THIRD YEAR

POTIONS CLASSROOM, HOGWARTS

Severus Snape watched Harry Potter as the boy attempted to follow the instructions he had written on the board. The boy was failing abysmally, as usual, but... it did not appear to be the result of negligence.

Severus was reluctant to admit to himself that he had overlooked this in the past. He had been overly eager to assume that the boy was merely inept and he had entertained several possibilities. He had thought that perhaps Harry Potter did not care to try or that he was inattentive or even that he might be intentionally sabotaging his potions - because surely even an idiot could manage to succeed occasionally, if only by pure chance.

Potter was never successful though and now, of course, Severus knew why. The boy was fundamentally incapable of making successful potions on his own and any potion he assisted with always went awry as well.

There were many reasons that Muggles and Squibs couldn't make potions but the chief reason was that a magical aura was essential to the craft. Potter not only lacked a magical aura, he was the magical equivalent of a black hole.

Severus wondered how Potter managed to fly on a broom, because theoretically that should have been impossible for him as well. Severus hated being curious about anything related to Harry Potter, but lately he had been thinking about Potter far more frequently than he was comfortable admitting, even to himself.

To make matters worse, it was possible the boy knew it. Severus was always careful now to avoid encountering the boy alone or even in small groups.

Lucius had warned Severus against being cruel to the boy, but even Lucius had to admit that Severus had good reason to continue the pretense of animosity... and it was a pretense now.

Severus would have liked to carry on hating the boy but knowing that Potter was not actually a tiny James Potter took the satisfaction out of it. Severus put a lot of thought into terrorizing his students and Potter, in particular, but it was not any fun if the boy was not truly bothered by Severus's biting sarcasm and antagonistic remarks. Potter was not the easily angered child he pretended to be. He was a Void.

That knowledge forced Severus to re-evaluate Potter. The boy was quick to smile and make jokes whenever his little friends did. He made light of the assignments and groused under his breath about the professor, but his actions told a different story. Potter always followed the directions with painstaking care, similar to how Draco or Granger worked. However, Potter's results were nothing like Draco or Granger's and this seemed to genuinely frustrate the boy.

Severus had seen the true Potter through Lucius's eyes, in the Malfoy pensieve over the winter break, but it was still difficult for Severus to see past Potter's skillful acting.

It was almost impossible to imagine that this scrawny, surly boy would be Lucius's long-awaited mate. The boy was actually a thousand years old though, so maybe it was Lucius who would be the inferior one of the pair. It was borderline absurd.

Potter added a pinch of powdered asphodel root, exactly as directed, but instead of brightening in color, the potion darkened and gurgled ominously. It was fascinating really, because Harry was working alone and he shouldn't have even been able to affect the potion at all, but he was. It was as if he was a regular wizard who had merely performed the step incorrectly. Severus couldn't figure out how the boy was doing it.

If a muggle or a squib had tried, nothing would have happened at all - the ingredients had magical properties, yes, but the resulting concoction would be a rather nasty soup and nothing more. Potter was creating a magical potion but it was of very poor quality even though he appeared to be following the directions to the letter.

Severus didn't want to be so curious, but he was. After several weeks of thinking about Potter's oddities, Severus was no closer to solving the puzzle than he had been at the beginning.

That was what provoked Severus to break his own rule and tell Potter to speak to him after class. Potter, predictably, glared at him but stayed silent. For appearances's sake, Severus took five points from Gryffindor anyways – citing Potter's unsightly potion as the reason.

Potter went red in the face and gritted out, "That's not fair! I did everything right!"

Potter's anger seemed so genuine that Severus wondered if it actually was. Severus took another five points from Gryffindor anyways, for the backtalk. This exchange offended Weasley's sense of justice and the redhead tried to defend his friend.

Severus gave them both detention with Filch.

He caught Draco's disapproving stare as he turned away from Weasley and Potter. He knew Draco was protective of his new friend. The child would likely have some harsh words for him about it, next time they had tea together. For now though, Severus ignored his godchild.

Potter remained seated after class was dismissed, glaring at a fixed point on the wall. Ron patted his shoulder commiseratingly and said, "We'll wait for you outside, mate."

Potter nodded and gave the redhead a strained smile, "Thanks, Ron. See you soon."

"Don't let him get to you, eh?"

When the door closed, Severus was very aware that this was the first time he had been alone with Potter since before Christmas. The boy was likely listening to his thoughts even now. There was absolutely nothing Severus could do to stop him so he tried to ignore it and remain calm. He did not want Potter to know how unsettled he was.

Potter's face was blank now and his unreadable gaze was fixed patiently on Severus, without a trace of his usual scorn or distaste. Severus had only seen that expression on Potter's face in the pensieve and it was rather… eerie.

"I would like to speak to you about your performance in my class, Potter."

Potter frowned slightly and cast a forlorn look at the mess in his cauldron, "I'm aware that I'm terrible at potions and I haven't made much progress, but I am trying, sir."

Potter's tone was subdued and unmistakably respectful. He had never spoken to Severus in that way before. Potter fiddled with the potions supplies on his desk and he was avoiding Severus's eyes now. Severus was surprised to realize that Potter was embarrassed about his poor performance.

Severus allowed himself a moment to process this revelation then he said, "It should be impossible for someone without an aura to make magical potions or fly on a broom, yet you do. How?"

It was less of an observation and more of an accusation, less of a question and more of a demand.

Potter glanced at him searchingly, as if trying to read his face. Only, a Void would have no need to attempt to read anyone's face, so Severus thought that perhaps Potter was reacting to something he had learned from Severus's thoughts instead. However, Severus resolved to continue to talk to Potter as if the boy did not know his thoughts. It was slightly easier to tolerate it if he pretended it was not happening.

It was a small and entirely unexpected mercy that the boy seemed to be making an attempt to respect his wishes by not alluding to Severus's thoughts.

"It isn't the same thing, sir," Potter replied. "Auras affect potions significantly more than brooms. I am able to use a wand and a broom is just a larger version of a wand."

Potter paused then added glumly, "Potions are another matter entirely."

There was no other witch or wizard in the world who would ever say a broom was merely a larger version of a wand, Severus thought, with some amusement. He suspected that the way Potter used magic was fundamentally different than how normal witches and wizards did.

Severus couldn't stop himself from questioning, "In what way?"

"The potions ingredients!" Harry exclaimed immediately. "Nearly all of them have their own unique magical properties but it's their interactions with auras that activate those properties! The chopping and dicing and squeezing and shredding - for normal people that's all it is, but those sorts of physical actions provoke unique and nearly imperceptible alterations in the magical properties of the ingredients."

Potter's agitation was rapidly increasing and he threw up his hands suddenly, "All of you do this unconsciously and instinctively and somehow it just works for you. I have to try to consciously mimic you but I don't have that kind of knowledge! It's like you all have knives while I'm stuck with a troll's club!"

Potter slammed his palm onto the table loudly, causing a couple of unused newt's eyes to roll off the table and plop wetly onto the floor. Potter grabbed one in his hand and glared at it, as if it had personally offended him. He gritted out angrily, "To make matters worse, if I can manage to activate the specific magical properties of the ingredients that I suspect are needed for the potion, there's usually so little magic in them that half of the time I end up accidentally eating it before I can even use it in the potion I'm trying to make! I have to try not to touch any of it directly but that's not bloody possible, is it?"

Severus was only briefly confused by Potter's strange use of the word 'eating' in relation to potions ingredients. He would need to remember to keep Potter well away from the ingredient storeroom in the future, to protect the potency of the ingredients.

Granted, Severus was not sure about most of Potter was saying, but it sounded as if Potter needed to be able to understand the specific and minuscule magical interactions between the ingredients in order to replicate them. Potter might be talking about a highly advanced level of magical theory. If Potter could actually see and understand these interactions, even if only in a small or abstract way, then Potter might be extremely useful in Severus's own research endeavors.

At that moment, Potter's eyes brightened and he smiled slightly. Severus immediately decided it was time to put his curiosity aside and get to the heart of the matter.

"I do not think you should take my class next year, Mr. Potter."

Potter appeared so crestfallen that Severus was actually surprised. He had thought the boy might be relieved but it was clear that Potter actually wanted to create potions, in spite of the difficulty and frustration. Severus was unexpectedly pleased.

Potter looked as if he wanted to argue but after a long pause the boy nodded and replied quietly, "Yes, sir."

Severus hadn't planned on giving Potter an explanation. He had somewhat satisfied his personal curiosity about Potter and he'd told Potter what he had meant to. He should have dismissed the boy, but instead he found himself saying, "It is not related to your abysmal performance."

Potter glanced up and then he seemed taken aback. Severus assumed that was because the boy knew what Severus was going to say next, but he continued on irregardless, "I cannot be seen treating you with any degree of kindness, but I no longer wish to treat you cruelly. The Malfoys are dear friends of mine and you are soon to be a part of their family. If you were to force Lucius to choose between you and myself, I know he would choose you. Therefore, I do not wish to continue the open hostilities between us."

Potter blinked once and then again, "Sir, I… I wouldn't ever…"

He stopped and then shook his head, appearing to be at a loss for words. Severus was somewhat relieved that Potter seemed to have not yet considered this course of action. It had been on Severus's mind ever since he had learned that Potter knew what he meant to Lucius. Potter being aware of the power he held over Lucius had changed things, in Severus's mind. If Potter truly hated Severus, then Potter could insist that the Malfoys cut ties with Severus.

Severus Snape was not a man with an excess of friends to spare.

"Sir…"

Severus was instantly offended by Potter's new tone of voice. The very last thing he needed in this world was the pity of James Potter's son, even if Harry Potter was not exactly Harry Potter.

It had been a mistake to speak to the boy alone. He'd fallen for Potter's act and he had foolishly revealed his weakness.

Potter did not say whatever he had been about to. He stopped briefly, then his furrowed brow smoothed and his expression became perfectly unreadable.

"What exactly... is stopping you from telling the world what I am, sir? Seems to me that you wouldn't need to worry about me then."

Severus gritted his teeth. He couldn't even tell himself it was tempting. If anything ever happened to Potter, it would destroy Lucius. Severus could not figure out what sort of point Potter was attempting to make by diverging from the topic.

Harry spoke again without waiting for Severus to form a reply, but his voice was gentler now, "It is relevant. You won't do it because Lucius is family to you. You act as if it would be easy for Lucius to turn his back on you, but he considers you family too. I think it would destroy him to turn his back on anyone he cares for."

Severus was silent and his body felt rigid. He unsuccessfully attempted to quell his rising panic. The ease and precision with which Potter read his thoughts was terrifying and he could not ignore it now. Nothing frightened Severus like vulnerability and with Potter, his secrets were laid bare.

"I can trust you to keep my secret because you care about Lucius," Harry continued. "You can trust me never to drive a wedge between you and the Malfoy family because I also care about Lucius. I wouldn't force Lucius to choose between you and me even if I hated you so much I couldn't stand the sight of you. That being said… I don't hate you. I don't even dislike you."

Surely… that couldn't be true? Severus had given Potter plenty of reasons to hate him.

A faintly rueful smile touched Potter's lips and he shrugged his thin shoulders, "I'm used to people hating me when they get to know what I am. People usually hate you without ever bothering to get to know you. It's just as lonely either way, really. I don't pity you. I empathize with you."

Potter stood and put away his things in his bag then headed towards the door. He paused and looked back at Severus when he grabbed the door handle. He didn't say anything else though. Seconds later, he was gone.

There was a gentle-hearted monster wearing the skin of James Potter's child and strangely enough, he had managed to endear himself to Severus Snape.

[][][][][]

THE MINISTRY OF MAGIC

Lucius Malfoy's expression was one of cool disinterest as he listened to Albus Dumbledore but his nails were too sharp and they were cutting into the skin of his palms. His silver-grey eyes flicked to the other officials present, watching their reactions carefully. He was disturbed by how many of them seemed to favor Albus's proposal.

Albus had been neutral in the matter of blood purity for so long, Lucius had dared to hope he always would be. Time after time, a small majority had prevented stricter laws and regulations from passing. Now, Albus was suddenly throwing all of his support to the opposing side.

Albus was calling for blood testing to be required during the upcoming census. He was using phrases like 'preserving a record of our heritage for our children' and 'implementing affirmative action in hiring practices.'

It sounded good but it was decidedly not. Lucius waited for the other shoe to drop and he didn't have to wait long.

"Currently, our Department of Magical Law Enforcement has no means of enforcing the breeding regulations which were instated to protect us all. We are doing our Aurors a grave disservice by failing to give them the tools they need to succeed. Right now, they must rely on witness statements and then, even with probable cause, they jump through hoops merely to obtain simple blood samples. For this reason, it is a very rare occurrence, for individuals to be caught in violation of breeding regulations. Periodic blood testing can be done responsibly and so, unless we are willing to change existing regulations and risk repeating the mistakes of our ancestors, we have a responsibility to assist our Aurors in upholding our laws."

Albus's speech was met with resounding applause - the sound of vigorous agreement.

Yet not everyone in the room agreed with Albus. Unbeknownst to most, there were many amongst them that had strongly mixed blood and were well aware of their lineage. Of course, none of them were bold enough to speak out, for fear of their blood being called into question.

Lucius knew he did not have the luxury of staying silent.

When the room finally quieted, Albus opened his mouth to speak again, but Lucius spoke first, smoothly cutting him off.

"None could argue that your intent is not pure, Albus," He began slowly and with a secret sort of irony that only Albus would understand. "However, there are good reasons that the breeding regulations are not strictly enforced in the way you have suggested. Requiring innocent citizens to give up samples of their blood is a violation of their basic rights. Also, there is not a which or wizard alive today without some creature blood in their veins. Where would you suggest the line be drawn? What percentage of creature blood would be acceptable to you? Or shall it be the type of creature blood that decides the sentence?"

Lucius rose to his feet and quickly spoke again before Albus could refute his words. "Perhaps a large fraction of those seated amongst us today have some small measure of illegal creature blood running through their veins - blood they are unawares of. How many of us can confidently state their true lineage past three generations? Past six generations? Further? How many law-abiding citizens, who are currently productive members of society, will be punished for the crimes of their distant ancestors or even their parents? How exactly shall they be punished? Shall they be tagged like animals or branded? Caged and enslaved? Or merely culled from the flock in the dead of night? Your-"

It was Albus who interrupted now, using a disapproving and affronted tone, "That is barbaric savagery and absolutely ridiculous to even speak of in this forum-!"

"Which is why your sort of proposal has never been seriously considered and why it should not be considered now. Once we start down this road, I believe we would make for ourselves a nation that will be looked down upon by the other civilized nations of this world. I pray to never see the day where our great nation is ruined by our fear of blood."

Lucius watched Albus's jaw clench. It was almost imperceptible - hidden as it was beneath his excessively long beard - but Lucius had been looking for any sign of weakness. Lucius turned his attention to his audience, as if he were speaking to a group of friends rather than a juxtaposition of bitter political rivals and strategic allies.

"No one likes to speak of it today but our ancestors knew that, as a rule, creature blood makes our people magically strong and muggle blood makes us weaker," Lucius continued on, pressing his advantage. "Surely no one would suggest that we punish every squib born because they have no more magic than a muggle. I will concede that a few mistakes were made in the past, by breeding with certain dark creatures, but we have learned from those mistakes. Ultimately, we are as strong as we are today because of our ancestors."

Lucius returned his gaze to Albus, pinning him with a stern look. "If a witch or a wizard is appears physically human and is able to breed with other humans, then that is enough to prove their blood is more human than other. If a human presents slightly altered physical characteristics consistent with a magical creature which is currently legal to breed with, that is also acceptable. No more than that is needed for our Aurors to enforce existing laws. There is no need to complicate matters unnecessarily."

Albus's expression was one he wore often - one of grandfatherly concern. He looked at Lucius as if Lucius was a child who did not know what he was talking about. Of all the things that irritated Lucius about Albus, it was that expression that he found the most irksome.

Albus gave an deliberately long and - in Lucius's opinion - unforgivably overdramatic sigh and said, "There is no proof that creature blood strengthens our magical blood. All studies ever done on the subject are biased and contradictory. What is known is that our people cannot maintain biological diversity by having children only with other witches and wizards. The older families have tried this and many, like yours, Lucius, have inbred themselves into obscurity. Your family has been so selective that you and your child are the last of your bloodline."

That was a point Lucius could not argue and Lucius tasted bitterness on his tongue.

Albus's blue eyes glittered with malice as he added, "If our only option for increasing our population and maintaining biological diversity is a choice between muggle humans and magical creatures… Well, isn't the choice a simple one? We would be best served by breeding with those like us. We are humans first and foremost and the muggles not only outnumber us, but are technologically superior to us. Our magic will endure as strong as it always has. I have read the signs and I see for us a future where humans have the best of magic and technology at their disposal."

The crowd murmured amongst themselves and shifted. Lucius raised his voice above the noise, "Whenever the muggles become aware of our existence, they seek to take our power for their own and become magical like us! When they inevitably fail, they seek to destroy us. They fear us because they do not understand us and because they are inherently weaker than us, as individuals. Magic is far superior to technology and always has been. Who would choose technology when they could have magic instead?"

Lucius shook his head derisively and answered his own question, "No one! There are too many muggles and if we tried to breed exclusively with them for the sake of some future generation who might be able to enjoy both magic and technology… That future would never come. Their non-magical blood would dilute our own further and further until eventually no human would be magical. Your vision for humanity's future is naive, Albus, and by pursuing it you risk ruining us all. The muggles alive today are fundamentally incapable of using magic and they would be too jealous of our magic to ever truly accept us. It has happened too many times already throughout our history."

"The muggles alive today are more open-minded than any previous generation!" Albus insisted. "However, if we continue to breed with magical creatures, the muggles will certainly grow to see us as a species other than human. For the sake of future generations, we must enforce breeding regulations and we must strengthen our ties to our non-magical but human brothers and sisters. If we are ever to have a future where we need not live in fear of the muggles, then we cannot cling to old ways! We must assimilate!

"You are ignoring the lessons of our past and you are inventing problems where there are none, Albus," Lucius replied harshly, with anger he did not seek to conceal. "Strict enforcement of breeding regulations will only further divide our people and leave us vulnerable to extermination by the muggles you would see us assimilate with!"

The crowd's opinion swung back and forth, like a pendulum. The leaning still seemed to be more in Albus's favor, unfortunately. Not as much of a majority as before Lucius had spoken, but still a majority, if only just.

Before Albus had chosen a side in this divisive topic, Lucius's opposition had had no leader that could match him in influence. This sudden and unexpected change was a truly disastrous turn of events. There would be far-reaching consequences for a very long time to come.

[][][][][]

GRYFFINDOR TOWER, HOGWARTS

Harry frowned as he read Lucius's latest journal entries about the risk of mandatory blood samples during the upcoming census. For the past few months, they had rarely spoken of anything else. Lucius thought that if Albus succeeded he would use this new legislation as a stepping stone for implementing even stricter breeding regulations.

Harry had no idea why Albus had suddenly decided to focus on this, of all things. Albus had been careful to stay far away from Harry ever since Christmas so Harry had not had an opportunity to read the man's thoughts.

Sirius and Remus had not shared many details with Harry about their plans for Albus, but Lucius had told Harry what he knew and Harry had seen the aftermath.

Everyone within Hogwarts had seen the aftermath.

Sirius and Remus had charmed thousands of Howlers and set them after Albus. The vicious red letters had made their way out of the Headmaster's Office and now the castle was thoroughly infested. The letters liked to stage surprise attacks - often during meals in the Great Hall and always when Albus attempted to address his students and staff.

In public, Albus dealt with the attacks with calm forbearance but Harry thought the gleam in his eyes was a touch too bright these days and there were dark circles under his eyes - as if the Howlers were interfering with his sleep as well. He appeared every year of his advanced age and his cheerful smiles were few and far between.

Lucius had helped Sirius alter his Last Will and Testament. He assured Harry that there was currently nothing Albus could do, legally, to gain custody of Harry.

He also told Harry that he had spoken with Sirius and Remus about getting Harry emancipated. The sooner Harry was a legal adult, the safer he would be. Harry expected Sirius and Remus to bring up the topic when he went home for the summer.

Harry knew that Sirius and Remus were set on terrorizing Albus and making him appear insane, by literally driving him insane. Harry couldn't blame either of them for wanting to dole out their special brand of vengeance against Albus, but Harry feared that Albus would succeed in passing the new laws long before he broke down in front of an audience.

There was no possibility that the mandatory blood sampling or any future breeding regulations would affect Harry himself - his existence couldn't get anymore illegal than it already was but physically, he was just as human as Lilly or James Potter had been.

No, Harry's greater concern was how Albus's agenda would affect Lucius, Draco, and Remus. Sometimes he worried that Remus and Sirius were pushing Albus too far. Harry didn't want to believe that Albus would attempt to change the laws of Wizarding Britain merely for the sake of some plot to hurt Sirius and Harry through Remus. If that was his only motivation, that would have certainly been madness.

Harry knew Albus relatively well. Albus's sanity was somewhat debatable but the man was highly intelligent. Albus had to have a greater plan. Harry and Lucius just didn't know what it was. They could speculate all they wanted, but if Lucius couldn't stop Albus from passing this new legislation, then it wouldn't matter even if they guessed right.

Lucius had already brought up the possibility that they all might be forced to leave the country. Harry was visiting the Malfoys in Romania this summer with Sirius and Remus, but it might soon become a permanent vacation for all of them.

END OF THIRD YEAR

A/N: I'm very sorry for the long wait! I hope you enjoyed the chapter!