proudly on a platform was a beautiful jet black grand piano, its lid was up and there was a piano stool before it.

Tom hummed as he pulled a piece of paper from his robe, tossed it on the floor and transfigured it into a stool beside the piano stool, "Take a seat," he commented as he slipped out of the long black robe and draped it over a chair in the corner. Harry smiled as he watched the wizard crack his fingers and stretch like a cat before taking a seat on the stool. His sleeves were rolled up and his fingers hovered above the keys before he decided on a tune to play. "All my favorite things," he said with a grin as he began to tap out the familiar rhythm. It was soft and very familiar, Harry hummed as he watched Tom's hands moves slowly over the keys, it was soft and delicate, it sounded more like a flower bending in the breeze, until Harry heard an interesting chord. His eyes widened as Tom grinned and with a quick transition he had left the world of tradition behind.

Slender fingers danced up and down the keyboard with ease, a sound which Harry recognized as Jazz filled the room, as he watched the man's fingers walk, run, jump and mingle with the keys. It looked more like he was tickling the keyboard than he was playing. He couldn't help but smile as a grin appeared on the older man's face, his fingers were doing all the talking and his feet were hitting the petals with precision. He was using the entire range offered on the keyboard, Harry's jaw dropped as he listened to the improvisation on the theme again and again, only it was different each time they went around. Tom's red eyes closed as his shoulders relaxed and he began to lean into the keys, Harry grinned as the man seemed to look younger. His attention to detail and sound made Harry smile, Tom was nearing the end as his smile broadened, he loved the feeling of sitting next to a musician as they played, it was like magic, powerful and different.

Now Harry understood what Draco had meant by Tom's style, this sound, Jazz it was very Tom. It was smooth and rather cool, much like the musician himself. He listened to the last notes float in the air, and the silence that filled the room after the final chord was released. Harry hesitantly brought his hands together and watched Tom's eyes open, he jumped a little at the sound which made harry stop immediately, in fear that he had done something wrong. Only for Tom to flash him a broad smile and gently muzz his hair. "I'm glad you liked it, don't tell Cissia I was up and playing, she'll kill me," he commented.

"Too late," said a dark voice from the doorway, Tom cringed and smiled a little nervously as he looked at the woman standing in the doorway, she had an eyebrow lifted and looked at Tom with a scrutinizing gaze. He was about to rise when she shook her head and pulled up a chair, "You're lucky you're cute and a good pianist, otherwise I would have hexed you for coming in here," she said smoothly. Harry watched Draco's mother settle in the chair by the side and look at Tom expectantly. "What?" asked Tom in confusion as he looked at her, her blue eyes fell on the piano. "Encore?" she asked.

Tom hummed as he set up again, a small smile curved his lips as the notes seemed to fall from his fingers with ease. Each one was soft and delicate, Harry closed his eyes and listened as the progression seemed to take on a life of it's own. They seemed to float endlessly until he heard a very familiar series of notes, his eyes snapped open as he looked at Tom. "You know usually this is played for the birthday boy, and not by him," he remarked. His playing was delicate and playful as he lightly brushed his fingers across the keys. The mood changed as he began to play with the same progression of notes, it changed into something lighthearted and mischievous. Harry listened intently, he had heard similar tunes played in movies, one of them was Casablanca, he could remember the scene where Sam played the piano in the bar.

Tom's fingers tickled the ebony and ivory with skill as he made the song entirely his own, Narcissa smiled as she snapped her fingers rapidly, four clicks and the wizard picked up pace. Tom was off to the races, and there was nothing holding his fingers back. Harry watched Tom's fingers run across the keys as he slipped into ragtime. It was impressive to hear, as the notes seemed to collide with one another roll on the floor. He listened to the notes on one hand complete those of the other, all the while Tom's eyes were closed. He made it look easy as he threw things together on whim, the only semblance it had was those simple notes of Happy Birthday.

He grew ever so dramatic, banging away on the keys, leaning into them passionately. His brow furrowed as though he were shouting at someone. His fingers slammed into the keys, as he pressed on one of the petals; at that point Harry was sure his solo could be heard through the entire house. He could feel the vibrations of the piano travel through the stool and he looked at Narcissa who was sitting quietly admiring the man.

Suddenly the piece became quiet; Harry listened as Tom relaxed and leaned away from the keys. A familiar melody in the form of a waltz played, it was different, there were still trills and trembles as Tom tickled the keys, but the notes were so different. They resolved and sat just right in the ear. Harry watched Tom slowly hit the final chord and let it hum in the air for a moment. He was certain at that moment that, that was the best version of the song "Happy Birthday," he had and would ever hear. It was joyous, bright, exciting, mischievous and loving all at the same time. Narcissa clapped happily which made Tom smile, "Thank you," he said smoothly. Harry looked at Tom and noticed how much younger he looked out of a suit and sitting at a piano, it made him wonder just how old Tom really was.

It wasn't until recently that he realized wizards were way older than they looked. They seemed to live forever, or at least what seemed like forever for him. Armando Dippet, former Headmaster of Hogwarts, from what he had read lived until he was 123, it was startling and the man didn't look a day over 60. Tom sighed and shook his head, "I'm not as old as Dippet," he commented. Harry jumped and looked at Tom with wide eyes, he had a feeling he looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. "Harry, my soul may be 64 but my heart and body are 27, 28 at best," he said simply. This only confused him more, Tom simply sighed and drew Harry into a sideways hug. Harry felt the man's chin on his head, "One of these days you will understand," he replied.

"Tom?" asked Harry only for the man to hum in reply, he seemed to be far away again, a common occurrence for the man. "Happy Birthday, and Happy New Year," he said softly. Tom slowly looked down and smiled broadly, a true smile. Harry felt his heart flutter as those crimson eyes gained a sparkle, and his lips parted to show a row of sparkling white pearls, his brow relaxed and his mannerism transformed completely as he ruffled Harry's hair. "Thanks kid," he replied with a large goofy grin. Harry could only imagine what a smile like that did to the ladies, it must have made them weak at the knees. "Wait if you're really 64 you lived during the 20s?" he asked curiously. Tom chuckled as Harry began to connect the dots.

"I was a child," he replied simply. Harry stared, that meant the sound he had just heard was real Jazz, "You grew up with Jazz," he whispered in awe. Tom was grinning from ear to ear, clearly he didn't play piano for people frequently, even though Harry thought he was fantastic. "Yes I did, I grew up learning Ragtime, blues, river boat, I remember during World War Two hearing the soldiers playing records of so many different Jazz musicians and dancing like they didn't have a care in the world," he commented. Harry listened intently as Tom seemed to slip into another world, a time before this in a place that seemed to be a tale of old. "When I attended Hogwarts the girls still went for Quidditch players with no brains. That changed when I demonstrated Jazz in Muggle Studies and then tried out for the Quidditch Team," he explained.

Harry stared at Tom, even during his schooldays he was a charmer. "Suddenly girls went for musicians, and then I decided to play Quidditch and was made Seeker, after a that I dedicated myself to my studies and became top of my class," he mused. The raven haired boy stared at Tom who was staring at the piano keys, "All the while I still tickled the ebony and ivory from time to time, Slughorn always liked it," he commented before turning his attention to Harry. Crimson eyes seemed to sparkle as he looked at the boy and tenderly touched Harry's face. "I was born in an orphanage this day, alone and scared," Tom said softly.

Emerald green eyes widened as he looked at Tom, he had a hard time accepting the fact that this man, who was elegant, charming, powerful and well versed was an orphan like him. "How could someone not want you?" asked Harry bluntly. This caused Narcissa to snicker behind her hand. Tom looked irritated for a moment and then glared at Narcissa who was smiling brightly, she seemed to take a great joy in Tom's interactions with Harry. "Simple, my father was a dead beat and my mother's family disowned her," he replied, "I know what it's like to be treated poorly and be told you're a freak day after day." Harry was quiet as he looked at the bitterness cross Tom's face, he honestly looked as though he hated the very thought of it. Then again, he probably did, Harry didn't like remembering what his Uncle and Aunt had done to him.

"But you aren't Harry, you never were," said Tom gently as he cupped Harry's face with his hands, they were cool to the touch and oddly soothing, "Neither was I, we were just a pair of boys seeking love and every child, no matter who they are deserves that." Harry looked up, his heart fluttered at Tom's words, he did understand. He understood why Harry was uncomfortable, he didn't want to impose or hurt someone without realizing it, but it also hurt because he didn't think he was worthy, only for Tom to tell him how wrong he was. Harry's hands played with the hem of one of the sleeves of his robe. It was a lot to take in, to hear that he deserved everything the Malfoys were giving him, but there was still one issue, he didn't have a family. As much as he loved the Malfoys he would always be a Potter.

"Harry, we will figure out your guardianship, I've been trying to look into it but I may have to ask Lucius to take on another task, as much as I don't want him to," Tom said after a moment as his large hand slipped over Harry's smaller ones to stop his fingers from fumbling with his robe. Those same fingers which showed him the beauty of sound, they were so gentle, it made him feel warm and content. "I know, I just didn't get you anything for your Birthday," Harry said sheepishly. He wished he had known it was Tom's birthday he would have tried to make him something or convince Draco to get Narcissa to take them out to buy a gift. Tom chuckled lightly, it was a beautiful sound, "Don't worry, having you here with me is more than I could ever ask for," said Tom brightly as he looked at Narcissa, "Besides, Narcissa always gets me a cake regardless of whether I want it or not, and Lucius is always getting me a gift. Severus usually buys me a bottle of Firewhisky and we spend the night playing chess. My birthday is another normal day, just there happens to be cake after dinner."

Harry liked the sound of that, a small and simple celebration, which didn't make a fuss, all the extravagance was removed and it was simply a day of friends and family. He found that far more appealing than Dudley's extravagant parties which he always helped with. He always thought they were excessive and he honestly hated that day because it meant an extra round of beatings and a ton of cleaning.

"That sounds nice," said Harry after a moment.

~~ WL ~~

Severus walked down the hallway, he had just finished dealing with the twins, he had to hand it to them, they had talent, even if they usually targeted his house. McGonagall was terrifying as always and secretly he was very happy to be out of her scrutinizing gaze. He remembered that gaze all too well after having being on the receiving end of it after the Marauders had gotten him in trouble. He turned the corner and touched the stone only for a shock to hit his fingers. He yanked his hand back and looked at his fingertips, he had seen a spark of blue light hit his fingers, it felt like electricity and he could still feel the tingle from it. "What the?" he asked as his black eyes narrowed and he reached out to touch the wall again, he placed his palm on the wall and felt the castle hum and a tingle run through his palm, it didn't hurt, it was inviting in a strange way.

Severus closed his eyes as he felt centuries of magic flow through his fingertips, he could hear the whispers of portraits and wizards of old through the halls. The flurry of ideas, theories, lectures, principles, spells, all of it was there. He could feel the cold water of the loch on top of the Slytherin dorms, the wind caress the towers, the powerful earth beneath his shoes and the fires of every hearth in the castle. The torches were burning and the magic hummed, he could feel it tingle through his entire body, and every fiber of his being was basking in the power from the castle. He could hear the murmur of books in the library, the scratching of quills and even the elves in the kitchen. It was a rush as the magic seemed to flow, the shifting staircases, the trick steps, the tapestries, the secret passages, the moving rooms, it was all there and then it was gone.

Severus opened his eyes and looked at his hand as he slowly pulled it away from the castle, "What was that?" he asked curiously as he looked at his palm. He had never felt anything like that, he had read as much as he could on the castle and yet no one mentioned that happening. His shields were still in place and yet he had felt and heard the castle, it was an amazing experience. There was one thing he did understand though, Hogwarts was alive, and the concept baffled him.