Dragon Rose

Chapter Five

Harry was in time to see Galahad disappear around a far corner as he exited the Headmaster's office. Pacing himself so not to tire out, he set out after him and was just about to turn the corner when a voice behind him made him stop.

“Mr. Potter. I hope you have a good reason to be running in the school, especially since you where not here when you where supposed to be.” Professor McGonagall's voice rang out.

Harry sighed as he skidded to a stop and turned back to his Head of House. “Yes Ma'am I do. But it's not something I can really explain.” He said.

“I see. Can you at least tell me why you where not here yesterday?”

“I had business in Gringotts.”

“That, Mr. Potter, is not good enough. You had time over the summer to do any business there.

I'm sorry Professor, but yesterday was the first chance I had to be in Diagon Alley.”

“Not another word out of you. I'm sure the Headmaster is just as interested as I am to here your reasons.”

“Yes Ma'am.” Harry sighed once again, and trudged back towards the gargoyle guarding the Headmaster's office, and preceded her up the revolving staircase.

“Ah, Mr. Potter. Back so soon.” Dumbledore called out when he caught sight of Harry.

“Yes Sir, I was detained before I reached Galahad.” Harry explained with a glance over his shoulder.

“Minerva, what brings you here at the moment?”

“I found Mr. Potter running through the halls. When he could not give me an appropriate reason as to why, I brought him here, so he could explain to both of us.”

“Harry will you ask Mr. Annerson to rejoin us.”

“Yes Sir.” closing his eyes Harry focused on finding Gali.

:Gali, where are you?:

:Kitten? I don't know. I got turned around. Where are you?:

:I got caught by our Head of House. She dragged me back to the Headmaster's office.:

:Tough luck.:

:Tell me about it. Can you give me landmarks on where you are?:

:Not really. All I can tell you is that it's dark. I was running down a hall, not paying attention and turned into a side hall. I can't even tell you if I'm in the dungeons. All I can see is blank walls.:

:Damn. Alright I'll see what I can do from here. Can you do a point me spell with your wand?:

:I don't have it on me. I left it in my trunk.:

:FOOL!! You never leave your wand behind.:

:I know. Kitten I don't like it here, this place is creepy.:

:Alright, stay put. I'm working on it.:

Opening his eyes Harry gave the Headmaster a concerned look. “He's lost, afraid, and without his wand. He cannot even give me which direction he in, or if he's in the dungeons or not.” he said, and heard Severus muttering about foolish children.

“This place is huge, how the hell are we going to find him.” Morgan said in a panic.

Albus sighed. “I can call in the ghosts to help search, and alert all the Professors. But it's going to take time.”

“Not really Sir. Has Remus left anything here for me?” Harry asked.

Albus got up and retrieved a wrapped bundle from one of the many cupboards in his office. “He delivered this a few days ago.” He said, handing it to Harry, figuring out what was in the package.

“And how is that going to help my son?” Severus sneered, trying to mask his concern.

“First you are going to take a deep breath and relax." Harry stated and waited for Severus to do just that. When he had he asked him a question. "Do you remember the Zonko's product you tried to take from me in third year?”

“Yes.”

“It's actually a map of Hogwarts. It shows everyone in the castle regardless of concealing spells, polyjuice or animagus form.” Harry explained opening the package and pulling out the map.

:Kitten?:

:Just a few more minutes Gali. Just try to relax.:

:I'll try.:

Harry unfolded the map, and pulled out his wand. “I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good.” he said and tapped the map.

Spreading it out over a table, he started searching for Galahad, but could not see him. “Damn.” he muttered.

“Language Mr. Potter.” McGonagall snapped.

Ignoring his Head of House, he tapped the map once again. “Show me Galahad Annerson.” he commanded. The map blanked itself, and then moments later refocused on a older section of the school. “Got him.” he announced.

:Gali, I need you to walk to your left.:

:Alright.:

The dot labeled Galahad Annerson, moved further away from the more traveled parts of the school and Harry was quick to stop him.

:Gali, stop. I've got your directions worked out now. All you just need to follow all of my instructions to bring you back to the land of the living.:

:How are you doing that?:

:I have a map of the school that my father and his friends made years ago. It shows everyone on the school grounds on it. It will lead me right to you. Or in this case it will lead you right to me.:

:Alright Kitten, I trust you.:

:Of course you do. If you didn't, you would be in real trouble.: Harry snorted.

:Just so you know, I am really sorry. Morgan has already given me shit over teasing you. It seems Father chewed her out for it.:

:Don't worry about it at the moment. We'll talk after I kick your ass for being an idiot.:

:Deal. So which way do you want me to go?:

:You need to turn around and go to your left. You'll come to an intersection and you need to go left when you get to it.:

:Alright. Are you going to meet me?:

:Would you like me to?:

:Yes. You and Father both.:

:Alright. We're on our way.:

Harry turned to face Severus. “Severus, he would like the two of us to meet him.”

“Good. I have a few words to say to that boy.”

“I know. I've already given him hell.”

“Lets go.” Without waiting for an answer he stalked out of the room.

Harry looked at the others and sighed. “How long before he figures out that without me and the map, he's not going anywhere?” Harry asked the others waiting in tense silence before following him out.

Harry found Severus waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs. “Which way?” he asked.

“We go down towards the dungeons. Just follow me and you won't get lost.”

“Aren't you the cocky one.”

“No. I'm the one with the map. And I know who made it, and that it can be trusted.”

“Who did make the map?”

“The Marauder's.”

“And you expect me to trust a map that they made?'

“No, Severus. I'm asking you to trust me.”

For the next ten minutes the two of them walked in silence. With Harry giving the occasional direction to Galahad. Finally Harry stopped at a blank section of wall. With Galahad directly across from him.

:Gali, I need you to start looking for a etched snake. When you find it, put your hand on it and let me know.:

:Why?:

:Because if I'm right. The password for this wall will have to be in parseltongue.:

:And you plan on inviting the Dark Lord in here just to get me out?: he asked incredulously.

:NO. I'm a parselmouth. As soon as we find the snake, I can let you out. Now stop panicking and start looking.: Harry commanded.

“Severus, we need to look for a carving of a snake. If I'm right, the password will be in parseltongue.”

“Can't you just command it to open without finding the snake?”

“I might be able to. But I'll still need a snake. I need it to focus so that I can actually switch languages. I don't realize when I do go between English and parseltongue.” Harry explained while searching the wall.

:Kitten? I think I found it.:

:Alright Gali, give me a minute to check where you are, and I'll concentrate from there.: Harry checked the map, and moved so he was directly opposite Galahad. :How far up the wall?:

:About half way:

Harry started looking around the halfway mark until he found the small snake. :I got it Gali. It will only be another few minutes.:

:Hurry Kitten: Gali replied, the strain he was feeling clearly showing in his mind voice.

Harry blocked everything else from his mind, and focused on the small snake. When it was all he could see, Harry started to speak.

{In the name of Lord Salazar Slytherin, I command you to open!} he hissed.

Harry held his breath and waited. For a moment he was afraid that it didn't work, and then the wall dissolved, and a very pale Galahad fell into his arms.

Harry wrapped his arms around the shaking teen and slowly lowered him to the floor, cradling him against his chest. Severus joined them, and wrapped his arms around them both, and together they comforted Galahad as he finally fell apart.

“That's right Gali, let it out. We've got you.” Severus whispered to his son.

“Harry, let the others know we have him, and tell them to wait for us in my office.” Severus said.

Harry nodded his head. :Morgan?:

:Kitten. Did you find him?: she asked worry strongly coloring her mental voice.

:Ya, we have him. Your Father says to take the others and meet us in his office.:

:Thank Merlin: She breathed. And Harry could clearly hear her start to cry. :We'll be there in a few minutes.: she managed to say.

Harry looked up at Severus and gave him a small smile. “They'll meet us there in a few minutes.”

Severus released his hold on both teens and stood up in order to gather his son in his arms. When Harry stood beside him, he leaned over and placed a light kiss on Harry's forehead. “Thank you My Harry.” he whispered, and then waited for a dumbfounded Harry to lead them back to the dungeons.

Harry used the map to make sure that the three of them didn't meet up with any of the other students. After all It wouldn't do for them to see their Potions Master, acting like a human being. He had finally managed to work his way out of the daze he fell into when Severus had kissed him, and whispered the words 'My Harry', just as they reached Severus's office door.

It was a good thing he did manage to shake it off when he did, as they found in the office waiting for them, everyone who was last in the Headmaster's office. Including Professor McGonagall. Not feeling ready to deal with his Head of House, Harry made sure that Severus was the first one to enter the room, and he stood slightly behind Severus, hiding, or trying to anyway. He knew it wouldn't really work, but if it kept him from dealing with McGonagall, then it was worth a try.

Taking a chance Harry glanced at McGonagall's face and groaned in dismay. Nope, there was no way he would get out of dealing with the Witch, and his only hope was that the others would protect him from her wrath. Following Severus across the room, Harry waited as he tapped a sequence on a section of wall, and watched as the wall slide away to reveal a passage leading to the Potions Master's personal rooms.

Upon entering his rooms Severus carried Galahad to one of the new rooms that had recently been added, and motioned for Harry to follow. “I need you to go back into my office and bring a vial of calming potion and one of Dreamless Sleep. You'll find both in the cupboard above my desk. I don't have the password set for it as of yet, so you should have no problems.”

Harry nodded his head in understand and left the room and headed for the passage leading to Severus's office. Making sure to keep someone between him and his Head of House at all times. It didn't take long for him to find the potions needed, and by the time he returned with them, Severus had Galahad stripped, cleaned, and redressed in clean clothing once again. Harry handed over both potion vials and went to leave again when Galahad called him softly from the bed.

“Kitten?”

“You should be resting.”

“I know, but my head is all fuzzy, so I can't call Morgan-Rose. And I really need her here.” Galahad rambled.

“Alright Gali, I'll let her know. You just sleep.”

“Alright Kitten. Papa, will you stay also?”

“I'm not going anywhere My Knight. Rest. Harry will get Our Rose for you.” Severus said wrapping his arms around his son.

Harry left the room and walked to Morgan. “Morgan, your brother wants you. He's wrapped around your father at the moment.” He said, and then added for her alone, :He's the one looking like a kitten at the moment. I don't like seeing him that way:

:I know Harry. But Papa will make sure he's back to his old self in no time.:

:I hope so My Rose, I truly do hope so.: Harry replied, unconsciously imitated her father, and tilted his head up to accept the kiss she placed on his cheek.

Looking over at Professor McGonagall as Morgan walked away, he barely managed to suppressed the flinch that wanted to come out and waited for the verbal on slot that he knew was coming, just like he knew the Headmaster wouldn't be willing to head off for him. 'Here we go' he thought to himself, and meet her gaze.

“Mr. Potter.” she started in a voice every student in her house learned to dread in their first week if not sooner, “Would you explain to me why you are on such friendly terms with a student you just met today, and why you are calling one of your Professors by their given names?”

Ignoring the snickering coming from Draco, Harry started on an over simplified explanation. “I met the twins early yesterday morning when my Uncle dropped me off at the station before 7. As I already told you, due to circumstances beyond my control, I was unable to do any of my school shopping, and Gali and Morgan convinced Professor Snape to take me with them, when they did their own shopping. A few things came up while I was in Gringotts, and I found myself unable to return to the school before the feast started. I have Professor Snape's permission to use his first name while we are in private, and since we will be sharing quarters for this school year at least, I am well within my rights to use his first name. As to my friendly relationship with Morgan, I can assure you that nothing is going on, and nothing will be going on between us. The twins and I have a trust bond, which allows me to speak my mind and not worry about anything I tell them ending up on the front page of the Prophet." he explained, and then added. " I do believe that I have covered everything that you need to know. And I will not answer any more of your questions about the things that have happened before this term started."

“Very well Mr. Potter. I assume by your attitude, that you have been informed of the decision, to remove you from Gryffindor Tower for your own safety. I still fully expect you to live up to the rules governing my House.” Disapproval for Harry's answer and attitude that she didn't bother to mask laced her voice.

“No Professor, I was thrown out of Gryffindor Tower, because your House believes it will be to stressful to deal with my demanding personality, and the danger it involves. Your House has shown on more then one occasion that it would rather turn it's collective back on one in need. On those grounds, I would rather be resorted to another House, then deal with a bunch of cowards who refuse to stand with one of their own.

Harry watched in satisfaction as McGonagall went red with fury to the insult of her house. Albus was also not pleased with the turn of events, but unlike McGonagall, he was angry on Harry's behalf.

“Harry, My Boy. Is that truly your wish?” He asked doing his best to make sure that Harry understood that he was not angry at him.

“No Headmaster, it's not. I would rather not be in any House, for one simple reason, I refuse to deal with House Rivalries, when we have a larger war to fight. The only reason I would consent to be in any House, is for quidditch. But that really doesn't matter, as I am under a life time ban for playing.”

“Your ban has been lifted. If you wish, we can have you placed in the Sorting Hat's first choice for you."

"I believe that will be best Headmaster. Unless of course by know the Sorting Hat has changed it's mind about where to place me.”

“That is an easy matter to discern. I will need to call in all of the Heads, for this though.”

“Of course Headmaster. If you would be kind enough to point me in the direction of my room, I will unpack my belongings, while I wait for the other two Heads to arrive.”

“I have taken the liberty of placing you in the room next to Severus's. It's the second door on the left.”

“Thank you Headmaster.”

Harry left the living room, and went to check on Galahad. Looking into the room, he found both twins asleep, with Severus watching over them. Smiling when Severus looked up, Harry walked into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. "How much of that did you hear?" he asked softly

"Enough to know that I wish I would have been in the room to see Minerva's face when you told her off. Do you expect to be placed in any other house, other than Slytherin?"

“Not really. But I figured it would be easier this way, with no one being able to say that I was being favored.”

“Indeed. I'll show you to your room. I believe that Albus had an ulterior motive in placing you there.” He said as he led Harry out of the room.

“And that would be?” Harry questioned.

Severus pointed at a seascape on the wall. “through that portrait, you will have direct access to my bedroom.”

“The Headmaster is throwing us together in other words.”

“Yes, I believe that, that is his intent. Does it bother you?” Severus asked softly, not looking at Harry.

Harry wrapped his arms around Severus from behind, and placed his cheek against his back. “No Severus, it doesn't bother me. I was just hoping that for once, the meddlesome old coot would keep his twinkling eyes out of our lives.” he said just as softly.

Severus smiled and turned around to wrap his own arms around Harry. The two of them stood silently for a few minutes, each feeling as if they had come home.

Albus Dumbledore watched the two of them from the doorway before making himself known. Clearing his throat softly, he walked into the room. "I see I was not mistaken in putting Harry in this room. I just ask that the two of you use the utmost discretion. I will be reviewing Harry's potions work so no one can call foul play." He told the two of them. And not giving them a chance to respond he continued, "The other Heads have just arrived so we can go on with Harry's resorting."

"Thank you Headmaster. When we are done, I would like to request the time to speak with Fawkes. I am going to need his permission to turn the feather from my first wand into a protective amulet.”

“Of course Harry. He has already made it clear that he will answer your call at anytime.” he said, before walking out of the room.

“I'm not sure which is worse, a meddling old coot or his bloody bird.” Severus muttered.

“The bird. He has a habit of changing everyone's mood to suit his own needs.” Harry laughed. He stepped back far enough to look up at Severus. “Do I really want to know why Fawkes will answer to my call?”

“I'm sure you'll find out when he wants you to.” Severus told him, before releasing Harry and starting for the door. “Come, lets go see what the Hat has to say about you now.”

“Nothing I haven't heard before, I'm sure.” Harry pointed out laughing, as he followed Severus out the door.