:D
Harry returned to the Common Room feeling like he was floating and sat down in an armchair near Theodore, but the later didn't look up. It took several minutes before Harry was able to bring his mind back down to earth enough to start working on homework...and it was then he noticed the darkness that had entered Theodore's eyes.
"All right, Theo?" He asked as he tried to organize his essays.
"Have a lot of homework." Theodore answered sharply.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked, eyes worried.
Theodore stiffened slightly and then shook his head. "Is just my father. Been pestering."
"He's been pestering you?"
"Yeah..."
It took a moment of staring at Theodore for Harry to realize the other boy was lying and wasn't doing nearly as good a job of it as he normally did. Harry decided not to press on it and instead finished up his homework and went to bed.
His dreams were horrible, enough to have people waking him up. His entire dorm was awake, every single member looking both perturbed and distressed. Theodore forced him out of bed and ordered someone to get Professor Snape and Harry was shocked to see Malfoy take off at a sprint. Barely able to support himself and shaking like a leaf, Harry clung to Theodore desperately as he was being led from the dorm into the Common Room.
"I have to see Dumbledore. I have to see him...have to tell him...so important..." He was trying to keep his voice down so only Theodore heard and he was shocked to see Theodore nodding and agreeing with him and telling him he was going to take Harry straight to Dumbledore.
Minutes passed as they got themselves out into the dungeons and suddenly Snape was there with Malfoy. Seeing the state of Harry, he reached to help Theodore support him and ordered Malfoy back to his dormitory. As soon as Draco was gone, Harry began to talk very quickly about what his dream had revealed and Snape, giving Theodore a warning glare, informed Harry that he was taking the boy straight to see the headmaster.
"Nott." Snape was saying. "I want you to go straight to Professor McGonagall's quarters and inform her of what has happened and that she gather the Weasleys together and bring them straight to the headmaster's office. Do not let up until she consents. Understood?"
Theodore agreed and he left immediately to do as he was told.
They reached the headmaster's office and Harry was forced to recount the dream in more details than he cared to while Dumbledore wouldn't even look at Harry. McGonagall arrived with the Weasleys and Theodore and soon Dumbledore had, to the shock of all present, told Theo the location of the Order's Headquarters, and created a quick portkey before sending the lot of them to Sirius' kitchen. Thankfully, the worry and shock of Mr. Weasley didn't permit argument over Theodore's arrival.
After much explaining to everyone, including Sirius and Lupin who were also present, Theodore managed to get Harry away from everyone else and give him a break. They stood awkwardly in the drawing room while downstairs everyone else was sitting, waiting impatiently for word on Mr. Weasley.
Theodore finally forced Harry to look at him, "Wasn't your fault."
"You don't know that."
"I do." Theo argued sternly. "Only saw it as a vision, Harry. Doesn't make it your fault. Good thing too...could have..."
He didn't finish as they listened to the happy news downstairs that Mr. Weasley was still alive. Harry sat weakly in a chair and, after hesitation, Theodore sat across from him.
"Where are we?" Theodore asked after a long pause.
"London." Harry mumbled.
"know that...just...what is this place?"
"Sirius' parents' old house." Harry replied shakily. "It's the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix?"
"Which is?"
"Dumbledore's secret society to combat Vol..." Harry stopped talking, his eyes looking straight at Theodore as his suspicions rose. "Why so many questions?"
"Forgot I'm under inspection." Theo said coolly then peered around at his surroundings. "How many people are in this Order?"
Harry sighed and shrugged. "No idea. I know that McGonagall, Snape, and Flitwick are all in...and Hagrid...and then there's Shackelbolt, Tonks, and the Weasleys. Moody's in, of course, and some Diggle guy and Fletcher and you saw Lupin and Black."
"So sixteen not including kids?" Theo asked. "That's not many."
"I'm sure there are more. I just don't remember them or I haven't met them."
Theodore slouched and then whispered, "Give me information too easily, Harry, you know."
Harry shrugged weakly. "I don't feel like arguing with you right now, Theo."
"Why'd you do it?"
"Do what?" Harry closed his eyes, hoping his head would stop pounding soon.
"Kiss Terry."
Harry's head began to roar suddenly and he gripped it. Theo was by his side, pressing his hands to Harry's scar. Harry was surprised to find this helped and soon the headache had subsided.
"Should get you something to eat and drink." Theo stated as he helped Harry to his feet. "Black is making food right now."
Though Harry didn't want to go down and be confronted by the Weasleys again, he didn't feel like fighting either and went with Theodore without argument. Mrs. Weasley had arrived and was helping Sirius with breakfast. She stopped when she saw Harry and, beaming at him, thanked him profusely for helping save her husband before giving him a huge hug. Harry awkwardly accepted it and took a seat while he waited. Fred and George finally came over and thanked him as well and Harry was glad to see they were sincere. After breakfast, most went off to bed, but Harry didn't feel like sleeping. As he started up the stairs with Theodore with full intention to just stay up and read, he was stopped by Sirius, who called them both back down into the living room.
"What's the meaning of this?" Sirius asked, motioning to Theodore. "What's he doing here?"
"Dumbledore let him." Harry stated sternly, trying to pretend he knew what he was talking about. "Therefore, I suggest you ask him."
"Harry," Sirius' eyes seemed to lose some of their anger. "I'm not...the bad guy here."
"I don't think you are." Harry replied hastily. "But I do think you don't always agree with Dumbledore's judgment and if anyone's judgment should be agreed with it's his."
"I'm glad to see you trust him, Harry." Sirius tried to amend. "We all do, but he's a trusting man and someone like him...well..."
"Sound like the Prophet." Theodore suddenly put in. The words made it seem like Theo should be angry, but there was no anger either in his voice or on his features. "Thinking Dumbledore's judgment is off? Think he's going senile too, maybe?"
Sirius straightened, his features becoming rigid and his eyes unforgiving. "Don't you judge me, Nott. I know all about your father and what he's been getting up to."
"What has he been getting up to?" Theo asked in a falsely innocent tone. "Doesn't keep me updated. Wouldn't mind knowing. Should tell me. Like to know."
Sirius scoffed at the boy. "Don't you mock me."
"Come on." Harry grabbed Theodore's hand. "Let's go."
Theodore followed Harry out of the living room and up to Regulus' old room, which Theodore found amusing, and the taller Slytherin crawled into bed to sleep. Harry pretended to go to sleep as well, but instead sat up thinking about what had happened and worried that if he dozed off he'd become the snake again and...he didn't know what followed "and".
By lunch, their trunks had arrived from Hogwarts and Moody and Tonks both showed up, the former disgusted to learn Dumbledore had let "scum" in. The Sirius and the Weasleys were going to go see Arthur, but Harry didn't really want to go. Lupin insisted and even invited Theo when no one else moved to. Soon they were all dressed in Muggle attire (Harry was quite shocked to see Theo owned some) and then they were off to the St. Mungo's.
When they arrived, Tonks suggested just family, but when Harry tried to stay out, Moody shoved him in. The visit went all right with Arthur very grateful and optimistic, despite that the healers had no idea why his wounds weren't closing and were struggling to find a solution. There was a newly bitten werewolf also in the ward and Lupin didn't waste much time introducing himself to the poor chap.
As the days wore on towards Christmas (Hermione showed up at some point), Harry began feeling sicker and sicker with worry. It seemed Voldemort was after something, a weapon, and Harry was beginning to feel like he was this weapon. He shared his fears with Theodore, but the boy dismissed them.
"Are not a weapon, Harry." Theodore snorted, slightly bemused at Harry's conclusion. "Is just silly thinking."
"But I attacked Mr. Weasley." Harry argued.
"No, you didn't." Theodore's suddenly adamant tone said he wasn't amused anymore. "Is no possible way for you to. Were in his head...You-Know-Who's. Is the only logical conclusion. His mind was in the snake's and you tagged along."
"But how did I get in his head?" Harry asked, perplexed.
"Imagine it is something along the same lines as how you can sense his emotions...only now the connection is stronger."
Harry frowned and his head started hurting some more. "Great."
The Weasleys along with Hermione enjoyed Christmas at the hospital while Harry and Theodore stayed in Regulus' room and toyed with Skeeter before getting nosy and searching the room for various hidden items. They were surprised to find a locket hidden in the bottom drawer of one of the dressers.
"Is Slytherin's Locket, this is." Theodore whispered to Harry in a voice that Harry could barley hear. "Best...keep it?"
"I don't like it." Harry muttered under his breath. "My scar hurts."
Theodore looked from Harry to the locket and then back again before stuffing it in his pocket.
"What are you doing?" Harry hissed at Theodore.
"Am taking this to the Headmaster." Theodore replied coolly. "If you don't believe me, you can watch me give it to him...but if it is causing your scar to hurt than I think it is important he knows."
Harry wanted to argue, but couldn't and they decided they had best not search the room any further in case of discovering more distasteful things.
On the very last day of holidays, Mrs. Weasley informed Harry that Professor Snape was there to see him and told him to go into the kitchen where he'd be waiting. Theodore was asked no to join.
Slipping into the kitchen, Harry found that Sirius and Snape were sitting across from each other at the table,giving each other glowering looks.
"Sit down, Potter." Snape instructed when he caught sight of Harry.
"You know," Sirius spoke loudly. "I think I'd prefer it if you didn't give orders here, Snape. It's my house, you see."
The two adults gave each other nasty looks and Harry hesitated before sitting at the head of the table instead of beside Snape like he had intended.
"I was supposed to see you alone, Potter." Snape flicked his hand to indicate Sirius. "But Black..."
"I'm his godfather." Sirius cut in.
"I am here on Dumbledore's orders." Snape's voice had become much quieter. "But by all means stay, Black, as I know you like to feel...involved in your godson's life."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sirius asked, nearly rising.
"Merely that I am sure you must feel...ah...frustrated by the fact that you haven't been able to get close to Mr. Potter...who is your godson...while...others have."
Sirius' flushed angrily at this and Snape, lip curled in triumph, turned to Harry.
"The headmaster has sent me to tell you, Potter, that it is his wish for you to study Occlumency this term."
"Study what?" Harry asked.
"Occlumency, Potter. The magical defense of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one."
"So Vol...uh...You-Know-Who..."
Sirius interrupted, "Call him by his name, Harry. It's Voldemort."
Harry flinched as did Snape.
"I know that." Harry stated as delicately as he could. "Some don't like hearing it and I, unlike others, have the decency to pay them that respect."
He gave Sirius a silencing glare and noticed out of the corner of his eye the victory gleaming in Snape's eyes.
"As I was saying," Harry turned back to Snape as Sirius' slumped in his chair and looked very put out. "You-Know-Who's mind and mine are...connecting?"
"Managed to work that out on your own or did Nott help you?" Snape asked in a drawl and Harry caught the slight anger there as Harry wasn't supposed to be trusting Theodore.
"I haven't told Theo anything." Harry lied in as convincing a tone as he could. "So his mind and mine are connecting?"
"They are connected." Snape replied in a low voice. "And it is our duty to ensure he doesn't figure this out as he could use you to his own benefit if he did."
Harry nodded. "All right. Who's going to be teaching me?"
"I am." Snape's answer brought relief over Harry as he knew how to handle Snape unlike most of the other teachers.
"Why can't Dumbledore teach Harry?" Sirius suddenly asked. "Why you?"
"I suppose because it is a headmaster's privilege to delegate less enjoyable tasks." Snape's reply made Harry smile. "I assure you I did not beg for the job." He stood. "I will expect you at six o'clock on Monday evening, Potter. My office. If anyone asks, you are..." He hesitated here and then added, "You are taking Advanced Potions. Nobody who has seen you in my classes would raise suspicions on that."
Harry felt like his face was glowing.
"Wait a moment." Sirius sat up straighter.
"I am in rather a hurry, Black..."
"I'll get to the point then." Sirius now stood as well. "If I hear you're using these Occlumency lessons to give harry a hard time, you'll have me to answer to."
"How touching." Snape sneered back, clearly taking enjoyment out of getting another opportunity to jeer at Sirius. "Trying to fill that godfather role finally. I am afraid you're a bit late in that matter. Others have already taken it upon themselves and I assure you they're doing a better job of it."
Sirius' wand was abruptly raised and Snape had done the same, so that both wands were pointed at each other.
"Sirius!" Harry yelped, "Severus!" But neither seemed to hear him.
"I've warned you, Snivellus." Black growled. "I don't care if Dumbledore thinks you've reformed, I know better..."
"Oh, but why don't you tell him so?" whispered Snape. "Or are you afraid he might not take the advice of a man who has spent twelve years in Azkaban wasting away his mind very seriously?"
"Tell me, how is Lucius Malfoy these days? I expect he's delighted his lapdog's working at Hogwarts, isn't he?"
"Speaking of dogs," Snape spoke softly. "I would recommend you stop encouraging your newly formed Marauders from taking down students. I understand it is school policy to kill rabid dogs on sight."
Sirius' hand tightened on his wand. "What are you talking about, Snivellus?"
"I am saying what I told you last year." Snape snarled. "If I catch that pack of mutts attacking one more of my Slytherins..."
"Oh, you only care about your Slytherins, do you? Wouldn't mind if they took out a couple Hufflepuffs or Gryffindors though, would you?"
"It is always such a pleasure to see you forget that your own godson is in Slytherin and that it was due to your encouragement that fleabags took it upon themselves to attack him last year." Snape snapped so suddenly loud that Harry jumped. "If I catch them, I assure you they will be expelled and do not think for once that I won't tell Dumbledore who put them up to it."
"Is that a threat, Snivellus?"
"Why, yes, I suppose it is."
"You..." Sirius wand hand twitched and Harry jumped up on the table between the two men.
"No!" He shouted, trying to cover Snape. "Stop it!"
"Get out of the way, Harry!" Snape pushed Harry down and raised his wand again, but Sirius had lowered his and Snape was quick to do the same.
"H-Harry?" Sirius' whispered the name and Harry stared between the two men momentarily confused.
The door to the kitchen opened and the Weasleys came in, Arthur announcing he was "Cured!" at last.
Snape swept from the room and Harry scrambled off of the table to the strange looks he was getting from the Weasleys. Lupin came in, his eyes worried.
"Is everything all right, Sirius? Harry?" He asked.
"He called you 'Harry'." Sirius said and Harry faced the man. "Snivellus called you..."
"Stop calling him that!" Harry shouted, his anger finally getting the best of him. "He happens to be my Head of House and my Professor and one of my best friends! So stop calling him that!"
"Snape!" Sirius yelped as if he'd been stung. "Your best friend? James would be rolling in his grave if he heard you say that!"
"Let him roll!" Harry roared back at him. "And what would you know? You don't know what he'd say if I was friends with Sev...Professor Snape or not!"
"You called him 'Severus' earlier too!" Sirius suddenly realized, bewildered. "You...I can't...Harry! He's...a De..."
"I know what he used to do!" Harry interrupted. "But Dumbledore trusts him, which means so should you!"
He spun on his heel and marched out of the kitchen without further word.
:)