Chapter Six
Tuesday morning, Harry left Victoria in Draco and Winky's care at the Dursleys and Apparated to Grimmauld Place. He was a little amused at how thankful Draco was to have Winky's help this time. Draco had done all right by himself with Victoria, but he wasn't nearly as comfortable as Harry with the baby care.
Harry was a touch early and fully expected Snape to already be there. He was surprised when he wasn't, but was even more amazed at the appearance of the kitchen. He stared dazedly at the room that just two days before had looked like a dust bin. Now, it looked downright pristine. The transformation was astounding.
Curiously, Harry walked over to check the cupboards. Everything inside seemed to be clean and stocked as well. Feeling much better about eventually moving into this place, he set about making some tea. He was oddly proud, considering he hadn't done any of the work to make this room presentable.
Pouring a cup of tea, he heard when Snape entered the house. The man came to a sudden standstill immediately inside the kitchen.
"Potter," he said sternly. "How did this bloody room acquire this level of cleanliness?"
Harry shot him a look. "Would you like a cup of tea?" he asked.
Snape exhaled heavily, glanced around the room again and then, to Harry's surprise, nodded gratefully. Snape sat down at the table as Harry poured another cup of tea and set all the essentials on the table.
Harry sat down with his own cup of tea and watched as Snape meticulously prepared his before taking a sip.
"Potter," he said wearily. "Would you care to explain how you managed this?"
Harry noticed the man looked especially haggard, and he didn't look like he had the energy to argue with Harry. He reminded Harry of Draco when he'd first started coming to the Dursleys, and Harry found himself feeling a twinge of worry for both.
"I, uh, kind of acquired a house-elf," Harry admitted.
"In addition to Kreacher?" Snape asked.
Harry's nose automatically wrinkled in disgust at the sound of Kreacher's name. "Yes, Kreacher probably hadn't cleaned this house since Sirius' mum actually died years ago. I've got one that can obviously be much more useful."
"Potter, we can't have house-elves here that aren't bound," Snape said, his tone harsh again.
"I figured that as well," Harry said, ignoring Snape's tone. "So, um, I bound one to me."
Snape looked at him appraisingly. "Do tell me that you did not bind that Dobby creature to yourself."
"Merlin, no!" Harry exclaimed in horror. "I'd never survive!"
He could've sworn he saw Snape's lips quirking in amusement.
"Then who?" Snape questioned.
Harry glanced at the man warily. "Winky," he admitted quietly.
"Ah," Snape said in understanding. "I'm impressed, Potter. She is probably a wise choice, particularly considering that you know some of her history."
"I wasn't real concerned about her loyalty," Harry said wryly. "Not once she was bound, anyway."
"Indeed," Snape said before sipping at his tea.
Harry was finding the situation a little surreal, especially after the hostilities from the last time they'd met. He'd have to offer the man tea more often, he decided.
"Is it presumptuous to believe this baby you mentioned has something to do with your sudden acquisition of another house-elf?" Snape asked smoothly.
Harry stiffened. He did not want to fight about Victoria again, and he tried to answer without sounding too defensive. "I needed the help, because I couldn't take care of a baby and fight a war at the same time," he explained.
Snape was staring at him intently, making Harry want to squirm, even after he lowered his gaze to the tabletop.
"Potter, is this an illegitimate child?" he questioned.
"Yes," Harry answered truthfully. She just wasn't his illegitimate child. "I only found out about Victoria after I went back to the Dursleys at the beginning of the summer. Her mother was scared about everything that has been happening. I acquired her and unfortunately her mother and her mother's family were all killed recently in one of the attacks," he said quietly. "I am the only one she can rely on at the moment."
"I gather your friends do not know about these recent developments," Snape said, and Harry realized it wasn't a question.
Harry simply shook his head. His friends didn't know and if they found out, he wasn't sure if Ron would kill him first for his association with Draco, or if Hermione would claim the honours for binding Winky. Aside from any political and safety concerns, he altogether thought it wiser not to inform his friends for the time being.
"The Weasleys think that I'm planning to move into the Burrow after my birthday at the end of the month," he said, quietly explaining. "I'm hoping to move in here instead. If Winky can do this," he said, gesturing to the pristine kitchen, "then surely she'll be able to make the house liveable again over the next few weeks."
"It would be far more convenient if you were living here," Snape said in agreement. "For today, we will work on your Occlumency. We will have Winky clear a room so that we can get started on your Defence training later."
Harry looked at him in surprise. "You're going to train me?" he asked.
"Potter, that last night at Hogwarts, you would have been dead if you'd been facing off anyone other than myself," Snape said evenly. For once, he wasn't accusing, simply stating a fact.
Harry shifted uncomfortably. "I'd already figured that out," he admitted. "Its part of the reason I realized which side you were really on still, although it took me awhile to calm down and understand that."
He looked at Snape nervously. "I want you to train me. I just didn't really expect you to do it willingly," he said. "I've been working on my Occlumency constantly the last couple of weeks, and I'm sure I can improve more, but I'm ready to move on."
It happened quickly, but Harry wasn't surprised when Snape suddenly produced his wand and cast Legilimens. Harry hadn't been prepared for it, but he still managed to put up his shield quickly enough that Snape didn't break through. Draco had taken to casting the spell at odd moments over the last few days and Harry was actually becoming fairly proficient at warding off the attacks.
Snape ended the spell and raised a brow in surprise. "Indeed," he said. "Perhaps you are ready to move on."
"I'm prepared to work hard," Harry said quietly. "I need to train so that I can fight better and I need to work on the task that Dumbledore gave me. I need your help and I understood that you wouldn't really be able to help me until I learned to shield my thoughts."
"We have difficult times ahead of us," Snape warned.
"I know," Harry said, raising his chin in determination, "but I'm ready to do whatever I have to."
Snape rolled his eyes. "Don't get cocky again now," he said dryly.
"I'm not," Harry protested. He tilted his head curiously. "Why are you being so . . . calm today?" he asked bemusedly. Nice hadn't been quite the right word, but it had almost slipped past Harry's lips.
"That is none of your concern, Mr. Potter," Snape said stiffly.
Harry eyed him contemplatively. "You look tired, as if you've been up all night," he risked making the observation.
"I am often up all hours of the night, but yes, it was more difficult than normal," Snape said evenly.
"And I reckon you can't tell me what you were actually doing," Harry said, his tone slightly bitter. Ironically, Harry already knew about the raid Snape had been on and he knew Snape had been assigned more potions to brew. It was irritating that Snape wouldn't actually tell him any of that, though.
"When I have information that you need to know, I will tell you," Snape said calmly. "There is nothing you need to know regarding the events of yesterday."
His eyes narrowed. "Potter, you will not be able to save everyone," he said. "The Dark Lord only presents his followers with so much information before any attacks and I also need to be able to protect my position."
Harry exhaled heavily, rubbing absently at his temples. He actually knew that already from Draco. Draco had taken to bringing the Daily Prophet with him, and telling Harry any information he could regarding what wasn't in the paper. None of it had been anything that Harry could actually do anything about, but it was still good to know.
"So, how do you get information to me when you are able to pass on something useful?" he asked.
"Your house-elf will do to pass on messages for the time being," Snape said.
Harry called for Winky and gave her the order that she was to listen to Snape and then they looked over one of the drawing rooms. Snape instructed her on how he wanted the room set up as a training room. She got to work on that, then Harry went through a more intensive testing of his Occlumency.
He was proud because he did so well, but he felt horribly ill afterwards. It had been difficult enough keeping Draco out of his mind. Keeping Snape out of his mind seemed to require twice as much effort. Snape sent him home with the order to be back at Grimmauld Place the next afternoon, and Harry left quickly before Snape could decide to torture him any further.
* * * * *
"Where are you going now?" Draco asked irritably.
"I've got things to do," Harry answered absently, pulling on his trainers. His mind wasn't really in the room. He was already thinking about where he was going.
"Are you going to be disappearing like this all the time now?" Draco sneered.
"Probably," Harry said, glancing at Draco and wondering why exactly he was irritated.
"Off to see the Weasel and the Mudblood, then?" Draco said maliciously.
Actually, no, Harry thought. He was off to see Draco's friend. He'd received an owl from Blaise on Monday agreeing to meet with Harry and now, two days later, Harry was again wondering about his sanity.
"Don't call them that," Harry said flatly.
Draco's forehead creased as he frowned. Harry felt satisfied that he'd not reacted in the way that Draco had expected him to. He wondered if Draco was feeling like Harry was deserting him and that's what this was all about. Even if that wasn't how Draco was feeling, Harry had to admit to himself that that was somewhat how he was feeling personally. He'd become quite accustomed to these morning visits.
"I haven't seen my friends since I left Hogwarts," Harry said. "I do need to meet up with them soon, but I've been a little busy trying to sort out things for you and Victoria so far this summer," he said pointedly.
Draco was still frowning, and he winced a little at Harry's comments. "Have you . . . are you working on a safe place for us to go?" he asked hesitantly.
Harry nodded. "Amongst other things," he admitted. It wasn't what he was actually working on at the moment, but he'd gotten things started at Grimmauld Place finally. "I'm hoping to have things worked out by the end of the month," he added. He was sure the house would be ready and hopefully by then he could have things worked out with Snape—one way or another.
Draco didn't make any further comment, but he visibly relaxed a little. Harry kissed Victoria on the forehead, telling her he'd be back, gave Draco a final glance and then was out the door.
Harry was far from relaxed as he Apparated to Diagon Alley then slipped into the Leaky Cauldron. He spotted Blaise almost immediately and was grateful that he at least appeared to be alone.
Unfortunately, Tom spotted Harry almost immediately as well. "Harry! Glad to see you! What can I get for you?" he asked.
"Nothing today, thanks," Harry said, shaking his head. "I'm just passing through as I have some things to do in Muggle London today."
"You watch yourself," Tom warned. "There's nowhere safe these days."
"I will," Harry assured him, slipping out the door. He walked quickly, putting some distance between him and the Leaky Cauldron. Eventually he arrived at the small park that they had agreed to meet at and he leaned up against one of the benches while he waited for Blaise.
Blaise arrived a minute later, casually resting against one of the nearby trees. To anyone watching, they'd simply be a couple of friends meeting up to talk. Neither of them were nearly as relaxed as they appeared to be, though.
"Zabini," Harry said evenly, watching the other boy closely.
"What do you want, Potter?" Blaise asked.
Getting straight to the point worked for Harry. "I want to know if you and your family really are neutral in this war," he said.
Blaise's eyes widened marginally. "What makes you think we're neutral?" he asked.
Harry shrugged. "I know that you're not marked, and neither is your mother, but you haven't been actively on my side either," he said.
"How could you possibly know that we're not marked?" Blaise asked, frowning.
"I asked Voldemort the last time we had tea," Harry said sarcastically.
Blaise flinched at the name, scowling at Harry. "You're no friendlier with the Dark Lord than I am," he said.
"Why do you call him the Dark Lord?" Harry asked, jumping on that immediately. The fact that Blaise said he wasn't friendly with Voldemort didn't tell him anything, as no one was friends with the bastard.
"Because I happen to value my life," Blaise sneered. "Yes, my mother and I are attempting to stay neutral, but I know he wants to mark me after I'm out of Hogwarts." His frown returned. "And if Hogwarts doesn't even open again next year . . . ," he trailed off.
"Then Voldemort will probably want to mark you soon," Harry said flatly, finishing the sentence for him.
Blaise simply nodded once. Harry eyed him speculatively. "This would be why you actually agreed to meet with me, isn't it?" he stated more than asked. He'd taken a risk deciding to write Blaise, but had still been shocked to actually get a response.
"If something doesn't happen soon to change things, then I'm fucked," Blaise said bluntly. "I can claim to be neutral all I want, but it's not practical."
Harry chuckled darkly. "You're stuck between me and Voldemort. Lousy choices for someone like yourself, but if you have to choose one, then you might as well choose the one that's not going to kill you first thing," he said. "You saw what happened to Malfoy this last year, and don't really want it happening to you."
Blaise's eyes narrowed. "Potter, why exactly did you contact me?" he asked. "You're obviously aware of my limited choices, but I would think that you considered me an enemy."
Harry pointedly put his wand back in his pocket, before running his hand through his hair as he debated how to answer him. He couldn't tell Blaise about being in contact with Draco. He didn't trust either of the Slytherins enough for that. It was also one thing to risk himself, quite another to reveal someone else's secrets.
"I've never had a problem with you," he said slowly. He cast a sidelong glance at Blaise. "You haven't really seemed to have a direct problem with me, either."
Blaise remained silent but Harry clearly had his full attention.
"I need all the allies I can get," Harry said, and Blaise's eyebrows shot up.
"You're actually looking for help from me? A Slytherin?" Blaise asked.
"Well, who else am I supposed to ask?" Harry said irritably. "Do you think I should've tried going to Malfoy instead?" he asked sarcastically.
Blaise's eyes narrowed again. "Is that what this is about?" he asked. "You're trying to get information about Draco from me?"
Harry rubbed at his temples. "I already know about Malfoy," he said flatly, which was far more true than Blaise would realize.
"You don't know shite about him," Blaise sneered.
"Are you actually going to try to defend him after what he did?" Harry asked, scowling darkly. He couldn't believe he was in this position, only pretending to act in a manner that would've been completely real not long before.
"That wasn't him," Blaise said angrily, defending his friend.
"I hate the bastard. He brought the Death Eaters into Hogwarts and tried to kill Dumbledore," Harry said coldly. "Don't try to tell me he was under Imperius."
"I'm not," Blaise snapped. "Fuck, Potter! I know Draco fucked up, but he just got caught up in something bigger than him. He didn't really want to do all that."
"But he did do it," Harry said. "You know it and I know it."
"Fucking everybody knows it," Blaise muttered.
"He's your friend, isn't he?" Harry asked.
Blaise turned his head to look out over the park. "I haven't seen him, Potter, if that's what you're asking," he said.
"If you had, would you even tell me?" Harry asked.
Blaise shot Harry a sidelong glance. "Probably not," he admitted. "I agreed to meet you today because it would be foolish for me to pass up an opportunity to get some kind of protection. It doesn't mean that I'm willing to sell out my friends to get that protection, though."
"What do you think I can actually do for you?" Harry asked, frowning. "Why don't you go to . . . ," he trailed off. He had no idea who Blaise could contact that would actually help him in any way.
"You just figured out that there is no one for me to go to, didn't you?" Blaise sneered. "The Ministry is worthless and if I tried going to them for protection they'd likely just lock me up. None of the professors at Hogwarts are likely to trust me after what Draco did. Sad as it is, you're the fucking leader of the Light side now. You were completely right when you said I'm stuck between you and the Dark Lord," he said bitterly.
"Has Voldemort tried recruiting you yet?" Harry asked.
Blaise flinched again, but shook his head. "Not yet," he answered, "but I'm certain he will before the end of the summer." He gazed at Harry solemnly. "I'm not a killer and I don't intend to become one."
Harry rubbed at his temples, trying to will away the headache that was forming. This meeting with Blaise was turning out more complicated than he'd expected. He'd gotten the information he'd come for. He knew where Blaise's loyalties essentially were and he was still loyal to Draco, even though he didn't agree with what his friend had done.
He hadn't really expected Blaise to be looking to him for help, though, and he wasn't quite sure what to do. "I reckon there are more Slytherins stuck in your position as well," he muttered.
"Some," Blaise agreed, "but not many in our year. Most have been sucked in by their families to believe the shite that the Dark Lord tells them. Most of my so-called friends didn't really see what was happening to Draco this past year, but I did and I don't want to be a part of it."
"What about Parkinson?" Harry spat. "You're trying to tell me she didn't even see anything with the way she always hung off of Malfoy?"
"Pansy's a blind, ignorant bitch," Blaise said, a malicious smirk gracing his features. "It should make you happy to know you've been right about her all along."
"I was right about Malfoy as well," Harry said, scowling darkly and keeping up appearances. His thoughts were on the Pansy-bitch rather than Draco, though. It was good to know that there were at least some Slytherins that he was still allowed to hate freely.
"We're not going to agree about Draco," Blaise said flatly.
Harry understood that they did agree, though. Blaise missed his friend and was worried about him, just as Draco was missing Blaise. Harry had to wonder how he'd feel if he was suddenly on opposites sides of the war from Ron. Not that that would ever happen, but if it did, Harry would definitely be upset about it.
He wasn't as thrilled as he thought he should be that Blaise and Draco would likely be able to hook back up again. He reckoned it was good that neither of them wanted to be Death Eaters, at least, and that's what he needed to be focusing on.
"I'm not sure what I can do for you," he said slowly, trying to think things through. "I gather you're safe enough for the moment. Are you willing to go into hiding if Voldemort does decide to recruit you?"
Blaise grimaced, but nodded.
"Hopefully it won't even come down to that," Harry said grimly. "I fully intend to take down Voldemort as soon as I possibly can. I could use information, though." He eyed Blaise calculatingly. "Are you willing to pass on any information you can come up with?"
"I don't know much, Potter," Blaise said irritably. "At the moment, I'm still technically neutral so people don't tell me much about what's going on."
"I think you know far more than you're letting on," Harry sneered. "But have it your way. Here's the deal. You fill me in on what you can and whatever you feel comfortable telling me. However, I especially want the names of anyone else who is at risk of being recruited that doesn't want to be. If Voldemort contacts you, you let me know immediately. Get prepared to go into hiding if it becomes necessary, and if it does, then I'll provide a safe place for you to go to," he said.
Blaise reluctantly agreed and said that he would owl Harry soon. They went their separate ways soon after, and Harry made his way to Grimmauld Place for training with Snape, lost in thought about Slytherins and loyalties.
* * * * *
"Concentrate, Potter!"
"I am!" Harry shouted, picking himself up off the floor for at least the tenth time in the last twenty minutes.
He fervently wished that Winky had padded the floor with much thicker mats. As it was, that's all there was in the large drawing room. Snape had warded the room so that it was safe for them to practice duelling, but Harry already hated the room with a passion.
Snape had been running him through defensive spells that he supposedly should've already learned his last six years at Hogwarts. The problem lay in the fact that only Remus and Snape had ever actually taught them anything useful, and maybe the fake Moody. Snape had worked them all hard this last year, but he'd still been dealing with a classroom full of students at once. Now, Harry was his sole focus and neither of them were happy.
"Potter, how do you expect to defeat the Dark Lord if you can't even defend basic spells?" Snape asked nastily.
"Basic spells?!" Harry shouted incredulously. "I can defend basic spells. I just don't have a clue as to what you're even casting at me, let alone how to defend myself from them."
"Your defence training has been worthless," Snape said contemptuously.
"You were my last Defence teacher," Harry retorted.
Snape's eyes narrowed dangerously and Harry cursed the fact that he hadn't kept his mouth shut.
"You are clearly lacking in your first five years of training," Snape said coldly. "Therefore, we will start back at the beginning."
By Friday evening, Harry was almost positive that Snape had drilled him on every single spell that had ever been mentioned in his textbooks for the first five years at Hogwarts. If he hadn't known it beforehand, he was quickly and efficiently taught it. He was extremely thankful that he was a quick learner in practical defence.
Even so, Harry gratefully sank his bruised body into the bath that night. The Dursleys had left for some weekend retreat as soon as Uncle Vernon had arrived home from work so he actually had the house to himself. Unfortunately, they were supposed to be back earlier on Sunday this time, but for the moment, he didn't care.
He wasn't at all looking forward to having to meet Snape first thing in the morning to start all over again. He told himself that his reluctance had nothing to do with missing the time that he'd normally spend with Draco in the morning. He probably wouldn't see him again until Monday. Snape had made Harry miss his time with Draco that morning as well. He'd left a note for Draco, but realized that he probably wasn't very happy with Harry at the moment.
Resigned, Harry went to bed early that night and spent all day Saturday reviewing every spell he'd ever been taught, or should've been taught, in Defence.
* * * * *
It wasn't until Sunday morning that everything fell apart. He found Snape waiting for him in the kitchen, as usual, but he was ordered unceremoniously to sit instead of heading for the training room.
"The Dark Lord called his followers again," Snape said. "He has assigned tasks for many of us."
That got Harry's full attention. "What are you and Malfoy supposed to do?" he burst out.
Snape glared at him sharply. "Mr. Malfoy is no concern of yours, Potter."
Cursing himself, Harry floundered for a way to cover his slip. "Malfoy's last task was to kill off Dumbledore. Forgive me for being concerned about my own life," he spat sarcastically.
He breathed an inward sigh of relief when Snape bought it. He didn't want to question the swirl of emotions in his chest too deeply.
"The Dark Lord is unaware of your location at the moment," Snape sneered. "I believe you are safe from Mr. Malfoy for the time being."
Harry wanted to laugh hysterically, considering that Mr. Malfoy had been disrupting his life for a few weeks already.
"Potter," Snape said impatiently. "Revenge on Malfoy should not be your primary concern."
"Why not?" Harry asked, knowing he was stepping into very risky territory. "He's a bastard Death Eater just like I've always suspected. His actions caused so many people to be hurt this past year. Obviously he's a threat!"
"He's far less of a threat to you than the Dark Lord," Snape shouted furiously. "You will desist with your concerns about Malfoy and focus on the real problem!"
"Oh, was poor little Malfoy not given one of Voldemort's precious tasks last night?" Harry taunted. "Is he all upset now? I'm sure you know where he is since he always seems to be hanging on in your shadows."
"Malfoy has locked himself into his room for the last two days," Severus said viciously. "He is not a threat! I'm tired of repeating myself, Potter!"
Harry blinked in astonishment. "Why?" It wasn't for Snape to know that Harry was astonished because he knew that it coincided with Harry not being there in the mornings at the Dursley's house. "Is he pouting because of not getting a task this time?" he taunted, trying to keep up the pretence.
"His pouting started long before the meeting with the Dark Lord," Snape ground out between clenched teeth. "Whatever his current issues are, it has nothing to do with you or this war."
So much for what Snape knew, Harry thought. Harry recognized the guilt that was flowing through him.
He ran his hands through his hair agitatedly. "What's the latest from dear old Voldemort then?"
Snape frowned at Harry's sudden calm attitude, despite the agitation still obviously flowing through him. Snape took a deep breath before addressing Harry with his cool, professorial tones. "The Dark Lord is planning an attack on a small town tonight. It is near Little Whinging," he said.
He paused, registering the gasp and look of horror crossing Harry's face before continuing. "I know that there will be forty followers sent there sometime after dark, but I cannot give you any specific time. It is not often that I have even this much information in advance."
"Which town?" Harry whispered.
Snape shook his head. "As I said, the Dark Lord does not often give out too much of his plans in advance. He was quite pleased, however, to gloat about the fact that he was coming so close to your home," he said with a grimace.
"He's attacking an entire town full of people because they live close to me," Harry said flatly.
Snape nodded curtly.
"You don't know anything else?" Harry asked.
"I know that I will be there," Snape said evenly.
"So you can feel special about hitting me literally close to home," Harry said bitterly.
Snape's lips twisted into a smirk, faint surprise that Harry had understood. "Yes, I believe that is why I have been informed of this information."
Harry shot him a glare. "Will Malfoy be there also to take part in hurting me?" he asked bitterly.
Considering their argument from a short time ago, Snape hesitated before answering. "I believe so," he said slowly. "But I do not want you there to exact revenge on Malfoy," he added sharply. "I do not want you there at all."
"What?!" Harry exclaimed incredulously.
"You are not to be lost in one of the minor battles when you are meant to win the war," Snape said.
Harry stared at him. "I'm supposed to just sit in my room when I could be out there fighting and helping?"
"Yes," Snape answered. "Your job is to get this information to the Order so that they can do what they can to help prevent too much damage."
Harry continued to stare at Snape, letting his words and the reality sink in. "Fine," he said finally. "I've got work ahead of me today," he said, his voice hard and cold. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"
Snape gave him an odd look, considering Harry's sudden change of attitude, but he spent the next fifteen minutes explaining his suggestions for a plan of counter-attack while Harry listened intently.