It's My Life

A month and a half into the school year and Harry felt like he finally had things under control. Harry felt infinitely better after talking to his father that day in September about being overwhelmed with the workload, plus still mourning his godfather. It was to be expected, and Harry often forgot that. So many people expected things from him and Harry always felt like he wasn't allowed to fall apart. Harry had that talk with Severus too, a repeat of something told to him while they were at Potter Manor when Harry would lock himself away in his room when the sadness hit. Severus reminded Harry again, it was okay to get upset and stop worrying about expectations.

Just because he was a teacher and an adult now didn't mean he couldn't get sad or cry. All it meant was Harry had to mind where he was and who he was with. The other thing Harry really loved about the talk with his father was what Severus told him as advice regarding everyone's dislike of him being a teacher at sixteen years old and the fact he was considered an adult. Never forgetting who you are, the rest of the world would not. Wear it like armor and it could never be used to hurt him. Harry never heard a saying like that before and he adored it. The fact Severus's mother passed it to her son and then Severus onto his own had meaning too.

It represented that Harry and Severus were more alike than anyone expected. Both grew up in abusive homes, both got bullied, both lost people they loved. It was insane to actually sit down and consider their similarities over their differences. It had been a good afternoon, though. Harry and Severus sat in Harry's office and talked for hours until dinner, keeping the conversation light and enjoyable for both, having a couple drinks but not getting drunk. Severus even helped Harry out with his grading, putting Harry ahead of where he thought he'd be for that night.

It was a good time and Harry didn't even realize he'd needed the break until Severus came to see him under the reasoning to make sure he was alright because all the staff were worried when Harry hadn't been seen for two days. As Severus learned, Harry had spent almost his entire weekend grading papers from the week with all his classes, plus trying to do the summer work too. Harry was taking dinner in his office, brought by a Hogwarts Kitchen elf, just so he could keep going. Harry did make an appearance for dinner on the 8th of June, that Sunday he and Severus talked.

As Harry anticipated; Minerva's one announcement to the students, mainly Gryffindor, is that she was stepping down as their head of house and giving the honor to Harry. Now, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw didn't seem to care about that much. Gryffindor cared immensely that now, instead of being monitored by Minerva, they had Professor Potter. If someone in the house had a problem, they now went to Harry.

Everyone knew that students in a house went to their head of house, and if things needed to escalate to the next person in the hierarchy, it would be the deputy headmaster or mistress. In this year, and probably for more to come; that person was now Severus Snape. If things had to go above him, then it would be to Minerva as Headmistress. But house students were not allowed to jump over people in the chain, so Gryffindor student problems had to go through Harry first and then if it was deemed necessary, Harry would reach out to Severus on his student's behalf.

This didn't mean, however, that Harry was solely responsible for the Gryffindors. If any of his students came to him with a problem, Harry was meant to help however he could. Harry had heard the whispers since the announcement was made. How could a Slytherin be the Gryffindor head of house? That was probably the number one thing Harry heard. And he ignored it remembering the conversation he had with Minerva when she asked it of him. Harry was a Gryffindor for four years, and he represented the traits of both houses.

Harry wouldn't argue anymore about his rightful house, there was no point. Harry supposed he could have traits of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff too, but the Slytherin and Gryffindor ones ran the strongest. Harry didn't really care anymore, he took the job to help out Minerva and for no other reason. The others would just have to get over it and accept that Harry was in charge of them. Severus had been right, that if Harry accepted things for himself that nothing else bothered him. It couldn't hurt him.

People were starting to come around to have Harry as a teacher, it's not as if he was a complete fool who didn't know what he was doing. After all, Harry had a mastery in the subject and that was probably more than any other Defense teacher they'd had. Harry was one of the best they'd had since Remus Lupin had been there. Harry kept the work a fair amount of both book and spells and he had decided on not really giving homework every night. In fact, most noticed he never assigned them anything on Friday nights.

The only time there would be work was if they needed to finish things assigned earlier in the week. Harry kept the load light too, bearing all of Severus's suggestions in mind to make the job easier on himself. Harry also made sure to have time for his boyfriend; they'd been together seven months now and both were very happy being with one another. Ginny seemed to have finally given up that she'd get a chance after Harry gave her detention for daydreaming in his class and trying to flirt after the rest left the room.

It was now the middle of October, the 16th, and a Wednesday. The time was about 5:00 pm as Harry was getting some grading done in his office before dinner time; he knew Minerva and Severus were both at an Order meeting, but would be back for dinner at 7:30. Harry finished off another paper and set it aside when there was knocking at his office door.

"Come in." Harry stated gently. The door opened to reveal Theodore there. "Are you here looking for Professor Potter or Harry?"

"Both." Theodore replied. "We need you."

Harry set his quill aside and stood up to follow Theodore out of the office, where Harry now saw Blaise, Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory all standing, or sitting near Draco, who was sitting at one of the desks. Draco had a bloody nose and a couple cuts. "Draco?" Harry got closer to his boyfriend to inspect the damage. "What happened? You said you needed me as both regular Harry and teacher Harry."

"Draco came back to the common room like this from the library. We asked what happened and he said he got attacked. Draco didn't say who, and we're the ones who told him to report it. Unfortunately, Professor Snape isn't here. We decided to come to you as Draco's boyfriend, but also, a teacher." Blaise informed.

"Professor Snape is out for an Order meeting until dinner time. So is the Headmistress." Harry informed. "Dray…" He started as his boyfriend kept his head down. "Draco…What happened?" Harry asked. "You have to tell me what happened, Dray. Who did this?"

"Harry, I swear I didn't even antagonize them…I was just on my way back to Slytherin common room when they cornered me. I only tried to defend myself." Draco told him.

"Who, Draco?" Harry pushed lightly.

"Weasley…" Draco looked down. "Ron."

Oh, there was going to be hell to pay. "Tell me what happened."

"I passed them in the hallway and Ron was making comments about you. I didn't even say anything to them and Ron started with me first. He tripped me and I started to get up when he taunted sarcastically that he was sorry and hoped I wouldn't go crying to a teacher, but knew that I'd go to you because you're not just my teacher, but boyfriend too. I ignored it and as soon as I was standing, Ron shoved me for ignoring him and I ended up hitting the wall and bumped my head." Draco explained.

"I told him I wouldn't engage him because it was petty, stupid, and that I wouldn't disrespect you by retaliating against him due to being friends. Ron claimed you two weren't friends anymore, that you are the one who walked away when you chose to abandon being a student to use your fame to get ahead. I said he was wrong and wouldn't ever use your influence like that, also that you didn't care about it. I tried to walk away and Ron pulled his wand and hit me with some spell from behind. I didn't hear what he cast, just that it hit me. I think it was a stunner."

Draco paused to catch his breath. "I pulled my wand to defend myself, but he got it away and then punched me in the face. I stumbled, lost my balance, but he tackled me down and just kept going until I shoved him off and got up. He cast some minor cutting curse and then his friends got him to stop and drag him away after I got my wand back and warned him that if he tried one more time, I'd hex his balls off. I just continued on my way to the common room. It was these guys, and girl, who hounded me to report it. We tried Sev first, but he's not there…As you said, so it was suggested that because you're my boyfriend, plus a teacher…We come see you." The teenager informed. "I'm sorry we bothered you with something so silly." He looked down.

"They were right to hound you, Draco. This wasn't some verbal argument; he attacked you…For no reason at all. You didn't do anything wrong, you tried to disengage from it." Harry stated. "This is not silly, Draco. It's serious and I will see something done about it. Personally. And never apologize for coming here, for anything at all. I always have time for you, as a teacher or your boyfriend." Harry told him as he raised Draco's chin up. "You should have come right to me. Why didn't you?"

"You're not allowed to grade my work because of our relationship. I didn't know how it worked if I came to you about being attacked by another student." Draco said. "And I didn't want to have to make you choose between your friends and me. More so, again, we're all your students too."

"That grading thing is just for the sake of no one getting their panties in a wad that we're dating and I'm giving you a pass on your work to avoid hurting your feelings. And in either case, Minerva knows I'd never do that, so she's actually considering to let me grade your stuff. She lets me do it for friends, there's no reason I can't with you. Dating or not." Harry informed.

"Secondly, as you said, Ron says we're not friends anymore. Fine. No choice needs to be made between the two of you, not that I ever would. Without the boyfriend and friend factor, all you've done is come to me as a student who got attacked." Harry remarked. "You did the right thing. You came to a teacher and reported it. You didn't come as my boyfriend, right?"

"That's precisely why I wasn't going to come. I didn't want it being said that you reacted as a boyfriend over a teacher. It's biased." Draco muttered.

"Coming to me as a boyfriend didn't matter, Draco. If Severus were here and you went to him, the same could be said about biased choices and actions being made because he's your godfather. It's still a secondary relationship between being a teacher and student." Harry told him. "Also, in this, you just told me you weren't going to say anything. You didn't come to me; our friends did. Under the reasoning to report it." He reminded. "I'll take care of this. I promise. Now, who are the other friends?"

"Finnegan and Thomas," Draco said.

"Come on, we're taking you to the hospital wing." Harry stated.

"Why do I have to go there?" Draco inquired.

"So it can be on file with the healer that you were attacked. I will deal with Ron and the other two." Harry remarked. "Will you take him for me? When Poppy asks what happened, tell her he was attacked by another student and you already reported it to a teacher." He asked his friends.

"You got it." Pansy nodded.

"Thank you. I'll come see you after, okay? Or if you get out of there before I do, come to the room." Harry smiled gently before he pressed a kiss to Draco's forehead, then waved his hand to shut his office door and walk out of the classroom.

. . .

Harry made his way through the halls and to Gryffindor common room. The fat lady was there and asked for the password. Harry muttered it as she moved and Harry walked under the archway to get inside the bustling common room, which came to a startlingly abrupt stop and silence when he was noticed.

"What are you doing here?" Someone asked.

"This isn't your house anymore." Another remarked.

"So soon we've forgotten that I'm not just a teacher, but also Gryffindor's head of house." Harry reminded. "Where is Ronald Weasley, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnegan?" No one spoke. "You're obviously aware of what occurred, or you wouldn't be silent to protect them."

Neville sighed. "They're-."

"Neville, shut up!" Ginny glared.

"What Ron did was wrong, Ginerva. Don't protect him." Hermione stated. "And don't yell at Neville."

"He's my brother, you're supposed to be his friend." Ginny argued.

"I am, but I won't condone what he did. Ron needs to face the consequences of his actions." Neville remarked.

"They're upstairs in their dorm, Professor," Hermione admitted.

"Thank you, Miss. Granger and Mr. Longbottom." Harry said calmly. "If you're so determined to protect your brother, Miss. Weasley, I can arrange for you to share the punishment for trying to lie to a teacher. Protecting a guilty party when it's something this serious makes you guilty by association. It's the equivalent of witnessing a crime and then saying you didn't. Or harboring the culprit, which is just as bad. So, would you like to join them?"

Ginny tensed and shook her head. "No, Professor Potter."

"Then don't attempt to interfere further." Harry told her before he summoned his patronus and sent it up the stairs to the sixth-year dorms. Harry set his wand away and stood with his arms folded as Ron, Dean, and Seamus came down one by one and stood before Harry. "You know why I'm here."

"No, sir. We don't." Ron lied.

"I'd be careful, Mr. Weasley. I'm already taking points for what you did, I don't think you want to add to the loss I'm planning to take for lying." Harry informed.

"I didn't do anything." Ron said. "You can't just come in here and accuse me of doing something without telling me what I'm being accused of." He argued.

"Of course, my mistake. I would surely never waltz in here to accuse someone of something if I didn't already have the information." Harry said calmly. "You are being accused of attacking Mr. Malfoy in the halls near the library. Do you deny this allegation? I would think very carefully of your next answer, Mr. Weasley. I have two people who already confirmed you did something you shouldn't have, plus witness testimony from Mr. Malfoy himself."

"I deny it." Ron folded his arms over one another. "You can't barge into the Gryffindor common room and-,"

"I have every right to enter this common room and handle situation caused by my students because in case it has escaped your notice or memory, Mr. Weasley…I'm Gryffindor's head of house and a Gryffindor is being accused of breaking the rules and assault of another student. Even if you were innocent, I'd still come here to investigate because a situation was brought to my attention and it is my job as a teacher." Harry reminded.

"You can't just claim I'm guilty!" Ron glared.

"I'd watch your tone, Mr. Weasley. I wouldn't have accused you of anything if I had reasonable doubt that you were innocent." Harry stated firmly. "Right now you're extremely defensive and difficult. I've had enough of your overall behavior since it was announced I was a teacher and your head of house. It's unbecoming of a young man your age."

"Who are you to talk about age, Harry. You're the same age!" Ron snapped.

"Indeed I am, but the difference between us is that I grew up and you're acting like a child who isn't getting his own way. Enough is enough. If you want to act that way, I'll treat you that way." Harry paused. "I'm tired of games and disrespect. Hand over your wand."

"No." Ron refused.

"I wasn't asking your permission." Harry said. "Hand over your wand, Mr. Weasley."

"What happened to innocent until proven guilty?!" Ron argued.

"If you were innocent, you'd be offering ways to prove it instead of trying to deter the matter by telling me all the things I can't do." Harry enlightened. "Let's see if you are truly innocent. I'll give you the chance to try and prove it. Mr. Malfoy claims he was hit by a stunner and cutting spell and that you attacked him while Mr. Finnegan and Mr. Thomas urged you to stop and had to drag you away. Wand, now." Harry held out his hand. "If I'm wrong, I'll fully apologize and step down as your head of house and the Defense teacher." Ron pulled his wand out and gave it to Harry.

"Don't know why you want it. It's not like it'll talk…" Ron scoffed.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, Mr. Weasley." Harry informed. "Priori Incantato…" The Defense teacher cast as Ron's wand shook and then from the tip showed a ghostly-like memory of the last three spells it cast. "Oh look. Stupefy and Diffindo are the last two and those hit Mr. Malfoy because you'd have no other reason to cast these spells after class hours." He stated. Ron's face paled with shock. "You just learned something new, Mr. Weasley. Priori Incantato is used to view an echo of the last spells performed by a wand." Harry remarked.

"Thirty points from Gryffindor. For lying, arguing, being disrespectful and attacking a fellow classmate. You will serve detention with me tonight, tomorrow and Friday. Attempts to argue any further will result in more days added." Harry told him when he saw Ron about to say something else, but he closed his mouth. "I'll see you at 7:00 in my office, Mr. Weasley." Harry handed Ron back his wand.

"You two should have stopped him the moment he tripped Mr. Malfoy and if you were unable to, then find a teacher. This happened by the library? I was the closest teacher because my office is on the third floor too." Harry informed them. "Ten points from Gryffindor for allowing the attack to take place instead of getting a teacher. And you two will also serve detention tonight with Mr. Weasley." Harry told Dean and Seamus. "Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Professor Potter." Dean and Seamus said together, bowing their heads in shame.

"I'm sorely disappointed in all three of you. I'm disappointed with the entire house because it's the only one who has given me a hard time since I started as a teacher. The only one I've had to take points from and give out detentions. Every other house may not like that I became a teacher at sixteen, as well as a legal adult…But they've accepted it and respected me." He told everyone. There was a pause.

"It's time you do the same. I've tried to be nice. I've been more than fair. I've even been friendly because that's what we once were when I was part of this house as a student. Even when I moved to Slytherin. It didn't change that we were friends. But because I'm a teacher…All that is forgotten?" Another pause as no one seemed to speak. "The Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws haven't seen me differently because I haven't changed. I was a student who turned into a teacher, not a friend who turned into an enemy. I have not changed."

Harry let that sit for a moment. "I am the same Harry you met five years ago. However, you seem to have made this choice to annex me as a friend for my choices to take a chance on succeeding, that's okay. We don't have to be friends. If you don't desire to hold onto the relationships we formed as friends over the last five years. That's fine. It's your choice and I'll respect it."

"But it doesn't change that I'm your teacher and head of house. If that's how you want it to be, so be it. I will be just your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and Head of Gryffindor House. As such, let me now make myself perfectly clear to all of you…For those who have not gone against me, accepted and supported this endeavor; I thank you whole-heartedly. For everyone who has not, be warned that I will not tolerate disrespect anymore. The behavior and revolt against me ends now."

Harry turned from them and exited the common room. Once outside the frame, and it had closed, Harry sighed out and closed his eyes to take a moment, then he began his walk to the infirmary to see Draco and make sure his boyfriend was alright. The wounds weren't bad, but Harry was sure Draco was feeling upset about the attack so Harry wanted to be there for him.