As my fifth and most recently completed chapter for this fanfic, I put this author's note here to make some things clear.
This fanfic is a no-romance fic, but is written in a way that you, the reader, are able to headcanon your own romance if you so wish.
English is not my first language, so please leave suggestions!
Final notice, this work will be uploaded on my Ao3 and Wattpad as well. However, I will only post this on Ao3 once my work is fully written. If you prefer to read as chapters come out, this and wattpad are the perfect places for you. Both links in my description.
And with that, enjoy~
"Hello, dear students!" A woman clad in pink said to the class. No one responded, and the women tutted. "That simply won't do. When I say hello, you will respond with Hello Professor Umbridge. Let's try that again. Hello dear students!"
"Hello, Professor Umbridge." The class chorused.
"Wonderful, now class let's put those wands away and take our books out. You won't be needing your wands this year."
"But Professor! How will we practise defence magic? We have O.W.L's this year!" Hermione blurted out. Umbridge raised an eyebrow.
"What is your name, girl?"
"Hermione Granger, ma'am, but that doesn't-"
"Ms. Granger, was it? You didn't raise your hand. I know some of your teachers may have been lacking, for lack of a better word, but you must know at least to raise your hand?" Harry watched as Hermione bristled. He raised his hand, but another student had too. She pointed at him first.
"Your name?" She asked.
"Zabini, professor. Blaise Zabini. So we're not going to be practising the spells?" He asked.
"Practising them?" Umbridge asked. "Why, I can't imagine when you need to use spells in this classroom, Mr. Zabini. Surely, you aren't proposing that you will be attacked in this classroom?"
"Of course not professor," the boy, Blaise, looked like he wanted to ask more, but the woman turned to look at Harry.
"And you are, sir?" She asked sweetly.
"Harry Potter, ma'am." He said politely. No point upsetting a teacher that may or may not try and kill him this year.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, what is your question?"
"Bouncing off of Zabini's question, is this to be a theory-only class?" He asked. "No practical?" The pink woman nodded.
"Yes, you are correct Mr. Potter. I see in your eyes you have another question, please ask it."
"Well, why aren't we doing practical things? We have to be prepared for the real world." She tutted.
"Prepared for what? There is nothing happening, and if any violence should happen, the ministry has a plethora of competent Aurors that you can call for help. Like I said to Mr. Zabini, you surely aren't going to be attached during my class." Harry looked the woman in her eyes, and she seemed to have a glint in them he was used to seeing. A ministry dog indeed.
"Why, to become an Auror of course. Or like me, I would love to be a world-renowned duelist. How am I able to practise and perfect spells? Practice is just etiquette for perfection." Umbridge nodded, a small but real smirk on her face. Harry had seen that look in his cousin's eyes a multitude of times, especially when it looked like Harry was going to give in to his weekly beatings. He noticed Ron and Hermione gave him a shared look, and when the pink woman turned around, he mouthed 'Common room'.
"Well, Mr. Potter, it seems you have a great idea for your future in mind. Have you duelled before?" Harry nodded.
"Of course, Professor. Me and Draco Malfoy have duelled, as well as me and Cho Chang and Cedric DIggory. May he rest in peace." The pink woman (she looked rather like a toad now that he thought about it) turned to face him, smiling sharply.
"Yes, what a misfortune. A horrible accident, that competition was." Harry nodded.
"Yes, what a horrible accident. I do hope I can match his skill level under your tutelage." The class was deathly quiet, and Neville bumped his knee against his own.
"I assure you, you all will. Now, please open your Ministry Approved Defense Guide and turn to page four." The class followed. A few minutes later, Neville tapped his hand and leaned over to whisper to him.
"What the bloody hell was that Harry?" Harry hid a quiet snort.
"She wants a rise out of me, I know she does. I could see it in her eyes. The same look Dudley gets when he wants to cause problems with me. Trust me, I know how to deflect her ways."
"Boys, is there something wrong?" Harry shook his head at the teacher.
"No, but my friend here, Neville Longbottom, well he and I have something we would like to run by you after class. If that is alright with you, Professor?" She nodded.
"That's alright, but please keep the talking to a minimum, boys." Harry nodded and quickly wrote on a tiny piece of parchment and passed it to Neville.
duelling club, I'll lead
The rest of the class was quiet, all of them softly whispering spells to themselves and practising wand movements with their fingers. The room was filled with scratching quills, only ever stopped briefly if Umbridge needed to expand on a topic. Soon the class was over, and Harry and Neville stayed behind. Dean gave them a worried look, but Harry just gave the boy a thumbs-up and a toothy grin. This would be like dealing with a female Dudley.
"Now boys, come up here, tea?" She asked. Neville declined, but Harry got a cup. He drank it before starting to talk.
"I know you said you didn't want us practising our spells and the like, but Neville here had a fantastic idea. A duelling club led by you, Professor! Select students of course, but under your teaching, a lot of us could help have a, how do I say this. A foot in the door at the Ministry." Neville nodded rapidly.
"Yes, professor. See, I would love to be an Auror, but being the only heir makes my family think I should be in politics. That just isn't my thing. But, if you were able to help a few of us out with our spells, we, well I, could convince my family I am much more suited for the Ministry in a more active manner." Umbridge nodded but settled the boys with a look.
"Those are very good reasons, however, I will have to run it by the Headmaster. Now, Mr. Potter," She turned her head to look solely at him. "Why did you say select students?" Harry steadied himself and forced himself to think of haughty things. Mostly his cousin.
"Why, some people just shouldn't cast spells to begin with Professor. I am sorry to say this, but even some of my friends just wave their wands around freely! I can't condone that, Professor Umbridge." She nodded that glint in her eyes.
"Very well. Mr. Longbottom, you may go. I would like to ask Mr. Potter some private questions." Neville nodded, feigning confidence as he walked out of the classroom. Harry knew his friend was going to go curl up and giggle to himself about sounding so confident and professional. Umbridge poured him some more tea.
"You are very different from what the Prophet says, Mr. Potter." Harry gave her a puzzled look.
"The Prophet?" Harry asked. "I'm afraid I haven't seen any of the articles, I spent most of my summer in the muggle world with my aunt and uncle. They don't quite like that I'm a wizard, so I try to stay as segregated from the magical world as I can during the summer. Can I ask what they're saying about me?" She tutted.
"They're saying you said the Dark Lord returned, Mr. Potter. Is that true?" Harry shook his head quickly.
"No ma'am, of course not! When I saw Cedric pass, even a Medi-Wizard confirmed, I was just in shock. I just saw my parents die again like I do when I see dementors. I still have nightmares about it, ma'am." He faked a shiver. "Who is telling the Prophet I'm saying such filth?"
"I do not know who, regretfully, but I am glad to hear you aren't 'up in arms' so to say, against the Ministry." Harry shook his head, looking down.
"No ma'am. Like Neville, I probably have to go into politics once I reach adulthood. Why would I go against a group of people who could benefit me, and I, them? It's absurd." Umbridge nodded.
"I'm glad you agree, Mr. Potter. Now, I think you should go join your friends at Dinner. Have a good night, Mr. Potter." Harry nodded and said his goodbyes before leaving the classroom. Once he was certain he was far enough away, he leaned against a wall.
'What have I gotten myself into now?'
"So Harry, what the hell was that?" Neville said as Harry walked through the portrait. Neville had gone ahead of him after dinner to save him a spot in the common room. Mostly so Harry can explain himself, the other part because the common room had a pretty comfy class.
Neville watched, amused, as his friend groaned and threw himself on the couch. Harry's feet landed in Neville's lap, and Neville shoved the boy off him with a laugh. Harry made a sound of protest, but eventually got back up on the couch. Hermione and Ron stared at him a bit worryingly. Harry sighed and waved them over. The pair sat down, but Harry decided to focus his attention on Neville.
"So, basically," Harry started to explain. "Dolores Umbridge now fully believes you and I plan to be dogs of the Ministry." Neville's mouth opened, and the boy just stared at Harry for a minute.
"Why?" Neville finally asked. So, Harry began to explain what he and the Pink Toad™ had talked about, filling in Ron and Hermione as well.
"So then I told her, what would I have against a group of people who could benefit me? And she bought that! I was bloody sweating by the end of it!"
"That's a bit, uh, Slytherin, mate," Ron remarked into the shocked silence. Hardy just shrugged. He knew from Ron's tone that he hadn't meant it in an accusing way. The redhead was simply shocked. Harry was quite smitten with making people feel that way, he thought.
"Well, I hope it works out, Harry. Thank you for sharing. Ronald, let's go to the library and look for some duelling books." Ron looked like he wanted to protest, but Harry noticed the sharp look Hermione had sent the boy, and his protests went silent. They all said some awkward, quick goodbyes, and Harry laid down. He was, in all honesty, exhausted. He raised his hand above him, staring at his fingers. He had chosen not to think about it all summer, pushing it from his mind and focusing on learning and working.
"Nev?" Harry spoke quietly. Neville made a sound of notice but was staring at a book he had somehow gotten.
"Do I look like myself?" Harry felt Neville tense, his legs resting on top of Neville's thighs. Neville sighed and turned to look at Harry.
"No, Harry, you don't. I know that's probably not what you want to hear, but I feel like every day you look more and more like S- your sperm donor, and for that, I'm sorry." Harry let his hand fall onto his eyes, smacking his nose hard enough it hurt. Neville took a deep breath, and Harry watched in between his fingers as his friend talked.
"You may not look like the good ol' Harry Potter, but you still look like Harry. My friend Harry, the Harry that fought a fucking dragon, the Harry that just manipulated a bloody ministry employee! No matter who you look like, you're still my friend. Plus, it's only because I actually knew you that I could point out the differences. Most other people, even professors, couldn't tell. At least not Umbridge. Then again she barely knows you. Dean!" He suddenly said. "Dean has known you for like five years now, and he didn't notice besides pointing out you look a little pale. I promise you, you're still Harry Potter." Harry smiled.
"Thank you, Nev. Truly. It seems like you always know exactly what to say." Neville smiled and patted Harry's knee. Harry watched as his friend returned to his book, and decided to stare at his hands for a minute. His fingers weren't long, but they were still different. His knuckles had seemed to shift downwards a bit, and his index finger seemed to have elongated a bit. Everything else seemed to be the same. Seemed to be. Harry couldn't remember once in his life that he had actually sat down and stared at himself, his hands, and his body in general. He had always been skinny, even while at Hogwarts, so he never found joy in staring at his muscles the way Ron and Dean once had. Still, he figured he should start doing that now.
"Harry, it's getting pretty late. Let's head to bed."
"Alright." Harry followed his friend up to the dorms.
Harry did not want to walk into that potions lab. Actually, he would honestly prefer to skip that class all year. He knew, deep down, that he couldn't ignore this forever. Not just Snape being his sperm donor, but also having to see the man. It was easy during meals, he could just simply not look up at the teacher's table. That was fine with him. But having to deal with him during class? It wasn't something he had accurately prepared himself for.
"Harry, you have to go in eventually. Class starts in two minutes." Neville said from behind him. Harry just groaned in response, and after mustering up as much courage as he could, pushed the door open. No one paid them any mind except for Hermione who waved them over. The pair sat down next to her and Ron, Neville sitting in between Harry and Hermione. Snape was standing by his desk, eyes roaming the classroom. Suddenly, their eyes met, and Harry watched as the potion Professors pupils got smaller. Harry was angry, rightfully so in his opinion. He knew the greasy man knew. He didn't necessarily want the man to up and decide he wanted to be a father, especially to a boy he hated, but he hated being ignored even more.
"Silence!" Snape said, the class quickly quieted. "You are to be making the Brew of Perception with your partner. Instructions and ingredients are on the board. You have an hour, begin." A few students began shuffling over to the ingredient closet, but Harry grabbed Neville's arm to stop him from going.
"I'll get the ingredients, can you start the beginning of the potion?" Neville nodded. Harry dodged people as he walked into the closet, grabbing some of the ingredients they would need. However, the closest was out of Gunderball Wings. Uh oh.
"Malfoy, go tell Snape that we're out of Gunderball wings." He said to the blonde next to him.
"Why? Too incompetent to do it yourself, Potter? Besides, I've already got mine." Harry grumbled under his breath, but quickly went and sat down the ingredients he did have at his and Neville's workbench.
"Professor, we are out of Gunderball wings." He said. The professor looked livid for whatever reason, and Harry truly didn't want to fight the man. He just wanted to make his potion and get the fuck out of there. The man reached into a drawer compartment and grabbed a small box.
"Here, Potter. Take the rest of these and get out of my sight." Harry glared and had half a mind to say 'Not a Potter!' but he would rather have no one else know who his bloody sperm donor was. Still, he had access to the Potter Vaults, so he was technically a Potter.
Potions was mostly a smooth ride after that. Whenever Snape came to berate Neville, Harry just looked up at the teacher. He always seemed to falter, and after about twenty minutes of trying to bother the two, Snape gave up. It was unlike him, and Harry wanted to keep an eye on him. However, he and Nev had a potion that required their full attention.
"Harry, you need to slice the wings more evenly."
"Nev, don't forget; drop them in one by one."
The boys worked quietly for the most part, offering reminders to one another every so often. They worked well, the two of them. Even though they only had two weeks to truly get accustomed to the idea of sticking solely with each other, it was working out great. Neville was Harry's eyes just as Harry was Neville's ears. When they finished, about 10 minutes left in class, their potion was sage green. Close enough to pass, but not exactly.
"Let's head to the library after this, Harry. I wanna figure out what went wrong. I mean, it's good enough, but I need to pass high on my Owls." Neville stated after Harry had turned in their potion. Snape had just sneered at the two of them before marking the potion with a large red 'A'. Harry felt they deserved an EE, but knew better than to fight with Snape at the moment. Nothing would go well.
Harry and Neville made their way to the library, the silence surrounding them. Harry watched as his friend looked around nervously.
"What's wrong, Nev?" Harry asked as they neared closer. Neville just looked around a bit more before pulling out his wand and casting a quick privacy spell.
"How are you, Harry? You seemed a little off all class."
Harry eyed his friend but did nothing but shrug as they continued their walk. Was he alright? Harry didn't know himself. It was odd, to see someone who could have been a father to him. Harry shook his head, trying to clear those thoughts. Snape was NOT father material. Harry wanted to confide in his friend, and he did. Still, Harry remained silent, even after they had settled in the library with their books. If he did confide in Neville, where would he begin? 'Yeah I want a father a lot but I'd rather die than accept Snape as one, but still, it would be nice'. Yeah, that didn't make sense.
"Hey Harry, have you written to Tom and Mary yet?" Neville asked about thirty minutes after he and Harry had started reading. They had a small essay due for Transfiguration and Potions that could easily be done the night before those classes, but the boys didn't want their work to pile up.
"Oh crap, no I haven't! Damn, now I feel bad. I got so wrapped up in the whole mess this year that I completely forgot. Thank you for reminding me, Nev." Neville just smiled at Harry before they both returned to their work. Fifteen methods for extracting Pigsun eyes. Oh boy
"Tom! Harry's written to us!" Tom put down the dishes he was washing and went over to where his wife sat comfortably on their couch. Tom leaned over his wife, and read the letter. The boy may not have been their actual grandson, but he may as well have been. Mary, his beautiful wife, lit up everytime she had a chance to talk about their boy. With him gone, the Leaky Cauldron had turned back to its gloomy set up. Harry never talked much to their customers, but he still seemed to have a peaceful aura that drew everyone to him.
Dear Tom and Mary,
Hey! I hope you guys are doing well. How's the good ol' LC? I hope it isn't too stressful. How's your back, Tom? I sent a balm I bought a few days before Hogwarts that might be able to relieve some of the pain. It might be able to work on your hands too, Mary, but I don't know how it would work on arthritis.
Hogwarts start this year has been, well, annoying to say the least. You know my two friends I told you about, Ron and Hermione? They decided to apologise for not writing to me. Apparently it was because Dumbledore told them not too. He hasn't called me into his office yet, thankfully. I don't know if I could hold my tongue. I think I picked up some of Mary's verbal lashing while staying there.
We have a new Defence professor this year. Her name is Dolores Umbridge. I don't like her very much. She's very classist. She called on more Purebloods during class, even though most of the muggleborn and half-blood students had their hands up too. She also doesn't let us cast, can you believe it?! She says that 'Surely, you aren't proposing that you will be attacked in this classroom?' It's rubbish! Thankfully, Neville and I mostly me though came up with a plan. I had to play the haughty, better than everyone act, but I think it would be worth it. We told her that we need a good duelling club. She wants to meet up with me on a later date to discuss it, so I hope it goes well. I hate not using my wand.
Besides Defence, most of my classes have been alright. Transfiguration is super interesting, but hard as ever. Oh! Me and Nev, he says hi by the way, were partners in Potions today! We made a great 'Brew of Perception' but Snape only gave us an A. It's not like we were expecting an O, but at least an EE! It was pretty close to perfect. No one except Malfoy made an O on that potion, not even Hermione.
I really hope you guys are doing well, and I can't wait to hear from you guys! I'll come and visit during christmas yule break!
With all my love and joy,
Harry
Mary laughed softly while she wiped a few stray tears from her eyes. This boy was such a joy, such a blessing. She had begged Mother Magic for something like this to happen to the old couple, and She had finally granted their wish.
"Oh Tom, he is such a good boy." Mary held onto her husband's arms as he hugged her from behind the couch.
"He really is. Well, we should get started on that letter back, yeah? Then we should try out that balm he sent. Little Bugger, hope he didn't spend too much."
"Nev," Harry whined as his friend dragged him to breakfast. It was Saturday, damnit! He should be sleeping in! However, Neville had discovered some pretty high-level books for their, uh, extracurriculars, so to speak. One on a wide branch of Enchantment magic, the other purely for Evokers. Neville still didn't want to get his hopes up, but after doing the recommended exercises from Harry's book, he had felt an actual pull to the Evocation magic.
"Harry come on, you promised we'd get some private studying done today. Let's hurry up and eat. Do you have that map of yours?" Harry yawned but nodded.
The two ate breakfast in comfortable silence. Harry was desperate to start expanding his Enchantment magic. Through all of his training and mental preparation, Harry had felt the largest pull to Illusion magic. He hadn't been able to cast any spells with it, but he wasn't worried. He still had a long way to go. He just needed to learn and study and practice. The big three. He knew he wasn't alone in this, either. Neville had come a long way in such a short amount of time, and studying with him had become his favourite pastime. He wasn't overly charismatic like Hermione, and while they slacked off sometimes, it wasn't as bad as it was when he would study with Ron. If you can even call what they did studying. They mostly made paper aeroplanes out of parchment paper and threw them at each other. Ron called it his "favourite muggle invention".
"You ready, Nev?" Harry asked once he had finished his toast. He still wasn't used to eating as much. Harry had learned back in the first year that, if he gorged, it just ended terribly. Neville never asked about his eating habits. Harry liked that about Neville.
"Yep, all set. Come on, let's get going!" Harry watched Neville lead the way for a bit, before speaking up.
"So, you know where we're going then?" Neville paused, ears tinting pink.
"No, maybe you should lead the way." Harry just laughed, hands in his pockets as he and his friend chatted mindlessly until they reached the quiet empty classroom.
Neville reached into his bag, pulling out two small books. He tapped each book thrice, and they quickly grew to their normal size.
"Where'd you learn that spell, Nev?" Harry asked. It wasn't a normal sizing charm, Harry knew that for sure. The pattern, even if it was just three little taps, was too precise to be anything normal.
"Ah, well, remember when we were reading in the library after potions? Well, I found a super cool locking slash sizing spell. Here, I'll try and show you. Cinci Reducio." The book didn't move. "Now, you tap the code, and say Completive."
Neville once more tapped the book in the strange triangle shape and spoke the words. Harry was astounded. His friend was so talented, and had the gall to say he wasn't? Hogwash!
"Nev, you are so incredibly smart. I hope you know I'll be picking that brain of yours whenever I wanna learn something." Neville flushed under Harry's praise, and soon the two boys began studying their books, sharing ideas and questions along the way.