Chapter 1 Harry Explodes
Harry's point of view
Flashback
First week of the Summer holidays
Aunt Petunia, Dudley, and I were laughing and baking cookies, we were covered in flour. The oatmeal raisin cookies were in the oven, and we were trying to clean up
Uncle Vernon came home. He was in a really, really awful mood. He had been fired from Gunnings. He blamed me for his misfortunes. Aunt Petunia stood up to him and… she ended up dead.
I went straight to Grimmauld Place. I had called Sirius for help, and he said that Dumbledore had accused me of exaggerating.
"You know what? Fine. Don't antagonize the old bastard any more than is necessary. I'll be fine. I'll make my own way to Headquarters. He wants me to be self-reliant but downtrodden… he is going to regret this. I will give him the worst dressing down of his life. He will rue the day he ever crossed me. I'm done with his bullshit, If it's a war that scheming old narcissist wants, it is a war he will get"
END FLASHBACK*
I was about to start 6th year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry… It was our Ordinary Wizarding Level year, so school was now a lot more important than the past four years had been. I had been friends with a greedy, asinine, arrogant, foolish, jealous, meatball who I found out later had been paid to befriend me. If that wasn't the worst kind of betrayal, I am incapable of knowing what is.
Due to the incredibly important exams now being at the end of 6th and 7th year, I didn't have a lot of time to study. I had been studying extremely hard over the summer, and I could now see why Hermione was so diligent about her schoolwork. I had been studying under the supervision of my new legal guardians, and two of my teachers from school.
I was determined to get Outstanding on all of my essays and my exams. I was more confident that I would, thanks to their help. Being an Auror was no longer my life's ambition. I had decided that I wanted to be a healer or a lawyer, instead of an Auror. Top grades were essential. I had to drop certain classes (Care of Magical Creatures, Divination). I needed at least an EE in Herbology, Charms, Potions, and Defence Against The Dark Arts.I had requested to test into OWL Arithmancy and Ancient Runes.
Sirius, Remus, Professor Snape and Professor Malfoy held summer school for all of us. Hermione, Fred, George, Percy, Ronald, Ginevra, Neville, Luna, Susan, Hannah, Dean, Seamus, Draco, Blaise, and Pansy and I.
The more time I spent with my peers, the more I learnt. The more I learnt, the more I realized that there were certain people in my friendship group who I was glad not to really be friends with any more.
Sirius and Remus would be job-sharing the defence against the dark arts post, while Mr Malfoy would be taking over the History of Magic position because Professor Binns had been exorcized. Mr Malfoy had been tutoring us and I could tell he was passionate about History. I introduced him to television. (Sirius had got a television package for Grimmauld Place). He delighted in the programmes about the No-maj 2nd World War. His eyes lit up when he talked about the war with Gellert Grindelwald. I could tell History was his passion.
After lessons were over for the day, Draco and I had a long conversation about everything.
"After my mother died when I was 9, My dad sent me to live with my godfather. He homeschooled me for almost 5 months before Dad was ready for me to come home"
"Goodness, Draco, I never knew your mother passed. I am so sorry for your loss"
"Thanks Harry. When I returned home, Dad confessed something. He is bisexual. His marriage to my mother was arranged, and she knew that he is Bi, and she was fine with it. After I was born, she was warned by the healer that should she try to conceive again, she would not survive the birth.
Having never really had a proper legal guardian to confide in before, though, I sought the advice of my godfathers. About what I should do about Dumbledore, about my sexuality, about
"Sirius…"
"Yes Harry?"
"Is it just me, or have Ronald and Ginevra really changed? They both have really horrible attitudes. I have barely spoken to Ronald since school finished in June, and it's because he's been awful to Hermione! I mean really awful, he called her a mudblood,"
"It's not just you," Sirius confirmed, "They are both horrible lately. I spoke to Arthur about it yesterday, and he told me everything, he and Maleficent are separated. I did wonder if Ronald and Ginevra were reacting to that."
"I thought Mrs Weasley's first name was Molly?" I said.
"No, that's a nickname, her full name is Maleficent." Sirius explained.
"OK" I replied.
"So they have separated and… Arthur says — this is the part that goes no further than this room. I mean it, Harry."
"OK"
"Ronald and Ginevra are not his children biologically."
"OH!"
"They are Professor Dumbledore's children, and they just found out this fact this year."
"Wow, do Fred, George, Percy, Bill, and Charlie know?"
"Yes"
"Oh. Should I tell Hermione?"
"She knows already, George told her this morning, after Ronald lambasted her for existing, yet again. George told Ronald off."
"Good for him"
"Ronald mouthed off and got slapped by George for his trouble."
"Good"
Professor McGonagall came and did a transfiguration session with all of us just twice. As deputy headmistress, she was responsible for sending out letters to the muggleborns and doing their visits. Her summer wasn't her own, she had responsibilities, but she also wasn't about to let her students down.
Professor Dumbledore visited a few times and the one time he visited when Professor McGonagall was there, she turned bright red in anger and excused herself.
Remus, Sirius, Professor Malfoy and Professor Snape had been obvious about one thing: I was never to be alone with the headmaster, even for school related business, if it was school related, and I was at school, I was supposed to have my head of house or another trusted adult there with me. If I was not in school, Remus, Sirius, or Mr Malfoy were to be at the meeting with me or Professor Snape.
"Harry, may I talk to you, my boy?" Professor Dumbledore asked.
"Is it school related, sir?" I asked politely.
"Not exactly." he replied
"If it is not school related, you will need my legal guardian to consent, I am sorry professor, but that is the rules I am abiding by." I said firmly.
"Come now, Harry, that seems a little excessive. Going to the mundane world just to get written permission for a simple conversation".
"Oh… my bad, Professor, you obviously do not know what happened last week, do you?"
"Well, no, I wasn't in the country. I was at the International Confederation of Wizards Annual Conference."
"Right, well, Uncle Vernon murdered Aunt Petunia in front of Dudley and me." I explained.
"Harry, that is a serious accusation" Dumbledore said sternly.
"It is not just an accusation, professor, it's the truth. I was there when it happened. I gave Madam Bones copies of my memories and I will show you the memories and I can have someone verify that it actually happened if you like sir." I explained.
"Very well" said Dumbledore, sounding as though this was the last thing on earth he wanted to do.
"Would you like tea while you view them?"
I asked, figuring I should use the Hospitality badge I had earned when I was still young enough to be in the Cubs.
"That would be wonderful, thank you, Harry," he replied.
I went to the kitchen
"Hey Pup, what's going on?"
Sirius asked.
"Professor Dumbledore wants to see me about something Sirius, I told him that unless it was school related I had to have written consent from my legal guardian and said it was a bit excessive to have to go to the mundane world to speak to Aunt Petunia and I told him what happened, but he didn't believe me, so I offered to show him my memories, and he consented, I also offered to make him a cup of tea which he agreed to…" I explained.
"That was very gracious of you, pup. More than gracious, actually." said Sirius.
"And more gracious than he deserves," said Remus angrily.
I made the tea and took it through to the dining room.
"Here is the tea I said I would make you sir and the memories." I said producing a phial of memories. Sirius and Remus carried the pensieve into the dining room and set it on the table.
"Thank you, Harry," said Dumbledore.
"Sirius is going to sit here while you watch the memories, and then he will come and find me. I do not think I can sit through them again." I explained.
"Very well Harry."
I went to my room and put on an Eminem CD called Recovery. The best song on that album is Not Afraid. It's a song about addiction, but the lyrics are so relevant to my situation.
I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let me know that you're not alone
Holla, if you feel that you've been down the same road
Yeah, it's been a ride
I guess I had to go to that place to get to this one
Now some of you might still be in that place
If you're trying to get out, just follow me
I'll get you there
You can try and read my lyrics off of this paper before I lay 'em
But you won't take the sting out these words before I say 'em
'Cause ain't no way I'mma let you stop me from causing mayhem
When I say I'mma do something I do it, I don't give a damn
What you think, I'm doing this for me, so fuck the world
Feed it beans, it's gassed up, if it thinks it's stopping me
I'mma be what I set out to be, without a doubt, undoubtably
And all those who look down on me, I'm tearing down your balcony
No if, ands, or buts, don't try to ask him why or how can he
From Infinite down to the last Relapse album, he's still shitting
Whether he's on salary, paid hourly
Until he bows out, or he shits his bowels out of him
Whichever comes first, for better or worse
He's married to the game, like a fuck you for Christmas
His gift is a curse, forget the earth he's got the urge
To pull his dick from the dirt and fuck the whole universe
I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let me know that, you're not alone
Holla, if you feel like you've been down the same road
Eminem was one of my biggest inspirations… his music also kept me from completely losing my temper and killing someone because his lyrics are so funny. Between listening to Eminem and reading, and writing Marvel Fan Fiction, I was barely capable of keeping my temper in check.
Hermione came into the room
"Are you OK Harry?" she asked
"Not really, Dumbledore is here."
"Is that why you are listening to Eminem?"
"Yes."
Hermione hugged me.
"Sirius sent me to find you. Professor Dumbledore is done viewing the memories." she explained
"Let me guess, he wants to talk to me about who my legal guardian is?" I sneered with an eye roll
"That and other things." Hermione replied
"That evil old goat has no say in who I live with. He is not my legal guardian and the goblins have told him that should he interfere in my affairs again he will be in legal trouble."
"Just humour him, Harry"
"Oh I will. When we get back to school, he is going to get royally pranked!"
We went downstairs to see what Dumbledore wanted with me.
"Harry. You are becoming a young man now. You're sixteen years old." he began.
"Right, and?" I replied, with absolutely no humour in my voice.
"Well, I thought it would be… prudent for you to start dating," he explained jovially.
"OK" I said hesitantly
"So" he said
"So?" I replied
"I have arranged a lunch date for you and Ginevra" he concluded. A bombshell dropped. Little does he realize that I have a bombshell of my own
"WHAT? NO! I refuse to go on a date with that brazen little hussy!" I spat
"What reasons do you have for not doing as you're told?" Dumbledore asked coldly. His rising anger now evident in his voice.
"Well, for one thing, Sirius is my legal guardian, not you, and for another thing. I don't think I like girls like that." I snapped, finally having had enough of his nonsense.
"Harry… why don't you just go on the date, and maybe it will help you to decide what your preferences are?" Remus suggested
I paused. That wasn't a bad idea.
"That's not a bad idea, Remus." I said.
"So you'll go out with Ginevra?" Dumbledore asked hopefully
"On two conditions" I replied icily.
"Go on?" Dumbledore replied.
"Ronald is to be absolutely nowhere near us and that we do not go to Madam Puddifoot's!" I snapped.
"Oh…" he said disappointedly
"Let me guess, you've already arranged for us to go to Madam Puddifoot's?" I hissed, rolling my eyes at the very idea of the cliché and twee tea shop in Hogsmeade.
"Yes" he replied
"Fine. We'll go to that vile place…and I will do my utmost to be a gentleman, but, I meant what I said about Ronald."
"All right. I was going to recommend that you and Miss Granger should accompany Ronald and Ginevra on a double date, but" He conceded
"UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES! THAT BASTARD CALLED HERMIONE A MUDBLOOD!" I yelled.
Hermione sighed
"I'll go with you if it keeps the peace." she conceded
"I don't think it will, Hermione. In fact, I do not see any good coming out of this… at all" I said firmly
"Thank you for your honesty, Harry" Hermione replied, "I appreciate it"
"That oaf had better keep his hands and his vitriol to himself. I will not have him besmirching my friends." I growled, "if he does not toe the line, he will have a face-to-face visit with my good friend Madam Fist!"
"Don't worry Harry, I will speak to Ronald" said Dumbledore
"Oh, yeah sure you will," I said sarcastically "If he's out of line even once I'm going to teach him a lesson he will never ever forget, and it will be a very painful lesson too…"
The double date was an unmitigated disaster.
I brought Ginevra a corsage.
"Peonies?" she whined, "I had hoped for roses"
Irritated, I let out a sigh and changed the peonies into roses. She didn't bother to thank me.
"Unbelievable, inconsiderate, careless, arrogant, pathetic jerk!" she growled
"It is the thought that counts Ginevra" said Hermione
"Shut up!" Ginevra spat, brown eyes flashing ominously.
Ronald did not bring a corsage for Hermione.
"Your role today is to accompany Ronald and nothing else, you have no opinion, you filthy, worthless, talentless mudblood slut! You should be grateful to my brother for his willingness to be with you. You do not deserve it." Ginevra yelled.
"Talk about inconsiderate!" I growled, He turned to face me and he snapped.
"You better treat my sister right, or else"
"And you better treat my sister right, or you will find yourself on a visit with my good friend Madam Fist" I replied. "If either of you dares to call her a mudblood again, I will crack your heads together until your teeth chatter and your ears ring!"
"You think of me as your sister?" Hermione asked and I nodded. Hermione hugged me.
"Thank you, Harry"
We went to Madam Puddifoot's, and it was every bit as cringeworthy as I knew it was going to be. a cosy, cluttered, and allegedly very romantic space, filled with frills, bows, and lace, creating a rather "tacky" aesthetic; think cramped tables adorned with lacy napkins, china sugar bowls, and an abundance of gaudy decorations, making it a popular spot for couples, especially on Valentine's Day, where they often get intimate over cups of tea and coffee.
It reminded me rather a lot of Professor Umbridge's office. It was gaudy and violently pink. Afterwards, we went for a walk and Ginevra dragged me ahead of the others. We found a bench. As soon as we sat down, Ginevra pounced, kissing me hard on the lips. I gently pushed her away and stood up.
"I'm sorry Ginevra, but you have just confirmed what I suspected. I am gay. I'm going to go back to Grimmauld Place now, so I'll see you at school" I said firmly.
Ginevra went bright red and shrieked so loudly that the entire village and the teachers who were already in the school.
"YOU CAN'T BE WHAT YOU JUST SAID YOU ARE! IT IS UNNATURAL." she shrieked
"I am, thank you for confirming it. Next time you might want to yell a little louder, I do not know if Professor Snape, Professor Sprout and Hagrid heard you."
She slapped me hard across the face, and then she turned and stormed up the hill to the school where her father was waiting for her, tears streaming down her face.
Ronald came storming down the hill, dragging Hermione with him, and he yelled
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU, POTTER? I told you not to mess with her".
"I didn't. I was honest with her. I do not think she appreciated it. She kissed me, and it confirmed what I've suspected for a while… I'm gay. I'm not interested in girls."
Ronald uttered a word so vile that I will not repeat it.
"Ronald Weasley, if you're going to be that prejudiced, we are through."
"Fine. Good luck finding anyone to date, you filthy, frigid, mudblood bitch! There is something seriously wrong with you! You are not normal! You should be locked up for the safety and security of those around you. I'll get you for this, see if I don't."
We walked up to school and used the fireplace in The Great Hall to call Sirius.
"I take it this means your date was a disaster?"
"Yes. It also confirmed my suspicions."
"Come on through."
We went back through to Grimmauld Place.
"What is that red mark on your face?"
"Ginevra slapped me when I told her that I am gay and not interested in girls."
2 days later, Professor Dumbledore came to see me once again. I had been right in the middle of an Occlumency lesson. Sirius was just as annoyed as I was.
"Harry, Ginevra told me that you led her on?"
"What bullshit is that idiotic little tart talking about now?" I snarled,
"I knew that little tramp would try something like this. She has the audacity to act like a whore around the school, then she kisses me without my permission, on a date set up by you, and now she's saying I led her on… Have you not heard of the latest ad campaigns around Hogwarts? Join the Navy, see the world, sleep with Ginevra Dumbledore! Join the Army, be all you can be and sleep with Ginevra Dumbledore! The Marines are looking for a few good men who have NOT slept with Ginevra Dumbledore!" I yelled. Sirius and Remus both started laughing, and so did Hermione.
"WHAT? HOW DARE YOU!" Maleficent shrieked.
"If you'd seen the list of boys that little floozy has been with, you'd understand why I used that quote, madam! Give your brat a chastity potion, I dare you… she will bleed out because she is nothing more than a two-lire tramp in sensible shoes!"
"What did I tell you about treating my sister right?" Ronald screamed, raising a fist to hit me. Hermione stepped between us, Ronald shoved her out of the way, making sure she hit her head on the stairs. Remus tended to her while Sirius dealt with the miscreants.
"ENOUGH!" Sirius yelled, "I really wanted to avoid having to do this today, but you have left me with no choice. I, Sirius Orion Black, do solemnly swear that Maleficent, Ronald, Ginevra, and Albus Dumbledore are no longer welcome at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, so mote it be. Furthermore, this address, Number 12 Grimmauld Place, is no longer the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, so mote it be."
BANG.
Sirius's spell threw Ronald, Ginevra, Maleficent and Albus out of the door.
Arthur winced, and I could tell he was about to round up his boys so that they too could leave, but Sirius stopped them.
"I Sirius Orion Black do hereby decree that Arthur, William, Charles, Frederick, and George Weasley and Lucius and Draconis Malfoy will always be welcome at Number 12 Grimmauld Place, so mote it be."
"Thank you, Sirius."
"Yes, thank you, Sirius."
"My pleasure. It is the least I can do."
Picture it, September 1st 1995, the day everything changed.
We arrived at school in a rainstorm.
My head of house — Professor McGonagall — was not waiting to greet the first years. Instead, it was Professor Snape, head of Slytherin house, and he was looking harried. When did he get so handsome? I crammed that thought behind my Occlumency shields.
"Prefects" he barked, "bring the students from your houses inside and cast drying charms. There is a tray of pepper up potions on the end of each house table, please ensure everyone gets a dose…"
he said, and the prefects hurried to do their job.
"Sir, do you need some extra help with the first years?"
I asked
Calm, sensitive, handsome and sensible… Damn, he is dreamy!
"That would be… welcomed Mr Potter, thank you ten points to Gryffindor" Professor Snape replied.
"I was about to offer the same thing" said a voice that sounded dejected
"I don't see why we can't do this together. Why don't you take the front, and I'll take the back?" I suggested.
" that'll work" said the voice
"Ten points each to Gryffindor and Slytherin for exhibiting inter-house unity"
"Thanks sir" Draco Malfoy and I said at the same time.
"What are you doing?" Ronald demanded
barging rudely past Draco and almost knocking him over. I grabbed him so he didn't fall.
"Thanks Potter"
"I'm helping with the new first year students, Ronald, not that it is any of your concern. We are no longer friends, remember?"
"Why would you do that?"
"I do not owe you an explanation, but I am doing it because Professor Snape seemed a little overwhelmed because it's the right thing to do and because I'd rather not bear witness to the nauseating, babbling, painful and slanderous hot mess of a speech our esteemed headmaster gives."
"Why?" Ronald whined
"Honestly, Weaselbee, you're worse than a toddler with your inane questions and whining." Draco interjected, rolling his eyes. Professor Snape coughed to hide his laughter.
"Shut up Malfoy, this is between Potter and I and it has nothing to do with you. Why are you doing this, Potter?"
"Because I said so, that's why" I said angrily.
"You need to decide where your loyalties lie, Potter" said Ronald, through tightly gritted teeth.
"My loyalties lie with people I respect, and that is no longer you. If truth be told, it never really was you. You've always been a jealous son of a motherless goat. You need to stop acting like a spoiled brat. Pitching a hissy fit like a 2-year-old who has been told no every time you do not get your way is not becoming of a fifteen-year-old." said Hermione in her most scolding voice.
"Shut up mudblood!" Ronald spat, shoving Hermione out of the way. Unfortunately, Ronald shoved her into Professor Snape who scowled and set Hermione on her feet and once he had made sure she was OK, he turned on Ronald.
"Ronald Weasley, if I ever catch you using that vile word again I will not hesitate to march your sorry hide into The Great Hall, pull down your trousers and your underwear and give you the spanking you have deserved for 15 years in front of the entire school, do I make myself clear?"
"Butt out, dungeon bat! This has nothing to do with you". Ronald snarled
"Does he have a death wish? Saying that to my godfather?" Draco hissed.
"I think he must."
"Detention for a month with Mr Filch and 100 points from Gryffindor"
"We're going to go and round up the first years now sir, if you wouldn't mind sending a talking patronus when you're ready for us" I said.
"Excellent suggestion Mr Potter, ten points to Gryffindor. Here is the list of students, please ensure they come into The Great Hall in alphabetical order." He handed the list to Draco.
"Of course sir"
Draco and I went to the anteroom beside The Great Hall, where the first years were waiting.
"I am going to try to organize a time to get everyone together so that we can discuss things and so that I can apologize. Meanwhile, I would like for you and I to start over, we have first years to set an example for after all. It will not be easy to do that if we are still feuding."
"Fair point. Draco Malfoy"
"Harry Potter."
"Weaselbee is going to have an almighty conniption and piss his pants when he finds out!" said Draco
"Bonus!" I replied.
"How are we going to do this?"
"Together?"
"OK"
We shook hands. After declaring our truce, we went into the anteroom
"Good afternoon, First Years and welcome to Hogwarts. My name is Draco Malfoy, and this strapping young fellow over here is Harry Potter." said Draco.
"In a few moments, we will leave this room and go into The Great Hall. The entire school is waiting to start the sorting ceremony. Don't be nervous, OK? You'll be fine, and don't be afraid to ask questions." I continued. "And I do not want you to worry about getting lost or separated, I will be at the head of the line and Draco will be at the tail."
"The Motto of this school is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus, or, never tickle a sleeping dragon. So, let's imagine that Harry is the head of the dragon, and I'm the end of the tail, shall we?"
"Exactly, that is a great idea. Now then, Your house is like your family while you're at school, you'll earn points for answering questions, brewing potions well, knowing how to do spells, and being prepared for class. You will lose points, and you might even get detention for rule breaking, though." Draco explained
"There are four houses, Gryffindor, which is represented by a lion and which is the house I am in, Slytherin, which is represented by a snake and which is the house that Draco is in, Ravenclaw which is represented by an eagle and Hufflepuff which is represented by a badger." I continued
"Each of the houses has a teacher overseeing it. Professor McGonagall is head of Gryffindor and she teaches Transfiguration. She's a bit of a quidditch nut, and she has a magical secret which I am not going to share, but, you'll see me around school, when you figure out what Professor McGonagall's magical secret is, come and tell me." I said.
"Slytherin's head of house is Professor Snape. He's my godfather. He can be scary, but that's because he has to be. His subject, is Potions, which is a very, very dangerous subject, and he has to take classroom safety very seriously so that no one gets injured. He will give you a full lecture about the rules of his classroom during your first lesson. He may look like a gigantic bat, but actually, he does not bite. Do not tell him I said that though because he has a reputation to keep up, I suggest you act intimidated." Draco said
"Professor Flitwick is the head of Ravenclaw house, he teaches Charms. His classes are fun and Professor Sprout is head of Hufflepuff house. She teaches Herbology, and she tries to treat everyone fairly."
I replied.
"There is one thing I need to warn you about though, It is not my intention to scare you, but you must learn about this, it is essential. Do not trust Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster. He can do Legilimency. Legilimency is the act of magically navigating through the many layers of a person's mind and correctly interpreting one's findings." I said
"The opposite of Legilimency is Occlumency. Occlumency is a magical defence that shields the mind from Legilimency. Since your cores are still developing, I would avoid making full eye contact with the headmaster, especially just now." said Draco.
"Once you are a bit older, we will see if we can teach you Occlumency. If you ever get called to his office, do not eat the lemon drops or drink any tea because it is laced with Veritaserum, a powerful truth-telling potion, the use of which is banned on children." I said firmly
"If he tries to use it, let one of us or a teacher know immediately." I added. It was all I could do not to start ranting and raving about the headmaster and his indiscretions. A doe patronus came into the room.
"We are ready for you now" Professor Snape's voice rang out
"Thanks Professor, we'll be through momentarily" I sent my reply
"
All right, everyone, form a single file line. In alphabetical order if you please, Professor Snape gave me a copy of the list and asked us to ensure that you are alphabetized before we go through." said Draco.
When the first years had lined up in alphabetical order, I went to the front.
"When we go into The Great Hall you will be called forward to be sorted one at a time, you don't need to know any magic for this, that's all I am allowed to say. Trust me, the rest of the school is there to support and welcome you so don't be nervous, OK?"
"Shall we?" said Draco
We walked through with the first year students. The rest of the school applauded wildly.
"The first years Professor Snape sir"
Draco and I stuck around to shepherd the newly sorted first years to the right tables.
There were 10 new Ravenclaws, 3 new Gryffindors, 7 new Slytherins and 12 new Hufflepuffs.
"Thank you, Mr Potter, Mr Malfoy, your assistance was very much appreciated."
"My pleasure sir" we said together.
The entire time the sorting was going on, Ronald's face, neck, and ears were getting redder and redder, and he looked like he was fixing to have a conniption.
"I want a word with you, traitor," he spat "outside, NOW"
"Whatever you want to say to me, Ronald, can be said right here."
Ronald stood up and grabbed me by the hair, dragging me out of The Great Hall. Hermione followed, enraged.
"What the hell were you doing? Helping that evil Dungeon Bat?" the brat demanded
"The right thing, and since your lazy ass is supposed to be the Gryffindor 5th year male prefect, and you weren't inclined to do the right thing… I stepped up. YOU ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A SPOILED, VINDICTIVE ARROGANT RAT, AND SOMETHING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE ABOUT YOU LONG AGO!"
"You did the right thing, Harry," said Hermione, "And I am very proud of you for it."
"Thanks Hermione"
"You are welcome, Harry."
Ronald slapped Hermione as hard as he could across the face with the back of his hand, and he yelled
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU EARLIER THAT YOU WERE TO SHUT UP AND STAY OUT OF MY BUSINESS. YOU WILL SPEAK ONLY WHEN SPOKEN TO DIRECTLY, YOU FRIGID, STUCK UP, FILTHY BITCH! IS IT NOT ENOUGH THAT YOU GOT ME IN TROUBLE WITH THE DUNGEON BAT, AND HE TOOK 100 POINTS AND GAVE ME A MONTH OF DETENTION WITH FILCH? For merlin's sake, you're ignorant! IF THIS IS HOW YOU ACT NOW, HOW WILL I DEAL WITH YOU WHEN WE ARE MARRIED WITHOUT MURDERING YOU?"
Hermione turned bright red in anger and shot a wandless aguamenti spell into his face.
"I wouldn't marry you if you were the last human being on earth, Ronald Bilius Weasley. Stay away from me! We are no longer friends. Come near me again, and it will be a stinging hex in the nether regions!" she spat.
"You don't have a choice mudblood, the contract has been arranged since first year" he retorted
"Contracts can be unarranged. My parents will find out about this, and I know they're going to be furious about it. They didn't really want me to return this year."
"You can use Hedwig to send the letter"
"Thank you, Harry."
"Humour me Hermione, go back into The Great Hall and stay there please" She nodded and turned and went back inside The Great Hall, something made her turn around and watch… then she ran horrified back into The Great Hall.
He threw me violently to the ground and started kicking me in the side, then he stamped on my ribs, badly winding me. He knelt over me and punched me, breaking my nose, next he slammed my head repeatedly into the floor.
Fred, George, Hermione, and a furious Professor Snape came to my rescue. Professor Snape turned his back on Fred, George, and Hermione. He came over to me.
"Are you injured, Mr Potter?"
I could only nod. The pain in my ribs was unbearable. Speaking would have been unbelievably sore.
"nolite timer"
The spell Professor Snape cast listed my injuries.
"reprehendo iniuriarum"
"4 Fractured ribs, a mild concussion, a broken wrist… oh dear, you're also malnourished and underweight, and the scan tells me that you badly sprained your ankle, is that correct?"
"Yes sir, I did that and the wrist in the summer, my uncle threw me down the stairs, before he murdered my aunt" I said hoarsely.
"You are unfortunate that we no longer have a school healer. Madame Pomfrey was taken very seriously ill over the summer, and she's been medically retired."
"Oh no…"
"You are fortunate however that the four heads of house of this school are capable of basic first aid. We have a locum for right now. His name is Dr Turner and he's very nice. He doesn't live on campus, but he's only a floo call away. Because we don't have a full-time healer, at least two professors must be in the infirmary at all times. Professor Flitwick is up there with Professor McGonagall."
"That's why you were taking care of the sorting, isn't it?"
"Yes. Professor Sprout has hurt her ankle badly, and she needed to keep it elevated, so… that is why she is sitting in the recliner chair that I transfigured for her."
"Before we go up to the infirmary, can we watch what happens to Ronald?"
"Of course… Satus tempus".
"Petrificus Totalus" said Hermione
"Pluvia aranearum" said Fred
"Scabrosus ubi!" said George
"Levicorpus! quinque minute funem" said Professor Snape, levitating Ronald and using a silent tying spell to hang him from the rafters by the ankle with a five-minute rope. Professor Snape conjured a stretcher and levitated me to the infirmary.
Damn that voice of his …
We were halfway up the first set of stairs when the rope broke and Ronald fell. He was squealing and whimpering. An argument broke out in The Great Hall and then Ginevra came out of The Great Hall, her face covered in pustules formed into insulting words.
"Why is Miss Weasley's face like that?"
he asked
"She… deserved it. During the summer, Professor Dumbledore sent me on a date to Hogsmeade with her. It was a disaster! She kissed me and I stopped it, and she threw a fit because I told her that I am not interested in girls. I think she just fought with Hermione and… well, this is the result." I explained and he grinned.
"It seems Miss Granger is quite handy with an insulting word and a wand." Professor Snape replied, and I felt my knees turn to water.
"Yes she is… Marietta Edgecombe, from Ravenclaw, learnt that the hard way last year when she snitched on us to Umbitch… I mean".
Professor Snape chuckled
"We called her Umbitch the Toad" he confided, making me laugh.
"I'm amazed she got away with what she got away with…"
I added
"What do you mean?"
he asked
I rolled the left sleeve of my school robe up and the words carved into my hand were on show. Professor Snape went white with anger.
"Did it not occur to you to tell someone, Mr Potter?" he demanded
"We tried, Professor McGonagall told me to keep my head down and not to antagonize her. That's why Fred and George started acting out…" I explained. A grin crossed his handsome face.
Wait a minute, when did I start thinking of Professor Snape as being handsome?
"She used a black quill. The use of such objects on children is highly illegal because it can badly affect your magic. Those quills are only supposed to be used for signing legal contracts. When I get you settled in the infirmary, I will speak with my students and alert the other heads of house, and the aurors as appropriate. I think I will just take this directly to Amelia Bones, the director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement".
"Thanks sir"
Severus's point of view
Minerva was sitting on one of the beds in her tabby cat form when I brought Harry in.
Wait, When did he become Harry?
I set the boy on the bed next to Professor McGonagall, he reached up and petted her ears, making her purr loudly. Harry's eyelids began to droop and he soon dozed off.
He is adorable when he is asleep… I could eat him with a spoon.
Minerva became her human self.
"What happened here, Severus?"
Minerva asked, drawing me out of my thoughts.
"Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy offered their assistance to me since Pomona's ankle was sore when the students were arriving. I conjured a recliner for her and encouraged her to rest. I was about to do the introductions when the rest of the students arrived. The weather was horrible, and the students were soaked, so I asked the prefects to take the 2nd-7th years inside and cast drying charms and that I had ensured that there were pepper-up potions on the house tables and could they make sure everyone got one to prevent anyone from getting a cold since we are without a Full-time healer at present. Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy could both see that I was a bit overwhelmed, and they volunteered to help. Weasley was not impressed. and thought it appropriate to exhibit his true colours by throwing an absolute hissy fit in the middle of The Great Hall. He decided that he would vent his spleen on Mr Potter… and he proceeded to attack the innocent child and well, this is the result." I explained
"That is ridiculous!" said Minerva furiously
"I turned my back and let the Weasley Twins and Miss Granger deal with Ronald. I had already given him detention and taken 100 points from Gryffindor, and he didn't humble himself. The point loss was for him calling Miss Granger a Mudblood. Once they had had their fill of punishing him, I tied him to one of the rafters with a 5-minute rope spell."
Minerva let out a chuckle.
"You had already taken points and assigned detention, so… it was justified."
"I believe Mr Fred Weasley is responsible for the Spider spell… and Mr George Weasley was responsible for the itchy underpants spell, and Miss Granger used the full-body bind." I explained
"A fitting punishment. I shall give them points anonymously and later. I shall speak with Ronald's mother. If he does not begin to behave in a manner befitting of a 5th year and a prefect, I will have to send him home." Minerva added sternly
"More's the pity"
I looked over at Potter, he was fast asleep, a grin on his handsome face. I felt my face flush.
"Are you alright, Severus? You're a little flushed."
"I'm fine."
Minerva felt my forehead.
"You don't feel warm…" she gazed at me in a shrewd, feline way.
"You're interested in someone, aren't you?"
"Yes…"
Harry's point of view
I had several weird dreams about Professor Snape that night…
Dream 1
We were sitting on a couch, arms around each other… watching a film.
He sits up, stands up, stretches out sideways on the couch and pulls me into his arms. He summons a quilt and tucks it round both of us. It isn't long before we're both asleep.
What was that?
Dream 2
It is date night, we are in the little kitchenette in Severus' quarters. I am cooking, while he sets the table, I am furious about something, I am viciously chopping vegetables and pre-cooked chicken to put in the pan. He taps the radio twice and says 'Bon Jovi' and Bed of Roses comes on. I lower the heat on the stove with my wand and put the lid on the pan. I set a timer spell. He comes over and pulls me into his arms, we dance to Bed of Roses. He can sense that I am angry and hurt.
"Harry, I know you are rightly angry about what he did to Hermione, but… you cannot let your anger consume you like this, it is not healthy."
That did it, the dam broke
"She is supposed to be my best friend and my sister and I let her down Sev. I thought she would be OK studying in her room."
"Harry, it is not your fault. Your quick actions saved her."
"She is carrying his offspring. That rotten monster who violated my sister, knocked her up. Apparently, she is carrying twin girls."
"She is still unwilling to speak?"
"Yes, but Dr Turner says he thinks she will start speaking soon. The question remains, Sev… why did I ever befriend him?"
"Harry, you must stop blaming and berating yourself. Ronald has hurt you as much as he has hurt Hermione…"
"I think so. He has hurt everyone. He is not the mastermind."
"He has, and you are right, his father is."
Where did that come from?
I was focused on my work, chopping ginger root for the assigned potion, which was simmering on the flame. Draco was to my right, shredding the rose petals for the next step.
"Time to stir"
"Can you count?"
"Yes."
"1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9…10 add the ginger."
"HARRY, LOOK OUT!" I turned and something whizzed past my left ear and landed in the cauldron with a splash, it began to bubble violently.
Severus saw it happen and cast a shield charm, but Draco and I were both blown backwards when the cauldron blew up.
"Who threw that?" he asked furiously
"It was Ronald, Professor, I saw him do it" said Padma Patil
"Thank you Ms Patil, 20 points to Ravenclaw, your quick thinking saved a much bigger disaster from happening." The rest of the class gave Padma a round of applause.
Ronald was not finished, yet he came scurrying to the front of the classroom, a blade in his hand, he was headed for Severus. I could only watch on in horror as the boy I had once counted as my best friend was about to stab my soulmate. Fortunately, my new friends were quick thinkers.
"PROTEGO!" yelled Neville
"Oh no you don't you! Arrogant blood traitors like you sicken me! Leave my godfather alone! INCARCEROUS!" Draco yelled.
"Well done, Draco and Neville!"
"Thanks Harry" they replied together
"Class dismissed," said Professor Snape.
"Are you OK, sir?" I asked him
"Yes, he only got me once, in the back of the hand."
"We are going to the infirmary!"
"OK"
Where did that one come from?
Soulmate?
"Mr Potter, why are you awake?" Asked a voice, it was Professor McGonagall
"I keep having weird dreams. They are not nightmares, but they are a little disconcerting… Professor, are soulmates a real thing?"
"Yes they are, why?"
"I think I just learned who my soulmate is."
"If you can't sleep, read this."
"Thanks"
I settled down and tried to go back to sleep
Dream 3
We were lying on top of his bed, we had our arms around each other. I was lying on top of him. His hands were on my buttocks, my arms were draped around his neck.
I woke up with a frustrated sigh.
I pulled a piece of parchment and a quill over and wrote a letter to Sirius,
"Sirius,
I am in the Hogwarts infirmary because Ronald assaulted me. I'm struggling to sleep because I keep having weird dreams about my soulmate… is there a way to find out who my soulmate is?
Harry"
Dream 4
We were in New York, at Stark Tower.
"He is waiting on the indoor-outdoor balcony for you."
I followed a trail of red and silver rose petals out to the table on the indoor-outdoor balcony. Severus was waiting for me on one knee, a massive grin on his face. He was holding out a little box, inside it was a ring. I gasped, and nodded.
What was that about?
Little did I realize that Professor Snape was having a similar struggle with staying asleep.
Severus's point of view
I awoke every two hours… after yet another weird dream about Harry Potter…
Could he possibly be my soulmate?
I glanced down at my pants and saw that I had a raging erection. I got out of bed and went for a cold shower and took care of that problem with my hand. No one could know yet.
I crept out of my rooms in my animagus form and went to the infirmary to take over from Minerva.
"How is he?"
"He has been rather unsettled. He asked if soulmates are an actual thing. I know I shouldn't snoop, but he wrote to Sirius… with the same question and asking how to find out. If he had woken again, I would have offered half a dose of Dreamless Sleep. Were it not his OWL year, I would have had a discussion about it, but it is, and he needs to get sufficient sleep, or he will never pass his exams."
"I'm going to be honest with you Minerva, I think Potter is my soulmate. I haven't had a decent sleep either. I ended up having to go for a cold shower and…"
"You took care of the problem yourself?"
"Yes."
Harry's point of view
I woke up with a strange but somehow oddly familiar cat sitting on top of me.
"Hello" I said gently, holding my hand out for the cat to sniff. I summoned some cat treats from my robes and offered. him one. The cat purred loudly as I petted his thick black fur. He was a handsome cat. Long droopy whiskers, dark green eyes, a sleek mostly black coat, however he had a tuft of white fur under his chin and white feet.
"Who do you belong to?" I wondered
The cat meowed loudly and there was a soft pop before he vanished and a tall, dark, handsome and billowy figure appeared in his place.
"AAAAAAAARGH!" I yelped, "You are an animagus? Professor McGonagall said it is really, really rare."
"Minerva does enjoy a good prank now and then. I did not tell you that. We… That is to say, myself, Sirius Black and Lucius Malfoy, The True Marauders, managed it in our 5th year and Lucius was in his 7th. James Potter, Peter Pettigrew and the Lestrange twins tried it too… and only Potter and Pettigrew were successful."
"Oh. Did you do it so that you could keep Remus company during the full moon then?"
"Yes. Minerva took your letter to Sirius, and Sirius told me about what you asked. There is a way. I will give you detention, and we can brew the potion then, I have seen some improvement in your essays Mr Potter."
"Thanks, sir, I think it's because Sirius and I have been studying together. My cousin has Dyslexia and other learning difficulties, so we were homeschooled — the local school did not have a good reputation for teaching such children, and it was because of children who had English as an Additional Language requiring the limited time and resources that the Pastoral Care staff had. It just took me a while to realize what a total complete and utter butt munch Ronald Weasley is."
"Your dogfather — I am not being condescending — he asked us to call him that after you were born — and he was named your godfather — was almost put in Ravenclaw."
"He is smart then?"
"Very."
"So, did you mind being in different houses?"
"Not especially. If it wasn't for Lucius, I'd have been an outcast among the Slytherins"
I didn't need to worry about getting detention, Ronald did it for me. He threw a whole pufferfish into my potion in class the next day. We were brewing the family tree potion and the entire cauldron exploded… Ronald got suspended from school. I got detention because I punched him and broke his nose and my hand.
Sirius was furious. He called Madam Bones and insisted on pressing charges. Mrs Weasley insisted on pressing charges against me because I punched Ronald.
The hearing was set for 2pm that afternoon. Ronald's suspension was upheld, as was the detention.
The hearing panel decided that there should be an investigation into Albus Dumbledore's appointment as headmaster… The Board of Directors removed Dumbledore from his post and brought back the rightful headmaster.
During detention, Professor Snape allowed me to rebrew the family tree potion... it revealed some information I had found out during the summer. Once we finished with that potion, we brewed the Soulmate revelation potion...
Author Note: I am taking a month off from writing to focus on THE MONTH OF KNITTING DANGEROUSLY. The next chapter will be up when I have written it. In the meantime there is another version of Stark for President book 1 on AO3. I am TeamStark2905 over there. I am not AT ALL happy with the version of SFP that is over there but, it's popular for some odd reason.