It's My Life
Unfortunately, Severus's plan to talk to Harry on the 28th got derailed when he immediately got summoned to an Order meeting at 6:00 pm where Albus started on the usual business then brought up Harry's power having a physical defense. No one had any answers as to why, but it was now a topic to be considered and researched. Severus was also in on actually doing something for this because he wanted to know, so did Voldemort, but obviously Severus wasn't going to give away anything major to the dark lord.
Days passed as Harry seemed heavily focused on completing work for classes, and spending time between friends and Draco. Severus tried to pull Harry aside on the 30th too as it was a Saturday, but he got summoned to a meeting with Voldemort and couldn't ignore such since he'd skipped out on the last one when Harry got hurt, plus he'd told the dark lord he'd have information about Harry's ability. Severus lied and said it was some kind of power that there wasn't much information about, but he was researching everything he had access to about rare, powerful magics to find a reason why Harry had it and how it worked.
The dark lord bought the reason and had Severus stay on top of the research, while also spying into the Order for him. By the time Severus got back, Harry was already asleep and decided he'd have to sit down with Harry when they got to Potter Manor on the 31st, which was today. Severus was still at the school and finishing up the adoption potion; it only needed two more things. His and Harry's blood, which acted as the binding agent to make them adoptively related.
Severus finished the brewing part and got it bottled up and corked, he would discuss things with Harry over the holiday. The kids would be leaving on the Hogwarts Express at 11 am, probably arriving back in London at King's Cross around 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Severus would grab Harry when Lucius and Narcissa got Draco; it was easier than going through the extras of Harry being picked up by his muggle relatives. There was no need, Dumbledore knew Harry was staying with his guardian, but Dumbledore didn't know who that was.
It wouldn't matter soon enough because Harry would be Severus's son for all intents and purposes. Albus couldn't touch Harry after that. Harry still seemed bothered by something, Severus couldn't shake that feeling and Narcissa's words were on his mind about it being parental instinct to just know. Maybe she was right.
"Professor?" Harry's voice pulled Severus from his thoughts and cleanup of his work area. Severus saw Harry standing at the doorway, having knocked twice and waiting to be given permission to come inside.
"Harry, what is it?" Severus inquired calmly. "Is everything alright?" He had to ask.
"Besides my headache becoming a migraine, yeah…Everything is perfect." Harry stated. "I was wondering if I could get that migraine reliever from you before the train ride home." He asked.
"Of course, Harry, come right in and I'll get it for you." Severus said gently.
"Thanks," Harry smiled a bit as he came into the room and approached the table Severus was standing at.
"Need anything else?" Severus inquired. "Just a migraine?"
"If you feel like throwing in a sleeping draught so I can nap on the train, I won't say no to it." Harry informed.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Severus looked at him.
"Not really. I kept getting this weird feeling something bad is gonna happen. I've been meaning to come see you all morning to let you know, but you were already out of your room and office before breakfast when I came through the hallways. And I can't approach the head table during meals. Then you disappeared when people were leaving the hall." Harry mentioned.
"My apologies, Harry. There was a quick staff meeting I had to attend." Severus told him.
"It's okay, I just wanted to be able to keep you informed about things." Harry revealed.
"I appreciate that," Severus replied as he walked back over to Harry with the two potions. "Migraine reliever," He held it up as Harry sucked it back quickly. "And sleeping draught. Do not take that until you're on the train and sitting down. It's powerful, it'll knock you right out, Harry. And probably give you more than a couple hours of uninterrupted sleep."
"Thank you," Harry responded. "I'm gonna go make sure my things are packed for the trip, will I see you at the station?"
"I'll be there with the Malfoy's." Severus confirmed. Harry nodded to him and prepared to leave the office. "And Harry?"
"Yes, sir?" Harry stopped to turn his head and face Severus.
"If you're up for it tonight after the ride, I'd like to sit down and talk with you. If not, I'll hold off until tomorrow morning." Severus stated.
"Alright. See you at King's Cross then," Harry waved as he exited the room.
Yes, they would talk tonight, or first thing tomorrow either over breakfast or right after eating. Severus went back to cleaning up his area and then finally leaving the office after locking it up. Severus went onto his personal quarters to pack as well; holiday started as soon as the kids were on the train.
. . .
Hours later, it was about 5:30 pm as Harry was just waking up from his long nap. Harry had sat with his friends in the Slytherin compartment and around 2 pm after they'd chatted and eaten a provided lunch; Harry told his boyfriend and friends that he was getting a nap in due to not sleeping well the night before. Harry gave Draco a kiss and went off to the compartments in the car available for sleeping. The compartment had booths and tables for people to sit at, but also little cubicles that could seat about eight and have a closed door.
It was an easy flick of the wand to configure the seats into bunk beds and then locate the stashed pillows and blankets. Harry took the sleeping draught and crawled into one of the bottom bunks to lay down and it didn't take him long to fall asleep. Harry woke feeling a little better and sat up to rub his eyes and put his glasses back on. Harry moved out of the compartment and saw his small group of friends still in place where he'd left them.
"Harry," Draco smiled. "How'd you sleep?"
"Better than last night. Sev's sleeping draughts are a wonder," Harry slid into the seat next to his boyfriend.
"They are pretty good." Draco agreed. "We're still about two hours from being at King's Cross."
"That's fine." Harry smiled. "So," He linked his fingers to Draco's. "Are we getting together at some point tomorrow? It marks one month we've been dating."
"Maybe we could have lunch at your place or mine?" Draco suggested. "I do want to tell mom and dad in person about us, if they haven't already heard from Severus."
"Sounds good to me." Harry agreed. "We can do your house," He added. "I don't care where we are as long as it's together."
"You two are adorable!" Pansy squealed and clapped her hands quickly.
"We're just happy for you," Blaise said and Theodore nodded with Gregory and Vincent agreeing to the statement.
"I'm glad some are…" Harry muttered.
"What's wrong, Harry? Is someone giving you trouble over us dating?" Draco wondered.
"It was a while ago now," Harry admitted. "I meant to tell you that day, but things got busy and you got sick, then I filled in for others on the quidditch team."
"Well, tell me now?" Draco smiled. "You had said you didn't care if people didn't like us dating cause they're opinions didn't matter."
"And I still feel that way, babe…But the jab taken was a low blow and by someone I thought would support my choice to be with you." Harry sighed.
"Who said something, Harry…" Draco pushed, his tone becoming more serious now.
"Ron," Harry finally stated.
"Weasley?" Draco asked. "What did he say to you?"
"It was that first day after everyone realized we were together, the 2nd of March…When Hermione pulled me aside to talk." Harry began to tell him.
"Go on…" Draco urged lightly.
Harry went on with how the conversation went that day, ending his tale with what Ron had said about Harry not having any family because they were dead. "And…I just walked away back to you guys."
"That-," Draco held back from using the many words he had in mind. "I'm gonna go give him a piece of my mind."
"Dray, don't. It's not worth it…" Harry told him. "Let him talk, he's just mad that I didn't openly announce being gay when I realized it and that I apparently hurt his little sister. It's whatever to me. I told you before that not everyone was going to welcome it."
"But Harry…This wasn't just some random person; it was someone you called your best friend. It had to hurt, didn't it?" Blaise frowned.
"It did, but he'll get over it. Hermione started on him right away about how he behaved. I know that Molly and Arthur, along with the twins, adore me as part of the family and when they catch wind of what Ron said; they'll tear into him and demand he approach me to make nice." Harry said. "Like I said, don't worry about it. I was bothered by where he went with the argument, bringing my parents into things. I don't care if he doesn't accept that I'm gay and dating Draco."
"I'm sorry he went there about your parents, Harry," Draco leaned his head on Harry's shoulder and held his arm gently.
"It's okay," Harry rested his head on Draco's now. "I may not have my parents, but I am very content with the people I have currently in my life. That's enough."
. . .
At 8:00 pm, the train pulled into the station and students began to deboard in mass groups to find their bags and parents, or guardians. Harry walked with Draco to get to Severus and the Malfoy parents.
"Boys!" Narcissa instantly hugged them both gently, setting a kiss on each of their cheeks.
"Hi, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry greeted.
"Mother," Draco hugged the woman back.
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry shook Lucius's hand.
"Good to see you again, Mister Potter," Lucius replied.
"Father," Draco acknowledged his dad. "Uncle Sev,"
"I'd say it's nice to see you both, but I did see you just hours ago," Severus remarked. "Harry, are you ready to go home?"
"Definitely. See you tomorrow, Dray?" Harry looked at his boyfriend.
"Of course," Draco nodded as they hugged lightly and Harry snuck a small kiss to his lips. Draco blushed a little as they parted and Harry stood with Severus.
"We apparating or using your portkey?" Severus questioned his ward.
"I prefer portkey. Apparition makes my stomach uneasy…" Harry admitted.
"Fair reasoning. When you're ready then," Severus told him, a hand on his shoulder. Harry flipped his ring inside his hand and closed his fist over it.
"Home." Harry murmured as they were taken away to the gates of Potter Manor.
"Something you'd like to tell us, Draco?" Lucius asked his son.
"Don't think we didn't see that little peck between you and Harry, unless it's a new trend with you kids to kiss your friends goodbye?" Narcissa teased.
Draco felt his cheeks get warm. "I-I'll tell you at home…"
"Come along then," Lucius invited his family in and they were gone via apparition back to Malfoy Manor.
. . .
Severus and Harry appeared outside the gates of Potter Manor and easily walked through to reach the doors, which Dobby opened as they neared and welcomed both with a bow.
"Thank you, Dobby," Harry smiled as they walked through the doorway and then Dobby closed it behind them.
"Dobby be taking Master Harry's things to his room?" Dobby asked.
"I can manage my things, Dobby. Thank you, though. How have things been here?" Harry questioned.
"Dobby finds it very quiet, Master Harry. But Dobby finds there are always things to do." Dobby admitted.
"Happy to hear it." Harry replied. "Did you still want to have that talk, Severus?"
"If you're up for it. I was going to ask how you felt from earlier?" Severus wondered.
"Migraine is gone, thank Merlin. Got about three hours of sleep on the train, so yeah…Feeling better." Harry informed. "Just let me put my things away and I can meet you in the main room to talk?"
Severus nodded to Harry, who then hurried off to get upstairs and put his trunk away and other things. Harry got himself changed into something comfortable and finally headed back downstairs to meet Severus, who was already there.
"Are you hungry?" Severus asked.
"No. We ate on the train around 6:30," Harry stated. "What did you want to talk to me about?"
"I wanted to ask if everything is alright with you mentally," Severus inquired. "I've felt that something is off with you, but couldn't place my finger on what. You seemed deep in thought and distant, which I thought was off for just getting into a relationship. Most couples are happy."
"Oh, Dray and I are as happy as ever, Severus. We're fine, no worries there." Harry assured.
"But?" Severus felt like there was more.
"I guess I've been a little distracted with something that happened the day everyone found out Draco and I are dating." Harry admitted.
"Would you care to tell me?" Severus requested.
"Just…Ron made a rather low-blow comment that hurt both the fact it came from a friend and what it was about." Harry stated.
"What did he say?" Severus pushed gently.
"It's easier if I show you. I would rather not say it all again, I just did it on the train for Draco and our friends." Harry remarked.
Harry called for Dobby, who brought Harry's pensive to him and Harry pulled the memory from his mind and set it in the liquid. Severus leaned forward to view what happened that day, rather astounded the boy had said what he did. It was no wonder Harry felt hurt. Severus pulled back when the memory faded off and looked at Harry.
"Low blow indeed." Severus scoffed. "You two haven't spoken since I take it?"
"No," Harry shook his head.
"You know it's not true, Harry." Severus informed.
"I know, doesn't mean hearing it hurts any less though," Harry responded softly. "Especially coming from someone I called my best friend…"
"Will you forgive him?" Severus asked.
"I don't know…We've already had a spat once before in fourth year where he got all mad and walked away when I ended up in the tournament. We made up later on, but it didn't change the fact he accused me of cheating my way in the competition for more fame. I don't even want the fame I do have. Why would I purposely put myself in a dangerous, potentially deadly contest?" Harry muttered.
"Doesn't make much sense." Severus agreed.
"I forgave him then, we talked things out jokingly after the first task. He told me I'd have to be mad to enter myself, but despite the fight, he'd warned me about the dragons before. I just didn't realize it. We made up after that, sad that here we are a year later with him mad that I didn't openly announce being gay and dating who he calls the enemy's son…" Harry gave a half chuckle and looked around. "Man my life is more fucked than I thought. Sorry, I know you don't like me cussing, but I didn't have a better word to use."
"I'll let it slide," Severus told him. "You certainly don't have it easy, Potter." He joked, trying to make things lighter.
"I'm starting to think it never will be." Harry admitted. "I'll always be the boy who lived. And after the dark one is gone, I'll be the boy who destroyed Voldemort. It'll never end."
"Probably not," Severus responded calmly. "But at least you've already accepted how things will be, that should make it that much easier to live your life as you see fit." Harry snorted at that and looked down. "Harry, whether you forgive Weasley or not is entirely up to you…But in an attempt to make you feel better about the low comment he made; you have family. Maybe they aren't blood, but they're in your life and have already proven to not be going anywhere no matter the situation." Harry glanced at him.
"You've got Sirius, Remus, the Malfoy's, your friends in Slytherin and Gryffindor, those in the other two houses too. And you've got me." Severus put a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Let the people who don't stand by you through anything walk away. It just shows how unreliable and untrue they are. Family, Harry, doesn't have to be blood. Family are the people in your life who choose to be there, who love, support, and accept you as you are. Those who have not abandoned you, son, are your real family. And we're not going anywhere, you'll always have us."
Harry stared at the potions master, studying him. Severus Snape just comforted him and offered something very deep and personal about the matter which made Harry feel a lot better. But what got to him was Severus calling him son. Promising, inadvertently, that he wasn't going anywhere and would always be in Harry's life. That Harry would always have him. The thought of such was incredible and Harry definitely didn't want to lose it.
"Y-You…You…Called me son…" Harry pointed out.
"Yes, I did," Severus admitted.
"Why?"
Severus had a choice here. Tell Harry the truth, that he saw him like a son, or use the reasoning that Dumbledore was in cahoots with Umbridge and Fudge to get him under their control. Why not both, but start with the truth.
"Because that's how I see you. As a son."