Chapter 25- What makes me feel safe

Harry flopped in one of the armchairs in the Common Room dejectedly. Ron and Neville looked up from their chess game, and without looking up from her homework, Hermione asked:

“What has you so gloom Harry?”

“It’s useless!” Harry cried, “I can’t produce a decent Patronus!”

That made her look up. She crossed her arms on top of her homework and calmly said, “Harry, the Patronus Charm is seventh year material. Many wizards have trouble with that charm even after they are qualified. It’s absolutely understandable that a thirteen year old wouldn’t have mastered it after a few lessons.”

“But what if the Dementors come to the game Hermione? We can’t afford to lose!” Harry cried and Ron nodded at this. To everyone’s surprise Neville was the one that responded:

“In our first year Professor Flitwick pulled me aside because I was having trouble with the levitation charm, and said I had to believe I could do it. That half the work of mastering a spell is believing you are able to do it. If you think you will fail, your magic won’t focus. Maybe that’s your problem; everyone is saying you can’t because you are so young and unconsciously you are blocking your magic.”

Harry shrugged but looked pensive, “Dad’s been telling my Uncle the same thing on a project they have. Maybe you’re right.”

“Oh, what are Professors Black and Lupin working on?” Hermione asked exited.

Harry mentally kicked himself but if nothing else he was a Marauder’s son, “Oh, a Transfiguration my Uncle can’t grasp. Dad’s great with Transfiguration but that’s not exactly my Uncle’s specialty, so it’s nothing much.” That seemed to satisfy Hermione and Harry felt very proud of himself. He managed to answer truthfully without actually answering. So what if she thought he was talking about Uncle Moony and not Uncle Sev? That’s not his fault. Now he had to concentrate on tomorrow’s game and hope there would be no Dementors.

XXXXXXXXX

“That’s my boy!” Wood kept yelling, as Harry was being group hugged by his team.

“Well done team!” came his dad’s exited voice from behind, “Very well done!”

Harry turned to see his smiling dad and Uncle Moony joining the Gryffindors that were celebrating in the middle of the Quidditch pitch. Harry disentangled himself from the others and ran towards them. They had  weird looks on their faces and their eyes were a little bright.

“Did you see?” Harry cried hugging his dad, “I did it!

“Yes, we did,” Sirius said a little hoarsely.

“I didn’t even feel the Dementors!”

“Yes, er, about that,” Remus said awkwardly, “They weren’t actually Dementors.”

“What?” Harry asked.

“Minerva and Severus are dealing with them right now,” Sirius explained, “Severus is not a happy camper.”

“What? What were they?”

Remus bit his lip, “Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle and Montague were disguised as Dementors and your Patronus startled them. They were a little tangled in some robes, last we saw.”

Harry’s eyes went dreamy at the visualization of the foursome.

“Harry!” Fred yelled, “Come on! Party time!”

“Just a sec!” he yelled back and turned towards Sirius and Remus, “What was my form? I couldn’t see it.”

“Why don’t you come by tomorrow and you can cast it again,” Remus said, “You’ll be surprised.”

XXXXXXX

“Slytherins are cunning, they are resourceful, but above of all Slytherins are subtle!” Severus said in a very low and dangerous whisper as he towered over his four students in his office, “Please do enlighten me on how what you did was subtle!”

Malfoy, Crabe, Goyle and Montague, who were standing one in a row, hands clasped behind their backs and looking at the floor, wisely said nothing.

“Do you realize that since you were caught in front of the whole school I have no alternative but to punish you?”

Severus was satisfied to see a slight tremble run through all four of them. How could they disgrace their House like this?

“Do you realize that the whole school will say that Slytherin is so desperate, that Slytherin thinks their chances against Potter are so slim, that they have to so openly cheat to win?”

Gulps were heard.

“What do you think your parents will say when they hear that you were so blunt?” he especially stopped in front of Malfoy. When the boy raised his head, his eyes were wide on his paler-than-usual face. Severus was satisfied to see that the boy knew Lucius, master of cunning and subtlety, would not be happy.

“You all have detention with Professor McGonagall, and I will not save you from it nor can I give back the points taken. You will earn them back.”

The four nodded vigorously.

“Now get out of my sight!”

The four ran as fast as their dignity allowed them. As the door shut Severus dropped on his chair and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Slytherin would be the laughing stock of the whole school. He wanted to make those four scrub cauldrons for the rest of their lives for embarrassing the House like that. As if they weren’t viewed badly by the rest of the world already! It was at times like these that he hated not being able to really scold them like he wanted to. He knew that not all Slytherins were cheaters. But thanks to people like those four, their bad reputation just continued each year. He couldn’t wait for the day that he could shed his spy role. Slytherin wouldn’t know what hit them; he would make sure the House would stop paying for the acts of few of them. He couldn’t wait to put Malfoy in his place; maybe he could even save the boy from Lucius’ influence.

 His only consolation today was Harry’s Patronus. Now that made his day! It was a good thing there was no one there or they would have had a heart attack at the sight of Severus Snape smiling.

XXXXXXXXXX

Harry said goodbye to his friends after breakfast and followed Sirius and Remus to their quarters. The remaining three of the quartet were quite sleepy and Harry was doubtful they actually registered what he said. He was tired too, as the party lasted until very late, but he wanted to see his form. To his surprise, Severus was waiting at the Marauder’s Quarters. Harry figured he must have a training lesson.

“This time we won’t use the Boggart Harry,” Remus said smiling. Harry looked weirdly at him, he could swear his Uncle was bouncing. That usually was his dad’s specialty.

“Go on,” Severus prompted.

Harry closed his eyes and remembered the feeling of wining and of casting the perfect Patronus from yesterday.

“Expecto Patronum!”

He opened his eyes and they widened at the form that came out his wand. There in the middle of the room was a silver Wolf-dog trotting around. Harry frowned.

“What?” Sirius asked crestfallen.

“Didn’t you say the Patronus was the animal representation of something positive in your life, something that makes you feel safe?” Harry asked and Sirius nodded with a hurt expression.

“I don’t know any Wolf-dogs,” Harry said lost.

At this Sirius’ hurt look turned to a grin and he chuckled, “No you don’t.”

Remus took pity and explained, smiling, “The Wolf-dog, Harry, is a hybrid of the dog and the wolf. I think your soul couldn’t decide between us and just mixed them up. See, the dog and wolf Animagi and the werewolf.”

“Ah,” Harry said nodding and smiling, “That makes sense. You three have always protected me and you’re my all Patronus. Yeah, I like that. Umph-” he  finished as his dad crushed him in a hug. Remus soon joined and to Harry’s surprise and delight so did Severus.

Harry chuckled when Severus noticed what he had done and jumped out of the group hug as if burnt and with all the dignity he could muster said while patting Harry’s head, “Well done indeed Harry. A very impressive bit of magic.”

XXXXXX

Time seemed to speed up again and before he could blink it was the night of the full moon. Severus walked purposefully to the Marauder’s Quarters.

“I am not scared. I have no reason whatsoever to be scared of anything. I have complete trust in my brewing abilities,” he kept chanting in his head as he approached the portrait. He stopped in front of it and took a deep breath. He raised his hand to knock and stood there frozen. He lowered his hand then raised it again. He was about to turn on his heals when the portrait opened and Sirius stood there smiling.

“Come in Sev, he’s already transformed and it’s fine.”

Severus fidgeted a bit but didn’t move.

Sirius looked at him sympathetically and said, “You know what? I’ll just leave this open and you can come in whenever you feel like.”

Sirius walked back inside, and from his spot Severus saw him sit at the table and start grading essays. He didn’t see Moony anywhere. He took a tentative step, then another, and in a rush he went in, closed the door, and shut his eyes.

After a while he opened them and saw that Sirius was just ignoring him. He looked around and saw the werewolf curled in a rug in front of the fire. Moony was looking at him and Severus froze. Moony seemed to notice and just rested his head on his paws and surveyed the fire.

Sirius got up and walked towards Moony. He sat on his knees and started rubbing Moony’s ears. The werewolf made a content sound, “He likes it,” Sirius said looking at Severus, “Do you want to try? See, it’s safe.”

Severus walked cautiously towards the pair. He got down on one knee, ready to bolt if he needed to, but kept his hands to himself.

“Here Sev. He won’t hurt you.”

Severus reached out a trembling hand and touched Moony’s head before quickly withdrawing the hand. He noticed that besides not commenting on this uncharacteristic display from him, Sirius was also holding the werewolf in a way that he could keep him back if necessary. Rationally, Severus knew there was no need for that. Remus was in control and therefore wouldn’t lunge, but he was grateful for Sirius’ thoughtfulness. He reached forward once again and this time he kept his hand a little longer before he pulled it away.

Moony stretched and Severus gave a little start but didn’t move. Sirius once again scratched behind Moony’s ear and Moony made the delighted sound again.

“Such a good boy,” Sirius cooed, “You’re one big puppy aren’t you? Yes you are.”

Moony glared at Sirius as if asking, “Who are you calling a puppy?” and Severus couldn’t help but snort.

The evening went on calmly as slowly Severus felt more confident and started examining the werewolf more closely.

XXXXXXXX

“Where are we Grandpa?” Harry asked as he and Dumbledore made their way through a small village.

“We are visiting a former colleague of mine.” Dumbledore answered smiling at Harry, and winking he added, “I think he’ll like you.”

Harry nodded and kept walking. He tugged at the collar of his semi-formal bottle green robe. He had no idea why he was here, and honestly he would rather be using this time researching his Animagus form and the transformation. Today was a Hogsmeade weekend but Harry’s plan of hitting the library while the others were at the village had been thwarted by Dumbledore asking Sirius if he could take Harry for an outing. Sirius had been reluctant but even he had to agree that as psychotic as she may be, Bellatrix wouldn’t dare take on Albus Dumbledore.

They reached a very good-looking two-story house, and with a wave of his wand Dumbledore opened the gate.

“Stop fidgeting with your attire Harry,” Dumbledore chided as they walked towards the door. Harry scowled; as well as the semi-formal dress robe, he was wearing a velvet black cloak with both the Black and Potter family crests. This was what he usually wore for formal functions and there was nothing Harry hated more than formal functions. He would rather spend a nice afternoon chatting with Draco Malfoy than attend a formal function.

The door opened to reveal an enormously fat old man that said in a delighted voice, “Albus, what a surprise.”

“Really Horace? I am surprised myself since you are the one that specified the time after you so kindly decided to finally answer my many letters,” Dumbledore said pleasantly as he ushered Harry inside the house.

“Oh, well,” Horace stuttered, “Do come in.”

As he looked around, Harry could see that this Horace person liked his comforts. The living room they had just entered had a nice fire lit and was furnished with nice, very comfortable looking squishy armchairs.

“Harry,” Dumbledore said resting an arm on Harry’s shoulder, “This is Horace Slughorn-“

“Former Potions Master and Head of Slytherin at Hogwarts,” Harry finished. He knew that because his Uncle Sev had taken the post Slughorn vacated with his retirement, and because many of the Marauders tales revolved around their classes, so Harry knew all the names of the teachers they had.

“I see the lad knows me, being Lily’s boy and all,” Slughorn said pleased. “You do have her eyes.”

“So I’ve been told,” everyone always told him that, Severus especially. He said that that was they were what he loved most about Harry’s features. He liked to be able to look in Harry’s eyes and see his best friend again. Usually when strangers said it, it annoyed him to no end, like he wasn’t a person on his own. He was either James and Lily’s son or The Boy Who Lived. But when his dad or his Uncles said something like that, he let them. If he could give them a little of their friends back, who was he to stop that? But from the way his Granfather’s eyes twinkled at this remark, and he made that little smirk that he disguised in a benign smile, Harry knew this was exactly what Dumbledore wanted to explore, so he let it be.

“She was one of my favorites. Not that I played favorites,” Slughorn amended eyeing Dumbledore, “But she was really brilliant. Could have been a Potions Mistress if she wanted to. She and Severus Snape were the best students that year, in many years I’d wager. They were always paired together, up to their OWLs too. Something happened afterwards though because they never paired again. At least that was good for the other students who had a chance to have great partners.”

Harry frowned. He knew that Severus and Lily had a falling out, but he always assumed that was because she started dating his dad. But according to Sirius and Remus that only happened on their seventh year. Slughorn motioned for them to sit and asked:

“So Albus, what brings you here?”

“You know what,” Dumbledore said calmly, “I need that memory.”

“I already gave it to you last year.”

“Yes, but this time I would need an unadulterated version,” was the calm reply.

Harry saw Slughorn fidget, “That wasn’t adulterated.”

Dumbledore just gave Slughorn a look that clearly stated, “You don’t fool me.” And Harry just watched Slughorn squirm more. Harry was starting to have an inkling as to what this was about.

“I have nothing else to give you Albus.”

Dumbledore sighed, “Then I am sorry to say I wasted my time. I should take Harry to his appointment then,” Harry was pretty sure he had no other appointments. “Would you terribly mind if I use your bathroom. It’s such a long trek we have to embark on.”

“Not at all. First door on the left.”

Harry watched his grandfather leave, but had no idea how he would convince this man to give him what Dumbledore needed. He glanced at Slughorn and looked around. There were many pictures and cards in the mantelpiece. His Uncle Sev had said Slughorn had liked to collect favorite students, to mold them so he could be a behind the scenes kind of guy. He had liked Lily. She held promise of being a brilliant Potions Mistress and Slughorn had wanted to be the one to get her there. But he said that most of all Slughorn had liked flattery.

“I heard you were the one that helped Democles Belby develop the Wolfsbane Potion,” he suddenly said. Severus had mentioned that Belby had been on what Slughorn had called the Slug Club.

“Oh, no,” Slughorn’s said in false modesty, “Belby is brilliant. I merely instructed him in school.”

“Yes, but my Uncle says that what we learn at Hogwarts is the foundation of whatever we achieve afterwards. So you basically guided him.”

“Oh, did he?” Slughorn flushed, “Your Uncle you say? I didn’t know James or Lily had brothers.”

“Remus Lupin; he’s not blood related to my parents but it’s the same.”

“Oh, yes. Lupin. Quite a brilliant boy too, but in defense and charms. Poor lad didn’t belong in a Potions lab though. He was responsible for many of my best cauldrons melting. He would know about the Wolfsbane wouldn’t he?”

Harry nodded but let Slughorn talk, like he felt the man enjoyed.

“He was always around your dad. Another one of your dad’s main pals was Sirius Black. Now he could have been brilliant at Potions if he hadn’t spent half his time goofing off in school. Gryffindor, just like your parents. Shame too; I got his brother but would have liked the set.”

Harry didn’t like Slughorn’s way of talking but let it slide.

“He’s my dad, I mean, adoptive father. They both raised me.”

“Oh, didn’t know that,” he said eyeing the crests on Harry’s cloak hungrily. “Bet he molded you into one little Gryffindor,” at Harry’s sheepish smile he said, “Thought so. Not that you’d need molding; never knew a bigger Gryffindor than your mum. She wasn’t afraid to tell anyone off, no matter who they were. Cheeky little bugger,” he smiled softly and then his smile faded, “I don’t suppose you remember her much.”

“No,” Harry said, “I saw some memories and pictures, but that’s all. She was quite pretty.”

“Beautiful, had half the boys at Hogwarts pining for her,” Slughorn said with a sad smile.

“I remember how she died though,” Harry didn’t know why he was telling this stranger this but something told him he had to, “Because of the Dementors that are at Hogwarts, I’ve heard her. Voldemort,” Slughorn almost jumped off his chair at the name, “hadn’t wanted to kill her but she didn’t move when he told her to. She died to save me.” Slughorn’s eyes were misty and Harry went on, “Professor Dumbledore doesn’t believe Voldemort,” another violent flinch from Slughorn, “is truly gone. And whatever he is asking from you could help him make sure my mother’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain. Could help him make sure no other promises in Potions are robbed of their chance at brilliance.”

At this exact moment Dumbledore came back as if he had just been waiting for his cue to enter. Harry saw Slughorn cough a little to disguise his watery eyes.

“Bad weather Horace? You should have that checked,” Dumbledore said in a concerned voice.

“No, just got something stuck in my throat. Are you leaving?”

“Yes, we should go. As I said, Harry has an appointment. Shall we Harry?”

Harry got up at once and turned to Slughorn extending a hand, “A pleasure to meet you Professor.”

“My pleasure boy. Do feel free to come by some other time,” Slughorn said as he shook Harry’s hand.

“Will do, sir,” Harry said and followed Dumbledore out. When they were already out the door and almost at the gate Slughorn called:

“Albus wait,” he conjured a vial, and touching the tip of his wand to his forehead, he took a slivery strand that Harry knew to be a memory and put in the vial. He handed it to Dumbledore and whispered:

“I was just trying to inform a student, I never thought he would -- I didn’t know…” he said distraught.

“I never thought you did Horace,” Dumbledore said calmly, “We all make mistakes. Thank you.” With a smile Dumbledore led Harry away. When they were out of Slughorn’s range of hearing, he said to Harry.

“You are truly your father’s son Harry.”

“Why? What did my first dad do?”

“Who said I was talking of James?” he said and Harry grinned.