Set in Stone

by lyraonyx

Summary:

Harry and Severus are back at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore has even more tricks up his sleeve to make the boys as miserable as possible, and the Dark Lord is scheming against them, too. Between twisted headmasters, NEWTs prep, the Marauders' tricks, the Death Eaters' machinations, and navigating the bumpy road of new relationships, it's bound to be an interesting year.

At least they won't have to face it alone.

Notes:

• For originella.

I decided to end book 1 two chapters earlier and migrate those to a new book. This plot got much deeper than originally intended, so I need more space for the rest of the story.

Chapter 1: Cat Out of the Bag

Summary:

This was chapter 34 of Changing Fate. Now it's chapter 1 of Set in Stone. Hope you enjoy the new story!

Chapter 1

Cat Out of the Bag

The Slytherin dorms had three beds to each room. Severus and Harry were sharing with Andrew Corner. The other Slytherin hadn't come back yet, so Severus and Harry lay ensconced on Severus' bed, hidden behind his curtains, with Harry's head in Severus' lap. Severus stroked Harry's hair and watched his partner with a soft smile on his face.

"Harry, thank you."

Harry looked up at Severus. "For what, love?"

"I do not think I would have made it through this without you. At least not and remained whole. Thank you."

Harry reached up and caressed Severus' cheek. "I would have stayed with you anyway, Sev. I love you."

"I love you too."

"I know, Sev. I see it in your eyes every time you look at me like this." 

Severus kissed Harry's fingers and took his caressing hand in his own. 

"Starling is so much like the adult you that it's a bit eerie being in the same room as him sometimes. Only your older self was in pain and bitter. Starling is just having us all on and laughing his arse off about it behind the scenes."

"I suppose I must have learned it from him."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah." His mirth faded. "Just don't lose your softer side this time, okay? You're such a good person, Severus. So loving and kind under all those masks. I would hate for that to—to vanish again, when I know how beautiful you really are."

Severus leaned back and nodded solemnly. "I swore to myself a long time ago I would never become the man you knew. No matter what happens—to us, to Lils, or with anyone else—I won't hurt you again. I won't be that cold, unfeeling man who made you suffer when you were already in pain."

Harry sat and took Severus into a gentle, loving kiss. "You were suffering, and I wish I could have made it better."

"You do, Phoenix. You're my hope."

"And you're my future." Harry snuggled closer. "So, how do you think Dumbledore took it? Us getting around all of his schemes and embarrassing him in front of everyone into the bargain?"

"Not well, I'd wager." Severus sat up. "Mipsy?"

The little elf appeared with a bow. "Masters, Hypnos is hunting. And Lucia is investigating the grounds. They is coming back soon."

"Thanks, Mipsy." Harry sat up too and motioned her closer. "Muffliato." A buzzing field of energy coalesced around them. "Mipsy, what is Dumbledore up to?"

Mipsy covered a giggle. "He is cursing and stomping around his quarters, Masters. You is both giving Dumbledore fits."

Harry snorted. "Guess we really did ruin his night, yeah?"

"Indeed." Severus' expression held more worry than humour. "Mipsy, keep an eye on him until he goes to bed if you can do so safely, please."

"Mipsy is doing that anyway, Master Severus. Mipsy is not letting the old man hurt her boys."

"Thank you," Harry murmured. "Get out of there if it gets dangerous, okay? You're irreplaceable."

Mipsy sniffled and hugged Harry and Severus in turn. "Mipsy feels the same about her boys."

With a wave and a wish for a good night, Mipsy disapparated. Severus stared after her, his nerves unsettled and his heart troubled. An angry Dumbledore could do a lot of damage, and he would most likely go for Harry and Severus' allies first.

"Raven," said a subdued Harry, "we should talk to Starling. Warn him not to be too outspoken against Dumbledore, just in case. He placed himself in firm opposition to the man tonight, and if I were that evil bastard, I'd want to nip that in the bud as soon as possible."

Severus nodded grimly. "I was just thinking the same thing, but how much do we tell him?"

Harry paused. "I think we'll have to tell him something. He's irritated with Dumbledore, but I don't think he would believe that Dumbledore is really dangerous without proof. For his own sake, let's try to keep the collateral damage to a minimum, but he needs to know the gist of the situation to stay safe."

"Agreed." Severus cast a Tempus. "We still have about forty-five minutes to curfew. Should we go now?"

Harry nodded and led Severus into the hall, throwing his cloak over his partner as soon as they were out of the bedroom. He motioned for Severus to follow him and led the way out of the dorms, Severus' warm hand in his.

The other Slytherins sat in groups about the common room. Even the first years had stayed up late, all hyped up on excitement and too much sugar from the feast. Among the older students, a tacit divide separated the dark Slytherins from the neutral and light aligned sides. To Severus' relief, not many had joined the dark-sided Slytherins this year. Their roommate was not among them either.

As Severus and Harry neared the door into the dungeons, Corner called from near the fire, "Oi! Don't stay out too late, Potter. It's going to be curfew soon, and Starling is a hardarse. Don't cost us points."

"All right. I just wanted to have a look around."

"Just don't get lost."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah. I'll do my best. Thanks for the warning."

Corner nodded and went back to his chess game with Ganesh Patil. 

"Your turn," Patil chided him. "I've been waiting for twenty minutes!"

"I'm thinking, I'm thinking."

Corner was still deliberating when Harry closed the door behind Severus. Severus slipped his hand into Harry's and cast the invisibility spell over his boyfriend. 

"Now we are free to go."

Harry nodded. "Have any idea where Starling's quarters are? I doubt he'll be in his office at this time of night."

"As far as I know, the offices are connected to the quarters so the professors can have a bit of privacy."

"Ah, good point. Then… his office?"

"It's the potions master's office, I suppose. They stay the same, don't they?"

"Now that you mention it, all my DADA professors had the same office space." Harry gave a wry chuckle. "If it's the same office as Snape's, then I know it all too well. Let's go."

Severus shuddered. "That is… eerie, thinking I am going into my future office."

"It may not be now. We've already altered the future so much. And you told me yourself you don't want to teach. There's no reason why this Severus will ever inhabit that office."

Severus squeezed his hand. "Perhaps we will decide to teach together someday."

Harry tugged Severus closer and laced their fingers together. "Yeah. I think I'd like that."

Severus wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders instead and walked beside him, enjoying the sensation of Harry's hand tracing patterns in the small of his back.

Starling answered the door sans robes, but still dressed professionally in a white dress shirt and black trousers. His eyes narrowed and scanned the hallway, intelligence and irritation sharp in their depths. Harry edged a little closer to Severus, and the older boy wondered if the sight of him had triggered more of Harry's lost memories.

"Who's there?" Starling's voice was low and cold. "If this is a prank—"

Harry called, "Sir, it's not. It's Harry Potter. Severus and I are here, but invisible. Could you let us in for a moment? It's really important."

Starling paused, confusion clear in his features. "Harry, you say? And Severus?"

"I am here, sir," Severus said. "Harry is speaking the truth. The situation is quite serious or we would not have concealed ourselves."

"Serious? I see." 

Starling opened the door and let the students into his office. Shelves of creepy things lined the walls all the way around. The only other furniture was a bookcase full of potions texts and research journals and a hulking desk at the centre of the back wall. Two student chairs sat before it and the professor's chair behind it.

Harry stepped inside and froze, a pained sob catching in his throat. "Oh, God."

---

It was like walking into the past all over again. Harry choked back a sob and pressed his arms around his stomach, as if that would stop the bleeding inside. Oh, gods. It hurt, so much, to know the professor who had saved Harry's life was gone—lost forever to time, and there was nothing Harry could do to save him.

'Oh, Professor. I'm so, so sorry.'

Severus winced and caught Harry into his arms. "Harry? What is it?"

"Snape," he whispered in Severus' ear. "T-the office—it's exactly the same."

Severus cancelled Harry's invisibility spell and took off his hood, revealing Harry's face. "Oh, Harry." 

Harry pressed his head into Severus' shoulder and struggled to keep the tears back. 

"Forgive him, sir," Severus murmured, nodding to his friend. "Harry has—he's endured much more than we let on to the headmaster. Seeing your office reminded him of something painful."

"M'sorry," Harry choked out. "Should have better control by now. It's b-been months!"

Severus held him and stroked Harry's hair. Starling searched through his desk. 

"Mister Potter," Starling said, his voice gentle, "this will help."

Harry turned to see a familiar blue potion and shuddered, another bitter sob escaping him. "I failed him, Severus. We all failed him."

Severus took the potion and gently guided Harry to open his mouth. "You're healing him now," he whispered into Harry's ear. 

"Gone," Harry whispered back. "That man is gone. Lost forever. And he suffered so much! I just—gods, I wish I had known before it was too late."

"Harry, shh. You weren't even born. It's not your fault."

Harry sniffled and downed the potion. "S-sorry. I'm a mess."

Severus guided the shaking boy to a chair and stood behind him, gently rubbing Harry's hair and shoulders. Starling watched, a concerned expression on his face and curiosity in his eyes.

"If I may ask," said the professor, "whom is it you are so distraught over, Mr. Potter?"

Merlin. Harry couldn't tell him, even if he did trust Starling. "Oh. I—um—a friend."

'I'm sorry, sir.'

Starling's eyebrow shot up. "If you do not wish to tell me, you might have simply said so rather than lying to my face."

Harry winced. "Oh. Sir, it's not that—I just—Severus?"

Severus rubbed Harry's back. "We'll have to tell him as much as we safely can, Harry. You didn't know him where you're from, did you?"

Harry shook his head. "I'd never seen him before until your OWLs."

Starling narrowed his eyes. "You were not in attendance for OWLs."

Harry gave a sheepish laugh. "N-no, not as a student. I was there to protect Severus, invisible and out of the way. We suspected the Marauders—the students who caused a ruckus that day—would try to hurt him. I didn't want anything bad to happen to him or to interfere with his grade, so I was waiting to stop them if they tried something. We weren't disappointed." He shuddered. "But even I wasn't prepared for that level of treachery."

Starling's eyes widened. "It was you! You cast that shield charm! I had no idea where it had come from."

Harry nodded. "I purposefully aimed it so whatever Pettigrew had thrown would go back into his cauldron. I had no idea it was so dangerous, though."

"Neither did he," said Severus in a dark voice. "That was too sophisticated a 'prank' even for them."

"That's why we came tonight, sir, though I didn't intend to have a fit in your office. Sorry about that."

Starling waved off his apology. "That the two of you know something serious is obvious. So perhaps we should hold off on apologies and worrying about what cannot be changed and get to the root of the problem."

Harry grimaced. "All right, but, sir, it's very dangerous. Can you silence and ward these rooms against the house elves and eavesdroppers first?" He mimed writing, and Starling handed him a piece of parchment and a quill. Harry wrote: "Especially the headmaster."

"Merlin!" 

Starling eyed the parchment and gave Harry a searching gaze. Harry opened his mind to the man, revealing snippets of what he knew, and wasn't surprised to feel Starling's presence slip into his thoughts and slip out a moment later. 

"I will… take your advice into consideration." With several flicks of his wand, the walls shined silver with wards Harry doubted even Dumbledore could breach. "There. Now, explain what I just saw."

Harry closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. "The headmaster isn't the grandfatherly old man he pretends to be. He's—well, it's not safe to reveal too much to you, not when you have to work under him, but he's dangerous. You need to be careful—much more so than you were tonight. He has it in for Severus—and me, by extension—and defending us so publicly might get you hurt."

Starling shuddered and sat down, looking pale. "You are sure of this?"

"Absolutely. We're his victims."

"Victims?" Starling gripped the desk, his nails digging into the wood. "Explain."

Harry hesitated. "Sir, Severus can show you more than I can. My life has, um, special circumstances that could get all of us hurt if the wrong people see the truth, but the same isn't true for Severus. And he's suffered terribly as a result of the headmaster's machinations."

Starling went ashen. "How?"

Severus took a deep breath and clutched Harry's hand. "Before my fifth birthday, my parents were kind, loving people. They were poor, but the best parents anyone could ask for either way, and they adored me. On my fifth birthday, everything changed. Mum had just told me she was pregnant—Merlin, I was so excited—and we had gone to cut the cake. But then…."

He covered his mouth and shuddered, and Harry helped him.

"Then Dumbledore showed up. Well, in a manner of speaking. He was hiding, but I saw a flash of him in Severus' memories. He broke through Eileen's wards—that's Sev's mum. She was a warding expert before Dumbledore… broke her. Anyway, she sensed his presence and told her husband to take Sev and run—he's a Muggle, so he would have been defenceless against a wizard. Then Dumbledore cast a spell at Severus, and Eileen jumped in front of him. But Dumbledore knocked Eileen down, and, with Severus distracted by his mother's fall, he managed to knock them all out."

"Mum lost the baby," Severus whispered. "She lost my brother or sister, and the loss was so traumatic to her system, she can never have another baby."

"Dear gods," Starling gasped. "Severus…."

"That's hardly the start of it, sir. After that day, he compelled my parents to hate me. He compelled Da to be abusive and a drunk, and Mum to be cold and weak. We managed to weaken their compulsions this year, but we couldn't free them entirely. It's the same with my best friend, other than Harry."

"Lily Evans," Harry explained. "She, as well as the Marauders—Sirius Black, James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew—are all under compulsions to hate and hurt Severus. Over and over. And Dumbledore has Confunded , compelled, and Obliviated anyone who's stood up for him since."

Starling paced the office, distressed to the extreme. "He is forcing students to assault another student?"

Severus winced. "I—yes. It's actually worse than that, sir. Much worse."

"Dear gods, worse?" Starling sank into his chair, ashen and trembling. "I do not understand. Why in Merlin's name would he do this?"

Harry shook his head. "We don't know exactly. The answers are probably all in his office. For now, all we can tell you is that there's a reason, and it's probably tied to prophecy, but we can't explain beyond that. Not least because divulging anything else might get you hurt."

Starling crossed his arms over his chest. "Children, do you have proof of this?"

Harry looked to his partner. "Sev, he knows Legilimency." 

Starling gaped. "You know of the mind magics?"

"We're trying to learn Occlumency, sir. Dumbledore is a master Legilimens, and while our rings protect him from the worst he might do, he could still invade our minds if we're not careful. We just haven't enough experience to get as far as we need to, to be safe."

Starling breathed out harshly. "Merlin. I will train you both then. Are you able to show me what you know, children?"

Harry closed his eyes. "I can't. For the sake of us all, I need to keep the darkest of my memories quiet—at least for now. But Severus can show you, if he can bear it."

"Y-yes." Severus gripped Harry's hand and pulled it close against his side. "I…."

Harry tugged the boy fully into his lap and held him close. "I have you, my beautiful Raven," he whispered in Severus' ear. "You're safe and protected and cherished. I'm here."

Severus trembled against him, but nodded and held Harry's hands around his waist. "Yes. Thank you, my Phoenix." He took a deep breath and focused on Starling's face. "O-okay, sir. I am ready."

Starling nodded and dove in. His blue eyes dilated to almost black while he searched—no wonder Snape's had looked so dark when he had rifled through Harry's mind. His pupils shrank to a normal size the instant he emerged from Severus' mind.

"Mother of Merlin," Starling choked out, tears heavy on his lashes. "I cannot believe it. To condone the rape and torture of a student—to have arranged for it to happen—it is reprehensible. We must call the aurors and have him removed."

"Sir, wait." Harry shook his head. "Please. Sit and listen. If it were safe and possible to have Dumbledore removed, we'd have done it already. But the problem is this—Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald in 1945, and the Wizarding world still thinks he's the best thing since sliced bread because of it. His influence in the Ministry goes deep, and he has the most important people there compelled to turn a blind eye to his crimes. And all the evidence we have, at this time, is circumstantial at best."

"We know it was him," said Severus with a nod, "but the Wizengamot won't believe it."

"Veritaserum would—"

"But it won't make it that far, sir," said Harry with a shake of his head. "Please believe me. I'm a powerful Seer, and intuition is telling me that even attempting to have him arrested at this time would only result in you being discredited and us being expelled and possibly thrown in Azkaban for 'false accusations.' His influence is simply too powerful and our evidence too weak to risk a trial right now. I'm sorry."

Starling raised an eyebrow. "A Seer?"

Harry hesitated. "I can't tell you everything, but I'm a direct descendant of Merlin and the Lady of the Lake, and they were both incredible Seers. I inherited their powers. Severus is a descendant too, but he's not a Seer."

Starling's lip quirked up. "So you two are family?"

"Well, yes, a thousand years or so back," said Harry with a snort. "I reckon no one would be able to marry at all if we worried about family ties that far down the tree."

Starling smiled wanly. "No, probably not." He rubbed a shaking hand over his forehead. "This is horrifying, frankly. Does anyone else know?"

Harry nodded. "Professor McGonagall does, to an extent, and she's trying to help us."

"But she won't be easy for Dumbledore to remove," said Severus with a grim expression. "She's the deputy headmaster, Head of Gryffindor, and altogether too well-loved for him to sack her without consequences."

"You, however," said Harry, "haven't her support—not yet. So please, sir. Be careful. For your sake and ours."

Starling nodded tentatively. "I will not provoke him on purpose or involve the Ministry without further evidence, but, children, I cannot, in good conscience, stand by while he allows you to be assaulted."

"That's where I come in," said Harry with a wicked smirk. "Remember I told you I'm the top Defence student in the school? I meant it. I've been trained to fight by aurors and spent more time than I care to remember fighting Death Eaters and Voldemort head-on, but no one's going to expect that of a sixth year. I can defend him and I will. You just lie low and keep him safe behind the scenes, sir. I'll handle the prats in the daylight."

Starling's jaw dropped. "You… a sixteen year old, have fought You-Know-Who?"

"Six times. I know what I'm doing." Harry tapped his temple and felt a push from Starling's mind. Harry revealed bits and pieces of his battles with Voldemort over the years, only the ones that would not reveal his timeline, and felt the professor's shock.

"Sweet Merlin. I cannot believe—are you real, Potter?"

Harry laughed. "Er… last time I checked, sir. If you want, Sev and I can do a mock duel and I can give you a little idea of what I can do. Or I can duel you. But maybe not here, with all these jars."

"Duelling is not a strength of mine," said Starling with a shiver. "It seems as though you could train me. Sweet Circe." 

Harry nodded. "My sight already confirmed that's what I'm going to do. Train fighters, I mean. We'll be a lot safer if the general public can fight back." 

"That is a compelling argument."

"Yes, sir. For now, though, I could teach the two of you what I know of fighting, and in return, you can teach us Occlumency and Legilimency, sir. And potions for Sev, of course. I'm, well, I'm not bad, but I definitely don't have Severus' talent for it. Defence is my strength."

"If you have been battling You-Know-Who since practically your infancy, I am not surprised." Starling sighed and leaned back in his chair, clearly shaken. "If what you have told me of the headmaster is true, I think it would be remiss of me not to learn to defend myself and the two of you to the best of my ability. Potter, you shall train us to fight on Tuesdays and Saturdays. I will teach Severus potions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and carry on your Occlumency and Legilimency lessons during the final hour. Thursdays, we will have a full mind magic lesson, with Sundays off to rest and recover. Does this sound acceptable to you?"

Harry and Severus nodded. 

"Perfect. Thank you, sir," said Harry.

"Yes, thank you," Severus agreed. "And thank you for trusting us, sir. I know it's hard to believe."

Starling bowed. "Thank you for risking your safety to warn me. But now it is nearly curfew, and the two of you must get back to bed. Be careful, children. Apparently there are worse risks than detention and lost points roaming about. I would escort you, but…."

"But it will be suspicious," said Severus. "Don't worry, sir. We are able to slip about unseen fairly well. We will be fine."

"And if we do run into trouble," said Harry with a wry grin, "we know of a place to hide that no one else does. Not even the Marauders."

"Good. Then off with you, children, and I…." Starling stood and took Severus' hand. "I will do everything I can safely to keep you from harm. Both of you."

Severus swallowed hard and squeezed the professor's fingers. "Thank you, sir," he said, voice rough.

"You are most welcome. Now go, before we are discovered here."

"Good point, sir. Thank you." Harry gave the professor a bow, tossed the cloak back over Severus' head, and led them both from Starling's office. The hallways were empty, to his relief. "Come on, Sev. Let's get back before Corner has a coronary."

"Lead the way, Phoenix."

Chapter 2: A New Routine

Summary:

Originally chapter 35 of Changing Fate

Chapter 2

A New Routine

Corner and Patil were still at their chess game when Severus returned at Harry's side, still invisible. "You cut it awfully close. Where's Snape?"

"He was studying in the bedroom when I left earlier," said Harry with a shrug. "Might still be there."

Severus squeezed his hand. 

"I figured he would have gone with you."

"He might have done, but he was excited about his apprenticeship, and I only wanted to have a look about, get myself familiar with the hallways a little before I start classes tomorrow."

"Not a bad idea, but you should've had someone with you who actually knows the halls, so you don't get lost."

Harry chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Right. I didn't know anyone besides Severus yet, so I just went by myself this time. Maybe next time you and Patil would like to come?"

"Maybe." Corner checked the board and smirked. He moved his castle and crowed, "Checkmate!"

Patil groaned. "Every damn time."

Corner laughed and packed up his board, ignoring his celebrating pieces' protests. "What can I say? I like chess."

Severus laid his head against Harry's shoulder and kissed his neck, trying to soothe the pain of loss he knew must have overcome his partner at that moment. Harry sighed and leaned back into him. 

"Right," Harry said with a wan chuckle. "I'm off to bed then. See you lot tomorrow."

A few scattered replies met his statement, along with jovial greetings from Patil, Corner, and Quinn, and Harry led Severus to their dorm room. Severus removed the cloak as soon as they were inside and passed it back to Harry, who pocketed it.

"Well, we're safe for now," Severus said with a sigh. "And Starling should be too."

"I sure hope so." Harry climbed onto the bed and patted the corner. "Come on. Climb in here with me. I don't want to sleep alone whether Corner's in here or not."

"Mm, neither do I." Severus bolted the door and hesitated. "I should change for bed."

"Yeah," Harry murmured. "I'll guard the door."

"I already locked it. But…." Severus swallowed hard. "Maybe you could watch."

"I'll keep a lookout, love, don't worry."

"No. Watch me."

Harry's eyes widened slightly. "Oh." His Adam's apple bobbed and his fingers clenched the side of the mattress. "Y-yeah. I'd like that, if you're sure you're okay with it?"

"I trust you."

"Just look, don't touch?"

Severus' face flamed. "F-for now."

"Okay. I'll sit right here. Show me your beautiful body, love."

Severus' hands trembled as he unbuttoned his high collar and slowly moved down his front. "Do you really believe I am beautiful?"

Harry's eyes flashed up from where they had been glued onto his hands, fire and love warm in his gaze. "Bloody hell, Severus. You're gorgeous." He paused, seeing Severus' uncertainty. "Are you okay, Sev? Do you want me to turn?"

"No. I need to—you are my partner. I want you to see."

"You don't have to push yourself for me."

"I know, but I want to overcome my past, and you help me face it."

Harry smiled. "I always will. Can you take your shirt off now, love? It's just you and me, and I'll never hurt you."

Slowly, Severus let his robe and shirt drop off of his shaking frame, revealing his pale torso for Harry's inspection. But rather than take him in, Harry kept his eyes on Severus' face.

"It's all right, Sev. You're okay."

Severus took in a shaky breath. "Look, Harry. Look at me."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

Harry nodded and tracked his eyes down Severus' body. His breath hitched and his hands clutched the mattress. "Gods, Severus. So beautiful." He bit his thumb as Severus attempted to undo his belt.

But Severus froze partway through. 'Snivellus! You're holding out on us! Let's make him put on a show!'  

Harry's voice pierced through the fog of Severus' past. "Stop, Sev. No more. You're not ready for more."

Severus met Harry's eyes, tears forming on his lashes. "I'm s-sorry. I want—I tried to, but—"

Harry shook his head. "Nothing to be sorry for, love. You did well. You showed me your top. We'll do the rest when you're not so scared." He held his hands out over Severus'. "Can I hold your hand, Sev?"

"Yes. It might—your touch soothes me."

"As long as I'm careful." Harry took Severus' hand in his own and kissed his knuckles. "You never have to give me anything more than what you're comfortable with, Severus. Never. Go on and change your trousers by the dresser. I'll guard the door for you."

Severus kissed Harry lightly. "Thank you."

"Nothing to thank me for either." Harry nuzzled his nose. "Go on. You're okay, and if we wait much longer, Corner will interrupt."

Severus shuddered and raced to the dresser. Harry turned his back and stood guard before the door, arms crossed and wand dangling from his fingertips. Severus smiled at his back, a flood of affection warm in his heart. Harry was so gentle and understanding, yet so fiercely protective. With his help, Severus knew he would recover, one day.

Quickly, he undressed and changed into the white cotton pyjamas Harry had bought for him before their return to school. Severus had once worn nightshirts, but Harry thought pants would keep him safer in a dorm full of unknowns and with a headmaster determined to see Severus assaulted, and Severus agreed. He would get used to it eventually.

"Okay, Harry."

Harry kissed Severus lightly. "You're gorgeous in white, you know." 

Severus blushed. "I'm glad you think so." He kissed Harry's forehead. "I'll guard for you. Go change."

Harry nodded and went to his dresser. Severus turned and listened to the tell-tale rustles and drawer pulls. A moment later, Harry called him back, and Severus turned to find his partner wearing a grey t-shirt and blue flannel pyjama bottoms. He smiled and climbed into bed, sitting against the headboard and opening his arms for Harry. 

"Ah, that's where I want to be." Harry raced into his arms and curled up close. 

They sat together with twin sighs of contentment, wrapped in each other's arms and warm.

"Yes," Severus agreed. "This is home."

"Sure is. I—"

Corner called, "Potter? Snape? Are you here?"

Harry hesitated. "Should we move?"

"Stay," Severus murmured. "He will learn the truth eventually."

Harry nodded and moved a bit to the side, laying his head on Severus' shoulder. "In here, Corner." He unlocked the door wandlessly, and Severus opened the curtains with a flick of his wrist just as Corner came inside. 

"Hello, Corner."

The boy reeled back at the sight of them cosied up with one another, went a bright shade of pink, and ruffled up his hair so the dark strands were almost as wild as Harry's.

"Y-you two are t-together?"

Harry lifted his head and stared at Corner, his eyes sharp. His expression unnerved even Severus, so he couldn't blame their roommate for gulping and taking a step back.

"Will that be a problem, Corner?"

The boy blushed deeper and gave him a sheepish smile. "N-no. I mean, I don't mind as long as I don't… uh… get a show."

Severus bristled. "I believe I have been forced into enough performances to be set against the mere idea of exhibitionism for the rest of my life."

Corner paled. "Oh gods. Snape, I'm sorry. I didn't mean—I just don't want to walk in on it, you know? That's all. Merlin."

Severus stared, but relaxed after a moment. Corner had never participated in his torture. Whether because he wasn't about when it started or he didn't want to see it, Severus didn't know, but he had never seen the boy's face in the crowds before. 

"We are only sixteen yet," Severus said, his cheeks hot. "And when and if we do decide to, well, do things you should not be privy to, rest assured, we shan't do them in here where any of our dormmates might walk in on us at any time."

Corner frowned. "Then where…?"

Harry snorted. "Do you really want to know?"

The boy snickered. "No, I suppose not." He sat on his own bed and stretched. "Merlin, I'm worn out. Somehow the feast always takes it out of me."

"You eat too many starchy foods," said Severus with an eyeroll. "By now, your energy is crashing."

"Really? Huh. Maybe I should cut back on the potatoes then." Corner yawned. "Not going to make it to NEWTs otherwise."

Harry chuckled. "You'll be fine."

"Yeah, maybe." Corner gave Harry a searching look. "How exactly did you two end up together? I thought you had just started classes."

"I did," said Harry with a shrug, "but I actually met Severus before the end of OWLs last year. I had… er, come straight out of a fight with the Death Eaters who killed my family and into finding Severus being assaulted by my lovely cousin. Bit of a shock for me. Anyway, I rescued him and we sort of… connected. We didn't start dating until the end of July, though."

Corner's eyes boggled. "It was you!"

Harry narrowed his eyes. "What was?"

"There was a rumour flying around last term that Snape had found some kind of guardian angel and we'd best leave him the hell alone. Not that I wanted to… I mean, I think they're all bloody prats, but anyway, we figured out someone was protecting him. We just didn't know who." He laughed wryly. "Thought it was a ghost or something."

Harry winced. "Yeah." He gave Corner a piercing look. "Listen, can I ask you to keep that secret? That I was protecting Sev last term? We—both of us are in—well, it's a bad situation. We have to be really careful."

Corner nodded and hugged his waist. "I think I know. I thought about that almost-disaster in the potions OWL for a long time over the summer. I mean, those idiot Gryffindors made for great pawns, but they're not that smart. None of us knew what potion was going to be used that day. How would they have known to have a clutch of elderberries handy? How would they have known the exact moment to throw it at Snape's cauldron when we hadn't ever done the potion before?" He shivered and shook his head. "Too much of a coincidence if you ask me."

Snape went rigid, his heart racing. "Corner…."

Corner looked up to him. "There's someone powerful behind the wings, isn't there? And he's out to hurt you both."

Harry gave Severus a fearful look. "Oh gods. What—I don't…."

Severus sighed and pressed a fingertip to Harry's lips. "Too late, Harry. He already knows."

Harry slumped into Severus' shoulder, trembling and pale. "S-Sev…."

"Hey," Corner said in a soft voice. "It's all right. I'm pretty sure no one else figured it out, and I like Snape, so I'm not going to spread things around that could get you both killed."

Harry swallowed hard. "O-okay. Just, don't say anything or let on that you know, please? It's really dangerous—for all of us. You too."

Corner shuddered. "Understood." He went to his wardrobe and paused with his hand on the handle. "Listen, if you two ever need someone to, er, cover for you, I'll handle it. Just let me know. I'll bring in Ganesh and Fiona too, if need be. I don't have to tell them why. Just that you two need help and we should cover your arses. They're all right. They'll look out for you."

Harry gave him a hesitant smile. "Really? Thanks. That—we might pull through this year in one piece after all."

Corner paled. "In one piece?"

"Yeah."

"Merlin."

---

"What's on the schedule first today, Sev?" 

Harry peeked over his boyfriend's arm to catch a glimpse of Severus' schedule, conveniently identical to Harry's… for now. Merlin knew what rubbish Dumbledore would get up to as soon as he could make it happen.

They had better figure out the Hogwarts problems before the end of the year, because, by next year, Dumbledore would be prepared to make their lives miserable.

They had ten months. Just ten months to figure out how to save Lily and find whatever it was in Hogwarts that they needed to get on Dumbledore. Maybe twelve months if they could return safely to Cokeworth next summer, but Harry doubted that possibility more and more by the moment. Dumbledore would know where they were going. And that would give him ten months to set traps. To hurt people they cared about. 

Cokeworth was definitely out.

Maybe they would just travel over the hols this year. Severus would probably love the Alps. Or Africa might be interesting. 

Well, they had plenty of time to figure that out. In the meantime, Harry had to focus on troubles closer to home. 

"Um, Transfiguration. Then Charms, then Magical Theory after lunch, and Ancient Runes after that. Oh. Merlin, look at this, Harry. It says our Defence instructor is TBA."

"Wait, what happened to the other one?"

"I don't know. We could ask our friend."

Mipsy. Hm. She might know something. 

"I didn't see anyone new at breakfast." Harry wrinkled his nose. "But I have the strangest feeling that we know them, whoever they are."

Severus' expression was grim. "That isn't necessarily good news."

"Around here? Not much is." Harry nudged his shoulder. "Well, McGonagall looks strict as all hell, so we better get moving." She was strict, and Harry had no desire to start the day by showing up late to her class.

"Right. Follow me then."

Harry nodded and walked at Severus' side. 

Halfway to the classroom, a jeering voice behind him set his teeth on edge. 

"Potter! You're no Potter! No Potter was ever a slimy snake."

Harry gave his father a cool look. "I don't know, seems like there are a few snakes in the family tree. And not the good kind either." He turned his back, but kept his hand on his wand. "Let's get away from that ponce, Sev."

Severus nodded tersely, face white and hands shaking. Harry wished he could hold his hand, but revealing their relationship too soon would only give Dumbledore more excuse to separate them. 

"Hey, why don't you kiss your boyfriend," Sirius taunted. "He looks like he could use one."

Harry glared at them. "My love life isn't on display for your amusement, and neither is Severus'."

Sirius brought up a good point, though, however unintentionally. If James had reported on everything he saw in Cokeworth, then Dumbledore might already know Harry and Severus were dating. 

Damn. That wasn't good. 

Well, at least it meant they could drop the charade soon. 

James sneered. "Poufs! I knew there was something wrong with you, Potter!"

Gods, Harry wished he could just hex the shite out of them both and run for it, like he would have done in the summer. That, however, would feed right into Dumbledore's plans. 

This year was going to be absolute hell, wasn't it?

"It's not too late to transfer to Beauxbatons," Severus muttered to Harry, just loud enough for the arseholes to hear. Smart. If the Marauders were acting under compulsions, reminding their controller that Harry and Severus no longer had to put up with his bullshite might make the year slightly less hellish.

As predicted, James and Sirius immediately shut up. 

Pettigrew, on the other hand….

"Yeah? They wouldn't take slimy queers like you."

And there it was, proof that the rat bastard didn't need compulsions to be a monster. One day, Harry would make damn sure he paid for it. 

"Pettigrew." Corner glared the boy down. "Shut up."

"No one wants ta hear your rubbish voice anyway," Fiona Quinn said with a huff. "Gobshites, the lot of them."

"You've got that right," said Ganesh Patil.

Harry nodded and led Severus away, letting Quinn, Patil, and Corner act as a shield between them and the Marauders. The three of them lined up so they walked shoulder-to-shoulder, and Harry realised it was intentional. 

God. It was wonderful to have people in their corner. Everything at Hogwarts felt like a trap, but this—this he could trust. 

At least until Dumbledore compelled them, too.

"Hey, Sev?" Harry whispered, "I think we need to make some new jewellery." Come to think of it, they should make something for Starling, too. McGonagall's tenure and influence was insurance enough for her, but Starling needed protection. 

Severus glanced back. "Hm. Not here."

Harry nodded and walked in silence for a moment, trying to work out the best way to contact their goblin friends from Hogwarts. 

"So, Potter," said Corner, "do you play quidditch?"

Harry winced. "Uh, not sure it's a great idea to try."

Leaving Sev alone to go chase the snitch was definitely out.

Patil's dark eyes slid between the boys. "Hm. You know, the team has a lot of spots open. A lot of our players graduated last year. So I reckon you could both land a spot, if you're interested."

Harry glimpsed the gloating expression on James' face and was sorely tempted to accept just to rub his nose in it. 

But Severus was more important. 

"Uh, let me think about it, okay? I'll get back to you later."

"Me too," said Severus in an uncertain tone. Harry squeezed his hand.

"Sure," said Corner. "But, just for curiosity's sake, what positions would you be interested in if you do try out?"

Harry shrugged. "Seeker or chaser I guess."

"I think I'd make a better beater," said Severus. 

"Yeah? I could see that. Potter, you're the perfect build for a seeker—small and probably fast as all hell." 

Harry was definitely that. 

"And Snape's got some power in that frame and damn good aim. I could see it working."

"It's less our skill that's the issue and more of a safety concern," Harry murmured so only Corner and Severus could hear.

"Ah. Right. I could see how that would be a problem. Still, maybe we can work something out. In the meantime, how are you at chess?"

"Oh, he's abysmal," said Severus with a chuckle. "But I rather enjoy playing him anyway."

Harry grinned. "Hey, I'm not… that bad."

"Harry. Last time I beat you in four moves."

"I let you." 

"Sure you did."

Harry snorted. "All right, so chess isn't really my best skill."

Severus snickered. 

"Hush, you."

Corner chuckled. "I love a good match. Snape, maybe you and Harry could play me and Ganesh soon."

"We've got his mastery class tonight," said Harry, "but yeah, maybe sometime."

Quinn frowned at him. "You're both goin' to his mastery lessons? Are ya takin' a mastery too?"

"Not in Potions, to be sure. That's definitely more Sev's thing. I'm just coming along to keep him company." And to keep the arseholes away. "Starling already approved it as long as I don't bother them."

"That's good. Ah, but we're here, lads." Quinn motioned to the classroom. "This here's Transfiguration classroom three. McGonagall teaches the upper forms, so that's us now. Are you two goin' for the Animagi trainin'?"

Harry met Severus' eyes. It was a good idea to learn, but if they did, they wouldn't be doing it under Dumbledore's watch. 

"Probably not. We've got enough on our plates as is."

"Oh, right. I heard you're takin' the same classes as Snape. Tryin' to do yourself in early, mate?"

Harry snorted, morbidly amused. "I don't think so." Everyone else was doing that for him. 

Severus gave him a grim nod and motioned to the table in the centre of the class, one row behind the front. 

Harry grimaced. "Better to take the back row, Sev." So he could keep an eye on everyone else.

"Ah. All right. I guess it doesn't matter now, since Lils…." Severus lowered his head, and, though Harry knew he was acting to give them a viable excuse to break Severus' established patterns, Severus' grief was real. Harry took his hand, threats be damned, and led him to the table in the back of the room on the left-hand side, leaving his wand-arm accessible and facing the threats. Corner and Patil set up next to them, and Quinn and a Gryffindor girl Harry didn't know sat ahead of them. James and Sirius sneered at Harry and Severus and sat at the table on Quinn's left. Lupin and Lily sat directly ahead of them, and Pettigrew and an unfamiliar Gryffindor boy sat beside them. 

Harry whispered to Severus, "Who is sitting with Quinn and Pettigrew?" 

"The boy with Pettigrew is Astor Bellchant. He's a complete prick. Snobbish arsehole. The girl near Quinn is Aiko Sharp. She's half Japanese. She's all right. Bit formal, but not an arse like Bellend over there."

Harry had to choke back a snort. "Got it. Bellchant is a dick. Anyone else I should watch out for?"

"Other than the ones you already know about, anyone wearing red," Severus muttered.

"One former Gryffindor doesn't hate Slytherins," Harry whispered. 

Severus gave him a wan smile. "But the other most important one to me…."

Harry watched Lily open her books without once looking in Severus' direction. "Yeah." He squeezed Severus' hand under the table. 

McGonagall strode in. "Welcome to sixth year Transfiguration. Mr. Potter, may I ask where you left off in your previous lessons?"

"Animagi, Professor," said James with a smirk. "We were discussing who is compatible, and who… isn't." 

McGonagall's lips thinned. "That will be all, James. I was speaking to the other Potter."

"Oh, probably somewhere in third year then," James muttered. 

"Ten points from Gryffindor. Mr. Harry Potter?"

"I left off on human to animal Transfiguration, ma'am."

McGonagall's eyes widened a little. "Oh my. Do you mean Animagi, Mr. Potter?"

"No, ma'am. Defence is rather a specialty of mine. I meant transfiguring a human opponent into an animal to take them out of a duel."

Every Marauder edged away slightly. Harry smirked a little. 

"That is… impressive, Mr. Potter. I would prefer that you not demonstrate in my classroom, however—that is definitely more of a Defence skill, and we would need Madam Pomfrey on hand in case anything went awry. Have you covered… hm. The vanishing spell?"

"Yes, ma'am. What would you like me to vanish?"

"Start with yourself," Sirius muttered. 

"Ten more points from Gryffindor, Mr. Black," said a sharp-eyed McGonagall. "Perhaps…." She conjured an iguana and set it on Harry's desk. "Well, Mr. Potter?"

Harry kept from laughing, barely. "I think I can handle it, ma'am." How odd that she had chosen the exact same animal that he had been given during his OWLs, twenty years in the future. "Evanesco!"

The iguana vanished.

"Well done, Mr. Potter. Five points to Slytherin. It seems you're quite capable of handling sixth year Transfiguration, so, let us begin." 

She began a lesson on conjuring large game, and Harry sat back with a smile at Severus. 

James and Sirius spent the rest of the lesson pretending Harry and Severus didn't exist and trying to beat them in lessons at the same time. They failed miserably in both respects. 

"No, Mr. James Potter, a corgi does not count as large game. However, that is a beautiful saiga, Mr. Harry Potter. Well done. Ten points to Slytherin."

Harry gave Severus a brilliant grin. 

[Raven and Phoenix: one, Marauders: zero.] He thought it at Severus, knowing by now his friend was good enough at Legilimency to hear it.  

Severus smirked. "Animalis Conjura!" He flicked his wand and a bison flowed out of the end. 

"Oh, well done, Mr. Snape! Ten points to Slytherin."

Severus whispered, "Raven and Phoenix: two."

Harry grinned.

A furious, strident squeal made both boys whirl on the spot. From the Marauders' corner of the room, a three-legged boar charged straight for Severus.

'Not today, Dumbledick!'

"Evanesco!"

Harry conjured a physical shield around Severus, Severus and Corner cast the vanishing spell at the boar simultaneously, and Quinn, Sharp, and Patil conjured a magical shield for them, though, even with all three working in tandem, it was weak. Damn, but Harry wanted to train them. 

Maybe he should. It might mean more of his classmates had both of their parents alive twenty years from now. It might mean more classmates in general. Or, since he was stuck in this time, more classmates for Ron and Hermione one day. 

Yes. For their sake, he would start his job as a Defence trainer here, with these students that had never had a single professor for two years running. 

"Mr. Black! Control your conjurations better! Fifteen points from Gryffindor!" McGonagall placed her hand over her chest. "Goodness, that was too close. Mr. Snape, are you quite all right?"

"Yes, ma'am. We handled it just fine."

"So I see." Assessing eyes fixed upon Harry. "Mr. Harry, was that a physical shield?"

Harry hesitated, but Dumbledore already knew he could conjure them. There was no point in hiding it, and owning up to it might make the non-compelled arseholes think twice before taking them on. 

"Yes, ma'am, it was."

"What?" James scowled. "You're lying, Potter! That's an auror level spell! No sixth year could—"

Harry looked him dead in the eye, aimed for Severus, and enunciated so everyone could hear, "Protego Corporalis!" He pulled his power just enough to make the peach-coloured light around Severus glow. 

Corner threw a quill at the shield and grinned as it bounced off. "What was that, Potter? Something about no sixth year being able to conjure a physical shield?"

"I did say Defence was rather a specialty of mine," said Harry with a grin at Severus.

Severus grinned back. 

"So I see." McGonagall dismissed the shield with a flick of her wand. "Well done, all of you, for your quick action to protect your classmate. Fifteen points to each of you, and twenty to Mr. Harry for excellent Defence work. Now, back to practising, all of you. And do make an effort to keep your conjurations under control."

James and Sirius slunk into their seats, both looking a little green. Pettigrew refused to look at them again. Lupin eyed them cautiously, gulped, and returned to his work. Lily pretended as if nothing odd had happened.

Severus leaned close and whispered, "Raven and Phoenix: five, Marauders: negative three."

Harry barely held back a snort.

A soft, cultured voice murmured nearby, "Impressive indeed, Potter."

Harry couldn't tell who spoke, but the voice left a chill creeping across his skin.  Harry gripped Severus' hand under the table so he wouldn't reveal his shudder. 

If it was one of the Death Eaters, perhaps Severus wouldn't be the only one at risk for 'recruitment' this year. 

Gods help them.

Chapter 3: A Little Bit of Chaos

Summary:

Happy Holidays if you celebrate, and happy Monday if you don't. ❤

Chapter 3

A Little Bit of Chaos

Sinistra's class typically met on Tuesdays, but she had called them in directly after dinner to observe a rare conjunction between Jupiter and Venus. Harry and Severus had finished their dinner early to make a point of being on time, and yet—

"Mr. Potter, tardiness is not tolerated in my classroom."

Harry checked the clock. "Well, I guess that works out for both of us, ma'am, as it's still ten to."

Sinistra scowled. "I don't recall asking for your opinion. Ten points from Slytherin."

"For pointing out that I'm actually early to class?"

"For backtalking. And make it twenty."

Well. This was certainly beginning to sound familiar. Harry bit back another smartarse remark, fully aware Dumbledore wanted him to snap. 

"Yes, ma'am. Sorry, ma'am." With that, he took a place at the back of the classroom.

Corner glared at her. "That was just not on, mate. You're here before half of the school."

Harry shook his head. "Later." He had enough experience of biassed teachers, whether legitimately or via their public façade, to know that anyone who spoke up for him would only mark themselves for punishment, too. At least he didn't have to deal with the Marauders rubbing it in here. Lupin was the only one in Astronomy, and he was too nervous of Harry to dare speak up. 

Harry settled against the Astronomy Tower parapet, Corner on one side and Severus on the other, and observed her through narrowed eyes. Sinistra could have simply been suspicious of a new student, but given the fact that Sinistra, herself, had just begun teaching that evening, Harry doubted it. 

"Welcome, students, to Astronomy. Now, as this is a special session, we don't have enough telescopes for everyone to use, so I have mine calibrated already. As this is a time-sensitive event, there is also concern that it may take too long for some of you to calibrate the telescopes." Her eyes landed on Harry and looked away. "They require a… practised hand. So, everyone look here, and you'll be able to see a heavenly phenomenon that hasn't been witnessed in three-hundred years…."

By the time Jupiter and Neptune aligned, Harry was certain. He didn't dare speak up until he, Severus, and Corner were out of the classroom. "So, Sinistra has it in for me, apparently."

Corner scoffed. "That was utter bullshite back there, Potter. You didn't do anything to deserve that rubbish."

Harry shrugged. "I don't think it's actually her call."

Corner blanched. "Shite. You're saying, the one behind the curtain…?"

"Yeah. Don't spread that around, and just let her be a bint as long as she doesn't try to separate me from Sev. I can deal with her as long as it doesn't come to that."

"She's probably going to try it sooner rather than later," said Severus. 

"Yeah, and, when she does, we can simply drop Astronomy—it's not like either of us actually needs it, given our career plans."

Corner eyed him curiously. "What are your plans, Potter? If you don't mind sharing, of course. We all know Snape wants to go into potions, but what about you? And did you ever decide what field of potions you want, Snape?"

Severus blushed. "I… actually don't plan to go into Potions full time."

"What? But why are you taking a mastery then? And, seriously, you're so good, Snape, that just sounds like a waste of incredible talent."

"Well, my job will require the ability to invent potions and a strong working knowledge of them. So I won't be wasting my skills."

"Oh. That's good to know. So what are you going into, mate?"

"Medical research."

"Oh, brilliant! You'd be fantastic at it. Good luck."

Severus gave him a tentative smile. "Thank you. I—it means a lot."

Corner rubbed his shoulder. "You've had a bad run of things, Snape. Really bad. You deserve a hell of a lot better than what you've gotten up to now."

Severus' breath hitched. "I—you really believe that?”

“Damn straight, I do.”

“Oh.” Severus swallowed several times. “Thank you." His voice still came out a little unsteady.

Harry rubbed his lover's back. "God, that's brilliant, Corner. Thank you. I'm glad to have you in our… corner?" 

Corner snorted. "Not the first time I've heard that joke."

"I'll bet not, but it was honestly unintentional."

"It's no problem." Corner smiled at him. "So, what are you gonna do then? As a career?"

Harry gave him a grim look. "I don't know if you're aware of it yet, mate, but this country is in a war right now. I intend to learn to fight back, and then teach as many people as possible to do the same."

"A—a war?" Corner gulped. "I know there's the dark Slytherins, and they're all following that Voldemort bloke, but I didn't know it was a war."

Harry shuddered and looked away. "Trust me, it is."

Severus tugged Harry close. "I have you, love," he whispered. 

Corner's throat bobbed. "Harry? Mate, are you okay?"

"No. Honestly, no." He lifted his head and met Corner's eyes. "But I will be. And I intend to make sure everyone else we care about pulls through this war, too."

Corner blinked hard. "Yeah? Sign me up, mate. Anyone who can make that lot damn near piss themselves in front of McGonagall ought to be worth learning from."

Harry chuckled. "I'll pencil you in somewhere."

Corner grinned. "Wicked."

---

Corner walked them to Starling's office and bid them goodnight. "Want Fiona and Ganesh and me to come by and get you when you're done?"

Severus swallowed hard, more affected by Corner's protection than he was ready to admit. "I—not this time. We don't know how long the lesson will take."

"Thank you though," said Harry. "If we don't see you again before bedtime, goodnight."

Corner waved and went his own way. 

"We have to protect them," Harry whispered to Severus. "They're being much too conscientious not to have set themselves up as targets."

"Mipsy may be able to help, or their own elves."

"True. In the meantime, I'll send a letter to our banker friends with Lucia as soon as we're done with tonight's lesson."

"Thank you. We should ask about Starling and McGonagall too."

"Mm, maybe not McGonagall. Her tenure is protection enough, I think, and she can't Occlude. We couldn't give her a you-know-what without having to explain why, and then she couldn't protect herself."

"By that argument, we had better make sure that Corner, Patil, and Quinn learn to protect themselves soon, too."

Harry nodded. "We'll teach them."

"When? Our schedule is already mad enough as is."

Harry grimaced. "Well, maybe we can just give them tips."

"Yes, or send them to Starling as well."

"Or that. But speaking of, Severus, I was thinking, it might be time to establish a new Defence Association."

"Let's see if the new Defence instructor is up to snuff before we decide on that."

"Fair enough. Do you suppose Starling or Mipsy will know who it is?"

"We can always ask." Severus knocked on Starling's door. "Couldn't hurt. And Starling may be curious about it too."

Starling motioned them inside. "Curious about what, boys?" 

Severus followed him into the Potions classroom. His stomach swooped at the set up already laid out on the table. Gods. This was really happening, wasn't it? Severus had thought he had no chance at a mastery as long as Slughorn remained at Hogwarts. Thank goodness the old bastard had decided to retire early. 

Starling was a godsend in more ways than one. 

Starling chuckled wryly and squeezed his shoulder. "Yes, it's real, Severus."

Severus' face burned. "Was it that obvious?"

Starling shook his head. "I remember how I felt, too." He motioned to the desk beside the cauldron. "Harry, if you would like to watch, you're welcome to. Or, if you would prefer, you may use this time to catch up on your work."

"Thank you, sir, but isn't it a duelling night?"

"Yes, but I'm fully aware Dumbledore will, most likely, drop in at some point to see what is actually going on. We can begin duelling practice after he does his rounds."

"Oh. Good idea, sir. I have a letter to write first, though. Will my phoenix's presence interfere with your potion at all?"

Starling gave him a grim look. "You're bonded to a phoenix? And you came in here, now?"

Harry hesitated. "Uh… yes? Is that bad?"

Starling snorted. "No."

"Gods. Your sense of humour is terrifying sometimes, sir."

Starling laughed. "I'm aware." He motioned to the cauldron. "Come along, Severus. Potter, your phoenix won't cause any trouble unless it actually jumps into the cauldron."

"I may tell her to drop a feather in just for that joke, sir."

Starling snorted. "If I didn't know how devoted you are to my apprentice, I might be worried. Go on and write your letter, Potter. And you can tell me what you were discussing when you came in, Severus."

"Actually, may we call in our house elf for a moment first, sir?" Severus' expression was grim. "I think you'll want to hear this, assuming that she knows anything."

Starling's mirth vanished. "Of course."

Severus inclined his head. "Come to think of it, just give your message to Mipsy, Harry. She's much more discreet than Lucia."

"Fair point. Mipsy?"

The house elf appeared with a bow and a curious look at Starling. 

"How can Mipsy be helping her boys?"

Harry sank down to one knee. "How are you, Mipsy? Have you had any trouble evading Fumbledore's traps?"

Starling hid a laugh behind a cough.

"Mipsy is doing just fine, Master Harry. I is making sure the evil headmaster is keeping his hands to himself."

"Good work, Mipsy," said Severus. "Thank you."

Mipsy blushed and bowed. "You is very welcome, Masters, but is that all you is wanting?"

"No. I need you to take a message to Grinzel, Murkie, and Windhook in a moment." At Starling's bemused look, Harry elaborated, "Our goblin friends, sir. They are the only people other than Mipsy who know everything, including my secrets."

Starling nodded, his expression concerned. "I see. And… are yours as painful as Severus' secrets?"

"Uh... painful enough, I suppose, but we really can't get into that now.”

Starling squeezed his shoulder. "Tell me when you're ready. I'll guard you and guide you both either way."

"T-thank you, sir," Harry said with a wan smile. "Before we get to that message, Mipsy, Severus and I want to know if you know what happened to the other Defence professor and why the class is suddenly being taught by someone else. Is the other teacher in trouble?"

Mipsy giggled. "Oh, no, Master. Mipsy is being happy to tell you." She snickered. "Mistress Spinnet is actually being a spy from the ICW, Masters. After all of the complaints about Dumbledore last year, she is being sent to report to them if he is needing to be kept under closer watch. And, after Dumbledore is interfering with Master Severus' apprenticeship and trying to keep Master Harry off of the train, she is reporting to the ICW that he is being suspicious. So they is assigning a senior auror to teach Defence and keep an eye on him."

Harry and Severus snickered. 

"Wicked," said Harry with a grin. "I'm guessing Dumbledore went absolutely postal when he found out?"

Mipsy giggled. "He is being setting his own desk on fire, Masters. And that just made him angrier."

Harry, Severus, and Starling laughed. 

"Brilliant," said Severus. "Would you pensieve that memory for us later, Mipsy? I really want to see his face."

Mipsy giggled. "I is being happy to."

"Thank you, Mipsy. Really, thank you." Harry snickered. "Gods, that's bril." He sat back on his heel and gave her a gentle smile. "So, do you know who's assigned to us yet?"

Mipsy shook her head. "Mipsy is trying to find out, but they is not telling Dumbledore anything, and Mipsy is afraid to leave her boys here alone for long."

"I hope it's Moody or someone like him," said Harry. "Anyway, that's all we wanted to know. In the meantime, please tell our goblin friends that we need five more rings, as fast as they can get them. One, we need as strong as they can make it, and we need it first, as soon as it's ready. Of course, they may take their payment from our vault."

"Mipsy is telling them right away, Masters." She vanished, and Harry settled himself at his desk with a grin at Severus. "Spinnet was an ICW spy. Hah!"

Severus grinned. "Maybe this year won't be so bad after all, Phoenix."

"It had better not be," said Starling in a tone barely this side of a growl.

"Thank you, sir," said Harry. "I'm glad to have you on our side."

"It's what everyone here should be doing." 

“Most of the ones who don't, don't have any choice in the matter,” said Harry grimly. “Including my… cousin, though we suspect he's enough of a berk without the compulsions to justify a fair bit of caution either way.”

“Understood.” Starling eyed him curiously. "Rings?"

Harry held up his hand and made his ring visible. "Anti-charm rings. So Dumbledore can't poison, curse, or compel anyone who wears them, though our own are much more powerful than most, for good reason. Yours will be too. He's already gunning for you.”

Starling winced. “Understood.”

“And, speaking of that, watch out for Sinistra, sir. He's got her under compulsions against me already. Oh, and Pettigrew is, in fact, not compelled and is just an evil, nasty rat all on his own."

"That is unfair to the rats. I—" A knock at the door made Starling's eyes narrow. "And that would be our watcher. Harry, look as though you're preparing to revise."

Harry nodded and took his Transfiguration book from his bag. 

Starling opened the door. "Ah, Headmaster. How can I help you?"

"I just came to see how Severus' mastery lesson is going." The old man peered into the room. Harry gave him a bright smile, and Dumbledore's jaw twitched. 

"Hello, sir." 

"Harry, how… nice to see you. What are you doing here?"

"Just revising while Severus works, sir. We have loads of homework already."

"Ah, yes. The NEWT years are quite strenuous." Dumbledore stared at Severus as he carefully measured ingredients from a recipe card Starling had set out.

"Yes, sir," said Harry, "but I think Sev and I can handle it just fine. Or, if not, we can always take our NEWTs privately."

Dumbledore's eyelid twitched. Severus swore he saw Starling's lips twitch, too. That man really did love riling people up. 

"I'm sure you'll do fine, boys."

"Yes, and, to that end, we should return to Severus' lesson, headmaster." Starling smiled benignly. "Unless there's something else you need to discuss with my apprentice or his friend, sir?"

"No, no. I only wanted to make sure all was well. I'll leave you to it, gentlemen." With that, he shut the door and walked away. Harry let the sound of his footsteps fade before burying his face in his hands and cackling like a hyena. 

"God, did you see his face? That was brilliant."

Starling laughed into his hands. "You two are going to keep me well entertained this year." He gave a little snort and sent the cauldron and the supplies back into his storage cupboard. "Right. Now that Harry put him in his place so well, let's begin our actual lesson for the night."

Harry nodded and banished the desks to the sides of the room. "Need more space to duel."

"Of course." Starling watched him, curiosity and pride clear in his eyes. "You know, Harry, Professor McGonagall couldn't stop raving about your Defence skills this afternoon. It was actually quite amusing to watch Dumbledore turn several different colours while she went on and on about it, and Severus’ improvement under your tutelage."

Harry snickered. "Another memory we should pensieve, sir."

Starling smirked. "Or review in Legilimency lessons." His mirth faded. "In all seriousness, you should know, Harry, that I've been in contact with a few Defence masters, and several are interested in training you as an apprentice." 

Harry's eyes widened. "Merlin. You—you really did all that last night, sir? On your first night here? When you had class today and everything?"

Starling gave him a stern look. "After you told me you're in danger and intend to train us to stay alive? Why on earth wouldn't I?"

Harry shook his head and blinked hard. "I-I'm sorry. It's just, I haven't been treated well by many adults. I wasn't expecting you to go so far out of your way for me. Severus, yes. But not me."

Starling's expression softened. "Harry, you're my student, too. You're my apprentice's partner. You're the only student I have besides Severus who truly trusts me and sees me as I am. Of course I want to protect you as well."

Harry choked back tears. "Gods. I—thank you, sir."

Severus rubbed Harry's back. "Shh. It's all right, Phoenix."

Harry wiped his eyes discreetly and nodded. "Right. You're right. So—" He took a deep, steadying breath. "Okay. So, first, how about Sev and I show you a mock duel, sir? We've been practising all summer, and he's gotten really good. So that way you can get a better idea of where we are. Then, I want to see you and Sev duel, so I can get an idea of where to start with you. We won't hurt you, I promise. No dangerous spells in your duel. Just first year jinxes until I'm sure you can defend yourself. Does that sound good to you?"

Starling nodded. "It sounds as though this isn't your first time teaching Defence."

"Because it isn't, sir. I can't say more than that, but suffice it to say I have some experience teaching the subject despite my age."

"Really? That's quite impressive, Potter. I believe you'll have your pick of masters, when you're ready."

Harry beamed. "Honest? Wow. That's brilliant. Thank you, sir. And, as far as the masters go, it would be safer to meet them in Hogsmeade. Maybe… hm. Not the Shack. Dumbledore has something guarding it. I'll ask my house elf to look around town. Maybe we can rent a townhouse or shop or something."

"If you really intend to teach Defence as a career, pet," said Severus, "it mightn't be a bad idea to invest in a shop."

"No, not in Hogsmeade. Way too close to Dumbledore's turf. But yeah, we can start looking soon. In the meantime, Professor, do you know of anyone who could teach me Muggle martial arts as well?"

Starling cocked his head. "I don't personally, but the masters might. I'll send some inquiries. They'll probably be chomping at the bit to teach you once they realise you are willing and interested to learn everything possible about the subject, including Muggle disciplines."

"Just be careful to avoid any pureblood supremacist types," said Severus. "The Death Eaters probably have their Defence masters too."

Starling nodded gravely. "I will only inquire of half-blood, Muggleborn, or known Muggle-friendly purebloods, for safety's sake."

"Thank you, sir." Harry conjured a training mat in the centre of Starling's classroom. "Now, let's get started. We don't have time to chat all night with the old man on the prowl. Ready, Raven?"

"Yes. Let's go."

Harry took position on the mat and bowed to his lover, and then the duel began. 

Chapter 4: Second Time Like the First

Summary:

Apparently, canon Benjy Fenwick was the same age as Severus. I wasn't aware of this until after I wrote him as about 30-35 in 1975. So, this one is about 15-20 years older than canon, just a heads up.

Chapter 4

Second Time Like the First

The time for their first Defence class had finally arrived. Harry could hardly contain his excitement in seeing which auror would be teaching them that year. Tonks wasn't old enough—she hadn't even started Hogwarts yet—but having Kingsley as a teacher would be amazing, or the actual Moody, and all of the students from first period were already buzzing about how brilliant the new teacher was, even if no one had mentioned his name yet, not in Harry's hearing. 

Corner, Quinn, and Patil walked on either side of Harry and Severus, boxing them in and keeping them safe. Harry loved them for it and vowed to himself to keep them safe in turn. He would check on the rings’ progress in class with Starling that evening, and maybe request a ring for King, Moody, and the new Defence professor, depending on whether they could trust them or not. 

In the lost future, Moody had had an almost feral loyalty to Dumbledore. Anyone who crossed the old man immediately got on Moody's bad side, too. And yet, that day in the tunnel, when Harry and Severus were fleeing Hogwarts, Moody had revealed himself to be the polar opposite of his future self. The young Kingsley, too, had shown an independent streak he hadn't possessed in the life Harry had left behind.

Those two would definitely be getting rings. Getting Moody to trust them would be a challenge, but Harry had to at least try. He and Severus needed all the help they could get, and Moody deserved better than to be reduced to being Dumbledore's mad guard dog.

When the Slytherins arrived at the Defence classroom, a group of Ravenclaws and a few of Riddle's mini-minions were standing in front of the doors, chatting amongst themselves. As one, they fell silent at the sight of Harry and his friends, and Harry had been the subject of school gossip enough times to understand what that meant. 

‘Let them talk.’ A transfer student was always a source of curiosity, and at least they weren't going after Severus for once. 

“So, any thought on whether you want to try out for the team, guys?” Corner's question, for all Harry knew it was used as a diversion, made him long for the days gone by. It would be nice to be on a broom again, but—

Quinn patted his shoulder. “You're goin’ all misty-eyed, mate. If you wanna try, do it. We'll keep the gobshites off your arses.”

“But….” Harry winced. “You know it isn't that simple.”

“Won't hurt anything to try,” said Ganesh. “At least then you'll have the option to play if we find a way around the obstacles, if you're good enough, that is.”

“That's true.” Harry looked up at his boyfriend. “Sev?”

Severus frowned. “I don't know. It might conflict with my mastery training.” Which was his way of covertly saying they should bring it up with Starling first. 

“Ask about it, mate,” said Corner. “If you do make the team, then we can always work around your schedule, to some extent.”

Severus sighed. “All right. No promises, but we'll talk to Starling about it tonight.”

“Brilliant.” Corner grinned. “I have a feeling you two are gonna be great.”

Harry's laugh came out tinged with sorrow and regret. Gods, Corner reminded him so much of both of his lost friends. Ron's playful attitude and skill at chess and Hermione's kindness and intelligence rolled into one. Sometimes, speaking with him hurt.

Severus rubbed Harry's back—so he had picked up on Harry's emotions again, probably—and Harry smiled up at him. 

Much as he missed them, he wouldn't trade this chance to save Severus for the world. 

Severus smiled back, though he kept one eye on the mini-Death Eater crew. 

Damn. Harry had to get himself under control. This wasn't the place to reveal too much. He pulled the scattered bits of his mental shields back together and let his grief go, for now. 

Across the hall, the mini-Death Eaters watched him like Harry was a snake about to strike. Rosier's cool, calculating gaze slid across Harry's skin like slime. He resisted the temptation to glare back, just in case Rosier knew Legilimency, and Harry's rudimentary shields weren't enough to protect him even with his ring. He doubted the boy could have that much power even if he had trained mind magic from birth, but he wasn't about to take chances, not with Severus’ life. 

Then again, maybe he already had. That little display in Transfiguration, for all it had satisfied them both to see Severus’ abusers put in their place, had drawn more attention to Harry's skills than they had wanted. The Death Eaters and Marauders had both witnessed it, and that meant both sides of this war now knew Harry could use defensive magic that most auror cadets couldn't handle. They knew he had skills no other sixth year did, and they knew he was protecting Severus. 

Trouble would, eventually, arise from his brief indiscretion, and yet, Harry couldn't regret it. If he intended to teach his peers and allies to fight, then he would have to establish a reputation as a damn good fighter somehow. Better to start now, when they still had time to prepare for the war on the horizon. 

And if it made the Death Eaters and Marauders think twice before coming after Harry and his allies, well, he could live with that. 

The door opened, and a vaguely familiar baritone called, “Enter.”

Where had Harry heard that voice before? It wasn't Kingsley's low bass or Moody's gruff drawl, so how could he know this professor? He didn't know any other aurors besides Tonks, his father, and his godfather, and they were all too young. Well, there were Robards and Dawlish, Harry supposed, but had he actually ever met them? He couldn't remember, if he had. Not well enough to recognise their voices.

He shrugged a little and followed Severus into the classroom. The mystery would solve itself soon enough. 

A tall man with dark, curly hair stood before the board and wrote with his wand. Harry wondered why he didn't just use the chalk, then, he realized the man had deep, pink scars around all four of his fingers. Damn. He probably couldn't write with the chalk then. Not well enough to be legible for the students. Which also explained why he had been chosen for teaching, if he was too injured to return to the field. 

“Take your seats, please.” 

Harry gave Severus a curious look and took position at the back of the room on the far left, leaving one seat for Severus to sit against the wall. 

Then, the instructor turned to face them, and Harry's stomach crashed into his feet. 

“Fenwick!”

Severus’ breath hitched, but he didn't speak aloud. 

The auror fixed Harry with a curious look. “You know me? I don't believe I've met you before.”

Harry's face burned. “Uh… recognised you from seeing you around the Ministry, sir.”

The professor's eyebrow shot up. “Hm.” Damn. He knew Harry was lying, then. Not good. 

“No matter,” said Fenwick. “Yes, I'm Captain Benjy Fenwick, and, for the time being, your instructor, until I've recovered enough to return to active duty.”

Several students raised their hands. 

“Yes? The Hufflepuff in the front.”

“Um, sir, I just—um, w-what happened to your hands?”

Fenwick hesitated. “What's your name?”

“Uh, Elise Beedle, sir.”

“Well, Ms. Beedle, it's generally impolite to ask such personal questions, but, as it happens, my injuries are a particularly good teaching point, so I'll let it slide this time.” Benjy sat on the edge of his desk. “You'll have to forgive me. I'm still not able to stand for long periods yet.” He lifted his left foot and pulled down a black sock to reveal more deep scarring all the way around his ankle. The class gasped as one—all but Harry and Severus, who already knew—and Fenwick replaced his sock and trouser leg. 

“Those are only the most easily accessible injuries. I have many such scars in various places that I didn't have three months ago.” He flicked his wand, and a modified wheelchair rolled to him from behind the desk. “You want to know what happened? I'll tell you: Voldemort did.”

Over the sudden outcry, Harry clutched Severus’ hand and whispered to his partner, “He said his name.” 

Severus nodded and squeezed back. “I'm so relieved he survived.”

“So—so am I.”

Fenwick waved his scarred hand, and the class slowly quieted. “Yes, it's true. I am one of the few aurors on the force who are not afraid to challenge Voldemort head on, and he doesn't like a challenge, you see. So, rather than face me in a fair fight, he and fifteen of his lackeys attacked me at home, while I was sleeping. 

“Thankfully, I warded the daylights out of my home, so I had plenty of forewarning. I was able to take down four of his Death Eaters, but I was still ridiculously outnumbered, and so, I couldn't hold them off indefinitely.”

Fenwick gazed at them all in turn, his dark eyes heavy with remembered pain and sharp with resolve and intelligence. “Many of your professors would tell me to stop the story there, to spare you the details of what Voldemort truly does to those who anger him, follower and foe alike. But, if you ask me, I say it's better that you're prepared for what's out there.” His gaze flicked over several of the mini-Death Eaters. “Some of you might make different choices with your lives when you know the truth. If my story, my pain saves just one of you from that hell, then I'll consider it worth it.”

Fenwick conjured a fighting dummy and gave it proper arms and legs, fingers and toes, though stuffed ones. 

“Diffindo,” he whispered, and, one by one, the dummy's fingers severed and dropped off. Then its foot. The other foot. His hand. His forearm. His ear. Part of his lower leg. 

“This, children, is, cut for cut, exactly what Voldemort did to me for challenging him.”

He didn't stop cursing until the dummy had nothing but two stumpy thighs, half of an arm, and its head intact. 

No one breathed, at least until Harry's breath broke in a sob, and he whispered a shattered apology. 

He hadn't been fast enough to spare Fenwick, even if the man had survived in this timeline. 

Severus rubbed Harry's back in slow, soothing circles. 

Fenwick's eyes settled on Harry, and he vanished the dummy. “Think hard before you join the cause of a man cruel enough to do such things to a living human being in cold blood. Your heritage won't spare you, should you ever find yourself on his bad side.”

“S-sir?” Elise's voice came out broken. “How—how did you survive?”

Fenwick gave her a wry smile. “I'd love to tell you, but the truth is that I honestly don't know. A seer apparently saw me being attacked and sent their house elf after my superior, but that's all we know. They didn't identify themselves, and there's no prophecy on record concerning my attack, so that is all I can tell you.”

He rolled his chair to the board. “Now then, if you're satisfied with my story, let's focus on the real reason we're here.” He wrote ‘Shield Charms’ in an unsteady hand and carried on with the lesson.

---

“Mr. Potter, please stay behind. Ah, Harry Potter, I mean.”

James scowled and stomped out of the class, looking more than a little jealous. A subdued Sirius and Remus followed, tailed by Lily and the rat. 

Harry forced his attention back to the professor. “Uh, a-all right, sir. You can just call me Harry if you like, but have I done something wrong?”

“No. I would just like to discuss something with you.”

“Oh. Okay.” Harry whispered to his lover, “If he won't let you stay with me, stay with Corner, Patil, and Quinn, all right? I'll try to make it quick.”

Severus squeezed his hand and nodded. 

Harry took his time packing up, watching the rest of the class leave through the corner of his eye, particularly Rosier. Corner murmured as he passed, “We'll wait up for you, mate.”

“Just keep Sev safe if Fenwick won't let him stay.”

“Will do.”

“Thanks.”

Corner nodded and walked out, Quinn and Patil in tow. Harry and Severus approached the desk. 

“Mr. Snape, did you have a question?”

Harry winced. “Sir, Severus is in danger here. He needs to stay with me for his own safety.”

Fenwick eyed Severus. “Hm. And who is he in danger from, precisely?”

Harry waited until the door shut. “I can't answer that question here, not without also endangering myself.” He mimed writing, and Fenwick slid his notebook over and passed him a quill. 

‘The man you're here to spy on.’

Fenwick's gaze sharpened. “Who told you that?”

“My house elf, sir. She… overheard some things while keeping a watch on… certain people.”

“You know. Damn. That's not good. If the headmaster sees it in your mind—”

“Try it. Try Legilimency on me. Er, can you do that?”

Fenwick drew his wand. “I have your permission?”

“Yes. I want to know if my shields are good enough to keep him out yet anyway.”

Fenwick nodded and cast. Harry sensed him against his shields for an instant before the ring kicked him out. Forcefully. 

Fenwick gasped and doubled over. “Sweet Circe, what the hell kind of protection do you have on your mind, Potter?”

Harry winced. “Oh God. I'm so sorry, sir. I-I didn't know it would do that. Are you okay?”

Fenwick wheezed. “Might… ugh… need a pain potion. Beyond that, I'll live.”

Severus opened his bag. “A pain potion in general or a headache draught, sir?”

“Both, probably.”

Severus hesitated. “The general potion first then. You don't want to take both together if the first will do the job.” He passed Fenwick a phial. 

Fenwick blinked several times. “You just carry pain potions in your bag?”

“I-I'm a potions mastery student, sir. I have all sorts of potions on me at most times.”

“Ah. Now that makes a bit more sense.” Fenwick examined the potion curiously. “Hm. You're talented, boy.” He drank it back in one go. “Ah. Wow. You really are talented. That's better than the Infirmary's stock.”

“Because Professor Slughorn made those, sir,” said Severus with a scowl. “Professor Starling and I haven't had time to restock the Infirmary yet.”

Fenwick snorted. “I see. Well, do hurry it up, will you? I daresay I'll heal a lot faster under a potions regimen of that quality.”

Blushing pink, Severus smiled tentatively. “I'll do my best, sir.”

“Mm. You do that.” Fenwick focused on Harry again. “Well, Mr. Potter, while, it seems, your actual ability with Legilimency is still rudimentary, I'm fairly sure no one will be getting into your head with anything less forceful than a blasting curse regardless. Now, do you want to explain to me why a sixth year needs such intense protection on their mind?”

Harry winced and wrote, “Not here. I need powerful wards first. As powerful as possible.”

Fenwick raised an eyebrow. “A sixth year does?”

“Yes, sir.” Harry hesitated. “Sir, I'll take a vow that everything I've said is the truth if you want.”

Fenwick's eyes widened. “You would risk that much?”

“If it makes you believe us. And we won't lose anything by a vow.”

Fenwick sighed. “It's not necessary, Potter. Hard as it is to believe, I can tell you're being honest. I just can't comprehend why it's the truth.”

Harry hesitated and, after a moment, murmured, “Sir, Mipsy is our house elf.”

Fenwick's breath stilled. “That's how you recognised me, and why the demonstration disturbed you so much.” He grimaced. “Dear gods, I made you relive it, too. Harry, I'm sorry. If I had known….”

“No. It's okay, sir. I'm just glad you're alive, and that was a really good lesson to make the mini-Death Eaters think twice. Like you said: if it saves one life, it's worth it.”

Fenwick nodded. “I'm glad you feel that way.” He gave Harry an appraising look. “I've heard great things about your skills, Mr. Potter. I look forward to seeing them in action.”

Harry smiled. “I do, too.”

“Very good. Run along then, or you'll be late for your next class.”

“Yes, sir.” Harry led Severus from the room with a shaky sigh. “We're definitely making him a ring.”

Severus nodded grimly. “He will be in too much danger otherwise.”

“Yeah. And I think he'll trust us.”

“I had that impression too.”

They turned the corner and found Corner and crew waiting for them. 

“Hey, how'd it go?”

“Fine. He just wanted to talk to me about my scores.” Harry tapped his temple and mouthed, “I'll tell you later, when it's safe.”

The trio exchanged worried looks, then pasted on smiles. 

“Well, that's good then,” said Corner. “Let's hurry though. Starling is a hardarse, from all I can tell. Let's not hack him off in the first class.”

“Probably wise.” Harry led off. “That said, he's not really a hardarse. Just strict. And he has a really sadistic sense of humour.”

Severus snickered. 

“You would find that funny.”

“Of course.”

Harry chuckled and led Severus and their new friends to their first class under Starling. They made it with two minutes to spare. Thankfully, the middle table in the back row was still open, even if Harry would have preferred the left-hand side. Still, Frank Longbottom had taken that seat along with Matthias Bell, so Harry wasn't too worried. He had witnessed both of them fight in the OWLs last term, and, even if they did decide to attack, they weren't much of a threat to Severus alone, let alone both partners. 

As Harry passed the professor's desk, Starling gave him a hard look. “Tardiness will not be tolerated in my class. Five points from Slytherin. Please take your seat, and don't hold us up further.”

Harry's gut dropped. Oh no. Oh, gods, no. 

“S-sir? It's still two minutes to ten.”

“Close enough. Three more points for backtalking. Take your seat.”

A gentle push pressed upon his mind. If Harry was any less desperate to believe their Professor friend was still safe, he would have slammed down his shields. But this was Starling. He had to be okay. He had to. 

[Breathe, Harry. I'm only trying to keep you safe.]

Harry took a shaky breath and slumped against Severus’ trembling arms in pure relief. “Y-yes, sir.” He forced his feet to move to his seat and ignored the snickers and taunting leers of the Gryffindor brats. 

As soon as they sat down, he pulled out his parchment and text and wrote a miniscule note for his shaking partner. 

“He's okay.”

He discreetly nudged Severus to look, and the soft sigh his partner released relieved him. They would be okay. Starling was just trying to keep Dumbledore off of their arses. 

Right?

---

Harry went into Severus’ mastery lesson that night with a sense of pure dread. Starling had said it was all right, but he had also been ruthless to Harry the entire lesson and indifferent to Severus, if not cruel. He couldn't help the trickle of fear in his heart. Severus, too, trembled as he knocked on the door. His voice came out unsteady, too. “S-sir? I'm here for my mastery lesson.”

Harry comforted him with a gentle hand at his back, though his fingers trembled too. 

“Enter,” Starling called in a gruff voice. 

Severus swallowed hard and tentatively pushed the door open. 

Harry flinched back, overwhelmed by the resemblance to Snape's classroom and Starling's hard persona. 

Had they made a mistake in trusting him?

The man motioned them in and, before he said a word, he laid a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry relaxed marginally. 

Starling closed the door, warded the hell out of it, and turned to the boys with a sorrowful expression. 

“I am so sorry, Harry, Severus. I can see you're both terrified, and I cannot blame you, but I promise I am still on your side.”

Harry swallowed a lump of tension in his throat. “O-oh. Then, why were you so hard on me?”

"I thought, given what you showed me at the start of term, boys, that it would be best not to appear too friendly to Harry in public. Dumbledore already knows I'm going to defend Severus. I can't walk that back, but I can pretend not to care much for you, Harry. I don't like it, but it will keep us all safer if I pretend to be at least somewhat on board with Dumbledore's plan to isolate you."

Harry's heart clenched. “I am a spy, Potter….”

Like yesterday, he recalled a trill of a phoenix and a blast of orange light. A cry of denial. Snape had thrown off his cover completely to save Harry's life and—and now, he was gone. 

If only Harry had understood. If only he had taken a moment to think about the situation. Bloody hell, of course Snape couldn't have been kind to Harry. If he had ever once shown his hand, even in private, the Death Eaters might have figured it out. Snape wouldn't have been able to protect Harry then. 

'Gods. I wish I could just apologise and hug you until your heart heals a little, sir. Tell you there's hope.'

Tears raced down his face, and Harry scrubbed them away. 

"Harry?" Starling held the boy's shoulders. "I—it's only an act to keep you safe, son. I don't mean it."

"I-I know, sir. It's just, you remind me so much of—of someone I've lost. Someone I should have understood better when I had the chance. And now…."

Severus tugged Harry into his arms. "I'm here, pet. I love you."

Harry sniffled and pressed his head into Severus' shoulder. "I love you too." He loved all of his parts now, even the man who had shattered under Dumbledore's cruelty. 

'I love you, sir. And I'm so sorry. For everything.'

Starling's hand on his shoulder was gentle. "I cannot replace those whom you have lost, but I am here, if you need me."

Harry gave a choked off sob and threw his arms around the man. Starling jumped, then awkwardly patted his back. 

"Thank you," Harry said, his voice rough. "I'm—I'm so relieved you're okay."

Starling hesitated, then brought him into a gentle embrace. "Shh. It's all right now, child. You don't have to fight this battle all alone anymore."

Another body crashed into them, and slender arms wrapped around Harry and Starling both. Starling chuckled a bit and rubbed Severus' back. 

"I'm here, children. But, the hour is getting late, and the headmaster will most likely want to check on Severus' progress at some point, particularly so since we are meeting nearly every night. We must be vigilant."

Harry stepped back and wiped his eyes. "Sorry about that, sir."

"Yes, me too." Severus stepped back, his head ducked down to hide an embarrassed flush. 

"Not at all." Starling squeezed their shoulders. "It's been… a very long time since anyone took the time to understand me as a person, and no teenager ever has. I… appreciate your loyalty, children." He patted their shoulders. "But we must take care, until Dumbledore satisfies himself that we are not plotting against him."

"Yes, sir," said both boys. 

Severus whispered, "Sir, if you will give me a moment before we begin, I will ask our guardians to warn us in case of trouble."

Starling nodded. 

“Mipsy?” 

“Mipsy is here, Masters.” The elf bowed and hugged Harry's legs. “Mipsy is following you and Master Severus when she is sensing your fear. If Master Starling is not being safe, Mipsy is taking his memory.”

Starling grimaced. “Please don't. I am honestly on your side.”

Harry sniffled and nodded. “I'm glad to have you.” His expression hardened. “But your ruse made it clear we need to protect you. Quickly. Mipsy, will you ask if his ring is ready yet? Also, tell them we need three more just as powerful as Professor Starling's, please, all with considerations that their users are aurors and will need to comply with whatever laws the DMLE has for protective jewelry, and they can also take the payment for them from our vault.”

Mipsy bowed. “Mipsy is hurrying so she is being able to guard you.” She vanished with a pop. 

Once she had gone, Starling guided Severus to his cauldron setup. “How have your lessons gone otherwise, boys? You met Professor Fenwick today, yes? Did you like him?”

“Absolutely,” said Harry.

“He's brilliant,” said Severus with a smile. “I'm so glad we saved him.”

Starling paused halfway through uncorking a phial. “Saved him? Captain Fenwick?”

“I saw it, sir.” Harry shuddered. “I saw his attack in a vision. We sent Mipsy after Moody immediately. Even so, she almost got there too late.”

Starling gave him an awed look. “Bloody hell, Harry. You saw him be absolutely mutilated in a vision, and you two still had the presence of mind to call your house elf into action and save his life?” He squeezed both of their shoulders. “I am so proud of you. And grateful. Benjy is a dear friend, and having him on our side will be a great help.” Starling paused. “Actually… if he's willing and able, we might have two problems solved by his presence here.”

Harry frowned. “Two?”

“Yes, child. He is here to spy on Dumbledore, of course, and having his protection is a great help, but he's also a master of Defence and a well-trained martial artist, Harry. I didn't ask him to train you due to his injuries, but I wasn't aware he was coming to Hogwarts either. Perhaps, if Benjy is able, he would be an excellent choice of masters for you.”

Harry's eyes widened. “Really? Oh, gods, sir. I would be happy to learn from him. I can already tell he knows his stuff, and he's definitely a good person.”

“I'll speak to him about it tonight then. For now, we should get on with your lesson, Severus. Time is limited, and I have no doubt the old man will come calling soon. Harry, in the meantime, if you'll redo the potion from class today, I'll give you a proper grade. I'm quite well aware you were far too frightened to focus. If Dumbledore asks, I'll tell him I'm forcing you to redo it because your first attempt was so abysmal or something like it. Don't take it to heart. I certainly don't mean it.”

“Thank you, sir.” Harry gave him a relieved smile and moved to the other cauldron Starling had already set up for him.

Mipsy popped in with the ring about five minutes later. 

“Here you are, Master Starling. Goblin Grinzel is saying it is sizing to your hand when you put it on and aligning to your blood so no one can be stealing it.”

Starling thanked her and slid the ring onto his right ring finger. He winced, then watched as it shrunk to fit and vanished behind a powerful invisibility charm. “Impressive. Thank you, Mipsy, and to you as well, boys. I will ask Benjy to help me test its capabilities tonight.”

Harry grimaced. “Might want to give him a day or so before trying out the anti-Legilimency charms, sir. He tested mine today, and the blowback hit him like a lorry. So he probably needs a little time to recover.”

“Ah.” Starling eyed his ring. “Well, that makes me feel better. Benjy is the one who trained me.”

Severus smiled a little. “Good to know he's on our side then.”

“Yeah, definitely.” Harry returned to his potion. “Thanks, Mipsy. I think we'll be okay now. Can you keep an eye on Professor Fenwick though, just to make sure he's okay and Dumbledore doesn't hurt him?”

“Yes, Master Harry. Mipsy be liking him too. I is sending Lucia and Hypnos to guard you instead.”

Starling frowned. “Lucia and Hypnos?”

“My cat and Harry's white phoenix,” said Severus. “Sir, this ratio is confusing me. Can you help me with it?”

“Of course.” Starling went to break down the ratio for Severus, and Harry smiled at the sight of them working together. 

Yes. They would be okay. They had friends in all kinds of places now. That had to mean something. 

And, speaking of their friends....

"Oh, sir? When you're done with that, our dorm mates wanted us to ask you if you think there's a way to make it safe for Sev and I to play quidditch, if it won't conflict with our mastery training."

Starling cocked his head. "Hm. Let me talk to Madam Hooch. Perhaps she will know of a way."

"Is she trustworthy?"

"I believe so, but I will test her to be certain first."

Harry nodded tentatively. "Okay. I trust your judgment, sir."

"I'll let you know what she says before the end of the week."

"Thank you, sir," said Severus and Harry. 

"Of course. Now then, Severus, back to what I was saying, the acidity in any type of citrus ingredient makes it break down other compounds more quickly, and that is why the ratio is reduced here...."

Chapter 5: The Other Side

Summary:

I love these three so much. ❤

I've been developing the plot of this section, and, once again, it's far more involved than anticipated. So this is now going to be four full books with a oneshot. Sigh. It's out of my hands.

Chapter 5

The Other Side

When Severus and Harry made it back to their dorm that night, Corner, Patil, and Quinn were waiting for them, Corner sitting on his desk and his friends flanking him. And the chessboard and card games were nowhere in sight. Severus swallowed hard and took a step backwards. Harry braced him, his expression grim. 

“What's going on, you lot?”

“Well, mate,” said Quinn, her eyes narrowed, “the long and short of it is, what the feckin’ hell is goin’ on with ye two? Don't get me wrong. If Andrew says you're all right, then you're all right. But if we gotta cover your arses this hard, then I think we've bloody well got a right to know why.”

Harry opened his mouth and shut it. “We can't—it's dangerous, Quinn. We wouldn't even have told Corner. He just figured it out, and we can't help that.”

“And why not? Ain't we proved ourselves trustworthy, mates?”

“Because even knowing the truth is enough to get you killed without proper protection,” said Severus in a quiet tone. 

All three friends jerked back. 

“Killed?” Corner had gone ashen. “Mate, dear gods. Even I didn't know it was that bad.”

Harry sighed and rubbed his forehead. He looked tired. Weary. Severus hoped it was just the exhaustion of classes and living a double life, and it didn't foretell more visions on the horizon. At least not visions of Voldemort.

“Damn.” Harry sat on his bed and pulled his legs up in a cross-legged position. “Yeah. It's really that bad. Sev and I are caught at the heart of a war. A-are you sure you want to know the rest?”

Quinn met Patil's eyes. He nodded and squared his shoulders. 

“If there's a war going on, mate,” said Patil, “I reckon we need to know.”

Severus winced and sat beside Harry. “Just… wait a moment. Please.” 

Quinn shrugged. “We've got nowhere else to be, mate.”

“A-all right.” Severus slipped his hand into Harry's for strength. “Mipsy?”

The elf appeared with a worried look at their housemates. “Is masters needing help?”

“Will you ask Grinzel if the rings for Corner, Quinn, and Patil are ready yet as well?”

“Yes, Master Severus. Mipsy be asking right away.”

Mipsy vanished, and Quinn gave Severus a wary look. “Uh, mate, listen. We like ye and all, but we're not really interested, if ye catch me drift.”

Harry's eyes widened. “W-what? Bloody hell.”

Patil snorted. “I take it they aren't that kind of rings?”

“Gods,” said Severus, his face burning, “of course not.”

“Hell no,” said Harry. “Sev and I are barely recovered enough to cope with a relationship with each other, let alone anyone else.” 

The room went silent, as if all the air had been sucked out, and the three friends turned as one to stare at Harry, eyes wide and mouths gaping. 

“S-shite.” Harry whimpered and tucked his head into his knees. 

Severus stroked his hair, but lifted his hand away at Harry's hard shudder. “Harry, love, it's only me. Do you want me to move away?”

“N-no,” came Harry's muffled voice. 

Severus set his hand beside Harry's leg. “My hand is right by your knee if you want to take it.” He lifted his head and faced the others head-on. “Harry didn't mean to share that with you. It's… extremely difficult for him to discuss it. Please, don't push.”

Quinn swallowed hard. “A-all right, if ye don't wanna talk, we ain't about to make ye, but… are ye safe, mate? Is it happenin’ here?”

Harry grabbed Severus’ hand. Severus squeezed his fingers. 

“Harry's abusers are… gone.”

“And good riddance too,” said Patil with a growl. “That's just not on.”

“That's a bit of an understatement, Gan.” Corner kept his voice low and even. “Potter? None of us are going to hurt you. You—you do know that, right? We don't want you to be hurt, nor Snape either. If you need us to protect you, just say so. I swear we'll help.”

“Damn right, we will,” said Quinn. “Fuck all if I'm lettin’ anyone hurt me friends like that.”

“Not a chance in hell,” said Patil. 

“Right,” said Corner. “The bastards will have to come through all three of us first, and Snape too.”

Harry lifted his head and wiped his eyes. “You… really think of us as friends?”

“Mate.” Patil gave him a flat look. “Do you really think we'd risk our necks this much for you if we didn't?”

Harry chuckled a little. “I guess not.” He sniffled and wiped his eyes. “My friends call me Harry, you know.”

Quinn grinned. “Fiona then. Or Fi.”

“But never Fifi,” Corner added. “She hates that.”

Harry chuckled. “Got it, Fi, no Fifi.”

“Feckin’ girly bullshite,” Fiona said with a huff. “I ain't a damn prissy princess.”

Severus laughed. “Fi it is then.”

“Drew. Or Andrew.”

“Gan or Ganesh.”

“Severus,” said the boy. “Or—or you can call me Sev.”

Harry smiled up at him. “I'm proud of you, love.”

Severus squeezed his hand.

“So, what's the story with ye then?” Qu—Fiona crossed her arms over her chest and frowned. “Who on God's green earth is after your arses hard enough to make ye this scared?”

“Wait for Mipsy and the rings.” Severus let down the charms on his ring. “Mine and Harry's are different from yours, but, ultimately, they serve the same purpose.”

“Though we wear ours as promise rings too,” Harry said with a blush. “That definitely doesn't apply to yours though.”

Ganesh nodded. “So what are they for then?”

“Protection.” Harry showed them his ring too. “Professor Fenwick tested mine earlier, with permission, to make sure they would keep… the bad guys out of my head and away from my thoughts. It damn near knocked him across the room.” He replaced his charms and slipped his hand into Severus’. “So they act as a powerful amplifier for Occlumency shields, but they're also anti-curse wards. So none of you can be compelled with them on.”

“They don't guard against every curse,” said Severus. “Harry's and mine are intensely powerful, but we only have two made by Merlin. The others are all goblin-forged.”

“M-Merlin?” Ganesh stepped closer, eyes wide. “Merlin made those? You're sure?”

“Yes. Absolutely sure.”

Ganesh whistled. “Can—can I just have a look?”

“He's a bit of a history nut,” said Andrew with a chuckle. 

Severus showed him the band. 

“Gods, those are beautiful. Oh—is that a raven on the design?”

“Yes. There's a doe on the other side, too.” Severus turned his hand palm up. 

“Brilliant. That looks like a bonding ring though.”

“They are.” Harry showed him his own. 

“Ah, and you have a phoenix… and a stag.” Ganesh smiled and stepped back. “Those are fantastic heirlooms. You're very fortunate to have them.”

“Hm. It wasn't fortune.” Severus jumped as Mipsy popped back in. “Perfect timing, as always, Mipsy.”

The elf grinned. “Mipsy is paying attention!” She offered him a tray with three rings. “The goblins is saying Masters’ friends can take whichever one they like. They is all aligning to their blood and sizing to fit once they put them on.”

“Thank you, Mipsy. Is the head honcho sleeping yet?”

“No, Masters. He is being on the prowl. You is safer here.”

“Go keep an eye on him, please. Maybe send one of our pets in here with us and the other to Fenwick.”

“I is sending Lucia to Master Fenwick then. She is being able to help him more, and Hypnos is missing his boys, I think.”

“That will do, Mipsy,” said Severus. “Thank you.”

Mipsy bowed. An instant later, Hypnos appeared at Severus’ feet and hopped in his lap with a mrow. Severus chuckled and scratched behind his ears, and Harry took the rings instead. 

“Ah, now that is a beautiful beastie,” said Fiona with a grin. “Gods, he's big for a kitten.”

“Yes, the shop owner seems to think he'll get very large. Maybe the size of a lynx.”

Andrew whistled. “Damn. That's impressive.”

“Hypnos is impressive.” Harry petted his back and scratched under his chin. “Be careful about petting him, though. He's extremely protective of Sev and I.”

Andrew gave the rings a grim look. “With good reason, I think.”

“Yeah.” Harry held out the rings to his friends. “Please take them. Even if you don't want to fight with us, even if you don't want to know any more than you already do, just by being our friends, you're putting yourselves in danger. These will help keep you safe.”

Fiona shuddered. “Mate, it's really that bad? You gotta fight a war, alone?”

Harry held Severus’ hand. “Not alone. But we do have to fight, yes, and we're going to have to fight hard. You don't have to fight with us—at least, we won't make you. The problem is that the bad guys might. So you need to take precautions to protect yourselves whether you join in or not. Please.”

Andrew examined the rings and took one with an owl in the design. “I like owls.” He slipped the ring onto his left index finger, grimaced as it took his blood, and watched it resize. “Brilliant. You said these were goblin-forged?”

“Yes,” said Severus, “by the best they have to offer.”

Ganesh hesitated over the tray. “But… that must have cost a fortune. Severus, how?”

“Take a ring and we can tell you.”

“At least some of the story,” said Harry. “You need to learn to fight up to my standards and Occlude before we can tell you the most dangerous of our secrets.”

Ganesh swallowed hard. “Y-you're sure? I mean, I feel bad taking it. It's so much.”

“Ganesh, please. Trust me when I say it's a drop in the bucket for us, and just put the bloody thing on. Even if it did cost a fortune, your life is worth it.”

Ganesh gasped, and tears glimmered in his eyes. “I—gods.” He wiped his eyes. “T-thank you. Fi, wanna pick first?”

She waved him off. “I like every animal. Pick the one ye like best.”

Ganesh nodded and grabbed a ring with an occamy winding around the band. “Thank you. It means a lot to me.”

Harry squeezed his shoulder, but Ganesh grabbed him into a hug instead. Harry froze and tensed. 

“Shite, I'm sorry, Harry. I was just happy.”

Harry tentatively hugged him. “It's okay. I just need a little warning, even from Raven sometimes, too.”

“Raven?”

“Sev. You'll understand in a minute.”

“Oh. All right.” Ganesh passed the tray to Fiona, who examined the last ring with a smile that grew into a grin. “Grand. I love hippogriffs.”

Andrew chuckled. “You love everything, except girls.”

“Well, the geebags might try to be a little less annoyin’, and maybe I'd like ‘em more. Always bangin’ on and on about this lad or that. I like a nice lad myself, sure, but I've got better things to do than spend all day dossin’ about and comparin’ the angle of their chins and the colour of their feckin’ nose hairs.”

The boys laughed. 

“Noted.” Severus’ smile slipped. “But now, if you're sure you want to know…?”

“Yeah, mate.” Fiona bumped her shoulder against Severus’. “Tell me whose arse I've gotta kick for ye.”

Severus shuddered and closed his eyes. “You must keep it quiet. More than our own lives depend on our secrets staying that way, or at least only known to people we can trust.”

Andrew raised his wand and pointed it at his own chest. “I, Andrew Corner, hereby vow to, to the best of my ability, protect the secrets of Harry Potter and Severus Snape and to keep them from those who would use them for evil. This I so swear.”

Ganesh held up his wand. “Magic hears and accepts your vow. Fiona Quinn, do you also accept this vow and swear to keep it to the best of your ability?”

Fiona nodded fiercely. “I so swear.”

“I, Ganesh Patil, also swear to uphold this vow to the best of my ability.”

Andrew gave Severus and Harry a gentle smile. He didn't speak, as it would have interrupted the ritual, but he mouthed “Go on then” and waved him on.

Severus’ breath hitched. They trusted him to bind them to a vow? They knew he could choose the unbreakable vow, or something even worse, and they trusted him? 

Severus had to swallow a few times before he could be sure that his voice would come out steady. 

“Concustodio Secretum.” It was a simple magical vow, the easiest one Severus knew of. It would cause them brief pain if they intentionally broke it and warn Severus, but it wouldn't permanently maim or kill them like the darker vows might. 

Golden light rushed between the group. Harry and Severus slipped their hands into each other's, and Severus kissed Harry's fingers. The glow faded, leaving a tie of bonds visible between the group's hearts before it, too, vanished, and Severus burned the memory of it into his mind. He had trouble trusting people, with good reason, and the idea of opening up his vulnerabilities to anyone was frightening, especially with so much at stake, and yet, this was the truth of them. They had vowed to protect Harry and himself, knowing it would put their lives at risk and without knowing why. This was who they were. 

And Severus loved them for it. 

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice shaky. 

Andrew leapt down from his desk and laid his hand on Severus’ shoulder. “All right there, mate?”

Severus had to wipe his eyes. “Brilliant.”

Andrew rubbed his shoulder a little, and Harry caressed his palm, and Severus regained his composure. 

“Thank you.” With a sigh, he motioned for the others to sit on Harry's bed, across from the lovers. “We have to be very careful about anyone overhearing. Hypnos would have already warned us if we were being watched, but if any of our dormmates hear and take it back to the headmaster, we're all in big trouble.”

Fiona plopped down on the end of Harry's bed and leaned against the post. “The headmaster? Why?” She froze, and eyes nearly the same shade as Harry's, but a little paler, widened and fixed upon them. “Oh my God! It was him, wasn't it? He's the one who set those pricks on ye in the OWLs! I thought the gobshites were too damned thick to have thought of half of it on their own.”

Ganesh paused halfway to sitting beside her. “Merlin. Merlin. It's not even just that they were too thick to pull it off, especially that nightmare in potions, but they were acting like idiots, even by their standards. They're usually sneaky little pricks, going about in the shadows and cursing as soon as our backs are turned, but they pulled this rubbish in class, right there, in front of the instructors. Hell, Black used a level four dark spell on Severus in an exam where he knew the teacher was watching everything he cast. I hate to say it, but, thick as they are, they've never been that stupid.”

Andrew gulped. “That's why these rings have anti-compulsion charms. They aren't acting on their own will, are they?”

“Lily certainly isn't.” Severus hesitated. “As for the others, I don't know how much of it is their choice. They were complete wankers before we even made it off of the train. Dumbledore couldn't have singled them out and compelled them that quickly. The rubbish they pulled during the OWLs, though—that, we know for certain, wasn't done by their own choice.”

“With the exception of Pettigrew,” said Harry with a growl. “That nasty rat doesn't need compulsions to be an evil monster. Stay the hell away from him, for your own safety. And, be aware, every last one of them is an Animagus, with the exception of Lupin. Potter and Black will be difficult to miss as they're both large animals: a stag and a grim respectively. But Pettigrew is a rat, and he can slip about unseen very easily.”

“And we don't know yet how much he is reporting to Voldemort as well as Dumbledore,” said Severus. “So absolutely watch your backs around the rat.”

“The other three, Lupin in particular, aren't evil. Just a bunch of bigoted sods. They won't serve Voldemort or kill anyone or even really hurt anyone else. They are just a danger to Severus and maybe me, because the Headmaster compels them to hurt him, and he's royally pissed that I'm here to protect Severus now. The other Potter, Black, and Lupin aren't likely to do anything worse to you than the occasional stupid prank, not on their own will. But the Pettigrew I knew was capable of cold-blooded murder, so don't go near him, especially not alone.”

“Dear gods,” Andrew gasped. “He's a murderer?”

Harry hesitated. “Not yet, not that I know of. But I know he could be, and I know he will start acting as a spy for Voldemort soon if he isn't already, so be very careful.”

“U-understood,” said Ganesh. “But, gods, why on earth do you keep saying his name?”

“Fenwick does. And I say it for the same reason.” Harry pushed up his fringe, revealing his scar. “I've faced Voldemort head-on and lived. After seeing the real thing, I'm not scared of a bloody name.”

“Feckin’ hell,” said Fiona. “W-what curse…?”

“You're not going to believe me if I tell you.”

“Try us,” said Andrew. 

“The Avada. He tried to kill me. But thanks to… some complex rituals and, probably, Merlin's own foresight, he didn't succeed.”

“Y-you're right, mate,” said an ashen Fiona. “That's pretty damned hard to believe.”

“It's all true,” said Severus. “I've seen the memory in a pensieve.”

“Fuck,” Andrew breathed. “Harry….”

“Yeah.” Harry closed his eyes and let his hair fall naturally again. “As we are now, he isn't likely to target me specifically again, not in this identity, and not at the cost of everything else. So it isn't quite that bad now, but… the thing is, I'm not a wizard, not technically. I'm a mage, and Sev is my guardian. We're identified in prophecy as the Raven and the Phoenix, and the Stag and the Doe, and the Mage and the Prince, or the Guardian.”

Ganesh whispered, “Prophecy?”

“Yeah. There are like a hundred in the Department of Mysteries saying that Sev and I are supposed fight him. So, when I said Sev and I are the centre of this war, I meant it.”

“Bloody hell,” Ganesh breathed. “Harry, my dad works in the DoM. And he's not really supposed to talk about what he sees, but those prophecies—are you talking about the Silent Row?”

Harry looked to Severus and back to Ganesh. “I don't know. I never heard it referred to like that, but then, I don't actually know anyone in the DoM. I just broke in once.”

“You broke in to the DoM?”

“Yeah, to fight Voldemort and his merry men. Uh, why the Silent Row?”

“Because those prophecies haven't been touched in millennia. No one has been able to hear them because no one was ever able to identify the subjects, and they go all the way back to—”

“Kassandra of Troy?” Harry nodded. “Yeah. Those are about us.”

“Dear gods,” Ganesh breathed. “You really do know.”

“Feckin’ hell,” Fiona choked out. “Mate, mate, you're a mage? With a hundred prophecies and ties to Merlin and a war foretold, and both sides after your arses, and you and Sev gotta handle it all?”

“Yeah. That's about the size of it.”

Fiona swallowed hard. “Goddamn.” She took a shaky breath and steeled her shoulders. “Well then, I guess you'd best start teachin’ us some of those moves ye pulled in Transfiguration, mate. If we're gonna be the ones at your back, then we better know how to fight like feckin’ dragons.”

Harry's breath hitched. “R-really? You want to help?”

“Damn straight I do!”

“That goes for me as well,” said Andrew. “Can you teach us to fight like aurors?”

“We'll bloody well need it,” said Ganesh.

Tears raced down Harry's cheeks, and he hugged them all in turn. “Gods, thank you. Besides Raven, I-I've only ever had two people loyal like this in my entire life, and they're both… gone now.”

"Well, you've got us now, mate," said Ganesh. "Though it won't do you much good unless we can learn to really fight with you."

Harry wiped his eyes. “If he's willing, I'm about to be Fenwick's apprentice too, for martial arts training and a Defence mastery. He's not the only auror who's trained me either, so, yeah. I think I can teach you to kick some Death Eater arse. I'm already training Starling, though I reckon Fenwick will help me there soon, once he's fit. Do—do you wanna do it on Saturdays? I think that's about the only day me and Sev are likely to still have a lot of free time between his mastery and mine, and maybe quidditch, if Starling and Hooch can find a way to make it safe for us.”

“Oi,” Ganesh said with a pout. “Saturdays are when we do quidditch practise.”

“But we can move it to Sunday if necessary, can't we?” Andrew's question, given in a quiet, gentle tone, made Ganesh sigh and rub the back of his neck. 

“Yeah, okay. Saving the world is definitely more important than quidditch.”

Harry gave a pained chuckle. “I wish you could meet Ron.”

Severus pulled Harry into his arms and murmured, “They still can, love. Someday.”

Harry blinked hard. “Right. You're right.” He took a deep breath. “Well, we probably have time Sunday too, if you'd rather do it then. I was just thinking it would be a lot safer to train outside of Hogwarts, and it's a lot easier to slip out on the weekends.”

Andrew frowned. “How do you know that?”

“That's one of the things I can't tell you until you know how to Occlude. Voldemort gets that out of your head, and he won't stop until Sev and I are dead.”

Andrew gulped. “It can wait then. But how do we learn to Occlude? Are there books in the library, maybe?”

“Probably,” said Severus, “but if you check them out, Dumbledore is going to figure out that you're learning to block him. That won't be good for any of us.”

“Shite, no, definitely not. But then how—”

“We'll help you, too.” Harry grimaced. “Well, I can't let you in my memories until you can Occlude, for everyone's safety, but I can help you learn with each other.”

“All right. Then maybe we'll fight on Saturdays and do mind magic on Sundays?”

Harry smiled. “Sounds like a plan.”

“Your first lesson is to work on clearing your mind before you go to bed,” said Severus. “Like meditation. You want no intrusive thoughts getting in the way of a calm, peaceful mind.”

Harry nodded. “Which will be challenging after everything you've learned, but really good practise by the same turn.”

“All right.” Ganesh stood. “We should probably start that now. It's getting late, and, after everything you told us, I don't feel like the dorms are secure enough to go into anything further, not here.”

“We'll show you how to get into the Room of Requirement tomorrow,” said Severus. “That's probably the safest place in the entire school.”

“You're on, lads.” Fiona hugged them both. “Don't be scared, okay? We'll figure it out.”

Harry gave her a grateful smile. “We'll be okay. It's good to know we don't have to face it alone. Starling and Fenwick are on our side too, and that's a big relief. They're both damned smart and Fenwick is one hell of a fighter.”

“That's good, mate,” said Ganesh in a grim tone. “We'll definitely need it.”

Severus gave him a grave nod. 

---

Harry's dreams of purple snitches and Dobby as referee faded, and he blinked away the sight of tall stadium bleachers and cheering friends, both old and new. The crackle of a fireplace and the scratching of a quill on parchment replaced the sounds of a lively match. If not for the distinct tinge of dark magic in the air and the undercurrent of danger, Harry might have thought he had fallen into dreams of a cosy study and a few moments without the pressure of war weighing down his shoulders. 

But he sensed the hidden threat—a snake coiled for the strike, a demon waiting to devour him whole—and he knew this was no dream. 

At least Voldemort didn't seem interested in torturing anyone at the moment. 

Harry felt his lover's presence join him, and turned to press his fingers to his lips. He motioned to the parchment, relieved to find that Severus could see his motions, but Voldemort paid him no heed, and they both leaned over the paper to get a better look at what Voldemort was writing. 

 

“A seven-part division provides divine power and the assurance of uninterrupted immortality. With enough power and the proper precautions, one can avoid the unpleasant side effects of soul magic on the mind as well. I have the power, and, I believe, storing the anchors in the form of the rune Thuriaz will amplify the protective force of the rituals. With the right catalyst, a source of great power, I can achieve immortality that none will ever be able to threaten. I will be akin to a god. But where shall I find a source strong enough to make an undefeatable h—”

 

A soft knock on the door made Voldemort jump and cover his journal with a book— ‘Secrets of the Darkest Art.’ He stood with a sigh and waved the door open, wandless. 

“Yes?”

Rosier stepped into the room and bowed. “Good evening, my lord. I have come as soon as I was able to escape without notice to report a strange, and concerning, event which occurred in my Transfiguration lesson Monday morning.”

Voldemort nodded and waved him on. “Speak then.”

“The half-blood I suggested for your ranks has, I'm afraid, become quite close with a mudblood no one knows, and, besides the potential disruption to your plans for Snape, the mudblood himself could be… a problem. He claims to be a transfer student from home education, and that his family was killed by Death Eaters last term, however, I don't recall seeing any reports of said attack anywhere.”

“Which family?”

“I do not know his parents’ names yet, my lord, but the mudblood's name is Harry Potter, and he professes to be James’ cousin.”

Voldemort eyed him. “The cousin of a pureblood is a mudblood?”

“That is what he says, my lord. I don't quite understand it.”

“Hm. There is one way a pureblood family could produce a mudblood child, and I did, in fact, send Death Eaters after a Potter squib who married a Muggle wretch last summer, but….”

“But?”

Voldemort shook his head. “None of your concern. Why do you believe a mudblood brat would present a problem?”

Rosier swallowed hard. “It's only that he appears to be quite powerful despite his heritage, my lord. He is a sixth year as well, and yet, he produced a flawless physical shield in Transfiguration Monday, and, though I haven't seen it personally, there are rumours going around that Potter was the one to defeat his cousin, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew single-handedly last term when they attempted to assault Snape again. The rumours suggest that he appeared to have come straight out of one battle right into that one, sire, and that he disarmed and disabled all four of Snape's assailants without ever taking a single hit.”

Rosier shook his head. “I don't yet know how much of that is true, my lord, but his performance in classes so far does, I'm afraid, appear to support the story as it stands. It's quite unfortunate his blood is so impure. A fighter like that could be useful to your cause, sire, if he were not of such tainted ancestry.”

“Hm. I see. Is that all you have to report, Evan?”

“Yes, my lord. How should your agents at Hogwarts deal with the mudblood?”

“Observe. Do not engage. Report any changes to me immediately.”

Rosier bowed. “It will be done, sir.”

“Begone. I am quite busy.”

“Yes, my lord.” 

Rosier shut the door, and Voldemort sat at his desk with a brooding expression on his face, a handsome visage so unlike the monster Harry remembered. 

“How curious. A mudblood of the Potter line with such power. How strange that I do not remember meeting him when I killed his family.” Voldemort stared into the fire. “I wonder, boy, if you are a mudblood at all. And why, if you are not, would an unknown sixth year need such an elaborate cover story? Very curious indeed.”

Harry's gut dropped. Shite. The bastard knew. 

With a shake of his head, Voldemort stood and moved towards the desk. “Well, time will tell. I have too much to do to concern myself with one lying brat.” He moved the book off of his notes and gave the parchment a sinister smile. “Powerful or not, he cannot hope to defeat a god.”

With that, he locked both the book and his notes away in the desk and left the room.

 

Harry opened his eyes in a shaking Severus’ arms, with a wide-eyed Andrew and Ganesh standing beside the bed, both in t-shirts and pyjama bottoms. 

“Mate?” Andrew's throat bobbed. “I grabbed Ganesh when Sev told me to get help. I-I didn't think Fi was a good idea, given your past, but—”

Ganesh laid his hand on Andrew's shoulder. “What is it, Harry? What happened?”

Harry shuddered and sat up. He rubbed his forehead out of sheer habit, but it didn't hurt this time. Thank Merlin for small mercies. 

“Vision,” he said in an unsteady tone. “Voldemort was writing—something about soul magic and immortality and divine power—and then Rosier came in. He told him about me, about that shield charm and such.” He swallowed a wave of dread. “Riddle eventually dismissed it in favour of whatever nightmare he was working on, but he knows now, and that's a big problem.”

“Knows what?” Andrew had calmed down quite a bit—he had probably thought Harry was hurt. “You knew he would find out about you soon anyway, so what has you so scared now?”

“It's not just that. He knows about me, yes, but he also knows that—that this identity is just an alias. Well, I really am Harry Potter, but my story—he knows it's a cover. And I'm terrified of what that means.”

Ganesh winced. “Oh, shite.”

“Y-yeah.” 

Chapter 6: A New Venture

Summary:

New POV character!

And, y'all, send my family all the good juju please. My mom had a major GI bleed Thursday morning and, within 5 minutes, almost bled out right in front of me. The paramedics got her out fast enough to save her life and her mind, thank goodness, but she lost over half of her blood volume and had to have a ton of transfusions. She's had 3 major surgeries in 2 days and has one more tomorrow, and they had to remove over half of her colon to stop the bleeding. And we don't know yet if what they took out was cancerous or not, but her blood work suggests that it was. So she has a long road ahead of her, and so do I.

Thank you all for the love and support! ❤

Chapter 6

A New Venture

Will dragged himself into his living room, still dressed in his nightclothes, and fell upon the sofa face-first. Good lord, what in all the nine hells had convinced him to teach? Had he truly imagined it might be a refreshing change from constant board meetings and idiot researchers who, even with three masteries under their belts, still didn't understand basic potions safety procedures? All right, so the number of times he had to patch up some incompetent idiot who had blown off a finger—or worse—because they weren't careful with their equipment was enough to drive him mad, but now, he had to watch his classroom like a bloody hawk to make sure his students didn't go the same way. 

To be fair, though, at least the children had an excuse. They were still young, still learning discipline and proper safety procedures, and Merlin knew puberty wreaked hell on a person's concentration. Well, for all but one of his students, perhaps. 

In twelve years as a medical researcher, Will had never met anyone with the brilliance of mind, meticulous nature, practised skill, and innate talent that his little apprentice possessed. The boy was barely sixteen, and his technique put masters to shame. Will found himself thinking this would be the one truly great achievement of his career: teaching this brave, brilliant, wonderful boy to spread his wings. Severus would surely soar beyond the stars one day. 

Or he would, if Dumbledore's vendetta against him and his partner didn't see them both ruined—or worse.

What in the hell was the old man's problem with Severus and Harry anyway? None of the other students suffered like they did, and the things Dumbledore had done, even only those done within Will's sight, left him absolutely gobsmacked. Dumbledore was reckoned a genius, an unparalleled master of alchemical science, charms, and transfiguration, and a world-renowned hero for his efforts in Grindelwald's War. The man was celebrated in at least eighty countries for his research on the ten uses of dragon's blood, and, closer to home, for what Will had believed until last summer was compassionate, intelligent guidance of the British youth—and yet, here he was, attempting to poison students in full view of a potions master. 

Gods, it was unbelievable. 

Will had, when he first accepted the position, looked forward to working with the man, to sharing skills and experience and learning from each other. He had hoped to return to St. Mungo's after a few years or so with plenty of new knowledge for the benefit of the sick and injured. He had even dreamed of finding a cure for some of the most damaged victims of the last war, a way to restore their broken minds and bodies to health again.

One day as an OWL instructor had taught him better. 

The trick Dumbledore had used against Severus in Will's classroom was truly reprehensible. Severus would have spent his entire life in agony, broken over someone who could never return it, and Harry, too, would have lost out on a love that, even in Will's limited knowledge of the young couple, he had no doubt was fated to last. They had already survived so much together. He was so bloody proud of those boys. 

Why on earth would Dumbledore want to hurt them so much? It made no bloody sense. What the hell was the old man on about?

Damn it. He was thinking in circles. He needed Benjy for this, and Benjy would want his information anyway. Well, what Will could give of it without breaking his apprentice's confidence. Perhaps, in time, Severus would trust Benjy enough to tell him on his own. Until then, Will would just have to hope Ben had enough of an idea of the situation to read between the lines. 

Most of the students had left after breakfast to spend their money on sweets and butterbeer in Hogsmeade. Will had fond memories of his own trips to the magical village and rebellious explorations of the highlands beyond. It was a rite of passage, and one of the only true moments of freedom the children got to experience in Hogwarts, which was, at the end of the day, still a boarding school. All of the professors knew the children got up to all sorts of antics in the village, and all of them looked the other way, as long as it didn't stray into dangerous territory. They were perfectly content to let the children test boundaries and get into trouble and learn by natural consequences, as long as no one was hurt. Then, they had to step in and draw a line. 

A line should have been drawn to protect Severus years ago. Will had a dreadful feeling that the same statement applied to Harry as well, but, either way, two of his most promising students were suffering here now, and he wouldn't—couldn't stand by and watch. 

He stood from his sofa and started for the hearth, but, just as he reached for the floo powder tin, a knock sounded at the door. 

“Who on earth…?”

Hm. Maybe Benjy had gotten the same idea. Severus and Harry weren't due for their duelling class until after dinner, and they wouldn't come to Will's quarters for it anyway. They didn't know where his quarters were. 

He conjured his Saturday clothes onto his body and used a spell to comb his hair and brush his teeth on the way to the door. “Yes? Can I—oh.” 

“Good morning, Will.” Benjy's serious, bright brown eyes met Will's own. “May I come in?”

Will swallowed a sudden rush of nerves and ducked to cover a blush. “Ah. Of course, of course.” He waved him in and hoped Benjy didn't pick up on the tremor in his hand. 

When he turned, Ben stared into the fireplace, his expression open and raw with pain. “Is it too much?”

Will frowned. “Is what too much?”

“My scars. You—you won't look at me.”

Will coughed slightly. “I was only a little nervous.” He lifted his head, blush be damned. Like hell would he ever let Ben believe Will didn't want him in his life. “Your scars hurt, Ben. Not because they detract from your appearance, but—” His voice broke, and he tugged Ben into a close embrace, his touch gentle and supportive for his injured friend. “I came so close to losing you forever.”

Ben shuddered and pressed his head against Will's shoulder. “I'm sorry.”

“No. No, don't apologize. You were so damn brave.” Will stepped back, though he wanted to move closer. “I am so proud of you, but if you ever terrify me like that again, I'll kill you myself.”

Ben gave a soft chuckle. “Understood. Would you believe I'm more afraid of your potions than of Voldemort?”

Will smirked. “As you should be.”

Ben laughed. The way it pulled at his scarred ear hurt Will to watch. Gently, he touched the scar and his friend's stubbled jaw. 

“If you want, I can try to help with these. To reduce them. It would be a good project for Severus, and I do know he wants to go into medical research, too.”

Ben nodded tentatively. “I don't mind the scars so much, just the pain, but any help you can offer with either is welcome.”

Will motioned to his sofa. “Sit. I shouldn't have kept you on your feet this long.”

“I didn't mind.” With a slight smile, Ben limped to the sofa and eased himself down. 

“Let me help you.” Will knelt at his feet and lifted his ankle into his hands. “May I?”

Ben's cheeks turned rosy. “Yes, of course.”

Will summoned a healing salve he had made especially for Ben and eased the man's shoes and socks off. He rolled his trousers up to the knee and held Ben's bare foot in his palm. A dark, wide scar crossed his left ankle just above the joint, and a couple inches higher on the right. Another scar cut directly through the centre of his left calf, and straight through the knee on his right. 

Will had seen these scars many times when he attended to Ben in hospital, and yet, they never failed to bring tears to his eyes. For Ben's sake, he blinked them back and forced his breath and voice steady. Instead, he focused on spreading the healing salve into Ben's injuries. It smelled of ginger. 

Ben's breath hitched at the first touch. 

“Okay?”

“Yes. It feels better.”

“Good.” Will took his time to get the medicine into every surface of his injured ankle and over his foot. 

“My feet aren't injured.” Ben's voice came out unsteady.

“But I know they hurt you.”

Ben's fingers curled around the edge of the sofa. “Mm-hmm.”

“So I'm taking care of you then. As your healer should.”

Ben swallowed hard. “I suppose I can't argue with that logic.”

Will nodded and carried on. 

“Ah, so….” Ben cleared his throat. “I actually came to speak to you about—about Harry Potter and your apprentice.”

“Mm. As it happens, I was on my way to floo you for the same purpose when you arrived.” Will rubbed a particularly stubborn spot along Ben's instep, and the man gasped. Will checked his expression, but he had his eyes closed and didn't show signs of pain. “Well, indirectly.” He swept his fingers up the back of his friend's heel, and Ben's fingers tightened on the sofa. 

“Indirectly?”

“Yes.” Will looked up, rubbing Ben's ankle absently. “What the hell is Dumbledore doing, Ben? He's supposed to be intelligent! The tricks he is pulling now are both completely reprehensible and so egregious it's to the point of absolute stupidity. I can't understand what's going through his head. Even when I attempt to ignore my own moral code and think as a criminal might, his actions make no sense whatsoever. What is going on, and why on earth is he so dead-set on damaging Severus?” Will resumed applying the salve to his friend's scarred calf. “I just don't understand.”

Ben's voice came out in a low, gruff tone, most likely because the situation infuriated him as well. “I can't answer your second question. His motivation is unclear. But I began researching everything I could find on Severus and Dumbledore himself when Alastor informed me that something was off about Dumbledore's reports. And, Will, that man has been targeting him since he started at Hogwarts.”

Will grimaced. “Ben, I… can't say much, but Severus told me everything he experienced as a result of that man's evil, and it's much worse than that.”

Ben fixed intelligent, narrowed eyes on him. “How much worse?”

“Life in Azkaban or the veil worse.”

“Dear gods. Will, can you tell me anything?”

Will hesitated. “You need to look further back in Severus’ past. Much further.”

“He targeted Severus before he even started here?”

“Yes, and….” Will swallowed hard. “Ben, when you took this job, did he ask to see your Patronus?”

Ben grimaced. “He didn't say much to me. He's quite furious that the Ministry assigned me to the position at all.” He chewed his lip for a moment. “But, it seems to me, I remember something at the very beginning of our first year. He called us all into the common room and said something about testing our innate magic levels. But the charm he cast was a Patronus revealing spell.”

“Yes, now that you mention it, I remember the same thing happening in Ravenclaw.” Will set Ben's foot down and began caring for the other leg. “So, can we assume his issues have something to do with patronuses?”

“Mm. Possibly.”

“And Severus has the form he wants?”

“Another strong possibility.”

“But what does a patronus have to do with anything? It doesn't say much about the wixen themselves, only what animal aligns closest to their personality and magic, and there aren't many that can produce them regardless. I only know how because you insisted I learn for my own protection. Why should a patronus form matter?”

Ben said nothing for a long moment. “It doesn't matter, not to you and I, but I can think of another trait that had no effect on the worth of a person, and still certain demographics committed terrible acts of violence against those with said trait, and the Ministry turned a blind eye upon it all.”

Will shuddered. As a child, he had learned young to hide his attraction to the same sex. Gay wizards didn't live long in Britain's draconian society. If the bigots didn't kill them, Azkaban would. 

It had all begun to change ten years ago, when new blood worked its way into the Wizengamot and the Ministry, and more compassionate laws came into being. It was legal now for same sex couples to bond, though not every wixen would accept them, and violence against the queer population was no longer condoned—or endorsed—but the memory of those times had left an indelible mark on Will's soul. The idea of coming out was daunting, when, until approximately five years ago, he would have died for his candor. 

And yet, if he was ever to take the risk….

Ben would be worth it.

Will took an unsteady breath and focused on his treatment. If Ben wanted him, he would leap in an instant, but there was no use dwelling on dreams that wouldn't come true. At least Will still had his dearest friend in his life, thanks to Harry's foresight and Severus’ quick thinking. It was enough.

He tightened his grip on Ben's ankle a little and pushed his lingering grief to the back of his mind. “Ben, what do we do? Do you think we can gather enough evidence to take him down?”

Ben didn't reply. When Will looked up, the man had his head thrown back and his lips parted, and his eyes looked amber in the firelight. Will had to look away and take several deep breaths. Damn. 

‘Cold thoughts, cold thoughts. Filch, Dumbledore… ah, that does it.’

Ben was watching the fire when Will looked up again. “I don't know,” he said, his voice subdued. “I'm going to try, but….” He shuddered. “The problem is, I'm not the first who has attempted to report Dumbledore for various offences. Even last summer….” He shook his head. “Something always stops them before they make it to court, Will. I think we will have to find out what he's doing to keep the whistle-blowers quiet and his reputation squeaky-clean before I can push the case at all.”

Will nodded gravely. “I think you might find some aid from Harry in that.”

“Harry?”

“His sight is truly extraordinary. He was the one to caution me against reporting Dumbledore for my own safety, and you just proved the wisdom of his warning yourself.” Will set Ben's other foot down and spelled the salve from his hands. “And….” He sat beside his friend, trying to suppress the icy chill in his gut, the cruel grip of dread upon his soul. “When Severus came to me, he showed me several of his memories and told me quite a bit about his life, but Harry—I have a dreadful feeling that his story is even worse.”

“Worse?”

“Yes. He was Occluding so hard I couldn't even read his emotions for most of the conversation, but what he showed me at the beginning, to convince me to listen, dear gods. Do you know that boy has faced down Voldemort—multiple times—and survived? He's incredible, Benjy. And, if that is what he was willing to show me to bring me into their confidence, then I am absolutely terrified of what he wouldn't show.”

Ben's eyes widened. “Voldemort is targeting Harry?”

Will froze. “Oh. Oh gods. I didn't—but you must be right. Why else would he be so concerned with attempting to murder a child?”

Ben's expression turned grim. “I don't know, but if he is truly being targeted by that monster, then I think I had better begin training him. Now.”

“From all I've seen, Ben, he may end up training you.”

Benjy nodded. “Good. We will need all the help we can get.”

Will squeezed his hand. “So it seems.”

---

Severus held Harry's hand as they walked through Hogsmeade, hidden under every stealth charm they knew and Harry's cloak. So far, he had seen nothing out of the ordinary for a Saturday at Hogwarts. Typical teenage antics, for the most part. The only curiosity that caught his eye was Fiona, sneaking out of the post office with a bright blush on her face. 

Interesting. Who was she writing to make her turn so red?

He nudged Harry's shoulder. 

Harry whispered, “Oh. What's Fi up to?”

Severus whispered back, “I don't know. Maybe we can ask Andrew after duelling practise. I don't want to bring it up here.”

Harry squeezed his hand. 

As they neared the apparition point, the boys found their housemates on what looked to be a leisurely stroll outside the Three Broomsticks. Severus knew better. 

He whispered as he came close, “Drew, it's Harry and I. Are the giant prats still there?”

Andrew jumped slightly, then kept walking as if he wasn't talking to an invisible person just to his right. “Nice day for a walk outside, isn't it, Gan?”

Ganesh nodded. “Maybe we can have a butterbeer later, once the tavern clears out a bit.”

Severus had to appreciate a good bit of Slytherin cunning. 

“Thank you. Harry and I are off then.”

“Thanks for keeping a watch for us,” Harry whispered. 

Andrew whispered out of the corner of his mouth, “You can pay us back with a good chess game!”

“Speak for yourself,” Ganesh whispered. “I want curry. Good curry, not like Hogwarts’ bland mush.”

Harry covered a snicker. “It is pretty bland, huh?”

“Gods, yes.”

“Well, maybe I can do something about that. You'll have to depend on Sev for the chess games though. I can't play to save my life.”

Ganesh gave a dramatic sigh. “Finally, someone else for Drew to drive mad.”

Severus covered a chuckle. 

Andrew grinned. “We'll meet later for lunch, yeah? If you're bringing back curry, we can go to the park.”

“Actually, I was gonna make it.”

Ganesh gasped. “You can cook good curry? Homemade?”

“Well, I don't know if it holds up to your standards, but I can certainly try! And if it doesn't pass muster, we can always ask Mipsy to pick something up.”

“Deal. Lamb?”

“Fine with me,” said Andrew.

“And me as well,” Severus agreed.

“Mm. That sounds brilliant. Yeah, I'll do it. Meet us in our usual training spot at around noon? And will Fi want something different?”

“Nah, she'll eat anything you shove on her plate, and probably half of ours too,” said Andrew.

Ganesh huffed. “I'll fight her for good curry.”

Harry gave a silent laugh. “Merlin. I guess I better make plenty.”

“Yes please!”

“All right.” Harry patted their shoulders. “Thanks for covering for us. We better go before someone realises there are two other people in this conversation.”

“We'll see you later,” Severus whispered. 

“Good luck,” Ganesh whispered. 

“And be careful,” Andrew added. 

Severus held their shoulders briefly and led Harry away.

“Oi, wait for me, lads!” Fiona waved as she ran to join the boys and sent a brief wink in Severus’ general direction. “I ain't about to let ye leave me hangin’.”

“Don't spend so much time writing your boyfriend then,” Ganesh teased. 

Fiona squawked in protest, but, by the blush she sported, Severus guessed Ganesh wasn't that far off. He suppressed a chuckle and returned his attention to their immediate surroundings. They passed one more group of students, a gaggle of third year Ravenclaws, but the majority of their peers were either out afield or busy in the shops. But, as they passed the ‘Shrieking Shack,’ as it was known in recent years, a pair of too-familiar grey eyes followed their steps with far too much ease. With a wince, Severus looked down their bodies and to the path behind them. No, they were still invisible, and they had hidden both the sounds of their movements and the evidence of their footprints. 

How, then, was Rosier able to track them? He couldn't see through their charms, right?

Rosier turned back to his cronies then, and Severus led Harry away as quickly as he dared. The Death Eater crew didn't bother them, and yet, Severus felt the burn of unfriendly eyes on his back all the way to the apparition point. 

Harry turned them on the spot immediately, and they landed in Diagon Alley the next instant. Severus shuddered and pressed into Harry's side. 

“How the hell did he see us?”

‘I'm not a hundred percent sure he did.” Harry tugged Severus along towards the bank. “But, just in case, let's get out of here quickly.”

“And maybe ask Mipsy to help us next time after all.”

“We have her on Dumbledore right now. She can't block him from tracking us and apparate us to London at once.”

“Maybe we need another elf.”

Harry shook his head. “Not sure I'd trust anyone like we can Mipsy.” His shoulders slumped. “Merlin, I miss Dobby.”

“Dobby was the Malfoy elf you set free, right?”

Harry nodded and wiped his eyes. “And completely barmy, but a very loyal friend.”

“Maybe we can help him in future, somehow. We will try, anyway. Mipsy might know how.”

“It's worth asking. For now, though, we had better focus on saving our own arses.” Harry led them into the lobby and huffed. “Stuffed to the doors, of course.”

“It's Saturday. What did you expect?”

“Not quite this level of a madhouse.” Harry chewed his lip. “What do we do, Sev? We can't stay invisible and wait in line too.”

“Glamours? Or Lucia?”

“Lucia's a good idea.” Harry called for her, and his phoenix appeared on his shoulder with a cheep.

“Hey, girl. Give me just a second. I need you to take a note to one of our goblin friends, if you don't mind.”

Lucia rubbed his cheek. Harry led Severus to the public terminals and an empty desk, where there was a stack of parchment available and a few self-inking quills. Harry snatched a sheet and a quill and hid it under his cloak just as someone approached the terminal. He used Severus’ back to write his note and sent it off a moment later. 

“That should do it, I hope.”

Severus hugged his partner against his side and settled in to wait. 

A few moments later, Murkie stepped into the lobby near the public terminals. She walked along the line as if she was inspecting them, giving no sign of her true purpose there. As she approached the boys, Severus squeezed her hand. The goblin jumped a little, then turned back towards the vaults as if nothing had happened. 

“This way, boys,” she whispered. 

Harry and Severus followed. 

To Severus’ surprise, rather than the carts, she led them to a hallway off of the main track. As they approached a blank wall, a wooden door appeared with two handprint markings, one golden and one blue. 

“Place your hands on the respective prints, please.”

Harry gave Severus a bemused look. Severus shrugged and placed his hand on the blue marker. Beside him, Harry nodded and placed his hand on the golden print. A small pinprick later, Severus felt a wave of familiar scanning magic. The door opened, and he stepped inside. 

It led directly to their heritage vault. A conference table with five chairs, three goblin-sized, had been added to the front of the vault as well as a shelf with several locked drawers along the bottom. The middle shelves held books and scrolls and a few stone tablets. The top shelves glowed blue with the light of a handful of prophecy orbs. 

“Bloody hell,” said Harry. “This is brilliant!” 

Windhook and Grinzel stepped out of a side room and moved to the table. 

“I'm glad you think so, Harry. We did this for expediency’s sake, of course, but also for the sake of your guardian’s health.” Windhook chuckled. “It was rather painful watching him suffer every time you needed to access your vaults.”

Severus swallowed hard. “For me? Oh. I….” He took a steadying breath. “Thank you, but why?”

“It's very rare that we meet with wixen who trust us with carte blanche access to their gold and their secrets,” said Grinzel. “When we do, we tend to go the extra mile to make them more comfortable in their dealings with us.”

“Oh, just say it, would you?” Windhook huffed. “You younglings are too concerned with your pride.” He met Severus’ eyes. “You have treated us like trusted allies and even advisors, Severus. We like you.”

Harry beamed. “Yeah? That's brilliant! We like you too, and you are trusted allies and advisors, so that works out for us.”

“You know more than anyone,” said Severus. “We trust you implicitly.”

“Thank you,” said Murkie, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. “As it happens, that trust also led us to trust you.” She motioned to the table. “But time is short, so let us get straight to the point, yes?”

“Always in such a hurry to get back to work,” Windhook said with a shake of his head. “You need a vacation, Murkie.”

“I'll sleep when I'm dead.” Murkie took her seat. “And, if you must know, it wasn't my schedule I had in mind. They cannot stay here long, Windhook. Not with Dumbledore searching for an excuse to throw Harry out.”

“A fair point, my dear.” Windhook took his seat between the two younger goblins. “Now then, boys, do you have time to review the prophecies we have collected so far? We don't know what's in them yet ourselves, as we can't safely touch them.”

“I think so.” Harry sat and guided Severus into the chair beside him. “But I need to show you a vision I had recently too. And we have lots of other news.”

“We had best get right to business then.” Grinzel summoned a pensieve from one of the locked drawers and set it upon the table.

---

An hour later, everyone had reviewed each other's evidence. The goblins came out of the pensieve shaken after viewing Harry's memories. 

“Gods,” said Grinzel. “We had hoped they would not look that far into your background, Harry. We thought, without the force of the Prophecy behind you, Riddle wouldn't particularly care who you were or where you came from.”

Harry rubbed his neck and sighed. “I think, if I hadn't been an idiot and let Dad rile me in class Monday, you probably would have been right. But I wanted to scare them off of Severus, and I showed my hand a bit too much. Either way, it isn't your fault. The story was bound to fall through eventually, and at least Dumbledore is still clueless.”

“He may well know as well,” said Murkie. “No one ever said Dumbledore had to be honest with you.”

Harry grimaced. “Damn. I didn't think of that either.”

“I'm afraid it can't be helped,” said Grinzel. “We chose our story already, and, at least for now, we will have to stick to it.” He shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself. “If I am honest, I am almost more concerned with what Riddle said before Rosier came into the room. ‘A seven-part division’ and ‘anchors in the form of the rune Thuriaz,’ and ‘divine power?’ I have no idea what in Hethel's name he is talking about, but it doesn't sound good.”

“It has to be the thing he's done to defy death,” said Severus. “But what does that mean?”

“Clearly, he's using dark soul magic,” said Windhook with a shudder. “And, unfortunately, that is something we goblins don't dabble in. Ever. Not even the most evil of our people were ever mad enough to alter their own souls intentionally. At least, not to my knowledge, and, when it comes to history, that is saying quite a lot.”

“Windhook is a renowned historical scholar among our people,” said Grinzel. “It's how he knew of Merlin's heir vault. Very few goblins even know it exists, let alone how to recognise the proper owners. We're very fortunate he was here when you came to us for help, Harry, and that I thought to summon an elder.”

“Wow. I'm glad you were here too then, Windhook,” said Harry, “but where does that leave us? If the goblins don't mess with soul magic, then who would know about it? Or rather, who would know that isn't a bloody lunatic or in Dumbledore's pocket?”

“That, I think, will fall to you to discover.” 

Harry frowned. “Yeah, but I don't know many people in this time I could ask. Sev?”

Severus shook his head. 

“What we need,” said Murkie, “is a master of Defence with deep experience of dark wizards. An auror hitwizard, perhaps, one with several years on the force under their belt. One we can trust, who is disillusioned against Dumbledore's lies.” 

Harry and Severus gasped in turn. 

“Fenwick,” Harry breathed. “God, do you think he would know?”

“I doubt he would know off of the top of his head,” said Grinzel. “Even among humans, wizards insane enough to risk their own soul for immortality are few and far between. However, he may know where to look, if you believe he is trustworthy with such a grave secret.”

Severus held Harry's gaze. “I really do think we can trust him. Should we tell them both tonight?”

Harry frowned. “I do trust them, but—but there's something….” He gasped and went rigid. “Fuck! Oh, sorry. I just—we can't tell them yet, Severus. Not because they aren't trustworthy, but because Dumbledore isn't, and he's got something up his sleeve that, if we move too soon, will kill us all.”

Severus shuddered. “Damn. I guess Riddle will just have to wait then.”

“He would have to anyway,” said Murkie. “You two may be emancipated, and Harry apparently has the luck of the gods, but that may not help you in a pitched battle against Riddle and all of his followers.”

“You will have a much better chance against him if you wait until you come fully of age, boys,” said Windhook. “Eighteen or older, in other words. Wixen get the majority of their adult power level at seventeen, but it continues to grow and develop for sometime after then.”

“Throughout your lifespan, truly,” said Murkie, “but there won't be much benefit in waiting beyond eighteen. After that, growth comes mostly with training and experience.”

Harry nodded, though his eyes held worry. “In the meantime, I suppose we will just have to lie low and try to save everyone we can.”

“A wise plan,” said Grinzel. “However, your idea to train the masses is also a good one. Wait here, please, and I'll retrieve a list of potential properties for you.”

“That sounds brilliant. Thank you, Grinzel.”

“Not at all.”

---

Harry walked, hand-in-hand with Severus, into the empty warehouse Grinzel had found for Harry's classes. It was a bit small for shipping purposes, perhaps why the original owners had moved on to greener pastures, but it was perfect for duelling. The heavy stone walls would hold strong wards, and the lack of windows would prevent anyone from seeing inside. The wide-open area in the main area of the building had plenty of space for classes and duels, and the smaller offices in the back would be great for one-on-one training and the actual business part of running his someday dojo. 

“This is wicked,” Harry said with a bright grin at his partner. “It's going to be perfect once we get this place warded and fixed up.”

Grinzel smiled. “I'm glad to hear that. You would like to officially purchase this building then?”

“Abso-bloody-lutely. Where do I sign?”

Grinzel chuckled. “I'll draw the papers up this evening and send them to you via owl post. Or, rather, to your post box at Gringotts. Lucia will be able to pick it up at your leisure, once you receive notice that everything is ready.”

Harry gave a happy little spin, his heart giddy with the thrill of his new future, the possibilities it offered, and the high of having his own property to do with as he wished. “Brilliant! Hah! I'm an entrepreneur before I'm out of Hogwarts, Sev. Tell Gred and Forge to take that to the bank!” 

The thought of his lost loved ones didn't blindside him with grief like it once did. Perhaps he was growing accustomed to his new life here. 

“I hope you guys are proud of us, wherever you are.”

Severus pulled Harry into his arms and kissed his cheek. “I'm proud of you.”

Harry smiled through a wave of tears. “Thanks, love.”

Grinzel patted his shoulder. “I will return to Gringotts and start the papers right away. Before I go, however, is there anything else we need to do to make this place fit your goals?”

Harry wiped his eyes and looked around him, thinking through everything he needed to make his business successful and to train everyone he possibly could. “Hm. A powerful intent ward to keep out the spies, maybe?”

“That was already a part of our plans. We will make sure security is top-notch.”

Harry nodded. “Then… I guess there's really only one thing, but I don't actually know how to do it.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have any idea how to transport a centaur here safely?”

Grinzel blinked several times. “A… centaur? I wasn't aware you were familiar with any.”

Harry stared into the shadows. “I saw him in my visions. His face wasn't clear, but I'm pretty sure it's Firenze, the centaur who saved my life from Voldemort in my first year. He was the only one who ever stood up to his herd to protect me, no matter what it cost him.”

Severus rubbed Harry's back, and Harry leaned into his touch with a sigh. 

“I see.” Grinzel gripped his papers to his chest and gave him a firm nod. “I'm afraid I don't know how to do it yet, boys, but, if this Firenze is truly such a staunch ally, then we will find a way.”

Harry bowed his head in thanks. “It means a lot to me, Grinzel. Thank you.”

“You're welcome, Harry. Now, unless there is anything else, I think you should hurry back to Hogsmeade before Dumbledore works out that you are neither on campus nor in Hogsmeade.”

Severus hesitated. “If there's a shop for sale in Hogsmeade, then we might want to buy it too, as a front for this place. So we can make it look like we're still in Hogsmeade, but on an unplottable property warded against unauthorised access. And, once Harry is established in London, I may be able to use it as a clinic.”

Grinzel gave him a sharp smile. “A cunning plan. Well done, and I think I know just the place.”

“Draw up the papers for it then, too,” said Harry. “We trust your judgment.”

Grinzel paused and lowered his gaze to his papers. “Your trust continues to astound me, boys. Thank you, and it will be done.”

“You're welcome, and thank you for all of your help.”

“It has been my pleasure. Truly.” With that, Grinzel bowed in the goblin fashion and disapparated. 

Harry let out a soft sigh and leaned against Severus’ chest. “We're getting there, aren't we, love?”

Gentle arms wrapped him up. “Mm. I think so.”

“Yeah.” Harry rested his hands over Severus' biceps, once thin and scrawny, but with plenty of wiry muscle these days. "You know what, love? I'm proud of us, too."

Severus kissed his cheek and held him, and Harry basked in a rare moment of pure hope and happiness. The future wouldn't be easy, but they were well on their way to making it a much happier life.

That was enough, for now.

Chapter 7: Seekers and Secrets

Summary:

And Benjy is officially in as a PoV character!

Sorry for the delay! Summer is always crazy for me.

Chapter 7

Seekers and Secrets

Harry dished out second portions of lamb curry to his friends, Mipsy, and Severus with a grin. “I guess it passes muster, Ganesh?”

Ganesh groaned. “I don't know how you did it, but it's better than Mum's.” He grimaced. “Please never tell her I said that.”

The group laughed. Harry settled between Andrew and Severus again and took a bite of savory lamb, creamy, spicy rice, and vegetables cooked to just the right tenderness. It really had turned out brilliant. 

Fiona gobbled another bite and snatched a pepper from Andrew's bowl. “God, this is grand. You're cookin’ for us every week, Harry!”

Harry snorted. “I don't mind, if I have the time.”

“Seriously, where did you learn to cook like this?” Andrew nibbled his lamb with an expression of delight. “I was expecting more on the level of a teenager learning to cook, not a bloody gourmet chef!”

Harry's laugh came out wan. “Uh, well, I… cooked a lot at home, I guess.”

Andrew frowned. “Hey, are you okay?”

Harry swallowed hard. “I am now.”

Severus rubbed Harry's back. “I'm here, love.”

“Thanks, Sev.” Harry leaned into his touch.

“Mipsy is guarding her boys too,” said the house elf in a fierce tone.

“Thank you, too, Mipsy.” Harry gave Andrew a wan smile. “I don't think I can talk much about that, Drew. It's tied into a lot of the things that it's not safe to tell you yet. Just suffice it to say I've been cooking since I was big enough to reach the hobs, so I have a fair bit more experience than most teenagers.”

“That's one way of putting it,” Severus grumbled. 

Harry gave a nervous laugh. “Well, and I also worked at a café all last summer. I'll make us dessert next time so you can taste the benefits of everything I learned as a patissier-in-training.”

Fiona frowned. “Uh, well, I ain't gonna protest too hard about that, but are ye okay, mate? Do we need to kick someone else's arse too?”

Harry shook his head. “I already told you, the people that hurt me are gone. So I'm okay. Or I will be, soon.”

“Yes, you will.” Severus went to hug Harry, but, while he was distracted, a certain black beast hopped into his lap and made off with a prime piece of lamb. 

“Hypnos! You thieving little bugger!”

Hypnos munched on his lamb just out of reach, tail twitching and expression smug.

Harry burst into giggles and snickers, and the others joined in. 

Maybe he still had a lot of scars, but with his lover and his allies at his side, Harry believed he would overcome it, soon. 

“So,” said Harry with a smirk at Fiona, “with that settled, how about you tell Sev and I about this mysterious boyfriend you've been writing so much, hm?”

Fiona turned furiously red. “Ah, cop on with ye! There's nothin’ to tell!”

The boys laughed, and Harry let their camaraderie fill some of the dark places in his soul.

---

Friday evening rolled around, and Harry led Severus to the entrance hall. As Starling had requested the meeting earlier in the day, the boys had expected to see him waiting, but seeing Fenwick at Starling's side in his modified wheelchair made Harry's heart stutter a bit. He hadn't yet heard if the man would be taking him on as an apprentice. Would he find out tonight?

“Hello, sirs!” Harry forced himself not to fidget and reveal his anxiety. “Um, is everything all right?”

Starling nodded. “Good evening, boys. Yes, everything is fine. Professor Fenwick simply decided to come along when I told him of our upcoming meeting at lunch today.”

“Yes,” said Fenwick. “I have something for you, Harry, if you would like to accept it.”

Harry's stomach jolted. “Oh. Sir?”

Fenwick held out a roll of parchment tied with a crimson ribbon. “Your apprenticeship contract, if you choose to learn under me.”

Harry grinned and took the contract with hope and wonder spilling over in his heart. “I-I would really like that, sir, if you're sure you're well enough?”

Fenwick inclined his head. “I am well enough to correct stances and teach you at the moment, and I am confident that your partner and my friend here will have me fit for duelling again soon. Until then, are you adverse to having a companion of mine or two train you in what I cannot?”

Harry winced. “As long as we can trust them, sir.”

“Yes. Professor Starling has made your situation and the risk to you clear. We will both make absolutely sure that anyone who assists with your training is completely trustworthy and clear of any alteration. Is that acceptable to you?”

Severus met his eyes. “Harry, I think it's okay. I trust them.”

Harry squeezed his hand. “I….” He closed his eyes as a tingling rush of reassurance eased his anxiety and lifted the fine hairs all over his body. He suppressed a shiver and gave Fenwick a bright grin. 

“Well, that's made it clear enough.”

Severus shivered. “I felt a bit of it too. Your sight?”

Harry nodded. “I'm happy to accept your offer, sir, and grateful for the opportunity to learn under you.”

Fenwick smiled. “Glad to hear it. Then, just take that contract, read over it in your spare time, and make sure everything fits your goals and wishes. We'll start as soon as you're able to review it and get it back to me, unless you require some changes. In the meantime, do you mind if I go along to the pitch with you tonight, boys?”

“I would feel safer with another pair of eyes on you,” said Starling, his expression heavy with concern. “Particularly if you're going to be up in the air, I would welcome the help.”

Severus gave him a grim nod. “That seems wise to me as well, sir.”

“Yeah, thank you, Professors,” said Harry. “I will feel a lot safer with both of you there.”

Fenwick nodded. “Lead on then.”

Harry led his lover and professors across the Hogwarts lawn, eyes alert for trouble and heart full of exciting new possibilities. Severus bumped his shoulder and murmured, “Congratulations, Phoenix.” 

Harry beamed. “I can't wait.” He hesitated. “But does this mean Professor Fenwick has to announce me, too?”

“It's traditional, yes.”

Harry grimaced. “I can't opt out?”

“Well, I suppose you could, if you tell him you would rather not.” Severus crossed his arms over his chest. “There are pros and cons to either side, I think. If you announce it, we may stir up more trouble with Dumbledore, but you will also let everyone here know that you are a top-rate Defence student, and, therefore, make the Dark slower to attack you and everyone else quicker to sign up for your Defence lessons. If we don't announce it, you get to keep what anonymity we still have, but that also means fewer people will know about your skills, and fewer will trust you to teach them.”

Harry shook his head. “No, I think it's safer for everyone if we fly under the radar. Rumour is already circulating about my shields, and the other students will see me in Defence class or chasing off the Marauders over the term. They can learn gradually to trust me that way.”

“That's true, but remember that we only have a few months here.”

Harry frowned. “Damn. You're right.” He shook his head. “Let's discuss it with the others first.”

“All right, but you had better let Fenwick know not to announce you until you decide how to handle it, or he might do it tomorrow.”

Harry nodded and immediately pulled Fenwick aside. Fenwick assured him that he would take no action until Harry let him know it was all right. Harry liked him more by the minute. 

“Boys, there's Madam Hooch and your captain, if you're ready for your trial.” 

At Starling's call, Harry turned to greet the woman who had guarded him all of his Hogwarts years. Only, this woman looked nothing like what he remembered. 

The Hooch of his time had had grey hair and wrinkles, and a sharp glint in her amber eyes. This one was young, barely out of Hogwarts, and had a jovial air. Light brown hair stuck up in spikes all over her head, and she had a golden septum ring and a green earring in one ear.  A couple of brooms rested over her shoulder. 

And, at her side, was not Andrew, like Harry had half expected to see, but Ganesh. The boy grinned from ear to ear, dressed in Slytherin quidditch robes, with what looked like an expensive broom over his shoulder.

“Hullo there, boys!” Hooch waved them over. “I hope you had no trouble from my other unruly students?”

Ganesh smirked. “Ah, come off it, Hooch! You know we Slytherins are all innocent little angels.”

Hooch snorted. “Right. Innocent as a new babe. Demon's babe, mind, but there you are.”

Ganesh chuckled. Harry grinned and decided he liked this younger, friendlier version of his former flight instructor. Severus looked torn between wanting to laugh and hide in the shadows somewhere. Harry dragged him closer by his hand. 

“Hullo, ma'am. I'm Harry, and this is Severus. We'd like to try out for the team, as you know, but, well, it's a sticky situation.”

Hooch nodded, her expression going as stern as Harry remembered from the lost future. “Aye, I've heard of that lot from our Gryffindor team, giving you both a hard time. Well, no one can really guarantee that nothing will happen on the pitch—it's a sport, lads, and you're a good thirty feet up. Even on the best of days, accidents happen. Still, we'll do our best to make sure nothing purposeful gets through to you, eh?”

Harry gave her a cautious smile. “Well, we have some tricks up our sleeves too if it does, but I'd rather not need to use them. Especially not thirty feet up.”

“Right. Well, I've warded the dickens out of the pitch, been working on it since Professor Starling here told me a couple of my boys might need the extra protection, if they want to play. Wouldn't mind if the two of you had a good look at it, though, professors. Especially you, Captain Fenwick. You've certainly had more experience with protecting people than I have.”

“Of course, Madam,” said Fenwick. “I'll have a look at the wards while the boys are trying out, if that's all right with you?”

“That's brilliant. We'll just run along and start the trials then.”

“After you.”

Hooch nodded and led them onto the pitch.

“Good luck, boys,” Starling called from the stands. “We will keep you safe, so don't worry and just do your best.” 

Harry's heart warmed. Gods, but finding these two men had been a blessing. “Thank you, sir. We'll give it all we've got.”

“You'd better,” said Ganesh with a fierce look in his eyes that reminded Harry starkly of Oliver Wood, “because it just so happens I've got six spots to fill before the season starts, and four are primary slots. Lost a beater, two chasers, and our seeker to graduation last year. Bloody tragedy, I tell you. Practically got to start the whole team from scratch.”

Harry had a hard time suppressing a chuckle. 

“We've still got a few strong players. There's Andrew—top rate chaser. Of course, I could beat the flies off of a troll, and then there's our keeper, Feline Scamander. Nothing is getting past her, trust me on that. And we've got Darren Wood on reserve, but he's not as fast as I like. Good seeker though, when he takes his ruddy head out of the clouds.”

Severus smirked at Harry. 

Harry's lips twitched. “Wood?”

Ganesh snorted. “Oh yes, he's an odd one, that one. Loves the sport, but is a little too interested in the trees and the bugs going by to be very good at it.”

Harry chuckled after all. Was Wood Oliver's dad? Maybe an uncle? He half wished he had asked in the lost future. 

“Well, I have… some experience as a seeker, so you—”

Ganesh whirled about. “What? And you didn't tell me? Get your arse on this broom, mister!”

This time, Harry was powerfully reminded of Ron, and he had to suppress a wave of pain. It was easier to cope now, though. The grief didn't cut so deep any longer. Perhaps he had begun to find his place in this world out of time. 

Yes, he loved this world now. If he got tossed into the future again somehow, he would miss the new friends he had made here as much as Severus. This was his home now. 

And damned if he would let Riddle or Dumbledore destroy it. 

“Hey, I was serious!” Ganesh took a broom from Hooch and passed it to Harry. “Get your bum on there and show me what you can do.”

Harry laughed and took the broom. Hm. A Comet 12. It looked a bit ragged. 

“School broom, lad,” said Hooch. “They've all seen better days, but they'll get you where you need to go.”

Harry nodded and examined the bristles. “Hm. A little trim would help it, but this will do. Let me see the other one, please.”

Hooch shrugged and handed it to him. Harry checked it over too and nodded. “Same thing, could use a little care, but it's sturdy enough. Professor Fenwick, will you double-check that there are no malicious spells on these, just in case?”

Fenwick nodded and examined them carefully. “Not that I can tell. They seem to be in good condition.”

“I kept them under lock and key and anti-tampering wards, boys,” said Hooch. “I take safety seriously.”

“Thank you, ma'am.” Severus took the broom Harry offered him. “We're grateful for your consideration. Harry only wanted to double-check because, well, we have a lot of people who want to hurt us.”

Hooch growled. “So I've heard. Well, not to worry. I'll keep them away from you on the pitch at least.”

Harry mounted his broom. “Thank you, ma'am. Make sure you watch your own back too. Now, let's—” He blinked as a cheer sounded. “What the…?”

Fiona's voice called out from the stands. “Give ‘em hell, lads!” She coughed lightly. “Uh, hello, Professors. I meant to say Hades, of course.”

Starling sat beside her with a chuckle, and, beside him, Fenwick paused in his examination of the wards long enough to laugh. 

Andrew zoomed onto the pitch on a Firefly 500 series. “Heyo! We ready to go?”

Ganesh mounted his broom. “Soon as these two lazy sods get moving!”

Harry grinned. “Oh, that's what you want then? Well, let that snitch go, and we'll see if I can't catch it. Sev, you crack that bludger like it's old Voldy's head for me, yeah?”

Severus snorted. “I'll do my best.” He mounted his own broom and soared into the air. “Come on, slowpoke!”

“Slow! I'll show you slow!”

Harry shot up like a bullet, testing the steering and balance of his ride even as he spiralled and looped around his partner. 

“Whoa,” said Ganesh. “That's impressive! But can you catch the snitch?”

“Let it loose and we'll find out!”

Ganesh chuckled. “All right, then this is what we're gonna do once I let these out. Andrew is going to play chaser, and Severus, you're going to try to distract him and prevent him from getting to the goals. I'll be observing from the sky. Harry, you know what to do?”

“Sure do.”

“Right. Let's do this then. The professors can't be out here all night, and it's curfew in an hour. So, on my mark: ready… set… balls up!”

Ganesh opened the case, and the bludger and snitch zoomed out. Harry homed in on the golden glint and watched it zoom away towards the opposite goalposts. 

“Quaffle in play!” Ganesh tossed the red ball up, Andrew caught it with an impressive sideways arc, and then he was off. Harry observed long enough to watch Severus whack a bludger straight for Andrew's side, one he had to flip to dodge, and then he shot off after the snitch. 

---

Will watched Harry and Severus zoom about the pitch with his pulse pounding in his ears. Severus looked a bit unsure of himself, a little hesitant, like he had to get used to the idea of playing a sport mid-flight. Harry, on the other hand, made Will's heart nearly jump out of his chest. The boy was flat against his broom, zooming through mad twists and turns and full-on vertical loops with the ease of a professional.

“Bloody hell,” Will gasped. “Ben, look at t—sweet Merlin.”

Harry dove for the ground at top speed, and Hooch zoomed after him, panic on her face. 

“Harry!” 

“I'm fine!” Harry pulled the broom horizontal inches from the ground and zipped back up after the snitch.

“Well,” said a shaken Benjy, “looks like I'm adding aerial combat to his training schedule. Bloody hell.”

Will nodded and watched the boys fly, rendered speechless.

Severus too, once he overcame his initial hesitation, flew like one born to it. He certainly fit his nickname, soaring through the air in billowing black robes. Maybe Harry had chosen Raven because of that image? Hm. Interesting thought. 

“Ha! Gotcha!” Harry came out of another mad dive with the snitch in hand, his face a picture of triumph and happiness.

“Whoa! Seriously?” Patil whooped and pumped his fist. “That was bloody brilliant!” He clapped Severus’ shoulder and, with a gleeful laugh, zoomed up to give a grinning Harry a one-armed hug. “Where have you been all my life?”

Harry chuckled nervously and edged back, golden snitch in hand. “Uh… around?”

Patil snorted. “Well, stay closer around, would you? With you two on the team, if I can find our chasers, we'll have this year's cup in the bag.”

Harry stepped off of his broom and handed it back to Patil. “So, I take it we passed?”

“You sure did! I can't wait for the matches to start now. James Potter is going to turn greener than our robes.”

Severus chuckled and landed beside his partner. “I would pay to see that.”

Corner laughed and alighted, too. “Just make sure you knock a bludger at him once or twice for me.”

“Make it five times, lads, for all of us.” Quinn raced over, beaming. “You two are wicked brilliant! Gryffindor is going to wet their pants this year, see if they don't!”

“Not on my brooms, they won't.” Hooch landed beside Patil and scooped up the student brooms. “Well, you damn near gave me a heart attack, Harry, but it's safe to say you can both fly like the wind. It's fine with me, as long as you promise me you'll use a bit of common sense along with that reckless streak, Mr. Potter.”

Harry grinned sheepishly. “I kind of forget everything else when I'm in the air. Makes for a bit of a scary show, but I've only fallen twice. And neither time was my fault.”

“Uh….” Patil grimaced. “You wanna elaborate?”

Harry coughed. “Let's just call it interference, shall we?”

“Interference? By what?”

By Harry and Severus’ grim expressions, Will assumed it had something to do with Harry's mysterious past. Perhaps Voldemort had interfered with a match. 

Merlin, that was a terrifying thought.

Corner cleared his throat. “It's getting late, Gan. I think what we all really want to know is if you're safe up there, Harry.”

Patil rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah, that's what I'm trying to say. You pulled off some wicked moves out there, mate, but can you do them consistently without getting hurt?”

Harry nodded. “Wizard's honour.”

Patil sighed and tapped wands with him. “All right, all right. Just don't break your neck out there or I'll drag you back from the afterlife just to kill you again.”

Harry laughed. “I prefer my head attached, thanks.”

Severus huffed. “So do I.”

Harry rubbed Severus’ back. “So are we good to join the team then?”

“Are you kidding?” Patil crossed his arms over his chest and glared. “You're not getting away from me after that!”

Harry chuckled. “All right.”

“All right, he says,” Patil said with a huff.

Harry laughed and squeezed his shoulder. “Thanks. Really.”

“From me as well,” said Severus. 

Patil nodded. “Just don't miss practise. The team will need a little time to get used to your style. Especially Harry.”

Severus wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulders. “We'll do our best.”

Will squeezed Severus’ shoulder. “You did well, both of you. However, I am concerned. Particularly if Madam Hooch should ever be… compromised, it would put all of you in extreme danger.”

“Compromised?” Hooch gulped. “Compromised how?”

Harry and Severus shared a grim look. Patil and Corner nodded. Quinn stood as tall as her small form allowed in front of them, her expression set in hard relief. 

“There's a lot of nasty threats out there, Hooch,” she said. “Worse than a bunch of gob—I mean eejits with a mean streak. Ye gotta keep yourself safe, for all of our sakes.”

Will nodded. “The boys have enemies that have been known to use compulsions to achieve their ends.” He removed the glamours over his ring and showed it to Hooch. “They have commissioned goblin-made rings to protect us from compulsions and mental alterations as well as curses. It would be wise to have one made for you as well.”

Hooch winced. “Rings? We're not supposed to wear anything on our hands. It's against quidditch rules.”

Harry grimaced. “Hooch, we all have them. We have to. We'll be killed, or worse, if we don't wear them.”

Hooch frowned and rubbed her chin. “Well, given the threat—would you call it a medical need, boys?”

“Medical?” Severus cocked his head. “I suppose one could refer to them as such, given they are preventing damage to our minds and person.”

Hooch grinned. “Well then, there's an exception in the rules if it's medical. So, I'll just need to scan everyone's rings, just to verify officially that there's no charms to interfere with gameplay, if that's all right?”

“Just be careful, ma'am,” said Severus. “Harry's ring and mine have intense protections. A diagnostic shouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't advise using anything more invasive.”

Hooch nodded. “It's just a quick diagnostic to rule out a set list of illegal charms. Do you think that would set it off?”

“That should be fine.”

“I will shield you, just in case,” said Ben. “Harry, perhaps if you help, it will let the rings know that Hooch is safe.”

“Hm. Good idea, sir.” Harry stood beside Fenwick. “I'll shield for everyone but myself. Sev, you take over when it's my turn.”

Severus nodded. “Go on then.”

“Protego Corporis!” Peach-coloured light surrounded Hooch. “Protego!” A silver magical shield joined it. 

“Well done, Harry.” Ben flicked his wand twice. “We will work on getting you to a point to where you can do these charms non-verbally, once you are ready.”

Harry flinched slightly. “Yes, sir.”

Hm. What was he hiding? Will gave him a searching look, and Harry met his eyes. An image of him casting invisible, non-verbal shields over Severus and letting out a whoop of glee filtered into his mind. 

Bloody hell. Invisible, nonverbal, physical shields at sixteen? 

So Harry truly was powerful. Too powerful. Why? Was this why Voldemort was after him? Or had he developed this power and skill because it was either that or perish?

The scene switched, and Will watched Severus do the same thing, though his shields still had a little sheen. 

Bloody hell indeed.

He kept his worries quiet. This wasn't the place to get into them. And yet, even as he watched Hooch scan and clear everyone to play, his mind was in turmoil. Why did his young apprentice and his partner need so much strength, so young? Why was Voldemort after them? Why had Dumbledore taken such umbrage to the boys, and why had he targeted Severus so young? None of this made any sense.

“Well, that's done,” said Hooch with a smile. “You're all cleared to play. And I wish you the best of luck. Not allowed to take sides, you know, but, well, do your best.”

Harry grinned. “Thanks, ma'am. We will.” He slipped his arm under Severus’. “Congrats.”

“To you as well,” Severus murmured.

Will squeezed their shoulders. “I am proud of you, boys. Now, run along before you are late for curfew.”

“Yes, sir,” said Harry with a bright grin. “Thank you for watching over us. And you as well, Captain.”

Benjy patted Harry's back. “I'm glad it turned out well. Congratulations, boys. Go celebrate, while you still can.”

Harry beamed at Severus and dragged him away, Severus chuckling at his side. Their friends trotted after them, all laughing and grinning. They were happy, and they had a right to be, but….

“Ben?” Will followed the group at a distance and whispered to his friend. “Did Harry show you, too?”

Ben nodded grimly. “For a child to have such intense skill… I don't like it. I am more afraid for our young apprentices than ever.”

Will nodded. “I think I want you to train me as well. At least to the point where I can help protect them.”

Ben squeezed Will's hand. “I'd feel a lot better if you did learn. There are dangers here I never expected to find. We must be prepared to face them, Will. Those boys need us.”

Will held Ben's hand against his side. “Yes, so they do.” 

Ben squeezed his palm and, with a flush, eased his hand away. “Come, Will. We should hurry to our quarters before Dumbledore comes searching.”

Will nodded and followed him back to the castle, worry weighing down his soul. He had the dreadful feeling that, even with knowing all of Severus’ tale, he had only seen the tip of the iceberg.

Gods, he hoped they all pulled through this year in one piece. 

---

A week went by in relative peace. The Death Eaters had adopted a wait-and-see approach to Severus and his partner, so, other than the occasional attempt to cajole them into the Dark, they mostly kept their distance. Better yet, now that Dumbledore knew Harry and Severus had options outside of Hogwarts, he kept the Marauders’ tricks in check, too. It was the first week that Severus didn't have to spend constantly guarding his blind spots, waiting to be attacked. 

He had friends now, friends who were willing to cover his arse. That made all the difference.

Even so, he didn't feel safe roaming the halls without his partner, so he attended Harry's first apprenticeship class, too. 

“Hello, Mr. Snape. I don't mind you observing, but if you would like to join in, please let me know before you attempt any spells. I'll need to be aware so that I can protect you both adequately from any adverse reactions.”

Severus gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you, sir. I think I will just watch this lesson, so you have time to adjust your plans and such.”

Fenwick chuckled. “I already assumed I would be teaching you as well, Severus, at least until you're proficient enough to defend yourself and your partner. It's quite all right, and, in fact, Professor Starling and I would both feel safer if you did participate, for your own safety.”

Severus swallowed against a rush of gratitude and wonder. “I-in that case, I would appreciate the opportunity to learn from you as well, sir.”

Harry beamed. “Brilliant. I'd already planned to teach him and all of my friends too, but it'll be better coming from you, sir.”

“Yes, I had assumed you would do so as well,” said Fenwick with a wry chuckle. “Now then, tell me, Harry, where did you last leave off in your Defence training?”

“Human to animal Transfiguration, sir.”

“As a method of attack? Impressive.” Fenwick conjured two practise dummies. “Piers locomotor!” The dummies shook themselves out and took up a defensive stance. “Right. I would like to see you attempt to turn both of these into an animal, boys.”

Severus assumed an offensive stance and began the lesson. 

---

Thirty minutes later, Severus flopped to the floor, completely exhausted. Harry's shields and Fenwick's covered him at the same time, and Harry went on battling Fenwick's dummies for another ten minutes before he, too, collapsed in sheer exhaustion. 

“Well done, boys!” Fenwick levitated pepper-ups and magic replenishers to the tired teens, frowning as they both cast their poison detection spells before they drank. 

“It's not you, sir,” Harry gasped out. “It's Dumbledore's house elf we don't trust.”

“He's dangerous,” said Severus, “and capable of slipping in under wards.”

Fenwick's expression eased. “I understand, boys. Do keep testing everything you ingest, and you should probably test everything you use on your body, if you haven't started doing so already.”

Severus sat up and frowned. “Such as our shampoo and toothpaste? I already make them all myself, for Andrew, Ganesh, and Fiona, too, and we test them every time.”

“Well done, Severus. I think Albus will have a difficult time getting one over on you.” Fenwick wheeled his chair to face them. “And I would really like to know why.”

Harry flinched. “Sir, I….”

Fenwick leaned over his chair and hauled Harry into a seated position. “Harry, you do know Will is my dearest friend?”

Harry hesitated. “I… no. We knew you were friends. I didn't know you were that close.”

“We grew up together. Will lives a few houses down from me. Or at least he did, until I had to take refuge at the DMLE. He is the closest friend I've ever had. I know him almost better than I know myself. I know when he's afraid, too, Harry, and he's absolutely terrified for both you and your partner. I would like to understand why, and how I can help you.”

Harry winced. “We can't yet.” He snapped his fingers. “Mipsy?”

The elf appeared with a bow. “Hello, Masters. Oh, and hello, Master Fenwick! Mipsy is being very happy to see you is healing well.”

Fenwick gave her a warm smile. “Yes, thanks to your bravery and your masters’ quick thinking. I am very grateful to you, Mipsy. Thank you.”

Mipsy sniffled and bowed. “Master Fenwick is a good man. Mipsy is being very glad I saved you.”

“So are we, Mipsy.” Severus patted her shoulder. “Is Captain Fenwick's ring ready?”

“Yes, sir, Windhook is just telling Mipsy today that all of your new rings is done.”

“Wonderful. Will you retrieve it for us, please?”

“Yes, Master Severus. Mipsy be having it right here.” She passed him a simple golden band. “It is being made flat with no design so it is working with the DMLE's laws.”

“Thank you, Mipsy.” Severus offered the band to Fenwick. “This will help protect you from compulsions, curses, and outside mental interference. It isn't perfect, so you will still need to guard yourself, sir, but, if anyone should catch you unawares, this should stop anything under the level of an Unforgiveable.”

Fenwick took the ring with a nod. “Thank you. This is goblin-made?”

“Yes, sir, by the best craftsmen they have.”

“Merlin. This is truly a precious gift then. I… am not sure I've earned it.”

Harry pressed his hands over his professor's. “Please take it, sir. We need your help, and that means you need to be safe.”

Fenwick closed his eyes and took the ring with a sigh. “Thank you, boys. I am honored by your gift, and your trust.” He slipped the ring onto his right ring finger and gave the boys a wan smile. “Now then, are you ready to speak?’

“Well, to some extent,” said Severus.

Harry nodded. “It's just… well. Dumbledore has been after Severus since he was five years old.”

Fenwick gasped. “Five! Dear Merlin. I knew he was targeting you, Severus, and you, Harry, but I didn't know it went so far back. How do you know he targeted you so young?”

Severus flinched. “Sir, that's… a long, painful story. You would need to see my memories, and some of Harry's too. I don't know if we have time today, especially with Dumbledore watching us so closely during our apprenticeship classes.”

Fenwick nodded grimly. “A wise point. Perhaps it would be better, if Professor Starling already knows the details, to simply discuss it with him on our own time. Would you prefer that?”

Harry nodded at Severus. “That would probably be safest. He doesn't watch you like he does us.”

“Hm. Still, when we do discuss it, I will make sure we are somewhere safe.”

“From both sides, sir,” said Harry in a grim tone. “Dumbledore is targeting us, yes, but so is Voldemort.”

Fenwick suppressed a shudder. “Understood. In the meantime, Harry, perhaps we should—”

A knock sounded at the door. 

“Ah, that will be your temporary trainers, Harry. Enter!”

Harry and Severus tensed, and Fenwick's eyes tracked their hands as they inched towards their wands.

Fenwick frowned at them and waved the door open. “Boys, this is Gideon and Fabian Prewett.”

Severus gasped and gripped Harry's hand. Oh God! Molly Weasley's brothers! They had found them, by some mad twist of fate, and maybe, just maybe, that meant they could save them.

Harry's trembling fingers clenched his own. 

Two tall, powerfully-built men walked into the room, both dressed in leather jackets, sunglasses, and denim galore. One wore a golden stud in his left ear. The other wore a similar earring in his right. Their long, auburn hair fell loose down their backs in sun-kissed waves.

Fenwick smiled and waved them in. “Boys, these gentlemen are good friends of mine and former aurors, though they decided that curse breaking was a better fit for their talents. Fabian,” he motioned to the man with an earring in the left side, “and Gideon,” he motioned to the other, “this is Harry Potter and Severus Snape. Harry is my apprentice, but Severus will be observing the lesson and learning as well.”

Fabian removed his sunglasses, revealing warm brown eyes with laugh lines at the corners. “Pleasure to meet you, Harry, Severus.”

“Hope you can say the same.” Gideon waggled his eyebrows at them and tucked his sunglasses in his lapel pocket, though his attempt at humour faded quickly. “Uh, are you all right there, lads?”

Harry blinked rapidly and gave them a bright smile. “Yes, sir, we're fine. Sorry about that.” He rubbed under his eyes discreetly. “Um, Captain Fenwick says you're here to teach me the more physical elements of duelling until he's back in fighting form?”

Fabian and Gideon shared a worried look. 

“Yeah, we are,” said Fabian, “but if you need a bit—”

“No, no, I'm all right.” Harry sniffled and wiped his eyes again. “I'm sorry. I lost a lot of people who were important to me last year, and you remind me a lot of… someone I knew.”

“Ah.” Gideon closed the door and gave him a knowing look. “I get it. We're in a dangerous field, mate. Sometimes, well. I'm sure you understand.”

Harry clutched Severus’ hand until it hurt. 

“Y-yes, I do. Unfortunately.”

Fenwick frowned. “Harry?”

“Um, let's just start training, sir.” Harry gave them all a wan smile. “We don't have a lot of time left in the lesson.”

Severus freed his hand, shook it out, and rubbed Harry's back. “I'm right here with you, all right?” He held Harry's gaze, and tried to communicate his thoughts to his lover. [You're going to be fine, love, and so are they.]

Harry gave him a smile, his relief clear in his eyes. “Thanks, Raven.” He released Severus’ hand with an apologetic caress to his palm. “You ready then?”

“Yes. Let's take this opportunity to learn from them while we can.”

“Good point.” Harry gave the instructors a tentative nod. “Okay. We're ready when you are, sirs.”

“All right then.” Fabian took position in front of the boys. “Boys, get in your offensive stance and—”

Gideon took position beside him. “—Show us what you've got!” 

Harry took a steadying breath. “God, you even talk like—” He shook himself. “All right. But don't treat us like sixth years, sirs. You'll get your bums handed to you if you do.”

“I would take his advice if I were you,” said Ben with a grim smile.

“Yeah?” Gideon grinned. “Wicked, mate. Show us what you've got.”

Harry nodded and let his first hex fly. 

---

Ben watched the quartet duel and tried to keep his worries from his face. He had expected the boys to put up a fuss, given he had sent them from duelling enchanted practise dummies straight into duelling a pair of Master curse breakers, but, beyond Harry's brief traumatic response, neither boy had said a cross word. They had simply dove straight into the duel, ignoring their weariness, and fought with everything they had.

And what they had was impressive. Merlin, Will was right. These boys were too mature, too experienced, too skilled to be only sixteen years old. 

What on earth had they lived through to be soldiers before they were men?

One of Fabian's custom twin-tailed sparkler hexes hit both boys in the arm, and they gasped against the pain. The truly disturbing thing was that neither let go of their wands. Ben had been on the receiving end of that hex enough times to know how much it hurt.

“All right, that's enough.”

If Ben hadn't called the duel, he had the sinking feeling they would have kept fighting, probably until they passed out. 

“Here, let me fix that up for you.” Gideon chanted the countercurse over the boys until the burns and cuts sealed and left only a small pink mark that would heal by morning. “There you are. And, by the by, bloody hell! Bang up job, boys!”

“Literally,” said Fabian with a grimace. “Think you got my shoulder with that scree hex, Harry.”

“Sorry, sir,” said Harry. “Are you okay?”

“Merlin, don't apologise! It's bloody brilliant.” Fabian muttered a spell. “‘Sides, we can fix it right up.”

“Oh. That's good to know.”

Fabian chuckled. “Cheers, mate. Remember, we break these things for a living.”

“True.” Gideon gave them a bright smile. “We were going easy, but not nearly as easy as I thought we'd have to. You two are fantastic! I see why Benjy wanted to train you, that's for sure.”

“Yeah,” said Fabian. “We're looking forward to teaching you.”

Harry grinned. “We're grateful for the lessons, sirs.”

“Oh, tosh,” said Gideon. “We aren't your professors, mate. Call us Gideon and Fabian!”

“Or Gabian and Fideon, if the fancy strikes.”

“Or Gab and Fab.”

“Or Gidge and Fidge.”

“Or—”

“I think we get the point, gentlemen,” said Ben with a snort. 

Harry blinked hard and gave them a smile touched by heavy sorrow. “I think we would like that, Gideon, Fabian.”

Severus hugged his shoulders. “I'm here.”

Harry nuzzled his cheek. 

Fabian stared. “Oi. You two aren't friends, are you?”

Harry tensed. “Is that a problem?”

“Not with us, mate.” Gideon gave him a grim look. “Fab and I, we don't advertise our relationships for a reason. Used to be dangerous to be gay. It's legal now, and no one can really hurt you for it, but, well, for some folks, old habits die hard.”

“Pureblooded folks in particular,” said Benjy.

“Yeah. Just be careful, all right?” Fabian squeezed Harry's shoulder. “And, if anyone gives you a hard time, you just tell me, Ben, and Fidgeon over there, and we’ll set the little buggers straight.”

Harry chuckled a little. “Yeah? Thank you, si—Fudge and Giblets. I'll keep that in mind.”

“Hah! Look at you, already ahead of the game.” Fabian nudged his shoulder. “You're all right, kid. Now, we've got to get back to work, but we'll see you both next Saturday.”

Severus inclined his head. “We're looking forward to it, sir—uh… Fibs and Gabs.”

Gideon snorted. “I like you two. See you next week!”

With a wave, they walked out. 

And Harry collapsed to his knees with a sob. “Oh, God.”

Severus scooped him into a hug. “Shh. They're all right. There's still time, love.”

Harry sniffled and buried his head in Severus’ shoulder. “They're—they're like a slightly more grown-up version of Fred and George. Gods, I wish they could have known them.”

Severus kissed Harry's cheek and whispered something Ben couldn't hear. 

“Y-you're right. There's still….” Harry stood and wiped his eyes. “Sir, Fabian and Gideon—will you please warn them, strongly, to watch their backs? I don't think it will have the same impact coming from me.”

Ben's heart dropped. “Merlin. Harry, what do you know?”

Harry grimaced. “I don't know much. I only know that Voldemort will target them soon. And… they're important to me, even if they don't know it. Just tell them to make sure they have an emergency portkey on them at all times or something? I don't know. It may be, since I don't know anything specific, we can't save them, but I have to try. I didn't know much about you either.”

Benjy squeezed his shoulders. “I will make sure they understand and do everything I can to see that they survive. I can't promise it will work, but I will do my best.”

Harry sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Thank you, sir.”

“Not at all.” Benjy watched him, trying to pick out hints of the dangers this brave, secretive child was facing. “Harry, if you need my help, you will promise to tell me?”

Harry nodded. “As much as I safely can, sir.”

“I understand. Please do protect yourself, but, if you do need to talk, know that I am here and willing to help.”

Harry gave him a tentative smile. “Thank you. It—it means more than you know.” His voice wavered, and the boy stepped back and wiped his eyes. “All right. Let's get back to work, sir. We don't have a lot of time to review the duel tonight.”

Benjy nodded and resumed training his young apprentice. Until he could speak to Will, this was all he could do to help.

Chapter 8: High Flying

Summary:

I detest writing quidditch. Between that and everything I went through recently, it's been a long wait for this one. Hope it delivers.

Chapter 8

High Flying

Severus led his partner to their first quidditch practise, their trio of new friends at their side. Alice Prewett and John Hatterwhite had come along too. Alice, while not in Harry and Severus’ close confidence, had begun to establish herself as a friend. John had taken to them as well and displayed a strong need to protect them. It was enough for Harry and Severus to give them the benefit of the doubt, for now. 

“So, Sunday nights, hm?” Alice shook her head wryly. “That's an odd time for practise. Usually, everyone likes to cram for Monday then.”

“Yes, well, it was the only time Harry and I had free.” Severus flushed and lowered his head. “Gan moved times around to accommodate us.”

“You bet your arse I did,” Ganesh said with a fierce nod. “You're too good.”

“Oh really?” John gave Severus a tentative smile. “I didn't know you played.”

“He's a kickass beater, mate,” said Ganesh. “And Harry—bloody hell. You won't believe him.”

“Shush, you.” Harry nudged Ganesh's shoulder. “I just have no sense of self-preservation.”

“Now that I'll agree with,” said Fiona with a wink. “Bloody reckless on a broom, ye are.”

Harry grinned. “And in most things.”

Andrew chuckled. “Not where it counts.”

“True.”

“I think you're a smart boy, Harry.” Alice turned to face them, her expression curious. “But I'm still surprised that you picked now of all times to practise. I know you have your apprenticeship Saturday morning, Severus, but I didn't realise you were busy the rest of the weekend too.”

Harry paused, frowning at Alice. By the electric current washing through Severus’ own emotions, Severus gathered he had received some kind of answer via intuition.

“Ah, well, that's actually my fault,” said Harry in a tentative tone. “Sev is attending my apprenticeship lessons too, and we set aside Saturday afternoon to use for our Defence group, so we really don't have any other time free.”

“What?” John gave Harry a wide-eyed look. “You're taking a mastery too? But you were never announced.”

Ah. So that was what Harry had received direction on. Well, word-of-mouth was the best way to communicate among the student body, Severus supposed. 

“Yes, I asked my master not to," said Harry. "Sev and I have enough attention on us as is without throwing that in, too.”

“Fair enough. What are you studying, mate?”

“Defence, of course.” Fiona shook her head wryly. “He's feckin’ incredible, mate.”

“So is Sev,” said Harry with a chuckle. “He's training with me, though he doesn't intend to take it as far as I do. He'll basically be an auror by the time Captain Fenwick and I are done with him though.”

“You're training under Fenwick?” Alice frowned. “But how is he teaching you? He's still so injured.”

“Yeah, he isn't doing that part until he's well enough. A couple of kickarse cursebreaker friends of his are training us.” 

“Wicked,” said John with a grin. “Don't suppose you feel up to sharing a trick or two, do you?”

“Well, actually,” said Harry with a smile Severus caught the calculation behind, “Sev and I are planning to host a Defence class starting in a couple of weeks or so. There's a roster you have to sign—too many people trying to hurt us to risk anyone slipping in under the radar—but once you get through that and our wards, I plan on teaching anyone who wants to learn.”

John's eyes widened. “Really? Why?”

“Because there's a war brewing out there, mate,” said Andrew. “And the more we know about Defence, the harder it is to kill us.”

“They killed my entire family,” said Harry in a grim voice, “and I'll be damned if I lose anyone else I care about to this blood purist bullshite.”

Alice blinked hard. “Oh, gods. I didn't know. I'm sorry, Harry.”

John patted Harry's shoulder, but hesitated at the wave of tension that went through him. “Er… I'm sorry.”

Harry shivered and pressed a little closer to Severus. 

“He doesn't like being touched,” said Ganesh. “Not until he knows you better.”

“It's not anything ye did, mate,” said Fiona. “Just old scars, ye know?”

“Sorry,” said Harry with a shaky sigh. “And thank you, John, Alice. I appreciate the comfort, though Ganesh is right. I'm very uncomfortable with touch unless I know you well. Sev is really the only person I don't mind.”

Severus rubbed Harry's shoulders. “I have you, Harry,” he whispered in his ear. “You're all right.”

Harry gave him a soft smile. “Yeah. Thanks, Sev.”

Severus hugged him against his side. “So, are you two interested in the study group then?”

Alice nodded sharply. “I am. I want to be an auror. I'm a woman going into a male-dominated field. Anything I can learn to help me prepare, sign me up.”

“I am, too. If there's really a war on, I think I'd better learn how to fight. Hard.” John swallowed and turned away. “They'll come for me first.”

Harry frowned. “They will? But aren't you a half-blood?”

“Y-yeah.” John didn't elaborate, and no one pushed him to speak further. 

"Well, if you're worried about that, then we'll definitely teach you everything we can.” Harry tentatively patted John's back. “You okay?”

John nodded. “When do you wanna start?”

“We're still working on the roster and getting everything set up. I think three weeks? Sev?”

“That should be enough time. We'll get the time and meeting place to you before then.”

“Brilliant.” John turned towards the pitch and tracked someone on a broom above the stands—a slight boy with longish black hair and a Slytherin tie on. “Ah, looks like the rest of the team is already here.”

Alice shaded her eyes with her hand. “Oh, is that Reggie? What position is he playing, Ganesh?”

“Chaser. Damn good one too.” 

Reggie? Severus’ gut dropped. “Regulus Black? Oh.”

Harry's eyes narrowed. “Gan, are we going to have to fight him off on the pitch?”

“Like hell, ye will,” said a fiery Fiona. “I'll fry his arse if he tries anythin’.”

“Wait, wait!” Ganesh waved his hands frantically. “Calm down, everyone. Regulus is nothing like his arse of a brother. He's all right, I promise.”

“We tested him hard.” Andrew held Severus’ shoulder. “We wouldn't let anyone on the team who would hurt you.”

Severus let out a shaky breath. “Harry?”

Harry watched him fly for a moment. “I think it's okay, but let's talk to him a bit first, just to be sure.”

“Yeah, we can do that. Gotta introduce everyone anyway.” Ganesh whistled. “Oi! Reg, come down here. You're not supposed to be in the air until Hooch and I are here, mate.”

Regulus flinched. “S-sorry, Patil. I didn't know.” 

He alighted a few yards ahead of the group and watched them approach, his expression shy and uncertain. Much of Severus’ tension abated. This boy didn't have any of the elder Black's cocky attitude or bearing. Maybe they could trust him.

A handful of other students from various years walked over from the stands. Severus recognised Feline Scamander, a seventh year with curly brown hair who planned to be a magizoologist, and Darren Wood, another seventh year with short blond hair, glasses, and a penchant for staring into space. The two other girls were a mystery.

“All right, everyone.” Ganesh waved the team over. “This is Harry Potter, the transfer student that started this year. Believe me when I say he's the most terrifyingly brilliant seeker I've ever seen outside of the professional leagues.”

Harry's face flushed crimson. “Er… hi?”

“If he ain't the best with words,” said Fiona with a wink.

Harry chuckled. “I'll leave that to Sev.”

Severus smirked. 

“Speaking of Sev—” Ganesh patted Severus’ shoulder— “this is Severus Snape. He's in my year, and he's a kickarse beater.” 

Severus nodded. 

“Also not the best with words,” said Fiona with a snicker. 

Severus rolled his eyes. 

“Gets his point across though,” said Feline with a grin. “I'm Feline Scamander, and I'm the keeper. I'm in seventh form.”

“Darren Wood,” said the boy. “I'm reserve seeker. Also seventh form.”

A girl with brown hair and eyes called, “Opal Greengrass. I'm in fourth form, and I'm a chaser.”

“Andrew Corner,” said the boy. “I'm a chaser too, in sixth form.”

“Regulus Black,” said Black's little brother. “I'm in third form, and I'm the last chaser.”

“I'm Scarlet Zabini,” said a girl with brown skin, puffy black braids, and hazel eyes. “I'm the reserve for every position but seeker.”

“Great all-around player,” said Ganesh, “but Darren's better at seeking and chasing. When he keeps his head in the game and out of the clouds, that is.”

Darren jumped. “Er… sorry, Captain.”

Ganesh snorted. “Anyway, you all know me. The rest of the people here are our friends, and our security detail. I mean that.” He gave them a grim look. “Harry and Severus are amazing players, but they're also in a lot of danger. So we need to make sure we stick together and stay safe.” 

He held out a handful of golden bracelets. “Harry and Severus had these made to help keep everyone safe. They couldn't put too many charms in them and still comply with the rules, so they aren't the most powerful defensive gear out there, but they'll protect you from most curses and compulsions. We don't think anyone is stupid enough to try anything in broad daylight in front of the entire school, but better safe than sorry. So everyone, take one and put them on. Wear them all the time, even in the showers, just in case. And don't tell anyone where you got them.”

Feline winced. “Are you sure we're safe to play, Ganesh?”

Ganesh pointed to the stands, where Starling, Fenwick, and McGonagall had all taken up the guard. “We won't ever be out here without professors present. Captain Fenwick warded the daylights out of the pitch too. I can't guarantee we won't see trouble, but we've done everything we can to keep it out and keep you safe. It's up to you, though, if you still want to play.”

The team shared hesitant looks. 

“Do you have a bracelet?” Opal frowned at Ganesh. “You need to be safe too, Captain.”

Ganesh shook his head. “We have rings. Didn't know we weren't supposed to have things on our hands until after they were already made. Since they're protecting us, Hooch approved them as medical gear, but she can't do that for the entire team. So we made you bracelets instead.”

Regulus nodded and took one. “Oh, wicked! These are goblin-made, aren't they?”

Harry gave him a surprised look. “Yes, but how did you know?”

“I… dunno.” Regulus stared at his feet and gave a nervous cough. “Just something about the quality and weight and such, I guess. Goblins are a lot better at making jewellery than we are. A lot better at charming metal, too.”

“Oh. That does make sense. They generapolllly are better at it, yes.”

That sold the rest of the team. Everyone grabbed a bracelet and put it on. 

“You can keep those when we're done with the season,” said Harry. “It'll help keep you safe, and that's useful everywhere.”

“Okay, wow.” Scarlet admired her bracelet and gave Harry a bright grin. “This is brilliant, mate! And one hell of a generous gift. Thank you, really!”

Opal gave them a formal bow. “Thank you for your gift.”

Everyone else thanked them, the half-bloods less formally than the purebloods. 

“You're welcome,” said Severus. “I hope it helps.”

Feline gave him a searching look. “You know, Snape, we've heard loads of rubbish rumours about you, but I don't think even one of them is true. You're all right. You too, Potter.”

Harry grinned. “Thanks, Scamander. So, are we ready now, Captain?”

Ganesh grinned. “You bet. We only have two weeks to get ready for Hufflepuff, so we had better start now. Brooms out!”

Severus levitated the new, top-of-the-line Nimbus 300 series Harry had chosen for him into his hand and mounted it. Harry mounted his own Shooting Star 1200 series, currently the fastest broom on the market, and muttered about missing his Firebolt.

Firebolt? Must have been a broom from the future. 

“Snitch on the loose!” Ganesh unleashed the snitch and tossed the quaffle to Hooch. “And here we go!”

Hooch tossed up the quaffle and released the bludgers, and the practise match was on. 

The first three minutes essentially consisted of the entire team watching, gobsmacked, as Harry chased down the snitch like a madman. 

“Bloody hell,” gasped Darren. “N-now I see why you put me in reserve, Gan.”

Ganesh shook his head as Harry zoomed back, snitch in hand. 

“Well done, mate. How about this time you give us a bit of a head start? Or maybe just slow down to somewhere around the level of a flaming comet on a potion high?”

Harry snickered. “Will do, Captain. But you did say they need to get used to my flight style.”

“I'm pretty sure that's going to take more than one practise, mate,” said Andrew with a wry smile. “I've seen it before, and you still scared me a bit.”

“He's terrifying on a broom,” said Severus, “but also a natural. He'll be fine.” He gave Harry a dark look. “Because he knows if he isn't, I will drag him back from the dead just to kill him again.”

Harry grinned. “Message received loud and clear. I'll keep my arse on the broom, so you lot go chase the quaffle this time.”

Ganesh released the snitch again. Harry waited for approximately thirty seconds before zooming off like a maniac.

Ganesh pulled up beside Severus and sighed. “It's gonna be a long night, isn't it?”

Severus chuckled. “So it seems.”

---

Harry had long since faced worse things than quidditch matches, and, as a result, he had mostly overcome his pre-game jitters. Severus, however, wasn't so fortunate. The poor boy could only pick at his breakfast, and only then after Harry expressed worry for him. Severus couldn't pay attention in class either, and thus had to depend on Harry to keep him in one piece during Defence and save their potion for the day. 

Wasn't that a switch. 

Still, Harry was fairly sure they had at least managed an E for the day, and Starling and Fenwick knew why Severus had lost his usual focus. Starling would probably have Severus do the potion again after the game, but at least Harry hadn't entirely botched it. 

Arithmancy, on the other hand, was a bust for both students without Severus’ usual sharp focus to pick up Harry's slack, but one bad lesson wouldn't kill them. Harry simply used History of Magic to revise the lesson and clear up his mistakes. Taking Severus through it again later would help cement the theory in Harry's mind, too, so he wouldn't be so useless the next time Severus needed him to take over. That was the hope, anyway.

After History, they had thirty minutes of downtime, which Harry and their friends spent laughing and joking to relieve Severus’ nerves. It didn't work well.

“Come on, buck up, mate.” Ganesh nudged his shoulder. “You'll be fine.”

Severus whispered, “What if I'm not? What if I make us lose?”

“Then we'll just have to practise extra hard to make it up in the next match.”

“He's right, Raven.” Harry rubbed Severus’ back where his tattoo rested. The touch made his skin tingle, a little. “If we lose, it isn't the end of the world. We'll just have to try harder in the next match, and even if we lose that one too, it's only a game, Sev. You won't lose your friends if you miss a bludger or two, or even all of them.”

The tension bled out of Severus’ shoulders, and he slumped against Harry in pure relief. Until Harry said it, he hadn't realised how much that fear had dug its claws into his soul. Severus had never had friends like this before, never had people who had his back, no matter what. To lose them would break something vital in him, something he would never get back.

“Bloody hell,” said Ganesh. “Is—is that really why you've been terrified all day? You really think if you make one mistake, that's it?”

Severus cringed. “I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean—”

Ganesh tugged him into a hug. “No. What else would you think? Everyone but Harry has treated you like complete shite until now. I wasn't angry at you; I was mad at myself for not working that out sooner.” He stepped back and held Severus’ shoulders. “I don't care if you miss the bludger entirely and knock the quaffle through the Puffs’ posts. Don't even care if you send it flying at me instead. You're my friend, full stop.”

Fiona nudged his shoulder. “Aw, don't be a gobshite, Sev. You're stuck with us now. You run for the hills, and we're gonna be right up on ye like flies on a troll's arse.”

Severus snorted. “Lovely imagery, Fi.”

“Got ye laughin’, didn't it?”

Severus’ eyes burned and he hugged her hard. “Thank you.”

Andrew rubbed Severus’ shoulders. “We'll still be right here to celebrate with you or commiserate over Fi's secret stash, no matter how the match goes.”

“So will we,” said John with a wry chuckle. “Even if I might have to tease you a little if we win.”

Severus wiped his eyes. “I can handle that, if you can take a little ribbing if you lose.”

“Deal.” John patted his shoulder. “You'll do fine, mate, win or lose. I mean, come on. If the Puffs can still like me when I'm hanging out with the Slytherin team twenty minutes before the match, I reckon you'll be all right.”

“That's right.” Alice nudged his shoulder. “Either way, you're still our friend.”

Severus bumped her shoulder back. “Thank you. Really. I think I'll be all right now.”

“Glad to hear it, mate.” John gave him a playful salute, ash brown waves bouncing with the motion. “But I better run along to the Puffs before they think I've switched sides.”

Severus chuckled a little. “Yes, you should.” His smile faded. “You will be okay, right?”

“Yeah, they're pretty laid back, long as I'm suited up and ready to go by the time Fairfield calls us in.”

“Tell Stacy you were just helping us with Severus’ security detail,” said Ganesh. “Hooch has already made the other teams aware of the potential threat, so she'll understand.”

“Will do, Gan. Good luck out there, mates!”

“You too.” Harry waved and watched him go with a worried look on his face. “Sev? I think we need to get him a bracelet, too. And….”

Severus glanced at Alice and nodded. “We'll send Lucia with the message later. For now, we'd better hurry.”

“Right this way, chaps.” Ganesh led the boys towards the changing rooms. “Cheer us on, Fi, Alice!”

“Ye'll hear me screamin’ clear to London,” said Fiona with a grin. “Good luck, lads!”

“Give 'em hell, boys!” With a wave, Alice led Fiona towards the spectator seating.

“You bet!” Andrew followed Ganesh and stayed near Severus’ side. “Are you feeling better, Severus?”

“Much. I think I'll be fine now.”

“Good. You're a brilliant beater, so I think you'll be fine, but, either way, I can't see the Puffs having anything like that madman on their team.” Andrew motioned to Harry to make his meaning clear.

Harry grinned. “Proud to be of service.”

The boys laughed, and Severus’ tension eased. They would be fine. He wouldn't lose them like Lily. Dumbledore couldn't steal them away. And they would get Lily back soon, too. It was only a matter of time. Severus had to believe it.

And, either way, he wasn't alone anymore.

Harry squeezed Severus’ hand. “We're gonna kick John's arse, and he's gonna laugh about it with us later. Don't worry.”

Severus tugged him into a shadowed corner and snuck a brief kiss. “I'm glad you're by my side.”

“Always will be, love.” Harry led him out and hurried into the back, where they could generally change into uniform without being harassed. Andrew came too, but he turned his back and stood near the door. 

“Just to keep you safe,” he murmured, and tugged his robe off. 

Severus watched for a few seconds, but Andrew didn't turn to them, and Severus didn't want to embarrass Andrew either. Reassured, he scrambled out of his student robes, trousers, and t-shirt and tugged on his quidditch gear. A pair of new trainers completed his outfit. By the time Severus had his shoes laced and his hair tied back out of his face, his teammates had also finished changing. 

Harry led him to meet Ganesh outside of the changing rooms. Ganesh motioned the team into a huddle. 

“All right, everyone. The weather's great, and Hufflepuff is a slow-and-steady kind of team. As long as no one falls asleep on their broom—that means you too, Darren—then we should have this in the bag. Just try to stay out of Harry's way, and don't forget to go for the quaffle when he does his thing. Slytherin, ready?”

Everyone called back, “Ready, Captain!”

“Let's go kick some Puff arse!” 

With a whoop, Ganesh led them onto the field and mounted his broom. Across him, the Hufflepuffs stood ready. A strong, blonde girl named Stacy Fairfield faced down Ganesh. According to Ganesh's earlier rundown, she played Keeper and doubled as captain. Behind her, Elise Beedle, a stocky girl with brown hair and eyes, a tall, brunet seventh year called Aaron Goldstein, and a lanky fifth year called Donna Winters stood in the chaser positions. John and Wendell Thomas, a South African student with dark skin and dreadlocks stood in the beater positions. And a tiny little thing Severus recognised as Luka Kovačević, his Bosnian yearmate's little brother, stood in as seeker. From all he knew, Luka was quick and agile, but he couldn't match Harry. Even if Slytherin lost, they wouldn't likely be out of the running, not with the team they had. 

The only real threat was what might lie in wait in the shadows. Dumbledore hadn't received the team roster until that morning, so Severus hoped they had cut it too fine to give the old bastard time to plan a surprise for them, but they wouldn't know until it actually happened. Harry's sight hadn't warned them of trouble anyway, so Severus hoped they would have a simple, clean match. Just a fun night, for once. 

Merlin, wouldn't that be nice. 

Hooch lifted her arm and blew her whistle, and both teams surged into the air, hovering in position. She let the bludgers loose first, then the snitch. Harry tracked it around the Slytherin goalposts until it vanished from sight. 

“Quaffle up!” Hooch threw the red ball and blew her whistle again, and the game was on. 

Severus zoomed away from the quaffle and focused on the nearest bludger instead. He whacked it towards Beedle, causing her to drop the quaffle. Andrew grabbed it and soared for the goalposts. 

“And it's good,” called the announcer, Taliesin Boot. “Corner scores! 10–0, Slytherin!”

Severus’ nerves melted away. He knew what to do. This was just another practise match. He could do this. 

“Quaffle to Regulus Black—oof, watch out for that bludger, mate! Oh, Greengrass recovers the Quaffle, and she's off like a shot—it's good! 30–10, Slytherin! And Regulus is okay, too!”

Severus fell into the rhythm of the game, chasing the bludgers and knocking them where he wanted them to go, either towards the opposite team or away from his teammates. He was so absorbed, he almost missed Harry zooming right past him about half an hour into the match. 

“The score is 60–50, Hufflepuff, but Potter's after the sni—bloody hell!”

McGonagall cried, “Language, Boot!”

Boot gave a shaky, “S-sorry, Professor. Potter is up, over, oh, look at that dive! Good lord, he has a death wish!”

Fiona shrieked over and above the crowd, “Get ‘em, Harry!”

Severus watched, heart in his throat, as his lover careened around the pitch, Kovačević desperately trying to keep up. He held his breath as Harry shot straight through the Hufflepuff goalpost and spiralled after a glint of gold. He skimmed the grass, leaned forward, and reached out. 

The crowd held its breath. 

Harry's fingers stretched and closed. Severus’ heart pounded in his ears. Had they done it? Was it over?

With a whoop, Harry shot into the sky, his arm high and golden wings twitching between his fingers. 

Andrew gave a laugh of pure excitement and bumped against Severus’ side. “Yes! He's got it!”

Severus grinned at him and bumped him back.

“Potter's done it,” Boot cried. “He's got the snitch! 200–60, Slytherin wins! And, by God, that was some brilliant flying by Potter! Someone contact the league already. Sweet Merlin.”

The crowd cheered and clapped like mad, and Severus let out a whoop and zoomed after his partner, grinning ear-to-ear. 

“We did it, Harry!”

Harry whooped and hugged Severus hard. “You were brilliant, Raven! Earned your wings for sure.”

With a manic cheer, Ganesh tackled them into a hug, though he backed off of Harry quickly. “Yes! That was wicked! Everyone was brilliant, and I'm so bloody proud of you all!”

Opal cried, “Three cheers for Slytherin!”

Everyone cheered, and Severus felt like he might burst at the seams with the sheer giddiness and joy inside of him. He had never known anything like this, the feeling of being part of a team and the joy of a simple match with no madness to detract from the fun. He had never been on the winning side. 

This was bloody awesome!

And the look in Harry's eyes when he gazed at Severus, the pure love and joy in his expression and his overpowering relief to see Severus celebrating with the others, just as valued and welcomed as anyone else on the team, made Severus’ eyes well and his body burn. 

Gods help him, he wanted to kiss that grin, to feel that lithe body under his hands. Harry's gaze turned electric, and Severus gulped. Merlin. 

As soon as they could escape, Harry cast a few of their favourite stealth charms on them and dragged Severus into the changing rooms. A veil charm, Muffliato, and a minor distraction charm ensured no one would bother them in their quiet corner, and then Severus eased Harry against the wall. 

“Okay, love?”

Harry dragged him into a deep, fiery kiss, and Severus whimpered into his mouth. Harry shivered and pulled Severus closer, and firm heat prodded Severus’ thigh. Tingling thrills spread throughout Severus’ body at the touch, but his heart stilled. 

“Harry, are you okay?”

Harry panted against Severus’ lips. “Y-yeah. Just….” He took an unsteady breath. “Not there. Not yet. But you can….” He steadied himself and pulled his shirt over his head. 

Severus held his waist and searched his partner's eyes. “You're scared.”

“A little, yeah. Don't think I can help it. But I do want you to touch me. Just… soft. Please.”

“All right, my phoenix. May I take mine off too?”

“Just your shirt?”

“Yes, love. Just that. It's okay?”

“Yeah.”

Severus tentatively lifted his shirt over his head. Just standing there, Harry half-naked and aroused against him, left him dizzy with new, overwhelming sensation. For the first time in his life, it was safe to be vulnerable in a man's embrace—this man, specifically. Gods. It was a scary, heady, wonderful feeling.

Severus wanted Harry to feel safe, too. 

He pressed his forehead against Harry's and held him gently. “I love you. So much.”

Harry slumped against his chest, and trembling arms folded around his waist. “Mm. I love you too.” Harry traced his fingertips along the ribbon tattoo along Severus’ arm, watching it flow and curl with his movements, as if it wanted to tie around him. Severus traced his fingertips over Harry's ribbon, too, and watched it move with him. 

“I'm always going to protect you.” Severus whispered it against Harry's mouth. “Love you. Cherish you. You're safe in my arms, I promise you.”

Harry pressed up on his toes and met Severus’ lips with his own. Soft kisses turned hot and slow and deep. Strong hands explored every surface of his back and shoulders, and Harry's firm body moved in time with his own. 

Drawn to the sweet-salty taste of his skin, Severus kissed down Harry's throat, murmuring praise and love for him all the way down.

“Oh, Sev,” Harry shivered and arched into him. Gentle hands on Severus’ chest set him alight inside, and he leaned down to kiss Harry's chest. 

“Ahh, gods.” 

Severus let one hand trace lower, just under Harry's ribs, and Harry froze. 

Damn. Harry's emotions bled into Severus, and the ice in his chest jarred him out of anything resembling pleasure.

Severus moved his hands away immediately. “It's all right, love.” Hands held up and away from his partner, he stood and stepped back. “All right. No further today.” He offered Harry his hands but didn't touch, and, after a shaky breath, Harry laid his palms against Severus’. 

“I'm sorry. It felt really good. I just got scared.”

“Shh. You never need to apologise for that.” Severus squeezed his hands. “Do you want to shower here or back in the dorm?”

“Dorm. Too many people here.”

“Yes, agreed.” Severus put Harry's quidditch shirt on him again and pulled on his own, nose wrinkling a bit at the smell. He hadn't minded the tang of sweat on Harry, but he didn't appreciate it on his clothes, to be sure. Oh well. They would change into fresh clothing after a shower. 

Once they had dressed again, Harry gave Severus a shy smile. “We got a lot further that time.”

“Yes. I'm happy.” Severus kissed Harry lightly. “Don't worry, love. We'll overcome our pasts someday, and I'm enjoying just being with you in the meantime.”

Harry kissed him tenderly. “You're brilliant, love.” A flash of sorrow filled his eyes. “Damn, I wish I could tell the other you how much I love you.”

Severus tucked Harry into his arms, head under his chin. “You can tell me. And when I get to be that age again, we will be happy this time.”

Harry nodded a little. “Promise?”

“I promise, darling.” They would keep it, too, dark lords and egomaniacs be damned. 

Harry leaned back and smiled up at him. “Come on, love. Let's go celebrate with the team.”

Severus gave him a gentle kiss and dismantled their wards. “It's brilliant to be simply a normal teenager tonight. No madness, no ploys, just a game and some fun with my friends. I never knew it could be so wonderful.”

Harry squeezed his hand. “At least until the next catastrophe strikes.”

Severus nodded grimly. With Dumbledore and Voldemort breathing down their necks, it couldn't be long. Still, he would enjoy the moment while it lasted.

“Come on, love. At this rate, by the time we make it to the house party, Fiona will have eaten all of the tasty snacks Mipsy smuggled in and have everyone too drunk off their arses to remember to complain.”

Severus laughed softly and followed his lover towards the castle.

Chapter 9: What Goes Up

Summary:

It's my birthday again, so I'm out here trying to update as many of my active fics as possible as a present for you. Let the 2025 Great Birthdate Update begin!

Chapter 9

What Goes Up

Harry listened to Severus’ excited recap of all of his favourite moments from the game with a smile on his face. It was about time Severus got to be a normal teenager and have fun with his friends. For one, blessed night, they had a taste of what life might have been like if Dumbledore and Voldemort had ever learned to mind their own business. Gods, it was a wonderful experience. 

But, as Harry had expected, it didn't last long. 

“—And you should have seen Andrew, zooming after the quaffle like a madman just so Fairfield wouldn't score again while we were down in points. I swear, I think you rubbed off on him, Ha—”

A surge of foreboding shot down Harry's spine, and he threw his arm out in front of Severus to stop him. 

“Har—”

“Shh!” Harry tugged him down and off of the lighted path. “Something's wrong.”

Severus grimaced. “Dumbledore?”

“Shouldn't be. Mipsy is keeping him busy. It still might be him indirectly, though.”

Severus nodded. “Does your sight indicate which way to go?”

Harry strained to pick up some kind of hint, some clue as to where they were supposed to be. The crunch of boots on dry autumn leaves sounded on his left, and Harry motioned towards the noise. Severus followed on silent feet, agile as a cat, his own version of a mini-panther trailing at his side. Hypnos gave a low growl as they approached the sound of voices, and Severus shushed him and picked him up. 

“Be quiet now, Hypnos, so we aren’t caught by whatever trap that bastard has in wait this time.”

Hypnos quieted his growls, but his tail and ears twitched every which way regardless. Still alert, still on edge.

Something was definitely off.

“Aw, shove it, Regulus,” said a too-familiar voice up ahead—James. Damn. “Just ‘cause Potter is fast, that doesn't mean anything.”

Severus tugged Harry into the shadow of a massive oak, and the boys listened to the confrontation from the shelter of its low-hanging boughs. 

“He's not just fast, you ponce,” Regulus shot back, “he's brilliant. And so is Severus.”

“Go kiss their arses if you're so turned on, Reg,” said a glum Sirius. 

“Ugh, leave it to you to turn it into something sexual, Sirius. Do you ever think with the  other head?”

Harry had to bite his lip so he wouldn’t snort. Beside him, Severus buried his face in his arm and shook with silent laughter. 

Sirius huffed. “Just shut up, would you? We're Gryffindors. We don't give a damn.”

Merlin. Sirius sounded vicious. Strange, given Regulus was his little brother. Had his prejudice and cruelty stretched so far in the other future? Harry couldn't honestly say.

Regulus’ tone took on a sharp tone of hurt. “I reckon you'll care when it's your arse Severus is kicking around the pitch, or when Slytherin wins the cup this year.”

“Never gonna happen!”

“I bet it will! We have a solid team this year, and Harry's good enough to go pro.”

“So what? You’re still gonna be crying in the dirt when you lose.”

Regulus snapped, “Gods, you're such an arse, Sirius! I thought you might be happy for your little brother, but no, you're too busy being jealous that Snape and Potter aren't interested in you.”

Harry suppressed a retch by sheer strength of will. ‘Good lord, Regulus. Did you really need to go that far?”

Severus clutched Harry's hand for dear life. Hypnos climbed on his shoulder and glowered at the group beyond the trees.

“Take that back,” Sirius snarled.

“Why? Don't like the bloody truth? That's not surprising. You would sooner torture him than admit you fancy Severus, so—”

A hard smack sounded, and Regulus’ voice cut off with a strangled cry. Another smack sounded, then a thud, and Regulus whimpered. 

Shite! Sirius was—oh, this wasn't good. 

Harry stood and hauled a shocked Severus to his feet. “Come on,” he whispered. “Reg needs help.”

Severus nodded and motioned to the far side of the clearing. “Ambush them?”

“Good idea. Go!”

Severus slipped into the shadows, Hypnos creeping along his side. Harry hurried for the opposite end of the clearing as fast as he could move.

“Bastard!” Sirius’ shout drowned out the sound of Regulus’ sobs and sent a flock of nearby birds into flight. I hate that son of a bitch, and I hate you, too! Diffindo!”

Oh gods, that was a cutting curse!

Over Regulus’ sharp cry, Sirius shouted, “You ever say anything stupid like that again, and I'll do worse than this. Ugh!” Another thud and a cry sounded, and then James Potter's shaken voice.

“Sirius, bloody hell. That's your brother, mate. What's gotten into you?”

Sirius huffed. “Don't know, don't care. Let's just get out of here.”

“But—”

“Oi!” Harry leapt into the clearing, wand out and fury hot. “What the hell is the matter with all of you?”

Severus pounced too. “You just stand there and watch while Black tortures his little brother, a fourth year? I knew you were scum, but really, this is a new low even for you.”

James snapped, “Shut your hole, you stupid—” 

Hypnos dashed out and leapt at Sirius, a yowl in his throat and claws extended. Sirius cursed and scrambled out of the way. 

“Bloody hell, call off your beast, Snape!” Hypnos stood over his prostrate form, growling and hissing. 

“Why should I?” Severus scowled at him. “Hypnos only attacks when he senses a threat.”

“We—we'll show you a bloody threat!” James aimed his wand at Snape, but Remus grabbed James and Sirius by the shoulders and hauled them both back. 

“Shut up and get out of here. They're right, and Potter is the top Defence student in the entire school.”

“I don't care,” Sirius spat. “We can take them. We can—”

Harry aimed at Sirius. “You can what? Watch me hand you your arses again? I have Sev on my side this time too, idiots, and he's the second best Defence student in Hogwarts.”

“I don't think the odds are in your favour now that it is no longer four on one,” Severus said in a frigid tone. 

“Let's go, boys,” said Remus. “Now.”

Sirius and James trailed after Remus, scowling and muttering under their breath. 

Pettigrew followed with a giggle and a wave. “Have fun with Reggie, boys!”

Harry shot a petrifying curse over his head, missing by a hairsbreadth. “Next time, I won't adjust my aim, arsehole. Get out of my sight.”

Pettigrew grimaced and ran after his friends. 

“Cowards,” Harry spat. “Ruddy cowards! They'll go after a single fourth year, but bring a stronger opponent in, and—”

“Later, Harry.” Severus knelt beside a bleeding, shaking Regulus, already weaving healing spells over the cutting curse to slow the bleeding. “I don't dare do any more than this without proper training. I need you to help me get him to the Infirmary.”

Harry let out a huff of frustration, then raced back to Severus’ side. Regulus lay on his stomach, knees pulled up to his chest, and his arms shaking over his head. A long gash across his shoulders and down to his hip had stained his school shirt red, though Severus had stopped the bleeding. 

“Damn. Regulus, hey, it's all right.” Harry knelt beside him and rubbed his uninjured shoulder gingerly, afraid to hurt him worse. “You're safe now.”

Regulus whimpered and tried to sit. “Ah! Oh, gods.” 

“Careful.” Severus braced him and eased him into a sitting position, leaning against Severus’ side. 

“S-Severus?” Regulus winced. “I'm sorry. I hope I didn't make things even worse. I just—it's not right, how he’s hurt you.” Tears flooded his eyes and dropped down his face. “O-or me.”

Harry rubbed Regulus’ hair, about the only part of the boy Sirius hadn't hurt. “I'm so sorry, Regulus. We came as fast as we could.”

Regulus sniffled and leaned against Harry's side. Considering the boy was terrified and injured, Harry fought his own discomfort back viciously. 

“Come on, mate, up with you.” Harry and Severus hauled the boy to his feet, one arm draped over each of their shoulders, though Severus had to stoop. 

“All right, let's get you to the Infirmary, Regulus.” Severus led him forward at an easy pace. “Hypnos, come.” 

The cat gave the retreating bullies one last huff and wove between Severus’ legs. 

Regulus smiled wanly at the animal. “Hey there, kitty. Thank you for helping me.”

Hypnos’ ears dropped back, a sign of worry, and he nuzzled Regulus’ legs. 

“Hm. Guess he likes you, mate,” said Harry. “Doesn't happen often.”

“I really like cats.”

“Maybe he can tell.” Severus started off towards the castle, half carrying Regulus. “Come on then. Pomfrey needs to see to your wounds. I don't trust my healing abilities enough yet to take care of this degree of damage without supervision.”

“I'll get Lucia to help.” Harry whistled for his familiar and set nonverbal, invisible shields around them. The shields would recognise Lucia's bond to his magic and let her inside.

“T-thank you,” Regulus murmured. “Who's Lucia?”

“My white phoenix.”

Regulus gasped. “Bloody hell! You really have a white phoenix familiar?”

“Yes, but keep walking, okay? I don’t want to be caught out here alone.”

“All right.” 

Severus led them back onto the main path. “What the hell happened back there, Regulus? Black has always been an arsehole to me, but I didn't think he would do this to you.”

“I-I don't know,” Regulus said with a sniffle. “I don't understand why he's such a wanker all of a sudden. I mean, he's always been a bit of an arse, but he—” He choked back a sob. “He used to protect me. He used to be the one keeping the arseholes off of me. He's supposed to be my big brother, and until recently, I-I thought he was.”

Harry's gut dropped. “Recently?” He met Severus’ eyes over Regulus’ head. The same sick horror haunted his gaze. 

Had Dumbledore done this, too?

“Regulus, when did this start? And how?”

Regulus sniffled and leaned into Harry's side—given the severity of the situation and how much Regulus needed them, Harry didn't mind his touch this time. 

“I—I don't know exactly. He wasn't awful at the start of the year. We argued sometimes, but he wasn't mean about it. And he still always made sure I had what I needed and checked on me after we got into arguments. I knew he loved me still, even if we don't always get on. But then….” 

Regulus dropped his head in grief. “I guess it must have been about the time I joined the team. I'd thought he would check on me after practise, but he never showed. I thought maybe he was snowed under in homework, or maybe he was being pissy because we wouldn't let him on the pitch when he's been such a prick to you, Severus. I thought he might check up on me later, but I didn't see him at all for three days. So I went to check on him, but… he just… called me a slimy Slytherin prick and walked off.”

Regulus attempted to wipe his face on his shoulder, but he couldn't turn his neck far enough. Severus conjured a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood, dirt, and tears from his face, taking care around his injuries. Regulus whined and pressed his head into Severus’ chest. The poor boy was shaking all over. 

“Regulus, hey.” Harry rubbed the boy's shoulder, on the side that wasn't torn open. “It's all right. I—”

Lucia's trill sounded above them. 

“Ah, there you are, girl.” Harry lifted his arm for her. “Hi there, Lucia.”

Regulus gasped, eyes wide. “Oh, bloody hell! She really is a white phoenix!”

Lucia gave an uncertain trill and edged back towards Harry.

“It's all right, girl,” Harry murmured. “He's just excited because he hasn't ever seen a phoenix like you before.”

“Oh, yes, yes of course.” Regulus unwound his arm from Harry's shoulder and cautiously offered her his hand, though he flinched at the movement. “I won't hurt you, Lucia. I just thought you were really pretty.”

Lucia trilled and examined his hand. She gave a low warble and hopped onto his fingers, much to Regulus’ stunned delight. He really did seem to like animals.

Harry rubbed Regulus’ shoulder. “This is Regulus Black, Lucia, our teammate and a fellow Slytherin. He's in a rough way. Do you think you can help him, love?”

She chirped and began dropping tears onto his wounds. 

“Lean forwards so she can get your back, Regulus.” Severus helped balance him, and Harry soothed him with gentle strokes over his hair and back. Lucia dropped tears in the gash and, in a moment, the wound closed with nothing but a thin, silvery scar left behind. 

“Well done, Lucia.” Harry scratched under her chin. “Thank you, girl. I think Sev and I will be up for a while, so if you want to go play with the unicorns for a while, you can. Just let me give you a note for our friends first.”

Lucia chirped happily and rubbed her cheek against Harry's. 

Severus drafted the note while Harry was taking care of his familiar. 

 

Drew, Gan, Fi:

We found Regulus being attacked by his brother on the way back. We're taking him to the Infirmary and will stay with him for a bit so he isn't so scared. See you later.

Raven and Phoenix

 

Harry nodded approval and tied the note to her leg. “Thank you, girl.”

She nudged her head into a gentle headbutt and purr from Hypnos, nuzzled Severus’ cheek, then landed on Regulus’ shoulder for a bit. 

“Hi,” said a grinning Regulus. 

“Thanks, girl,” Harry whispered. Lucia gave him one last nuzzle, then, with a cheerful trill, she flew off towards the castle. 

“Wow,” Regulus breathed. “I never thought I'd see a real phoenix, much less a white one. Lucia is wicked!”

Hypnos huffed and headbutted Regulus’ legs, making the boy giggle. “Well, of course you're awesome too, Hypnos. You—” His mirth vanished. “You fought for me.”

Hypnos mewed and wove between Regulus’ legs. 

“Wow. He almost never likes anyone that much.” Harry rubbed Regulus’ back. “You must have a real talent for animals.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Regulus sniffled and trudged towards the castle. “Sirius used to say he'd become a great big Animagus one day so I could ride on his back, and then we would run away. Our parents aren't… bad, per se, but they're really strict, and we don't agree with all of their views. So we thought—I thought….” He wiped his eyes with his fist. “I guess it was a stupid plan anyway.”

Harry closed his eyes against a sharp wave of grief. So this was where the idea to become Animagi had come from. All this time, what Harry had thought the Marauders dreamed up to punish Severus further had truly come from Sirius’ love for his little brother.

This attack hadn't been on Sirius’ will, had it?

Harry clamped down on a sudden surge of violent wrath. ‘One day, Dumblefuck. One day you will pay for all you have done to hurt my family.’

“Harry?” Regulus sounded unsure. “D-did I say something wrong?”

Harry let his rage go with a sigh. He couldn't do anything about it until he grew strong enough to break Dumbledore's compulsions anyway. No point in getting himself het up about things he couldn't control. Besides, Regulus was, apparently, too empathetic to hide his emotions from. Probably what made him so good with animals, come to think of it. 

“No, Reg. I was angry that you've been hurt like this.”

“Oh.” Regulus sniffled and pressed against Harry's side, and it didn't bother Harry at all. Maybe because he knew Regulus needed his help and protection now. 

“Come on, mate. Let's just get you to Pomfrey, all right?”

Regulus nodded and followed Harry and Severus to the castle.

---

Regulus only had a few bumps and bruises left after Lucia's help, so Pomfrey sent them back along to the dorm with strict orders to take it easy. Regulus walked behind the boys on the way back, subdued and silent. Severus hated to see him so down, but he had no idea what to say. 

Hm. What had he needed to hear when Lily had first betrayed him?

Severus gazed at his lover. Harry, too, watched Regulus with heavy concern in his lovely eyes. Clearly, he also wanted to comfort him but wasn't sure how.

Oh. Harry—of course. Severus should have thought of him sooner. Harry had set the bar for comfort and healing, long ago.

“Regulus?” Severus fell back a step so he could rub the boy's shoulder. “I know it hurts to be so betrayed by someone you love. When Lily turned on me, I felt as though my entire world had collapsed around me.”

Regulus sniffled and wiped his eyes. “Y-yeah? What did you do?”

Severus gave his lover a soft smile. “That was when Harry first found me. He was suffering from losses worse than my own, and yet, he never left my side. He was there for me when I needed him.” He turned Regulus to face him and held his shoulders. “And now, Harry and I will be here for you.”

Regulus’ breath hitched and tears wobbled on his lashes. “You—you really mean it?”

Harry rubbed the boy's back. “Yeah, mate, we do. You can hang out in our dorm tonight—Sev and I don't mind bunking together—and from now on, if you need us, just come to us, okay? We'll help however we can.”

Regulus sniffled and covered his eyes. “Thank you. Both of you. I—” He choked up, and Severus took him into a gentle hug. 

“It's all right now.”

“No, no it isn't.” Regulus whimpered and hugged Severus back. “Sirius hates me, and I….”

“Yes, I understand.” 

Harry rubbed Regulus’ back. “You're not alone, Reg. You can come to us whenever you like, or to the prefects if we aren't available, since I know we're generally busy.”

Regulus snorted bitterly. “Lupin and Evans are prefects, and they're friends with the pricks. Lupin even stood there and watched them do it.”

“We meant the Slytherin prefects, Reg,” said Harry, “but if you don't want to bother with them, then come to us. And if we aren't around, then go get Andrew or Ganesh or Fi. Drew is a Slytherin prefect anyway, and John Hatterwhite and Alice Prewett are all right too. And I think any of our teammates would take care of you, too. And, if all else fails, then just ask an owl to bring a note to Lucia for me. She'll get it to me as fast as safely possible.”

“We will help you, as soon as we can,” Severus murmured.

“T-thank you. I… gods. You're both brilliant. Thank you.”

“Shh. You're going to be fine.” Harry ruffled his hair a little. “You're not alone either way, okay?”

“Yeah.” Regulus stepped back and hugged Harry, too. Harry hesitated an instant, then his arms wrapped around Regulus, too.

“Thank you,” Regulus murmured into Harry's shoulder. “For—for being there.”

Harry squeezed him tighter. “It's gonna be okay. Just hang on, all right? Black will… grow out of this stage eventually, I hope. In the meantime, just try to be strong, and come to us if you need a hug or someone to talk to.”

“O-okay. I'll try.”

Harry rubbed his back and moved away. “Come on. If we hurry, maybe there's still time to sneak a party snack before Fi devours them all.”

Regulus giggled and started off for the dorm. Harry let him get a few paces ahead, then pulled his partner aside. A nonverbal muffling charm settled around their heads, ensuring Regulus wouldn't notice a quiet conversation.

“Love,” said Harry, “do you get the idea that that attack was much too vicious for normal sibling rivalry, too?”

Severus nodded grimly. “Black's comment about his brother being decent until a couple of weeks ago cemented it. The elder Black is compelled against Regulus, too.”

“Yeah, but why?”

“I don't know. Maybe Dumbledore has a prophecy about Regulus, too.” Severus grimaced and shook his head. “No, that's  extremely unlikely.”

“Not impossible though.”

Severus frowned at his boyfriend. “Do you sense anything…?”

“No. That doesn't mean it doesn't exist.”

“True. But unless we are also mentioned, it's unlikely we will ever know, if that is the case.”

“Yeah.” Harry kicked the floor and huffed. “Do you reckon Dumbledore did it to drive a wedge between you? I mean, Sirius and you.”

Severus stared at him. “A wedge larger than the bloody gulf that already exists between us?”

Harry flushed. “Uh, good point. Unless Black actually does fancy you.”

Severus shuddered. “Gods, I hope not.”

Harry slipped his hand into Severus’ discreetly. “I think it's more likely that Regulus just interpreted things that way based on hearsay. He hasn't actually ever seen his brother assault you, has he?”

“No. I'm fairly confident he would never trust Black again if he had.”

“Then, yeah, it's probably just some dumb rumour.” Harry shook his head. “Maybe Fumbledore just wanted extra insurance that you would never see Black as anything more than a monster.”

“If that were the case, he would have compelled Black against Regulus in second year, as soon as he started Hogwarts. And, until recently, Black was actually very supportive of his brother, as far as I could tell. Regulus’ story supports that idea, too.” Severus gasped and froze. “But, if Dumbledore suspects that we are onto him, if he is trying to cover his tracks, he might compel Black against his little brother to make the arse seem like a monster even outside of the compulsions against me. To make us doubt.”

Harry grimaced. “I think you have it, love.”

“God. What an utter bastard.”

“Yeah.”

The Slytherin dormitory door opened, and Fiona stepped out with Ganesh in tow. “Oh, there ye are! We were about to come bring the party to ye lads.” She swept Regulus up and lifted his chin, checking his face for injuries. “Well, ye look okay now. Did that wanker hurt ye anywhere else, mate?”

Regulus flushed. “No, no. I'm okay now. Harry's phoenix and Pomfrey fixed me right up.”

Fiona nodded sharply. “And so they should do.” She steered him into the portal. “Come on, lads. We saved ye some snacks, but I'll take ‘em off of your hands if ye don't get your arses in here already.”

“Or put Harry in the kitchen,” said Ganesh with a wink. “Some after-quidditch curry sounds fantastic right now.” 

Harry laughed and banished the muffling charm. “I guess I could borrow the Room to make some, if Mipsy brings me the stuff. We still have loads of time before curfew anyway.”

“I like this plan,” said Andrew. “All in favour?”

The ayes carried the day, and Harry's cooking finished the night with a bang. Despite the issues between Regulus and Sirius, Severus enjoyed the camaraderie. And the fact that no one let Regulus be lonely for too long let Severus know that he had chosen his friends well. 

They would be all right, as long as they had each other's backs. At least, Severus had hope they would, and that was more than he could have said at this time last year. 

Regulus curled up on the sofa beside Severus, giggling as Hypnos jumped in his lap and settled down, purring loudly enough to make the room vibrate. Harry grinned and piled Fiona's rabbit, Bumble, Andrew's cat, Patches, and Ganesh's parrot, Krish, all onto Regulus’ lap at once. Regulus giggled helplessly as they all found a place to perch on him, and Harry chuckled and patted his shoulder beside where Krish was sitting. Regulus looked happy.

Severus whistled for Lucia and laughed as she settled atop Regulus’ head, using his hair like a nest. 

“Comfortable, Lucia?” 

She chirped and settled down, and Regulus laughed softly. “I didn't know I looked like a roost.”

“It's the messy hair,” said Harry with a grin. “Lucia thinks mine is a nest, too.”

The group laughed, and Severus let their joy permeate his soul. No, life wasn't perfect, but they had each other. As long as they remembered that, they would pull through.

Chapter 10: Countered

Summary:

So, part of the reason I have been late on this is because I fell in love with EPIC and JKR is rapidly making me fall out of love with HP. I am only still writing for the platform now as a method of protest (with gay, trans, and other LGBT characters galore) and because I feel obligated to finish what I started, but I have to psych myself up for it these days, no thanks to her poisonous bullshit.

But the other reason, well. It's much scarier, at least on a personal level. They are looking for hEDS, MCAS, GI motility disorder, Sjogren's, and POTS in me. And I figured out I probably have CCI, IJV compression, and May-Thurner Syndrome as a result of hEDS and likely MTHFR gene mutation, which I don't even know how to begin addressing. 😭 The latter is a rare complication of a rare complication of a rare disease. I already have to educate doctors on the disease. 😭

And, if that wasn't enough on my plate, my nonverbal son, who cannot communicate his pain, is showing signs of MCAS and hEDS, too. AND my mom was just diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia Friday. We don't know yet how bad it is, but we are all really scared.

Help. I'm not equipped to handle all of this at once. 🥲

Chapter 10

Countered

Benjy had just finished tucking in his shirt when a Ministry memo sailed through his fireplace and zoomed right into his outstretched hand. Hm. Moody didn't usually send him orders or ask for a report until later in the day. At least until Ben had actually had time to gather some intel to report.

Something was wrong, then.

“What on earth is this about?” With a frown, Ben unfolded the paper airplane and read Moody's note. “Ah. So, Dumbledore is at it again.” He scribbled on the bottom of the note, “On my way,” and sent it back through the floo.

A moment later, he pulled his tie snugly into place, summoned his auror robe, and tucked his arms into the sleeves. Moving so quickly had irritated his injuries, so, to save time and energy, he used his magical wheelchair to travel down the five flights of stairs and through two twisting corridors to the staff boardroom.

Minerva greeted him with a grim look. “I assume you received late notice of this meeting, Captain Fenwick?”

“Hm.” Benjy stepped past her. “It seems my ‘notice’ must have been lost in the post. My other superior notified me of the need for my presence five minutes ago.” He didn't make eye-contact with the headmaster, but he marked the scowl Dumbledore tried to hide behind his beard anyway.

“In that case, I will see to it that you receive proper notice of future board meetings, Captain.” Minerva shut the door behind them and folded herself into her seat. “Now that we are all present, you may begin the meeting, Headmaster.”

So Dumbledore had attempted to carry on the board meeting without Benjy. Thank goodness Ben had trained himself to follow a military schedule years ago, or he might have slept through this meeting unawares and missed whatever nonsense Dumbledore wanted to slip under the radar this time. He wasn't foolish enough to believe the board usually met at seven in the morning on a Saturday, after all.

“Ah, yes, yes. Thank you, Professor McGonagall.” Dumbledore hid his irritation from the unwashed masses easily enough, but Benjy hadn't trained fifteen profilers for nothing. “So, back to the matter at hand—”

“Which, for Captain Fenwick's sake, I will clarify,” interjected Minerva. “The headmaster has proposed that the purebloods’ unfettered access to personal house elves gives them an unfair advantage over our other, less privileged students. We have yet to hear what solution he has proposed to this, unfortunately accurate, issue.”

Dumbledore gave her a weak attempt at a smile. “Thank you, Professor.” It was a dismissal, not a display of gratitude.

Minerva huffed. “You're quite welcome, sir.”

Benjy had to bite his tongue against a snort. Merlin, Minerva could be catty when she wanted to be.

Governor Abraxas Malfoy cleared his throat. “Be that as it may, I don't actually see a need for a ‘solution.’ Purebloods have always had access to house elves. It is simply a benefit of our heritage.”

“And why should a Muggleborn lack the same benefits?” Minerva's smile cut like a sword. “Unless, of course, you believe purebloods to be superior to Muggleborns.”

Malfoy gave her an annoyed look. “I never said such a thing. I simply said purebloods have always had house elves, and Muggleborns do well enough for themselves with or without them. Why should anything need to change?”

Minerva smiled like the cat that got the canary. “Oh, I see. So you're saying that Muggleborns are superior to purebloods, in their ability to achieve the same marks and success without access to the same benefits that pureblood children require. My mistake, Governor Malfoy.”

This time, Benjy had to cover a laugh with a cough. “Pardon me.”

Malfoy ignored him and pounded his hand on the table. “Now, see here! I said nothing of the sort.”

“But that is, in fact, what you said, Governor Malfoy. If you believe that Muggleborns and half-bloods can reach the same level of success as a pureblood could, but without access to the same resources, then do you not agree that the purebloods are receiving a… handicap, of sorts?”

“No, I most certainly do not agree!” Malfoy sat, his posture ramrod straight, and tossed his white-blond hair over his shoulder. “We are not handicapped, we are simply… better equipped.”

“Ah. So purebloods need more equipment to do the same job, is that it?”

Benjy barely managed to hold back a feral grin. Watching Minerva eviscerate the spoiled Malfoy lord was prime entertainment.

“No, madam, it is not, and I'll thank you to stop putting words in my mouth.”

“I'm merely clarifying your statements, Governor Malfoy. If one student needs more tools to do the same job as everyone else, we would generally class that student as handicapped, in one fashion or another. If you, in fact, are not implying that purebloods are developmentally inferior to half-bloods and Muggleborns, then, by pure logic, purebloods have more tools than they need.”

“I never said—”

“There are only two options here, Governor Malfoy: either purebloods are developmentally-challenged and require more access to instructional tools to stand on equal ground with the rest of the student body, or they are not challenged, and, thus, have an unfair advantage over their peers. Which is it, Governor?”

Malfoy scowled and grumbled, “Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to hear out the Headmaster's suggestions.”

“Thank you, Governor.”

Benjy really should have brought popcorn.

Then, Dumbledore stood, and Benjy dropped his mirth and shifted his focus to the one true threat in the room. Oh, he knew exactly which side of the larger conflict Abraxas supported, but as far as power went, the man was a kitten in a dog fight. Dumbledore had real teeth, and Benjy refused to allow him to take another bite out of any of his boys.

Dumbledore gave them all a winning smile and held his hands open as if he wanted to welcome them all, a ruse to cover his use of subtle Legilimency under the guise. Benjy didn't allow it.

“Headmaster, I'm quite sure you're able to make your arguments without the benefit of outside influence.”

Dumbledore's expression faltered a little, but his smile returned the next instant. “Of course, Captain. I'm stunned that you would even suggest it.”

“That is, in fact, my job, Headmaster.” He conjured a Muggle-style notebook and a biro and started writing ‘notes.’ It was actually a love note to Will, but Dumbledore didn't need to know that. Neither did Will, for that matter.

Dumbledore hid a scowl behind his beard again, but the faint pressure on Benjy's mind vanished.

‘Good boy.’

“Now then,” said Dumbledore in a paternal tone, “as Minerva pointed out, to allow pureblooded students to summon their personal house elves, who can then bring them resources the other students have no access to, is an unfair advantage over students who have no house elves or vast home libraries to draw upon.”

“And Hogwarts has scores of house elves to help the students, should they require aid,” said Governor Albright, a middle-aged mediwitch who had a good relationship with Poppy. Benjy knew her to be a fair and reasonable person, though he disagreed with many of her views. “And Hogwarts’ own library rivals any pureblood home collection. So I would argue that the purebloods have an approximately equal footing at current.”

“Not so,” said Governor Hunt, a Muggle-raised half-blood woman who had forward-thinking ideals and a heart of gold. Ben liked her quite a bit. “A pureblood doing late-night revision for an exam, for example, could ask a house elf for assistance from their personal library at midnight, if they so chose. There is no restricted section to hinder their research either. Half-bloods and Muggleborns can only go to the library during the daylight hours, and they have the restricted section to contend with, too. As well, their pureblood peers have access to more than simply books, such as oral accounts, histories, heirlooms, and even their actual family members through their house elves. Less privileged groups have no access to any of those things.”

Albright cocked her head. “All right, I concede that point.”

Hunt inclined her head in thanks.

“What solution do you propose, Headmaster?” Malfoy waved him on. “Sometime today, preferably. None of us enjoy being here so bloody early.”

Dumbledore gave him a benign smile. “Well, it's quite simple, really. If we ban personal elves from Hogwarts, then no one will have an advantage.”

So that was his plot. He wanted to get Mipsy out of the way. Skeevy bastard.

“Excellent idea,” said Benjy with a scribble on his notepad. “It's far past time the pureblood students learned to clean up after themselves, don't you think? Ah, and the children can even learn to cook their own food. I'm sure we have a few professors with the skills to teach such things.”

Dumbledore frowned. “Hogwarts has its own elves, Professor Fenwick.”

“Of course, but as there are no wards in existence to ban personal house elves and only personal elves, we will also have to let the house elf staff go. A pity for them, but, as I said, purebloods could do with a few life lessons.”

"I beg to differ," said an irritated Malfoy.

“The creation of such a ward would not be too difficult,” said Dumbledore.

Which meant he had already completed at least part of said ward. Lovely.

“I see,” said Benjy. “And this ward would allow all of the professors to keep their elves employed, or just you, Headmaster?”

Dumbledore’s mouth worked. “There is no need for the professors to have personal elves when the elves on staff still take care of everyone's chores.”

“Just you then. And you don't think that's rather unfair?”

“I don't, as the headmaster has the most demanding position of—”

“See here, Albus,” said a fuming Malfoy, “I never agreed to any of this.”

“Neither did I,” said Filius. “Albus, my personal elf helps me navigate with my height limitations. You know this.”

“But Hogwarts’ elves—”

“Are not trained to aid with disabilities and biological differences, and unless you assign an elf to me, then I would have to retrain them every time.”

“Well, I can assign an elf—”

“Mm, no, that won't do,” said Benjy. “The moment you assign him an elf, they become a personal elf and would then be evicted by your wards.”

“That won't do at all,” said Filius. “And what of the specialized tasks our personal elves help with? What is your answer to that?”

Minerva huffed. “Albus, this plot is as phenomenally bad as the rest of your hare-brained schemes lately.”

“Now, Minerva. Unless something is done, purebloods will continue to have an extreme academic advantage over their peers. Surely you don't agree that is fair?”

“Of course not, but neither is it fair to deny the professors access to their assistants.”

“And not only professors.” Benjy turned to Minerva. “Professor McGonagall, how many disabled and chronically-ill students attend Hogwarts at this time?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“And how many of those students require the aid of a personal house elf to attend classes safely and keep up with their peers?”

“All of them, Captain. It's always been standard procedure to assign a personal elf to each disabled student to help where they need it.” Minerva shot Dumbledore a dark look. “What does your plan do to aid those students, Headmaster?”

Dumbledore's smile thinned. “The Hogwarts elves—”

“Absolutely not,” said Minerva, eyes hard. “Many of those students have bonds with their personal elves. You will be traumatizing them unnecessarily by this horror of a plan, and, again, they would have to train the Hogwarts elves to address their needs every time. Students who may be too ill to train anyone, or even know what they need beyond calling for emergency aid, I might add.”

“But the purebloods—”

“I agree with Minerva,” said Hunt. “I would much rather allow our wealthiest students an unfair advantage than deny our most vulnerable students help they need to function and maintain their marks, or even to live.”

“Seconded,” said Albright.

“I agree as well,” said Malfoy.

Albus sighed. “Unfortunately, we must do something about the advantage, and if this is the only solution, then—”

“Faulty logic there, Headmaster.” Benjy gave Dumbledore a placid smile to cover the sharp calculation behind his gaze. “It isn't the only solution. Banning personal house elves would not only leave the professors in a bind, but would also leave our disabled and chronically-ill students and professors, such as myself, without help they desperately need. However, perhaps the solution here is not to remove existing elves, but to add helper elves to each dormitory and house, and a hall of resources that students without house elves can access whenever they need to, so long as they do so from the safety of their dorm if they need help after curfew. That way, the playing field would be much closer to level between students, Muggleborns would learn about house elves earlier and understand them better, and no one who needs the assistance of a house elf would be deprived of their aid.”

“Seconded,” said Albright. “Who else agrees?”

A chorus of ‘ayes’ made Benjy smirk a little. ‘Check, old man.’

Dumbledore coughed nervously. “Well, in an ideal world, perhaps such a plan would work very well, but I'm afraid Hogwarts’ funds are limited, and the budget would not cover such an expense. Therefore, we are still at an impasse, and mine is still the only feasible solution. I propose—”

“Minerva,” said Malfoy, “how much would you need to implement Captain Fenwick's idea over this… utter travesty of a solution?”

Dumbledore frowned. “Surely you don't intend to fund the entire program?”

“Thankfully, he won't have to,” said Albright.

“Hear, hear,” said Hunt. “I've wanted to do something about this for decades, and Captain Fenwick's plan brings more resources and instructional aids to Hogwarts, keeps our house elves employed and happy, fosters bonds between house elves and students of all classes, and keeps our vulnerable students and professors protected. I'll gladly support such an idea.”

“I have only my professional salary,” said Filius, “but I'm happy to donate some items and books from my family vault that are only collecting dust.”

“Ah, a wonderful idea, Filius,” said Minerva. “I, too, will be happy to donate materials to the new resource hall.”

“I'm happy to organize a campaign to ask for donations from the general Wizarding community as well,” said Albright. “This is the best idea to come out of a board meeting in a long time, and no one is hurt by it. What's more, our pureblood families would probably enjoy offering some of their own knowledge and history to educate the other classes. I know I would.”

“I would as well,” said Malfoy.

“Then I believe that settles it,” said Minerva. “Abigail, if you'll prepare a campaign for us, I'll work with Filius to organize a record of donations received. Abraxas, Melissa, if you'll handle monetary donations and keep us abreast of costs and income, then we should be set. I'll consult with the elves later to discuss which, if any, of our current staff would be better suited to work as an instructional aid and which area of the castle would best serve to house our new resource hall.” She gave Benjy a warm smile. “Well done, Captain. I think we will all benefit from this plan, including the elves. Thank you.”

Benjy inclined his head and watched Dumbledore fume silently out of the corner of his eye.

‘Checkmate.’

 

---

 

Harry found Starling waiting for them in Fenwick's classroom when he and Severus arrived for training. Both professors sat on Fenwick's sofa, their legs touching. Starling looked worried, and Fenwick proud.

“Oh.” Harry gave Andrew, Ganesh, and Fiona a wave. “This looks important. We'll talk to you later?”

“Sure will, lads,” said Fiona. “We'll meet ye in town after your training, right?”

Severus nodded sharply. “We'll be there.”

“Absolutely,” said Harry. “And maybe with some new tricks.”

Andrew grinned. “Can't wait.”

“Good luck,” Ganesh said with a wave. “Don't actually break a leg, unless it's their legs.”

Harry and Severus snickered.

“We'll do our best,” said Harry with a snort. “I think we still have some work to go yet before we can match Alice's uncles, though. They're scary good.”

“So are ye!” Fiona hugged them both. Harry didn't flinch this time, much to his relief. “Good luck, lads. Give ‘em he—” She grimaced at the smirking professors. “Ye know what to do!”

Harry and Severus laughed and bid them farewell, then shut the door behind them and rushed to join their professors. “Mipsy?”

Their house elf friend popped in. “Masters, something is being making the nasty old Headmaster irritated. He is eating all of his potioned sweets in one sitting. Mipsy is thinking that is not good for his state of mind.”

Harry and Severus snorted.

“That, I'm afraid, was all my fault,” said a grinning Fenwick.

“Oh?” Harry settled on the sofa across from them, a new addition Fenwick must have conjured specifically for this meeting. “What did you do, Professor?”

“Rained on his parade,” said Fenwick with a laugh, though it faded quickly. “At least, this time, I was able to head him off.”

“What happened?” Severus sat beside Harry and took his lover's hand. “Are we in danger?”

“I wouldn't be so amused if you were. No, I stopped him this time, but I doubt he's given up.”

“I seriously doubt it too,” said Harry. “So what happened?”

“At seven this morning, I received notice from my superior in the DMLE that our spies had caught wind of a board meeting occurring that moment, that I was, according to the terms of my contract, required to attend. Rather, Dumbledore is required to invite me. As he conveniently forgot that detail, I hurried to the meeting and arrived late. Minerva promised to inform me of all upcoming meetings and advised me that the subject of this one was the unfair advantage house elves offer pureblooded students.”

Severus’ eyes narrowed. “It had nothing to do with purebloods and everything to do with Mipsy, didn't it?”

Benjy nodded grimly. “His suggestion to ‘fix’ the problem was to ban all personal elves from Hogwarts but his own.”

Starling growled. “That bastard! So many of our students need their personal elves just to function! Those with disabilities or chronic illness would be left to suffer without their bonded companions!”

“Such as I said,” Benjy agreed. “Thankfully, the entire board of governors protested the idea, vehemently. They shut Dumbledore down, hard. When he tried to force his solution down everyone's throat as the only viable answer, I countered him with the suggestion of creating a resource hall and employing house elves to serve every dorm as aides, much as the purebloods use their own house elves.”

“Oh, that's a brilliant idea,” said Severus. “The elves would love to help the students, and that would give poor students like I was before this year resources we wouldn't have access to any other way.”

“That was the idea behind it,” said Fenwick. “The board embraced it wholeheartedly, even Malfoy.”

Harry's eyes widened. “Lucius Malfoy is a governor now?”

Starling frowned. “No, not Lucius, Harry, Abraxas. Lucius’ father.”

“Not that the apple falls far from the tree with them,” said Fenwick, “but Lucius is still far too young to hold a position on the board.”

Harry gulped. Damn. He should have remembered the Malfoys’ tendency towards nepotism before he opened his big mouth. “Oh. Of course. So what happened next then, sir?”

Fenwick eyed him curiously, but if he had caught something in Harry's demeanour, he didn't press. “Well, Dumbledore claimed the budget wouldn't cover such an expense and again tried to force his plot on us, but Abraxas actually offered to fund it himself, and the rest of the board jumped in, either with promises of monetary support or donations of resources. The motion passed with flying colours, so, for now, there is not much Dumbledore can do to force house elves out.”

“But?” Severus gave him a grim look. “I can hear a ‘but’ at the end of that sentence.”

Fenwick nodded, expression grave. “He mentioned being willing to create a ward to remove only personal elves from the school, which means he is already partway through creating one. He won't be able to use that now, and creating a ward to block Mipsy out specifically would be much, much more difficult and time-consuming, too much so for him to complete during the school year, particularly since we will ask Mipsy to keep all personal traces carefully to herself or vanished to nonbeing from now on, but I have no doubt he will have something finished prior to the end of the summer, boys.”

Harry nodded at Severus. “We already knew we wouldn't be able to return next year. As long as he can't block Mipsy this year, then we'll manage.”

“I'll make a ward to counter his efforts,” said Fenwick. “It won't take me nearly as long with DMLE access. I can't legally keep it up forever, but, if you don't mind me making a claim that Mipsy is helping with my recovery, I can protect her for the entire duration of my Hogwarts employment.”

“Brilliant.” Harry squeezed Mipsy's shoulder. “We already asked you to help him anyway, didn't we, Mipsy?”

She lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “Mipsy is being helping her boys’ professor friends anyway. And Mipsy is telling anyone who asks she is helping her friend, too.”

Fenwick bowed to her. “Thank you, Mipsy. I am glad for your friendship and help.”

Mipsy blushed and dabbed her eyes. “Mipsy is happy to have a professor friend, too.”

“Two professor friends, dear,” said Starling with a smile. “And thank you from me as well. Ben is… important to me.”

Fenwick's face flushed. “Ah, the feeling is mutual.” He squeezed Starling's hand.

Starling squeezed back. “So we should be safe, at least, with your help, Benjy.” He sighed and leaned against the back of the sofa. “But the entire situation baffles me. He's really so determined to hurt them, he would risk his position on the board and leave his disabled students in the lurch? Every time I think he can sink no lower, he proves me wrong in a spectacular way.”

“Oh, I'm not surprised.” Bitterness crawled over Harry's soul and coloured his tone sharp and grey.

“You're not?” Fenwick gave him a searching look. “Did you foresee it, Harry?”

Harry gave a wry laugh. “I don't need foresight to predict that move. Dumbledore's been moving the goalposts to suit his plots since day one.”

“Understatement,” Severus muttered.

A knock sounded at the door, and Fenwick stood, conjuring his cane. “We'll have to shelve this discussion here for now, boys.” He moved to let the Prewett twins in, and Starling hurried after him, watching his steps like a hawk.

“Harry?” Severus leaned close to whisper, “Since Dumbledore's plan to remove Mipsy failed, what rubbish do you think he will try next?”

Harry squeezed his hand. “I don't know, but we'll be ready for it when he does.”

Severus nodded.

“Hey there, kiddos!” Fabian waved and took position on the training mat. “Come on. Gidge and I have a groovy new trick to show off.”

Harry put his worries aside with a grin and prepared himself to take mental notes on every point of the twins’ lesson, so he could teach it to their friends later. Today was the very first meeting of the Defence Association, and he had no intention of letting Dumbledore's scheming ruin his good mood. Fenwick had blocked the threat, for now. As for the rest, Harry and Severus would just have to take things one day at a time.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of The Tapestry of Time