Chapter Three
Corbett Potter
London
"Five…four…three…two…one… Happy birthday you freak." Corbett muttered quietly. She had just turned eleven. She was sitting on her bed, staring at her watch.
"Finally eleven years old. Not that I feel any different. It's not every day you turn eleven years old. I better enjoy it while I can, before I have to do chores." She muttered to herself. One thing about Corbett Potter was the fact that she talked to herself. It's not like she had any friends. Larry scared them all off. Those who he couldn't scare, he lied to. Saying how much of a freak she was. Not that he was wrong; Corbett had to agree with him. She was a freak. Strange things happened with her all the time.
Corbett's heart gave a strange jolt. She got a strange feeling in her stomach. Something big was going to happen today. She just knew it. Whether it was good or bad, she didn't know.
She snuck out of her bedroom, and went outside. She hardly ever got time to herself. It was raining hard outside, but she didn't care. It beat being in the house. She stayed outside for a long time thinking. She knew Aunt Sally and Uncle Greg weren't her real family. She couldn't shake that feeling in her gut. Every time they would look at her, they gave her a look of disdain. She felt like there was something missing. She couldn't shake that feeling that there was someone out there, waiting for her. Someone she left behind. But that wasn't possible. As Greg had told her many times. Her family was dead; they died in a fire of some sort. The firemen left her on their doorstep in the middle of the night. They wanted her at first, but she started to become a freak, so they stopped loving her. Then they had Larry of course. They spoiled him rotten. He loved to throw it in Corbett's face everytime, telling her what a freak she was, saying her parents killed themselves just to get away from her. Every time she said that, a ping went through her heart. After a while she started to believe Larry.
Corbett was broken out of her revere when she felt warm water running down her face.
"Guess I still have tears left." She muttered.
She glanced up at the sky and sighed. It was going to be light in an hour. She didn't want to get in trouble, so she slipped back into the house, up the stairs, and into the bathroom. She took a really quick shower, dumped her wet clothes in her hamper, dressed, and then went down stairs to start breakfast.
"Oh what do you know, the freak can do something right." Larry muttered walking into the kitchen.
Corbett bit her tongue. She didn't want to get in trouble, especially not on her birthday.
"What cat got your tongue Corbett?" Larry jeered.
Corbett took out three plates and set them on the table. She then took the skillet of the oven; put the eggs on the plates, then the bacon, then toast. She walked over to the sink and started to wash the dishes. Greg and Sally walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning angel." Sally said to Larry.
"Good morning Mum, dad." Larry said with a mouthful of food.
Greg sat down and began to read the paper.
No one said a word to Corbett. This was fine for her; she didn't want to draw attention to herself. She sat on the stool by the sink and began to eat a piece of toast.
"This bacon is burnt girl!" Greg hissed.
Corbett bit her lip.
Greg sat his paper down, walked over to her and slapped her. hard. She slid off of her stool, and fell on the floor.
Greg went back to the table, sat down, and picked up the paper like nothing happened.
"Anything in the paper?" Sally asked, buttering her toast.
A moment of silence, then: "No not really." Greg said. He set the paper down and began to eat.
Larry started to talk about the latest Cricket Game.
That's when Sally left, saying she needed to take a shower.
He stopped talking when the doorbell rang.
Little did they know, there whole entire lives were about to change.
Snape's POV
Severus Snape did not like driving at all. He never understood how in the hell muggles could function like this.
He was only taking the car because he didn't want to scare Corbett. He would have rather apparated, but as Claire pointed out, she was living with muggles; therefore it wouldn't be the smartest idea.
"Anything for you Corbett." Snape muttered to himself. He knew Claire had a valid point. Besides, he figured she would be more comfortable in a muggle vehicle.
He sighed with relief when he saw their house. He parked on the opposite side of the house, and got out.
He walked onto their threshold and knocked.
A small girl was looking down at the carpet. He heard her sigh softly. "Whatever you're selling we don't want." She said before Snape could even speak.
"That's good because I am not selling anything. Now may I come in?" He asked in amusement.
He grinned when her head popped up in shock. Clearly she was not expecting him.
The grin slid off his face when he saw the scar on her face, and her busted lip.
"May I come in?" He insisted. He fought to keep the anger out of his voice. He didn't want to scare her even further.
"I don't even know who you are." She stammered.
He raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.
"Sir." She added hastily. "No offense, but you haven't even introduced yourself, and you want to come in? Are you crazy?"
Snape fought back a smile, she reminded him of Lily so much.
"Corbett, shut the damn door, your bringing in a chill!" Greg shouted from the kitchen.
Her head whipped behind her. She turned back to Snape smirking.
"Well, you're a stranger, he wants the door shut, it looks like you're not comfortable standing there. So there's only one thing I can think of." She stepped aside to let him in.
"Follow me into the kitchen please." She said quietly.
She led the way into the kitchen, with Snape right behind her.
"It's about damn time will you-"Greg trailed off looking at the stranger.
"Who the hell are you?" Greg asked angrily.
"If you must know, I am Severus Snape. I am here to get Miss Potter." Snape said calmly. He didn't like this man at all.
Corbett was standing by the sink, listening intently.
Sally walked into the kitchen. "Oh shit!" She said looking at Snape in distaste.
"Why do you need me, Sir?" Corbett asked quietly.
Greg and Snape turned towards her. She shifted from foot to foot. She didn't like the fact that they were staring at her.
"Surely you know Miss Potter." Snape said quietly. He already knew the answer to that question, but he needed to hear it from her.
"Know- Know what?" She asked confused. That was all the answer Snape needed.
Snape turned towards Greg. "You didn't tell her did you?" He asked Greg.
Sally sneered. "Tell the freak what? Even if she did know, it's not like we would send her off to that school anyway." She said calmly.
"Tell me what? What are you talking about Aunt Sally?" Corbett demanded. Looking at her.
Snape shook his head. He turned back to look at her. "You're a witch Corbett." He said smoothly. He said it like it was an everyday thing, like he was commenting on the weather.
'The sooner I tell her, the better.'Snape thought to himself.
Corbett snorted. "Are you on drugs, or alcohol, because there is no way I can be a witch."
Snape looked at her curiously. He didn't mine the comment about the drugs or alcohol. He found himself fighting another smile
"You've never done anything strange? Has anything unexplained every happened to you?" He asked her softly.
She bit her bottom lip in thought. Her eyes met Larry's and she shook her head yes.
He knew she would react like that. The whole thing seemed like a joke, but it wasn't. "So explain to me why you can't be a witch." He told her softly.
"Because it's just not possible." She muttered quietly, still not taking her eyes from Larry's.
"Yes, Miss Potter, you are in fact a witch." Snape said softly. He knew she would need time to work it out, but he was upset she knew nothing.
She stopped looking at Larry, and turned towards Sally and Greg.
"You knew who I was the whole time! You kept quiet about it. Why didn't you tell me?" She fumed.
Greg sighed, "What difference would it have made, if I told you. You're not going to that school to learn some stupid magic tricks." He said.
"Explain to me how you're going to stop her from going?" Snape asked his attention on Greg and Sally.
"Well, legally, we are her guardians; we hold sway over what she can and won't do. Simple, she won't be going. Two: She doesn't have the money to get the supplies on her list." Greg said matter of factly.
Corbett's shoulders slumped. He was right, and she knew it. Greg knew it to because he looked at her and smirked.
"She's going. A muggle like you won't stop her." Snape said dangerously. He didn't want to lose his temper.
Snape turned his attention once again to Corbett. From his pocket, he pulled out a letter and handed it to Corbett.
He watched her eyes trail across the parchment.
She opened it and read: HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore.
(Order of Merlin, Grand Sorc,. Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Potter.
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no letter than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress.
"So to clarify, Corbett is in fact a witch, with powers?" Larry asked.
Snape turned his attention to Larry.
"Yes, she is a witch." He said.
Larry looked at Corbett and sneered, "So like I said, you are a freak. Makes me really glad we are not related." Larry sneered.
Corbett stalked out the door, with Snape on her heels.
Corbett's POV
"So where exactly are we getting the supplies at?" Corbett asked once she was outside. She was looking at the ground.
"Miss Potter, look at me." Snape commanded.
She refused. "Corbett, look at me." He commanded again.
She lifted her head and looked at him. "We are getting the supplies In London. Diagon Alley."
She cocked her head to the side really looking at him for the first time. He had long greasy black hair, a hooked nose, dark brown eyes and sallow skin. He had on light blue jeans, and a baggy gray sweatshirt. He was a very tall man, who with a few words, looked like he could control a whole room. Yet there was something familiar about him. Corbett couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him.
"How exactly are we getting there sir?"
"You ask a lot of questions." He said not taking his eyes off of her.
"Well sir, you came here and told me I was a witch. I knew nothing about this. I have a lot of questions. I'm sorry if they annoy you, I will try to rein them in." She said quietly.
"We are taking a car Miss Potter." Snape indicated to the car across the street.
Snape led the way. Corbett followed him.
She sat in the passenger seat while Snape got into the driver's seat.
He could tell that she was bursting with questions.
He started to drive. He kept his eyes on the road, fighting the effort to gawk at her.
"I know your bursting with questions Miss Potter, so ask away." He said.
"Well, sir, I was wondering if you know, knew who my parents were." She asked him softly.
"Your mum was a witch, and your dad was a wizard. They both went to Hogwarts. In fact, you look like your mum, but you have your dad's eyes." He said quietly.
"How did they die?" She said muted.
He looked over at her. She had her head in her lap. He could tell she was fighting back tears.
"There was once a dark wizard, Lord Voldermort. He was a horrible wizard, who wanted nothing but power. He had a group of followers, they entitled themselves Death Eaters. The name itself struck fear in the hearts of witches and wizards everywhere. He killed your parents, using a killing curse. They died, trying to save you and your brother Harry. You both survived, which is something that has never happened before. You and Harry were the end of the Dark Lord. You both were heroes. That's how you got the scar on your forehead." Snape said softly.
"So they lied to me, they didn't die in a fire. What do you mean I have a brother?" She asked, her head popping up.
He cursed quietly. He really hated those damn muggles.
"Sorry sir." She muttered.
"For what? Miss Potter, it's not your fault. Yes you have a brother. Harry James Potter also survived. In fact he should be going into Diagon Alley as well. I imagine this is a surprise for you, but please close your mouth before you swallow a fly." He said smirking.
"Who's older?" She asked.
"Harry, by 8 minutes." He said grinning at the look of horror on her face.
They finally arrived in downtown London. Snape parked the car and they got out. They walked for a while until they came to a place called the Leaky Cauldron.
It was a tiny looking pub. The people rushing passed didn't look at the pub at all.
"They can't see it can they?" Corbett asked softly.
"Very good Miss Potter, you're so perceptive." Snape muttered sarcastically.
They walked inside the bar.
"Here on Hogwarts business Severus?" A dark haired witch asked from behind the bar.
"Yes, how'd you guess? Snape asked sarcastically.
"Had nothing to do with the muggle get up. Hi Corbett Potter." The witch muttered.
As soon as the words left her mouth the people in the bar whispered excitedly.
"Did she say Corbett Potter- Could it be? Is it her?" The whispers continued. Corbett stood rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do. Snape pushed her along into a small walled courtyard, where there was nothing but a trash can and a few weeds.
"What the heck was that about?" She asked Snape.
"I told you, you were famous Miss Potter."
Snape pulled out his wand and tapped the wall three times. The brick he touched quivered, in the middle a hole appeared- it grew wider and wider- a second later they were facing a huge archway. Corbett was stunned. She remembered to keep her mouth closed this time.
"After you Miss Potter." Snape said indicating to the archway. Corbett stepped through.
She saw cauldrons outside the nearest shop.
"Yes, you will need one; we have to get your money first." Snape said smirking.
"But sir, I don't have any money." Corbett muttered.
"Of course you do, your parents kept a vault you know. Follow me." Snape started to walk, and she followed him.
Harry Potter
Harry Potter was sitting in a boat, with a giant, going to downtown London.
Hagrid was reading the paper. "Trust the Ministry of Magic to screw things up." Hagrid muttered to himself.
Harry wanted to ask questions but knew to keep quiet when people were reading the paper. That he learned quickly from Uncle Vernon.
After a while Hagrid set the paper down.
"There's a Ministry of Magic?" Harry asked.
"'Course they wanted Dumbledore, but he refused. Their main job is to keep it from muggles that there's still witches an' wizards up an' down the country."
They arrived at the dock. Harry followed Hagrid into a train station. Naturally people stopped and stared at Hagrid. Hagrid didn't understand muggle money, so he gave the bills to Harry.
They got on the train to go to downtown London. It seemed like everyone on the train was staring at Harry and Hagrid.
"Our first stop is Gringotts. After we get all of your supplies, I imagine you would want to meet Corbett after." Hagrid spoke gently to Harry, as to not be overheard.
"What's Gringotts, and I get to meet Corbett, she'll be there?" Harry asked all in one breathe.
Hagrid chuckled. "Gringotts is a bank for Wizards and Witches; you'd be mad ter try and rob it. Yes Corbett will be there as well." Hagrid responded.
They finally arrived at their destination. Hagrid stepped off the train, with Harry running to catch up with him.
"What do you mean you would be mad to try and rob it?" Harry asked.
"Why it's protected by dragons." Hagrid said happily.
"Dragons?" Harry asked stunned.
"Yes, wanted one ever since I was a kid-here we are."
They stopped in front of a grubby- looking pub. The same one Corbett and Snape were at earlier.
Harry and Hagrid emerged inside.
"Fancy a drink?" The dark haired waitress asked.
"Not now Nessa, here with Harry." Hagrid said pointing towards Harry.
"Oh yes, his sister was in here earlier." Vanessa said looking at Harry.
Once again Vanessa's words made the people in the bar whisper excitedly.
She hurried out from the bar to shake his hand. "Please to meet you Harry. You look like your dad, but you've got your mum's eyes. Your sister however looked like your mum, but had your dad's eyes." She said excitedly.
Harry didn't know what to say to that. He just stood there awkwardly.
Just then there was a great scrapping of chairs. People stood up to shake his hand.
"Doris Crockford, Mr. Potter, can't believe I'm meeting you."
"So proud Mr. Potter, so proud."
"Delighted, Mr. Potter just can't tell you, Diggle's the name. Dedalus Diggle."
"I've seen you before." Harry said excitedly. "You bowed to me once in a shop."
"He remembers!" Did you hear? He remembers me!" Dedalus cried excitedly.
Harry shook hands repeatedly.
A pale man made his way towards Harry.
"Professor Quirrell, Harry, he is one of your teachers at Hogwarts."
"P-P-Potter, c-can't tell you how p-pleased I am to meet you." Quirrell stammered.
"What type of magic do you teach?" Harry asked curiously.
"D-defense against the d- dark arts." He responded.
"We have to go." Hagrid said pushing Harry out the door into the ally way.
"Three up... Two across..." He muttered tapping the bricks with his pink umbrella.
The hole in the middle was big enough for Hagrid. He stepped into the hole, with Harry staring at Diagon Alley in amazement.
"We have to go to go to Gringotts." They walked on passing by several shops.
They finally reached a snowy white building that towered over the other shops. Standing beside its burnished bronze doors wearing a uniform of scarlet and gold was a goblin.
He bowed as they walked passed him. They then reached a second set of doors, with words graved upon them:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
"That seems really morbid." Harry muttered to Hagrid.
"Like I'd say, yeh'd be mad ter try an' rob it." Hagrid said grimly.
A pair of goblins bowed them through the silver doors. They walked up to a long counter. There were about a hundred goblins sitting on high stools. Harry looked at them in amazement.
"Morning, we came ter take some money outta Mr. Harry Potter's vault." Hagrid said proudly.
"You have a key sir?" The goblin asked.
"Somewhere." He began to take things out of his pocket.
After a large pile sat on the counter, Hagrid finally found the key.
"An ' I also I've got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore." Hagrid whispered. "It's about the You-Know- What in vault seven hundred and thirteen.
Hagrid handed the letter to the goblin.
"Very well, I shall have someone take you down to both vaults." The goblin said after he read the letter.
"Griphook show them to the vaults!"
Griphook stepped off his stool and walked around to meet them.
"What's in vault seven hundred and thirteen?" Harry asked.
"Don't worry about it Harry." Hagrid said.
Griphook led them towards a door on their right. Once they were inside he whistled. A small cart came hurtling up the tracks towards them. They climbed in, Hagrid of course had trouble.
They turned left, right, right, left, middle fork, left, left. After a while Harry lost track. Harry thought he was going to be sick, when the cart finally stopped, Harry got to his feet. They stopped besides a small passage in the wall.
Griphook unlocked the door. A lot of green smoke came billowing out. Harry gasped. Inside were gold coins. Columns of silver, heaps of bronze Knuts.
"All yours." Hagrid grinned.
"What about Corbett?" Harry asked.
"She also has a vault Harry." Hagrid said still grinning.
Hagrid piled some of the coins into a bag.
"The gold ones are Galleons, seventeen Silver sickles to a gallon, and twenty- nine Knuts to a Sickle." Hagrid said.
He handed Harry a full bag and they both left the vault.
They climbed back onto the cart.
"Can we go more slowly?" Hagrid asked.
"One speed only." The goblin muttered.
They went even deeper. At last they finally reached the vault.
It had no key hole, so Griphook stroke the door with his fingers.
"If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried to open the door, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there." Griphook said happily.
"How often do you check to see if anyone is inside?" Harry asked, dreading the answer.
"Once every ten years." He said.
Hagrid went inside, leaving Harry outside.
Hagrid emerged a few moments later. "Don't ask what's inside."
One cart ride later they were outside.
First they got Harry's uniform, then they went to Flourish and Blotts to get his school books, then they went to the Apothecary shop.
"Now, to get you a present." Hagrid said.
"You don't-"Harry began.
"I know, but you still need one." Hagrid said.
Twenty minutes later, they left Eeylops Owl Emporium.
Harry was clutching a cage that held a snowy white owl.
"Now to get you a wand, then you can meet your sister." Hagrid said.
Harry's heart thudded painfully.
They walked on towards a narrow and shabby shop. Peeling gold letters read Ollivanders: Maker of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
Harry walked into the shop. The place was empty except for a spindly chair for Hagrid to sit on.
"Good afternoon." An old man was standing before them; his wide, pale eyes were shinning like moons in the dark shop.
"Hello." Harry muttered.
"Oh I thought I would be seeing you here." "Your sister was in here earlier. She looks more like her mum; you look more like your dad. Except for the eyes, you have her eyes; your sister has your dad's eyes." Mr. Ollivander said.
Harry not knowing what to do shifted from foot to foot.
"Which arm is your wand hand?" He asked.
"Er- I'm right handed." Harry said.
"Hold out your arm. That's it." He measured Harry.
"Every wand has a core of a powerful magical substance Mr. Potter. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenix tails are the same."
"Right then Mr. Potter try this one Beechwood and dragon heartstring. Nine inches, Nice and flexible. Give it a wave."
Harry tried it. It was snatched from him a moment later.
"Try this one holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."
Almost at once Harry felt a warm glow.
"Bravo! Although it is very curious... Indeed." He said.
"What sir?"
"I remember every wand I ever sold, it's rather curious indeed that you should be destined for this wand, when its brother gave you that scar." Mr. Ollivander said pointing to his scar
He paid seven gallons for the wand and left.
"Now let's go meet your sister." Hagrid said. They were walking down the street. Harry's heart was hammering in his chest.
A/N: Hope you like this chapter, most of the stuff I got from the first book. I hope I'm doing this fan fiction justice. Yes Snape donned Muggle clothing. I just felt the need for Severus Snape to be like a muggle, yes it's unlikely. But that's why it's called Fan Fiction!