Unwanted Announcements
“So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” He asked Severus. Tomorrow was September 1st, and he would be returning to Hogwarts for his fourth year, and he was dreading what could go wrong this year. He loved Hogwarts in the sense that he gets to see his friends every day and he gets to learn magic but with the amount of danger he ends up in each year he often contemplates if it is really worth it. However, for right now he didn’t really have much choice if he wanted to get a job when he was older so he would just have to hope he could deal with whatever is thrown at him.
“We will all be up for breakfast at 8 so everyone can say goodbye then me and you will apparate to the school sometime between 9 and half 9 while Remus and Sirius go and look at the house.” Severus explained.
“Awww but I wanted to see the house.”
“Trust me you really don’t, not until we have fixed it up.” Sirius entered the kitchen and joined the conversation. “My old family home is not a comforting sight and definitely not a place for a child to be exploring. Don’t give me that look, you may be mature, but you are still only fourteen which is a child.”
After spending the whole summer failing to find a house with a good location as well as having good security measures and within a reasonable price range, Sirius had decided to just use the compensation money to modify his childhood home which would still leave a large sum of money for savings. He had hoped to be able to go and see what Sirius had grown up in, especially since he had learned Sirius had a similar childhood to him.
“I wanted to know what you grew up in, your childhood was similar to mine, and I wondered if your house had similar qualities to mine.”
“The house is full of dangerous and dark objects that I wouldn’t want to subject you to but if you tell me what sort of similarities you would expect, I can tell you If they are the same or not.”
He sighed at the realisation that he wouldn’t be allowed to go but took the opportunity to ask questions while he had it. “Well, was your house pristinely clean, like your parents were covering for what they were really doing?”
“Yes, my dear mum was a pureblood and thought her house had to showcase how perfect she was.”
“Aunt Petunia was very particular about her appearance and how she would appear to others, so I had to make sure nothing had even the smallest piece of dirt on it or was out of place at all.”
“We had kreacher for that, pureblood males weren’t allowed to stoop so low as to know how to clean, that was for your wife’s and elves to do.”
“My one purpose was to be a house elf.” He shook his head to stop himself from delving to deep into thinking about those times anymore and moved onto his next question. “Were the walls covered in family photos without you in it? There were hundreds of pictures of Dudley, with his parents but I was nowhere. Pretty much if you stepped in that house, it was as if I didn’t live there.”
“To begin with there were photos of me but as soon as I was placed in Gryffindor, they were all removed so I couldn’t bring anymore shame to my family.”
“What about your room, was it hidden away so if anyone came in they would never be able to find it, I was placed in the cupboard under the stairs so no one could stumble across me.”
“I didn’t have it as bad as a cupboard but once I was placed in Gryffindor, my parents switched me and my brother’s room, so I had the small one and he had the large one, although we were both in the attic, so I guess we were both hidden away.”
“Did you have a room that you knew meant you were in trouble, a room that if you ever entered it, you knew when you left you would be in pain? You may get punished in every room in the house but only the serious beatings would come from this specific room.”
“My mum liked to bring me to the upstairs living room for that because that was the family room, a place where guests were rarely allowed so people were less likely to find a stain that Kreacher failed to remove.” Sirius said pretty emotionless, as if any slight break in the façade would cause the dam to break and everything to come pouring out. “Where was that room for you?”
He saw Severus go to intervene at that question, trying to protect him from remembering but there was something in him that wanted to let it out, to stop giving that room so much power, so he held his hand up to Severus and took a deep breath before answering. “Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia’s bedroom, if I was allowed in their other than for cleaning it meant I wouldn’t be able to walk by the time I was leaving that room because I would be black and blue from head to toe.”
“I have never told anyone that before.” Sirius said quietly. “Not even the other marauders. No one would have understood.”
“I haven’t either, but it is sort of relieving, as if that room isn’t as intimating now that someone else knows about it, someone who knows what that room can make you feel. Thank you.”
“Thank you, for trusting me and thank you for helping me as well. I was dreading going into that room tomorrow, but it doesn’t feel as challenging anymore.”
“I guess talking really does help.” He laughed humourlessly.
“It seems so, maybe I should have listened when James used to suggest that I get a therapist.”
“Or when I suggest it.” Remus said, causing him to jump slightly, he hadn’t noticed the man entering the kitchen at any point during the conversation. Remus must have saw this as the man quickly explained. “Sorry, I would have announced myself, but I hadn’t wanted to interrupt you guys earlier, but I couldn’t resist when Sirius says something that sounds like he might finally listen.”
“I listen plenty.” Sirius said defensively. “It just takes a while for me to actually realise it was a good suggestion.
“You are a child sometimes.”
“Well, I didn’t get a childhood, so I am just making up for it.” Sirius said smugly, obviously aware there isn’t really a way to argue against that statement. This also effectively lightened the mood and had him giggling quietly, knowing this would be an argument he would use at some point.
“Come on that is so not fair.”
“All’s fair in love and trauma.” Sirius sassed, making him laugh even harder and eventually his laughs became too infectious to resist so all of them were laughing like mad people in the middle of the kitchen.
***
“Harry come on we need to go.” Severus called from downstairs. He couldn’t get himself to move, he looked around the room which was mostly bare now just a few bits and bobs that he wasn’t taking to school left. “Come on if you want to have anytime to say goodbye you need to come downstairs.” He jumped as suddenly Severus was behind him placing a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry, I was just having one last moment in here.” He sighed and let Severus lead him out the room and downstairs to where Remus and Sirius where waiting.
“Don’t look so down, it won’t be that long till you see us again and we will come and visit between holidays.” Sirius tried to cheer him up before giving him a tight hug whispering “I will miss you too” Into his ear.
When he let go off Sirius, he hugged Remus tightly. “Are you sure you can’t come back; we can fight the board.”
“I’m sorry but I am not deemed to be safe in a school environment. I will be keeping Sirius company at Grimmauld but don’t worry, I will visit you whenever possible though ok.”
“Yeah, you better be there often, I am not used to being alone anymore.” Severus said giving Remus a pointed look before they both hugged each other tightly before pulling each other into a deep kiss.
“Eww get a room guys.” Sirius whined from next to him placing a hand over both of their eyes.
“Grow up black.” Severus replied with no bite.
“Don’t pretend you won’t miss me.”
“I guess I have enjoyed your presence over the summer, although there were points where I felt I had adopted a second child.”
“Again, it’s just the childhood trauma.” Sirius grinned.
“Merlin are you ever going to stop using that card or is it just a part of your personality now?”
“I think it’s a pretty valid reason.”
“Before this argument lasts all day, I think it is time that we get going.” Remus cut in grabbing Sirius and dragging the man until they were both outside the wards. “Goodbye you two, we shall come visit soon.” Then they were gone with a pop.
“Come on we should get going too before Dumbledore gets mad at me for being late.” Severus led him to the spot Remus and Sirius just vacated, grabbing his hand and then they were spinning away.
Hogwarts looked the exact same as it always did but he couldn’t stop staring over at the whomping willow as they walked up the path to the school. It was still right now, but all he could remember was the fear of trying to get past it in order to reach Draco when they still thought Sirius was dangerous. Then after they found out the truth and were so close to making sure Peter would get what the rat deserved but Remus was suddenly transforming, and Severus was unconscious, and Sirius was hurt and then there was the dementors. Before he could overthink anymore of that night, he entered the castle, the tree now out of sight.
“Ahh Severus, Harry, my boys its lovely to see you again. I hope you enjoyed your summer break and are now ready for the year ahead.” Dumbledore said cheerily walking up to them with that dam twinkly eye.
“The summer break would have been better if death eaters hadn’t attacked the world cup and plunged the entire wizarding world back into fear once more. I think we already had enough of fear from Sirius running around last year.”
“Yes, that was a rather unpleasant event but talking about Sirius, how is he getting on now after being free for a while?”
“He is doing as well as can be expected of a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 12 years but then again the ministry did give him compensation money, so he is all set.” Severus answered sarcastically.
“It’s unfortunate it took so long for the truth to come to light but as long as things have turned out alright in the end. Now, we are running rather late so we better head into the hall for the meeting. Harry, my boy, you may go and get yourself settled into your dorm and Severus will follow you soon enough.”
Taking his queue to leave he headed down to the dungeons where he unpacked and then headed over to his quarters to wait for Severus to eventually arrive for lunch and then wait for the rest of the school to arrive for dinner time.
***
The sorting had just finished, Slytherin getting 12(7 boys and 5 girls) new students this year, however, instead of the food arriving like it normally would, Dumbledore stood up calling for everyone’s attention. He looked over at Severus to see if the man was aware of what the announcement could be and with the look of barely concealed anger on his guardian’s face, he could tell this would not be a good thing.
He bit his lip nervously as the hall quietened and Dumbledore started talking. “I would like to give you all a warm welcome and don’t worry I will let you get to your feast soon I just have a couple of announcements to make. First, I would like to welcome our new Defence teacher, Alastor Moody, who is a good friend of mine and I am sure will be a wonderful addition to our teaching staff.” Dumbledore pointed over to the man who was sitting at the end of the staff table. Moody had a false eye, large scars and was even missing a chunk of his nose as well as having what looked to be a wooden leg. The false eye was currently swivelling in all directions, even looking back into its socket as if it was trying to watch everyone in the room at once. He could hear people whispering about the man being a famous auror, but he found himself feeling rather wary of the new teacher. “All right, quiet everyone.” Dumbledore called for attention again. “The second announcement I have to give is about a tournament which we will be hosting this year. Some of you may have heard about it before but I want everyone to keep silent until I have finished explaining everything. We will be hosting the Triwizard tournament.” A loud gasp sounded around the hall, he just looked over at his friends confused but when he looked over at Severus he realised this was the thing his guardian was angry about meaning he was most likely not going to enjoy learning about what this tournament entailed. “This tournament involves us opening our school up to visitors from two international schools. Although this tournament can be a fun way of establishing ties between us and foreign students it is dangerous, so dangerous it was discontinued due to the high death count, but it has been agreed to go ahead this year with certain precautions. You may only enter your name for the tournament if you are over 17 years old and the champion will be chosen by an impartial selector: The Goblet of Fire which will select one champion from each school. If chosen by the Goblet, you are entering a binding contract and you must compete, there will be no withdrawing from the tournament once your name is in that Goblet so think wisely before doing so. The other schools, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons will arrive on the 21st of October and the Goblet will be set up for entries between then and the 31st of October. The champions will be drawn on that day at 7pm and the tournament will have officially begun. Lastly, due to the tournament causing such a big disruption this year, all Quidditch games are cancelled, and exams will be cancelled for the chosen Champion. That will be all, you may now enjoy your feast.”
He sat numbly as the noise increased in the hall with everyone talking about the tournament; people complaining about the age limit; people excited to meet the other schools; people mad about quidditch. Everyone had a different reaction, but he had one issue he was focused on. The champions were being drawn on the 31st of October. Halloween. Everything went wrong for him on Halloween, and he wasn’t getting a good feeling about this tournament.
He got up from his chair and walked out the hall needing to be away from all the people, so he didn’t spiral. He had only made it out to the entrance hall when Draco called for him standing at the closed doors to the Great Hall.
“Harry, what’s wrong, you’re shaking.” Draco asked worriedly after getting a proper look at him. He hadn’t realised he was shaking until the other boy pointed it out and he looked down to see his whole body was trembling. “Harry, talk to me, do you want me to get Severus? How can I help?” Instead of answering he just walked over and collapsed into the blonde’s arms. “You’re scaring me, Harry; can you tell me what’s wrong?”
Just as he was about to open his mouth, Severus voice sounded from his left, probably having just come out the teacher’s side entrance. “It’s the tournament, isn’t it?”
“It’s getting announced on Halloween, everything goes wrong for me on Halloween.” He replied shakily clinging tighter to Draco who just started rubbing his back soothingly.
“I have no idea why Dumbledore has agreed to host this bloody death tournament, but we can’t withdraw now. All we can take hope from is that there is an age limit. There is no way for you to be entered if you are three years to young.” Severus tried to comfort him as well.
“How are they regulating the age though, if there is even one tiny loophole it could all go wrong.”
“Dumbledore said there will be spells and enchantments, but I will check with him and make sure they are as strong as possible ok. We will figure this out but until then you can’t let it eat at you. I know how hard that is going to be, but try to focus on classes and your friends, don’t let this set you back.”
“I will try and if I get overwhelmed by it I will tell you, I promise.”
“We will figure it out.” Severus repeated.
He still wasn’t getting a good feeling about it whatsoever, but he just burrowed his head into Draco’s chest and clung on to the blonde pushing the worry to the back of his mind. They would figure it out.