It's My Life
Two days had gone by since Draco and Harry ended up making love while everyone in the house had been preoccupied with whatever they were doing. It had been amazing and Harry was glad Draco came up to make him take a break and basically seduce him. Draco admitted that it had been his intention, but only if Harry wanted to. The rest was truthful, Draco just wanted to spend time with his boyfriend so Harry wasn't alone.
The two slept until Draco and Harry were woken by Severus coming into Harry's room and finding them asleep, and the potions master was ever grateful the two were dressed, but he knew what had taken place. Severus, again, reiterated that he didn't mind that the two did it as long as it stayed within the boundaries of appropriateness. In Harry's room, doors locked, and silencing charms up was more than acceptable.
The same could be said if they decided to do it in Draco's room, but Draco openly admitted he loved Harry's room. The entire layout and décor of it. Severus informed the boys it was time for dinner and left them to prepare to join the rest who were waiting in the dining room. The rest of the night was peaceful, Draco nor Harry brought up their conversation about the soul thing.
Harry would bring that up on his own time, or so he told Draco before they left his room and Draco was more than alright with that. Saturday was calm, Harry spent time with his Slytherin friends and also invited Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Luna to hang with them.
Today was the 7th of July and currently about 10:00 am. Lucius had already gone off to do his work and Narcissa was sitting with the teenagers in the great room. Severus was there, but about to go off to brew as Harry knew his father was in charge of restocking the Hogwarts infirmary over the summer months.
And with the massive basement lab, Severus could get double what he normally did finished. Remus, of course, was reading close to the fireplace or looking at albums. Maybe sorting through them, Harry couldn't tell from where he was next to Draco on the couch.
"Alright, I'm going to go get my brewing started. I'll see everyone for lunch," Severus rose to his feet. "Though, son…Would you come with me for a little bit? I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Sure, Dad," Harry agreed as he got up and kissed Draco's cheek. "Be back soon."
"I'll be waiting." Draco nodded.
Severus and Harry headed for the basement, using the elevator for a quicker trip than all the stairs. It didn't take long before the father and son walked into the lab's main room together. Severus used his wand to get his cauldrons and stirrers in place, then the preparation knives and cutting boards. Harry knew his father had a system when it came to brewing, Harry had helped him plenty of times just as a way to pass the time.
"So what did you want to talk to me about, Dad?" Harry inquired.
"Few things," Severus said while working on getting the cauldrons on heat, then the first bit of ingredients. "First, you know I ask every day…How are you? Feeling alright, doing a little better than the last couple weeks?" He wondered.
"I guess I'm doing a bit better," Harry shrugged. "I don't feel like crying every single day, or wanting to be alone like before." He stated. "Appetite fine, sleep is…Well, I suppose it could be better."
"In what way? I told you that I could give you potions, son." Severus reminded.
"Just hard to fall asleep, Dad. Once I'm out, I'm down for the count unless awoken abruptly by something. Like that night at Hogwarts when the dark lord was trying to get in my head and made me feel sick. Maybe a random nightmare. I don't get them every night anymore and when I do, I can usually just get myself relaxed enough to fall back asleep." Harry told him. "I know I can use the potions, but they're not needed for me to sleep. Just takes me longer on my own," He added.
"As long as you're sure, Harry." Severus replied. "I'm glad you're moving on, at your own pace. I can honestly say I never got over losing your mother. I still went on with my life, of course, but there are days it gets to me. Her birthday, Christmas…"
"Well, she was your best friend and you loved her." Harry mentioned. "I understand. Not on that level, but there are times it hurts more than others and still going on in life."
"Good. Good, I'm very glad to hear that, my son," Severus smiled. "Now, for the other item up for discussion," He paused. "I want you to keep an open mind, Harry, and understand right off that you do not have to do it if you don't want to."
"Okay…What is it? You're not about to ask me if I'll start taking off dark marks from my friends' parents, are you?" Harry questioned.
"No, but that is entirely your choice as well. If you choose to extend the offer to them to save their parents who don't want to be part of the dark lord's plans anymore." Severus said. "What I'd like to discuss is a matter involving school."
"Alright, what about? I've already picked classes for next year. I was going to show you later before I sent it to Headmistress McGonagall." Harry informed.
"You recall that meeting I attended at the end of the year?" Severus asked.
"Yes…" Harry nodded.
"It was to do with the staffing situation," Severus began. "As you know, Professor McGonagall is now Headmistress and she'll be continuing to teach Transfiguration. However, there's a situation with a post you have probably guessed by now that needs filling."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts. It's cursed, isn't it? By Voldy?" Harry remarked gently.
"It is something he did years ago when Dumbledore refused to hire him for the position." Severus replied.
"Alright, but what's it have to do with me? Does Professor McGonagall want me to hunt Tom down and kill him to end the curse or something? Cause I'm all for that." Harry enlightened.
"There will be no purposely going after the dark lord, Harry. Not yet, at least." Severus told his son firmly. "The situation is finding someone to take the position. Everyone knows it's cursed, so that's the number one refusal to take the job. No one wants to work a year and get booted, or end up dead."
"I suppose I understand," Harry agreed. "I feel like you're…Dancing around the issue, Dad. Doesn't seem like your style. You're very upfront usually. Why are you so nervous?"
"It's not nervousness, my boy. It's figuring out how to bring it up because I still can't process I'm even having this talk or giving the idea thought. It's mad." Severus revealed.
"Just say it. I've been through too much in my life for anything to really strike me as mad, Dad." Harry smiled.
Severus sighed. "Two ideas were suggested, and both have their…Let's go with pros and cons to the situation. The first solution was for Minerva to seek out the old potions professor before myself, let him take back the post and move me to Defense Against the Dark Arts. It would work, if two factors being that the old potions professor went into retirement and there is debate if he'd even come out. The second factor is that the position for DADA is still cursed, and there's worry about what would happen to me when the year is out."
"Fair reasoning to be concerned about the proposition, but doesn't seem so out there as a solution. I assume the second suggestion is what you want me to keep an open mind about." Harry inquired.
"Your perception, son, astounds me." Severus teased. "But yes." He nodded. "The second idea was by Minerva…For you to take up the post."
Despite Harry saying nothing seemed crazy to him, he found he was very wrong. "M-Me? B-Be the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher?"
"That's correct," Severus answered. "Is…That something you'd be interested in?"
"I'd love to say it is, but…Dad, you know what I'm gonna say. You know exactly all the cons to the idea." Harry retorted respectfully.
"Why don't you tell me what you believe to be wrong with the idea? Not that I don't know, just want to see if you point out everything I did." Severus invited.
"For one…Probably the most important, I'm still a student myself. I haven't even finished school yet. Second, I'm only about to be sixteen…I can't even use magic outside of school, technically. I know I do it here, but we're off the radar. Third, it's cursed! I-I know I usually get attacked every year, but I feel like this is purposely walking into danger." Harry paused. "Fourth, would the board of governors for education even allow this? Would you, as my father?" He stopped for a moment.
"Fifth, just considered it…Me being a teacher means I grade the work of my own friends. I-I don't know if I could do that because I have to be entirely honest and if I marked the reality of their work being bad…They'd be upset with me. In the same area gives me a sixth factor. I-If I become a teacher, I wouldn't be able to stay with Draco." The teenager remarked.
"Yes, you did mention the things I did." Severus nodded. "Settle down, don't stress over a simple idea."
"Nothing about this idea is simple, Dad. On that note, if you knew all these things would be on my worries list, why is this a discussion?" Harry pushed. "You wouldn't have brought it up if you already knew the factors wrong with the idea. You clearly have or know a way around those things to have allowed this idea to be passed on."
"Remember I told you to keep an open mind?" Severus reminded. Harry nodded to him, still somewhat in shock of the suggestion that got made by Minerva. Why would she ever think this was a good idea? Enough that his father had agreed to consider it and pass it along.
"For the cursed factor, Minerva and the others, as well as myself, believe that since you are the one destined to defeat the dark lord; you can withstand the curse itself. Or perhaps even break it. If you're marked as Voldemort's equal, it stands to reason you would probably be immune to his curse." Severus said.
"Alright, I can accept that being a possibility…But only that. It's theory, not fact." Harry pointed out.
"Indeed. For the governor's factor…I've spoken to Lucius about the idea and he believes, if all the proper things are handled; it shouldn't be a problem. For me, I'm not entirely sold on it…But I told you once before during the time of the army that I believe you'd make a great teacher, my son. You've got the skill for this particular position, more than all your age." Severus informed. "I told you last year before school that I did not want to stand in your way of succeeding. And if this takes place, I will not only agree, but fully support it."
"Okay, but…Dad, the biggest factors are my age and being a student. Even the grading for my friends, not being able to stay with my boyfriend." Harry said.
"Filius is the one who actually told me this, but…There's a way to finish your education through to seventh year without you attending the next two years," Severus paused. "And this is entirely up to you. I already told Minerva that if you didn't feel up to it or like the idea, I would not push the matter…Harry, you could go to the ministry and take your NEWT exams. If you pass them, you're considered done with your education having all the knowledge from seven years at Hogwarts."
Harry's eyes widened. "T-Take my NEWT exams now, without ever going through sixth and seventh year?"
"Yes," Severus replied. "Only if you're up for it. I mentioned to Minerva that it might be too much on you having just lost Sirius. You could take the exams at the end of August, before school resumes and then, again, if you were to agree and pass your tests…You would return to Hogwarts as a teacher, not a student."
"And your solutions to the grading thing? My age? Draco?" Harry asked.
"Well, if you take your NEWT exams early…Your status as a minor wizard would change. You would still be sixteen, but granted the allowances of being seventeen. No trace on your wand, you'd be viewed as a graduated wizard and an adult." Severus explained. "For the grading factor…Unfortunately, you'd be the teacher…You have to grade fairly, no matter what your relationship is to the student. I have to do it with you, and with Draco despite what you are both to me. Your friends will just have to understand you can't give out favors or special treatment."
"And my relationship with Draco…" Harry pushed.
"While you'd be marked as an adult…You wouldn't actually be seventeen yet, so the underage sleeping with a student thing wouldn't factor in. And Minerva has informed me because I brought up you and Draco dating, that as long as you and Draco keep your relationship private…She has no qualms about the relationship continuing." Severus said.
"So we'd be limited." Harry told him.
"No, I didn't say that." Severus stated. "Minerva only said that as long as you didn't grade Draco's work, it wouldn't look like a student sleeping with a teacher for good grades. There's nothing against your relationship because you would not be seventeen yet. It wouldn't be an adult sleeping with a child. Not only that, but Draco also turns seventeen before you do. So…There is the little factor of watching yourselves next year…"
"But to be honest, if you keep that private until you turn seventeen, I don't care. You know what I mean, keep it in your room. As a teacher, you'll get your own. Draco can go to your room. As long as he is not out in the halls after curfew…He can stay in your room at night. Or his own dorm. Just watch the PDA, is all. That's your only limitation. Nothing when he's in your class, and nothing crazy in the halls. That's it."
"Dad, I just don't know…" Harry sighed. "It's…It's a great opportunity. Sounds fantastic as an offer and everything having a solution, but taking seventh year exams from what is learned between sixth and seventh. That's…That's a little daunting. I'd have…What, like two months to study?" He asked as Severus nodded. "I-I don't know."
"It's entirely up to you, Harry. I can't make this choice for you, I can only give you what information I have to pass along and you have my full support no matter what you decide." Severus told him. "But if I can set your nervousness of taking those exams at ease…Harry, you produced a patronus charm at the age of thirteen. Not just the shield, but the barrier, and the animal form…I don't know if you know this, but that is a NEWT-level charm." He informed.
"And son…You helped brew Polyjuice potion, at the age of twelve. That's a NEWT-level too. You understand the Protean Charm, the one Miss. Granger performed on the army coins. That's NEWT-level as well. Harry, you know this stuff. I know you know it and so do all your current teachers. We all have faith in your ability to successfully take those exams and pass. You are a very smart young man, and I don't want to see you be held back by anything."
"You have a chance to graduate early and teach students like you did during the Defense Army, something you excelled at and enjoyed." Severus paused. "You'd be the youngest teacher on record, beating even me. I didn't start teaching at Hogwarts until I was about twenty-one."
Severus went over to Harry, who had his head down, and the man lifted Harry's chin. "This isn't to pressure you into it, Harry. Not by any means. If you say no, then it's no. There will be nothing more said about it. Until maybe two years from now when you graduate, Minerva will probably try again."
The man paused. "But anything before that point, it will never be brought up again. I'm only telling you all this because the Hogwarts staff and myself have full confidence in your magical abilities. We believe in you, Harry. That's all we want you to understand in this offer. We believe in you and your ability to do this. But again…It's up to you."
"D-Do I have to decide right now?" Harry asked. "It's just…A lot to think about and like you said, there's a lot going on right now…"
"You have time, Harry. The only limit is how much time you'd get to study before taking the exams. Right now, you have about two months. Perhaps a little less. But that's only if you agree. If you say no then just get your summer work done for sixth year." Severus informed.
"Yeah…I need to think about it." Harry admitted.
"I respect your decision to consider it at all." Severus smiled before he backed up a step or two. Yeah, it was a lot to think about, but Harry wouldn't just ax the idea.
"Dad?" Harry said before Severus turned away to return to his brewing.
"Yes, Harry?" Severus replied.
"You said I could talk to you about anything, right? No matter how out there it is?" Harry wondered.
"Anything at all." Severus confirmed. "Why? Is there something on your mind you'd like to speak about?"
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"Well, go on then. I'm still listening while I brew." Severus invited.
"What do you know about splitting the soul into pieces?" Harry asked.
Severus stopped what he was about to do and looked at Harry curiously, and with some surprise. "I assume you have a reason for this particular line of questioning, but…Unfortunately, I don't know much about it. I know the soul can be taken through the dementor's kiss, but splitting it? I believe the only way to split the soul is through an act against nature." Severus stated.
"Act against nature?" Harry inquired.
"Yes, say…Murder. Taking someone's life could damage and split your soul." Severus remarked. "You're not asking this to worry about your soul in killing Voldemort, are you?"
"No." Harry shook his head.
"And you're not plotting to murder anyone in cold blood, right?" Severus pushed.
"No, Dad…" Harry said.
"Then now I get to ask why you wanted to know?" Severus remarked.
"It's been on my mind since Albus said what he said in court, right before he was sentenced. He said that Voldemort couldn't die until the pieces of his soul were destroyed. I guess aside all that, I wanted to know how the heck you even split your soul to begin with." Harry revealed.
"Well, murdering would be how." Severus nodded. "As for the pieces of the dark lord's soul needing to be destroyed to kill him. I'm afraid in all my years of spying on the man, nothing like that was ever mentioned. So I've nothing to pass on in that department, unfortunately. I do promise to help any other way I can, son."
"Just tell me what you need, and mind what you're playing around in. I told you I didn't mind you reading up on dark things as long as you never use it yourself. What you're looking around in, Harry, it's very, very dark. Darker than where you've dove into so far. Be extremely careful, son."
"I will, Dad. Thanks. It's nothing right now, just trying to learn more about the subject. All the books I've read have nothing on it, I thought you or Lucius might know." Harry replied.
"You could try asking Lucius, but don't be surprised if he doesn't." Severus smiled.
"Alright. Can I go back up now?" Harry asked.
"Go on." Severus nodded.
Harry got off the stool he'd been sitting on and hugged Severus from the side, getting a one-armed hug back before Harry took himself back up the stairs. Next thing Harry needed to do was talk to Lucius. However, bringing things up to his father did help a little. Harry now knew that the only way to split the soul was by going against nature and the most heinous act in that department was murdering. Voldemort had a lot of those under his belt, so just how many pieces of the man's soul were out there? Harry needed to figure that out too.