In Letters.....

On August 21st the Azkaban break out was stopped before it could even begin. Harry had had Kingsley double the guards and lock the Dementors away and that was how they managed that one. And it was far too easy. The Death Eaters they had brought in that night were all newbie’s and hadn’t had any information, but it wasn’t like they had really needed any.

The fact that The Elite had stopped the breakout had enraged the Dark Lord. He couldn’t figure out how Harry knew the things that he did, how the boy seemed to be one step ahead at every turn. Then there was the fact that only his inner circle had knew of the breakout before hand. He had searched through each of their minds and had found nothing. He was beyond enraged and more confused then he had ever been. In the end he decided that they would make their plans in one of the unused rooms. But Harry had hit the entire house, he would know everything.

Neville had shown up at Number 7 the day after the letter was published. As soon as Harry had opened the door, Neville had pulled him into a tight hug. He had said that he wanted to do all that he could to help. He wanted to learn everything that Harry had to teach him. They had both lost so much to the mad man and that fact alone brought them closer together. Harry gained another brother that day and could honestly say that he loved Neville as such. Neville spent the rest of the day hanging out with The Core and realized that Snape really wasn’t that bad. Maybe it was the fact that the man had opened up on stage at Harry’s party. Or that Mackenna had a small cold and was asleep on his lap. What ever it was, Neville wasn’t affected by the man any more.

Now they all stood on the platform getting ready to get on the train. All of them except Harry that is. Even the returnees were going back on the train, claiming that it would be easier that way. That left Harry with nothing to do until 4 when he had to be up at Hogwarts for the staff meeting. Even little Rosilynn was going with her Abba.

He watched as parents fussed over first years, as older students tried to get away from their parents. Watched as promises to write and hugs were handed out. Most of them were DA, the others just knew the threat of what was coming. It was starting to get real for them. The war and it was Harry’s job to prepare them for it.

There was so much life just standing there. So much that could be taken away in the blink of an eye and no one seemed to realize it. Not the way that Harry did anyway. In the last three months his life had taken so many turns that sometimes he forgot that there was a war going on. Sometimes he was just a husband, a father and a brother. Sometimes he let it all go and was just Harry for a little while. But here, standing in the middle of 9 ¾ he was faced with how precious life really was. In an eye blink it could all be gone, destroyed.

“ Professor Malfoy-Potter ! You didn’t assign a course book ! “

Harry’s head snapped up and he looked into the beaming face of a Ravenclaw second year called Mylyssa. He had helped her with a charms essay the year before and actually got along with her rather well.

“ I did not. The things I will be teaching you don’t need a book for. “

The girls face fell but she was trying to stand on her toes to look at the baby at the same time. It was so cute, so Harry knelt down and tugged Mylyssa closer so she could see. He ignored the funny looks they were getting.

“ Oh, she’s so pretty. This is Rosilynn ? “

“ Yes and thank you. Go say good bye to your parents and get on the train. I’ll see you there. “

Mylyssa kissed Harry’s cheek and ran off. Why was it the he attracted children ? He had helped with more essays, walked more lost 1st years to class, and even was pulled in to comfort upset homesick students. It was all just crazy. But he really didn’t care much. He wanted them to trust him and they did. That was all that he needed, that they needed.

Tucking Rosilynn into her Moses basket, Harry sighed. He wanted to go with them. He wanted to be where his family was. But this time he needed to let them go. He needed to learn that he couldn’t be there all the time, no matter how much he wanted to be.

“ We’ll be ok Harrison. “

Harry looked up into his husbands smiling face and sighed as he stood. Pulling Draco into his arms he simply held on. They hadn’t been apart at all in the last 3 months and he didn’t know how to deal with it. He had gotten use to Draco always being there, finishing his sentences, reminding him where he left things. Now he had 6 hours to himself and had no idea what to do.

“ I don’t want to be alone. That is the thing that is bothering me the most. I haven’t been alone, someone has always been there. What in the hell do I do for the next 6 hours, go insane ? “

“ No, you go through the house and make sure we didn’t forget anything. Go over your lesson plans again. Go to your staff meeting and set up our rooms. Everything is going to be just fine, but we have to get on the train. “

Harry nodded and kissed Draco softly before letting him go. He didn’t like the helpless feeling that crept in as he watched his family get on the train. He didn’t like the fact that he had to stay behind and piddle, find something to do with his time. And he didn’t like the looks that some of the parents were giving him. But there was nothing that he could do about it either.

Most of the DA hung out the windows of the train shouting at him as it pulled away. It was good to see that they had all set aside their difference and got along. That they all realized that they were all fighting for the same thing and came together. The Houses no longer existed within the DA and it made him proud even as he laughed at their antics. He really was blessed to have them all.

As the train pulled out of sight the parents made their approach. This is not what Harry wanted to deal with today or any day really. The questioning that he was about to be subjected to would be humiliating public torture. But he had no choice and turned to greet them, most of them muggles.

“ Malfoy-Potter ? The boy my sons go on and on and on about ? “

“ I’m Malfoy-Potter. Who are your sons ? “

“ Colin and Denis Creevy. “

“ That explains everything then. As far as I know they started a fan club and are up to nearly 2000 members. Their talented, work well as a team, I know for a fact they’d make great beaters on the house team if they would stop following me around and get to try outs. They make me sound more bad ass then I actually am. “

“ You look different, better. “ Mr.Creevy grinned

“ Thank you, I’m very well taken care of. “

“ What they say about you, the stories of the things that you’ve done. I have a hard time believing it. You killed a guy your 1st year – “

“ True, self defense. He was possessed by Voldemort at the time. “

“ The giant snake ? “

“ True. 100 foot, massive. I nearly died that year. “

“ The dragon, you out flew a dragon ? “

“ Oh, that was fun. But yes, that is true. Then I saved a friend and another girl from the black lake, got through the maze and watched another friend die. I was the guest of honor at Voldemort’s rebirth and wasn’t meant to make it back alive. “

They all just starred at him, gobsmacked. Yeah he had a tendency to do that, it was all par for the course. If people didn’t want to know, they really shouldn’t ask. But they couldn’t help but ask, it’s just what people did.

“ Total rubbish, all of it. It’s just a story that they tell to the 1st years. There are no such thing as hero’s and you are not one of them. You are nothing but a skinny boy who kisses boys who just so happens to be teaching. Give me proof and I’ll believe you. “

The man in question starred at Harry with a look of total disgust. Why did he have to have one of these muggles today ? So, Harry pulled himself up to full height and crossed his arms over his chest. The others backed away as he pinned the man with a gaze so intense that Voldemort would’ve flinched. But the man stood his ground, although he did falter a bit. Harry didn’t blame his one bit. He was using his Dark Lord stare as The Core called it.

“ Mr.Perry, what do you remember of the story ? “ Harry asked calmly

“ There was something about a scare on the boy’s forehead. A lightening bolt, or something. I didn’t really pay attention. “

“ Then please pay very close attention because your just made an ass of yourself. I keep it covered. “

Harry nodded and lifted his fringe to show his scare. Why was it that it all came down to the fact of the stupid curse scare ? It was like if people didn’t see it, they didn’t believe who he said that he was. Once everyone got a good look, Harry let his hair fall back to cover it. Again they were all gaping at him, it made him sick. Stupid fucking curse scares and stories of the worst day of his life. He just wanted to be left alone.

“ I’m sorry, allow me to introduce myself before I become rude. I am Harrison James Malfoy-Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. I am also Sion, Merlin’s Chosen. I was born with more power then any other witch or wizard could ever hope to hold. First I am a husband, a father, a brother, a friend and a son. I am also a teacher and a leader. I am the only one who can end this war and could very well die in doing so. I could run away and let the war rage. I could cower and ignore it, let my fear control me. But I am not running away from my fate, I have accepted it. I run into battle. I stop what he has planned. I know Voldemort very well and have the ability to think like him, to stay one step ahead. I have the world in my hands, your fate as well as mine. And I will end this, for my family and for yours. “

Pausing Harry looked at the people gathered and noticed that none of them looked very well. It looked like some of them were about to be sick. They had just sent their children off to school to be taught by the only person that could save them. They had sent them into the heart of the war and they hadn’t even known it. They hadn’t been told of the war either and that made it all the harder.

“ I am also one of the best qualified to teach them because I know what is out there waiting for them. I have fought and got away from Voldemort twice since his rebirth. I know how to stay alive when I’m not meant to and so will they. I also control Nora, Hogwarts Castle. Your children will see no harm, she will not allow it and neither will I. They are the safest people on the planet and I will see to it that they remain that way. I do not lie and do not make promises that I can not keep. But I can keep this one and will. Mr.Perry, I am the hero. I hate being the hero and would much rather be left alone. I also know that it is never going to happen, so I just go on living and make the best of it. Perhaps this has cleared a lot up for you, perhaps not. But it’s real, I’m real. You can’t deny that. “

“ It’s all true ? “ A woman asked meekly

“ It is. “

“ Harry, how do you handle the stress ? How do you hold it all together ? “

“ Mr.Creevy honestly, I have no idea. I just do. I have one hell of a family and sometimes I can forget that I am what I am. Sometimes I can just let go and be a silly 16 year old boy. Draco and Rosilynn help to, they give me something to focus on. If their happy and safe, then so am I. “

“ Kids will do that, she’s just beautiful, Rosilynn. “

“ Thank you. Ya know I don’t think I will ever get sick of hearing that. “

“ Did you ever find out who ? “

“ I know who, she has her sires eyes. Only one person I know has eyes like that, one person who is sick enough. When I see him again, he’s a dead man. That will be for Krissy. “

Mr.Creevy nodded and looked down at his shoes. They others were now looking as if they would rather end this whole thing and run away. They were ready to openly insult this boy and they were quickly put in their place. They had miss judged him by how he looked, his actions and his age.

“ Matthew 7:1 – Judge not, unless ye too be judged. Don’t look at the person on the outside, but on the inside. Most times you will find that what the person looks like has nothing to do with who they are. Do you have anymore questions ? “

“ Oh, Colin went through his collection of photos, it took him 2 months. He has 3 massive albums for you. Ginny told him that you didn’t have very many photos of you and your friends or of what you accomplished so he put a few together. You did a brilliant job charming his new camera by the way. “

“ Thanks. He is to ask to take pictures from now on or I get to take it away again. He really hates it when I do that. I really have to go, I need to find something to do. This is going to drive me insane. I have nothing to do. “

“ Yeah, I’m a single mum and I just sent my sanity off to boarding school. I assume you’ll be seeing yours soon. “

“ 5 hours and 15 minutes, but hey who’s counting. “

“ Vienna Arias, Josephina is my life. “

“ I know what you mean, I have all 3 of mine there. Kevin Creevy. “

Harry just shook his head as all the parents started to converse. What surprised him was that they pulled him in, just like another parent. That’s how Harry found himself in a nice muggle cafe having lunch with people he just met. He liked the people that he ended up with and hell it wasted 3 hours so how could he complain.

*** Draco was getting restless and so was Rosilynn. It had only been 3 hours since they had gotten on the train and left Harry behind. But it was 3 hours far too long. It had gotten to the point where the only person that Rosilynn was content with was her Uncle Ron. The baby just wouldn’t settle for him or anyone else, no one knew why. It had been a small blessing when Ron had picked her up and taken her on his rounds, he had taken all of their rounds actually. As long as the red head kept moving, Rosilynn stayed quiet.

Currently, Draco was tucked into James’ side, safe and dozing. He just wanted this train ride to be over. He wanted to be back in Harry’s arms and he never wanted to leave his side again. Checking his watch again, Draco sighed and gave into sleep.

*** Harry sat in the staff meeting totally board out of his mind. This was entirely stupid. They all sat around and drank tea and argued. Merlin, what was the bloody point. Sure, Filch added Weasley products to his list, Albus announced 2 balls and Harry had told them about the changes that he planed to make to the castle; but now he knew they all had better things to do.

“ Merlin, just stop. You’re giving me a bloody headache. “

“ And where do you stand in the whole argument on Charms vs. Transfiguration ? “ Minerva snapped

“ If it will shut you up because it’s a pointless argument that I know you’ve been having for years, fine. They both have their pros and cons truthfully, as we all know. But then you have to come at it from my angle if you really want my opinion. On the battle field, various charms can save lives. Take illusions as a very good example. You can set up and protect a great many with the right illusion. You can also hide things in plain sight and no one would be the wiser. Troops being one of them, hiding how many you truly have on your side to make your enemy think they have you out numbered. As for transfiguration, that too can save lives. There are Animagus transformations for escape, one that works very well. If you need something and have a stick or a rock you can turn it into pretty much anything. But at the same time its how you use the magick and what you do with it. Neither out weighs the other and both have there uses. The things that you can transfigure you could just as well conjure. Your argument is pointless. “

“ Ace has a point. Some goes for potions when you take the battle angle. Hexes and Jinxes take magick, energy. A potion can save strength and get the job done. It is how resources are used and what the out come needs to be. But at the same time different people get different results. “ Severus added

“ Yes. And you can’t look at everything in black and white either. It’s all about intent, about what you plan to do with what you hold. A Slashing Hex can either cut a path through the woods or slice a person open. What the curse or whatever does is not what should be looked at, its how it’s used. There has to be a gray area or I wouldn’t exist. “

Again he was being starred at as if he had grown another head. No, this time he was a 16 year old boy stating what they should’ve already seen. Life really was fucked up sometimes, he had had this same conversation with the muggles at lunch and they hadn’t starred like this. Hell, he let them ask whatever they wanted. The difference was that the muggles just wanted to understand, these people really wanted his opinion.

“ If you didn’t want my answer you shouldn’t’ve asked. “ He sing songed

“ No, you made a very valid point. In fact it wasn’t even one that we had thought of. You have plans don’t you ? For the final battle ? “ Fillius asked

“ Fil, I have been planning the final battle since I walked into this castle. I have so many tricks up my sleeves that you wouldn’t even know where to begin. I need you to work on Illusions with the upper years. Min, just keep doing what you’re doing. Papa, the potions that we developed over break and healing potions. Granddad, hold on tight you haven’t seen anything yet. “

“ I’ll say. Alright, I think we’re done. The argument was good for at least another hour, but alas, Harry is a master in both. Broke records to boot. “

“ Oh do shut up you crazy goat. “

Harry just left the room as the other teachers laughed hysterically. He had quickly learned that no one stood up to Albus, not even Severus. Harry not only stood up to the man, but called him names too; it gave the other teachers something to look forward to.

*** After the staff meeting Harry had gone to set up the quarters that he had decided to use. He had the north tower, Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin’s tower to be exact. The many living quarters were on the top two levels of the tower and as soon as Harry had seen them he had fallen in love with them. On the 1st level was the sitting room with a big blue marble fire place, a couch and arm chairs sitting before it. There was a small kitchen tucked into the far right hand corner, a dining area with a large oak table that could be used for nearly anything and bookshelves lining the left hand wall. Nora had redecorated before he had even seen it knowing how much he loved blue.

On the second level there were bedrooms and bathrooms. Those too had been redone with Harry in mind. The master bedroom was massive with a king sized bed and its own blue marble fire place. The blues were richer here, darker. There was a walk in closet and a master bath that made Harry gape. It was simply perfect for them.

Then he wandered into the other rooms and smiled. Rosilynn’s was done in purples, just like her room at home. The windows with there stone seats were framed in gauzy curtains that added just a touch of whimsy. There was a round white crib in the center on the room, dressed in pale purple bed clothes with deep purple butterflies. There was also a changing table, dresser and a rocker ready and waiting.

Wandering further, Harry discovered 5 more rooms that stood empty and waiting to be used and 2 more bathrooms. It made him think of the children that would one day sleep in those rooms, play in those rooms. It made him miss the family that he would see in an hour. He only had an hour more.

Deciding that he would use magick to unpack and settle in so he could look at the rest of the tower, Harry sighed. He had survived 5 hours; one more was not going to kill him. Well, at least not literally.

*******

There was yelling as Harry walked down the last few steps of the main staircase and utter chaos. Ron and Draco were both shouting as were Nott and Avery. There was blood dripping off Draco’s chin and Nott had the beginnings of what looked like a great black eye. It was very apparent that Ron and Draco were yelling to get someone’s attention and they had, the entire student body stood watching; blocking the way.

“ Excuse Me ! Out of the way ! “ Harry shouted

The students got out of his way quickly so he could reach the fight. Not only that, but they all wanted to see how well he handled his first fight. When he stepped into the circle, the Slytherin’s sneered.

“ Look who’s come to save his little bitch. The-Boy-Who-Won’t- Die. “

Harry pinned Nott with a glare and crossed his arms. This would set the stage for all the others who felt he would be a push over. No.

“ What exactly is going on here ? “ He asked calmly

Draco and Ron went very still, they knew that Harry was just hanging onto his control. They also knew that he wasn’t addressing them and stayed well out of it.

“ Again, what is going on here ? I will not repeat myself again. Why is Mr.Malfoy-Potter’s nose bleeding ? “

As if Draco had just noticed, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a hankie. He wanted to watch what was going on and didn’t tilt his head back like he was suppose to. But the boys weren’t talking and Harry’s temper began to boil over. Turning to face the Slytherin’s fully, Harry cocked his head to the side and waited.

“ Mr.Weasley, since these two have lost their ability to speak, what exactly transpired. “

“ Rosilynn had finally gone to sleep and I passed her to Hermione as we got out of the carriage. The next thing I know, Draco’s nose is bleeding and he’s hitting Nott. Tilt your head back you moron or it will never stop. “

Ron put his hand on the back of Draco’s neck and tilted the blondes head back much to the amusement on the student body.

“ Sorry Professor. We came in here yelling to get someone’s attention. It’s the first night back, we don’t want to be in trouble. Draco reacted before he thought about it or he wouldn’t’ve hit Nott. “

“ Thank you Mr.Weasley. Would either of you care to elaborate ? “

“ He’s a blood traitor. He abandoned the cause, he refused the mark. Refused out Lord. Then he married you. “ Nott spat

“ He doesn’t deserve to be called Malfoy. A Malfoy – “ Avery started

“ Bows to no one and stands for what he believes in Mr.Avery. I am well aware of what it means to be a Malfoy and the times have changed. You and Nott have detention tomorrow night right after dinner. You will be escorted personally. I highly suggest that you research the blood lines. You will realize that without muggles and muggle borns there would be no such thing as wizard. We are a dieing race and it would do you good to remember that. Also 20 points each from Slytherin for provoking a fist fight. Into the hall, shows over. “

To Harry’s surprise the student body listened and filed into the hall. Harry waited until they were relatively alone and went to check Draco’s nose. It wasn’t broken, just bled, although it would bruise up nicely over night. The blonde clung to his tee shirt as he looked him over, making it more then obvious that he wanted to be held close and knew that he couldn’t.

“ The fucker sucker punched me. And yes, I just reacted. Gods I missed you. “

“ I missed you too. Had lunch with a bunch of parents from the station. They had decided to judge me and I quickly put them in their place. Then we all started talking and decided to have lunch. The staff meetings board me to tears and I set up our rooms. Did she behave ? “

“ No, “ Ron laughed “ I have been holding that baby for the last 6 hours. She just wouldn’t settle. “

“ Yeah, then Ron picked her up and walked her. She wouldn’t go to anyone else after. I’d say that she picked her God Father and God Mother for that matter. Mi had her for a bit too. She wanted nothing to do with me. “ Draco laughed

“ Perfect choice too. Now give me my kid and get moving. No more attention needs to be drawn to us tonight. “

Hermione passed off the baby and her bag and watched Harry simply melt. She had never seen anyone love there child more then Harry and Draco loved theirs. It was odd seeing her best friend cuddle a baby, even after watching it for the last 3 months. It was odd seeing big bad Harry Potter melt at the very sight of his daughter, to see all the big bad men in her life melt at the sight of the child. Stranger still to know that they loved her despite where she came from and she was willing to bet that the Malfoy-Potter’s would do the same for any child. That any of the men would.

She watched as Draco sat amongst the DA Slytherins looking more then a little nervous. The hostility was nearly palatable, Slytherin House stood divided. It was going to take something drastic for the house to in fact come together again and Hermione had a feeling that it would. In just a few moments the Slytherins would be meeting their new princess, a muggle born. The entire thing made her nervous, she didn’t like it one bit.

Then she glanced up at the head table and let her jaw drop. Severus Snape was dressed in muggle jeans and his batman tee shirt. The man wasn’t wearing his teaching robes ! He and Isis, who was scantily clad as always, talking to Harry trying to get their hands on the baby. That wasn’t going to happen, Hermione knew. It was an unwritten rule among The Core that no one asked for the baby when Harry had her. No, Rosilynn was special to Harry and they all knew not to mess with that.

“ Mi, alright ? You’re starring at Sev like your trying to puzzle him out. What’s on your mind Love ? “ Ron asked gently

“ A lot Ronnie. I just don’t know anymore. So much had changed this summer and it’s all just knocked me over. But it’s all good things, happy things for the most part. I really don’t want to be back here, I don’t want to deal with the bull shit that is liable to come. I want to go back to number 7 and go back to the way that it’s been. “

“ You’re afraid. “
“ I’m terrified for everyone. It’s just all so much. “

“ And we’ll deal with it, it’s what we do. He has a plan Mi; I worked on it with him. We know what we’re doing. Angel is going to watch his stress level and when it gets to be too much he’s going to put his foot down. We just have to wait. “

“ Yeah that’s the hard part. And Mackenna, Slytherin ? We can’t send her in there. “

Ron pulled her into his arms and held on tightly as she got her emotions back under control. She worried; they all worried, about every little thing. The girls from Privet had spent a lot of time with them, learning, studying, and bonding. They knew that they would have one girl in each house, Harry telling them where they would be placed. Not only that but they all knew that the girls had a plan, they just didn’t know what it was. Personally Ron was happy that the term started on a Thursday and there would be no classes tomorrow. It gave them all time to settle in and the girls to put their plan into action.

Sighing, Ron pushed Hermione up as the first years filed into the hall. They were all so small and seemed so defenseless. Wide eyed and innocent; terrified and excited. Yes, he remembered first year very well. He had stood beside Harry and called Hermione mental. Merlin, if he had known then what he knew now.

“ Anderson, Aaron. “

Ron grinned as the DA leaned forward in mass. They all knew of the girls and wanted to know if Harry’s predicted placement was right. As Aaron sat down she smirked and waited.

“ Ravenclaw ! “

Harry sat smirking as Aaron stood and gave him a cocky grin before joining Luna. He then held up one finger, that was one so far.

“ Anderson, Amy. “

Ron cringed as the girl sat down. She was a twin and was so close to her sister Aaron that this was going to be very hard on her. But she was also a very strong personality, an open mind. She would be ok.

“ Hufflepuff ! “

That was two and the girl bounced off to join Ernie and Susan. As the names were called, Ron wondered how many first years the girls already had in on their plot. He knew that they had bounced from compartment to compartment, introducing themselves and talking to everyone. It was actually funny to see, 4 small girls taking control. It also made him worry. He loved those girls and just hoped that they knew what they were doing.

“ Polkiss, Serenity Lynn. “

Ron snorted, the girl really hated her name and would most likely be picked on for it. But she came forward and sat down.

“ Gryffindor ! “

“ That’s 3 mate ! Let’s make it 4 ! Professor, Mackenna next ! “ Ron laughed

Minerva rolled her eyes and searched her list for Mackenna’s name. Sometimes she gave in far too easy.

“ Snape, Mackenna. When did that happen ? “

“ Yesterday. Everyone was packing so we decided to wait. We would’ve let you lot know. Eventually. “ Severus smirked

“ Yeah, eventually meaning the Sorting. Daddy, I left my Ipod and cell phone at Auntie Petunia’s. Opps. “ Mackenna said
Rolling his eyes and truly knowing his girls, Severus reached into his pocket and pulled out the missing items. Mackenna did a happy dance and collected them from her new father. The hall was silent.

“ Thanks Daddy. “

“ Sorting, we’re going for 4. “

“ Oh, right. Duh. “

Severus just shook his head and smiled as Mackenna sat down. She was very much Isis’ daughter, there was no question. Looking over at his fiancé, Severus smirked.

“ What did I do this time Sev ? “

“ Nothing. She is undeniably your daughter, that’s all. “

“ Thank you Caption Obvious, I wasn’t aware of that. What’s taking so long ? Does it normally take this long ? “

“ No. “

Severus turned his attention back to the Hat just as Mackenna started to speak out loud.

“ Look William, I know where I belong. I’ve been getting the same thing since I was 7 and that is were I want to be. So, please, just sort me. “

Severus let his mouth drop open as Mackenna’s temper began to spike. That was never a good thing, things exploded when her temper spiked. Whatever the Hat was going on about, the girl wasn’t very happy about it.

“ Ok, shall we go over this yet again ? I may have all the house qualities but I could really- “
“ THE SLYTHERIN PRINCESS ! “ The Hat finally shouted

Mackenna stood and ripped the hat off her head. No, she was not happy. Letting out a tide of cursing that Severus was secretly proud of, she stomped off to join Draco.

“ Mackenna Rose. “ Severus said calmly

The girl froze half way to the table and slowly turned around. She was in so much trouble and knew it.

“ Daddy. “

“ Ipod. “

With a sneer worthy of a Snape, Mackenna walked back up onto the platform and handed over the Ipod. She really hated being punished but Severus was normally nice about it. Now pouting, she turned to the Great Hall and sighed.

“ I’m sorry for the cursing. The hat made me mad. “

She then sulked all the way to the Slytherin table. The apology Severus hadn’t expected and actually thought about giving her back her Ipod. But then he looked over at Isis and knew that this wasn’t the last time something like this would happen. He would have to sit down and talk to her later about the girls.

The Sorting was drawing to a close as Severus focused back in. Somehow he just knew that his twins would be showing up soon. The night wouldn’t be complete if they didn’t.

“ Welcome, Welcome back to another school year. To start off with I would like to go over the school rules. There is to be no magick to be used between classes in the corridors. The forest here on the grounds is forbidden – “

“ And for very good reason ! Centaurs, Giant Spiders ! Among other things ! Hagrid, I didn’t like you very much second year ! “ Ron shouted

“ Follow the spiders. Follow the spiders. Why can’t it be follow the butterflies ? I’ll give you credit, you hardly panicked and we were surrounded. Granddad, you knew we were there too. “ Harry laughed

“ I didn’t know about the spider bit. Why would Ron panic ? “

“ Ronnie is arachnophobic. He had nightmares about that night for years. It was kinda funny to watch. “

“ Shut up Harry ! I don’t have any – Oh, yes I do. You have a tendency to giggle like a 10 year old girl. “

And he was giggling like a 10 year old girl right then and quickly stopped. It just wasn’t fair sometimes that he couldn’t pick on his brother.

“ Shut up Ronnie. “

“ Love you Harry. “

“ Love you too. “

The entire exchange was watched like tennis match as the students and teachers alike tried not to laugh. Harry and Ron’s relationship was rocky at times and as it turned out they really were just teasing each other. It became very apparent that both boys had done a great deal of growing up over the summer and everyone was truly glade for it. Now they didn’t have to worry about a fracture in the Golden Trio.

“ Yes, stay out of the forest. As was announced in the letter printed in the paper a few weeks ago, Harrison will be teaching DADA this year. I know for a fact that he has a lot to teach you. There will be changes made to the castle and grounds in a few weeks time in preparation for the final battle. I have been asked to inform you that the DA will always be available for extra help, do not hesitate to ask for it. Lilly and James Potter along with Sirius Black and Remus Lupin will be constant residents and guest in the castle, please help them feel welcome. Let the feast begin, “

Harry sighed as he looked down at the sleeping child in his lap. Some how he just knew that it was going to be another very long year, so much had to be done.