"I'll give you three guesses about why we're being called to the headmistress's office," Harry grumbled while he and Snape wandered towards the gargoyle that guarded the entrance the day before the already dreaded meeting at the Burrow. "We just can't catch a break with all these stupid meetings."
"At least we are getting them all over with at once," Snape shrugged in fake unconcern. "I don't think either of us need three guesses to know why we've been summoned. I am more surprised that it has taken Lucinda so long to run to the headmistress to complain about us."
"It could be about me being a creature or her concern about tomorrow's meeting or about what we're going to do about Percy's transformations when I'm no longer here to let him into the Chamber of Secrets…" he trailed off not sure if there was anything else that he could throw in there as semi-plausible guesses.
Snape gave him his signature 'you're an idiot' glare. "I'm sure she's staunchly ignoring you being a creature until she absolutely has to deal with it; she already informed me that I'm required to go with you all tomorrow since Ms. Weasley is a seventh year and still a student of the school even though I personally believe Professor Weasley should be able to handle the situation; and the renovations on the Room of Requirement have come along very well and it should be in working order again by the end of the term for Percy next year if his contract is renewed," he drawled, cutting away all of Harry's hopes that the meeting was about anything other than their relationship.
"Fiiiine," he grumbled as they both paused at the base of the gargoyle, collecting themselves for whatever waited for them at the top of the staircase. "Does she have any legal or contractual recourse to tell us we have to end it or anything she can threaten us with?"
Snape's face broke into a huge smirk. "'Contractual recourse?' You have been spending way too much time with Andromeda."
"Or I just live with a walking thesaurus and my vocabulary is improving by osmosis," he shot back with a chuckle. "The point stands though. What can she really do about us?"
Getting serious once more, they both looked at the stone guardian. "I do not believe there is anything she can do. You are not technically a student. I am not even technically a professor since I am only here as appointed by the Wizengamut. The most she could do would be to move one of us to different chambers, but we have separate rooms, so I'm not sure why she would even attempt that."
With a deep sigh, Harry steeled himself and shifted Little Bit more comfortably on his shoulder. "Silver vine," he told the statue which promptly moved out of their way.
"It never ceases to make me feel like a student who has been caught doing something very wrong when I am called to this office," Severus Snape remarked as they stood on the moving stairway. "Even when I was headmaster, the feeling still struck me occasionally when I walked into the office."
"I'm pretty sure it's all the portraits," Harry remarked with a small smile and reached out to give his partner's hand a quick squeeze of support.
"Ah, there you are, right on time," Minerva McGonagall smiled at them and stood from her desk when they entered. "Tea?" She motioned to a small table that was set up for three with a pot of tea and a small plate of lemon biscuits.
"Er…sure," Harry shared a confused look with Severus before they both walked over and sat down with the headmistress at the table.
"I hope you approve of the changes to the office, Severus," Minerva smiled at her coworker as she poured their tea.
The office was very comfortable but slightly sterner from Dumbledore's time in Harry's opinion. The colors were a bit more muted and all the little odds and ends that cluttered the space were gone and replaced by a few artifacts that seemed to have been collected on the woman's travels. "It looks good," he commented with a cursory glance around.
"I made few changes while I was here," Snape remarked in answer to her question. "I always knew my tenure was temporary."
"I was surprised to see that Fawkes had moved down to your rooms, so I suppose someone viewed you as a more permanent resident though," she gave him a kind smile.
"He has claimed Harry, actually," the man took a sip of his tea and seemed to be holding himself back from telling her to just get to the point already. "I have learned it is the bird that was obsessed with lemon drops all this time though. I have bags of the horrible candies in my cabinets now."
"Blasphemy!" Harry protested with a smirk. "Lemon drops are amazing!"
"I couldn't agree more, my boy," Dumbledore's portrait remarked from where it was hanging over by the desk, causing them all to jump slightly in surprise.
"Albus, I thought you were asleep," McGonagall's lips thinned like she was slightly irritated he was butting into the conversation.
"I couldn't miss my two favorite boys stopping by for a chat," Dumbledore turned his still twinkling eyes on them. It was amazing how they'd gotten the painting to do that even now that he was gone. Harry could feel Snape tense beside him. They both still had quite a lot of animosity towards the man and how he'd dealt with them 'for the greater good.'
"I am sure this was not meant to be a purely social call, Minerva," Severus's tone had flattened to what Harry interpreted as his employing all his power into keeping his emotions in check tone. "Might we be informed as to the purpose of this meeting?"
McGonagall nodded her head and put down her teacup. "I recently had a meeting with our new Astronomy professor, and she has raised some concerns about the nature of your relationship. Frankly, I'm surprised a rumor of this magnitude has not reached me before. Usually gossip flies faster than a snitch through Hogwarts' hallways. Now, I must ask, even though I am frankly confounded that it could even be a possibility knowing your past, but have the two of you entered into some kind of romantic relationship?"
Harry looked over at his vampire partner and gave him an exasperated look. "Well, yeah…everyone else seemed to know and expect it already. I'm surprised you didn't…although, that might explain the lack of rumors…"
"That and most of the students and some professors are still afraid of me," Severus added on with no shame about it.
McGonagall covered her shocked look with one of disapproval. "I'm surprised and disappointed in both of you, especially you, Severus. I know you look younger now, but you are old enough to be the boy's father, and old enough to know this is a highly compromising situation. I mean the scandal alone…Severus, you are in a position of power…"
"And, that's where I stop you," Harry cut in with a sharp look when he saw his partner's face close up completely into an expressionless mask. "First of all, vampires are technically ageless, so it does not matter at all what his physical age is. Secondly, I never knew either of my parents, so them being the same age has no pertinence to my feelings at all. And lastly, I'm bloody the one in a position of power in this relationship, and don't think I don't feel bad about that!"
Severus's face cleared some as he raised a questioning eyebrow at Harry. McGonagall just looked slightly stunned but still disapproving. Harry took a deep breath to steady himself and explain. "I'm the bloody Savior of the Wizarding World, Order of Merlin First Class, etc., etc. Severus is on probation from the Wizengamut and not even technically my professor since our grades this year don't matter at all, only NEWTs which he doesn't score. If there is any power imbalance at all, it's on my end. And please for the love of Merlin, Morgana, and Mordred, stop calling me boy! I've legally been an adult for four years, even though none of you took a single moment to tell me that. I had to learn about it from the bank!" He added a poisonous glare over at Dumbledore's portrait.
"Be that as it may…" McGonagall began in a tight tone.
"You said it yourself, Harry," Dumbledore cut in, right over the headmistress who shot her a murderous look. "Severus is unfortunately a vampire. You will age and he will not. A relationship between a human and a vampire is doomed to fail. You should save yourself the heartache before you get too invested in this. And Severus, how could you keep something like this from me? I trusted you, and you betray me by concealing your creature status all these years?"
"Excuse me…" Snape looked stunned at both of them. "It was none of your business if I'm a vampire. I pose no danger to those around me, and I'm not even legally obligated like a werewolf to tell my employer of my creature status…at least as the laws stand currently. And Minerva, I did not choose to be here. I did not want to be here. I cannot be clearer…I do not care a bloody knut about a scandal."
Harry just huffed an eye roll. "For your information, Headmaster, I am also a creature and as I love Severus and would really like to marry him someday if he'll have me, I think I'm already invested." Dumbledore looked completely shocked and confused at Harry's admission of being a creature while McGonagall just shook her head slowly. For his part, Severus had paused with his mouth slightly open and looking surprised and not a small bit speechless at his younger partner.
"Harry, you must consider your future," McGonagall began again with a sad look at them. "A scandal just as you are starting out could hurt future opportunities. As much as I hate to say it, I really do Severus, your chosen partner was a Death Eater. An Order of Merlin Third Class cannot just wash that away."
Harry took Snape's hand in his, getting a little squeeze back from the man. "I think it's time we leave. Our relationship is neither one of your business. You never helped me when I asked or needed it," he glared at McGonagall before turning to Dumbledore. "And you purposefully sent me out to die, ensuring that I had just enough trauma and the right mentality to be self-sacrificing and slightly suicidal. If I hadn't been a creature, then I really do not believe I could have survived another killing curse to the chest, no matter what you thought on the matter."
Dumbledore looked like he'd been slapped while McGonagall sputtered. "A killing curse?!" She gasped. "You were…what? What did you do, Albus?!" She rounded on the man thunderously.
Harry sighed and pulled his t-shirt down to show her his new lightning bolt scar right over his heart. "Look, I'm tired of dealing with all this, and the anger, and disappointment. Plus, I have to face another shitstorm like this tomorrow from people I thought loved me. I'm done."
"We both are," Severus stood and pulled Harry to his feet, firmly pulling him over to his side protectively. "Consider this my official notice of resignation once the term ends, if you even needed that."
"Harry…I hope you know…I never intended…" Dumbledore shook his head, still seeming to try to process this information. "How did you even become a creature?"
Of course, that was what the man cared about. "Ask your phoenix," Harry responded flatly before turning and promptly exiting the office, his partner firmly planted by his side all the way down the stairs.
"Albus! What did you do?!" They heard McGonagall yell just as the stone gargoyle closed behind them.
Harry turned and opened his mouth to…something…apologize? He was cut off before he could even form the words though. "Wait…wait until we get to our rooms," Severus gave him a small, tense smile and stalked towards the dungeons quickly.
Harry couldn't wait until they got to their rooms though. "Should we have told her that Laimar is maybe a bit concerning herself?" He asked, hurrying to keep up with the vampire. "She did try to use her allure on us that one time."
Snape slowed slightly before picking up his pace once more. "I would rather tell Filius to keep an eye on her when we're gone. I trust he will know how to handle the situation."
Harry couldn't find fault in that reasoning. He was getting really concerned about whatever Snape wanted to talk about once they got to their rooms though. He didn't think he'd said anything Snape didn't know or suspect or anything like that. The only thing he could think of that he should maybe explain or apologize for was the marriage comment, but honestly, Snape should have realized his thoughts were going that direction. For Merlin's sake, they lived together and were talking about how to co-parent his kid!
He didn't have to wait long to find out because, as soon as the portrait closed behind him, Snape rounded on Harry and pulled him into a searing kiss pressing him back into the stone wall. Harry's brain functions had completely derailed when Snape leaned back and looked into his eyes searchingly. "Did you mean it? Did you actually mean you might consider spending your life with me?"
"Course," Harry frowned, trying to restart his brain and focus when the fact that his bedroom was just a few steps away and the couch was closer was the most pressing thing he was considering. "I figured we should give it a bit and maybe date for a year or so, but I even got the ring. There was a nice one in the Black family ring box I thought you'd like. Why wouldn't I consider marrying you? You're my partner…my friend…everything."
Harry brain fuzzed out again with the next kiss and then the little trail of kisses going down his neck. He had to slowly place Little Bit's bag on the armchair before he was concerned his knees might give out. Snape chuckled slightly with his mouth against Harry's ear. "Why'd you pick out a ring if we're going to date a year?"
Harry shrugged and was doing his best to wrap himself completely around the slightly taller man, his hands brazenly trailing up under his partner's dress shirt. "Hmm, don't know…thought it'd look better and all to wait. No hurry at least…"
"Oh Harry, when did we ever care what others thought of how we looked," Snape now breathed into Harry's neck before completely removing his thin t-shirt with a very impressive feat of wandless magic.
"I swear Snape," Harry breathlessly began unbuttoning the frustratingly small buttons of Severus's shirt. "If this isn't leading to one of our bedrooms, I'm going to curse you with something very uncomfortable that will take a trip to Healer Morris to heal!"
"Hmm…" the infuriating man gave him a smirk and slid a hand just slightly under the waistband of his jeans causing Harry to gasp. "That ring…is it in your room? I might need to see it."
"Merlin, yes!" Harry grabbed onto Snape's now mostly open shirt and pulled him with as much force as necessary to get him through the door of his room and onto his bed. "Be good, Little Bit! Watch them Saanp!" He called out to the sitting room and the snickering ashwinder in the fireplace before slamming the door to where Snape was thankfully already being helpful with the rest of his buttons while chuckling.
"What are they doing here?" Ginny sneered darkly when she joined the group of Percy, Ron, Harry, Snape, and Draco to walk down to the gates of school in order to apparate to the Burrow for dinner Sunday evening.
"Draco is your brother's fiancé, and as this meeting is about their upcoming marriage, he has a right to be there," Snape drawled, looking down his nose at the Gryffinder. "And, as you are still a student of this school unlike the others in the group, the Headmistress has asked me, as a member of the faculty, to accompany you off school grounds and bring you back so your brother does not feel the need to stay for longer than he is welcome in your parents' home," he added on with a pointed look to Percy so he was reminded that he could leave whenever he wanted or needed to.
"Let's just get this over with," Ron grumbled and started walking towards the gates, grabbing Draco's hand on his way as almost a lifeline.
Harry rolled his eyes at the little smirk Draco sent over his shoulder to Ron's sister. A mostly silent group trudged past the lake and down towards the gates. "Everyone should get there before us. We're getting a bit of a late start," Percy commented, not that anyone really needed the information but more that he was trying to fill the awkward silence.
"You know, you really shouldn't lie and tell everyone you're a creature to take the attention off Ron's mistakes or any of the real creatures at the school," Ginny turned her attention to Harry, ignoring her brother's comment.
"Why would you think I'm lying?" Harry was stunned she would even think that. "I'm definitely not, by the way."
They had ended up just a little out in front of everyone else, but Harry was certain everyone could still hear what she was saying. Ginny's voice did tend to carry. "Of course, you are, Harry," she rolled her eyes at him. "It's just like you trying to save everyone. It's not even like I think creatures are bad or whatever, but they need to be monitored. They have a darkness in them. I love Percy, but he's not always Percy now, full moon or not. Creatures pose a danger to the rest of us, just because of their inherent nature. You have to agree with that."
"I'm not lying Ginny, and I definitely do not agree with you," Harry said, a warning in his tone that she did not seem to catch.
"Ron though, that's worse…siding with a Death Eater, that's just disrespectful to what you went through, what we all went through the past few years," she continued, not realizing the glares she was getting from everyone. "Even Snape," she added in with what came almost close to a whisper but which could definitely be heard by the vampire. "He let those Carrows have free reign last year. I know you live with him, but you can't really believe he's reformed."
"Ginny!" Harry stopped and turned to her, green eyes flashing. "Draco had no choice, and Snape did the best he could, almost killing himself in the process, to keep you all safe. I'm absolutely not doing this here and now. Shut up and keep your opinions to yourself." Before he turned back, he couldn't help…well, he absolutely could but didn't want to…as he let out his fangs and gave his her an angry hiss.
"Merlin! Warn a guy before you go all snakey!" Ron had jumped slightly but barely paused as he pushed by a now suddenly pale and speechless Ginny.
Ginny never did recover to continue her rant and instead silently apparated away as soon as they stepped through the gates. Snape gave Harry a fond smirk before following her. Percy was next, but Ron put a hand on Harry's arm to stop him before he could turn to apparate.
"What's up?" Harry asked, his insides jumping with nerves about what they were heading into. "You want me to take Draco side-along?"
"Absolutely not, Potter," the blond protested. He was already upset he had to be side-along apparated since he'd never been to the Burrow before, and he was adamantly not going with anyone besides Ron if he must.
"Hey, mate…I was just wondering. Should we discuss the familiar looking silver ring our Potions professor is suddenly wearing?" He raised an eyebrow, having clocked the ring even before they left the castle. "It seems like an important thing to address that no one has said anything about."
"What?!" Draco's eyes shot to where his godfather had just apparated from as if he could still see the man there.
"Nope, nothing to talk about," Harry grinned at his friend widely. "Nothing at all…I have nothing to do or say about if Severus wants to wear some nice jewelry that might be a bit of an antique."
"Even if it's on a significant finger?" Ron snorted in disbelief.
"Maybe it was just the finger it happened to fit," Harry gave him one more mischievous look before turning on the spot and popping away.
"Merlin…are Potter and Uncle Sev getting married?" Draco was so very confused at the entire exchange.
"Probably," Ron just shrugged and held out his arm to his fiancé. "They'll make an announcement when they're ready…or just tell us they already eloped or something."
"I refuse to have a double wedding!" Draco firmly declared. "That's our day, and I'm not sharing!"
"You know…a guy would think you're actually planning on this wedding happening. A guy might also not be too upset about that either," Ron gave him a big smile before turning and apparating them both to his childhood home.
The entire house was filled with palpable tension as they were all quickly shuffled into the sitting full of mismatched furniture by Fred and George who had gotten there much earlier. Not seeing an easy place to sit, Harry squeezed in beside his partner who had been put in a floral armchair, most definitely by one of the twins. Snape was looking on the entire proceedings with a disdainful sneer but shifted a bit for Harry to get more comfortable where he was halfway sitting in the man's lap.
Bill rolled his eyes at them from where he was sitting on the couch with Fleur who was definitely very clearly pregnant now. Percy had been right; they were all the last to arrive besides Charlie, who probably hadn't been able to get away from work for this last-minute meeting. "What? There aren't any more seats," Harry protested with a smirk at the man.
Molly Weasley visibly paused in where she was bringing in a tea tray and seemed not to be able to get moving again as she took in the much younger Snape with Harry almost sitting on top of him. Arthur Weasley eventually followed her into the room with a raise of an eyebrow at the couple. "Ginny did say you looked younger, but I hadn't imagined this much, Severus," he commented with a small chuckle. "Harry…" he acknowledged his son's friend but with a little frown of confusion.
"Mr. Weasley, good to see you again," Harry nodded at him which seemed to cause Molly to come back to herself.
Mrs. Weasley gave herself a bit of a shake before rushing forward and putting the tea tray on the low coffee table. "Welcome back, Harry…Severus," she added with a frown at the man who was now without a doubt confirmed to be a vampire.
"Mum…I don't think you've formally met Draco," Ron had pulled his fiancé down on the other side of the couch with Bill and Fleur and the blond looked even more out of place in the shabby sitting room than Snape did. He seemed to be trying to maintain as neutral of an expression as humanly possible.
"We've met…from across a battlefield," Molly Weasley tensely remarked before she joined her husband on the sofa he transfigured an end table into.
"Actually, I'm pretty sure Draco was busy trying to not get killed by Death Eaters before Hermione stunned him, so I doubt you even saw him," Harry corrected with a wry smirk over at his new former-Slytherin friend who rolled his eyes but couldn't disagree.
"Regardless, there is a very strong difference of philosophy between our two families that cannot be overlooked," Arthur Weasley began with a firm look at the rest of his family. "You have all been running wild since the war and it's time to grow up now and get over this phase. The Weasley family is up for a lordship, and we need to present a strong front as leaders in our society."
"Ron will be voting the Malfoy seat," Draco spoke up in almost a bored tone that Harry knew was hiding his anxiety. "As Mother and I are currently unable to vote and Father is no longer a member of our family for all intents and purposes, Ron will be sitting for us on the Wizengamut."
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley seemed completely stunned by this information. "That's just…unheard of! A Weasley aligning with the Malfoy family!" Molly protested.
"Mum, it's not like Ron was going to vote the Weasley seat anyway," Fred jumped in.
"Yeah, he's your sixth kid," George added. "You two would have first dibs, then the rest of us before Ron even came up."
"And what's so wrong with Draco!" Ron protested firmly. "You don't even know him. Have you even had a conversation? You can't just say you disagree with him without knowing who he is and what he believes. He's not his father."
"I know it is not my place, but the majority of your children have been behaving quite admirably this year," Snape spoke up before the meeting could derail quite so quickly, though he was sure it was coming at some point. "The twins' shop is doing well, William is about to become a father, I'm sure Charles is doing something meaningful at the reserve, Percy has been an excellent addition to the faculty, and even Ronald has stepped up to be a role model for the younger students."
"No, it is not your place, Severus," Arthur turned his gaze on the man. "You are only here to see Ginny back to school not as a member of this family." Harry crossed his arms but held his tongue since Snape didn't seem upset at all, more amused that the man was even attempting to call him out.
"Look dears," Molly sighed and addressed the rest of the room. "What you father was alluding to is the fact that you all seem to be turning away from the values we attempted to instill in you all these years. It is almost as if you are spitting in the face of how you were raised."
"What values might those be, Mother?" Bill asked in a steely tone, Fleur's eyes flashing from beside him. "I, for the life of me, don't remember what values I've been spitting in the face of."
"Not shagging creatures or Death Eaters," Ginny crassly growled in answer.
"That was definitely not what I was going to say, Ginny," Molly Weasley sighed tensely at her daughter. "I meant, maintaining our values as a wixen society and members of the Light."
Draco frowned deeply. "That sounds a lot like the drivel my father and his friends used to spew that landed us all here after a war. You're just replacing Dark with Light, but it's the same message overall."
"And where does that leave me?" Percy spoke up. "Do I just not exist anymore? Is it only ok for me to come around as long as I don't mention what I am or spend any time alone with my siblings? Where does that philosophy include your own werewolf son?"
"Or your half-veela daughter-in-law or part-veela grandchildren?" Fleur asked with a dark look at the woman.
"Oh well…Weasleys almost always have boys. Girls are very rare," Molly protested with a look over to Fleur that could almost be read as fond if it wasn't so very complicated. "And Percy, you are always welcome here. We just need you to take the safety of the rest of your family into consideration. If you abide by some simple rules, there is not problem at all." Everyone just stared at her in shock, not know how to respond to the rubbish she was spewing forth.
"Male veela exist," Draco rolled his eyes at the woman's audacity to accept her grandchildren solely because they probably wouldn't be creatures. "I should know, since I am one."
"Merlin, are the twins dating vampires or banshees now?! What are you all thinking?" Molly gaped at them while Arthur just looked very confused at the whole group of people like he didn't know them anymore. "No offense, Severus," she added as seemingly an afterthought.
"A lot taken," he grumbled back.
Harry raised his hand with a disbelieving look on his face. "It is very clear that I'm dating the vampire, right? I mean, I can sit more on his lap if you need more proof."
Molly and Arthur shared what could only be described as a sad look. "Harry…you know you're up for a lordship as well," Arthur sighed and leaned forward, trying to convey how serious he believed this to be. "A strong political alliance in a relationship would help you become a force to be reckoned with in our society. Once this new law is passed, being in a relationship with a creature will only hurt your standing and voice in the Wizengamut."
"I doubt that," Harry dryly remarked, thinking he was probably going to be the first to storm out at this rate over Ron or Percy. He was wondering which sibling had started a betting pool on it and kicked himself for not joining.
"Harry wants to go into warding, not politics, anyway," Ron sighed deeply, knowing exactly where this was going. "He should date who he wants to."
"He'll have his seat, so he will have to take some part in politics," Mr. Weasley turned next to Ron. "You may be giving up your birthright, but you should not encourage Harry to. He is the last of the Potter line and must stand for his family. Harry, listen to me, if it gets out that you are dating a vampire, the press will have a field day, and you'll never be able to have kids with this new law they are passing. Your line will end with you. What would your parents have thought of that, or Sirius?"
Yep, Harry was definitely going to be the one to storm out. He could feel his talons sliding out as he clenched his fists, trying to keep them in the best he could. "I think my parents and Sirius would just be glad I am alive and happy after everything I've gone through," he seethed, only the hand Severus had placed on his back keeping him from completely losing it. "As for all your other accusations and diatribe, a partnership with a vampire can in no way hurt me as a person because: One, I don't care in the slightest what wixen society thinks of me anymore, and two, I bloody am a creature myself!"
"I think the fact that the Savior of the Wizarding World is a creature should give you some proof that your views are utterly ludicrous," Bill leaned forward to glare at his shocked parents more.
"How is that even possible though?!" Molly shook her head, refusing to believe. "Percy! You scratched him! You did, didn't you?!" She rounded on her son with fury in her eyes.
"No!" He physically stepped back from where he was standing by the fireplace like she had slapped him.
"Bloody hell!" Ron jumped to his feet in anger and concern for his brother who was quickly turning ashen.
"No, he did not!" Harry also stood, this time because he fully intended to leave. "It was an inheritance if you must know. No one bit, scratched, or whatever me. This is literally who I am!"
"But the Potters, and Lily…" Molly trailed off, sharing a confused look with Arthur.
"Harry you were here on your birthday," Arthur cleared his throat to remind him. "We would have known."
"Yeah, and I slept out back in the shed since I had a feeling something like this was going to happen and you had already made your prejudices known," Harry huffed and felt Severus stand and move closer to him. "And I fully believe my mum and dad would support me and who I am. If it matters that much to place some blame though, the only one to blame for what happened to me is actually her!" Harry pointed almost violently at Ginny.
"What?! I didn't do anything! I'm not a creature!" Ginny screamed back at him. "Don't you blame your freakishness on me Harry James Potter!"
"I was bitten by a basilisk saving your life!" He yelled back. "Then cried on by a phoenix! I'm now part-basilisk, part-phoenix! You do the math!"
"No, that's not right…" Molly trailed off, looking lost and as if her worldview were slipping away from her. "That's not…it couldn't…"
"Come on Percy," Harry grabbed the pale man's hand since he knew Snape would have to stay until Ginny returned to the school. "Your son lives with me and my partner now. He's welcome for as long as he wants to be there. You are not welcome to enter my home, the wards will never grant you entry. If Percy ever wants to see you again, he can make that decision for himself, but until then, view him as a member of House Potter."
Harry loosely kept a hold of Percy's hand in case he wanted to pull away, but he just followed along behind Harry who did his best dramatic storm out of the house while not cursing anyone. "I don't need you to protect me, Harry," Percy sighed sadly when they stepped outside his once happy home.
"I know that, but I need you to keep me from cursing someone and making Andy mad because she had to bail me out of jail," he shot back still holding onto the anger.
"Then hold on," Percy held out his arm. "I'm apparating you to my favorite pub and you can watch me get drunk while you binge eat some chips."
"Merlin that sounds amazing!" Harry grabbed onto the man's arm and was whisked away for the promised greasy carbs.
"Are you and the vampire getting ceremonially bonded…er, I believe you call it a wedding?" Fawkes asked musingly from his perch while Harry sat in front of the fire trying to finish out the Arithmancy essay Snape had assigned him.
"Eventually," Harry looked up and stretched, ready for a break anyway. He pulled Little Bit's basket over to him with a smile to run his hand over the smooth egg. "What brought on the question?"
Fawkes flew over and nestled down beside the egg with a small chirp. "I've noticed you have combined your sleeping arrangements to one room for the past couple weeks, ever since that terrible meeting that had you returning smelling like fried potato. I figured it was the next stage in a human relationship to do something official."
"Maybe Severus just has a more comfortable mattress," Harry smirked at him. "Honestly, Fawkes, I don't think I've ever been this happy in my life. If only I could finish up school and be done with all the essays."
"And the law…the vote is soon, isn't it?"
"Yes, the paper will have the announcement tomorrow of Tonks taking over the Black family seat. Kreacher is giddily sewing the family crest into her nice robes as we speak," Harry sighed. "I wish there was something I could do. I feel useless as everyone else is getting ready for it. Even Severus is helping coach Ron in some of the court procedures and Hermione is helping Andy research. What am I good for?"
"You got all these people together. Do you really believe Ronald would be sitting and learning about court procedures from Snape if you hadn't made them all spend time together?" Fawkes shot back. "The little Malfoy has also been busy writing letters to those who used to support his family in voting. I've delivered some for him. He made a good point that a phoenix such as myself delivering a letter would go a long way in getting someone to listen to him. If you weren't here, then I for one would never deliver a letter for Draco Malfoy."
"Thank you for that Fawkes, and for the kind words," he leaned back and closed his eyes for a second. "What do you think our chances even are at winning this thing?"
A little chirpy chuckle came from the phoenix. "Oh Harry…I don't think he's realized it yet, but those letters I delivered for the Malfoy heir were dripping in veela pheromones. I think your veela friend's allure is coming in quite strong. Even through the parchment, I think he's going to be able to help your cause, more if he can meet with them in person, which he did offer through some of the letters."
Harry couldn't help the laugh. "I almost feel bad for Ron then. He'll have to learn quick how to tune it out."
"From what I've seen, your former-Weasley friend doesn't seem upset in the slightest at his mate's changes," Fawkes gave him an insinuating look that Harry did not want to ask about. No telling what the bird had seen delivering letters.
"Gossipy, voyeuristic bird," Harry accused before his breath caught in his throat. Fawkes stilled and looked at him with wide, yellow eyes.
"Expecto patronum!" Harry cast, sparing a breath of surprise to see a phoenix burst from his wand instead of his normal stag patronus. "Merlin…erm, go to Snape say: 'Get to our rooms now! It's urgent!'"
The phoenix disappeared. "That wasn't your normal patronus," Fawkes said slowly.
"No shit," Harry remarked, his eyes tracking the patronus as it left only to turn it back to the egg.
"Fawkes…I wasn't imagining that right? You saw it too?"
"That I did," the bird fluttered a wing over the egg. "My grandbaby is starting to be an active little thing," he added in a proud tone.
"The egg moved…it definitely moved," Harry breathed out in shock.
Up Next: Meeting the parents...or their spirits anyway...