"Marco VanAllen? He can see them?" Severus turned and looked at Harry with amazement.
"That's the funny part... he can't." Harry giggled as he leaned against Severus.
Shaking his head Severus put a red mark beside that one so that Marco could find another project. "It is a good one, you might hold it for one of those who can see them."
Harry nodded as he wrote it down onto a separate piece of parchment he had for ideas for the projects for people who couldn't come up with something in time.
"What have you done on your own project?" Severus asked as he glanced at his bond-mate.
"It's already done. It's one of the things I did when I locked myself in my room. All that really needs to be done is a final check on the grammar and spell check." Harry said as he shook his head at his depression.
"How long is it? And when did you have time to test it?" Severus smiled gently down at Harry.
"It's about a hundred and twenty pages and it was easy to test... Since I was using myself as the test subject."
"What?" Severus was incensed. "How could you be so idiotic! You didn't have anyone there to oversee either?"
"It was fine. I just did a study of the effects of the crucio through an accident mental bond. I was never in any real danger. I just used all of the data I'd gathered from when I'd felt the curse. It isn't anything I feel on the average night." Harry said as he brushed a hand over Severus' cheek to help ease his worry.
Severus sighed and gave him a quick hug while grumbling. "You will be the death of me."
Harry was laughing as he pulled back and then went on working on the project lists.
Harry was working in the Slytherin library when a knock on the door frame had him looking up. "Yes?" He smiled at the young boy standing there.
"Harry, there's a Gryffindor at the door to the common room... He says he wants to speak with you. Do you want me to let him in?"
After thinking about it for a moment Harry rose. "I'll take care of it. You should go to your Charms homework so Draco doesn't get mad." The boy blushed and hurried back to the study corner of the common room.
Going to the door Harry opened it slowly and stared at Neville who stood there all but shaking in his shoes. "Neville? To what do I owe the pleasure?" Harry stood in the way of him actually entering, at least until he was certain it was truly Neville and not someone using Polyjuice.
"I...I... I... need your help." Neville turned bright red and tried not to have a heart attack at being so close to the Slytherin common room.
Harry raised his wand and with a quick flick had Neville's wand. After checking it carefully he handed it back. "Come in." Harry brought him in and then led him into the library. "Have a seat and tell me what's wrong."
Neville shifted uncomfortably for a moment before sitting next to Harry on one of the large cushions. "I don't think I'm safe in the Gryffindor dorm anymore. I was hoping you would go with me to the Headmaster... to see about getting resorted... like you."
"Why wouldn't you be safe in Gryffindor? They love you." Harry said looking at Neville with obvious disbelief.
"Some of the others have started... well a group that doesn't like purebloods. Ron and Ginny are the only ones who are not attacked by them. They'll put scorpions in the beds and destroy belongings. Just a few days ago they almost beat Anthony Kilroy almost to death. But then they healed him enough that the professor's wound't know... They'll be coming after me soon, Harry... And I can't fight them off like he did. They'll kill me." Neville said as he was almost in tears.
Harry's eyes darkened. This was what he was afraid of. Shaking off his dark thoughts, Harry gave Neville a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Nev. We'll make sure you're okay."
Neville slumped as he breathed a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Harry."
Much to the shock of everyone with Neville's resorting he wasn't put into Hufflepuff, but rather into Slytherin. What most people didn't know, was that Harry had taken the time to speak with the sorting hat. It had been more than happy to put the young pureblood into Slytherin.
Neville was a little nervous to be moving into the Slytherin dorm, but Harry tried to make it as easy a transition as easy as possible. Harry had an arm around Neville's shoulders as he lead him into the common room. The most of the Slytherins were waiting on them. The few that weren't there would be coming shortly. As they stepped in and the door closed, Neville began to shake.
A short laugh had them turning to where Blaise was smiling. "You don't have to look so scared. I promise we don't bite. Hello, I don't believe we've ever been properly introduced. I'm Blaise Zabini. Please call me by my given name." He held out his hand to the boy who was still shaking.
Neville finally took the offered hand and gave him a weak smile. "N-nice to meet you. I'm Neville Longbottom. I got to know your uncle... Anastasio. He came to visit my Grandmother and I for a while after my parents were hurt... He was a nice man."
Blaise's smile never diminished as he gave the hand in his a gentle squeeze. "So you're the little boy that had my uncle was always asking me what kind of sweets our age ate. I'm certain he will be happy to hear that you are well. If you like I will have him owl you."
The small blush that took over Neville's face was very becoming as he released his hand. "That would be nice."
"Why don't you show Neville back to the dorm room? He'll be sharing with you Blaise... at least until he decides if he would wish to move into a private." Severus gave Blaise a nod before turning and sweeping to the door, where he stopped. "Oh... and Neville I will expect you to be in the potion's class room for after hours practice. We will practice twice a week until you are at an acceptable level... You will need to speak with the other tutors about when your other tutorings will be and work out a time for the potions studies." With that Severus left in a swirl of clothing.
Neville stared at the closed door before looking to Harry for an explanation.
It was Blaise who answered. "We take care of our own, Neville. Harry oversees all DADA tutoring as well as helping with the end of term projects. Draco will be helping you with all of your Charms needs. I will help you with your Transfigurations."
A small smile came over Neville's face. "Thank you... I could use the help."
Harry watched this with great happiness and then stepped back and watched as the ice broke and the younger ones came over and began chatting with Neville as if he'd been one of them all along.
THE END
There is a sequel to this fic! Go to my author's page and look for Learning and Teaching 2. But please take a moment to drop me a line about what your think about this part!