[6 Days until Hogwarts begins - 4 days until Sev has to go to Hogwarts]
The next morning Severus was up before the sun and downstairs making a strong cup of tea to wake himself up. He needed to order his mind and make a list of tasks that needed to be completed over the next 4 days before he would be required to move into Hogwarts. One such major task was figuring out how to get Harrison into Hogwarts with him without the Headmaster finding out. Fortifying himself with a strong draw on his tea he summoned parchment and self-inking quill to himself and began to write.
To-do Write Harrison's Hogwarts acceptance letter Meet with Head House-elf of Hogwarts to get Royal Suite setup Review list of requirements that Ragnock provided with Harrison Brew needed potions for Harrison Schedule check-up with Healer Radrig Find out why Harrison still looks so much like Potter after the Ritual Cleansing; did he need to go through another? Need to discuss hiring a Mind-Healer Should we get Augusta Longbottom involved? Andromeda Tonks Griphook sent out a missive to meet tomorrow at Gringotts Should Lady Longbottom be invited as well? - discuss with Ragnock/Griphook Release her of the secrecy pact, find out what she knows See if she can aid in Harrison's education and possibly be a caretaker when needed Collect the Communication Journals from Ragnock/Griphook Schedule monthly check-ins with Ragnock/Griphook - how best to do this? Shopping for Harrison - possibly enlist Mrs. Tonks? Hogwarts items Clothes Toiletries Books, toys, etc. Things to research How to get Harrison into Hogwarts 2 days prior to the school term without Albus knowing Discuss with Head House-elf Ask Ragnock about the vow that he spoke of that the professors should take He spoke of them vowing to be unbiased and that this used to be a common thing; how can Harrison enforce it? Emrys & Peverell Line History of the Lines - Emrys' Magic Plan education outside of Hogwarts education (what does he need to know before school begins?) Other Houses Potter - audit progress Slytherin/Gryffindor Prince - audit progress Research Wizengomat and Council of Lords Does Prince have a seat on either?
Severus continues to write down any ideas or questions he has on the parchment until he hears the sound of a door opening and quiet footsteps nearing the stairs. He puts the quill down and checks and finds his tea is now cold, standing up he walks over to the sink to empty his cup and then moves to the stove to get fresh tea from the kettle that he had placed a warming charm on.
Turning back to the table he sees Harrison peaking around the door. "Good morning, Harrison, I trust you slept alright?" Severus asks as he calmly walks back to the table and sits back down.
"Good morning," Harry says quietly as he slowly approaches the table. "Whose room was I in?"
Severus chooses not to comment on his son's seeming weariness as he responds "the room was a guest room due to the fact that I was the only occupant of this home. Now that we both know you are my son, that makes this our home and so one of the guest rooms will be converted into your room".
Harry gasps "my room? I - umm - I actually get my own room?"
Severus fights back a feeling of anger at those that hurt his son as he beckons Harrison over to him. Once he was close enough, he wrapped his arm around his shoulders and pulled him against his side in a gentle hug. "Yes, Harrison, you get your own room. We can take a tour of all of the bedrooms that are available on the family floor so that you can pick the one you like the best".
"Thank you, dad! I promise I'll keep it clean, and I can even clean the house and do the weeding… Aunt Petunia always said that I'm not so good at cooking, but I can learn!" Harry says earnestly still stuck in the mindset that the Dursley's forced upon him.
"Harrison look at me" Severus says as he gently pushes his son back enough to look him in the eye. "You are not a servant nor a house-elf. While you should definitely keep your bedroom tidy and you will have a couple of chores, you are still a child and as a child your focus should be on schoolwork and being a child".
"But how do I earn my keep then? Aren't I expensive?" Harry asks at barely a whisper, not quite understanding.
Severus sighs gently as he tries to figure out how to explain this "Harrison you never need to worry about money, it is my responsibility to worry about our finances. As you get older, I will teach you about finances so that when you are an adult you will know how to manage them. But for now, just try to trust me when I say that you are not expensive, and you do not have to earn your keep".
"Umm okay" Harry says as he tries to wrap his mind around the concept of just being a child.
"Harrison, do you understand that how Petunia and her husband treated you was not right?" Severus asks in an attempt to clear up the confusion he can tell his son is feeling. "How did Petunia treat her son? Did she make him do all of the household duties? Did she punish him for not being able to do a chore?"
"No! She loves her son; she would never punish him" Harry said quickly.
"Okay," Severus says slowly as he realizes a mind-healer might need to move up on the list of things to discuss. He isn't quite sure how to get his son to understand that how those people treated him was wrong until he has an idea. "Does her husband have any siblings?"
Harry nods, "yes a sister… Aunt Marge".
"So, what if something happened to Petunia and her husband and their son had to then go live with Marge? Would she have him do all of the chores?"
"She'd probably only ask him to keep his room clean because Aunt Petunia always makes me clean it for him before she visits and will ask Dudley to try to keep it tidy until Aunt Marge left because apparently, she hates an untidy bedroom" Harry responded.
"And if this Dudley had to live with Marge and did not keep his room clean, would she punish him by not feeding him, by forcing him to do all of the chores, or locking him in a cupboard under the stairs?"
"No, she loves him, he's… her… nephew…" Harry trails off as his eyes grow wide and a single tear slips down his cheek. "He's her nephew… I am Aunt Petunia's nephew… she treated me like a slave… she said…"
Severus quickly pulls his son onto his lap and hugs him close as the boy finally starts to break down some of the walls, he had been forced to put up to protect himself from the pain, both emotional and physical, that his so-called relatives heaped upon him. "Shhhh, it's okay my son, you never did anything wrong, you did everything right. How they treated you was not your fault".
They sat that way for a while as Severus continued to soothe Harry and allow him to cry out all of his heartache until he fell asleep. Being careful to shift his son into a better position he stood up and walked into the sitting room and lay him down on the couch before grabbing a blanket and covering him up.
Not wanting to leave his son to wake up alone after going through such an emotional upheaval he collected the parchment and quill from the kitchen before settling down in a nearby chair and continued to work on the list of things that needed to happen over the next several weeks.
About an hour passed in mostly silence, only the light scratching sound from quill against parchment and gentle breaths from a sleeping boy on the couch.
A quiet popping sound alerts Severus to a new presence in the room.
"Master Prince, Headmaster Dumbledore being calling on the floo" Severus' house-elf Tulip says quietly while staring at the sleeping form on the couch.
Swearing under his breath Severus stands up and moves over to the couch, "Thank you Tulip, you may return to your duties" he says as he gently places a hand on his son's arm. "Harrison, I need you to wake up now".
Green eyes immediately snap open as Harry startles into a sitting position "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to fall asleep!" he says not quite fully awake yet.
"Be calm Harrison," Severus soothes "you are not in trouble, I just wanted to let you know that I need to leave for a little bit and didn't want you to wake while I was gone and wonder where I was".
Blinking his eyes into focus on his dad he processes what was just said "oh, how long will you be gone?" he asks trying to not sound nervous about being left alone.
Severus seeing the uncertain look in his son's eyes looks at the clock on the mantle before sitting down on the edge of the couch and soothes his son's messy hair back on his head "I shouldn't be gone long, the Headmaster is calling on the floo at Spinner's End and I need to head over to answer. I would rather have him think I was brewing potions than have him think I'm out and he decides to show up".
Harry leans into his dad's hand and nods "okay, I guess since we don't want him to know yet I can't really go with you, just in case, right?"
"That is correct, very good Harrison" he praises him and gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze before releasing and standing up and moving to the floo "now, feel free to look around and get anything out of the ice box to eat that you'd like while I am gone. Just please do not enter the room with the green door unless I am with you, alright?"
"Yes dad," Harry says as he watches his dad move over to the fireplace.
"Good, I will be back soon" so saying he takes a handful of the Floo powder, tosses it in the fireplace and as he is stepping in says "Spinner's End Office, Antipodean" and disappears in a swirl of green fire.
Harry now alone in the house and unsure what to do looks around and his eyes widen as he notices that he is in a sitting room that is lined with filled bookshelves. Still feeling a little uncertain he stood up and slowly made his way over to the nearest wall of books and began reading the titles trying to find one he thought he would be okay to read. After all, if he just sat and quietly read, he couldn't get into trouble… right?
Severus stepped out of his office and quickly made his way to the chiming Floo in the sitting room. Once again he was thankful that Albus didn't know about the Floo that he had hidden in his office.
Upon reaching the Floo he quickly knelt and answered, "yes Headmaster, what can I do for you?"
"Ahh! Hello my boy! Whatever took you so long to answer?" Dumbledore chided as he glanced around the room trying to see if there was any noticeable change to the room since the last time he saw it.
"I was in the middle of a complicated brew in my lab and my house-elf knows to not interrupt unless I acknowledge her as any distraction could result in a failed potion" Severus stated calmly while internally sneering at the old man's use of 'my boy'.
"Well, I am terribly sorry for taking you away from your lab, but I was just curious my boy, as to why you are not currently in residence at Hogwarts".
"Headmaster professors are not required to be in residence for another four days and as I have already completed all of my preparations outside of those potions, I am currently working on there is no need for me to return early" Severus responded acerbically.
"Now Severus, you know that I prefer that my Heads of House return earlier than the rest, in case something comes up that needs addressing" Dumbledore says with a disappointment-laced tone.
Severus lifts a singular eyebrow as he sneers in return "and have you already required Minerva, Filius, and Pomona to return?"
"Ah, not as of yet. But they are all spending time with family, and I would so hate to have them end that time too early".
Severus wasn't quite sure how the barmy old man could even say that with a straight face "so, as I do not have a family, I am not worthy of spending my time off as I see fit, is that what you are saying Headmaster? Shall I see what Minerva has to say about that? I'm sure she would find it very interesting" Take that you manipulative old fool, Severus smiled to himself internally while outwardly looking bored with the conversation.
"No, no, that won't be necessary my boy" Dumbledore backpedaled. "You have a point, and I will see you in four days!"
"Very well, if that is all Headmaster? I do have potions to get back to" Severus drawled.
"Yes, that is all, thank you, my dear boy".
Severus nodded once sharply before disconnecting the call. Standing he let a smirk slowly form on his face as he once again locked the Floo and made his way back to his office, he had a son to spend time with after all.
-Meanwhile-
Harry read through many of the bookshelves of books trying to find one that he thought he would be okay to read. Oh, there were many titles that sounded interesting, but he didn't want to get in trouble by reading something his dad wouldn't approve of.
The first bookcase held a lot of books that looked really old, and he quickly bypassed them for the next as he didn't want to risk damaging any of them.
The next bookcase had a lot of books that had weird titles that didn't really tell him what they might contain. One such example was The Art of Asphodel; he vaguely remembered his dad saying the word (at least he thought it was the correct word) when they Floo'd to this house. But what was Asphodel anyway?
Moving on to the next set of shelves he again passed them by as while some of the titles sounded interesting, he again felt he'd need a dictionary in order to understand most of the contents.
The last bookcase on the wall proved fruitful when the first book he saw was titled The Magics: A Study of the Magical Classifications of Magic. Harry hesitantly reached forward and placed a single fingertip against the spine as his body stiffened a bit as if expecting something bad to happen. Minutes passed as he realized nothing had happened and with a shuddering breath, he relaxed his shoulders as he gently moved his hand forward to grasp the book and pull it down from the shelf.
Stepping back from the bookcase he looked down at the book he now held in his hands. Nervously he opened the cover and gently flipped the pages until he came to the first page with text.
Magic has many classifications within the Wizarding World and its Beings. The four most common classifications being Light, Neutral, Grey, and Dark. But there are several other classifications. This book seeks to explain the many Classifications of Magic with a neutral stance and to provide the history and uses (whether good or evil) of magic inherent to each classification without prejudice.
Realization dawned as he understood this was just like the summaries that could be found on the back of muggle books that explained what the book was about. Smiling to himself Harry couldn't help but think that this sounded like a good place to learn more about this world he had been born into but knew next to nothing about. Looking at the clock on the mantle he realized it has only been about 10 minutes since his dad left and so he quickly made his way over to the couch and sat down and flipped to chapter one and began to read.
Chapter 1: The Classifications of Magic
There are nine acknowledged classifications of Magic throughout the entire Wizarding World and its Beings.
While there may have been other classifications they have been lost to time and no knowledge remains. It has been theorized that there were many more classifications in the days of Merlin and the time of the Hogwarts Founders. However, they were lost as Wizarding Kind and its Beings began to split and some Beings were either became extinct or managed to leave to another realm. For the sake of understanding when Being is reference we, the author, are referring to those of blood that is not fully Wizarding such as Creatures and the High Elves.
The following chapters will each be dedicated to each of the classifications of Magic that we retain knowledge of. But first we will provide a brief explanation of each of these classifications:
Light Magic is generally thought of as the magic that heals, grows, and purifies. The most common professions that utilize these magics are Healers, Mind-Healers, and Herbologists.
Neutral Magic is mostly formed of charms and enchantments that aid in housework or to direct a non-sentient object to perform an action. This magic cannot be used on a sentient being. The most common professions that utilize these magics Charms Professors, Housekeepers, Janitors/Cleaners, etc.
Dark Magic is most commonly thought in some communities to be only used to cause harm to another, whether by mental, physical, or emotional means. The leading evidence being the so-called Unforgivables. However, the true nature of these magics was not to harm but to prevent harm. The downside to this magic is that in order to master it the user needs to have a mastery of their deepest emotions and to not allow them overcome the user. Allowing the emotions to take control leads to an imbalance and can result in misuse. The most common professions that utilize these magics are Defense Professors, Ward Masters, Healers, Mind-Healers, etc.
Grey Magic straddles the line between Light and Dark Magic and is commanded by pure intent. The user must truely intend for an action to happen and therefore most users are thought to have a good grasp on wordless casting. This magic is commonly used in means of defense and so therefore the most common professions that utilize these magics are Defense Professors, Aurors, Hit-Wizards, etc.
Natural Magic is also sometimes known as Elemental or Earth-bound Magics. This magic has become very rare within the Wizarding World while Beings still have a firm grasp. Natural Magic is magic that does not require a focus nor word to cast. The last known users of this magic were the last King of Magical Britain, the Founders of Hogwarts, the famous Peverell Brothers, and Merlin himself. The most common professions that utilize these magics were Natural Healers, Warders, Geomancers, Blood-Mages, Necromancers, and Elementalists.
Soul Magic is the only known classification of Magic that is illegal in all Wizarding communities. This magic was once purported to be used to heal magical cores that were fractured beyond repair by enlisting the soul in its repair. However, this magic has been twisted in so many ways as to destroy the users or another's soul that the benefits have been long lost. The most common profession in the past that utilized this magic was Soul-Healers, which was a subspecialty of Healer.
Being or Creature Magic is the one classification we Wizards know less of than even Soul Magic. There are few works published about the different Beings that we feel are written without prejudice however we will list the information we do know in this Magic's dedicated chapter.
Just as Harry began to turn to Chapter 2 and read more about Light Magic he was startled as the flames in the fireplace flashed green and Severus stepped out. Suddenly feeling nervous Harry closed the book and stared down at it, as he ran a finger over the raised letters on the spine that spelled out the title.
Severus paused as he noticed Harrison sitting on the couch looking down at his lap, no at a book he held on his lap. Narrowing his eyes, he tried to see if he could tell what the book was, not being able to see the title he quickly looked at the shelves that contained the books he'd rather his son not yet read he relaxed shoulders he hadn't realized had tensed when he realized none of them were missing.
Turning he calmly walked back over to the chair he had been sitting at and picked up the parchment and quill before heading to the kitchen door. "Come Harrison, I believe we are both due a good meal," so saying he moved to walk through the door "you can bring your book with you".
Harry glanced up quickly at his dad's words and let out a shuddering breath he didn't realize he was holding as he got up and moved to follow Severus. Entering the room, he saw his dad taking out something from what he guessed was the fridge. Nervously he made his way to stand behind a chair and swallowed trying to wet his suddenly dry mouth "are… are you mad at me?"
Severus continued to face the worktop as he prepared two plates of food "no Harrison, I am not mad at you, is there a reason I should be?"
Looking down at the book in his hands "you said I could explore and that the only room I wasn't allowed in was the one with the green door, and I was going to look around but then I saw the books".
Severus turned around bringing the plates to the table, setting one in front of his chair and the chair his son stood behind "please sit-down Harrison" he said choosing not to address his son's words just yet.
Harry looked up at his dad for a moment before pulling the chair out and sitting down. He watched as Severus moved over to take two cups down before pouring something from the two jugs into them.
Moving back to the table Severus set a cup down beside each plate before sitting down himself. "I sense a question, do not be afraid to ask me anything, Harrison. I know that it will take some time for you to truly believe that I will not treat you as the Dursleys did, but I hope you will soon understand that I'll never punish you for asking a question. If it's something that I do not wish to talk about or think you need to be older to know then I will simply explain that alright?"
"Okay, I'm sorry. Everything has just changed so much in the last couple of days and it's hard not to expect myself to wake up and realize it was all a dream" Harry says quietly as he watches Severus pick up a piece of cheese and pop it into his mouth.
"I will not pretend that I know exactly what you are going through, so all I can do is continue to allay your natural fears and hope that with time you'll be able to move on from what those people did to you". Severus reached over and nudged the plate in front of Harry closer to the boy, "now eat something please".
Harry placed the book that was still in his hands on the table and began to eat as his dad bid him. As he ate, he couldn't help but sneak looks at his dad, but the man appeared to be occupied by his food and soon Harry relaxed and began to enjoy his meal.
Once father and son were finished with their meals and had drained their cups Severus decided to broach the elephant in the room. "So, what did you find among the bookshelves that has captivated your attention?"
"Oh," Harry gulped slightly, his mouth and throat suddenly parched again. "I wasn't sure if it was okay to read any of them. Aunt Petunia never let me read anything that Dudley hadn't already destroyed pretty much".
"Harrison" Severus interrupted quietly drawing his son's attention to him "my only concern would be that you may read something that isn't appropriate for your age. There are no books on those shelves that could harm you, those books are behind the green door, which is part of the reason I set the rule that you would not go in there without me present".
Harry blinked at Severus as his digested that information. "Oh, okay. Then it's okay that I took a book from the sitting room?"
"Yes, it is perfectly fine" Severus acknowledged. "Now, what is it that you found and are you having any issues understanding the content?"
"I looked through only one wall of shelves, well those that I could reach anyway. The first couple of bookcases had a lot of books that looked really old or had words on them I didn't understand so I skipped them. It was on the last bookcase that I found this book" he said as he picked it up and handed it to his dad. "It's about the different classifications of magic and I thought it might be good for me to know about them before I go to school" Harry said hesitantly.
Severus looked at the spine of the book and realized just which book it was and nodded as he passed the book back to the evident surprise of his son. "This is a very good primer for understanding the different classifications of Magic. The author is one of the best at not stating their own opinion or interjecting prejudice into the text".
"So, I can finish reading it?"
"Of course. How far did you get as I was only gone for less than 30 minutes?" Severus enquired.
Harry smiles as he hugs the book to himself "I had just finished reading the first chapter! It was really interesting and I'm really looking forward to learning more about the different Magics! Will we learn about them at Hogwarts?"
Severus returns his son's smile with a small one of his own "unfortunately Hogwarts curriculum is very skewed towards Light Magic so you will mostly only learn about them. Though in Defense Against the Dark Arts, you will learn the history of some of them and the defense of them. Again, the defense portion will utilize more Light or even some Neutral magics".
"Oh, that doesn't seem right. Why wouldn't we learn about all of them? It's a school, shouldn't they teach about everything we should know?"
"I completely agree with you and many other communities do as well. However, those on the Wizengamot and School Board of Governors have decided that the only way to prevent future Dark Lords is to remove all education about anything they deem as Dark".
"But that's stupid!" Harry almost yells and then slaps a hand over his mouth as the color drains from his face and he stares at Severus with wide eyes and mumbles "I'm sorry".
Severus curbs his urge to reach out to his son knowing that in his state the action could be taken as a sign of aggression. "Harrison, it is okay. While I do not encourage anyone to yell, you are quite correct that what the Wizengamot and Governors have done is stupid" he says gently as he sees color slowly start to return to his son's face.
"'M not in trouble?" Harry says as he slowly lowers his hand from over his mouth.
"No, you are not in trouble. All I ask is that you be mindful of not yelling at someone or in the house unless necessary" Severus says as he reaches out slowly and runs his hand over Harry's messy headful of hair. "Alright?"
Harry nods "okay, I'll try my hardest".
"I know you will" Severus says as he withdrawals his hand and sits back in his chair. "Now, while Hogwarts does not teach a well-rounded education that does not mean your education will be lacking. I will arrange to either teach you myself or have tutors to do so. This may mean that some of your summer break time will be taken up with schoolwork. Do you think you can deal with that?"
"Yes dad, I like to learn, but Aunt Petunia and Uncle Verson always got mad if I did better than Dudley, so I had to try to get a lot of answers wrong".
"So, you had to dumb yourself down to not get into trouble?" Severus waited until Harry nodded his head in an affirmative. "Well, I don't want you to do that anymore. I would prefer if you tried your best at everything you can. If you have problems with anything I would ask that you let me know so that either I can assist you or I can find someone appropriate to do so. Understood?"
Harry smiles at Severus, "yes dad, I'll do my best!"
Severus smiles in return, "I know you will. Now," he says as he takes out his wand and casts a Tempus "we have about 4 hours before we need to depart for Gringotts to meet with Ragnock and Griphook. I have written out a list of things we need to do over the next 4 days, let us go over them and see if you can think of anything else we should take care of" so saying he gestures with his wand to send their dirty plates to the sink and then hands the parchment to his son to review.