Chapter 5: Silver and Gold    

Chapter Text

Christmas morning dawned with a fresh snow fall and no sunlight. The sky was grey with lots of cloud cover, but instead of seeming dreary and foreboding, the sensation was cosy and comforting.

Severus yawned, rubbing a hand across his eyes as he glanced at the green pine tree which graced the corner of his quarters. The elves had set it up the previous day during the drama with the red headed demon as Sev secretly called Weasley. There was a small pile of presents under the tree, most for Harry from himself, though his colleagues had sent him the usual gifts. He sighed, wondering if Harry would be able to shift back later this evening after they spent the day with Blaise and Miss. Parkinson. A small mewing noise grabbed his attention and he glanced over at the couch, seeing Silver’s head pop up from the comfortable cat bed that had been the first present opened from the night before. He smiled softly, “Ready?” He tease, watching the young cat vigorously nod his head as he looked expectantly at his mentor. Sev walked over, scooping up Silver along with his new cat bed and cozy blanket, which he had also received.

Blaise glanced up as Severus and Silver came into the Common Room. It was decided that the three Slytherins and their mascot would spend the day together, as was tradition for Severus when any of his snakes remained behind for Holidays.
“Merry Christmas Professor” Pansy said, from where she was curled on the couch, near the roaring fire and tree decorated in mainly silver and green.
“Merry Christmas” Severus responded, glancing at the piles of wrapping paper which indicated that both students had received and opened numerous gifts. Silver squirmed free of Severus’ arms once the man was seated and carefully limped his way over to Blaise. Smiling the Italian Slytherin carefully picked the kitten up, laughing as Silver licked his fingers and purred softly.
“I think Silver says ‘Merry Christmas’ as well” Sev said with a grin.
“We got you and Silver some presents Professor” Pansy said with a small smile.
“Oh?” Severus asked, arching an eyebrow at the brunette haired girl, his cheeks colouring lightly.
“Yea” Blaise nodded, using his wand to summon three packages from under the tree. Each was wrapped in emerald green wrapping paper with a silver bow.
“Here you go Professor” Pansy said, handing him two of the three packages while Blaise placed the other one on his lap for Silver to bat at.
Snape smiled softly, carefully unwrapping the gifts, both were, unsurprisingly books, though he was touched at the thoughtfulness.
“Thank you” He murmured, eyeing the potion’s text he had received from Pansy with interest. Blaise had gotten him a book on rare ingredients and their effects in specific potions, it was also a fascinating present. Silver had been playfully batting at the bow of his present, but once he realized Sev was done, he quickly shredded the paper that matched his eyes with his sharp claws. Soon enough a box was revealed, and with the help of Blaise, a emerald green colour with a silver name tag was revealed. Sev looked at the leather collar with interest, it was well made, he could see the protection spells woven into the leather, and the silver tagged looked like a porkey of some kind.
“All of us in Slytherin chipped in and got this for him, I know he already has a collar, but we figured this could go over top?” Blaise suggested, “It has protection against most spells and hexes woven right into the leather, and the tag’s a portkey. If he’s ever in any danger it will immediately transport him to you Professor. You can add anyone to the list of protection, and he’ll portkey to whichever one of the people is the least busy” Blaise explained. Silver mewed softly, touched that those in Slytherin, the house he once had despised, cared so much about him. Severus leaned forward, picking up the collar and touching the portkey were he immediately added Blaise and Pansy’s name to the list.
“Thank you both” Sev murmured, attaching the delicate instrument to Silver’s thin neck and smirking.
“Thank you for trusting us” Pansy said, awed that their Head of House had trusted her and Blaise with what she was beginning to see as his most important possession.

Severus looked troubled for a minute, as did Silver.
“I think we have something to tell you” He finally said, both students had done so much for him and Silver, he felt as if they deserved to be let in on the secret.
“What?” Blaise asked, watching as the kitten limped off his lap, looking distraught. Severus sighed, he felt as if they owed them this, Blaise especially. He carefully unhooked the anti-shifting collar from Silver’s form and waited with baited breath as Silver shifted, turning into the hated enemy of Slytherin house.

“Wh-what the hell?” Blaise finally gasped, staring at Harry with confusion. 
“Hey” Harry croaked, cheeks flushing, his arm held awkwardly in front of him.
“Potter?” Pansy spat, looking between her head of house and the Gryffindor golden boy with confused eyes.
“We didn’t mean to trick you” Harry murmured, “Dumbledore thought it would be safest for me to hide in my animagus form with Umbridge at school. Severus offered to take me in” He said, knowing the explanation lacked many things, but it was the truth.
“Why?” Blaise asked his Professor, “You’ve always hated Potter”
“I used to, until I looked past the spitting image of James Potter and realized Harry here wasn’t treated like a spoiled brat that I assumed he was. I’ve trusted you both with this secret since I believe you both deserve the truth, especially after yesterday. I hope you can understand that we meant you no harm in this, nor the house at all. This was purely to protect Harry”
Blaise was looking at Harry with mixed emotions, he finally understood why he was drawn to the little cat now, but he was hurt that he had been lied to.
“Why?” He directed the question at Harry this time, knowing his forgiveness and acceptance was hinged on the answer.
Harry shuddered, still standing awkwardly in the middle of the floor, his mop of black hair falling into emerald eyes, the green collar still attached to his neck.
“I needed to hide, still do” Harry murmured, “Not for safety, but for my sanity” He looked up finally, meeting both Blaise’s dark eyes and Pansy’s angry ones.
“I-I had a really bad summer. My Uncle abused me...” Harry trailed off, sniffling lightly as tears began to fall.
“I couldn’t handle it, but as Silver I could” He murmured, “Being Silver allowed me to be the real Harry. Not the Harry everyone always expects me to be. I couldn’t stay in Gryffindor, even as Silver when I was this messed up. Professor Snape knew that you all would accept me as his familiar, protect me” He whispered, tears still falling.
“Please don’t be mad” Harry whimpered, looking up to meet Blaise’s eyes. Pansy, he would be hurt if she was mad at him and wouldn’t forgive him, but it would destroy him if Blaise was. In the last few months he had fallen hard for the quiet Slytherin boy, and was desperate for forgiveness. Blaise’s breath hitched and he looked torn, his mind wandered back to everything that had happened in the last few months. He had grown so attached to the kitten, and even knowing it was Harry bloody Potter didn’t upset him. The boy clearly wasn’t who they thought he was, he was an abused, terrified child, no wonder he had hidden in his animagus form.
“Of course I forgive you” Blaise breathed suddenly, stepping forward, moving from his perch on the couch and pulling the slight teen into his arms. Sobs broke free of Harry at this point, soaking Blaise’s fine robes, though the Italian didn’t care.
“Shh” He soothed, careful of the injured arm as he rubbed his back. Pansy watched this all with calculating eyes before standing and approaching the pair, Severus’ watching her apprehensively as she did so.
“I suppose you’ll always be our mascot Po-Harry” Pansy murmured, hugging the teen as well, surprised to find that he was also shorter then her. She noticed that Harry stiffened at the contact and her cunning mind began to whirl, when Harry said he had been abused, she hadn’t really processed it, but now she could see the subtle signs and mental scars that had been left on his psyche.
“Are you going to stay Silver?” Blaise asked, releasing the still crying teen, though his sobs had subsided.
“Until Umbridge is gone, its safest since the Ministry is out to get me” Harry murmured, looking at Severus who came to stand beside him.
“We ask that you don’t tell anyone, even your friends. I’m not sure if the others will be as accepting of Harry as we are” Severus murmured, looking seriously down at his two snakes.
“Of course Sir. Like I said, Silver will always be our mascot, and that makes Harry a Slytherin in my eyes” Pansy said, while Blaise nodded, smiling at the small teen.
“Always”

HP/SS

Severus smiled, looking reassured as Harry shifted back into his animagus form, just to be on the safe side since they were heading to the Great Hall for lunch soon. He was sitting contently on Blaise’s lap, enjoying the tummy rub the Italian boy was giving him. Pansy was penning a thank you note to some great aunt of her’s for her gifts and he was currently reading the potions text the girl had gotten for him.
“As much as I hate to break up this cosy scene” Sev drawled sarcastically, “We must, unfortunately join the others in the Hall for lunch. Remember to keep an eye out for the Gryffindors, Weasley’s family is still here despite Ronald being sent home” He said, standing and gesturing for his students to follow him.
“Umbridge is also here, and though she is attached to Silver, I doubt she’d be as fond of him if she knew who he was” He reminded, both snakes nodding seriously at his warnings.

HP/SS

Severus sat in his quarters sipping a cup of hot tea and attempting to relax. Lunch had been a harrowing affair, though both Pansy and Blaise had done wonderful jobs of keeping quiet about Harry being Silver. No, it had been Umbridge who had caused the issues. Seeing Silver injured again had set the woman off on some sort of ‘protect the kitten’ crusade, which had her lecturing Severus on the proper care of his own familiar, and then suggesting that instead of entrusting the kitten to students, he would be better off just giving him to her where he’d always be safe. Of course Sev had refused, stating both Pansy and Blaise, as well as any of his snakes were fine babysitters. Dolores was persistent though, it was odd, since she was so against magical creatures and drafted most of the legislation in place that made the lives of so many, such as Lupin miserable, that the woman would be so protective of a kitten. It had taken a lot on Severus’ part to remain calm, and carefully explain that he was not about to give up his familiar and that the kitten was safest with himself and the snakes. Harry was currently off with Pansy and Blaise, safe in the Common Rooms, though he had yet to revert back to his human form. Severus knew that Harry was using his animagus form to hide his emotion, preferring the simpler life of the Geoffroy’s cat that he turned into. Sev also knew Harry would have to deal with what had happened to him eventually, but at the moment he was reluctant to hurt the young teen again, and he was hopeful the budding relationship with Blaise would help Harry open up.

HP/SS

That evening came slowly, darkness creeping into the castle and causing the magical torches that lined the hallways to flare into existence as it became to dark to see easily. Harry was sitting in his favorite chair in Sev’s quarters, watching the man carefully as Severus fussed over the tree and the small pile of presents under it. They were doing their presents this evening, since the day had been spent out and about, and despite Pansy and Blaise knowing who he was, Severus still wanted this to be between the two of them.
“You ready for presents?” He asked Harry curiously. The dark haired teen was bundled up on the couch, his limbs were still weak, though being in human form had allowed Severus to give him a few healing potions. Harry nodded, smiling contently at Severus as he sipped his rapidly cooling tea.
“Good” Sev teased, “So it seems we have presents for both Silver and you, since many students and staff like my little familiar” He explained, waving his wand and separating the gifts into three piles; his presents, Harry’s presents and Silver’s presents.
“Alright” Harry murmured, sitting forward a bit, though he was fairly well wrapped up, Severus was a bit of a mother hen it seemed.

Waving his wand again, Severus sent a present from the ‘Harry’ pile to his young charge and the controlled chaos ensued. In the end, Harry received numerous books, mostly on potions, from himself. Candy and various other things, and a journal that was leather bound and spelled to only open for the boy. Severus thought it’d be good for Harry to write things down, especially any emotions he had about his incident that summer.

Silver received tons of treats, cat toys, comfortable blankets and Sev’s personal favorite, a kitten sized sweater from Minerva. It seemed the woman did have a thing for cats. Dolores had also sent cat clothes, but they were in an awful shade of pink and he intended to ‘accidentally’ burn them.

He received the usual, books from Minerva, awful socks from Albus; they were silver with actually moving and hissing snakes for Merlin’s sake!. Fudge from Pomona, and a new stirring rod from Filius. He was rather pleased, but what really touched him was the gift from Harry. It was a wooden replica of Silver, with tiny emeralds for eyes and darker wood to indicate his spotted fur. It was beautifully done, and the man immediately placed it on the mantel in a place of prominence.

“Thanks Sev. This was my best christmas ever” Harry murmured, still eyeing Umbridge’s pile of kitten clothes with a level of apprehensiveness. He knew Silver would have to wear it at least once so the woman was placated, and then they could have the ‘accidental’ burning.
“No problem Harry, I only intend to give you what you deserve. For every Holiday, not just Christmas” Sev said, moving over to the young man and offering him a hug. The boy immediately folded into his arms, burrowing into the comfort and security they offered. And they sat like that for a long time, one relishing the feeling of having someone special in his arms again. And the other feeling safe and happy for the first time in his short life.

HP/SS

Harry was currently stretched out on Sev’s couch, lying carefully on his side, as his arm was still tender and sore. He looked at his mentor, the man who had willingly adopted him, cared for him and protected him and smiled sadly.
“Something wrong?” Severus asked, closing his book and giving the too-small teen his full attention.
“Its just...” Harry trailed off, trying to find the right wording for what he wanted to say. 
“I’m confused I guess. Ron’s supposed to be my best friend, but he attacked me. I know I was Silver at the time, but why does Ron hate me so much? Is it really just animosity between Slytherin and Gryffindor?” Harry muttered, “How can you hate something so strongly that you willingly attack a kitten Sev?” His green eyes were filling with tears as he thought about the abuse he had endured at the hands of one whom he had once called best friend.
“Oh Harry” Severus murmured, moving so he could sit next to the teen and gathered him into his arms. He hated seeing how distraught this was making the boy, though he knew until Harry was able to deal with all his problems, he’d be emotional and upset easily.
“Ronald’s hatred of Slytherin is deep-rooted” He explained softly. “His entire family is firmly in ‘the light’ and he sees Slytherin as the epitome of all things evil or dark” He murmured, rubbing Harry’s back lightly.
“To him, Silver is my familiar, making you-the kitten-inherently evil by association. It wouldn’t bother him to strike out at Silver because he sees Silver as evil, if you were posing as Professor McGonagall’s kitten, he’d defend you fiercely. Mr. Weasley sees things in black and white, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Gryffindor embodies, to him, all that is good and righteous, whereas Slytherin is evil, dark and twisted. You being Slytherin’s mascot makes you a prime target for his hatred. It wouldn’t occur to him that as an animal, Silver wouldn’t share the so-called house values and is only an animal. In his mind, you are Slytherin and therefore dark” Severus said, knowing it would hurt Harry to hear just how closed minded his friend was.
“S’ stupid” Harry muttered, burrowing closer to Sev, “That’s like saying all werewolves are evil like Greyback when he’s friend’s with Remus” Harry muttered.
“Ronald wouldn’t see it like that though, Remus is Gryffindor, and Dumbledore supports him, that makes him safe in Ronald’s eyes”
“I didn’t really think that Ron was that bad, I mean he’s always hated Slytherin, but...” He trailed off, and Severus nodded in understanding.
“You didn’t think the animosity would be so deep?”
“No, I mean, to attack a defenseless animal, just because of its owner? Its just wrong” Harry said, shaking his head as he re-evaluated his entire relationship with one Ronald Weasley.
“How will he react when he finds out who I am Sev? Will he hate me?” Harry asked softly. Would Ron hate him because of who he had be-friended? Who had adopted him? He wanted to say no, Ron would always support him, but evidence was pointing to yes, Ron would despise Harry, see him as a traitor to Gryffindor and to Dumbledore, see him as evil. He sighed, looking miserable as Severus did his best to comfort him with soothing motions and nonsensical words.