Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

A Prince in Lion's Clothing	By : Sablesilverrain Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Tom Views: 36570 -:- Recommendations : 7 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, or anything you recognise here. I make no money off of this, and am writing it purely for entertainment. Don't take it too seriously.

Chapter List
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Harry stumbled over his own words, asking Lavender Brown out to the Yule Ball, hastily adding, “As friends.”

Lavender smiled widely. “I'd love to go with you, Harry. As friends. See, I have an arrangement with a boy from a branch of the Abbott family to marry, and there needs to be fidelity from us both beforehand, so I couldn’t go with any of the boys who asked me to go as their date. But friends should be fine. At least that way I know you aren’t going to read too much into it. We go, we dance, we have a good time. Then we go our separate ways after.”

Harry grinned widely. “Exactly! Thank you.” He said in relief.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Lavender said happily.

Harry rushed back to Neville and collapsed onto the couch next to him with a relieved sigh. “So that’s done.” He said.

Neville laughed. “I asked Ginny to go with me.”

“That was nice of you.” Harry said.

“She wouldn’t get to go otherwise. Besides, we can feel her out that way, and see if she’s going to reject you the same way Ron did. So we know if it’s worth it to tell her or not.” Neville added.

Harry nodded. “Yeah, that would be nice. I don’t want to lose the only family that accepted me when I had no one.” He said.

Neville smiled. “I’m sure some of them will still be willing to put up with you.” He joked.

“Hey!” Harry elbowed him, the smile on his face giving away his amusement.

Neville laughed. “Only kidding! But you really do need to know.” He said seriously.

“I do.” Harry agreed. “Also, this might convince her I’m not boyfriend material. If she’s going to go for someone, I’d rather it be someone like you, who doesn’t have a target on their back.”

“You always seem to get out of tough scrapes, though, you have to admit that.” Neville pointed out.

Harry nodded. “I do, but getting too close to me is still dangerous.” He told the boy. “More so now. Neither side is going to trust me easily, once the truth about who my father is comes out.”

“How long are you going to keep it a secret?” Neville asked.

Harry shrugged. “I’m going with him after the Ball, so I assume by the end of break it will be an open secret. You know how things go.”

“Yeah. So there’s not long to go.” Neville said. “It could be a good thing, having it come out sooner. It will seem less suspicious than if you tried to hush things all up.”

“My thoughts exactly. Less hiding, less secrets, less chance to screw up my life any further. It’s all become confusing enough as it is. I’m still working through getting to know him and learning how to be a son. I’ve only ever been a burden for so long.” Harry said.

Hermione showed up and took a seat next to Harry. “Have you two finished your homework, or are you just waxing philosophical over here?” She asked.

Neville blushed and dug through his bag.

Harry sighed and smiled. “Just chatting about family and dates. Who are you going to the Ball with?”

Hermione blushed and stammered out: “Viktor.”

Harry gaped at her. “Krum?!” He asked in a whisper.

Hermione reddened further and nodded.

“Wow. Good going.” Neville said.

“He didn’t want hero worship, and I just see him as a person. He’s got Quidditch talent, but there’s a lot more to him than that. He’s smart, too.” She said.

“So are you two an item, then?” Harry teased.

“I…” Hermione bit her lip. “We’re seeing how it goes right now. He likes me, I like him, we’re still getting to know each other. We’ll see where it leads when it leads us there.” She said.

“Alright. Make sure he knows if he breaks your heart, I’ll kill him.” Harry said lightly.

Hermione laughed. “I’ll tell him.” She said.

“Now, homework.” Harry said, getting out the essay he still needed to finish.

*****

“The kiss was fake.” Severus told him, highly amused.

Harry frowned. “How did you know?” He asked.

Severus smirked. “Oh, please. You've never had more than a passing appreciation for the Weasley girl, I would have noticed that. And besides that, you were wrong on so many levels about what a kiss feels like. It's clear You’ve never had one.” He said smugly.

Harry scowled. “Hey! I might've! How would you know, anyway? It's not like you stalk me!”

“Oh, but I do keep tabs on you. Know thy enemy. And now, I keep watch over my son, which is a good deal more important. If you have a big moment such as that, I expect to hear about it as soon as the haze of hormones has cleared enough for you to be willing to share the moment. I want to know who has given you your first kiss and how you felt about it. I need to make sure at least some things in your life will be unsullied and pure.” Severus said fondly.

Harry grinned. “Oh, yeah? You think I’m going to share? Fine. Tell me about your first kiss.” He shot back.

Severus' eyes took on a wistful look and he smiled softly. “It was with your mother.” He said quietly.

Harry's interest sharpened and he hung on every word, eager to hear about the Lily Severus had known. And the relationship that had created him. Was he even born of love?

“It was summer of fourth year—early June—and we had been enjoying the sun and the end of exams. We were talking about nothing, just enjoying being together, and she was the one to initiate it. I was talking about Potions we were slated to begin fifth year, and she just leaned over and sealed her mouth over mine. I gasped into it, surprised, and she slipped her tongue into my mouth. I got over my shock very quickly and kissed her back, and by the time she pulled away she was breathless, smiling widely and flushed. I asked her why she had done it, and she told me, and I quote: ‘so you would stop getting all hot and bothered about next year’s curriculum.’” Severus and Harry laughed. Severus took a deep breath, sobered, and added, “I've never told anyone else about that. Keep it to yourself.”

Harry nodded. “I will. Thank you. I promise I'll let you know when it happens for me. I hope it will be just as good a memory as yours was.”

“It will be, Harry. It will be. Now, try again, and go for something you’ve experienced before, so you know how to recreate the experience.” He said, all business again.

Harry sighed and searched for another memory to alter. He was getting better, but until Severus couldn't spot the fake part, they wouldn’t be moving on.

And Harry was getting impatient.

*****

Harry took his seat, looking at the goblin behind the desk expectantly. Another goblin closed the doors as everyone else sat down, and then the goblin behind the desk cleared his throat.

“We are here to listen to the last wills and testaments of Lily and James Potter. James’ will shall be read first, followed by Lily’s. Once they animate and begin to read themselves, there are to be no words spoken. If you cannot hold back a gasp or sob, please do so quietly, as the wills cannot be stopped or slowed once begun. Is everyone prepared?” He asked.

Everyone answered in the affirmative, and he nodded. “We will now begin.” He broke the seal on a length of parchment, and it opened like a howler, but spoke in a reasonable voice, at a normal volume. Harry listened as he heard James Potter’s voice.

“I, James Charlus Potter, being of sound mind and body, do leave this last will and testament in order to disperse my worldly goods as I see fit. Firstly, to Sirius Orion Black, I leave custody of my son only if the primary guardian listed in Lily’s will is not able to take him, a letter in my vault labelled with his name, the sum of 2,000 galleons, and the duty of executor of my estate until such time as my son Harry is able to control his own finances. To Remus John Lupin, I leave a small cottage owned by the Potter family near London, called the Den, the sum of 2,000 galleons, and the duty as secondary executor if Sirius is unable to carry out that duty. Lastly, to Harry James Potter, my son in all but blood, I leave the rest of my worldly goods and wealth. You may not share my blood, but you are still a Potter, and always will be. I changed the Potter signet so that you can wear it, and so can your children. You have been keyed to it. Use it well.”

Harry swallowed thickly. James had known he was not a true Potter, but had left everything to him anyway.

“Why do I only get secondary custody of Harry?!” Sirius shouted. “I’m his Godfather, not anyone else! And what does he mean, ‘my son in all but blood?’”

The goblin shot him a quelling look. “The second will shall explain that. Shall we begin?” He asked.

Everyone nodded, and he broke the seal on the second one. Lily’s voice spoke, and Harry had to clear his throat to fight back the lump that had taken up residence there. His mother’s voice was clear and firm, and he could hear her sprit shining through in the words.

“I, Lily Evans Potter, being of sound mind and body, do leave this last will and testament in order to disperse my worldly goods as I see fit. Firstly, to Minerva McGonagall, I leave you the tartan teapot you loved so much, which is in my vault, along with the sum of 2,000 galleons. Use it well. To Severus Snape, I leave primary custody of our son, Harry, a letter in my vault labelled with his name, and the duty as holder of my and James’ keys for Harry until he can use them himself. Harry truly is yours, Severus. A cleansing potion will remove the glamor that makes him look like James, and you may rename him if you wish, but please keep the diminutive Harry, for me. If both Severus and Sirius are unable to take Harry, he is to go to Remus Lupin. Under no circumstances is he to go to Petunia and Vernon Dursley. They will abuse him, and Dumbledore has been made aware of this.” McGonagall gasped, and Harry’s lips thinned in displeasure at the news. “I leave all my remaining worldly goods to my son, and hope that his life is long and fulfilling. I love you, Harry. Be safe.”

The letters folded themselves up neatly and were handed to Harry.

Harry sighed.

“I want to see the letter from James! It had better explain what’s going on, here!” Sirius shouted.

The goblin nodded. “All monies left to you will be transferred directly into your account. Everyone that received something listed as being in a vault, come with me.” He led them out of the room and to where they took the carts down to the vaults.

“Everyone in the cart, please.” There was some jostling, especially between Sirius and Severus, as Severus stood beside Harry and Sirius obviously wanted that spot, and the goblin sighed. “We will need two carts.”

He had a second goblin bring another cart and instructed Sirius and Minerva to ride that one.

Harry, Severus and Remus were in the first, peaceably standing together.

The carts began their descent, and they waited while the cart travelled, eventually coming to a stop outside a vault.

“Vault 693, James Potter’s personal vault. Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, please step out and Harry will collect the things owed to you.”

Harry got out and entered the vault when it was opened, finding the letter to Sirius and the deed to the Den sitting together on the desk in the vault. He grabbed them both and took them to their owners, handing them over. “Don’t hate me when you’ve read that, Siri. Please.” He said quietly.

Sirius snorted. “I won’t, Kiddo. I’m mainly interested to know what the joke here is.” He said.

Harry’s heart fell and he turned to Remus, handing over the deed. “Can I come visit sometime?” He asked.

Remus smiled. “Anytime you like. Bring Severus along, I won’t mind.” He said mildly.

Harry smiled and gave him a hug. “Thanks.”

They got back into the carts and rode to a vault higher up.

“Vault 429, Lily Evans Potter’s personal vault.” The goblin announced.

Again, Harry got out and waited while the vault was opened. He saw the teapot mentioned sitting out on a desk, along with a letter to Severus and a journal. There was an additional letter sitting atop it, addressed to Harry. Harry frowned as he pocketed the small journal and letter for him, confused, but willing to find out why she had left them where he would easily find them. He carefully brought the teapot to McGonagall and handed it over before going back to retrieve Severus' letter.

McGonagall was sniffling softly as she clutched the teapot. “She always knew I coveted this thing.” She was telling Sirius softly. “It's just so Lily to make sure I got it when she couldn’t use it anymore. I’m going to think of her every time I make tea now. I’m just glad the memories have had time to heal. They're all bittersweet now. The pain is dulled.”

Sirius nodded. “It’s best this way. Perhaps that’s why he sealed the wills. To give us time to properly grieve without reminders around.”

McGonagall’s eyes flashed. “No. He did it because after hearing that, I would have moved heaven and Earth to get Harry out of that house!” She snapped. “If he knew that would happen, it’s just as bad as having abused that boy himself.” She finished hotly.

“He couldn’t have known for sure.” Sirius said.

“He at least had a good idea. I intend to speak to him myself and see what his excuses are.” McGonagall said as they headed back up.

Harry ignored her words, more focussed on the letter and journal in his pocket. Even from beyond the grave, his mother had found a way to talk to him. It wasn’t a real conversation, but maybe it would be enough. He’d have to wait a while to find out, though.
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A Prince in Lion's Clothing