Note: Hey everyone, this is my first Harry Potter fanfiction. I hope you enjoy it and will want to read more.
Harry Potter belongs only to J.K. Rowling.
Summary: Harry and his friends return to Hogwarts. Snape has changed some rules and added new ones. Later on Harry is confronted with a new future that will confuse him. he will lose old friends and gain new ones.
Note: As i announced i changed the story a bit so i hope you enjoy the new story.
There's Nothing Else I Can Say
By Teirathel
Snow. Everything around was white. Harry sat on the window sill, looking out at the glistening powder and thinking of Sirius, about all who stood by him. About the monumental task Dumbledore had set before him, a task he wasn't sure he'd be able to complete.
Why can't I be normal? I just want to go back home, to Hogwarts
Suddenly he clutched at his chest. His heart had been hurting at odd intervals for months but he still couldn't figure out what was wrong. He had never had heart problems before and all of his previous physicals had come back normal.
The door opened. He didn't look up, he knew that it could only be Hermione or Ron. He couldn't let them see his pain so he kept his face turned to the window.
"Harry?" Hermione asked.
"Hm?"
"Please come down to supper! You have to eat."
"I'm not hungry!"
"Please…! You haven't eaten for two days. I'm getting worried about you!"
As always! He was so tired of everyone thinking he had to be wrapped in cotton wool. But he knew he should eat, he had to keep up his strength.
"Bring me up something and I promise, I'll try to eat it."
Hermione put a hand on his shoulder.
"Why don't you want us to be with you?"
He sighed audibly and looked at her.
"It's not that. I just need to be alone right now. I need time to think."
She worried her lip, unsure whether she should leave him alone.
"Sure, Harry", she said finally. "I'll bring your food up. You know you can talk to us about anything, right?"
"Yes, I know Hermione, but I'm fine!"
She looked at him again, turned around and walked out. He looked back out the window and noticed that there was a black dot on the horizon. He quickly realized that it was an owl and that it was heading straight for him. He opened the window to allow it through. The owl settled on the back of the sofa and held out its leg presenting the letter. He took it and read:
Harry,
How are you? I hope you are well. I've been instructed to inform you that the Order has decided that you shall return to Hogwarts. We will be there to pick up you, Hermione, and Ron tomorrow, to take you to Hogwarts.
Best Regards
Remus
He didn't know what he should do first: laugh, cry, scream... he was so pleased. Before last year, before Sirius he would have been angry that the Order had made decisions for him, but now he didn't care. He was getting what he wanted. He was going home. He reached for pen and parchment.
Remus,
I'm looking forward to the school year. We will be waiting for you tomorrow.
Harry
He gave the owl the message and it immediately flew back out the window. He watched her for a while to go ensure that she wasn't delayed. Then he ran down to tell Hermione and Ron. They seemed puzzled at first. Unprepared to see him not even half an hour after he said he wouldn't come down.
"What's happened?" Ron said.
"Pack your stuff! We're going to Hogwarts. "
Hermione looked at him as if she'd seen a ghost. "Why is that?"
He showed them the letter from Remus and both read it through.
"Seriously? Just like that? "Hermione questioned.
"Apparently. I don't care why they decided it. It means we can go home. That's what counts. "
"But Harry, what about Voldemort? The prophecy? "
"The Order said they would handle most of the Voldemort stuff before. Besides I can think about the rest from Hogwarts."
"You remember that Snape is Headmaster, don't you?" Ron asked.
"I remember, and…? McGonagall wouldn't be sending us back if he was a threat."
He was too happy to be returning to Hogwarts to worry about who was Headmaster. The Order wasn't Dumbledore. They wouldn't send him into danger.
"Let it be, Ron," Hermione said. "I think we should go back, getting our education should be the priority. We can come up with a strategy for Voldemort while we're there. "
The next day they were picked up by Kreacher and apparated to Grimmauld Place. Where they were welcomed by the Order.
Ms. Weasley hugged him so hard that it cut off his air. "Oh, Harry! I had been so worried about you. "
"I'm alright! Nothing happened. But if you don't let me go soon, I'll suffocate."
She let go of him immediately, tut-tutting about his skinny frame. He took in a few deep breaths as Remus approached.
"Harry, it's so good to see you. I hope you had a pleasant trip, but I fear you won't be here for long. Severus is here to escort you to Hogwarts and everything else will be explained there. "
Harry nodded and glanced over Remus' shoulder at Snape. He was actually surprised to see him there. He had worked with Voldemort to kill Dumbledore. The Order may not consider him a threat to Harry personally but to allow him to still attend their meetings… Harry looked at him. He looked the same, but something told Harry that that all was not as it seemed.
Snape turned his gaze to Harry and said,
"Come Potter, we'll leave immediately. I still have a lot to do and no time to waste with this playschool."
Harry sighed. Nope, same old Snape! I must have been seeing things.
He nodded and followed with Hermione and Ron. Snape looked at them again shortly before he turned to the fireplace, some floo powder in his hand and stepped into the fireplace, "Hogwarts, Headmaster's Office." He said and disappeared into the flames.
One by one they followed. Snape was waiting for them on the other side.
"I need to inform you that this school year will be different from what you have come to expect from Hogwarts. I have dissolved the school houses, you are no longer Griffindors. I expect that you will respect my decision."
Harry was more than just surprised. He hadn't expected Snape to ever do such a thing. Favour Slytherin, excessively, yes, but dissolve the houses? Not in a million years, it just confirmed his suspicions something was wrong with Snape.
"Um, what exactly does that mean, Headmaster?" Hermione asked.
"It, Miss Granger, means that I have dissolved the houses and mixed the students. The castle dormitories have been moved to a central location and split into two person rooms. Classes will be assigned accordingly. The three of you will now be given a new roommate by the Sorting Hat."
The three nodded; they couldn't do much else. Snape turned around and took down the battered Sorting Hat.
"Now, who wants to start?"
Hermione stepped forward and accepted the hat. He lingered for a while, then he shouted:
"Luna Lovegood."
Hermione breathed out audibly and passed the hat to Ron.
"Ernie MacMillan," shouted the hat.
Ron took the hat off again and then gave it to Harry.
"Hello Harry. It's been a long time," said the hat.
"Yes, quite a long time."
He wondered what the small talk was for. He just wanted get it over with so he could go to his room.
"Hmm ... who should I pair with you? A Ravenclaw, a Hufflepuff or perhaps a Slytherin? "
"I don't care"
"Well then how about ... Draco Malfoy," he exclaimed at last. Harry was speechless.
'No, not that! Why me?'
Harry gave Snape the hat again and Ron put his hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry buddy."
Harry looked at him depressed.
"I will now accompany you to your rooms. Your new roommates will help you catch up with the coursework you missed. They will also accompany you to classes and the great hall. "
After Snape had delivered Ron and Hermione, he brought Harry to Malfoy's room and knocked on the door.
"Wait a minute," Malfoy called from inside.
A short time later the door opened and Malfoy stood in front of them. He looked at Snape, and then to Harry and Harry could see in his face, that Malfoy was quite surprised to see him.
"Draco, this is your roommate. I want you to make him familiar with the new rules and give him the course material from the last few months. He will be tested on it in a few weeks. "Snape told him.
"But ... but ... but uncle! This is Potter!" Malfoy shrieked.
Harry had to resist grinning. Malfoy had never stuttered before.
"Your grasp of the situation astounds me. The Sorting hat has chosen, and you will have to live with it. Or shall I send an owl to your father? "
Malfoy was torn between saying something more and abject disappointment. Harry felt the same way. He wasn't looking forward to sharing a dorm with his nemesis either.
"I'll take my leave." Snape spun around to face Harry. "Your luggage will arrive shortly and Draco ..." he turned back to Malfoy. "... Try not to disgrace me. I advise you to make the most of it."
"Yes, uncle."
Snape turned and disappeared, leaving Harry alone with Malfoy.
"Well, come in, Potter or are you just going to stand in the door all day?"
Harry started to move and entered the room. In the room were two beds, two desks and a door leading to the adjoining bathroom, the same as it had been in Griffindor Tower. All in all, it seemed pretty comfortable, even thought the colours were different than usual. Nothing reminiscent anymore of the four houses. While he was looking around, Malfoy had gone to his desk and rummaged in his satchel.
"So here are my notes on the subjects. Copy them and then give it back to me."
"Got it! But tell me, Malfoy, why is Snape doing this, why change everything?"
He didn't quite expect an answer from Malfoy, so he was more than surprised that he got one.
"I don't know. At the beginning of the school year we all had to be sorted by the hat again. But in itself, it hasn't changed much. Of course, none of the students were enthusiastic about the idea. We Slytherins are not particularly well regarded by our peers. "
He sighed. "We resign ourselves to it. It's not like we can do anything about it."
Harry had sat on his bed to listen. Now he stood and walked towards Draco.
"Listen, Malfoy. I know the situation isn't to either of our liking, and we're both going to be under scrutiny. So, I was thinking, why don't we stop fighting? How about a new start?"
Harry held out his hand. Inwardly, he wondered just what he was doing. Draco was his nemesis. But somehow he felt like it was important to let go of past grudges, to count Draco as a friend. Malfoy looked at his hand for a while, and Harry was about to pull it back when Draco took it.
"Alright, an attempt may be worth it. I warn you, though, not to take advantage. "
He grinned. He didn't think that Draco would accept his offer.
"Ok! So let's start. Hello, I'm Harry Potter. My friends call me Harry. "
Malfoy hesitated.
"Draco Malfoy," he finally said.
They sat down and Draco explained the new rules. They talked far into the night.
The next morning, Harry was exhausted from the lack of sleep.
"Harry! Get up or we'll be late for breakfast.", Draco said, pulling Harry's blanket.
Brrr is that cold!
He winced and groped for his blanket, but it was no longer there.
"Draco where is my blanket? It's fucking cold in here. "
"Get up and you'll get your blanket."
This is unfair!
Finally, Harry peeled himself out of bed and shuffled to the bathroom.
"Hurry up a bit! I want something from breakfast. "
"I'll be out in a minute," Harry shouted from the bathroom.
A short time later, Harry was ready and they made their way to the great hall. Along the way, Harry grinned.
"What are you grinning like that?" Draco asked.
"Oh, nothing. Just imaging all the shocked faces when we come in to breakfast together."
Draco looked at him in astonishment and then laughed. Harry thought he was dreaming. Draco Malfoy actually laughed.
"You will find out soon enough.", Draco replied.
"It certainly will be funny."
They finally arrived at the door to the great hall and Draco glanced at him.
"Ready?", he asked.
"Ready!"
Together they opened the door and entered. The students fell silent and looked at them aghast. Harry and Draco looked at each other briefly fighting laughter, then with all seriousness Draco moved and Harry followed. The students around them whispered excitedly, but Harry ignored them, and sat by Blaise and Pansy as Draco did. The two of them seemed rather surprised.
"Tell me, Draco since when has Potter been welcome here?" Blaise said finally.
"His name is Harry", Draco corrected, "and since yesterday; he is my roommate."
"What!?" Pansy cried.
Harry covered his ears.
Oi, she has a shrill voice! How had Draco endured it all these years?
"Oh I almost forgot!", Draco exclaimed suddenly. "Harry, here is your schedule. We have all our subjects together, but you still might want to look it over."
"Ah, ok, thank you," Harry accepted his new schedule.
"Since when are you so informal, Draco?" Blaise asked.
"Since yesterday evening.", Draco replied. "Harry and I have decided to start over. It seems we're stuck with each other this year and I won't bring my uncle shame by what would be constant fighting."
"Really? Well, then, Harry, welcome you into our group! I'm Draco's best friend, Blaise Zabini, "Blaise said extending his hand. Harry accepted gratefully. Pansy turned up her nose.
Harry looked at his schedule and was disappointed.. The first two hours was Potions with Snape.
I haven't been missing that!
He hung his head.
"What's wrong?" asked Blaise.
"Two hours of Potions with Snape, and first thing in the morning, too," complained Harry.
"What's wrong with that?" Draco asked.
"Were you there the last few years? Did you miss how Snape destroys me?" said Harry. Draco grinned.
"Yes I know, but after all of this don't you think that Professor Snape could have changed? Just like this school year?"
Harry thought for a moment.
"Hmm ... maybe you're right. I might be surprised again."
Draco stood up, the others followed them and made their way into the dungeon. On the way they met with Hermione, Ron, Luna and Ernie. Harry was immediately riddled with questions. How was Draco? Was everything alright? And more.
In the classroom, Harry was separated from them once more, as the class was still divided across a centre aisle. Snape entered the classroom with his usual banging doors and billowing robes. With a swish of his wand a list of ingredients appeared on the blackboard.
"The potion today is rather simple, the recipe can be found on page 325 of your book. Decide amongst yourselves who will make what. A sample from each team shall be placed on my desk by the end of class."
Harry took his book and opened it to the corresponding page. They were to brew a shrinking potion. The ingredients were daisies, chopped very fine, wrinkle fig, well crushed, rat spleen, small caterpillars and a dash of leech juice.
"Harry, can you get me the ingredients and prepare them? I'll handle mixing them together in the cauldron," Draco told him.
Harry walked to the cupboard and took out the appropriate ingredients. Then he went back to his seat and began to chop up the daisies. Draco put the cauldron on the fire to get the right temperature and added all of the prepared ingredients, giving them the appropriate turns and waiting times. Harry had to admit that Draco was really good at what he did.
A short time later, they finished and Draco took a phial and poured the potion into it. They labelled it with their names and Draco offered it to Harry. Harry stared at him, confused.
"Go turn it in."
"Hm ... ok if you want."
He took the vial, and went to the desk. He was quite nervous although he couldn't explain why. Arriving at the desk he put the vial under Snape's nose.
"We are done, sir."
"Well, put it there." Snape pointed to a rack. "Oh and Potter, remain after class."
"Um ... ok, sir."
He turned and sat down at his place.
"What did he want?" Draco whispered to him.
"That I should stay after class."
"Why is that?"
"I don't know."
"Well then I'll wait outside the door."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
When the bell rang everyone went to their next class and Draco waited as he said before the door. Harry grabbed his things and went back to Snape's desk.
"You wanted to speak with me, sir?"
"Yes, Potter. You have settled in? "
"Yes sir. Draco explained everything to me. "
"Draco? Is that how you address him now? "
"Well, yes, sir. We have seen that we'll be together for a while and we decided to put our differences aside for the time being. "
Snape looked at him surprised. He probably didn't expect that they would do that.
"I am pleased to hear that things are working out."
Harry cocked his head.
What did that mean?
"As to why I asked you here, enlighten me. Where were you that it was necessary for you to miss the beginning of the school year?"
Now he was even more confused. Snape was in the Order but didn't know of Dumbledore's task?
"Um ... excuse my counter-question, but none of the Order told you?"
"If I knew I would not have asked."
Snape crossed his arms over his chest. Harry hesitated. Should he tell him about the horcruxes or not? He was an ally of Voldemort and yet he was the Order's spy. But it seemed even the Order had lost their confidence on him.
"Well sir, I ..." A wave of pain shot through him.
No! Not now!
He doubled over. It was worse than it ever had been. Snape leaned down to him.
"Since when have you had this pain, Potter?"
"A few months," Harry hissed through clenched teeth.
"Why haven't you have visited a mediwitch?", Snape said, appalled.
"Because it was only for a few seconds. Aaarrrrgggghhhh shit. "
The pain was really unbearable this time. Snape grabbed him on the forearm and pulled him to his feet.
"Come. We must get you to the hospital wing. "
Harry didn't know why, but when Snape touched him the pain was lessened. It was as if Snape's touch absorbed some of the pain. Snape opened the door and Draco looked at them in horror.
"Uncle, what have you done with him?", Draco gasped.
"I haven't done anyhing," Snape snapped. "Help me get him to the hospital wing."
Everything in Harry's life had been turned upside down. The two men he had hated most in the world were rushing to help him, when not even a year ago they would have left him lying on the floor.
When they arrived Snape pushed open the doors and shouted:
"Poppy, where are you? We have an emergency! "
It was not long until she came running around the corner.
"What's the matter? Mr. Potter what has happened to you? "
He tried to grin, but the pain didn't let him, twisting it into a grimace.
"He's in pain! For months he told me," Snape told her.
"Put him there on the bed!"
They hoisted him onto the bed and Poppy examined him immediately.
"What's that?" she said suddenly.
"What?" said Snape.
"I feel magical barriers. Mr. Potter's body seems to be fighting them. It is strange that it's happening now, they feel old, like they've been there a long time. I can't believe I didn't notice this before."
Snape looked worried, and Draco was quite pale.
"Draco, can you stay here a moment? I'm going to go looking for something."
"What is wrong, Uncle?"
"I have a guess but I need to confirm it." he said and walked out.
A short time later he came back with a vial.
"What are you doing, Severus?"
"I want to find out whether my presumption is right."
"What presumption, Uncle?"
"The fact that our Mr Potter is a magical creature that is undergoing its transformation."
"if that were the case, then Mr Potter would need his soulmate to help him through the transformation. Otherwise he won't survive," said Poppy.
"That's why I want to administer the test. Or we would continue to chatter and start digging his grave."
Poppy and Draco shut their mouths, looking frightened and Snape gave Harry the potion.
"Now we wait five minutes," Snape announced conjuring an alarm clock beside Harry's bed.
"What happens after five minutes?" Draco asked.
"A few drops of blood will be removed and placed on this paper." He showed Draco a sheet of paper.
"And then?" Draco asked.
"Then we find out what kind of creature Potter is, as well as who is his soul mate. If Potter doesn't die during his transformation."
Draco didn't liked the sound of that. He had just made friends with Harry, and now, to lose him!?
The alarm clock rang.
Snape went to Harry, pricked his fingers and dripped a little blood on the paper. At first nothing happened but then it slowly formed into letters. Snape read through the information and paled. He propped himself up on the bedside table and dropped the paper.
"Uncle?"
"..."
"Severus, is everything ok?", Poppy asked
"Poppy, give Potter a pain relieving potion. I will be back shortly!"
With these words Snape apparated in front of their eyes. Draco picked up the dropped piece of paper and began reading.
Name: Harry James Potter
Creature: Vampire-Elf
Father: Tom Marvolo Riddle / Vampire
Mother: Lily Evans / Elf
Soul mate: Severus Snape