adenoide: I did plan soul mates for Harry. I have decided that who they are would have been too much of a shock for him with everything else going on. They will be introduced later.

It is Cadmon. When I first wrote this it was Charles but I didn't want a Charles Potter and a Charlie Weasley so I changed it. Sorry if there were any I missed.

Chapter 4

They woke the next morning nice and early. Meredith had snuck in at some point during the night. They got up and Meredith left to get dressed and to get Pansy. The boys walked down and went to stand with the girls. The prefect showed them around before leading the first years into breakfast. They ate breakfast before heading to class. Their first class was transfiguration with the Gryffindors. They walked into class and sat down. Meredith sat down with Harry, Theo with Draco, Pansy with Daphne, Blaise and Tracy, Millicent and Sally Anne, and Crabbe and Goyle. The Gryffindors straggled in. They sat down in pairs. On the front desk sat a tabby cat. Ron, Cadmon, and Neville ran in as class started. The cat jumped down and turned into Professor McGonagall. She was not happy about them being late and took off five points, then told them to sit down. Ron and Neville sat together and Cadmon was stuck next to Hermione. He wasn't happy. McGonagall was very strict. Any students playing around would be asked to leave and would get detention. She then showed them how to change their matched into needles. McGonagall then set them to it and offered twenty points to anyone who could get it on the first try. They all tried then waited for Professor McGonagall to go around and check. Meredith was able to get it the first time and so gained twenty points making the Slytherins very happy. Harry and Draco were able to get it on the second try and got ten points each. She then offered five points to any who got it by the end of class. Only Hermione Granger had managed it for the Gryffindors. For the Slytherins; Pansy, Theo, Blaise, and Daphne managed it. The Slytherins were thrilled, they had earned sixty points by the end. Needless to say McGonagall was less than impressed by the lions.

The Slytherins second class was History of Magic with the Hufflepuffs. By the end of class they knew it was going to be the most boring class ever. They went to lunch afterwards. They sat down when Severus walked up.

"Professor Snape?" Harry asked.

Severus smiled at them. "Harry, Meredith, Professor Dumbledore want to see you after lunch, as you have a free period." Harry and Meredith nodded. Severus looked upset but swept off before they could ask him anything. They ate quickly. When they finished they got up to leave.

Harry turned to Draco. "Come with us?" Draco agreed. All three walked to Professor Dumbledore's office. There was a gargoyle in place. Meredith frowned. It looked like they needed a password but they didn't have one.

"We have a meeting with Professor Dumbledore." She said. The gargoyle nodded and jumped aside. They went up the stairs and knocked. Dumbledore summoned them in and invited them to sit down. They sat down having noticed the redheaded woman sitting there. They exchanged a look. Well now we know why Uncle Sev was in a bad mood. Harry nodded in agreement. Dumbledore sighed.

"Harry this is your mother Lily. She has insisted on talking to you. I ask that you talk to her this once, if you don't want to talk to her again you won't have to." Harry nodded, though he wasn't happy but turned to Lily anyways. Lily smiled though the smile didn't reach their eyes. They remained cold and unfeeling.

"I am your mother Harry."

"No you are not. You may have birthed me but you didn't raise me and you aren't my family."

"Yes, I am. I am your mother whether you like it or not."

If you are my mother answer me this," he spat. "Where were you when I slept under the sink and then was moved into the cupboard under the stairs? Where were you when I was forced to cook and clean at age four? Where were you every time Uncle Vernon opened my back with his belt or broke my ribs just because he could? Where were you when I was pushed down the stairs and when he touched me inappropriately? Let me tell you. You weren't there, because you abandoned me. So no, you aren't my mother because you were never there."

"We left you because we thought you were a squib. We didn't want you to hate us because you couldn't use magic."

"Lies! You left me before you could tell. I used magic at the age of two. All you would have had to wait was a little over six months. No, I think you got rid of me so you wouldn't have to care for me, instead spending all of your energy on that spoiled brat, Cadmon. When this conversation is over I want nothing to do with you."

Meredith squeezed his shoulder in comfort. Lily was shocked by what he said but quickly shook it off. She turned to Meredith with another cold smile.

"Your mother and I were good friends. I am sure she would want me to raise you."

"No, I am staying with Harry. He is my brother and I also want to stay with my godfather and godbrother. I want nothing to do with you. Leave us alone."

With that they excused themselves and left. They walked to Defense Against the Dark arts without talking, each lost in their own thoughts. They arrived at class and smiled at Sirius. He came over to them. "How are you guys?" They assured him that they were fine, a little shaken and angry but fine. He nodded and walked up to the front of the class. He started class. The first lesson was him teaching them the differences between Dark arts and Light magic. Sirius was very charismatic. Everyone listened to everything he said. He kept the lesson neutral. He merely talked about it as it was without pushing one side over the other. It was perhaps the most interesting lesson so far. The day ended and the children went down to the Slytherin common room. They went up to their rooms to drop off their bags before going to dinner. The first year snaked were all getting close. They laughed and chatted all the way to dinner. They all sat down clustered at the end of the table closest to the head table. Meredith sat down across from Pansy with Harry and Draco on either side of her. After dinner, they returned the common room and everyone agreed to work on their homework. They went up to their rooms and retrieved their work. They worked on their homework with help from each other as well as the older students. They finished easily and relaxed. Meredith curled up on the couch next to Harry with Morrigan curled in her lap as they watched Draco and Theo play chess. They both laughed at Draco's face when Theo beat him. It was time for bed before they knew it.

Harry woke up Tuesday morning alone in his bed. The boys got dressed and met the girls in the common room. The group headed down to breakfast. After breakfast they went outside for Herbology which they had with the Ravenclaws. Professor Sprout obviously loved her class and was a very sweet woman. Meredith had a lot more fun than Harry did. She had always been drawn to the earth and loved getting her hands dirty. Herbology was followed by charms with the Hufflepuffs. Professor Flitwick was tiny and very excitable. The class was a little bit of a disappointment as all they did was read and speak the words. They also spent a long time on practicing the hand movements. After charms it was time for lunch. They were then free till dinner. They all decided to go to the library and work on their homework. Wednesday was double Transfigurations and double DADA and Wednesday night was astronomy. Thursday was double Herbology and double Charms.

Then it was Friday the day they were all waiting for. First they had to make it through History. The afternoon was double potions. All of the Slytherin first years were excited as Professor Snape was their head of house. Also, they had it with the Gryffindors and Snape was known for hating the lions. They arrived at the class room. They noticed the lions going in but the snakes waited outside for Professor Snape. They knew better than to enter a potions lab without a potions master present. Severus arrived and smiled at them, "20 points to Slytherin for following safety procedures." He then opened the door and waved them in. They sat down quickly and quietly. Severus then stalked to the front of the room and turned. He sneered at the lions, "20 points from Gryffindor for not reading you books. It clearly stated in the introduction to never enter a potions lab without a potions master here." He smiled darkly and took roll call. A muggle born named Hermione Granger looked really upset by the lost points. He then turned to the lions. "Cadmon Potter our new celebrity. What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?" Powdered root of what to an infusion of what? Cadmon glanced at Ron and Neville, who looked as stumped as he was; Hermione's hand had shot into the air.

"I don't know, sit," said Cadmon.

Snape's lips curled into a sneer. "Tut, tut - fame clearly isn't everything." He ignored Hermione's hand.

"Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?" Hermione stretched her hand as high into the air as it would go without her leaving her seat, but Harry didn't have the faintest idea what a bezoar was. "I don't know, sir." "Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?" Cadmon forced himself to keep looking straight into those cold eyes. Snape was still ignoring Hermione's quivering hand.

"What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?" At this, Hermione stood up, her hand stretching toward the dungeon ceiling.

"I don't know," said Cadmon having gone very red in the face by this time. Severus then turned to the snakes. "Harry, can you answer the questions?"

"Yes powdered root of asphodel added to an infusion of wormwood creates a sleeping potion so powerful it is known as the Draught of Living Death. A bezoar can be found in the stomach of a goat and is an antidote to most poisons. Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plant and are also known as aconite."

"Excellent, 10 points to Slytherin for opening a book." He waved his hand and writing appeared. "The recipe is on the board or in your book. Start brewing. If you need help let me know, otherwise I will be walking around." With that they started. Harry and Draco were working at the same table and Meredith was at the table next to them with Pansy. They all worked in silence until they heard a shout from the lions. Neville had melted his cauldron and the potion was leaking everywhere. Severus swept over and vanished the mess and sent Neville up to the hospital wing as he was covered in boils. The rest of the class finished their potions silently. Meredith finished first and filled a vial and took it up to Severus. Severus smiled, "Perfect." He took the vial all the while smiling at her. Draco, Harry, and Pansy finished next and then class was over. The group went back to the common room where they decided to relax till dinner. The boys formed a six-way gobstones tournament and the girls pulled out fashion magazine and gossiped.

Sadly, it was all too soon time for dinner. They went to dinner in the big group and sat down. Sirius came up to them.

"Severus and I have been summoned to Dumbledore's office. James is here, unfortunately, so come to quarters after dinner. Give us and hour or so. If we aren't there wait for us, we will meet you as soon as possible."

The children nodded in agreement and Sirius walked up to the staff table. Dinner was a tense affair for both the children and the adults. Draco dealt with it by telling stupid jokes and Sirius dealt with it by annoying Severus. Everyone was grateful when dinner was done. The children went back to their common room and Sirius and Severus followed Dumbledore to his office. They walked in to see Lily and James already there. James got up to give Sirius a hug but Sirius glared at him and turned away. James sighed and the turned to Dumbledore with a huff and a pout. Dumbledore waved them to sit which they did though James did with a sulk and Sirius and Severus did reluctantly. Once they were all seated, Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"We are here because James and Lily insisted. They wish to discuss Harry and Meredith."

James nodded, "Harry is our son. You have no right to keep him. I will go to the ministry if I have to. Obviously you two are bad role models if he ended up in slimy Slytherin. No Potter has ever been in anything but Gryffindor."

Sirius was furious and his eyes flashed. "I will never give them to you. You have no right to him after you abandoned him to be abused."

"Don't be ridiculous. We talked to the Dursley's. They only hit him when he was really bad, apparently he constantly misbehaved." James said dismissively.

At that Severus lost it. "Shredding a child's back with a belt isn't discipline its abuse. Locking him in cupboard is pure neglect. I have taken on my Lordship as has Sirius and Lucius will back us up. You will never get it through the Wizengamont. Meredith will stay with us according to her godfather's instructions and Harry will never go back to you, not if I have anything to say about it." He finished, breathing hard in rage.

James glared at them. "They will be mine. I will see you at court."

With that they left. Dumbledore sighed, "I will do everything I can to help you." They nodded and left quickly.

They walked quietly back to their quarters, both lost in their own thoughts and furious. Severus sighed and looked at Sirius, "We need to contact Lucius and we are going to need a lawyer." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose the rage finally leaving him. Sirius nodded in agreement, the ranger leaving him as well. They entered their quarters and Severus went to floo call Lucius. . He came back and sat down on the couch next to Sirius, curling into him. A couple of minutes later Lucius and Narcissa came through. Lucius came through and looked at them worriedly. "What's wrong?"

Severus sighed, "Potter has said that he will take us to court to gain custody of both children. We all know as soon as he has them, they will be sent back to the muggles. So we thought you would like to know, plus we hoped you could get us in touch with a lawyer."

"You can use my lawyer. He is the best in the business and he is a vampire. Thank you for letting me know, don't worry I won't let him have them and I will get my alliance together."

They had just started making plans when the bell rang. Sirius got up and let harry, Draco, and Meredith in. They entered and ran to give Lucius and Narcissa hugs. The adults told the children what happened and made sure they knew that everything would be ok. They just sat and talked for a while and Severus decided to tell them some news. "Dumbledore has decided all children third year and up will be required to have an inheritance test. They are doing it tomorrow. This means, Meredith that your soulmates will learn of you."

She pouted, "I want nothing to do with them. Their youngest brother is nasty, they all hate Slytherins and the all hate Malfoys."

The adults sighed but said nothing as they knew she was at least partially right. With that it was time for the children to head bed. They refused to go until the adults promised them a picnic next to the lake. The children hugged the adults goodnight and scampered to the dorms for bed.