Chapter 134 - Visitors
The portkey from Buckingham Palace deposited Harry, Severus and the princes in Harry's tower offices at Hogwarts, with a loud pop. The two princes opened their eyes as instructed by Harry, and looked around in amazement at their new and very different surroundings. While they had resided in the castle for quite a while, they'd not seen much beyond their rooms, the common areas and the grounds, certainly nothing like Harry's offices. And while they'd traveled by floo before and seemed to have no problem with that, no one got used to portkeys quickly.
"Are you alright?" Severus asked, concluding it was better to find out sooner than later that someone was about to sick up over the experience of taking a portkey.
The two young men nodded, somewhat hesitantly. Unpersuaded, Severus said "I think some herbal tea, with some something to sooth your stomachs, would still be in order." It was a further reminder that they were back in the world of magic when a teapot with that exact brew popped into existence on the coffee table, along with cups for all in the room. Harry broke the ice by pouring cups for all, and directing them to the chairs and couches.
Wills accepted his cup with thanks. "We came back to London from school just this afternoon, to tape the announcements. The trips the rest of the family are on were all long-planned. My grandmother was particularly concerned if it was right for her to make a trip at this time. Ultimately, she and my grandfather decided that it was important to carry on, business as usual. That's why my dad also kept his commitment. Aside from all of us staying at the palace, that's what we're doing. Carrying on."
"I'm sure that's important for your people," Severus observed. "I doubt you'll need to stay here beyond tomorrow, or maybe the day after. It is most likely that the attackers never came close to actually taking down the wards, but better we allowed those defending to do so without worrying for our safely. The Ministry of Magic will make any necessary repairs to the wards before you return."
"I'm concerned about how the family will react when they hear of this," the royal Harry said. "They'll be terrified to learn we were attacked, especially if it's a sensational report on the telly."
"The security details traveling with your family include some of ours. Word will have already reached them of the attack and your safety," Severus pointed out.
Magical Harry looked up at that – he had not heard about this. "Aurors?" he asked.
"Yes," Severus began dryly, "although in one case, a retired Auror was asked to take on a special assignment. Madam Bones told me this evening that Mrs. Longbottom was just recently asked for, by name, to join the security detail of the Queen."
Harry nodded. Neville hadn't said anything so it was likely that his grandmother hadn't mentioned that to him.
Now that their safety was assured, and their family was not going to be panicked, the princes were able to relax. "Do you all communicate the way your Minister did back at the Palace – just wave your wand and a paper pops up?" Wills asked, still puzzling in his mind how that worked.
Harry had never actually seen that himself, and was wondering if this was yet another aspect of the magical world that had thus far escaped his notice. Severus stepped in with the answer. "The Ministry of Magic handles certain communications that way. A parchment record is magically updated at the Ministry as an event unfolds, and it is charmed for access by anyone authorized by the Ministry. The witch or wizard casts a spell, and a current copy of the event record appears before them. It keeps everyone current, with the same information."
Both Harrys expressed their appreciation for this approach, in unison. "Wicked!"
Harry was in the midst of ascertaining the extent to which the princes had seen the castle during their stay over the summer, with a promise of a more comprehensive tour, when they were interrupted by the Headmaster, who knocked on the door and entered simultaneously.
"Oh, thank Merlin you boys are alright! I just heard from Amelia Bones about the attack. She said you'd portkeyed back here, but I had to check for myself. No harm to anyone?" he blurted out, almost breathless as he hurried in, his orange robes swirling about him. He was clearly looking for Harry and Severus, and seemed a bit taken aback at the presence of two young men not immediately familiar to him.
Harry stepped in quickly. "Headmaster, you might remember the two royal princes who lived here over the summer?"
That was all Albus needed. "Of course, of course, yes! Please forgive these old eyes, not what they once were! It's lovely to see you both again, and welcome back to Hogwarts. You are also unharmed by the events in London?" he recovered.
Stealing a quick look at each other, the princes nodded, as Wills replied, "Yes, sir, the Professor insisted we leave when there was a threat, rather than stay behind. Your Minister said the same."
Albus beamed and nodded. "Good, good. Glad that you are well. We are, of course, happy to provide guest quarters for you, as you had last summer, or perhaps Harry is planning to offer you accommodations in one of our school Houses?"
Harry looked at the two princes. "Well, we haven't actually gotten to that, but I was going to bring them to the Gryffindor common room, and if they'd like, I could ask Dobby to expand the seventh year boys' dorm to accommodate them. That way, they can experience Hogwarts as students do, rather than as guests. If they'd prefer guest quarters, I'll have Dobby prepare rooms. I'll escort them, either way, if that's alright?"
"Of course, wherever they are most comfortable." As Albus caught Severus' eye, his smile faltered. "Severus, may I ask you to step in to speak with me, when you are done here?"
With a typically formal nod, Severus agreed.
Magical Harry did not catch the falter in the Headmaster's smile, but mere moments after Albus had departed, he suggested that the three move along. "It's not so late that there won't be lots still going on in the Gryffindor common room, and you can meet some of my friends." Harry was just telling the princes that the Egyptian Pharaoh had stayed in Gryffindor when she visited Hogwarts over the summer as the door closed behind them, leaving Severus alone in Harry's offices. Severus waited until the voices on the landing had faded, before he stepped over to the Headmaster's office.
X X X X X X X X X X
Several hours later, Harry quietly murmured the password and exchanged greetings with the portrait of Salazar Slytherin guarding the door, and let himself into his quarters. He was surprised to see Severus sitting on the couch brooding at the fire, half expecting that his bondmate would have gone to bed without him by now. The angry expression on the man was a bit of a concern, but Harry squared his shoulders and went to sit down.
Severus looked up as Harry took a seat at the other end of the couch. "So, all was well in the lion's den this evening?" he began.
"Oh, yeah. The usual crowd. Colin Creevy had to get his camera out and get lots of pictures of the princes with everyone who is muggle-born or –raised, to share with family. Although, for their part, the princes seemed most intrigued with the people who had no idea who they were. Draco was visiting, and Ron was there, and the princes kept asking them questions. The princes want to stay here through at least tomorrow afternoon, to see the Slytherin-Ravenclaw Quidditch game. Oh, and they really seem to like Neville, too. I think it was Wills who worked in the greenhouses this summer, when Neville sort of managed them for Professor Sprout, and they hit it off. Neville hadn't heard from his gram for a few days and he needed to tell her about his plans for the holiday. He was starting to worry, so I'm glad you mentioned that she'd taken on an assignment with the Auror's Office. Wills was told Neville about his grandmother's travel schedule, so Neville found out where his grandmother was, too."
Severus was processing that cacophony of images: Draco and Weasley, together charming royalty. Photos for muggle family members of their wizard children with the princes. Longbottom making a good impression and getting his family news from them. Before he could say anything, though, Harry added a final detail. "The princes decided to try life as students here for at least a night, so we expanded the dorm to accommodate two extra beds. Draco and I walked back down together, and Filch is none the wiser even though it's after curfew."
As Harry stood to get a glass of pumpkin juice from the kitchen, he added, "The princes said that their family would be spending the holidays at Balmoral Castle, probably in a few weeks or so. They said they'd floo over for a visit. I think they enjoy being here."
"I would imagine that the experience of Hogwarts Castle is rather memorable for most. In any case, I expect that more people than usual will be staying in the Castle over the winter break this year," Severus ventured, neutrally.
As Harry resumed his place on the couch, he asked, "Is that what the Headmaster wanted to discuss with you, before?"
Severus shrugged in his elegant way. "That was part of it. We do expect the families of Ministry workers in particular to choose to spend the holidays here, as they have been targeted in the most recent round of attacks."
"And what else?" Harry prodded.
"The Headmaster contacted the Ministry after we met with him this afternoon, regarding the vision you got today from the ravens. He was particularly concerned that you saw the kind of weaponry that you did. This is the weaponry that we'd learned was being stockpiled by the wizards behind the muggle anti-magic movement. He told me that he'd heard nothing from the Ministry about the weapons being moved, which would of course be necessary to support the attack you saw." Severus' scowl deepened. "It turned out that there had, in fact, been some reports of shipments of goods north. The fools in the Ministry tasked with tracking the warehouses in which we believe the weapons were stored apparently forgot that magic can cause things to appear other than as they truly are. There had been a number of small packages moved from those facilities in the last week, and those reports were not escalated because they were deemed irrelevant."
Harry would have chuckled at the story but for the really fierce scowl that remained on Severus' face. There must still be more to it than this, because frankly, a Ministry screw-up ought not engender quite that level of anger.
"So, there must be more to it then, Severus. Why are you so upset? We suspected all along that the weapons were being stockpiled for an attack, and now we have confirmation that the attack is being planned. Not good news, but better to know, I guess. What am I missing?" he asked.
Severus directed a particularly fierce glare at the fire as he sought to control his raging emotions. "It is not so much about "missing" as being present," he spat, although that particular answer only made Harry look more confused.
"This is not your battle to fight," Severus went on. "I've told you that. There will be a battle after this, you will have a role then. Not now. I proposed to the Headmaster that you and I leave Hogwarts in a few days, for the holidays, lest there be any exacerbation of hostilities because of your presence, or any expectation of your participation. He is adamant that we remain here."
Harry's head was spinning. It was completely unlike the Severus he thought he was beginning to know to run away from something, rather than confront it. And, beyond that, where could they go where the protections were even comparable to the wards at Hogwarts? It would seem, from all perspectives, that staying here was the best course of action, no matter this concern with one battle versus another.
"I'm confused. These are the strongest wards in England, right here. Isn't this the safest place to be? Isn't that why others want to come here for the holidays?" he asked, still a bit tentative given Severus' clear irritation. "Although, your sister owled me that our compound in the Winter Lands is just about finished. If you want, maybe we could go there for a few days."
Severus seemed just momentarily distracted from his pout by the reference to the compound. "I assume you just had wards set there?" he asked, and in response, Harry nodded. "You always wait at least a month before relying on new wards, to give them time to root to the earth," he commented, sounding very much like a professor. "But that isn't really the point, anyway."
Harry puzzled over the emotional response Severus seemed to be having to this situation. The issue to him did not seem to be as much about where they would go if they did not stay here, but the fact that Severus felt very strongly indeed about this coming battle not being Harry's to fight. That had come up several times of the past and they'd discussed it. Severus was always a bit vague as to the basis for his absolute certainty on the point, but Harry hadn't argued the matter before and he really did not plan to argue now. So what got Severus all stirred up like this?
"I told you before that I was going to heed your warning, and not look to get into this battle. I'm not sure I understand how this connects to your desire to leave Hogwarts – I can't imagine anywhere safer. What am I missing?" he pressed.
Severus took a deep, almost shaky breath. "If you are in the castle and things get tense, or if the battle is not going well, you will want to help. Your nature will demand that you step forward, and you cannot. It is not your time. If you are not here, that cannot happen." His tone and words revealed the absolute depth of Severus' conviction on this matter. But where did all that emotion come from?
Harry was about to give vent to his own building frustration that Severus wasn't listening to him: they were safe here, Harry had promised he wasn't going to get involved in any battle that occurred. Before he could get the first word of his building diatribe out, though, two thoughts sprang into his mind, where they promptly collided.
That emotion on Severus' face was frustration! Harry had certainly promised to take Severus seriously on this issue. But maybe the Headmaster had not.
"Did you discuss this with Professor Dumbledore?" he ventured.
"Yes. He feels I am being overly protective and quite paranoid," Severus spat. "The Ministry people got confirmation from their muggle counterparts of some activity again at that dreadful muggle's estate near here, just like last time. Does the old fool think they are having a harmless reunion? They are learning to use the old weapons, and plotting a new strategy! I know it. And I think I know you well enough that you will want to engage when they arrive here. And I don't want you tempted. It isn't your time."
Harry nodded somberly. The Headmaster had not respected Severus' statement, that was clear. He'd either tried to persuade him he was wrong, or he patronized him. Either way, he could see Severus' frustration.
"Well, the Headmaster's feelings don't matter. I believe you. I give you my word that I will honor your request. This coming battle isn't mine to fight, and I will not be available to fight it. When it begins, we can go to the Chamber of Secrets – no one will be able to find us, and we will reappear when the battle is over."
Severus looked inordinately relieved by this statement of Harry's confidence in him. Harry put his juice glass down and slid over to sit right next to Severus on the couch, pulling the older man into a hug, consoling him.
While Harry knew that he had to attend to Severus right now, his mind was reeling with the other thought, the one that made him see that he had to agree to what Severus wanted. That woman Hermione Granger had spoken to was absolutely right. How could they all have missed this?
Harry was spewing magic that day in the Ministry – nothing was being added to his magic. It was Severus whose magic was blown apart. It was Severus who was thus absorbing magic as his own began to coalesce, most likely from the man killed by the blast of magic from Harry. Harry didn't even fit Hermione's profile; Severus did. Harry even remembered now that, as he'd held Severus' magic together in the aftermath of the attack, that he thought some of it felt different. Of course, he'd assumed that might have been from the spell that glanced off him, or that maybe magic didn't go back together exactly as it had been before. It was just as likely that he'd added some magic to his own.
Severus wasn't paranoid and he wasn't being over protective. He had acquired magic that provided him with some sort of sight – nothing as nuanced as that lady seemed to have, but clearly he had vision of events to come.
As Harry leaned into Severus to deepen the hug and allow his tongue to trace kisses across his ear and jaw, his mind was racing to reconstruct some of Severus' statements and actions since recovering from the attack in the Ministry. This insistence that there would be three battles was among the most frequent and clear of his statements – three battles, no role for Harry until the third. He felt concern about safety in the palace earlier this evening. Is it possible he sensed that there was about to be an attack? He'd been very insistent on working on wandless magic, too. In truth, though, the Headmaster supported that just as much, and Harry wasn't exactly sure whose idea that had been at first. And the dueling? But that had begun last year, before the attack.
His own pleasure at seeing Severus being distracted by his attentions began to distract Harry as well. He'd think on this more, tomorrow. For now, he helped Severus stand and led him into the bedroom. He had an idea of how he could get Severus' mind off of his frustration and use up his extra energy, so they could get a few hours sleep in what was left of the night. Harry flicked his wand to conjure up the big double bathtub they enjoyed so much, and set about getting his bondmate into it for some pre-bedtime activity.
At least tomorrow is Saturday – no classes!
X X X X X X X X X X
A full night spent with the Gryffindor seventh year boys assured that princes would be looking forward to their first Quidditch game like no other event in their lives. They'd seen flying, of course, over the summer, and they realized that some sort of game seem to be played informally among some of the stronger flyers. But as they listened to the enthusiastic discussion of strategies and tactics, and descriptions of some of the more memorable moves and games, they were really drawn in.
They were also very taken with how very at ease they felt in the dorm, and it almost felt familiar to them. The physical setting couldn't be more unusual, of course – muggle schools today did not have four-poster beds with heavy curtains, nor were the rooms heated with small braziers, and while there might be places that had massive common rooms with imposing fireplaces and oil paintings, the paintings didn't participate in the conversations. But there was a camaraderie among the students, and easy-going banter that was just like the schools they'd attended.
The princes were ensconced at the Gryffindor table at breakfast, largely ignored by the rest of the castle population, when Harry caught up to them the next morning. Harry couldn't squeeze in near Hermione and Ron, so he took a seat next to Neville. He allowed himself to get caught up in the conversation about the game later that morning, and joined the crowd heading down to the Quidditch pitch after the meal was over.
Harry had forced himself to get past the images that still wracked his conscience when he remembered the appearance of the demon. Sometimes that felt like it had happened a life-time ago, and other times, it felt like it happened yesterday. But when the school rebuilt the pitch, he had made a conscious effort to go back. It was less painful each time he went down there, and it enabled him to watch or play in Quidditch games, which he loved. Harry's only concession to his horrible memories was his insistence on watching games from anywhere but the stand he'd been in that fateful day. He wasn't sure that anyone even realized what he was doing now, although it was most likely that Hermione had noticed and figured it out.
As the group coalesced into a rooting section in the stands, Harry saw to it that the princes got to sit with Ron and Dean (for a thorough play-by-play explanation of what was going on in the game), and he made sure he was next to Hermione. It was a cold, crisp day, with the thin, sharp sunlight of early winter, and as he pulled his cloak a bit closer to keep out the chill, Hermione was quick to get her wand and cast a warming spell around the little knot of students.
Harry joined in the enthusiastic wait for the dramatic entry of the players, imagining for a moment what this must look like to people, like the princes, seeing it for the very first time. Harry had actually been a player in the first Quidditch game he ever attended, so his first exposure to the sport of Quidditch did not include watching the players fly onto the field. He saw Seamus point to the doors from the lockers under the stands, right across from where they sat, smiling as he realized that others found that moment as special a part of the game as he did.
The noise level in the stands crested as the doors swung open and the players from both teams flew out in formation, swooping over the stands in warm-up laps, coming to hover in their places. The princes' jaws were slack at the sight. And it only got better when the balls and snitch were released. They offered up a running commentary about their astonishment not only with the speed and precision of the game, but the fact that young women were on the team, playing just as fiercely and forcefully as young men in their midst.
After watching for a few minutes, Harry caught Hermione's attention, and she leaned in to hear what he wanted to tell her.
"Hermione, I realized last night that the woman you spoke to about your research, Mr. Malfoy's friend, is absolutely right. I can't imagine how we didn't see this right off," he began.
She was very excited at the news. "Oh, Harry, that's wonderful! Something significant has come to you? What? Tell me!"
"No, 'Mione. Not me. She was right to question that we thought it was me. I was spewing magic that day, sending it out, not bringing it in. I don't fit your profile at all. It's Severus, not me. His magic was broken apart by the spell the assassin cast, right before my magic killed him. When the assassin died, his magic broke loose, according to your theory, and the one whose magic was in the process of pulling itself back together was Severus. I don't know if I told you this, but as soon as I calmed down that day and went to Severus, I thought his magic was fragmented. I held it together, in case that would help him. It felt a little "off" as it came back together, but I assumed that maybe once it was blown apart, magic didn't necessarily reassemble itself just as it had been before. It was still Severus' magic, even if it felt a little different."
Hermione wrinkled her brow as she thought on that. She had to admit, Professor Snape actually did fit into her theory, where Harry did not. She looked back at Harry, about to ask what led to his realization, when he continued.
"Severus has said a few times that there are going to be three battles, and I'm not to participate until the third one. I gather he regards the little muggle attack force that the Headmaster stopped with magic as the first battle. We think the muggles are now looking to attack again with old weapons. Severus is really worried that I'll try to get myself involved in that. He talked to the Headmaster about all this yesterday, and it would seem that Professor Dumbledore either did not believe him, or patronized him – Severus was beyond frustrated that he wasn't being taken seriously about this."
"Is that it, Harry?" Hermione whispered, slightly disappointed. "That's the only evidence we have?"
"I tried to think of other examples. Earlier last night, when we were at Buckingham Palace, Severus wanted to take the portkey back as soon as the taping was finished – he was concerned it wasn't safe. We were attacked there within half an hour. That's what I have. But, really, this "three battles" stuff is so not like Severus. That's what nailed it for me."
Hermione looked a bit ill at ease. "I don't think I can use this for my paper. I can't imagine that Professor Snape would want to disclose this, it's not something I can imagine him being enthused about. Madam Bunswil said the assassin's family would almost certainly deny the Roma connection."
"Maybe this goes beyond your paper, 'Mione. Maybe Severus has something here that could really help us, or at least me, right now, in defeating Voldemort" Harry ventured. This was a possible resource, or even weapon, that could help them. While he wouldn't want to be so blunt about it, Hermione's paper could wait.
She had the grace to blush. "Of course, I apologize. I'm fixated on the paper, but obviously this is so much bigger. Did you tell Professor Snape what you suspect?"
Now it was Harry's turn to blush. "No, I wasn't sure how he'd react to that. I mean, he's always lived in this world, and maybe he feels as you said the Headmaster did about things that are connected to the Roma. We both know how he feels about anything related to visions and predictions – that won't go over well. I figured I speak to you about this, and if you agreed it's likely that he has some new magic, we could figure out together how to tell him."
Hermione got that really thoughtful look that she tended to get when thinking really hard, or plotting. "Mmmm. I wonder. Maybe I could ask Madam Bunswil to return to Hogwarts, and we could arrange for her to meet the Professor? She'd know in an instant if he's got the assassin's magic in him. Since she has this kind of magic, maybe she can even help him understand and use it better. She said the assassin was likely a weak wizard, and suggested that it was her power and awareness of this magic that enabled her to use it. Maybe . . . " Before she allowed herself to go too far with all this, she realized it might be wise to check with her friend. "What do you think, Harry?"
"Do you think she'd come back?" he asked.
"You know, I think she would. She seemed quite interested in the theory when I described it to her, and she was very willing to share her ideas. No harm in asking. Although Professor Dumbledore did make a point about my having to meet with her in his presence. Something about a Board of Governors' rule about faculty being present if students meet at Hogwarts with an adult not in their family."
Harry quirked his eyebrows at that – yet another rule he'd managed to not hear about. "How about you invite her to meet with you, me and Severus in my offices? Or maybe even in our rooms? Make this personal, not school related. We'll have Severus there either way, so the school rule about a faculty member being present is satisfied."
Hermione smiled, the delay in getting the additional proof she needed for her article now forgotten. It was much more exciting to have something really important to work on, and she was sure this would be very interesting. If this completely confirmed her theory, it would just be a matter of waiting on the next, less politically significant, event to occur, and she'd prove it then.
The game went a bit longer than usual, as the snitch was proving to be particularly evasive. No one left the stands (no one ever did that) and enthusiasm for the outcome never flagged, but pretty much everywhere, members of more senior classes were casting warming charms for themselves and the younger students. The score was a very close, and very high, 200 to 190, Ravenclaw just edging Slytherin, when Draco finally spotted the snitch down near the grass and darted through the players to grab it. The Ravenclaw Seeker had not spotted it, and unfortunately for his team, had not immediately noticed Draco's dive. By the time he joined in the chase, Draco had established too much of a lead, and it was all over in a matter of seconds. With the 150 points awarded to Slytherin for catching the snitch, the game was over and the victory was theirs.
As the students were entering the Great Hall for a slightly late lunch, Harry excused himself to find Severus. He had that funny feeling he tended to get before a visit from the ravens, and wanted to be in the privacy of his rooms when that visit occurred. Severus had been seated with the faculty, and was already heading toward the Head Table.
Harry was alone when the ravens made their daily visit, today wanting to show him a large gathering of muggles in a field, in groups, learning to use bows and arrows, something that looked like a siege engine, and a few other contraptions that Harry did not immediately recognize. He tried to get as close a look as possible at the devices, so he could describe them later. Harry confirmed that they were all men, something like an army, but not members of the military based on their casual dress. Harry could not figure out if anyone in the scene he saw was the leader of the group. There were several people who seemed to be teaching the others, so this was not an event that would occur in the very hear future. Actually, he did not perceive and the ravens did not communicate a sense of great urgency in the muggles' activity. That might be interesting. The men were in active training, but not rushing the situation.
Harry summoned a house elf to bring him a plate of sandwiches and a jug pumpkin juice, and he sat at the desk to write down as much as he could recall about what he'd seen in the vision as he had his lunch. He hoped he'd gotten all the information that was being presented; it was so much better when Severus helped him by asking questions, as he always feared he missed details.
Harry was just finishing the last sandwich and reviewing his note a final time when he heard voices out in the hall, shouting. Even if the Slytherins were up to something out there, they were never this loud, and not usually anywhere near the entrance to his and Severus' rooms. His wand in hand, Harry rushed to the door and pressed his ear to the jamb to get a better sense of what was happening before he opened the door. It did not sound as if the voices were just outside, so he cautiously cracked the door open and inched his way around the jamb to peek into the corridor.
Severus came into view first, back to the far wall of the dimly-lit corridor, wand drawn and in one of the classic dueling positions he'd been teaching Harry. The shimmer in the air told Harry that Severus had a shield in place, so he was safe. Harry knew better than to attempt to disrupt someone clearly focused on defensive moves, appreciating that distraction could result in serious harm to Severus. He waited for a moment for an opening or some opportunity to help Severus that would not put him in any jeopardy. The argument between Severus and his attacker began again.
"You Slytherin bastard! I should have known better than to trust you! All your lies about doing the honorable thing and providing for him – scum, just like everyone else in your House."
Wait a second – Harry recognized that voice. That was Sirius, and from the crack that accompanied the voice, he'd just shot a spell at Severus.
Sure enough, Severus replied "Black, you idiot! I have not gone back on a single commitment, nor have I reneged on any promise. What in Merlin's name's gotten into you? Are you hallucinating? Has all that time with the Dementors finally come home to roost? You've lost your mind."
At least Severus had apparently dodged the spell, as he was able to speak. In fact, there was an additional crack at that point, suggesting he had just retaliated.
Harry had no idea what spells were being used in such close quarters, but he was pretty sure the ones Severus and Sirius had just shot at each other had damaged the stones in the corridor. This was not a friendly encounter – those were powerful spells likely intended to do some significant harm. He thought fast – he'd have just one chance to surprise them both and put an end to this nonsense; if he did this poorly, he or one of them could be really hurt, if not killed.
Hoping that he was competent enough with his wandless magic to be able to disable both combatants simultaneously, Harry jumped into the corridor casting his spell. He was beyond relieved to see that both Severus' and Sirius' wands had been yanked from their hands and were now floating toward him, although it appeared that all he did was take magic out of the fight. The two men were still crouched and ready to pounce at each other, fists up. Neither so much as looked at him, and the men began to shift about, clearly planning now to continue the fight with what was at hand.
Once he'd confiscated their wands, and realized that he had not actually stopped the fight, Harry was not entirely certain what to do next. He had no intention of standing here, watching his bondmate and his godfather brawl. There was probably a rule of some sort about this, but he really wanted it to stop before someone got hurt. Given the looks the two men had on their faces, that was a distinct possibility. As Harry dithered, Sirius pounced forward and sent a punch at Severus' head, which the taller man ducked as he launched his own fist toward Sirius' stomach. That punch landed, as Harry heard the "oof" as Sirius lost his breath. Severus wasn't leaving it at that, and Harry was horrified to see him pulling his fist back, apparently intent on cracking Sirius' head back against the wall. That could kill him, or at least do damage to his brain! This was going too far. Harry sent out a pulse of magic this time that froze both men where they stood.
"Alright you two – enough! What in Merlin's name are you doing? This is disgraceful. What is the problem?" he yelled. When he realized that the two combatants were now just staring at each other, as they no longer had wands or fists under their command with which to fight, he pivoted their frozen forms where they stood, physically breaking the stares if neither would back down any other way. Finally, the two furious men were looking at Harry.
"I want an explanation for this," Harry demanded, angrier than he'd ever been before. "You could've hurt each other! Two wizards as strong as you two are – one of you could be killed! What started this? What is this about?"
Severus' murderous expression was now directed at Harry and he found the experience distinctly unpleasant – this was significant worse than even the fiercest scowl he'd seen on the man's face as a student. "Release me immediately, Potter. It's not your place to interfere. This is between Black and me."
"Um, no. Whatever is going on here is between two people about whom I care a great deal, so I am going to interfere. I do not want you two hurting each other, and I'm not releasing you until we get this straight."
Severus looked so mad that Harry was tempted to check to see if smoke was coming out the man's ears. He quickly looked at Sirius, angry but a bit less focused. "Harry, this really is between Snivellus and me, not you. Please, release us and go back into your rooms."
"No, I can stand here all afternoon if necessary, to get this sorted. Tell me what this is about," Harry insisted, just as stubborn as the other two. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned his shoulder against the wall, quirking his eyebrows at the two men frozen into combat positions but facing him, instead of each other.
Predictably, Sirius lasted just a few minutes that way. "Harry, this is not your problem," he began. To Harry's very hard look in response to that statement, he sighed and went on. "I learned that you have felt it necessary to build a home for yourself in the Winter Lands, despite Severus' commitment to provide for you. If he's not treating you well, or not providing adequately, that is my problem, as your godfather. I arrived at Hogwarts a few moments ago and called Severus on his failings as your bondmate, and this is where you interrupted us."
Now Harry was the one who looked the maddest of the trio. "Are you daft?" he spat at Sirius. "Severus is the most honorable person I've ever met. He has fulfilled every obligation to a fare-thee-well. I want for nothing. That Winter Land compound was to be his Christmas present, for Merlin's sake! Lord Brand said I could have a compound and set it up to Severus' liking, but as I'm technically the citizen there, it has to be recorded there in my name. Why can't I do that for my bondmate?"
Now turning to Severus, Harry went on, still spitting mad. "And why couldn't you have explained any of that to Sirius, instead of allowing this to become a brawl? I gave up that this was going to be a surprise Christmas gift for you because of the potions laboratory I'm adding to the house. You saw the place and you knew what I was doing! Why did it have to get this far?"
"Because, Mr. Potter," Severus purred menacingly, "this is not about a house, it is about honor. When your godfather challenged me for not living up to my obligations to you, the rules of honor demanded that I defend myself. Anything less dishonors me. The appropriate response is a duel, but you disrupted that. Under the circumstances, we fight."
Harry was taken aback, and stood still as he pondered that, reflecting back on the scene he'd encountered on a long-ago visit to the Ministry – Severus and Sirius united and fighting duels one after another against a long line of challengers who had done nothing but drop a gauntlet before Severus. Honor at that point apparently demanded duels, likely to the death. He had been physically restrained from interfering in the duel Severus was fighting lest he dishonor the man, so he'd had to wait for Severus to prevail or his opponent to withdraw. If he hadn't blasted the entire line of challengers down the hall, every last one of them would have had to be fought in order for Severus to preserve his honor.
Finally, with a sigh, Harry stood with his feet apart and his arms crossed. "This is absurd. That rule of honor is ridiculous. You are an honorable man, Severus. Some stupid challenge, or ill-considered statement from Sirius or anyone else, doesn't change that one knut. I will not have you putting your life in jeopardy over these stupid challenges to your honor. As far as I am concerned, your honor cannot be challenged. You do not have to fight every idiot who thinks to start a fight with you or do something stupid thing that in your mind represents dishonor. That's what I think."
He didn't see it behind him, but Severus and Sirius were startled when a fiery scroll appeared in the air behind Harry, and began to record his decree. Even without a formal pronouncement of "Lex Legis Regalis," or possibly with a wandless reading of his magic's intent, the King's Law had been invoked with the passion of Harry's statement. The scroll recorded "The honor of Severus Snape cannot be challenged. He is not to fight any who seek to challenge it, and his honor is not to be diminished in any way by his refusal to fight to defend his honor."
Noticing that the menace had bled from the faces of Severus and Sirius, Harry released the spell holding them fast with a wave of his hand. "I'm going into our rooms, Severus, and I will be leaving the wands on the desk. I'd like you to join me. You are welcome, too, Sirius. But the fighting stops." With that, Harry returned to his rooms and closed the door.
The combatants each stood up straight and flexed muscles that protested being held in the unnatural crouches. They looked with some wonder at each other, and then at the scroll that still hung in the air behind where Harry had just stood. With a little shimmer, the fiery scroll disappeared just as a copy appeared before both men.
Sirius pulled his from the air, and looked at the apparently official and enforceable pronouncement of Severus' honor. Severus also inspected his copy, pondering what this meant. "I suspect that magic will enforce this cessation of hostilities, Black," he muttered. The shock of this turn of events had put the issue of Winter Lands compounds and honor out of the minds of both men, as they considered what had occurred and what it meant.
Sirius tried to repeat the statements he'd made just a few minutes ago, the ones that led to this, and discovered that he could not form the words. Severus saw what he was trying to do, and was as surprised as Sirius that he was not able to say them again. "I can't say the words. My voice and mouth won't work."
Severus went to draw back his fist, intending to see if he could resume the hostilities even if the insult could not be refreshed, and discovered that his arm was unable to move back toward Sirius. He could make a fist and draw his arm into a position from which to strike, but he could not send a punch at Sirius.
"Well, this is an interesting development," Sirius smiled. "It would appear we have been thwarted. Why didn't you try to explain the situation, you greasy bat?"
"You hardly gave me any opportunity, you lunatic."
Harry looked up as they entered the rooms. Bickering and even a certain level of hostility he could live with. Outright war, he could not.
X X X X X X X X X X
Petunia was helping Vernon pack an overnight bag. He had a pile of clothes stacked on their bed that probably did not represent a particularly outrageous number of clothes, but given the size of his garments, they represented far more than was going to fit into anything that looked like less than a steamer trunk. Petunia was doing her best to identify the clothing that her husband truly needed, so that he'd have what he needed and not look like he was about to move into his host's manor.
"Now, now, darling. It's just an overnight visit. One change of clothes for tomorrow is really the most important, and a nightshirt. I doubt you'll need to dress for dinner. We can pack in an extra shirt and a nice tie for this evening if you feel you need to freshen up from the day. Maybe one extra pair of shoes, in case these get muddy," she fussed, winnowing down the pile to a much more manageable quantity.
Vernon was terribly concerned that he'd not have the right clothes and accessories, and this being his first visit to the manor of a peer of the realm, he wanted to appear worldly and self-assured.
When Sir Harold had called on Friday afternoon to extend the invitation, Miss Enderlee was beside herself with excitement, and the entire office knew of the call and the invitation before Vernon had even hung up the telephone. It was just a short visit to Sir Harold's manor, arranged so that Sir Harold and his retainers could show off his anti-magic army to the leaders of the anti-magic movement. Vernon, Reggie and Charles were going to fly up with Sir Harold in his personal helicopter. Vernon was a bit worried about that, but was intent on looking like he did this every day.
The big issue was wardrobe. He really wasn't sure what was necessary or appropriate, and desperate to look like events like this were a regular part of his life. His wife was somewhat more attuned to fashion, so he finally decided to rely on her to do his packing, and he took a seat on the far side of the bed to be out of her way.
"And what time did Sir Harold say he'd have a car 'round to collect you, Vernon?" she asked, as she added the last pair of socks and a carefully rolled tie.
"Half past two, he said. Let me get this bag downstairs, then, Petunia. I want to be ready when they arrive."
Vernon had no sooner gotten the bag down to the foyer than a black Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Saloon turned onto Privet Drive and came to a halt in front of No. 4. A liveried driver stepped out and proceeded to the door. Vernon did his very best to look like a man used to being collected from his home by people driving large luxury cars, although the fact that half the neighbors were now peeking out of the windows of their homes might suggest that the appearance of a vehicle like this was something of a rarity in Little Whinging.
With a peck on the cheek for his wife, Vernon handed his valise over to the driver and followed the man down to the car, settling his substantial girth into the cavernous back seat.
[A/N – I am so excited – just yesterday, my story passed 500,000 hits on . I'm lagging on the review numbers (hint, hint) but am really thrilled to know that there are so many folks out there reading along with me.
I've got most of the next chapter semi-written in my head, so there is a possibility of the next chapter getting up sooner than I've been updating lately, but just in case, let me take this opportunity to wish all you wonderful people the very best of holidays!]