Chapter 2
Harry handed the letter for Lucius to Draco as they exited Transfigurations. He didn't want Dumbledore to know he was writing to Lucius regarding the latest news regarding him being an heir. After the dragons, Neville had pulled Harry, Dean, and Seamus into an empty classroom. Luna, Draco, Pansy, Blaise, and Theo had been waiting for them. They explained to Harry what it meant to be an heir and what it meant in their world. Harry was still trying to process what he learned in the empty classroom. He was glad Neville, Dean, and Seamus had been with him as Granger and the two youngest Weasleys were waiting for them when they returned to the common room.
Dean's quick thinking as well as Seamus and Neville holding up books saved Harry from explaining anything to his former friends. "We were studying. Neville had us down in the greenhouse explaining the different types of plants and how they reacted to different tones of voice."
Harry was aware that if they mentioned the library Granger would jump over them since they knew how much the girl lived in it. The greenhouses were one place that the Annoying Trio wouldn't think to look. "Yes, we are trying to ahead of the lesson plans as well as get in some practical experience so we can do better in class."
Neville smiled. "I will help them with Herbology and each of them agreed to help me in the areas they do well in." It was also a bit of the truth which made it easier for them to lie to the Annoying Trio. "Professor Sprout is letting me have a plot for some of the plants." Neville was hoping to get an apprenticeship with the professor. His friends believed he would get one.
"Neville is amazing. It's like he just doesn't have a green thumb, he should be a plant." Harry laughed as he remembered how Dean, Seamus, and he had to explain what a green thumb meant.
"Yes, I learned what a green thumb is." Neville held up his hand. "It doesn't mean I have a green thumb, it means I am very good with plants."
The muggle-born and half-bloods in the common room laughed. "Way to go, Neville." One of the older years yelled out.
"Hey, if you are giving lessons, Potter, I could use some help in DADA. I will help you with potions in exchange." Another older year asked as he held up his DADA books. "I am going to need a tutor for my OWL."
"Sounds good, we can work out a schedule later tonight." Harry put his book down on the table as he sat down in the chair next to the Weasley Twins who were watching their younger siblings.
"You can't tutor someone older and in a higher grade, Harry." Granger's snotty tone semi rebuked him and the other student.
"Mind your own business, Granger. If I want him to help, he can do it. I don't know any other person in this room that can do the Patronus spell. You can't. I would rather have someone that has successfully used the charm." The fifth-year boy sneered at her. "If I could, I would keep you under a permanent silencing spell as no one wants to hear you lecture us any longer."
Harry put up a hand. "Just leave her alone." He didn't want a headache nor have Weasley start on one of his rants.
"Thank you, Harry. See, he appreciates me."
"No, it wasn't because of that, I just don't want to hear you lecture us about what you think is right or wrong, preach about what Hogwarts: A History says, or what the rules say. I can safely say, I do hope you do not make prefect." Harry rolled his eyes. "Once you start, Ron will jump in to defend you, start on Slytherins, and anything else he can think of while Ginny will try to hit on me."
The common room laughed. The Annoying Trio opened their mouths. "Enough." Percy pointed his wand at the Annoying Trio. "While I do not care for what Harry just said, I do have to also agree with him. You three have been annoying since his name came out of the Goblet. You need to knock it off. End of discussion." Percy glared at his two youngest siblings. "I mean it, Ron and Ginny. Do not make me write home or remove points. We have lost enough because of the three of you."
Harry and Neville went a bit wide-eyed as they listened to Percy. The twins cheered their brother as several others muttered it was about time. Harry was expecting her to go to Dumbledore or McGonagall and complain but he wasn't worried since she had already done it a few times and nothing happened because no one was breaking the rules. Yes, Dumbledore kept giving him the I am disappointed in you looks. Dumbledore had attempted to pull him into his office a few times but McGonagall was proving to be the Head of Gryffindor and stood up to Dumbledore for him.
Harry smiled as Percy gave a quick warning before he return to his dorm to study warning them he didn't want to come down again and he would support any prefect if they removed points or assigned detention. At the mention of detention remembered he had earned one with Snape. He didn't want the Annoying Trio to suspect anything so he had waited for a few days before earning one. He was hoping to talk to the professor. He cast tempus to check the time. He decided he didn't want to stick around so he stood up and ignored Granger's request of asking where he was going as he headed to the dorm. Honestly, where did she think he was going since the dorm was the only thing in the direction he was heading. He put his book away and secured his trunk and bed. He didn't trust Ron to try something. He headed back to the common room. He again ignored Granger demanding to know where he was going. "Honestly, Granger, you aren't his mother. It's none of your business." Harry tried not to laugh as the portrait did.
Severus POV of events since the Goblet:
Severus was still trying to grasp that Potter had a brain. After he stunned Barty, Harry quick witted response was a bit of surprise. He had still been under the impression that the boy was an idiot. Granted asking to see the magical contract threw him off for a bit but he had believed it had been Granger's idea. He had started to watch the boy and saw him and his godson talking a lot. He was a bit surprised when he saw Longbottom, Thomas, Finegan, and his snakes using an empty classroom down in the dungeons to share information. He wasn't sure what was being shared but he had heard some interesting questions from each of his snakes as well as the lions.
Severus had also noticed a rapid rise in Potter's marks. The writing was better, less glaring mistakes and corrections, and his potion skills in the classroom increased as well. He had thought the boy was copying some of the snake's work but Potter had answered some of the trick questions he asked him without hesitation. The grade increase wasn't just with Potter either. Longbottom was partnered with Potter and was less of a stuttering fool. He did notice the glares from Granger and Weasley after Potter's name came out of the Goblet.
Severus started to watch Potter's friends a bit closer. He was a bit surprised to discover that they weren't any type of friends to the boy. He had wondered what they were getting out of it. He started to assess each of them, revamping his views when he heard Granger complaining to Dumbledore about how Potter wasn't listening to her nor was he letting her correct his essays. Severus had been a bit surprised by the news but it also explained a few things if his assessment of Potter was correct and he believed he was correct.
Severus had watched Potter for years and never understood why the boy permitted his friends such control over his life until he noticed how closely the boy watched Dumbledore and his friends. The boy was a true snake as he noticed. The boy was letting them believe what they wanted about him. Potter kept his grades between his so-called friends. Potter would permit them to have their say and push him toward whatever goal the old fool desired until his name came out of the Goblet of Fire. He noticed a change as soon as the boy demanded a lawyer to review the magical contract.
Severus was going to have to make sure Potter went to Gringotts. Draco had mentioned how Potter didn't even know he was an heir. He had waited to assign detention to talk to Potter. Severus wasn't sure if Potter's name being illegally placed into the Goblet would also grant the boy adult status and they needed to check on it. He was also wondering about the Mutt. The Mutt claimed he wasn't Lord Black. So was Potter now Lord Black? Draco wasn't and he was sure Lucius would have informed Draco and him if Draco would become Lord Black one day.
Severus was starting to see a clear picture of Dumbledore keeping Potter ignorant while also keeping tight control over the boy and what he learned. Severus was also wondering about the muggles. Why was it necessary for the boy to spend time with them? The blood protection wouldn't protect him if Potter didn't even call the place home. He had heard the boy refer to the house as his relative's home. Potter had called Hogwarts his home. It was another area he was going to have to handle without Dumbledore becoming aware.
Severus glanced at the small clock on his desk. It was almost time for Potter to arrive and he had a feeling it was going to be an interesting detention. Draco had already warned him that Potter wasn't what he seemed when Severus mentioned seeing them in the empty classroom. Draco told him he couldn't tell him everything but did mention that Potter was seeking a way to speak to him. It was why he had assigned the detention. Potter had given him a bit of lip in class. Normally, he would have just removed points but figured it was Potter's way to get a detention. His godson nodded his approval after he dismissed the students.
He heard a knock on his door. He used his wand to open the door. Potter entered the room. They stared at each other for several seconds before he started to weave privacy wards. Potter pulled out his wand and added his own using parselmagic. Severus was a bit more impressed. Yes, the boy wasn't an idiot nor was he Dumbledore's tool.