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.

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Harry was back in his glamour, back on the train, heading back to Hogwarts. And Ron.

He was talking about Tom's plans to take his mind off of that unpleasant thought.

“He’s going to tell the Prophet that the prophecy is a fake. He plans to get Rita Skeeter’s attention with that and have her do the leg work to investigate it.” Harry told Hermione and Neville.

Fred and George stopped their conversation to listen. “Prophecy?” George asked.

“Yeah, what’s all this?” Fred added.

“Well, there’s supposed to be a prophecy about us, that I’m the one with the power to vanquish him, and that he’ll mark me as his equal, but I’ll have some power he knows not, and neither of us can live while the other one survives. But it’s a fake. It’s not in the Selwyn or Prince prophecy books, and one of the Death Eaters checked, and it doesn’t have a spot in the ministry where they keep the prophecies, either.” Harry told them.

George whistled. “False prophecy. Hefty fine, there.”

Fred nodded. “Five thousand galleons.” He agreed.

Harry deflated. “That’s it?” He asked, upset. “A fine?!”

Neville chuckled. “Harry, five thousand galleons is a lot of money.”

Harry glared at him. “Is it enough to pay for my Mum and James Potter’s wasted lives?!” He asked.

Neville winced. “Er, no.” He told the boy. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine, it’s been a long time; I’m mostly over it. I just wish he’d get some Azkaban time for getting my Mum killed, is all.” Harry muttered.

“At least he didn’t get both of your parents killed.” Hermione said.

Harry sighed. “No, but he thought he was, and that’s bad enough.”

“What did he stand to gain from the false prophecy, though? Why make one up at all? Did he want your parents dead?” Neville asked.

“I don’t think so. He just wanted a ready-made soldier, so he didn’t have to put in the leg work to get rid of Tom. A baby that could be raised up believing that it was their duty to do it would have been perfect for him. If it hadn’t all gone to hell.” Harry added.

“Oh. That actually makes sense.” Neville said.

“Well, I’m going to grab my things and go change in the bathroom. You guys should change, too, we’re nearly there.” Hermione said.

“Yeah, yeah.” Harry got up and dug through his trunk. “So bossy.” He groused playfully as Hermione laughed and left. Harry poked his head out of the compartment to see that Luna had come out of hers and was tailing Hermione discreetly.

Good.

*****

Harry looked down at his copy of the Daily Prophet and sighed. It was his first full day back, and there was no sign of the article.

“Be patient, Harry.” Hermione chastised at his downtrodden expression. “Tom probably just sent the tip today. Give her time to verify it, then you can get upset if the article doesn’t come.” She pointed out.

“I suppose.” He noticed as he put his goblet back that his charm was glowing silver again. “Great. I’ve been pranked again.” He muttered.

Neville chuckled. “Hopefully it won’t be anything too bad this time.”

“Why do these things always happen to me?” Harry asked.

They finished their breakfast and left, and Harry couldn’t tell what the prank was supposed to even do. Nothing was different, as far as he could tell. He turned to Hermione. “Do I look any different?” He asked.

Hermione frowned. “No, still the same old Harry. Maybe it was a dud?” She asked.

Harry shrugged. “Must be. It'll be fine, though. As long as it’s not doing anything, I don’t have to worry.”

They walked into Potions class and took their seats, Harry letting Neville sit next to Hermione and sitting in the empty chair next to Nott. “Hey.” He said.

Nott frowned. “I thought you'd sit with Hermione today.” He said, sounding put-out.

“Neville and I have an agreement. If you're the only person without a partner, he gets Hermione.” Harry explained.

Nott looked even more upset. “Oh.”

“You fluster him.” Harry explained. “It’s nothing against you. He likes you a little too much. Try spending time with us in the library. When he's not around volatile ingredients. Then it won’t matter if his hands shake a bit.”

Nott looked hopeful. “You think that'll work?” He asked.

Harry smiled. “It will at least get conversation started. You'll have to be blunt with him. Gryffindors don’t get subtle.” He warned.

Nott licked his lips and nodded. “Blunt. Okay, I can do blunt.” He said.

“Good. Now pay attention, I got Severus to compliment me on my improvement once, I’m aiming to get that again.” Harry said.

Nott snorted. “Good luck there.” He muttered before turning his attention to the front of the class.

*****

Theodore Nott came into the library after dinner and found Harry and Neville sitting (conveniently) in plain view of the doors. He sat down across from Neville and looked straight at him, then blurted, “I like you.”

Harry groaned, head hitting the table with a ‘thump.’ “Not that blunt.” He muttered.

Neville flushed brightly. “Oh! I... Um... Listen, you're cute, and we're on the same side, both points in your favour, but I barely know you. How about we talk for a while and get to know each other first? We can see where that leads later, alright? It’s not a ‘no,’ it’s not a ‘yes,’ it’s a ‘give me time to think about it.’ I could probably like you easily, but I'm not going to jump into anything right off like that.” He said.

Harry snorted. “Well, you certainly got his attention. I'll leave you two to talk.” He said, gathering his things and getting up.

Neville’s eyes widened. “I’m supposed to be on guard—”

Harry held up a hand. “To be honest, I set this up.” He waved and Pansy and Millicent came forward. “You get the night off. Have fun.” He said, then left with the two girls.

Neville hummed. “Bloody matchmaker.” He muttered.

Theo chuckled. “Yes, but it gives us time to get to know each other.”

“Yeah, it’s nice. Harry has a big heart like that, he wants everyone around him to be happy.” Neville said. “If he's leaving us alone to talk, he obviously thinks you’ll make me happy.” He sighed. “Which is another point in your favour, because Harry is a good judge of character, usually.” He muttered.

Theo smiled widely. “Great! So what's your worst subject? Maybe we could help each other out? If we have subjects each other don't, we could work together and probably shorten homework times by an hour or two.” He suggested.

“My worst subject is actually Potions, but it’s not because I don’t get the material! I do, I know all the interactions, everything about brewing, it’s just that I can’t implement that knowledge because Snape bloody terrifies me!” Neville said. “Every time he comes near me my hands start to shake, and I cut myself, and he seems to hover over me... I don’t know how to fix it.”

Theo looked surprised. “Oh! Wait, you know everything?” He asked.

Neville nodded. “Herbology is my best subject. I know everything about all the plants we study, and a lot of them are also potions ingredients, so naturally, I know the interactions, too. I just panic around Snape.”

“That's... Impressive, actually. I mean, I’m good in potions, but there are still a few things that I’m shaky on. Well, how about second worst?” Theo tried.

Neville smiled. “Transfiguration.” He admitted.

Theo's eyes lit up. “My best! Excellent, let’s get to work on that, then you can help me with my Herbology.” He said.

Neville laughed. “Alright, sounds like a plan.”

*****

“Is there a charm to detect pranks?” Harry asked as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower. “Only, the charm I have glows silver, and it’s not very noticeable. I don’t realise that my food or drink has something in it until I’ve already eaten or drank it.” He said.

Pansy frowned. “That could be a problem.” She said. “I don’t think so, but are pranks really that important to avoid?” She asked.

“I guess not, but I still don’t like them.” Harry told her.

“No, I suppose not. Well, I can take a look at Chipper's Charm and see what they have next time I’m there, but if you're talking about Fred and George's wares, I doubt the charm will protect against those.” Pansy said.

“Probably not, but glowing red gets my attention better than silver.” Harry told her.

Pansy nodded. “Alright. Also, the Slytherins seemed to be watching you more closely during meals. I think the older ones have made their move already. Be careful. Some dark curses might come your way, or your friends might start to turn on you, things like that. Just be ready for anything.” She warned.

Harry nodded. “I will be.”

Pansy smiled. “Good.” When they got back to Gryffindor Tower Harry bid them goodbye and went in.

Fred and George hurried over. “Our leader returns!”

“Where’s Neville?” Fred asked curiously.

“In the library.” Harry answered with a smile. “With Theodore Nott.”

George smiled. “Ahh. Romance?” He asked.

Harry smiled wider. “That’s the hope.” He confirmed.

“Well, good for him!” Fred declared. “He deserves his own sexy Slytherin! We all do!”

Harry laughed. “Yeah, Slytherins for everybody.” He agreed. “Hey, did Ron take anything else out of your room this break?” He asked.

Fred and George shared a look. “No, mate.” George said.

“He stayed at school this break, with Ginny.” Fred added. “Something about a project he was working on.”

Harry frowned. “Oh. Alright, then. Never mind.”

“What’s up?” George asked.

“Probably nothing.” Harry said. “I thought I got pranked earlier, but it was probably nothing I need to worry about. He’s not a potions genius like you two.”

Fred pretended to swoon. “Ah, recognition feels so good!” He said, in false rapture.

Harry snorted. “Right. I’m going to go chat with Hermione now. You two have fun.” He said.

George grinned. “Oh, we intend to.” He said.

*****

Harry smiled, looking down at the Prophet.

Dumbledore Duped or Prophecy Poser?

My readers, do I have a story for you today! The Prophet received an anonymous tip that there was a certain faked prophecy about a boy rumoured to defeat the Dark Lord.

I looked into it, and what I found out was startling!

As you know, there is a place in the Department of Mysteries where prophecies are held. When I checked there, looking for this particular prophecy, it was nowhere to be found!

Was Dumbledore tricked into believing a false prophecy? If so, why did he not try to turn it in and get told it was a fake? Why has he been spreading word about it if he found out it was fake?

So many questions have been raised, and this reporter wonders if there is not something more sinister at work here.

Perhaps Dumbledore himself had something to do with the false prophecy and decided to spread it by word of mouth even knowing it was a fake.

Can he really be trusted if he would do something like that?

Does he truly have the best interests of the Wizarding World at heart?

I know I will be watching him more closely. I urge all of my readers to do the same.

Rita Skeeter

Harry set aside his paper and ate his breakfast. Now all he had to do was wait, and people would start asking questions.

*****

Harry was sitting in the library with Luna when Daphne and Astoria Greengrass came up to him.

“Potter, can we talk to you?”

“Sure, but please don’t call me by that. My proper surname is Prince.” He corrected them evenly.

Daphne’s eyes widened. “And you’re familiar and okay with all that that name entails?” She asked.

Harry nodded. “I’m all in.”

Daphne hummed. “We’d like to join you.”

Harry looked around. “How so?”

“Draco has been dropping hints to us, and told us to go ask for rings from you. He says once we have them, he can explain what all it entails. We’re interested in bringing down Dumbledore, and perhaps joining the other faction once we are old enough to do so.”

Harry smiled and drew out his two rings, keying them to their names. “Talk to Draco, and welcome to the Hopefuls.” He said, handing them over.
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A Prince in Lion's Clothing