A new story, written to continue on with the Long Haul Competition on the HPFC. I've wanted to write such a story for ages, and yes, I do realise just how much of a cliche it is, but I hope you enjoy it anyway. I'm really enjoying writing it.

I own nothing, as everyone should already know, but as it is, I must reiterate the fact.

Word Count Without A/N - 2088

Two Halves Of A Whole

Chapter 1

So, You've found out you're a Veela's mate...

A very tanned Harry Potter arrived at Kings Cross Station with fifteen minutes to spare until the Hogwarts Express would depart Platform nine and three quarters. The last month had been the best he had ever spent away from Hogwarts, and while he would be glad to get back to the aging castle, he was sorry to see the summer end for the first time ever.

Settling himself into an empty compartment to await his friends, Harry reflected on what a different experience his last year at school would be compared to the previous ones. With Voldemort no longer a threat, Harry's biggest worry for the year would be the same as the rest of the seventh years, his N.E.W.T exams. It seemed strange, but welcome, and he truly was looking forward to his classes this year.

It didn't take long for Hermione, Ron and Neville to join him, followed shortly on by Luna, Ginny, Seamus and Dean.

Exchanging stories of the summer, they enjoyed the first half of the trip in companionable chatter, laughter and fun. All of them knew what happened during the last battle with Voldemort, something Harry was grateful for, if only so he didn't have to tell the story himself. The Prophet, reporting the truth for once, had told the story for him.

They were interrupted by Draco Malfoy, a common affair when it came to the trip to Malfoy, but it was unusual to the point that Draco was alone and looking rather nervous.

"May I have a word, Potter? In private?" he asked, looking at the others warily as he did. Harry raised an eyebrow at Ron and Hermione who looked just as curious as he felt, before he got up from his seat, following the Malfoy heir from the compartment and closing the door behind him. He watched as Draco pulled his wand out slowly, casting a silencing charm around them before he put it away again.

"My mother asked me to speak to you Potter. She wishes me to ask you to reinstate her into the House of Black. As Lord Black, you are the only one who can."

Harry wasn't as shocked as one might think, he had been expecting such an approach since he took up his Lordships shortly after his birthday. The Malfoys had been hit hard by the Ministry, especially financially, taking three quarters of all assets from them for Lucius' crimes in the war.

"Just your mother, or does she want me to take Lucius and yourself as well?" Harry asked, curiosity clear in his tone.

"My Mother and myself, Lord Black. She knows you would not accept my father and she acknowledges that she would be a fool to ask you for such a thing."

"Very well, Draco. Tell your mother I'll discuss it as soon as possible with my advisers and I'll let her know. Is she in any danger remaining at Malfoy Manor for the time being, or is Lucius causing problems?"

"She's fine. My father has been forced to adorn a magic suppressing bracelet that cannot be removed, so he presents no danger to her. I'll inform her of what you have said tonight. Thank you for taking the time to consider it, Lord Black."

"Of course, Draco. I'll speak with you on the matter shortly."

With an exchanging of polite nods, Draco removed the charm and Harry moved back into the compartment, being bombarded with questions as soon as he closed the door behind him. Sitting down, he glanced in Ron and Hermione's direction, before he answered.

"He just wanted to call a truce on the nastiness between us over the years, that's all. It's not like it was unexpected."

They all took the answer at face value, though Harry would tell Ron and Hermione the truth as soon as they were alone. As close as the three of them were, Harry wouldn't lie to them about something as simple as this. There was no real need for it, after all. The rest of the train journey was uninterrupted, and the easy chatter of before returned, keeping them all quite occupied until the Express pulled into Hogsmead station.

xxxx

Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends, smiling as the last of the new first years was sorted into Hufflepuff. He was more than ready for dinner and then sleep. He rolled his eyes as Ron dived into the platters of newly arrived food, picking and choosing more carefully himself. Hermione was shaking her head at Ron and anyone that knew her knew she was about to start scolding him.

Harry listened to the chatter around him, his eyes getting droopier by the minute as he waited patiently for the Headmaster's speech. He wondered if it would be a long one this year, what with the lack of Dark Lords and all. It didn't take long for the aging wizard to stand, and silence reigned almost immediately.

"It does an old man good to see so many eager faces looking up at me, at the beginning of the school year, all waiting to discover everything they possibly can over the year to follow. To all of our returning students, welcome back, and to our new students, welcome to Hogwarts.

Please refrain from entering the Forbidden Forest, and there is a list of banned items, that can be found as always, by Mr Filch's office.

This year begins the start of a new era, an era of peace and acceptance. It begins with you, all of you, no matter if you are first or seventh years. You are the new generation, and it is you who will make our world grow. House rivalries have always been looked upon as harmless. That will no longer stand. Quidditch is a healthy outlet for such friendly rivalry, and it will be your only outlet. If you are found to be against these new views, you will be dealt with. Detentions, the loosing of house points, suspension and even expulsion are what you are facing should you decide to bully anyone, be them from your own house or another.

I thank you for listening, and now, I am sure you all wish to make yourselves comfortable in your beds, so I will end my speech. Seventh years, if you would remain behind, the rest of you, I bid you goodnight."

Dumbledore sat down, and while he had dismissed them, the students sat staring at him, many with mouths opened in shock. Harry stood slowly, and began to clap. Ron, Hermione and all of their friends soon joined him, followed quickly by many others. It didn't go unnoticed by anyone that the table with the most people remaining in their seats was surprisingly Ravenclaw.

The seventh years retook their seats, converging at the bottom of the table closest to the Head table. The other houses did the same, and soon it was only them and the teachers left.

"This year, we have decided to reinstate an old tradition of apprenticeships for the seventh year students. It hasn't be utilised for a few years, but we believe it will do many of you well. The teachers have all been put into a draw and their names chosen at random, to give the order of which they might choose which students they wish to apprentice. If you do not wish to partake in this, bearing in mind that it does mean a lot of extra work for you over the school year, you are of course, free to leave now," Dumbledore explained, watching as Crabbe and Goyle quickly left the hall, followed swiftly by a few Hufflepuffs, two Ravenclaws, and Seamus and Lavender from Gryffindor.

"Very well. Those of you who have chosen to stay, might be encouraged to know that as apprentices, there are private accommodations ready for you should you wish to use them, along with a communal common room for you to share with one another."

Harry chuckled, wondering how long it would take for Seamus and Lavender to beg for an apprenticeship.

"Are there any questions, before the Professor's begin with their choices?"

"What if we get picked for a subject we have no love for?" Harry asked, merely curious. He liked most of his lessons, so he didn't think he would have a problem wherever he got picked for.

"You are, of course, free to refuse the apprenticeship, but you will lose the opportunity of any if you refuse. You will not get a second option."

Harry nodded, and no one else spoke. Apparently, the question many wanted answering had just been answered.

"Severus, I believe you were picked to have the first choice?" Dumbledore said, cheerily, and the students seemed to hold in their breath waiting to see who the most hated Professor at Hogwarts would choose as his first apprentice.

"Potter."

Harry looked up in shock, meeting obsidian eyes as he did so. Pain shot through his stomach, and Snape's eyes widened slightly, before he cursed softly. Dumbledore sent a concerned look at the Defence Professor, but said nothing as the other Professors took their first picks.

Hermione was chosen for Ancient Runes, and Neville for Herbology. Slughorn took Malfoy, though no one missed the look he sent in the direction of both Harry and Hermione. Daphne Greengrass looked happy to be chosen for Charms and Terry Boot was the first Ravenclaw to be chosen, his subject being Arithmancy. Harry stopped paying attention, wondering more about the pain still throbbing in his stomach, though it had eased off some from the first shock. His confusion didn't stop when Snape refused a second pick, declaring having one imbecile to look after more than enough.

When the pick's were finished, Professor McGonagall asked the students to follow her, as she showed them to their rooms, but the Headmaster requested Harry remain behind, and he was led to the Headmaster's office with a very reluctant looking Snape following on behind.

xxxx

Harry sat staring between Dumbledore and Snape, questions whirling around his head. Dumbledore was twinkling happily, and Snape sat with his head down, refusing to make eye contact with either of them.

"So... Do I get a choice?" Harry asked, the most important question in his eyes.

"What do you mean?" Albus asked, confusion coloring his eyes.

"The question was fairly simple, Headmaster. Potter want's to know if he can run away screaming," Severus replied softly, and Harry was surprised to hear the small amount of sadness in his tone.

"Actually, Professor Snape, that wasn't my question. My question, is do I get a choice, or is this yet another thing that fate has decided to throw at me, all the while laughing in my face."

"Do you think this is easy for me?" Snape asked. "I've been waiting for... since I was seventeen, Potter, only to find out that it's you, a young man who despises me, and yes, I understand you have good reason, that I've been waiting for. Do you think I'm happy?"

"Here, Harry. Read this, sort out your feelings on the matter, and we will meet here again tomorrow evening," Dumbledore intervened, handing Harry a slim book. Harry took it reluctantly, looking at the title before groaning.

So you found out you're a Veela's mate...

"Bloody fucking hell," Harry muttered, before standing and leaving the office without a backwards glance. Only when he reached the bottom of the stairs did he realise he didn't know where his new rooms were. A chuckle behind him told him the Headmaster had followed him, and with a withering glare at the old man, Harry followed behind him as he was led to the seventh floor, to a portrait hole he had never seen before.

"The password is Apprentice, and inside, you will have your own portrait with which you must set your own password."

"Headmaster... I... What am I supposed to do about...this?" Harry asked, holding the book up slightly.

"Read it, Harry, it will help you understand what is happening. I will see you tomorrow evening, after dinner. Good night."

"Goodnight, Headmaster," Harry replied warily, before letting himself into the corridor that held his new room. He had hoped for a quiet year, but for him apparently, that would be impossible.