The Contract

Chapter 112

Harry lurched out of the Floo Network, giving a great big 'Oof' as he somehow managed to remain upright. He didn't think he'd ever becoming accustomed to Floo travel. Sure, he could do it, but he was far from graceful. Coughing a little, grimacing, he had also managed to inhale some ash, which was irritating his throat as well as eyes. Well, for the most part anyway, it might have had something to do with the excitement that had him falling out of the fireplace like a clumsy Muggle-born first year.

A chuckle alerted Harry to someone being in the room with him, "Very smooth dismount," Corvus told him, eyes gleaming with happiness and merriment. Opening his arms and Harry all but ambushed him, squeezing his middle tightly in greeting. Honestly, you'd think it was months since they saw each other last, not just weeks. "Good morning, Harry," returning the hug with the same tightness. "How are your classes going?" he hadn't asked during the winter holidays. Mostly because his weakest subjects had been seen to, Severus was helping him. That and it was Yule, it was a holiday, a time of peace and celebration.

Speaking of holiday, Sirius and Rodolphus' wedding just so happened to be picked on a day of solstice. The longest day, and the shortest night. June 21st, it wasn't by any means the most powerful day to pagans but a day of celebration nonetheless. It was now a double celebration, the solstice and the wedding celebration.

"Severus thinks I won't need remedial potions after the term ends," Harry said beaming in delight, as he drew back after an extended hug. Unlike many of his classmates at Hogwarts, he'd never take family for granted. No child should really, but unfortunately, it wasn't always the case.

"Is that so?" Corvus questioned, pleasantly surprised, he had managed to teach Harry the right technique that works for him in a year? Then again, Severus wasn't the youngest Potions Master in the world for nothing. That and he didn't have as much on his plate, he taught the upper years Potions, his assistant taught the younger years, giving him a much-needed break. Given the potions that Severus had brought out - all medical in nature - it was definitely time well spent, and needed. Severus hadn't brought anything much out since his Mastery, what fourteen, fifteen years ago. He'd made potions better, but he hadn't truly had the time to create a masterpiece.

He may have to thank Severus for his dedication to Harry, regardless of the threats he'd made to him in the past. Well, threat wasn't the correct word, it had been a promise, a vow. He would have killed Severus if he had not ceased his childish bullying. No, hadn't stopped the childish bullying that Dumbledore had perpetrated on a young abused boy, a boy he'd ensured was abused. Even now years later it still turned his stomach and made him seethe for vengeance after it had been had.

Dumbledore was well and truly gone, his soul sucked out, to never return. Eternal resurrection, they believe in, wouldn't happen if your soul was sucked out by a Dementor.

"Yes, when he figured out how I learn things, he made it make a whole lot of sense," Harry said still enthusiastic. He knew better than to discuss potions or Severus with Sirius. The faces he made the entire time were maddening hilarious. "Severus even taught me to brew potions from instinct, that with enough experience I should trust myself and do what I believe should be done despite the recipe. Do you know instinctively brewing is part knowledge part magic itself?"

"That does sound fascinating," Corvus agreed fully, he very rarely brewed, he instead had Severus brewing everything he needed. If Severus couldn't - which rarely happened - he got someone else to brew them. Which had happened a few times lately, due to the fact he was trying to create all the potion required for the students who would all be doing the family tree ritual. "Are there any classes you feel you could do better in?" best to ask before O.W.L year in his opinion. Sitting down on one of the few available pieces of furniture, the Manor was undergoing a vast change as they prepared for the wedding.