Why Should I Do It

A/N: Well, here we are a week later and another chapter ready to post. I will admit that my notes are caught up to where I am in in typing this up. I thought I had quite a bit more written out. Oh well.

He glanced around the room and sighed, his shoulders relaxing as he was alone. No Snape. No obvious sexual tension. Just Harry, his ingredients, and his cauldron. He pulled out his potions notebook and looked over at the last of the work he had done. Changing the base of the potion even the smallest bit could cause serious problems, but he knew that in order for him to succeed, mistakes must be made.

After six different attempts, three ending in explosions, one turning to an almost cement like substance and the other two just fizzling out he sighed and cleaned his mess before leaving the lab. He rubbed the back of his neck as he looked over his should leaving the dungeons, swearing that someone was watching him every step of the way.

As Harry left the dungeons with his notebook in hand he began to mutter about what he had done wrong. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going and what he was doing when he collided with someone landing on his ass, "Why don't you watch-" He looked up and saw that it was Blaise Zabini.

 

The Slytherin smiled softly as he held out his hand to Harry, "It's alright. You were focused on your book and I was off in my own world."

 

Harry took his hand and stood, "Why are you here before the term? The train doesn't leave until Sunday."

 

Blaise nodded, "Let's say that I found myself drawn to Hogwarts over the past several weeks and have only had the chance to leave my home until now."

 

Harry nodded, "Well enjoy the rest of the break. I have things to do Zabini." Harry started to walk away from the caramel skinned man only to have his steps falter at Blaise's soft voice carrying after him.

 

"Call me Blaise." He watched Harry until he vanished up the stairs before walking his way to his dorms to set up his bed and wardrobe for the next year.

~~~~~~~~

Harry was sure that he heard Zabini ask to be called by his first name but wasn't sure. He would ask his year mate at dinner. Maybe if he wasn't going to be involved with the classes the rest of the students were he could make friends among the hated house. He shook his head and cleared his thoughts as he returned to his room to change and shower. His hair was coated in potion fumes and with a sigh now he realized that he should have tied it back and away from his face.

 

He finished his shower and slipped on a pair of silk pants, enjoying the flowing material and how it felt against his skin. He sighed softly to himself as he pulled on a grey silk shirt, buttoning it halfway before running a brush through his hair and spelling it dry. He placed his notebook in the first drawer of his desk along with his werewolf notes. He checked the small clock that he kept on the desk before spelling his desk locked. It was dinnertime.

 

He checked his appearance in the mirror before he left the room and winced as anyone could see his uncle's loving gift over the opened top half of the shirt. He grumbled softly to himself as he buttoned the shirt up past the scar on his way to dinner.

 

As Harry entered the hall he saw that Blaise was sitting next to what had become his seat since he came back to Hogwarts. He forced a soft smile on his face as he took his seat between Blaise and Remus, "Hey Remmy, Blaise."

 

Remus blushed as Harry sat next to him, "Harry about earlier and the past week I need to tell you later." He pulled Harry into a hug, pressing a kiss to his godson's head.

 

Harry nodded and smiled, "I hope it isn't anything bad. I mean it didn't sound bad earlier." He blushed furiously as he looked down at his own plate trying desperately to fight the blush that was obviously winning.

 

Blaise watched the two with some interest and a soft smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

 

Remus coughed loudly to clear the air, "No. It isn't anything bad. I just feel that it is important for you to know." Remus gently ruffled Harry's hair, "We will talk more about it after dinner."

 

Harry nodded as he took a bite of his mash, 'C'mon Harry. Buck up the courage and ask him.' His hands started to sweat as he glanced at Blaise before quickly looking away, 'Nope. Need to come up with some sort of plan...Gotta be sneaky about it. One would say, a Slytherin plan.' He quickly finished his own dinner, stealing glances at Blaise between his bites.

 

Blaise was sure that Harry was sneaking looks at him all throughout dinner, but unfortunately before he could say anything Harry and Remus had left the room as if the devil himself was after them. He ducked his head as he watched Harry leave the hall, "And the chase begins."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remus had Harry follow him to his quarters, trying to figure out how to tell him what was going on. As they approached the portrait he muttered the password, admitting them both inside. Taking a deep breath he motioned for Harry to take a seat in one of the chairs in his sitting room. As Harry choose his seat he took one opposite his godson and smiled, "Well, I guess there is no way to get around this, and the better it is said the better we will both feel eh?" He chuckled nervously before leaning forward as he rested his forearms on his legs, clasping his hands in front of him. With his head bowed he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you when you woke. I was dealing with some...delicate matters."

 

Harry smiled softly as he took Remus's hands in his own, "Just make it blunt. Don't beat about the bush with it."

 

Remus chuckled, "I've found my mate. I was picking up some chocolate for you in Hogsmeade when I saw them." He looked up at Harry and smiled, "I didn't know at the time but they were seeking me. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. The bond was just starting to settle when you popped by earlier."

 

Harry nodded, "So it wasn't anything bad. When will I get to meet this mystery person that has taken my godfather from me?" Harry was happy for Remus, but was still jealous of someone taking what little time he had with the man away from him. This character had better be worth it.

 

Remus sighed, "How about we all go to Diagon Alley tomorrow? Then we can stop and have something to eat while we get your materials for being an apprentice."

 

Harry was unsure how to approach it the subject, "I know that I passed my transfiguration NEWTs with top marks. I'm not sure about my potions NEWT. Fudge interrupted that."

 

Remus nodded, "Well then it is a good thing that your results came this morning and were delivered to Albus. He in turn gave them to me." He handed the small envelope to Harry, "What happened between the two of you by the way? He seemed distant when he gave me the letter."

 

Harry took the letter with trembling hands before looking up to meet his godfather's eyes, " I just told him to stop lying to me and keeping secrets or he would see why I was supposed to be put into Slytherin when I was sorted." He turned his attention back to the letter in his hands. Taking a deep breath he popped the seal on the envelope.

 

Passing Grades                                       Failing Grades

O-Outstanding                                         P-Poor

E-Exceeds Expectations                         D-Dreadful

A- Acceptable                                         T-Troll

 

Alchemy - O

Ancient Runes - E

Astronomy - N/A

Charms - O

Defense Against the Dark Arts - O+

Divination - N/A

Herbology - O

Potions - O+

Transfiguration - O+

 

Harry's smile almost split his face as he saw his results, "Looks like I can move onto my apprenticeships." He handed the letter over to Remus and sat back enjoying the small sense of accomplishment that he had gained from proving that even taking his own education into his own hands that he was far better than what even the proctors thought that he would be at.

 

Remus chuckled and looked over at his pup, "Harry. When did you take Ancient Runes and Alchemy?"

 

Harry cracked his neck and smiled, "Independently. I bought the books for them and spent most of my nights reading and studying since fifth year. Most of my free time to get away from everything I was in the room of requirement practicing."

 

Remus nodded and handed the letter back to him, "So Diagon Alley tomorrow. We should meet at the entrance hall around nine?"

 

Harry nodded, " That sounds fine. Also, if I am getting outfitted then so are you. We are going to be getting a total wardrobe change. These robes that I have make my skin itch and it is uncomfortable. The closest I can get to wearing anything of comfort is silk." He smiled as he watched his godfather's face drain of color, "That's right we are going to get you some new robes, and new clothes. There is nothing you can do to stop me from doing it either." He grinned and  watched as Remus gave up.

 

With hands raised in surrender, "Alright pup, you win." He sighed, "Have Minerva and Severus given you a list of equipment that you will be needing yet?" At seeing Harry shake his head in the negative he chuckled, "Perhaps you should go and threaten them with new wardrobes if they refuse to give you the lists."

 

Harry smirked, "Yes I can just imagine all the hexes that Professor Snape would unleash on me at the suggestion that he wear anything other than black."

 

A/N2: I am looking forward to suggestions as to where to take the story from here. It's my Birthday... any ideas....just send them in a review. I will do my best to have the next chapter out by next Friday, but unfortunately I was sick all last week and didn't get much writing done, So the next chapter might be a little later than friday, but I promise that this fic will not die out and become just another sad story that sits undone for a year. I won't leave this fic alone for longer than two weeks.

 

Alright I am done ranting and whining.

 

-Drizzt