Just like Brothers

Chapter 10

The morning off to Hogwarts in the Snape household was much different than the ones Harry experienced staying with the Weasleys'. Everything was done in an orderly fashion and the 3 occupants of the household were completely packed, dressed, and ready to go at a quarter to 10.

Snape, Harry, and Draco were on the outskirts of Hogwarts near the Hogsmead station at 10 o'clock on the dot.

Hagrid was there waiting for them with a carriage.

"Hello there, professor, right on time as usual," Hagrid boomed, "Harry, Malfoy," the half-giant gave the boys a nod of greeting.

"Hi, Hagrid." Harry smiled, happy to be back at Hogwarts. The ride to the castle was filled with Hagrid rambling about how he was now the Care of Magical Creatures professor and how he had many exciting things up his sleeve for the upcoming year.

Harry breathed in the scent of Hogwarts when they walked through the large double doors. He was definitely glad to be back, and although he wouldn't be riding the train for the second year in a row, he was glad he had the extra time to explore Hogwarts.

It was strange seeing all the professors when school wasn't in session. There was a handful of teachers, some that Harry had never seen before were chatting in the great hall with various amounts of suitcases and odd items including skeletons of mythical creatures and yellow eyeballs in a jar.

"Welcome back, Severus, Harry, Draco, glad to see you all have adjusted well." Dumbledore came up to them with a gleam in his eye.

"Good Morning Professor," Snape nodded at the older man.

"Boys," The old wizard turned to face the only children in the hall, "the house-elves have set up a temporary dormitory for the two of you as the house dorms are still getting situated, feel free to explore the castle as you wish, as of leaving the grounds, that will remain Severus' decision."

The boys nodded and looked over to see their guardian had already left.

Dumbledore gave them directions to their quarters and the boys left the professors to their preparations.

"I guess Severus really has a lot to do." Draco chuckled as he walked beside the chosen one.

"Bloody hell! I didn't even see him leave." Harry grinned.

The teens arrived at their temporary quarters and found it much larger than their room back home.

There were two queen beds instead of the twins back at Snape's.

The actual room seemed to be an unused classroom, the boy's trunks were at the foot of each of the beds.

Harry fished the Marauder's Map out from the bottom of his trunk and opened it to see where everyone was in the building.

Severus Snape was in fact in his classroom located in the dungeon.

For the most part, professors were in their classrooms getting ready for the upcoming school year with a few still in the main entrance and the great hall.

"We can pretty much go anywhere without being a bother." Harry stated, looking up at the blond, "how about the kitchens, I'm starved."

"Potter, we ate a few hours ago, is all you ever think about food?" Draco smirked.

"Hogwarts food." Harry replied, "have you ever seen the kitchens?"

"No, why would I need to see the kitchens, I'm not a slave." Draco crossed his arms while sticking his nose up.

"Come on Malfoy," Harry shot Malfoy a mischievous grin, "I'll race you." The raven-headed boy turned on his heel and booked it down the corridor. Ignoring Malfoy's shouts behind him.

"If the Slytherin play like that this season you guys really have no chance against the Gryffindors, does you captain not make you run at practices?" Harry mocked the Slytherin Prince, who was doubled over, gasping for air.

"Ha...ha...Potter." Malfoy gasped, blowing his hair off his forehead.

Draco wiped the sweat of his face with the sleeve of his shirt. "What are we even doing here, this is a dead end."

They had come to a stop in front of a portrait of fruit. Harry reached out and tickled the pear.

The painting swung open to reveal a passageway.

Draco hesitantly followed Harry through the hole and they came to another opening.

"And this is the kitchen." Harry smiled, jumping down and walking further into the room.

Draco looked around in amazement, the kitchen was even bigger than the one in the manor.

It was crawling with house elves but they seemed happy, not like the ones that his parents used to own.

A house-elf came up to the two boys.

"Mr. Potter, Tinky is so happy that you came to visit, what does Sir want?"

"Hi, Tinky, can we have two butterbeers and a tray of biscuits please." Harry smiled at the small creature.

"Of course, Mr. Potter, Sir." Tinky wobbled away on her knocky knees.

"How many house-elves are there?" Draco asked, watching the little creature hobble away in awe, he had never seen such a humane interaction between a wizard and a house-elf like the one he just witnessed.

"I don't know an exact number, but it has to be in the thousands," Harry responded.

"I've never seen them around the school," Draco said.

Harry shrugged.

Tinky came back with the butter beers and biscuits on a tray.

The boys sat at a table and enjoyed their snack.

"What other secrets do you know about Hogwarts," Draco asked, curiously.

The rest of the day was spent by Harry showing Draco all the secret passages of the school.

At dinner time the boys and entire Hogwarts staff reported to the great hall floor supper. Harry and Draco were seated in between Severus and Dumbledore.

The only person missing was the new DADA professor who, according to Dumbledore was arriving with the students for the extra security on the train ride.

Apparently the ministry was tightening security around Hogwarts due to an Azkaban breakout. Harry would have to ask Ron about it.

"Are you boys ready for the school year?" Professor McGonagall asked.

"Yes, professor." The boys chorused.