Fated by our magic

Chapter 2

After that long night with the child and the conversation with my godson I'm ready to finally face the questions of the two professors who I can sense in my office, which unfortunately is connected to my private quarters. Wonderful, just what I need, there's no escaping. I walked in to be greeted by Dumbledore rushing towards me, “Severus my boy, I would appreciate an explanation for Harry’s new attitude. Was his head damaged or maybe a curse or hex has been casted to him?” I sighed, well this will go spectacular. “There is nothing wrong with the child, except oh being tired of being betrayed constantly by your little Gryffindors. I warned you that this would end badly if you continued to turn a blind eye, these are the consequences. He no longer trusts anyone, and now because of his enormous magical core he has unconsciously learned to make shields with raw magic! Honestly it's a wonder how he hasn't fallen ill with the extent of magic he uses on those shields.” McGonagall stepped forward, “Well he certainly trusts you. Why is that?” Oh merlin I could hear the accusation in her voice, this is a record of how many times I've sighd within minutes. “Minerva, I don't know what you are implying but I can tell you that I haven't done a thing to the boy. All I know is that his magic calms when I am around, why in Merlin's name would that be, I haven't got a clue. One thing I know is you had better get your little lions under control before they lose the child. Honestly I’ve lost count of the times he's been ostracized for not fitting in with their ideal chosen one image, it's ridiculous. Not even Slytherins with our long standing rivalry have treated him so poorly, it's embarrassing and pathetic what they're doing.”

It seems I've struck a nerve, “How dare you! It's not like you're any better. How many times will I have to give your snake’s detention for bullying!” I huffed, “You will not be speaking to me about bullying, how many times have my snakes gone for help within this school and not recieve it. They do what they do to protect our own. We always have. Had you taught your kids well-” Pulling her wand out is what Dumbledore finally saw as a need to step in. “Now, now friends. I think we are getting off topic-” I scoffed, “Well that's an understatement.” He continued, “We are here to discuss Harry. Now Severus, is there anything else you can think of?” I pulled my wand and opened the door with a simple charm facing them, “I've told you all I know, now get out. I have papers to grade and since I had your lions there will be many mistakes I must correct.” They walk out as I shut the door and walk to my desk. I felt a small tug at my magic, it seems he's not resting well if he's trying to reach out. Since Draco and him have not fully established their magic it seems I will have to watch over him until then.

I got up and once again made my way to the infirmary, I walked and made my way towards the child's bed. He’s squirming in the bed groaning in pain, sighing as I see a shield once again up around him. Poppy rushes out and races towards me, “Severus thank Merlin you're here! I haven’t been able to help him, the shield won't let me through and when I tried to get past it to help him it burned my hand.” She lifted her hand unwrapping the bandage of what I assume is healing water for the burn, the burn itself turned her entire hand red and purple. “Do not worry poppy, I will care for him tonight. As I'm sure you've heard, the child’s magical shield will only let me through it. I know you and I have no issues between us or you and my snakes; I suggest you stand back. His shield might think you are a threat if you stand too close when I enter.” She nods and steps back, I raise my hand and let out small waves of raw magic and slowly walk through the shield. Dark green magic starts falling on me when I’m fully through, as I suspected his magic wishes to protect me as well as himself. I hear Poppy gasp, I turn around and see she stepped further back as the green magic shoots out in all directions. Thankfully it doesn't reach too far because it died out the further it went. Good, I will have to figure out the range of how far his magic blasts out.

“No! I'm sorry. I promise. I promise just please! No more!” I walked slowly towards the bed that was shaking with his increasing shouts of ‘no's’ , “Child, I need you to wake up, I can't help you if you don't open your eyes. It's a dream, you need to wake up!” I push some of my magic as I grab his arm, he opens his eyes before practically jumping off the bed and hiding between the bed and the night stand next to it. At least the shield is down and not a threat to others, I kneel down in front of him hearing bits and pieces of his muttering, “I'm sorry, I'm sorry I promise I won't do it again. I won't touch the food. I won't touch it. Just no more dark. Please. Please. Boy will be good. Boy will be good. No more. No more.” I was about to try speaking to him before I felt a dangerous spike of magic, I looked at Potter who was speaking in third person. It wasn't him, he can't even be counted as conscious; he was rocking back and forth on the floor with his hands on his head. I looked around looking for a possible threat, until I felt a familiar magic. Draco.

I stood up quickly, if Draco could feel what was happening then they were more connected then I had thought. Right that second he came bursting through the door, his night robes and hair was messy which means someone had tried grabbing him. Most likely Zabini or Parkinson, right on cue I could hear the shouts of them down the hall. Draco looked around before locking eyes with me, his raw silver magic looked like it was trying to jump off his body. He was practically running towards me, or more so Potter, “Draco, Draco I need you to calm yourself.” He looked at me, his eyes cleared up from the magical fog that had blinded him with only instinct to guide him. “Where is he? Please just let me try, I know that we haven't verbally acknowledged our bond but I can still feel him, he's scared. You can't expect me to leave when I can feel his fear and my magic trying to jump out of my own body to connect to his.” This is going to be a long night, “I understand that, but you must know that because of that reason he might put up another shield with his magic. As far as I know I can go through it but if you try going through with your brazen attitude it could reject you and see you as a threat. Now I will ask you to calm yourself and slowly emit your magic and reach out to him, try speaking quietly. I don't think he likes loud noises, he is also speaking in third person for some reason but I believe it has something to do with his relatives.” He breathes in and out before slowly nodding and crouching down with his magic surrounding him in small waves.

Draco crouched down on his knees, shuffling towards the child. The silver magic barley touching the childs rapid waves of green magic before the child looked up, not rocking and looking at Draco. Draco thankfully slowly getting closer reaching his hand outward, the child's magic was circlying my godsons hand before practically yanking him forward. I walked forward as quickly as I could without scarring the teenager regressed child. Such an odd thing to say. I kneel in front of the two teenage boys watching as the child's magic wrapped around Draco, who doesn't seem to mind and is enjoying the feeling. The child is now in Draco's arms on his lap snuggling into his neck, Draco's silver magic entwined with the green magic creating something I cannot describe other than beautiful. "Draco." He looks up at me, fully attentive. "Come closer I need to make sure he's okay. His magic will not harm me but it will harm madam Pomfrey so I need to run a diagnostic on him. You may stay but only if you can remain calm and help me with him. Do you understand?" He looked at me nodding before picking up the boy in his arms and sitting in front of me.

The child looked at me, then at Draco before looking panicked and surprisingly reached out to me; Draco looked alarmed and looked at me as well. This is just strange, I've never heard of any case like this with magical children, he shouldn't be regressing in his mental age. He let out a small cry while still having his hands out towards me, Draco spoke quietly, “Uncle I think you should grab him, I think he just realized that his magic accepts me but he doesn't recognize me to trust physically? I'll get Madam Pomfrey and you get him to listen to her.” He put the child on the floor and got up slowly walking to get Poppy. The child's magic reached along with his arms, I guess he won't do anything until I tell him too. Which solidifies my suspicion on how badly his abuse went, “Come here child, I will not harm you.” He looks confused and silently cries, leaning into my lap, his head on my chest. My magic flares, calming waves sent to him, his breathing has fully calmed into slow breaths.

Draco walks slowly forward Poppy behind him, I look down speaking loud enough for him to hear me and not startle him, “Child, can you do something for me?” He looked up at me, he looked behind me and started breathing harder shaking his head, his hands yanking my outer robes crying, “NO! No! Don't leave me! I will be good! I promise just don't leave me!” It seems he goes back and forth between his age regressions, I grab his forearms and gently pull them from my clothes, “Child I am not leaving. I won't move from here if that's what you want but I need you to calm down.” He seems calmer, I motion for Poppy and Draco to kneel next to me. I look directly at the distressed teenager before shushing him like I once did to Draco when he was younger. He calmed fully, just silent tears falling from his eyes; he put his head on my lap clutching my outer cape. Looking at Poppy who looked incredibly sad and distressed, “Run the diagnostic, but slow movements, I cannot promise you will be unharmed if a shield goes up.” I put my hand on the child's head, “Be still, no harm or pain will come to you, understand. I just need you to be still.” I felt a slight nod, good, that means he has returned to his current age but he doesn't seem to want to let go of me. I kept my hand on his head waiting for Poppy to be done with the spell. Fifteen minutes pass before I hear sniffling coming from Poppy, her wand drops to the floor and she looks at me. That could mean one thing and one thing only, that scroll was able to pull tears from one of the toughest medi-witches in the century.

Before I can grab the scroll Draco grabs it from the floor standing quickly reading it, unfortunately with a teenager on me I couldn't stop him. "Draco. Listen to me. I know what's on there cannot be good but for your peace of mind drop it and remove yourself from the room.” He, like his father doesn't listen, started shaking, his magic coming in harsh rages of anger and disgust. The paper falls between himself and Poppy who recovered from shock and yanked it from the ground. The entrance door burst open with Zabini and Parkinson rushing towards us, “DRACO! I get you had to get here but hexing us with spells to stay behind-” They looked at Draco, fear in their eyes when they saw his waves of magic. “Children, I need you to take Mr.Malfoy and wait outside.” Poppy gently grabs Draco who hasn't stopped shaking and pulls him towards the doors, Draco in return grabs her and starts pleading, “You can't send him back! Please. Please. You can't send him back. I'll give you whatever you want! All the Galleons you want! I promise just don't send him back!” He's crying, he's crying!? I looked down at the child, his face void of any emotion, he reached his hand out. Green magic quite literally slithering on the ground up to wrap itself around Draco's hands that are clutching Poppy's uniform. His body went limp, his eyes slowly closing, tears slowing until he's asleep standing.

I looked at the teen in my lap, he sat up slowly holding onto my arm, I looked at my two terrified snakes, “I need you both to grab him before he falls and wait outside, under no circumstance is he to return to this room without my say so.” They both nodded pulling Draco out the doors, “Severus, we need to give him a sleeping draught. None of them should be up right now. I'll give one to your snakes outside, you give Mr.Potter his.” She handed me the potion before leaving the room. I sighed turning to the child, who looked like he's regained his teenage self, “You can leave now. There's no point in staying, once you read what's on the scroll you'll be too disgusted with me and leave.He pulled away from me, that's not something that is normal for him recently. “Child, is that truly what you think will happen? Did I not tell you that I wouldn't leave you? That no more harm if I can prevent it from coming to you? You trusted me enough to take care of you for these past events. Why not trust me again?” He turned to me, that voided look in his eyes. “You were forced into taking care of me, and I have just been clinging onto what you were forced to give. My magic has been out of control since I was a child, it clings to people but eventually when the person leaves the connection leaves as well. So do both of us a favor and leave now so I don't feel the emotions you will feel when you read the bloody scroll.” Poppy walks back in just when he starts shouting before I can speak, “JUST GET OUT! I NEVER NEEDED ANYONE BEFORE! and I don't need anyone now. Please just go. I don't want to feel anymore.” His once shouting voice started to dwindle into cries, Poppy stood next to me, slightly pushing me forward, but honestly I didn't know what to say. So I knelt where he was on the floor curled into a ball crying, sending calming waves of my magic as I took the scroll from Poppy's hand and started reading.

Terror, a feeling I'm familiar with but not used too, but that is all I felt when reading and rereading the scroll. The atrocities that have been commited on this child is barbaric, lashing, broken bones, vitemin deficiency, anemia, head trauma, bruised spine, fractured legs, and the one thing that is punishable by an excruciating death; sexual assualt and rape of a child. I think I'm going to be sick. The scroll shriveled and tore into pieces with my magic, I looked at the child, who was looking back at me with such sadness and fear. I sat fully on the floor with my arms open to sign that I wasn't leaving him, I sent stronger waves of magic; protective, calm. He cried, practically launching himself into my arms, almost knocking us down, but I didn't care. He's been through far too much anyone much less a child should go through, I let him cry in my arms until I realized he was saying something. I pull back from the hug when I hear the broken voice of a child, "Please don't leave me. I can't handle it if one more person leaves me. I'll do better, I promise I will. Just don't leave me!" His knuckles white as he clutched onto my clothes, I couldn't help but feel my magic's protective nature come through, my words surprising me as they fell through my mouth, "Do not worry my little python, no one will harm you ever againYou will be home and safe in mere hours, and no one will lay a hand on you. You are a slytherin, you were meant to be from the beginning and you always will be. That is where your home was supposed to be, and now that can be reality." I hugged him again as he nodded, "I'm too weak to be in slytherin, I was too weak in Gryffindor there's no chance the Slytherins will accept me." He cried harder, only stopping when I speak, "My child, you must listen closely to what I'm going to say." He looked at me fully, tears clearing and a small smile placed onto his face when I said my child.

"Slytherin is one of the most loyal of all houses, we protect and help our own, we work for what we deserve and what we believe in, that's where our ambition comes from. We stand by eachother even when everyone believes we wouldn't without something in return, and in a way we do, but what we want in return is something none could buy from us; our loyalty, respect and in some cases our love or affection. You deserve and have earned every bit of all, my snakes have told me how you protect the younger years or distract you peers so they can get away. That earned you our respect, our loyalty was earned when you stood up to older years and teachers when you saw slytherins being mistreated when the school accused them of corrupting you when they suspected you being the heir of slytherin. Draco being your chosen bonded was a bonus, do not think you are unworthy. I assure you that what you earned was exactly that, earned." I don't think I've ever seen someone smile so brightly, "Then I will make you all proud. I will be proud to call myself a Slytherin." He looked at me with something I haven't seen in a very long time, determination. I can feel it, my magic fully bonding with this childs, I will protect him if it's the last thing I do.

I can feel my lips twitch into a small smile, he smiled even brighter at me, "Than my child I look forward to seeing you in our house soon. Now enough speaking, you need rest if you want to look presentable, as I stated earlier, stand tall with pride and elegance; they had their chance now to show them what they're missing." He nodded at me, hopping on the bed laying under the covers slightly shivering. Oh this child, he used way too much magic. I took my wand out saying quiet heating charms on the blankets, I turned around to grab a nearby chair when I yanked back, "You said you wouldn't leave." I grabbed his hand speaking as softly as I could, "I'm not, I am grabbing a chair. I will stay with you until it is time for breakfast, so close your eyes if you truly cannot sleep." He let go and I quickly grabbed the uncomfortable wooden chair and transfigured it into a small cushioned chair setting it next to his bed. He stared up at the ceiling not speaking for 15 minutes until I pulled the chair closer and put my hand on his head sending waves of magic to relax him. His breathing slowed until he closed his eyes and turned to me grabbing my hand fully asleep in seconds. I guess I won't be moving from here, I looked at the tear stains around his eyes, “Do not worry any longer my child. I will protect you, the correct way this time. No more hiding, I should have done this from the beginning, maybe you wouldn't have gone through so much pain; but I'm here now. I will remain here with you, I will shield you from those who want to cause you harm. Good night my child.” I sat back facing the entrance in case someone wanted to interrupt my newly appointed child. If our magic has connected the goblins must be informed already of the change of guardianship, this is ancient magic so the goblins respect that above money or status. I looked at the teenager who was now under my care, "We will be okay."

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

I can feel myself being awake, I kept my eyes closed wanting to keep the sense of safety and warmth around me, the magic was protective and calm. I remember what happened last night and I also know now that Professor Snape is someone I can trust full heartedly, he stayed even though I’m damaged and broken. Uncle always said not even my own parents would want a broken child, that even if they were alive they would have given me away anyway. He was wrong, professor Snape wants me, and Slytherins want me. Unfortunately I've lost Draco, my magic will be weird for a while dealing with the loss; but I gained something I thought I'd never have or deserved. Someone who wanted to take care of me, who wanted me, like a parent. My train of thought was cut off when I heard the professor start talking, "I know your awake my child, get up. You need time to look presentable for your re-sorting and you need to get a check up again from Poppy. After that Draco wants to talk to you." I sat up quickly looking directly at him, "Please no. I will take a silent rejection, just don't let him do it face to face please." He looked confused but masked it too quickly, instead he sat down at the end of the bed before speaking again, "Now why do you think he's going to reject you? Surely you understand that both of your magic's have already harmanized, you can feel it, you can't say otherwise because you never would have let him hold you." I sighed, "I know because I remember, his face and magic were so disgusted and angry. Uncle always told me that I would never know happiness because I'm unworthy, broken and disgusting. He's right of course because even the one who magic itself has connected us is disgusted by me. I don't need to see or feel tht again, my magic will eventually cut it off and all will be done."

"The least you could do is ask me before make such a big decision for both of us." I froze, I would know that voice anywhere, I turned around and saw the one person I couldn't face at this moment. Draco malfoy, my magical bonded. I stared at him before nodding to get on with it, Professor sat their between us, like a shield. One I'm thankful for, "You should firstly know I was never disgusted by you, but by those who did those horrible things to you. I would and have never been truly angry at you." He walked closer as he continued talking, he knelt in front of me speaking with less force in his voice, "Second, and you may not like what I am going to say, but I have no intention of letting you go. I made that mistake our first year and I don't intend to let that happen again." I watched his eyes, because that is the only way you can truly find what someone is feeling, and all I saw was affection, determination and something I should be scared of but I'm not; possession. I slowly nodded at him looking at professor Snape, he half smiled and shook his head. "As Draco's Godfather and your magically bonded parent, I approve of this, but only if it is what you my child want." I nodded my head, "I will not repeat the mistake again, I should have taken your hand in our first year Draco." He smiled, it was the biggest smile I had seen on his face, he stayed kneeling, "Well then, I shall ask again, will you take my hand as both your friend and your beloved?" I smiled at him wrapping my magic around his hand as I took it, we both stood up smiling, "I will."

"Now that it's settled, we have a re-sorting to get to but before that, you must get dressed." I let go, I can feel the embarrassment climb up my neck, Snape started pushing Draco out. Talking about me needing privacy to change, before he was fully out of reach I grabbed his arm pulling him back, this is embarrassing, "You said that you are now my parent, and I can't tell you how happy that makes me, but what should I call you? I'm sure you can tell that I've never had a parental figure and I've been clinging to you-" I felt his hand on my head, "My child, I understand your clinging and where it comes from. As for what you can call me, I am fine with whatever you want to call me. If you want to stay with Professor I am more than fine with that. That is up for you to decide." I can feel the warmth and affection in his words, I nodded smiling, "Okay than, father." I think I could count the amount of times I've seen father smile and this has to be the biggest smile I've seen on his face. "I left plain school robes in the drawer, I have to leave to the staff table but I will surely see you after knowing the chaos that will surely happen. Change and be at the entrance in 30 minutes, wait for the doors to open and enter just like I told you last night." Once again smiling with pride I spoke, "Pride and elegance." He nodded before patting my head and walking out dragging the quiet Draco behind him.

I walked to the drawer opening and just like Father said black robes looking freshly ironed were there. I start to change my thinking, I've just gained the two things I thought I'd never get, and I will do anything to keep them. Nothing will take them from me this time, I will not stand for the mistreatment anymore. I will make Father proud, I will make sure they know what they lost. I never should have told Ron and Hermione about all that, I knew there was always something off about our 'friendship' , Ron always asked for money, Hermione always having to be better and smarter in LIFE AND DEATH situations that I never wanted to be a part of. I always hated the unfair bullying, older years ganging up on 1st and 2nd year Slytherins, always reminded me of Dudley. I was wrong for refusing Draco, I should have listened to him, but it was too late. I was already in Gryffindor. There's no point in worrying now, they've left me now, and I will have my true family. I checked the clock and started walking out, I smiled and bowed slightly at madam Pomfrey, "Thank you, I'm sorry for any trouble I caused." She shook her head at me, "Don't worry about it, I will tell you one thing Mr.Potter. If Severus is ever unavailable you come straight to me, if anyone tries forcing any more heroics on you, find me and I will deal with them." I nodded as I walked out. I feel disoriented as I walk and wait in front of the giant double doors. I can vaguely hear Dumbledore speaking on a strange and ludicrous request of re-sorting, typical, I'm always the one having to not make sense. "I will call them in now" I breathe in, feeling shallow waves of calming magic from father. Remember what he said, back straight, head up with pride and walk with elegance. I feel the sunlight from the windows of the great hall shine on me, I don't falter even if it's blinding me, I walk straight not looking at the other students as they gasp and start whispering. I look at Father, seeing an approving nod, I can feel Draco's gaze; strong but assuring.

"Harry Potter." I stop in front of Dumbledore and McGonagall who have the sorting hat between them holding onto it. The whispering stopped after my name was called, "Are you sure you want to do this my boy, it's understandable if you change your mind." I can feel my magic hum under my skin at that condescending tone in his voice, "I'm sure Headmaster, and please do not address me like that again." He looked shocked at my words and McGonagall scowled, "Be very-" I sighed, "Can we please get this done with, I have classes to get to and I haven't even eaten yet." I could see Father smirking, "Yes of course, but Harry don't be surprised if it puts you in the same house, afterall it's your home." It was my turn to smirk, "We shall see headmaster." he looked confused as he put it on my head.

'Seems your back Mr.Potter, or should I address you ass Snape now. A bond made of ancient magic both parental and fated is not something I've seen in a very long time. Well it seems you've come back to listen this time.' I smiled, 'Yes I should have listened to you in the begining, Slytherin should have been my home from the start. I'm ready to go home.' 'Well than better put you home then, your people have ben waiting. One thing before you go, believe not the words but actions.' I nodded.

"SLYTHERIN"

Immediate chaos. but over the yelling cheers. I open my eyes looking at my house, cheers that conquer the negative yelling. I yanked the hat off putting it in the stunned hands of Dumbledore and McGonagall, I'm half way down the steps before I feel someone yank the back of my collar. Falling backwards I hit my head on the stone, I look up and a quarter of the Gryffindor table from all years mostly mine though are yelling. "You dirty little TRAITOR!" Oh course that's what Ron would say, "I always knew you were odd but seriously Harry Slytherin! You really are a freak destined for darkness!" Seamus. "Harry tell me honestly if it was you who put Ginny in the chamber of secrets!" Hermione. Ron got in my face Screaming his bloody head off, "You're disgusting! First a boy lover and now you're going to the snakes! You never should have been born-" I see a rush of green and black before seeing Ron thrown across the room behind the staff table. I think I saw a couple Professors duck.I feel myself being lifted to my feet, I turn around and see Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini,Theodore Nott, and other slytherin from all years behind me with their wands out.

I look at Father who has a proud smile, the other teachers are trying to get through the huge crowd of students surrounding both Gryffindor and Slytherin houses. I am now in the middle of Zabini and Parkinson with Draco in front of me. I feel dizzy, did he have to pull me so hard, the least he could have done is catch me and then yell at me. I feel my hearing coming back, Ron stomps and shoves between students pulling his wand out and pointing it at Draco. "Don't touch him ever again! You do that and you will answer to all of the Slytherin houses!" Zabini pulls me gently behind him before speaking loudly, "Not like they could ever match our strength." Parkinson joined in, "Let's go easy on them, wouldn't want to abuse our strength over them." Her condescending tone seemed to piss off all of Gryffindor, I can vaguely hear the professor's shouts of no fighting and to put our wands down.

Seamus must have thought it was a good time to attack during the stare down between the houses, because he launched a fireball; although small would have caused pain, at me. I heard several 'Protego's' from older years behind me and it reflected the fireball to the Gryffindor crowd. That certainly riled up the older Slytherins because it's like an all out war of spells being cast and reflected back, "Harry Potter if you ever come near us again-" I couldn't take it anymore, I felt one of my conscious magical barrier's snap. "I never want to be near you people anyway! I'm so SICK of the condescending words and pressure of being your 'golden boy'. Always forcing me into life and death situations and for WHAT!? FAME!?! GLORY!?! MONEY!?! All of you could go DIE FOR ALL I CARE! JUST GET AWAY FROM US!" I didn't even notice my wand was out, it was after a giant python came out that Dumbledore intervened. It was hissing at them while circling all slytherins with its body. Dumbledore looked frozen in shock, he looked at me, hands up like he's trying to show he means no harm, "Harry my boy, calm yourself." but I feel dizzy; like I can't concentrate on anything but the need of them being gone. I feel someone pull me covering my eyes, "My child you need to think about what you're doing, you cannot harm half the student population. Calm yourself, they are fine, you are safe. You are with me and I promised you what." I started calming my erratic breathing, speaking like it was my first time, stuttering. "You will protect me, and I will go home." I felt him turn me around, uncovering my eyes, "Yes, now look around, Draco is safe." He pointed at Draco who looked calm but he still had his wand up in defence, Father pointed at the rest of Slytherin house who were in similar positions as Draco, "They are safe, I need you the control the snake and not attempt murder." Zabini and Parkinson walked closer to me, each grabbing my hands and pulling me into a hug. "We are okay." I felt myself nodding, I could see the body of the snake shrink, Nott picked it up and handed it to me with a smile, "Here. We are thankful and happy for your protection but it is no longer needed, we are fine." The python slithered up my arm resting around my neck like a scarf. I turn around and see what could only be described as horror across the groups of students and staff faces.

Dumbledore spoke up, "All students put your wands down." He was only looking at our house. I stepped forward to yell but father intervened, "I suggest you look at all the students when you speak to the headmaster." Father looked at us nodding his head, "My snakes, put your wands down." Wands went down immediately, in contrast McGonagall spent five minutes assigning detention because half of them refused to listen.Dumbledore spoke loudly, "Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff please leave the great hall, Head of those houses, please escort them back to their respective common rooms. Gryffindor and Slytherin sit down at your respective tables and stay silent, all staff please head to the staff table." Everyone followed his orders except Slytherin, Dumbledore looked at us when he realized we weren't moving, I can see his eyes get darker with anger. We looked away from him looking at father, he nodded his head towards our table. Everyone collectively turned around heading down the stairs, Draco held my hand, Zabini and Parkinson next to me. I noticed how the olders years made a line down the stairs to the table like a path for the younger years to follow. I felt and saw them pat me and the younger years on the back like a good job sign. Draco sat me with him where he usually sat with his squad? Only after 4th year and below did the rest of the older years sit as well, is this what true unity was? We all sat in silence for 10 minutes before we could hear the staff's 'meeting' escalate. Specifically father who I've never heard yell or express such anger. "I will not! Have them apologize! They were not at fault for any of this. Your precious Gryffindors should be apologizing, not my snakes!" He was practically yelling, It seems McGonagall wanted that because she smiled as she started yelling as well, "If you had taught you 'snakes' better than trying to corrupt everything there near! Gryffindor wouldn't have felt the need to protest against this re-sorting!" That certainly set father off, he yelled over Dumbledore's weak attempts to calm them, "You will not speak about them like that! Don't even start with this so-called "corruption" if you had paid the slightest attention to your house you'd notice that they corrupted themself with all the excessive bullying and belittling." All staff was now yelling at each other but most were for Slytherin apologizing. "One of your Gryffindors harmed one of mine and started a mini war of spells because he couldn't handle the consequences of his actions!"

"ENOUGH!" The whole hall was silent, Dumbledore stood his wand on his throat to enhance his voice. "Now that I have your attention, both houses are in the wrong, but threatening death is never allowed. So Harry you are banned from any trips outside the castle for the remainder of the year, and a permanent detention as well with whatever Professor is on duty. 150 points will be taken from each house and your scheduled quidditch game will be canceled. Now classes have been canceled for the day so everyone returns to their respective living quarters. You're dismissed." He walked out leaving everyone else, Gryffindor immediately stood up whispering and grumbling about the unfair treatment and Slytherin being the worst. We all held our tongues still waiting for father to be done with his conversation with Madam Pomfreywho I didn't even notice was here. McGonagall stared at us before waking up with her usual hardened strict face, "Did you not hear the headmaster, you are dismissed. Do not think of causing mischief." We stayed silent, seeing father approach the table, "They are waiting for me Minerva, I suggest you worry about your own house, the Weasley twins just went the opposite direction they were supposed to go." She practically ran out the room, it was then that I noticed everyone was gone except the Slytherin house, father and Madam Pomfrey. "Everyone to the common room, try staying quiet until we reach the common room, it seems like we will have our weekly meeting early ."

Draco pulled me up and held my hand as everyone walked to the dungeons, Father leading us from the front. He stood by the opened stone door waiting until we all went in. Draco lead me to the middle of the dark green sofa a couple meters from the fireplace.The younger years sat on the floor and the older years close by but lounging around behind us. Father walked in and stood in front of everyone. "I want to start by saying that I'm proud of each and everyone of you, showing them our unity was the right move. Which brings me to our newest member, Harry Potter." Father motioned for me to stand, I still held Draco's hand, I bowed my head slightly, "Thank you all for protecting me, I'm very grateful-" I heard a laugh, I look up and see everyone looking at me with smiles, "Oh Potter, we didn't do it for your gratitude. We did it because your one of us and you have saved a number of the little ones, I'm sure Professor Snape filled you in on how our house works. You have earned our respect far before this." Everyone nodded their heads agreeing. Zabini sighed standing up, "Listen Potter we will listen to your gratitude but we will not accept it, not to be rude but because that is just how it works. We protect our own, so Professor Snape has told you how we work, we have showed you we will stand by your side when you stood by ours. So forget all yours fears, we do not fear you, not for the snake, which is adorable by the way, not for the threat you shouted at them and certainly not for your preference on partners. Everyone here respects eachothers orientation but most of all we respect the 'old ways'. I'm not sure if you've been informed but it is perfectly natural for a man to be in relations with another man. Merlin himself was and stayed in love with Arthur Pendragon, the old ways have so many rituals and magic bonding between men. With the acceptance of muggleborns in the recent decades and I'm not talking about all muggleborns, I'm talking about the ones who keep imposing their muggle views and prejudices against the wizarding world. Centuries of culture and traditions washed out because they mix the meaning of inclusiveness and culture colonization." He sighed again, "The point is, we do not care about any of that. You are one of us, your more than welcome to wait to accept it but we are here when you need us."

I looked at all of them and smiled, for once feeling like- "Home, I feel at home!" Cheers came through the room, Marcus Flint stood up yelling, "It's time to welcome our newest Snake! Open to all years! Let's celebrate!!" Everyone kept cheering and got louder when Father took his wand and got snacks and drinks to appear on the study tables, "Alright but I wantthis place clean by the end of the day." He nodded at me patting my head " I have paperwork and a meeting to go to, I can sense your magic at peace here. That is the only reason I'm going, as well as trusting them to care for you when I need to go, so I will leave but I will be back before dinner." I nodded my, head and watched as he left through the door.

Draco came up to me, "Do you feel okay? We can always go to my room if your uncomfortable." I shook my head, "No for once I want to be in a common space, I want to talk to others." He smiled, "That's good, well let's go, everyone's waiting for you." I looked at the crowd of Slytherins talking and laughing motioning for me to join them, and none of their eyes hold hidden disgust, envy or false happiness. Just plain affection, and I couldn't wait anymore to finally join the family that I belonged with in the first place. One thing I'm sure of now, I will gladly put myself in life and death situations for these people, because I can feel my magic already connecting with them. My magic accepted them, and my magic has been the one thing in my life that has always been right, I learned last year that I have an odd ability like Luna, but it's not seeing into the future like a seer but to have my magic sense hightened and sense truths and lies from others.

I felt Draco pull me, I smiled at him and at the others who have without a doubt become my family.