Chapter 17 is here! I loved reading all your comments on my last chapter and was feeling inspired, so I decided to write another chapter for this story straight away😊 I have changed the timeline a little for this chapter. There are some things that Harry knows in this that he wouldn't yet know in cannon. I don't want to say what it is and spoil the story but just roll with it that the timeline is a bit out of whack. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 17
Harry found himself settling in over the next week. The lessons were similar to those of his own time, he even had some of the same teachers and he was also enjoying spending time with Regulus, James, Sirius and Remus as well as the other Slytherins in his year.
He was pulled out of his defence against the dark arts homework as Severus approached where he and Regulus were currently spread out on his bed, trying to finish an essay due in a few days.
"I've finished with the analysis" Snape said without preamble, while Regulus glanced around, making sure the dorm room was empty before sitting up and looking at Snape intently.
"What did you find?"
"It's a powerful poison, one that causes the victim to suffer mental instability and hallucinations for days before they die."
Regulus ran his hand through his hair in thought.
"She must be trying to cast shadows on father's competency before she kills him."
"No doubt trying to cast doubt over his decision to oust her from the family" Snape agreed, obviously clued in to the origins of the potion.
Harry frowned, "it would have been very difficult for you to have put this on a letter to your father without getting any on yourself."
Regulus shrugged. "I doubt she cared about that."
"You have to tell your father, he would want to know" Harry said, worry lacing his voice and he reached out to grip Regulus' hand.
"I'll send him the potion and explain everything" Regulus agreed, squeezing Harry's hand back in reassurance. "He knows to be careful."
Snape nodded, moving to a table and pulling out several books and starting on his own homework, while Regulus got started on the letter to his father. Harry marvelled for a moment at what a great friend Snape was to Regulus before he continued on with his own homework, that is until Regulus gave him a gentle nudge.
"Do you want to come for a walk to the owlery with me to post this?"
Harry, who loved any excuse not to do his homework quickly agreed. He didn't take his cane this time though, mindful of the healer's orders to reduce his reliance on it.
"I doubt this is Walburga's only plan to get to your father" Harry said as they walked towards the owlery. "I also wouldn't be surprised if she targets Sirius, he's technically the heir."
Harry's stomach curled uncomfortably at the mere thought of anything happening to Sirius.
"Sirius isn't stupid, he would be taking any necessary precautions to make sure he's safe" Regulus said comfortingly.
"Still maybe we should talk about it with him next time we see him."
"Of course," Regulus acquiesced.
Regulus held out his arm for Harry to take, as they started to make their way up the owlery steps, he gratefully took the support, leaning heavily on Regulus by the time they made it to the top. His breathing was laboured by the time they pushed open the owlery door, leg aching something terrible, but he'd made it!
He shot Regulus a triumphant smile, spinning to look at him and nearly knocking into another person who was busy tying their own letter to a large barn owl.
"Oh, I'm sorry" Harry began, pausing when he realised just who he'd bumped in to.
Lily.
Harry felt his breath catch in his throat as he looked at his mother.
"That's quite alright" she laughed, as her friend, a curly dark-haired witch picked up the owl and carried it to the window.
Harry couldn't think of anything else to say, he just stood their staring, taking in the bright green eyes, the long red hair. She looked so young.
Lily cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Hello Regulus" she said, and Regulus gave her a nod in return, moving to wrap his arm around Harry's waist and pull him close.
"You must be James's cousin" Lily said, eyes flicking between the pair. "I'm Lily" she stuck her hand out and Harry shook it on reflex, still not saying a word.
"This is Harry" Regulus spoke up, when it became clear that Harry had lost the ability to speak.
"Well," she said with a look at her friend. "We better get going, it was lovely meeting you, Harry."
They stood there for several moments after the witch's footsteps had faded into nothing.
He spun to look at Regulus, mouth hanging open.
"That was my mum" he said quietly, then much louder "I just met my mum!"
He let out a slightly hysterical laugh. "I've never met her before, well that I can remember" Harry babbled, and Regulus gave him a soft look.
"I know" Regulus said softly.
"She looked so happy" he finished, awe in his voice.
"She did" Regulus agreed, a fond smile pulling up the corner of his mouth.
He left Harry to flounder for a few minutes while he went to secure the package and letter to his owl. A stunning screech owl that nuzzled into his dark hair as he approached.
Harry's exuberance had burnt itself out by the time they had made it back down the owlery stairs, but he still couldn't keep the smile off his face. He knew that James had been holding off on introducing them at Harry's request, he had been unexpectedly nervous about meeting his mother but now it had happened he just felt relieved. He didn't really think about her as his mum, obviously, but he still liked the idea of getting to know her, even as just a friend.
As Harry climbed into bed next to Regulus that night, he took a moment to wonder if Regulus might be sick of Harry sleeping in his bed. He pushed the thought aside though as Regulus pulled the curtains closed around them, he would be selfish just this once.
Orion wrote back to Regulus a few days later, the older teen pulled the letter open and leant into Harry's side so they could read it together.
"He's handed the poison in to the authorities" Harry whispered.
"Looks like it" Regulus murmured; eyebrows furrowed as he continued to read.
"He says Bellatrix's parents are relieved that she's been committed, apparently they've been worried about her for a long time."
"Well, that's one less thing to worry about at least."
A throat clearing had them both glancing up, to find Snape watching them with a bored look on his face.
"Potter, we shall start our patronus lessons this evening."
He said it like it was a statement not a question and Harry merely nodded in agreement, that sounded fair. Snape had been a big help to him in potions since the first day they had teamed up, it was his turn to hold up his part of the agreement.
"Let's meet in the common room at 7pm, we'll find an empty classroom to practice in after that."
Snape inclined his head before returning to his breakfast. It was hard to tell but he thought Snape was starting to warm to him. He had only called him three horrible names in potions yesterday, that was a huge improvement.
"The aurors are looking for Walburga to question her, but she hasn't been found" Regulus whispered, drawing Harry's attention back to the letter.
Harry felt a shiver run down his spine; he really didn't like that.
He spotted James walking out of the hall and jumped up from his seat to run after him, he grabbed his dads arm and pulled him to the side, out of the flow of people exiting the hall. He threw up a privacy charm and got straight to the point.
"The aurors are looking for Walburga."
"Yeah, Orion wrote to Sirius this morning and warned him" and Harry felt himself relax a little.
"That-that's good. I'm worried, Sirius is the heir, Walburga might go after him as well."
James nodded, "I'm worried as well. Sirius has his guard up and I'll keep an eye on him. Everything will be OK."
He reached out to squeeze Harry's hand in comfort and Harry tried to let the words reassure him.
"She might get to other students in the school to do her dirty work" Harry warned.
"Possibly" James said, eyebrows furrowing in thought. "It would be a big risk for them though, if they get found out Orion will disinherit them as well or ensure their own family will if they aren't a Black. If they're smart, they will see the way things are going for Walburga and fall into line."
Harry scratched his head, that made sense, kinda.
"You'll look out for him though? Let me know if she tries anything?"
"I will, I promise" James said soothingly, pulling Harry into a hug and rubbing his back. Harry leant into the hug for a moment, soaking in the comfort.
"Thank you" he said quietly as he pulled back a little.
"No worries" James said with a smile.
"I better get going to class."
"Me too, double transfiguration, ugh" James pulled a ridiculous face, no doubt meant to make Harry smile. Which he did.
Regulus was waiting when he waved away the privacy charm and they walked to charms together, both lost in thought.
Harry was equal parts nervous and excited when he met Snape in the common room that evening. The teen was looking as dower as ever but the very fact that he was here was a positive thing.
"Shall we?" Snape asked, leading the way out of the common room and walking until they found an empty classroom.
"Right" Harry said, trying to think where to start. He could do this; he'd done it before.
"The spell" Harry began. "Is expecto patronum."
"I am aware" Snape sniffed, and Harry grinned a little.
"Right, of course you are. The key to making this spell work is thinking of a happy memory when you cast it. Not just any happy memory, but a memory you feel in here" he touched his chest and Snapes eyes followed the movement.
"Have a think, come up with a memory."
He left Snape to think for a few moments, before the dark-haired teen nodded that he had one in mind.
"The wand movement is like this" Harry demonstrates, showing Snape several times and getting him to practice until he has the movement down packed.
"Good work. So, when you cast you have to think of the happy memory, you cast the spell and sort of push the happy memory feeling into the spell."
He thought of his own happy memory, and cast "expecto patronum!" a silver stag erupted from the end of his wand, galloped around the classroom before coming to stand in front of Snape and Harry.
Snape looked on in awe as the patronus began to fade.
"Alright, now you have a try."
Snape raised his wand, obviously concentrating hard, before he cast, "EXPECTO PATRONUM!"
Harry jolted slightly at the shout, watching as Snapes expression turned to disappointment when nothing happened.
"Here" Harry said, moving closer and adjusting Snapes grip on his wand slightly. "Don't feel bad, it took me ages to learn how to cast this spell, it's not one that's done first try no matter how talented you are."
Snape stared at him. "You think I'm talented?"
"Of course!" Harry said, with complete sincerity. "You're obviously very gifted magically and not to mention the most impressive brewer I've ever seen or heard of."
Snapes cheeks turned slightly pink, and he looked pleased.
Harry got him to try the spell again, and again, and again. Nothing happened. He thought Snape would get disheartened, perhaps angry but instead the failures just seemed to motivate him more.
"Let's meet again in a few days and try again" Harry said, after over an hour of casting. "We might need to look at what memory you've chosen, it might not be strong enough."
"I'll have a think in the meantime, see if I can think of another memory, just in case."
"Good idea" Harry said. "You did really great tonight, by the way."
Snape let out a derisive noise.
"No, seriously, you did. It's a difficult spell to learn, don't be too hard on yourself not getting it first go."
Snape looked like he'd reached his limit of Potter time for one evening, so they made their way back to the common room in silence.
They had another lesson a few days later and Snape managed to make a small amount of silver mist explode from his wand, he's not sure who was more excited Snape or himself.
"Fancy a picnic by the lake Saturday afternoon?" a voice called out from behind him, and Harry turned to find James, Sirius and Remus striding towards him.
His face broke into a grin at the sight of them.
"A picnic?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, down by the lake" Sirius confirmed. "Thought it might be nice to make the most of this warm weather while we have the chance.
"That sounds great, can I bring Regulus?"
"Of course," Sirius said, his mouth twisting slightly.
Regulus hadn't been that keen on the idea when he'd first shared it with him, but he'd quickly come around.
As they walked down to the lake on Saturday afternoon, he'd been a little surprised to find that Lily was with them. He took a deep breath, heart pounding in his chest and he gripped Regulus' hand harder as they approached. Thankfully Peter was nowhere in sight.
"Harry" James said happily, patting the spot beside him for Harry to take a seat. Harry took the seat, eyeing the subtle tension running through the three marauders.
"I told Lily about our picnic, and she really wanted to come, I hope that's OK?"
"Yeah of course" Harry said, giving a small and awkward wave to Lily who was seated on James' other side.
"So, how's your week been?" Sirius asked, clearly trying to change the topic and Harry latched on to it with both hands.
"It's been really good, Regulus and I were the only ones to get the pretim curse in defence against the dark arts and Snape managed to create a small mist from his patronus charm for the first time, which was amazing."
Sirius gave him a fond smile.
"No doubt he had a wonderful teacher."
Harry chuckled, "Not really."
"Wait," Lily spoke up, "you're teaching Severus the patronus charm?"
"I am," said Harry.
"Are you friends with him?"
"I don't know if Snape would call us friends, but I like to think of us that way."
Lily ran her hand through her hair and Harry observed how her green eyes sparkled when she was thinking.
"Severus doesn't really have friends" she said finally.
"Severus and I are good friends" Regulus spoke up, "so that's just untrue."
"Sure, he's friends with other Slytherins. With purebloods."
Harry scratched his chin looking thoughtful, "but Snape is a half blood, I really don't think the purity of blood matters much to him."
"Oh, it does" Lily said starting to look upset, but Harry wasn't going to let this go. He'd been hoping for an opportunity just like this but hadn't expected it to present itself after only a few weeks at school.
"Really? Why would you say that?"
Lily huffed. "Severus and I used to be friends, years ago. But- well he called me a mudblood, he became more interested in the purebloods around him. We haven't spoken since."
Harry raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise.
"I think I heard about that" Harry murmured, casting a look at Regulus as though the other Black had been the one to tell him.
"That was at the end of your 5th year, right?" Harry said cooly. "Wasn't it just after James and Sirius had used a spell to pull Snapes pants down in front of half the school, completely humiliating him?"
Every Gryffindor stared at him open mouthed.
James and Sirius shifted guiltily; Remus was staring steadfastly at the picnic rug.
"Perhaps he wasn't in his right mind after such an incident. I know I wouldn't be. It seems a shame to throw away years of friendship over one mistake. I'm sure you've made your fair share over the years. And seeing as how, you're now dating James after he did such a horrible thing to your friend, I'd say that you seem to be the forgiving type."
Lily spluttered for a moment and then fell silent. Harry pretended not to notice the awkwardness that hung in the air around the four Gryffindors. Instead picking up a few sandwiches from the platters arrayed around them, humming happily as he took his first bite. He glanced at Regulus who was staring at him, a look in his eyes Harry didn't recognise and a smirk playing around his mouth.
"These are so good" Harry mumbled around his mouthful, "did the house elves make them?"
Harry's question seemed to pull everyone out of their reverie.
"Oh, oh yeah. We went down to the kitchens this morning and asked if they could prepare a basket for us" Remus said, reaching forward to grab his own sandwich. "They were more than happy to oblige."
"I bet" Harry chuckled.
James grabbed another egg and lettuce sandwich and Harry smiled.
"They're my favourite" James said with a grin as he noticed Harry watching.
"Good choice. What's your favourite, Sirius?"
"Probably just a chicken salad, that's what Kreacher always used to make when we were little."
"They were good" Regulus agreed. "I wonder why he stopped making them."
Sirius shrugged, reaching this time for a scoop of fruit salad. He watched as Sirius picked out all the blueberries and threw most of them back into the bowl, though a few were flicked into Regulus' hair. He smiled a little, he hadn't known Sirius didn't like blueberries, before reaching over and carefully pulling the wayward fruit out of Regulus' dark locks.
"You're no fun Harry" Sirius scowled so Harry threw the blueberries at his head instead.
His ears perked up when James started talking about the upcoming quidditch season.
"He's very proud of the fact he's captain this year" Lily laughed.
"I just know we're going to have a great year" he said enthusiastically. "Our team is definitely better than any other houses."
"Oh, I didn't know Slytherin had already held try outs for their team this year" Harry said, a little disappointed that he'd missed them.
"They haven't" Regulus said from where he was lounging beside Harry, still shooting daggers at Sirius after the blueberry incident. "Not for another week or two, I think."
"Are you thinking of trying out?" Remus asked.
"Possibly, I'll have a think about it."
They spent the rest of the afternoon talking about Gryffindor and Slytherin's chances of winning the quidditch cup this year.
When they made it back to the entrance hall, they found that a new notice was hanging on the notice board.
Hogsmeade weekend, next Saturday!
"Hey, the first Hogsmeade weekend is next weekend" Sirius said excitedly, turning to Harry. "You'll love it Harry, there's so many cool places to visit."
Harry laughed at Sirius' enthusiasm. "I can't wait."
Sirius flung his arm over Harry's shoulders, as they continued through the entrance hall.
"There's a joke shop, where we get most of our pranks. A lolly shop that sells the most delicious sugar quills. There're clothing stores, books shops, cafes and pubs. Oh!" Sirius swung to face him. "How about we all meet for lunch at the Three Broomsticks?"
"Sure" Harry said, loving Sirius' excitement. "That sounds great to me."
"Definitely" James grinned while Remus, Regulus and Lily nodded as well.
"I think I'll ask Marlene if she wants to go with me" Sirius mused.
Remus chuckled, "didn't she turn you down three times last year?"
Sirius waved his hand around as though it was of no consequence. "That was last year, I'm feeling lucky this year." Sirius winked at him, and Harry grinned back.
"I might ask Amelia" Remus said thoughtfully, while James spoke up, "I'll be going with Lily of course" he pulled his girlfriend into his side and kissed her cheek.
"Would you like to go with me, Harry?" Regulus asked quietly and Harry lit up.
"Of course," Harry said happily. "You'll be able to show me all your favourite places to visit."
Sirius let out a long-suffering sigh that had Harry turning to him in confusion and Lily letting out a small giggle.
"Come on Padfoot" Remus said, throwing his arm around Sirius and starting to lead him away. James pulled Harry into a hug, holding him tight before letting him go, with a final wave he trailed off after Remus, Sirius and Lily.
Harry turned to ask Regulus a question, freezing when he saw that the other Slytherins hair was now a startling shade of red. His eyes widened and he pointed up.
"Your hair" he gasped.
Regulus grabbed his wand and conjured a mirror, his face contorting in anger as he saw what had been done.
"SIRIUS!" He screamed, the sound of laughter echoing down the hallway as the Gryffindors disappeared.
"I think it suits you" Harry chuckled.