It's My Life
Thankfully, Harry made it through his final two exams on Saturday the 31st; he took Transfiguration and Potions. Harry had noticed that any of the tests that were just writing allowed him extra time to them, but none of the physical portions were timed except for Potions. In the ones that were physical, Harry was instructed by the examiner on what to perform spell-wise. For potions, Harry was given a set amount of time to brew four, at the same time and he had to do it from memory from his lessons with his father. Harry had to do everything for the potions, start to finish. Setting up to bottling. Severus had known when Harry exited the room that one of the last tests the boy took was potions, as a master of the art; Severus knew the look and smell of brewing potions.
Harry's only upper hand was that he knew Friday night what his last two would be, so he got to study up on all the potions Severus had taught would be hard and likely chosen during their tutoring. The potions NEWT ended up being first thing in the morning, the written first, then the physical. Transfiguration was last. Harry wasn't sure how he did; he didn't have any feelings on good or bad. When Harry finished, the examiner told him that he would receive word of his grades through the mail by no later than 4:00 pm on the 1st of September. The man also let Harry leave the room with a good luck.
When Harry got home with Lucius and Severus, as said by his father, the potions master sent Harry right back to his bedroom to be scanned over with a diagnostic spell to check if the fatigue and other symptoms he'd been exhibiting were exhaustion from stress, or illness. The revelation was as Harry told his dad it would be, exhaustion. Harry had spent just about two months studying for these tests, brewing every single day, practicing his magic that he had to know to stand even the slightest chance at passing his exams. On top of that, Harry didn't take these tests over two weeks like his OWLs had been.
Twelve exams shoved into a six-day period. Some were only writing, which resulted in Harry's hand hurting quite a bit, and Care of Magical Creatures physical part had been handling certain beasts. One of them had been a Hippogriff and Harry knew that all too well from Hagrid's class in third year. Astronomy didn't use magic either, but more writing and having to identify stars, planets, and constellations in a dark room with a telescope. Herbology didn't take magic either, but everything else had been using magic to demonstrate spells. Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and even Potions took some magical usage to do.
So yes, Harry was just very tired from everything done in one week. As the teenager promised his father, despite the diagnosis, Harry rested through the ending hours of Saturday and even Sunday, which is what today was. The 1st of September. Now, Harry really only got up for the bathroom, or to eat. Harry would study whenever he could and tried to get a good night's sleep all week. Severus told the other house residents that Harry had been sick, who were questioning why they never saw Harry much now, and that's why they had not really seen him.
It was the only excuse they could use for why Harry hadn't been around and not entirely a lie for Harry had displayed symptoms of being ill, even if they came from stress and exhaustion. Right now, it was about 10:00 am as the students were all bringing their trunks downstairs and setting them up by the door to apparate to the train station. The Hogwarts Express, like always, left at 11:00 am for its nine-hour journey to Hogwarts. Classes would start up tomorrow on the 2nd.
"Where's Harry?" Draco asked.
"He's still not feeling well." Severus stated. "I'll be bringing him after when I gage how he's doing. I know this morning, he was still exhausted with a headache. Unfortunately, godson, you'll have to endure your train ride without Harry this year. If Harry's not better, I'm taking him to St. Mungo's, and I've let Headmistress McGonagall know." It wasn't entirely a lie, Harry was still recovering from everything, but admitted this morning to his father that he felt better than he had in two days. "I'll see you all at the welcoming feast and Harry will be with me."
"Okay, Uncle Severus. Can I at least go up and say goodbye to him?" Draco inquired.
"Go, make it quick and do not wake him if he's sleeping." Severus nodded.
Draco rushed off to get upstairs and to Harry's room, he knocked lightly. "Come in," Was Harry's reply as Draco opened the door to find Harry just sitting up in bed and reaching for his glasses on the bedside table next to him. "Hi, babe," Harry greeted.
"Hey," Draco went over to sit on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"
"Still pretty tired, but I think it's beginning to fade." Harry admitted.
"I'm happy to hear that. I really only came up to say goodbye, well…Until later. Uncle Sev said you'll be missing the train ride, so won't see you again until the feast, I guess." Draco informed.
"I'm sorry I'm missing it." Harry looked down.
"Harry, if I asked you something…Would you be entirely honest with me?" Draco questioned.
"Depends on if I'm allowed to reveal something or not, love." Harry responded. "You know I don't keep secrets unless necessary."
"I-I do know that. I wanted to ask what you've been doing all week. I know it's not sick like Uncle Severus has said. Just feels like you've been very distant, then every day gone for hours with my father and yours…" Draco mentioned.
"I can't tell you, love. No, I haven't been sick all week. The last two days have just been an after-effect of what I've been doing. I can't reveal it to you, not yet. It's against the rules until 4:00 pm today. I promise that I'll tell you tonight, okay? Can you trust me and wait that long? Please?" Harry stated with his hand on Draco's.
"You haven't been training to go after Voldemort, have you?" Draco arched a brow.
"No, love," Harry shook his head with a smile.
"Then I guess as long as it's not risking your life, I can wait until tonight." Draco smiled back as Harry leaned forward to hug his boyfriend of six months. Harry pulled back and gave the teenager a gentle, but deep kiss. "Can we add some anniversary celebration into the explanation of this past week?"
"I think we can definitely do that." Harry nodded.
"DRACO! It's time to leave for the train!" Lucius called.
"Coming, Father!" Draco shouted back.
"Go on. I'll see you tonight." Harry told him.
Draco nodded and snatched another kiss before getting off the bed and leaving Harry's room. Harry laid back and sighed out; he didn't like keeping things from Draco, or his friends, but it had to be for now. There needed to be no risk to it getting around that Harry took his NEWTs early and if he passed, was entering Hogwarts tonight as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Oddly, knowing he could be the new professor, at only sixteen years old, made him nervous.
Not because he doubted his ability to teach, but the reactions he would get were making him feel like it would be a repeat of fourth year. When everyone was against him for ending up in the tournament. Harry dreaded the thought of that happening again; it would hurt if so. Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He wasn't going to sleep, but to just relax.
. . .
Hours later, and Harry did end up falling asleep again. Severus noticed that when he returned from seeing Draco off to the train with Lucius and Narcissa, subsequently, Pansy, Gregory, Blaise, Theodore, and Vincent too. Severus, Narcissa, and Lucius did run into the parents of the Slytherin students they sent off and ended up going somewhere to talk to them privately. Of course, the first thing the three were told was how very angry Voldemort was about them abandoning him and the fact he was out for blood. Severus warned them that if they spoke of seeing him or the Malfoy's; he'd obliviate them to forgetting it.
After that, the three explained that they were unmarked because they had someone who could remove it and set them free if they truly wanted to put it behind them. Severus made them give their word not to speak of what they'd been told while they decided, but Severus knew he got their attention with the prospect of being separated from the dark lord. Everyone said their goodbyes and that's when Lucius, Narcissa, and Severus returned to Potter Manor and Severus checked on Harry first, finding his son asleep, and leaving him to rest.
"You two are hiding something," Narcissa spoke when they sat down in the great room.
"Indeed," Remus agreed. "What aren't you telling us?"
"Are we allowed?" Severus asked Lucius.
"Yes, it just couldn't be discussed with the kids." Lucius nodded.
"Harry's not sick, he's just recovering from a long week of testing and two months of studying and training." Severus sighed.
"For what, may I inquire?" Remus pushed.
"Taking his NEWT exams." Lucius informed.
Narcissa and Remus stared in disbelief and shock. "What?" Narcissa asked.
"Harry's spent since, almost, the beginning of July studying up on everything he'd learn in sixth and seventh year. In an attempt to take his NEWTs early, which he just did this past week." Severus remarked.
"And why on Earth would he need to take his NEWTs early, Severus?" Remus questioned.
"Minerva came up with the idea of having Harry teach Defense Against the Dark Arts this year, and hopefully, many more to come." Severus stated.
"Are you mad? Harry's only sixteen! And you know that job is cursed!" Remus scolded.
"I'm more than aware of my son's age and the stakes, Lupin. Don't lecture me. I brought all this up when Minerva suggested the idea. Now, calm down and I'll explain." Severus glared as Remus sighed and nodded. "Like every year, the post needed filling. Minerva couldn't as she's Headmistress and maintaining her job as the Transfiguration teacher. It was suggested for me to take it, but then we had no potions teacher. Minerva first suggested Slughorn, seeing if we could get him out of retirement for a couple years. But then there was the idea of Harry taking up Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Minerva believes that Harry's standing as the dark lord's equal would make him immune to the curse on the job, as Harry's already been found to have beaten the dark lord many times over. She believes if anyone can beat the odds, it's Harry." Lucius interjected. "However, there were factors to consider. Harry is still a student, and the age of sixteen. It was mentioned that with the board of governors approval, Harry could take his NEWTs early at the ministry…And if he passes; he'd be considered not just graduated and no longer a student, but also, an adult. If he passes, they remove the trace on his wand and he's viewed as if he were seventeen."
"But what about him dating Draco?" Narcissa asked.
"That's been covered too. I brought it up. While Harry would be viewed as a graduated adult, he is still sixteen until next July, so he could remain with Draco." Severus enlightened.
"I meant more that Harry would be his teacher." Narcissa clarified.
"Minerva says it doesn't matter. If Harry becomes Draco's teacher, the only thing that needs to be handled is someone else grading Draco's work. Which I have offered to do. Then it doesn't give the illusion that Draco is sleeping with Harry for good grades." Severus explained. "Harry would have his own office and personal quarters like all teachers, and Minerva said that as long as Draco wasn't out after curfew in the halls, he could go to Harry's room for anything intimate."
"Also, their limitations are appropriateness in the halls and in class. In class, Harry has to stay entirely professional with his students. And in hallways, they can keep it to a hug or light kiss. Harry does have to sit at the head table during meals, and he wouldn't be allowed in the dorms. Other than that, Harry and Draco dating under Harry being a teacher and Draco a student, is perfectly acceptable." Lucius added.
"So Harry's been taking his NEWT exams all week?" Remus questioned.
"Yes." Lucius nodded. "Severus and I have taken him every day since Monday."
"Every day? How many did he take?" Remus asked.
"Twelve. Two per day." Severus said. "The last two were yesterday. Harry's not sick, but there was a lot of late night studying and then magic use and stress involved during the week. He's just tired, but doing better."
"Harry hasn't told us anything, he wasn't allowed to discuss anything about his testing outside of the room during the duration. Not until he gets his scores." Lucius said. "Which will arrive by 4:00 today."
"So what happens if he fails?" Narcissa wondered.
"Nothing. I take Harry to the school tonight and he joins his classmates for sixth year. Minerva has Slughorn on standby to floo over, he'll take potions and I'll move to Defense." Severus informed.
"And if he passes?" Remus pushed.
"Harry returns to the school as the new Defense teacher. Minerva will announce it at the feast." Severus remarked. "All we can do right now is wait for the results to come in."
"Can Harry handle being a teacher to his own friends?" Narcissa inquired.
"If he's going through all this at the chance, I believe he can, Narcissa. I only made the suggestion to Harry, it was his choice entirely. Everything was explained to him." Severus told her and Remus, who was also curious. "I told him that no matter what, he can't be biased in grading their things just because of the friendship. That he has to be forward and fair, above all, honest."
"We're hoping the results come in earlier than 4:00 pm. If Harry passes, he's going to need a teaching wardrobe." Lucius chuckled. "You know, if Harry becomes a teacher…I bet Minerva has no qualms about that map. Think of the possibility to know where all students are at all times."
"She already mentioned Harry was permitted to have the map if he becomes a teacher." Severus nodded. "I spoke to her this morning to remind her Harry would be coming with me closer to when students should be arriving. It won't be until after his results come in."
"And the board gives its approval to a sixteen year old teaching class if Harry passes." Lucius informed. "It's a waiting game now."
. . .
The day went by pretty uneventfully. Harry did join the adults for lunch and sat around with them as hours ticked away until 4:00 pm when sure enough, Hedwig swooped through the fireplace and dropped a letter into Harry's lap, then came back around and landed on the arm of the couch he was sitting on.
Harry, of course, ignored the letter for a few moments to give his bird some love and attention, which she just soaked up. Finally, Hedwig went off somewhere. Harry's guess was the kitchen for food as he hesitated to pick up the letter sitting in his lap.
"Go on, Harry…You've waited all day for that letter." Remus smiled.
Harry lifted the envelope and turned it to open the back, then pulled out the parchment. Harry read over the statement to confirm they were his NEWT exam scores, then cast his eyes down the sheet to find the grades.
"How'd you do, sweetheart?" Narcissa questioned.
"Don't leave us waiting, son!" Severus teased.
"I-I passed everything with Exceeds Expectations…Or Outstanding." Harry revealed.
"Harry, that's wonderful!" Narcissa cheered.
"That's exceptional, Harry. Well done!" Lucius smiled.
Severus leaned over to see the paper as Harry looked like he might cry. "EE for only Divination and Arithmancy. You got O on everything else." Severus wrapped an arm around Harry's shoulders and hugged him tightly. "I am so proud of you, my son. So very proud, Harry." Severus kissed the side of his head.
"I am too, cub. Your parents and godfather are too, I'm sure." Remus patted Harry's shoulder. "Merlin, Harry…You passed! Be excited."
"I-I'm just shocked. I didn't think I'd do so well." Harry admitted.
"You did, son. You passed and did exceptionally for two months of studying and pushing yourself to exhaustion." Severus smiled. "Now, you know what this-Hold on, what are these extra papers? Should only be one sheet with the scores." He wondered. "And give me that scores one. It's going right next to your OWL grades." Harry smiled as he gave the sheet to his father and Severus went over to transfigure a frame.
"You'll want to give that to Minerva first, Severus. I don't believe she got a copy of the results as this was not done through Hogwarts." Lucius said.
"Right," Severus nodded, forgetting that.
Harry filed to the next one and looked it over. "Dear, Mr. Potter-Snape-Prince-Black. This is to inform you of your changed status hereby officially from minor wizarding student to adult wizarding graduate. You are now a fully functioning member of the magical world and granted all the allowances that come with such, including the removal of the trace on your wand. With this, we also extend our highest congratulations to you. Welcome to the wizarding world." Harry read off.
"And the other sheet?" Remus inquired.
Harry cycled to the next page. "Hey, Dad…I don't know what this one is…" Harry walked over to the man and gave him the paper.
Severus took the sheet from his son and read over them before his eyes widened a bit. "What is it, Severus?" Narcissa asked gently.
"Harry, this is a Mastery Of The Art certificate." Severus informed lightly.
"What?" Harry gasped, looking shocked.
"This means you mastered the art for this subject. It means there's nothing left to teach you because you know everything you can about it for the requirements of being considered a master." Severus explained.
"What did he get a mastery in?" Lucius wondered.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts." Severus said as he looked over the paper more carefully to ensure he was right. "Yeah, this is a mastery for sure." Severus hugged Harry tightly and kissed his forehead. "I am beyond proud of you, son."
"Thanks, Dad…" Harry smiled and hugged the man back.
"So I believe there's just one question left…" Lucius remarked. "Will you be going by Professor Potter-Snape, Professor Potter-Snape-Prince-Black? Or just Professor Potter?" The man grinned.
Everyone laughed. Harry had done it, he aced his NEWTs and earned a mastery. Harry was officially an adult, graduated from school and going to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts. Right now, at this moment, Harry was extremely happy with everything in his life.