First Place - Action/Adventure

"Harry, where are we?" Draco asked, shoving Harry awake.

Harry blinked blearily, automatically reaching for his glasses until he realized that he was seeing things clearly already. These new long-wearing contacts might be even better than he'd first thought. He blinked again and things were still in focus. Harry gave Draco a sudden grin which startled the small boy.

Harry frowned. "Draco, what's the matter?" he asked, sitting up and taking a closer look at Draco.

"I don't know where I am," Draco said fearfully.

"Oh, angel, it's all right. Severus brought us here last night. This is one of the rooms in his chambers, I guess," Harry said. "Remember we were going to move down to the dungeons with him?"

Draco relaxed and nodded. "I just forgot," he said quietly.

"It's okay," Harry said easily, relieved that Draco was so easily reassured.

Both of them looked around the room curiously. It was actually a large room, probably as big as the dorm Harry was used to, but this room only had the one bed. Harry wondered if Dumbledore had enlarged one of Snape's rooms - or if this room had even been there the day before.

The bed which they were currently still sitting in was actually at the far end of the room. Two pairs of wardrobes were stationed on either side of the bed. Harry rolled his eyes, realizing that the pair on the left had all of Draco's dragons on top. The house elves had moved literally all of their things, including all of Draco's sixteen-year-old clothes.

Draco's extra trunks, full of whatever, were in the corner, Harry's single trunk in the corner on the other side of the bed. There was a fireplace at the other end of the room with a grouping of furniture arranged in front of it.

There were a couple of desks off to one side, one child-sized for Draco to use and one for Harry to work on his assignments. A pair of bookshelves flanked the desks. The shelf next to Harry's desk had his school books and all the books that had been in his trunks, along with materials like extra parchment, ink and quills. On Draco's side, already unpacked, were all the books and art supplies they'd bought the day before.

Centrally located was a large play area, tailor-made for Draco. Low shelves along the wall held all of his toys. A small table was in front of the shelves and it was easily large enough for Draco to do puzzles, blocks or whatever he really wanted.

There were two doorways leading from the room. One Harry assumed led to a bathroom and one to Snape's sitting room. He vaguely remembered walking through it to get to their room the night before. For now, it was time to check to see if the other door actually led to a bathroom or not.

It was indeed a bathroom and Harry quickly decided that he wouldn't have to try to find the time to take Draco to the Prefects' bathroom anymore. They had access to their own personal bathroom that rivaled that of the Prefects' room, with a huge bathtub/swimming pool. Although, Harry appreciated that the room had a shower as well.

As they got ready for the day, Harry decided he was happier than he'd thought he'd be, moving down to the dungeons. With rooms like this, he could handle the fact that he was technically living with Snape.

Once dressed, they went in search of Snape and breakfast, finding both waiting for them as they left their room. Snape's rooms had a small, open kitchen off the sitting room with a small dining table. Snape was seated at the table, sipping tea and reading the Daily Prophet. Breakfast dishes were laid out, obviously waiting for Harry and Draco.

Suddenly, Harry was uncomfortable again. He felt distinctly out of place in Snape's personal chambers. Draco was clearly comfortable, though, and scrambled up onto one of the chairs and was cheerily greeting his godfather.

Harry sighed, sat down next to Draco and started filling Draco's plate for him. He was really wishing Snape would quit watching him all the time. He poured some pumpkin juice for Draco then himself, before beginning to fill his own plate and start eating.

"Why are we eating in here?" Draco asked the question Harry was wanting answered.

"I always eat breakfast in my chambers on Sunday mornings, Draco," Severus said evenly. "It is one of the few times I am allowed for myself, away from students."

Harry flinched lightly and set the fork back down that had been halfway to his mouth. "I don't have a problem with going up to the Great Hall," Harry said quietly, looking up at Snape through his fringe. He really, really did not want to impose on the man.

"Potter, I will enjoy my godson's company in what little free time I have available to me," Snape sneered. "At this time, this appears to mean that I will be ... enduring your company as well. You will stay."

Harry looked back down at his plate, not feeling particularly hungry anymore. He really shouldn't be feeling hurt by Snape's words. He knew the man loathed him, and Harry had allowed the more truce-like situation because of Draco to lure him into believing otherwise.

Harry could feel Snape's eyes boring into him for several moments longer, probably waiting for a rude response from Harry, before shifting his attention to Draco and asking him how he liked his new room.

Draco began chatting away happily about their new room. Harry snorted inwardly when he realized that while Snape had referred to it as Draco's room, Draco was referring to it as both his and Harry's.

Harry remained silent because he really didn't want to get into any arg'ments with the man at the moment, especially on unfamiliar territory that happened to be extremely familiar to Snape. He reminded himself that he was there for Draco's sake.

Draco or not, Harry was really wondering if he'd made a mistake agreeing to this move to the dungeons. The tension really wasn't worth the trade-off of the nice rooms. Harry glanced at Draco's shining face as he talked excitedly about all the things he wanted to play with that they'd bought the day before. Harry's lips curved into a slight smile. Well, maybe it was worth it anyway.

Harry sighed and turned his attention back to his plate and took a few small bites. He did not feel like eating.

"May I be excused?" Harry asked in a lull in which Draco was actually eating instead of chattering at his godfather.

Snape looked at him sharply, eyebrow raised in faint surprise. Harry wanted to shout out that, yes, he actually had a few manners, but remained silent, waiting for an answer.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Draco asked worriedly, noticing that Harry hadn't really eaten much. The boy was far too observant about Harry's eating habits.

"I'm fine, Draco," Harry said patiently. "I just want to get started on some of my homework, and then I'll have more time to play with you later."

"What's homework? I haven't seen you do any homework," Draco said in confusion.

Harry closed his eyes, not exactly feeling patient anymore, but still valiantly trying to pretend at least. "It's the assignments that the professors have assigned for us students to do outside of class time. I haven't had much time to work on mine over the last few days," Harry explained.

"Because of me," Draco said quietly.

Argh! Harry wanted to scream. He was highly conscious of Snape's eyes boring into him again and just wanted to leave the damn room. But he wasn't about to leave Draco feeling uncertain.

Harry gave the small boy a hug. "Yes, I haven't had much time because I've been adjusting to this new situation with you."

Draco's head drooped and Harry put a finger under Draco's chin, tilting his head back up so he could look Draco in the eye. "The last few days have been very important to me, Draco, and there's absolutely no way I would've rather spent my time working on assignments when I could be with you."

Harry risked a quick glance at Snape and the man's face was twisted slightly, obviously torn between shouting at Harry and keeping quiet because of Draco. Harry's eyes met Draco's again. "I'm going to have to spend more time studying, but we'll sort things out as we get used to things so that it'll work out best for both of us. All right?"

"But work is more important," Draco said quietly.

Harry closed his eyes briefly and wanted to curse Lucius Malfoy anew. "Work is important, but it's never more important than you," he said to Draco.

"Really?" Draco asked, his brow furrowed.

"Really," Harry said with a grin. He was getting used to this little really thing they had going.

"Okay, Harry," Draco said, relaxing again and smiling at Harry.

"Now, it may not be more important, but I still need to try to get some of it done," Harry said, still smiling reassuringly at Draco. "I'll be right through that doorway over there," he said pointing. "So you know right where to find me, but you can still enjoy your breakfast and spend some time with your godfather."

Harry stood, not caring anymore that he hadn't actually been excused.

"But how come you didn't eat?" Draco asked innocently before Harry could leave.

Argh! The urge to scream was back. "Um, I guess I'm just not really hungry this morning," Harry said.

Draco nodded in acceptance and finally turned back to his own breakfast.

Harry absolutely refused to look at Snape and finally went back to his new room. Rather than starting on his assignments though, like he should be, he got out the journal instead. He hadn't had a chance to write in it the night before. Besides, he was still feeling edgy about the situation with Snape and could use some downtime before he had to focus on assignments.

September 5

Actually today is the 6th, but I was practically asleep while walking when we got back here last night, so I'm writing it this morning instead. I can practically hear you in my head saying that I'm an idiot Gryffindor that can't even figure out the days of the week correctly.

But as a 4 year old, you had a wicked time yesterday ...

When Draco came bouncing into the room an hour later, Harry had put the journal away and was working on his Charms essay. Harry sat his quill on the desk and turned in the chair to face Draco.

"So, what are you wanting to do first?" Harry asked with a grin.

Draco frowned. "Don't you have work to do? I can play by myself."

Draco's words made Harry frown as well. "You're used to playing by yourself a lot, aren't you?"

Draco shrugged his little shoulders. "I always play by myself. There's never anyone else around."

Harry scowled. The day would someday come when Harry Potter would kill Lucius Malfoy, and he would do it quite happily.

"Well, I'm around now," Harry declared. "And I just so happen to want to play at the moment."

Draco giggled at Harry's feigned attitude, before turning to look at the shelves. "I don't even know how to play with any of this," Draco said. "I've got lots of toys and things, but not like these."

Harry tapped a finger on his chin as he eyed Draco thoughtfully, before looking at the things on the shelves. "Well, I say we start with some of those block sets. I bet we could build some pretty wicked things judging from the pictures on those boxes."

"They do look brilliant," Draco said, nodding fervently.

"I say we'll see what we can build together this morning and this afternoon you can see what you can build by yourself while I get some of my assignments done," Harry suggested.

"Deal!" Draco said, grinning brightly.

They spent the rest of the morning painstakingly building the designs indicated on several of the boxes of blocks. Harry had bought a whole series of castle-themed legos and Draco was fascinated with them.

"Harry!" Draco shouted in excitement, shoving a box under Harry's nose that he'd just pulled from the shelf. "This one has a dragon we can build! See it?!"

Laughing, Harry pulled the box back several inches so he could actually see it. "Wow! You're right, Draco! I don't even remember this one." Harry gave Draco a rueful smile. "Then again, I don't remember ninety percent of what we got since we were mostly just grabbing things in a rush."

"Yeah," Draco said absently, now staring at the pictures on the box. "Can we make this one next, Harry?" Draco asked.

"Of course we can," Harry said, smiling at the little boy's fascination with the dragon. Truth be told, Harry was quite fascinated with his own little dragon.

"Potter."

Harry looked up at the man standing in the doorway. "Yes, sir?"

"The password to the rooms is 'crushed snake fangs'. You will not give out the password to anyone," Snape said, his voice holding a deadly warning. "You will not bring anyone to these rooms at any time. Is this understood?"

"Yes, sir," Harry said quietly. He'd already figured this out on his own, not that Snape would have believed him if he'd said that. Harry knew very well that he was essentially rooming in isolation with Draco. And Snape.

"You will also pay attention when you leave for lunch so you will know how to return, as I'm not positive you were quite aware last night of your surroundings," Snape sneered.

"Yes, sir," Harry said once again. Snape stood in the doorway for a moment longer before turning on his heel and stalking away, robes billowing behind him.

Harry continued to stare at the open doorway. How could he have possibly thought that the man was loosening up towards him?

Draco tugging on the sleeve of his robes brought Harry's attention back to the dragon they were still building.

"Where have you been, Harry?" Ron was asking, demanding, before Harry and Draco had even had a chance to sit down at the table.

Harry looked at his friend curiously. "Uh, Ron, you knew I was moving down to the dungeons."

"Yes, but no one's seen you at all since yesterday morning," Hermione explained their worry.

Harry shrugged. "We were gone all day yesterday and then this morning I got a little of my assignments done and played blocks with Draco." Harry winked at Draco causing the boy to giggle. Harry was enjoying the fact that he was hearing that sound more often as the days wore on.

"Well, why weren't you at breakfast?" Ron demanded to know.

Harry was hard pressed trying to keep the grimace off his face. "We, uh, had breakfast with," he glanced at Draco, "Severus this morning so he could spend some time with Draco."

"Why did you have to stay there? It's not like he wants to spend more time with you," Ron said.

Harry flinched lightly. Yes, he knew very well their Potions professor didn't actually want him around. "I was making things easier for Draco," Harry snapped, more irritably than he'd intended.

Ron rolled his eyes. "Is everything going to be about him now?"

Harry glared at him. "Don't start, Ron. Just don't start."

Eyes full of hurt, Ron stared at him. "It's not my fault the Slytherins are more important to you all of a sudden."

Draco was looking worried, but he piped up. "Harry said I was more important than work," he said helpfully, not quite understanding what Ron was really upset about.

Ron was still looking hurt, but his lips twitched as he looked at Draco. "He said that?"

"Really," Draco said earnestly. "I bet you're more important than work, too."

Harry dropped his head into his hands. He missed Ron looking curiously, almost hopefully, at Draco. He also missed the intent stare of Hermione turning into an eye roll at the slight absurdity of the whole conversation.

"Speaking of work, Harry," Hermione spoke up. "I brought my potions notes so you can copy them this afternoon."

"Yeah, she made me work on potions on a Saturday, just so you could borrow her notes today," Ron said ruefully.

"It certainly didn't hurt you to get your potions done early for once, instead of waiting until the last minute," Hermione retorted.

"It did too hurt," Ron muttered so only Harry could hear.

Harry snickered and thanked Hermione. He knew she recognized that his heartfelt thanks were for the potions notes, but also for helping to defuse the situation. The rest of lunch went relatively peacefully, with Harry and Draco describing their shopping trip.

"Potter."

Harry was sitting at his desk trying to work on his assignments again. He'd gotten a fair amount done that afternoon, especially when Draco took a nap, but he had gotten behind during the week.

He'd tucked Draco in for the night about twenty minutes before, and considering that Harry had sent Draco out to say goodnight to his godfather, he was sure Snape realized that Draco would be asleep by now.

Harry looked up when Snape called his name and reluctantly got up when Snape gestured for him to come out to the sitting room.

"You need to be able to block your mind so that the Dark Lord cannot cross the link," Snape said without preamble once Harry was in the other room.

Harry said nothing, not sure where Snape was going with this. They'd already discussed this.

"You will begin learning exactly how to do this, starting tonight," Snape sneered.

"Tonight? But ... ," Harry protested.

Snape interrupted. "Yes, Potter, you will start tonight. It is one of the main reasons you are staying in my quarters," he said coldly.

Harry stared at his professor, wanting to protest that he hadn't expected to start immediately. Wanting to protest that he still had assignments to finish. Wanting to protest that he simply hated learning Occlumency - period.

Occlumency hurt. It hurt his body as he fell every time he was attacked. His scar always ended up prickling and seemed extra sensitive afterwards. His defenses always seemed lower and he usually felt downright shaky and sick.

Except for that brief appearance by Voldemort in his nightmare a few nights earlier, he hadn't actually had to deal with him for over a week. Voldemort had been quiet and Harry appreciated that.

Harry needed to learn Occlumency, he knew that, but wouldn't Voldemort become even more active once he thought Harry was gone from his mind again? Would the visions become even more horrible to bear? Would even more people be killed?

Perhaps, but they had no spy now. They needed to be able to know what Voldemort was up to and they needed to be able to rely on the information - rather than wasting time trying to sort through what was real and what was planted information. Then, of course, Harry was damned tired of Voldemort taunting him on a regular basis.

Harry looked down at the floor and sighed, resigned to a night of pain and misery. "Yes, sir," he said quietly as he reached to slip his wand from the waistband of his jeans.

"Sit down," Snape commanded. "We will start tonight by going over methods you can use to help clear your mind, which will help protect you from attack at night."

Harry looked up at him in surprise but hurried to comply and sat down in the chair that Snape had indicated, directly across from his own.

"This will not keep you from slipping into his mind, but it will help prevent him from slipping into yours," Snape said, using his best professorial tones.

Harry listened avidly and worked to begin learning meditation techniques that would hopefully be able to help him. The late night lesson was both interesting and helpful. Snape's attitude was cool and sometimes derogatory towards Harry, but overall it wasn't the type of cruel lessons that hadn't really taught him a damned thing the year before.

Although, Snape did warn him that after he had taught Harry some of these other techniques, he would be showing no mercy when casting Legilimens and helping to further Harry's skills. They would not all be pleasant lessons like this first one.

Harry simply nodded his acknowledgement. He understood the "no mercy" lessons and expected them from Snape. What he was surprised by, was Snape teaching something useful so that he could actually understand. He certainly wasn't complaining about it, though.

It was close to midnight by the time Snape sent him back to his room.

Malfoy's Child - Chapter 13

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