Harry Potter - Series Fan Fiction ❯ Balancing Without A Net ❯ Chapter 6 ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I do not make any money from the writing of this fanfiction.

 

Warnings: Abuse - physical, sexual, and emotional. Male/Male slash.

 

AN: I was originally going to put this off a few more weeks, since I haven't felt particularly inspired for this story and my brand new crossover was distracting me (I know, I'm bad), but I got a lovely review from Chickalupe over at HP Fandom dot net, actually on said crossover, but she mentioned this story and managed to flatter me enough that I decided to hammer out this chapter for her. Never let it be said that I don't appreciate reviews and flattery ;)

 

When we last left off…..

 

“The only significant physical change you really need to worry about, Harry, is that fact that you are now capable of carrying a child to term the way a woman does,” Remus said matter-of-factly, making Harry choke on his milk.

 

Godric rapped Harry sharply on this back as the shocked Boy-Who-Lived coughed, and sputtered between gasps, “W-what - did you - just - say?!”

 

And now…Chapter 6

 

Godric rapped Harry sharply on this back as the shocked Boy-Who-Lived coughed, and sputtered between gasps, “W-what - did you - just - say?!”

 

Remus blinked at his cub. “If you are so inclined, you can carry a child naturally, without the assistance of the potions most wizards use when bonded to another male.”

 

Harry had caught his breath. “I didn't know there WERE such potions - and what do you mean, `bonded'? Gay marriage is legal in the wizarding world?”

 

Now it was Remus' turn to gape. “Do you mean to tell me no one's bothered to explain the bonding laws to you? You were supposed to learn about them in your sex education class fourth year!”

 

“What sex ed class?” Harry protested. “Fourth year was the Triwizard Tournament. No one told me - “ He stopped suddenly, and shut his eyes.

 

“Harry?” Remus asked in concern.

 

Harry opened his eyes, and the pupils were slitted like a cat's, the emerald color glowing with gold sparks. His claws were prominent as, with great care, he lifted Fawkes off of his lap to the back of his chair, ignoring the phoenix's worried trill. “Please excuse me, mi'lords and ladies,” he said coldly and distantly, standing up.

 

“Harry, where are you going?” Remus asked, also standing.

 

Power crackled audibly in the air surrounding Harry as the boy turned and stalked toward the Great Hall doors. Over his shoulder, he called, “I'm going to find Albus - fucking - Dumbledore and gut him.”

 

Remus' eyes widened in panic as he heard the deadly intent in Harry's voice - his cub was serious. “Harry, no!” The werewolf scrambled after him hastily, grabbing hold of Harry's shoulders just as the nekoshin reached the doors.

 

A savage snarl broke from Harry's throat, and he wrenched away from the hands that were unintentionally pressing down - hard - on the bruising left from the Dursleys.

 

Remus' wolf rose in response to the snarl, and he throttled it with effort, grabbing Harry by the nape of the neck and letting a warning rumble (not a canine growl, that would only piss Harry off further) out of his own mouth.

 

Harry stilled, both at the touch and sound, his creature self recognizing both danger and authority. *Pride,* the feline in him felt. *family*. The other part of his creature self felt, *Alpha. Do not challenge.*

 

Now that Harry was still and Remus had shoved Moony to the back of his head, he realized that he'd seen pain flash in Harry's eyes when he grabbed him by the shoulders. Now he knew what the glamour was hiding. “Harry, take it off.”

 

Harry glared at Remus, hot color rising in his face as Godric and Salazar approached. “Not here,” he bit out softly.

 

Remus gently cupped Harry's face in his hands. “Cub, you promised me,” he said softly.

 

The anger drained away from Harry as swiftly as it had flared. Harry bowed his head, hair falling forward to hide his expression.

 

“Harry?” Godric asked in concern. Obviously something was wrong, but he didn't understand what. If Albus Dumbledore had done something to his chosen to enrage him so, then he was more glad than ever to have gotten rid of him, but…

 

Salazar, standing behind his worried lover, narrowed his eyes as Lupin's words replayed through his mind: take it off… He stilled as he realized the nekoshin was clad in glamour.

 

“Not here, Remy,” Harry said again, voice so miserable that Godric instinctively stepped toward him, only to have Remus block him.

 

“Harry,” the werewolf said softly, threading a hand through the boy's hair. “Harry, look at me.”

 

Harry shook his head. “I - I need to sit down and think, Remus. I…” He stepped away, towards Godric. “Are the Gryffindor dorms ready for tonight?”

 

“…Yes, but your room is not there.”

 

“Why?” Harry finally looked up, his face once again a mask of calm - but this time everyone present knew it was just that, a mask.

 

“It was our practice to give the two top students from each house their own private rooms. We have renewed that practice. You and - “ Salazar looked questioningly at Godric.

 

“Hermione Granger,” Godric supplied quietly.

 

“ - And Miss Granger were each given your own set of rooms.”

 

Harry felt color rising in his face as Remus gave him a surprised and proud look. After he had severed his friendship with Ron, Harry had retreated from much of Gryffindor's social activities. Hermione hadn't harassed him; she'd received similar treatment from Ron. Instead, she'd joined him in the dorm room whenever Harry was by himself, handed him a book, and just curled up next to him. Harry's study habits had improved tremendously without Ron there to sneer whenever Harry showed an interest in an academic subject other than Defense, but he honestly hadn't been aware of the fact that he was one of the top students in Gryffindor now. It was kind of a miracle, considering the difficulties Harry had in Potions. With Voldemort gone, Snape wasn't quite the bastard he'd been the first three years of Harry's schooling, but the Slytherins had never stopped harassing and sabotaging the potions of all the Gryffindors.

 

Harry swallowed a bit as he realized the “special treatment” would set off Ron and his cronies as soon as they heard about it. Great, something to look forward to in addition to future research on creature sex and reproduction, of all things. “Where were my things - and my pets - sent, then?”

 

“Each of the students has private rooms on the seventh floor. Your suite is located behind a painting of an elven warrior and his wolf companion,” Godric said gently. “You'll need to set your own password; I did not give the portrait one.”

 

Harry shut his eyes briefly, then opened them; Godric, Salazar, and Remus were relieved to see that his eyes were back to normal. Harry drew in a deep breath, and walked past the two male Founders back to the table, where he bowed low before Helga and Rowena. “Please forgive my rudeness, Lady Hufflepuff, Lady Ravenclaw,” he murmured. “I have received several shocks this afternoon. I need to…calm down. I do not yet have total control over my creature inheritance.” He turned to face the male Founders again. “I owe the two of you an apology as well for my display of temper.” A pulsing pain shot through his head, and he pressed his fingertips to his temples.

 

Godric, eyes still filled with concern, moved to speak, but stopped when he felt Salazar's hand on his arm, and let his lover speak for him. “Any creature inheritance takes time to get become accustomed to,” Salazar's deep voice rumbled. “You need not apologize for your bloodline. I take it you have no objections to our removal of Dumbledore from this castle?”

 

Harry smiled tightly. Talk about understatements… “No, Lord Slytherin, I have no objections.” He glanced between them awkwardly, not sure how to excuse himself. “I suppose I'll see all of you at the Welcoming Feast tonight.”

 

“The head students of each House will be introduced after the Sorting, so you might want to sit near the Head Table,” Helga suggested helpfully.

 

“Thank you, Lady Hufflepuff,” Harry murmured, and Godric and Salazar once again noticed the deference in the nekoshin's tone.

 

 

 

AN: kind of a filler chapter, I know, but necessary to the next few chapters that contain heavy plot development - and hopefully won't take as long to write as this one did. Speaking of plot development, I need to credit Steven Kodaly, who reviewed this story on Fanfiction dot net and provided me with some constructive criticism and some praise that helped me focus on plotting out exactly how I want the MPreg explanation involving nekoshins to go - there's a lot I didn't include in this chapter.