The Headmaster's Only Mistake

Summer Snippets

"But Kreacher," Harry whined, gently moving the elf's hand away. "I want to help."

Kreacher gave him a withering look, brought his fingers right up to Harry's eyes, and snapped them. 

Instantly, clothes flew around his room at lightning speed, neatly folding themselves before dropping into the suitcase. Kreacher gave him a satisfied smile.

"Is Little Tiny Master be's needings anything elses?"

Harry grumbled slightly, "No thank you, Kreacher. You are dismissed."

Kreacher bowed lowly, his long hooked nose almost scraping the black carpet before leaving with a satisfying 'pop'.

"Cheeky little bugger." Harry whispered to the empty room.

Somewhere elsewhere in the house, Harry could hear the soft thrum of a song he couldn't discern and the loud, rambunctious, familiar laughs of two idiots in love.

Otherwise known as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin.

···

"Who invented hiking?! Really, I just want to talk with them." Draco wheezed as he trudged on. Harry thought he looked quite strange in muggle gear. 

"You're one to talk." Neville grumbled, brushing off some dirt from his scraped arms. He had taken quite a tumble a few minutes back.

"Why couldn't we just side-along to the top?" Draco groaned.

"It's really not that bad." Harry tried. "The whole point of hiking is doing exercise and enjoying nature. Besides, once we finish sightseeing, we're side-alonging to the end." Harry looked forward and grimaced, "We really ought to speed up, even Gran is going faster than us."

The three looked ahead to the group of adults. In the lead, Sirius and Remus were bickering about something or other while pointing at a map. A few steps behind them, Agusta was walking with purpose, bearly stopping to look at the scenery. Narcissa and Lucius, who both had their hair up in matching ponytails, were stopping every now and then to point out interesting creatures or plants, occasionally taking a picture with the magical camera charmed to floating and follow Lucius around.

"When we were told we were going to Spain, I was thinking more on the beach side of things, like Ibiza, or Majorca. Maybe even Almería! Or,  I don't know, sightseeing in Madrid or Barcelona. But absolutely no one told me we were going hiking in fucking Málaga! What's this trail even called?" Draco whined.

"The King's Little Path." Neville told him.

Draco looked around disdainfully, as if trying to think about what type of king would enjoy this hike. 

"Draco, it's not even that steep." Harry supplied with an eye roll. The path was truly beautiful, and Harry wished Draco could get his head out of his arse and enjoy it.

"But it's long and my legs hurt."

At that moment a triumphant shout came from up front.

"YES! I told you I was right!" Sirius was jumping up and down, pointing forwards and poking his tongue out at Remus. Remus was just sighing and shaking his head.

"Come on, I can see the canyons!" Sirius yelled, running off.

"You see?" Neville turned to the blonde. "We're almost done."

···

"One would think you'd have forgotten all about me."

Harry, who had been previously lying on his bed, mindlessly looking at the ceiling, shot up.

"Mortem?"

"Ah, so you do remember me." the god teased, sitting beside Harry on the bed. As always, he only looked a year or two older than Harry. The younger boy crushed him with a hug, burying his head into the soft alabaster neck and inhaling the familiar scent.

Mortem laughed and softly petted the unruly black hair.

"You missed me, then?"

"So, so, so much." Harry whispered. "We've bearly talked all summer and I haven't seen you in like..." Harry took a second to count, "three weeks!"

"Well you were having fun with your friends, I didn't want to distract you from that."

"I've got my friends all year long, I've only got you every few weeks. And, I've started feeling under the weather again." Harry pouted. He shivered slightly and snuggled closer to the god.

Mortem didn't say anything, just allowed Harry to bask in his presence as the bond revitalized. Harry let out a content sigh, instantly feeling the effects. His muscles no longer felt sore, his body temperature was returning to normal, his nose was no longer as runny, and his watering eyes seemed to clear up.

"This is nice." Harry murmured sleepily. Mortem smiled and pressed a kiss to Harry's scar, carding a hand through his hair. Harry pressed himself further into Mortem, enjoying the feeling of thin long fingers running through his hair. 

"How long are you staying?" Harry asked tiredly.

"For about an hour." Mortem sighed sadly, "It's all I can spare. I'm so sorry, Darling."

" 's alright." Harry responded.

"So, what have you been up to lately?" Mortem asked.

Harry grinned widely and started recounting as many stories as he could in the little amount of time he had.

···

Harry panted as he ran through the large fields of Malfoy Manor. From somewhere behind him, he could hear Terry counting loud and clear.

Harry dived behind some shrubs and hunched down, making his way towards a gardening shed. 

"Forty-six!... Forty-seven!... Forty-eight!..." Terry shouted.

Harry pushed on the door of the shed. A panicked eyed Tracy stared at him like a deer in headlights for a few moments before pulling him in.

"Come on, tosser, he's going to see you!"

"He hasn't reached fifty-five yet, I'm perfectly fine." Harry rolled his eyes.

Tracy frowned at him but turned to press her ear to the door. Harry did the same.

"Sixty!" Terry yelled, "Ready or not, here I come!"

Everything was quiet for a long moment. The only thing Harry could hear was Tracy's breathing and the slight shuffle of feet as they walked past. 

'Is he near any of you?' Neville asked through the bond. Harry pressed closer to the door.

'No, I don't think so.' he responded.

'Me neith- oh shit! He's like two feet away from me!' Draco panicked.

'Is he looking in your direction?' Harry asked amusedly.

'No.' Draco said slowly.

'Well then, what are you panicking for?'

'Because he could turn around at any moment!' He squaked. They were all quiet for a moment.

'Oh, Terry found Mandy and the twins. Now he's heading over to the garden shed.' Draco informed them.

'I'm there!'

Neville laughed at him.

'I hate you both.'

'Where are you even hiding, Nev?' Draco asked.

'With Theo and Blaise. Luna was also here, but she ran off a few moments ago.'

The door of the shed flew open. Terry walked in and grinned as he spotted Harry and Tracy. Behind him, Mandy was peering inside curiously while the twins where talking secretively.

"Come on out then, I've still got more people to find." He said this very cheerily and patted Harry on the back as he sulked out. Tracy groaned and followed behind him.