Harry Silver

Harry had been wearing a constant smile for weeks, though he knew a good chunk of it had been down to luck; his plan with Quirrell had gone off perfectly. Harrison was still confused about the whole thing but he’d quickly shaken it off and was far happier than Harry had been during the end of his first year.

There was also the added bonus that his exam results had never been better, coming third in the year overall just behind Hermione and Daphne. All in all his happy mood seemed to be driving Malfoy up the wall, which only further added to Harry's joy. His final weeks were spent hanging out with his friends and just generally being carefree. For once he wasn’t even dreading the end of the holidays and going back to The Dursleys.

The same couldn’t be said for Harrison though who’s mood seemed to gradually drop as the end of the year approached. Harry tried to cheer him up but he knew nothing could make someone forget about The Dursleys. 

As it turned out, he needn’t have worried.

It was the morning of their final full day at Hogwarts. They had no classes and most people were spending it either outside or doing last minute packing. Of course Harry was always as prepared as possible.

“You know it’s not all gonna fit if you just pile it in?” Blaise said as he sat on Harry's bed, watching the former try to close his overfilled trunk.

“It’ll go!” Harry snapped back in protest as he pushed a few pairs of socks back in, “It just… needs… to…” Harry's effort proved futile and the trunk snapped back open with enough force to throw him to the ground.

Blaise let out a snort of laughter as Harry glared at his trunk.

“One would think you weren’t a wizard at all Mr Silver.”

Harry and Blaise nearly jumped out their skin, turning round to find Snape staring at them from the doorway. He smirked and with a wave of his wand Harry's clothes arranged themselves into a neat pile before the trunk snapped shut.

“Professor Snape,” Blaise said as he got to his feet, “How can we help you?”

“I just need to borrow Mr Silver for a while,” Snape said and must have read Harry's expression, “I assure you you’re not in trouble, quite the opposite.”

“Oh uh ok,” Harry said and got up, shrugging at Blaise.

“I’ll go find Daphne and Tracey, meet us outside when you’re done.” Blaise said and walked past Snape who summoned Harry to follow.

They silently made their way through the castle, heading further and further up. It was only when they reached the halfway mark it clicked it with Harry where they were heading. Indeed a few minutes later they walked up to the large gargoyle to Dumbledore’s office and Snape quickly gave the password.

They didn’t knock as Snape strode through the large oak wooden door. Harry paused mid step as he took in the other occupants of the room. Dumbledore sat smiling behind his desk, flanked by Flitwick, McGonagall and Sprout while Harrison sat in one of two chairs opposite.

For a moment Harry had the horrifying thought that they’d figured out his real identity. But he quickly shook that out of his head. If they had figured it all out he suspected half The Ministry would be in the office also. Instead he waved at Harrison (who looked equally confused) and took a seat.

“Ah Harry,” Dumbledore said and smiled at him, “So good to see you, thank you both for joining us. Now I’m sure you want to go and enjoy the sunshine so I’ll make this brief. It’s come to my attention that two of you have home situations less than… ideal for a growing wizard.”

Harry kept a blank face, making sure to look straight ahead while Harrison shifted awkwardly in his seat, clearly uncomfortable with the situation but not willing to speak up. Dumbledore took this as a sign to continue.

“Though it has been many years, once upon a time Hogwarts allowed students with circumstances such as your own to remain here throughout the summer period, essentially living here full time. Is this something you two would be interested in?”

Harry could practically feel Harrison vibrate with excitement next to him. Harry too felt a surge of happiness knowing he wouldn’t have to go back to the orphanage.

“Yes Sir,” The pair said together, causing Dumbledore to chuckle.

“Well that was easy. Now there are a few things to take care of. Harry you shouldn’t be an issue but Harrison we’ll have to get your Aunt and Uncle’s permission as you'll technically become wards of Hogwarts therefore they’ll have to voluntarily give up your guardianship.”

Harry had to avoid snorting but Harrison made no such attempt, “Oh believe me, they’ll probably pay you to get rid of me.”

Sprout frowned but Dumbledore smoothly moved over Harrisons comment.

“Excellent. The other complication is that very few teachers choose to remain here through the summer, the only permanent residents are myself, Professors McGonagall, Flitwick and Trewlany along with Hagrid and Mr Filch. Due to this it would be unsuitable for you to remain unsupervised in your current dorms. Luckily Hogwarts has a small number of guest rooms available when required so you’ll be staying in these during the summer.”

“Now I must warn you this will be permanent, you’ll become wards of Hogwarts meaning by extension myself and the heads of house will act as your guardians. To be clear though you will belong to Hogwarts, should any staff leave they will cease to be your guardians. There will of course also be rules to follow, we can’t have you two running wild in the school with next to no staff here, especially without Madam Pomfrey present but if you find this all agreeable the offer is there.”

“I think it sounds brilliant!” Harrison said with a wide smile that looked like it was going to break his face.

Harry however paused, if he did this it would essentially be handing control of his upbringing over to Dumbledore. It would make it harder to push back if Dumbledore decided to get Harry under his thumb. But equally he knew Harrison would never go back to the Dursleys and leaving him alone in Hogwarts while Harry was standard at a muggle orphanage wasn’t a good option.

“Sounds good to me.” Harry said.

“Wonderful!” Dumbledore said and clapped his hands together, “There’s a few things to do but for now simply pack your trunks as normal and enjoy your final day here. Tomorrow morning you can see your friends off but there’s no need for you to board The Hogwarts Express. Once the train departs, come see me here and we’ll discuss the summer in detail with you both. In the meantime we’ll visit your relatives today Harrison and confirm it with them.”

For once, Harry was disappointed he wasn’t going to get to see The Dursleys again.

There were five loud bangs at the end of Privet Drive, luckily despite it being a sunny day it would be untoward for any Privet Drive residents to be seen making a ruckus in the street so nobody noticed the five figures appearing out of thin air.

Snape frowned the moment the street came into view. He had nothing against muggles but this kind of housing estate was about as depressing as it got in his opinion. Every house was nearly identical, the same striped lawns without a single weed or colourful flower, the same horrid curtains that hung from every window and the same brand of bland car. Where was the variety? The colour? Hell even a pet dog would’ve lightened up the scene.

“Ahhh, it’s always nice to get away from the castle for a few hours,” Dumbledore said.

“Yes we- What are you four WEARING!?” Snape hissed as he turned to his colleagues.

Snape at least had the forethought to change his robes into a sleek black muggle suit, the rest of the staff however hadn’t bothered. Flitwick would stand out regardless but the half suit half robe he always wore looked straight out of a pantomime and McGonagall may as well have stepped straight out of a Halloween party while Sprout was still covered in mud. Dumbledore of course was by far the worst with his bright pink and purple robes that could probably be seen from space.

McGonagall frowned and looked down at her robe, “I know it’s not exactly muggle gear but it’s not that bad is it?”

Snape pinched the bridge of his nose and withheld several curse words, “Please just change them into muggle clothing.” Snape said as his colleagues started to transfigure themselves into something more appropriate (though Dumbledore’s muggle suit still looked a few decades out of date).

“Now,” Snape said once everyone was at least semi presentable, “As the only Slytherin here I suggest I take the lead on this matter.”

Sprout frowned up at him, “What? Potter is in my house besides won’t it be simple? Just ask his family to sign over guardianship?”

Snape shook his head as they started to walk up the street, “If this family is half of what I imagine them to be, simply getting them to sign won’t be so easy. They’re more likely to throw us out and by law we’ll need their verbal consent and signature to transfer muggle guardianship over to magical. So before we all mess this up, let's take the slytherin route for once.”

Sprout still didn’t look pleased but she huffed and nodded. The strange group made their way down the street until they approached the home of The Dursleys. Snape could hear the sounds of a TV all the way from the driveway, despite the perfect weather for being outside.

He steeled himself up and knocked lightly on the door. A few moments later it opened to the suspicious look of Petunia Dursley. For a moment Snape’s heart skipped a beat, he’d never considered she might recognise him. But it appeared she either didn’t realise who it was or had forcibly removed him from her memory.

“Yes?” She asked.

“Good morning Ma’am,” Snape said he performed a surface level scan of her mind using legilimency, “I’m Professor uh Quirrell, from Smeltings Academy. We’re here in regards to your son, Dudley Dursley.”

Petunia immediately tensed up, taking a slight step back behind the cover of the door, “I can assure you whatever Dudley did it wasn’t his fault.”

“On the contrary Ma’am we’re here to give Dudley a special reward for how well he’s been doing in school,” Snape said with a forced smile.

Petunia’s demeanour immediately switched and she opened the door fully with a wide smile on her face, “It’s about time the school realise how special our Dudikins is!” She practically screeched, “Please come inside!”

The teachers made their way into the house. Petunia turned her nose up slightly at Flitwick but otherwise made no comment as the group were led into the living room.

Snape had taught hundreds of children in his time at Hogwarts, maybe even thousands, and he could say with utmost confidence he had never met such a large child as Dudley Dursley. The boy was sitting watching TV with a plate of biscuits on his lap, resting on his large belly. The poor chair he was in looked like it was moments away from collapsing, the wooden legs cracking every time he laughed at something and his body shook like a jelly.

He was only dwarfed by his father, the large man taking up a majority of the sofa as he scowled down at the newspaper, his bushy moustache crinkled with his expression. He looked up and raised an eyebrow as an assortment of strangers entered his house.

“Vernon!” Petunia said excitedly, “These five here are teachers at Dudley's school, they want to speak to us about a special reward he’s received.”

“Ah of course!” Vernon bellowed as he stood up from his chair, taking Snape’s hand in his own, “Vernon Dursley! It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

Snape resisted the scowl that threatened to spread over his face as he felt Vernon’s sweaty meat palm encase his hand, “A pleasure Mr Dursley. I’m Professor Quirrell and these are my colleagues.”

“Please, call me Vernon!” Vernon said with a smile that ruffled his moustache, “Always knew Dudley was special and now look! A reward from the school! Makes me so proud! Went to Smeltings myself you know? Always did say it was the best school a young boy could go to. Costs a pretty penny of course but no amount of money is too much for me when it comes to my son!”

Vernon buffed his chest out proudly however with his size and shape it looked more like blowing up a balloon.

Petunia disappeared into the kitchen to make everyone tea while Snape and everyone else took their seats. As they waited the Hogwarts staff looked around the room, it was covered from head to toe in pictures of Dudley, Snape was able to tell how old he was in them based on how round he was. He also noticed how there was not a single picture of Harrison, and that many of the clothes Dudley wore in older pictures were clothes Snape had seen Harrison in while walking around Hogwarts. 

Once everyone had settled with a cup of tea Snape cleared his throat, “Well first of let me say how much of a pleasure it has been to teach Dudley over this past year. He always puts full effort into his work.”

Snape doubted that very much, considering Dudley hadn’t said a word since they’d all walked in. In fact it was possible he hadn’t noticed them at all considering the only movement he’d made the entire time had been to pick biscuits up and put them in his mouth.

“Well of course!” Vernon barked proudly, “Dudley always puts full effort into everything he does!”

“He certainly does when eating at least,” McGonagall muttered from next to Snape who glared at her briefly before the Dursleys could pick up on it.

“Yes well, as a result he’s being given a special award picked out for one of our first year students.” Snape said.

“Oh Dudikins!” Petunia cried, nearly on the verge of tears, “I knew it! I knew it!”

Snape swallowed up the bile in his throat, he had the family in, now he just needed to get Harrison out of here. The magical contract required two things, verbal confirmation the family wanted to give up the child and a signature from one of the parents.

“The reward comes with a small ceremony during the summer.” Snape explained.

“We’ll be there!” Vernon immediately bellowed, “Regardless of how much tickets cost.”

“Oh we wouldn’t make you pay,” Snape said, “The whole family would be able to get in for free. Records show there’s four people at this residence, is that correct?”

The three Dursleys immediately froze, even Dudley paused with a biscuit half hanging out of his mouth.

“How… How did you know?” Petunia said with a slightly shaky voice.

“Is something wrong?” Snape asked, feigning surprise, “The record we received showed you had two sons?”

“SON!?” Vernon bellowed, a thick purple vein appearing on his forehead, “That fr- boy is not my son!”

“I see,” Snape said, “My apologies, we thought there was another boy here.”

“He’s my nephew,” Petunia said quickly before Vernon could bellow out again, “He uh… he’s a troubled boy, goes to St Brutus, it’s a school for young criminals.”

Snape saw Sprout tense up out of the corner of his eye.

“Ah,” Snape said, “I see. He must not be the most pleasant of children then.”

“He’s a menace!” Vernon snapped, “I personally hope that school is giving him a  good beating or two!”

Snape knew provoking the Dursleys further would be a risk, not for them but rather in terms of keeping Sprout under control. The woman’s fists were already clenched and he could see veiled anger behind her eyes. McGonagall and Flitwick also looked displeased while Dumbledore watched the whole thing with a pensive expression on his face.

“Yes, well sadly not all children can be as explementary as Dudley here.” Snape drawled with a well practised smirk, “Some children are beyond saving.”

Vernon let out a loud pig-like laugh, “That’s what I’ve been saying! Oh Petunia I just knew this was the right school to send Dudley.”

“Yes… Quite…” Petunia said as she gave Snape an odd look.

Realising he probably didn’t have long Snape dialled up the pressure, “Between you and me I have a similar nephew, arrogant and always getting into trouble. Quite frankly I’d rather be rid of him.”

“Us too!” Vernon said with a chuckle, “I wish I could get that brat out of this house!”

McGonagall had to grab Sprout's hand to stop her leaping up but Snape felt the magic swirl in the contract in his pocket. Now he just needed a signature, but if he didn’t get Sprout out of this situation it would ruin the whole thing.

“You have a lovely home,” He said and made sure to look obviously around it, “Dudley speaks highly of it, always saying we should see how much hard work his mother and father put into the house.”

Once again Vernon swelled with pride, his face turning even more purple, “So he should be, Petunia here has put a lot of effort into the house! Funded by me of course! Say Dudley? Why don’t you show your teachers around?”

Dudley looked up from the TV with a jolt of surprise, as if he’d forgotten everyone else in the room. He looked a little annoyed at having to step away from the TV but a quick look from Vernon and he relented.

Snape stood up and gave Sprout a look, “Myself and Professor… Smith here will join Dudley, my other colleagues are equally keen to chat to you.”

Flitwick and McGonagall gave Snape a brief glare each before turning to The Durslesys with awkward smiles.

Dudley led Snape and Sprout around the house, Snape making sure to tell Sprout through a look not to blow their cover. 

Dudley took them upstairs, he showed them his bedroom full to the brim of toys and expensive presents though most were broken and ruined beyond repair and had been piled high into a corner. The master bedroom was pristine, not a speck of dust or a mark anywhere to be seen, as was the spare bedroom. The final upstairs room, introduced as ‘the last bedroom’ was as far from the others as possible, it had old wooden flooring on, an unstable desk with a bed that smelled a few decades old. No guesses as to whose bedroom this was.

As they were being let back down the stairs Snape realised Sprout wouldn’t last much longer, her steps were rigid and tense and her knuckles white as she clenched her fists. 

As they walked along the hall Snape could hear awkward chatter from the living room.

“Oh,” Dudley said, stopping suddenly.

Perhaps if Dudley had been a little more educated, if his parents had brought their nephew up with a smidge more care or even if Dudley had simply forgotten about it what happened next could have been avoided.

As it was, Dudley stopped outside a cupboard under the stairs and reached for the handle, “This was an old bedroom once.”

Snape knew their cover was blown the moment the Sprout got a look at the inside of the cupboard. There was no force on earth, magical or muggle, that would be able to stop her wrath after she saw the inside of what they all knew to be Harrison’s original bedroom. Truth be told Snape was also finding it hard to hold himself together.

Most of the cupboard was taken up by a shabby bed, a thin mattress better suited to a dog than a human. Atop of it lay a torn and faded blanket that Snape could tell itched without even touching it. The pair of broken glasses laying on the single shelf made it obvious who’s bedroom this had been. But what made Snape's stomach really turn was the red stains across the wall, some of them years old. The remains of several first aid kits lay strewn across the floor and the scent of dried metallic blood and years upon years of alcohol wipes laced the air.

There was a pause as the teachers took in the sight before Sprout let out a scream so demonic in nature that Dudley let out his own cry and fell back in a heap on the floor. She turned and charged back into the living room where the rest of the house had leapt to their feet. 

Sprout didn’t hesitate as she lunged across the room, her hands outstretched and aimed right for Vernon’s throat. Snape managed to intervene with a moment to spare as he tackled Sprout to the ground.

“What the devil is going on!?” Vernon bellowed.

“Calm down!” Snape hissed as Sprout tried to force her way around him to get to Vernon, “You use magic on him and you’ll be arrested!”

“Magic!?” Sprout screamed, “I’m going to kill that oversized elephant seal with my bare hands!”

“M-Magic!?” Vernon shouted as his eyes widened as his face started to turn purple.

Petunia gasped before pointing a long scrawny finger at Snape, “You! You were Lilliy’s wizard friend!”

Despite himself Snape allowed himself a smirk at Petunia, “Hello Petunia, I never guessed you’d actually grow up to marry the oaf who knocked you with his bike.”

“They’re wizards Vernon!” Petunia screeched as she hid behind her husband, “From that school the boy goes to!”

“BOY!?” Sprout roared as she nearly pushed Snape to the side, “That boy has a name! And he is the most gentle kind hearted soul I have ever met and you ABUSED HIM!”

McGonagall let out an outraged gasp as Flitwick squeaked in horror.

“Abused!?” Vernon retorted with a snort, “That freak is lucky we took him in at all!”

“LUCKY!?” Sprout shouted so loudly Snape thought he had burst and eardrum, “Keeping him locked away in a cupboard for years and beating him is lucky!?”

Now even McGonagall and Flitwick looked furious.

“It’s what the freak deserved!” Vernon continued to rant, “People like him are always threatening good folk like us!”

As the shouting match continued nobody noticed Dumbledore silently get up and head into the hallway towards Harrisons cupboard.

“You dare to call yourselves good!?” Sprout shouted, “You have no right to-”

It felt like somebody had bombed the house. A wave of powerful magic ripped through the building, throwing Sprout to the floor as Snape was shoved against the wall. Every piece of glassware and window in the house shattered. Cracks formed across the walls and ceilings and the entire house shook on its foundations.

As the chaos subdued there was silence in the living room, everyone in shock of what had just occurred. Then Albus Dumbledore walked back in.

But this wasn’t the kind if misguided headmaster who knew all of his students by name. Gone was the twinkle in his eyes and soft smile he always wore. Instead Snape felt a shiver of fear as he realised this was the Albus Dumbledore who had bested not one but two dark lords, who evil witches and wizards checked under their beds for and was regarded by many as the most powerful wizard since Merlin himself.

“I was told leaving Harrison here was a poor idea,” Dumbledore said and though his voice wasn’t raised it reverberated through the room with an icy chill, “But I trusted that any misgivings would be overruled by the simple fact that family is family and that familial bonds come above all. I have never made a more grave error.”

Nobody in the room dared to say a word. Powerful magic was rolling off Dumbledore in waves and his eyes burned with a fiery anger.

“In his pocket Severus has a document that will sign away Harrison to the magical world permanently. He will become a ward of Hogwarts and you will have no say over his life whatsoever. In fact, all being well, I hope he never has to see any of you again.”

Snape reached into his pocket and pulled out the magical contract, slowly unravelling it. The sight was enough to jump Vernon back into action.

“Absolutely not! We won’t touching anything from your world and-”

“ENOUGH!”

Snape winced so hard he actually dropped the contract. In all his years of knowing the man he’d never heard Dumbledore raise his voice to such a degree. He hoped never to hear it again, based on the way it made his breath hitch.

“My patience has run out,” Dumbledore said, “Sign the contract or I will tell our entire world how you treated their favourite celebrity. I assure you, most won’t react with the kindness you have seen here today.”

Snape had no idea if the threat was serious or not but he quickly thrust the contract under Petunia’s nose. She gasped and paused before a shaky hand reached into her pocket. Pulling out a pen she quickly signed the area where Snape indicated, leaving an untidy scrawl. But it was good enough.

As Snape put the contract away he felt the magic around the house shift slightly, presumably it was the blood wards slowly vanishing away.

“I have spent years defending muggles,” Dumbledore said as he continued to glare at the family, “But this is the first time in all my life that I have ever wondered if I was wrong.”

“We did what you asked!” Vernon squeaked, seemingly having lost all his confidence, “Now just leave us in peace!”

“We shall leave you,” Dumbledore replied, “But in peace? I think not.”

There was a bang and a flash of white light. Petunia let out a scream but a moment later the light vanished to reveal the Dursleys alone in their repaired home. For a while nobody said anything, the shock of what had just occurred gripping them.

It was only interrupted by a loud banging on their front door. 

Vernon slowly wobbled his way to the door, his face still pale as he opened it. On the other side stood a man in a suit surrounded by police officers.

“Vernon Dursley?” The man in the suit asked, “I’m with the Child Protection Services, we’re here in regards to a Harrison Potter.”

Harry wished he could have seen what happened between his teachers and The Dursleys. Whatever it was must have been dramatic because all of them had been acting strange all afternoon ever since they got back. 

First Sprout had made her way out into the grounds, tears in her eyes as she told Harrison everything had been approved. It had only been stranger when she had promptly wrapped Harrison up in a tight hug, something that caused the boy to blush with embarrassment. Though Harry suspected Harrison had actually appreciated the gesture. 

Then there had been McGonagall who had practically hounded Harry, Harrison and Hermione as they walked back from the grounds. She had come with an armload of old photos of Harrison's parents. She’d spent the next hour telling him stories about their time in Hogwarts and letting him know he was always welcome for a cup of tea to chat.

Things had only gotten more unusual when Harry, Harrison, Blaise and Tracey had walked into the great hall for lunch. A Gryffindor 4th year and spied them and made a snide comment about Harrison betraying his legacy by hanging out with Slytherins. Sadly for the student Flitwick had been just behind the group and overheard everything. What had occurred next would go down in history as one of the worst rants a student had ever received from a teacher. Despite his small stature Flitwick's voice had echoed throughout the castle, far more than any howler could hope to achieve. The entire great hall had watched in stunned silence as the student was torn to mince meat by the charms professor. By the end of it all the student had lost so many points Gryffindor had tumbled to the bottom of the house rankings and he was to return next year with the promise of weeks worth of detentions.

But perhaps the most terrifying of all this had been Snape’s attitude for the rest of the day. The man was walking around the castle with a smile on his face. A real smile. He even greeted students in halls. And some of them weren’t even Slytherin! Whatever had happened at The Dursleys had cheered up the stoic professor to levels that had never been seen in Hogwarts history.

Overall it made Harry and Harrison’s final day of the year stranger than most but no less enjoyable. They spent a good amount of time outside in the sun. Sometimes just reading and chatting happily with Hermione and Tonks under a tree while other times they fooled around. Like when the Weasley twins initiated a water fight that involved the giant squid. Harry's proudest moment of that year would be getting the ice queen of Slytherin to join in and watching her launch a perfect water balloon right in Fred’s face.

Far too soon for Harry’s liking it was time for the final feast. As always the tables were piled high with a variety of foods that would make even the pickiest of eaters drool. Harry was flanked by Blaise and Daphne as Tracey devoured food in front of him. He’d never had a wider smile on his face. Even the house colours on display couldn’t dampen his mood.

“I can’t believe Ravenclaw snuck in for the win,” Daphne grumbled as she looked up at a silver and blue tapestry, “Even after we won the quidditch cup.”

Harry couldn’t help but chuckle, as it turned out when she wasn’t trying to stop Harry and Ron from getting into trouble with every corner they turned Hermione could be quite the point farmer. She’d won more points for Ravenclaw than every Slytherin first year combined.

“It’s only a cup,” Harry said with a shrug.

“How can you say that!?” Daphne snapped, “We’ll be known as the year that lost the house cup after seven years in a row!”

“We’ll just win it back next year.” Harry assured her.

“Ooooh you know next year we’ll be able to try out for the quidditch team?” Tracey said with an excited smile, “I just hope I can finally get my Mum to buy me a broom.”

Harry hummed to himself, “You know I was thinking of getting some training in? Maybe if I-”

“Oh, are you discussing the quidditch team?” Malfoy said loudly from across the table, making sure everyone could hear him, “I was thinking of trying out, especially after my father promised to buy me the latest broom.”

Harry pierced a chunk of steak with perhaps a little too much force as his fork clanged against the plate. He knew that if they were on the same broom he’d wipe the floor with Malfoy, but he’d probably have to use the old school broom seeing as he couldn't afford his own (and he doubted McGonagall would miraculously buy him one this time).

Malfoy had clearly caught onto Harry’s displeasure and smirked, “You know Pansy I truly feel sorry for those who have to go back to the muggle world for summer. It must be so easy to fall behind each year with no access to magic.”

This time it was Harry’s turn to smirk, “Oh yeah,” He said loud enough to make sure Malfoy and his goons heard, “I forgot to tell you guys, I’ll be staying in Hogwarts over the summer.”

“You will?” Tracey asked before smiling, “Oh that’s great Harry!”

“You better not wreck the place while we’re gone.” Blaise said with a wink.

“I didn’t realise they allowed students to do that,” Daphne said with a hum but gave him a small smile.

“It’s only for exceptional circumstances, I guess Snape and Dumbledore figured being a muggleborn orphan was one.” Harry said.

“Ahhhh I’m sooo looking forward to spending time with my family.” Malfoy drawled so loudly even a few Ravenclaws looked over in annoyance.

Harry continued to smirk, “The best part is because I’ll be in school I’m completely allowed to do magic as I would normally. Not to mention free reign of the library and quidditch pitch.”

Actually Harry was only allowed on the pitch with supervision and the library would be closed but Malfoy didn’t need to know that.

To Harry’s satisfaction he saw Malfoy grow a shade of red before angrily returning back to his food.

The rest of the feast passed quickly enough with Harry and his friends trudging back to their common room. Before Harry could collapse in his bed though apparently the entire house was required in the common room. As he glanced at Blaise in confusion the door opened and just like the start of the year Snape billowed through.

He paused and looked around at the students, “We have lost the house cup for the first time in seven years.”

The collective student body squirmed at this, fearful of what Snape would say next.

“Yes despite that…” Snape said with a sigh, “I am more proud of this house than ever. We achieved the highest academic exam results across all four houses with our first years posing record breaking test results. We still won the quidditch cup and house unity continues to be our strength. Despite the challenges of the year you all met them with your heads held high. To our seventh years, I shall miss you. And to our first years, keep up the good work.”

Without another word Snape turned and marched out of the room, allowing Harry to finally walk back to his bed and collapse in it.

The next morning saw the entire school scramble to do some last minute packing before heading for the train. That was the entire school bar Harry and Harrison who enjoyed watching the chaos of it all as they sat together at the Hufflepuff table enjoying a leisurely breakfast.

Finally Harry and his friends were gathered by the entrance hall as the pair saw them all off.

“Make sure you both write at least once a week,” Hermione said, already a textbook for next year under her arm.

“Yes Mum,” Harry joked, which earned him an elbow from Tonks.

“It’s gonna be lonely with just me and me Ma,” Tonks said with a slight pout on her face, “I’ve gotten too used to being surrounded by you idiots.”

“Aw, we’ll miss you too, Tonks.” Blaise said.

“I still can’t believe you guys get to stay here all summer,” Tracey said.

“You know Tracey, if it's really that bad, you’re welcome to visit me when you can.” Daphne offered.

“Sure! Although I need to catch up on all my missed TV first!”

“TV is… the moving pictures with sounds, right?” Daphne asked with a frown.

“That’s right!” Tracey responded with a smile.

“I assume we’ll be seeing each other at the ministry summer ball?” Hannah asked Daphne and Blaise to which the pair nodded.

“Great,” Susan grumbled with an eyeroll, “Can’t even get a break from Malfoy during the summer.”

“It might be fun this year?” Neville offered though the glare he received back diminished that theory.

“Oi! Firsties!” Fred called as he and George suddenly appeared around a corner, “You don’t leave soon and you’ll miss the train.”

“Oh Fred don't be so cruel,” George said dramatically, “Our dear friends here are saying their final goodbyes as poor Harry and Harrison are left here for the summer.”

“Ah yes,” Fred said as he threw and arm each around Harry and Harrison, “The brothers who aren’t brothers staying in the castle together over the summer… Coincidence? I think not!”

Harrison laughed, “I just hope your mother doesn’t treat you guys too badly.”

“Ugh, don’t remind us.” George groaned before he and Fred took off.

“We should all get going too,” Hermione said, “Make sure you guys do your homework over the summer!”

Harry laughed as he and Harrison watched their friends disappear through the courtyard. Before long the castle was quiet, its walls minus a few hundred students.

Harry sighed to himself. First year was done to near perfection.

All he had to do now was figure out how to deal with the giant snake in the basement.