Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Thicker Than Water	By : harriet Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > Slash - Male/Male Views: 9575 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I don't profess to own any of the characters or plot co-incidents with the Harry Potter series written by JK Rowling, contained within this story. I do neither profit monetarily nor legally from anything contained within these pages.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
CHAPTER 6
“They’re always a little bare to begin with…” Harry stood in the doorway of his chambers, which as Dumbledore had said were across the Dungeon hall from Snape’s. Snape strode purposefully through the dust and opened three adjacent doors from what Harry assumed was his sitting room. “The bedrooms in here,” Snape gestured inside the similarly bare bedroom the wooden, undraped four poster bed and rickety looking wardrobe the only furniture inside. “This is the bathroom,” Snape moved on to the next open door and gestured in to the simple bathroom, its sunken stone bath its central feature. “And this is…”Snape stared into the empty room with its dirty bench tops and sink. “, anything you want it to be really.” Snape muttered flippantly, with undisguised disgust at the rat that scurried from beneath one of the workbenches and out of the rooms between Harry’s legs. Harry sighed as he stepped into the room glancing around at the few items from the last owner left scattered around covered with a millennia’s worth of dust. The place smelt of something dead, it was damp, dusty and dark but then Harry had slept in worse places in his life.
“What’s that smell?” Harry muttered as he followed Snape’s path through each room, inspecting them.
“Cannabis.” Snape supplied coolly after a deep breath in to smell the air.
“Pardon?” Harry was shocked and stuck his head back out of his bathroom to look at Snape in surprise.
“Cannabis, a hallucinogenic drug used by muggles to alter their perceptions of reality, or so I’m led to believe.” Snape ran his finger along a shelf before flicking away the thick gray dust that collected on the end of the digit.
“What the hell is weed doing in Hogwarts and why is it growing in my rooms?” Harry snapped sharply hardly believing that Dumbledore had given him such a living arrangement when one of the spare Gryfindor guest suits would be far better for him, and ultimately more comfortable.
“It’s not growing in here Potter, the smell has obviously permeated the stone from the last occupant.” Casually Snape moved over to the fireplace and having performed a scourify spell on it to clean it of soot and dust proceeded to light a fire in its hearth. The warm glow of the fire chased away a little of the cold and the damp, a good sign that the place was salvageable.
“And who was the last occupant dare I ask?” Harry muttered as he put his things down on the floor where the bottom of Snape’s cloak had wiped away a little of the dust much to the elder wizards irritation.
“The late, Gertrude Jaffle, Professor of Divination here at Hogwarts in the late 60’s. A strange bat, convinced that smoking the plant gave her better ‘seeing’ properties, when ultimately it only made her completely incoherent.” Harry raised a surprised eyebrow at Snape but chose not to say anything, his own opinion on the subject of divination not one of high praise.
“So this place hasn’t been lived in since the 60’s and I’m supposed to make it habitable without magic?” Harry snapped sharply rapidly losing his temper, when he knew just a few floors above him were wonderful plush guest suits, with windows, soft beds and marble bathrooms.
“I did express my concerns of the headmaster’s choice but he believed it better to have you down here out of the way rather than in a more visible high traffic area such as the Gryfindor guest suits.” Harry snapped around and glared at Snape who smiled thinly having obviously caught Harry’s inner thoughts about the guest suits.
“I’d appreciated it Professor if you keep your mind to yourself, especially when I’ve got no protection against occlumency.” Snape inclined his head in a halfhearted apology as he turned to exit the room.
“The wards on the door have been set so they open without magic. There’s a bell on the mantle for the house elves. Now if you’re settled Potter, I have lesson plans to organize. The house elves are at your disposal, and should, Merlin forbid you require anything, I am only across the hall.” With a short nod Snape stepped towards the door. “Oh and Potter no smoking.” With a backwards glance over his shoulder Snape was gone, the door to Harry’s chambers closing silently behind him. In the silence of the room Harry stared around at the walls and sighed heavily, it would take him most of the afternoon to clean this up before he even began furnishing it a little. Why he’d agreed to return to Hogwarts was still a mystery to even himself and the more time he spent in the place the more he was beginning to regret the decision already. Picking up the silver bell from the dusty mantle above the fire Harry rang it twice. There was a pop almost immediately behind him and Harry spun around to smile at the very familiar creature.
“Dobby?” Harry laughed as the house elf attached itself to Harry’s leg and hugged him tightly.
“Dobby is happy to see you back Mr. Potter, Dobby knew it was you who was the guest, it could not be anyone else.” Dobby let go of Harry’s leg and began dancing around the dusty floor, his floppy ears flapping like wings in the air making Harry laugh loudly.
“Dobby, I need some help…” When the house elf had stopped dancing Harry gestured casually around at his rooms and Dobby frowned deeply.
“Master Potter is not staying here is he? This place is dark and smells…” Dobby pinched his bulbous nose as he grabbed Harry’s hand and attempted to take him from the room.
“No, Dobby I have to stay here Dumbledore wants me to. That’s why I need your help to clean it up.” Harry whispered politely hoping that the house elf would agree.
“Indeed, Dobby will get straight to work but Harry Potter will go away so he will not fuss.” Harry laughed as Dobby began pushing him towards the door that automatically opened as Snape had said it would. Harry managed to just grab his sunglasses and coat before Dobby had shoved him out into the hallway and the door to his rooms had snapped shut behind him. With a sigh Harry shrugged on his coat and pushed his sunglasses up on his head before decided to take a tour to see what had changed in the place he’d once called home. It was dubious leaving Dobby in charge of cleaning up his chambers but then nothing could be worse than the state it was already in.
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Harry spent most of the morning wandering the castle, purposely avoiding the students who were moving between classes. Most of the students stared at him being dressed in muggle attire but none dared talk to him. Outside the sun had come out between the gray clouds and despite the icy cold wind off the lake it was relatively warm in the sunshine. Nothing much had changed since Harry had left a few trees had grown, and the statues had changed here and there but nothing major. It was getting towards lunchtime when Harry came around the garden to the greenhouses. Glancing through the windows of the second year greenhouse, Harry smiled as he watched the students re potting mandrakes; the furry ear muffs on each student’s heads only making the scene seem silly in Harry’s eyes. Having spent so many years in the muggle world Harry had quite forgotten how unusual so many of wizard’s common tasks actually were. Expecting to see Professor Sprout at the head of the class, Harry was floored as he recognized the plump young man dutifully instructing the class.
“Fuck me.” Harry muttered to himself as he quickly rounded the greenhouse, and grabbing a pair of furry earmuffs for himself put them on and wandered in on the class. At first no one noticed him, but as the class paused in their activities the young teacher finally turned around. “Neville Longbottom.” Harry whispered as he stared at his friend, who even in his elder years seemed just the same as he had been in school.
“Har….” Neville’s eyes lit up but Harry’s name fell quiet on his lips, as he corrected himself conscious of the students watching the exchange. “Professor Evan’s, how wonderful you chose to stop by our class.” Harry smiled and nodded as Neville put down his unpotted mandrake and stepped over to hug Harry tightly. Neville’s hands were covered in dirty and left finger prints on Harry’s leather coat but Harry didn’t care, as he embraced Neville tightly in return. Neville’s confidence exuded from him as he turned back to his class and instructed them to finish off replanting the mandrakes and copy down their homework before leaving. Harry waited patiently to the side for the class to leave before finally he and Neville were alone in the warmth of the greenhouse. “My god Harry, you look wonderful.” Neville laughed as he put the repotted mandrakes back on their shelves before removing his earmuffs so he could hear Harry better.
“Thank-you, Professor.” Harry laughed watching as Neville blushed and rolled his eyes.
“Nah, not there yet. I’ve got another year under Sprout’s mentor before I qualify.” Harry waited for Neville to wash his hands and clean the classroom with a flick of his wand before both old friends began to make their way towards the great hall for lunch. “So where have you been?” Neville inquired cautious as to not use Harry’s name as they passed through the corridors of the school, where students were rushing about after class.
“Here and there.” Harry muttered deliberately being vague not wanting his friend to know the truth. Neville nodded in silent understanding, his eyes apologizing for asking such a question.
“Albus mentioned you’d be staying, but not how long.” Neville caught the collar of a young Hufflepuff who was running through the hall. The boy apologized quickly for running, Neville not even having to utter a word his stare a clear indication of what was wrong. Harry smiled in amusement at Neville’s behavior, remembering a professor who also could make a student whimper with his stare.
“I’m not sure myself yet. If the headmaster’s choice of my rooms for the stay are anything to go on, I’ll be here for a while.” Harry sighed heavily as they entered the great hall, the commotion of students finding their seats deafening. So used to silence and quiet in his job at the apocathary Harry had quite forgotten how noisy a hall full of students could be.
“In the dungeons. I heard.” Neville whispered apologetically as they approached the head table, where Dumbledore and the other professors were already seated. Neville went to take his seat beside Professor Sprout, but Harry hesitated on the side wondering where he was to sit.
“Evans.” Harry jumped a little as the staff door behind him swung open and Snape swept inside. “Here with me.” Snape muttered as he sat down in his chair beside Professor Flitwick before pulling out the spare chair next to him for Harry.
“Thanks.” Harry muttered as he glanced up the table, acutely aware of all the Professors eyes on him. There were a few new faces, but most were familiar if not a little older in appearance. Professor Sprout, Flitwick, Hagrid, McGonagall, Hooch, were just a few who smiled at him with warm eyes. Harry turned his attention back to the main hall as Albus cleared his throat and stood up. The hall fell silent immediately and Harry consciously lowered his eyes to stare at his cutlery as Albus began to introduce him.
“Students I’d like to introduce our guest here at Hogwarts this year, Professor Evans.” There was a polite clapping from the students as Harry glanced up and smiled at the general populace. “Professor Evans is from overseas and has come to observe our teaching here at Hogwarts. Please make him feel welcome. Welcome, Professor Evans.” Albus turned and smiled down at Harry a mischievous twinkle in his eyes as he sat down and gestured for lunch to begin. Harry sighed in relief as finally the meal arrived, giving him something else to focus on rather than the stares and twittering conversation.
“Turkey or Salmon?” Harry looked up from where he’d served himself some salad to see Snape gestured to the two plates of sandwiches in front of them.
“Turkey please, I don’t do fish.” Harry whispered in thanks as Snape handed Harry the plate of Turkey sandwiches before keeping the Salmon ones for himself. The meal was passed in relative silence, Snape notorious for keeping conversation to a minimum during meals. Harry ate his fill silently reminiscing about all the meals he’d eaten at Hogwarts in the past.

The meal was over quickly and as students and professors began to depart Harry too decided to go and check on Dobby’s progress. Snape lingered in order to talk with Albus, so Harry took off towards the exit of the hall but was stopped by an unfamiliar voice calling his name.
“Professor Evans?” Harry paused and glanced around, to see a tall thin professor heading towards him. The wizard had long blond hair, tied up in a leather band; he wore patent leather pants and a tight fitting white shirt under his teaching robes. He had a thin face; a long ski slop like nose and the most dental perfect smile Harry had ever had the misfortune of seeing. “I’m glad I caught you,” The professor smiled brightly at Harry as he came to stand before him. “Allow me to introduce myself, Professor Simon Hartford, Defense Against the Dark Arts.” Harry couldn’t help himself and raised a mocking eyebrow at the professor, wondering where on earth Dumbledore had dragged this professor up from. Luckily Hartford misinterpreted Harry’s strange expression and thought Harry was looking at his wand, which was nestled in a specially designed holster on his belt. “Auror trained, a gift from my tutor.” Hartford explained casually as he ran his fingertips across the ornately decorated holster. “Now if you don’t mind me being forward, I heard in the staff meeting that you were a very talented duelist and was wondering if you’d…”
“No.” Harry cut the professor off abruptly and rather rudely. “No, I’d rather not.” Harry spat, his expression falling cold and blank.
“Oh well worth a try. Glad to meet you anyway.” The professor offered his hand to Harry who automatically accepted it in a friendly gesture. Almost the instant Harry’s hand touched the professors a searing pain shot up Harry’s arm and neck and into his head to explode in a fiery agonizing pain that brought the young man to his knees.
“Evans!” Immediately the headmaster and Snape came running, Snape ripping Professor Harford’s hand from where it was still clutching Harry’s. With the hand gone the pain in Harry’s head receded and Harry collapsed on his side breathing heavily.
“Merlin, I only shook his hand.” Professor Hartford whispered in shock as Snape pushed him back from Harry his gaze lingering dangerously on the twisted raised scars that crisscrossed all the way up the defense professor’s arm.
“Professor I believe you have a class waiting.” The headmaster interjected quickly as he helped Harry sit up and placed his hand calmly on Harry’s shoulder. Hartford nodded and with an apologetic glance at Harry swept from the hall, leaving Snape and Albus to help Harry shakily to his feet.
“Harry, are you alright?” Albus whispered concerned at his young charge who having recovered a little nodded in silence.
“Albus if you remember I did warn you about Professor Hartford’s appointment.” Snape offered unhelpfully as he inspected Harry’s hand for signs of a curse or anything else.
“Professor Hartford came highly recommended Severus, now I suggest you escort Professor Evan’s back to his rooms.” Dumbledore stepped away from Snape and with a warm smile at Harry strode off leaving Snape to roll his eyes irritably.
“His arm.” Harry muttered as Snape helped him down to his rooms.
“Yes, a nasty curse cast by a death eater he was trying to capture during his time as an Auror, or so we were told. But if you ask me…” Snape trailed off as the door to Harry’s chamber swung open revealing a totally transformed living room. Harry smiled at the room, furnished in rich chocolate and cool ice blue. Dobby had done a wonderful job and Harry sighed heavily as he sat down on his new velour chocolate armchair by the fire.
”Dobby.” Harry offered silently at Snape’s stunned stare. Snape snorted in amusement before continuing where he’d abruptly ended.
“But if you ask me no death eater could have cast the curse that caused those scars, that’s talent at work.”
“Talent?” Harry inquired curiously as he offered Snape the other armchair, but watched as Snape politely declined.
“Mmmm, elf magic or ‘talent’ which is the English translation of the elvish. Now if you’re okay I’m late for my classes.” With a thin smile Snape left leaving Harry staring into the flickering of the fire. There had been something familiar about the defense professors scars, Harry had seen them somewhere before. There was also something familiar about the pain that had shot up his arm and into his head. It was a pain he hadn’t experienced since Voldemort had gone, it was his scar…
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Thicker Than Water