It's My Life
Days had passed since Sirius Black had died, and Harry wasn't any closer to healing from the loss. Harry ended up staying in Severus's room all night, having fallen asleep there after his breakdown when all was done at the ministry. Severus let Minerva know, and unlike Albus and Dolores had been about the matter; the new headmistress didn't mind one bit that Harry stayed overnight in his father's quarters. Harry refused to go to meals, but Severus would let Harry stay in his office and eat there; he just didn't want to see anyone and spent a lot of his time sitting around in silence.
Harry did take the rest of his exams, and had given Severus his finished one from Defense Against the Dark Arts, explaining why he held onto it was because he didn't trust Dolores not to do something. Severus agreed that it was more than fair reasoning. That was the only time people really saw Harry, during exams. The rest of it, Harry was hiding out in his father's room and not wanting to be bothered. Severus had often sent away his friends, and sadly, even Draco, to respect his son's wishes.
Thankfully, everyone understood that Harry was hurting and needed time to cope. It had only been three days since, but something that did make Harry a little happy was that Sirius got cleared of all charges, Lucius worked Amelia to make sure the wizarding world knew about Sirius never being a murderer and that it was not him who betrayed the Potter's to Voldemort, that Sirius had never been a death eater. Sirius died a free man, and was honored for his sacrifice in saving Harry.
Dolores had been arrested and now in Azkaban for life because of her actions against Harry, and in aiding Albus to get control of the teenager. As well, former Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had also been arrested for using his power to try and hush up an investigation that risked Harry's life. Albus was scheduled to receive the Dementor's Kiss on Sunday, the 23rd of June. Today was Friday, the 21st.
Exams were over and like every day since it happened, Harry just sat around Severus's room, but he did ensure his work was done and not missing anything. Draco packed Harry's things for him, with help from the other boys and they dropped it off at Severus's room on their way to breakfast. Tomorrow, everyone was going home for two months of summer relaxation.
Minerva was staying as the headmistress, and the transfiguration teacher, but like always; she needed to find a new defense against the dark arts one. Severus, at the moment, was sitting in during a staff meeting to discuss next year. Harry had been sleeping on the couch when he left, but knew before falling asleep that Severus had the meeting to attend.
"Headmistress, will you be able to handle teaching and running the school?" Filius inquired.
"I'm quite confident in my abilities, Filius. Thank you." Minerva replied. "It's temporary, until we find replacements."
"Speaking of, Headmistress…What is the plan for Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Severus inquired.
"I don't know, Severus. You know as well as I the position is cursed. No matter who is selected, they won't last a year." Minerva sighed. "And please, we've worked together for years. You can call me Minerva." She added. "Should I bring Remus back aboard?"
"The worry of a werewolf teaching the students should have worn off by now, but I don't find it to be the best choice. He's busy with the Order…" Severus commented. "Same with Alastor. Kingsley is an Auror too, and Tonks. I don't suggest choosing anyone from the Order."
"What about you, Severus?" Pamona Sprout offered. "You're more than versed in the subject."
"Then who would teach Potions? We're back to needing another teacher." Filius stated.
"We could always see if Horace would come out of retirement?" Severus suggested.
"But as we've discussed, the position of DADA, is cursed. I won't risk losing you, Severus." Minerva remarked. "I had an idea, but I'd need the board's permission, and yours too, Severus…"
"What?" Severus questioned.
"I know it's out there, but I wouldn't suggest it without full confidence in the matter…" Minerva paused. "What about Harry?"
"Harry? My son Harry?" Severus stared at the woman. "Minerva, he's not even graduated yet."
"I know that, but he's got the skills, Severus…" Minerva informed. "You saw what he did with the students of all ages during Umbridge's time here. Forming that group, teaching them as if he were the professor." She reminded. "You said yourself he'd make an excellent professor!"
"As in when he's finished school and thinking about what he wants to do with his future." Severus argued.
"Say what you will, Severus…But the boy is intelligent beyond his age. He knows sixth and seventh year spells. I've seen him reading books well beyond fifth year…He's smart, strong, and capable of teaching. And I think he'd survive past the one year. It's Voldemort's curse, I feel like Harry's immune to most everything that dark lord does." Minerva enlightened.
"You make good points, Minerva, but still…Harry's just a boy. Not even sixteen yet. How would he handle the workload of both student and teacher? It would double, triple almost. I'm trying to get him less stressed, and Minerva…He's a mess." Severus remarked.
"He's not recovering at all from losing Sirius?" Poppy frowned.
"He is still eating and sleeping, but if it wasn't out to take one of his OWLs, I can't get him to leave my room." Severus sighed. "He cries at random, nightmares…Flashbacks. It's taking a toll, and I'm hoping that as time moves, he'll move on. The pain will lessen…But Minerva, I just don't think he's ready for something like that."
"I just thought it would help him feel like he's doing something great. Double to help us out too." Minerva said lightly.
"What do you mean?" Severus inquired.
"You said he's just sitting around, only taking his exams. But he was happy when he was teaching, right? Through the depression, the feeling of passing along his knowledge for a greater cause. I thought having a job like this would help him feel like he's doing something to prevent anyone else from being lost. Preparing the students for the inevitable battle. What he taught them, Severus, it was enough to take on death eaters. Those well versed in dark arts…" Minerva explained.
"He was overjoyed to be teaching…" Severus agreed. "But again, the workload, Minerva…"
"Well, there are ways around that…" Filius shrugged. "Harry could always…Take his NEWTs early, at the ministry."
"What?" Pamona gasped. "He's just a fifth year, Filius. And just lost someone he loves dearly. He's barely made it through OWLs in this state and you want to suggest he go take exams of things he hasn't learned yet?"
"Harry is not your average wizard, Pamona. All that boy does is read, he knows more than he lets on. Severus, didn't you tell us that Harry brewed Polyjuice Potion at twelve with his friends." Filius asked.
"He did, with Granger." Severus nodded.
"Polyjuice is a NEWT potion, isn't it?" Poppy remarked.
"That it is." Severus muttered.
"Think about it, Severus…If Harry studied for NEWTs all summer, he could take them before coming back to school in September and instead of going into sixth year as a student…He could be here as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Minerva suggested.
"I don't doubt my son's abilities to actually pass NEWTs now, but where his head is…I just don't know." Severus muttered.
"Talk to him, Severus…See what he thinks about it? If he doesn't want to, I'll let it go and go to ask Horace to return as potions teacher and let you take Defense over. Then pray that you don't go anywhere at the end of next year." Minerva pleaded.
"Okay. Okay, I'll ask him and see how he feels about the idea and get back to you." Severus agreed. "But don't forget you need permission from the board, and there are other factors at play. Harry and Draco dating; they can as students, but not if Harry becomes his teacher. Then there is the trace on his wand for being underage."
"All that wouldn't apply if Harry passes his NEWTs. It would mark him an adult, even if he's not seventeen yet. They'd remove the trace if he passed his 7th year exams. And as for the relationship with Draco, we could work out that they stay together as long as Harry isn't grading his work. You could, then it wouldn't look like a student sleeping with a teacher to get good grades." Minerva stated.
"No biased decisions. And if they keep anything they do private, not against the rules either. Harry wouldn't actually be an adult, so not illegal for them to do…Well, what I assume you are referring to." The witch informed. "It would be worked out, Severus. I can talk to the board, and then you let me know when Harry's decided."
"Very well. Are we set then? I would like to get back and check on my son," Severus informed.
"Yes, for now, we're dismissed." Minerva nodded.
Severus stood up and exited the room first, going right for the dungeons to see Harry, while using the walk to think about what the meeting had revealed. Harry as a teacher? But would Harry go for the idea? Severus had no idea, but he supposed it was up to Harry.
. . .
More days had passed, and Harry was finally back at Potter Manor. As Severus expected, his son seemed to lock himself away in his room except for meals. Severus checked in several times a day between his brewing, always finding Harry sitting in his make-shift library off the master bedroom. It had been a walk-in closet, but Harry didn't think he needed two closets being they were his and hers originally. So Harry turned it into a library, which Severus had been fine with.
It kept Harry occupied to rearrange his room around and make it work for him. Anything was better than seeing Harry sitting around and let the depression fester. However, Severus knew it was bound to get worse because a letter arrived today from the bank, and it was a notice that a Goblin would be coming to go over Sirius Black's will reading. Severus hadn't told Harry yet because he knew it was going to hurt him more, especially since Severus knew that Sirius made Harry his heir to inherit everything.
Severus was sitting in the main room when the fireplace roared and Severus saw Remus arrive, then with him the Weasley's. But only Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George. Obviously, Hermione too. Next was Draco with his friends and the Malfoy adults.
"Really not a good time." Severus stood.
"We just want to know how he's doing, Severus. He's too quiet." Remus remarked.
"He's up in his room, reading last I checked. That was an hour ago." Severus stated. "He's doing as well as you'd expect, Lupin."
"And what do you mean, not a good time. You told me to come over." Remus informed.
"Only you. Why are the rest here? Harry's not up for visitors." Severus said.
"We just wanted to come and see if we could cheer him up, Uncle Sev," Draco told his godfather. "We're worried about him."
"That's thoughtful of you, kids, but again…Harry just wants to be left alone right now. Moreover, the goblin is coming to discuss Sirius's will. That's going to have an effect on Harry." Severus informed.
"We only came to escort the kids. We didn't assume you'd want them coming over on their own." Molly stated.
"No, but a warning would have been nice." Severus added.
"We're watching over the young ones. Their parents don't want them involved and the dark lord is recruiting heavily." Lucius stated. "We're not safe in our home anymore."
"We came to ask you if, since you're living here with Harry, we could inhabit Spinner's End for a while. I know the dark lord is aware of my loyalties to the other side, he said he'd deal with me later, and Lucius too. When he left, we packed up everything we could and left the house. He's moving his death eaters in." Narcissa informed.
"Spinner's End is not guarded like your home, my old friends. I'm afraid you have nowhere to hide if you go there." Severus said. "And it's not enough room for everyone either way. You are holding onto these children, aside Draco, aren't you?"
"Yes, until the new school year starts." Lucius nodded.
"Is the dark lord aware of my loyalties?" Severus asked.
"We don't know, Severus…" Narcissa frowned.
"Dad? Why is everyone here?" Harry asked as he came into the room while rubbing his eyes. "I was sleeping and heard voices."
"I didn't know you were sleeping, son. Did we wake you?" Severus inquired.
"The wards shifting did. The main room fireplace is the main entryway to those not crossing the gates and I'm attached to their signature, so I know when people are going in and out of the house that don't live here." Harry informed.
"I…Didn't know you were attached to the fireplaces." Severus said calmly.
"Perk of being Lord Potter, I control all the wards and protections on the house. Just like the headmaster or headmistress of Hogwarts has control over the school." Harry told him. "And the fireplace down in the lab only takes you to your house. The others are mainly communication to other places and within the house itself. But the others are unlocked for inter-room traveling too." He added.
"The library is an outbound and inbound for floo travel if I open it for such, but I keep it closed unless necessary." He paused for a moment. "So why is everyone here? Don't tell me Voldemort's up to something again because I'm not in the mood to deal with him."
"No, no…" Severus promised. "Well, kind of…But it's more of a safety matter with the Malfoy's. Voldemort's taken over their house, and knows Lucius isn't on his side, same with Narcissa. They refused to recruit Draco and your friends to his side. And your friend's parents don't want them involved either, so they're with the Malfoy's right now. Lucius and Narcissa came by to ask if I'd let them use Spinner's End, but I was just telling them it's not protected, nor big enough for everyone. It's only a two bedroom, and the dark lord knows where it is too."
"Well, Tom doesn't know where I live and we're under the radar." Harry informed. "Stay here."
"You'd…Allow us to live here?" Narcissa asked.
"Why wouldn't I?" Harry inquired. "You took me into your home to protect me from my relatives. You saved my life, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy, and I've been trying to think of a way to repay that kindness. Now, I finally can. Remain here, allow me to do for you what you did for me." He paused gently as Lucius and Narcissa were surprised, so was Draco, actually. "At least until Lord Snakeface is dealt with and out of your house."
"Are you sure, Lord Potter?" Lucius inquired.
"There will be none of that formality, Mr. Malfoy. It's just Harry." He told them. "And yes, I'm entirely sure. Please, I insist." Harry nodded. "You are safe here, and that's precisely how I like my friends and family to be. I have more than enough room. I'm also not taking no for an answer, so you better just accept."
"I guess we can't really argue with that," Narcissa told her husband and then gave Harry a light hug, kissing both sides of his cheeks. "Thank you, sweetheart. You're truly a wonderful boy that I see like a son."
"Ew, mum…Don't make it weird. You can't see Harry like a son because your actual son is dating him and I'll be damned if I date someone you see as a brother to me." Draco retorted.
"Chill, Draco. You're dating Harry, so if you two happen to get married…She gets him as a son in law." Blaise reminded.
"Good point." Draco agreed.
"That or she sees him as part of the family, which is an in too," Theodore added.
"I suppose." Draco nodded.
Harry shook Lucius's hand, the Malfoy lord's sign of thanks and gratitude for Harry taking them into his home. Harry made it over to Draco and gave the teenager a light kiss. The rest of the friends, who were going to be subsequently staying too, all thanked Harry for his kind heart and generosity.
"You sure you don't want to ask your father if it's alright?" Draco teased his boyfriend.
"I might be Harry's father, but this is still his house. I have no say in who he allows to reside here." Severus told his godson. "But I do have a say regarding you two absolutely not sharing a room." Draco pouted as Harry nudged him in the arm and winked. Being under the same roof was just fine and more than enough. "Teenagers…" The potions master sighed. Lucius and Narcissa chuckled some.
"I'll show them where all the rooms are." Harry told Severus.
The fireplace flared again as Griphook walked through. "Mr. Potter. Wonderful to see you again." Griphook greeted. "Though it's…Potter-Snape, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes…What are you doing here, Griphook?" Harry inquired.
"Didn't you receive my letter, about coming to see you to go over this?" Griphook raised the envelope. "The reading for the last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black the Third."
Harry seemed to stiffen. It had only been six days since Sirius had died, and usually the mention of his name was enough to upset Harry. But this was more of the final piece, the part that made it real that Sirius was actually gone.
"Harry, I only got the notification moments before everyone arrived. I was coming to tell you, so you could be prepared for it." Severus stated. "Remus was requested too. I did invite him over."
"It's…Fine." Harry told him. "Dobby!"
The elf appeared by Harry's side instantly. "Master Potter-Snape has summoned his friend Dobby. What cans Dobby do for master?"
"Grab a couple of the others to start clearing out and cleaning the spare bedrooms, please. The Malfoy's and five of my friends will be living here temporarily. Oh, and bring tea and snacks for everyone to enjoy while I'm handing things. If you'd be so kind." Harry asked.
"Yes, Master Harry!" Dobby nodded.
"Thank you, Harry," Narcissa said gently.
"It's no trouble, Mrs. Malfoy." Harry nodded his head. "Once the elves have taken care of cleaning the spare rooms, I'll take you around to choose where you'd like to stay."
"Would you like me present, Harry?" Severus questioned.
"I can handle it, Dad." Harry replied gently.
"Of course." Severus nodded. "I'm right out here if you need me."
"I know. Thanks, Dad. Remus and Griphook, you can follow me to the library for that reading." Harry turned to leave the room, Remus and Griphook following. Severus did send Remus a look to watch over Harry because this wasn't going to be easy and Remus gave Severus a curt nod back.
"He's not actually going to be okay after this, is he, my friend?" Lucius asked Severus.
"I don't imagine so." Severus replied. "But perhaps…Just maybe, it'll help him after the hurt runs its course." He hoped. "This is the finality that Sirius is gone, so perhaps when this passes; he'll start healing. I tell you now I can't stand to see him like this."
"I told you, Uncle Sev…That's your fatherly love for Harry." Draco reminded.
"Hush brat." Severus told his godson. "It's no secret I love my son. I just want him to be okay."
"He will, with time and we're all right here for him." Molly assured.