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<div class="chap-title">
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35. Chapter 35
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</div>
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<div class="chap-text">
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<p><em>I want to thank everyone who has reviewed. I put a lot of effort and heart
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into the last chapter and was very happy to find it so well-received. I think you'll
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find this next chapter quite entertaining as well. Please enjoy it!</em></p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p class='c1'><strong>Chapter 35</strong></p>
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<p>When Harry had completed the potion for himself it had turned into an emerald
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green, much like his and his mother's eyes. It had tasted sweet with a tangy hint to
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it and as Harry drank it, he felt warmed, as if he had just drunk a hot cup of
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tea.</p>
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<p>The location his mind was sent to was not at all a familiar one and it looked
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rather plain. It was clearly a sitting room, decorated in the garish colours of
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Gryffindor. A fire was burning in the hearth, inviting him to sit.</p>
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<p>"It's so good to see you again," a familiar voice said.</p>
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<p>Harry snapped his attention away from the fire to look into the mischievous gaze
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of his godfather.</p>
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<p>"Sirius!" he exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace the man. "I missed you so
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much."</p>
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<p>"I know," Sirius told him soothingly. "And I'm so sorry that I put you through
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that. I was… rather impulsive."</p>
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<p>"It was not <em>all</em> your fault," Harry said bitterly.</p>
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<p>"You're right," Sirius replied as he drew back and placed a hand on each of
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Harry's shoulders. "It was Bellatrix's fault. But you certainly avenged me, didn't
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you?"</p>
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<p>"And nearly got himself killed in the process," came a disapproving voice. Harry
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smiled even brighter when he recognised his mother leaning against the doorpost.</p>
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<p>"Mum," he said, standing frozen to the spot.</p>
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<p>Lily huffed. "Oh sure, rush into the arms of your godfather but not in mine. What
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am I, chopped liver?"</p>
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<p>Harry laughed as he shook himself from his stupor. Moving forward as Sirius pushed
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him a bit, he fell into his mother's arms as well.</p>
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<p>"Hello, scamp," Lily greeted. "You did so well brewing that potion. I certainly
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know who you got your talents from."</p>
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<p>"Please," scoffed a second male voice. "He may have <em>your</em> potioneering
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skills but he has <em>my</em> talent for Quidditch and mischief."</p>
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<p>Harry was beside himself with joy as James appeared next to Lily, putting his arm
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around his wife and son both. "Good to see you, son," he said.</p>
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<p>"Why don't we all sit down," Sirius suggested. "I'm feeling somewhat left out
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here."</p>
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<p>Lily snorted. "You've had more time with him than we had," she chided. "You can be
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without his attention for five minutes." But she did let Harry go and guided him
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towards the chairs that waited in front of the fire.</p>
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<p>"So," James said. "The youngest seeker of the century? By Merlin, you have no idea
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how proud I am of you."</p>
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<p>Lily sighed. "He did also defeat Voldemort, you know," she pointed out.</p>
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<p>"And that's a very close second," James told Harry with a wink.</p>
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<p>"And this potion you created," Lily said. "I have to admit that I would have never
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been able to. Severus has certainly taught you well."</p>
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<p>Sirius growled. "Speaking of that greasy git," he said, "what in the world
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happened there?"</p>
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<p>Harry glared a bit at Sirius. "I'm not sure what you mean."</p>
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<p>"You even glare like him!" Sirius pointed out. "And you're calling him dad now?"
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He put a hand on James's shoulder and pointed at his friend's bespectacled face.
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"<em>This</em> is your dad."</p>
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<p>Harry felt a pang of guilt as he looked at James, but the man was glaring
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pointedly at Sirius.</p>
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<p>"Padfoot," he growled. "We've been over this. Severus was there for Harry when no
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one else was. He adopted him so he could have a home. How can you be mad about
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that?"</p>
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<p>"That's all well and good," Sirius said. "But I don't like that he's trying to
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take your place. It's like the ultimate payback!"</p>
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<p>"Sirius Black!" Lily exclaimed as she hit him on the back of his head. "you ought
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to be ashamed of yourself. Look what you're doing to Harry!"</p>
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<p>Harry was feeling less than happy about his godfather's disapproval but he was
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trying his best to hide it. Apparently, his best wasn't good enough, though.</p>
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<p>"Oh Harry," Sirius said, properly mollified. "I'm so sorry. I know you didn't do
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anything wrong. It's just that when it comes to Snivellus –"</p>
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<p>"Severus," Lily interrupted.</p>
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<p>Sirius sighed dramatically. "Severus," he growled. "There is some bad blood
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there."</p>
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<p>"And yet <em>he</em> hasn't tried to disparage <em>you</em>," Harry pointed out.
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"Even though he's had all the time in the world to do so."</p>
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<p>James laughed. "Looks like Severus is the more mature one, isn't he?" he said.</p>
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<p>"Point taken," Sirius said but then his expression turned into a sadder one.
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"Harry, why haven't you ever told me about the abuse your relatives put you
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through?"</p>
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<p>Harry managed not to flinch but averted his gaze anyway. "I was ashamed," he
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admitted.</p>
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<p>"You've done nothing to be ashamed of," Sirius told him sternly. "I don't know why
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you would ever think that."</p>
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<p>"I know that now," Harry said with a slight smile. "But I used to feel bad that I
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wasn't able to defend myself against a few muggles."</p>
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<p>Lily kicked the existential table angrily. "When my sister dies, you can be damn
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sure that she's not going to have a peaceful afterlife."</p>
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<p>"Her husband as well," James snarled. "I will make sure to make their afterlives
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hell. Dares to put his hands on <em>my</em> son, does he?" He punched his fist into
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his flat hand and glared angrily into the fire.</p>
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<p>"Yeah," Harry said awkwardly. "That would be great."</p>
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<p>"Oh look at us," Lily sighed. "We're getting all worked up about the past again."
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She scooted closer to Harry and drew him into a brief hug. "I'm sorry my sister is
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such an awful person, Harry. For now, we'll have to take satisfaction in the
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punishment Severus has already dealt them."</p>
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<p>Harry blinked. He had never known what exactly Snape had done to them but the
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reminder of that day warmed his heart.</p>
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<p>"Now, speaking of Severus," Lily said, "How are things going with him and
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Maya?"</p>
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<p>Harry groaned. "That was so awkward," he complained. "Some time ago – right after
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he spoke to you – he strutted into the great hall and snogged her right in front of
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everyone!"</p>
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<p>James laughed loudly. "No way!" he exclaimed, "That doesn't sound like him at all!
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Did you confund him or something, Harry?"</p>
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<p>"I told him to act like a Gryffindor," Harry explained.</p>
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<p>"That goes to show what he thinks of Gryffindors," Sirius snorted. "I bet she
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slapped him right then and there, didn't she?"</p>
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<p>Harry huffed. "No," he said, "She was all too happy to return the favour. It was
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horrible!"</p>
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<p>"Don't act out," Lily chided. "I saw you initiating that round of applause."</p>
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<p>"It was a spur of the moment thing, okay?" Harry defended himself. "But having to
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retell it just makes it so much more mortifying!"</p>
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<p>"So, Sn – Severus has a girlfriend now?" Sirius asked incredulously. "About bloody
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time." James punched him on the shoulder. "Ow- what?!"</p>
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<p>"I think he's trying to point out that you're a prat," Harry said. "Severus had a
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lot of things to work out."</p>
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<p>"I'm just glad he finally did," James said honestly. Lily looked decidedly
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smug.</p>
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<p>"It's a good thing you sleep in Gryffindor tower," Sirius pointed out. "Young love
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can be quite loud."</p>
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<p>"Argh, Sirius!" Harry exclaimed as she scrunched up his nose. "Why are you doing
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this to me?!"</p>
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<p>Sirius snorted. "don't tell me you've never considered it," he said. "How long has
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it been since they hooked up?"</p>
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<p>"A little over a month," Harry begrudgingly admitted.</p>
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<p>"Yeah," Sirius said smugly. "Even Severus will have gotten some action by
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now."</p>
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<p>"It's more than you get nowadays," James laughed as he pushed against Sirius's
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shoulder playfully.</p>
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<p>"Well, <em>I</em> have a good excuse," Sirius said. "I'm dead. Severus only
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<em>looks</em> dead."</p>
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<p>"Please stop insulting him," Harry groaned. "I don't think you understand just how
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much he helped me. In fact, he's even saved my life many times way before he even
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started to like me."</p>
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<p>James clapped Sirius roughly on the back of his head. "If you don't stop this
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foolery now, I'm kicking you out," he warned.</p>
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<p>"Sorry," Sirius mumbled. "I'll be good."</p>
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<p>"More importantly, Harry, you've got a girlfriend of your own," Lily pointed
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out.</p>
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<p>"I do," Harry said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his head in discomfort.
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"But I'd really rather not get into too much detail."</p>
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<p>"Whatever the details, I like her," Lily said with a definite tone of voice.</p>
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<p>"As long as you remember to treat her with respect," James told Harry
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importantly.</p>
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<p>"Am I a Gryffindor or not?" Harry asked smugly.</p>
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<p>"As long as a certain Slytherin isn't rubbing off on you," Sirius complained.</p>
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<p>"Please, <em>I'm</em> rubbing off on the <em>Slytherins</em>," Harry said easily.
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"Even Draco Malfoy has come around."</p>
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<p>"See?" Lily said, "You're already doing better than your father and godfather were
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doing back in the day. They just couldn't get past their rivalry with Severus."</p>
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<p>"And a good thing too, or Harry might have been a Snape," Sirius muttered. This
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earned him a cuff to the head from both Lily and James but Harry just laughed.</p>
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<p>"I take it you'll be a Potions Master soon now?" Lily asked proudly.</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled. "Not so fast," he said. "Severus is taking me to a guild-meeting
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first where the board will assess my skill and contributions. And then they'll
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vote."</p>
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<p>"I doubt anyone could deny the hero that is Harry Potter," Sirius pointed out.</p>
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<p>"I hope that's not the case," Harry objected. "I want to be recognised for my
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skill and not for my reputation. I worked hard on this, you know?"</p>
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<p>"And we're all very proud of you, son," James said.</p>
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<p>"Yeah, even if you're a potioneer now," Sirius sneered but in a teasing sort of
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manner.</p>
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<p>Harry regarded the three parental figures in the room with a big smile on his
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face, enjoying the warmth that came from his mother and relishing in the proud gazes
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of the two marauders.</p>
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<p>"I wish we could stay like this forever," Harry said wistfully. The adults
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regarded him sadly.</p>
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<p>"That's not possible, Harry, you know that," James said. "You get <em>this</em>
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moment but after that, it's probably not a good idea to try and talk to us
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again."</p>
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<p>A part of Harry wanted to protest and ask why that was but he already knew the
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reason. It was the same reason why he first had to master Occlumency before
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attempting to brew this potion. Too much of this and any person could become insane.
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Harry recognised the dangers of wanting to stay here and knew that his dad was
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right.</p>
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<p>"I know," he said solemnly. "I'm just glad that I got this opportunity."</p>
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<p>"And it's all because of your own genius," Lily said fondly. "My little boy is all
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grown up!" She embraced him in a crushing hug that left Harry gasping for breath
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until James loosened her grip with a chuckle.</p>
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<p>"Don' smother him, love," he said. "We wouldn't want him to join us just yet."</p>
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<p>"I mean, in a way we do," Sirius interjected, "But in another way, we don't."</p>
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<p>Harry smirked. "I get it," he said. "I know exactly what you mean. But let's face
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it, Severus needs me!"</p>
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<p>James ruffled his son's hair. "He really does," he said. "Oh, and do me a favour
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when you see him. Could you tell him that I really am sorry for the way I behaved
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back in school? I really was an arrogant prat."</p>
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<p>Harry flushed a bit but nodded. "Of course," he said.</p>
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<p>"Sirius," Lily said in a warning tone of voice.</p>
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<p>Sirius rolled his eyes and sighed. "Okay, so I suppose that trying to get him
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attacked by a werewolf went a bit too far."</p>
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<p>James cuffed the back of his head again.</p>
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<p>"Would you stop that?!" Sirius asked incredulously. "But seriously, kid, I am
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sorry. I crossed a line there."</p>
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<p>"You were so far over the line that you couldn't even see the line anymore," Lily
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growled.</p>
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<p>"I'll tell him," Harry said. "Just try to get along in my absence, okay?"</p>
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<p>"We will do our very best," James promised solemnly.</p>
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<p>Harry cast one last longing look at his family, then sighed in resignation. "I
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love you all," he said.</p>
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<p>"We love you more," Lily said.</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled softly and whispered, "I love you the most." He closed his eyes and
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felt the sensation of leaving the existential room and being warped back into his
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body. When he knew he was securely back, he refused to open his eyes just yet. He
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tried to soak up the entire experience before being forced to go on living again.</p>
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<p>His nose wiggled slightly when he smelled herbs and spices. He sighed again and
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opened his eyes. Snape stood vigil nearby. A book lay opened in his hand but his gaze
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was affixed on Harry.</p>
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<p>"You're crying," he noted.</p>
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<p>Harry rubbed his eyes. "Your observation skills are keen as ever," he replied
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sardonically as he hoisted himself off the ground.</p>
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<p>"I apologize," Snape said. "I simply didn't know that your physical body might
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experience the normal responses to what you're feeling when your mind is out of your
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body."</p>
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<p>"Oh," Harry replied uneasily. "So it was an academic statement."</p>
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<p>Snape placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and gave him a knowing smile. "How was
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it?"</p>
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<p>"It was nice," Harry replied. "Scary; comfortable; confronting…" Harry sniffled
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and yet he smiled. "Wonderful."</p>
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<p>"Was it enough?"</p>
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<p>"No," Harry admitted. "How could it be?" He sighed and felt as if a burden fell
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off his shoulders. "Close enough, though."</p>
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<p>"You did very well," Snape noted.</p>
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<p>"Oh, and I have a message for you," Harry said seriously.</p>
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<p>Snape quirked an eyebrow. "From whom?"</p>
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<p>"Dad and Sirius," Harry admitted.</p>
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<p>Snape growled. "Do I want to know?" he asked doubtfully.</p>
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<p>"They are sorry for what they did," Harry said. "Though dad seemed more apologetic
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than Sirius."</p>
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<p>Snape regarded Harry carefully for a moment and sighed. "It would not do to linger
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in the past." He said. "Your mother told me as much. Therefore, I forgive them."</p>
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<p>He looked at a spot somewhere behind Harry and smirked. "Do you hear me, Potter?
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Black?" he asked loudly. "I forgive you. You can go frolic in the afterlife in
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peace."</p>
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<p>Harry raised an eyebrow. "That was almost nice," he chuckled. "Thank you."</p>
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<p>Snape huffed. "Come now," he said. "Maya is waiting for us."</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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<p>It had been less of a hassle than Harry had thought to bring a muggle into the
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sanctity of Hogwarts. He knew that any muggle approaching the castle would normally
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see nothing but a ruin and be compelled to walk away, but when Alex approached the
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gates after Snape apparated him into Hogsmeade, nothing of the sort happened.</p>
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<p>Harry was waiting for them and waved excitedly when he saw the man approach.
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"Alex!" he shouted. "Welcome to Hogwarts!"</p>
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<p>Alex clearly had to hold himself back not to break into a sprint. When he reached
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Harry, he grabbed the boy's shoulders and gasped eagerly. "Harry," he said
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importantly. "You never told me your school was this epic!"</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled but Snape appeared less than amused. "Come," he said before he
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began stalking towards Hogwarts.</p>
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<p>Alex walked next to Harry as they followed the Potions Master inside. Snape didn't
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look back even once, confident that his order to follow was being obeyed.</p>
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<p>"Look at his robes," Alex whispered in awe. "They are so… floaty!"</p>
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<p>"I know," Harry whispered back. "I'm still not convinced that he doesn't use a
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spell to make them so."</p>
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<p>As they walked towards Dumbledore's office, many students leapt aside as they saw
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Snape approach, many of them pressing themselves against the walls as if that would
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somehow protect them from Snape's wrath. But today, Snape ignored them all as he
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marched towards his goal.</p>
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<p>"Geez," Alex muttered. "You guys weren't kidding, were you? Severus is not very
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popular here."</p>
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|
<p>Harry shrugged. "The older the students become, the less afraid they are but he
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still manages to give most first – and second-years quite a freight."</p>
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|
<p>"No kidding," Alex said. "Just look at those billowing robes, the twitch in his
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lips, that one raised eyebrow and those flaring nostrils! Who wouldn't fear such a
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|
–"</p>
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|
<p>"Would you kindly shut your mouth?" Snape snarled as he whirled on Alex. Harry was
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biting his lip to keep himself from bursting into laughter and Snape's angry
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expression did not make that any easier.</p>
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<p>"Yup," Alex said slyly. "Definitely flaring nostrils."</p>
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<p>"Alexander, I'm warning you," Snape said. "You are a guest here but I assure you
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that I have the means and the patience to transform you into an obedient puppet
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without anyone ever suspecting I had anything to do with it. Alternatively, I could
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simply poison your food. Do. Not. Give. Me. A. Reason."</p>
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<p>Alex didn't seem too impressed with Snape's tirade but he did keep his mouth shut
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for a while. Five minutes later he couldn't contain himself anymore, though. "Do you
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think you could show me this chamber of secrets, Harry?" he asked innocently.</p>
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<p>"Lemon custard," Snape snapped at Archibald. The gargoyle leapt aside and Alex's
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mouth dropped open when he saw the winding staircase move all on its own.</p>
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<p>"Wicked," he said in awe, then climbed on for good measure. "This is the best day
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of my life!"</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled as he followed close behind while Snape waited until the staircase
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stopped moving to climb it himself rather than ride it like some overexcited toddler
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as he would say.</p>
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<p>When all three had arrived upstairs, Snape knocked three times on the door. Harry
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thought his annoyance was clear by the way the sound reverberated of the walls. Alex
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didn't notice or didn't care. He was still taking in all the moving portraits and
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magical thingamabobs.</p>
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<p>"Come in," came Dumbledore's friendly voice.</p>
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<p>Snape opened the door and immediately walked to a corner where he leaned against
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the wall, leaving the two chairs for Harry and Alex.</p>
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<p>"Albus!" Alex greeted amiably. "It's so good to see you. Love what you've done
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with the beard."</p>
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<p>Dumbledore chuckled. "It's so very good of you to come here, Alex," he said
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kindly. "Would you care for a lemon drop?"</p>
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<p>"You know me, Albus," Alex said cheekily as he grabbed a sweet out of the offered
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bowl. "I would never turn down free food."</p>
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<p>Snape scoffed and Harry smiled.</p>
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<p>Suddenly, Alex gasped when he spotted Fawkes. "What is that?" he asked in
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reverence. "That must be the most beautiful bird I've ever seen. Hello gorgeous,
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what's your name?"</p>
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<p>Fawkes thrilled magnificently and gently nipped the fingers of Alex's outstretched
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hand.</p>
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<p>"That's Fawkes," Harry supplied. "I think he likes you."</p>
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<p>"Hello Fawkes," Alex said gently. "I'm Alex. It's very nice to meet you."</p>
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<p>Fawkes spread his wings in a gentle fashion and stepped onto the hand Alex had
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still offered.</p>
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<p>"Ooh, you're a tad heavy aren't you?" Alex chuckled. He carefully stroked Fawkes'
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feathers as if he were scared the phoenix might break. Fawkes clicked his beak
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contentedly.</p>
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<p>"Stop playing with the bird, Alexander," Snape snarled out of the blue. "You're
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meeting with the most powerful wizard of our time. It would do you well to pay the
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proper respect."</p>
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<p>"It's quite alright, Severus," Albus said calmly. "Fawkes is normally never that
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fond of newcomers. Especially not muggles. I think that young Alex here might have an
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exceptionally pure heart."</p>
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<p>"Yup, that's me," Alex said proudly. "The heart of a hero."</p>
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<p>When Snape glared at him again, he chuckled and allowed Fawkes back on his perch.
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"But Severus is right, Albus," he conceded. "I'm sorry. I forget myself."</p>
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<p>"It's fully understandable for a muggle to get lost in our world," Albus said
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kindly. "But one that might appreciate its wonders will always find his way back.
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Please have a seat."</p>
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<p>Alex sat down next to Harry, beaming from ear to ear.</p>
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<p>"My dear Alex," Dumbledore said happily. "Welcome to Hogwarts. As I understand it,
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you're here primarily to spectate Harry's next quidditch match and perhaps even try
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and fly a broom yourself?"</p>
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<p>"That was my understanding," Alex replied easily. "And anything else you would
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have me do here, really. I'm willing to try everything!"</p>
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|
<p>"Truly?" Snape asked. "Care to sit into one of my first-year potions classes?"</p>
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<p>"Severus," Dumbledore chided, but there was amusement in his voice. "Alex, you are
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welcome to our facilities but I must urge you to remain close to either Harry or
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Severus as you roam these halls. You never know what you might encounter after all."
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He winked mischievously at Harry who chuckled in response. Snape just growled.</p>
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<p>"Severus, please lend Alex one of your robes so he might blend in more easily,
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would you? Oh, and no roaming the forbidden forest, if you will."</p>
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<p>"Why would I go into a forest that is literally called '<em>the forbidden
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|
forest'</em>?" Alex asked incredulously.</p>
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<p>"Excellent question," Snape replied. "Harry?"</p>
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<p>"Why do teachers give first graders detention in the same forest?" Harry asked
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smartly, "That kind of gives the impression that it's not all that dangerous after
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all."</p>
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<p>"Oh, so it's fine?" Alex asked.</p>
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<p>"Er… no," Harry conceded. "It's very dangerous. Don't go there unless you want to
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be eaten."</p>
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<p>"Indeed," Dumbledore added cheerfully. "Now Harry, shouldn't you be getting ready?
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I hear that Slytherin has quite a good team this year."</p>
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<p>"We'll see about that," Harry chuckled. He got up from his seat and made to leave.
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"See you in the stands, Alex," he added, then left in a hurry.</p>
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<p>"Ah youth," Dumbledore said happily as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth. Alex
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took another as well while Snape just shook his head in dismay.</p>
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<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
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|
<p>"There are so many wonderful things happening today," came Luna's airy commentary.
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"Gryffindors are facing off against Slytherins, as you probably already know, and one
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of Professor Snape's best friends came here to watch. Isn't that nice of him?"</p>
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<p>Harry chuckled when a large amount of the bystanders visibly looked over at Snape
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to get a look at the newcomer who was sitting next to him. Alex waved cheerily and
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|
even blew kisses at a few of the female parents that had also come to watch.</p>
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|
<p>"He seems like a nice person, doesn't he?" Luna asked. "He does have that gentle
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|
aura about him. Where do you think he knows Professor Snape from? I heard –"</p>
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|
<p>"For Merlin's sake, Ms Lovegood," McGonagall's voice suddenly shouted. "20-10 to
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|
Slytherin!"</p>
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|
<p>"That's alright," Luna assured her. "The match has only just begun and I'm sure it
|
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|
can still go both ways. Harry knows what he's doing even when he doesn't. I think it
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|
has a lot to do with confidence, don't you? I really like that about him, among other
|
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|
things."</p>
|
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|
<p>Harry chuckled and tried to tune out the wonderfully weird commentary that Luna
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|
provided. He needed to focus on the snitch.</p>
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|
<p>"Is your girlfriend distracting you?" Draco taunted.</p>
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|
<p>"Perhaps you're the one who is distracted," Harry pointed out. "Since you're here,
|
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|
talking to me instead of looking for the snitch."</p>
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|
<p>"I'll find it," Draco said confidently.</p>
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|
<p>"You will," Harry agreed. "In my closed fist!" He didn't wait for an answer but
|
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started flying circles while he occasionally glanced at the stands. Alex was clearly
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beside himself as he watched the players toss the quaffle and dodge bludgers.</p>
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<p>Narrowly, Harry dodged one himself, only to have it redirect itself at an
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|
unfortunate Slytherin.</p>
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|
<p>"Okay snitch," Harry said. "Where are you?"</p>
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|
<p>"50 – 50," McGonagall shouted, interrupting Luna's monologue about thestrals and
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|
their mating habits.</p>
|
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|
<p>And then he saw it. The snitch was flitting somewhere near the goalposts,
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|
seemingly undisturbed by Ron as he did his best to block the quaffle. He didn't know
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|
where Malfoy was but he didn't see him anywhere nearby so he sped off towards the
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|
tiny golden ball.</p>
|
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|
<p>While it was always dangerous when the snitch was close to the ground or the
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|
bleachers, Harry found it easier to try and catch the snitch when none of the other
|
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|
players was nearby. Now, the snitch was relatively easy to reach but he would still
|
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|
need to bypass an obstacle course that consisted of players in both red and
|
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|
green.</p>
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|
<p>A speeding stripe of green alerted Harry to the fact that Draco had now also seen
|
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|
the snitch and was going after it himself. It was on.</p>
|
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|
<p>Harry zigged passed the players in his path and tried his best to avoid those who
|
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|
would purposefully collide with him. He managed to dodge a bludger as well as a bat
|
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|
that was aimed at his head rather than at a violent ball. He was getting close and
|
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|
knew that if he would just keep up this speed, he would get the ball before Malfoy
|
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|
did.</p>
|
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|
<p>But naturally, he could not be so lucky as to have that come easily. Right ahead
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|
of him, a bludger came his way, Harry's head right in its collision course. None of
|
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|
the Gryffindor beaters was nearby and Harry knew that he should take a chance. He
|
|
|
wanted to dodge by veering upward but noticed that he wouldn't be able to move fast
|
|
|
enough to both dodge and catch the snitch, so instead, he positioned a foot on his
|
|
|
broom and pushed himself off at the very last moment, effectively jumping over the
|
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|
bludger, Newton's first law keeping him headed in the snitches direction.</p>
|
|
|
<p>His fist closed around the snitch and for a very small moment, he felt absolute
|
|
|
joy until he realized that he was now without a broom. But it was still very close
|
|
|
by. He flailed helplessly as he grasped at the broomstick, only narrowly managing to
|
|
|
grab it again. But now he was falling. Cursing himself in his head, Harry tried to
|
|
|
get his broom to slow down his fall as he clumsily managed to hook one leg over the
|
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|
wood. He managed to do so, but only slightly. So when he finally connected to the
|
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|
ground, the crash still knocked the wind out of him and an all too familiar pain shot
|
|
|
through his wrist.</p>
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|
<p>Harry grinned. His wrist was probably broken but if that was the cost for winning
|
|
|
this match, he would gladly pay it. Triumphantly, he raised the uninjured fist
|
|
|
containing the snitch into the air and relished in the cheers of the crowd,
|
|
|
congratulating him on his victory. The jeering of the Slytherins only made his
|
|
|
triumph that much more glorious.</p>
|
|
|
<p>Harry chuckled as he sat upright. Alex must be freaking out right now.</p>
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|
<hr size="1" noshade="noshade"/>
|
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<p><em>Finally Alex has come to view a quidditch match! I hope you like it. Don't
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forget to review!</em></p>
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<p><em>On another note, I'm not sure how much I'll be updating this week. I've got
|
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the necessary chapters written but with the holidays, I don't know how many people
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will actually be reading so I suppose it will depend on the traffic I get. I think
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|
I'll definitely update again tomorrow and see from there.</em></p>
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