Готовый перевод One Piece The Ship of Lust / Корабель хтивості: Близнецы другая жизнь

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Different-Life

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Гарри Поттер

Близнецы: другая жизнь

Автор:

Jessiikaa15

Когда Волдеморт напал, он не убивал Лили и Джеймса.

Когда он встретил свое падение, они приняли близнеца Гарри за

GWL и отправили своего сына к Дурслям, но он не совсем попал под

любящую заботу Дурслей.

Гарри возьмет Хогвартс и его «семью» штурмом, и к тому времени,

когда «свет» осознает свою ошибку, им будет уже слишком поздно

исправлять.

ООС!Темный!Мощный!Гарри.

Рейтинг: Художественная

литература T

– Английский – Драма/Приключения – Гарри П., Сириус Б., Ремус Л.,

Волдеморт – Главы: 34 – Слов: 279 274 – Обзоров:

5 428

– Избранное: 13 776 – Подписок: 14 447 – Обновлено:

01.08.2020, 18:17:25

– Опубликовано:

04.01.2013, 14:54:31

– id: 8873552

1. Chapter 1

A/N: OK! So around two months ago, I left an A/N informing you

that I was working on revisions for this fic, I also said I would post

when I had five. I have to apologise to you guys because I didn't

keep my promise, I got really in to revising this story that I decided

to fix it all so I could post it as one and get it out of the way, letting

me continue with the story.

First of all, let it be known that every single chapter in this fic has

had a revision, even if its just spelling and grammar. The first

fifteen chapters have the most revisions, some of them doubling in

word count, so I ask, please reread the entire fic so you get a better

understanding of everything.

Finally, I am sorry for the notifications you may be getting because

of my uploading!

A/N2: Ok, so yes, I know, it's using cliché plot lines but I wanted to

attempt at putting my own twist on things. Please give it a chance

folks! It's going to be Dark!Harry, with bashing and violence and

other such things, as a heads up. And it won't be slash for Harry!

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: none for this chapter.

Twins; A different life.

Chapter 1:

"Quick Lily, he's coming! Take the twins and run." James Potter yelled

frantically as he felt the wards trigger but he knew it was already too

late. The Dark Lord blasted down the door and hit James with a stunner

before the man had the chance to even open his mouth. Usually,

Voldemort would have killed him, Potter was a strong opponent, but he

had promised one of his Elite to spare the Mudblood girl and it would

raise a number of questions if Potter was dead and she wasn't.

The Purebloods may begin to believe he was favouring Mudbloods over

them and that would be counterproductive, while his Elite understood

most of his true motives, even they wouldn't understand why he had

killed the Pureblood and Mudblood was still alive. He continued up the

stairs silently, he could sense which room she and the children were

hiding in and he opened the locked door with a careless flick of his hand.

The Dark Lord stepped in to the room and saw Lily Potter stood in front

of a cot, blocking both children from his wand.

"Not my babies please." She begged "Take me instead."

"Stand aside, girl." He ordered and she shook her head.

"Please, not them. Kill me, not them."

"Move, and I shall spare you." He hissed and when she refused again Lord

Voldemort sighed, he didn't have time for this. He threw a stunner and

Lily Potter slumped to the ground unconscious. He stepped carelessly

over her still form and looked in to the cot at the two children who were

now gazing up at him. One of these children was prophecied to defeat

him and that was something he could not allow to hang over him, the

war was at a crucial point. He would give them a painless death, magical

children were to be cherished so he didn't take any pleasure in what he

was about to do.

It mattered not, the Potters were young enough to have more children.

He just had to decide which child was the one the prophecy spoke of.

One, the girl, had brown eyes and auburn hair, but there was nothing

extraordinary about her so he shook his head and turned to the other.

The boy, Harry Potter if the rat was correct, looked upon him with

glaring green eyes that shone with power even at his age, and the Dark

Lord closed his eyes and felt the waves of magic rolling of the boy.

"You are a powerful child, the one to defeat me. I would keep you alive if

I knew you would join me, but of course with your family there would be

no chance." The man murmured more to himself than anything, but

unknown to him, the child, Harry Potter, heard every word. Voldemort

levelled his wand and cast the killing curse, it struck the boy square on

the forehead but rebounded at remarkable speed, causing a magical

backlash ripping the Dark Lord from his body and caving in the ceiling.

Harry was thrown back unconscious bleeding from the lightning cut on

his forehead and a piece of wood hit Rosina Potter on the cheek creating

the same mark.

When Sirius Black fell in to the ruins of the Potter cottage he cried out in

utter agony when he saw the still form of his best friend, he stumbled

over frantically and even though he believed it to be useless he cast an

'Enervate'. He felt relief beyond measure when James stirred, laughing

hoarsely when he blinked and opened his eyes.

"James, Jamie." Sirius called and James groaned.

"Si'rus?"

"Thank Merlin," Sirius breathed in relief, "I thought you were dead." At

the mention of being dead, James leapt up and dashed up the stairs with

Sirius behind him, he burst in to the ruined nursery and took in the scene

with ragged breathing. Lily's fallen figure, the pile of smoking robes, the

crumbling ceiling, and the trail of blood running down Rose's face as she

screamed.

"Lily!" He whispered, "Sirius, is she…?" He couldn't bear to finish the

sentence and closed his eyes when his best friend moved forward to

check.

"She's alive!" Sirius yelled and James almost sagged to the ground in

relief. He walked over and helped his wife get to her feet before rushing

over to pick up his crying daughter.

"What do you think happened?" Sirius questioned and James shook his

head.

"Do you think she destroyed him, like the prophecy said?" James asked,

nodding to the smoking robes and then pointed to the cut, "She's

marked."

"Where's Harry?" Lily demanded, "Where is my little boy?"

"Here he is," Sirius assured, scooping the stirring form of his Godson up

and accidently wiping the remaining blood from his forehead so no one

noticed the mark he had there.

"I think she might have." Lily agreed, calming she had her son in her

arms.

"We'll have to call Dumbledore." James said, "Come on, we have to

know." James led them to the floo and called for the Headmaster,

Dumbledore looked grave when he stepped through and they explained

as much as they could.

"You should return to your manor for safety, I will call as soon as I can be

certain he is gone. For now, act with great caution."

"We will,"

"The entire world has gone insane!" James exclaimed, as he walked in to

the playroom of the manor. Lily, Sirius and Remus were sat on the floor

as the Rosina played with the building blocks and Harry sat in Moony's

lap as he quietly read him a book.

"Why, what's happened?"

"Everyone knows." He told them shaking his head, "I walked in to the

ministry and there was this wild cheering and clapping as soon as they

say me. It seems as if some of the Death Eaters lost their minds,

something about their disgusting mark fading and work got out that

Voldemort was coming here."

"Oh my!" Lily gasped and James ran a hand through his hair.

"The press is going wild, wanting to know what happened."

"I can't believe this. It's only been three days."

"I'm hoping Dumbledore has some answers. Let's go to the castle." James

suggested, and Lily nodded her head. Her nerves had been stretched thin

since the attack and now it had gotten worse, if everyone already knew it

would only be a matter of time before they were hounded.

"We will see you guys later." Remus said, "You can tell us what

happened."

"Ok, thanks for staying with me." Lily said sincerely and they smiled.

Sirius and Remus waved her off.

"It was no problem." They assured before stepping in to the floo and

vanishing in the flames.

"I'll just make sure it's ok to go through," James said, and Lily shifted so

she could hold both the children as James called Dumbledore. "He said to

come through, I'll take Rosie."

They made it through the floo and were welcomed in to Dumbledore's

office, the aged man was sat behind his desk with his hands bridged

together at the tips.

"James, Lily, how are you?"

"Stressed," Lily admitted, holding Harry close to her.

"Professor, the media have already caught wind of what has happened?"

James told him, his voice lined in question.

"Yes. I am afraid to tell you that there was also an attack on Frank and

Alice." Dumbledore informed them gravely and they gasped.

"Oh no, are they alright?" Lily questioned fearfully and Dumbledore

looked down with a wary sigh.

"That have been rendered completely insane due to overexposure to the

Cruciatus curse and are now in St. Mungo's with no hope of recovery."

James choked and Lily released a sob, Alice was her best friend, they had

been planning on raising their children together. Little Neville was only a

day older than the twins, it would have been so nice.

"What about Neville?" Lily gasped and Dumbledore managed a small

smile.

"While in a great deal of shock and some minor bruising from a fall,

young Neville is just fine."

"Oh thank Merlin," She breathed.

"Who did it?" James snarled and a dark look crossed Dumbledore's face

before it was gone.

"Bellatrix, Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange and Barty Crouch Jr." He

answered and James hissed.

"Filth!"

"Thankfully, they have been apprehended and taken in to custody. It was

them who were screaming about the fall of Voldemort and how the

Potter's would pay. It has been connected that Voldemort was heading to

you and that something happened to cause his fall at Godric's Hollow."

Dumbledore explained and James relaxed just a little bit.

"Have you worked out what happened?" He asked the man and

Dumbledore looked at the two children intently.

"I believe so."

"Well?"

"It is my belief that Rosina is indeed the child of the prophecy."

Dumbledore said slowly, "There is dark magic surrounding her even now,

and your son has none. She was conscious and he was not, leading me to

believe he was knocked out by the backlash while the magic of the killing

curse surrounded Rosina."

"So it's her, she is the one." Lily whispered and Dumbledore nodded.

"You understand that she must train. Lord Voldemort is not truly gone

and when he returns she will be his prime target." Dumbledore stated and

Lily shuddered.

"What about Harry?" Lily asked looking at her son.

"I think it would be best if someone else were to look after him or he will

be forever bitter at the attention young Rose will get as she grows."

"What!" Lily gasped.

"Think Lil's Rosina is famous we won't have time for another child."

James reasoned with her and Lily looked conflicted.

"What about Sirius and Remus?" She suggested, "He could stay at the

House of Black and we will still get to see him."

"That's not a bad idea." James allowed, "But everyone knows Sirius is my

best friend."

"Sirius will be targeted much more due to the arrest of his cousin. It will

not be safe for the child."

"Your right but where shall he go?"

"Your sister would be the perfect candidate." Dumbledore suggested and

when Lily went to protest he held up her hand. "No one would suspect

and no one would find him. When he returns to the magical world he

will have a humble upbringing, away from the fame and media and won't

be bitter to Rosina's fame."

"Very well." Lily finally agreed, she needed to protect her son. Rosina

would be in the limelight not matter what so at least Harry would be

away from that. She handed over her son to Dumbledore and left, taking

Rosina from James and flooing home leaving James to say their

goodbyes. Dumbledore looked at the child and sighed, he apparated to

Privet Drive and strode towards Number four. He cast a light sleeping

spell on the boy and placed Harry on the doorstep of number 4 Privet

Drive, tucking a letter in to his blanket and apperating away.

He wasn't the only magical visitor on that ordinary muggle street

however. As soon as Dumbledore had vanished, another elderly man

arrived, he had an even longer beard than Dumbledore and a staff taller

than himself. He moved towards number 4 quickly, lifting the child much

easier than a man of his age was supposed to be able to do.

"I cannot allow this fool's continued mistakes. You shall not grow up in

this home." The man murmured, "Nor shall allow the fates to remain

unchecked." The man shook his head and vanished in a flash of light.

Sirius was restless, there was something pulling at him and he couldn't

pin point what is was but he wanted to see his Godson right away. He

walked through the floo of the Potter Manor unaware of what had

happened at Hogwarts. Sirius was familiar with the halls of the manor so

he arrived in the sitting room in no time, James and Lily were sat close

together with Rosie but he didn't see Harry and frowned.

"Hey guys, where's my Godson?" He asked and their reactions made the

pulling tug painfully, Lily completely stilled and James' smile vanished.

James cleared his throat and looked at his best friend warily.

"We have decided that it would be best if for him to live elsewhere." He

said in a rush, and Sirius froze. He couldn't believe his ears.

"I'm sorry, what did you just say?" Sirius' voice was deadly calm.

"We sent him to live somewhere else so we can concentrate on our

special little Rosie and so Harry wasn't faced with the press." James told

him. It all clicked in to place, the pulling was his Godfather bond was

stretched too thin and he was unable to protect his charge.

"You sent your child away to live to focus on your other!" Sirius

exclaimed outraged, his mind working a mile a minute.

"Rose is famous, Dumbledore said it was for the best if he went to live

with my sister." Lily put in and Sirius went pale.

"You sent my Godson to live with muggles." He roared utterly furious, his

Godson, the Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black and

Potter sent to live with common muggles. It was completely

preposterous, even the light orientated families would disagree with this

and the dark sided ones would have aneurism. Narcissa! If he still spoke

to his cousin she would flay him alive. "What were you thinking?"

"Dumble-"

"I don't care what that old fool said! You got rid of your own child! Did

you not once think of giving him to me if you were so set on throwing

him away?" Sirius snapped in disgust. "Think logically for the love of

Merlin, James. Not only is he your son but he's Heir to two of the highest

Houses in our world." James looked sheepish.

"We didn't think about that." He admitted, "But it can be taught to him

when he get him back. We just knew we had to concentrate of our special

girl, and the media is already going wild. Harry's better off away from all

of that."

"You disgust me, both of you." He sneered, making James recoil slightly

at how much Sirius resembled all the other Blacks for a moment. "Did

you not think for a second what this will do to me? My bond with Harry

is pulling, James!"

"You can mask it." James waved off and Sirius balked; the man had no

idea!

"And what of Remus?" Sirius snapped.

"Remus will be fine." James said easily brushing off his friend concern.

"Fine? Fi-," Sirius threw his hands up in the air. "Harry is his cub, you

know they developed a closer bond and this will tear him up, his instincts

will go mad." Sirius shuddered at that, his mate would be in pain because

of this and he couldn't allow that. "Just tell me where he is and I'll take

him."

"You can't Sirius. Dumbledore said it will be too dangerous for you to

look after him."

"What? The war is crumbling, it will be no more dangerous with me than

it is with defenceless muggles. Tell me where my Godson is."

"No. You can't. Haven't you heard? The Lestranges and Crouch Jr have

been caught for torturing Frank and Alice in to insanity. Everyone knows

Bellatrix is your cousin, Padfoot." James told him and Sirius blinked,

absorbing the fact that his friends were as good as dead and that his

cousin was the one responsible. That didn't sound like Bella at all. She

didn't go after Purebloods, especially not family, and Frank had Black

blood. But she had been caught. He would have to see to that, but it still

didn't have two sickles to do with their argument.

"That means nothing. The Black Manor wards are stronger than the Potter

Manor wards and you know it, and fear of the Black name stops even

Malfoy moving against me." Sirius countered, "If you are not willing to

raise your own son, fine, you are not the man I thought you were. I will

take him, I am his next of kin."

"No Sirius it's done. Harry will be at Hogwarts when he's eleven. Leave

it." James stated firmly, closing the conversation.

"I will not leave it." Sirius yelled, "Tell me where he is!"

"No."

"You make me sick. If you don't tell me where he is then we're done,

James."

"What? Sirius! Be reasonable!" James exclaimed, "We've been friends

since we were eleven."

"Will you tell me where my Godson is?"

"No,"

"Then we're through." Sirius informed him calmly. He turned on his heel

and walked out of the room, not sparing a glance at Lily or Rosina as he

went and completely ignoring James calling him. He stepped through the

fireplace and raised his ward to block out everyone except for Remus,

Sirius walked up to the family lounge and sat down, calling an elf for a

drink.

He sat there thinking, his mind whirling a mile a minute on how to

rectify this situation. If he could just find his Godson then everything else

would sort itself out. James couldn't raise argument at his custody once

he had him because all Sirius would have to say was that James left his

child with muggles and he would get eaten alive by the Wizengamot and

the Pureblood fanatics, Sirius could just hear August Longbottom now.

The more pressing matter, however, was how he was going to break the

news to his mate without causing him too much pain.

Remus was due here any moment, Sirius cursed James in his head; what

was he thinking? He began to pace, this was bad, this was so bad. Sirius

was so caught up in his pacing that he didn't notice Remus had entered

the room until the man physically stopped him moving.

"Sirius? What's wrong?" He asked softly and Sirius opened his mouth to

speak but no words seemed to come out. Remus grew worried at that,

Sirius Black was never speechless. "What's going on?"

"They sent Harry to go and live with muggles and they won't let me take

them and James has completely lost his mind." He burst out and Remus

blinked twice, his wolf registered that someone had said his cub was

gone and Moony snarled before Remus could control himself.

"What?"

"Said that Dumbledore suggested it, something about needed to focus on

their special Rosie and it was better for Harry to be away from the fame."

Sirius explained more heatedly than he had wanted but he was just so

outraged, he saw Remus eyes flash amber and the werewolf ran off.

Sirius knew where he was going, he was going to check to see if his cub

was there or not. Remus floo'd straight to Potter manor striding

purposefully to the living room, James rose to greet him but paled when

he caught sight of the flashing amber eyes.

"Is it true?" Remus snarled, coming to a stop right in front of his friend.

"Moony it was for the best he-" James was cut off by a fist, a sharp crack

rang out and blood spurted from the now broken nose.

"You have no idea what you have done." He hissed before forcefully

moving himself back towards the floo before he lost control and attacked

James Potter. Sirius was waiting for him with a drink, which Moony was

only too happy to knock back in one gulp.

"What did he say to you?" Sirius asked and Remus looked a little guilty.

"I may have hit James before he could offer an excuse." He admitted and

Sirius' eyes went comically wide.

"Hit him?" He repeated weakly and Remus nodded sheepishly.

"And broke his nose."

"He deserved it."

"Yes he did. Now we just have to work out how to get our little cub

back." Remus said rationally, even if on the inside he was anything but.

Moony was howling in the back of his mind and it was only the fact that

his mate was stood in front of him looking as determined as both he and

Moony felt that he kept his control.

It was time to embrace the House of Black.

The old man and the child flashed back in to existence outside a pair of

large iron wrought gates, which swung open to admit him as he

approached. He walked up the grounds, admiring the grand castle he was

moving towards with a fond smile. The doors opened for him and he

walked through the entrance hall and up the moving staircases to the

seventh floor, he came to a stone gargoyle.

"To the Headmaster if you will." The old man requested. The stone came

to life and the old man stepped on to the moving staircase, he looked at

the sleeping child and sighed. He was breaking so many laws of the

universe but he couldn't see the world fall to the pit in which it was to

fall, should the timeline be kept as it was. Unfortunately, he didn't have

the power nor the legroom left to bring the child's Godfather with him.

The old man knew that the Godfather and his mate were going to suffer

ten long years without the boy, but their suffering had the chance to save

the world and they would see the child again. The old man walked in to

the office and came face to face with four people; two men and two

women.

"Merlin!" One of the men exclaimed. He had long dark red hair that

flowed like a mane around him, a trimmed beard, red robe falling to his

knees while jodhpurs covered the rest of his leg to his brown boot show

he had been riding recently. His belt held a bright gold buckle and his

red cloak was lined with golden silk and had gold embroidered lions on

its hem. His name was Godric of Gryffindor.

"This is a surprise." The other man drawled. Like his fellow he was

dressed for riding, only his robes were of emerald green and his lining

silver, however that was where the similarities ended. He had black hair

that fell straight to his mid back and it was pulled in to a silver strap, his

beard was precisely cut in to a goatee, he was slimmer and taller than the

other male also and his name was Salazar of Slytherin.

"I come with a plea." Merlin admitted coming further in to the room.

"Is that a babe?" The women gasped.

"Yes. Would you take him for me?" He asked and the petit woman with

long curling red hair that was left resting to fall down he back, she was

dressed in a flowing black and yellow gown stepped forward and to the

sleeping boy. "Thank you Helga."

"It is of no trouble." She assured him, "He is quite the treasure."

"Allow me a closer look?" The other woman asked, her inky black hair

was pulled in to intricate braiding and patterns away from her face. She

held a statuesque beauty and she was dressed in a gown of blues and

bronze.

"Of course, Rowena."

"What plea do you bring to us?" Godric questioned and Merlin sighed.

"This child's name is Harry James Potter, born to this earth eighteen

months prior but a thousand years from now, and he is one of Fate's

chosen." Merlin began and there were sharp inhales of breath.

"His destiny is locked within a prophecy but I have witnessed what will

become should he remain on the path he was placed. There is a divide, in

the future, where the orientation of magic are categorised in to good and

evil, light and dark."

"That is stercore!" Godric exclaimed and Rowena sent him a spell that

mimicked the feeling of having a wand rapt on the back the person's

hand. "Circe, Rowena!"

"I shall not remain while such language is being spoken." She warned him

and he scowled.

"The leader of the light is a fool, he had made many grievous mistakes

and he had just made one which will send the world in to peril. If this

child were to remain on his path, should he fulfil the prophecy magic

shall die for it cannot live without balance, should he fail and die, those

fighting shall destroy themselves, revealing magic to those without it and

causing a war that will destroy the very earth in which we live." Merlin

told them all gravely.

"What is to be done?" Salazar demanded and Merlin folded his hands over

his stomach.

"This boy's magic will far outreach any magical born to this world, except

one. And so I bring him to you, the four greatest magical people of your

generation and many generations to come, to teach him all the magic you

know and all the magic he can achieve. Teach him to be strong and sure,

to battle and to endure, but also teach him how to love and to laugh and

more importantly how to live." Merlin said to them softly. "I bring him to

you to change the worlds fate by changing this boy's life, and when the

time comes and he must return to his own time he will have received the

best preparation that he could possibly have and hopefully alter the

balance of the fates."

"Is it even achievable?" Helga asked, her voice no more than a whisper.

"It is my last option." Merlin admitted and the four shared a look.

"We would be honoured to offer our aid." Godric decided and Merlin

smiled slightly.

"I have broken numerous laws in doing this, and my powers are low. The

boy has a Godfather and his mate who care very deeply that I was unable

to bring with me, I have opened the bond they share between Godparent

and charge so he will subconsciously feel their love and worry. When you

begin his control and Occlumency training, it will need to be explained to

him. The connection will close when he returns." Merlin informed them

and they nodded.

"We shall see to it." Rowena assured.

"I have also given the four of you the dialect of the child's time, you have

not noticed it and you will not until Harry is returned. Should he interact

with others, he will hear it in his dialect and they will hear his speech in

theirs. However, this does not work for foreign languages, he will have to

learn those, unless he has been gifted with any speech." Merlin explained,

"He will not be able to learn otherwise."

"I see, that is an extraordinary piece of magic. Another law broken,

perhaps."

"Yes, a necessary one."

"Most definitely."

"I will also like to come and help train the boy, I believe he will have an

aptitude for some of my magics." Merlin mused.

"You know you are a welcomed guest." Helga said with a smile.

"The world and I are in your debt." Merlin stated seriously, "I must leave

you now, and I shall be gone for quite the while. I must accept the

punishments of the laws I have broken this eve."

"Be well, friend." Salazar said, "And return when you can." Merlin offered

them a bow and disappeared in a flash.

"We will need to divide our times to look after the boy." Rowena said,

"And we shall have to keep him from the students until he can begin his

control training, it is imperative that he learns to focus and control all

aspects of his emotions before we begin teaching him. His wild magic

shall forever act beyond his reach otherwise."

"Excellent suggestion," Godric said brightly, "Until that point we shall

monitor his magical outburst and decided a course following that."

"Very well. I must return to my pit, I have four possible advances that

must be reviewed before the number of trial subjects needs to be sent."

Salazar told him, "Inform me of my duties when you are able."

"As you must," Godric allowed and Salazar swept from the room.

"Oh, he's awakening." Helga whispered.

"Look at those beautiful eyes." Rowena gasped, catching sight of the

piercing green irises hiding behind pale lids.

"Such loveliness." Helga murmured, "We must have him fitted and have

the castle provide a room for him that we are able to access from each of

our domains."

"I shall immediately begin." Rowena volunteered and Helga nodded.

"I will order the necessary furniture from the craftsmen, and have it

delivered as the quickest convenience." Godric said.

"Let us return with our bearings here and Rowena may lead us to the

rooms."

Godric led the two women out of the office and down through the castle,

each of them thinking of the burden in which they agreed to bare. It

would be worth it, should they succeed and they each knew they would

give their very all.

Ok, so that 'little' fix up ended up a lot longer than I set it out to be,

however, it is a million times better than the first. To those who

have been following the story, I hope you like the changes, to those

who are new to this fic, I hope this draws you in. I would be

honoured if you let me know what you think.

Jess*

2. Chapter 2

A/N: Hi guys! Back again with the changes and the fixes, I was

really pleased with the first chapter's response so I hope this one is

just as well liked! This has more details and more convo than the

original so read away!

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: none for this chapter.

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 2:

It had been a long six years since Merlin had come before the founders

and asked them of their task, but it had been a good six years. Little

Harry had grown well and he had wormed himself in to all of their

hearts, even if some were reluctant to show it. It had been difficult at

first, Harry's wild magic was much more powerful than they had

expected and they had to begin control and Occlumency training when

he was three. It had helped a great deal, a child's mind was much more

imaginative and they were able to think up the wildest of things that

adults simply couldn't.

It hadn't stopped the wild magic completely however, and due to that

fact Harry had learned to control it slightly. He could bring things to him

if he wanted and vanish things too, it was amusing to watch a four year

old try and be sneaky with magic. Merlin returned to them after three

years and he was rejuvenated and excited, the strands of time were

already rewriting themselves and he took that as a positive seeing as

there wasn't really anything that could be worse than before. He had

begun telling Harry stories of his Godfamily when he was six, showing

him how to pull strength from the feelings within when he needed to.

It had been decided that they would postpone the beginning of Harry's

training for another year, simply because of the vast amounts of magic

the child had within him. At the age of seven, Harry almost had full

wandless control of his magic, and he was most at ease with summoning

and vanishing things, doing it with an absent flick of his hand when he

wanted something. Of course, it wasn't only magic they had been

teaching him. He learned how to read and write with remarkable ease,

and he was being prepared to take on Heir and Lord responsibilities in

the most basic of formats. They were unable to teach specific things as

they were unable to access anything to do with the Houses he would later

inherit, but etiquette, customs and history were a must and how to

interact with other races.

Rowena also insisted that they begin the teachings of other languages

when he was young, she had started teaching Latin and French to Harry

at the age of four and with each mastery of a language another would

begin and Rowena made sure to speak in a different language each time

she was with Harry to make sure he never forgot. Once they were sure it

was safe to begin teaching they had organised a timetable and an outline

of the magics and other learnings Harry would need and who was going

to teach which subjects.

Harry had been excited all week, he knew he would be learning proper

magic and he had been reading at an almost unhealthy rate so he was

ready; he said he didn't want to have to stop all the time. Speaking of the

child, seven year old Harry Potter burst in to the office where Merlin,

Rowena, Helga and Salazar were sitting giggling as Godric chased him,

and he ran to hide behind Salazar's chair. Godric huffed and Harry

peaking around, grinning knowingly and Gryffindor shook his head.

"Too clever." He grumbled and Harry snickered.

"Have you eaten your breakfast?" Helga questioned and Harry nodded.

"Yep,"

"Now, you know why we are here." Salazar began, his voice cool, "You

must promise to listen to our instructions clearly, and not to break the

rules we set for you."

"I will," Harry promised solemnly.

"I will be teaching you of your time, we will go over the change in

customs and the facts of history as they are known for everyone else;

even if you already know the truth. I will also be helping you tune in to

any hidden abilities you may have." Merlin told him and Harry nodded.

"You shall be learning Blade Handling, Transfiguration, Defensive Magic

and Riding with me." Godric said brightly and Harry grinned.

"With me we will be covering Charms, Arithmancy, Runic Magic and

Astronomy," Rowena said to him, "Though, shall you show any aptitude

for the art of Divination then I shall be the one to teach you that also."

"We will cover Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Wards and

Protection Magic and Music and Arts together," Helga continued easily.

"And finally," Salazar drawled, "I will teach you Potions, Offensive Magic,

Mind Magic and Archery."

Harry looked at the five of them wide eyed – he would be learning so

much! A bright smile lit up his face and he all but bounced on the spot,

he would do his very best.

It was much harder than Harry could have ever thought it would be. He

had been fitted with a beautiful wand, walnut with a core of Hebridean

Black dragon heartstring and unicorn hair, but he struggled to cast magic

correctly; it felt much more of an effort than he was used to. During the

second week of his training, Harry had tried the shield charm Godric was

teaching him without his wand and it sprang out of his hand in a great

rush of magic.

So it was decided that he was to be taught without a wand, and once he

had the basics down he was taught to use his wand too, though he much

preferred it without. He was getting on quite well, and it was finally time

for his first lesson with Salazar. There was something about the tall, dark

haired man that drew Harry in, and even though Salazar was not the

friendliest of people, Harry really did like him. He swallowed hard when

he saw the mood in which the Slytherin founder was in, the man was

normally intimidating but when he was angry he was downright scary.

"Come," He barked at Harry, who jumped up and rushed to follow him.

"Sal…"

"Not now, Ric." He snapped, sweeping out of the room and leaving Harry

to hurry and follow him down to the dungeons. He was ushered in to

Salazar's lab and winced when the man cursed under his breath.

#I knew this would happen. Damn.# He hissed to himself and Harry

blinked, he had never heard the usually calm man say such a word.

#What's happened?# Harry asked hesitantly, unconsciously slipping in to

the Parseltongue that Salazar had spoken previously.

#An experimental potion had been ruined because-,# Salazar froze, his

spine straightened and he slowly turned to face the seven year old child

looking up at him.

"Did you just speak in Parseltongue?" Salazar questioned in disbelief and

Harry looked at him blankly.

"The snake language?" Harry said in confusion and Salazar offered him an

unimpressed look.

"The ancient dialect of the serpent." He corrected, "Yes,"

"I don't know. I thought only you could speak it?" Harry pointed out and

Salazar nodded.

"As did I." He murmured, #Can you understand me?#

#Of course I can.# Harry said, looking at the man as if he had lost his

mind.

#We are not speaking English, Harry.# Salazar told him amused and

Harry gasped.

#Really?#

#It seems you have the gift of Parseltongue.# Salazar mused, #It is

unknown why, but it is to our advantage.#

#Cool!# Harry exclaimed and Salazar offered him a small smile.

#It seems our lessons became slightly more interesting.# Salazar stated,

#I shall teach you the magics unique to Parseltongue and I shall show

you how to write in the language and how to identify when you are

speaking and when you are not.#

#This is going to be so amazing.# Harry decided and Salazar chuckled.

He gracefully bent down to kiss the crown of the child's head and

squeezed his shoulder.

#Congratulations on receiving such a wonderful gift.#

The other three founders didn't know what had happened over the first

year of Harry's training, but whatever it was made the child and the most

severe of founding four unusually close. Harry only used to be around

Salazar when the man was out of his dungeons and now the little boy

spent nearly all of his free time with the man, it was quite amusing to

watch Slytherin walk around with Harry following him like an excitable

niffler. Godric had expected his old friend to get frustrated with Harry's

seemingly endless questioning and stalking but the reserved man always

had a small smile for the little boy and answered everything patiently.

Helga swore she had seen Salazar picking Harry up and carrying him

down to the dungeons because the child couldn't keep up, Godric didn't

believe her whatsoever and Rowena had laughed at their bickering.

Six months in to training was when the nicknames started, Salazar would

call Harry 'Little Snake' or 'Snakelet' and by this point the other three had

just accepted that the pair had obviously bonded in some way. Harry did

spend lots of time with the other founders of course, and they were all

exceptionally proud of his progress, more than that as he had blown their

expectations right out of the water.

Over the first year of training, it had been discovered that Harry had no

aptitude for Divination at all, and he had a rather severe dislike for the

subject in general, citing that everyone made their own destinies. Once

he had stopped using his wand for his main casting he had shot through

all the practical magic he had been given, showing accelerated abilities in

Charms, Offence, Defence and Parsel Magics – much to Salazar's secret

delight. Harry did struggle a bit more of the less active sides of magic,

Herbology, Astrology and Runic Magic being his weakest subjects,

though this was completely irrelevant when it came to Potions as he

absolutely adored the subject and it was by far his best after Defence.

Godric had found that, after he had gone over the basics of the Blade

Handling class, Harry was suited using double daggers and while

Gryffindor himself usually fought with a sword, he was able to teach

Harry how to handle them. He drilled the boy on movements that would

achieve the best results, going over them individually before combining

them in to links. After a year of training, Harry felt comfortable with the

blades in his hands and he was able to correctly pull off all the links

Godric had set for him. Gryffindor had promised that they would be

learning how to throw the blades two, if he managed to keep up with the

hand to hand side of things much to Harry's delight.

The other weaponry Harry was being taught was Archery and he thought

it was a blast, once he had been fitted with a bow Salazar had given him

clear instructions on what spells he would need to learn to protect his

hands against the draw as he was bound to make mistakes while

learning. Only once he had mastered the spells was he allowed to begin

firing arrows. At first, he had been shockingly terrible, not being able to

find the strength to pull back enough, or his arms were shaking so he

managed to miss the entire target. The worst time was when he had

somehow hit a rock and the arrow had ricocheted of the hard surface

only for it to imbed itself in Salazar's shoulder.

Harry had been utterly mortified and was very reluctant to pick the bow

back up after that, but Salazar had been determined to help him improve

as there was not one subject of his that Harry didn't excel at. He built up

physical training for the boy, making him lift heavy rocks and larger

cauldrons rather than letting him levitate them so he could build up his

strength. It had worked slowly and it helped Harry hold the bow straight

and actually begin to hit the outer edge of the target. It frustrated him

because in his Offensive Magic training he had a freakishly good aim, one

that Salazar had even admired, but with the bows he couldn't seem to hit

anything but the outside. He had grown desperate and mentally begged

the arrow to please just hit the middle of the stupid target, to his and

Salazar's utter disbelief, the bow had slammed directly in to the centre of

the target, not just in the red zone but straight in the very centre.

They had both forgotten all composure and gaped at the target stupidly

before Salazar looked at Harry in question, the little boy had shrugged

helplessly because he had no idea. Slytherin had ordered to do whatever

he had done again and so Harry had tried, again mentally asking the

arrow to hit the centre and to both of their delights it had shredded the

previous arrow and hit the very middle. From then on he asked the arrow

to hit whatever he wanted to hit and it never failed him, Salazar was

practically skipping in delight and started teaching the boy how to hit

further targets to build up his muscle memory. Once Harry was nine he

would be taken hunting to learn how to hit moving targets, until then

Salazar had promised to teach him trick shots once he was sure Harry

could hit the furthest of targets.

Unlike with Archery, there wasn't a force on the earth that could make

Harry even an acceptable artist. He didn't have the touch for painting or

drawing, nor the patience, and he often got fed up when nothing he tried

to draw looked remotely what it was supposed to. He wasn't the greatest

musician either. After a year he still hadn't really took to any particular

instrument and didn't have much interest in trying to change that fact.

Helga had decided to teach him how to dance, he had already learned

the waltz as that was what was expected of him with his position as an

Heir, but Helga had decided as music and art wasn't his thing, and

because Harry was a very good dancer, that she would expand his

abilities and he had to admit he did enjoy it.

Harry had lessons with Merlin once a week and the aged Warlock had

been delighted to find out that Harry did, in fact, have some hidden

abilities. The boy shared his ability and could cause and manipulate

lightning, which meant Harry had the ability to master the element of

air; something he would do over time. He also had the ability to master

the element of fire too, a welcome surprise, however, Merlin had warned

Harry that he wasn't likely to master either element before his eleventh

birthday but that only made Harry more determined to try. Merlin had

also told Harry all about hid Godfather and his mate, and showed him

how to access the subconscious link that Merlin had opened. It had made

him so much happier to know, though he couldn't help but feel a huge

sense of loss at not seeing either Sirius or Remus.

Much to Godric's delight, Harry had shown an exceptional ability to fly a

broomstick, not only that, the boy seemed to have absolutely no fear at

attempting anything and everything whilst in the air. It was like he was

born to fly, and by the first month of him being on a broom he was

already flying around the pitch standing up – something neither Rowena

nor Helga were pleased about. He carried his talent over to riding

animals too, horses and hippogriffs seemed to adore the boy and he

grasped how to ride them properly within another month; having

particular fun in testing the hippogriffs to the length of their flight ability

and loving every second of it. Rowena was less than impressed when she

caught him flying past the Astronomy tower and Godric's ears were still

ringing my dinner time after the hour long lecture she gave him. She

didn't find out about him putting Harry on Hercules, his Griffin familiar

however, something Ric was thankful for.

Helga working with Harry in Care of Magical Creatures helped him when

flying, he loved animals too. When Harry was nine, he was informed that

he would be expected to learn how to do some of his spells silently, and

instructed by Helga to do so. Surprisingly, it was the Hufflepuff Founder

who was the best at silent casting, and as she was a highly adept teacher,

she went through all of his basic magic with him until he could do it

silently, and then they would advance. Godric, Rowena and Salazar came

together once a week and taught him how to combine Transfiguration,

Defence, Charms and Offence in to duelling, teaching him to never rely

on one branch of magic and to always keep moving.

He picked up on the movements surprisingly quickly and his reflexes

were almost inhuman much to their amazement, and it wasn't long

before he had started to incorporate his daggers in to the duel. Salazar

had gifted him with a stunning set of goblin made daggers, they were

pure black with vicious curved blades and beautifully carved hilt finished

with two sparkling marquise cut emeralds. As they were goblin made

they were resistant to pretty much everything, only taking in that what

makes it stronger, and Harry had found that he was able to slice spells in

half as well as deflect them with the blades. His and Salazar's secret of

Parseltongue was discovered by the others when Harry accidently handed

in his Arithmancy homework written in Parseltongue, Sal had found it

hilarious when Harry had brought it to him and was sure to remind the

child of it as much as possible.

Because of this and other incidents including accidently blowing out a

wall, his Mind Magics had to be advanced further, Salazar had already

taught him how to build a mindscape and Harry's wasn't basic but it

wasn't as detailed as it could be, only being Aphelia's home, and it wasn't

fully connected. He developed his mindscape in to layers and weaved

layers of defences in to the actual scape rather than just protecting it

from the outside, he had his first corridor which was had nasty trip wires

and then a Parsel password door that led to the home of Salazar's Basilisk

familiar Aphelia, who he had slither around to protect the viewing pool

he created in replacement of Aphelia's pool/ The basilisk was the only

protection in the hall, but then, she was a basilisk and it would take

something close to a miracle to get that far in to his mind anyway and

they would still have to face a basilisk.

At the end, there was a statue of Sal and there was another Parsel

password opening that led to stone stairs that would flatten in to a slide,

like the female dorms, unless you tapped the right stone before you took

a step. It wouldn't be too dangerous, if only it didn't lead directly to a

study and the momentum would carry the intruder straight in to a

burning fireplace. The study was identical to the one Sal owned when he

was down working and spending time with Aphelia, the only difference

was Harry's wasn't big enough to fit the growing basilisk and Sal's was.

There were bookshelves everywhere and every book that could be seen

was a book Harry had read, and he was able to go back and read them

whenever he pleased.

There also a tall ebony display cabinet that was filled with hundreds of

phials, each shelf was of a different year and organised by month and

then by person. It was a charmed cabinet of course, expanded on the

inside so much that Harry could walk in to it and have better access to

his memories. However, the cabinet was also a trick. An intruder could

pick up a memory but they would be unable to view it even if they

poured it out, if they did that then it would simply vanish and reappear

on the shelf where it had sat before. The only way to view the memory

was to discover the correct bookcase, guess yet another Parsel password

and enter a bare room with only a viewing pool in the centre.

It was a technique Salazar had created himself and it was a mix of things.

The first, looping, was where the memory would return back to its shelf –

something it would also do once the memory had been viewed. The

second, connecting, was where the mindscape was fully connected to the

body and soul and acted as the link to the viewing pool – usually when a

pool was used, the one who's memory it was had to form a magical link

to play the memory of others. The final, vanishing, was where the

memory would vanish if it was poured or released in any other place

except the pool, and it was difficult because it was formed as a ward in

Parsel by Salazar and it had to be cast on the entire cabinet, the entire

study, entrance chamber and corridor so the memories were not shown

anywhere else. It was the hardest thing Harry had ever done in his mind

and it took him almost a year to have it perfected, but once it was done

he was so pleased.

Salazar had also made him strengthen his defences protecting the

entrance to his mindscape, and Harry had gotten extremely bored so he

thought of something new. It had taken him six months to perfect, but

when he had finished it, it had left Salazar stumped. It was a completely

white space, there was nothing else except blankness and seven doors one

behind the other, seven being the most powerful magical number. Each

door had either a password, a ward, a sequence or riddle that had to be

completed. The passwords were two words and each word was a different

language and on both the first and last door. The sequence was tapping

on correct symbol in the correct order, but the catch was there were

other symbols that were thrown in to trip the intruder up. The riddle was

written on the door and they would have to speak the answer to get it to

open and the door in the centre, door four, was warded with everything

he knew and would have to unlocked before they could pass. Salazar had

been confused, the doors were not blocked off and it was possible to go

to any door and any time to unlock it.

Salazar had merely gone through the last door, cracked the password – as

all magic leaves it's traces and he knew Harry enough to know the words

he used! – and expected to be sent through to the next layer of defence.

Instead, he had walked through the door and was met with the white

space again, only this time one of the doors was open. After several hours

of the man not being able to work out what had happened but knowing

there had to be a way forward else Harry would have shut of his own

mind and would be in comatose. Harry had finally relented and

explained to Salazar that, in order to break the looping illusion, all of the

doors must be open and then the intruder had to walk through the last

door to move on. It was based on the vaults at the bottom of the school,

where seven keys had to be found and used before it would open, it

didn't matter what order just as long as they were all unlocked one after

the other.

Salazar had been impressed and had set about creating the same for his

own mind. The mastering of his own mind had also helped him master

his animagus transformation with Ric, he had a black phoenix form

which made him immune to most poisons and venoms, enabled him to

heal at a much rapid rate and he never got sick and gave him the ability

to travel through flames. He and Salazar had spent over a year working

out a way to allow him to use his flames whilst human. When Harry was

ten, the Founders and Merlin finally sat him down to explain the events

of Samhain that had caused Merlin to do what he did, Harry understood

that he was not born from this time, that there had been an attempt on

his life and he would eventually have to return to his own time, he just

didn't know why.

He had been told to wait and that they would explain everything and the

day of explanation had finally arrived, and Harry was excited. He shot

his final bow through the apple Salazar banished and grinned.

"Will you look at that?" Harry exclaimed in mock surprise, "I hit it."

"Just because your system works now, do not forget how you started."

Salazar quipped and Harry shot him an unimpressed look.

"Sal, if you want to speak of failures, need I remind you of the mindscape

incident." Harry drawled, using the tone the man he was directing it at

was famous for and he laughed as the man shot him a dark look.

"I do believe we are expected for a meeting." Salazar changed the subject

easily and Harry snorted. While the man had been impressed by his seven

doors and had taken the idea for himself, he hadn't liked getting trapped

in Harry's mind for hours upon end trying to figure out how to move

forward.

"Yes, I felt Merlin arrive ten minutes ago." Harry said.

"His magic is masked, your sensitivity in increasing." Salazar mused and

Harry nodded.

"It has been since I finally managed my animagus form." Harry told him.

"Not so surprising, really. The Phoenix is a rather phenomenal creature."

Salazar said, leading him through the passageway that went from the

entrance hall up to the fourth floor. They continued up to Gryffindor's

tower, slipping through to a hidden corridor that led to Godric's office

and rooms. Godric and Merlin were laughing together when Harry and

Salazar entered, while Rowena and Helga were smiling and shaking their

heads.

"Ah, there he is!" Merlin exclaimed brightly, sat in his all too familiar

young form.

"Hi, Merlin," Harry greeted, going to hug the warlock before taking a seat

next to Salazar.

"Rowena was showing me your latest work in Spell Craft," Merlin said, "I

have to say I am impressed."

"Thanks. I'm sure I have the basic frame work for it complete, it is just

building up the layers so it works and it is stable." Harry said to him

brightly.

"And you have taken very well to Elvin too." Merlin noted.

"Much better than Nymph." Godric threw in slyly and Harry blushed.

"We don't need to mention that." He grumbled, remembering the time

when the Oaken Clan from the Forests of Dean had visited the Dark

Forest and he had slipped over so many words he had nearly offended

them. It was only thanks to Rowena being with him that the situation

had been saved, Godric had found it absolutely hilarious.

"Do not worry, Harry dear," Helga soothed, "I shall have to tell you about

the time Godric asked to by an Arabian nobleman's daughters instead of

his horses." Harry gasped and burst in to peals of laughter as Godric

groaned and buried his face in dismay.

"Helga!"

"I can't wait to hear about that!"

"We have much more important things to be getting on with." Godric

declared and Harry grinned.

"Yes! The story behind the rebounding curse." Harry said, "Who was the

powerful man and what did he mean when he said I was the one to

defeat him?"

"I shall start from the beginning." Merlin decided, "And it starts with a

prophecy."

"What!" Harry exclaimed in disgust, "You have to be kidding me!"

"Snakelet," Salazar said sternly and Harry bit his tongue and cleared his

expression.

"Sorry, Sal."

"The prophecy stated that a child born at the death of the seventh month,

of parents who thrice defied him, would have the power to vanquish the

Dark Lord. The child would be marked as his equal, but he would have

the power he knows not and either must die at the hand of the other for

neither can live while the other survives." Merlin explained and Harry

raised his hand to touch his lightning scar before scowling slightly.

"So I'm guessing I was the one." Harry muttered unnecessarily, he was

thinking it over and he could understand the attack. Merlin had told him

about the war and the Dark and Light Lords and how the war was

reaching its peak with the Dark side prevailing, if he had been told that

someone was prophecied to defeat him at such a crucial stage then he

wouldn't have wanted the threat around either.

"Yes, however a mistake was made." Merlin said and Harry looked up.

"Oh?"

"Yes, in the midst of what was happening, there was an explosion in the

room and you were knocked unconscious and your twin sister was

thought to be the Chosen One. The Leader of the Light suggested to your

parents that you should be moved elsewhere so they could focus on your

twin and keep you out of the media." Merlin told him and Harry blinked.

Then he blinked again and tilted his head a bit like a bird, his mind had

exploded in to questions and the most prominent one being:

"What in the name of Circe Almighty were they thinking!?" He burst out

outraged.

"I would not have phrased it so, but I have to agree with Harry." Salazar

stated coldly, the very idea of abandoning a magical child for any reason

was simply not plausible to him whatsoever.

"And another thing." Harry continued, "If I had a sworn Godfather who is

very much alive and I am not with him, where in Hades did they send

me?" Merlin grimaced slightly, eyeing the Slytherin Lord warily knowing

he was just going to love this.

"To your mother's muggle sister."

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF CIRCE ALMIGHTY WERE THEY THINKING?"

Salazar roared, surging to his feet "A magical child taken from its true

world and SENT to muggles! An utter disgrace! No training or control –

no protection! He would have self-destructed, his wild magic would be

out of control and eventually his magic would have overcame him once

his majority hit him and killed him! It's insanity at its height. Criminal, I

tell you, absolute criminal!"

Everyone in the office was looking at Salazar in varying degrees of alarm,

Harry's being the biggest as A, it was his life and B, he had never seen

Salazar lose his cool so much.

"Thank Merlin that that didn't happen." Harry muttered hollowly and

Salazar scowled at the wall while Helga and Rowena looked at the child

in concern. Slytherin eventually retook his seat and gently ran his hand

through Harry's hair.

"Don't worry, Little Snake. We'll make sure you can go back and

demonstrate to those pathetic excuses for parents what a mistake they

made and illustrate just how much they wasted trying to teach your twin

when you are so much better." Salazar stated firmly and Harry beamed.

"I think I might look forward to meeting my sister though," Harry said

thoughtfully, "I mean, it's not her fault, is it? And it would be cool to

have a sibling the same age, I could teach her things maybe."

"You are correct, Harry." Helga agreed with a smile, "You can decide

upon meeting her."

"You don't have to like her, Snakelet." Salazar warned, "If she is awful,

brush her aside and show your superiority."

"Salazar of Slytherin!" Rowena chided and Salazar didn't even look

abashed.

"My dear Row, if one had qualities that are better than others it is one's

right to illustrate as such when the situation arises. Modesty does not get

recognition nor power, if one want's something one must show they have

the ambition and the ability to get what they want." Salazar drawled and

Godric rolled his eyes.

"I'm surprised you even know the word modesty, Sal." He joked and

Salazar merely sniffed.

"So this prophecy is the reason everything happened. What happened to

the Dark Lord?" Harry asked curiously and Merlin smirked slightly.

"This is where things begin to get interesting. The Dark Lord remains in

spirit form, he survived the night and is biding his time to make a

return."

"So the prophecy is still active." Harry questioned.

"Yes. It is." Merlin confirmed.

"And when the time comes, when he returns and confronts the light it

will be revealed that Rosina was never the Chosen, that he cursed me, the

light will expect me to step up and save them despite everything they

have done to me." Harry's tone indicated exactly what he thought of that

idea even if his expression was clear.

"Most likely. You see, I was foretold that should you continue on the path

set for you then the very world would be destroyed if you failed and died

or magic would cease if you completed the prophecy." Merlin informed

him, "Which leads to believe that you were expected to step up in order

for that future to be an option. And for that reason, I brought you here."

"There isn't a force within this earth that could make me voluntarily aid

the people who were willing to abandon me to muggles." Harry stated

venomously, "If the prophecy stands true, the light's war is already lost

because I won't be their attack viper."

"We do not expect anything of you than to be the very best you can be."

Helga soothed him and Harry huffed.

"What is supposed to happen when I go back?" Harry asked.

"Your parents will collect you and 'introduce' you to the wizarding world

and explain the situation, they have been led to believe because of your

modest upbringings-," Godric snorted because everyone knew Harry was

just slightly over indulged, but he worked so hard that they couldn't say

no to the boy. "-you will be understanding and accept your new role."

Harry looked at him in open incredulity.

"They expect me to be understanding and accepting after they abandoned

me with muggles?" He hissed, "On what planet were they born? They

have to out of their damn minds!"

"Language young man!" Rowena snapped and Harry sneered.

"At this particular moment in time, I couldn't care less what language is

coming out of my mouth. I have just found out that my parents, the

people who are supposed to love, cherish and raise you threw me away

in favour of my sister. Not only did they throw me away without a care,

but they threw ME AWAY TO MUGGLES!" He had gotten progressively

louder until he was shouting at the end and his face was flushed in anger.

"Did you not hear what Salazar said earlier? If Merlin hadn't intervened

and changed Fate's path I would be dead in seven years, with

uncontrollable magic and no idea who or what I am. It would have killed

me! And what if the muggles had been like those from the churches?"

Harry shuddered at the very thought and both the ladies had gotten very

pale.

"I know this is a lot to take in," Merlin said quietly, "But you are doing so

well now, and you have at least a year to decide what you want to you."

"I'll have to get an actual feel of the time and the happenings before

anything definite" Harry pointed out, before shaking his head. "I need to

think."

"Take an hour out duelling today." Salazar told him, "Centre yourself."

"Ok," Harry said with a sigh, "Can I go now?"

"Yes, of you go, Little Snake." Salazar said and Harry left the room. He all

but ran through the corridors heading for somewhere he could thing,

somewhere where he might be able to understand. He ran up the stairs to

the Astronomy tower and then he was at the top he transformed in to a

Phoenix and flew up to the roof before changing back and sitting down.

He flew in to his mind and rushed to his earliest memories, taking them

all and throwing them in to the viewing pool.

He analysed every detail of what his mind had consciously and

subconsciously remembered, from the blurry first sight of his mother and

father right up until when he looked up green eyes like his own and

watched as his mother passed him over to a man with a huge beard and

blue eyes. Harry was thrown out and he sat at the edge of the pool numb,

his mother had just given him away, just like that. Why? Why would she

do that? He felt an intrusion in his mind and when someone sat down

next to him he knew it was Salazar.

"I don't understand." He admitted to his mentor, his voice shaky.

"I cannot say that I do either." Salazar told him, "If there is anything that

you should take from his discovery is that for whatever reason this

happened, it is not down to you. I may not fully understand but I know

you, and I know how hard you work and just how brilliant you truly are.

It is they who have missed out on knowing you and it is they who have

lost the opportunity to watch as you have excelled beyond what was

every expected of you."

"Thanks Sal," Harry murmured, leaning in to the Slytherin founder and

sighing.

"Now, we are sat on the roof of the tallest tower of this castle and it is not

something I am in agreement with." Salazar informed him and Harry

giggled slightly, "You could have chosen the lake, Snakelet."

"As much as I love the water, there is nothing like the wind."

"You are spending too much time with Merlin." He decided, "Come, I

must influence you more to counter it."

Harry laughed and followed Sal out of his mind, sealing it as he went,

and back in to the real world, shaking himself out.

"How long have I been up here?" He wondered, stretching his aching

limbs.

"Over two hours, which is why I came to get you." Salazar answered and

Harry blinked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realise."

"It is of no matter, the situation is understandable. Should you be late to

another of my classes, however, and I shall have you mucking the

stables."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Harry assured.

"Good. Now get us down from this infernal tower." He ordered and Harry

laughed, he took Salazar's arm and burst in to flames. Everything, Harry

decided, was going to be ok. He didn't believe in set destinies, he would

carve his own and so help anyone who tried to stop him.

There we have it, chapter two for the new readers and the revision

for the old. I hope you like it and please let me know what you

think! Thanks, everyone!

Jess*

3. Chapter 3

A/N: Here we have the next chapter, this one had quite a bit more

changes that I originally intended, but it lines up actual roots for

some of my plot points I had already introduced later in the fic.

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: minor fighting and injury.

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 3:

Over his final year with the Founders and Merlin, Harry gained an almost

inhuman determination to stretch the very limits of his ability. Since the

revelation of what had happened back in his own time, he had pushed

himself further and further, trying again and again until he had mastered

everything they had thrown at him. And by Circe did it show. Harry was

in his final duelling class and he was duelling Godric, the best dueller out

of the Founders, and they had been fighting for nearly an hour with

neither gaining the upper hand. Godric released a torrent of spells in one

of his personalised links, Harry deflected them easily, spinning and

casting a mirror shield to have them bounce back on Ric. The boy wasn't

expecting for Godric to do the same, so he only had a split second to

react, he twisted and two vicious looking daggers materialised in his

hands allowing him to slice through two spells and he moved, deflecting

the rest with the edge of his blades before they vanished again.

"Expulso, Relashio, Bombarda Maxima." Harry cast, and then he dropped

on to the floor to dodge Ric's return fire. "Aguamenti," A rush of water

burst in to existence drenching Ric and covering the floor, and Harry

froze it with a quick "Glacius," before Ric could vanish it. Harry cast his

own spell chain but none of them hit their mark, even though Godric

couldn't move, he hissed to himself before smirking and planting his feet.

"Sacer Ignis," He called, focusing on the spell he cast and grinned when

Godric's eyes widened. A huge, flaming phoenix erupted from his hands,

it was billowing black like Harry's own flames and it reared up to strike

its target, seeking to take life to sustain itself. There was a loud crack and

the ice around Ric shattered, he threw himself backwards and slashed at

the bird, stopping it in its tracks and throwing it back at the caster. Harry

caught it easily, the fire washing over him without him so much as

blinking and he sent a silent cutting curse through the flames as he

banished them, catching Godric unaware. Harry took full advantage of

that momentary distraction, casting three disarmers, a knock out Charm

and an Incarcerous successfully ending the duel. He stood stunned when

he saw Godric bound tightly on the floor and his wand well out of his

reach, he summoned it to be on the safe side and span around when there

was slow clapping from the side lines.

"Congratulations, Snakelet." Salazar called from where he was stood

behind the protective wards, his voice full of pride and a small smile on

his face; Harry beamed.

"Thanks, Sal!" He replied brightly, waving his hand to banish the ropes

around Ric and throwing back his wand.

"You have done very well." Godric agreed, "And I just got beaten by a ten

year old."

"In your defence, I am a fire elemental and sending fire back at me was

not the best of ideas." Harry pointed out with a shrug, Salazar raised an

eyebrow at him and Harry smirked. "Ok, so I was completely amazing, I

know, but I was trying to make him feel better." Both Godric and Salazar

rolled their eyes and the three of them began fixing up the damaged

room.

"Let's go to Helga." Godric decided, "That was a very nice Cutting Curse."

His arm was bleeding quite badly and Salazar sent a stasis spell at the

wound to freeze it until they reached the medical wing.

"I wasn't expecting it to hit, but I thought I would try anyway." Harry told

him, following both male Founders from the room.

"No, I was not expecting the spell when you were surrounded by flames."

"It was very well executed, Little Snake." Salazar put in, "Though, I still

require your Potion's essay handed in by the end of the day."

"Honestly, I can't believe you had the audacity to give me extra time!"

Harry said in disgust, looking at Salazar with an expression of extreme

offence.

"It is at Master Level." Salazar reasoned, "You merely got the extension as

every student would."

"But I'm not like every student." Harry pointed out.

"No, you do, by far, outstrip any of my other students." Salazar allowed.

"His progress in potions is outstanding. Is he truly that good at Potions?"

Godric said surprised and Salazar cast Harry a proud look.

"He is,"

"I have the essay ready for you." Harry told him, snapping his fingers and

making a scroll appear in the air before him. He plucked it out of the air

and handed it over to the green Founder, who took it and slipped it in to

his robes.

"You will be informed of your results by the morrow, Snakelet." Salazar

stated.

"I'm not worried, I went over that thing eight times before I deemed it

acceptable to hand it in." Harry shook his head, "Anything less than

perfection is unacceptable, and should there be mistakes then there I

don't deserve to become a Master."

"Circe almighty!" Godric exclaimed, "Sal, you are teaching him bad

habits."

"I do not have bad habits, I merely have things others do not appreciate."

Salazar sniffed and Godric snorted.

"Wow. That was an entirely new level of arrogance." He deadpanned.

"Hush yourself and get to Helga before I remove the stasis spell and you

die." Slytherin snapped, "I won't waist my potions on you."

"You wound me, old friend."

Salazar rolled his eyes, pushing Godric over Helga's threshold and

offering a pleased smile to the gentle Founder.

"Godric got his behind handed to him on a silver platter in during

duelling." He informed her gleefully, his voice mocking as he eyed

Godric.

"Oh my, congratulations Harry." Helga cheered, waving her wand over

the grinning pre-teen.

"Helga!" Godric exclaimed, "I'm bleeding out here!"

"Oh hush, Godric of Gryffindor. You are a fully grown man, you will wait

while I see to Harry." Helga informed him sharply, making Salazar laugh

at Godric's offended expression. Harry grinned when Helga gave him the

all clear, stepping back to let Godric have his wounds closed.

"Harry, you had better be on your way. Rowena is expecting you." Godric

reminded him, and Harry started.

"I had forgotten," He admitted, heading towards the door, "Bye everyone."

"That boy is a true wonder." Helga murmured, and both the males

nodded in agreement.

Harry slipped through the castle without trouble, the semi-sentient

building easing his passage as he moved towards Ravenclaw's domain.

The statuesque Founder was engrossed in one of her books and Harry

smiled slightly, entering the large circular office and taking his seat.

"I am sorry for being slightly late, Row." Harry said, snapping his fingers

for his notes to come to him. "I finally managed to beat Ric in a duel and

we had to go and see Helga afterwards."

"Congratulations, Harry. That is impressive." She told him proudly, "You

shall be able to inform Merlin when he arrives in the eve."

"Is he coming for more training?"

"Yes, after dinner." She confirmed. "Now, we have your Spell Craft to

finish. You're but steps away from completion."

"I have been working on it in my free time," Harry told her, pushing his

notes forward and moving closer to her desk. "The spell is intended to

mask your presence completely, and I have the incantation which I

finished on my own."

"Yes, I see." Rowena murmured, "You will need to correct your scent

layer, you have miswritten it."

"What!?"

"Here, look," She pointed out the elements he had used and Harry's eyes

widened when he spotted the obvious mistake.

"How could I be so stupid?" He groaned, removing the wrong elements

and rewriting them how they should be.

"It was a simple mistake, Harry." Rowena consoled, "Which you corrected

as soon as it was shown to you."

"I've been working on this for weeks, I shouldn't have made such an

error." Harry stated, shaking his head. "It was foolish."

"No matter." Row decided, "Let us focus on the actual construction of

your spell. We do not want it to rupture and we have only guaranteed the

stability of the first layer. When we tested the others previously they

wavered constantly."

Harry shuddered at the thought. He had seen one of the students

accidently rupture one of their spells and it hadn't been pretty; Helga had

managed to save one of their eyes though. They worked for a good few

hours, with Rowena mainly supervising Harry's movements as he went

through the process of building his spell.

"We will put in the final touches during our next session, and remember,

do not finish it alone. I know you can build spells, but this is a highly

complex multi-layer charm, and its instability could cause great harm."

She warned him.

"On my honour, I will not work on this spell." Harry promised.

"Very well, let us go down to dinner." She decided. "How are you other

classes?"

"Well I've just handed in my latest Potions essay to Salazar, I've beat

Godric in a duel and even the unicorns like me." Harry told her with a

grin.

"You have outreached all of our expectations." She said to him and Harry

grinned.

"It is the only way." He responded solemnly and Rowena laughed. There

was only one table within the Great Hall as the students were on holiday,

and all of the other Founders were already in attendance.

"Ah, here they are." Godric announced, "We were going to send an elf."

"We were distracted with building Harry's latest spell." Rowena eased

their worry and took her seat.

"For so long?" Salazar wondered, looking at Harry with a raised eyebrow.

He had seen the boy edit a spell from scratch in a few hours simply

because he was frustrated with human stupidity.

"This is four layered spell." Rowena told him, a proud look at her student.

"We've been working on it in secret as we were unsure to if it were

possible."

"Oh wonderful work, Snakelet." Salazar exclaimed, "Most impressive."

"Thanks. It's been hard, but I'm so glad it's worked out." Harry said with a

smile. They ate their dinner with light conversation before Harry was

hurried off to meet Merlin for his final lessons. The aged warlock had

come in his young form that evening and Harry grinned at him, receiving

a bright one in return.

"You alright, Harry?" He asked and Harry laughed, he always found it

amusing that Merlin's speech would change along with his form; he didn't

think he would ever understand the wizard.

"Yes, nearly finished on my first multi-layered." He told him, "Any day

now."

"Congratulations, though your success does not surprise me. Your

mastery to the air and storms came much sooner than even I could have

expected."

"With the air and storms I can just feel it," Harry said, shaking his head at

trying to put the experience in to words. "Fire on the other hand…" he

trailed off with a glare at the wall and Merlin chuckled, leading him out

in to the grounds.

"You are doing fine with fire." He stated and Harry huffed, "You can

conjure and overcome, which is impressive considering you started later

than we planned."

"What's the point in being able to conjure if I cannot direct or control?"

Harry groaned, "It always ends up overpowering me and the only time I

can ever force control is when I overcome someone else's fire spells."

"Exactly, you can overcome others which is steps away from being able to

control your own. You know we have to work differently due to your raw

power."

"Yeah yeah, I know. Because I have so much raw magic my own conjured

fire is a project from that, making it harder to control and overcome

compared to others who have weaker magic." He recited in a way that

indicated he had done so a thousand times previous.

"Stop whining then and get to work. You haven't even worked on your

fire since you mastered controlling your phoenix fire, you may have

gained a better understanding."

"Here's hoping." Harry grumbled, taking up his place in the centre of the

courtyard. They practiced fire here so they didn't damage the castle's

lands. Harry took a deep breath and reaching in to himself, drawing up

his command over the fire element as he had done so many times before

and called for flames to come forth. It was easier than before, but he

realised that he had unconsciously mimicked the way he used his

phoenix ability to move. The flames were a mix of fiery red and inky

black as they whirled around him, he slowly pushed the ring outwards,

away from his body and stretching in size. He had got it about a foot

further than he normally could before it started to flare and snap out of

control, he raised his arms as the flames rushed towards him and he

sliced his hands through the air banishing the flames instantly.

"For the love of Circe Almighty." He cried, "This is ridiculous, they always

snap back at me."

"What do you do when you feel the flames waver?" Merlin asked and

Harry shrugged.

"I don't know, try to stop them from burning me to a crisp."

"Ah, why do you do that?" Merlin questioned, making Harry look at him

as if he had lost his mind.

"Because I don't want to die." He deadpanned. Merlin gave him a bland

stare.

"I realise that death is not on the agenda any time soon." He intoned,

"However, I wish to know why you bother to stop the flames coming at

you."

"I just told you that I don't want to get burned to a crisp! It's not as if I

can just blend with the flames – oh…" Harry got a look of dawning

understanding on his face and grinned. "I'm a creature of fire."

"You are, which means that you are immune to the damages of flames."

Merlin stated, "Use that gift to your advantage."

Harry retook his position and tried again. Over the next two hours, Harry

managed to break his instinctual habit of halting burning hot flames

coming towards him, but once he drew on that 'recklessly brave' streak

Sal swore he had and allowed the flames to surround him he managed to

gain a thread of control and let them fade away gently. Merlin caught

him as he stumbled in exhaustion, the repeated drawing on an element

was always taxing, but flames never came as easy as air and storm.

"Let's get you to your chambers, I shall inform the others of your

departure this evening." Merlin murmured, easily hoisting the child up in

to his arms and carrying him through the castle. He switched Harry's

clothing with a wave of his hand and tucked the sleeping boy in to his

bed. He moved out of the chambers, and swiftly up the Founder's sitting

area, hidden behind the staff room.

"Good evening, Merlin," Godric greeted, "Where's Harry?"

"He became exhausted after our session with fire." Merlin answered, "He

has finally succeeded in gaining the beginnings of control."

"Astounding," Helga murmured.

"I believe we have Salazar to thank for this one." Merlin commented, "His

work on aiding Harry to use his flames to travel assisted a great deal."

The Slytherin Founder bowed his head in acknowledgement with a slight

quirk of his lips.

"As much as it pains us, we must speak of the upcoming weeks." Rowena

spoke softly and the mood dimmed.

"Yes. Harry's day of birth is upon us in but fourteen days." Helga agreed.

"Are we still in agreement on our gift?" Godric asked.

"Of course, I have not wavered in my decision." Salazar answered

immediately, and the others voiced their agreement.

"We shall present it on the eve, and explain how it will work." Merlin

decided, "No doubt his curiosity will need to be sated.

"His curiosity will cause him many moments of peril." Salazar muttered

exasperated, but shared a fond look with his friends.

"I have no doubt he will be pleased."

"It is my only regret that I cannot watch him when he returns to his

home." Godric sighed, "Those good-for-nothing parents of his deserve

everything he can throw at them."

"Calm yourself, Godric," Helga soothed, "Only Harry can truly the

situation as a whole."

"My dear Helga, your natural instinct to see the best of everyone is

charming but often misguided." Salazar huffed, "Children should always

be cared for by their parents, but a child of magic should be worshiped

by their parents. Anything else is nothing short of a betrayal to magic

herself."

"We cannot know what occurred fully." She reasoned and he hissed.

"Have we not seen the misery in Houses as their daughters and wives

birth the unblessed?" He demanded, "How the mother's soul screams in

pain as magic has not found her child worthy of her gifts? If that is not

enough, just look at how those born of Mud are treasured and worshiped

as they create new fresh lines of magic, chosen by the lady herself! Taken

in to our world, forsaking the foulness behind them and expanding our

greatness. Some have even been adopted in to the old houses to expand

their own lines and continue growing."

"I know," Helga told him firmly, "And should the situation be at black and

white as first presented, then I shall expect Harry to act accordingly. But I

will not pass full judgement."

Salazar wordlessly sighed and turned away, choosing to mutter about her

foolish kind-heartedness in Parseltongue instead.

"This is not the time for us to be quarrelling." Rowena stated, "We are

prepared Harry to face whatever he may encounter, and I, for one, have

the utmost belief that he will handle everything in a way in which will

do us all very proud."

Harry was practicing his spell work with Sal, who kept flinging curses at

him to improve his already amazing reflexes. It was why he had managed

to hone them so well, and why he was so good a sensing magic for his

age. When you had dark arts Master throwing random spells at you, you

learned to be ready for it and be able to dodge or shield from it no matter

what. It was fun once he had gotten the hang of it, and it was a good

work out for him to strengthen his muscle memory. Harry was left

panting when Salazar finally relented, but he was grinning because he

hadn't been hit once.

"You have gotten particularly good at that." Sal noted, flicking his wand

to clean his charge up and straighten his robes.

"You didn't exactly give me a choice." Harry pointed out with a laugh,

calming his breathing.

"Better now than be struck down." Salazar stated and Harry nodded in

agreement.

"Of course,"

"I've looked over your potions work, Harry." Salazar told him as they

walked to lunch, Harry froze at his real name.

"How was it?" He asked, Salazar went silent which didn't help Harry what

so ever as just as he was about ask again Salazar spoke.

"It was phenomenal, Snakelet." He admitted and Harry broke in to the

biggest grin.

"Really?"

"It was perfect. I could not have done better myself." Salazar told him

proudly and Harry thought he may have glowed. "Your theory

surrounding Aconite was ingenious, and I shall conduct some of your

outlined experiments myself, to give extra credibility, even though your

own ones were very nicely done. All of my notes shall remain a secret, of

course, and I shall leave them for only you to find. The possibility of

extracting the poison during the full moon to use to fight against the

curse has much merit and your theoretical backing was brilliantly

thought out."

"Thank you," Harry accepted the praise politely, a smile slipping on to his

face without notice.

"Also the notes you presented for your shielding potion are wonderful. All

the components are there and it should work, the only thing is testing it

and I will not allow you to test it on yourself so do not even say it."

Salazar shot him a reapproving look as he closed his mouth and smiled

sheepishly.

"However Godric did volunteer with Helga to travel to collect one of the

testers for you on this afternoon." He continued making Harry gasp.

"Wow!"

"If I've looked at it correctly-," Harry snorted and the mere thought of

Salazar Slytherin misreading anything, and he gained himself an

unimpressed glance, "then it should block everything apart from the

killing curse."

"If this works, it will be unprecedented." Harry said excitedly, "It could

change battles."

"I do not doubt you, Snakelet." Salazar stated. Harry skipped in to the

Great Hall and hugged Godric, twirling around to kiss Helga's cheek and

then slip in to his seat.

"I see Sal has informed you of my decision." Godric noted amused and

Harry beamed.

"Yes, and I cannot thank you enough for doing this."

"You are welcome, my dear. We all have the utmost faith in you, this is

merely to officially verify it." Helga said warmly. Harry was bouncing in

his seat as Helga and Godric departed to the prison, he couldn't wait for

this. This was something he had been working on for ages, scraping

theory after theory until he finally had a workable recipe. Salazar

directed the boy down to his labs where he ordered him to go through

his Occlumency before beginning on his potion. For what is was designed

to do, it didn't take that long to brew.

It was the ingredients that made it take the time, there were many plants

and herbs that were picked different to their normal times, or selected for

a different reason to their usual usage. Others had to be prepped months

before hand, when he had first given the potion to Sal to look at, the

Slytherin Founder instructed him to prepare the ingredients as he had

theorised and they would see how they developed to illustrate if the

theory was still plausible – scrapping and switching ingredients when

they either failed or were discarded. The process of brewing the potion,

while not too long, was not without its difficulties. There were times

where he would need to be working with three different ingredients at a

time, within seconds of each and Harry took a deep breath as he started

the familiar movements of setting up his station.

He fell in to the brewing completely, rereading each line to make sure he

had everything perfect as he worked. The worst part of it all was when he

had to leave the potion to simmer for almost twenty minutes before he

could continue, only being able to stir it when necessary. He brought the

potion to boiling point before adding the final ingredient and watching as

the bubbles burst in to colour, making the contents resemble liquid gold.

Harry stepped back and moved the cauldron to cool, starting his cleaning

and tidying up. He made sure everything was spotless, including himself,

before returning to the cooled liquid, which had settled on a clear gold

with a glass-like sheen. Harry bottled it up and then bolted from the

room, Salazar, having expected such a reaction, was already waiting by

the door to follow the excitable child. They moved through the halls to

Helga's basement and Harry barely remembered to knock as he entered

the testing chambers.

"I wasn't expecting you so soon." Godric said in surprise.

"It wasn't a long brew, just a hard one." Harry told him, thrusting the

potion forward eagerly.

"Compose yourself, Snakelet." Salazar commanded. Harry closed his eyes

and tightened hold on his emotions shields, settling his excitement in to

an outward calm.

"This is prisoner 482." Helga informed him, her voice going clinical, "6ft,

195 pounds, no outstanding health issues. Life imprisonment; tester's

unit. Aggravated rape, multiple counts."

Harry's expression darkened and he suddenly wished it was a worse

potion they were testing, and by Salazar's expression he was not the only

one.

"Administering test potion, passive action, defence." Helga continued,

pouring the potion down the prisoner's throat. Harry had summoned a

quill and his notebook to him and he was making it transcript everything,

he had made this quill himself with Rowena's help. It was keyed in to

recognise each voice of the Founder's, Harry and Merlin. It could only

read eight people, but it made testing so much easier as they don't have

to decipher the lines of text. They watched as the prisoner's skin seemed

to glow lightly for a brief moment before it faded back, Harry was

reciting what he saw for his quill, discussing the proceedings with the

others in the room. He had stepped forward to look closer at the prisoner,

see his reaction to the potion and then watch Helgas as she performed

the first ten minutely check on his heath.

Salazar began casting spells at the prisoner, using basis magic: disarmers,

stunning spells and implementing charms to begin with, varying the

speed of his casting for Harry to verbally analyse for his notes. The spells

seemed to sink in to the skin, but as Harry got even closer he saw that

they were sinking in to a near invisible sheen millimetres away from the

skin. The spells got more advanced and more harmful, but they continued

to be absorbed and the prisoner's health remained stable, until Salazar

was casting the darkest of arts repeatedly and the shield stood true. For

experimental purposes, Sal cast a few spells in Parseltongue and they

were both surprised when the shield held, though on the fifth spell Harry

saw the barrier waver and dissipate, calling it out for his notes and

Salazar cast a stunning spell just to confirm that it was definitely gone.

"Congratulations, Harry." Godric said brightly, securing magical

supressing bands back on the prisoner.

"You have done remarkably well," Salazar agreed.

"I shall continue to monitor him throughout the rest of the day and until

tomorrow, is signs have not shown by then then it is passed the limit for

passive potions." Helga told him, "But well done, dear one."

"Thanks," Harry said happily, "I can't believe it worked so well. I mean,

Parsel spells…" he shook his head. They headed up to the Founder's

room, where Rowena was arranging tea for them all and she offered

them a warm smile.

"How did the testing go?" She asked and Harry beamed.

"So far, we have success." He told her proudly.

"Oh very well done." She congratulated. "You must be so pleased."

"I am, I am so happy."

They sat having tea and afternoon snacks, and the four Founders were

discussing their lesson plans for the upcoming year, which reminded

Harry of how soon he would be facing the future.

"I go back in a month, don't I?" Harry asked suddenly, halting the

previous conversation and sobering the mood at the mention of the

future.

"Yes, unfortunately you cannot stay here beyond that point." Rowena

answered and Harry nodded.

"I know, I have understood that I will not staying for a long time and

decided to look at is as an early betrothal. I would not be expected to

stay past my fourteenth year in this time anyway, so it's only three years."

Harry said honestly, "That and it is not as if Hogwarts won't have your

portraits somewhere."

"That is a very mature outlook, Little Snake." Salazar complimented.

"What made you ask of your departure?" Godric inquired and Harry

pursed his lips.

"Something Merlin mentioned during one of our sessions." Harry said, "It

just came to me."

"And that was?"

"That my parents would be collecting me from the Muggle house to

'reintroduce' me in to the wizarding world."

"What about it?" Helga wondered.

"There is absolutely no force on this earth that is going to make me

pretend to be a clueless child who hangs on to their every word." Harry

stated, before sweeping his robes, "Besides, I am an Heir to some very

prestigious houses, I am to be denied nothing and I shall achieve

greatness." His voice had taken on an arrogant tone that mimicked

Salazar's to perfection, he had his head tilted at an angle where he wasn't

actually looking down his nose but it still felt like it and his expression

the perfect mask of disdain.

Slow smirks appeared all through the room, imagining what Harry could

put them through should the need take him. They had seen him at his

worse, more arrogance than what could be considered healthy, and if he

added that to his front of treating things and people as if they were

nothing to him then his parents didn't stand a chance. All of the other

Founders blamed Salazar, he was the one to boost Harry's sense of

entitlement, he had repeatedly informed the child that there was no such

thing as faults, merely things others do not have the capacity to

appreciate. The saving grace was that Harry worked harder than anyone

they had ever seen, nothing they threw at him was too much, no amount

of essays or spell work or theory research overcame him and that

balanced him out. Because, unfortunately, Salazar was right, he had the

ability and the power to back up his arrogant words, so why bother to

hide it.

"It will be ever so much a shame when you are much more talented than

they could even hope to expect and will have no trouble illustrating said

power." Salazar agreed, his voice amused.

"They are going to be in for a huge shock." Rowena noted with a laugh.

"How unfortunate." Godric put in convincingly.

"You are all terrible." Helga chided with a smile, "Although, Harry, do

remember the wards and protections we have covered, they are getting

quite advanced."

The group burst in to laughter at Helga's comment, sitting back and

relaxing in the afternoon sunlight before they went to dinner.

Harry's birthday seemed to come at them instantly, and the Founders had

been in a flurry to make sure their plans were able to be set in to motion.

They greeted the bouncing birthday boy with a huge "HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

and the Great Hall draped in shining banners and steamers for decoration

and a table weighed down by presents.

"Happy birthday, Snakelet." Salazar repeated, leading him over and

pushing his large pile of gifts forward swiftly.

"This is amazing! I can't believe I'm eleven."

"I know, it has come by so quickly." Helga sniffed.

"Such a grand age, your first step in full wizardy." Godric announce

proudly.

"Begin with your presents, Harry." Rowena insisted with a smile, "Then

we may begin with the celebratory break of fast."

Harry needed no more encouragement, tearing at his presented with

vigour and exclaimed at all the wonderful items he received. His absolute

favourites included: a set of beautifully hand-stitched thigh dagger

holsters, charmed to grow and adapt to his movements and ageing, and a

book of personalised transfiguration and defensive magic spells from

Godric. A gorgeous golden eagle quill and ink set, with blue ink and

bronze castings, and a journal of personal Arithmancy and Runes from

Rowena. A stunning bottle green cloak, with a black silk lining, with

black fastenings and hand-stitched snakes along the trim, a breath-taking

elven carved recurve bow made from yew, along with a dragon hide back

quiver filled with ebony arrows, and a copy of her own advanced wards

and protection spells from Helga. Finally, from Salazar, he had the man's

personal journal filled with potions and spells written in Parseltongue, a

lovely silver locket that has three small emeralds and the Slytherin crest

on it, and Salazar presented him with a beautiful dark green and black

snake, around the length of the man's arm and no more than two inches

thick. She was introduced as Aressa, and Harry was given strict

instructions to look after her – not that anyone doubted that fact.

After the house elves had taken all of his gifts, Harry got to spend some

quality time with all of the Founders up until lunch time, then they

parted ways and Harry first went with Godric, who took him flying on

brooms in the beginning and then he let Harry go around the castle and

lake on Hercules, his Griffin. When he was fully windswept and flushed,

Godric took him inside to see Helga, who had been called away to deal

with a pregnant kneezel. Harry was lucky enough to help with the birth

and together they got all of the adorable little kittens tucked away with

their mother.

Harry got cleared up and rushed off to see Rowena, where she challenged

him to The Philosopher's Game, which she soundly won at repeatedly,

and Nine Men's Morris, which Harry managed to win most of. She

ushered him off to Salazar, who was waiting for him to go to his

Chamber. Harry introduced his new snake to Aphelia, who hissed her

approval before winding herself around him and complaining about

Salazar's supposed neglect. Harry thought it was hilarious, especially

given the fact that the Slytherin Founder was known for spoiling the

young basilisk. When dinner finally came around, Harry walked with

Salazar up to the Great Hall and the boy was delighted to see Merlin,

aged and bearded, in attendance.

"Happy Birthday, young Harry." He said to the boy with a smile, Harry

beamed at him and happily accepted the few gifts he was given.

"Thanks, Merlin." He returned, admiring the Journal that Merlin had

given him, which was a description of his life – right up until his death,

which Harry thought was monumentally weird. They all sat down

together to eat dinner, and the house elves presented a huge cake for

desert, where Harry cut the first piece as it was his birthday.

"Now," Merlin began, quieting the conversations going on at the table.

"We have not given you all that we wish to just yet."

Harry looked at him in shock before a smile lit his face.

"Really?"

"Yes, and while the gift comes from the five of us, they are individual."

Merlin explained and Harry raised an eyebrow in confusion, looking very

interested.

"In recognition of your power, abilities and credibility as a wonderful

young man, we would like you to become part of our direct lines."

Salazar picked up, his lips quirking slightly as Harry's jaw dropped.

"You what?"

"We would like you to become our Heir." Rowena repeated with a smile,

and Harry blinked a few times stunned at what he was hearing.

"I-I would be honoured." He got out, overwhelmed. The adults shared a

soft look as they let him compose himself and when his mask was firmly

in place, Salazar withdrew a vial of clear potion, one Harry had seen and

brewed many times before; Sanguinis eris – the blood adoption potion.

Salazar allowed seven drops of blood to fall in to the phial, turning it a

glistening silver, before passing it to Godric, who copied his motion and

turned the potion a blinding gold. Helga accepted it next and the potion

went a cheerful, sunny yellow and she handed it over to Rowena, who

durned it a shining bronze. Merlin added his blood last, turning a rich,

royal purple, and the five of them allowed their magic to flare making

the potion flash. The different colours swirled together, but never fully

mixed, and Harry took it when it was handed to him, drinking it down in

one.

It burning its way through his veins, but Harry controlled his outward

reaction to hunching and hissing as it felt like his blood was searing and

his skin was melting. When it was finally over he was left gasping for

breath, though he knew better than to ask for a potion to soothe the

ache. His features had changed slightly, he was an inch or so taller and

the muscle he had gained through years of training became ever-so-

slightly more defined, though his lithe frame remained, he was more

toned. His hair became darker, silkier and the gravity defying ability

faded, falling to curl around his ears and down over his forehead. His

face became sharper, cheek bones beginning to match Salazar's, his lips

gained more shape from Rowena, his jaw became a bit more square and

his eyes seemed all the more large as their vibrant green colouring

seemed to glow.

"How are you feeling?" Helga asked in concern, Harry took a deep breath

before nodding slowly.

"I think I am ok." He answered, looking up with a slight smile.

"You look a bit different, Harry." Godric informed him, conjuring him a

mirror to see. Harry looked at the changes in himself with a grin.

"Thank you, truly." He said gratefully, "This means so much to me."

"We know, and we can think of no other that we would want to give this

to." Merlin returned.

"I have a few questions." Harry stated and the adults shared a chuckle.

"We expected as much." Rowena agreed. "Ask us what you wish to know

and we shall answer to the best of our abilities."

"How is this going to work in the future, when I return I mean?" Harry

asked immediately.

"Merlin has informed us that by your time, only one of us is survived by

blood – Salazar." Helga answered.

"We have put protections and clauses in to our accounts to prevent your

inheritance being squandered by whatever our bloodlines may or may

not do. Everything we have during your time will become yours." Salazar

assured, "In regards to my last descendant, you shall have to discover

who they are for yourself, and it will be your decision to inform them of

your being. You will, however, become the Heir, should my descendant

take up his Lordship, and you will understand why."

Harry nodded, not bothering to question it as he knew Sal would say no

more, that and he didn't mind holding the Heirship, he would have been

honoured to merely be a son to the Slytherin House.

"Within the Wizengamot, we will have seats. Merlin has not revealed too

much, as not to alter history too much, but our names will hold power

and because of that only you will be able to sit in them; you cannot

choose a proxy." Godric explained and Harry nodded, understanding

more as Merlin had been teaching him the future etiquette, customs and

happenings for years.

"We have also made it so you cannot be cast out of our Houses. It is

impossible to remove your being from blood records, and your presence

will become a blood bound secret." Rowena continued, "Your rightful

place will never be taken from you."

"We will also be giving you a copy of our Heir rings. When you return to

your time, the other rings will cease to exist, and you will gain access to

your Lordship rings when you become fifteen years of age." Merlin

added. Five rings were placed before him and Harry slipped them on to

his finger, watching as they melted in to one band with five crests

imprinted on the metal; not enough to be distinguished, but enough to

illustrate what kind of band it was.

Harry smiled down at it before rushing to hug the five of them,

murmuring his thanks over and over again; this was the best birthday

ever. He knew he was to leave soon, and he knew it was going to be hard

never seeing them again, but he had also known he was never going to

be staying since he was old enough to understand. This though, this he

would carry with him for the rest of his life and he was honoured to do

so. The future was looking even more interesting.

There we have it, the next revised chapter. Are you guys liking it so

far? Please let me know what you think and I'll get working on the

next one!

Jess*

4. Chapter 4

A/N: Ok, so this one has almost had a double in word count, and

I've corrected some of Harry's behaviour and actions in this one,

smoothing things over for later plot points I've already introduced.

For all those who are new to this fic – HI! Thanks for reading, and

don't let my ramblings put you off.

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: None for this chapter, I don't think. Possible language?

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 4:

Two weeks, Harry decided, was really too short of a time. His last days

with the Founders would be something that he cherished forever, and

nothing would ever change that. They made sure he had the greatest time

of his life. Rowena helped him finish and perfect his masking spell and its

incantation, and he had fun showing it off to an impressed Salazar,

although he did get a scolding of a lifetime for scaring the Slytherin Lord

out of his wits. The scolding didn't do much, however, as Harry was too

busy howling with laughter at the undignified sound that left the man

and in the end Salazar had bribed Harry to keep quiet about the incident.

Salazar later found out that Godric had been testing the spell with Harry,

so had witnessed the entire incident first hand, and had no qualms in

telling the Ladies all about it, he had even went as far as sharing the

memory with them so they could get the full force of the hilarity. Harry

had been forced to walk around doing a fair impression of Medusa,

without the deadly gaze, for two days after that, and it was an absolute

nightmare listening to the snakes go on and on constantly. He thanked

his stars however, Godric was still baying a week later.

The final evening's dinner was the grandest affair Harry had ever seen,

the Great Hall was decked out at its finest and the elves had prepared a

feast the Gods would have been proud of. They spoke and they sang, they

laughed and they cried up until the early hours when Harry finally

collapsed, completely worn out, in Salazar's waiting arms.

His trunk was packed, he was dressed in his finest robes, Aressa tucked

away and his wand was strapped to his arm – once he had finally found

it. It was harder than Harry could have ever imagined, standing before

the four Founders knowing it would be the last time he would ever

physically see them, and he just broke down. He cried, clutching Salazar

in a grip of iron, until he was out of tears. The adults couldn't hold back

their own emotions, parting from one they saw as family – who was

family.

"I know it is difficult, Snakelet." Salazar said softly, rubbing his hand over

the boy's shoulder. "But you are strong and you are going to show

everyone what a mistake they made."

"We'll miss you just as much, but we know that you'll be doing so well."

Rowena told him.

"You'll do us all so proud." Godric agreed.

"You'll finally get to see your Godfather and Uncle again." Helga

reminded him, smiling through her own tears, "You've missed them so

much."

That seemed to finally calm the boy down. He drew back and wiped his

eyes with his hands, his missing etiquette being ignored this once.

"I do get to see them again." Harry repeated, "I've been looking forward

to that."

"You will have the opportunity to rebuild strong bonds with them again,"

Salazar pointed out, "I believe they will be overjoyed at the prospect."

"I hope so. It's been so long."

"Do not doubt the bond, Harry." Merlin told him, from his place in the

corner. He had kept out of the proceedings, his position in reguards to

Harry was different. While he could not promise to see the boy again, it

could not be said that he wouldn't.

"I know, I shouldn't. I guess I am just nervous." He admitted.

"As soon as you see them it'll all go away." Godric assured.

"Those bonds will serve you well, Harry." Rowena told him, "And I

believe it will be best if you focus on those instead of ours."

"What do you mean?"

"I do not think it wise that you put all your efforts in to finding our

portraits, when you should be building up your relationships with your

Godfather and Uncle." She said gently, holding up a hand to stop his

protests. "Should you come across us, then let it be a joy. But you are part

of our lines now, you will have access to all of our earthly belongings and

there will be a portrait of us in each of our vaults, as well as a joint frame

for us to converse. You will speak to us again, never doubt. But we

cannot be there for you like your true family, and I would hate for those

relationships to be permanently damaged because you held on to us."

Harry bowed his head, knowing what she was saying was true. He didn't

like it, but he would listen to Rowena's wishes however difficult it was.

"Okay,"

"It's time to go, Harry. We must get you settled and reattach the wards."

Merlin told him. Harry nodded reluctantly, and with one last round of

hugs Merlin took his arm and they vanished in a flash of light. They

landed in a small road with lines of identical houses stretching far in to

the distance, they were horrifically repetitive and Harry felt his nose

wrinkle in disgust.

"This is where I am to live?" He questioned in disbelief.

"This is where your muggle aunt resides."

"I go from a grand castle to this." Harry muttered, "Good Circe, this will

be more difficult that I thought."

Merlin chuckled at his dramatics, striding down the street with purpose

forcing Harry to follow him, lest he get lost in the middle of the muggle

world. They arrived at number four, and Merlin began readjusting the

wards. Harry felt the magic flare around him as they settled in to place.

"These will break as soon as your parents come to collect you. As long as

you do not come back willingly, no one shall be able to cast any spells to

keep you here."

"I'm not here willingly now." Harry muttered, looking around the neatly

trimmed grass and polished motor car.

"It is but one night." Merlin assured. He knocked on the door, waving his

hand as soon as it was pulled opened. The woman, who resembled a

horse somewhat, gained glazed eyes, and her body sagged as his magic

washed over her, embedding fake memories and actions to match the

past ten years. She moved back and walked down to the kitchen,

allowing Merlin to lead Harry up to the smallest bedroom of the house.

The boy opened the door, only to stop in absolute horror at what he saw

before him. The room was no bigger than Salazar's potion's cupboard,

and it was equally as messy.

"You cannot actually believe I am to stay here." Harry stated in outrage,

and Merlin looked at him as if he had lost his mind.

"Of course not, child." He replied, "There are cells bigger than this. No, I

plan on changing a few things."

He waved his hand in an arc, expanding and filling the room with

everything Harry could possibly need, and creating a pocket space for his

bathroom. Harry grinned, unshinking his trunk and placing it at the foot

of his queen sized bed. It was in his favourite colour, green, with soft

gold and silver tones throughout the room.

"Now, we must venture out and gather you a basic muggle wardrobe,

which will give you a chance to illustrate your knowledge of the muggle

world, in order to keep your cover. Then we shall venture in to Diagon

Alley, where we shall activate your titles and go shopping." Merlin

explained to him. Harry nodded, letting Merlin change his robes in to

something more muggle, and Harry found himself in a smart black shirt

and a pressed pair of black trousers. Merlin then flashed them to the area

where they would be shopping.

He made Harry shop and buy everything for himself to show he knew

how to function in the muggle world, in order to keep his story he

couldn't afford any huge slips on muggle customs – especially given the

fact his mother was a muggle raised redeemed. As he expected, Harry

was fine, although there were a few occasions when Merlin had to point

him towards the more relaxed clothing. Due to his upbringing, he

naturally dressed formally most of the time so he drifted to more adult

looking clothing. They only got the basics, knowing that Harry would

never actually wear any of it and Petunia Dursley would have never

looked after the boy in the first place.

Once everything was purchased, they headed towards the nearest

alleyway where Harry shrunk the bags and Merlin flashed them to the

entrance of Diagon Alley. Harry raised his eyebrow at the grubby pub he

was led in to, it was strange to make the entrance of the main shopping

district behind such a dank place. Harry shook his head, following Merlin

to the back where they came face to face with a brick wall.

"Watch carefully," Merlin instructed. He tapped the specific bricks in a

certain order and the wall unfolded, revealing Diagon Alley. Harry was

amazed. There were so many shops and so many things to be bought and

used, so many new magical items that hadn't been created where he grew

up. Merlin guided him to Gringotts, steering him as Harry was too busy

looking around at everything on display.

He finally shook himself out of it as he looked up at the huge, white

marble building he had been brought to. Harry drew himself up and

walked up the stairs, nodding politely to the two guards at the door and

swiftly making his way to the nearest available teller. He calmly waited

for the goblin to acknowledge him and when it looked up Harry bowed

his head once.

"Greetings Master Teller of Gringotts Banking. I wish to speak with

someone about my accounts as the soonest possible convenience." He said

in fluent Gobbledygook. The goblin's expression flashed in surprise, at

what Harry didn't know, but it was gone before he could politely raise

question.

"Do you have identification?" The Teller asked. Harry set his hand on the

till and revealed his rings, not expecting the reaction he gained from the

goblin by doing so. The teller shot backwards alarmingly, stumbling from

his chair and bolting down the aisle to hurriedly whisper something in

another goblin's ear. With two snaps of the new goblin's finger, Harry and

Merlin were surrounded by armed guards and ushered down through a

set of doors and in to a low lit marble corridor. They came to a set of

ornate double doors that opened on their own accord as the guard

approached and revealed a spacious office, decorated for the upper class.

"Director Ragnok, it has happened. The young Heir has come." One of the

guard members bit out in its gravelly tone. The goblin, who Harry had

not first noticed sat behind the desk, looked directly at him and smiled a

slow, very pleased smile, and had Harry not seen the same expression on

Sal's face many times he would have been mildly alarmed. As it was, he

returned the expression and was welcomed in to the office.

"Greetings, young Heir."

"Greetings, Director Ragnok of Gringotts Banking. My name is Harry

Potter."

"We have been waiting for you for a very long time, young Heir." Ragnok

told him, sitting forward on his chair and looking at Harry intently.

"When I was appointed Director and Chief, I was brought in to a heavily

guarded secret that had been passed down from the moment our first

branch opened here, when the Founders opened the very first accounts;

that Merlin himself had taken a child from the future to have him grow

in the past, and when the child returns he would be their Heir. We were

to protect their accounts to the height of our ability and when the child

returned, it would be bestowed upon him. The Founders accounts have

been perfectly preserved, harnessed, and expanded as much as possibly.

Now, I can finally see the last of the Founders wishes be put in to place,

though, I did not expect it to be the missing Potter child."

"Thank you, Director. Those vaults hold more than monetary value."

Harry said gratefully before his lips quirked in to a slight smirk. "As to

my name, I can understand your surprise. The Potter House is rather

prominent."

They shared a amuse smirk at that before getting down to business.

"On to your accounts." The Director began, "As you can imagine, you

have a very substantial monetary value. You also have much property

and artefacts within the vaults. Upon your fifteenth year, you shall

become Lord to each House without a current Head and will be able to

take your place upon the Wizengamot."

"Are Gringotts able to continue their current arrangement with

investment and management of my accounts?" Harry inquired.

"We would be honoured."

"Thank you. May I have copies of all my account details?"

"I shall issue you with the standard copy given to all 'new' clients. Should

you lose them, there is a five galleon fee for each new copy."

"Very well, I shall keep them safe." Harry said. Ragnok drew out five

folders and slid them over the desk, he briefly flicked through the folders

and felt his eyes widen at the large numbers appearing before him; they

really hadn't lied when they said they would set him up for life and after

that. Sweet blessed mother of Circe.

"May I enter one of my vaults to make a withdraw?" Harry asked and

Ragnok nodded once.

"We at Gringotts offer weightless money pouches and banking slips for

easier purchasing." Ragnok informed him.

"How much for both?" Harry asked.

"Four galleons a pouch and fifty galleons annually for the banking slips."

"How do the slips work?"

"When you make a purchase, the keeper will hand over a slip with the

amount, once you check it's correct you stamp it with your ring and it

will be taken from your account. It works as an instant account transfer,

preventing forgeries as the slip is unable to be changed once it has been

stamped. Some keepers have taken to tying slips to their price tags so the

Lords and Ladies only have to stamp each item they want instead of it

being tallied up." Ragnok explained and Harry was impressed.

"I'll take both, take the annual fee from the Gryffindor account." Harry

decided.

"It will be done." Ragnok said, "Griphook will escort you to your chosen

vault and present your weightless pouch."

"Thank you for your time, Director Ragnok." Harry said with a bow of his

head, "May your wealth grow and your enemies fall."

"May your gold flourish and your magic prosper, young Heir."

Harry and Merlin were shown from the room and led out back in to the

main hall, they were then directed in to a stone passage and Harry

climbed in to the cart with an air of confusion. That confusion lasted

until they shot forward, then the boy was too busy cheering and asking

the goblin to take it faster; he was rewarded with a somewhat dangerous

look before they sped up and plummeted further and further

underground. When they came to a stop outside vault number two, Harry

hopped out and presented his hand to the Griffin, he felt it take his blood

and it burned gold before swinging open.

Harry actually stepped back at the sheer velocity of gold before him,

sweet mother of magic itself! He cautiously filled his pouch with many

handfuls of gold, silver and bronze, unsure as to the prices and to what

shops took slips, he knew not to venture too far in to the vault as he

would stumble upon a portrait and he was not ready for that yet. He was

getting the feeling Rowena had more of a valid point. He went back to

the cart, whooping in delight as they rocketed upwards, and he couldn't

help but laugh at Merlin's nauseated look when they were back out in the

fresh air.

They first headed to Madam Malkins where Harry got fitted for top

quality robes in black, greens, silvers, greys and deep blue, he also picked

up a new black hooded cloak to go with his green one. He had a few

robes he could wear from the past, but many would have to be stored as

they were too dated to be worn today. Plus, Merlin told him only to get a

basic wardrobe for now as he would be returning with his parents the

next day. They went to the apothecary to look around and then Harry

raided the book shop, though he was disappointed with the lack of wild

and dark magics. The shopkeeper looked immensely relieved when Harry

said he could pay by slip. Merlin took him next to the owl emporium and

Harry's attention immediately snapped to a beautiful snowy owl.

"Hello beautiful," He whispered, gently petting her plumage.

"My my, what a surprise." The clerk remarked from the counter, "She's

had everyone else's fingers for trying to touch her – even mine."

"How much for her?" Harry asked, holding his arm out as an offering. The

owl regarded him for a moment for taking flight and landing on the

appendage, Harry transferred her to his shoulder and walked over to the

counter.

"Twelve galleons, lower than normal but no one's been able to get near

her." The clerk allowed.

"I'll take her, with a couple packs of owl treats and the very best perch

you have available." Harry decided. The clerk packed everything up and

Harry paid in gold, leaving the shop with the owl in tow.

"I'll meet you back at my residence." He told the bird, "Number four,

Privet Drive." She cooed and took flight, stretching her long wings and

soaring away. Harry wanted to drag Merlin over to get a broom, but he

was informed that first years were not allowed a broom and Harry was

outraged. He huffed all through looking over telescopes and Herbology

tools until Merlin ordered him to put on his cloak and pull up the hood.

He was led in to a darker alley called Knockturn alley. In Knockturn,

Harry surmised, was where you got all the shady deals and underhand

purchases.

He ripped through the bookstore finding some brilliant books on the arts

and went straight to the apothecary to buy some ingredients that he

needed for his potions that were apparently illegal these days, he shook

his head in disgust. He found another clothing shop, specialising in

duelling and battle wear, and Harry found himself a pair of the comfiest

pair of boots he had ever tried on. He didn't order any duelling robes, he

wouldn't switch out the ones Salazar had made for him for all the money

in the world, and when he finally grew out of them he would have them

stored in a warded box; he didn't want them to ever ruin.

Once Merlin had took him around the other shops, and Harry was

comfortable enough to know his own way around, the aged warlock

flashed them back to the bedroom of Number four. Merlin called a house

elf from somewhere to bring them food, and they sat down for a final

meal together.

"This is where I leave you for now." Merlin told him, rising to his feet

once both plates had vanished.

"I know. You cannot promise to see me again, but you cannot state that

you will not." Harry recited and Merlin nodded, a somewhat sad smile on

his face.

"I will miss you greatly, child." He spoke softly and Harry sighed.

"I'll miss you too. But I know I have to be strong, and I knew this was

going to happen."

"No matter what, we shall always be so very proud of you." Merlin stated.

Harry hugged him tightly before the Warlock flashed from sight. Harry

sighed despondently, suddenly feeling so very alone. He steeled himself,

pulling all of his emotions in to his control and slowly took a breath. He

would not fall at the first hurdle, he would not dishonour the Founder's

and Merlin's gift by being unable to move on.

He would have been expected to move away from home in but a few

years anyway, he could do this. He moved over to open his window for

his owl to arrive before turning to repack his trunk, it had a few

compartments within it, created by Rowena for easier storage, and Harry

packed his new things in the top compartment, already having sealed his

belongings from the past, the ones that couldn't be explained, underneath

under wards. He let Aressa slither out on to his arm and grabbed a book,

laying down on his bed to have a read; might as well get acquainted with

some new potions.

He awoke to knocking on his bedroom door; he groaned and rolled over

blinking a few times. At first he was confused to where he was but then it

click so he rolled out of bed and opened the door blinking up at his aunt.

"Breakfast is ready and your parents are coming for you today at 12 so

make sure packed." She walked away and Harry grinned; today would be

fun. He changed in to black jeans with his black boots and a green t-shirt,

he threw on a grey cotton zip up with hood and went down stairs where

there was bacon and egg waiting for him. He had to blink around a few

times, adjusting to an apparently ordinary muggle breakfast. He was told

to do the washing up after and he looked at them in disdain, he simply

waved his hand making the plates wash themselves and headed back

upstairs ignoring the shocked looks.

The only things he ever washed up were his potions cauldrons. Harry

spent the time waiting for his 'parents' reading through his books, as he

had a natural edetic memory and he was a Master Occlumense all he had

to do was skim read and it was burned to his brain. It was very helpful,

allowing him to work through his projects quicker as he could take in

double the information. Dead on noon, there was a sharp knock at the

front door and his aunt called up the stairs to him.

"Boy, your parents are here."

Harry rolled his eyes are the ever so pleasant notification before his face

broke in to an evil grin, time to put on a show. He shrunk his truck and

tucked it in to his pocket, ran a hand through his hair to make sure it fell

correctly and blanked his face. He instructed his owl to make a relaxed

journey to Hogwarts to allow her to stretch her wings some more seeing

as she had been in the shop for Merlin knows how long, she nipped his

finger gratefully and took off, leaving Harry to dispel Merlin's spell work

and leave the room.

He reached the bottom of the stairs in minutes, coming face to face with

his parents for the first time in ten years. An odd feeling welled up inside

of him at the sight of them, these were the people who gave him up. He

cast his eyes over James Potter, he was relatively tall, with dark hair that

stuck up everywhere, aristocratic features and chocolate brown eyes

hidden behind awful round glasses. He was dressed much like Harry, in

muggle jeans and a t-shirt, the only difference was he was wearing a

leather jacket. Harry couldn't see much of his features from the man, and

there wasn't much feelings there either. His eyes drifted to the woman by

his side. His first thought was she was very pretty. Her burning auburn

hair surrounded her heart shaped face, highlighting her pale skin and

piercing green eyes, eyes that Harry once had. The Founders had changed

the colour of his eyes. She wasn't very tall, but she held womanly curves

and a misleading delicate nature. He could see his face in hers.

"Hello, Harry," Lily Potter said softly. Harry turned his attention fully to

her, looking at her with no expression, and it seemed to put them both on

edge.

"It's good to see you again." James tried, drawing Harry's attention to

him. Harry didn't respond, he wasn't going to lie to them.

"Ok, well, we shall be taking you shopping today. We need to explain a

few things to you, and reintroduce you to your sister." James told him,

infecting his voice and expression with cheer Harry knew he didn't feel.

He internally sneered.

"Lovely," the word came out in a cold drawl, making them flinch slightly.

"May we leave now? Should I spend another moment in this… home, I

fear I may lose some of my will to live."

"Of course, let's go." Lily agreed. "Don't you have anything to take with

you?"

"I can assure you, there is absolutely nothing from this house that I would

dare lower myself to take." Harry sneered, casting once more look of

disgust at the house before swiftly walking away. He caught the look his

parents shared, rolling his eyes at their lack of discretion and waiting for

them to catch up.

"We will be travelling in a rather unusual fashion today, but I assure you

it is perfectly safe as long as you stay calm." James told him patiently and

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"I assume you wish to apparate to the Leaky Cauldron so we can begin

shopping in Diagon Alley. If that is the case, you lied about it being

perfectly safe. It isn't. You can splinch yourself and your passenger, and it

does not have anything to do with my lack of calm. You should not be

willing to apparate someone else unless you have a full belief that you

will be able to complete the transition within any circumstances." Harry

informed him coolly. "Seeing as you do not seem to have that belief, I do

not think I shall be travelling anywhere with you." Harry turned to Lily

with an expectant expression, she shook herself out of her shock and took

his hand. Harry felt the disgusting feeling of being shoved through a tube

before they appeared in a corner of the pub.

Harry shook himself, ridding himself of the horrid feeling, before twisting

his wrist to straighten his clothing. He immediately felt out of place

dressed in his muggle clothing in the wizarding world, it didn't feel right

and he couldn't wait to switch clothes. Lily hurriedly leading them

towards a private room, her head ducked as she moved much to Harry's

confusion.

"If you could sit down," Lily said, "We have a few important things to go

over."

"One of them being how you know of the magical world. Petunia

wouldn't have told you." James said, looking at Harry with question all

over his face. The boy regarded them for a moment before taking the

chair with its back to the wall opposite the door so he could keep his

parents and any visitors in check. Once he had settled neatly in to his

seat, and waited for either of them to speak.

"Well?" James demanded. Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Well what?" He asked calmly, "You have not asked me anything to gain a

verbal response."

"I asked you how you know about the magical world."

"No, you made a statement regarding what we would be discussing."

Harry corrected, internally smirking when James developed a twitch.

"How do you know about the magical world? Petunia would not have

told you." James questioned grudgingly.

"I have an eidetic memory, meaning I remember everything I have ever

seen, heard, touched, tasted or smelled. Considering that, it should hardly

come as a surprise that I know of magic as I do clearly remember my

short time with yourselves." Harry answered, his voice and expression

clear of anything.

"That's very surprising," Lily said slowly.

"It makes everything easier though." James said brightly, "We don't have

to bother explain why all the strange things kept happening when you

were growing up."

"Strange things?" Harry wondered and James blinked.

"You know, accidental spats of magic – things you couldn't explain when

you were angry or scared." James hedged and Harry blinked once.

"You expect that to happen?" Harry said surprised. His parents shared

concerned looks but Harry had no idea why – most of his flux magic

outbursts stopped as soon as he began working with the Founders in

Mind magics and mediation. Why in Circe's name would they want his

magic fluxing when his core was going through its second settling?

"Accidental magic is one of the key indicators to illustrate if a child will

be magical or a Squib." Lily explained and Harry remembered Merlin

explaining that a Squib was the current name for the Unblessed.

"Oh, well, I know I'm a wizard so accidental magic is irrelevant." Harry

decided, ignoring their looks of concern. He was not Unblessed thank you

very much.

"We have more important things to discuss." Lily said surely.

"Yes. We do not know what your aunt told you about why you ended up

living with her instead of us, likely it was likes, but you need to know the

true story from us." James told him. Harry tilted his head slightly.

"So you didn't decided to cast me away to live with muggles because you

are selfish, fame hungry, good-for-nothing wastes of human flesh?" Harry

asked innocently, repeated one of the phrases he had heard Salazar

mutter to himself in parsel to avoid Helga's ire. He enjoyed their twin

looks of outrage much more than he probably should of, but that was too

good of an opportunity to pass up.

"Absolutely not!" Lily exclaimed.

"There was a war raging when you were born led by a self-styled Dark

Lord, who had gained followers that terrorised the wizarding world. He

personally came after us, but when he went to kill your sister the curse

rebounded and he was defeated. After that, we had no choice but to

separate you both. It was known throughout the wizarding world so soon

and the overwhelming media and public interest would have been too

much, and unfair." James explained, and Harry found it hilarious that the

man actually believed what was coming out of his mouth.

"So you did cast me away to live with muggles because you are selfish

and fame hungry." Harry confirmed, "It's good to know. I feel much better

now."

"It was for the best!" Lily told him softly, "Even today the reputation

follows us."

"So instead of keeping me and making sure I was already used to it by the

time I reached an age I could understand everything, you cast me away

and what? Expect me to suddenly be used to this apparent fame

following you around?" Harry wondered, "Yes, I see the logic in that

decision." He did try to control his scathing tone, but it didn't work all

that much. He couldn't help it really, that was the worst excuse he had

ever heard.

"You'll understand more when you're older." James assured. Harry gave

him a blank look. The man couldn't possibly believe that!

How utterly pathetic.

"Is there anything else? I wish to meet my sister now."

"No, we can go now." Lily said, standing up and waving her wand. Her

muggle dress was replaced by robes that held the Potter crest, James

mimicked the motion and then led them out. Harry rolled his eyes, they

didn't even bother to ask him. He snapped his fingers, allowing his

chosen robes to wrap themselves around him as he left, not even deeming

their surprised looks notice as he walked towards the entrance of the ally.

"We're meeting your sister at Gringotts, she's with a close family friend

currently. We wanted to speak to you alone first." James told him

cheerfully, "You'll like the Weasleys."

They made their way through the alley and Harry would have been

foolish to miss the amount of attention they were getting, he was hugely

thankful he had been prepared for it, and that he was used to having

large crowds watching and staring at him; joys of being Salazar's best

student. They came to the marble steps and Harry spotted a chubby red

headed woman, who appeared to have a kind face but extremely sharp

eyes. She was fussing over a girl who could only be his twin sister. She

had their mother's auburn hair, but hers didn't yet seem to shine like

Lily's, and the same heart shaped face too, but she had inherited her

father's eyes unhidden behind glasses and she had a lightning bolt scar,

identical to his, only hers was on the top of her left cheek bone.

"Rosie!" James called, and the girl looked around, her face lighting up at

the sight of her father.

"Daddy!" She rushed in to his arms and Harry had to take a few moments

to adjust to such behaviour. He had never even heard of a Pureblood

Heiress acting in such a fashion in public.

"Rosie, I would like you to meet your twin brother, Harry. Harry, this is

your sister, Rosina." James introduced. Harry, minus his surprise at such

frivolous behaviour, was very interested in meeting his sister; she wasn't

responsible for their parent's actions.

"It's nice to meet you, I suppose." She spoke blandly, making it perfectly

obvious her words held no sentiment whatsoever. Harry quirked an

eyebrow.

"You too," He returned. She looked him up and down before turning

away and looking back at James, completely dismissing him. Harry

looked at the back of her head affronted before his mask came up, he had

never been dismissed in such away; such rudeness.

"Daddy, we have to go shopping because I have seen some robes and a

necklace I need immediately." She said pleadingly, hanging off of his

arm. Harry was expecting James to reprimand her so he looked up hiding

his shock when he laughed.

"Of course, Rosie. Anything you want." He agreed, "We have to go to our

vault first. Harry hasn't been before."

"Ok fine." She sighed, and then she cast a look back at Harry. "We're the

Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, from a long, respected, wealthy

line."

"Good to know." Harry responded. She seemed offended by his lacklustre

response, but what did she expect?

"Well, I'm the Heiress so it doesn't matter to you." She sniffed.

"I am first born." Harry said sharply, and she gave him a smug smile.

"Daddy made me Heiress anyway."

Harry's eyes narrowed, drawing himself up and striding in to the bank

ahead of them. He didn't need the Potter Heirship anyway. He moved

towards a free teller, greeting them politely and smiling slightly at

receiving the same in return. They were still in conversation when the

Potters arrived, so Harry bowed his head to accept the goblin must return

to his duties. James wasn't impolite, but he didn't greet the goblin

correctly and Harry shook his head. Thankfully he didn't need to go

down to his vault, he wouldn't want to take any of the Potters down there

anyway. They sped down to the Potter vault and Harry had to admit he

was highly surprised at their fortune, it was very substantial. Rose caught

sight of his slight surprise shot him a smug look, crossing her arms and

tossing her hair over her shoulder.

"The Potter fortune has been growing for centuries." She informed him

primly, "Flourishing since our manor was finished. I love the manor,

growing up there was the best."

Harry knew exactly what she was doing and merely raised an eyebrow,

had he actually grown up with the muggles the gloating that she was

using might have actually worked. As it was, he had the greatest

childhood ever, so he actually felt a bit sorry for her.

"Come on, Rosie. Take what you need. You too, Harry. You are entitled to

use the Potter family fortune." James encouraged and, very briefly,

Harry's lips twisted in to a smirk before it was gone.

"Ok," He answered, rising gracefully and making his way forward. If

James was going to offer him access to free money then he was going to

take it, regardless of whether he actually needed it. He was handed a

pouch and nearly laughed when he realised it was bottomless; this would

be fun.

"Am I allowed to go in?" Harry wondered.

"Of course. Just don't go past the suit of amour." James pointed to the

one he meant and Harry nodded. He stepped in to the vault and had a

wander around, nothing really picked his interest that much so he

crouched down and shoved as much gold in the bag as he could in 30

seconds before rising and walking back to the front. He knew how

statements worked; Potter wouldn't know until the end of the month. He

had been here in person, it wouldn't need authorisation; thank you goblin

loopholes.

He took two handfuls when James looked at him in question, and the

man nodded, ushering them back in to the cart for them to return to the

alley. Rosina bounced her way over to Madam Malkins, barging inside

with no grace whatsoever and was immediately seen too by the shop

owner herself, who was all but cooing over her. Harry's nose wrinkled

involuntarily, he moved past the disgusting scene and noticed that there

were already three other customers inside. They all had pale skin and

aristocratic features, the man and the boy, who looked around his age,

had white blond hair, while the mother had a more golden tone, though

not by much.

"Oh, the Malfoys." James muttered in disgust, "Filthy Death Eaters."

The Malfoy family barely hid their disgust of the Potters, with the lady

looking at Rosina's behaviour in open distaste. She turned and spoke to

what Harry assumed was her son, keeping her voice low as not to make it

travel across the store. Harry moved away from the Potters completely,

browsing the rows of clothing to see if there was anything that caught his

interest. When he came up empty handed, he moved forward to have a

few more sets customised for daywear. He stepped up on to the podium

when he was told to, murmuring instructions on what cuts, stitching,

materials and colours he wanted before removing his own robes to be

fitted.

"What about these for daywear?" James suggested, holding up a truly

awful mix of maroon and burnished gold that just clashed badly, and

Harry wouldn't have been able to stop his sneer of disgust even if he

tried.

"If I were to wear them I would feel pain even if I were dead." Harry

stated in contempt. Put of the corner of his eye, he saw the Malfoy

mother delicately cover he mouth and look down and the Malfoy father

turn his head to the side. The boy badly his a snort and Harry flashed

him a slight grin before turning back to James who was looking at him in

exasperated displeasure.

"Well what would you prefer?"

"I shall have my robes customised to fit my standard." Harry told him

simply, "I have already passed on my styles, colours and materials."

"I want my robes customised too." Rosina demanded and Harry turned

away with a shake of his head; his sister also fell with his parents. Once

he had his robes to his standards, another was tossed over his head and

Harry immediately threw it back off again.

"What in Circe's name is that?"

"It's a school robe, they are basically all the same."

"What awful material." Harry said horrified. "We have to wear that

daily?"

"There are others, but everyone wears these." James stated. The boy stood

next to Harry made a noise of disagreement which got him a look of

contempt from James, though it didn't linger too long.

"Madam, we require the premium school robes." The Lady Malfoy

instructed, Harry catching sight of her Ladyship ring he had previously

failed to notice due to her stance.

"Right away, Lady Malfoy."

"May I also have the premium school robes?" Harry requested, "I simply

cannot abide by that previous material. Also, I require silver sterling for

my cloak clasp and not steel."

"That's really not necessary." James interrupted, "Just buy the normal

stuff."

"Daddy can I have a golden clasp, to match when I get in to Gryffindor."

Rosina asked.

"Of course, Rosie." He replied instantly. Harry slowly blinked once,

looking at his father as if he was a complete fool before turning back to

his seamstress.

"My requests still stands. If my father wishes not to purchase my items

then I shall pay for them myself." He told her, his voice smoothing in to a

tone of cool superiority that he had learned from Salazar. "I have the

funds, do not doubt me."

She did as he asked, moving to fitting him and he was pleased with the

premium robe, it was much nicer. James looked absolutely outraged

when the five figure number appeared, but Harry merely paid via bank

slip and accepted his shrunken robes with a nod.

"How could you have possibly afforded that?" James demanded, not even

bothering to keep his voice low.

"Magic," was Harry's toneless reply. He didn't bother to see if James had a

response, walking out and leading the way to the book shop, Flourish and

Blotts. They bumped in to a group of red heads and Harry spotted the

same woman who had been fussing over Rosina when they had first met.

He noticed, surprised, that the family, who must have been the Weasleys

mentioned earlier, was obviously poor. He, of course, knew that not

everyone was as privileged as he was, Circe only knew he was spoilt, but

his parents had said that they were close family friends. Why then, if the

Potter House so rich, were the Weasleys so poor; didn't the Potter House

help out? Most of the 'close family friends that were entire families'

usually got made vassals of the higher houses, helping them with funds,

education, jobs ect. Merlin hadn't said that Vassals were no longer in use

and he mentioned load of other past customs that were no longer in

place.

"Ron!"

Rosina knocked passed him, rushing over to one of the red heads that

must have been her friend. Harry glared at her back, finding himself

rapidly losing patience; to think he had wanted to meet her. Harry

stepped around the group, his eyes catching sight of identical twins stood

at the back whispering to each other. They really were identical. But

what really made him notice them were the twin looks of disdain they

held while looking at his sister and her friend, Ron.

"You do not seem to enjoy our esteemed company." Harry said to them,

his voice low. They looked up at him, their expressions taking on a slight

interest when they realised they didn't know him.

"Look, Forge. A complete stranger." One of them said.

"You're right, Gred. We don't talk to strangers, it's bad." The other said

and Harry found his lips curling in to a slight smile at their mocking

tone.

"Don't you know? I'm Harry Potter, twin to the wondrous Girl-Who-

Lived." He told them, his voice dripping in sarcasm. He felt his smile

stretch in to a grin at their smirks.

"Oh famous twin," they murmured, "Forgive our mindlessness."

"This once, should you introduce yourselves, of course."

"We didn't do that already?"

"Such a shame."

"We-,"

"That is to say my twin and I,"

"Are the magnificent-,"

"Most impressive-,"

"Quite simply handsome-,"

"Fred-,"

"And George-,"

"Weasley." They finished their adjoining speech together, making Harry

chuckle slightly; he liked these two already.

"What ails two fine gentlemen such as yourself?" Harry wondered and

they cast a look at Rose and Ron.

"The company in which we are forced to abide by is hard on the nerves."

Fred said seriously.

"At least you do not have to go home with her today."

"There is that." They agreed.

"Harry, we have to go."

"And that's me." Harry sighed. "I'll see you at Hogwarts?"

"We'll be the ones pranking the Girl-Wonder." They assured.

"That is something I can get on bored with." He said cheerfully, waving as

he followed the rest of the Potters out.

The rest of the day was much longer than Harry had anticipated and by

the time they reached the sanctuary of the apothecary, Harry was almost

fit to burst.

"Why do we even have to go here?" Rosina demanded, "I don't want to

take potions anyway, and the teacher is horrible."

"Professor Snape is a master of the art." Lily told her daughter, but Harry

looked up at the name.

"Snape? Surely not Severus Snape, the youngest Potions Master in the

world." Harry said.

"Oh yes, the very same. He just published his recipe for the edited

wolfsbane potion." Lily answered and Harry's eyes widened slightly. He

had read about that last night in one of the newest potions books he had

bought with Merlin. Some of Snape's creations were absolutely amazing,

he would give Salazar a run for his money that was sure. Harry couldn't

believe his luck. His favourite subject would be taught by the record

holding potions master, how great was that?

"He's still horrible," Rose huffed.

"Snivellus has always been a nasty piece of work."

Harry looked at them both as if they had lost their minds; how could they

not appreciate such talents? And to such a degree? He noticed Lily didn't

seem to agree, but didn't seem to be inclined to voice her own opinion.

He wordlessly shook his head, collecting double the required potions

ingredients and walking away from the Potters, needing some time to

himself before he snapped. He needed to calm down, he wasn't going to

waver yet. Harry had a browse of the broomsticks, mourning the fact that

he wouldn't be able to fly the beautiful Nimbus 2000 for a while yet,

before moving to the ice cream shop and ordering strawberry, with

sauces and fresh fruits. The rest of his apparent family eventually caught

up with him, Rose shooting him a glare for some reason Harry didn't care

enough to wonder about.

"Where are we staying?" He asked, his full mask back on his face.

"We didn't want to overwhelm you too much, so we're going to spend the

rest of the time before school in the Leakey Cauldron. That way you'll

also have first hand experience with the wizarding world to help you

adjust." Lily explained.

"Wonderful," He drawled. "Shall we depart? I wish to rest now."

"We're going to have an ice cream first." James said and Harry merely

looked away, deciding to watch the many witches and wizards moving

through the alley. The strangest thing to him was that he didn't see any

other race whatsoever, no Veela, Fey, Nymphs, Weres or even Goblins

from the bank. Merlin had told him that there had been a huge decline in

race acceptance but he had never imagined it would be this great. What

had happened in the 1000 between the time of the Founders and the

current time? He couldn't even begin to imagine, and it made him think

more on the war that he had been born in to.

If the 'light' was mainly running the country now, why did the 'dark' have

so much opposition? He would have to do his research. Harry rose with

the Potters and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron, accepting his key

with barely a nod of his head. He locked himself in to his room, casting

some of the wards on his door to stop them entering at all. He removed

his shopping bags and snapped his fingers to remove and fold his robes,

before dropping down on the bed gracelessly, finally releasing the groan

he had been holding back for a good few hours.

"I know you said I was strong, Sal, but right now I need patience not

strength." He muttered to himself, wishing he could see Salazar right

now. He steeled himself, beginning his meditation to calm and centre

himself. Everything would be fine. As soon as he was back at the castle

he would be much better. He barely had two weeks left, that amount of

time had flown by with the Founders. If he said it enough, he almost

believed himself. Almost. It was going to be a long stretch of time, he just

knew it.

Lovely.

So, there we have it, the edited version of the chapter 4. I do hope

you like it and let me know what you think! Thanks guys,

Jess*

5. Chapter 5

A/N: Ok, so this chapter had been upgraded. I fixed Harry and

Sirius' first meeting and James' reaction to Harry's sorting so I hope

you like it. For everyone who is new, I hope you enjoy

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: So I think we have a bit of language…

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 5:

It took Harry more effort than he cared to admit or acknowledge to get

up off his bed and actually put his things away. He had forgotten, briefly,

that there was no elf that came in to do it for him – usually when he

went shopping it was left in the main area of his rooms to be put away

for him while he went to lunch/dinner/lesson. Aressa was there to hiss

soothingly too him, and he reminded her that she would have to stay

hidden while around the Potters.

One of the things Merlin was sure to remind him repeatedly was that

people saw the gift of Parseltongue as an evil and dark trait. Harry was

still outraged over that, even more so because Merlin wouldn't tell him

why; something about having to do his own research. He was about to

continuing reading his new potions texts, now even more eager to learn

potions with the teacher revealed, when there was a knock at the door

and his mother's voice drifted through.

"Harry, it's time for dinner."

Harry mentally sighed, dragging himself away from potions and down to

the room where they were eating. Harry didn't say a word all through

dinner, though he did watch and listen to the others interactions. The

main topic of conversation, to Harry's great disgust, was his sister and it

was basically a retelling of how great she was. And he had been called

arrogant?

Circe almighty! He didn't even finish his meal, the food left a lot to be

desired and he felt his intelligence leaving him the longer he stayed, so

he rose to his feet and was all for running back to his bedroom when Lily

stopped him.

"Why don't you stay down with us for a bit," She suggested, "It would

give us all chance to get to know each other."

"Why would I want to do that?" Harry wondered in confusion, "I am not

the one who decided I should be removed from my original family simply

because it was decided one child was better than the other." He eyed the

three of them disdainfully and then swept from the room, not giving

them a change to respond. He missed Lily's shoulders drooping, not that

he cared much, and her murmured words to her husband.

"I knew this wouldn't work."

"I told you, Lils, he'll adjust." James assured, an underlying layer of steel

in his voice. Lily dropped back in to her chair, her hands coming up to

cover her face as she took a few deep breathes. She didn't care what

James said, she just knew, deep within her gut, that Harry would never

accept them as his family. It was much too late for that, and she knew

that they deserved it.

Harry had never hated the fact that he was right more than he did at that

very moment. Two weeks, apparently, was a very long time, and by the

time September 1st had arrived Harry was ready to call it quits and find

his own way back to the Founders time. He had been forced to hibernate

in the somewhat dingy room for the best part of a week, which had been

absolutely havoc on his normal routine, venturing out to explore the

alley some more and braving his family to ask a few questions he was

unable to find the answer to himself.

The most important one was when he would be introduced to Sirius and

Remus again. Harry had been stunned, and rather worried, when he had

been informed, sharply and shortly, that the House Potter did not

associate with such people as the House of Black. When Harry had slowly

pointed out that their grandmother was a Black, he had been glared at

until he had left the room by his father; Harry thought that was hilarious.

He was very confused though, he didn't know what to expect when he

finally did meet his Godfather and uncle again.

Merlin had assured him that they cared a great deal about him, and

Harry had felt nothing but love and longing from the bond that Merlin

had opened, but they were no longer in contact with the Potters; did that

mean him too? He would have to wait for them to approach him, just in

case, and if they did he would latch on with both hands. Harry went

through his trunk once more, making sure everything was secure and he

had not left anything behind before shrinking it down and tucking it in to

his pocket. He had been warned, laughingly, by his father that underage

witches and wizards were not allowed to perform magic outside of

school. Harry had actually laughed at that, walking away shaking his

head; what a ridiculous rule.

He moved through the grubby pub, easily finding his 'family' in one of

the lounges where he walked in on a conversation involving Rosina

excitedly bragging about how much further ahead than everyone else she

would be because of her extra training and he couldn't help his snort.

"What are you laughing at?" She demanded.

"I thought you were joking." Harry replied blandly, "So I laughed."

"Everyone knows I'm going to be the best in the year, I've been training

for years ahead." She informed loftily.

"Good for you." Harry said, highly doubting that she could outdo him in

practical magics, and knowing she didn't have a hope in potions. It wasn't

until 10:30 when they floo'd to the platform, and Harry came face to face

with an absolutely wild crowd of people, all seemingly losing their

rational minds as they caught sight of Rosina. Harry sneered, ducking out

and away from the crowd, climbing on to the train without a backwards

glance at his 'family'.

Rosina was absolutely loving it, turning her face at the perfect angle so

everyone could see her scar and Harry shook his head, moving away

from the nauseating sight and looking for a compartment. When he found

one, he unshrunk his trunk and pulled out his school robes and a few

books before placing his luggage in the rack. A slight smile crept on to

his face when the whistle blew, it was a reminder that he was going

home and as the train pulled off he felt himself relax. He was away from

his parents and the castle was big enough that he wouldn't have to see

Rosina too often, there was no way they would end up in the same house

because Harry was going to Slytherin and she didn't have an ounce of

what Salazar would ever look for.

Harry got completely lost in his book, uncaring to the world passing him

by outside the window as he reviewed some of Potion Master Snape's

ground breaking work. He hadn't realised that Merlin had slipped this

book in to his potions collection, and it was focused on more obscure

potions and ingredients. He only broke out of his revere when the

compartment door slid open and revealed the blond boy from the robe

shop.

"I've been looking for you." He said in a way of greeting, inviting himself

to the seat opposite Harry.

"You have?" Harry asked, his eyebrow quirking up.

"Yes, you interested me in the shop." The other boy admitted. "I'm Draco

Malfoy."

"Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Draco Malfoy. I'm Harry Potter."

"So you are the other Potter twin. There were rumours, of course, but

after Samhain you were never seen or heard of again so people took it as

a mistake. Mother said you were."

"I am not surprised. My wonderful parents thought it best to send me to

live with elsewhere." Harry said, a humourless smile on his face. Draco's

eyes widened, his hands twitching as if he wanted to grab something.

"They sent their own child away?" He repeated, his expression turning to

disgust, "How dare they send a magical child away! That's barbaric."

"It was for the best." Harry mocked.

"They believe that?"

"Oh yes, gave me the full sob story of how there was a terrible war and

when Rosina defeated the Dark Lord they were forced to give me up

because of the fame and her training." Harry rolled his eyes, grinning

when Draco gave him a look that said everything he thought of the

excuse. "Yeah, I know."

"And my father didn't think the Potters could get any worse." Draco

muttered, shaking his head.

"Sorry to disappoint," Harry said.

"Disappoint? Are you joking? He'll be delighted they managed to make

such a monumental error."

Harry grinned.

"I think I like your father already."

"You'd be the first out of the current Potters."

"I take it they do not get along."

"House Malfoy is also Noble and Most Ancient, and father is very

influential within the Ministry. Potter was Head Auror and is close to

Dumbledore, and they believe my father is evil simply because he is not

'light'."

"That is completely ridiculous." Harry scoffed. "The whole light and dark

issue is nonsense." Draco eyed him thoughtfully.

"What house do you think you'll be in?"

"Slytherin, of course." Harry answered immediately.

"So sure? The past nine generations of born Potters have been in

Gryffindor."

"I am nothing like any other born Potter." Harry stated surely, "I will

definitely be going to Slytherin house. What about you?"

"Most definitely Slytherin." Draco responded, "All Malfoys go to Slytherin,

though, we have had a few Ravenclaws appear."

"I could go to Ravenclaw," Harry allowed, "But I know Slytherin will win

out."

"You'll be lucky if you do go to Slytherin. Slytherin Head of House is

Professor Severus Snape and he favours his house greatly. He and your

father have a fierce rivalry, and should you not be in his house it might

transfer to you – though, Rosina will definitely be in for a surprise."

"Does it run that deep?" Harry wondered.

"Oh yeah, they went to school together and it began there. Uncle Sev

hates anything James Potter with a burning passion, and it's another

reason Potter loathes my father and me." Draco told him. "Uncle Sev is

my Godfather."

"Sweet Circe, Severus Snape is your Godfather!" Harry repeated in awe.

"Yes, why?"

"He is an absolute genius in potions." Harry exclaimed, "I've reading his

book and it's fantastic."

Draco puffed up proudly, his uncle was amazing at potions and it was

good when people acknowledged that fact.

"Did you know he is the youngest Potions Master in the world and his

recent development of the upgraded Wolfsbane potion gained his

honours certificate?" Draco said, his tone slightly bragging, not that

Harry cared; it deserved to be bragged about.

"Really? That's amazing, and completely understandable. The complexity

of that potion alone, regardless of its success, should have gained

recognition simply because it remained stable." Harry said.

"He tutored me growing up," Draco said proudly.

"Wow, I bet that was brilliant."

"It was, but he's a very strict teacher. He cannot stand any foolish

behaviour at all." Draco admitted.

"Well potions are very dangerous, and one mistake could be lethal."

Harry reasoned.

"It's why he's the most disliked Professor in Hogwarts, except from the

Slytherins of course. No one seems to understand that."

Just then a woman walked by pushing a trolley full of food and Harry's

eyes lit up, he could do with some sweets. He bought a bit of everything,

indulging his sweet tooth to the max and Draco seemed to be of the same

mind.

"Mother banned me from all sweets last week because I snuck out on my

broom," Draco told him and then he grinned, "Father slipped me a few

galleons to make up for it."

"My father made the mistake of handing me an empty pouch and saying I

was allowed to take what I wanted from the vault. He won't get the

statement until the end of the next one."

They both laughed and dug in to their sweets, getting to know each other

better and Harry was certain he and Draco would be fast friends. It was

about an hour after they had bought sweets that something popped in to

his mind and he voiced his thought to Draco.

"You said my father was Head Auror."

"Yes, didn't you know? He was removed when he took up the Flying

Instructor spot at Hogwarts this year." Draco said, causing Harry to

violently choke on the chocolate frog he had just bitten in to.

"Excuse me?" He gasped, "He's going to be teaching this year?"

"Yes, and your mother is; she's teaching Arithmancy. Their appointment

gained some controversy with Professors Snape, Black and Lupin-Black."

Draco told him, "How do you not already know this?"

"Have you met my family? Would you like to spend an extended amount

of time around them?" Harry pointed and Draco nodded, conceding his

point, "When you say Black and Lupin-Black, do you mean Sirius and

Remus?"

"Yes, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin-Black used to be best friends with

James Potter."

"I know. Uncle Sirius is my Godfather and uncle Remus just adopted the

title." Harry said.

"That would explain the huge altercation they had. The Godfather bond

would have been strained to the highest degree." Draco said, looking

mildly horrified at the thought.

"I'm glad I'll get to meet them again so soon. When my father said they no

longer spoke I wondered if I would even get to see them this year." Harry

said thoughtfully.

"Oh no doubt both of them will be searching you out." Draco said surely,

"Sirius Black has been causing waves since he took up his Lordship, and

he won't be cowed by James Potter."

"That's very good to know."

Their pleasant atmosphere was unceremoniously broken when the door

was shoved open and Rosina flounced in with the Weasley boy and a girl

with lots of busy brown hair and a somewhat tense air around her; she

was a Mudblood, Harry was sure of it. It was obvious, he saw it all the

time with those born of Mud. They were all tense and nervy as they

adjusted to the magical world they were coming in to, but they soon

settled in once they began classes on wizarding customs and traditions.

Salazar always said the Mudblessed, as they were also called, were

amusing for him to teach, and often quite brilliant to teach once they

fully accepted their new world. He didn't care for Blood Traitors, the ones

who went back to the Mud, back to the muggles, actually he quite

despised them. Harry shook his head, eyeing his sister with distaste.

"What do you want?" He questioned.

"Daddy wanted to speak to you and you ran off." She stated as if it was a

great offence. Harry raised an eyebrow, waiting for the actual point when

he realised that was what she had come to tell him; something he already

knew.

"Obviously I did not wish to speak to him." Harry pointed out.

"You're just jealous." She spat, smiling nastily at him, "I'm famous, loved

and powerful; everything you're not. I even got the Heirship over you,

even though you are first born. And what happened to you? You got

thrown away."

Harry's expression of disbelief was not improvised or fake whatsoever,

and it took him a moment to actually formulate a response to her words.

He blinked twice, tilting his head to the side slightly, looking at her with

mild scorn.

"Indeed. It is surprising how jealous I find myself of your overinflated

ego, your frivolous and contemptable behaviour, and your empty words

of power and skill. Oh how I wish I were you." His voice was oily with

sarcasm, thick and lingering at the end of his sentence. Draco smirked at

the expressions of outrage Harry's words caused, sitting back to watch

what would happen next.

"You can't speak to her like that! You're nothing compared to her! She's

the Girl-Who-Lived – she's had advanced training." Ron yelled.

"The Girl-Who-Lived-To-Punish-Me," Harry muttered under his breath.

"Calm down, Weasley. Everyone knows that the only reason you stick

around with her is to try and raise your own pathetic reputation. The

Weasleys – biggest bunch of Blood Traitors in the wizarding world."

Draco sneered, "Not even a Vassal and yet you still cling on; it's

disgusting."

"You both are very rude." The unknown girl interrupted. "Rosina Potter

did defeat You-Know-Who, that deserves some respect."

"For a Mudblood you really chose the wrong first influence." Harry stated

seriously. Ron and Rosina both gasped, rearing back and looking at him

in horror before the male red head exploded.

"How dare you say that to her!"

Harry looked at them in utter bewilderment. There wasn't anything that

offensive in his last sentence, a Mudblood's first influence was crucial yes

but stating otherwise was hardly that harsh. And then he remembered.

"Right, not supposed to say that word. Got it." Harry ran his hand

through his hair and shrugged, Merlin had warned him that "Mudblood"

was seen as a highly derogative term these days. He was just so used to

the using the term – it was what they were!

"Wait until I tell mummy and daddy about this." Rose snarled, "You are

going to be in so much trouble. I can't believe you said that!"

"I'm truly terrified." Harry deadpanned. She huffed and stormed off,

taking her entourage with her. Harry flicked his finger at the door,

waking it shut and pull the blind down, hoping to ward away any more

interruptions.

"Was that wandless magic?" Draco questioned, completely shocked.

"Yes, I don't like my wand all that much. Waving it around and while

saying the incantations is tiresome." Harry told him. Draco looked at him

blankly, blinking a few times before shaking his head.

"There are going to be a lot of unexpected things happening around you,

aren't there." He said eventually.

Harry merely grinned.

The rain had dried off by the time they had gotten off the train. Two

hulking beasts for children appeared before Draco and cleared a path for

the blond to walk through, Harry didn't like to turn gifts down and

moved with him to avoid the crowd. A giant of a man was yelling for the

first years, cheerfully fawning over Rosina when she went up to him, and

then leading them down to the boats. Harry smiled in remembrance,

Godric had taken him on the boats first. He climbed in, sitting next to

Draco and keeping his mask in place, the other boy was doing the exactly

the same. As soon as Harry caught sight of the magnificent castle he felt

as if all the stress and tension that had been building since he first met

back with his parents was washed away.

To see her, still standing in her glory and her beauty, her magic

saturating the entire area and making Harry's own sing, it was better than

any words could describe. They were introduced to Professor

McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, Head of Gryffindor and

Transfiguration teacher, who led them in to the entrance hall and Harry

nearly beamed when he discovered hardly anything had changed. It was

more worn, and there were many more portraits, but other than that

there was no difference. Hogwarts was still standing proud. They were

given a small speech of Hogwarts basics and what to prepare for before

they were left alone for a moment. Harry did get a bit of a surprise when

a group of ghosts floated through the wall, he had never seen any ghost

in the castle before. When the Professor returned, they were led in to the

Great Hall and Harry immediately looked up to the ceiling, smiling when

he saw Row's amazing spell work still in place.

He couldn't wait to find her workings for it, he wanted to try it for

himself. Harry nearly gaped when Professor McGonagall put Julius down

on a three legged stool and he burst in to song; he had become a sorting

hat? Harry very nearly laughed out loud at that. Julius had been created

as a joke, a hat that made decisions because Godric never seemed to be

able to. It had been Helga who had originally created him, and Harry

honestly couldn't believe he was still going. The Founders were truly

incredible. Harry cast his eyes around the hall, taking note of the

similarities and differences from what he was used to, before he turned

his attentions to the top table. It wasn't as decorative as the Founders had

presented, but the huge Hogwarts banner was hanging behind like it

always did and the Headmaster's chair was still large and throne-like. The

only difference was the man sitting in it.

He had long white hair and a long white beard, an aged face and half-

moon glasses that covered, but did not remove from, twinkling blue eyes.

Harry felt his lip curl; the great Albus Dumbledore. Harry moved on,

spotting his mother and father sat together, a man in a purple turban and

then he stopped, his eyes widening slightly. He was older than he

remembered, but the time that past didn't actively show; his Godfather

looked handsome and somewhat rougish as ever. Right next to him was

his uncle Remus, a scar on the left side of his face adding to the strong

image he seemed to hold. Harry shook himself out of it, he had to focus

on the sorting and then he would worry about his Godfather and uncle.

He just had to stay calm for a few more hours.

Harry wasn't the only one surveying the room. Up at the top table, one

man was critically eyeing the new arrivals with a sharp eye. Sat next to

Sirius Black, Severus Snape easily picked out his Godson, the Malfoy hair

glowing in the candle light. He watched Draco be called and enter his

House before the hat had even touched his head, he nearly rolled his eyes

at the smug look that came to the boy's face and he pranced, much like

his father, over to the clapping Slytherin table. There was a boy, the one

he was sat next to, clapping for him also, and Snape's eyes narrowed; he

couldn't place the child. He dismissed him being a Muggleborn, Draco

knew tolerance through Narcissa, but he wouldn't have befriended one

unless there were extremely extenuating circumstances. They reached the

P's and Snape felt the automatic sneer of disgust curl on to his face when

he heard the name "Potter" be called out, just waiting for the jumped up

brat of a girl to flounce up.

He had quite the surprise when instead of hearing "Rosina" following, he

heard "Harry", and the boy who had been clapping for Draco walked up

to the stool. He was the picture of Pureblood Heir. His back was straight,

his steps were perfectly measured and when he took his seat it was with

much more grace than most adults could hope to achieve. Severus also

didn't fail to notice the near aneurism Black seemed to have when the

name was called, nor did he fail to hear the almost silent whine that

escaped Remus. They looked at the child with a longing so strong that

Snape looked away; he just knew this child had something to do with the

legendary split between Black and Potter.

Their relationship had been rocky since the fall of the Dark Lord, they

barely spoke, and when they did it was short, sharp and tense. It had

come to a head around a year after their initial fall out. Snape would

remember the screaming match that had happened in the entrance hall

for many years, with Black calling Potter the lowest form of scum on the

planet and that he would rather return and apologise to his mother than

even associate with Potter again. Given the very well known utter hatred

that was mutual between the late Walburga Black and the Black Lord, it

said a huge amount and ever since Black changed. He became Lord Sirius

Black, he grew up and went up. And when Black had come with a

genuine apology and explanation behind his behaviour in school, Severus

had accepted.

He still found it hard to believe that he was actually, dare he say it,

friends with Black. Not just Black! No, Lupin too. The werewolf had

changed a lot. Whatever had made Black split from Potter had obviously

involved Lupin too, because the man had given James Potter such a

dangerous look when the man had last approached him that it had made

Severus shudder. There had been no gentle man behind that expression.

With glowing amber eyes, and a sharp edge to his face that wasn't

normally there, he looked as dangerous as he actually was.

Severus felt his surprise turn in to outright shock as the hat almost

screamed out Slytherin before it had even approached the boy's head,

moving its pointed top and waving the boy a way. Snape caught the boy's

expression, not a touch of surprise on his face, no but there was one thing

that shone out; pride. He glided over to the Slytherin table, sitting next to

Draco and giving him a look that screamed "I told you so".

"Oh well done, Puppy,"

Severus looked at Sirius, who had an almost savage grin on his face, and

though it was obvious he was talking about the Harry, he was looking

down the Head table. Severus spotted what he was looking at and felt his

own expression curl in to a smirk. James Potter was practically frothing

at the mouth as he glared at his son, who had the audacity to offer a

cheerful little wave to his father, openly smirking at the man. The year

suddenly didn't look as horrible as he first thought it would be.

Harry almost laughed as Julius directed him to Salazar's house before he

had even touched his head, the hat recognised him immediately and he

was only too pleased to take his seat next to Draco. The blond flashed a

smirk at his placement, nodded at Harry's "I told you so" look. The raven

haired boy didn't even bother trying to stop his smirk when he saw his

father's look of absolute disgusted horror, he even offered a cheerful

wave to the man when a glare overcome his features. He watched his

twin be called up next, the entire hall bursting in to whispers, though

they didn't seem all that positive from the Slytherin end of the room,

much to his amusement. When Julius called out Gryffindor, the House of

Lions burst in to outrageously loud cheers and Harry sneered; how Godric

would be ashamed.

While he may have been the most lax when it came to decorum, he knew

when there was no time or acceptance in such behaviour and if he had

been in place when his house had acted as such in the Great Hall, right in

the middle of the sorting ceremony… Harry shuddered. The entire house

would have been chopping wood for the entire castle for a week –

without magic! The sorting continued, finishing with Blaise Zabini being

placed in Slytherin, and then the Headmaster rose to speak. He had his

arms open wide, projecting an image of a kindly grandfather, but Harry

didn't buy it for a second; Merlin had taught him all about Dumbledore.

"Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." He said them all, "I have just a

few words before we get befuddled by are magnificent feast and they are:

Nitwit. Blubber. Oddment. And tweak. Thank you."

The tables were suddenly filled with every kind of food the students

could imagine and the hall burst in to sound. Harry was very pleased to

note that his expression of incredulous distaste was mirrored on every

member of the Slytherin House over Dumbledore's words. He turned to

focus on his years mates, most of which seemed to already know each

other and were looking at him as if he was a strange, exotic animal.

"Yes, I am unfortunately a Potter. Yes, I broke tradition and ended up in

Slytherin. No, I am not upset over that fact. No, I am nothing like my

wondrous twin." Harry said coolly, looking at him pointedly. They

introduced themselves then, and Harry made a note of the names behind

the faces; they were all of Pureblood Houses too. They didn't openly ask

about his existence, but Harry knew they wanted to know, and he was

sure it would come out eventually that the Potters had given him up.

Harry cast a look around the hall. The Gryffindor House was the loudest

and he shook his head, he hoped that Godric's portrait never had to see

them, because the man would be so ashamed. Though, he might be able

to talk some sense in to them.

The Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables weren't so bad, he would actually

have to see their members interact to pass judgement. The Slytherin table

was acting how Salazar would have wished, composed and calm, and

eating with complete decorum. Harry started him meal, almost sighing in

delight at tasting the wonderful cooking of the Hogwarts elves; he would

have to go and see them. When the last remnants of food disappeared,

Dumbledore rose again to speak. He gave out the necessary

announcements, where Harry's eyebrows shot up when he was told the

dark forest was out of bounds; how would they learn how to gather

ingredients for potions? Or learn stealth and tracking?

Dumbledore's warning about the third floor corridor gained his interest,

and the apparent danger surrounding it, what was hidden there? And

when could Harry go and get it? Following the speech, the tables started

filing out, with voices of prefects calling for the first years to follow

them. Harry walked with Draco, pushing their way towards the door so

they could move down to the dungeons, only Harry found his path

blocked. James Potter stood in front of him, his expression dark as he

eyed Harry and the other Slytherin's with distaste.

"Come with me, we're going to the Headmaster's office." James ordered.

"Why?"

"You need to be resorted."

"No thank you." Harry replied instantly, "If that's all, I have Housemates

to catch up with." Harry went to walk away but James grabbed his arm

in a tight grip, yanking him in the opposite direction.

"It wasn't a suggestion." James snapped.

"Get off me!" Harry yelled, trying to get free.

"No, we're going to the Headmaster's office and having a resort." James

repeated.

"I said: Get. Off." Harry growled, making his magic turn his skin red hot.

James yelped, drawing back his hand and shaking it. Harry gave him a

black look, drawing himself up and storming off, heading towards the

Headmaster's tower. He wouldn't put it past his dearest father to seek him

out daily until he had a stupid resort. Of course, he would make sure he

went back to Slytherin. His feet carried him the familiar way and he

ignored James, who was glaring and holding his hand, completely,

sneering as the man moved in front as if he was leading him. The man

uttered the password under his breath and the statue jumped to the side,

revealing the moving spiral staircase that gave access to the office. Harry

came face to face with six other people, his mother and the Headmaster

being two of them, Harry assumed that the other four were the Heads of

Houses seeing as Professor Snape was there and Draco had told him as

much.

"Ah, James, you found young Harry." Dumbledore said pleasantly.

"I was hardly hiding." Harry pointed out blandly.

"He'll be resorted, Professor." James said, "The hat obviously made a huge

mistake. Potters are never in Slytherin."

"Perhaps if I had been raised a Potter instead of being cast aside for the

best we might be facing a different case." Harry drawled coldly, eyeing

James with a great distaste. "As it is, I missed out on that undoubtedly

wondrous experience and have been placed in Slytherin House. I see no

reason to dispute this."

"Harry, why don't you take a seat?" Dumbledore suggested kindly.

"No thank you, Headmaster. I would prefer to stand, I don't intend to be

here long." Harry replied.

"Very well, put the hat on him."

McGonagall placed the hat on his head and it yelled Slytherin again

instantly, much to Harry's amusement.

"He cannot be a Slytherin!" James exclaimed, "He's a Potter."

"If there is one thing I am certain it is that this boy belongs in Salazar's

House." The hat snapped, "To place him elsewhere would be a travesty."

"You have to sort him somewhere else." James yelled.

"I refuse. My decision stand. I will hear nothing else of it." The hat

declared, falling dormant on Harry's head, telling the boy to come visit

him when he could in his mind. James stormed out of the office in a

rage, Lily cast a troubled look at her son before rushing after James.

"Well that was a huge waste of time." Harry said mock brightly, "I do

apologise for taking you all away from your duties."

"Come, Mr Potter. I must speak with my Snakes, and you are one of

them." Professor Snape instructed, "Headmaster."

"I will speak with you tomorrow, Severus." Dumbledore said. Harry

happily followed Snape out of the office and down the familiar route to

the dungeons. Harry honestly believed that he could be blindfolded in

any part of the castle and still find his way back to Salazar's domain.

They came to the plain stone wall that Harry knew was the entrance to

the Slytherin dormitories. Salazar had used the plain wall as a constant

reminder that looks can be deceiving.

"This is the entrance to Slytherin House." Snape told him, and Harry

blinked, remembering that this was supposed to his first time to the

castle, so he nodded to show he understood. "The current password is

'basilisk'. It will be changed every month with the noticed pinned on the

notice board."

The wall had slid open on the word 'basilisk' to reveal the Slytherin

common room. The rest of the House was milling around in the room,

obviously waiting for something and Harry guessed it was the Professor.

Harry glanced up at Snape to check he was allowed to go and the man

motioned for him to go. He took up a place next to Draco, flashing a grin

at his surprised look.

"Everything is in order, sir." One of the prefects spoke from the far side of

the room as Snape moved to stand in front of the grand black marble

fireplace, a spot Harry knew was visible from all possible angles of the

room.

"Welcome to Slytherin." Professor Snape began, directing his speech to

the first years. His voice was like silk, low and perfectly measured to

travel through the entire common room without difficulty. He had a

presence about him that kept the room utterly silent, but within the

House Harry felt no hostility or fear. All of the older years seemed to

respect the man quite a bit.

"I am Professor Severus Snape, your Head of House and the Potions

Master of this school. As a new member of this House there are a few

rules that you must know and learn to abide by. Outside these walls you

will face prejudice and discrimination because of your House selection:

Slytherin House is not seen in a positive light. Because of this, all Snakes,

while not within our main territory, will appear as a united front. Even if

you utterly despise a fellow Housemate, outside these walls you will

allow none of this to show. If you see a fellow Housemate in need of aid,

you will help them. This rule is non-negotiable." He looked at each of

them to make sure they understood before continuing.

"We are Slytherin, and this House champions cunning. Should you,

perchance, deviate from the written rules: Do. Not. Get. Caught. If you

think you may be caught, have an alibi at your disposal. And if you are

caught, make sure that it's by me." Snape gave them a look that promised

a steep retribution should they be caught at all, and Harry very nearly

grinned; Salazar had given him the same look a hundred times. "The

prejudice you face, unfortunately, also extends to members of this

faculty. They will believe the words of another House over you in a

heartbeat. So if you have any problems, any issues or any concerns, you

are free to come and speak to me at any time. My office can be accessed

through the painting of the stirring cauldrons, and if you are unsure a

prefect or older student will show you the way."

Harry's attention snapped around when two people walked out of the

painting mentioned, his eyes widened slightly as he saw his Godfather

and uncle step through and walk over to Professor Snape.

"These are Professors Black and Lupin-Black, our History Professors. If

you are unable to find me, they are also available and can be trusted.

Should you find yourself in trouble in higher areas of the castle, you will

find it easier to seek either of them out and they will be able to bring you

directly to me." Snape moved his attention back to the House as a whole,

looking around to check their attentions.

"All first and second years are to travel in groups unless absolutely

necessary and your curfew is at 8pm during the week and 9pm on

weekends and holidays. I expect the prefects to organise and structure

study sessions where necessary and see to it that our younger members

are settling and adjusting accordingly. Any concerns you may have can,

of course, be brought to me. Marcus Flint is the current Captain of the

Quidditch team, any inquires of the sport are to be directed to him."

Snape paused, regarding them all for a moment before he spoke again,

this time his tone was caution and very serious.

"As you all would have noticed, we have two new members of faculty this

year; James Potter is now our Flying Instructor and Lily Potter our

Arithmancy Professor."

There was an outbreak of whispers at that, and Harry felt many sets of

eyes glance at him. He kept his mask in place, keeping his back straight

and his head turned towards the Professor easily; they would soon know

he was nothing like his so called family. The room fell silent with a look

from their Head of House, and he nodded.

"I offer you this single warning. They are not your friends."

His tone belayed the real message; avoid them as much as possible, and

when you can't, the rules became your doctrine.

"Are there any questions?"

When there was a negative response, he nodded dismissing the House to

do as they pleased. A ripple of noise sounded as friends reconnected and

people made their way up to the dormitories. Harry noticed his

Godfather and uncle lingering by the main entrance and he felt his heart

jump a little when he looked up and met Sirius's eyes. There were a

myriad of emotions in those clear grey eyes and Harry knew his were just

the same.

"Harry – Mr Potter, may I speak with you for a moment." Sirius asked and

Harry nodded, not being able to answer verbally. He followed the man

out almost unconsciously, his mind whirling about what could possibly

happen. Sirius and Remus led him up through the castle and Harry

wondered where they were going, Remus must have caught his

expression because he spoke.

"Please do not be alarmed, we just don't want to be overheard. The walls

have ears."

Harry nodded again, his nerves on end as they came to a portrait and it

opened to reveal a living quarters. Remus moved over to stand behind

the squishy chair, offering him a seat as Sirius took up pacing in front of

the fire.

"I know this is strange," Sirius said, "I didn't really think this one through.

You are probably wondering who the hell I am, and Moony did tell me to

be rational, but I was never really good at that and-,"

"Padfoot," Remus interrupted gently and Sirius took a deep breath,

turning to face Harry.

"Right. Ok. You probably don't remember, and I am a hundred percent

sure your father wouldn't have told you, but my name is Sirius Black and

when you were born I was named your Godfather." Sirius said, "It was a

full bond, which means I'm still your Godfather. And I thought you

should know, because – you know, just in case you need anything or

want someone to talk to or-,"

He was cut off because all of Harry's self-restraint snapped and he

launched himself at the man, wrapping his arms around him and burying

his face in his chest. Just knowing that everything Merlin had said over

the years, that his Godfather would still want to know him when he got

back regardless of his father.

"It's so good to see you, uncle Siri," Harry murmured. He found himself

picked up and hugged closer to the man, and he relished in the feeling. It

was silly, but it made him feel so much less alone. Sirius placed him back

on his feet, not even bothering to hide his emotions; his smile was

positively glowing. Harry looked over to see Remus stood back a bit, but

it was impossible to miss the longing on his face and Harry rushed over,

treating him to the same treatment as his Godfather.

"Uncle Moony!"

"Harry, my little cub." He murmured, holding him close, "You're all

grown up and so big!"

When they all sat down, Remus didn't seem to want to let him go so

Harry got comfortable on his lap, not minding at all. Godric used to do

the same thing when he was in certain moods.

"You remember us?" Sirius statement was phrased like a question and

Harry smiled, nodding his head.

"I have an eidetic memory, I remember everything." He told them. They

looked both impressed and alarmed at that, sharing a look before Sirius

spoke again.

"We tried to find you, to bring you back." He said seriously, his voice

almost begging Harry to understand. "I demanded you be given to me but

Potter refused. I hadn't had my Lordship at this point, so unless I could

find you and prove without a doubt that your father's judgement was

unsuitable for your living conditions there would be nothing I could do.

By the time I had received my Lordship and gathered credibility, Potter

was too famous and well respected. Anything that happens to him

bounces off immediately and we still couldn't find you to prove

anything."

"Don't worry, uncle Siri. I believe you." Harry assured, "I know you did

everything in your power to find me."

"How are you?" Moony asked meaningfully, "How did you grow up with

magic with those muggles." His tone was slightly disgusted, having

personally met Petunia and Vernon Dursley he hated to think what his

poor cub had been subjected to. They both looked at him as if he was

mad when he grinned, and when he noticed the looks Harry's expression

went slightly mischievous. Merlin had told him that it would better if he

was honest with his Godfather and uncle from the start, they had tried so

hard to find him and cared so much about him that the aged warlock

didn't doubt that they could be trusted. He had also pointed out that it

was impossible to build a strong, true connection upon a foundation of

lies.

"I didn't quite make it to the muggles when Dumbledore dropped me off."

Harry said, "He thought it a good idea to leave me on the doorstep and

someone else came along and took me instead."

"What?" they both exclaimed, looking relieved that he didn't have to

suffer the muggles and alarmed that some unknown person had picked

him up.

"Who was it?" Sirius demanded.

"And were they nice to you growing up?" Remus added.

"Would you believe me if I told you it was Merlin who found me and took

me to live at Hogwarts with the four Founders, who were absolutely

wonderful." Harry asked and was met with utter silence. When they

continued to look at him blankly, Harry laughed. "Merlin took me to the

Founders to change the fates. He said that should I continue on the two

paths set for me, it would either mean the end of the world or the end of

magic itself. I grew up here, in these halls, when it was first made. They

took me in, raised me, cared for me and taught me everything they

could."

"You were raised by the four Founders over a thousand years ago." Remus

repeated.

"Yes,"

"And it was Merlin who took you."

"Yes."

"Are you sure?" Sirius questioned and Harry snorted.

"Very sure. The five of them made me their blood and magical Heir for

my eleventh birthday." Harry told them proudly, allowing them to see his

ring flash between the House rings. He was met with another silence, but

this one was more of a stunned one rather than disbelief.

"Well shit."

Harry burst in to giggles at Sirius stunned words, laughing harder when

Moony reached over and hit him, warning him about his language,

especially in front of Harry. Sirius rubbed his arm, pouting slightly,

though he shot Harry a wink and a grin when Remus looked away.

"I cannot believe you actually grew up with the Founders." Remus said in

wonder. "What was it like?"

"Want to see some of the things I brought back with me?" Harry asked.

"Yes!"

He snapped his fingers, bringing his trunk to him and opening it up once

he had got up off of Moony. He dug out some of his old styles robes and

some of the gifts he had received from the Founders, telling them about

the stories behind them with a happy sort of sadness. He was telling them

the story of how he had shot Salazar as they admired his bow when

Aressa made her presence known. Sirius, who caught sight of her first,

made a sound bats would perceive as a signal to them and physically

leaped up and over the sofa. Harry was momentarily bewildered, but

when he caught sight of what had caused such an extreme reaction he

roared with laughter, hunching over and struggling to breathe.

"Dear Circe," He gasped, "What was that?"

"You have a snake." Sirius stated, eyeing Aressa like she was about to eat

him, despite her small size.

"Yes. This is Aressa. Salazar gave her to me as a gift for my eleventh

birthday." Harry told them.

"But they are all slithery and hissy and snakey." Sirius said, shuddering

and Remus muffled his own laughter when Harry replied with "It's

because they're snakes." He cast a mild warming charm on his robes at

the top of his arm, using the directional version of the spell that Row had

showed him. Aressa slithered back up, seeking the additional heat and

settling back to sleep. Only then did Sirius deem it safe to return to his

seat.

"I am going to take a mild guess and say your parents do not know of

your upbringing." Sirius hedged. "And that you won't be telling them any

time in the near or distant future."

"Lily and James Potter will never be my parents." Harry stated surely,

"They lost that right when they sent me to live with muggles and soon

they will truly understand the mistake that they made."

"You are going to give them utter hell, aren't you?" Remus said amused,

and the expression that came to Harry's face was answer enough.

"I almost feel sympathy." Sirius muttered, grinning. He glanced at his

watch and yelped, leaping to his feet again. "It's getting late, and I said to

Severus I would have you back soon."

"Can I come back?" Harry asked.

"Of course you can, pup." Sirius replied cheerfully.

"Any time you want," Remus assured, "The password is sanctuary."

"I'll send you through the floo, that way you can go straight to the

common room through Severus' office." Sirius said. Harry shrunk his

trunk and hugged Moony goodnight, moving towards the fire and waiting

for Sirius to throw the powder.

"Severus, I'm sending Harry through." He said and then motioned for

Harry to step in, after he had gotten his own hug. Harry stepped out of

the other grate, mentally cursing the unpleasantness of the floo system,

and nodded to his Professor.

"I advise you go straight to bed, Mr Potter. You are expected in the

common room at 7am to be shown to the Great Hall with the rest of the

first years."

"Yes, sir, of course. Goodnight." He left via the portrait he was pointed to,

going through the tunnel and coming out in the common room. He went

straight upstairs and found the first years plaque on the first door in as

per custom. All the first year boys were inside and on a bed leaving only

one free, Harry moved over to the bed nearest the fake window,

unshrinking his trunk with a wave of his hand and snapping his fingers to

pull out his night wear. He still slept in the blue tunic he had stolen from

Godric over black sleep trousers he had bought when he went shopping,

so he vanishing in to the bathroom to prepare for bed, unaware of the

stunned looks he received from his dorm mates.

"Did anyone else see that?" Theo was the first to ask, breaking their

silence.

"He used wandless magic," Blaise confirmed.

"He doesn't like to use his wand, apparently." Draco told them, "He said

so on the train."

"He doesn't like to use it?" Blaise repeated, "So he just doesn't? Wandless

magic is almost impossible."

"I couldn't tell you." Draco admitted, "Before the summer when I first saw

him in Madam Malkins, I didn't even know he existed."

Harry emerged from the bathroom changed, dropping down on to his bed

with a muted sigh.

"I'm surprised to see you back, your father…" Draco trailed off, not

needing to say exactly what Harry's father had been like. Harry flashed

him a grin.

"The hat refused to put me anywhere else so they had to leave me here."

Harry told him, very pleased.

"I bet James Potter loved that." Theo muttered and Harry looked over at

him with a smirk.

"I would say he was delighted, it was really emphasised when he stormed

out of Dumbledore's office."

They shared a laugh at that and Harry leant back against his headboard.

"Do any of you have an aversion to snakes?"

They all shook their heads and Harry nodded, moving Aressa from his

arm on to his bedpost, casting a warming charm on the whole frame for

her comfort.

"You have a pet snake?" Blaise exclaimed, "Is that safe."

"Aressa is harmless," Harry assured, and them he tilted his head, "Unless

you decide to attack me. Then I make no promises."

They seemed to accept his word for now, casting a cautious eye on the

serpent before continuing their own nightly rituals. Harry got under the

covers and closed his hangings for the night, he felt a hundred times

better than he had since he had returned to his own time and, that night,

he fell asleep easily, looking forward to the next day.

It was going to be fun.

So there we have it, Harry's arrival at Hogwarts and his meeting

Sirius. How did you like it? Let me know what you think please

guys!

Jess*

6. Chapter 6

A/N: Hey everyone, I've been fixing and cleaning again and this is

the final result; I hope you like it.

For all those who are new to this fic – HI! Thanks for reading, and

don't let my ramblings put you off.

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: None for this chapter, I don't think. Possible language?

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 6:

Harry was awake, dressed and on his second book by the time the rest of

the boys even stirred, he was used to getting up early and it was only on

a rare occasion he stayed in bed. Harry had his school bag packed with

all his lesson books and his chosen extras ready to go, he knew there was

a strong possibility he was going to be bored in class, but Merlin had told

him it enabled him to do other things with his time.

He would be able to gain connections, work on separate projects and try

and sort through the whole dark and light issues in the current time. He

cast a tempus and rose to his feet, it was approaching the time where the

prefects would be leading then up to the Great Hall so Harry went back

in to the dorm to tell Aressa not to get caught and to make sure the rest

of the boys were up and at least getting ready. Slytherin was a united

front after all.

"How in Merlin's are you ready already?" Draco exclaimed.

"I've been reading for like 2 hours." Harry said with a shrug, "Now if you

want to eat hurry up." Harry stroked Aressa before leaving the scurrying

pre-teens in favour for his books. Draco was the first to immerge, looking

slightly disgruntled but his attire was impeccable and he was ready to go

for the day. Some of the girls had arrived by that point, and they were

milling around the common room waiting for the prefects. Crabbe and

Goyle were the last people to arrive, just in time because two prefects

came down and nodded to them.

"This will only happen today unless you believe you will have difficulty

finding your own way to the Great Hall." The male prefect told them. "If

you do have problems, speak with one of us, and if you cannot find up

speak to Professor Snape who will pass on the message to us."

They were taken the long way to the Great Hall, much to Harry's

aggravation and he made a note to show Draco, at least, the quicker way

of getting to the Hall. Harry helped himself to breakfast, waiting for his

timetable to be handed out and striking up conversation with Draco

about what classes the other was looking forward to. Harry took his

timetable happily when Professor Snape came around to hand the out,

though his mood was slightly diminished when he realised he wouldn't

have Potions until the following Friday.

"Shall we go to Charms?" Theodore asked and they nodded. The entire

first year rose and left together, getting nods of approval from the older

years. They had a basic map on the back of their timetables, but Harry

noted that it was the long way to the classroom and they would be there

only just in time; not a way he wanted to start his first day of school.

"Ignore the map and follow me." Harry said to them, walking up the first

flight of stairs and then turning left instead of continuing up.

"But we haven't got time to explore." One of the girls said.

"Yeah, and if we're late on the first day Professor Snape will be really

mad." Blaise added.

"Don't worry, we're not exploring." Harry said, leading them through a

portrait of a man who was making his cutlery and crockery dance. They

moved through the sloping corridor quickly and came to an apparent

blank wall, Harry tapped the top left corner and it swung open, bringing

them out on the Charms corridor.

"Tah dah!"

"How could you have possibly known that?" Draco demanded and Harry

smirked.

"I'm just that good." Harry stated. Realising that they were not going to

get anything else out of him, they all slipping on their masks and waited

for the rest of Ravenclaw House to arrive. Harry noted that the other

House didn't seem to have the same rules as Slytherin, because they were

going individually or in pairs. The Professor was the tiny Flitwick, Harry

surmised that he was part Goblin, who took the register and started right

on with his lecture. Harry was disappointed, but unsurprised, when

Flitwick started with the basics of Charms, including the twelve wand

movements, none of which Harry used himself and it made him sigh

when he realised he would have to actively use his wand.

How tiring.

It wasn't a bad class, but Harry understood more how advanced he was

and how different the teaching was these days. The Slytherins looked at

Harry when the class was over and he was only too happy to lead them

to Transfiguration. They were early with Harry's shortcut so they waited

for the Gryffindors to arrive, and when they did they were loud and

rowdy and disorganised. Each and every Slytherin held perfect posture

and expression, not even deeming the Lions worthy of their disdain, and

entered the classroom silently.

Professor McGonagall was strict and precise and Harry felt that Rowena

would appreciate her teaching style, she turned her desk in to a pig and

back with mere flicks of her wand and Harry was quite impressed; she

didn't even look like she focused on it at all. She gave a brief lecture

before handing out matches and instructing the class on how they were

to turn it to a needle, putting them right to work. Harry's match became a

perfect needle instantly, gaining him ten points to Slytherin much to the

Gryffindors ire and Slytherin pleasure. His sister, who he had thankfully

not seen since the sorting, looked particularly irate and Harry was not

surprised that she stopped him on the way down to lunch.

"You think you're so good, don't you?" She spat at him, "You don't even

care."

Harry raised an eyebrow at her, declining to answer and that seemed to

annoy her even more.

"You were just welcomed back in to our family, in to House Potter, and

then you go and dishonour it. Becoming a slimy Slytherin and then not

even getting resorted."

"Yes, I was just welcomed back. I was welcomed back when I shouldn't

have needed to be in the first place, because I shouldn't have been sent

away." Harry drawled and Rosina sneered.

"You are so obviously jealous." She stated, "You can't have everything I

have so you're trying to bring me down, trying to show me up. But it

won't work, I'm loved and famous, I'm the Girl-Who-Lived and you are no

one."

"Trying to show you up? Circe, your ego keeps growing by the day."

Harry said incredulously, "I don't care about you and even if I did I

wouldn't need to try and show you up. You do a wonderful job of that

without my help."

"Just you wait, daddy is so angry with you and you're going to be in so

much trouble."

"Seeing as I don't have a father I won't wait in suspense." Harry replied

coldly, turning and walking away, feeling rather than seeing the rest of

his Slytherin year forming a protective half circle around him. He very

nearly groaned out loud when he saw his 'father' heading in his direction,

and Harry was about to make a break for it in the opposite direction

when he caught sight of his Godfather coming up from the dungeons.

Harry ducked under James' outstretched arm, running and jumping in to

Sirius' arms and making sure to call out "Uncle Siri!" loud enough for

James to hear. He felt his Godfather snicker in to his shoulder as he was

set on the man's hip.

"What excellent timing." Sirius muttered.

"BLACK!" Potter shouted, storming over to them, though Sirius kept out

of immediate reach.

"What do you want, Potter?" Sirius questioned sharply, his voice so cold

that Harry was quite surprised.

"Put my son down this instant." He demanded.

"I believe that it is Harry's decision as to whether or not I carry him

around." Sirius stated.

"Harry, get down this instant. Did I not expressly tell you we do not

associate with people such as him?"

"I'm actually quite comfortable right now, so if you could ask me again at

a later time I might because to change my obvious answer of no." Harry

returned.

"It wasn't a suggestion," James snapped, reaching out for him. He found

himself coming face to face with Sirius' wand, and an expression of cold

fury from the Black Lord.

"You took him away from me once. You will have to kill me before I let

you do it again." Sirius hissed lowly, "Watch yourself, Potter. Our

positions are a lot different to what they were ten years ago."

James gave them both nasty looks before stalking away, knowing a lost

battle when he saw one.

"So how was your first day, Pup?" Sirius asked, his previously angry

demeanour vanishing with Potter.

"Good, but everything has been easy so far. I actually have to use my

wand." He sounded incredibly put out and Sirius snorted, though he

wasn't the only one. Draco had stayed with him, sending the rest of the

House on as they were now with a Professor.

"Merlin forbids." He threw at him with a smirk and Harry pouted.

"It's so much effort."

"And doing everything wandlessly isn't?" Draco returned, only half in

mocking.

"No! It's so much simpler; you only have to direct your magic then."

"I'll take your word for it." The blond said.

"Have any other problems?" Sirius wondered, placing him back on his

own two feet.

"No, nothing, unless you count my delightful sister."

"She's bothering you already? I'm not really surprised. She has been

brought up waited no hand and foot, nothing has ever been denied to her

because of her status and it hasn't changed over the years." Sirius said in

disgust.

"It shows." Harry said.

"I can't believe she's allowed to act like that, my mother would punish me

until the end of the next century should I show such a lack of decorum."

Draco said with a shudder, and Harry knew the feeling; Sal would have

strung him up!

"Narcissa is still as scary as ever then." Sirius noted, "Terrified the living

daylights in to me when I was younger."

"Mother said you used to be quite close." Draco said and Sirius nodded, a

sigh escaping him.

"We were, once. But the war happened and things got messed up." Sirius

allowed, "Looking back, I should have done so many things differently,

but its pointless to linger on 'what ifs'."

"You should write to her again." Draco suggested, "I know she would like

that."

Sirius looked at him in surprise.

"You know, I might do that. There is nothing to be lost from it." He

agreed, then he turned back to Harry. "Draco's mother is my cousin."

"I thought so," Harry said. Sirius walked them to their places on the

Slytherin table and was about to head up to his own placement when he

remembered something.

"In case you are not aware, James is not all that pleased with your

placement and will be doing anything to 'show you the right way to be'."

Sirius told him and Harry grinned.

"So I'll do the opposite of everything he does." Harry declared, making

Sirius chuckle slightly.

"Yeah, pretty much. I'll see you later, Pup."

"Bye, uncle Siri."

Harry sat down to eat opposite Draco, helping himself to some ham and

potatoes before acknowledging the looks he was getting from his year

mates.

"He's my Godfather." He answered, knowing exactly why they were

shooting him questioning looks. They each got a look of comprehension

before the public masks were back in place. None of them stayed at the

table for long, wanting to get down to the greenhouses with plenty of

time to spare and unfortunately Harry didn't know any shortcuts to them,

but he did know the way.

Harry wasn't much of a fan of Herbolgy, struggling a bit on the subject

and he knew that while he had the edge over the rest of his year mates,

he would struggle on plants he had never seen before. Dormant magic

subject were just not made for him. He did quite like Professor Sprout,

and she made understanding everything very easy, seemingly

understanding that Herbology wasn't the masses favourite subject. It was

a double session and the Slytherins hurried back down to their dorms,

wanting to get cleaned up before they went to their study session. Harry

couldn't believe that they had a free period on the first day, it was

completely ridiculous especially when there were so many things they

could be learning. Merlin had said the curriculum had changed quite a

bit, but it was another one of those things he had left for Harry to

experience himself. It was different, and he wasn't all that happy with it,

being used to being so busy all the time, but he would get used to it.

Harry's first week at school in his own time was surprisingly brilliant. He

was, with no surprise to himself, the instant top of all his classes. He

would accept nothing less of himself. He had been avoiding James Potter

expertly, but there had been a few close calls. The closest being when

James had finally cornered him and made a grab for him, Harry found

himself lifted in to the air and set on his uncle Moony's hip, protectively

held close to the man as he gave James a truly dangerous look that had

the man backing up quickly. Harry didn't really blame him, he had seen

the wolf come out in his uncle, his eyes starting to light up amber and his

lip drawing back from his teeth – Harry was pretty sure he would make a

hasty retreat too.

When Friday finally arrived, Harry was practically bouncing with

excitement for his Potions class. Even though he knew that whatever

would be taught to him that day wouldn't even be close to a challenge for

him, he couldn't help but feel that it had been much too long since his

last Potions lesson, not even lesson just time in the lab. First years were

not allowed to use the labs on their own. Harry hopped that he would be

able to speak with the Professor to get that slightly amended, he loved to

brew and just the thought of only being able to do so in class was

horrifying. His dorm mates, having seen him pour through numerous

Potions texts, some of which they didn't even know existed, all knew

what was making him so twitchy.

Draco finally got annoyed with his pacing and muttering under his breath

that he forcefully sat Harry down to wait for the rest of their year mates.

The blond was quite excited to be taught by his Godfather, but at the

same time he was nervous because he knew the high standard the man

expected from all of his students and he was worried that he would have

forgotten everything he had been taught previously. Harry's bright mood

was noticeable to anyone who had the right eye, and up at the Head

table there was one who was eyeing the boy with a somewhat

questioning expression.

"What has your Godson deviating from his usual perfect calm?" Severus

asked Sirius, who was sat next to him.

"I would assume the same thing that has your Godson doing the same."

Sirius responded, and then he grinned. "Harry has been so excited about

Potions all week that I thought he might combust if this day didn't hurry

and come around."

"Really?"

"Oh yeah, he's an absolute Potions fanatic. He's been going on and on

about it all week." Sirius told him, "I think you might have a little

admirer in him."

"Admirer?" Snape repeated and Sirius chuckled.

"You should hear him talk about your work in Potions. He has all of your

books, even that ridiculously rare one that's on obscure Potions insight,

and he's been offering us random facts about your work followed by how

amazing it is." Sirius grinned, "It's quite adorable really."

"Do you know if he has brewed before?" Severus asked.

"Yeah, he has. It's his absolute favourite subject." Sirius answered.

"I shall have to watch him during my lesson, then."

"I do not think you will be disappointed." Sirius assured. Severus cast a

critical eye over the boy in question, wondering if Sirius was being

generous or the boy was actually good. Harry had finally calmed himself

enough to eat with the proper decorum and then take out his current

Potions text, he had memorised it, of course, given that majority of the

information was already known by him, but the bits he didn't he had

made sure to memorise it. He hadn't heard much on the Professors

teaching style, only that he favoured Slytherins and was the strictest

teacher in the school. His attention snapped up when his 'father' came to

a halt behind him, looking at the entire table with open disgust.

"Your mother and I believe it would be best if you spent the weekend

with us." James stated and Harry looked at him blankly.

"No thank you."

"It wasn't an option. You will be collected after dinner. If you don't you'll

have detention and lose points."

"You cannot do that!" Harry exclaimed.

"I can and I will."

"Fine," Harry snapped, rising to his feet, "But let it be well known that I

would rather do anything else with my time than spend it in your

presence." He stormed off after that, unable to stay in the man's vicinity.

He realised, when he got to the doors, that he had forgotten his bag, so

he snapped his finger and plucked it from the air when it appeared. His

feet took him to the Potions classroom, noting with a pang that it was the

very same room that Salazar used to teach in and he sighed. He knew he

shouldn't have stormed out, Sal would lecture him how he wasn't

supposed to allow the enemy to show they were getting to him, but it

was just so hard with James Potter.

There was something about the man's upstart behaviour that just set him

off, how he actually believed that casting a child out because the other

was suddenly famous was ok literally stunned Harry, and that he

believed his words and showed no remorse for his actions. Harry didn't

think he would ever understand. The only reason he would ever give up a

child of his was if there was no other choice, and he would never ever

send them to muggles. The notion was completely inconceivable. He

noticed, with a start, he was almost fifteen minutes early to the lesson

because he hadn't finished his breakfast, so he sat down, using the air

around him to make him a chair, and cracked open his book again.

If anything would settle his mind it was Potions. He didn't rouse until

Draco nudged him, and he rose to his feet, clearing his expression and

shooting the blond a nod of gratitude. The Gryffindors came down as

loud as always, Harry could hear them speaking about how Snape was

the worst teacher in the school and how he hated Gryffindors. They were

shut up when the door slammed open startling them, and Harry very

nearly grinned; Salazar used to do the same thing. He said that if the

students were not prepared to hear a door slam when they were not

focusing on potentially lethal concoctions then they had no business

being in a lab. Harry thought it was because he loved scaring the crap in

to people, but he never actually voiced that thought to the man.

The Slytherins entered first, silently and in a single file, taking their seats

without haste, though Harry was sure to grab the front desk with Draco

and Theo. The door slammed shut once the Gryffindors had got in,

whispering amongst themselves as they got to their seats, they fell silent

as Professor Snape strode to the front of the room, his black robes

billowing behind him ominously. He took the register and paused when

he came to Rosina's name.

"Ah yes, Rosina Potter. Our new celebrity." The final word was send with

a touch of disdain, and Rosina flushed, glaring up at Snape. Harry

couldn't help but smirk, Rosina would be getting absolutely no special

treatment in this class apparently. Once he had finished he rose and

stood in front of his desk, crossing his arms and regarding them coolly.

He had that ability to keep the room utterly silent without doing

anything, and then he began to speak.

"There will be no foolish wand waving or silly incantations in this class.

As such, some of you will not appreciate the subtle science and art which

is Potions." He spoke softly, his voice carrying through the room

effortlessly and Harry felt himself leaving forward, absently flicking his

wrist to make his quill copy down everything that was said.

"I can teach you how to bewitch the mind, and ensnare the senses. I can

teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, and even putter a stopper in

death."

Harry was on the edge of his seat, and he noticed that Draco was also

unconsciously leaning forward also as he listened completely enraptured.

"Miss Potter," The Professor's sudden change in tone and volume made

Harry jump slightly, "What would I get if I added powered root of

asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

Harry's mind supplied him with answer immediately, and he waited for

his sister to answer the question.

"I don't know," She answered, causing Harry to blink in surprise; that was

very simple. He exchanged a look with Draco, the blond's eyes telling

Harry he thought the same thing.

"So you didn't think you would open a book before you came to my class,

did you?" Snape mused, his voice lined with displeasure. "Let's try again.

Where, Miss Potter, would you look if I were to ask for a bezoar?"

That question was even easier than the previous one, Harry thought,

raising an eyebrow at Draco, who shrugged slightly.

"I don't know." She said again, and this time Harry turned to look at her

as if she had lost her mind; how did she not know that? He saw that the

busy haired Mudblood girl had her hand thrown in to the air, and, while

he was pleased that she obviously had some brains in her, it wasn't a

discussion period so it was highly unnecessary. He turned back to the

front, shaking his head slightly, though he had to mask a grin as he

caught sight of Draco looking at her as if she was some strange exotic

creature.

"Pity," Snape said, not sounding at all as if he meant it, it was more as if

he knew this would happen. "One more time, Miss Potter. What is the

difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"I don't know," Rose ground out, sounding extremely angry much to

Harry's amusement. That question was a trick question, granted, but it

was basic Herbology knowledge, let alone Potions

"Clearly fame isn't everything, is it, Miss Potter?"

"Clearly Hermione knows, so why don't you ask her." Rose snapped,

indicating the Mudblood. Muttering immediately broke out on the

Gryffindor side, all of them casting Rose looks of awe at her nerve. The

Slytherin's were casting her their own set of looks, though theirs were

more of distaste than anything remotely positive.

"Five points, Potter, for your cheek." Snape growled and they instantly

fell silently, looking at the Professor in disgruntlement.

"Let's see if the other Potter possess any intelligence." Snape decided,

turning to face Harry in expectation. Harry straightened himself up,

looking at the Professor respectfully.

"In answer to your first proposed question: adding powdered root of

asphodel to an infusion of wormwood would give you a sleeping draught

so potent it is known as the Draught of Living Dead." Harry began, his

voice completely even. "To find a bezoar, in response to your second

question, you would look in the stomach of a goat, and the stone will

save you from most poisons if administered in time. Finally, there is no

difference between monkshood and wolfsbane, they are the same plant

that also know by the name aconite and is a key ingredient within the

highly regarded Wolfsbane potion: which allows a werewolf to retain his

or her mind during the full moon, and was created and developed by

you."

Snape nodded once, quite impressed by his answers and the extra

information offered; it illustrated his knowledge, but not in an arrogant

or obnoxious way.

"Correct, Mr Potter. Ten points to Slytherin."

Harry nodded, pleased, and settled to take notes as the Professor began

his lecture on the Potion they were working on, Harry was delighted to

discover they would be brewing that day. It was a simple boil cure,

though a different one to how he learned, and he noted that if he

combine the methods he should get the absolute perfect potion. When

they were given permission, Harry snapped his fingers and his

ingredients laid out before him in the desk, allowing him to get straight

to work. Snape watched the male Potter as he walked around the

classroom, becoming more impressed by the minute; the boy was a

complete natural. All of his motions flowed with ease, and his almost

absent precision screamed of previous heavy brewing. His analysis was

interrupted when the Longbottom boy's cauldron melted suddenly,

spilling its spoiled contents all over the floor.

"Idiot boy." Severus snapped, vanishing the mess with a sharp jab of his

wand. "Did the instructions not clearly state that you were to remove the

cauldron from the heat before you added the porcupine quills?"

The boy whimpered in response, nasty looking boils already swelling all

over him.

"Take him to the hospital wing." He shot at his partner and then he

turned to Rosina Potter. "Miss Potter, take five points for trying to make

yourself look good through other people's failures." He had seen her

watching Longbottom, and seeing as she had completed that step herself

she couldn't fail to miss the disaster waiting to happen. The Professor

once again began moving around the room making his observations, his

eyes naturally being drawn back to the male Potter, raising an eyebrow

as he saw the boy frowning at his cauldron.

"Is there a problem, Mr Potter?" He inquired, approaching the boy. He

couldn't help but feel amused when the boy looked like a deer caught in

headlights. Harry looked at his Professor in horror, he hadn't fixed his

problem yet, and now the man was right next to him. The stupid potion,

he couldn't work out where he had gone wrong.

"It's only a small mistake," He began, casing the spectrum spell and

narrowing his eyes, "Its three shades lighter than it is supposed to be."

Three whole shades, Salazar would have had him cleaning cauldrons for

a week should Harry have done such a thing in his class. One shade he

could deal with, different time of ingredients that could have lost or

gained potency over the years, and he was mixing a recipe for the first

time, but three shades? Harry shook his head. Severus looked closely at

that potion, eyeing the spectrum spell in surprise; that wasn't taught until

sixth year. He noticed that the potion was indeed three shades lighter,

but it was still a well-made potion and only a master would question it.

"It is an acceptable first attempt."

"But this isn't a first attempt." Harry told him, "I could do this potion in

my sleep, and I have made many more advance ones." He scowled at the

potion as if it was doing it on purpose and then he blinked, slapping his

hand to his forehead as he released a muted groan. "I am a complete

idiot."

He snapped his fingers, summoning a single lime green leaf to him. He

nearly sliced off the tip of the leaf, dropping it in to the cauldron and

stirring it twice anti-clockwise, watching as the potion darkened to the

correct shade with relief.

"Very impressive, Mr Potter. Stay at the end."

"Yes, sir."

Harry bottled up the potion and sat down, nodding to his year mates to

say he would be fine as the class was dismissed.

"Mr Potter," Snape began, but Harry twitched.

"Please, sir. Can you call me Harry because Mr Potter sounds like James

and…" he trailed off, wrinkling his nose.

"I understand completely, Harry." Snape said. "Your work today

illustrated how adapt you are at potions brewing and your knowledge of

ingredients. You previously stated that you have worked with more

complex potions – which ones?"

"Hm, it would be difficult to say." Harry admitted, he had only worked

with a few difficult potions that were still known today and wouldn't take

a hell of an explanation. "It would be a choice between the Polyjuice

potions or my own creation."

Snape started, a touch of disbelief entering his expression as he looked at

the boy; surely he couldn't think that he would believe that.

"You say Polyjuice potion, at eleven." Snape repeated in mild disbelief,

and Harry conceded the man had a right to be disbelieving – the

Polyjuice potion wasn't a difficult brewing process really; he had learned

to brew it at nine.

"I supposed given the simplicity of the Polyjuice potions actual brewing

process, it shouldn't be counted as really difficult. The only difficulties

that should arise is the preparation of the ingredients, and having the

timing perfect; even a few seconds out could ruin it." Harry mused. "With

that outlook, I would, modestly, have to say my latest creation would be

my most complex potion."

Snape looked the boy over and realised he had complete belief in his

words, and while Snape was sceptical, if Harry was indeed being truthful

then he was a genius in the art.

"What potion have you created?"

"It's an advanced shielding potion, yet to be named. It protects the

drinker from basically everything except a direct killing curse." Harry

answered, "I have it in my Potions journal."

"May I see it?"

"Of course." Harry agreed, snapping his fingers, making a small black

book appear on his desk.

"How do you do that?"

"It's an edited version of the summoning charm. I got so sick of waiting

for my items to soar through the air to me, I mean seriously, who thought

that would be a good idea." Harry shook his head in obvious

bewilderment, and Snape blinked. The boy had edited a spell at eleven?

What in Merlin's name…

"Damn,"

"Language," Snape warned, "What is it?"

"You don't happen to be able to read Parseltongue, do you?" Harry

wondered, looking at his teacher sheepishly.

"No, there hasn't been a known Parselmouth since the Dark Lord." Snape

replied slowly, and Harry quirked an eyebrow; that partially answered

why the language was seen as evil.

"Well, I must be one of those weird twists of fate." Harry said brightly,

waving his hand to copy his potion in to English and handing it to the

Professor. Severus read through the potion's description and then the

recipe, feeling his eyebrows climb higher and higher the more he read.

"This is incredibly impressive," Snape admitted, and Harry straightened

up proudly.

"Thank you,"

"You say it has been tested."

"Yes, it is in full working order." Harry confirmed.

"I wish to see you brew it, but the ingredient prep time is too long unless

you already have some?"

"I do. I stored enough to brew 6 more batches after the initial testing."

Harry replied.

"If you can return this evening and prove you can brew this potion, I can

adjust your work to something that will be, at least, mildly challenging

for you." Severus decided, and Harry smiled, nodding before he abruptly

stopped and a vicious curse word spewed from his mouth in

Parseltongue, one that would have Rowena washing his mouth out

should she have heard and understood.

"I have the distinct impression that it would be in both of our interests

that I not know what you just said." Severus drawled and Harry ducked

his head slightly, before scowling at the wall.

"I has been demanded that I spend time with my – ah – family." He

sneered, "It is not optional."

"I believe I actually feel pity for you."

"I could ask and say its educational-,"

"Do not bother. James Potter loathes the very air I breathe, a feeling that

is completely mutual, he would not allow you to come near me out of

lesson hours even if it was a detention." Severus informed him and

Harry's shoulders dropped.

"I must be cursed." Harry muttered.

"Should you be able to escape on Saturday, I shall be available to contact

in my office. If I am not there, wait for me and I will return from my

personal labs."

"Thank you, sir." Harry said happily.

"Here is your note for being late to defence." Snape said, handing him a

roll of parchment, "A prefect will be waiting to escort you."

"Yes, sir."

Harry grabbed his bag and left the classroom, whooping in delight once

he was away from the door and jogging up to the waiting prefect.

"Which way we heading?" She asked.

"Up," Harry responded.

"So what did you do to get held back in the Professor's first class?" She

questioned, and Harry smiled brightly.

"He's offered me a chance to prove that I can brew a certain potion, if I

can then he's going to put me on an advanced curriculum."

"Sweet Merlin, kid. You must have impressed him." She whistled.

"I hope so," Harry said. They stepped out on to the Defence corridor and

the Prefect blinked.

"That was fast."

"Handy shortcut," Harry answered, and she nodded, not even questioning

it; your secrets were your own in Slytherin. "Thanks for the escort,"

"No problem, kid, we take care of our own." She told him, "Good luck

with the Professor."

"Thanks,"

Harry entered the classroom barely containing his grin, passing his note

to Professor Quirrel and taking the place Draco had saved for him.

"I'm guessing it went well." Draco said.

"I'm not containing it very well, am I?" Harry asked rhetorically.

"You are basically bouncing again." Draco pointed out, and Harry forced

himself to take a few deep breaths to still his movements.

"He said that he was impressed and he's given me a chance to prove I can

brew a certain potion, and if I can brew it I might get on to an advanced

curriculum." Harry told him and Draco's eyebrows shot up.

"Wow. You must have really interested him. Uncle Sev usually doesn't do

that, and the only reason I'm going on to an advanced curriculum is

because he's been my tutor for the past four years." Draco said impressed.

"I just hope I don't screw up."

They settled down in the lesson, Draco letting Harry copy down the notes

he had already take, though it wasn't much. Quirrel was an appalling

teacher, stumbling and stuttering though his lecture and quivering at any

sounds made within the room. Harry's eyes narrowed; there was no way

that stutter was real! He was glad to get out of the room, rubbing his scar

absently as it burned, there was something off about that man, and it set

him a bit on edge. Both he had Draco didn't stay long for lunch, heading

up to History, a lesson Harry was very excited for as it was his Godfather

and uncle teaching it.

He had heard nothing but good things so far. Merlin had kept him up-to-

date with current History, leaving somethings out for him to work out

himself, and he had been told to be prepared for some severe

inaccuracies in regards to the Founders; Harry was somewhat worried to

find out. If there was anything bad written about any of the Founders

that he knew to be incorrect he didn't know how he would react. Harry

again grabbed the front seats with Draco, Blaise and Theo and waited for

the Professors to arrive. Professor Lupin arrived first, slightly flustered

with parchment hanging out of his briefcase as he dropped it on to his

desk.

"I apologise for my less than stellar punctuality," He told the room, "Your

fellow Professor thought it would be a marvellous idea to be extremely

childish." As he spoke, a huge black grim trotted in to the room, only, it

didn't look as terrifying as it was supposed to. It had a massive pink bow

around its neck, and cute matching ribbons on its ears and tail, and it

looked extremely put out in its predicament. The whole class laughed at

the dog, who cast a fierce look at the smirking Lupin. Harry cleared his

throat, politely raising his hand as he looked at the dog in amusement, he

knew it was his Godfather and he didn't even feel a little apologetic for

what he was about to do.

"Yes, Harry,"

"Correct me if I am wrong, sir, but don't our teachers have to be in their

nearest human form to teach?" He asked innocently. The dog's attention

snapped to him, actually gaping, before it released a whine and covered

its snout with his paws.

"Excellent point, Harry, very well done. You are correct, so I think I will

need this spell…" Remus flicked his wand and a blue light hit the dog,

who was forced back in to his human form; and by Merlin what a sight

he made. Harry choked on air as his Godfather was revealed: the man

had hideous orange robes, sickly green skin, and the same bright pink

ribbons on, only this time they were in his hair, around his neck and

around his hips. The entire class roared with laughter, and Sirius joined

in, shaking his head at the state of himself.

"That was evil, Harry." He said and Harry did a mock bow. Sirius drew up

a chair next to Remus and the pair launched in to the lesson; it was

completely brilliant. They somehow made the most tedious of Goblin

wars suddenly the most exciting and enrapturing thing on the planet, and

Harry found himself actively learning things; something which was

definitely a change for him since he got back. They finished early on

Fridays, and Harry was pleased to go back to the common room with the

rest of his years mates to get all of their homework finished before the

weekend. All of them looked at Harry as if he was mad when he tore

through all four essays due without so much as glancing at a text book,

and Blaise spoke up in disbelief.

"How could you have possibly finished?" He questioned, motioning to his

half finished second essay.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked, looking up from the book he had

decided to read while everyone else finished.

"You completed all of your essays in just over an hour."

"Excuse me?" Harry said, sitting forward and straightening out his scrolls,

"Why did I take that long, I should have been finished… oh never mind, I

added an extra foot to Transfiguration and Charms."

"You are remarkably strange." Draco informed him seriously, and Harry

sniffed.

"I am not strange, others merely do not understand my greatness."

Silence met his words before they cracked up and all fell about laughing,

and Harry couldn't help but grin; Salazar had received the same response

when he had said the same thing to the other three Founders. Dinner, in

Harry's personal opinion, came around way too fast, and it took a lot

more force of will to make himself go up to the Great Hall that he would

have imagined.

"You get to escape to Potions tomorrow." Draco pointed out, noticing his

new friend's darkening mood.

"That is good," Harry allowed, "But I still have to be with them."

Draco mirrored Harry's expression of distaste, offering know words as

there wasn't anything to say; he would have to be around his family.

James Potter was waiting for him when he left the Great Hall and Harry

nodded to the other Snakes, walking over to the man and silently

following him when he walked off. They arrived at their private quarters,

and Harry stepped in, only for him to freeze in the doorway.

Obviously the rooms were meant to illustrate Gryffindor pride, but it was

done so very badly that Harry felt his eyes begin to water. There was no

mixing of tones, or blending of colours, everything in Harry's sight was

either a vibrant red or a burnished gold; it was something else. He was

showed to his room, which, thankfully, had been toned down a bit, but

they were not to his tastes and he asked if he could change the décor.

"Why would you want to? We are a Gryffindor House." James told him.

"But I don't like it." Harry pointed out, and James didn't even offer an

answer, instead leading him back to the sitting room.

"Hello, Harry," Lily greeted with a smile, and Harry nodded in return. He

took the chair furthest away from the rest of the Potters, noting, with

disgust, Rosina seemed to very smug about something.

"So, Harry," Lily began, obviously trying to make an effort. "What is your

favourite lesson so far."

"Potions," He responded instantly, and Lily smiled while the other two

wrinkled their noses.

"Potions," James said disgusted, ignoring the look that Lily threw him,

"Why would you even enjoy it? It's not even real magic. Rosie's favourite

subject is Transfiguration – just like me."

"Transfiguration is so much better," Rosina agreed, her voice stuffy,

"Potions is the absolute worst and Snape is mean to me."

"What did that slimy git do to you, Rosie?" James questioned, his voice

melding between anger and concern. Harry noted, with amused derision,

that the conversation had switched back to the wonder child almost

instantly, and he was kind of impressed; that did not take long at all.

"He purposely embarrassed me in front of the whole class by asking me

really hard questioned that no one else would have known either. And he

made fun of me because I defeated Voldemort." Rosina told him angrily,

crossing her arms with a huff, and James looked furious.

"Wait until I get my hands on that greasy bastard." James snarled, "He

has no right to be horrible to you, simply because you got rid of his vile

Master."

Harry did make a mental note of that; if Snape was a past Death Eater

then he might have information Harry needed.

"I cannot believe you are going to try and pull that ridiculousness." Harry

said to Rosina in disdain, "For one, I answered all the questions after you

failed to, and two, you didn't even know where to find a bezoar."

"Rosina! Is this true?" Lily exclaimed, looking at her daughter with wide

eyes, "That is basic knowledge that could save your life!"

"What's a bezoar again?" James asked, and, for a split second, Harry

caught sight of a flash of disgust on Lily's face as she turned to look at

him; Harry wondered what that was about. It was obvious, even from the

very small amount of time Harry had spent with his family, that Rosina

was all James, he hadn't seen even a brief patch of Lily within her minus

the shape of her face and the colour of her hair.

"Harry, how are you finding school so far? Are you struggling with

anything?" Lily asked, looking away from her husband and daughter.

"No, I'm top of the year like I expected to be." Harry responded.

"That's not possible," James denied instantly, "Rosie has far more

advanced training; she must be top."

"Really?" Harry drawled sceptically, "Maybe, if that is the case, she

should begin showing it rather than getting fawned over by her

questionable company."

"What do you mean?"

"He means Hermione," Rosina cut him off before he could answer, "On

the train he called her the 'M' word."

"How dare you use such a word!?" James yelled, and Harry didn't so

much as blink, regarding the man with an expressionless face, "It is

disgusting and degrading, and should never be used. How could you?

Your own mother is Muggleborn."

"First of all, I actually didn't mean the Granger girl: I was speaking about

that Weasley boy, he doesn't have two brain cells to lose by the looks of

things. He's completely idiotic and hangs of Rosina like she's a trophy; its

disgusting." Harry corrected, his voice cool, and he ignored James and

Rosina's outraged looks. "Secondly, if you knew anything about true

history or eptimology of words, you would know that the term Mudblood

is not actually a degrading word, it's the original name for those of

muggle birth and used to be worn as a badge of honour. And finally, if

any of you had an ounce of common sense, you would know that Lily is

not, in actual fact, a Mudblood, but a Redeemed."

"A what?" Lily questioned and Harry blinked; Merlin hadn't told him

'redeemed' was no longer used.

"A child blessed with magic from a squib line: called Redeemed because

the line in which they come from has obviously been redeemed by magic

as they were gifted with her powers." Harry explained.

"There's no such thing." James waved him off. Harry found it incredibly

difficult not to scowl at him, what did Potter know?

"Fine ignore me, I don't particularly care. It does mean that I don't

actually have to waist my breath talking to you, so I thank you for that.

Goodnight." With that, Harry got up and went to the room he was staying

in; he couldn't hack Potter for one more minute. He dropped down on his

bed with a sigh; he couldn't wait for tomorrow to come.

So there we have the revised chapter 6… what do you think? Wanna

let me know? I love hearing from you guys!

Thanks,

Jess*

7. Chapter 7

A/N: Next chapter up and edited, and with each one I do the bigger

the word count! This fic is going to double in size if I keep this up!

I've cut and spliced this one a bit, removing sections or completely

editing them when I felt needed – but don't worry, you'll see them

again worked in elsewhere!

A/N2: Hello to anyone new! I cannot say enough how thankful I am

to everyone's support, the ones who have followed this fic from

when it was first posted, to all of you now who continue to read as I

revise it; you guys are all fantastic!

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: None for this chapter.

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 7

When Lily went in to wake her son up Saturday morning she was

surprised to find him in a meditative trance in the centre of the bed, it

was unusual, she thought, that he could meditate so well when he was so

young; Rosina couldn't do it even though Lily had tried. It was why there

was no hope in teaching the girl Occlumency. Lily wondered if Harry had

any shields within his mind, when she was younger she had managed to

build up some of her own without knowing what they were and it was

only when he had explained everything to her did she know what she

had done. Feeling it was best to leave him as he was, she quietly left the

room. Lily knew that Harry didn't even want to be there, and she had

tried to convince James to let him be. She said that maybe if they just left

him to his own devices, and be a silent support, he would eventually

come around. She knew, of course, the likelihood of that was very slim,

but it was a better option than what James was doing currently.

Harry knew his mother had entered but appreciated that she left him

alone, he wanted to complete his testing without interruptions and only

when he had been though every part of his mind did he rise and go down

to breakfast, which, to his misfortune, was not going to be ate in the

Great Hall. The food was very nice, obviously coming from the Hogwarts

kitchens, and Harry was only too happy to sit and eat in silence. He

murmured a thanks to Lily for breakfast, knowing that she would have

been the only one to actually remember him, before vanishing back to his

room to study his creation.

He didn't doubt that he knew it, and he knew the potion was flawless, but

he was going to be making it in front of a completely new audience and

that held a mild pressure. He even watched himself make the potion in

his memory, carefully noting everything he did and didn't do whilst

brewing and bringing it to the forefront of his mind. In no time at all,

Harry was being called for lunch and he smiled slightly; he would be

escaping soon.

"Rosie has her extra training this afternoon, I would ask you to join but it

is advanced level so you more than likely wouldn't understand." James

told him in what could have been a sympathetic voice. Harry raised an

eyebrow, barely keeping in his amusement at that sentence, but it gave

him the perfect excuse to vanish for the entire afternoon so he was taking

it.

"I'll be on my way so I don't get my average sized brain confused with the

advanced training." Harry said, his voice lined with Sarcasm that went

way over James' head. He got to his feet and left, slipping through all of

his shortcuts to get him back to the dungeons as quick as humanly

possible. He walked in to the common room and released a sigh of utter

relief, dropping down on the leather sofa next to Draco with as much

grace as an elephant, smiling slightly.

"What has you so happy? I'd have thought you would have been angry

because of the Potters." Draco inquired.

"Oh I am, but my happiness at seeing green again is overriding that." He

answered, making the blond look at him in confusion.

"What?"

"I have literally never seen so much red and gold in one room." He said

seriously, "It was everywhere."

"That bad?"

"I honestly believe they would be less red and gold in the Gryffindor

common room. And it was just so bright! I was starting to believe I would

become colour blind and never see anything other than red and gold."

Draco snorted at his dramatics, shaking his head when Harry laughed.

"Don't stay here too long, if you want to go and see uncle Sev, anyway."

"Right, let's get that going and then I hide out here for a bit longer before

torturing myself by going back." Harry waved at Draco and slipped

through the portrait that led to Professor Snape's office, being told to

enter when he knocked.

"Good afternoon, sir." Harry greeted brightly.

"I see you managed to escape."

"Yes, something about Rosina going through her advanced training that I

wouldn't be able to understand." Harry told him, rolling his eyes and

grinning at his Professor's look of distaste.

"Let us not talk about your ah sister and continue on to potions." Snape

decided, leading him through to his classroom. Harry was only too happy

to comply with his decision, following him through and then getting

straight to work. Snape watched from his desk at Harry seemed to flow

perfectly, confident in his movements and sure in his potion. When the

potion had to simmer, Harry snapped his fingers and brought the same

little black book from the previous day to his desk.

"Sir if you were to add a moonstone to the Draught of Living Death it

would turn in in to a medium strength sedative, yes?"

Snape thought for a moment.

"Yes, depending on the magical ability."

Harry smiled in thanks, noting something down before stirring his

cauldron almost absently 7 times clockwise.

"Why do you ask?" Snape wondered.

"I think I may have created something but I'm not sure it would have to

be tested." Harry said re-reading his notes, "Or if it has been done before."

"Explain it and I can see if it would be possible to test it or if I know of

it." Snape suggested and Harry nodded.

"It would work as a sedative only in a gas form and could knock out

many people at once if inhaled, a medium strength sedative with an egg

of an ashwinder and 4 'corn hairs, boiled and then rapidly cooled."

"That would make the liquids separate instantly."

"Yes but what would happen if you put both of the separated liquids in

the same phial and shook it, temporarily fusing the two?"

"It would release non harmful gas that would knock who-ever breathed it

in until it separated again or it was capped I believe but I don't think it's

ever been tested, nor have I ever heard of anyone doing something like

that. It would have been announced amongst the Guild." Snape mused.

Harry grinned, bringing the potion to boiling point before adding the

final ingredient and watching as the bubbles burst in to colour, making

the contents resemble liquid gold as it should. He moved the potion back

to cool, cleaning his station as he normally would and then going back

and bottling it up. He watched as the Professor examined the potion with

a critical eye, testing everything from the viscosity to the shade

consistency.

"It is perfectly made," Severus declared and Harry grinned in relief; he

didn't doubt himself at all, but it was still tense.

"Thank you," Harry said, accepting the potion back. He drank it down,

shuddering as he felt it take effect. "This dosage lasts half an hour under

constant varied spell fire."

"Very well,"

Harry flicked his wrist, conjuring up a large, full length mirror and

completely missing Snape's floored look. He began casting spells at the

mirror, making them reflect back on to himself to illustrate the shield

working. Harry started with light spells as Salazar had done, steadily

working his way up to the darkest, most vicious spells he knew,

completely forgetting that A, he was in the company of his Potion's

Professor who didn't know of his past training, and B, he was eleven

years old casting spells many fully grown adults struggled with whilst

being completely wandless and almost fully wordless.

"There," Harry said, turning to his teacher once he had clearly illustrated

that the potion worked. Snape blinked slowly, using everything he had to

control his expression as he started at the child. He had recognised a lot

of the spells the boy had cast, and most of the ones during the end were

spells that he shouldn't even know about let alone be able to cast; there

were adults that couldn't cast them!

"It is safe to say your potion is a complete success." Severus told him,

remembering why he had seen such a display in the first place. "Now,

would you care to explain how you effortlessly cast incredibly advanced

magic and some of the darkest arts know to wizardkind whilst being

wandless and almost completely wordless at eleven years of age?"

Harry opened his mouth to say absolutely anything but then closed it as

he didn't know what to say. Merlin had told him that while it couldn't be

announced from the centre of the wizarding world, he was free to tell

anyone who he trusted about his secret, but Harry had no idea how to

work out who to trust with such knowledge just yet.

"I learn really quickly?" He offered, and then realised that was the worst

excuse he had ever come up with in his entire life. The look of absolute

disbelief on the usually stoic Potions Master's face only emphasised the

poorness of it. He flicked his hand, sending a black flaming phoenix

bursting from his wrist and vanishing in a shock of flames. They waited a

few moments before there was a thud from Snape's office and Sirius

tumbled through the door.

"It's always your damn floo, Sev. I swear you do it on purpose." He

grumbled, rubbing his head. "What's up, Pup?"

"Well I just slipped up majorly and you know Professor Snape better than

I do." Harry told him brightly.

"Stupidly advanced magic and dark arts?" He asked and Harry nodded

sheepishly.

"Sevvy here is trustworthy." Sirius responded, grinning when both

Severus and Harry choked at the butchery of the name.

"If I ever hear that Merlin awful version of my name again, Mutt, I will

slip you a potion that will permanently alter your anatomy." Severus

growled. Sirius held up his hands, grinning as he stepped back behind

Harry.

"Gee thanks, uncle Sir. Hide behind me while he curses you to Avalon."

Harry huffed, sticking his nose in the air.

"If you hurried up and began explaining you interesting childhood he

would forget all about cursing little old me." Sirius said and Harry

laughed, folding himself on to his stool to begin his explanation. As he

had done so with Sirius and Remus, he did not mention the fact that it

had been he who had survived the killing curse.

"As impossible as it seems, it does explain your unnatural training, your

pre-existing knowledge of the wizarding world and how you seem to

move around this castle with ease not even Dumbledore has." Snape

mused, "It does not, however, explain your extraordinary amount of

magic."

"How do you know what?"

"It practically rolls of off you."

"I don't know, but I don't like to brag," Harry began, only for Sirius to

flick his ear.

"So modest,"

"Salazar always taught me that if you are superior to, or better at

something than, someone else, it is not your responsibility to hide it but

their responsibility to accept it." Harry said with a shrug.

"That explains so much." Sirius said with a grin.

"As much as it may pain you, you may wish to make a hasty retreat

before he comes looking for you." Snape pointed out and Harry groaned,

draping himself over the desk.

"Astronomy tower, here I come." He muttered, making Sirius burst out

laughing at the overdramatic behaviour.

"Get moving, Pup. The quicker you get it over with the sooner you'll be

free." Sirius said and Harry nodded, departing with a heavy sigh, and

dragging his feet back up to his adoring family. When he entered, Rosina

was stood with her wand out pointing it at a book.

"Accio." She called frustrated, the book barely twitched.

"Don't worry, Rosie it's a difficult spell and your still much more

advanced than every other 1st year." James told her soothingly, and

Harry barely covered his snort with a cough.

"What are you doing back?" Rosina demanded, "I'm in the middle of

training."

Harry looked at her with amusement.

"Not very successful apparently."

"I'd like to see you try and do a 4th year spell." Rose snapped and Harry

shrugged, taking out his wand.

"Accio." He said with a flick of his wand. The book soared in to his

outstretched hand instantly and he nodded, he knew that spell like the

back of his hand, having edited it himself. The look of flabbergast on

James' face was almost as amusing as the outraged horror on Rosina's,

and he laughed, banishing the book back with a wave of his wand just to

rub it in.

"Carry on. I see I am very much outclassed here." Harry said, his voice

dripping in sarcasm. He span on his heel and entered the room he was

staying in, chuckling to himself as Rosina stormed off in to her room.

"How did he do that?" James asked shocked.

"I don't know Rosie has been trying for weeks now and still hasn't got it."

Lily said with a shake of her head. "Everything seems to be effortless

when it comes to magic for Harry and it has been rumoured that he does

wandless magic."

"Don't be ridiculous, Lily, that's impossible." James waved off, "I expect it

was just luck."

Lily didn't respond.

He was being punished, Harry surmised. That was the only possible

explanation to why he was being 'treated' to a full 'family day'. It was a

cruel and unnecessary punishment, and he nearly pleaded with the

deities to release him when they sat around the fireplace in a group.

"So Harry, I expect you have a few questions for us. What would you like

to know?"

"Why muggles?" Harry asked immediately, making them shift. He saw

Rosina smirk out of Lily and James' line of sight and nearly rolled her

eyes; he was glad not to have grown up with her.

"It was the only option. After the fall of Voldemort it was still dangerous

to trust anyone, and Dumbledore said that Rosie would need to train for

when that monster returned. You would have been pushed to the side, it

wouldn't have been fair."

"I would have been in the way, you mean." Harry muttered.

"No! Not at all." Lily denied, and Harry scoffed.

"Still doesn't explain why you gave me to muggles."

"Like I said," James told him strongly, "No one knew who to trust."

"So the man who you personally sworn in as my Godfather, with a

permanent magical bond, wasn't to be trusted?" Harry offered and James

glared at the indirect mention of Sirius.

"Dumbledore said it would be best if you were to grow up away from the

wizarding world so you knew humility." James admitted, and Harry

stiffened. He turned to look at James, his green eyes burning as his face

seemed to turn to marble. There was more to that sentence that what met

the eye, and Merlin had taught him all about the life he would have led

should he have actually been raised by the muggles. He would need to

know due to the memories implanted. Merlin had chosen to implant the

events of the deviated timeline to make them fully take to the woman's

mind; it was always easier to alter someone's memory if you were

changing it to something they would actually do, rather than something

you were making up completely; outside sources would spot the

inconsistencies. And it was all because of an old man's games.

"You mean to tell me that you subjected me to ten years of muggle hell

because of an old man who likes to play with people's lives?" Harry said,

his voice icy.

"It wouldn't have been that bad." James brushed off, "Sure Petunia isn't

the nicest of people, but she we did tell her to take care of you."

"Did you check up on me at all to make sure?" Harry asked, already

knowing the answer. "Of course you didn't, too busy living your fame-

hungry perfect lives. Parading yourself to the media and portraying the

perfect family. You disgust me."

"Watch your mouth!" James ordered and Harry sneered.

"You think everything was perfect living with a magic hating muggle?"

Harry wondered, "Why don't you ask your wife how perfect it was? After

all, she is also a freak."

As he expected, Lily flinched violently at the word.

"Oh, Harry." She whispered.

"Save it," He snapped. They fell in to a tense silence, and Harry wished he

could leave; he saw no point of being there at all.

"Do you have any other questions?" James asked eventually.

"No."

"Nothing?"

"No."

"Well how about I tell you about the Potter's?" James tried, but it was

obvious he was getting annoyed; not that Harry cared.

"If you must." Harry sighed and he was treated to the grand story of the

amazing House of Potter; it finished with the great tale of how Rose

defeated the Dark Lord.

"We even had book deals." James told him happily and threw Rose a

proud look to which she beamed. Harry just sat there emotionless

throughout the entire tale.

"That thrilled me, it truly did but can I go now? I have potion notes to

make."

James face immediately darkened.

"No you can't, you will make an effort with us, we are trying to include

you back in to the family."

"Well maybe you shouldn't have gotten rid of me in the first place." Harry

suggested casually. James looked fit to burst but before he could speak

Lily did.

"What are you doing in potions?"

"I'm fiddling with the potion I created." Harry told her, seeing no reason

not to answer the question.

"That's impossible, your only 11 you couldn't have created a potion, and

they take years." Lily said.

"Well I have." Harry confirmed but she shook her head.

"You don't need to lie to get our attention, we love you just as much as

Rose."

Harry's brows shot up before he sneered.

"If you show love by getting rid of children then I would shudder to see

your hate." He stated coldly, "Besides I do not need to lie, I usually

refrain from doing so."

"But it isn't possible for you to have created a potion, don't be silly."

"Why ask if you are going to say I'm lying?" Harry snapped.

"Do not speak to your mother like that." James snarled.

"I don't have a mother." Harry replied in the same tone.

"Go to your room now and think about what you've done wrong."

Harry looked at him incredulously; that was all he had been asking for!

"Gladly,"

James seemed to realise he had given Harry exactly what he wanted, but

by that point Harry had already risen gracefully and went to the room he

was currently occupying to get on with work he actually wanted to be

doing. James came to check on him at dinner and asked if he was ready

to apologise, to which Harry responded with "what for". He was told he

would be kept there until morning so he could realise his behaviour and

Harry shrugged uncaringly. It wasn't much of a punishment for him,

when he got hungry he merely called for an elf, who was more than

happy to serve the Founder's heir whatever he wished and then settled

for bed early. Come Monday morning, he was up, dressed and at

breakfast at 6am, reading a book as he ate. Sirius, who ambled in with

Moony at seven looked absolutely horrified at Harry's wide awake look.

"Pup, why in the name of Merlin are you doing up and that awake at this

unmagical hour?"

"If I would have stayed any longer I feel as if I would have reached the

point of no return." He said with a shudder. Moony squeezed his shoulder

gently and led his tired mate up to the staff table. Draco was the first to

see him when the first years entered the Great Hall and the blond made a

direct line to him, making Harry smile in relief at seeing a fellow Snake.

"So, how was it as a whole?" He asked and Harry looked at him seriously.

"Horrific, awful, painful, long, boring, scary and ridiculous."

"Wow,"

"I know."

Before he knew it Harry had been in the future for over two months and

he couldn't believe how well he had adapted. He had grown so close to

Siri and Remus that he couldn't imagine life without them, even more so

than the Founders and he finally understood fully why Rowena had made

him promise not to search for their portraits. Since he had been old

enough to understand, he had always known that after his eleventh

birthday he would never be able to physically see them again, and it was

only now he realised seeing their portraits would have affected him.

Sirius and Remus, should the fates decided it, had many many years left

on this earth, possibly over a century, and Harry had the same, and he

would have that time with them to live and to grow and to love them.

And he had been given that chance because he had put in the effort to

reform the lost but never forgotten bonds. If Rowena hadn't have made

him promise not to go searching from their portraits, he would have

spent every spare moment he had scouring the castle to look for them,

wanting to speak with them as soon as possible.

Yes, he often wished fiercely that they were there with him, but then he

would realise that he could go and see Sirius and Remus and the need

would die down a bit. Draco had rapidly become his best friend; he and

the blond were inseparable. Harry hadn't interacted much with the

students at Hogwarts, not only was he younger than all of them but it

would be hard to explain where he had come from; whenever it did crop

up he became a distant cousin of Salazar's and nothing else was asked.

Unfortunately for majority of the teaching staff, the two Snakes had

become the Slytherin House's version of the Weasley twins; they were

always getting up to some kind of mischief. Not that the teachers knew it

was them, they hadn't been caught yet, and they liked to brag about that

fact – very quietly.

Harry had also become quite close to the stoic Potions Master, granting

him access to anything potions related, he had come to understand that

Snape had a very dark sense of humour, and a sarcastic streak that could

cut steel. He had, quite successfully, avoided anything to do with his

'family', the failed family weekend deterring them slightly, much to

Harry's relief. It wasn't perfect, but overall Harry was loving the future.

When he walked in to common room one morning, he caught sight of the

notice announcing flying lessons and immediately turned around and

bolted back up to the dorms. He wrenched back Draco's curtains and

leaped on to the blond's bed, Draco, who was not expecting the sudden

attack tumbled on to the floor.

"Why?" He demanded, glaring up at Harry, who had fallen about

giggling.

"Sorry," He gasped, "I wanted to tell you about flying lessons."

"So you decided to throw me out of bed at this unmagical hour."

"It's like 7am!" Harry exclaimed.

"What?" Draco yelped, leaping up. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"I did. You said you were getting up." Harry defended, rolling his eyes as

the Malfoy Heir rushed about to get ready. Seeing as none of the other

boys were getting up, and Harry fully blamed the fact that they had

Astronomy last night, he waved his wand and dumped cold water on all

of them. Of course, he wasn't stupid enough to stay in the room after he

did that, slipping out of the door before he could be blamed. The filthy

looks he received when they finally got down to the common room told

him they knew exactly who woke them and he grinned.

"Morning."

"I hate you, Harry." Theo told him.

"Cheer up, we have flying lessons today."

"With the Gryffindors," Blaise added, reading the notice. Harry's

expression went rather feral, and the group of Slytherins shared a smirk.

"What have you got planned?" Draco asked and Harry chuckled.

"It would be such a shame if the wondrous Girl-Who-Lived were to be

shown up during our flying lessons." Harry mused slyly, "Especially when

our Instructor speaks so highly of her."

"Oh most definitely a shame," Draco agreed. They left, eager to start the

day so they could get to their flying lesson, and by lunch time Harry was

looking strikingly evil for an eleven year old. Sirius took one look at his

Godson and walked in the opposite direction. Harry and Draco pointed

out the brooms acceptable for the Snakes out of the terrible choices they

were given and Harry made a note to have them replaced; these were not

Hogwarts standard. The Gryffindors arrived when James did, they were

crowding around the man and Rosina, who was soaking up all the

attention as James bragged about the flying she did when growing up.

Harry shared a look with Draco, snickering when the blond mimed

vomiting.

"Afternoon class," James greeted, "Let's get right to it. Stick your hand

over your broom and say 'up'."

Harry, like Draco and unfortunately Rosina, got his broom to jump in to

his hand immediately. The Slytherins had a great laugh when Weasley's

broom shot up and hit him in the face, ignoring the loss of ten points

they received for openly laughing at him. James went around the

Gryffindors, correcting them where they were going wrong and helping

them when needed, but he paid absolutely no attention to the Slytherins,

so Harry and Draco helped their House – especially the ones who had

never been on a broom before.

"Now, mount your brooms, and when I blow my whistle I want you to

kick of fly slowly around the pitch and touch back down - Rosie with

demonstrate for you now." James instructed, grinning at his daughter.

Harry noted grudgingly that she did have quite a bit of flying skill,

though not as much as she bragged about, and Harry shook his head in

disgust as she touched down preening at the applauding Gryffindors.

James blew his whistle and the group rose up, some of them were

unsteady but others flew off; Rose shot off, flaunting the skill she did

have. Harry looked at Draco who gave a short nod and grinned; the pair

of them flew after her. Harry flashed a smirk at Draco, flattening himself

to his broom and creeping up behind his sister. When he was flying

directly behind her, he gave a burst of speed and would have hit her if he

didn't readily leap up of his broom and over her, he landed perfectly in

front of her and carried on as if it was nothing. Harry was the first back

to the start, nose-diving towards the ground before levelling out and

jumping of his broom, landing neatly on the grass.

"What do you think you were doing?" James exploded, storming over and

shaking him. Harry shocked him, backing away from the enraged man

when he let go, just as the rest of the class landed and came over. Draco

was immediately by Harry's side, glaring at Potter.

"Given that we are in a flying lesson, I would think your question held an

obvious." Draco drawled.

"Shut it, Malfoy." James snapped, keeping his eyes on Harry, "That was

ridiculously dangerous. You could have seriously hurt Rose!"

Harry's eyebrows shot up; that was what he was worried about?

"I really doubt that." Harry told him, shrugging carelessly, making it

apparent that he didn't care either way.

"You selfish brat! Ever since we got you, you've been-," He was cut off by

Sirius, who swooped in from no-where and grabbed Harry, swinging

around and laughed.

"Absolutely amazing flying, Pup!" Sirius complimented, "I didn't think you

would be that good."

Draco, who had stepped back in line with his own Godfather, who had

come out with Sirius, turned in to the man, covering his laughter at

James' outraged expression.

"Class dismissed." James barked, making the class flee, not wanting to be

around the growing tension. The only ones who remained were Rosina

and Draco, each standing next to their respective family.

"What brought you out here?" Harry asked his Godfather.

"Severus and I were with Moony and we caught sight of flying. Seeing as

the rules on broomsticks only say that first years aren't allowed to own

their own, Severus didn't see any problem with placing you on the

Quidditch team." Sirius answered brightly.

"Wicked!" Harry cheered, getting placed back on his feet so he could hi5

Draco.

"Like hell he is!" James exclaimed, "He's a danger in the air."

"Excuse me, Potter. I do believe that I am in charge of what happens with

my Slytherins." Snape drawled.

"Damn it, Snivellus, your attempts to become better than me is pointless;

it will never happen."

"Arrogant bastard." Draco and Harry said together, getting a nudge from

their respective Godfathers, even if both adult's expressions were dark.

James turned to the boys, dismissing the Malfoy Heir and glaring at

Harry.

"I know what this is about. You are very clearly jealous of the fame and

attention Rosina receives, so you deliberately tried to hurt her. And you

wonder why we gave you up? If this is how you act now, you would have

been even more unbearable should you have grown up around it. We've

welcomed you back in to our family, and you continuously throw it back

in our faces, repeatedly doing anything and everything to bring us down.

You're childish, and ungrateful, and it's pathetic."

Sirius, Severus and Draco were in shock at what had just spewed out of

James' mouth, and the fact that he genuinely believed his words. Harry

had gone very still, his face resembling white marble as his eyes burned

like green fire. The clouds overhead rolled in, rumbling and swirling, the

winds suddenly began to rage and thunder clapped as Harry's anger made

his control on his magic waver dangerously.

How dare than man say such degrading and false things to him? How

dare he use his behaviour as evidence to support his mistakes and his

actions? James Potter was an insignificant insect, he was arrogant

without backing, obnoxious without reason and a sheep led by its Master.

"You think that that pathetic excuse of a witch needs me to hurt her? Be

realistic, I am surprised she even knows how to walk on her own, let

alone fly; everything has always been done for her. You think I am

jealous of her? Do not be so comical. There is not anything that she can

do that I cannot do better and faster. You question my behaviour, but

never once realise that it is only you and your spawn that ever see a

problem, and you try to justify giving up your own child on the word of a

manipulative old man because of my actions. You make me sick. To be in

your mere presence nauseates me. You are so caught up in your own

fantasy world, believing that the sun shines because the precious Girl-

Who-Lived wills it so, that it's going to be much to late when you finally

understand that there are many who believe otherwise." Harry's voice

was like ice, sharp, cutting and cold, and then he laughed. A sound much

to cruel for someone so young.

"You call me ungrateful and yet; what have you done for me? You threw

me away to muggles and then bring me back and expect me to be happy

about it. You expected me to accept your weak excuses, and your half-

hearted attempts to sort everything out. I despise the fact that we share

blood, I loathe to know that I came from you. I hate you. But do you

know one thing? I am glad I was not raised by you, thankful that you are

weak of will, and unable to make decisions on your own, because if

that-," He jabbed his finger at Rosina, "is the illustrations of your child

rearing skills, then I wouldn't wish it on anyone who walks this earth.

You say the Dark Lord is set to return, and yet you are not prepared.

You'll all be slaughtered, cut down and stomped out, and I pray to Lady

Magic herself that I get front row seats, because nothing would please me

more than to watch your perfect world burn with you in the very centre

of it." Harry spat at Potter's feet, turning on his heel and stalking away;

his magic itching to lash out. He left the group in silence, taking the

storming winds with him, and Sirius regarded James coolly.

"Congratulations, Potter, you now, if it wasn't clear before, have only one

child." Sirius walked away, taking Severus and Draco with him; he had a

Godson to find. Though he doubted he could, when Harry wanted to

vanish he would and he knew the castle better than anyone could ever

hope to.

Harry had gone straight to the dungeons, slipping through corridors he

could tell were no longer used to get to Salazar's duelling room, which

was attached to his chambers. He spat out the access code, striding in

when the wall slid open, banishing the dust cloud with a sharp twist of

his wrist. Finally, once he was where he felt at ease, he just let go,

allowing his magic to expand around him and his spells to flow

effortlessly at the targets. He obliterated the room, releasing all of his

anger, his insult and his longing; he was done. He was done keeping

himself in check and making sure he didn't push the Potters too far, he

was done adapting his behaviour to fit other people's views. And when

flames burst from his hands, burning brightly and scorching in heat

Harry laughed, bending them to his will and then crushing them in his

fists.

Game on.

When Harry eventually fell through the entrance of the common room he

was immediately pounced on by an extremely worried Draco, who would

later deny all anxiety.

"Dray," He called, stopping the blond with his nickname, "I'm fine just

had to work of a little steam."

"Potter was completely out of line!" Draco exclaimed, coming to a stop in

front of Harry and crossing his arms, "What are we going to do about it?"

Harry grinned, spontaneously hugging his best friend.

"And that, Draco Malfoy, is why we will forever be great friends." Harry

declared. They sat down and began planning ways to make Potter feel as

miserable as possible, sharing somewhat evil looks at some of their ideas

and then smirking. The rest of the common room seemed to give them a

wide birth, not wanting to know what the devious duo were up to now.

"Oh, uncle Sev and Sirius want to see you." Draco remembered, rolling up

their parchment and tucking it to his robe.

"Uh oh." Harry said, "How bad do you think it's going to be?"

"Well uncle Sev still wants you on the team, and while he understands

your loss of cool, he may not be pleased. Sirius was more worried, seeing

as you somehow created a storm," Here Draco have him a: you will

definitely be explaining that look before continuing, "and completely

enraged at Potter. He ran off muttering something about 'losing him

again' and 'having to calm down a frantic wolf'."

Harry went a bit pale.

"Crap."

"I take it you know what that means." Draco said and Harry nodded.

"Uncle Moony is always in a funny mood after being ill."

Draco still looked confused before he had a look of understanding on his

face.

"Werewolf. Right."

"How did you know?"

"Uncle Sev brews his potion." Draco waved Harry away. "You need to go

now unless you want him to come down here."

Harry looked mildly alarmed at that fact and jumped to his feet.

"I'll be back later, I'll explain then." Harry promised, and then he was

gone. He used Salazar's corridors to get to the Founders corridor, and

Harry was very surprised to see it obviously unused, but he didn't remain

there for more than a second, slipping back through another corridor and

out on to his Godfather and uncle's floor. He muttered the password

when he got to their frame, walking in only to have himself pounced on

for the second time that day. This time by a frantic uncle and worried

Godfather.

"There you are, cub." Remus exclaimed, "You had us so worried. We

thought we'd lost you all over again. Sirius told me what that bastard

said. I'll hunt him down and string him up." The final bit came out in a

snarl and Harry patted the man's back soothingly from his place on his

hip. Allowing him to sniff and check him over, he couldn't help but grin

at the protectiveness, it was nice really.

"I'm fine – really!" He added, when Moony didn't look like he didn't

believe me.

"Are you sure?"

"I promise." Harry assured, finally being allowed down. He went over to

hug his Godfather and smiled up at the man, "Potter just annoyed me a

bit."

A bit? Nice storm, Pup." Sirius joked and Harry laughed, his smile turning

sheepish.

"Yeah, ok, more than a bit."

"He'll get his own eventually." Sirius said. "Congratulations on making the

team, though."

"Thanks, I am so happy." Harry said, "I can't believe it. I was gutted when

I read that first years weren't allowed brooms."

"It's a rule mainly to compensate muggleborns coming in to the world. To

make it fair." Sirius told him and Harry's nose wrinkled.

"That's stupid, this is the wizarding world. They should be going straight

in to a customs class rather than taking every day things away from the

rest." Harry stated, "We're expected to learn and adapt to their world,

they should be the same to ours."

"Dumbledore has changed a lot over the years." Sirius said, "I do not

discriminate against blood, but we have reached the point where we

don't even celebrate our own holidays."

"That is just offensive to Lady Magic," Harry declared, "So many things

are wrong with this time, and it all seems to be around Dumbledore. He's

the bigger power currently, isn't he?"

"While not official, yes. Fudge hangs on his every word, he's in charge of

this school, in charge of the courts and in charge of the international

courts. The Leader of the Light." Moony answered.

"Some light. Who claim to stand for equality, fairness and good and yet

treat other races as inferior and cage off branches of magic." Sirius

grumbled.

"Enough of the failings of our world." Remus decided, "You had better run

off and see Severus, Harry. He will want to speak with you about your

place on the team."

"Oh yes, I don't think he was pleased with you storming off when we

walked out to speak to you." Sirius said.

"Merlin," Harry groaned, "I'll go see him now."

"Off you go, cub. Be careful."

"I will. Bye!" Harry ran off with a wave, easily getting down to the

dungeons and to Professor Snape's office. He smartened himself up and

knocked on the door, the usual brisk "Enter" was called and he pushed

open the door.

"Mr Potter, of what do I owe the pleasure."

Oh that was just cold, Harry thought with a wince.

"I came to apologise for ah storming off earlier." Harry said calmly,

keeping his face blank as he watched his favourite teacher continue to

write without looking up once.

"What should you have done in such a situation?" Snape inquired and

Harry almost grimaced at how much the man reminded him of Salazar at

that moment, the Slytherin Founder could be absolutely relentless when

he wanted to.

"I should have retained my cool and dealt with the situation rationally. It

was also highly disrespectful to disappear like I did."

Snape finally looked up and motioned to the seat in front of his desk,

Harry sighed in relief; he was forgiven.

"You look worn." Snape told him, Harry rolled his neck.

"I've just come from Draco then Uncle Moony after Sirius told him."

Snape actually winced.

"Well on better terms, I've confirmed it with the Headmaster and you are

allowed on the team." Severus told him and Harry grinned, "However,

Potter 'appealed' to the Headmaster to allow the next Merlin on the

Gryffindor team."

"What!? Oh come on!"

"As expected, the Headmaster immediately granted his request, going

further by giving permission for Potter to have her own broom." Snape

smirked slightly, "Which means you are also allowed to have your own

broomstick."

"Brilliant." Harry said, "If Potter wants to see his daughter crushed on the

pitch as well as the classroom then so be it."

"Do not make my choice a mistake." Snape dismissed him and Harry

laughed, rising up and walking towards the door.

"Sir, without overcompensating, I'm probably better on a broomstick than

I am at making potions."

He caught up with the rest of the first years as they headed up to dinner,

and Harry grinned at Draco.

"Potter got the Girl-Who-Lived on the Gryffindor team and she got given

permission to have her own broom, which means-,"

"You can have your own broom too." Draco finished, smirking.

"Yep, and I can't wait to crush her."

"It's going to be beautiful." Draco agreed, "You'll have to talk to Flint,

apparently he's brutal."

"It'll be worth it."

"I'm kind of jealous."

"Don't worry, as soon as it's humanly possible to get you on the team

you'll be right there with me." Harry assured, "There can be no other

way."

"Of course." Draco agreed, "Seeing as we have a few plans for Potter,

what about his spawn?"

"I have a plan to make Rosina's life hell for the next couple of weeks but

we will need inside help."

"Oh?"

"Yes, we will need the twins."

A beautiful snowy owl swooped down towards the Gryffindor table,

catching the attention of the majority of the hall. She dropped her letter

in front of the Weasley twins and soared off leaving many curious. The

twins read the letter and left, much to the surprise of the rest of the hall

and no one noticed two Snakes slip out the hall at the same time. In a

hidden archway four people stood looking positively evil.

"So slip this in to her shampoo and put this on anything she uses daily."

Harry handed the twins a bottle and a powder.

"What will it do?" They asked in sync, there was nothing pleasant about

Draco or Harry's smiles. For the rest of the day, Harry and Draco set up

the magical 'tripwires' in every class room and the Great Hall, so every

time Rose walked through the doorway it would reactivate the prank,

even if it had been removed. Marcus Flint cornered him in the common

room telling him to get a decent broom and be on the pitch that night at

6, Harry was left blinking at the abrupt demands and the sudden

departure and slowly shook his head, deciding to go and see Sirius as

Draco said he wanted to catch up on some homework and write to his

parents. As soon as he arrived, Sirius leapt up and handed him a long

package, grinning wildly.

"Open it!" He said excitedly.

"Oo present!" Harry said equally excited. He tore off the paper and

whooped when he caught sight of Nimbus 2000 on the top of the

broomstick. "Uncle Siri, this is amazing!" he cried, rushing to hug the

man. "Oh Circe have I wanted one of these! Look at it – its beautiful."

The design of it, the sleekness and the balance put all other brooms he

had ever been on to shame; it was fantastic.

"I can't wait to take this out on the pitch with Draco!"

"Well off you go then," Sirius ordered, "You still have time and you don't

have any lessons left."

"You're the best, uncle Siri." Harry declared, running off and hugging a

surprised Moony as the man walked in. He ran all the way back to the

dungeons, falling in to the common room and wordlessly holding out the

broom to Draco, who took it with a gasp.

"A Nimbus 2000!" He exclaimed, "That's the best broom there is!"

"Sirius just gave it to me," Harry explained, "Wanna come out and

practice on it?"

"Of course!" Draco confirmed. The pair of them darted from the common

room, getting to the entrance hall quickly and rushing down to the pitch.

Where Harry leapt on to the broom and took off, cheering at the

ridiculously fast speed and very smooth flight.

"What other stunts have you got up your sleeve?" Draco called to him,

Harry grinned and placed his feet on his broom. Working with the

balance, Harry stood in a fluent motion, he flew like this slowly at first

before he picked up speed. He sailed past Draco, who was smirking but

shaking his head at his friend's antics, and readied himself for a trick. He

stepped back and bent his knees, as soon as he reached a straight stretch

he jumped and flipped in the air. Draco nearly screamed when Harry

didn't land on his broom, instead he caught himself with his hands and

pulled himself up, grinning madly. When the raven head landed, he

received a punch in the arm from a very pale Draco.

"What was that? Are you trying to kill me?" The blond demanded.

"That was amazing, it's the first time I've landed that perfectly, usually I

fall!" Harry said breathlessly, Draco swallowed.

"I dunno if it's such a good idea you playing Quidditch now."

Harry looked affronted before grinning.

"Here, its your turn." Harry said, handing over the broom.

"Wicked!" Draco said, accepting the broom and kicking off. Draco was

very good, and he showed previous experience in the air and he circled

the pitch.

"Come on let's go cause trouble before Flint puts me through my paces."

Harry said once his friend was back on the ground. Draco smirked and

the pair walked back to the common room. Harry rummaged around in

his potions store and pulled out two phials of clear liquid.

"We need to clear the Entrance Hall so we'll have to consort with the

twins." Harry said handing a bottle to Draco.

"What does this do?"

"It's timed transfer glue, we are going to spread it in the Entrance Hall

and it works based on a time delay, from the moment it coats your shoes

it'll stick solidly to the floor every 15 minutes."

"This is going to be brilliant."

The pair dashed up to the Great Hall, where people were filtering in and

out from the lunch hour; the twins, luckily, were just leaving so Harry

and Draco ran after them and pushed the pair in an all too familiar

alcove.

"Gred, Forge."

"Oh look Gred its Harrykins."

"Yes with his little blond friend."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Gentlemen I believe you like to cause mass mayhem and disturbance."

Harry said with a smirk.

"Of course." They answered together.

"Well if you could cause a massive disturbance so the Entrance Hall is

completely clear for ten minutes me and Harry here would be most

appreciative." Draco told them, and the twins grinned.

"Note to selves stay away from the Entrance Hall at all costs today." Fred

said.

"When will the prank on Rosina kick in?" George asked.

"Monday morning and let's just say it will be a very interesting few days."

Harry and Draco lingered discretely in the Entrance Hall waiting for the

signal, they didn't know what to expect from Fred and George Weasley;

the pair got high praise for their pranking from Sirius and that was never

a good sign. They jumped when a catastrophic boom sounding from

many floors above, and that told them the twins had started. Teachers

and students alike ran up to see what was going on and the two Snakes

didn't have to wait long before the Great and Entrance halls were silent.

From opposite ends Harry and Draco poured the entire contents of potion

on to the stone floor and watched as it spread like wild fire, coating it in

a clear sheen. When the entire floor was covered it sank in making it look

ordinary and the pair ran back to the dungeons grinning evilly as they

went.

"We had better warn uncle Sev or he will kill us." Draco said and Harry

nodded. The pair headed to the Potions classroom, they needed to stock

up on prank potions any way. Snape was sat behind his desk marking

homework when the pair arrived and nodded in greeting. Harry pulled

out their list and Draco immediately selected the potions he was

comfortable in making, leaving Harry the other half. The pair of them

worked together very well, trading ingredients and helping on the others

potions. Once they had bottled up and cleared away, they approached

their Professor.

"Yes,"

"Professor, I was wondering if you knew any spells that would stop a

transfer potion." Harry asked. Snape's brow raised as he took in the two

blank faced teens in front of him, they were both perfectly calm and

composed, except for their eyes, which were alight with mischief.

"I know of a few. The most simple one would be the basic shield charm.

Why do you asked as I'm sure you both already knew that." Snape replied

evenly, knowing full well that Draco knew it and Harry used it for extra

credit in his last essay.

"We just wanted to confirm with you, Professor." Draco told him, "There

have been rumours, sir."

"Really?"

"Yes, that the Entrance Hall isn't safe. There was something else too…

what was it Draco?"

"That there may be those who find themselves in a 'sticky situation',

whatever that means."

That was shockingly good, Severus admitted. If he didn't know hid

Godson, and hadn't been watching Harry since he arrived, he would have

absolutely bought it. As it was, he did know his Godson and Harry had

been on his radar since he had been sorted in to his House.

"Indeed," He drawled, eyeing them. They didn't so much as twitch,

nodding respectfully and taking their leave. There wasn't much for them

to do until they went to dinner, so he had Draco lounged about the

common room. Draco was telling him a bit more about his family when

he suddenly sat up.

"How long does the glue last?" He questioned.

"It goes on and off, sticking them in place for about thirty second before

releasing them. It'll last about three days."

"Don't you think we should warn a few Snakes, like, maybe, the

Quidditch team you're supposed to be training with later. Harry's eyes

widened and he shot up, he ran to the boys fifth year dorm. He poked his

head in and was relieved to see Flint sat on his bed.

"Flint?"

"Potter, have you ordered your broom? You had better be good because

we're taking a risk letting a first year on the team."

Harry rolled his eyes.

"My Godfather has already given me one." He assured, "It's a Numbus

2000,"

Flint whistled.

"Nice. You better know how to fly it."

"Do you think Professor Snape, of all people, would allow me on the team

if I didn't know how to fly?" Harry asked rhetorically, "Anyway, if you

want the team to practice, you should tell them not to walk in the

Entrance Hall without a shield on their feet."

"Got it," Flint got up and went to warn the rest of the team while Harry

went back to Draco, muttering to himself.

"Flint give you a hard time?" The blond asked his friend.

"Honestly, you'd think he would trust Professor Snape's judgement by

now." Harry grouched.

"Just pull what you did earlier and Flint will soon stop talking." Draco

waved him off. Harry grinned. The pair warned as many Snakes as they

could about the Entrance Hall, but they didn't tell everyone knowing it

would put their House under suspicion if none of them got caught in the

prank. It was true practice for their masks when they got up to the

Entrance Hall and found people stuck in odd positions, the glue obviously

kicking in at the wrong time. Harry ducked his head, moving in to the

Great Hall to cover his snickering. Draco didn't bother, he caught sight of

Ronald Weasley stuck in a weird, lunged position and openly laughed at

him, even going so far as to nudge Harry and point at the red head.

Dinner was surprisingly calm right up until the very end when the chaos

started as people rose to leave. The first caught up in the glue's timing

were a couple of third year Lions, who found they couldn't leave their

seats when they tried. The noise in the Hall grew when others discovered

they were in the same predicament, and there was laughter as people

caught sight of others getting stuck mid walk. Laughing helplessly to

themselves, Harry and Draco edged back out of the Hall and back down

to their House rooms, sharing a high five as they dropped on to their

beds.

"This is going to be brilliant," Draco decided, grinning.

"Just wait until tomorrow when everything with Rosina kicks off."

Harry was treated to watching the Slytherin team run through their

training practice before he was allowed on a broom and then Flint was

all over him.

"Potter let me see your quickest lap." Flint barked. Harry raised his

eyebrow but kicked off, flattening himself to his broom and shooting off.

He didn't bother to slow up much on the corners, using his weight to

control the sharpness over his movements.

"Not bad, Potter. Let's see how you fly while trying to catch things." Flint

pulled out a bag of ordinary gold balls and started launching them in to

the air; Harry took off. Flint threw the balls in every direction and Harry

pulled off some spectacular stunts, some of which he had never done

before but he didn't miss one. When he touched down next to Flint, the

Slytherin Captain was gaping at him.

"Thank you Lady Magic!" He whispered reverently. Flint eyed him with a

somewhat manic glint in his eye and Harry was ever so slightly alarmed.

"Do I qualify?" He wondered. Flint nodded mutely.

"Play like that in every game and you'll be Captain soon enough." Flint

told him, "Practice every Thursday and if you miss it you had better hope

your reason changes the very foundation of magic or else."

He stomped off, taking the Quidditch equipment with him and Harry was

left wondering what he had gotten himself in to. He shrugged,

shouldering his broom and making his way inside. He wanted to shower

and then tell Draco all about it, after all, they had to keep themselves

calm for tomorrow. He couldn't wait to see Rosina.

Here we have the revised chapter 7, if you have a good memory

you'll know that the prank on Rosina happened at the end of this

chapter. Seeing as I expanded this chapter by over 3k, I've decided

to put it in to the next one. Thanks guys!

Jess*

8. Chapter 8

A/N: Hi guys, thank you so much for all your reviews, they're

brilliant! IT'S MY BIRTHDAY! So I decided to upload all my stories as

I'm particularly happy, I'm glad of the feedback of the last chapter

and again I'm going to clear some things up. Yes Harry will go for

the stone but he is first and foremost a Slytherin and it is solely for

his own gain, he knows someone is after it and is going to be using

it as a bargaining chip and you will see in future chapters what I

mean.

A/N2: So I've moved a few things from the old chapter 7 in to the

beginning of this one, I think it sits better here; what about you?

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: None for this chapter.

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 8:

Harry choked violently when he saw Rosina enter the Great Hall on

Monday morning, coughing and spluttering as he tried to regain control

of his breathing and eventually having the air clearing spell shot at him

my an amused Daphne Greengrass.

"What in Merlin's- dear sweet mother of Circe!"

Harry had forcefully turned Draco's head to show him exactly what had

caused his reaction and the rest of the first years followed his line of

sight. To put it mildly: Rosina Potter looked awful. Her long auburn hair

was a livid green, matted together in greasy clumps. Her skin had a sickly

yellow tinge, appearing cracked in some placed, though her palms were a

bright purple. Whether it was nerves or sheer embarrassment, Rosina had

paused in the entrance of the Great Hall, and, at the worst possible time

for her, when the Hall burst in to loud laughter, the glue from the

previous day kicked in and she found herself unable to move over to the

Gryffindor table. Harry was in pain as he tried to control his laughter,

and Draco was pink in an effort not to laugh, but it was just too much.

They both rose, moving from the hall as fast as they could without

breaking decorum, and as soon as they were clear they burst out

laughing, collapsing against the nearest wall and laughing until tears

streamed down their cheeks.

"Oh Merlin," Draco gasped, "That was the funniest thing I have ever seen

in my entire life."

"On Circes Magic I didn't know it would come out like that." Harry

laughed, and then his eyes widened. "It's set to develop as the week goes

on."

They shared a wide eyed look and then fell about laughing again.

All through the week Rosina kept being transformed every time she

walked through a classroom door, or entered the Great Hall, and many

times Draco and Harry had to excuse themselves simply because it got

better each time it happened. Rose had confronted them, blaming them

and screaming about how they were going to pay for what they did. Her

red headed side kick, the Weasel, as Draco had so tenderly named him,

had tried to hex them. Harry and Draco had returned fire, hitting him

with spell to give him spots and a colour staining charm, making him

walk around with carrot orange skin and pulsing yellow spots all over his

hands and face. James tried to give them detention, but the wormed out

of it by stating they had air tight alibis and they couldn't have got in to

the tower.

When he tried to get them for jinxing Weasley, they produced several

witnesses, not only from Slytherin, who swore it was self-defence. Fred

and George also caught up with them and congratulated them thoroughly

on the genius idea, welcoming them to the pranking world. When

Samhain rolled around, while Harry was disgruntled that he could not

perform the ritual he usually would, he was feeling positively evil as he

knew the tripwires and the strength of their prank on Rosina were at

their height. What he didn't realise was how bad it would actually be as a

result, so when Rosina walked in, Harry gaped.

"Lady Magic herself, what have we done?" He breathed grabbing Draco's

arm, the blonde looked confused until he spotted her and his jaw

dropped.

"What in the name of Merlin's mighty magic did we do?"

"Remember I said it would be at its strongest today…?" Harry trailed off.

Rosina looked like an ill stereotypical muggle witch. Her hair was black

and lank, her skin was a pale green, her nose as lengthened and on her

face she had two pulsing warts on her chin and nose. Her hands had gone

crooked, her finger nails her brown and long and her teeth had turned

yellow.

"I am a horrific genius." Harry whispered unable to take his eyes off of

Rose.

"Agreed," Said the first years, looking from Rose to Harry and shuddering.

Harry spent the day staring at Rose and hardly paying attention to

anything, Draco had to forcibly move him out of the way of solid objects.

He had finally snapped out of it when he entered the Great Hall for the

feast, he was blown away with the decorations. He may be very

disappointed on not being about to perform the Samhain ritual, but the

modern time definitely got the feasting right. They were happily enjoying

the feast when Quirrell burst in screaming about a troll in the dungeons.

Mass panic broke out and Dumbledore shot out purple fire crackers to

silence the room.

"Prefects lead there house to their dormitories, teachers follow me to the

dungeons."

"Don't we live in the dungeons?" Harry pointed out to the prefect, who

was huddling the younger years together.

"We're going to the library, Professor Snape will know where to collect us

from." She told him. Harry was about to fall in with Draco, when he

spotted Rosina sneaking out of the Hall with Weasley and he pulled

Draco off to follow them. Draco saw what he had seen and nodded,

slipping in to the shadows so they were not seen. They only just dived

behind a statue when Professor Snape strode around the corner towards

the third floor corridor.

"Where do you think he's going?" Draco muttered, not knowing the castle

as well as Harry.

"That's the most direct route to the 3rd floor." Harry replied, "But I don't

know why."

"Forbidden corridor, perhaps, but I don't know why." Draco suggested,

"But never mind for now. Do you smell that?"

Harry took a breath through his nose and instantly regretted it, the

stench of rotten innards filled his sense and Harry immediately cast an air

freshening charm around them. They crept along, catching up with Potter

and Weasley, watching as they locked the troll in the bathroom, only for

a high pitched scream to sound out. Potter cracked the trolls head open

with its own troll as Weasley pulled Granger out from under the sinks she

was hiding in. Harry heard the sound of rushing footsteps so he and

Draco fell back, watching as Granger was dismissed and the Potter and

Weasley left together.

The Snakes followed the pair, listening to their theories that Professor

Snape was out to steal whatever was hidden on the third floor. Harry and

Draco shared a look. While they highly doubted that their Head of House

was out to steal anything, the Gryffindors had stirred their interest in

what was hidden there and why it would be stolen. They walked past the

library and realised the Slytherins were still there, so they ducked inside

and settled with the rest of the first years, who shot them questioning

looks but didn't ask out loud where they had been. When Professor Snape

came to collect them, Harry couldn't help but notice that he was limping,

pointing it out to Draco and giving him a look.

"What do you think is hidden there?" Draco wondered, when they were

finally alone in the dorms.

"I don't know, but I can guarantee we will find out."

Harry was sat still at Slytherin table on the morning of his first Quidditch

game; Slytherin v's Gryffindor. He hadn't eaten anything and was silent;

Draco raised his eyebrow at his friend.

"You aren't nervous, are you?" The blond asked with a wry grin.

"No." Harry answered a bit too quickly.

"Harry, you are amazing on a broom! You shocked Flint speechless and

pissed off James Potter." Draco said slowly and Harry grinned.

"I am pretty amazing arn't I?" He agreed, shaking off his pre-game nerves

and digging in to his breakfast. It wasn't too long before Flint called them

down to the changing rooms, and Harry got to his feet.

"Good luck," Draco said and Harry smirked.

"I got this."

In the changing room Flint was pacing infront of the assembled team, a

look of grim determination on his face.

"We want a quick game." He declared. "Potter, watch out for the Weasley

twins, who will be targeting you, they have a wicked aim and make a

horribly good team. Pucey, Warrington and I will concentrate on scoring

and Montague don't let the girls distract you from protecting thoses rings

or so help me you will regret it."

The crowds were piling up out there; Harry took hold of his broom to

calm his nerves and remembered Draco's earlier words; he was amazing

on a broom.

"It's time,"

The team walked out stoicly to the announcers call.

"Here come the Slytherin team: Captain Flint, Montague, Pucey,

Warrington, Bole, Derrick and a new addition this year, first year Potter!"

They were screams and cheers from the Slytherins and Ravenclaws whilst

boo's from the Lions and some braver Puffs.

"For the Gryffindore team we have Captain Wood, Johnson, Bell, Spinnet,

Weasley, Weasley and another new addition to the teams and a bit of

sibling rivalry it's the Girl-Who-Lived: Rosina Potter!"

Harry saw the Lions come out in glaring red and smirked. Madam Hooch,

the Quidditch referee, stepped on to the pitch and released the bludgers

followed by the snitch, taking hold of the quaffle.

"Mount your brooms." She called clearly. Harry climbed on to his broom

locking eyes with his twin.

"I want a nice clean game, from all of you." Even with the last part of her

sentence, she still looked towards the Snakes. She blew her whistle and

threw up the quaffle, 14 people rose up in to the air as the game began.

Harry flew off, darting between the players as he flew higher, eyes

flicking everywhere for the elusive snitch. He dodged a speeding bludger

aimed at him from Fred, grinning as the twin shot him a cheery wave and

shot off.

He started sweep in and out of the players, becoming a nuisance for the

three Lioness', and cheekily winking when he caused Johnson to drop the

quaffle again. An hour in to the game and the score was 120-60 to

Gryffindor and Harry still hadn't seen the snitch, he was circling the

game, upping his tatics to disrupt the Gryffindor plays when he spotted

the snitch scraping the grass by the Slytherin goal post. He was closer but

Rose was lower down so he would have to go all out, she hadn't spotted

it yet so he casually made his way to directly above the golden ball and

dived. He shot down like a rocket drawing gasps from the crowd.

"The male Potter looks like he has spotted the snitch, he is in a spetacular

dive!" Lee Jordan's voice rang out, Rose was on his tail but Harry kept up

the break neck speed. Just when he was about to hit the ground he pulled

up and leveled out so he was grazing the grass, Rose had leveled out a bit

above him so he had the advantage and used it by snatching the snitch

out of the air, he lept of his broom with his fist in the air grinning like a

crazy person.

"210-120 Slytherin win." The Snakes went wild and the team hoisted

Harry up in the air, rhythmic stamping echoed around the pitch followed

by loud hissing. Harry saw Rose being consoled by her father and if

possible his grin grew. Draco flew in to him when he was back on the

ground followed by an excitable Sirius and mellower Remus. Sirius lifted

Harry up amongst the cheers and Flind yelled.

"Party in the common room!"

"Let's celebrate." Harry screamed from above and got an answering cheer.

"Come see us later, Pup." Siri told him putting him back and Draco

pounced.

"I told you you're amazing." The blonde said as they made there way back

to the common room, where a massive party was on the up. The common

room was packed with food and drink and everyone was celebrating, it

was loud and rambunctious as the usually reserved Snakes let their hair

down in their sanctuary. The party lasted all day and well in to the night,

and somewhere in between that, the older years cracked open the Fire

Whiskey and thought it would be a great idea to feed it to the excitable

first and second years. Harry, remembering he said he would see his

Godfather, stumbled out of the room and up to Sirius a little on the tipsy

side, he fell through the marauder quarters and tripped over giggling.

"Pup!"

"Oh hey, uncle Siri." Harry said brightly from the floor.

"Have you been drinking fire whiskey?" Sirius asked with a grin, knowing

the very same thing had happened to him as a first year. The older years

always found it hilarious to see the younger ones drunk, and Sirius

himself knew it was amusing having done the same when he was in sixth

year.

"No, I haven't drunken anything!" Harry told him wide eyed, before

bursting in to giggles, Sirius chuckled.

"I take it you enjoyed the party."

"Uhuh." Harry said from his place on the floor, Sirius picked the boy up

and tucked him in to the spare bed. Harry fell asleep almost instantly and

Sirius smirked, the kid would wake up with a first time hang over; they

were the worst.

Harry groaned when he awoke Sunday morning, he looked around

through squinted eyes and confirmed he did make it up to Sirius. He

stumbled in to the living space and collapsed on the sofa next to Sirius.

"So how are you feeling?" Sirius asked joyfully, Harry glowered.

"Great." Harry deadpanned.

"It could have been worse, you didn't drink that much I'm guessing

because you were still coherent it's just because you're a first timer."

Sirius explained holding out a hangover cure. Harry gulped it down

happily sighing in relief.

"Well next time I will drink myself stupid cause them at least the pain

will be worth it. I'm going to kill Flint." Harry grumbled, slouching down

in to the sofa. He couldn't summon enough energy to look around as the

portrait opened, but the visitor soon entered his line of sight and Harry

grinned when he saw Draco slump through the door, the usual Malfoy

pristine well out of the window.

"I thought you might be here." Draco muttered, collapsing in to the

nearest chair, "Ugh my head hurts. I might write to my father and have

Flint crucified for causing me unnecessary pain."

"Morning cousin," Sirius called brightly, tossing over a hangover cure.

"Thanks," Draco said gratefully, "I was wondering where you got to, Har.

I woke up on the sofa and you were gone so I came here."

"Yeah I stumbled up last night."

"It was quite amusing." Harry threw him a look that said 'shut up or pay'

so Sirius got up and called for some breakfast. "I've said that next time

I'm drinking myself stupid so it's worth it."

"I second that." Draco agreed. Sirius brought over pancakes, toast and

juice just as Lupin fell in to the living room. He looked around in

surprised, blinking before shrugging and helping himself to toast.

"Do I want to know why you're all here?" Remus asked.

"I do not know what you mean, uncle Moony, are we not aloud to visit

for breakfast?" Harry asked innocently, Remus eyebrows rose.

"Of course you are, cub, but usually you wouldn't be in your pyjamas and

Draco wouldn't look like he has just rolled off of a sofa." Harry looked

down and at Draco then back at a smiling Remus and grinned.

"Well we thought we'd try something different today." Harry said.

"Riiiightt." His disbelief was apparent and the boys laughed. They ate

breakfast and chilled in the marauder pad all day, planning pranks and

mapping out ideas. When the two pre-teens left Sirius pulled out the

whiskey and passed one to his friend.

"I feel for the Hogwarts population." Remus said with a grin, Sirius

chuckled.

"I think they were behind the sticking mess and that whole Rosina

situation, how I don't know but I know it was them."

"I agree they are pure Snakes; clever and ridiculously sneaky."

Harry found that November past in a blur with everything he had going

on, Slytherin were top of the Quidditch and house cup and he had finally

tested his sedative; it was a success. Harry was walking back from the

library when he heard the Gryffindor trio speaking in hushed tones and

he immediately ducked behind the closest statue to listen to them.

"No I've heard of him before I just can't think." Granger muttered

irritated.

"Well whoever he is he has something to do with whatever is hidden on

the 3rd floor." Rose said.

"Yeah and Snape's after it," Ron growled.

"We will just have to keep looking for this Flamel guy, he has to be

somewhere." Rose sighed.

"Nicholas Flamel, I know I've read it somewhere." Granger whisper

exclaimed, sounding incredibly frustrated.

"Come on, we have to finish that Transfiguration essay." Rosina reminded

them, "Daddy said he would help us."

Harry remained perfectly still as they passed his hiding spot, not even

breathing until they had turned the corridor and silently ran back to tell

Draco. He found the blond pouring over a Charms text for his homework.

"Put that down we have someone to search for." Harry told him sitting

down.

"Just let me finish, I'm nearly done and if I don't do this my father is

going to kill me, my grades are not what he expects them to be." Draco

sighed, Harry looked alarmed.

"Dray why didn't you tell me your father was on to you about your grades

I would of helped you."

"Its nothing he's just picky." Draco tried to push it off but Harry wasn't

having it.

"What is he complaining about?" Harry demanded in a tone that held no

room for arguments.

"Its because of that damn Mudblood and her need to live in the library,

I'm 3rd in the year but she just won't quit and when he found out that she

was a Mudblood with no prior wizarding knowledge there was a clear

warning for me to sort it out." Draco burst out. Harry frowned,

understanding the dilemma, some purebloods often felt that during a

Mudblood's first few years in to the wizarding world it was their right to

guide them, and they didn't particularly like when they were showed up

by new comers. Harry found it mind-blowing that they wouldn't care if

the Mudblood had been in the world for quite some time, believing that

their success was because they had fully accepted their role in the

wizarding world, but hated it if they shone in the beginning. Harry shook

his head, grinning at his best friend.

"Well your not having the top spot sorry, that's all mine and if your father

has a problem with that he can write to me and ill explain that as

someone who can produce successfully cast all of our curriculum spells

wandlessly and wordlessly, as well as recite what they are and what they

do, I deserve it." Harry said to him, snickering when Draco rolled his

eyes, "Granger is an easy one to overcome, she's all theory. Her starting

influence in to our world was the worst possible choice so she'll suffer

when it comes to practical. You, on the other hand, are great at practical

casting, and are much more advanced, meaning you just need to

strengthen your theory based work. You study Occlumency, right?"

"Yes all traditional Purebloods teach it to their children to help the

stability of our core growth."

"We will have you just below me by tomorrow and then we have some

work to do."

They went and sat in the empty dorms, Harry placed his fingers on

Draco's temple.

"Let me in and trust me this will work." Draco nodded, they both fell in to

a meditative trance and Harry went in to Dracos mind scape. It was

remarkably ordered for an 11 year old but there were flaws, Harry

ordered Draco to create a room and store all magical study and knowlege

in there in ordered files, going through each section as they did so. They

set it in subject catagories and placed it for easy access; they came out of

the trance that they had been in for four hours.

"What's the basic water charm?"

"Aquamenti." Draco answered immediatly them grinned.

"Wow this is amazing!" The blonde exclaimed. "It just came to me

instantly."

"It's because your mind had re-evaluated all it's information and you have

properly sorted through it. What you'll have to do, each time you

meditate, is to add each bit of learned knowledge in to your files and

eventually your mind will do it automatically, becoming so accustom to

the subconscious feel of the magics you learn and connecting them with

the similar feeling ones already in your mind."

"That's incredible. Is that a further branch of Occlumency?"

"Sort of, you have to fully master your mind for it to do so, but it also

happens faster the more in tune you are with magic."

"Thanks, really." Draco told him sincerely, and Harry nodded.

"Just tell me next time, remember I'm amazing." Harry said seriously.

Draco punched him in the arm.

"So what did you rush in here about earlier?"

"The 3rd floor I have a lead, who is Nicholas Flamel?"

"Flamel, I've heard of him."

"Same, I've read it somewhere this year and for the life of me I cannot

think where, its taking too long to go through all of the things I've read."

Harry shook his head, "I may remember everything, but sometimes that's

the problem: I remember everything."

"I'll write to father and ask, he should be pleased when uncle Sev gives

him my new update." Draco suggested.

"Well when we find him we find out what's hidden on the 3rd floor."

"Harry!"

Draco flew over to the other Snake, grabbing his arm and dragging him

back up to the dorms he had just come through much to Harry's

bewilderment.

"Take a breath, Dray! Harry told him, "What's going on?"

"I've just received a letter from my father," He answered, his eyes alight.

"Nicolas Flamel is a famous alchemist."

"Oh my Mother Magic." Harry breathed, his eyes going huge, "I know

what they are keeping in the third floor."

"Well?"

Harry snapped his fingers, bringing an old tome to his hands and flipping

it open to the right page before handing it to the blond.

"Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosophers Stone…"

Draco trailed of in awe. "They are keeping that in a school full of

children?"

"It makes you wonder why its hidden here now, doesn't it? I mean,

Flamel has recently celebrated his 665th birthday, I'd have thought he

knew how to hide things by now."

"That is true, which means there must have been a direct threat against

it, someone he, and Dumbledore, seeing as the old man is hiding it here,

must believe could actually steel the Stone." Draco pointed out and Harry

nodded.

"I wonder who?" Harry mused.

"Stuff that. I want to know what they have guarding it."

"We, my blond friend, are going to find out this evening." Harry told him,

grinning when Draco smirked. The pair went to dinner feeling excited for

the night a head, Harry had Draco practice the disillusion charm

repeatedly until the blonde had mastered it and they went to bed nervous

but excited about what they were about to do. When they were sure

everyone was asleep, the pair got up and disillusioned themselves

silently, making sure to keep hold of each other's arms to be on the safe

side. They crept out of the common room, Harry ever-so-slightly twisting

the alert ward Snape kept there, which all Snakes took as a challenge

rather than a deterrent; Harry wasn't sure which one Snape intended

either, and silently up to the 3rd floor, dodging Filtch and Mrs Norris as

they did so. They stopped outside the door to the corridor and took a

deep breath.

"Wands at the ready?" Draco asked.

"Yes."

Harry unlocked the door with a flick of his wrist, sensing no other magic

there, allowing them to slowly push the door open and enter with

extreme caution. Harry turn to shut the door, feeling Draco freeze behind

him and knowing whatever it was it wasn't going to be good. He turned

to see what the problem was and felt his blood run cold. There, stood in

front of them, with six rolling black eyes, three sets of gleaming white

teeth and a body that made them look like ants in comparison, was a

very angry Cerberus.

"So we leave now and come back when we have a full plan?" Draco

suggested, his voice much higher than normal.

"I knew you were smart, Dray," Harry agreed, his voice also higher than it

should be. The animal's growling was bouncing around the room and it

took a step towards them, they bolted, throwing open the door and

slamming it shut and running all the way back down to the Slytherin

dormitories.

"Well I think it's safe to say they have some protection on the stone."

Harry stated brightly, being the first one to recover; Draco threw the

raven head a dirty look.

"You don't say?"

"So all we need to find out is how to get past that thing and who's after

the stone." Harry pointed out, ignoring the sarcasm.

"I have a book on magical creatures we can look in tomorrow but we'll

still have to work out who's after it." Draco said and Harry sighed.

"The wonder group think its Snape." Harry told him and Draco snorted.

"Please, if uncle Sev wanted to steal something no one would know until

it was gone." The blond declared, and Harry had to agree; that man was

way too sneaky for his own good.

"We need a plan because if people see us studying and the chaos stops

they will all know it's us, so we need to find time to do homework, cause

chaos, see Siri and Snape, watch all suspicious behaviour and figure out

the Cerberus." Harry listed, causing Draco groaned.

"Why do I have the suspicion we are going to be sneaking out a lot over

the next few weeks?"

Harry just grinned in reply.

Draco turned out to be right on par with his prediction; he and Harry

spent a ridiculous amount of time sneaking around the school. They

found it increasingly difficult to do everything in the day so they ended

up creeping out at night to set up their pranks, it was easier to do it like

that and their chances of getting caught were reduced. One night, as they

were heading back towards the common room after rigging the 'Puff

table to make all of its members have black hair and a badger stripe for

the day, they walked in to a corridor that Professor was patrolling and

almost panicked; Snape was the last person they wanted to get caught by.

He may have told them all at the beginning of the year that if they were

to get caught then he was the better option, but Harry had seen what

punishments the Snakes who were caught by him received and he had no

desire to have one himself. Silently cursing, Harry did the only thing he

could think of at that very moment, he cast his vanishing spell on him

and Draco without a word, just as Snape looked directly at them. The

Potions Master walked up the corridor, passing the boys by mere

millimetres and continued on with his patrol. As soon as he turned the

corner, Harry muttered the counter spell and released the breath had

been holding.

"What was that spell?" Draco questioned him, when they collapsed on the

sofa in the common room. None of them had wanted to speak until they

had returned safely.

"I created it, it's made to vanish you completely, 100% untraceable. You

could dance naked in front of someone's face and they would have a clue

unless you touched them." Harry explained and Draco looked at him in

awe.

"You really are a genius aren't you?"

Harry smirked.

"Well now that you mention it…"

"Prat,"

Draco punched him in the arm and headed to bed with a chuckling Harry

following. In the morning the pair paid dearly for their night time

escapades, they each looked like utter hell and it took copious amounts of

time and magic before they would face the public and go to the Great

Hall. Professor Snape was passing out the list for people who would be

staying at Hogwarts for Yule and Harry didn't have a clue what he was

doing, so he didn't sign, figuring he would speak to Sirius about it later.

He and Draco headed off for History with the rest of their year mates and

unfortunately ran in to James Potter on their way through.

"I've come to inform you that we will be spending Christmas as a family

here at Hogwarts so you need to sign up." James told him in a stiff voice.

Harry looked blankly, wondering if the man had truly lost all sense or if

he was that stupid.

"I apologise, sir, you must have the wrong person. I am an orphan, you

see." Harry returned, his voice even.

"You will do as you are told. After the way you have been behaving it is

the least you can do." James snapped.

"The least you should have been able to do was not give up one of your

children but we both know how that worked out." Harry threw back

instantly, making James' expression go dark.

"Even if Harry wanted to put himself through such pain, he had other

commitments to oblige to over the Yule season – he will be at the manor

with me." Draco cut in, his voice an arrogant drawl as he looked at Potter

in distaste.

"No son of mine with stay with any filthy Death Eaters." James hissed,

making both boys scowl.

"It's lucky you only have a daughter then, isn't it, Potter?" Harry spat,

throwing him one last look of contempt before pushing past with Draco.

"Its like he loses more intelligence each time we see him." Draco

exclaimed.

"Thanks for bailing me out there, Dray," Harry said sincerely, but Draco

waved him off.

"It's fine, its not as if I was lying anyway."

"Since when am I coming to yours for Yule?" Harry questioned in

confusion and Draco blinked.

"Did I not tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"You, Sirius and Remus have been invited for the manor for Yule this

year. It seems Sirius took my advice and has been in contact with my

mother. She has insisted you come to use for the season. Uncle Sev will

be there too." Draco explained and Harry grinned; this was perfect.

"Brilliant. We'll stop by later to make sure they are going." Harry decided,

as they were ushered in to their class.

"Very few people have the nerve to say no to my mother, Sirius is not one

of those people." Draco muttered, keeping his voice very low as the man

in question was a few feet from them. It was a brilliant lesson focussing

on vampire wars, the class howled with laughter and Siri pretended to be

vampire and crept up on Moony making the usually relaxed professor

yelp and fire multiple spells. What was funny was Moony clearly wasn't

thinking about what spells he fired because Sirius ended up bright purple

with an orange stuffed in his mouth glaring at a sheepish werewolf. Their

next class, to Harry's misfortune, was Transfiguration and that mean

dealing with-,

"I can't believe you are running off to a filthy Death Eater's house instead

of staying with us." Rosina announced, glaring at him. Harry gave her the

most pitying look he could manage and sighed.

"What part of my actions has, in any way, led any of you to believe I

would want to spend any time around you voluntarily?" Harry wondered

and she huffed.

"It's pathetic that you aren't over this petty jealousy. As soon as you

accept the fact that I am famous and much better trained than you

everything will be ok." She told him seriously and Harry almost gaped at

her, his eyes going wide with disbelief.

"Do you even hear yourself?" He got out, wondering what actually went

on in her mind and if it was something that could be fixed.

"The truth hurts," She sniffed. She was saved from the hex Harry wanted

to direct at her face when McGonagall granted them access to her

classroom; he would have hexed her to shut her up. He was actually

blood related to such an imbecile. The lesson passed quickly followed by

a short lunch, double Herbology with the Puffs and then a free period.

Draco and Harry sat with their year mates to do their homework as usual,

with Harry helping Daphne and Blaise with the spell from

Transfiguration and Draco helping Pansy, Tracey and Theo with Charms.

Overall, they had been told on the sly, the Slytherin first years had the

highest combined scores so far and they wanted to keep that in place.

Draco reminded Harry of the invitation at dinner, which made him grin

and pull the blond to the marauder pad. Harry all but bounced in,

greeting his uncles with a bright grin.

"I am going to take a guess and say Draco told you what we are doing for

Yule?" Sirius said with a laugh, and Harry nodded.

"Potter was under some strange believe I would be staying with him

during the holidays." Harry told him.

"In what way have to made them believe you would want to spend more

time with them?" Sirius questioned in disbelief.

"He practically said the same thing," Draco noted, pointed at Harry.

"I am looking forward to it though I haven't seen my cousin in years.

Thankfully we have been corresponding for the past couple of months or

she would probably still think I am the same naïve twat – ouch Moony I

meant twit – I was when I was growing up. She knows my views on the

world have changed."

"Mother says she is looking forward to catching up with you in person,

Sirius." Draco put in, happy that his best friend was coming. He was

worried because he knew Harry would want to be with Sirius and Remus

for his first Yule back, but when his mother had told him that she had

already extended the invitation to Sirius and Remus he was delighted; his

mother thought of everything.

"I am feeling the same." Sirius agreed, "And better yet, this time we will

probably see eye to eye on more things now and I could never tire of

winding up dear Lucy."

Draco balked at the butchery of his father's name, looking personally

offended much to Sirius' amusement.

"What do you mean about seeing eye to eye now?" Harry asked and Sirius

sighed.

"Well when I was younger I did everything in my power to be different

from all the other Blacks, as we were and still are known for our

affiliation to dark magics. I met Potter, who came from a strictly light

background, I wanted to fit in and conform to his ideas so I distanced

myself from my family and ended up running away in my 6th year.

Though, it was more to do with my parents than anything else. They

were disgusting human beings." Sirius answered, shaking his head. "When

Potter decided to reveal his true colours I finally realised there isn't much

difference between dark and light, so I started to read about all the stuff I

was supposed to learn growing up, and not the crap my mad mother fed

me. I was shocked at how wrong I was, and Narcissa has been giving me

information. Of course, then I brought to mind everything I had ever

been told about the light and dark and I looked in to the Dark Lord and

his ideas, turns out the crap about him wanting to slaughter all

mudbloods was crap sprouted from the light."

"That's understandable," Harry said, knowing he would favour the dark

over the light any day of the week.

"Another thing that has made me think over the years is the continued

prejudice Remus and others of his kind go against every day, and seeing

as we have a primarily light government it is obvious who is blocking

things. But the true problem was what they did to you. That would have

never happened within the so called dark, I still remember thinking that

Narcissa would string me up if she saw what Potter did; to give away a

fully magical child to muggles would be the ultimate crime."

"Have you told mother about Harry?" Draco asked and Sirius shook her

head.

"No, I'm a Gryffindor, not stupid."

"You can break it to her when you arrive for Yule," Draco told him

cheerfully, "I only told her that Harry was who she thought he was and

that he had broken Potter tradition by getting sorted in to Slytherin."

"What did I ever do to you?" Sirius groaned and the boys snickered.

"Ignore Sirius' dramatics," Remus told them, "Is there going to be a ball?"

"No, thankfully it's the Jugsons holding it and we are not required to

attend." Draco answered.

"Thank Merlin for small miracles. I may have taken up my Lordship and

work in the Wizengamot, but there is no way I am prepared for a ball."

"Me and Draco will have you and Moony ready for Pureblood society in

no time at all." Harry told them with a grin.

"We will call it etiquette for dogs." Draco said with a smirk and Harry

burst out laughing, running as the adults took in what they said and let

out indignant cries.

By the time the Yule holidays had come around, Harry was almost

desperate to get away from the castle. Well, that wasn't quite right. He

adored the castle and if it was up to him he would live there forever,

what he wanted to get away from was the Potters, or, more importantly,

James and Rosina. Lily, thankfully, had fully respected his wishes and left

him alone, merely greeting him when polite company required it and

going on her way; though she never spoke to him around James for some

reason. He was packed and anxious to leave, the rest of the departing

students, including Draco, had already left on the train hours ago leaving

Harry to floo to the Malfoy Manor with Sirius and Remus.

Just as the boys had promised, the two were dressed and ready to

formally meet the House Malfoy for the first time in many years. Remus

was dressed in crisp, tailored, smoky grey robes, with the Black crest

printed on the right arm, and Sirius had donned a dark blue robe, his

own crest, signifying his Lordship and Head of House Black, on display

proudly. They had to wait for the Malfoys to collect Draco before they

could go and it seemed to put a tense air around the room until

eventually Harry cast a tempus and almost cheered.

"Ok, we can leave now." He announced, jumping up and walking towards

the fireplace. He blinked, very surprised, at the Pureblood personas that

had suddenly risen over the pair, but he grinned before raising his own

and stepped in to the grate. "Malfoy Manor." Harry was sucked through

the fireplace, spinning almost wildly and he was forcefully reminded why

he absolutely despised the floo system. He gracefully stepped out of the

fireplace once he had come to a halt, only having time to vanish the ash

from his robes and the floor before he was captured in a bone-crushing

hug from a blond.

"I thought you were never going to get here!" Draco exclaimed and Harry

grinned.

"Calm yourself, Draco," A cool voice commanded gently, "Let your friend

move to the side as the others come through."

Draco's cheeks pinked slightly and he moved back, letting Harry moved

to the side and wait for his Godfather and uncle just as the grate flared

green. Sirius came through with a slight stumbled, which he immediately

covered well and moved aside as Remus followed without so much as a

wobble. The three newcomers turned to their hosts, and Harry noted the

startling similarities between Draco and his father. Draco was truly a

mini-Lucius, the only difference was he had more of his mother's softness

in his face and his hair was a single shade darker.

Lucius Malfoy just had an air about him that screamed 'you will pay me

attention', his features were sharp and well defined, and he was quite tall

too. His long blond hair fell just past his collar bones showing his years

as Lord and Head of his House. Narcissa Malfoy had features Harry had

seen in his Godfather's face, and she was truly a beauty. She appeared the

epitome of grace and elegance even if she offered them a warm smile.

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor. We are delighted you could accept our

invitation." Lucius greeted formally.

"We were honoured to receive one." Sirius returned in the same tone.

"Now the formalities have been accomplished; it is so very good to see

you again, Sirius." Narcissa said warmly, "I was very pleased when you

said you could come."

"It's great to see you to, Cissa," Sirius returned, gaining a smile at her old

nickname, "I'm glad I took your son's advice and got back in contact."

"Yes, he's a good boy." Narcissa said pleased. "Let us go to the lounge and

sit. We could use a nice catch up before we settle for the night."

They were lead through the halls of Malfoy Manor and Draco was giving

Harry a murmured commentary much to the other boy's pleasure. He had

never actually seen a Pureblood Manor before, having never been

anywhere accept Hogwarts, the prisons and the market, and he was

fascinated. He even started pointing things out and asking questions that

Draco was happy to answer to him, the blond was just telling Harry

about his mother's latest redecorating some 6 years ago when they finally

caught back up with the adults in the lounge.

"Draco, why don't you show Mr Potter to his room," Lucius suggested to

his son, "The both of you can get him settled before returning for dinner."

"Of course, father." Draco said, "Come on, Har,"

"Mr Malfoy, please call me Harry. I am sure you have had the unfortunate

experience of meeting my sperm donor, so I am sure you will understand

why I do not wish to be even associated with that name." Harry said

sincerely before following Draco out of the room, catching the sound of

his Godfather bursting in to laughter as they reached the stairs.

"Did he really just-,"

"Yes he did, and your face was priceless, Lucy." Sirius snickered, making

the Malfoy Lord scowl.

"Please refrain from calling me by that butchery of my name, Black."

Lucius ordered, but Sirius only looked at him innocently.

"How have you been, Sirius? You look well." Narcissa asked. Sirius

sighed, running his hand through his hair.

"Honestly, before September, not great." He admitted, "If it wasn't for

Moony and my refusal to give up, I would have probably drank myself in

to an early grave."

Narcissa's eyes widened in alarm, and even Lucius's mask broke at the

admission.

"Whatever happened?"

"Potter," Sirius answered, both his and Remus' faces darkening.

"We heard of your fallout, of course." Narcissa said to them, "But nothing

of the reasoning."

"You finally realised what a weak-minded fool he is." Lucius drawled,

ignoring his wife as she shushed him.

"No, he is right, Cissa. I should have listened to grandfather's warning

more, and I can never tell him that. I was too caught up in my hatred of

my mother and father, the need to be as far away from them, and by

association, the family." Sirius sighed. Both of the Malfoys looked

shocked, but Narcissa had a note of understanding on her face.

"Aunt Walburga and uncle Orion were demented fools." She told him.

"But what happened to make you realise? You all but swore to never

return."

"After I split from Potter, everything I thought I knew about my 'friends'

and the 'light' was thrown in to the air and so I started to read up on the

things I was supposed to have learned while growing up. Not the things

my parents forced upon me, but all of the scrolls, the books and notes

grandfather kept, and once I saw the difference I started to look in to

everything about the Dark Lord's views and ideas. The light, I can't even

call it lies because they truly believe it, their doctrine is complete crap.

Discovering all of this on top of what Potter had done… it really drove it

home. I just didn't know what to do, it was only when Harry became

friends with Draco, and he mentioned that I should write did I find a way

to restart contact."

"This is brilliant, Sirius. You understand why the family were so angry."

Narcissa said, and Sirius nodded.

"What sort of thing could Potter have possibly done?" Lucius questioned,

"I do not mean any disrespect but there was nothing short of your

grandfather completely banning you from leaving that would have

stopped you."

Sirius didn't know exactly how to respond to that, how to explain the

entire situation fully so while his mate was thinking, Remus asked a

question instead.

"How are magical children regarded within the 'dark' section?"

"A fully magical child is treated with the utmost care, they are a treasure

and to harm one is considered to be the most heinous of crimes. Even the

Dark Lord never harmed a child, if they were to be killed it would be

instant death and even they were rare." Narcissa answered, looking

confused at the question.

"It is why the Weasleys are so stigmatized." Lucius added, "They have

performed a near impossible feat, producing seven fully magical children,

two of which have incredible careers currently and ahead of them, and

the next one is set to go straight to a good position in the ministry.

Despite this, they throw away our culture and completely disregard our

traditions in favour of the loathsome muggle ones."

"That's the reason?" Remus said in amazement, "We were always told it

was because they accepted Muggleborns and were poor purebloods, not

being able to stand in 'proper' society."

Narcissa released a delicate scoff.

"What utter ridiculousness. Their financial situation has absolutely

nothing to do with their station. They are still an Ancient House, if they

would bother to recognise it, but they don't. Their seat has remained

dormant since Septimus Weasley passed many years ago, they don't even

acknowledge it enough to pass it to Dumbledore. The term Blood Traitor

does come from those who renounce their wizarding lines, after all."

"More lies," Sirius sighed.

"Why the question about magical children, Sirius?" Lucius asked and

Sirius glared at the wall briefly before controlling himself.

"As you know, there were 'rumours' the Potters were gifted with twins,

but after Samhain night of '81 the second child was never seen or heard

of again."

"Yes, it was quite strange, but it was believed that there was a

miscommunication during the war until this year." Lucius noted.

"The reason the second child, Harry, wasn't heard of after that was

because Potter decided it would be a grand idea to ditch my Godson and

Heir to filthy muggles." Sirius's sentenced finished in a snarl, the mere

thought sending white hot rage through him. Narcissa gasped in horror,

her hands flying to cover her mouth, and Lucius' hands clenched in to

fists and he hissed.

"How could they do such a thing?" Narcissa whispered.

"Well they had to concentrate on their special little Rosie and keep Harry

away from the press." Sirius told them seriously, mimicking the words

Potter had said to him all those years ago.

"Excuse me?" Lucius exclaimed, "You mean to tell me that they rejected

one of their children, from a set of twins no less, because of a bit of

fame."

"That's exactly what they did." Remus stated, his voice holding a slight

growl.

"And of course it was off of Dumbledore's suggestion." Sirius threw in

bitingly.

"Why am I not surprised that manipulative, meddling old man had his

hand in it?" Lucius muttered.

"Potter seemed to expect to collect Harry when he was eleven, tell him

that they got rid of him because his twin was famous but it was ok for

them to have him back now, and Pup be perfectly accepting of that."

Sirius told them, his voice lined with incredulity.

"I presume that was not the case." Narcissa said.

"That was so far from the case that it is no longer funny. Potter is

completely deluded, and that brat of his has be bred of his delusions."

Sirius said with a grimace.

"Lady Potter seems to have a better understanding of the true damage

done, she has not bothered Harry since he plainly told them that he

considered himself an orphan and better for it." Remus continued.

"Oh that poor boy," Narcissa sighed and Sirius grinned.

"Wait until you meet him properly, Cissa. He's grandfather's idea Black,

powerful, wicked smart and a cunning streak a mile wide." Sirius

informed her proudly.

"Draco has been writing home about Harry an awful lot." She allowed,

"Current top of the year and a Slytherin to boot."

"Potter tried to have him resorted but the hat refused to put him

anywhere else but Slytherin." Remus said amused, "Potter was less than

pleased."

"The first born Potter to Slytherin House in over five generations; that

was definitely interesting news to hear about." Lucius commented and

Sirius smirked.

"If he was in the traditional Potter Gryffindor the House would not

survive. He and your son are brilliant."

"Coming from you, I do not know if that is a good thing or not." Narcissa

joked and they shared a laugh. They were joined again, very suddenly, by

the two boys as they came running in to the room, Draco slightly ahead.

"I told you, I don't mind them away from me. Note the very important

away in that sentence." Draco exclaimed vehemently. Harry flashed a

perfectly innocent smile, one he had just about perfected.

"Awh, Dray! She won't hurt you, she just wanted to say hello. You've hurt

her feelings now."

"Don't give me that crap." Draco snapped, still edging away from him,

"You let her slide over my neck!"

"It's where your scent is the most." Harry pointed out. He held out his

arm revealing his pet snake, "Look at her, she's completely harmless."

Aressa chose that moment to release an odd, snakey sort of yawn thing,

that Harry had honestly no idea about, but it revealed her razor sharp

teeth and sent Draco to the other side of the room. Sirius, on catching

sight of the snake, had leapt to his feet as if to bolt if the time came.

"I didn't think you brought that thing with you." He yelped, eyeing Aressa

carefully and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Aressa goes with me everywhere."

"Who's Aressa?" Narcissa asked curiously as Sirius shuddered and Remus

chuckled. Harry held up his arm to show them his snake.

#Say hello, beautiful# Harry hissed and she reared up and gave her tail a

wave.

#Hello little blond human's family#

Harry grinned.

"She said hi."

The Malfoys, bar Draco, looked at Harry completely stunned.

"You are a Parselmouth." Lucius stated, his voice obviously shocked.

"How is – but that should – your not…"

"Yeah that was my reaction but you get used to weird things surrounding

Harry." Draco told his parents.

"Hey, weird things don't happen around me." Harry exclaimed and Draco

raised an eyebrow.

"Where's your wand Harry?" He asked simply. Harry blinked and felt his

wrists and then checked his pockets.

"Damn it, I lost it again."

"Language cub," Moony chided.

"But you must always have your wand on you Harry." Narcissa fretted

and Harry frowned.

"I hate using it though, it's so much effort." Harry groaned and Draco

rolled his eyes.

"Yes Avalon forbid you act like us mere mortals."

Harry stuck his tongue out and snapped his fingers, his wand appeared

mid-air and he secured it to his wrist.

"There,"

"How in Merlin's name did you do that?" Cissa questioned shocked. The

two Marauders decided they were going to enjoy this Yule time much

more than they first thought if this was going to be a continuous thing.

"I summoned it." Harry answered.

"You summoned it? But it appeared right before you."

"I know, it's an edited version of the spell." He said, as if it was the most

obvious thing in the world, sitting down to pet Aressa.

"You will get used to it." Sirius assured Narcissa and Lucius, looking

highly amused at their blank look.

"Somehow, Sirius, I do not believe I will." Lucius sighed.

The Marauders merely smirked.

Ok, folks, there we have it! I've spliced and swapped and chopped

and changed, but here is the revised version of chapter 8. I hope you

like it and would be extremely thankful if you let me know what

you think.

Jess*

9. Chapter 9

A/N: Hey everyone, I'm back with a new revised chapter for you and

I hope you like it. A bit more cutting and shaping here again, old

readers might notice the intro of chapter 10 at the end of this fic

any you will find out why as soon as I post it. It's slowly calming

down from the major revisions I had to do in the beginning,

cleaning up and putting in the needed little details; I do hope you

like it.

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling, so the characters do not belong to

me.

Warning: A bit of language

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 9

Staying with the Malfoys was very different from what Harry, Sirius or

Remus was expecting. Lucius was crisp and cool, ever the Pureblood, but

once you got passed the hard exterior he was very nice, and actually

quite amusing to be around. He and Sirius got in to quite a few

conversations about the Wizengamot and re-establishing the House of

Black and the House of Malfoy's alliance, the upset their coupling would

bring to the light side was genuinely enough for Sirius to agree,

everything else that could come out of it was just a bonus. Narcissa was a

mother through and through, and spoilt Draco rotten, though Lucius was

hardly the epitome of strict when it came to his son. Yes he had high

expectations of him, but as long as Draco maintained his high grades and

didn't bring any negativity to the House Malfoy then Lucius gave his son

everything and anything he could want.

Harry also got subjected to Narcissa's mothering, she insisted that

without it Sirius would teach him his own wild ways and that was not

acceptable; Sirius had pouted for a while after that. Not that Harry

actually minded, he actually quite enjoyed the feeling and she reminded

him of Rowena. Sirius and Remus seemed to fit right in after the first few

nights too, the tension that Harry didn't know they had been carrying

seemed to fall away, and when Severus arrived it was brilliant. They had

decorated the Manor and Harry was amazed as the twisting and gleaming

wreaths of evergreen that covered almost every shelf, mantle or table.

Harry and Draco had a great time relaxing, flying, pranking and being

kids, even if they did get a few scoldings for not fully following the rules;

Harry discovered that they needed to be even sneakier if they didn't want

to be caught. The boy in question was currently scribbling over an idea

he had been working on since the beginning on the year when he

suddenly froze and broke out in to a massive grin, he bolted to the

private sitting room where everyone was sat and burst in with his journal

in his hand.

"I have done it, its official, I am a freakin' genius, and I have proved it

with this." He announced grandly to everyone and Sirius just cracked up

seeing the utter disbelief on Narcissa and Lucius' face.

"Your modesty astounds me, Harry." Severus drawled, having become

used to the random bouts of self-praise Harry would give himself, and the

boy grinned.

"Well wait until you see this." He said, handing over his latest work,

Snape looked through it with his eyebrows raising the more he read.

"This is amazing, all the components will work and even though it is

complex I have no doubt you will be able to make it." Snape told him and

Harry nodded excitedly.

"I know, sometimes I surprise myself with my intelligence." Harry sat

down with a happy sigh, "I was just born to be smart."

"Where did this idea come from?"

"I created a spell that does the exact same thing but I know that it is a

tricky spell to cast." Harry shrugged.

"You've created a spell." Lucius exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yes and edited a few. I've created a potion too, well two potions now."

"Are you sure you are 11?"

Harry grinned.

"Pretty sure yeah."

"What spell is it?" Narcissa asked and Harry smirked, he waved his hand

vanished from where he was sat completely. He decided to have a little

fun so he got up and was amused when they were looking around in

confusion.

"That is much better than a normal disillusion." Lucius commented

impressed, Harry smirked and walked up behind the elder blonde's chair.

"I would agree." He laughed when Lucius jumped violently and turned to

glare at Harry, who had already moved around so he was almost nose to

nose with him.

"Thank you for that, Harry."

Harry cancelled the spell just as Lucius turned around.

"You're welcome."

He nearly collapsed when Lucius all but jumped over the chair in fright, a

strangled sound leaving him. Sirius, Remus and Draco were all laughing

so hard it was silent, Narcissa was giggling and even Snape chuckled.

"Oh Merlin, that was the funniest thing." Harry gasped out, easily

ignoring the black glare he received.

"Please refrain from doing that again."

"Lucius dear, I've never seen you jump so violently." Narcissa told him

and Lucius scowled, but his eyes gave away his mirth.

"You can use my classroom to try this when we return to school." Snape

said to Harry, who beamed in response, he snapped his fingers and the

black book disappeared back to his room.

"On the off chance," Narcissa began, "You're little trick where your

summoned items come directly to you wouldn't happen to be one of the

spells you have edited." Harry flashed her an impish grin.

"I got sick of waiting for my things to fly through the air hitting Circe

knows what on their way." He answered and she ruefully shook her head.

"We were speaking, before you came in declaring your brilliance, about

your, how did you put it, 'sperm donor'." Remus finished with a grin and

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Why were you wasting valuable speech talking about that?"

"I was explaining to Cissa and Lucy (said blond glowered) just how

unbearable he has become, and what the spawn is like." Sirius said and

Harry wrinkled his nose.

"The wonder child is something to be desired that is for sure, our pleasant

flying instructor on the other hand is a first class prick."

"Language," Remus and Narcissa chided at the same time.

"Sirius, what have you been saying in front of the poor boy?"

"Why is it immediately my fault?" When just got blank looks from

everyone in the room he sighed and shook his head.

"Let's talk about better things." Harry said.

"Yeah," Draco agreed and the pair looked at each other.

"PRESENTS!" They yelled.

"Yes, we know, it's Yule tomorrow."

"Come on Sev, you're supposed to be cheerful." Harry pointed out and the

Potions Master rolled his eyes.

"Brats, the pair of you."

"Oh Harry, I found that book, I did leave it here." Draco remembered and

Harry's eyes lit up.

"Come on, then we can get to work as soon as we get back." Harry said

and pulled Draco from the room.

"What are they up to?" Lucius questioned.

"I don't want to know." The three Professors sighed.

Harry and Draco ran all the way to the blond's room, where Draco pulled

out the book and flicked straight to the Cerberus page, they read over the

page almost hungrily and Harry's eyes shone.

"Here," He breathed, pointing to the lines he was reading, "Cerberus' go

straight to sleep when they are subjected to music."

"Brilliant, all we have to do is get through the rest of the tasks." Draco

said excitedly, "I can play the violin,"

"That's lucky because I suck as instruments." Harry with with a grin,

"We'll go as soon as possible."

They planned out when they would go and what they would need to

take, neither of them had any idea who wanted the stone but that could

come after they had it. Narcissa sent for them for dinner around 5 and

the boys were eagerly talking about their plan and just looked innocently

when asked what they were discussing, they all ate cheerfully they two

boys were sent to bed early because they would be up half the night the

next day.

"WAKE UP! IT'S TIME FOR PRESENTS." Harry yelled at the top of his

voice, as he jumped up and down on Sirius'and Remus' bed, shocking

them awake and almost throwing them to the floor.

"Cub, calm down," Remus instructed with his hand on his heart as he

tried to control his breathing, "You scared us half to death."

"But uncle Moony," Harry whined, "Presents!"

"Alright then, Pup. Go on, we'll meet you down there." Sirius told him,

finally being able to stop his heart racing. Harry and Draco met in the

hall and ran to the sitting room where there were stacks of presents

everywhere, they were just about to pounce om them when they were

both grabbed by the waist and hoisted in the air.

"Ah ah, calm down boys." Came the amused voice of Lucius, setting his

son easily on his hip as Sirius did the same with Harry.

"You have to wait for Remus, Narcissa and Sev, who I believe you forgot

to wake." Sirius pointed out.

"No I tried but he warded his door so tight that it would have taken me

half an hour to unpick them." Harry told them with a grin, "I didn't think

it was necessary to blast down the door,"

Said Potions Master walked in with a smirk.

"Now that, Black, is called intelligence." He informed the man, who stuck

his tongue out petulantly. Narcissa came in, looking wide awake despite

the fact that it was barely six am and she was dressed in her nightwear,

with a yawning Remus, who looked like he was still actually asleep, and

they all finally sat down. Harry turned his pleading eyes on Sirius and

Draco did the same to his mother and father.

"Fine,"

"Go on then."

They cheered and jumped for the presents, they dished them out to

everyone and began unwrapping their own without so much as a scrap of

decorum or patience, much to the amusement of the adults. Harry had

absolutely loads of presents from robes to Quidditch gear, and other

random things that he had casually mentioned or pointed out since his

return; it was almost as if Sirius and Remus were making up for lost time.

There was a final envelop left for him and he raised an eyebrow, he

opened it and felt his eyes widened he he took in the words on the

parchment, reading it over three times before looking at Sirius in

complete shock.

"Is this for real?" He breathed, completely blindsided, and Sirius looked a

little sheepish.

"It's only a suggestion, I mean I know how much you hate Potter and I

thought-," He was cut off when Harry bodily threw himself at Sirius. This

was practically everything he could have asked for and meant more to

him than any material gift in the world.

"Yes, the answer is yes." Harry answered excitedly, no doubt in his mind

whatsoever.

"Really!?"

"Of course, I wouldn't want anything else." Harry assured, "I'll be fully

changing it, of course."

"What to?"

"Well I needed you for that, although I'm thinking Harrison because it can

be shortened." Harry suggested.

"Yeah, maybe Regulus for a middle." Sirius put in and Harry nodded. He

snapped his fingers, summoning a self-inking quill – weren't they one of

the greatest creations Harry thought – and signed the parchment without

haste. Sirius filled out the rest of the forms, sealing them with his

Lordship ring before setting them aside and pulling out a familiar potion.

Harry bit back a grimace, drinking the potion down in one and gritting

his teeth over the pain that washed over him, he could feel it changing

him him, and Harry didn't know if it was his imagination or not but it

seemed to be changing more than it did when he had done the same

process with the Founders.

"I, Sirius Orion, Lord and Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of

Black, do hereby select Harrison Regulus as son and Heir to my House. So

I wish it, so mote be it." Sirius spoke clearly and the magic started to stir

in the air.

"I, Narcissa Selene, daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of

Black, do recognise and accede to the Lord and Head's decision, and

accept Harrison Regulus as Heir." Narcissa spoke next bringing the magic

higher and leaving Harry to finish the vow.

"I, Harrison Regulus, do hereby accept Sirius Orion as the Head and Lord

of my House, and as my father. So I will it, so mote be it."

The magic flashed and there was a cold cry of a raven, signalling the

acceptance of the Black family magic, and Harry felt a ring appear on his

finger; the Black Heir ring. Harry hugged his new father tightly, almost

overcome with emotions; he had a proper family name, not just in name

and Potter could go screw himself. He was passed to Moony next, who

muttered his congratulations and then on to Narcissa, who pressed a kiss

to his dark hair and welcomed him to the family.

"Yes!" Draco burst out, as soon as the moment was over "Now were

actually decently related."

"Another Black, wonderful." Snape drawled but he was only joking and

Harry flashed him a roguish grin.

"You love it really."

"He's got that damn grin as well, Merlin help me!" He sighed

dramatically.

"Don't worry Sev, I'm here to help you out." Sirius told him

sympathetically before cracking up. The rest of the morning passed

cheerfully and the elves provided a small lunch, Harry and Draco has a

game of chess, where Harry lost rather spectacularly; he blamed the new

blood. They played games and relaxed all day, having an absolutely

incredible Yule feast before they performed the Burning of the Log. When

Harry finally collapsed in to bed in the early hours of the morning, he

was completely exhausted but the happiest he had ever been, and he fell

asleep with a smile on his face.

Draco came running in to Harry's room flushed with excitement, he was

dressed in his Hogwarts robes and was grinning.

"Hurry up, we have things to do as soon as we get back."

Harry grinned.

"Yes I know, I'm ready now, I had to perfect my new look, I'm spending

too much time around you." He received a whack around the head for his

comment, though Draco didn't deny it.

"Uncle Sirius is still moaning about going back to teach Potter, mother

silenced him much to Moony's relief." Draco told him, he had taken to

calling Sirius and Remus 'uncle' just as Harry had started calling Cissa

and Lucius 'aunt' and 'uncle'.

"Aunt Cissa did the right thing, poor uncle Moony has to live with father."

Harry said, he had taken to calling Sirius father as he saw the man a

better one than his birth father. There was no question in his mind; Sirius

Orion Black was his father and nothing anyone could ever say would

dispute that. They both left the room and headed for the sitting room,

where they were greeted by the weirdest of sights: Sirius was laid on the

floor with his arms around Lucius' leg, Remus and Snape seemed to be

trying to pry him off and Narcissa looked as if she was holding herself up

on Lucius with laughter.

"What in Merlin's name?" They burst out before giving in to fits of

laughter, the adults gathered their baring's quickly as Draco and Harry

continued to clutch each other in support.

"Oh Merlin,"

"That was the funniest thing I have ever seen." Harry gasped.

"I don't even want to know, just remember that we are never going to

forget that." Draco sighed wiping his eyes.

"Come on you two, leave the children to play." Narcissa said with a smile,

they smirked at the affronted men and followed her to the fireplace.

Harry found himself in a tight hug from Narcissa and a kiss on the cheek.

"Be good and write regularly, I'll see you in the summer." She told him

and Harry smiled, before he threw floo powder in to the grate.

"Marauder's Pad, Sanctuary." He called and vanished in a flash of green

flames, moving aside so Draco could come through. They fell on to the

couch in wait but when the adults didn't come in the first five minutes

the boys grew bored.

"Shall we leave them a prank and go to the feast?" Draco suggested and

Harry smirked, they set up a charm which would change their robed

bright orange and green as soon as they left the portrait hole. Harry also

charmed the couch to sing when sat on and they left, hurrying down to

join the rest of the students for the feast. Sirius and Remus rushed in at

the last minute, throwing glares to the innocent faced first years as they

moved to their places as the Head table. Once everyone had settled, the

Headmaster rose with a grandfatherly smile on his face.

"Welcome back, I hope your Christmas' were wonderful; dig in." He

announced and the feast began. It feast passed quickly, Harry and Draco

spoke with their friends and Harry pointed out his new name and Heir,

especially to Pansy. She was one of the biggest gossips in the school and

if they wanted anything put out there they would go to her, she could

make the most outlandish of stories pop up and be believed from

apparent thin air, and it never appeared to originate from Slytherin

House. Harry gave it until tomorrow before the entire school knew,

including the staff.

"You know that you are going to be in for some arguments because of

this." Draco muttered to him and Harry smirked.

"Oh I know, I can't wait to see his face."

They left the hall but a voice stopped Harry in his tracks.

"Harrison Regulus Black."

He winced

"Oh you got the full name." Draco laughed

"You too Draco Lucius Malfoy,"

"Looks like you did too, Dray." Theo snickered at the both of them, Harry

turned around to face his father with a beaming smile.

"Father, so good to see you, it's been a while, we should catch up."

"A prank on our door?"

Harry and Draco both looked confused, immediately going to innocent.

"What are you talking about?" Draco asked bewildered.

"We came through the floo and went to the feast." Harry told him with a

nod.

"I think you should look to the other marauder you live with." Draco

pointed out, making Sirius look confused.

"What, I mean- never mind." He walked away shaking his head and the

pair hi 5'd.

"We are good." Harry said.

"So good." Draco agreed and they carried on to the dungeons, happily

getting settled back in to the Snape pit and having a brief catch up with

the rest of their year mates before heading to bed early for lessons

tomorrow.

Harry yawned as he jabbed Draco awake, he had become more relaxed in

his sleeping habits since his return to the future, not having the gruelling

training and lessons he put himself through anymore, but he wasn't

worried as all his magic was regularly practiced. He had even made time

to practice his bow and arrow work during the holidays, beginning to

teach Draco as the blond was fascinated. Harry went down to wait in the

common room reading a book as usual and Draco fell in to the room soon

after, they trudged up to the Hall and absently ate breakfast. Their

lessons were simple, both having read and studied ahead, and Harry was

glad when the day was over. He was right in saying that his name change

would be all over the school by that day, because he was cornered by his

wonderful sister after Transfiguration; it was always Transfiguration.

"Just because you have changed your name doesn't make you any less

pathetic." She spat at him and Harry merely raised an eyebrow.

"Whatever you say, Potter," He drawled with a smirk, relishing in the fact

he could call her that and have no association with the same name; it was

glorious.

"Well we're better without you, anyway." She huffed, flouncing off and

leaving Harry to move down to dinner. Unfortunately he didn't get far

because Potter Sr caught up with him just outside the Great Hall.

"What is this I've heard about you changing your name?" He demanded

and Harry smirked.

"I decided to change my name over the holidays, I think it suits me

better." Harry answered him brightly.

"You can't just change your name in the wizarding world, it's different to

the muggle one." He snapped.

"Oh I know, which is why father blood adopted me." Harry said

cheerfully, he carefully sidestepped James, who had just worked out

what he said and was beginning to look irate, and made his way in to the

Slytherin table.

"BLACK," was heard roared from the Entrance Hall, both Sirius and Harry

exchanged looks and Harry pointed at Sirius with a grin. James Potter

came storming in and straight up to Sirius, who was trying not to grin as

he spoke to Severus.

"Black, what do you think you are doing?" He spat.

"Well I was talking to Severus until you spat at me." Sirius replied, wiping

spit from his face.

"You cannot just blood adopt my son."

"Actually I can, Harrison was quite for it."

"His name is Harry,"

"No you should look at the records, its Harrison Regulus Black, Heir to

the most Ancient and Noble House of Black." Sirius told him proudly.

"Didn't you agree with Lucius that Harrison was to be the next in line to

carry the Malfoy line if anything should happen to Draco!?" Snape asked

and Sirius nearly broke, they hadn't agreed to anything of the sort but it

was pushing Potter's buttons.

"You did what! He's a filthy death eater, what is wrong with you,

associating with scum." James ground out.

"That filth as you put it Potter is my family."

"Yes and we all know what sort of family you have Black."

Sirius got to his feet and it was a much more impressive sight than

Potter.

"I would be quiet if I were you Potter," His tone was soft and deadly.

"Is that a threat?" James sneered.

"Oh no, but like you said everyone knows what sort of family I have."

Sirius' wand was in his hand as if indicating his point and Dumbledore

decided it was time to intervene.

"Calm down gentlemen, we can go to my office to discuss this properly."

"That is not necessary Headmaster, there is nothing to discuss." Sirius

said, never taking his eyes of the Potter Lord.

"Everything has been said." James agreed and stalked away, Sirius sat

down calmly and continued to eat like nothing had happened.

"Why do I have the feeling he is going to become even more unbearable?"

Snape questioned.

"Why do I have the feeling your right?"

By the end of the week Harry wanted to murder James Potter with his

bare hands, Draco had to physically restrain him from cursing the flying

instructor and Harry spending more and more time in Salazar's duelling

room to relieve his stress. Potter had taken to striping Harry of points

whenever they met and making snide comments about Harry, Sirius,

Remus and the Malfoys and it was driving Harry crazy.

"I swear I'm going to wring his neck." Harry snarled, storming in to the

common room.

"What has he done this time?" Draco sighed.

"50 points, 50."

"What? You have got to be joking!? That completely wipes our lead

putting Gryffindor at the top." Theo exclaimed and Harry nodded

furiously.

"I know and he took them off for obstructing the hallway, insulting a

fellow student and wasting his time." Harry spat, "I was putting a book in

my bag as I left the library asking Daphne to remember the Charms

book."

"He can't do that! Go to Professor Snape." Blaise told him and Harry

nodded, Draco cleared his stuff and left with Harry to see his Godfather.

The two Snakes slipping through the painting and knocked sharply on the

potions masters' office waiting for an entrance. Snape was working on

essays but looked up when his Godson and best student entered,

becoming immediately alarmed when he took in their demeanour.

"What is wrong with the pair of you?"

"Potter," Harry growled and when Snape raised an eyebrow he

elaborated, "I just lost 50 points for rules that you wouldn't even take of

the Gryffindor's for." Snape's eyebrows rose to his hair line.

"What were you doing?"

"Putting a book in my back coming out the library, he took points for

wasting his time and obstructing the hallway." Harry exclaimed angrily.

"He is becoming worse I see."

"Worse, he's lucky I haven't cursed him, I could do it and not get caught."

Harry muttered and Snape smirked.

"Well take 30 points for preventing harm of a staff member and 30 for

you Draco for helping a fellow classmate in their time of need."

Both boys grinned.

"Thank you sir, we do try our best." Draco said.

"Am I allowed to curse him?" Harry asked genuinely.

"As your Professor I have to tell you that you are not allowed to do such a

thing." Snape told him and Harry sighed wistfully.

"Well as a student I am implored to listen to your professional opinion."

Snape rolled his eyes and dismissed them.

"Get out brats."

They ran away snickering at their dismissal. Draco suggested that they go

and see Sirius and Remus, and when they arrived they were greeted with

Sirius pacing.

"I want to wring his fucking neck." The animagus snarled.

"Let me guess, James Potter." Harry wondered from behind, coming in to

sit down and Draco threw himself on the couch.

"Yes, how did you guess?" He replied sarcastically.

"Because he just had the same rant." Draco pointed out with a smirk.

"He is the most insufferable, annoying, pig headed twat I have ever had

to deal with. What in Merlin's name I was thinking when I became

friends with that?" He ranted, throwing his hands up in the air,

"Grandfather, if you are listening, I am sorry for ignoring you."

Harry noticed Remus was silent, the werewolf was gazing in to the fire

with a faraway look and Harry narrowed his eyes.

"What did he do?"

"He insulted Remus."

Harry's eyes flashed.

"What did he say?"

"It's not what he said it's what he implied, going on about how student's

grades would fall because the Professor was out a lot. Never mind the

fact that we have been teaching here for a year longer than he has. We

had the highest grades to come out of the History classroom in over a

century, I say we, but everyone knows Moony is behind it; all the

students think he's great." Sirius explained and the two Slytherins shared

a dark look.

"Potter is a complete idiot, and anything that comes out of his mouth is

nothing but worthless drivel. If uncle Moony is going to listen that I'll hex

him, everyone loves you guys teachers." Harry said firmly and Remus

looked around.

"But-,"

"I don't want to hear it, you know he speaks nothing but crap, have you

heard the stuff he sprouts about Rose?"

Remus smiled.

"Ok cub,"

Harry nodded.

"Other than Potter becoming near enough unbearable, things are going

well. It was amusing to watch the light all but wilt when the

announcement of House Black and Malfoy's updated allegiance." Sirius

told them, and the pair grinned.

"Good, our Houses will stand together strongly." Draco said brightly.

"It's close to curfew, Pup, you had better get back to the common room."

Sirius told them and the boys said their goodbyes.

"I say we prank James." Harry said quietly as they walked back.

"I agree, what he said to Moony was low and we already have the plans

in place." They were both suddenly yanked in to a familiar alcove, biting

back a yelp of fright when they came face to face with two identical

faces.

"Hello tiny first years." Fred greeted.

"We could have sworn you just said the name 'Moony'." George

continued.

"And we know that is a famous name of a very famous prankster."

"You've heard of the marauders?" Harry questioned.

"Of course, they're our idols."

"We owe them so much." Fred sighed.

"You realise you're talking about my dad and uncle." Harry pointed out

and the twins choked.

"What?"

"Black and Lupin?"

"Yeah," Draco said slowly.

"Padfoot and Moony, we don't mention the others." Harry told them.

"We've been in this school for a year and a half with two of the

marauders and we didn't know." Fred murmured faintly, "Oh the horror,"

"You're the marauder heir." George breathed, looking at Harry in

amazement. Fred fiddled in his pocket and pulled out a worn piece of

parchment.

"This belongs to you. We know it off by heart now, anyway."

Harry blinked and grinned.

"Is this what I think it is?"

Sirius had told him of the map which he believed to be lost but

apparently not.

"The marauders map." They said together.

"Guys, I could kiss you right now."

"If you must." Fred said in a self-suffering sort of way and Harry punched

him.

"Tomorrow evening, meet us here and I'll properly introduce you to

Padfoot and Moony." Harry suggested and they beamed, the twins slipped

out and Draco turned to Harry.

"What is it?"

Harry offered him a smirk.

"This is the thing which will make us impossible to catch."

Draco raised an eyebrow and Harry tapped the map.

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." He muttered and the map

appeared, Draco's eyes widened before he also smirked.

"This is brilliant." He exclaimed and Harry nodded.

"I know but it needs to be edited, I know of other passages which aren't

on here."

"Come on, Potter is on his way." Draco pointed out, and they hurried off,

getting back to the common room easily and sitting down to do the

remainder of their homework.

Introducing the twins to the marauders was hilarious, the red heads got

down on their knees and bowed like they were worshipping Gods much

to the hilarity of Harry and Draco, who laughed at the shock looked on

the adults face. Harry explained what had happened and Sirius' admitted

to being impressed that they not only found the map, but they managed

to gain access to it. He and Remus happily told the twins some of their

best pranks and the twins did the same, all six of them laughing at some

of the things they had all done. Fred and George left looking a little star-

struck when they were welcomed back anytime, and Harry didn't know

whether to be concerned that he had introduced the four of them

properly or excited.

Harry quizzed his father and uncle on the spells of the map because he

was going to make his own and add the shortcuts and everything he

knew about the castle, he also had an idea on linking the map to viewing

and listening spells which could be put on the portraits. Once he had a

list of the spells he left to study the map, he was finished with his

homework and Draco was studying with Theo and Blaise, helping the

pair out with the latest Herbology Harry sat on his bed, with his curtains

drawn and Aressa around his neck, and opened the man, scouring it for

every detail that it had. He was amazed, there was so much there and the

dots of people had Harry's mind automatically wondering what they were

doing. Dumbledore seemed to be pacing in his office, Snape looked as if

he was brewing and when Harry's eyes glanced on the Defence corridor

on their way up to Padfoot and Moony he froze.

Quirinus Quirrell was stated clearly but nearly on top of him was the

name 'Tom Marvolo Riddle', Harry frowned in confusion which only

deepened when Quirrell moved and the name went with him, Harry had

seen that name before and decided he would look in to it. He noted

where he would add passageways, noting down the rooms he knew to be

there but didn't seem to appear on the map, and how he could link the

listening spells. He jotted down a few more notes before settling for

sleep, Aressa hissed her goodnight and curled up by his neck.

It turned out he wasn't the only one who had heard the name Riddle,

Draco pointed out an award the man had won in the 40's.

"Why did you want to know?"

Harry shrugged and Draco rolled his eyes.

"Well never mind that, guess what I have got my hands on." The blonde

pulled out a violin from his trunk and Harry's eyes lit up.

"Tonight?"

"You read my mind."

The pair were on edge all through dinner so much so that Harry

completely blanked James and Rose Potter, which, given the state of

their current relationship was quite impressive. He and Draco went to

bed early so they could catch a few hours, Harry told Aressa to wake him

when the moon was risen which was around half eleven, and when they

rose they were alert and ready. The raven head cast his masking spell on

him and Draco and told the blonde to cast the spell 'calor conspectu' at

his temple.

"This is completely strange." He muttered prodding Harry, who just

looked like a red/orange outline in the Slytherin dorms.

"Yeah it's a bit disconcerting but come on."

They walked out and headed to the third floor, Harry was constantly

checking the map but they were lucky. When they reached the Cerberus'

room, Draco began to play the first thing that came to his mind, the

blond was amazing and a beautiful tune floated through the room

immediately sending the Cerberus to sleep. Harry levitated the paw of

the trap door and jumped, the music stopped and Draco came flying

down behind him as the Cerberus growled, they landed on a plant that

started to wrap around their limbs.

"Devil snare." Draco hissed and Harry lit a fire to release them, he

cancelled the masking spell as they got up.

"Not particularly difficult." Harry pointed out as they went down the

corridor, they entered a room which had loads of flying keys, and Harry

didn't even bother to fly on the broom to search for the right one. He

placed his hand on the door and sent a pulse of magic through it, it

clicked open and they walked in to a huge room.

"Is that a chess board?" Draco gasped and Harry nodded, when they tried

to walk across the pieces came to life and blocked their way, Harry raised

an eyebrow.

"I'm guessing we have to play our way across but I don't particularly want

to play chess with stone pieces." Harry said to Draco who nodded in

agreement.

"Any suggestions?"

Harry grinned and grabbed Draco by the arm, he flamed them to the

other side if the white pieces, the blonde stumbled and started retching.

"There, that works." Harry told him cheerfully, he received a filthy look.

"What in Merlin's name was that? And never do that again."

Harry merely smirked.

"Come on, Dray, pull yourself together, Malfoy's never show weakness."

Harry told him only for Draco to punch him and walk in to the next

room; the blond immediately ran back out eyes wide.

"We don't have to go through that specific room do we?"

Harry raised his eyebrows and cautiously entered the room, he

understood Draco's haste. A troll, around 20ft tall, stood with its club

hanging dumbly at its side, it didn't notice them at first but when it did it

gave a huge roar and swung its club, they dived out the way and Harry

spotted the door on the opposite side.

"Dray, the door is over there." Harry pointed dodging the club again. "Go

through it and I'll flame."

The blond nodded and bolted, Harry flames out just in time as the club

smashed in to the floor where he had just been stood, they both bolted

through the door and flames shot up in each doorway, ones were purple

and one was black. Draco pointed out a sheet of parchment on the table

which was filled with 7 different shaped and sized bottles, Harry picked

it up and read it.

Danger lies before you, while safety lies behind,

Two of us will help you, whichever you would find.

One among us seven will let you move ahead,

Another will transport the drinker back instead.

Two among our number hold only nettle wine,

Three of us are killers, waiting hidden in line.

Choose, unless you wish to stay here forevermore,

To help you in this choice we give you these clues four:

First, however slyly the poison tries to hide,

You will always find some on nettle wine's left side;

Second, different are those who stand at either end,

But if you would move onwards, neither is your friend;

Third, as you see clearly, all are different size,

Neither dwarf nor giant holds death in their insides;

Fourth, the second left and the second on the right,

Are twins once you taste them, though different at first sight.

"Sev is way too smart for his own good." Harry muttered but he was

grinning.

"This is the time where I thank Merlin you are unnaturally smart." Draco

told him and Harry laughed at the irony. He inspected each bottle when

and found the bottle which would let them go forward through the black

flames.

"Here, this is it, drink it and go through."

"That's hardly a mouthful, what are you going to do?" Draco asked taking

the tiny bottle.

"If I'm right as soon as the bottle goes back in its place it will refill."

Harry explained.

"And if it doesn't?"

"I'll use a flame freezer and walk on through."

Draco rolled his eyes and walked through the flames, Harry placed the

bottle back and watched as it shook before refilling, he grinned and

necked the bottle following Draco through. He didn't want to just walk

through the flames, though he may have been a fire elemental, it didn't

mean cursed fire would wash over him; he'd like to try that theory in a

controlled environment first.

"See, I'm never wrong." Harry said smugly.

"Well oh genius one work this out." The blonde motioned to a grand

mirror that was in the room, it was the only thing in the room so Harry

walked forward to inspect the mirror, he could feel the magic on it as he

looked it over.

"Erised stra ehru oyt ube cafru oyt on woshi." Draco muttered.

"What?"

Draco pointed at the inscription at the top of the mirror.

"What does it mean?" The blonde asked as Harry gazed as it.

"I show not your face but your heart's desire." Harry read, "It's in mirror."

"Clever,"

"Yes which means that this is the key to the stone."

Draco was stood in front of the mirror and he looked in to it, he gasped

and stepped back.

"I have the stone and I'm using it but I don't know how to get it."

Harry tilted his head.

"Oh that's good," He breathed with his eyes alight.

"What?" Draco asked bewildered.

"Let me stand there for a second." Draco moved and Harry placed himself

in front of the glass, he closed his eyes and focused his thoughts and

feelings then snapped his eyes open. He was stood calmly in the mirror

when the reflection suddenly winked and pulled a blood red stone from

his pocket and replaced it in the same place, only this time he felt a

weight land in his actual pocket and he broke in to a shit eating grin.

"Oh Dumbledore, I won't deny you are clever." Harry turned to face

Draco and pulled the stone out of his pocked, Malfoy's eyes widened.

"How in the name of Circe did you do that?"

"You needed to want the stone but not want to use it, it is quite simple if

you think about it but brilliant."

Draco shook his head.

"I give up." He sighed and Harry laughed. He looked the stone over,

looking at all its tiny details before conjuring up one that was identity

and setting it back in to the mirror.

"Come on, we have to flame back."

Draco curled his lip in distaste, Harry rolled his eyes and grabbed him,

making sure to land in the bathroom just in case Draco was sick. The

other Snake wasn't, but he didn't look to healthy as they went to bed,

Harry secured the stone in his trunk under every ward he knew plus a

Parseltongue password. He fell in to bed with a smile on his face.

"What are we going to do with it? I mean we both have enough gold and

I don't know about you but right now I don't think we need to worry

about living forever." Draco said to Harry quietly as they made their way

to Herbology the day after.

"I'm thinking about finding who was after it in the first place and go from

there." Harry suggested with a shrug, of course he wanted to do some

experiments as well but if they could find who wanted it they could

bargain.

"True, it's just actually finding who wanted it," Draco pointed out, Harry

didn't answer because they reached the rest of the class. They were

learning the correct way to pick aconite so he didn't have to concentrate,

he was thinking on who could possibly want the stone then snorted to

himself; who wouldn't.

"We'll work on who's after it, it doesn't matter too much, it's not like it's

going anywhere." He would be alerted if anyone so much as brushed

against the compartment he had hidden the stone in.

They had no luck on discovering who was after the stone and it went out

of Harry's mind when the next Quidditch match approached in February,

he had begun his own version of the map and he had some pretty decent

research on Tom Riddle. He had written to the goblins, who had happily

sent him as much information as they could on the name 'Riddle' as they

weren't allowed to give away personal information. Riddle was from a

long line of Unblessed that seemed to come from somewhere close to

Morgana Le fey, he went to Hogwarts during the 40's and was a top

student, he had received a special award to the school, a prefect and

Head Boy and was the smartest person that had every walked the halls of

the school.

Then it seemed that after the 50's Riddle just vanished of the radar, he

either changed his name or was living as a hermit but there was no trace

of 'Tom Marvolo Riddle' until Harry had seen the name on the map and

the map never lied. It frustrated Harry to no end that he barely knew

anything about the mysterious name but it was put in to the back of his

mind in thought of the game, Flint was pushing them to the limits and

they were training nearly every night much to the team's ire.

"If you're going to complain you should think of the 60 points Gryffindor

were leading us by on the last game." He roared and that shut everyone

up. It had come to a tie. Even though Slytherin had already beaten

Gryffindor, they Lions had won all of their games with a lot of points, so

they were tied with Slytherin at the top of the board as this was the

decider match. Harry and Draco had put plan 'humiliate Potter' in to

motion. It started off as small things like changing the colour of his shoes,

they would cast little spells on him daily and they were slowly getting

bigger; Harry made his robes change violent pink. It was starting to get to

Potter as it was happen every day, but what he didn't realise that Harry

had slipped a potion in his drink that was like a memory, it made the

magical core remember all of the spells cast on its being and it could be

triggered to replace the spells with a certain word or spell.

The Snakes were layering up the spells and Harry had set the trigger

word to 'Rosie', so when Harry slipped him the activation potion every

time James said 'Rosie' or it was spoken around him all of the prank

spells he had vanished or removed would come back full force and the

potion was untraceable. It was a genius potion he had found in the back

or Sal's book and he immediately made it, Draco sat down with a nod

signalling the activation potion had been administered and Harry

smirked evilly.

"Let the fun begin." He murmured. Unfortunately for the pranksters, they

didn't see James until dinner, but when they did it was so worth the wait.

He sat down and began speaking with Lily and it didn't take two minutes

before James suddenly changed. Harry coughed to cover his laugh and

Draco ducked his head, James Potter had green skin, orange hair, pink

robes, blue shoes, yellow eyes and a clown nose. The hall erupted in

laughter and James looked down in alarm, he waved his wand and got

rid of it with a laugh and continued his conversation. Again half way

through he changed in to the same get up causing laughs, when it

happened for the 5th time Harry had to determinedly look away from the

staff table and Draco was concentrating on his plate at an alarming rate

but his glowing pink cheeks were a clear sign of his amusement. On the

7th time they left to laugh outright, they clutched their sides and held

each other up in their giggles.

"How long does this last?" Draco gasped out.

"I'm not sure, I think it needs a counter." Harry replied and they dissolved

in roaring laughter again.

"Oh Merlin, this is going to be hilarious."

Harry nodded in agreement.

"Come on lets go see dad, it's been a few days."

When they got to the marauders quarters they discovered Sirius and

Remus in fits of laughter.

"What's so funny?" Harry asked with a grin of his own.

"Potter stormed out of the hall." Sirius told them, and they hi 5'd. "It was

you?"

"How? They left before James and it kept happening?" Remus pointed out

and both Draco and Harry's grins were anything but reassuring.

"It might have something to do with Rosie." Harry told them putting

emphasis on 'Rosie'.

"Yes, he does often speak about Rosie." Draco added with a smirk, both

marauders had raised eyebrows so Harry explained a bit more.

"If one were to mention Rosie near Potter then something unfortunate

may happen." Remus eyes widened before he cracked up.

"Word activated prank." He told Sirius through his laughs, the animagus

gaped before falling about laughing.

"How long does it last pup?"

Harry grinned evilly.

"It needs a counter."

And they all fell in to more laughter.

The prank on James Potter lasted in to March before Dumbledore told

Snape to find and brew a counter potion. Harry, Sirius, Draco and Remus

spent copious amounts of time in tears of laughter. They had taken to

walking past James and declaring something was 'simply Rosie' and he

would change, it took a lot of self-control not to yell the word in the

Great Hall and it amazed them that he hadn't seemed to connect what

caused it. James was like a walking storm cloud, especially when he

found out he had to rely on Snape for a cure. The Potions Master had

come in to the common room and stood in front of Harry with a raised

eyebrow for 5 minutes before the boy caved and fetched the potion

which would deactivate the prank. Draco did point out it was a job well

done and Sirius said that it made the top ten of pranks of all time, which

was a bonus, the twins also came up to them and patted them on the

back silently and walked away; it seemed as if they couldn't find the

words.

Harry was working on his edited version of the map still, he had started

to draw it up, which was a task in itself – there was just so many things

to remember. Putting Hogwarts down on parchment was much more

difficult that he could have anticipated, and he admired his father and

uncle all the more for it. On top of that, he was still trying to find a lead

to who was after the stone and repeatedly coming up black, making

frustrated and irritable, so he was forced to go through his entire mind

and reorder it. It helped him focus and he realised he was better off

searching for the mysterious Riddle at the current time. He was sat in

Defence where Quirrell was stuttering through something pointless and

Harry decided to check the map, his head shot up when he saw 'Tom

Marvolo Riddle' practically on top of Quirrell as usual, his eyes narrowed

and he discretely cast his heat signature spell to see for any hidden

presence behind the Professor.

When he didn't find any he looked at the map again to check and the

name was still there, he cancelled the spell and frowned in thought; what

in Hades was going on? He knew the map was fine as he had gotten

Remus to check it and it clearly stated Riddle was in the room, he silently

left when the bell rang trying to work out the puzzle and absently rubbed

his scar which was burning slightly. Rose pushed past him and he froze

as everything clicked in to place. Tom Marvolo Riddle disappeared in the

late 50's early 60's just as the whisperings of the Dark Lord Voldemort

began, a genius and a model student Riddle was somehow connected to

the Dark Lord, but how? Then it came to him, Voldemort couldn't be a

real name, it emerged in the early 60's before it boomed and was feared,

but Voldemort had disappeared on Halloween when the killing curse had

backfired now the Philosopher's Stone which created the elixir of life was

hidden here and the Dark Lord was famous for his ability to possess

people; Harry had done his research.

"Harrison!" Draco's voice entered his whirling thoughts.

"What?" His voice sounded off.

"You phased out and froze, I called you 5 times."

Harry blinked.

"I need to do something." He muttered and began running full pelt back

to the common room, he tore through tapestries and jumped down stairs,

he flew in to the common room ignoring the alarmed looks and nearly

fell up the stairs in his haste to get to the dorms. He rushed to a desk and

pulled out the journal he had been using for all of his research on Riddle

just as Draco fell through the door, he waved his hand and sealed the

doors shut and pulled out a quill. Harry wrote down the name Tom

Marvolo Riddle and rearranged it, his eyes widened as his suspicions

were confirmed.

"I cannot believe it." He breathed completely stunned, he couldn't believe

he didn't work it out sooner: with his scar and someone wanted to steal

the stone, who else would be desperate for the Philosopher's stone so

suddenly and an actual threat to it? Dumbledore must have known,

placing it close to him to try and ward him off with his presence. He

suddenly hired both the Potters, both of which were for runners in the

last war and both very good with a wand.

"What is it, you've gone strange?"

Harry looked at his best friend with the shock still written on his face.

"I've worked it out, who wants the stone." Harry told him.

"What? How and who?"

"I should have seen it before, it was glaring me in the face." Harry

muttered to himself.

"Who is it?"

"Remember I asked you about Riddle?"

Draco nodded.

"Well I did some research in to him, he's from a long line of unblessed

from his father's side but I couldn't get the info from his mother because I

didn't know her name; you cannot get information on a certain person,

just a surname it's a loophole." Harry explained and Draco nodded in

understanding,

"But where did you even get the interest and what's he have to do with

the stone?"

"I saw his name on the map and he was always by Quirrell, like literally

on top of the man and the map never lies. In my research I found that

Tom Marvolo Riddle vanished in the late 50's and when I checked the

map in Quirrell's lesson today, Riddle was there still." Harry was excited

now, the Dark Lord was in the school right now and it was the perfect

opportunity to speak to the man. If his words were honest and his cause

appealed to Harry, then the boy would join his cause, however Harry had

a few points he wanted to make clear. He wouldn't follow anyone and he

would never take the Dark Mark, the tattoo branded in to the Dark Lord's

followers, he would join him however but he was getting off topic.

"I get that, so you think whoever this Riddle person is wants the stone."

"Oh I know he does and I know why, I also know why he disappeared."

Harry rushed out and handed Draco the journal; Tom Marvolo Riddle – I

Am Lord Voldemort. The blond's eyes widened and his jaw dropped.

"You cannot be serious?"

"It fits, Voldemort is an anagram of his original name. When Riddle

vanished Voldemort rose until he vanished on Samhain when the killing

curse backfired. I thought Riddle vanished when he didn't, he was very

much out there; it was the name that vanished." Harry explained

excitedly to a wide eyed Malfoy.

"That's all well and good but if this is the Dark Lord how do you explain

him always around Quirrell when no one was in the classroom?"

"Voldemort was famous for his ability to possess anything and anyone:

Quirrell's stutter is too fake and there's something about his which is off."

He left out his scar as he hadn't explained to anyone that he was the one

that Voldemort attacked.

"So the Dark Lord is in the school right now and is after the Philosopher's

Stone." Draco summarised in a slightly higher voice than normal and

Harry nodded. "The same Philosopher's Stone that we have?" Harry

blinked a few times.

"Yeah that stone would be the one." He said like he was just realised it.

"We're dead," The blond moaned looking at the door like he expected the

Dark Lord to burst through and murder them.

"I have every intentions of giving him the stone should his answers satisfy

my questions." Harry stated firmly and Draco looked at him insane.

"You're going to go to the Dark Lord and give him the Philosopher's Stone

after asking him questions?"

"Yes, I won't simply join a cause simply because others have told me its

worthy." Harry told him, "It's not in my nature. Besides, I want to talk to

him; he seems very interesting."

Draco suddenly sank on to his bed.

"He seems very interesting." He repeated faintly, "This is it, isn't it? This is

how it's going to end."

"Don't be so dramatic." Harry waved him off, "Do you want to come with

me?"

"You're quite alright,"

Harry laughed.

Soooo what did you think? This chapter had needed the least

amount of revisions so far, thankfully, and I think it's because this

was only written just over a year or so ago. Anyway, there we have

it and I would love to know what you think.

Jess*

10. Chapter 10

A/N: You guys are the best! When I first started this story it was

only a rough idea, I never thought it would turn out to be this

popular and for everyone who has stuck with it, I thank you.

A/N2: Ok so this has been expanded greatly, shooting up to 10k for

a word count O.o I've chopped and changed it up a bit, cleaned up

Harry's meeting with the Dark Lord – to the new readers, yes, it's

finally happening in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to J. K. Rowling who is the creator

of the books that changed my life.

Warning: Mild swearing.

#Parseltongue#

Chapter 10:

It was a week after his discovery when Harry finally found the perfect

opportunity to go and speak with the Dark Lord, he was going to do it

Friday when lessons finished early and most students would be scattered

around the school. He wouldn't be missed too much and that was exactly

what he needed. He was ridiculously nervous and physically couldn't sit

still on Thursday night, many different things spinning in his mind about

what he was going to do the following day.

"I need you to cover for me tomorrow at lunch and if I don't make it to

dinner." Harry reminded Draco as he paced the dorms.

"Of course," Draco was almost as nervous as Harry, his best friend was

going to see the most feared Dark Lord on his own.

"Just say I'm doing research and I've gone somewhere in the castle."

"Ok,"

"And if I'm not back before midnight, tell Snape and Sirius everything

and point out they probably won't find my body."

"Don't say that." Draco hissed.

"It's the worst case scenario." Harry pointed out.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Definitely, I refuse to pass this opportunity." It was the truth even if his

insides felt like crap.

"I need to do something, I'll be back in an hour." Harry muttered and

vanished in flames, Draco ran his hands through his hair with a sigh;

Harrison Black drove him insane. Harry landed near Salazar's training

room, his magic was restless as he had been keeping in reigned in tighter

ever since Snape had told him it could be felt as soon as he entered a

room. He hissed the password and stood on the platform, he unhooked

the hold he had and his magic flared around him strumming in the air,

falling in to his duelling stance he began. Harry had missed the twists

and flexes of daily duelling practice, the flow of magic circled him

humming in contentment. Harry threw everything he had in the firing

spells and they were coming in streams, he laughed at the release and

finally brought his fyre up and watched as it soared around the room

before he let it melt away.

He was glad that he could still perform well, though he wouldn't know

how well he came up against an opponent for a while. He brought his

magic in and made his way back to the dorms, his nerves had calmed

slightly but they were still very much there. Draco was asleep when he

got back, the blond was scared for him even if he wouldn't admit it.

Harry sat and went in to a meditative trance, going over his mind more

to sooth himself rather than order it. When he came too he was perfectly

calm and his mind was sharp and clear, and he was ready.

He was up dressed and reading at 6:30 Friday morning, he had Aressa

with him as well as the Stone, he was surprised when Draco appeared not

long after, they sat in silence until the rest of their year mates came

down. At breakfast Harry acted normally but he refused to look at the

staff table because he knew Snape or Sirius would spot his swirling

emotions he had masked, Draco was quiet and Harry threw him a

meaningful look and he pulled it together. They went to Potions and

Harry put his full concentration in to his work, he refused to meet

Snape's eye head on which he knew the man would notice but he would

deal with that later.

Draco was barely keeping it together when they walked to Defence and

Harry really couldn't blame him, he swore the time they waited for the

door to open was the longest minute of his life. Harry sat in his usual seat

next to Draco who was staring at his desk, taking a deep breath and they

shared a look. The lesson was just as pointless as always but it seemed to

go on forever, Harry felt his anticipation build and his magic thrummed

under his skin to be released. He was discretely watching Quirrell as he

stuttered through an explanation of the disarming spell, watching as the

man had complete control over his entire act and he had to admit he was

impressed.

"Is there any chance you are wrong about this?" Draco asked, his voice

barely audible. Harry looked up at Quirrell and as the man turned he saw

his eyes flicker red for the tiniest of moments and his scar started to burn;

Harry blinked.

"If I thought I was wrong before, I know I'm not now." Harry replied in

the same low tones and Draco froze.

"What do you mean?"

"His eyes just went red." Harry breathed and Draco's knuckled went

white.

"Merlin,"

Harry nodded and they went back to listening to the stuttering, Harry

was running through his ideas and jumped when the bell rang. Draco

looked at Harry with wide eyes and slowly got to his feet, Harry followed

him to the door and they were the last ones in the class.

"Are you sure about this?" Draco questioned paler than usual.

"Yes, I have to do this, Draco, there are other things involved that no one

knows about except me and him." Harry explained softly, Draco seemed

to look more worried. "I swear I'll explain everything later, if he lets me

that is."

"What if you don't come back?"

"I refuse to go out fighting, I may be able to hold him off in this

weakened state."

"Sev and Sirius are going to murder me."

"I-i-is there a p-p-p-problem boys?"

Draco squeaked and Harry kicked him.

"Nothing, Professor," Harry said politely, throwing Draco a look; the

blond swallowed and nodded.

"Midnight," He hissed before turning on his heal, Harry slowly shut the

door and sealed it.

"Can I h-help you M-M-Mr B-Black?"

Harry took a deep breath, he was still facing the door but he was wound

tighter than a spring.

"Let me speak to him, Quirrell." Harry said clearly, his voice strong and

unwavering and there was a small intake of breath from behind him.

"W-what are y-y-you talking about B-Black?"

"I wish to speak with the Dark Lord, or is he back to Mr Riddle now?"

Harry felt the wave of power that came as Voldemort took control of his

host.

"How do you know that name?" Quirrell spoke again but his voice was

different, it was smoother, colder, and darker.

"I knew that name before I connected it to you. I found out someone

called Tom Marvolo Riddle was around Quirrell permanently, it took me

a while to figure out how especially when there was no heat marking

another person in the room. You are rather famous for your ability to

possess people."

"Very clever, Mr Black," He murmured, "Very clever indeed. Such

knowledge of one's enemy can be beneficial."

"Enemy?" Harry repeated, turning around to face him, "Hm. That would

depend on your viewpoint."

"Oh?" There was the barest trace of interest in his voice as he spoke,

looking the boy over slightly, "Some of your associates would question

that."

"Past associates," Harry corrected, "You've noticed the recent change of

name, I am sure."

"Ah yes, Harrison Regulus Black, Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient

House of Black. Quite the sudden change, after eleven years as the son of

Potter. I hear they are doing rather well for themselves now."

"Yes, they are apparently." Harry agreed candidly, "As sudden as they

may appear, it was always heading in this direction. It's a side effect of

leaving one of your children on the doorstep of a muggle house."

Harry felt a surge of anger that wasn't his own, and the Dark Lord hissed,

his magic suddenly snapping around him before it settled again.

"They did what?"

"Yes, you see they had absolutely no other options as it was just so

important they focus on their special Rosie. After all she is so famous,

they didn't want me to 'suffer'." Harry told him blandly.

"They dare cast away a magical child!" He seethed, "They sent one

blessed with Lady Magic's gifts to filthy muggles?"

"On the word of Dumbledore, of course."

"That loathsome man would see others suffer for his so called greater

good." The Dark Lord spat, "Potter is nothing more than a weak minded

sycophant, functioning merely to do Dumbledore's will. To send a child

away… if any of my Death Eaters would have done such a thing they

would have burned."

Narcissa truly wasn't exaggerating when she said the dark had a very

strict believe in the next generation Harry surmised, quite moved by the

passion in the man's voice; Salazar would have been proud to hear

someone championing such actions.

"You understand my wish not to associate when them." Harry said

quietly.

"I would have killed them."

"Trust me, if I could get away with it Potter wouldn't be on this earth."

Harry snapped, "As it is, I am sure you haven't missed the obnoxiously

bearded individual currently holding reign on this castle."

The Dark Lord snorted at the boy's description of Dumbledore;

obnoxiously bearded, he would have to remember that one.

"You have worked out who I am and then still approached me; why? You

must have a purpose, by your actions today no one other than your friend

knows you are here."

"I have a proposition for you." Harry told him bluntly and Voldemort

blinked slowly.

"You have a proposition for me?" He could not have sounded more

incredulous if he tried. Harry didn't know whether to be affronted or

amused by his reaction.

"Yes,"

"You are eleven."

"Its funny that I should be aware of that already given that I have lived

those eleven years." Was Harry's deadpanned yes highly sarcastic

response and Voldemort smirked, the brat's audacity amused him.

"I could kill you quite easily," He pointed out and Harry tilted his head.

"Actually, I do not believe it would be as easy as you think." Harry

mused, "While I don't doubt you are incredibly powerful, beyond that,

you are currently not in your own form and your core is not fully your

own. And as it were, I do have my own power and tricks that would help

me to evade you if needed."

"You speak of power yet I do not feel any magic coming from you."

"And you speak of feeling magic when I cannot feel yours," Harry

countered immediately, "There are ways to hide your magic if you do not

want anyone to feel it."

"Release it, show this power you speak so highly of." Voldemort goaded

and Harry smirked. He saw what the man was doing, but he was willing

to play along. The Dark Lord had already answered quite a few of his

questions with his words on magical children, there would be few things

to derail his preferred outcome now. Harry released the hold he kept on

his magic, letting it fill the room and swim around them, though he made

sure not to let it pass the room's borders. Harry didn't realised his eyes

had fallen closed until they snapped open and he slowly breathed out.

"Most impressive," The Dark Lord's voice was smooth and layered in

something Harry couldn't quite decipher.

"I like to think so, yes," Harry agreed without blinking.

"You have hidden your magic and obviously hidden my real identity for

this proposition; what of it?"

"I believe we could be mutually helpful." He began.

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes, Rose Potter is supposed to be the one to destroy you-,"

"She will not destroy me!"

Harry smirked.

"Oh I know, after all it was me you hit with the killing curse that night."

He responded lightly. Harry noticed that the Dark Lord had stiffened

quite a bit so he continued. "I believe your words were 'You are a

powerful child, the one to defeat me. I would keep you alive if I knew

you would join me but of course with your family there would be no

chance.' If I remember correctly that is." Harry knew he was right, he had

watched the memory many times and the slight widening of Quirrell's

eyes, Riddle knew too.

"How?" It came out barely loud enough for Harry to hear.

"I have an eidetic memory and I became a master Occlumens at 10."

Harry waved it off like it was unimportant, Voldemort decided he would

come back to that.

"The light are pinning their hopes on the wrong person who has no

remote talent. I will never join the light but I refuse to bow to anyone, it

is not in my nature." Harry said and Voldemort smirked.

"Indeed, I had that same problem which is why I never followed

Grindlewald."

Harry made a note to put that in his research.

"Currently, being only 11, I have no plans for the wizarding world; no

doubt that will change. There are already many things I do not like. I do

have the political ability as well as the gold to accomplish whatever I

wanted but that is boring and it will not hold without allies and backing."

Harry said to him, deciding to draw on all the times he had seen Salazar

negotiate with someone. The man had been teaching him to do it himself,

and Harry had negotiated on his behalf once or twice. It was much more

thrilling this time, however.

"I want to be stood there when you tell the light that Rosina isn't the Girl-

Who-Lived; that is going to be more beautiful than the purest of magic –

no offence, dear Lady."

"Why come to me if you could politically do whatever you require?"

Voldemort asked him.

"Why did you create your army when you could have done the same? I

couldn't find any information on your mother's family as I didn't know

her name but with your father's name you could have pulled a lot of

sway."

"My father was a muggle."

Harry blinked.

"Tom Riddle Sr, died just under 50 years ago by the killing curse, Morfin

Gaunt confessed, that Tom Riddle?"

"Yes, how did you know that?"

"I did a little research and I can safely say your father was an Unblessed -

Squib, from a long line actually, the name 'Riddle' is a direct decedent

from Le Fey." Harry explained eyes narrowed in thought, Voldemort

blinked a few times.

"I looked in to my father, he was not on any records anywhere. How were

you able to find something like this?" he asked curiously, if this was true

then there would be a lot of things changing.

"The Riddle line wasn't based in this country, the line of Le Fey was

thought to have died out when really the last one Cassiopeia Le Fey fled

and married an Australian wizard by the name of Septimus Riddle, then I

don't know how but the line ended up in the States and the last Wizard of

the Riddle line attended the Salem Institute of Magic in 1865, Argon

Riddle. He had a Squib, who came to this country as a babe because of

his status and grew up as a muggle unknowing of his grand ancestors,

called Thomas Riddle in 1880, who then had your father in 1905 who

then had you obviously." Harry explained running over his notes in his

head to make sure he didn't miss anything.

"This was a little research?"

"Yes, I wanted to know what you were doing around Quirrell and for that

I needed to know who you were, you have a trophy here and I started

with that."

Voldemort shook his head, he would be worried to see what a lot of

research was.

"Although glad of the information it doesn't explain how you were able to

look in to my line so vigorously." He pointed out to the boy, who

grinned.

"There is a handy loophole that the goblins will go around if you have

enough sway with them. You can't find out information about a person

directly but if you wanted to know about a name they can fill you in, the

reason I couldn't find out about your mothers line is because I didn't

know her name, I did however know the last Le Fey's name and that's

how I found it married in to the Riddle line."

"That is a very handy loophole."

"Yes, I thought so."

"If I would have knew this when I was fifteen it would have saved me a

lot of effort. I could only find my mother's line which is from Slytherin."

Harry froze completely, even his mind came to a crashing halt. Slytherin,

he was of the Slytherin line, Salazar's line. He was to be the Lord

Slytherin, this was the one last living Heir, the last of the born bloodline.

Salazar refused to even give him a hint of who it would be, citing that it

was for him to discover. Oh Harry would bet his Potions ability that the

man sat imagining this meeting millions of times, finding the entire

situation absolutely hilarious each and every time. His chosen Heir, born

to one of the lightest current Houses also being the direct Heir of the

Dark Lord, and not just any Dark Lord, the Dark Lord behind the reason

the entire situation happened. Harry burst out laughing trying to even

rationalise the situation, mentally planning to curse Salazar's portrait for

his no doubt hundreds of laughs at his expense.

"Would you care to share your sudden amusement?"

"I'm sorry, but it's almost tragic how unprepared they are going to be."

Harry said, and that was an understatement. This was almost unsettlingly

perfect.

"Oh?"

In answer to the unasked question, Harry held up his hand and allowed

his Black Heir ring to switch to his Slytherin Heir ring and watched as

Voldemort's eyes widened. He moved faster than Harry could have

predicted, snatching his hand in a surprisingly gentle movement for its

ferocity, his finger gently traced over the ring's design and the snakes

suddenly came to life.

#Greetings, Lord to the Ancient Serpent House.#

#Greetings, Serpent House Guardians,#

#How may we serve our Lord on this day?# One snake asked.

#We remain vigilant in protecting the Heir.# The other said.

#He is definitely the Heir?#

#He has the approval from the Lord of All,# The first snake hissed.

#Continue your duties, Guardians,# Voldemort instructed, stepping back

and giving Harry a look full of questions.

"This should not be possible." He stated and Harry's lips quirked.

"You will find that there is a lot which most deem impossible that I can

do. I do not believe in impossible." Harry told him.

"You also know you will be explaining how this is possible. You do have

Slytherin blood and magic in you somehow as you wouldn't be able to

wear the ring, you have been accepted. How I do not know."

"An explanation can be given after we have settled my proposition."

Harry offered, "The reason I came here was because the future war is

inevitable, and I won't be with the light."

"You are correct, there will be a war. Even if I were attempt it all

politically, Dumbledore would not rest until I am dead." Voldemort

agreed, "But that is not all."

"No, as I have already said; I will not bow to anyone. But I have done my

research in to you and your cause, and you have answered basically all of

my remaining questions today. I am interested in joining your cause."

Harry admitted and Voldemort considered the boy.

"Your new family might not be as happy with your choice."

"Have you not heard?" Harry asked, a smirk coming to his face, "The

Black/Malfoy allegiance has just been renewed, and Lucius is as loyal as

ever."

Voldemort's eyes seemed to shine at that, and a smirk that didn't belong

to Quirrell came to his face.

"That is pleasing."

"There are many that would definitely not agree with that thought."

Harry said with a grin.

"I can imagine."

"Should I actually join your cause, I won't be a Death Eater. I would

expect you to actually take in my input, I may be young now, but I won't

be forever."

"I see,"

The fact that the Dark Lord didn't immediately dismiss the notion made

Harry very happy, his mind was still whirling with the fact that he was

talking to the very last of Salazar's born bloodline.

"What would you have to offer me in return for such an agreement?"

Here Harry gave him a smirk, he slowly reached in to his pocket, making

sure all his movements were clear so it didn't come across as an attack,

and withdrew the stone. He placed it on the desk between then and took

a huge amount of gratification when the man's eyes widened and he

sucked in a sharp breath.

"The Philosopher's Stone," He breathed, looking at the rock hungrily

before snapping his gaze to the boy who had current possession of it.

"How?"

"I get bored very easily." Harry told him, "I have certain abilities and

knowledge that made it particularly easy for me to access. It was only the

final task, from Dumbledore, that gave us a slight hiccup."

"Why am I not surprised?"

"It was quite ingenious, as shameful as I feel to admit it. He used the

Mirror of Erised, you had to want the stone but not use it; a category you

don't fit in to."

"He knew I was after it, it was obvious as soon as I got here." Voldemort

admitted, his attention going back to the Stone in question.

"Alongside my proposition, on the agreement of giving you the Stone, I

wish to be allowed to experiment on it."

"And what would an 11 year old want to do with a legendary magical

artefact?" Riddle asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Potions of course, it may help me with my research. I've only created 2

potions and I need three for my Mastery with honours, I'm trying to beat

Snape who got his Mastery at 18 although he didn't have honours." Harry

answered.

"Potions Mastery?"

"Yeah, you can't get a Mastery in Spell Craft so that's that out the

window."

"I get a feeling you have a lot hidden."

Harry grinned.

"I do, I have explained some things to Sirius and Sev, but I left out

Samhain; I wasn't speaking of that until I had spoken to you and gotten

my answers." He shrugged.

"If you could keep it that way until I have my own body it would simplify

things."

Harry nodded.

"So we are in agreement?" Harry confirmed.

"I will agree to your conditions as long as you adhere to mine."

Voldemort decided after a minute of silence, "In the future, you will

report to me before you go ahead with anything war related, you will not

question my actions or my decisions in meetings or in front of any

outside my Elite, and you will explain everything." The final word of that

sentence was stressed and Harry almost grinned at the unsustainable

curiosity, it was a Slytherin trait. Harry picked up the stone and casually

tossed it in the air catching the Dark Lord's attention instantly, he

followed the stone's movements with a gaze almost dangerously sharp. It

was Harry's intention, because while the man may agree the boy wanted

a safety net for himself and his family and for what he was about to try

he needed the man distracted.

#You have laid your terms and so have I. Do we have a formal

agreement, Lord Slytherin?#

#Our terms are agreed, Heir Black, Heir Slytherin# The Dark Lord

agreed, a touch absently and Harry grinned. He felt the magic seal in the

vow and almost breathed in relief. He had switched languages purposely,

for you could not lie in Parseltongue and you could not break your word.

Parseltongue was a language much more connected to Lady Magic herself

than the human tongue, it was why it's spells more powerful and why

you couldn't lie. You cannot lie to Lady Magic. He had just secured

himself a very safe place for the future war and he was going to make the

most of it. He held out the stone for the man to take, seeing no reason

not to give it to him right away, to honour his word immediately.

"I ask that you, nor the young Heir Malfoy speak of this. Until I am in my

own form, I wish to remain as dead as the public believes me to be. The

only problem I foresee is Dumbledore, he will notice the stone is gone."

"Not likely, we stole it over a month ago." Harry told him.

"How does he not know?"

"He's traps were flimsy, it's a setup made for someone to get through. I

simply replicated the stone and replaced it, he will be none the wiser

until the end of the year in the least."

"I intend to be up and moving much before then." Voldemort brushed off,

"Very well, I have much to do. It has been ten years." He threw Harry a

scathing look, but the boy merely smiled up at him with a disgustingly

innocent smile.

"When you listen to the words of a prophet, you deserve all the

repercussions coming to you." Harry informed him chirpily, "Besides, I

didn't do anything. That was all on Fate."

"I am going to regret this decision at a later date, I am sure of it." He

decided, and Harry laughed.

"Probably,"

"Be gone, brat, and keep your silence." Voldemort dismissed, his words

holding no real bite.

"Yes, oh mighty Lord of my House." Harry returned, sweeping in to a

graceful yet obviously mocking bow. He ran away laughing when he

found a sharp stinging hex coming towards him, slipping through the

corridors to find a spot where he could gather his thoughts. Everything

had just changed, even if nothing had yet to happen, it was all different

and Harry already felt lighter.

The man would probably be slightly pissed when he remembered that

Parseltongue made agreements binding, but he let a weakness be

exploited so he would have to reap the repercussions. What Harry could

not get over was the fact that he was Salazar's Heir, Harry wanted to

laugh again at the irony of it all. What pride Salazar must have felt when

Merlin told him that his last descendent was fighting for Lady Magic's full

freedom, Harry shook his head.

He settled himself, knowing he needed to get back to the Great Hall for

dinner, and when he cast a tempus he realised he was already late. He

rushed down to the Hall, falling in with some older Slytherins, who cast

him a disapproving look for being alone and ushered him in to the

middle of their group; they were a very paranoid lot. Harry was directed

down to the rest of the first years and he dropped down next to an

oblivious Draco, who was busy staring at his plate like it was the most

fascinating thing in the world.

"Not hungry?" He asked with a grin, causing Draco to jump violently and

turn to face Harry as if he was a ghost.

"You're alive!" He whisper exclaimed.

"Yes, I said I would be fine."

"Yes but saying that and doing that with what idiotic move you just

pulled off are two very different things, you prat!"

"Thank you for worrying about me, Draco." Harry said.

"I wasn't worried," He denied instantly, and Harry looked at him in

obvious disbelief so he hurried to continue, "I just didn't want to be the

one to tell everyone why you suddenly vanished."

"Ahh, I see," Harry said, nodding seriously. Harry started eating, not

realising that he was actually starving as he didn't eat a proper breakfast

due to his nerves. He and Draco were just finishing up when Quirrell

hurried in, he hid his smirk when the man jumped a mile when he was

offered food; that was true dedication right there. Harry left with Draco,

Daphne and Tracey, discussing their History essay that Remus had given

them recently. The conversation gradually drifted off of school related

things, and the girls had Harry and Draco in tears of laughter as they

gave a very amusing rendition of the expectations of Pureblood daughters

and Heiresses at Yule season.

"His face when Daph told him exactly what he could do with correct

spoons was the greatest thing I have ever seen," Tracey was telling them,

grinning at her best friend's sheepish look.

"I know my formal etiquette perfectly, and I have never once caused a

slight against House Greengrass. The fact that my father even dared put

me in with Tori for lessons was insulting."

"I am sure you let him know how much." Harry joked; she merely

smirked.

"I do love Italy in the Yule time."

"I thought the Heirs had it bad." Draco said with a shake of his head.

"There mere thought of having to go through three dress changes blows

my mind." Harry agreed, "Each of them having to be different and yet

still be within in theme or matching your partner. That's just too much."

"Not to mention shoes, accessories and hair." Tracey reminded them.

"Yuck," they boys said together.

"Tracey, Daphne?" Pansy called, coming over with the rest of their year

mates, "I've just gotten the pre-release for the Solstice, do you want to

come and start selecting now. I am because I cannot go through another

Yule like this one."

"Oo yes, that'll be a relief when I can just hand my mother the selections

and wait for her approval of which ones." Tracey said in delight, "Daph?"

"I am right there." She agreed, "Bye boys," they boys waved as the girls

vanished up to the dorms.

"I don't think I will ever say they have it easy again," Blaise muttered

with a shudder.

"You get the horror story from Pansy?" Harry asked. Blaise and Theo

nodded.

"I didn't even think of it when I saw Daphne's switch of dress this year at

the Jugsons, but now Pansy explained what they go through…"

"Thank Merlin we were born male." Theo decided.

"Harry, have you got that book so me and Theo can finish off our essays?"

Blaise remembered and Harry nodded, snapping his fingers and handing

it to the boy.

"Just throw it on my trunk when you're done." The Black Heir told him,

rising to his feet. He and Draco vanished up to the dorms, allowing the

others to do their work in peace.

"So what happened?" Draco asked, when they were sat on his bed. Harry

was sat opposite his friend and they both had their legs stretched out

comfortably.

"He answered a lot of my questions, and I was happy with what he had to

say. So we have come to an agreement and I gave him the stone."

"You have an agreement with the Dark Lord?" Draco repeated

incredulously.

"Yeah, it's going to be great."

"I give up," He decided, throwing his hands up in the air. His best friend

made his head spin, and it was just easier if he rolled with it. Though he

did kick him when Harrison laughed.

Harry had a permanent skip in his step for an entire week after his

meeting with the Dark Lord, Draco thought he was clinically insane but

Harry didn't mind, it wasn't everyday you made a binding agreement

with the greatest wizard of their time. Who also happened to be the last

of his greatest mentor's born bloodline. The only thing putting any sort of

downer was James Potter and his spawn. They were suspiciously quiet

which raised questions, James didn't take unfair points off and Rose

wasn't throwing comments left right and centre. It was highly unusual

and Harry soon understood why when his father came striding over to

him with a grim expression on his face.

"Harrison, Dumbledore wishes to see you." He informed him stiffly.

Harry's entire body stiffened and he looked at his dad through narrowed

eyes.

"Really now, and why is that?"

"I have no idea," Sirius sighed. The Blacks walked silently up to the

Headmaster's office; when Sirius started naming random wizarding

sweets Harry stepped away in alarm.

"What in Circe's name are you doing?"

"Dumbledore likes to make his password a different piece of candy every

week." The man explained, his tone saying exactly what he thought of

that, and Harry's lip curled.

"Of course he does," He pressed his hand to the gargoyle who recognised

him and allowed them access with a cheerful wave, Harry grinned at his

dad's astonished face.

"Heir remember,"

"Right,"

Harry was tempted not to knock but Sirius beat him to it and rapped

sharply on the door, pushing it open when they were called in. Harry

withheld his hiss when he saw all the Potters along with Dumbledore in

the office.

"Headmaster, you wished to see me?" Harry asked in a forced polite tone.

This was the manipulative bastard that convinced his parents in the first

place, always believing he had the answers to everything. Dumbledore

smiled a grandfatherly smile at him and motioned for him to sit.

"Ah yes, Harry, I haven't spoken to you this year, it is about time I have."

He said kindly, "That is all Sirius,"

"Like hell it is, I won't let you attack my son without me present."

"He's not your son, Black," James spat and Harry noted that Lily winced

and stepped back lightly, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Official documentation says otherwise, Potter,"

"Now lets all calm down, this situation can be resolved simply."

Dumbledore told them all softly and Harry was tempted to snort; he was

the creator of the mess in the first place.

"Sirius, why did you adopt Harry-,"

"Harrison," Harry corrected.

"Harrison," Dumbledore sent him a look which Harry ignored, "When he

has a perfectly able family, did you do it out of spite? Using a child in

your arguments is not the way Sirius and I'm disappointed in you."

Harry counted down the seconds until his dad exploded, Dumbledore had

a great way with words.

"USE HIM!" Sirius yelled at him in utter disbelief, "How dare you accuse

me of using a child that I love like my own, the reason he is now my son

instead of that pathetic excuse of a wizard is because I wanted him and I

actually give a fuck about him, I gave him the option and he chose me."

"The only reason he chose you is because he doesn't know you, he doesn't

know what your family is like and he doesn't know how adoption works

in the world, I expect you just gave him a potion and told him to drink

it." James snapped and Sirius looked ready to kill him.

"If that was true then shouldn't you be asking why he was so willing to

drink an unknown potion to get away from you?"

"Harrison, you haven't spoke yet."

"There is nothing to say, I am happy with Sirius being my dad."

"What of your aunt, did you not like living with her, she cared for you all

these years."

Harry sneered.

"The woman hated me and my very being, whoever thought it would be a

good idea to place me there was clearly as thick as shit."

Sirius smirked.

"I placed you there because it was unfair to leave you where you would

be second best, young Rosina needs training." Dumbledore told him in a

voice which asked for an apology, Harry internally snorted.

"I stand by my original statement, thick as shit. She supposedly

vanquished the Dark Lord on Samhain, why would she need training?

Not that shows she's had any." Harry replied nastily and Sirius' lip

twitched.

"Do not speak to the Headmaster like that, it is disrespectful and I forbid

you." James snarled and Harry laughed coldly.

"Shut up, Potter, you're embarrassing yourself more than usual."

"Why you disgusting little brat, you can see you've been associating with

the wrong sort of people."

Sirius hissed and Harry's fist clenched.

"I think I will have to place you back with your aunts instead of spending

the summer with your parents and sister, it is clear that you are unable to

adjust to your sister's fame. It is unfortunate but it is to be expected, it is

why you were placed away in the first place." Dumbledore sighed in a

resigned way. Harry felt his angry rise and an unhealthy rate, how dare

this man even try to interfere with his life? He had no power over him.

"It is for the best, I believe after the summer away from everything you

will appreciate what the Potters have done for you."

"He is my son, he will be staying at Black Manor for the summer." Sirius

growled with his teeth bared, his anger teetering on the edge. James

scoffed.

"Yes because it's best for him there,"

"What's that supposed to mean, Potter?" Sirius demanded, his tone

holding warning.

"Look at your family! Black by name, black by nature; the darkest House

in our world. You've just renewed your alliance with Malfoy, the boy had

no hope with you." James had an ugly look on his face and Harry just

knew he would not like these next words. "Of course, you are mated to a

werewolf, who knows what the boy will be exposed too with that

around."

The shock of white got rage that shot through Harry was stronger than he

had ever felt and for once he didn't even think, he just launched himself

at James aiming for the throat; how dare he use Moony's condition

against him. Moony was a million times the better person and wizard

that Potter would ever be. He was stopped in his tracks when Sirius

grabbed him around the waist just in time and pulled him back, the Black

Lord looked positively murderous as he held the struggling boy in his

arms. Harry's magic was starting to leak out of his control and he glared

at James and Sirius wasn't faring any better.

"I will laugh as you die Potter," Sirius didn't raise his voice but it made

the Potter Lord pale, he seemed to realise he had gone to far.

"I promise you now, Potter," Harry snarled still struggling to get to him, "I

will personally be there when you die and I will try my hardest to kill

you myself." Harry's hair started to ruffle as his magic picked up, with

one last scathing look to the occupants Sirius wrenched his son from the

room.

"You need to calm down," Sirius hissed and Harry laughed.

"Calm down, after that, you have got to be fucking kidding me." Harry

told him, "You should have let me kill the bastard,"

"In front of the Headmaster, you are going to be watched now after what

just happened."

"I don't care, he will not get away with what he just said about uncle

Moony,"

Sirius growled.

"No he won't, I'll strangle the prick myself."

Harry stopped struggling and let Sirius readjust his grip on him.

"I cannot believe the nerve of the Headmaster, who does he think he is?"

"A meddling old fool,"

"I swear if James comes near me I won't be responsible for my actions,"

Harry warned and Sirius chuckled coldly.

"If he even looks at me I won't be responsible for my actions, by all

means go ahead as long as nothing leads back to you."

Harry's smirk was positively sinister.

"Oh don't worry, nothing will be proven."

They were back at the marauder pad where Sirius muttered the password

and stepped in.

"Are you calmer now?"

"Not really but I won't immediately go and kill him." Harry replied.

"Kill him?" Remus repeated alarmed. Sirius took three big steps and

kissed him, Harry grinned before clearing his throat.

"I have innocent eyes."

Remus blushed and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Says the one planning murder,"

"Yes with probably reason."

"I'm guessing the meeting didn't go well," Remus hedged and both faces

darkened.

"That would be a slight understatement, Moony." Sirius ground out.

"How bad did it go?"

"I had to physically retrain Harry from killing James with his bare

hands."

Remus' eyes widened and his attention snapped to the furiously pacing

boy, he knelt down in front of Harry to stop him, Harry threw himself at

him wrapping him tightly in a hug.

"If you ever listen to anything that comes out of James Potter's mouth I'll

permanently take away all your books and ward the library against you."

Harry told him in a muffled voice, Sirius smiled slightly.

"Ok, Cub,"

"I'll come with you to see Sev, you've missed his lesson."

"What I've missed potions!" Harry yelped.

"Sorry, Pup,"

"I'll shave his damn beard." Harry vowed under his breath, Remus

chucked catching it.

"Go on, Cub, and be good." Remus warned and Harry gave him an angelic

smile.

"You know me,"

Sirius rolled his eyes and they left for the dungeons, Harry's class was just

coming out when they got there and Harry grumbled to himself. Snape

was at his desk when they went in and he looked up with a raised

eyebrow.

"Potter Sr and Dumbledore," Sirius stated.

"I see, shall I expect extra joyous behaviour from it?"

"Yes, unless he mysteriously disappears then Harrison got to him."

Harry shrugged.

"It went well then," Snape said dryly and Sirius scoffed.

"Very, I have never wanted to AK someone as badly as I did James Potter

in the office." The Black Lord ran a hand through his hair.

"Surprisingly, I am surprised."

"What did we cover today?" Harry asked getting his mind off of the

unpleasantness.

"Nothing you don't know, and the homework is a foot on the properties

of Moonstone." Harry nodded.

"I'm going flying," He told them and left with a nod, he trudged to the

common room and went to change. Draco took one look at him

immediately knew something bad had happened.

"I'll get your broom,"

Harry nodded and threw his things down, he went down to the pitch

where Draco was there with his broom. Harry kicked off and did some

loops to relieve his tension, he went in to a nose dive relishing in the

adrenalin pumping in his veins and pulled up in the very last second his

toes grazing the grass.

"Harrison, are you insane" Draco yelled at him and Harry grinned feeling

better.

"That felt good,"

"I refuse to watch from now on, I'm going to die young." He complained

dramatically and Harry rolled his eyes.

"Wanna go?" Harry held out the broom and Draco grinned.

"Do you need to ask?" The blond kicked off and Harry was impressed, he

handled the change of broom well.

"Are you trying out for chaser next year?" Harry asked him when he was

back on the ground.

"I don't know,"

"You are now, you'll be great, uncle Lucius will get you a broom."

"I tell him I'm trying out and he probably will." Draco agreed.

"Hopefully he will get you a Nimbus."

"If he doesn't, I'll tell mother." They grinned; Narcissa spoiled them.

Quirrell disappeared suddenly at the end of March leaving the teachers in

a mess, Harry couldn't help the smirk that came to his face when

Dumbledore made the announcement. Draco raised an eyebrow and

Harry's smirk stretched, he wasn't surprised the Dark Lord moved

quickly. They didn't have a cover teacher at the time so all DADA classes

were cancelled apart from NEWT's and OWL's, Harry had another skip in

his step and it made ignoring Potter and his spawn all that easier.

He was keeping an eye on Lily though, she was pale and withdrawn

lately and Harry couldn't help but think that there was something serious

going on behind the scenes, he couldn't remember the last time he saw

her speak or eat properly. He shouldn't but he was getting concerned,

Harry could see that she had lost a lot of weight through the glamours

she applied, he would continue to watch her and he would ask Sirius

later. Draco dragged him to the library with Theo and Blaise to finish

their homework after breakfast and Harry rolled his eyes.

"You know I've finished mine right?"

"Yes, which is why you're coming with us." Draco stated like it was

obvious and Harry shook his head.

"Of course oh great one,"

"Glad to see you understand," Draco sniffed and Harry laughed giving

him a shove. They grabbed a table and Harry helped them with their

Charms and History essays, he added extra to his own Potions one and it

was now triple the length but he doubted Snape would mind.

"How do you know so much about Potions?" Theo complained and Harry

grinned.

"If I tell you something you have to keep it a secret," Harry told them

lowering his voice, they nodded eagerly.

"I'm applying for my Mastery with honours in the summer hopefully, I'm

hoping to set a record."

Theo and Blaise gaped and Draco shook his head.

"I didn't think you would be doing it this summer, I thought maybe Yule."

"If everything works out I can experiment in the summer and they apply,

if not then it will be Yule. Speaking of Potions, I am due to be with Snape

in around 1 minute and I don't particularly want to be late." Harry said

and they nodded.

"He will murder you,"

They all cleared up their things and hurried out, sticking to the Slytherin

rules. Unfortunately luck was not on their side and they ran in to Rosina,

though she was alone so they had the upper hand; it didn't stop her

though.

"Thank Merlin you are not in our family any more, we wouldn't want

something like you to tarnish our perfect name." She sneered. Harry

snorted at the irony of her words and shook his head.

"Your name doesn't need me to tarnish it, they have you for that. I

couldn't think of a bigger tarnish if I tried." He replied brightly and she

glared at him, her cheeks flushing.

"You'll always be second best." She snapped, "Black only adopted you

because he felt sorry for you."

"Of course he did." Harry agreed.

"You're nothing compared to me."

"Wrong, Rosie dearest." Harry informed her, "I'm better than you'll ever

be. Now, if you don't mind, we have somewhere to be and it doesn't

involve your presence." He stepped around her, the other Slytherin's

followed his lead. He heard a muttered spell from behind and threw up a

shield around them all, walking towards Rosina with flashing eyes.

"Did you just try to hex us me as we walked away?" He demanded.

"You are just lucky it didn't hit."

"Not only is that so wrong its not even funny, but there are four of us

here. Where did you think this situation was going to go?" Harry said to

her in disbelief, "Even if it did hit you would have been hexed in the next

second."

"You don't know that. I can take you all."

The Slytherins burst out laughing at that, truly wondering about her

blind arrogance.

"You are not worth our time, Potter." Draco told her, shaking his head in

disgust. Rosina was fuming, her face was bright red and her fist was

clenched around her wand, Draco's words seemed to push her because

she tried to hex him only to find herself frozen by Harry. His eyes were

narrowed in anger and it was only his hold on his magic keeping her

upright, he suddenly released it, letting her drop back and shared a look

with the other Slytherins.

As a silent agreement, they didn't turn the opportunity down and stuck

her frozen form to the wall, changed her to Slytherin green and silver and

wrote: I should not attempt to hex those who are better at me. They shared a

grin and hurried down to the dungeons, sharing a grimace of pity for

Harry as he was now very late to Snape's extra lesson.

"Good luck," they murmured, walking off as Harry knocked and was

granted entrance.

"I am so sorry, I had a run in with Potter spawn." Harry explained and

Snape nodded.

"As long as you didn't do anything to get caught,"

Harry shifted a little.

"Well we might have gone a bit OTT, but it's her word against ours."

Snape's eyebrow rose.

"We?"

"The designated group we are to travel in," Harry answered evenly.

"What did you do?"

"Now why would I want to ruin the surprise?"

"Get on with your potions brat,"

Harry grinned and did just that.

"I'm set to break your record." Harry said to him and he chopped up some

roots.

"Which one?"

"You have more than one?"

"Youngest Potions Mastery and highest Mastery score,"

"Well then both,"

"Oh?"

"Yup, applying for my Mastery with honours in the summer, if this potion

works that is."

"Impressive, I have no doubt you could accomplish it. You are one potion

behind though," Snape pointed out.

"Yeah, but if everything goes to plan, this summer I should be able to

experiment with new material and I will have access to all of my vaults

and properties. I know Salazar has left research for me and a hoard of

ingredients and cuttings, he promised he would. They will open up a

whole world of opportunities, and in it will contain the partially

developed research for my Mastery submittal paper." Harry explained to

him, and Severus looked very interested.

"You have already completed your paper."

"Well, I don't want to sound too arrogant but it was approved by Salazar

Slytherin so…" He trailed off with a shrug and Severus conceded he did

have a point. Salazar Slytherin was the Master of all Masters when it

came to Potions, so if he approved Snape would consider it absolutely

fine. Harry stirred the cauldron and it went a soft pink colour, he left it

on the boil until it was a clear pink colour, Harry added crushed unicorn

horn and the potion changed to a clear blue. He let it simmer stirring it 3

times every 5 minutes and he continued to make notes, he sniffed it and

frowned.

"It looks about right but it smells off." Snape looked it over and ladled

some in to a phial, he spun it around and smelled it. He frowned and

carefully let a drop drip on to his finger. Nothing happened for a second

or two and then the finger slowly started to disappear like someone had

cast a disillusion to it.

"That's pretty cool," Harry said.

"Yes, you may want to note down this as a back up for your third potion,

liquid disillusion has never been done before especially as something that

didn't have to be consumed."

Harry nodded and wrote down the exact instructions with the effects; he

would have to create an antidote before it would be complete. Harry

continued adding ingredients to the potion for his vanishing idea when

Snape caught his attention.

"Is it me, or is the disillusion not stopping?"

Harry looked at his had and where just a finger had disappeared now was

nearly his whole hand, Harry's eyes widened in shock.

"Oh that can't be good,"

Snape tried a Finite but it only fed to speed up the process.

"There isn't an antidote for this is there?" Harry wondered aloud as he set

the cauldron to simmer for an hour and began setting up another one

where he immediately followed his own instructions to make the pour on

disillusion.

"No and I would appreciate being able to see my arm." Snape stated,

pulling up his sleeve revealing his slowly disappearing arm, Harry cursed.

"I need to make it again before I can neutralise it then reverse it." Harry

muttered, working as fast as possible all the while watching the other

simmering cauldron. Snape looked over the recipe and started putting

counter ingredients on the station and preparing. They worked silently

chopping, crushing, slicing and stirring, Snape was slowly disappearing

and it was really weird to watch as the man was still working but he

wasn't visible, it looked like a set of robes had been animated.

"This is so strange," Harry commented, quickly taking his first cauldron

off the heat and adding one Ashwider egg before stirring 7 times counter

clockwise and setting it back on the heat. The disillusion potion finally

settled on the needed clear blue and Harry sighed.

"Counter the unicorn horn and the Monkswood first then let it simmer."

Snape said and Harry nodded.

"Then add powdered moonstone and 3 'corn hairs before bringing it to

the boil." Harry got the impression that Snape nodded even though he

couldn't see the man. Their silent vigil was broken when Sirius came in

and froze at the sight.

"What in Merlin's name happened?"

"Potions accident, now be quiet, I do not relish the thought of being stuck

like this." Came Snape's voice, Sirius span around looking for the man

and Harry laughed.

"The robes, dad,"

Sirius balked.

"What did you do?"

"New potion by Harrison, quite ingenious really but there is no counter."

"You tested a potion without an antidote?" Sirius asked incredulously.

"We didn't realise it would have this effect without being drank." Harry

explained, stirring the potion and it went a matte blue, he continued to

stir as he added in the Monkswood and it changed to a vivid green.

"This is weird," Harry snickered before hastily covering, he could feel

Snape's glare and he stepped back to let the cauldron simmer, checking

on his first potion and grinned; it was slowly changing.

"Add the moonstone now bit by bit," Snape told him and Harry sprinkled

it in slowly and the potion changed to a pale orange. "Now the hairs,"

Harry tossed them in and it lit up to a bright yellow, he stirred three

times clockwise and it mellowed to a soft yellow, Harry took it off the

heat and ladled some in to a phial for Snape. The Potions Master swirled

it around and sniffed it, Harry couldn't help but notice it was incredibly

weird to watch someone examine a potion when they couldn't see him

and Sirius seemed to agree by the look on his face. One drop fell on to air

and sunk in.

They all waited with baited breath to see if anything would happen when

a pale finger started to appear, Harry breathed in relief as it spread and

the rest of Snape became visible, he checked on the other potion and

stirred it before looking up at the Potions Master, what he saw made him

freeze. Harry's jaw dropped in shock and Sirius began choking, Snape

was visible again but he was different.

"Why do I feel different and why are you looking at me like that?" Snape

demanded and Harry just shook his head wordlessly, he conjured up a

mirror and handed it to him; Snape's jaw dropped. He no longer had

sallow unhealthy skin, his hair wasn't lank and greasy looking and his

nose had lost its obvious hook. There was silence except the simmering

cauldron in the lab as they took in the shock, everyone, including the

man himself, was gazing at Snape in some sort of awe.

"What…" Harry couldn't manage anything else.

"I…" Severus Snape was for once in his life completely speechless.

"Miracle juice," Sirius burst out and it seemed to snap Snape from his

shock because he glared at the animagus and with the new look the glare

was worse, Harry laughed.

"I don't even know what we just created but it obviously has good

effects." He quickly scribbled down the instructions underneath the

disillusion ones.

"I don't think there have been any bad effects." Severus murmured and

waved his wand over himself, the diagnostic came up clear and Harry

grinned.

"Well we know who clearly the genius here is." He stated.

"I only came down here to ask you if you stuck Rosina to the wall." Sirius

pointed out and Harry adopted an all too innocent look.

"I do not know who stuck her to the wall in Slytherin colours with the

warning not to hex someone who could beat her any day in a duel

without his I mean their wand."

"Did you use your wand?" Snape sighed and Harry scoffed.

"I don't even know where it is."

"Harrison, please learn to use your wand." Sirius told him and Harry

snapped his fingers making his wand pop up in front of him, he strapped

it to his wrist and looked pointedly at his dad, who grinned.

"I shall be leaving you two dungeon dwellers and I look forward to

dinner." Sirius left and Snape rolled his eyes.

"Come, you have two more steps before your vanishing potion is done

and has to cool. Then you have to begin the counter," Harry nodded and

added the next ingredient after taking it off the heat, he continued to stir

the cauldron every 15 seconds and on the 5th stir he added a counter

clockwise one. Harry continued this for 5 minutes when the potion stills

on a shimmering silver/grey colour, he grinned setting it back to cool

and began the counter potion.

It wasn't that hard because they had a base already made so he just went

from there, the counter was a flat coal colour and not at all appealing,

Snape and bottled up the disillusion potion and its counter so they had 8

phials of each. When everything was clear and put away Harry scooped

out a phial and sniffed it, he nodded to himself and swirled it around.

"Bezoar at the ready?" He asked and Snape just looked at him with a look

that said everything, Harry grinned.

"Right, Potions Master, stupid question. Well here goes,"

Before Snape could speak against his next actions, Harry downed the

concoction wrinkling his nose at the taste. It felt as if someone was

pouring cold gloop through his veins, he could feel it spreading.

"Feels strange," He commented and when he could feel the potion over

his entire body he vanished from sight, he was completely gone from all

trace, Snape could no longer feel the boy's magic or sense his presence at

all.

"It works, you're completely gone."

"Yes!" Harry cheered, he picked up the counter and drank it, it was the

opposite feeling of having warm gloop pushed through his veins and

when it was everywhere he popped in to sight again.

"Two potions and two counters all in," He cast a tempus and blinked, "6

hours,"

"Impressive, these should grant you the Mastery."

"Hopefully but I still want to experiment in the summer, all depends on

what happens." Harry said, charming his phials as unbreakable.

"Oh, and you're expecting things to happen this summer?" Snape drawled

and Harry smirked.

"Most definitely, I believe we will be in for a very interesting summer."

Harry replied evasively.

"I will not get a straight answer,"

"I have been told not speak of late happenings, someone has a lot to get

in order after 10 years of absence." Harry looked at Snape and his eyes

flicked to his left arm where he knew the Dark Mark to be situated. The

Potions Masters eyes widened slightly before it was covered.

"Summer will be interesting,"

"Very,"

That's where it ends folks, it's a bit longer than I thought it would be

but there we go, I thought the changes were necessary and I do

hope you like it!

Jess*

11. Chapter 11

A/N: I literally cannot thank you enough for all of the support I've

gotten for this story, I never thought it would be this well liked and

seriously I can't even find the words!

A/N2: Quite a few changes in here, some smoothing out and some

polishing. For the new readers, I apologise, you'll probably hate me

for this chapter!

Disclaimer: Belongs to J. K.

Warning: A bit of gore.

Chapter 11:

Harry was buzzing for the hall to fill up for breakfast, he had dragged

Draco up early, much to the blond's disgust, he hadn't told him why just

that he had to see something. Harry decided not to tell him about his

Godfather's transformation yet because he wanted to see his friend's

reaction. When they went to the hall, Harry had deliberately mentioned

Snape so Draco would look at him and he hadn't been disappointed;

Draco's jaw had dropped and his eyes widened comically.

"What in Merlin's name happened to uncle Sev?" He squeaked, to Harry's

utter amusement; the Black Heir had burst out laughing and dodged out

of the way of the fist aimed for him.

"I told you I wanted to show you something." Harry said after calming

down. Draco rushed to the Head table and stopped in front of Severus

who was looking at his Godson in amusement.

"Good Morning, Draco."

"What happened?"

"Miracle juice," Sirius answered cheerfully, sitting down next to Snape

and hissing at the stinging hex thrown at him.

"Shut it, Black."

"Which one?" Harry and Sirius asked together and Severus sighed.

"Merlin, help me."

"You still haven't told me what happened." Draco pointed out.

"Harrison and I had a potions accident and the antidote did this."

Draco's pale eyebrows rose and he turned to Harry.

"You did this?"

"On accident, yes,"

"By accident cub," Remus corrected, taking his own seat and picking up

some toast. "Nice new look Severus, it suits you."

"Thank you, see Black, that's how you compliment someone politely."

"I didn't say anything." Harry said with a grin, Snape shot him a light

glare to which Harry looked back innocently.

"I still don't know how this happened, maybe it just reversed all the

damage your potions made." Harry suggested.

"It could be," Snape agreed, "I have brewed many toxic potions during my

time as a Master, some of them would have left their mark."

Sirius slung his arm over Snape's shoulder with a grin.

"Well keep the juice available, just in case." He received another stinging

hex, this time to his face but thankfully his mate was there to block it for

him. The rest of the population started coming in and as soon as they

caught sight of Snape whispers spread like wild fire. Harry flashed a grin

at his Professor and wandered back to the table, Snape scowled as Sirius

snickered at him but then sighed as he realised he would have to get used

to it. Severus Snape was the sole topic of conversation during the entire

breakfast much to the man's displeasure and the Harry's endless

amusement.

The reaction that caught Harry's attention was when Lily Potter entered,

she was alone and Harry noticed the glamours again and the fact that she

seemed to be limping slightly. She glanced at Severus and stopped, she

was looking at him unconditional awe and adoration, it was a look that

Harry had never seen on her face and it only raised more questions in his

mind. When James came in she flinched again and hurried to the head

table, Harry's eyes narrowed as he followed her up, there was definitely

something going on with her and Harry made a note to watch her more

closely. They went to lesson and it seemed that Snape was a new

celebrity, everywhere Harry went the Potions Master was mentioned and

some of it was alarming.

Many of the older students had been fantasising about the man, none of

it very innocent at all and Harry and Draco had fun imagining Snape's

reaction. The group of first years ended up blushing scarlet and hurrying

away when they overheard a particularly detailed fantasy from two older

Hufflepuffs; none of them would ever be repeating that.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he has killed by dinner." Draco commented

lowly, coming out of the Potions classroom. Snape had been absolutely

brutal during the lesson, even the Slytherins had to tread carefully.

"I'm surprised he didn't murder Brown with that glare alone." Harry

added and hastily left when Snape glared at him.

"I forgot he had unusually good hearing,"

"I heard that, Black."

"Sorry, Professor handsome," Harry replied and then froze in absolute

horror. Draco gaped at him and Harry couldn't believe he just said that to

the man, it was what Brown and Patil had been whispering in the class;

why would he say that?

"Run very fast and very far away." Draco advised and Harry didn't need

telling twice. He ran for it, making sure Draco was following him, leaping

through many passageways, jumping up steps two at a time and finally

falling in to the marauders pad.

"DAD!"

Sirius came out of the bedroom looking alarmed.

"What is it?"

"Sev, he's going to murder me." Harry gasped just as Draco stumbled in.

"Are you insane, you made fun of him in this mood?"

"I wasn't supposed to say it our loud." Harry moaned.

"He's heading this way."

Harry yelped as the portrait was hammered on, running over to hide

behind he hid behind Sirius pulling Draco with him.

"Open the damn door, Black. I know Black Jr is in there and I'm going to

wring his neck."

"What is Merlin's name did you do?" Sirius asked in shock and Harry

wrinkled his nose.

"I made a funny comment, which he would have found funny if he wasn't

in his murdering mood, and I said it loudly too him."

"I can here you, Blacks."

Sirius carefully opened the portrait hole and Harry dived behind the sofa

with his eyes peaking up.

"Wait until I get my hands on you, Black."

"Come on, Sev, you know it's kind of funny. I mean you should here the

5th year Puffs; you're now more favoured that dad."

Both Sirius and Severus stopped.

"What!?"

"Yeah, with your dark, mysterious attitude and oh so smooth voice which

is just so mesmerising," Harry put on a high girls voice and batted his

eyelashes. Draco tried and failed to cover his laughter up and ended up

clutching his sides as he collapsed laughing at the expression on Snape's

face.

"I'm sorry?"

"Yup, it's kind of disturbing. I would ward your quarters and office

tighter, you have some rabid fans."

That got Sirius, who joined Draco in laughing and while the pair of them

were trying to control their breathing, Remus walked in.

"I definitely have to warn Severus. I just had some 7th year Gryffindors

and Hufflepuffs and they were practically drooling over the fact they had

a double Potions slot tomorrow, some serious fantasies going on in their

minds- oh hello, Severus."

Harry was nearly choking as he laughed at Severus' expression of horror,

he, Draco and Sirius were practically rolling on the floor and they all had

tears streaming down their faces.

"Oh Merlin," Draco gasped, taking a huge breath in, "Wait until I tell

father about this." Snape collapsed on to the nearest chair with his head

in his hands.

"I hate you all," He groaned.

"That's ok, Mr dark and mysterious." Sirius chirped and that sent them

laughing again. Snape threw them a mutinous look before stalking out.

"I have a feeling this is going to last a while." Remus chuckled.

"I hope so."

Remus was right in his statement, Severus Snape was the talk of the

school until the build up of Quidditch, the man practically hid in the

dungeons until things had died down and Harry had caught sight of a

petal from a red rose on the mans office floor, when he had innocently

asked if Snape liked roses he was on the receiving end of a well aims

stinging hex. It brought copious amount of amusement to Sirius who had

turned up at one of Harry's extra potions lessons with a bouquet of

flowers and a box of chocolates declaring his love for the 'dark and

mysterious' professor, Harry had laughed so hard he had nearly stopped

breathing and he ruined his potion, Snape physically threw a cauldron at

the grim animagus and it hit him in the head; he hadn't done it again.

When everything had calmed from Snape, other things began. Tensions

were high in the castle as the Quidditch final approached. It was

Slytherin v Gryffindor and the whole castle was waiting for it, since it

had come out that Gryffindor had managed to match the Slytherin House

on points it had been decided that they would have a tie breaker with the

winner taking the cup. Harry had been practicing like crazy and he could

be seen perfecting some of the deadliest moves seen on a broom. He was

determined to beat the Lions no matter what the cost, after the meeting

with the Headmaster and the Potters he was more eager. James Potter

and Sirius were at heads, it was the thing that drove Snape from

everyone's minds, and at times it had nearly came to wands, the Black

Lord would not let the slur against his mate go unpunished and James

was a fool.

Harry was also putting more in to his studies, he was at the top but he

always did extra, especially in Potions for his mastery. He had been

working with Draco too, the blond was second overall and they intended

it to stay that way for the remainder of the year. Because of the match,

there had been more people in the hospital wing than all year, each

house was trying to injure the opposition; mainly the seekers and both

Rosina and Harrison could be seen with guards to watch their backs just

in case. Unfortunately for the Gryffindors, the Slytherins were cunning

and sly and, because of this, many of the Gryffindor team had been hit

with a variation of hexes; the only ones not hit were the twins because no

one was stupid to have the twins after them.

On the day of the match, the Gryffindor team entered the Great Hall with

massive applause from the Lions and Puffs and boos from the snakes, of

course not to be outdone by the opposing team, the Slytherins entered

with style. With a burst of black flames from Harry, the Snakes, clad in

green and silver, stepped in as one and walked towards their table, the

applause echoed and Harry smirked as their house got to their feet in

support. There were bets flying around the room during breakfast and the

anticipation was growing in alarming rates until Flint couldn't take it and

ordered them to the changing rooms,

"Pull off something amazing." Draco said with a smirk which Harry

returned.

"How else is it done in Slytherin?" He nodded to his dad, Remus and

Snape before following his team out.

"Right, this is the last game and we will win." Flint told them in the

changing room, he was pacing and giving them all the eye.

"We have beaten the kittens before and you can damn well believe I

expect you to do it again."

"You know we will win, Marc. Have you seen Harrison training? He got

some serious moves." Pucey assured him and the team murmured in

agreement.

"I have and if you don't get that snitch you can say goodbye to your place

on this team, do the impossible." Flint ordered him in a growl.

"The snitch is mine." Harry agreed with a sharp nod. They could hear the

crowd outside filling the stands and blanked their faces. Harry gripped

his broom and took a deep breath as they walked out to the cheers when

they were announced and faced Gryffindor as Madam Hooch stepped up.

"Captains shake hands." She ordered and Harry saw Wood's hand go

white as Flint crushed it. Giving the other Captain credit, none of the

pain or discomfort was shown on his face and he seemed to give as good

as he got.

"Mount your brooms." She instructed and as they climbed on the bludgers

were released with the snitch. She picked up the quaffle, eying them all

carefully, and threw it in to the air.

"AND THE GAME BEGINS." Lee Jordan was commentating again and

Johnson snatched the quaffle. Harry rose above the game and

immediately began searching for the elusive golden ball, knowing that he

had to catch it fast. The twins were marking him expertly and he had to

swerve and dodge multiple bludgers, he flashed them a grin and dived

out of their strike range, swooping through the other players and the

bludger which would have hit him slammed in to Spinet knocking her off

course. Fred gave him a clap and Harry mock bowed just in time as a

Bludger sailed past his head coming from a grinning George. Harry shook

his head and flew off. The game got dirty very quickly, each time a point

was scored it was matched by the other team and both were resorting to

numerous fouls to gain the one up.

It was gruelling as much as it was thrilling, and Harry had a great time

performing all kinds of stunts to make sure all bludgers directed at him

ended up hitting the other other team and making sure their plays were

disrupted. Harry saw the snitch and dived. All three chasers flew directly

at him making him lose sight of the snitch and giving him no options

apart from a collision or jump, he picked up speed and pulled the same

move as he did in the first flying lesson; he jumped. Leaping off his

broom and over Katie Bell's head to land on his broom the other side, he

smirked at their astonished faces and sped off. The score was 150 - 170 to

Slytherin but there was no end in sight after two hours so Flint called for

a time out and they all flew down.

"This is pathetic, get your act together. I don't care if you knock the

bastards out of the air." Flint snarled. "Black, get that damn snitch soon

and Warrington, if you let in another goal I will put you in the hospital

wing myself."

They all nodded and kicked off again, determined to do better. The

Snakes came back with a vengeance and in the next five minutes they

had scored 8 goals. The Lions, furious at losing, started to pull more

awful fouls: Wood threw the quaffle at Pucey's head, Johnson aimed a

shot to the ribs at Flint, but the worse was Spinet grabbing a bat from

one of the twins and whacking a bludger at Jugson, hitting him right in

the groin. Every male who saw it winced and Jugson dropped like a rock,

the poor teen had tears in his eyes as he knelt on the pitch and Flint, who

was fuming over the foul, missed the penalty. Out of the corner of his eye

Harry spotted a flash of gold and shot off, Rose had already seen it so he

was playing catch up which was never a good thing but he wouldn't let

her beat him so he flattened his body to the handle and picked up speed.

Two bludgers flew at him and he rolled in the air to miss them, his focus

unwavering.

Harry finally caught up with Rosina when the snitch changed course and

shot up, Harry was better accustom to the move and shot up straight

away whereas Rose lagged a bit giving Harry an advantage. They

followed the golden ball higher until it levelled out and they chased it,

Rose swerved in front of him and had her arm out to catch the snitch but

Harry jumped again and snatched it right out of her hand before it

closed. He was about to land on his broom when Rose sped up and

forcefully slammed in to his side, Harry felt a rib crack and hissed, he

went to grab his broom but Rose kicked it out of his reach and he fell.

People screamed as Harry plummeted through the air from well over

50ft, Harry's mind, in a moment of absolute horror, went completely

blank and by the time the thought of using his control over the air

actually registered it was much too late, he slammed in to the ground

and felt white hot pain flare over his entire body before everything went

black.

Even from the stands the sickening crack that was Harry's body hitting

the floor was heard and he didn't move. The commotion that erupted in

the stadium was like nothing ever seen before, the Slytherin side of the

stands were screaming in outrage and the team itself were in two halves;

some went to Harry while the others went for Rosina in a rage. She flew

off, only just missing the bludgers sent after her and the quaffle Flint had

launched at her head, she managed to get back to the ground and hide

behind her father, who had rushed on to the pitch as soon as the Snakes

went after her. Everyone saw the huge black Grim bolting on to the pitch

as a ghostly white Remus followed, keeping pace due to his Lycanthropy

and a somewhat green Malfoy Heir.

"He has a pulse," Sirius gasped, catching a very feint one. He turned to

Draco, who looked like he was about to collapse, with huge eyes.

"Get your mother here right now. I don't know if he's going to make it."

Draco was already running off before Sirius had finished speaking,

leaving the Black Lord to pick Harry up and run to the Hospital wing.

The only thing Sirius could think of was how much blood there was and

the fact that his little boy was minutes away from death. Draco had

darted down to his Godfather's quarters to floo over to Malfoy Manor and

run off to find his mother, barely able to see where he was going through

his tears.

"Mother, where are you?" He yelled, "Mother?"

He almost physically ran in to the woman in question as she hurried out

of the parlour at the sound of her son's distressed voice.

"Draco, my darling, whatever is the matter?" She wondered, "Why are

you away from school."

"Mother you must come right away," He insisted, pulling her in the

direction of the floo, "Harrison is dying!"

"Excuse me?" She gasped, "Dying, how?"

"Potter knocked him out of the air from over fifty feet." Draco managed

to explain, still pulling her towards the floo, "Mother there was so much

blood!"

Narcissa's eyes widened and she snapped for an elf, her steps picking up

speed instantly.

"Fetch me my full healing kit and tell Lucius to get to Hogwarts Hospital

wing right away, Harrison is hurt." By the time they reached the

fireplace, her kit had been delivered and Lucius had caught up with

them. They hurried through the system, making their way quickly to the

Hospital wing without haste, running in to a very pale Severus.

"How bad is it, Severus?" Lucius asked and none of them took it as a good

sign when he shook his head.

"The fact that he is still alive baffles me." He admitted, and then Narcissa

was gone. She forwent all decorum and full out ran to the wing, bursting

in interrupting the huge argument going on between an absolutely

furious Sirius and an irate nurse.

"Everyone out," Narcissa commanded, already waving her wand over the

unconscious child.

"Now see here-,"

"This is my nephew and if you all do not leave so I can save his life I will

bring all the power of the Blacks, Malfoys and Rosiers down upon you.

GET OUT!"

Lady Narcissa Malfoy was the epitome of calm and composed, known for

her unwavering decorum and perfect public behaviour, so to see her lose

her cool was not only surprising it was terrifying and the room was

cleared instantly. Outside in the corridor, the tension could have been cut

with a knife. Remus was pacing furiously, his eyes an inhuman amber

and growls slipping out between his bared teeth as Moony overtook more

of the rational man's mind. Sirius wasn't faring any better, his hands were

shaking violently and his magic was flaring beyond his control, his mind

seemingly only focused on the worst case scenario.

Time passed very slowly and it wasn't until well over an hour later did

anything happen, Draco, who had taken solace in his father's arms,

looked up and his narrowed when he caught sight of their unwelcome

guests. His movement was noticed by his father, who indicated to the

other three men the arrival for the Potters and Dumbledore. The four

newcomers completely ignored Remus' dangerous snarl of warning, but

the others knew better so Severus and Lucius, once had put his son down,

took up positions behind the fuming werewolf to be safe.

"Ah, what is Poppy doing away from her wing? Someone is needed to

heal young Harry from his little accident." Dumbledore's too cheerful

words were met with looks of utter disbelief tinges with rage, and if ever

his sanity wasn't already in question it would have been at that very

moment.

"Surely you cannot believe that this was an accident?" Snape finally said,

managing to get the words out before everyone else, "We all saw what

happened."

Dumbledore shook his head sadly, James and Rose smirked but Lily just

looked at the floor with her shoulders hunched.

"Quidditch is a dangerous game, terrible things happen."

"You're insane, she slammed in to him and kicked his broom away." Sirius

spat.

"The snotty brat clearly hasn't got any talent on a broom if he can't take a

small nudge, you didn't see Rosie falling from her broom and having such

a fuss made out of it." James sneered and Remus lunged only to be

yanked back by the two men behind, he was snarling and growling with

glowing amber eyes and James stepped back in alarm.

"Keep that beast away from me, it isn't only the boy who has got

problems."

As Remus was being restrained there was no one to stop Sirius pulling

back his fist and smacking it straight in to James' face, Sirius didn't stop

there, he tackled James to the floor and kept punching him until James

fought back. It turned in to a full brawl until Dumbledore flicked his

wand and pushed them forcefully away from each other, Sirius had a cut

lip and a bruise appearing on his jaw but James was a mess: his nose was

bleeding, his lip was split, both his eyes were starting to swell and he

spat out a tooth.

"Gentlemen, this is unnecessary." Dumbledore told them.

"Lils, fix this for me." James snapped and only Snape noticed the flinch

the fiery red head gave, he narrowed his eyes and took in his ex-best

friend's appearance; there was something off with her but he couldn't put

his finger on it. Just then the hospital doors opened and out stepped

Narcissa, who managed to silence all arguments and growling instantly

with her mere appearance.

Gone was the elegant Lady Malfoy, and in her place stood a woman who

looked like she had just come from battle healing. Her robes were torn,

the arms gone where they had obviously been severed off in haste, and

splattered in blood and potions, staining them permanently. Her long

blonde hair was slung on of her head haphazardly, strands falling down

her face crushed with blood and her usually unblemished face was

flushed and smeared with blood. She looked exhausted and her face was

completely blank, even if her eyes shone with emotion.

"He's in a coma, but I have managed to stabilise him." She told them, "I

cannot say if he will ever wake." Her voice wavered only once as she

broke the news to Sirius and Remus. Sirius made a sound between a

whimper and a groan as his cousin told him his son might not make it,

stumbling in to the hospital and coming to an abrupt halt when he

caught sight of his son.

Harrison was lead deathly still and pale as a ghost, the only indication

that he was even still alive was the glowing ball of green light indicating

his stable life force. Remus released a pained whine and went over to the

bed jolting Sirius in to moving slowly over, he shakily reached to picked

up Harry's hand; it was cold.

"I need – I…" He couldn't seem to find the words to speak, his mind

couldn't process what was happening.

"It was touch and go," Narcissa admitted quietly, "I did everything I

could, but something so severe…"

"Honestly, it can't be that bad. He only fell." James 'whispered' and before

anyone could react, there was a resounding slap as Narcissa's hand

connected with James' already bruised face.

"You foul, loathsome creature." She hissed, making a recoil as the sheer