On the Flip Side: Glimpses

A/N: This is a five-shot story showing different moments in Harry's fourth year. It's sort of a fun interlude between On the Flip Side and the sequel that will follow this. I was going to make it a one-shot but it ended up being longer than I had thought it would be. =)

Reminders: Snape has adopted Harry; Harry is both Gryffindor and Slytherin, Voldemort has not started his return yet

Also: Moody is the real Moody, and Harry will not be entered into the Tournament.

July 31st 1994

"Dad, do you know where my Quidditch gloves are?" Harry asked as he bounded down the stairs of their home in Spinner's End.

"I do not, as I do not wear your gloves." Snape replied absently as he flipped through his potions journal, sitting on the sofa as he read and enjoyed a cup of tea.

Harry made a face. "That doesn't exactly help," He complained. Suddenly he had a thought. "You know, if you taught me the summoning charm I wouldn't have to ask." He said hopefully. He had seen his Dad use it and thought it was a quite useful looking charm.

"If you put your belongings away properly, you wouldn't need to ask," Snape pointed out. "Also, you are not supposed to practice magic during the summer remember?"

Harry's face fell. "Right," He said and a thoughtful look came over his features. "How does the Ministry know which one of us does magic anyway? I mean, of course in a muggle home it would be obvious but what about in a wizarding home?" When his dad just stared at him, Harry grinned slowly. "They can't, can they?" It would make sense. There was no way the Weasley twins didn't practice magic to work on their joke products during the summer.

"No, they cannot." Snape admitted. "For wizarding families, it is up to the parents to enforce that particular rule." He gave Harry a pointed look.

"Oh," Harry sighed. "Well, I've looked everywhere for my gloves so could you-"

Pop! "Can Dobby help yous find something?" Dobby asked, always eager to help. Today the eccentric elf was wearing a bright yellow and purple sweater with a red sock on one foot and an orange one on the other.

"My Quidditch gloves?" Harry asked hopefully.

"Harry," Snape began as Dobby vanished and reappeared an instant later holding out the pair of gloves.

"Thanks Dobby!" Harry grinned as he took them from the elf.

"Yous is welcome!" Pop!

Harry looked sheepishly at his Dad's stern expression. "I'm packing for the Burrow so my things are sort of, well, spread out."

Snape snorted. "You mean it looks like a hurricane went through your room," He said knowingly.

"Yeah," Harry admitted. He wasn't used to having so many clothes to choose from, so packing his duffel bag took longer than it used to. "I'll make sure my room is clean before we leave this afternoon," He assured his dad.

"I should hope so. Just because we have a house-elf does not mean we need to leave a mess wherever we go. Plus if I am going to check in on Nova while you are gone, it would help if I was able to find the snake," Snape said wryly. His look softened. "Are you almost packed then?"

Harry nodded. Today was his fourteenth birthday and the Weasley's had invited him and his dad to dinner as well as Harry's friends who were going to stay the weekend at the Burrow. He couldn't wait. "What are you going to do while I'm gone for the weekend?"

"I have some potions for the infirmary I need to brew," Snape answered as he closed his journal. "You must be looking forward to seeing your friends." He commented.

Harry nodded. "I am. Do you, uh, think Remus and Sirius will be there?" He hadn't heard back from either of them when he had written to them, inviting them to his birthday dinner.

"I'm sure they will be," Snape said, keeping his voice casual. He still didn't care for either of the dogs but the wolf he could at least somewhat tolerate. The mutt, however, he still couldn't stand. He would put up with Black for Harry though, especially on his son's birthday. He had a present for Harry but was waiting until after dinner at the Burrow to give it to him. He had planned with Dobby to have a full English breakfast that morning, even putting up a birthday banner and tying a snitch shaped balloon to Harry's chair. "So, we have some time before we need to leave. I suppose I could teach you the summoning charm."

Harry's mouth dropped open. "Really? What about the underage rule?"

"The rule is what I say, which is you are not to misuse the fact that I will be teaching you spells this summer," Snape said, pointing at him. "You will not practice without my knowing during the summers or with your friends. And you will especially not use magic at the Weasley's. But I don't mind teaching some advanced spells or perhaps practice dueling before school starts up again." Despite Pettigrew being in prison, Voldemort was still out there along with a few active Death Eaters and as trouble seemed to follow his son, he wanted to give Harry every advantage to defend himself.

"Wow, brilliant!" Harry beamed. "I'm sure you will be a better dueling teacher than Lockhart." He joked as he remembered his second year.

Snape made a face. "I should hope so Harry."

"Actually, you did teach us more than he did. The Expelliarmus spell came in handy that year." Harry said. He shrugged. "Didn't work out well for Lockhart though."

"He deserved what he got," Snape simply said. He summoned a thick book and handed it to Harry.

A Conjuring Matter, Harry read silently. He looked up. "Can't I just hold out my wand and call for an object?" It couldn't be that difficult, could it?

Snape looked amused. "Be my guest," He nodded towards his teacup that was still on the coffee table. "Go on then."

"Um," Harry tried to remember the incantation he had heard his dad use without opening the book. He pointed his wand at the cup. "Askio teacup!" Nothing happened. He looked at Snape a little sheepishly.

Snape nodded, his dark eyes filled with mirth. "The book is very useful, more so than your school texts. There are exercises in there that we can work through together. It takes a lot of focus and determination to summon an object." Snape smirked a little. "Pronouncing the spell correctly helps as well. Accio teacup!" The little white teacup flew easily into Snape's hand.

Harry blushed slightly. "Chapter one," He said loudly as he sat on the sofa and opened the book. He ignored his dad's chuckling as he began to read.

HPHPHPHP

Later that day, Snape and Harry stepped out of the floo and into the Weasley's kitchen. Mrs. Weasley was bustling around as she worked on getting dinner ready. Snape winced from the loud laughter and chatter coming from the other room. How Molly and Arthur could stand to have so many teenagers stay over for the whole weekend, he did not know.

"Oh Harry, happy birthday!" Mrs. Weasley beamed when she finally noticed her guests. She drew Harry into a hug. "How are you, dear?"

"I've been doing well, Mrs. Weasley." Harry assured her as she looked him over.

Mrs. Weasley nodded approvingly. "I can see Severus has been taking good care of you," She smiled warmly at Snape.

Snape inclined his head. Don't hug me, don't hug me, he begged silently. He gritted his teeth when she did indeed give him a big hug and narrowed his eyes at his son who was apparently very amused at his expense.

"Everyone is in the sitting room," Mrs. Weasley said as she returned to the dinner she was preparing. "Go on and join them, dinner will be ready soon."

"Do you need any help?" Harry asked politely.

Mrs. Weasley shook her head. "No dear. Go on and join your friends. Severus, Arthur is in there as well," She gave them a smile as she waved them on.

As soon as Snape and Harry entered the sitting room they were met with the sight of the entire Weasley clan as well as Hermione, Draco, Daphne, Astoria, Theo and Tracey. The Weasley twins were amusing everyone with some joke products so at first no one noticed them enter the room.

"Harry!"

Harry gave smile as Astoria ran over to him and gave him a hug. "Happy Birthday!" She said happily. She beamed at her Head of House. "Hi Professor Snape!"

"Astoria," Snape acknowledge with a nod. He stepped back as Harry was bombarded with all his friends clamoring to give him hugs and birthday wishes.

"Happy Birthday pup!" Sirius made his way through the crowd and grabbed Harry into a warm embrace. "How are you? Are you okay?" He held Harry by his shoulders as he looked at him worriedly.

"I'm fine Sirius," Harry said with an eye roll. Sirius asked him the exact same two questions every time he saw him.

"If you say so," Sirius said, patting him on the shoulder. He glared at Snape who returned the look with an impressive glower of his own.

Harry sighed and then smiled at Remus. "I'm glad you guys could come," He said happily. He thought it was pretty brilliant to be able to spend his birthday with two people who had been such good friends with his parents.

"So are we," Remus assured him, giving Sirius a warning look.

Snape made his way over to where Arthur was sitting with his two oldest sons, Bill and Charlie. He was simply content to sit back and watch Harry enjoy himself.

"How is your summer going?" Hermione asked Harry brightly. "Have you completed all your assignments? I have and –"

"Blimey Hermione," Ron sighed. "It's his birthday. Homework is not to be discussed."

"Don't be jealous of those of us who have completed our assignments in a timely manner," Draco drawled.

Harry laughed as he stood next to Daphne. "Actually, all of my assignments are done too." He said.

Hermione nodded approvingly at Draco and Harry. She gave Ron a smug look. "See? I'm not the only one who gets their work done early."

Ron snorted. "Harry probably didn't have a choice with a professor as a father." He pointed out.

"Yeah, I'm not done yet so I'm with Ron. No talk of homework." Theo said.

"There is still a month left to finish anyway," Tracey shrugged.

"Exactly," Ron agreed.

"I wish I was done. I'm still working on our Transfiguration essay." Daphne said. "It's not my best subject." She admitted.

"Mine either," Harry agreed. Thankfully his father had helped explain the theories to him. He had never known how nice it was to have a parent willing to help you with your homework.

Harry settled in with his friends as they talked and joked while the twins showed more of their joke products they had created. The twins were especially interested in Sirius and Remus's thoughts and ideas as they greatly admired him and Remus for creating the Marauders Map.

Dinner was a lively affair full of good food and company and Harry was stuffed when the meal ended. Mrs. Weasley brought out a large snitch shaped cake and everyone sang happy birthday to him.

"Harry, go ahead and open your presents as I dish up dessert," Mrs. Weasley said as she took the cake to the counter to begin cutting pieces.

Harry opened his gifts from his friends and was soon surrounded by sweets from Honeydukes, joke products from Zonko's, sugar quills, new exploding snap cards, and Quidditch magazines. Sirius had given him a penknife that would open practically any door and untie any knot.

"In case you get locked or tied up in your room or something," Sirius joked with a glance at Snape.

"Thanks Sirius," Harry said quickly as his dad's face began to darken. Remus handed him an envelope.

"These are from both Sirius and I. So you can add them to the photo album Hagrid gave you." Remus said kindly.

Harry opened the envelope and his eyes softened as he looked through pictures of him as a baby with his parents. These pictures also included Sirius and Remus. "Wow. This is incredible. Thank you." He said sincerely.

Snape glanced at the photos and felt his heart constrict at the pictures of Lily. She looked so beautiful, so happy. He looked away as it hurt too much. He had to admit he was grateful to the dogs for giving Harry the pictures though.

"So Sniv-er- Snape, what did you get my godson?" Sirius interrupted his thoughts. "A potions kit or something?" He smirked slightly.

"No," Snape said curtly, not wanting to rise to Black's bait. He handed Harry a dark blue wrapped present. "Before you open it, I believe Mr. and Mrs. Weasley have something to tell you."

"I was given tickets to the Quidditch World Cup, which is next month," Mr. Weasley told Harry happily. "I had two left over so you and Hermione are invited."

Harry's eyes lit up. "Brilliant!" He shared an excited look with Ron and Hermione. He had read about the event in the Daily Prophet and thought it sounded amazing.

"We're all going as well, with our families," Draco spoke up, looking excited himself.

Harry was beyond ecstatic. "You knew?" He asked Snape.

Snape nodded. "Yes. Your present will make more sense now."

Harry quickly opened his gift and pulled out a brass object that resembled muggle binoculars. It was quite different though as it was covered with knobs and dials.

"Those are Omnioculars," Snape informed Harry. "They are perfect for viewing Quidditch games as they are able to slow down and replay the action as well as show the names of the maneuvers performed by the players," He explained, pleased that Harry appeared to like his gift.

"You'll have to let me borrow those mate," Ron said somewhat enviously. "Those aren't cheap."

"Ronald!" Mrs. Weasley scolded as she looked at Snape apologetically.

Harry held back a laugh and grinned at Snape. "Thank you Dad."

"You are very welcome."

Sirius was impressed with Snape's gift but scowled when Harry called the man dad. Fine, Snape had adopted Harry but did his godson have to call him dad? All day, all he could think about was how Lily and James would love to be here and how proud they would be of Harry. Instead, Snape was here acting as Harry's father. Sirius's ears perked up when heard Snape telling Harry that he wouldn't be able to go to the World Cup because of a potions conference. "It should definitely be a good time then," He remarked. He smiled sheepishly when Harry and Remus frowned at him.

"Honestly Sirius Black, you are just as bad as Ron." Mrs. Weasley admonished. "Where are your manners?"

"Oi!" Sirius protested, looking offended at being scolded like a child.

Harry shook his head and leaned back in his seat as everyone began laughing. He couldn't believe what a great day this had been, it definitely was the most amazing birthday he had ever had.

August 25th, 1994

"Did you see Krum fake out Lynch? That was brilliant!" Ron said excitedly as he borrowed Harry's Omnioculars.

"He did that Wonky-Faint thing didn't he?" Hermione asked absently as she observed all the different wizards that had attended the match.

Draco gave her a withering look. "Wronski Feint." He corrected her. "You read everything; didn't you read Quidditch through the Ages?"

"Not yet," Hermione looked smug. "There's only one way I'll read it. Right Ron?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "If I read Hogwarts, a History then she will read Quidditch through the Ages. So…no, she will never read it."

Draco exchanged an amused look with Theo as they continued to watch the game.

"Hey pup. Having fun?" Sirius asked as he sat down next to Harry.

"Yeah, this is so amazing!" Harry grinned, happy that Sirius had been able to come. He had asked about Remus but had been simply told the former professor was too busy.

"Uh oh, it's the Bulgaria mascots," Sirius grinned as he waited for the boys' reactions.

Harry looked to see a group of beautiful women glide onto the field and begin to dance. "Oh…" He murmured as he leaned forward to watch.

"Wow," Ron breathed as he began shredding the shamrocks that had been on the hat he was wearing. "Bulgaria is the best team ever." He said dreamily.

Sirius watched with amusement as Harry, Ron, Draco and Theo leaned over the balcony of the stadium top box they were in. He himself knew better than to watch the Veelas. He and Mr. Weasley began pulling the boys back in their seats as Hermione, Daphne and Tracey looked on with disgust. "Honestly," Daphne muttered. Ginny and Astoria just looked confused, while the twins, Charlie, Bill and Percy were sniggering at the younger teens.

"Why are they stopping?" Draco whined as the Veela stopped their dancing and lined up on one side of the pitch.

"Snap out of it Draco," Lucius Malfoy grumbled from where he was sitting with the rest of the parents behind the teenagers.

"Why am I wearing a shamrock?" Harry wondered out loud. He was a supporter of Bulgaria!

Daphne exchanged a look with Hermione and Tracey and sighed. She pulled Harry back and forced him to look at her, snapping her fingers in front of his face. "Harry!"

"Hmm?" Harry finally tore his eyes away from the pitch and then the fuzzy cloud he had been in cleared. "What happened?" He asked in confusion.

"Veela," Daphne rolled her eyes. "Don't look at them or else you will turn back into that." She pointed at Ron who was still trying to lean over the balcony despite his father trying to hold him back.

Merlin, how embarrassing! Harry felt himself turn red with humiliation. He caught Sirius's eye and saw his godfather was laughing at him. "It's not funny." Harry grumbled.

Sirius chuckled. "Sure it is pup. We've all been there."

Harry noticed that Ron, Draco and Theo had returned to their senses as well while the girls began giggling at them. "Won't this make a nice story when we go back to Hogwarts?" Tracey asked innocently.

"You wouldn't dare!" Theo looked horrified.

Tracey simply shrugged, her hazel eyes full of mischief.

The rest of their time was spent pleasantly as they enjoyed the game. They were all on their feet when Ireland won despite the fact that Krum had been the one to catch the snitch.

"That was amazing! I want to try some of those moves!" Harry said enthusiastically as they walked back to their tents.

"You'll just end up with your head split open from crashing to the ground," Blaise Zabini suddenly appeared in front of Harry. "Not that that would be a bad thing, of course."

"Sod off Zabini," Harry rolled his eyes. He tried to step around Blaise but was shoved back. He pulled his wand out and pointed it at him.

"You are outnumbered Zabini," Draco said in a cold voice, stepping up.

"Take your leave before we try out some new jinxes my brothers taught me," Ron added.

"Such abominable behavior. Lower your wand this instant." A stern looking man who resembled Blaise walked up to them. He narrowed his eyes at Harry. "It would appear the rumors of you being a troublesome brat are true." His voice was like ice. He looked at Draco, Theo, Tracey and Daphne. "I would expect better of Slytherins. Although," He smirked at Daphne. "Your mother did marry a muggle, of all things, simply disgusting and such a downgrade from your real father. He was a man who knew how to keep his family in line. "

Daphne stiffened. "He was a hateful coward!" She spat out.

A woman who was standing beside the man, who Harry assumed was Mrs. Zabini, sniffed. "Such appalling behavior, you children are a disgrace to purebloods." She murmured.

Blaise smirked. "They are all traitors, along with Snape." He said bitterly, remembering all the detentions his Head of House had issued him last year. "The worst though, is Potter."

"Yes," Mr. Zabini agreed. He glared at Harry. "Too bad you weren't destroyed along with your parents, boy."

Harry felt anger rising up inside of him and the air seemed to whip around him. "Shut up!" He snarled.

Mr. Zabini's face darkened and he made to take a step closer when the adults showed up. "I suggest you take a step back Marco," Lucius threatened, smoothly pulling his wand from his cane. "Stay away from our children."

Marco scowled. "You and Severus have surprised and disappointed me. I never would have believed you would be such traitors to our Master."

"To your Master, not mine. Not anymore." Lucius said evenly. He would never again be forced to bow down to someone else or be crucio'd on a whim. His son would never experience that either, Draco would not repeat his mistakes. "You are pathetic Zabini and everyone knows it. You were only a lowly servant to the Dark Lord and you hold minimal power in the Ministry. Why don't you stop embarrassing yourself and leave?"

"We can help you leave if you like," Sirius offered, his tone was casual but his eyes were dark with anger.

Marco's face was flushed with anger and humiliation. It was true he had never been in the Dark Lord's inner circle. He had struggled to make himself relevant and he struggled now to gain power in the ministry. When he had demanded that the hippogriff that had attacked his son be killed last year, he had felt like he was finally being taken seriously. However, thanks to Dumbledore and Snape's meddling he had been thwarted and dismissed by the Minister. "Come Blaise," He said stiffly and turned his back as he and his family walked away. This was not over though, not by a long shot.

"Is everyone okay?" Sirius asked in concern, his eyes landing on Harry.

Harry nodded. He glanced at Daphne. "Are you okay?" He asked quietly. He knew Daphne's biological father had been an abusive man as well as a death eater.

Daphne had been giving a reassuring smile to her mother and stepdad, who had just walked up, and then turned her attention to Harry. "I'm fine." She said softly. "They really are horrid aren't they? No wonder people think badly of Slytherin." She said unhappily. She was relieved that Astoria was busy talking with Ginny and had missed the confrontation.

Harry took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I used to as well, until some blonde girl told me off for being ignorant." He teased and was rewarded with a beautiful smile.

"She sounds quite wise," Daphne nodded with bright eyes. "You should always listen to her."

Harry laughed. "I guess I should." He glanced at Malfoy senior who was talking with Arthur. Despite knowing Draco was a good friend, he had been wary of seeing Mr. Malfoy after the Dobby incident during second year. But Mr. Malfoy had merely greeted him politely when they had arrived. "Mr. Malfoy? Thank you for standing up for us." Harry said sincerely.

Lucius looked surprised but then inclined his head. He had been taken aback when Draco had befriended Potter but even he could see the strong friendship between these Gryffindors and Slytherins.

"Let's go. There are going to be fireworks to celebrate Irelands win." Arthur Weasley said cheerfully, trying to change the mood.

"I love fireworks! Come on Dray!" Astoria grabbed Draco's arm and pulled him off to where the crowd was gathering.

"Do not call me Dray!"

Harry and his friends laughed as they followed and the exchange with the Zabini's was forgotten.

August 29th, 1994

"Wow, so this is where Snape lives." Ron remarked as he looked around. "Huh, it's hard to believe, really. The place actually looks welcoming."

Harry rolled his eyes. School started up in a couple of days and Harry had finally convinced his dad to let him have his friends over, after reassuring him that they wouldn't tear the place apart or risk their lives in any way.

"It is nice," Daphne agreed with a smile at Harry.

"Wow, look at the library!" Hermione squealed as she peeked into one of the rooms.

Harry felt a rush of pleasure as his friends looked around the house. It was the first time ever he had invited friends to his home, a real home. It was a great feeling.

"So is Snape nicer when he is not at school?" Ron asked as he flopped into a chair.

Harry was about to answer when the man in question stalked into the room.

Snape stopped and surveyed the teenagers in his living room. "Make sure you stay out of my potion's lab. The top shelves in the library are off limits. Also, this house is clean as you can see. I expect it to still be so when you depart." He gave them a hard look, nodded to Harry and then continued out of the room and headed to his lab to finish the potions for the school.

It was silent for a moment. "Well, I guess that answers my question." Ron snickered.

Harry shrugged and grinned. "He is who he is. Do you guys want to go out back and play some Quidditch?"

"I'd rather explore your library. I bet there are fascinating books in there." Hermione said eagerly.

"Any of the interesting books would be on the forbidden top shelf," Draco smirked. "I'm ready to fly, let's go outside!"

"Come on Hermione," Harry coaxed. "I bet your flying skills have improved. If you're scared-"

"I'm not scared!" Hermione huffed. She glanced at Tracey, who also wasn't a big fan of flying. Tracey just shrugged in response. "Fine, let's go." Hermione sighed in defeat.

The seven teenagers went outside and flew into the air, mindful of the wards to keep them invisible to the muggle eye and began using bats to toss a Quaffle back and forth.

"Watch it Theo!" Tracey yelled as he accidently hit the Quaffle ball too close to her.

"Sorry," Theo laughed as he flew around her.

Harry zoomed across the yard to hit the ball to Draco. His eyes widened. "Oops!"

Hermione gasped as the Quaffle came straight at her but before she could try to get out of the way, Draco flew in front of her and smoothly hit it back. He glanced at her, his silver eyes amused. "You okay?"

"Yes," Hermione gripped her broomstick. "Thank you Draco."

"You're welcome," Draco eyed her for a moment. "It's odd to see you looking so unsure. You're usually good at everything." He finally said.

Hermione smiled slightly. "Well, not this."

"Just relax," Draco instructed. "Remember, you are in charge of the broom. Stay confident and focused." He dipped his broom slightly and began flying slowly. "Fly with me."

Hermione took a deep breath and followed his movements. She relaxed slightly. When Draco sped up, she sped up. She kept up with his movements and when they stopped, hovering in the air she smiled. "I think that is the first time I've flown without wobbling." She laughed.

"Well, of course. You had a great teacher." Draco smirked. His smirk faded as the Quaffle ball came at him fast. It missed his face by mere inches. "Hey Weasley! Maybe you need glasses like Potter!"

"Oi!" Harry objected from across the yard. He glanced at Ron, who was glaring towards Draco and Hermione. Harry turned his broom and glided over to his friend. "What's wrong?" He asked. After he had been adopted and declared both a Gryffindor and Slytherin, Ron had been fairly supportive of their new friends.

"Nothing," Ron muttered, looking away. "Are we playing or what?" He leaned forward and flew to where Theo was showing Tracey how to use the bat.

Bemused, Harry followed.

TBC: