Dragon Rose

Chapter Three.

Harry was awakened the next morning by Morgan and Galahad, talking and giggling in his head. Snarling quietly to himself, he snuggled further into the warmth behind him and tried to go back to sleep.

:No way sleepy head, we've been trying to wake you for the past half hour.: Morgan told him.

:Don' wanna wake up.: He mumbled back.

:Sorry Harry, but you need to wake Father up, and come out here.:

This comment was enough for Harry to clear his sleep fogged mind and realize that Severus was the warmth he was snuggled up against.

:WHAT!: He yelped in his mind.

The twins both started laughing out loud at that, so Harry could hear them both in his mind, and from the other room. The stiffening of the body behind him, let him know that Severus was now also awake.

“Harry?” He mumbled in confusion.

“Yes.” Harry replied with none of the unease he was feeling in his voice. He was rewarded with Severus relaxing and pulling him closer.

“What are they laughing about?”

“I'm not sure exactly. It could have been my reaction to waking up in your arms.”

“I'm sorry.” Severus replied letting go of Harry and starting to move away.

Harry did not like the withdrawal and snuggled back toward the older mans warmth. “I'm not.” He said softly.

“Hmm?” Severus questioned, wanting to know why Harry was not allowing him to move away.

"The twins want us to get up and join them.” Harry said instead, not really sure how to explain what he was feeling at the moment.

This was enough to distract Severus. “Why?”

“Good question. I'll ask.”

:Severus would like to know why you want us to wake up:

:Because Kitten ...” Morgan started

:Kitten?:

:Yes, Kitten. We checked on you both earlier when we couldn't find Father in his room. You looked like a kitten curled up against him.:

This caused Harry to groan out loud

“What's wrong?”

“Those two evil children of yours have just given me a new nickname.”

“And that would be?”

“Kitten.”

Harry heard the one sound he thought he would never hear from his Professor. A gentle laugh. “I'm guessing they came into the room?”

“Yes.” He said out loud and then continued in his mind. :Are you going to tell me the reason yet?:

:Of course Kitten. It's called you both come out here or we send the Headmaster in to you. I'm sure he would love to see the two of you wrapped in each other's arms, if of course, I was reading the twinkle in his eyes correctly when we told him where you both where that is.: Galahad informed him

“Shite.” Harry said both out loud and in his head.

More laughter came from the other room, and Severus sat up slightly to look at Harry. “What's wrong now?”

“There's a set of twinkling blue eyes waiting in the other room for us.”

“Shite.”

“I've already said that.” Harry had to point out.

“Is it to much to hope that he doesn't know that we spent the night in the same bed?” Severus groaned, while reluctantly releasing his hold on Harry and sitting up.

“I believe so, considering the twins already told him, and are still laughing about it.”

:Do you two want coffee or tea?: Galahad asked, breaking into the conversation.

“Gali, would like to know if you would like coffee or tea?”

“Tea, strong and black. I think I'm going to need it.” Severus responded and then paused, “Gali?”

“If he's going to call me Kitten, I'm going to call him Gali!”

:Severus would like tea, strong and black. I'll have tea also please with two sugar and a dash of cream. Thanks Gali.: Harry said, laughing when Galahad started to sputter.

:Oh I like that one. Thanks Harry.: Morgan sent, laughter in her voice also.

Harry gave Severus a grin, as he rolled out of bed. “I don't really care what the Headmaster thinks at the moment. I refuse to get dressed before the sun is up.” he said, while pulling on his dressing gown.

Knowing there was no sense in hiding the fact the two of them shared a bed from the Headmaster, since he already knew anyway, Severus followed Harry's lead and pulled on his dressing gown, instead of going to his room to get dressed, and held the door open for Harry.

The two of them walked side by side out into the kitchen and met the twinkling eyes of one Albus Dumbledore.

“Good morning My Boys. Sleep well?” he greeted them cheerfully.

“Good morning Professor.” Harry replied, ignoring the question.

Severus also ignored the question and took the cup of tea his son held out to him. “Morning Albus. What brings you here at this God awful time in the morning?”

Albus's eyes just twinkled brighter as he looked at the two of them, and chuckled when the twins chorused a greeting to them.

“Good morning Kitten. Good morning Father.”

Harry just threw the three of them a disgusted look and took a sip of his tea, before sitting down between Morgan and Severus.

“Well, to answer your question Severus, I came to bring the twins to Hogwarts. Even though your spying days are over, Morgan and Galahad could still be used against you. And it would do no good to have the four of you arrive at the same time. I can explain Harry and you showing up together as added security measures, but the twins would be harder to explain.”

“That's understandable Albus. I assume you want them there for breakfast so you can have them sorted.”

“Yes. Though I'm sure we can wait for that until you get there if you want to see it.”

“It would be better if I wasn't. I might not be able to contain myself, if one or both of them are sorted anywhere else but Slytherin.”

Harry laughed at the expressions on the twin's faces. “I'm sure if you want to, you will be able to convince the Sorting Hat to put you anywhere but Slytherin.” he said.

“You cannot convince the Hat to put you in a different House then the one that it first chose for you.” Severus said, a slight sneer on his face.

“You go on believing that Severus. I know better.”

“And just how would you know that?”

“If I hadn't convinced the Hat to put me in Gryffindor, I would have had to endured having you as my Head of House.” Harry laughed.

“Merlin Forbid. You would have never survived your first year, for that matter nether would I.”

“Agreed.”

“Besides Papa, do you really want me and Draco in the same House?” Morgan asked sweetly.

“NO. anything but that! Do what you have to, in order to stay out of Slytherin.”

Albus glanced around the room and then looked at Harry. “Now that, that is taken care of, would you like to tell me why you where not on the train Harry? And why I had one extremely angry Nurse demanding that I find you immediately?”

Harry put down his tea and gave the Headmaster a steady look, “The reason I was not on the train, is an easy question to answer. I was busy in Gringotts arguing with the Goblins about inheriting the titles to five different Families. Don't ask me, I still don't understand what's going on. As to Madam Pomfrey, lets just say that I was disproving your theory that I was stretching facts to meet my needs.” Harry told him.

Albus was not allowed to say anything about that because said nurse walked into the room followed by Galahad, who had gotten up to answer the door, while everyone else was talking.

“There you are young man! I have been worried sick about you. Why didn't you send a note telling me that you where fine?” She demanded.

“I'm sorry Madam. I had a lot on my mind last night and letting you know that I was safe and healthy kind of slipped through the cracks.” Harry said wincing slightly.

“Very well then. Since I didn't see you last night, you will tell me everything I need to know now. Lets start with you removing your shirt so I can see any new injuries.”

“I'm fine honestly.” Harry started to say.

“I will be the judge of that. Now you have two choices ...”

“I know, I know. Either I remove my nightshirt or you remove it, either by yourself, or by having someone else do it for you.” Harry muttered while undoing the buttons of the shirt.

“Gee Harry, doesn't this conversation sound familiar?” Morgan said sweetly.

“I have a few words to say to you about this set of options, but I'm pretty sure that if I said them, I would end up hurt.” Harry told her, while slipping the shirt off.

“Aw but Kitten,”

“Don't start Morgan. This is really not the time.” Harry said, really not in the mood to deal with both females that early in the morning.

Harry waited patiently as Madam Pomfrey ran her tests, knowing that soon the questions would start. Glancing up he gave the Headmaster a look that clearly said, 'Do you understand now?' and watched as the twinkle died.

“Any new broken bones?”

“Not that I noticed.”

“Infections from unhealed and/or uncleaned cuts.”

“Not that I noticed.”

“Is that the only answer you are going to give me?”

“You would be better off asking Morgan about any new injuries. She's the one that healed me yesterday morning.”

Pomfrey turned her attention to Morgan. “How bad was he?”

“Two cracked ribs, three bruised ribs, a hairline fracture on the left shoulder blade, and numerous healed, partially healed and new cuts, along with a lot of bruising.” was the immediate response.

“Do you understand now Albus. You left him in that house to protect him from You-Know-Who, but who is protecting him from those monsters?” She all but shouted.

“Madam Pomfrey, He has no choice. I may be able to find another safe place to stay, but in order to renew the wards around the house, I need to stay there, in order to keep them safe.” Harry told her, trying his best to avoid the fight he knew would happen between the nurse and the Headmaster.

“You still want to protect them after that?” She demanded.

“I will not have their blood on my hands. There is already enough there as is.”

:Harry you don't....: the twins started to say.

“If the two of you have anything to say regarding my treatment at the hands of my relatives say it out loud Better yet don't say it at all because it won't change matters. I need to stay in the house where my mother's blood dwells in order to renew the blood protection she granted me, when she gave up her life to save mine. Nothing you or anyone else can say will change that.” Harry cut them off.

Albus gave Harry a look of pride mixed with sadness. “I am sorry My Boy.”

“I know Sir. I understood your reasoning once I had a chance to study the information you gave me last term.” Before anyone else could say anything he firmly stopped them. “Enough. It's in the past and can't be changed. Now that Professor Dumbledore knows the full extent of their treatment of me, I'm sure he will do his best to give me added protection for next summer.”

“Fine Mr. Potter. As I am going to be needed at the school soon, I suggest that we start on the rest of your start of term questions.”

“Yes Ma'am.”

“How did you sleep over the summer?”

“Same as usual. Nightmares and visions. Nothing new.”

“And last night?” she asked

Harry blushed into his cup of tea, while the twins and Dumbledore snickered. “I slept fine last night.”

“Are you sure, no nightmares, and no visions.”

“No Ma'am.”

“Did Severus give you anything to help you sleep.”

“No Ma'am. I was half expecting a vision last night when the news that I was in Diagon Alley and not on the train to Hogwarts reached Riddle. Thankfully it didn't happen.” he said not daring to look up at the others.

“And I'm to believe you?”

Morgan managed to contain her laughter long enough to answer. “It's kind of hard to hide the screams when someone is in the room with you.” she pointed out.

“Not when you are as good with silencing spells as Mr. Potter is.”

“Not when you're sharing the same bed.” Galahad told her. And then added silently to Harry, :Silencing spells? Just what did you and Father do last night?:

:Shut up Galahad. Or I'll make sure you regret it.:

Pomfrey turned on the one adult who was keeping extremely quiet, and who she knew also spent the night, “Severus Snape, are you telling me that you let Harry and this Young Lady spend the night together.” she demanded.

Harry's head had dropped to the table when the questions about his sleeping habits had started, provoking Galahad to start teasing Harry, but he snapped up with this last question. “I did not sleep with Morgan. If I did, I'm pretty sure her father would have killed me!”

“And who is her father?”

For the first time since the conversation started Severus joined in. “I am, Poppy. And Harry is correct. If I would have found the two of them together, one of them would have been dead.”

:Did you notice he didn't say 'you' would be dead Harry?: Galahad asked.

:I'm trying not to think about what that means at the moment Gali.:

“Who did he spend the night with then?”

Albus decided to break in. “I do believe that Severus and Harry shared a bed last night.” he said. “It is my understanding that after everything that has happened, Harry was unwilling to spend the night alone.”

“And you are okay with this Albus?”

“Under the circumstances Poppy, I really must insist that we leave the subject alone.” Dumbledore said firmly. “I do believe that we must be getting back to the school. Morgan, Galahad, gather your things. If you need anything else, you can always have it delivered or buy it in Hogsmeads.”

“Yes Sir.” They both said and left to get their things.

“Severus, Harry, I expect to see you both by lunch time. That should give you all the time you need to get your shopping done.”

“Yes Sir. I'll just go help the twins.” Harry said while Severus just nodded his head in agreement with the Headmaster.

Harry made a quick retreat out of the room, and joined the twins in the room they shared. Throwing them both a glare, he flopped down on one of the beds and watched them do what little packing needed to be done.

“Harry are you going to be okay?” Galahad asked.

“It's going to be a little awkward between us I believe, but we'll manage.”

“If you're sure Kitten.”

“If you don't mind, I would like the story of how I got that name to remain between us.”

“Of course Kitten.”

“Morgan, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure Kitten.”

“Don't do anything to Draco until I get there. I want to see it.”

“That I can do.”

“Good.”

“Alright, we're all packed again. Don't do anything foolish with Father while you're alone okay.” Galahad couldn't help but teased.

“I'm sure we'll manage to behave ourselves.” Harry replied dryly.

“Indeed.” Morgan intoned.

“You sound like your father when you do that. If you plan on keeping the fact that he is your father secret, I suggest you break that habit. Both of you.”

“Yes Kitten.” they both answered.

“Are you coming out to say goodbye?”

“No Morgan. I'm going to go take a shower. I'm still feel filthy from yesterday, even after my shower last night.”

“Alright, we'll tell Papa.”

“Thanks. Both of you.”

“Not a problem Kitten.” Galahad said.

:Just remember Harry. We are only a thought away.:

:I'll remember that. You better get going.:

Harry waited until he was sure the only one left was Severus before leaving the room to gather what he needed for the shower. 15 minutes later, he was as ready as he could be to face the world once again. He followed his nose to where breakfast was waiting and took a seat across from Severus.

“Harry?”

“Yes Severus.”

“Do you regret asking me to stay with you last night.”

Harry looked up in surprise. “No. I'm more worried about what excuse Morgan and Gali will come up with on why they gave me that nickname.” he said honestly.

Harry wasn't sure but he was pretty certain that a lot of tension left Severus at his answer. “Do you regret staying with me?”

“No. But unlike you, I'm more worried about what the staff will say, if Poppy tells anyone.”

“They won't believe it. As far as anyone else knows we hate each other.”

“And that's another thing. We put our past history behind us awfully fast.”

“I said the same thing to the twins. It was too easy to put everything behind us. They assured me it was because of the Trust Bond I have with them. It allows you to know when I'm being truthful and stuff along that nature.”

“There's more to it then that.”

“I know. I'm just not going to worry about it at the moment.”

“And if along the way our past history comes up?”

Harry finally looked up from his plate. “Not if Severus, when. When it comes up between us, we'll deal with it then. There's no sense doing so now. For one we just don't have the time to do so.”

“Agreed. Where should we start on our trip through the Alley today?”

“I guess we should start with my OWL results and the list for my school supplies. Professor Dumbledore left both here. And then I guess our next stop after that should be for a new wand. I need to find out if Mr. Ollivander knows what to do about Fawkes's Feather.”

“I can help you with that. We'll need Fawkes permission first, but I'm sure I'll be able to weave added protections into it, that will also allow you to focus your power.”

“That would be great. The feather still feels like my wand. Just with a higher concentration of power.”

“I think you should explain that to Mr. Ollivander. I'm sure he'll be able to explain to you why it feels that way.”

“Shall we go then?”