Chapter Text

Chapter 33

Back to the Trenches

As Harry and Severus had no plans of actually riding the train—Merlin knew what kind of tricks the headmaster might have laid in wait for them—they spent their last few hours in Cokeworth saying goodbye to all the friends they had made during their time in the city. Jenny, the flat manager, sent them off with a hug and a promise that they were welcome to come stay at the flats next summer too.

"You two are some of the most responsible tenants I've ever had. You're good boys, and it's such a shame you had rough upbringings, but I'm very glad you came to me this summer." 

Harry smiled, warmed through at her praise. "So are we. It's been so nice to be here on our own and not have to worry about anything but getting to work on time and making sure we had our summer homework done."

Jenny patted his shoulder. "I'm glad you got to experience what it means to be safe. Have you gotten your homework done?"

Harry gave a sheepish laugh. "You bet. Severus did so well in… Chemistry, he's starting an apprenticeship programme this year. His Chemistry Master already adores him."

Severus snorted. "Yes, and Harry did so well in… military training, he's going to be leading a school CCF group soon."

Harry blinked several times. CCF? Well, he supposed it was the closest thing Muggles had to Defence classes, but he certainly had no plans of actually joining the military, either Muggle or otherwise.

Still, it might not be a bad idea to invest in learning some Muggle martial arts. Merlin knew the elitist bastards wouldn't expect to be taken down by a kick to the head instead of a curse. 

Yes, that was definitely a good idea.

"Well done," Jenny said with a beaming smile. "You boys are going places, see if you don't. You'll be household names someday."

Harry's smile hid a sharp wave of pain and worry. As a mage and his guardian, they would see more fame than either man wanted, most likely, if they survived. Jenny wouldn't ever know about it, though. Unless she wasn't as Muggle as she appeared.

"We'll certainly try, ma'am," said Severus with the same kind of smile. 

Jenny chuckled. "Don't like the idea of being famous, hm? Well, that's understandable. At any rate, I'm proud of you."

"Thank you," Harry said.

The bell over the door rang, and a new customer came in. 

"We're off then," said Severus. 

"Good luck in school, boys, and if you ever need a place to stay, give me a call."

"We will, ma'am." With a slight bow, Severus guided Harry out of the office and back to the street. Harry gave the flats one last look, then turned towards the future with a sigh. 

"I'm going to miss this place."

Severus rubbed Harry's back. "So will I." He checked his watch and bit his lip. "Harry, Lily won't have left yet for the train. Do you suppose we could try, one last time, to set her free?"

Harry grimaced. "I don't know if that's wise, love. If Potter is there—and there's also the fact that Dumbledore will probably just compel her all over again once she gets to school." He kicked the sidewalk with a huff. "It isn't right, though. I wish I knew how to keep her free."

Severus' head drooped. "Yes. So do I."

Harry held Severus' hand, not caring if the Muggles saw. They were leaving soon anyway. "I'm sorry, love. I just don't know how to save her yet."

"No. It isn't your fault. I don't know what to do either. The goblins do have rings, and I think they will help my family, as we're going to hide them under the Fidelius and ward the hell out of wherever they go, but Lily is too close to Dumbledore all the time for the rings to be enough. I'm afraid he can get around them, if Merlin thought we needed the kind of protection he made for us." Severus rubbed his ring with a sigh. "We will find the way one day, right?"

"One day, love. I'm sorry I can't help her today."

Severus squeezed his hand. "No. I knew it was futile. I just…."

"I know, Sev. It hurts me too."

"Yes. I'm sorry I'm not more helpful. I'm just not finding a spell to keep compulsions off. I think no one in the past has been mad enough to risk continually reapplying them to the same victim. Normally, I think anyone so foolish would find themselves in Azkaban in short order."

"Yeah, well, most people stupid enough to compel the same person twice wouldn't also be smart enough to compel the entire damn Ministry into the bargain."

Severus scrunched his nose. "Smart or powerful enough. How in Merlin's name can he keep so many compulsions active and maintain enough magic to still be such a viable threat? I think even your core would be taxed with fifty or so powerful compulsions to maintain as well as battles to fight on a daily basis. I'm positive mine would be."

Harry shook his head. "I've been wondering that myself. And the only answer I've got is that he isn't using his own core. Maybe he's drawing power from some outside source, or he might have three or four people compelled on his own core and, from there, have them compel the others."

"I don't think it could possibly be the second option. Compulsions can only push a person so far out of their normal personality. Even with as much as he's done to Lils, she still tried to protect me, at least before he compelled Dad and the Muggles to—" He choked up and shuddered, and Harry rubbed his back. 

"Yeah. She tried. And your Dad fought like all hell to save you."

"Y-yes," said Severus. "And he doesn't even have magic, so I don't think Lily would—she resisted telling Potter where I lived all summer, even after that horrible night and the day they chased us down. I can't see her going as far as to compel me, and especially not someone else who isn't even involved. And Mum and Dad hurt themselves to spare me. They definitely wouldn't—" He had to take a moment to compose himself. 

Harry tugged him into a hug and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry, love."

Severus buried his face in Harry's hair and took an unsteady breath. When he stepped back, his expression was as neutral as ever but for the faint sheen in his eyes. 

"R-regardless, I don't think he could use his victims to compel others. Besides the fact that they would remember such a spell unless he also Obliviated them—"

"Which he's already proved he isn't above doing."

"Yes, but there's another problem, Phoenix. If, say, he turned James Potter on Sirius Black and forced Potter to compel Black, then we would, most likely, be able to free Black entirely. Potter isn't exactly a weakling, but he is in no way a match for Dumbledore."

"Oh. So, since all the compulsions are holding, then Dumbledore must have cast them himself." Harry shook his head. "Then he must have done something to increase his power. An amplifying charm, maybe, or maybe he's using something else with a magical well to draw from."

"Something else," said Severus in a grim tone, "or someone."

Harry winced. "Bloody hell. If he's drawing power from his victims…."

"Then not only would he have an almost unlimited supply of magic, but his victims would find it exceptionally difficult to free themselves or rebel."

Harry shuddered and clutched Severus' hand. "I-is there a spell that does that?"

"Not that I know of personally, pet, but I don't pretend to know every aspect of dark magic, and he is, unfortunately, skilled enough to have crafted a spell himself regardless."

"Bloody hell. That's not good."

"No. But then, he doesn't know we have a seer and a mage on our side, and my own skills at potions creation and spellcraft aren't too shabby. The goblins, too, are dead useful."

Harry nodded. "That's why the counter isn't strong enough to beat the compulsions, isn't it? The other spell is draining its power."

"Potentially. Either way, this will make it more difficult than anticipated to free his victims."

"Yeah. Maybe Lucia can help once she's mature though. For now, we'll just keep searching for the answers and getting stronger. Maybe when I come into my full power, that will do the trick. When do I get my full power?"

"When you turn seventeen, as far as I know."

"So, one more year. Lucia should be fully grown by then too. In the meantime, let's get our counterspells and wards as perfected as possible so we're ready once my powers kick in."

"Agreed." Severus nudged Harry towards the bookstore. "Come on. There isn't much we can do about this now, and we still have time to say goodbye to Turner if we hurry."

Harry nodded and followed him to the shop.

With their goodbyes all said and their bags packed, the boys asked Mipsy to carry them to Hogsmeade just prior to dinner time. Severus used his invisibility charm on them prior to the trip and covered them with Harry's cloak, distraction glamours they had learned from the ancient Charms text in the Room of Lost Things, silencing charms, and the muffling spell he and Harry had perfected over the summer. Under Muffliato, Harry and Severus could chat in Hogwarts and not be overheard even by someone walking right beside them. The only downside was the telltale buzzing noise it made for anyone outside of the charm's influence, but in Hogwarts' halls, Severus doubted anyone would recognise it as charm feedback and not simple background noise from other conversations. 

Well, Dumbledore might know, but Harry and Severus didn't intend to risk using it anywhere the old man might be shuffling about anyway. They didn't have an obscuring charm that they were positive would work on him, so using it where he could see them and know they were speaking, but couldn't hear them was just asking for trouble. The charm might not work on him anyway if even Harry's invisibility cloak wasn't enough for him. Best not to test fate.

Still, they did have to get through Hogsmeade unseen, so Severus made sure the cloak and their spells covered them sight and sound before he would let Mipsy apparate them anywhere. Lucia and Hypnos too, as neither familiar wanted to leave their respective master's side. Well, Hypnos would be all right on his own. No one in Hogsmeade would worry themselves too much about an adolescent kitten in good health prowling the streets, but Lucia's white and gold plumage was too rare and exotic for her to blend easily. Once the bird had settled on Harry's shoulder, Severus applied his charms and draped the cloak over them all. Hypnos wove between their legs and rubbed his head on their trousers. Severus patted his back before he scooped the cat into his arms. Harry wrapped one arm around Severus' waist and extended his other hand to their elf. 

"Okay, Mipsy. We're all charmed appropriately, cloaked, and holding on to each other. Hypnos, don't jump down until we land." 

Hypnos mewed and nuzzled Severus' chest. Severus smiled at his kitten, though he looked odd supported in an invisible boy's arms. 

"I think he's content where he is," Severus said. 

"He loves you, that's for sure." Harry clutched Mipsy's hand. "Are you ready to go, Mipsy? All packed and everything?"

"Of course, Masters, and I is also wearing the ring Masters is giving Mipsy from the goblins. I think I is being very safe now."

"I certainly hope so." Harry squeezed her hand. "Then, I think we're good. You shrank our instruments already, right, Raven?"

"Your flute is in my left trouser pocket, and my guitar is in the right."

Harry squeezed him closer. "Thanks, love. And our trunks and the furniture is all ready?"

"Mipsy is taking the furniture to Gringotts, Master Harry, and your trunks is already at school." Mipsy gave them a toothy grin. "Mipsy is thinking anyone who is trying to touch Masters' things is getting a nasty surprise."

Severus gave a dark chuckle. "That's the way, Mipsy." He smiled, though she wouldn't see it. "I think we're all ready to go, Phoenix."

Harry gave a wry laugh. "I guess I am channeling a mother hen a bit."

Lucia made a clucking sound, and both boys and elf laughed. 

Severus nudged his side. "She has you down to a science, Harry."

Harry snorted. "All right. Then, if we're sure everyone is ready, let's go before Hypnos gets squirmy."

Hypnos gave a little huff and curled up closer to Severus. 

Mipsy chuckled. "Then hold on, Masters. Mipsy is taking you now."

Severus pressed firmly into Harry's side, and the strange, twisting pressure of apparition swept him away. He landed in the Hogsmeade town square, Hypnos squirming in his arms and Harry's embrace still warm around his back. Lucia gave a little whistle, and her feathers rustled with a shudder. 

"Shh," Harry whispered. "Gotta be careful now." 

Lucia gave a tiny cheep and settled down. Severus petted Hypnos between his ears and set him on the ground. Hypnos rubbed his legs. 

Harry started towards the Shrieking Shack. "Right. Let's—" He gasped and pulled up short. Strong fingers clutched Severus' and held him back. "Wait. I…."

"Harry?"

Harry gulped and shook his head sharply. "No. Can't go that way."

Severus' stomach lurched. "Your sight?"

Harry laced his fingers through Severus' and tugged him close enough to hear a whisper. Spells or no, neither boy wanted to risk anything more with passers-by walking within arm's reach, any one of whom might be one of Dumbledore's sycophants. 

"He's got that way guarded. We'll have to get into Hogwarts another way."

Severus' gut dropped. "Bloody hell. What other way is there?"

"I'll show you. Just follow me. I'm pretty sure he doesn't know about this passage, so it should be okay. My sight isn't warning me against it anyway." 

Mipsy whispered, "Mipsy is going ahead to check. Where is the passage?"

"Honeydukes' basement. There's a tunnel under a trapdoor towards the back corner of the cellar. Just be careful, okay? I don't want you to be hurt."

"Mipsy is taking great care, Master."

With that, she bowed and disapparated, the popping sound muted to barely register in the busy street. 

"Okay. Come on, Raven."

Severus squeezed Harry's hand and followed him towards the popular sweets shop. Under the cloak, Harry's invisible hands took out the primed scroll of parchment they had just finished soaking in the mapping potion the night before. He whispered the spells to activate it, in learning mode. "If we turn this on here, we'll have Hogsmeade on the new map, too. That's bound to be helpful."

Severus leaned in, peering over Harry's shoulder as streams of ink formed the shopfronts and footpaths. His name and Harry's followed two sets of moving footprints. The map didn't record beyond the front of each shop, but Mipsy had promised to help complete it, and the elf would, no doubt, do so more safely and quickly without Severus and Harry bogging down her work. 

The names of the shoppers formed above their own tracks, and Severus watched them amble about in fascination. Could he work out a charm to make the names respond to the presence of Dumbledore's magic on their owners, or the presence of the Dark Mark? If he could make it change the colour of their enemies' names, the couple would have a much greater chance of avoiding threats around Hogwarts, where both Dumbledore's sycophants and Riddle's ran amok. It might just save their arses in future, if they could work out the necessary charms. 

Harry led them in Honeydukes then, and the boys had to fold the map so they wouldn't run into anyone or into the shelves. Their charms didn't make them intangible, after all. Severus pressed close to his boyfriend and focused on avoiding interacting with anything or anyone else until they reached the basement unnoticed, and Harry guided them into the tunnel under the shop. Once the trapdoor shut behind them, Harry opened the map again long enough to check that it was still recording information, then he folded it and replaced it in his breast pocket. Severus helped him ward said pocket against any presence but their own and Mipsy's, and followed him down the stairs and into a musty tunnel. 

"Well, that's the first threat dealt with." Harry slipped his hand back into Severus'. "One thing down, five-hundred million or so to go."

Severus snorted. "Specificity is necessary, I think, when making a numerical list, my Phoenix."

"That's not in Plebeian, so I have no idea what you said." 

Severus chuckled. "As you say."

Harry squeezed his hand and called, "Mipsy?"

"Mipsy is here, Masters." The little elf stepped out of the shadows. "Mipsy is following the tunnel to Hogwarts with her magic. I think it is being safe. Mipsy is telling you if it isn't."

"Thank you, Mipsy. Then let's just hurry up and get to Hogwarts. I can't miss the sorting, or Dumbledore will have a reason to interfere with my placement and keep me apart from Sev."

"It doesn't matter if he does." Severus kissed Harry's cheek, or as close as he could guess to it. "He won't break our bond no matter what, right?"

"He'd have to bloody well kill me first, and, even for his messed up version of whatever prophecy he's misinterpreting, I can't think he's that desperate."

Mipsy's voice came out grim. "Mipsy is thinking it is not being wise to push your luck, Master Harry."

Harry clutched Severus' hand. "N-no, probably not."

Lucia gave a low trill. Hypnos huffed and pressed his shoulder against Severus' leg. 

Severus pulled Harry closer. "I love you, Harry. That won't change no matter what the future brings."

Harry lifted Severus' hand and kissed his ring. The reminder of the promise between them gave Severus hope. 

"It'll be okay, Phoenix. We won't let him win. I promise."

Harry rubbed Severus' knuckles. "I love you too." He reached up and searched for Severus' face. Severus kissed him softly. 

"Come on, love. Let's hurry on. I meant what I said, but I would still rather not give the bastard any excuse to make our lives even harder."

"Right. Let's go then." Harry guided Severus along by his hand, his fingers trembling a little but his steps sure.

By the time they reached the end of the tunnel, both boys were trembling. 

Were they really going to do this? Just walk right back into a school with a headmaster that wanted them to suffer, at the very least? For a moment, Severus wanted nothing more than to sweep his family into his arms and apparate them out of danger. But he couldn't disapparate anywhere from there, and running away now would leave so many innocent people in danger. People Severus loved. People Harry loved. And, even if they might escape the headmaster's madness eventually, Riddle was still a terrible threat. They couldn't just stand by and let him destroy the world, nor could they do nothing while Dumbledore plotted and schemed with their loved ones' lives. 

And if they didn't do something to save Lily, to save Harry's future self, then Severus might lose them both. That wasn't a future he could bear. 

No. Running wasn't an option. 

He took a steadying breath and courage from the sensation of Harry's hand in his. Beyond the exit of the tunnel, they would have to pretend to be nothing more than friends, at least for a while. Dumbledore was going to be angry enough just by Harry being there to protect Severus and by both boys wriggling their way out of all of Dumbledore's traps. Rubbing the old man's failures in his face might just push Harry's luck too far, and Severus would be damned before he put them both in danger like that just for the transient comfort of holding Harry's hand in public. They could love each other privately as much as they wanted. For now, they needed to lie low in the public eye.

"Ready?" Harry's whisper broke through Severus' thoughts. 

"Yes. How do we get out of here? Alohamora?"

Harry shook his head and aimed his wand at a seam down the middle of the wall. The faintest glow shone through the crack. 

"Dissendium!"

The crack split and widened into a hole roughly the size of a door. Severus stepped through with his lover, their house elf friend, and their pets. He found himself standing in a corridor he recognized as one on the third floor, in front of what used to be a statue of an old crone. As soon as Harry stepped through and tapped it with his wand—the one from Selma—the hole began to shrink. In a second or two, the statue had reformed completely, no sign of a hole in sight. 

"You use the same spell to get in," Harry whispered, "but be careful. Potter and his lot know about it."

"Understood." Severus tugged Harry's hand. "We better hurry to the great hall. Mipsy, will you take our pets to our room, please? We need to draw as little attention as possible."

"Yes, Master. Mipsy is taking them, and then she is going to keep an eye on the old man and make sure he is keeping his wand to himself."

"Thank you, Mipsy. Be careful. He's a sneaky bastard."

Mipsy bowed. "Mipsy is not letting anyone hurt her family."

Hypnos mewed and rubbed his head and back along her legs. Mipsy patted his back and held her other arm out for Lucia. With a chirp, the phoenix landed on her wrist.

"We is going now, Masters."

"Good luck, Mipsy," Harry whispered, and then they were gone. Severus missed the warmth of his little familiar against his calf, but he didn't let himself dwell upon it. 

"Let's go, love."

Harry squeezed Severus' hand, and, together, they hurried towards the great hall. All was quiet until they approached the first years standing in small groups behind the doors. 

"Were they really aurors?" One little black girl asked her friend, a chubby boy with blond hair and glasses. 

"Yeah. Can't believe it myself. What were they looking for though?"

"I don't know for sure," piped up a little redheaded boy by the doors, "but I don't like it. Aurors on the train to Hogwarts? Why? It just gives me the willies."

The girl rubbed her arms. "Yeah. It's weird. Why did they want to know about our patronus thingies?"

"What even are they?" 

"Dad says they protect people from dementors, so why would we need them here?" The blond boy shuddered. "You're right, Evan. I don't like the smell of it."

Harry's fingers clenched around Severus'. So Dumbledore had used his minions to search the train and check the first years' patronuses. Undoubtedly, had the boys been present for the train ride, Harry would have been detained. And, though the aurors wouldn't find anything they could use to hurt Harry, Dumbledore certainly would have used Harry's absence to keep him out of Hogwarts, or at least away from Severus. And probably out of Beauxbatons too, if he could manage it. 

God. The arsehole hadn't even let them get through the door before he was scheming to ruin their lives. Bastard.

Harry huffed and led Severus to an alcove out of sight of the first years, not that they were paying any attention, not with the excitement of an auror search to chatter on about endlessly. 

He cast a distraction glamour on the general area. "Revertus." His grim face appeared under the cloak. "So he was looking for me, huh? And trying to force me to reveal my patronus. God, he's an absolute wanker."

Severus nodded and pulled Harry into a hug. "He didn't manage it. He won't manage it. We won't let him."

Harry slumped in his arms and gave a heavy sigh. "I just wish all of this drama was behind us already."

"So do I." Severus tipped his boyfriend's chin up. "We'll get through it, Phoenix. Just stay close to me and keep your sight in high gear. One day, this will just be a bad memory."

"Yeah. Well, not so much this part." Harry leaned up for a kiss. "Thank you, love. Now, let's get all of our stealth charms off and go ruin Fumbledore's night, yeah?"

Severus gave a dark chuckle as he dissolved the spells. "That's a goal to aspire to." After one last kiss, he removed the invisibility cloak and pocketed it on Harry's request. "Are you ready, Phoenix?"

Harry nodded. "Have to be." He squeezed Severus' hands. Go on inside. Stay in Starling's line of sight and stay well clear of the Death Eaters, Dumbledore, and the Marauders."

"I will." Severus hugged Harry one last time, squeezed his hands, then stepped away. "Right. Time to piss in Dumbledore’s tea."

Harry snickered and waved him on, and Severus forced himself to turn away. 'Be safe, my Phoenix.' With that silent prayer, he made his way through the bemused crowd of first years and sat at the Slytherin table near Andrew Corner and his friends. Corner, at least, cared about him. 

Assuming Dumbledore hadn't compelled him too.

Gods. This would be a miserable year.

"What are you doing out here?" 

Harry looked up from where he waited on the fringes of the first year crowd, arms crossed over his chest and both physical and magical eyes open for trouble. "I'm waiting, same as you."

The little black girl who had been talking with her friends earlier gave him a curious look. "Are you waiting to take us to be sorted? Are you a prefect?"

Harry suppressed the urge to snort. A prefect? Over Dumbledore's dead body. And his own, probably. 

"No. I'm a transfer student. So I have to be sorted too."

"Oh! What house do you think you'll be in?"

Harry gave her a wry smile. "Slytherin, probably."

The girl gasped. "Aren't you scared? The snakes are the mean house."

Harry's smile faded. "Mean? There are things out there a lot more dangerous than snakes, and evil isn't house-specific. Gryffindors and Ravenclaws can be bullies just as easily as any other house, just as Slytherins can be healers and teachers and aurors. You should remember that when it's your turn to find out where you belong."

The girl winced. "Oh. That's a fair point. I'll remember it."

"Um, y-yeah," said her blond friend. "We all will."

"Good for you." Maybe this generation would make some headway in ending the class war. It was a hope, anyway. 

McGonagall opened the doors. "First years, line up single file, and—oh!" She frowned at Harry, her wand frozen halfway through a spell pattern. "Ah, hello, young man. You look—do forgive the question, but you aren't a first year, are you?"

Harry suppressed a scowl. He wasn't that short!

"No, ma'am. Sixth. I transferred here after—after my family was killed by dark wizards." Harry ignored the gasps and went on, "So I need to be sorted just like everyone else here."

McGonagall's eyes filled with deep understanding. Most students didn't know, but McGonagall had been married until a couple of years before Harry came back in time. Death Eaters had killed her husband. She knew what it meant to lose everything to that damned madman, too. 

"Oh, I am so very sorry to hear that."

"It's—well, not okay, but I'd rather not get into it here, ma'am. I'd just like to be sorted and get some rest, if it's all right. It's been… a difficult day."

"I'm sure it has. Well then, come along, Mr…?"

"Potter, ma'am. Harry Potter. The headmaster didn't tell you I was coming?"

"Ah, no. It must have slipped his mind in all the preparations for a new year." Or he had intentionally 'forgotten' about Harry because he intended to block him entry all along, the tosser. "But, never mind it. Come to the front of the line, Mr. Potter, and we'll get you situated right away."

"Thank you, ma'am." 

He moved to stand at the doors, and the younger kids not already in line scurried to take their places. 

"First years, and Mr. Potter, follow me." McGonagall led the students towards the front of the hall, where the sorting hat sat on a familiar stool. 

"Ah," said Dumbledore in an amiable voice, "and there is Professor McGonagall, our Transfiguration teacher and Deputy Headmistress, with this year's crop of—" He stopped dead, mouth falling open as his eyes latched onto Harry. Harry kept his eyes on the old man's nose rather than his eyes and gave him a cheerful wave and a honeyed smile. On the Slytherin side of the room, he heard Severus choke. Probably to keep from laughing his arse off. 

"Um, with this year's crop of first years," Dumbledore went on, brow furrowed and lips curled in a moue of displeasure. 

"And Mr. Harry Potter," said McGonagall, "who is a sixth year transfer student." 

The other Potter's head whipped around, and his jaw dropped. Sirius, Remus, and Pettigrew followed suit. Harry watched them mutter and whisper to each other and Lily, eyes wide and mouths turned down in shocked scowls, and found himself wondering if Pettigrew had sold out Harry's parents on his own will, or if Dumbledore had compelled him into it so Harry suffered enough to fulfil his twisted version of the prophecies. Wait. No. 

"Compulsions can only push a person so far…."

So Pettigrew was a monster of his own right. Well then, Harry wouldn't feel any guilt about killing the bastard one day. 

McGonagall's voice cut through his thoughts and a rage thick enough to suffocate him. "Well, no, he's not on the roster, but heaven knows even we teachers make our share of mistakes. That's certainly no reason to ship him all the way home when he's already here."

Dumbledore gave her a weak smile. "Of course. Still, if Mr. Potter will wait just there, we can discuss the situation and find the oversight."

Harry fixed him with a stony look. "I'd rather be sorted now, if it's all the same to you, sir. Long day and all."

"And quite understandably so, but—"

"Headmaster," said Harry, "have I done something wrong by coming to school like you told me to do last week?"

Dumbledore flinched slightly and cleared his throat. "No, no, of course not, Harry. I only thought it best to resolve the situation out of the public eye."

"It's already resolved, isn't it? You accepted me last week, so all that remains is to sort me, right? Unless there's some reason you're so set against it, sir?"

Dumbledore coughed lightly. "No, no. Of course not. I only thought—"

"Albus," said Sprout with an irritated look, "we're all tired and hungry, and I'm sure Mr. Potter is already feeling singled out enough without dragging his entire history into the open. Do sit down and let us all carry on with the sorting."

Dumbledore's mouth puckered like he had just bitten into an extra sour sherbet lemon. "I suppose."

"Hmph." With a stern look at the old man, McGonagall waved Harry towards the stool. "Well then, Mr. Potter, have a seat and place the hat on your head."

"Thank you, ma'am." With an 'innocent' smile at Dumbledore, Harry perched on the stool and put on the hat. The sorting hat gasped as soon as it touched his head. 

"You are not when you should be, Mr. Potter," said a gnarled old voice in his head.

Harry couldn't help but snort at the hat's phrasing. "Er… you can tell that?"

"Do you truly believe I would be able to determine where best to place you if I could not see every thought tinkering around in that brain of yours?"

Harry blushed. "Every thought?"

"Oh yes. Even some I would rather not."

Harry covered his face and groaned. "M-maybe you could, uh, not focus on those kinds of thoughts and get right to the point?"

The hat chuckled in his ear. "Fair enough. It seems I placed you in Gryffindor in the future, but I sense that is not where you wish to be now."

"No. But if it helps, even in the future, I had to beg you not to put me with the snakes. And I definitely won't be acting the Gryffindor this time around anyway."

The hat hummed in his ear. "I do see much of cunning in you. You are brave and loyal, of course, but—oh. Oh, I see. You have no choice but to go underground as you are in danger. And Severus Snape as well."

"Exactly. He has no one else to protect him. And we have to stop the headmaster before he ends up destroying the entire world. I can't do that from within Gryffindor."

"You do know I am supposed to be loyal to the headmaster?"

Harry clenched his fists in his robe. "Even a headmaster that's raping students by proxy, forcing three students to become rapists themselves—though one is an evil bastard of his own right—forcing another student into a marriage with one of those other three students after forcing her to abandon her best friend—who, by the way, is the boy the headmaster is raping and torturing—and then trying to force that same boy to fall in love with the girl he plans to marry off to someone else. And to top it all off, Severus is gay!"  

He took a deep breath. "And if that's not enough to convince you, Dumbledore is also guilty of forcing a good dad to become an abusive drunk and forcing a mother to abandon her son, murdering her unborn child, and destroying the future heritage of a pureblood line. And placing me with magic-hating Muggles who starved and beat me—most likely on his direction—from the time I was fifteen months old, and raped me from four years of age up, and that was definitely under Dumbledore's direction. And anyone who protests, anyone who gets in the way of his grand plans, he compels them and forces them to do his will. He probably has half of the Ministry under his thumb now, and that's just what we know of. God knows what else he might have done to other people that we're not aware of yet."

The hat sucked in a shaky breath, probably simulated. "Dear Merlin. And I see you have proof of this, but nothing that would specifically implicate him in court. So, your hands are tied except through subterfuge."

"Yes. And we need your help to get the monster out of power and someone in here who actually cares about the students, like McGonagall or Sprout."

"And you need to be in Slytherin to accomplish this."

"Exactly. So, are you going to side with a murderer and child rapist, or are you going to do the right thing for the good of the school and the students?"

The hat paused. "Cunning indeed. Well, Mister Potter, all I can say is that yours is a plan worthy of a… SLYTHERIN!"

Harry let his breath out in a rush. "Thank you, Hat."

"Good luck, Mister Potter, for the good of us all."

He took the hat off his head and handed it back to McGonagall. 

She took it with a raised eyebrow. "Well, Mister Potter, that was the longest hat stall I have ever seen. Care to explain?"

Harry shrugged. "The hat had to think hard about where I'd best fit. Seems I have traits of all four houses and it took a while to judge which was the best."

"Why Slytherin?"

Harry glanced at the tables and gave Severus a small smile. "I have friends there. I don't anywhere else. In the end, the hat placed me where I'd fit in best."

She nodded and leaned down to him. "Severus?"

Harry's heart sputtered. "H-how did you know?"

"I caught a glimpse of you last term. You were defending him outside of the kitchens while I was prowling about."

As a cat, no doubt. No wonder Harry hadn't noticed her.

"If you don't mind," McGonagall whispered, "please do continue to watch over Severus for me. There is little I can do in my position, but the boy is in dire need of protection."

"That was the plan all along." 

He would have liked to ask her about the compulsions, but it was too risky with so much attention on him already. Later, perhaps, he could go to her office with Severus and see what they could do.

"Off with you then," McGonagall said, voice curt, but eyes full of relief.

"Yes, ma'am."

Harry ignored the boos from the Gryffindors and settled in beside Severus. 

Severus whispered out of the corner of his mouth, "The hat bought it, then?"

Harry snorted. "Figured out the truth the second it touched my head. He just happened to agree with our assessment that a certain bearded bastard is a menace to society and this is where I belong, at least for now."

Severus nodded. "Good to know." He looked to the Gryffindor table and snorted. "Look at your ‘cousin.' He looks as though he may have a coronary at any moment."

Harry turned, and, at the sight of his father's constipated expression, he almost choked on his pumpkin juice. "Oh gods. That's rich!"

Severus laughed along with him.

"Want to make them really mad?" Harry's smirk was pure Slytherin.

"Oh? What do you propose?"

"Revealing the truth of our relationship." Harry gave him a gentle smile. "I mean, we can if you want, but I understand if you'd rather not."

Severus shook his head. "If not for the headmaster, I would absolutely take you up on that offer. But we do not want to make it appear… planned."

Harry bit his lip. "You—you are happy with me, right?"

Severus slipped his hand into Harry's under the table. "Love, I am suggesting this to keep you alive," he whispered. "If not for him, I would kiss you right here and let the prats stew."

Harry chuckled, relief warm and light in his chest. "Okay. Maybe in a week or two?"

"If I can wait that long."

Harry's smile returned, and he went back to his dinner. The other Slytherins were watching them with undisguised curiosity. Harry made a mental note to ask Severus which people were trustworthy beyond the handful he knew of before making friends with any of them.

After dinner, Dumbledore introduced the new faces at the teachers' table. "Welcome, everyone, to a new year at Hogwarts. Besides our new transfer student, we have several new instructors joining us this term. Professor Annabelle Spinnet has kindly agreed to teach Defence for the duration of one year, before she returns to her retirement in Cambodia."

A sharp-eyed woman who reminded Harry strongly of the older McGonagall stood and bowed. The students clapped politely.

"And for Potions, Professor William Starling will be taking over for the foreseeable duration while he trains a new apprentice."

Severus blushed fiercely and ducked his head. "D-do you think he'll announce—"

"And give you positive credit? I highly doubt it."

As expected, Dumbledore moved on before announcing Severus' name. "For Astronomy, Professor Au—"

A sharp ahem gave Harry flashbacks to Umbridge.

The hall went dead silent as Dumbledore turned to find the source of the interruption. Not difficult to discern, as it had been a male clearing his throat and Starling hadn't taken his seat yet.

"Ah, yes, Professor Starling? Did you have something to add?"

"I believe you have neglected to introduce my apprentice. I do recall that being standard procedure in my time as a student here. Have the rules changed since I attended?" The look in his eyes was sheer ice. 

"I really do like him," Harry muttered to Severus.

Severus grinned. "Me too."

Dumbledore hesitated. "Ah, well, I had thought since that particular student is rather shy, ah, he would not appreciate—"

Starling glared. "Nevertheless, it is standard procedure and I will not stand for such an oversight when it is my duty to ensure that my apprentice receives the best education possible."

Dumbledore snapped his mouth shut with an audible click—his Sonorous projected it to the students too. The teachers stared between the men, most with confused expressions. All but McGonagall, whose lips were pursed in a tight line—a sure sign the woman was hacked off. She had apparently taken Severus under her wing, Gryffindor or not.

Thank Merlin for that. McGonagall was a hell of an ally. Harry made a mental note to talk to Severus about her later, when it was safe.

In the meantime, Harry whispered to the Slytherins nearest them. "Is Starling right? I've been home taught so I'm not familiar with the customs concerning apprenticeships."

"He's dead on," said a fiery-haired girl at his right, Fiona Quinn, in a strong Irish accent. "How much do ye want to bet the apprentice is a Slytherin?" 

"Not taking that bet," said Harry. "I already know."

The nearby Slytherins looked between Severus and Harry, obviously wondering which of them had earned the sarcastic professor's respect.

"Headmaster Dumbledore," said Starling, voice frigid, "if you will not introduce my apprentice, then I will."

"No, no," Dumbledore said, sounding resigned. "No need for that. I had only thought it best to protect the student's identity, but you are correct that it is not typical procedure. I will not shame this school's name by insulting the traditions, if you believe it best for the welfare of your apprentice?" Starling's cold glare left no doubt as to his rapidly sinking opinion of Dumbledore's methods. "Very well, then it shall be done, though I hope nothing happens to harm him as a result."

"It had better not," McGonagall snapped, her voice sharp and loud enough to carry. "Or the perpetrators will answer to me."

Severus' breath caught. "Oh Merlin."

Harry squeezed his hand. 

Dumbledore frowned. "Yes, yes, I am sure we will all be most disappointed should the students show Master Starling's apprentice disrespect; however, let us move on before we all faint of hunger." The other teachers did not appear to find his joke amusing, and Dumbledore turned away and faced the student body with a smile a blind man could have seen through. "And to that end, let me make it known that for the next three years, or until he receives his mastery in potions, Severus Snape will be apprenticing under Professor Starling."

Severus stood and gave a short bow. Harry snickered at the way he kept his eyes on Dumbledore the entire time.

"Good one, love," Harry whispered in his ear once he had returned to his seat and the scattered applause had died down. "Merlin, I'm so proud of you."

Severus gave Harry a bright smile that lit his entire face. Harry's heart thumped at the sight of his joy.

"Beautiful," he whispered and slipped his hand back into Severus'.

Starling eyed Dumbledore for a moment longer before dropping into his seat as if he were tired of the hubbub already. Perhaps he was. Merlin knew Harry was sick of Dumbledore's mind games.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and gave a wan smile to the students. "Well, now that we've settled that, allow me to introduce Professor Aurora Sinistra, who will be taking over Astronomy for the foreseeable future, now that Professor Nova has retired."

The applause for the gorgeous, olive-skinned, dark-eyed woman was considerably louder than that for the gruff, middle-aged Professor Starling. The potions professor took it in stride; in fact, he looked distinctly amused by the situation.

"I definitely like him," Harry muttered to Severus. "Snark and all."

Severus snickered into his hand. "So do I, but I'm not sure how we'll feel about him after lessons start in earnest. Something tells me he'll be a tough teacher."

Harry smirked up at the potions professor, chuckling when his eyebrow shot up. "I'm pretty sure I can handle him."

"Hm. That I don't doubt."