A/N so 4 years ago I changed what year this is based off. As written above so you will see the summer before 7th when Harry is going through his inheritance. Can anyone guess? I've already put tiny hints in there. And thank you all for the reviews. There will be some changes to the next couple chapters that I hope you will enjoy.
Virtual cookie for Mareg8! Thank you for pointing out that there are actually good critics that don't strive on tearing apart others work. I enjoy reading their comments because they help make my work better. However critics that live to nit-pick the work, you're welcome to review. But don't be surprised when I only take the reasonable advice that isn't slathered in malice and throw the rest away.
Thanks again for the reviews!
Allons-y!
Past
Present
{Parseltongue}
Chapter II
Salazar Slytherin sat in the middle of the runic circle, his body twisting inside the protective barrier; His back arched off the ground and his Emerald eyes opened in pain. The dark man stood pacing outside the circle watching his movements, his silver green eyes burning into Salazar's form as he watched when Salazar stopped twisting and moving, his body crashing to the ground; Watching as Salazar died. A cooing sound in his arms made him break contact with the still form to the child in his arms. White Blonde hair lying in curls on her head, her evergreen green eyes peaked underneath her lashes.
Giving a soft smile to the little girl he raised his hand, placing his finger in the girls' hand. Watching as she grabbed his finger and waved her hand around. He smiled down at the girl and then looked back at the circle; his eyes landing on the still form. Holding his breath, he waited. After a couple moments it was almost a slow transformation that overtook him as his chest slowly started to rise again and his bright green eyes opened. When Salazar finally turned his head to look at him his eyes glowed through the barrier as he raised himself off the ground and almost glided over to him.
Salazar looked at him for a moment, the new silver tones in his eyes darkening to a black as he neared him, until his eyes looked ebony. Reaching for the girl he pulled her into his arms and smiled down at her; his sharp canines shining in the candle light.
-Page break; going to take a detour to the past in 5th year-
It was right after Sirius had died. And Harry sat in the Gryffindor common room, in his usual seat by the fire. But unlike most nights by the fire, Hermione and Ron were nowhere near him as had been the trend since they had returned from the ministry. He looked up from the book he was reading and stared into the flames of the fire. He felt the cushion on the couch dip next to him but he continued to look ahead.
"Harry we have to talk to you." The know it all voice of Hermione broke him from his thoughts. When did he start to think that to himself?
He turned his head and looked at his friend. They had barely spoken since the ministry incident. He had barely spoken at all and he had noted the before now they had not even tried.
"This pathetic attitude of yours has got to stop. It's getting you nowhere and bringing you no closer to defeating you-know-who; There are so many people expecting you to help them and all you are doing is moping around." she gave him a sincere look. "But you haven't even tried to apologize to us about what happened."
Harry raised his eyebrow and looked at her. "And why would I need to do that?"
She looked taken aback for a moment before scoffing at him. "Honestly Harry, you almost got us killed!" Ron started to walk up behind her from where ever he had been on the sidelines and was nodding his head in agreement. Not surprising really as this sort of thing is what he actually has expected of him.
Harry looked at them for a moment. "As I recall, I told you not to go and to stay here where it was safe. I didn't force you to come with me and I think it would have been better if you had stayed. If anything YOU almost got yourselves killed, with no help from me."
Ron's face went red. "Hey mate, are you saying we were no help?"
"No I just said I would have preferred it if you hadn't gone because then you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
His face went a scarlet red. "You know what Potter. I don't like the attitude-like you think you are so much better than the rest of us y'know? I didn't have to be your friend, you know that? And because I did, the only things I've gotten are near deaths. You have put me and my family in danger almost every year."
Hermione looked at Ron and then back at harry. "I agree with Ron on this one Harry. We didn't have to help you. We didn't have to do any of that. We've escape death barely almost every year and all because we are friends with you."
Harry stood and grabbed his book. "I didn't ask you to do any of that. You could have easily stayed safe." He closed his eyes and when he opened them he glared at the two people next to the couch."You didn't have to be my friend? Fine don't, but also realize that I didn't have to save Ginny, I didn't have to help either of you the many times I have, I didn't have to teach DA; I didn't have to do any of the things I did, but I did. Because that is what friends do they help each other. And if you are going to duck out anytime the situation gets to hairy for you I would rather you stay out of it period."
Ron glared daggers at him from the couch and looked oddly like a skinny Vernon, his fists clenching like he was getting ready to strike. When he stood and pulled his arm back Harry was able to deflect by pushing at his wrist as he had seen Dudley do while practicing his boxing. Hermione sat on the couch and had a troubled look on her face before scowling.
"You're suck a freaking arse, Potter. Your family had the right idea about you. It's your fault we almost died, That Sirius died. Ever since we've known you, you have put our lives and our family's lives in danger." He grabbed Hermione's other hand and they both walked out of the common room.
(Skip ahead)
Harry sat on the bench and ignored the tears the slipped down his cheek as he watched the tops of heads pass by the compartment window. The year was finally over and Sirius was gone. It was his entire fault. Maybe they were all right; he was useless and was the cause of everything.
Shaking his head and rubbing his face he growled to himself. No, he couldn't be to blame for the decision of others, especially that of his so called friends.
He could hear people walk past his compartment and look In whispering as they walked by but the door still opened and closed. Harry didn't look up as the black sneakers made their way to the bench and the body attached sat down.
"So Potter, what did you and your gang do to Umbridge anyway?" The drawl surprised him enough that he lifted his eyes before looking back down at the shoes. Huh, Malfoy wore sneakers, how had he never noticed this?
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"Actually I would, seeing as the bitch has been missing since your stunt and has yet to re-appear, it has intrigued me." He couldn't help it as his head snapped up again as his eyes met that of the Slytherins. He wouldn't be surprised if he looked like a fish out of water. After giving him a calculating look he shrugged into the cushion behind him.
"I have no clue what you're talking about. What the centaurs did had nothing to do with 'my little gang.'" He dripped venom at the words. Malfoy gave a burst of laughter.
"Ah things not perfect in paradise?" Malfoy had an elegant blond eyebrow raised. Harry shook his head and looked out the window. Malfoy stood and came right in front of him. His hand stretched out. "Hello I'm Draco Malfoy." He looked at the outstretched hand a smiled. Taking it he shook it for a couple seconds.
"Harry Potter."
They sat and talked until the train pulled into kings cross where Harry was introduced to Lucius and Narcissa. Needless to say they were surprised by the sudden friendship, but did not question it out loud. Harry himself had doubts about the three but didn't say anything. They talked until the unmistakable car pulled up- Late as usual. Draco had insisted he wait. See him off and all which was different from his previous years. Maybe he just wanted to confirm the muggle rumors before turning his back on him. Lucius sneered at his uncle as he approached and Harry had almost laughed at the angered albeit slightly embarrassed look that passed over Vernon's' face. He could obviously tell the Malfoy's were above him. His uncle had grabbed his arm and roughly pulled him towards the car but Draco would not have it.
"Excuse me sir? May I borrow Harry a moment?" His uncle had reluctantly released him and Draco led him a little to the side. He handed him a book. "Here if you write in this we will be able to talk." He eyed his red arm for a moment. "If he hurts you will tell me right?" Harry was shocked at the words. The first thing that crossed his mind was where the hell had Draco pulled the book from? Something like that wasn't something people just carried around in their pockets waiting to give someone. But also why? It had only been a couple of hours but it felt like Draco was more a friend than both Ron and Hermione combined or at least he made to look that way. It was like he actually cared; the thought made him smile.
"I don't know if you want to hear that. It's just discipline." He shrugged his shoulders and sneaked a look at his uncle, who looked like he was trying to engage a not- so- amused Lucius. He blinked. Draco's finger was poised outstretched in front of his forehead, where he had just flicked him.
"I do want to hear it. You are a friend." He folded his arms and glared to the side. "And I take care of my friends."
He blinked again. Draco just flicked him... Because he cared? He rubbed his forehead. "Do you go about flicking people you care about in the forehead?" Draco stuck his nose in the air.
"Of course." Of course… that explains everything… he chuckle at how absurd that was. Draco smirked at him. "So will you tell me if they do?"
He turned his head away and looked back towards his uncle. Who now stood as far away as he could from Lucius; both he and Narcissa had triumphant smirks. He didn't want to burden any of them. "Of course." He could feel Draco looking at him trying to determine if he was telling the truth or not.
"Ok, then you better write often." He flung his arm across his shoulder and led his back towards his family. He gave a small wave as his uncle led him to the car.
"You sure took your time freak. Already behind in chores now, you will barely have time to cook when we get back. That means nothing for you tonight." His uncle smirked in the rear-view mirror.
Harry just lowered his head. "Yes uncle Vernon." He looked back out the window at the Malfoy's. All three were glaring at his uncle as the car pulled away. He sighed as they disappeared around the corner.
That summer was horrible. He was forced into the cupboard the second he had finished the veal roast they had requested for his 'family'. He spent two weeks in there. He was only allowed out for the restroom, to cook, and the chores. The beatings in between left much to be desired as well. But he wrote to Draco; the notebook was one of the only things his uncle allowed his to keep. He however didn't tell Draco about what was happening. He didn't want Draco to know how much of a freak he was friend or not.
After the first two weeks they allowed him to keep Hedwig in his room with him. They put his trunk into the cupboard and locked both doors. Two more weeks of the same routine and Hedwig had flown to Draco, seeking help without Harry knowing. Draco still talked to him through the notebook but he seemed to ask more and more if he was okay. Harry was tempted to tell him everything but couldn't. He felt he deserved it for everything he had done. But it seemed Draco was able to read in between the "I'm fine, they're not too bad" and the change of subjects. It was eventually what saved him. He didn't realize Draco would take it to the next step.
There was about 2 months left in the summer when there was a knock on the door. Harry was in the kitchen cleaning the stove after the meal was eaten. His uncle grabbed him by the shoulder and quickly threw him in the cupboard with his trunk. He rubbed the part of his head that collided with the stairs and brought his knees up to his chest; circling his arms around them protectively as he made himself as small as possible. He knew he would have more bruises but that didn't matter to Harry; they just went with all the other bruises. He listened as his uncle walked to the door, generic greeting falling from his lips before he stuttered into silence.
"Ah, Dursley. A pleasure." Harry tensed. What. Was. Lucius. Doing. Here? He listened as his uncle Spluttered some more. "This is my son Draco. We are here to visit young Mr. Potter." He could almost sense the sneer on the man's face. "May we come in?"
There was a tense silence before his uncle cleared his throat. "T-the b-b-b-boy went t-to visit-t an f-friend. He-he isn't here." Harry quickly pulled out the notebook he kept in his pocket. He quickly scrawled, hoping that Draco had his book with him.
What are you doing here? There was no answer. He waited a second before pulling his knees closer in defeat.
"I don't believe that muggle. Now step aside." This seemed to knock some sense into his uncle as he started to speak clearly.
"Now see here you freak. You cannot come into my house and call me a liar when you have no proof." There was a swish of clothing. Harry listened to the silence.
"Unlike my son and Mr. Potter I can use this whenever I want. Now you filthy muggle let's try this again. Where is your nephew? Or should I just cast a spell and locate him myself?"
The door to the cupboard suddenly opened forcing Harry to blink through the brightness before he focused on the image of a very pissed off Draco. He couldn't tell whether it was towards him or his situation. He held out his hand to Harry, he looked at it skeptically before grabbing a hold of it and allowing Draco to pull him out of the small space. His face darkening as more of Harry was revealed. He started shaking as all three of the hallways occupants looked at him. Dursley looked panicked. Draco looked livid. And Lucius looked shocked if he was expecting to find something; Harry didn't think this was it. Draco had quickly shrunk his trunk and grabbed Harry's hand. It felt like he was never going to let go.
They walked over to Lucius was now glaring at Dursley. They backed towards to the door. Lucius still had his wand trained on Vernon.
"Now listen here you disgusting mammal. Mr. Potter is never going to come back here." Vernon opened his mouth to speak. Lucius flicked his wand and his uncle's mouth clicked shut. "You will tell people he still lives here until he is of age. If you cannot keep that hole attached to your ugly face shut I will spell it shut for you. Better yet I will do that so you won't be tempted." A whispered spell and Vernon would never be able to tell anyone where Harry went. He would only be able to say that he likes living there and will continue until he is of age. "Next, whatever allowance you've been getting to take care of the boy." Vernon's face went white, his eyes shifting to Harry." Will cease. Desist. No longer exist. In other words you will get nothing. And I will make sure of this. If I feel merciful once I return home, I will not attempt to get every Sickle spent back on his account. But if he is worse than I can see now I can assure you. I will own everything you have before I let you go. After you are no longer of use to me I will take you to my master. The family of the great Harry Potter would mean so much to him. And I will watch as he kills you. Painfully. You, your wife, and the small mammal you call an offspring." He waved his wand towards the kitchen. Harry's aunt and cousin came into the hallway. Another spell and they too were silenced like Vernon. "I can guarantee this to you. I am nothing like Dumbledore. I am what they consider a dark wizard and I will have no problem with watching you die and perhaps taking part in It." all three were shaking now. "You will regret laying your hands on this young man. I will personally see to it."
During the beginning of the speech Draco had asked Harry if he had any other belongings. Harry nodded and led him up the stairs to his room. Lucius followed behind them once finished. He opened his room and grabbed Hedwig's cage and pulled the floorboard from underneath his bed. He grabbed the photo album, wand and his cloak. He then let them lead him from the house that he had dreaded since he was a small child.
He just did not know how interesting his summer was actually going to be.
-Break and detour over-
The room in the astronomy tower grew darker as the blizzard blocked out the moonlight, but the still form that sat in the window seat continued to stare out the window. His black hair had grown to mid back during the summer, while he was training with Draco and Lucius. His green eyes stared dimly into the snow; thinking of anything but the man that lay in the hospital wing or of the reminder of his once thought friends and family.
He heard the rustling of robes outside the tower and the steady sound of steps on stone that made him make a dash to the shadows, almost melting into them as the door to the tower opened. He held his breath as dark eyes scanned the room over before a resigned sigh ate up the silence. A moment later the dark figure left the tower and him behind.
Harry stood in the shadows a moment more before moving to the wall and whispering to the small stone snake carving hidden there.
/May I enter? /
/Of course master/ the small snake hissed back before the wall folded allowing entry to the tunnels.
He walked silently through the tunnels until he came to the main chamber. He stopped walking and stood in the same place the dead basilisk had rested before he had cleaned and removed the rotting corpse but not before harvesting all ingredients he could- in front of the tall statue, looking into the stone eyes of what he assumed was Salazar Slytherin. He stared at the eyes; the old eyes that said so much yet nothing at all. He stared at them for a good minute before walking up to the statue and placing his hand against the smooth stone.
/Salazar, help me. / He whispered to himself.
Stone ground against stone and Harry stumbled back to watch the mouth open again with trepidation. But this time a giant snake didn't come from the mouth, instead a stair case rose from the water to reach the mouth. Harry stood frozen for a moment before walking cautiously to the stairs. Looking into the dark tunnel he took out his wand and waited for a moment before stepping in. A swift wind entered behind him and the wall sconces that lines it flared to life showing that at the end seemed to be a room.
Taking a cautious step into the large room, or cavern, Harry notices the nest in the corner and the glistening ivory egg shaped object that was sitting in it. Approaching he sighed in relief to see that it was an egg but the egg was cracked and seemed to have 'died' years ago. Putting his wand back in its holster, he looked around the room and at the painting that decorated the walls. The walls seemed to be made of black granite and had green and silver lining at the top and bottom of the cavern. At the top of the cavern, a hole allowed moonlight to enter as well as fresh air. Looking back at the walls Giant green snakes battled in different forms around the cavern.
(*) A cracking sounded behind Harry made him slowly turn back towards the nest. The egg moved just a centimeter before another crack appeared on the shell, branching from the one he had noted earlier. He took a step back and made to turn before he saw the shell break away to the small slim form that lay in the membrane. Standing there for a minute he took a step back towards the nest, watching the small snake slowly try to remove itself from the remaining egg shells and liquid that covered it.
Harry with a swift decision moved into the giant nest and picked the shells off the snake and removed it from the liquid. He picked it up and moved towards the center of the room keeping his eyes on the little snake that wiggled in his hands. He stopped moving and closed his eyes as soon as he saw the baby basilisk looking towards him. He stood there for a moment breathing evenly waiting for something, unable to tell if it had looked away.
/Why do you close your eyes? / The soft hissing reached his ears.
/If I open my eyes and look at you, it could kill me. / He hissed back, shaking his head.
/If I close my eyes will you look at me? / The little voice hissed almost whining in a way.
Harry stood there for a moment breathing in as he thought of whether to believe the basilisk. /Yes if you close your eyes, I will look at you/
A minute later the basilisk hissed at him in impatience /Are you looking? /
Harry took this as sign that the basilisk had closed his eyes and opened his eyes to look at the baby basilisk. Its head was still facing in his direction. The dark green scales that covered the snake turned black in the light.
/You're very pretty you know./ Taking his finger and running it along its back. He liked the way the scales felt. The basilisk made a purr sounding hiss and stretched itself out so harry could reach every inch of his small body.
Harry chuckled and looked back around the room and for the first time noticed a door right across from him.
/Do you know where you are? / He asked the basilisk, as he started to take steps towards the door.
/I'm in the main chamber. I'm supposed to protect it when I grow. I'm not supposed to leave it if someone isn't here. /
/I'm putting you on my shoulders so I can carry you around. / All he got was a hiss in response as he lifted his arms and put the snake around his neck; even though the tail barely touched his collar bone and its head didn't even touch the end of his shoulder.
He reached his hand out to the door knob and gave it a tug and was surprised when the door opened with ease. Harry could barely make whatever was beyond the door it was completely cast in in shadows. Taking a couple steps in as he cast witch light and sent it to the middle of the now distinct room. Looking around it looked like he had walked into a dark great hall; in size anyways- The dark hardwood floor reached until the wall on the other side of the room. On the left of him there was a spiraling staircase that was decorated with snakes on the rails. It leads to a black door. At the bottom of the stairs was another door and a fireplace. There was a big soft black, green, and silver rug in the center of the room, slightly skewed to the left with a black couch covering part of it. The couch had green cushions on it matching the Slytherin theme that was going on.
Harry looked to his right and was met with two more doors and a kitchen. A large kitchen with granite counters that followed the walls and a large island stood a couple of feet from them. A large dining table sat in front of him, it held several chairs that matched the rich cherry wood of the table.
Looking around the room again, Harry smiled to himself. It would take cleaning, but it seemed he had finally found a place to truly be his, in the one place he actually felt at home.
He would have to keep this to himself; what would happen if everyone knew there was a place like this in the castle?
A/N Well I said that things would be changing and this is the start of it. I will be taking down the rest of the chapters as I have sort of destroyed the order of them… but I am hoping to continue on the trek headlong and at full speed.
Until next time. TTFN!
