Standing Against the Tides

Last time I looked at my driver’s license, it did not say J. K. Rowling. Yep, it’s just me, an unpaid and unknown aspiring writer. The characters of the Potterverse do not belong to me and I am making no money from this endeavor.

A/N: Spoilers through OotP. As I am still in denial, I refuse to acknowledge the events of HBP or DH at this point.

Unbeta’d as BabyGurl is busy with her own life.





Chapter 37 Friends Indeed

Harry was delighted to learn that Molly Weasley had shown her true colors and had proven that she was indeed the twins’ mother. The fierce woman had been allowed to visit Dumbledore and after verbally flaying the man for several long minutes, had switched to hexing the idiot with some rather painful and inventive curses. Finally, after much tugging and pulling and cajoling, the twins were able to convince the determined witch to leave well enough alone – for now. Molly had reluctantly agreed, but not before charming the former Headmaster’s cot into screeching like a Howler each time the beleaguered man even attempted to lie down and rest. Apparently, the red-headed witch had no intention of allowing the man to ever forget that he had hurt a member of her family. Fred and George had gleefully taken over for their mother and were busily tormenting Albus Dumbledore as they watched over the miserable prisoner. It was even rumored that the twins were thinking of adding their new partner in crime, Dobby, to the payroll of Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, as the diminutive House elf had come up with many creative and amusing punishments for the old wizard.


As promised, now that the twins were helping watch over the former Headmaster, Remus and Kingsley were able to travel to Hogwarts to teach Harry all the subjects he would need to know to pass his N.E.W.T.s. Harry rather got used to seeing the men wiping away tears of mirth as they stepped out from the Floo network. Once they regained enough of their composure, the men would then regale the current Headmaster with news of the latest pranks that Fred, George and Dobby had visited upon Albus Dumbledore, bringing a smile and a chuckle to the young man. After the laughter died down, the work of preparing for his tests would begin.

Of necessity, the sessions were rather intense and Harry began to feel like he would have a permanent headache from trying to absorb all the information being thrown his way. In addition, Severus and Kingsley were giving Harry practical lessons in both magical and Muggle forms of combat which left him hurting in other places. Fortunately for the young Headmaster, his partner was a Potions master and was diligent in not only providing the very best in remedies for all that ailed him, but also in applying said remedies. On this account, Harry had absolutely no complaints.


Currently, Harry was seated behind a desk in a room he felt little qualified to claim as his own. Except for the few spying devices that Harry had set aside, Hogwarts had cleared out all signs that Albus Dumbledore had ever resided here, and it was often only Fawkes’ presence that soothed the weary young man. Even after these several weeks, he could not quite believe that all this had actually happened. If Harry had felt before that too much was demanded of him, then he was absolutely sure that he was drowning in a sea of obligations now. Shaking his head at the useless nature of these thoughts, the young wizard sighed and began reading through the many reports that were scattered haphazardly atop the huge desk.

Hogwarts had led Harry to the discovery that the portraits of the former Headmasters and Headmistresses had been charmed to remain asleep as Dumbledore had not wanted their interference in his plans. After learning that fact, it was a simple matter of removing the charms and reawakening the portraits. Pleased that they had been freed from the old man’s machinations, the portraits eagerly accepted Harry Potter as one of their own. As such, the young wizard was now the recipient of much scholarly advice and entertaining gossip.


Severus was taking advantage of his free period this day to get a jump on his grading. Now that the Potions master had better things to do with his evenings, he was no longer content to just use that time for this tedious and often frustrating task. As was usual for him these days, thoughts of Harry soon led to thoughts of sex with Harry and so Severus missed hearing the tentative knock at his office door. Severus was lost in his sensual daydreams when he was startled by a hand gently touching his shoulder.

“ Uncle Sev?” Draco’s soft voice broke through his thoughts.

Only years of carefully schooling his emotions saved the former spy from showing his surprise. “Draco, what may I do for you?” he asked while randomly drawing a line in red ink across some hapless student’s essay. His masks once more firmly in place, Severus looked up and observed his godson. The young man’s face looked more pinched than usual and though the Malfoy heir was practiced in the art of composure, Severus knew him well enough to see the nervous indecision in the young man’s grey eyes. Deciding that Draco needed some encouragement, Severus pressed on, “You know that I have always been willing to listen to you, Draco. That fact has not changed.”

This was it, Draco realized: he could either take that proverbial leap of faith, trusting in his godfather to be there to catch him, or he could walk away and remain as he was. Glancing furtively around, Draco made his decision as he slowly sat down in the straight-backed wooden chair that was reserved for those students who were unlucky enough to be summoned to the Potions master’s office.

“Uncle Sev, is it true that you have aligned yourself with Potter?” There, he had said it. Now he had only to wait for the answer to know if he had made the right choice or a very bad decision.

Ebony eyes narrowed as the Potions master took in the sight of his godson. The Head of Slytherin House was silent for several long moments as he pondered his godson’s loyalties and motives. Removing his wand from his sleeve, Severus erected several strong silencing and privacy wards on the room before asking, “What do you stand to gain from this knowledge, Draco?”

Understanding the question for what it really was, the heir to the Malfoy name answered honestly, “I believe you to be a traitor to the Dark Lord and all that he represents. And if I’m right, then I am asking for your help in avoiding the fate my father and the Dark Lord have in store for me. I am even willing to pledge my support to Potter as I believe that he is our only hope of escaping this darkness.”

“And if you are wrong about my allegiance?”

“Then you will report back to Lucius and the Dark Lord and my life will be forfeit,” Draco casually drawled as he absently smoothed the fabric of his school robes over his thighs.

“But you seem to believe that you are right?” Severus pressed, wanting to hear just how his godson had come to this conclusion.

Sighing at the older man’s insistence on gathering information, Draco volunteered, “I’ve watched you and Potter the past several weeks and it has been apparent that there is something other than the mutual disgust and distrust that you two have always shown each other. And of course there is this whole business with Potter suddenly being named as Hogwart’s new Headmaster. So I do think I’m right. I must admit that I’m just curious as to how all this came about, though.”

Sitting back in his chair, Severus considered the young man who sat opposite him. True, he had long worked to subtly lead the Malfoy heir to the light, pun intended, but he had always felt that his chances of success were slim at best.

“Your observations are correct, Draco. Now, are you willing to submit to questioning under Veritaserum in order to prove your motives and loyalties?” he finally asked.

The young blond relaxed slightly. “Yes, and I will allow Potter to question me too. I am serious about this, Uncle Sev. I will do whatever I need to prove that to you.”

Smiling for the first time since this conversation began, Severus replied, “I am sure that we can oblige you in that matter, Draco.”

Satisfied that he was making the right decision, Severus sent word to Professor McGonagall and his lover to meet him in his office before dinner. He also contacted Kingsley so that the Auror could be present for Draco’s interrogation. As much as he wanted to blindly believe in his godson’s intentions, Severus know only too well just how much was at stake here. He could not allow his personal feelings to overrule reason.


A couple of hours later saw the arrival of the new Headmaster along with the Deputy-Headmistress and the Ministry of Magic Auror. If Draco was nervous, he didn’t show it. Seated in the same chair he had earlier occupied, the Malfoy heir gave every appearance of nonchalance.

Seeing the disturbing looks that Harry was sending his way, Severus nodded slightly in order to calm and reassure his mate. After everyone had taken their own seats, the Potions master spoke, “Mr. Malfoy came to me earlier today, asking for protection from his father and the Dark Lord. You may not know this, but Draco is my godson and I have always tried to look out for him, hoping that some day he would recognize the folly of blindly following in his father’s footsteps. In exchange for our protection, Mr. Malfoy has agreed to offer up any information he may have regarding his father’s activities. Mr. Malfoy has also offered to pledge his allegiance to Mr. Potter and the side of the Light.” Allowing this information to register with his guests, Severus sat back and observed the others’ reactions.

Harry frowned as he listened to his lover speak. While he trusted Severus and knew that the older man would never willingly do anything to hurt their cause, this was still Malfoy they were talking about. How could they be certain that the prat was being truthful?

Minerva looked over her glasses at the young Slytherin student as she considered her colleague’s words. Noting the pinched mouth and the worried glances that the blond was trying to hide, the Deputy-Headmistress made her decision.

Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt had dealt with many dark wizards and many suspected Death Eaters in his long years at the Ministry. He had learned to trust his instincts in such matters, and now they were telling him to believe this young man who was sitting before them. But still, a little Veritaserum wouldn’t hurt anyone.


A quarter of an hour later the members of the assembled group were sufficiently satisfied with the Veritaserum-laced truths that came from Draco Malfoy’s mouth. The young Headmaster was sitting off to the side and was still pouting from when his lover had stopped him from asking Malfoy questions. Important questions like ‘are you a true blond - everywhere?’ or ‘is it true that you shagged half of our year mates?’ or his personal favorite ‘Are Crabbe and Goyle really a couple?’ Just because he was now the Headmaster didn’t mean that Harry couldn’t have a little fun, did it?