A week had passed since the eventful first day at school, and much to everyone's amazement, things had gone practically back to normal. The whispers and stares around Harry and Severus were now long gone. When Harry and Severus had walked into breakfast together the morning after the first day, the silences had been deafening. Severus had nodded slightly at Harry when he walked him over to the table and nodded even more so slightly at Ron and Hermione before strutting up to the head table and taking his seat. Ignoring the stares, he picked up his cup of tea and newspaper and got on with his morning.
Harry had smiled sheepishly at his friends before he, too, helped himself to a cup of tea and began spreading the butter on his toast.
Ron and Hermione looked as if they had been punched in the face with shock.
"Did you tell him to acknowledge us?" Ron asked in a hushed whisper.
"Of course, I didn't," Harry replied and shrugged.
Everyone ignored them after that, well, ignored them as much as possible. No one even batted an eyelid when they were seen walking down the corridor together, walking each other into the great hall and when Harry often stayed behind to talk to him after class.
The only thing that had changed was that Severus was now calling Harry Harry. No one had heard the name 'Potter' since day one, and Harry avoided calling Severus anything in class, but if he had to, Sir was his most obvious choice.
So a week later, Harry found himself sitting with Ron, Hermione, and Remus in Remus' room after dinner one night. He clung to his mug of hot chocolate while Hermione was relaxing on the sofa playing cards with Ron, and Remus was reading quietly next to them.
Harry smiled contently. His little family.
Remus had looked the best he had looked in years. Fewer grey circles around his eyes, his face seemed less haunted, and he looked rosy-cheeked. Eating well at Hogwarts, he had put healthy weight on, and again he sported his trousers and cardigan combination he loved.
"What are you smiling about, Harry?" Remus asked kindly.
"Just happy." Harry shrugged and walked over to join his friends in the sitting area.
"I win again Granger." Ron smiled happily at Hermione, grabbing his chess pieces and laying them out again for a new game.
"Right my turn!" Harry said, slumping on the sofa, letting Ron fix his pieces too.
Hermione stood up, smiled gently at her friends and wandered to the table where the teapot was still boiling, due to the warming charm Remus had placed on it and poured herself another cup of tea. Remus quietly followed.
Remus gently put his hand on her back, and sat down at the table, watching Harry and Ron laughing together.
"You know, I don't think I've ever seen him so happy," Hermione spoke suddenly, smiling softly at Harry. "Maybe this marriage has done him some good." Hermione wondered, sitting down opposite Remus, her hands around her mug stretched out so they almost touched his.
"It's strange isn't it?" Remus questioned, turning his glance back to Hermione.
"You look the happiest I've seen you in years." Hermione smiled at him.
"I just feel like things are slowly fitting into place." Remus smiled softly.
Hermione reached out tentatively and touched his hand.
The warmth from the mug she had been holding, made her hand warm and welcoming and Remus glanced down at the gesture.
Harry's eyes wandered to the table, to see Remus slowly move his hand away from Hermione's, a strange sort of smile like a ghost on his face. Harry quickly averted his eyes, not wanting to pry in their obviously private moment.
He wondered if he would ever have this with someone. Someone to share small touches with, and to embrace. He briefly thought of Severus, and the fact that technically that was the person this should be happening with, and quickly shoved it out of his mind.
He wondered how quickly it would be for him to move on from him. Not that there would be any moving on to do, but definitely a change of life.
"Your move Harry." Ron promoted, nodding at the chess board.
Harry cleared his throat, releasing himself from his thoughts and moved his knight.
Harry and Ron played in silence, Harry silently trying to listen to the hushed conversation between Hermione and Remus. He wondered if Ron had noticed the change between the two of them. It would probably do them both some good to talk about it and to talk to Hermione about all of this too.
Although Harry was sure nothing had happened between the two of them, it was getting harder to ignore that something definitely could.
His mind again gently drifted back to Severus and the possibility of himself finding someone after this marriage was all over. The sensation that flew through him suddenly felt very unwelcome, and Harry had no idea what it was. Recently, thinking about the end of his marriage brought this feeling on, and although they still had over 10 months left, Harry felt the time was going rather quickly. A feeling, surprisingly, he didn't enjoy.
Thinking of time, Harry glancing up at the clock above the mantelpiece suddenly gasped. "I'm late!" he shouted, grabbing his cloak and running to the door.
"Late for what?" Ron shouted after him.
"My first defense lesson with Severus!" Harry said, slamming the door shut behind him and running down the hall to the room of requirement.
Severus had stood waiting for Harry, and when 15 minutes had gone past, the room magically conjured up a chair for him to wait in, and to Severus' amusement a grandfather clock now stood at the entrance.
The door flung open, and Harry stood breathless, before taking one look at the clock and bursting into laughter.
"I'm so sorry!" He exasperated.
"No bother, you are here now," Severus said, standing up. "Let's not waste any more time," He said, removing his cloak, so he was left in dark trousers and a dark green shirt. He rolled up his sleeves before pointing at Harry to remove his cloak too.
Harry was surprised at Severus' calmness, not wanting to push his luck, he simply did as was instructed. He wished he dressed as well as Severus. Harry simply chose to wear jeans and a dark blue jumper.
"Albus said there was still no news. They are working on getting a spy in but struggling intently. He just wants to make sure you are ready for a battle. Between myself and Lupin, we will make sure of it." Severus said matter of factly, nodding to the space in front of him where he needed Harry to stand. Harry nodded and took his position opposite Severus.
"We will use the exploxy charm, instead of any harmful ones," Severus explained, moving backwards from Harry.
The exploxy charm was a simple charm, learned by first years, where it spurted out colour powder all over your opponent.
Harry took his stance.
"No time like the present." Severus exclaimed, before raising his wand, "Eploxy!" He commanded while the colour streamed out of his wand, and hit Harry right in the chest.
Although not hurt, startled, Harry physically took a step back, and his mouth dropped, his chest was now a fantastic shade of purple. He looked down, and couldn't help but start laughing.
"Let's give me a bit of warning next time?" Harry said, casting a silent cleaning charm on himself.
"Exploxy," Severus said again, stepping towards Harry. Now Blue covered Harry's face, some over his glasses, blurring his vision slightly.
He wiped it with the back of his hand.
"Severus, that's not fair." Harry began but was interrupted by another colour, green this time, hitting him in the upper leg.
"Right." Harry said, "Exploxy!" He said, aiming at Severus's chest. Severus blocked it with a silent charm, before casting the charm again, hitting Harry again in the leg.
Looking like a rainbow, Harry stopped.
"Right stop. Stop Severus. Let's start again."
"You have to be ready for anything. Surely you know that?" Severus said, and Harry caught him raising his wand again. Quicker than him, Harry quickly cast exploxy, and this time Severus was hit with a startling shade of red on his casting arm.
"Better aim next time!" He shouted while casting the charm.
Harry blocked it this time, casting immediately another at Severus. Severus blocked it, not even stopping for breath before this time, silently, casting the exploxy charm.
Another purple splodge exploded all over Harry's chest.
"Hey, I didn't realize we were doing silent spells!" Harry shouted over the dust of the colours.
"Be prepared for anything," Severus explained, again silently casting the charm, and it again, hitting Harry.
Harry immediately fired one back, but Severus was too fast, blocked it with a spell, and immediately threw the charm back at him. Hitting Harry again, this time on the neck. Bright orange now trailed up his neck on his face.
Severus stopped. He quickly cast a cleaning charm on them both, and he slowly walked over to the chair, which had appeared earlier. He nodded at Harry to sit, as another chair magically appeared opposite his.
Harry sulked over.
"So clearly, your technique is something you need a lot of help on," Severus said, sitting upright in his chair, his head resting on his folded hands.
"You threw me off," Harry complained. "I didn't know we were even starting."
"You have to be prepared for anything. An attack can hit you out of nowhere." Severus said bluntly.
"And my instincts will kick in," Harry said matter of factly. "I don't feel in danger with you, I don't feel like I need to protect myself."
"I see your point." Severus agreed. "Alright then, let's start with spells. Which spell would you use in an attack? If one came out of nowhere?"
Harry briefly paused. "I don't know, my usual one is expellarmus."
"A good spell. But it's a defence spell, what one would you use if you wanted to attack them first?"
Harry looked momentarily startled. "I don't want to attack anyone." He stated. He watched Severus look down and immediately regretted his words. "I mean, I know I will have to at some point. But I will know what to do. Honestly, I will." He declared.
"No Harry, that's not good enough. I need to know that you do know what you're doing. I am not having you die on me because I didn't try hard enough to teach you." Severus spoke, his eyes bore into Harry's, and for a moment Harry saw the old harsh teacher.
"I know what I'm doing," Harry spoke calmly.
"Stand up," Severus said, jumping to his feet. Harry did as he was told. "I'm going to teach you a spell. It's a good spell, strong and can do serious damage. Use it carefully."
"Do I know it already?"Harry asked, walking over to stand in front of Severus.
"I doubt it, it's not really used anymore," Severus replied.
"Why?" Harry asked.
"Because death eaters prefer the unforgivables," Severus said harshly. Harry physically stopped in his tracks.
Although very aware of the fact that Severus used to be a death eater, and thanks to him they had had inside knowledge that had saved them for god knows what, Harry was not fond of thinking about him like that. Someone who had actually done all those things.
"Is this a death eater spell?" He asked.
"No, it's mine," Severus said, taking his stance. He watched Harry's eyes widen slightly and then faced the wall.
Harry watched him intently. Severus was almost graceful in the way he performed spells. His arm moved like a wave. It came so naturally to him.
Harry watched as a wooden figure appeared.
Severus raised his wand. "Sectumsempra," Severus said loudly.
White sparks erupted from his wand. Harry watched as great slashes appeared in the figure. He tried hard not to picture what that would do to a human body. The figure rocked back and forwards, before slowing down and coming to a halt. The room was silent.
"That is a dark spell," Harry said simply.
"You are fighting dark wizards," Severus said, purposefully emphasizing the word dark.
Harry was silent once more and just continued to stare at the figure.
"Alright. Let me give it a go." He said, moving so he stood in front of Severus.
Severus stepped back and watched Harry take his stance.
"Sectumsempra," Harry said, small white wisps shot out of his wand. They traveled slightly before falling to the ground.
"Hold your hand higher," Severus said, watching him intently.
Harry sighed softly and lifted his hand slightly. He hasn't even said anything when he felt warmth behind him and felt a hand on his arm. His breath instantly hitched up. They had touched before, of course, but there was something strangely intimate about the way Severus' hand grasped at Harry's arm, and the way his body seemed to engulf his own smaller frame.
"Like this," Severus spoke softly, almost whispering in his ear.
It made the hair on Harry's arm stand upright.
He told himself to concentrate, and instantly mourned the warmth when he felt the body step back to observe him.
Harry held his hand steady where Severus had placed it, and concentrated hard on the slashed wooden figure in front of him.
"Sectumsempra," Harry spoke harshly. Severus watched as the sparks traveled through the air and hit the figure on its neck. The slashes cut deep into the wooden figure. If that had hit a real person it would have meant death without an immediate healer present.
Harry gasped and took a step back. He let his wand drop to his side. He too was obviously realizing what had happened, and what that could have done.
"Very good aim," Severus said, moving closer to him slightly. Both just stared at the figure, the slash on the chest from Severus and the slash on the neck from Harry. "Shall we continue?" Severus asked. At Harry's silent nod, Severus conjured up more wooden figures, casting a charm for them to move towards the young man, he stepped back and watched as Harry cast spell after spell to stun, disarm and harm the figures.
Harry was right. When in danger, he would be able to act. But he didn't feel in danger with Severus. All this proved was that Harry felt very much comforted in Severus' company. Enough to completely let down any walls he had built up all these years. Walls Severus let down too.
A fire burned behind Harry's eyes and once again, spark after spark from his wand lit up the room, causing all the figures to halt in their process.
Severus could do nothing but look at him in pure amazement. He was outstanding. Not that he would tell him that. Why would he want to give up an excuse for him and Harry to have private alone time?
When Harry was panting and sweat was dripping from his forehead, Severus called the figures to stop. He had done well and there was no need to exhaust him in the first lesson.
Harry pushed his hair out of his eyes with his hand and ruffled it slightly. He glanced towards Severus, a silent question in his eyes.
Severus did nothing but look at him.
"Fantastic." He said. "We will continue with spells another time, but your aim and the way you fight… not much need for improvement there."
Harry's mouth twitched slightly, but Severus could see his eyes light up. Without another word, Severus made his way to the chairs, and Harry took this as an open invite to also sit down. Harry felt no need for words. He had shown how hard he could work without words and the compliment Severus had given him in return was reward enough.
"Why were you late?" Severus asked, snapping Harry out of his thoughts.
"I was with Ron, Hermione and Remus." Harry opened his mouth to say something else but promptly shut it again.
Severus raised an eyebrow at him. "Anything else?"
"Have you noticed a difference between Remus and Hermione?" He asked suggestingly.
"You mean, the fact that Miss Granger is in love with him?"
"Woah!" Harry exclaimed. "In love? You think they are in love?" Harry asked loudly.
"No," Severus said matter of factly. "I think Miss Granger is."
"Oh," Harry said, slumping back in his chair. "Unfortunately, I think you're probably right."
"I tried to get this point across at lunch with the Weasleys. Although I know you're all extremely fond of Lupin, I don't think he would allow himself to feel anything like love for someone." Severus replied. "He wouldn't be able to give her what she wants."
"I don't think Hermione cares," Harry said bluntly.
"Well, she should," Severus replied, equaling Harry's tone.
"You can't help who you fall in love with, Severus," Harry said, his head a little to the side.
Severus glanced over at Harry and sighed silently.
"I know."
He watched as Harry's eyes looked down at the risen sleeve on his left arm. Harry's brow furrowed when he saw what was there, and Severus was momentarily startled as he was aware Harry was moving closer to him.
Harry reached tentatively for his hand, guiding his arm around to look at the glossy water over the mark. He reached out softly with his fingers and touched his lower arm gently. Severus' arm was cold to touch, but Harry's warm fingers were welcome on Severus' arm. Harry had a brief think back to the touch Hermione had laid on Remus's arm, not an hour earlier.
"What's the water over it?" Harry said, lightly tracing the mark with his finger.
"It just stops him from calling me or hurting me. Albus put it on the day after I left them." Severus said matter of factly, his eyes firmly on Harry's hand, and determined to slow down his heartbeat at the sudden contact with him.
Harry snatched his finger away abruptly, also now aware of what he had been doing. Severus' hand dropped to the side of him and Harry leaned back in his chair, eyes down.
"Good idea." He said to the floor. "I'm done for this evening, let's go home." Harry glanced up shyly.
Severus nodded quietly and picked up his cloak. Together they left through the door. Severus' arm still felt electric at Harry's touch on his.
Narcissa walked up to her living room door. The big black door towered over her, and the gold door handle was now dirty and greased. This was once her home, her pride and joy. She had decorated every room, had put together Draco's nursery and had cooked in this kitchen.
She still remembered the first day Lucius took her to this house. She had marveled at the size and how many bedrooms it had. At that time she had fantasized about how many children she could have to fill this house. To hear laughter and playing children running around the house. Lucius the ever-doting father who loved them and read them bedtime stories. But she knew that was a fantasy, she knew that although her husband had fantasies over her when she was a young woman, he had not loved her for many many years. Draco was the only good thing left in her life, now her house had been taken from her as well. And now, Draco, Draco belonged to him as well. Her only son, now marked and a slave to him.
She sneered at the door, before touching the handle, her long manicured fingers almost recoiling.
"Ah, the lady of the house." Voldemort sneered, holding out his hand for Narcissa to sit next to her husband. A husband she barely spoke to, who no longer shared a bed, and who she sometimes couldn't even bear to look at. How was this the man as a teenager she had lusted over? She had been completely besotted with him, and to him she was nothing. Had always been nothing. All she had been good for was producing an heir. Her beloved son.
"My lord." She said, sitting down next to Lucius. The three newest recruits were still at Hogwarts, but she would write to Draco with any news the dark lord would tell her. She didn't care if it got into the wrong hands, she wanted her son to be safe. If anything involved Hogwarts, she would not let Draco get involved.
"My son tells me that the Hogsemede visit is next weekend." The father of Gregory Goyle spoke.
Narcissa adjusted herself in her seat. These were not the chairs she had picked out for her living room. She missed the fireplace that roared here in winter and she missed the black sofa.
"Would they not be expecting an attack?" Antonin Dolohov asked the room.
"I doubt they would think we would attack in such an obvious place." Mr Goyle answered.
"That is true, the old fool wouldn't expect this of us." Voldemort laughed from the big chair he sat in at the end of the table.
"I doubt Severus or Dumbledore will let the boy go." Fredrick Dunn spoke up from the other side of the room. "If they themselves aren't even leaving Hogwarts, then I doubt the boy will be allowed out."
Voldemort rolled his eyes at Dunn and stared at him intently.
"Then we will target the mudblood and the Weasley boy." He said, looking back around his followers. "Do not forget our friend who I visited the other day. I doubt they have word on the new curse he was making up for us."
Narcissa had heard Lucius talk about this new curse they were trialing. It sounded worse than death. It burned your bones from the inside, and as far as Narcissa knew they were the only ones who knew the counter curse. She had immediately told Draco the counter curse, worried that one day the dark lord would use it on her and Lucius would refuse to save her.
A curse to set fire to your bones. This sort of evil belonged in books, and now the deranged dark lord knew how to use it. Narcissa felt sick to her stomach with the idea that he would use this on innocent children.
Nagini slithered in through the small crack in the door, and Narcissa shivered at the line of blood she trailed after her through the carpet.
"I want confirmation that we all know how to use that curse." Voldemort said standing up, "I have some people who we can try it out on." He said, the other death eaters standing up. Narcissa remained seated, only standing up after being forcefully pulled by her husband.
Voldemort walked slowly to the door, Nagini following him like a shadow, no doubt already hungry for a second meal.
She wondered what room he had turned into his torture chamber, and which rooms currently held half-dying or dead witches and wizards. Draco's bedroom had remained firmly locked since the dark lord had entered her home. He was not permitted to ruin those memories.
She was the parent who she always hoped Lucius had been. The bedtime stories, the bath time and the games they had played together up in that little room.
She wished she was brave enough to stand up to this. In a way, she envied Severus. He had got out, no one had been hurt, except a few death eaters who had suffered the cruciatus curse, due to Voldemort's frustration, she wished she too could escape. But she knew if she did, Draco would be the one to pay the price and she would never forgive herself.
Slowly she followed the other death eaters out, to the room which used to be the study, and she was met with a wizard about her age, blood dripping down his face.
"Watch and succeed," Voldemort said, raising his wand and casting the curse.
Narcissa tried to stop a tear as the man begged to see his son one last time.