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Harry Potter, aged 19 (his birthday was just a week ago thank you very much), had done it. He had finally done it. In just 2 months Harry would be going to Cambridge University. And Ron and Hermione going there too was just an added bonus despite the three of them having different majors.
It wasn't that he was not excited. In fact this was the most excited his parents had seen him in 19 years but there was just one tiny problem. Both Lily and James Potter were professors in Cambridge. See, Harry loves his parents. He really does. And it would have been perfectly alright if they were teaching subjects that Harry had not chosen. But of course that wouldn't happen. He just had to be in love with biology. And chemistry was far too interesting to drop after high school.
This was Harry’s secret. His parents were going to teach him and no one except seven people in the world knew this- Harry, his parents, his godparents and Ron and Hermione- and it was to remain like that till he graduated. Yeah real tough.
***
“C’mon now harry. Stop being so dramatic. It's quite obvious that you are Mr. Potter’s - It’s James, Hermione, or Professor Potter I suppose- James’ son.” Hermione scolded Harry. She really was done with boys.
“But ‘mione what will I do if people find out. I don't want them to think I bought my way in there.”
Harry had been whining about this since he got his acceptance letter and so now she and Ron were helping him scheme plans to hide who he was. That was definitely not possible with Harry being James’ carbon copy but they decided to pretend they didn't know Lily.
That wasn't really hard. No one except the other professors knew that James and Lily were married and as for their son, there was no inkling about a son even existing. The three of them decided to meet only in Lily’s room and only after taking proper precautions.
***
On 1st October Harry was so nervous he threw up. Lily was panicking because Harry was taking too much stress and she couldn't bare to see it and to calm him down she just blurted something which shocked all occupants of the hall.
“Did you just tell me to resign, “ James questioned her. He could not believe this. But before he could say anything Harry had already screamed a loud and empathetic NO.
“I have braced myself for this already. Let's leave now or we’ll get late. And mum? Please don't say something like that again. I know both of you really love your jobs and I don't need you changing or compromising anything for me.”
Lily could only nod mutely and mutter a soft apology to James. She really should not have said that.
It was a silent trip to Cambridge with an occasional teasing from Sirius and reprimand from Remus. They reached surprisingly quickly.
Harry took a deep breath and mentally gave himself a pep talk before running off to find Ron and Hermione.
***
It took about 2 minutes for everyone to piece together that Professor Potter and Harry were related. The only question was how. As far as the upperclassmen had told the freshmen, Prof. Potter was single with no wedding band in sight but this boy seemed too young to possibly be his brother. This means that he had a son. And that means everyone had started sucking up to Harry.
“Tough luck mate. You knew this was going to happen. At least they don't know about your mum”, said Ron sympathetically.
“Don't remind me about that. I need to keep it a secret for 4 years and it's just been a week since the semester started.” With this Harry could only groan and bang his head on the table.
First semester flew quickly with only two minor inconveniences namely - a) James targeted Harry because he didn't want anyone to think he was giving favored treatment to his son and b) Lily found the whole situation hilarious because no one knew about her relationship with the other two people.
(These two problems continued being present till Harry graduated.)
Harry was glad to be home with his parents. It was really frustrating. His parents were right there and he needed to pretend he didn't know them. Christmas was enjoyable and relaxing. Harry got wonderful presents and also got to go to Ron’s house. But as new year’s was inching closer, Harry had started to get that familiar sense of dread in him again- the dread of dealing with having a parent as a professor. It would have been so much easier if students disliked Lily so they would dislike Harry too even if they were outed as mother and son. But no. Lily was one of the favorite professors and was liked even by students who didn't have chemistry as a subject.
***
It was just another lecture on microbiology and Harry was getting bored. His dad had already taught him that a couple months ago. He doesn't need to sit through the same thing being taught by his dad again.
Harry had successfully suppressed another yawn when a sharp pain shot through his abdomen. Shit, Harry thought frantically. He was having stomach aches for quite some time and he didn't think it was important enough to tell his parents and casually dismissed it. But this time the pain was horrible. Harry could see stars now. He vaguely heard Ron call out to his dad and promptly passed out.
He woke up two days later to find his mother staring back at him.
“Hey mum.”
“Harry! You’re finally awake. We were so worried. James said you just passed out and he rushed to find me and oh god there was so much chaos and you were moaning in pain even while being passed out I couldn’t think-”
“Mum, breathe. I'm feeling better now, aren't I?”
“I suppose yes. Let me go and get James and then we’ll explain everything. Your father hasn't gone to work for two days and neither have I.”
Lily shortly returns with James and Harry is engulfed in a hug by him.
“Do you know much you scared me young man. I had to find out from Ron you were having abdominal pains.”
Harry groaned. He hated it when Dad was overprotective. He was alright now. He didn't know what exactly was wrong with him but he was alright. Really.
“KIDNEY STONE? Really?” Harry could say nothing. To say he was shocked was an understatement. Of everything it could have possibly been, it was a kidney stone.
“ Yes love. You should have seen Lily. She was going to throw hands”, James said, chuckling.
The nurse came in followed by Ron and Hermione with twin shouts of YOU ARE OKAY NOW. They were sent out the next minute because, according to the nurse, Harry needed rest .
***
Harry came back for classes after two days and was bombarded with questions as soon as he set foot in the campus.
“Harry, you never told us Professor Evans was your mother.”
“Professor Potter and Professor Evans are married and are your parents? Why did you never say anything?”
“Were you ever going to tell us this?”
“Can you talk to your mum so she is a bit lenient in her quizzes and goes easy on us?”
“Can Professor Potter-”
“THAT IS ENOUGH FROM ALL OF YOU,” Ron roared and everyone backed off. No one wanted to deal with a pissed off red haired. Ron dragged Harry to the staffroom as Hermione scattered the few odd students trying to follow Ron and Harry. Luckily both James and Lily were there in the staffroom.
“Here you go, Professors. He was overwhelmed with questions.” Ron was so disappointed in his fellow students. Is no one entitled to their own privacy. Shaking his head he walked out to leave his friend with his parents.
“Harry, love, are you alright? Ron said you were overwhelmed?” Lily asked with concern lining her voice. James was too mad to speak anything and let Lily do the talking.
“Yes mum. I’m fine now. We should all probably tell everyone the truth,” said Harry, looking at his feet.
At this James stopped his pacing. “And what truth? The only truth they'll get is Lily and I are married and we have a son, namely you. They don’t need to interfere with our matters and if anyone is giving you trouble we are here alright? Don’t keep it from us if anything happens,” James said sternly.
Harry could only nod and promise to let his parents know if there was any trouble from the students. He decided he wanted to put this behind him. “C’mon mum and dad. Let’s get this done with now itself.”
Harry took a deep breath and went out where everyone was waiting expectantly for him. “Yes Professor Evans is my mum and Professor Potter is my dad. And they are married. No, I won't ask them for favors for you and you will pretend they are not my parents because here they are only my professors, same as you guys.” saying this harry went back to his dorm and hoped everything would be alright.
Harry wanted to keep this a secret for four years. He could only manage a semester and half. He groaned. This isn’t how he thought everything will go down but he couldn't’ really do anything anymore. The cat was out of the bag.
It took a whole week for everyone to get used to the fact that Harry had his parents teaching him but the annoying questions were finally over. Harry was no longer in the spotlight and he couldn’t be more grateful. Of course he had Ron and Hermione by his side (he is really thankful for that), so all was well he supposed.
***
Harry’s graduation was a hit. The dean, McGonagall was kind enough to let Lily and James hand over the diploma to Harry. He had never been this red before. It matched his mum’s hair and she even pointed it out to him. Ron and Hermione whistled and whooped loudly at this. Everyone threw their caps up and Harry just smiled thinking about how he managed to graduate even after his secret spilled out much before he would have liked it too. He loved his four years here, even with all the chaos.