The Bonds That Tie
The party to celebrate the end of summer was great, and all of Harry's friends loved meeting Lilium. It was a shocker, but Harry explained things and no one had a problem with it. Harry obviously had it all figured out for how to take care of this child, with Severus, while they attended Hogwarts. Hermione and Luna were the most taken by the child and the rest just congratulated Severus and Harry on their new addition to the family. Severus already had his resignation letter prepared for the staff meeting that would take place sometime today, the 31st of August 1997, while the students were taking the train in from King's Cross, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, to Hogsmeade. As it was planned, Harry would be riding with Lilium on the train. It would probably still come as a shock to anyone who hadn't been made aware. Harry certainly wasn't looking forward to Ginerva's reaction because not only would it come out Harry had blood adopted a child, but also that he was with Severus. It had been kept secret all this time, but no more. Minerva gave not only her blessings of happiness, but permission for Harry and Severus to maintain their relationship as long as it was kept private, minor public displays of affection, and of course, didn't affect their work in any way. As it currently stood, Harry would be moving into Severus's private quarters with Lilium; she would, of course, have her own bedroom and the lovers would have theirs.
Right now, Harry was ensuring everything was packed up for him and Lilium. Severus was speaking to Tom about how things would be at the school. Tomorrow, community service started for the parolees. Narcissa would be in charge of those residing at Harry's house, and she would make the reports that Harry would gather during the weekend when he came to visit. It would be after hunting with Severus and Draco. Also, Harry, Severus, and Draco were all taking the potion to be able to eat normal food. Not everyone needed to know Severus and Draco were turned, and both of them were wearing the glamours to appear as their human-selves. Tom would be taking over Harry's old room in the dungeon, but would share Severus's office space if they were doing work. The time now was 9:45 am.
"Harry, it's about time to leave for the train. Are you ready?" Draco yelled.
"You know that you don't have to yell, Dray. I can literally hear everything in the house," Harry rolled his eyes. "And yes, I'm ready. I'm just packing the rest of Lilium's things."
"Sorry. I'm not used to the heightened senses yet…" Draco mumbled.
"Me either, godson." Severus agreed.
Harry came out of the room with his and Lilium's things, shrinking them down to carry in his pocket with ease. "How on Earth did you drown out so much noise at Hogwarts?" Draco asked.
"I didn't. You just have to deal with that, unfortunately. There's no way to really dull the senses," Harry informed.
"That sucks." Blaise mentioned.
"You get used to it. Eventually, it stops bothering you unless someone actually yells. I have my enhanced hearing at all times, but I'm so used to the noise in Hogwarts that it sounds normal to me. When I actually focus it to listen for something specific, I can drown out the noise around me to pinpoint what I heard." Harry said.
"Let me guess…It takes practice." Draco rolled his eyes.
"Doesn't everything you do in life?" Harry smiled. "Don't worry, I'll keep working with you both. We'll find time at night since we don't sleep. Minerva said we could." He shrugged.
"I'll see you both at the school," Severus gave Harry and Lilium a hug. "Minerva has appointed Tom and I to handle ensuring all students except the first years reach the school from the station. She wants me to show him all staff duties, not just Defense Against the Dark Arts." He remarked. "Much to do before you all arrive."
"Go on then. Lilium and I will be fine, it's not like we'll be alone on the trip." Harry assured.
"Yeah, he's got me." Draco said proudly.
"I've got you to take Lilium to safety while I handle a threat. You're not fully trained," Harry stated. "Heard?"
"Loud and clear," Draco nodded.
"Good." Harry gave Severus a somewhat deep kiss and hug before pulling back and Lilium gave the man a soft hug and kiss on the cheek. "We're okay, love. See you in about nine hours."
"I know you are, Harry. I've seen what you do to people who hurt those you care about…I feel sorry for them if they were foolish enough to try." Severus said. "Love you both."
"Love you too." Harry waved as Lilium did too.
"Come on, Tom." Severus motioned for Tom to join him. "We're apparating to the gates, that's as far as the ward lets us go."
"Not for me," Harry grinned.
"Shush, Harry. Not all of us know how to vampire apparate," Severus muttered.
"I'll teach you soon." Harry promised. "Transformations and transportation are among the last things you'll learn."
"Looking forward to it." Severus nodded as Tom put his hand on Severus's arm and the two were gone.
"We should be getting along to the station too." Lucius suggested. "It's always a madhouse."
"Are we all going?" Bellatrix questioned.
"Family of students. The station doesn't need to be severely over jammed with everyone. Bella, you can come too. So can Uncle Rod and Rab." Harry mentioned, referring to Rabastan and Rodolphus. "Sirius is in charge." Harry remarked.
"You got it, pup." Sirius nodded from his portrait in the main room.
"I'll stay to help." Tonks offered. "You go ahead, Remus."
"We'll be back soon." Narcissa promised.
"Everyone apparates on their own or with their families." Harry stated. "I've got Lilium and myself. I'm allowed to apparate on my own, Amelia gave me my license, even though I don't apparate the same way." He added. "See you there." Harry picked up his daughter before vanishing from sight.
"Let's get a move on." Lucius told the others. "Draco, with your mother and I. Bella, I'm sure you and the brothers can handle apparating on your own?"
"Yep." Bellatrix nodded.
With everyone pairing up, they all vanished from sight. Except Remus, he went by himself.
. . .
As expected, King's Cross was bustling with families who were getting their kids on the train. Harry and Draco bid goodbye to their parents, aunt and two uncles. Harry, of course, said a goodbye to Remus while Draco and Harry's friends were saying bye to their folks. By 10:45 am, the group of Slytherins were boarded on the train and had met up with Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Neville. Harry had no idea where Seamus and Dean were, but presumably, with a group of other friends. Harry never saw Ginny, and he was thankful for that. The train left promptly at 11:00 am and so they began their journey to Hogwarts for the final year. Well, Luna still had one more to go, but regardless. Lilium was very well behaved on the ride, she just sat next to Harry the entire time, looking through her books or coloring. After lunchtime, there had been a nap too. Finally, the train pulled into Hogsmeade station at 7:00 pm. Harry already saw Severus and Tom on the platform to wait on the students. When students deboarded, Hagrid was calling for all first years to come with him; it brought memories back for Harry of six years ago.
The rest all went to Severus and Tom, though, some were understandably hesitant with Tom there. Harry was holding Lilium as she had become a bit frightened at all the students around. The child was clutching to Harry tightly, hiding her face against him. Harry got his cloak around her for added shelter and they walked with Severus and Tom to get to the carriages. Harry and Severus were keeping up their normal demeanors, for now. Obviously, the truth would come out that they were more than teacher and student, but Harry would prefer it to happen in the hall so that everyone could see if for themselves and then there was no risk of rumors about what was truth and what wasn't. Reaching the school, Harry walked in back of the group next to Severus while Tom led everyone in and they'd break off to get to their respected house tables. Harry knew with him being at the back of the group; everyone would see him walking in holding a child who appeared to be three years old. Draco was with his brother, and like always; his friends were right there too. Not that Harry cared about things like whispers of what people saw; he gave up caring a long time ago when people reacted to him being a vampire.
Harry walked in proudly, keeping his daughter on his side while she had her arms around his neck and head on his shoulder. Severus was on Lilium's other side, walking next to Harry to help his daughter feel safe in a the room of people. Of course, the staff had been made aware that Draco and Severus were vampires, that Severus was Harry's mate, and Lilium was Harry and Severus's recently adopted daughter. And the only students who knew were the ones Harry revealed it too. The room was quiet seeing Harry with a child, but no one had yet connected the dots of why Severus was so close. Getting to the Slytherin table, Harry sat down and Severus put a hand on his mate's shoulder, then bent down to give the child a kiss on the cheek and she willingly turned from Harry's hold to give her father a hug and kiss on the cheek. Severus then turned his attentions to his mate, giving the male a light kiss on the lips. Harry, obviously, returned it. Of course, the scene shocked everyone.
"See you after dinner, come right to my room." Severus told Harry.
"See you then." Harry nodded. "Love you."
"I love you both." Severus said before they shared another small kiss and Severus walked his way up to the head table, taking a seat next.
Harry looked around the room, seeing the shock and ignoring it as he kept Lilium in his lap contently. The one face that stuck out was Ginny's; she was completely beside herself in surprise, but also ridiculous jealousy. Harry didn't care because she couldn't do anything. There was still a restraining and no contact order against her, so she couldn't approach Harry or question him about any of this. Ron and Hermione were the ones who forced her to keep quiet, mentioning it was none of her business. Harry was sure they'd tell her everything later, and that was fine with him; he told them on the train that they could, but to remind her of the order in place and that if she did anything; she was getting arrested. Minerva stood to begin the announcements, and then the first year sorting ceremony. It didn't take too long, soon the tables were filled with food for the start of term feast. Everyone was still whispering about what they saw take place, mostly confusion as to what they'd seen. For years, Harry and Severus appeared to hate one another, but just now, they shared two kisses and there was a young child on Harry's lap. It didn't make sense, but it was probably also none of their business.
The feast was calm and over around 8:30 pm, like always. Minerva dismissed everyone to their dorms being led by the Head Boy and Head Girl. In Slytherin, that was actually Draco and Pansy. Harry believed he was told by Hermione that she and Ron were the ones for Gryffindor. Harry didn't know for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. As people left the hall, Harry walked with the Slytherins down to the dungeons and broke off to get to Severus's room, promising he'd see everyone tomorrow, when term began. Harry got to Severus's private quarters and uttered the password set in place, which was Asphodel. The door opened and Harry walked in with Lilium still on his side.
"Sev?" Harry asked. No answer. "He must still be showing Tom his room, or greeting the first years in the common room." The vampire shrugged before taking a seat with Lilium. The main space of Severus's private room was set up a lot like a small common room, lots of green, black, and silver. Harry loved the stone work, plus the torches. It reminded him of his castle, and there was the chance Severus had only just set it up like this while Harry was on the train because Harry knew that Severus's room didn't look like this a few months ago. Harry saw a lot of doors, a little table for meals, and the obvious desk to get work done in the main room. Harry's guesses on the rooms behind doors were bathroom, the two bedrooms, and his best guess was a private potions lab. Harry wouldn't wander around; he wanted to try and work on getting Lilium to not be afraid. "No need to be so shy, Lilium. It's just us now. I know it's overwhelming, but you'll get used to it."
The child looked up at Harry now, sitting in his lap still. "When are we going home, Daddy?" The girl asked.
"In a few months it will be Christmas holidays and we'll go home for two weeks. But then we return so Daddy can do more schooling until Easter hols, that's another two weeks. And we come back here until June, which is when I finish school and never have to come back." Harry explained, knowing she understood. She might be little, but her brain power was that of a much older child. "But we can take visits home on the weekend, Fridays and Saturdays. There are Hogsmeade weekends too. Don't worry, we won't just be cooped up in the school for this year." He promised.
"Where's Papa?" Lilium asked.
"He'll be along soon. Papa is one of the teachers, and also leader to one of the houses; he has to make sure the other students settle in." Harry explained.
He had spent most of the morning while packing things explaining to Lilium about the school, how they would live there except for the holiday breaks, but also the four houses and classes. It was just so she'd be informed of the day's activities when sitting with Harry during his classes. And Harry made sure to tell her that during his Potion's class; she would be with Severus because it wasn't safe for her to be around all the potions when they were being brewed.
"Will I go here for school?" Lilium questioned.
"You might." Harry told her. "I'm not sure the admittance process, I'm just told that kids receive a letter when they are eleven. Your schooling might be different, baby girl. If we're right, when you're about ten years old, you'll look like an adult. We'll see what happens, though."
"Okay." Lilium nodded.
It was another fifteen minutes until Severus walked through the door, closing it behind him. "Hi, love. Everyone settled in?" Harry asked.
"Yes, finally. I really only had to go over rules and explain that Draco and Pansy are their Head Boy and Head Girl this year, then who the prefects were and answer questions." Severus replied as he went over to give Harry a kiss, then one on the cheek for Lilium. "I hope you haven't been waiting too long?"
"About twenty minutes, but it's okay. Lily and I were chatting about when we'll be home again," Harry smiled. "How'd Professor McGonagall take to you resigning at the end of the year?"
"Sad to see me go, but knows I'm happy and heading for the rest of my future with you and our family." Severus replied. "But she has a year to find someone, and I think she's leaning towards Tom if he shows promise as my assistant and the parole ends in a year."
"Excellent. Is Slughorn staying as Potions teacher after you go too?" Harry wondered.
"I believe he's going to stay for a while, but no telling how long." Severus responded. "What do you think of the room?"
"You didn't have to go this extra with it, love, but I love it." Harry chuckled. "I think little miss is getting tired though, so we should get her to bed." He added when Lilium yawned.
"I've got her room set up over here." Severus said as Harry stood up, carrying Lilium in his arms over to the room where Severus led him. It was behind the main area, just two doors. "Lily's is this one, on the left. Ours is on the right." He opened the door to their daughter's temporary room and gave a flick of his wand to light the candles.
"It's perfect." Harry mentioned as he carried Lilium inside and set her down on the bed.
"She has her own loo. Just a toilet and sink, though. I know one of the first things we taught her was how to use the bathroom." Severus reminded. "Other than that, standard room. Bed, closet, wardrobe, dresser. Area she could play in while we're here."
"Sev, it's great." Harry kissed his cheek before pulling out Lilium's trunk, it was dark green and gray with L.P. on all sides and the top lid. Harry resized it to normal. "Lily, why don't you use the bathroom now and get changed for bed?" Harry got her out a set of night clothes, which she took and went off to the loo in her room. Harry and Severus then worked together, with magic, to get Lilium's things put away. Clothes first, then the toys neatly in the play area. Lilium came out and climbed into her bed. Harry bent down to give her a kiss on the forehead and draw the covers up. "Goodnight, little one. We love you."
Severus kissed Lilium's forehead next. "Pleasant dreams."
"Love Daddy and Papa too…"
Lilium yawned and fell right asleep before Severus and Harry had even backed out of the room. Severus closed the door to her room after ensuring the torches were out, though he left one going in the loo, if their daughter woke in the middle of the night needing to go or perhaps didn't want to wake in complete darkness even though there was a little dim lighting from the lake outside.
"The main bathroom is just here, and then I'm sure you figured out my private lab is the other door." Severus told Harry, who nodded. "Then there is our room." He added, leading Harry over to it.
"I think we should head in there…Get unpacked, comfortable," Harry suggested. "Then maybe I spend the night showing you how much I love you…?" He stared into his mate's eyes.
"Sounds like the perfect night to me." Severus replied.
So the two headed into their bedroom, closing the door behind them. It didn't take long to unpack Harry's belongings, and then the younger vampire easily pounced his mate, pinning him to the bed and capturing his lips. It was going to be a fun night for both of them, which was great because it was looking like it would finally be a good year at Hogwarts. Fitting, as it was both their last one there.