Chapter 3: Snake Bite
Number 12 Grimmauld Place, The Black Family Home. While not the original family house, as Arcturus was currently on the Forbidden Island, where the Original Black House stood for centuries, before being burned to the ground five generations ago by a rampaging Light Lord and Dark Lord, that fought on their island. They bought this house, Arcturus was here when Orion was a child, but they spent a large amount of the fortune on building a new manor.
Not saying that this House wasn't impressive.
Harry, Sirius, Remus and Kreacher are the only ones that reside within the walls of the dark family home, even though Walburga had a portrait in the main hall of the home. Kreacher was the oldest House-Elf in the Black family, who was treated with little love by Sirius but Harry always was respectful to the little odd creature. Kreacher would call him 'Master Regulus.' Every now and then, the creature would then hurt himself in punishment for disrespecting three masters; Regulus, Sirius and Harry. Kreacher even taught Harry some simple House-Elf magic, but nothing very large, only how to move silverware and summon little things like pebbles.
After living here for three years, one would think they had found every little thing that made the house tick. This wasn't true. A single door, lightly burned near the bottom from the fire, was brought to the house and put on hinges in the home. A Black door with green metal and a silver snake handle, according to Sirius when he had asked; it had never been opened.
Harry recalled having been bitten once by the snake, being a six year old and not knowing about his ability. Remus was currently in charge of him, and he knew that the man was taking a nap on the couch; courtesy of a sleeping potion that he had poured a few drops into his tea.
He knew almost instinctively that the Snake was the Key, he hadn't told anyone about his ability, as he knew it was considered a Dark Skill and many looked down on it. He looked down at the emerald eyes 'Open" He whispered lowly, coming out as a hiss, the serpent twisted on itself and created a handle; a click was heard on the silent steps.
Harry wrapped his hand around the handle, waiting for a brief moment, before he opened the door. The room was dark, a few candles cast many shadows about the room; it looked like a study of some sort. Speaking of sort, it was covered in those of the Slytherin house colors, he knew that the Blacks were almost always a Slytherin. A desk, several shelves, a very large mirror and a few chained chests was all that he could see inside of the room.
"Hello?" He whispered into the dark room, hoping that he wouldn't hear anything.
A second ticked before a deep voice was heard across the room "Hello, may I inquire as to whom I am speaking to?" The voice was of an older man, it reminded him of Albus or Arcturus.
Harry being slightly curious of this, moved towards the desk figuring the person might be seated there; it was empty and covered in dust.
"I am over here, young sir." The voice called out to his right.
Harry turned over, seeing the mirror a little closer, it was made of wood, and polished silver if he had to guess, it was most likely the oldest thing in the house. The man within was bald, a long twisted silver beard and bright poison green eyes looked back at him. He looked like a cranky old man, who was more likely to snarl at children than laugh with them. "Hello there, young speaker, who are you?"
Harry felt his palms grow sweaty, he was suddenly wishing that he had brought Sirius or even Nym with him; hell maybe Kreacher. "Potter. Sir, Harry James." He said quickly, knowing the ancient man was likely more interested in his Family name, than his own.
The man frowned slightly, his eyes taking a slightly glazed look "Does, that mean my child, that the Line of Black is no more?" He asked softly.
Harry shook his head quickly "My God-Father, Sirius Black is the owner of the House." He said simply, hands in his pockets "The Family is almost gone though, a few scattered family members."
The man now had a smile, it was still sad to hear the family was close to being gone "Good Young Potter, that is good to hear." He said with a sigh "Might I ask something of you." He leaned forward, his green eyes almost mirrored in the man "You speak the language of the serpents correct?"
Harry nodded slowly "Yes, something that I have learned I possess a year ago." He explains, narrowing his eyes "Why?"
The man smirked slightly, his eyes alight with mischief "Being a born Parselmouth, would more than likely make you an heir of mine, regardless of how far." He explained, leaning on his staff "And Tom Riddle, is an annoying child, who dares call himself an heir of mine."
Harry scrunched up his nose "Whose that?" He asked with a frown, he'd never heard of the Riddle family before. "I doubt I'm your Heir though, I don't know of any Potter that could speak Parsel…the only one I know of was the Gaunt family….and Salazar…Slytherin…" Harry was looking right at the mirror with wide eyes.
Salazar Slytherin was standing right in front of him, within an enchanted mirror "Indeed." He said calmly, his eyes still alight with mischief "The Potter's have never been fond of Incest, I would half-hazard that your mother was from another family."
"Evans, Muggleborn." He explained rather casually.
Salazar gave him a dry chuckle "My dear young Potter, you do know that Magic is much like matter, it cannot be created within another nor destroyed; not truly." He explained "A Squib simply doesn't have the ability to use their magical channels, something that is passed on, until one small mutation allows its use once more." He leaned on his staff, gesturing to the snake mouth on the side of the mirror "Humor me."
Harry frowned, he knew that blood was extremely important in magical rituals and spells, but the Ministry had in recent centuries tried to narrow everyone's view point of magic into Light and Dark. At least that was what Arcturus had explained to him a few weeks ago. He gave a slight shrug, swiping his middle finger across the fang of the serpent, it hurt for a fraction of a moment before it was healed by magic.
Salazar was silent for several moments before a smile came across his features "You are of my blood, young Potter." He said giving the child a slight bow "Which means that within time, all that you see within this room, shall be yours."
"Mine? But…I'm not a Gaunt." Harry said in a small voice.
Salazar waved him off, a look of anger flashed across his features "I do not care, you are my heir, as I had a vision of you several years before my death. I saw a child with wild midnight hair, a lightning bolt in the background and a raven resting on his shoulders; the Black family symbol."
Harry seemed to ponder that for a moment "So that means you'll help me eventually." He spoke simply, his eyes narrowing "If all of this is mine, does that mean you can teach me something?"
Salazar was silent for a moment, his eyes locking onto Harry's and it seemed to weigh his soul "On the first shelf, across from this mirror is a Book on Serpents; their habits and temperament." He explained, hands behind his back "Read it, then come back and I will give you another."
Harry looked at the shelf in question, pulling the book off the wooden board that supported it 'Serpents Through and Through~ Adam Jordan.' He could tell the text was ancient, as the pages had long since yellowed with age and the ink was faded just barely. "Thank you."
Salazar waved him off "I'm sure you're being missed, leave me." He said in a firm voice, one that left little room for discussion. He watched lazily as Harry walked off, once the door clicked closed and he heard the serpent lock once more "How long are you going to haunt, Alice."
The Figure almost glided across the wood floor until she was standing front of the mirror "Salazar, it's been so long." Her voice was soft, like velvet "How did you know it was little ol'me." Her long black hair covered her bright eyes.
Salazar smirked at her "I could practically smell your influence on the poor child." He folded his hands behind his back "Why?"
"What do you think of him first?" She countered, the glare in his eyes made her speak more "Humor me, old man."
Salazar was silent for a few moments before breathing out a sigh "Perhaps with time, patience and some temperament, he'll be a grand Wizard, but until then." He said with a shrug "He's just another boy."
Alice nodded, deciding to hold up her end of the bargain "Had I not done this, influenced his life in this way, he would have been abused by his Muggle Family, deceived by Albus Dumbledore; the current Headmaster at your school, and he would have died for those convictions." She explained lowly, her eyes hard "That is why I have done this."
Salazar regarded her for a few moments "Terrible things happen to those who meddle with time." He said softly.
"Time is a fickle thing, I claim no ownership and I calm no control." She said hotly, crossing her arms "I am doing what is best for him, the heir of my family."
Salazar narrowed his eyes "He is my heir too, Alice." He snarled.
Alice gave him a menacing grin "Then all the more reason to work together, now more than ever." She vanished from sight, as if she had never been there.
Salazar looked at the spot for a moment, slumping his shoulders "That child will be the death of me." He rubbed his eyes and too, vanished from his portrait.
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Harry left the staircase leading towards the Door carefully, hopefully Remus and Kreacher didn't miss his absence, it was only a few minutes regardless. "There you are!" He was pulled into a strong hug "I come home and I can't find you! Almost like you were hiding from me, brat!"
Harry looked up at the man he'd mentally call father, sure he knew who James was and he was mostly proud of being his son, but Sirius raised him; Sirius was his Dad. The man in question looked tired, probably a raid, they mostly went after suspected Dark Wizards. He was still in his maroon Trench coat style robes, the robes of an Auror.
Harry knew that Sirius had been promoted not long ago, meaning he was a Detective, and that meant he wasn't in charge of anyone, but he also wasn't assigned to a set-team. "Sorry, lost track of time I suppose, exploring the house and all."
Sirius raised a brow and looked at the general direction Harry came from "I told you to stay away from that room, Merlin knows what's inside of it, it could be an old torture room." He scolded lightly, leading him down the stairs.
Harry gave him a dis-interested look, now thinking about it, Sirius who was very Pro-Gryffindor would probably take the news of being Slytherin's heir very badly. He knew that Sirius wouldn't kick him out or beat him, but still he could bare that door; that would be bad.
"What's that you reading anyway?"
"Book about snakes, they're pretty interesting." Harry said with a smirk.
Sirius nodded seemingly accepting his answer "Hungry? Kreacher is almost done with the Sheppard's Pie." He said brightly, ruffling the kids hair "I'll tell you about my day, tell me, you know the last name Fair-Brooks?"
Harry nodded in affirmative, looking around for Remus, but figuring the man might have running to make, as he watched Harry all day. "Fair-Brooks are a semi-Pure family with a decently long line, they're pretty influential but to a family like the Black, Olgren or Longbottom, they're not of much stock."
Sirius nodded, sitting himself at the table "Well, they're about to take a nose dive, Victoria Fair-Brooks is a necromancer, who killed her brother Dylan Fair-Brooks and has been using his corpse as a puppet of sorts." He explained leaning on the table itself while waiting for Kreacher.
"You shouldn't be telling the young man those type of things, Grandson." A rough voice said from the doorway, before entering the room and seating himself at the table "I trust you have room for one more?"
Harry grinned at the man, his replacement Grandfather as Sirius said, known that Charlus had passed several years before Harry was even a thought. "Grandfather! How was the Island? Are you spending the night?" He asked quickly.
Arcturus grinned down at his grandson, ruffling his already messy hair "The Island is great, nothing but fresh air and calm rain, the Thestrals are restless on the northern side, but enough about that." He leaned back in his chair "I'm just here for dinner."
Sirius rolled his eyes, the old man knew that Harry had a desire to learn anything and everything about creatures, they were his man focus, right next to Potions and Runes. He glanced at Kreacher, who was pouring out four large bowls of the Sheppard's Pie.
One that he knew would be kept under a warming charm until Remus returned from where he had waiting for him. If he knew the old-Werewolf like he did, it was probably more Wolfsbain Potion.
He smirked as he watched Arcturus explain to Harry what a Thestral looked like and how it behaved. He glanced at the wall, where a family portrait stood, not of his but he could see the similarities, other than the fact that his family was smiling; unlike their painted cousins.
He preferred this family.
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A little longer than the original chapter, couldn't add too much and couldn't really change too much about this chapter, it's important but not completely unchangeable. Catching up, chapter by chapter, I also explained my theory on Salazar in this AN, so I honestly believe that Sal wasn't a complete dick, he was distrusting of Muggle-Born because they were burning Magical People at the stake, he couldn't know if this child would grow up hating what it was. Updated: 8/23/2017~ Demon
