Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Of Shield and Sheath	By : KusanoSaku Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Draco Views: 17446 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 4
Disclaimer: I do not own the HP franchise so I make nothing from my writing.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
Title: Of Shield and sheath
Pairing: future DracoxHarry
Summary: A foolhardy Dumbledore attempts to change fate, he gains more and less then he bargained for. Creature fic. Future Mpreg.
A/N: Hopefully this makes up for my dismally short last chapter.
Chapter 17

It was the beginning of December when Neville stammered in their after school lessons in Snape's private potions lab.

"Would you like to come for Solstice?"

Harry frowned, “Solstice?”

“The wizarding version of Christmas.” Snape said barely looking up at Harry, just enough for an uneasy smile.

Harry beamed at Neville, “If you’re sure….”

Neville coughed, “Of course…you’re my best friend.”

“What am I?” Dean pouted.

“The best cousin ever, after Oliver of course.” Neville giggled.

“I suppose Wood is pretty decent.” Dean retorted.

Harry seemed to bask in the company of his friends but his eyes glowed when he looked at Draco.

Severus wondered slightly if there was something growing between them.

XooooooX

Albus was getting frustrated.

Harry just wasn’t paying the slightest attention to his subtle hints, how could James Potter’s son not possess one ounce of curiosity?

He knew the boy had seen Fluffy, Hagrid’s Cerberus that was guarding a trap door for him. And Harry had been present with Hagrid when his loyal servant removed the stone for him.

Yet Harry made no move to investigate and had no awareness of a break-in at Gringotts just hours after he’d left it.

Just what did he have to do to push the boy and make him show interest?

Harry had even gained ‘detentions’ to avoid meeting with himself or Hagrid.

Just what hold did Severus have over the boy? They ought to have been at odds, with Severus bullying Harry due to James having stolen Lily…

Would nothing go according to plan?

He decided to make things go his way…

Spotting Severus escorting the student due to the late hour first to Slytherin to get rid of Draco and his shadows Zabini and Nott.

They were just heading up the stairs when Albus ensured Severus collapsed and tumbled backwards down the stairs.

Harry screamed, “Uncle Severus!”

Albus cursed under his breath as he stopped Severus from crashing to the floor like he wanted to happen.

This meant that Severus hovered a few inches above the floor dangling there until Albus conjured a stretcher to carry the annoying Potions Master.

Harry had gone inconsolable…

That was irritatingly unexpected.

Albus floated down the stairs into sight, “My my, I told Severus he was working too hard. George be a dear boy and escort Severus to the infirmary for Poppy to look after him. I will see to it that these Gryffindor First Years make it safely to the tower.”

George scowled, “I promised Percy I would escort them to the common room.”

“I am the Headmaster and I asked you to look after your professor, unless you want me to forbid you to be trained as his apprentice due to your pranking and disrespect as long as he is Potion Master of Hogwarts.”

George squeezed Harry’s shoulder, frowning, “Stick together now. I’ll be along as soon as I can.”

Harry tried to follow George and Severus’s cot but Albus took him by the shoulder.

Harry froze beneath his touch.

“Don’t worry, Poppy will soon have Severus right as rain. Now I think you could do with a slight distraction.”

Albus led Harry and by default Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, Neville Longbottom and Hermione Granger along as well.

He all but dragged them into a dusty classroom.

“This is a very special mirror. I am moving it tomorrow but I wished to see what it showed all of you. You see I have been studying this mirror for a long time…”

Harry was shoved in front of the mirror and gasped at it…

“What do you see Harry? Tell me…”

“No…it’s private…”

One by one Albus stood one student after another before the mirror and yet not one would speak of what they saw.

Annoyed, Albus gruffly led the reticent five Gryffindors up to the Tower, pausing at the Fat Lady’s portrait to ask them once more but all five kept mum.

Albus ground out a good night and left them. He really hated children sometimes, why could they never do as they were asked?

XooooooX

“Did you see them?” Harry asked Neville once they were safe in their common room.

Neville swallowed, “See what?”

“Your parents…”

Neville flinched, “What do you know about them?”

“Only that they were attacked soon after mine died…”

“Oh…” Neville said quietly. “Yes…I saw them. I had three younger siblings…I always wanted brothers and sisters.”

“I saw Uncle Severus and Mum, I had siblings too but Mum and Uncle Severus were so happy…” Harry said half in tears.

“I saw my father…we were painting together with Neville and Aunt Alys.” Dean admitted nervously.

“What did you see Hermione?”

“I was…Head Girl…”

“All I saw was that I was an Auror…” Seamus sighed.

“You saw your parents, Seamus was an Auror and Hermione saw herself as Head Girl?” Percy said stiffly, they hadn’t noticed him at all.

“What was this mirror? What did it look like?” Percy frowned.

Neville and Dean bent over a pad of artist’s paper and sketched it out.

Hermione peered between them, “You forgot the inscription…” she whispered it out loud.

Percy gasped, “The Mirror of Erised? Since when was that at Hogwarts and however did you find it?”

“Dumbledore forced us each to look into it…” Dean shrugged as he added the inscription.

“You’re kidding…that mirror is dangerous!” Percy fumed, “People have gone mad or starved themselves to look into it. What was he thinking?”

“He wanted to know what we saw, he was very interested in that and then upset because we wouldn’t tell him.

“Just wanted to know Uncle Severus was safe…” Harry whispered, “Seeing him in the mirror after he fell down…”

This of course sparked questions from Oliver and Percy that only Dean seemed comfortable answering.

George eventually arrived looking furious.

“What’s the matter George?” Percy frowned.

“That Pomfrey I swear she wouldn’t know a concussion from a black eye!”

“Is Uncle Severus alright?” Harry asked in a trembling voice.

“He’ll be fine. Nothing a little rest won’t cure. He was suffering from magical exhaustion and mental fatigue caused by overuse of a timeturner among other things. I sent for a real healer, Oliver’s.”

“Smythe? What did he say?” Oliver interrupted.

“Just what we suspected. He has a habit of mumbling that healer…said he would be informing the Malfoys about the state of Snape’s health and ensuring that a Healer named Andromeda was informed that he wasn’t taking care of himself.”

“But he’ll be okay?” Harry swallowed.

“Yes. Don’t worry; he’s got us looking after him as well. Off to bed, I have a question for Percy about schoolwork.” Mayhem said with false brightness.

Harry paused just out of sight on the stairs up to the boys’ dormitories.

“Pomfrey was drunk. Apparently, it’s not the first time. Someone made Snape pass out and I was ordered to take Snape to the infirmary rather than to look after Hermes,”

Harry gasped.

“I heard that Hermes, off to bed with you. I don’t want you to lose sleep and worry the professor.”

A spell went up and Harry couldn’t hear what the older Gryffindors said anymore so he reluctantly headed up to bed.

XooooooX

Harry found himself at Potter Hall again but it wasn’t Ieson waiting for him this time.

It was his mum…

“So that batty old man showed you the Mirror of Erised?”his mum frowned as she held out her hand.

Harry let her hug him, she smelled like a church at Easter full of lilies. “Yes…”

“What exactly did you see?”

“You were with Uncle Severus…I had a little sister. Uncle Severus showed me a few pictures of you, him, my father and someone named Remus…”

“Poor Remus…he loved your father the way Severus loved me. It broke his heart when James married me. He was late to our bonding and left before we did. Sirius was so busy flirting with every skirt there that he never saw what he didn’t wish to see.”

“What didn’t he see?” Harry frowned.

“That Remus was James’ soulmate…Albus must have done something to the both of us. The last thing James said was I’m sorry Remus… he must have known at the end that Albus betrayed us all. Be careful Harry, Severus can only protect you so much but he would do as I did…”

Harry let his mother tell him stories about her adventures with Severus growing up and how their friendship started to change.

The way she described her changing feelings for Uncle Severus, Harry kept thinking about Draco…

His mother’s voice in his dreams allowed him to relax and rest…

XooooooX

“I’m sorry but Harry is not allowed to leave Hogwarts without his guardians’ consent.” The Headmaster said as he blocked Harry from leaving the castle.

Amaryllis screeched at him in irritation.

“I thought you might say that.” A gruff voice said coming from behind him.

“Lady Augusta….” Albus said with a stiff bow.

“My name is Dowager Lady Longbottom to you and as you well know I am a Governor and a member of the Founder’s Council. I have spoken with his guardians as you call them, and received permission. They said good riddance and to keep him as long as I liked. They would quite prefer to never lay eyes on the boy again.”

“I am sure Harry annoyed them by choosing not to return to their home for the holidays or failed to ask for permission properly.” Albus said dismissively.

“Harry is coming with us. He will be spending holiday at the Chase with Neville and his cousin. I also have permission for him to spend the summer with us. Apparently his sisters are all ill. Now you may either allow the boys to take the train with their friends or we will leave by alternative means.”

“Harry must spend time at the Dursleys…the blood wards…”

“So that’s what that ominous magic is. I have asked Rufus to investigate the Dursleys, I don’t trust them. Now if you’ll excuse me I have more important matters to discuss than arguing with an old fool like you.”

They were ushered into a carriage by Neville’s gran who was more than a little intimidating and escorted to Hogsmeade Station.

“We’ll be flooing from the Platform. I will meet you there. I have to speak with your godparents Neville. Keep an eye on these two.”

Then Neville’s gran was gone with a pop.

“Where did she go?” Harry frowned.

“She apparated. She doesn’t like to, prefers flooing and portkeys she does.” Neville shrugged.

The ride would be long as usual and due to the winter, it would be dark long before they reached London…

XooooooX

Harry was tugged into what seemed to be a giant fireplace hearth, Neville dropped some green powered into the flames that weren’t burning them and shouted, “Tomle Chase!”

They were sucked through something and then spit out into the fanciest living room Harry had ever seen.

“Salazar’s Cauldron Neville, I swear you are as clumsy as Nymphadora. So you are Lily’s boy? I suppose one couldn’t miss those eyes. Lady Augusta asked me to take a look at you, your muggle relatives upset her and she is worried about you.”

“Take a look at me?” Harry stammered.

“I am a healer and Neville’s godmother; you seem very malnourished and pale. I’ve seen your old records from before you were orphaned and you must be missing a lot of vaccines.”

“I had my muggle ones. The Parish school insisted…” Harry protested.

“You didn’t finish your Dragon Pox you had the first dose at a year, the second was due in January at eighteen months and the third at two years. You’re missed most of your magical vaccinations, you shouldn’t be allowed near any student. They could carry magical diseases and you have no immunity. Smythe was able to see if you even had at record when he audited Pomfrey last week and he mentioned you didn’t even have a file. We must get you heathy while you have a chance to grow properly, once you enter puberty we will have lost our chance.”

“Will he be okay Aunt Annie?” Neville asked shyly.

“Yes. I’ll look after him personally. Why don’t you escort Dean to the nursery wing and show him his room while I look after Harry. A few vaccines and I’ll return him to you.”

Harry was extremely nervous because he didn’t know this witch but Neville didn’t seem to be frightened of her at all. In fact he hugged her before leading Dean away.

Harry resigned himself to letting her play doctor.

It didn’t take long, by the time Neville’s gran appeared with an older wizard with lion mane-like hair, Healer Annie had finished.

“He’s covered in scars, like Severus he’s hiding them with an odd type of glamour, the poor boy has been practically starved. He is deficient in most vitamins and minerals but above all is anemic. He will need about as many potions as Severus does but unlike my stubborn former Housemate he’ll not be allowed to refuse his potions. I will however all Severus to brew them.”

Harry was escorted to the nursery wing by a strange creature he knew from his book on Magical Creatures by Newt Scamander as a house elf.

The last thing he heard was, “Were those unfamiliar spells blood wards? Albus mentioned blood wards that were needed to keep Harry Potter safe. Wards were Franciscus’ skill rather than my own…”

“Unfortunately, the nature of those blood wards only protect him from external magical harm. They don’t protect him from non-magical harm from those within the wards. Albus has the right as Chief Warlock to insist that Potter stay there for his own protection…”

Harry gasped in horror.

The adults continued to speak as if it didn’t matter that he overheard.

“Then we’ll just have to limit what time he spends there. See if we can get a ward specialist to study them covertly, Potter should spend the absolute limit. No one deserves to have to stay somewhere where they are starved and mistreated.”

Harry let the elf pull him away.

He was eventually led into what must be a sort of play room but it was set up mostly as a studio with more art supplies and a piano then toys.

Neville and Dean looked up from their examination of Neville’s art before hurrying over to him.

“What happened? Did Aunt Annie say something?” Neville frowned.

“They said…I have to go back to the Dursleys…” Harry’s voice broke.

“I’m sure gran will come up with something. Don’t worry; Aunt Annie is the best healer ever. She’ll make sure that you’re healing and growing proper. Uncle Rufus will see to your protection, he’s nice to me because my Dad was his best Auror but he terrifies most people.” Neville said proudly.

“We’re here for you. I’m sure I can talk my stepdad into taking you to see the Hammerheads. He’s always on me about having friends and fun, we can invite Seamus too. Surrey and West Ham aren’t that far, well closer than London and Scotland anyway. Maybe you can come for a weekend or something.” Dean said throwing an arm around his shoulders.

“Gran likes you and she doesn’t like a lot of people, we’ll make sure that you’re always protected even if I have to give you my elf to make sure that you have food and your potions. Ebrel will do as I ask.” Neville assured him.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be any trouble…” Harry whispered.

“Taking care of a friend is no trouble.” Neville said shyly, “Besides, I never had a friend before this year…”

The three boys hugged, neither had had a friend before and that made them have a strong bond.

XooooooX

Harry hadn’t realized that Neville took potions himself until his first morning at Tomle Chase.

Neville blushed, “Anti-anxiety. Uncle Ted knows that I get anxious almost to the point of uselessness. It’s not very strong, Ebrel normally mixes it in my juice but I didn’t want you to feel bad about having to take potions.”

“I take potions for my arthritis.” Neville’s gran shrugged, “There is no shame in needing potions. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Your uncle Ted will be here for your usual appointment Neville and Harry will be seeing him twice a week when he visits. Albus refuses to allow mind healers on Hogwarts property, claiming that its hogwash and has no proven benefit. I can’t wait until you’re a third year Neville, then you can meet with Ted on Hogsmeade Weekends.”

“Gran I’m still only eleven and a First Year.”

“I know.” She said gruffly. “Somedays I agree with Lucius that Albus is out of touch and should be replaced. If he is purposely putting you in danger I will have him out and the wards turned against him by three members of the Founders Council…”

Breakfast fell into silence after that.

Things were tense and Harry couldn’t help thinking it was his fault…

XooooooX

Solstice dawned early and Harry was woken up by Neville who shook him eagerly.

“Wake up!”

They had gone shopping in Paris for Solstice gifts two days prior, stopping at the branch of Gringotts there to remove monies from their vaults.

Even Dean had been surprised to find he had vaults full of gold and silver, out of the three Gryffindor heirs only Neville had grown up with his wealth.

They hurried downstairs to find presents all under the tree.

Soon after Harry’s arrival Neville had dragged them out to find a tree and under Neville’s Gran’s supervision they decorated it.

Neville skipped around the tree. “Presents for all of us! Draco, Blaise, Theo and the twins sent us gifts! Seamus too!”

Harry swallowed, “I have presents?”

“Yes!” Neville beamed.

It was a while before Neville’s Gran appeared and granted them permission to dig into the presents.

Neville handed out gifts one by one before choosing one himself, “Youngest first! That’s Harry.”

“I can’t go first I’m a…a nobody.”

Neville shook his finger at him, “Don’t call yourself that, or anything like that. I will start fining you, a knut for every insult. Uncle Ted started that on me, I’ve gotten better about saying bad things about myself.”

“Fine…” Harry muttered.

The gift was from Neville.

Typical of the Herbology obsessed Gryffindor it was a book on Lilies…

Neville received an oddly wrapped box and cheered, “Great Uncle Algie sent me a new plant.”

“Oh? What is it?” His Gran asked.

“A Flutterby bush! I’m going to find a place for it in the Conservatory, then you can enjoy it too Gran!”

Dean was next; he had a walnut wood case and matching palate. The case contained 42 tubes of oil paint in a variety colours and shades. There were palate knives as well as badger, mink, mongoose and nogtail hair brushes.

Neville beamed, “Now you have an oil case like mine… see it even has your birth name on it!”

So it did, Dinadan Dearborn…

There were gifts from their friends, from Neville’s Gran, from Neville’s friends and even from both Ron and Draco’s mothers.

With the exception of Mischief and Mayhem who sent him chocolate and raspberry sugar quills, each of their friends had chipped in to buy a new wardrobe.

Harry was embarrassed.

He had trousers from Blaise, shirts from Theo, dungarees from Dean, socks and a pair of new trainers from Hermione, a knitted emerald green jumper from Ron’s mother, a crocheted muffler and matching gloves from Andromeda and a warm winter coat from Draco.

There were sweets like homemade fudge and treacle tart from Mrs. Weasley whom he had never met and Christmas biscuits from Lady Malfoy…

One gift intrigued Harry above all.

“I found some pictures among my son’s things and reached out to what friends I could remember. It’s not a childhood but…”

Harry unwrapped his gift from Neville’s Gran…

It was a photo album of his parents…

“Andromeda had a few pictures from your mother’s file; she delivered you just as she did Neville. Those are your ultrasound pictures…but that’s not my only gift. You have guests…”

Harry’s eyes were filled with happy tears, he was overwhelmed.

Snape stepped into the Drawing room, he was tense at first.

Harry had eyes only for his favorite teacher as he ran forward and threw himself into Snape’s arms. “Uncle Sev!”

“Happy Solstice Harry.” The man said gently as he embraced Harry.

“Harry, this is your father’s cousin Remus Lupin. A very good friend of your parents…”

“My Aunt and Uncle said I didn’t have any family…then we did that potion and it said I did…” Harry was confused.

“I’ve missed you. I was very broken after James…I mean your parents died. It’s only in the last few years that I’ve been able to leave the house. I spent most of the war in France studying wandmaking. I know I practically abandoned you but you have never been far from my thoughts. I wrote to you every day and I made you gifts. I only brought a few, I didn’t know if you had places to put them…” Remus Lupin looked almost ill.

Harry was nervous, “Is it alright?” he looked up into Snape’s face.

“I will test the gift if it makes you feel safe.”

Harry nodded.

Snape cast a spell Harry didn’t recognize with his wand, “Other than protection and preservation charms, its safe.”

Harry climbed down and sat down with the box.

Inside he found a blanket with his initials, stuffed animals, journals full of letters and small hand painted figurines.

‘March 27, 1982

Dear Harry, it’s been six months since I last saw you. This is the first time I’ve felt strong enough to write, James’ birthday.

I’m sorry. I should never have left you but I can’t take care of you. I can’t even take care of myself. By the time I came everything was gone.

Sirius was arrested and you were gone, while Peter, Lily and my James were dead. It was wrong of me…to just disappear.

I don’t know what to do. I hate that I can’t be there for you. It’s cruel of me. You’ve lost everything; your parents, your godfather and even a sister you’ll never know. I owe James more than I can give. Some day when I am well and strong, maybe you can forgive me.

I ran away and I have to live with that. I love you, you’re James’ son and that should be enough for me but it’s not.

Someday I hope you believe me and you forgive me.

Uncle Moony’

Harry burst into tears.

Snape snatched it up, skimming the letter in the journal.

“We’ll see if he can forgive you.”

“You two owe James and Lily; you’re both going to deal with your issues just as he will. I don’t know how we’ll get Harry away from his current guardians but the three of us will be all the protection you need. We just need to be strong together.”

Harry enjoyed his gifts, the blanket and the stuffed animals were familiar and comforting.

The letters hurt too much to read right now.

Harry would have to find time later read more of them but while he had never had a good Christmas, he had an amazing Solstice.

What do you think? Outstanding? Exceeds expectations? Acceptable? Poor? Dreadful? Troll?
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Of Shield and Sheath