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Well, Ain't That Strange?	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male Views: 56074 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 12
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this story

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Beta'd by the most amazing Tenchi, who I can't thank enough for all the hard work she does for me!

And thanks to Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues.

Chapter 15

“We have a problem, Severus,” Albus sighed, sitting the book he had been reading down on the desk. “The issue with the Horcrux--” he trailed off, sighing. “What we initially planned for won't work,” Albus told him, leaning back after popping a lemon sherbert in his mouth.

“I'm gathering,” Severus sneered, pacing, arms folded over his chest. Snorting, Severus snapped, “What you planned for, Albus, not we. And I'm gathering that would be an issue.”

Pressing on, Albus said, “It won't work. While Harry's death would take the Horcrux, Sirius would die right along with him. In doing that, Harry wouldn't come back to be able to finish this nightmare. He would stay dead because Sirius is also dead. Which leaves us with a huge problem.”

“Not us, you,” Severus told him, stopping to glare in his direction.

Ignoring that, Albus continued, “Which means, between the two of us, we need to figure out a way to get rid of the Horcrux in a way that won't result in Harry's death.”

“You need to,” Severus reiterated once more. Conjuring a chair, he took a seat then crossed his arms and legs, glaring at the man. “From what you've told me, there is no other way. You've looked and can find nothing that will work.”

“That means I have to look harder,” Albus sighed. “Or we need to work together to come up with something that will work to safely remove it or destroy the thing from within. I don't know. A Horcrux embedded in a living being isn't something the book's cover.” Starting to twiddle his thumbs, he tried to think.

Snorting, Severus shook his head. “I think we need to find a way to get rid of the others first and destroy the Dark Lord before we press on with this. It can wait until last. Even if it's something like the first time, we can handle it,” Severus pointed out. “Once the piece in Mr. Potter is removed and destroyed, we won't have to worry about him returning.”

“Perhaps,” Albus said, pondering that one with a nod. “It would give us time to come up with a solution. Tom wouldn't be truly dead, of course, something we would have to be wary of. Yes, we press on and then deal with this nightmare when we get rid of the worst issue.”

“And how do you plan to tend to that matter? You have no idea what or where the others are, let alone how many of them he made,” Severus sighed, shaking his head.

“Which means we need to take the clues that are there, follow them and see what we can manage,” Albus told him firmly. Straightening up, he leaned forward and looked around on his desk. “I have some clues that might lead us to places to look.”

“This is more than we can take on alone, Albus,” Severus told him firmly, glare firmly in place. “You may have the time to tend to such matters, but I don't. You have a whole Order willing to do your bidding,” Severus pointed out. “Perhaps it's time you utilize them in ways other than running around.”

“Very true,” Albus sighed, stroking his beard as he fumbled around on his desk for some papers he had relating to this mess. “That's something to ponder as well,” Albus answered thoughtfully.

“You need to, seriously,” the Potions Master told him firmly. “We need to move faster than what we are to end this, Albus. I have no idea what the Dark Lord is up to. If he goes after Potter and kills him, something we both think he's trying, and what you said comes to pass, we are left with a nightmare. That can't happen. Which means we need to come up with something, even if it takes years to figure out how to deal with the Horcrux in Potter.”

“Yes, I do believe you're right,” Albus told him with a firm nod. Picking up the papers he fished out, he said, looking at them, “Let me look into what I have here then see how we can utilize the tools at hand to ferret out where the remaining ones are. Once we do, we'll press on in some way. Tom knows enough of that prophecy that I will bet he plans to press on with his plans to kill Harry. Which means we need to ensure that he's protected.” Tossing the papers down, he leaned back in his chair, stroking his beard, then said, “Perhaps this idea of homeschooling Harry isn't a bad one. He's protected better than we can manage normally that way. We would just have to impress upon everyone that we need to guard him more than we are now. That shouldn't be difficult.”

“Far easier than doing so while he's in school. Especially with his propensity for pulling stunts and sneaking out,” Severus snorted, shaking his head. Quietly, he asked, “Are you certain what is in his scar is a Horcrux? You've checked?”

“All clues point that way, Severus,” Albus told him firmly. “I've not run across something to test an object for a Horcrux, but everything we've seen leads me to believe that.”

“You need to find a way to confirm it, Albus,” Severus snarled, glaring at the man. “We need to be positive before we make a move in that direction. We also need something, somewhere, to test objects that we may find. It won't do to think we have something when we don't.”

“Another point well taken, Severus,” Albus nodded. “I'll get on that immediately. There is sure to be something out there we can use. It will just take time and effort for us to find it, nothing more.”

Giving another internal snarl at the word 'we' used, knowing the man would drag him into it, Severus shook his head.

Having the most rudimentary plans in place to at least press on, Albus gave a soft sigh then said, “While I have you here, there is something I need to cover with you, my boy.”

Sneering at the use of that term, Severus' face took on a hard look then snapped, “What's that?”

“You're teaching methods,” Albus sighed, shaking his head. “I have had yet another confirmation that someone refuses to continue on with Potions and lost any desire to learn the topic because of you, Severus. We've had this talk before, more than once over the years. With you teaching Defense this year, that needs to change.”

Face taking on a thunderous look, Severus snarled, “Then fire me! I don't want to teach, as you well know. The only reason you want me here is to keep me under your thumb, Albus.”

“You're needed, Severus, in more than one way,” Albus pointed out. “You know that. Defense is important, more so now than ever. Which means you can't go about teaching in your normal way.”

Glaring at the man, Severus said nothing, grinding his teeth. As always, he would listen, temper rising as he did, but he refused to change. It just meant the students had to grow a thicker skin and apply themselves, nothing more.

Scrubbing his hands through his hair, Sirius looked at Lucius, who had a dubious expression on his face, then to the closed door of the loo before saying, “I get it's risky. You don't have to tell me that. I think it's a good idea anyway. Harry—he's about to blow up on someone. I don't think we can hold that off, honestly, but you being around as Hobbes can only help. It soothes all of us when the three of us are together. I'm sure you know that.”

“Minerva is risky to be around, Sirius,” Lucius pointed out, looking at the man.

“I get that too,” Sirius conceded with a nod. “I'm also damned sure that you felt Harry's temper earlier, despite how far away you were.”

“I did and meant to ask what set that off,” Lucius told him, curious about that part.

“Snape,” Sirius sighed, shaking his head. “The loaded comments he made when he came over about had him losing it. Others helped set it on fire with some of what they did. The cold tones and how they were looking at me rightly pissed him off. I'm sure this won't be any better.”

Rubbing a hand over his face, Lucius looked at Sirius then gave a slow nod. “Understood.”

“I get where they're coming from, I really do. I can't say I wouldn't feel the same way about someone if I heard about this. I think, somewhere, Harry understands that as well, it's just the thought it's me they're doing it to. The bond doesn't help that. Even without the bond, it would probably do it with us. He's gotten plenty irked with how people have treated me over the years.” Sirius explained with a sigh and shake of his head. “Harry just—he's the same age as your son. They tend to not always think things through before their mouths open, as I'm sure you know.” Quietly, he added, “It would help, Lucius. Remus and Arthur will be there. I can make sure they stay by the two of us so no one else gets close.”

Completely understanding what Sirius was getting at, Lucius sighed. “I see the point. Yes, I think this is something I need to do. I don't think it will hold off an explosion if someone pokes too much, but it can only help. Just keep Minerva as far away as possible. The collar should hold up against any spell she tries, but I don't want to take a chance.”

“I'll make sure. We've all assured them you're nothing but a cat, so that should work. Just act like you normally do and we'll press on from there. Just be careful with things like looking as though you're reading something. We'll set up a signal for Harry so he knows you're done reading something, an odd bit of some kind that would look normal for a cat. Besides, you can keep an ear open for anything odd said or hints that we might not catch. I'll focus on Harry to keep him calm while you do that bit.”

“I will,” Lucius assured him. “If it gets too bad, I would suggest removing Harry from the situation and letting Remus or Arthur give them a right chewing. They are very capable of doing that.”

“Good plan,” Sirius nodded. “I'll pull them aside before we start so they know.”

“However, Harry blowing up on someone might drive the point home in a way that will get you left alone,” Lucius pondered thoughtfully. “It may help the situation, Sirius. And make him feel better.”

“There is that too,” Sirius grinned. “Yeah, we might want to let him go if he starts then let Arthur or Remus handle it after that.”

“And it would be oh so entertaining to observe,” Lucius snorted, smirk on his face as he did.

“Very true,” Sirius admitted, grinning bigger. “Most won't argue with Harry, especially on this topic. It might be what I need to drive the point home.”

“Oh, yes,” Lucius nodded. “Let's just let him go and let those fools deal with the outcome.” This would be most interesting to observe, that's for certain! He almost couldn't wait for it.

Going through all the pamphlets that Professor McGonagall passed to him, Harry was seated on the bench at the kitchen table, cross legged, with Sirius on one side of him and Remus on the other with Lucius, as Hobbes, perched on his lap. Mr. Weasley was on the other side of Remus. Looking through what the professor kept passing him, Harry shook his head after reading through them, setting them aside. So far, there wasn't anything he was remotely interested in. There were also plenty he just couldn't do because of the bond and how dangerous they were.

Shaking his head after tossing the last of what she passed to him aside, he said, “Those are all out.”

Sighing, Minerva looked at the stack that Harry had rejected. “If you would just reconsider Potions, we have plenty more, Mr. Potter.”

“No Potions,” Harry told her firmly. “I'm done with that and don't want to take it anymore.”

“That does limit our options,” Minerva sighed, looking at what she had left to show him. She was sure, with what she knew of the jobs contained therein, that he wouldn't want those either. And she couldn't blame him. They were the types that were suggested to the ones that just didn't do well in any classes.

“What about jobs that require classes Hogwarts doesn't normally offer?” Sirius asked, looking at his old head of house. “There are plenty of those, from what I know. If we have to pick up classes he didn't take, we can manage that.”

“Let me look into some of those,” Minerva told him in a tight voice, one that was slightly cold. While she understood the bond and the implications of it, it was still the idea of what she knew the two had engaged in to seal it. “I can get a list of topics from the Ministry of classes required for some of the odder careers. If Mr. Potter likes some of those, we can match it up with what's available for careers.”

Not liking her tone of voice, or the cold looks she was throwing at Sirius, Harry's eyes narrowed slightly. Reaching down to pet Lucius when he felt the cat press tighter to him, purring, he just shook his head then took a sip of his butterbeer. Honestly? He was sick of this. Professor McGonagall was just the latest person to pull this kind of thing. Others that had been in and out today had done the same thing. Though Snape was the worst of them, the others weren't any better. And he was at the end of what he could deal with when it came to it. This wasn't Sirius' fault, something everyone assured him was explained to everyone, but they sure seemed to act like it. That made him angry.

“We know Care is out as we have no way to take that on. Astronomy we can handle if Harry needs that. I'm assuming you don't want to continue with Divination?” Remus asked, looking at Harry. He didn't need a bond with Harry to read his body language, not to mention interpret the look on his face, and understand the anger there. And, honestly? He couldn't blame Harry in the least. This was all uncalled for. Yes, the topic was an uncomfortable one, he understood that, but it was proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that there was nothing anyone could do. They also knew what Sirius was like with Harry and how he wouldn't do anything to hurt him. That alone should make it clear to everyone that Sirius wouldn't do anything to Harry to harm him.

“No Divination,” Harry said with a shake of his head, petting Hobbes.

“Yeah, I don't think Divination is needed for most careers anyway,” Sirius chuckled, giving Harry a pat on the back. “If we have to pick up Runes or Arithmancy, we can do that. With us teaching only you, we can move quickly.”

Pushing the last of the pamphlets over to Harry, Minerva folded her hands on the table and said, “Let me see what else I can find. I'll have Albus go to the Ministry for what they have that we normally don't pass out.”

Picking up what she passed over, Harry read through them, shaking his head. These weren't remotely interesting and nothing he wanted to do.

Glancing over Harry's shoulder as he read, Sirius sighed. “Yeah, someone needs to pick up whatever from the Ministry. These aren't something he'll want to take on. I can tell that from just looking at them.”

“I'll have someone do that then we'll revisit this,” Minerva nodded. “As we're on break, we don't have to worry too much. We just need it before the new year starts so we know what classes you need to take on.”

Finishing up the last one, Harry put it down with the rest, shaking his head. “No thanks on those,” he sighed. Pushing them back, he shrugged, “They just aren't interesting.”

“I didn't think you'd want those,” Minerva sighed. “I just wanted to show them to you in case. We'll find something in some way, don't worry.” Glancing at Sirius, she added, tone cold and slightly condescending, “I'm sure Sirius will help you all he can.”

That was all Harry could take. “I've had it,” he hissed, eyes narrowed. “E-bloody-nough! This isn't Sirius' fault! We didn't choose this. And he sure hasn't hurt me! He's not abusing me, making me do anything I don't want or any of that bit. That was the Dursleys, people all of you were content to leave me with for all those years.” Glaring at Professor McGonagall, he snapped, “And you were there when I was left of the stupid doorstep! You knew what they were like and did nothing! Which is worse? Them or someone that loves me and would never hurt me? I can tell you I think they were far worse. We're bonded, get over it. If you can't deal with it, it's your problem not ours. Just don't take it out on someone that had about as much choice in the whole mess as I did! I can promise that Sirius didn't like this idea anymore than the rest of you do. What we don't need is the attitude from all of you. This is hard enough as is! Why are you making it worse? You're all supposed to be the grown adults around here.” Glaring at the faces around the table, he snapped, “Try acting like it and not being petty or acting like those in the school when they get their noses out of joint about something. You're just making this harder to deal with than it already is!” With that, he stood, holding the hissing Hobbes and stormed out of the kitchen, not looking back.

Looking around at the stunned expressions, Sirius said, “I can't say I disagree with him.” Then he stood to follow his obviously upset godson.

Waiting until the door to the kitchen swung shut, Remus glanced at the obviously upset Arthur then around at the others seated at the table and asked, “Are you all pleased with yourself? Was making something they are both having issues dealing with worse your plan? If it was, it succeeded.” Face hardening, he said, “You all call yourselves grown adults. I think it's time you acted like it and accept something that no one could change. By taking out your displeasure over something no one could do anything about on Sirius, you're affecting Harry as well. He knows what's going on. And, obviously, he can hear in your voice what you intend to impart about your displeasure. It's not helping, anything. All you're doing is upsetting plenty of people, especially Harry.”

Snapping, he snarled, “All of you need to stop. Act like the grown adults you purport to be.” Eyes leveling at Minerva, he added, “I expected better of you especially. We always looked up to you because you didn't indulge in the same kind of behavior most others did. You're proving all of us wrong by pulling these kinds of stunts.” Looking around, he snorted, “I would expect this kind of foolish behavior from Severus. After all, he has impulse control problems when it comes to stopping his mouth in many situations. The rest of you, though, I expected to act like the grown adults you are without indulging in petty behavior. I guess I should have known better.”

Lifting his chin and glancing around, he said, “I'm ashamed of each and every one of you. You should act better than this. We all expect you to. If you find that you can't act appropriately, I would strongly suggest that you keep your mouth closed then or not come over. After all, isn't that what we teach the younger ones? I would think that wasn't a lesson I should have to remind everyone of.” Standing, he shook his head then glared at them all before saying, voice tight, though it was obvious he was still angry, “Grow up, all of you, and act your age.” With that, he turned and swept out, going to check on the two.

Folding his hands on the table, Arthur looked around. He was pleased to see guilty expressions and most looking down at the table. Sighing, he said, “He's right. Maybe what he had to say finally sunk in because it's apparent that what I said the other night didn't.” Shaking his head, he just looked around. “I'm disappointed in all of you. How can we get the younger set to listen when we don't?” Sighing, he hoped that Lucius and Sirius could get poor Harry calmed down.

Leaning back against Sirius where he was seated on the bed, still holding Lucius' cat form close, Harry shook his head as he listened to Remus. When he finished, Harry sighed and said, “They won't stop. They'll just be wary about saying it around me is all. Nothing more.” Burying his face in Lucius' fur, concentrating on how he was purring, Harry slumped.

Holding his godson close, stroking his head, Sirius said, “Hopefully, it did some good. It needs to stop, though. I'm fine. Let them say it. I've had plenty of rotten things said about and to me for years, so it doesn't bother me. Harry doesn't need pulled into the middle of this.”

“They need to stop, period, Sirius,” Remus told him firmly, reaching out to give Lucius' head a scratch.

“They won't,” Sirius snorted. “Some won't be able to help themselves. It doesn't matter, though, as we'll be out soon then they can kiss our arses. Let them wonder after that.”

“I know. We need to make things easier on you and Harry, both, before you do that, Sirius. This is uncalled for and needs to stop,” Remus sighed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

Snorting, Sirius just shook his head then added, “Maybe Harry saying something will help. We can only hope. We'll go from there.”

“I'm not dealing with any of them,” Harry snorted, shaking his head. “You lot can take on whatever. If they want to act worse than the girls in the dorm with the sniping, I don't want to have anything to do with them. All there is to it.”

Giving a bit of a grim smile, Remus nodded. “And that's something I'll pass along to everyone. That, more than anything, should drive the point home.”

“We'll handle it, Harry,” Sirius told him gently. “Nothing to worry about.”

“I'm going to head back down,” Remus told them standing. Smiling again, he said, “And I plan to pass along just what Harry said too.” Nodding to the two and giving Lucius another stroke on the head, he left the room.

Sliding down a little, still holding Harry, Sirius said, “I think we'll stay like this for a while. It's good and we can relax. If that's alright with you, Lucius.” Hearing a loud meow in response then more purring, he nodded. “We'll be out soon, Harry, nothing to worry about. You won't have to put up with it for long.”

“I hope not because that is crap,” Harry sighed, shaking his head. Leaning his head back, he tried to relax and get his temper to calm down. Hopefully, that would happen soon.
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Well, Ain't That Strange?