DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't earn...
B Jean: Sirius: Oh, I don't like the moron… Alphas: yes!
Enahma: I hope you enjoy this one, too.
Diana Lucille Snape: Thanks for your Spanish advice.
Mikee: Severus is a vampire, a kind called Alpha (there is another one, Beta). His relation to Harry – sorry, that's the plot! Harry will soon realize that something's going on, Snape won't admit some things, Dumbledore will be angry and…
Noratav: Thanks. Well, Lily received her letter 2 years earlier than most kids, simply. Sometimes it happens. Yes, she was rather a loner before her friendship with my Knockturn four. OK, she liked her classmates and so one but it wasn't any deep friendship. She was a bit ashamed she's a freak for her own sister and so on. "Blood of the Basilisk": That's the plot! I can't explain everything now, sorry. Soon Harry will notice something, Dumbledore will ask Snape inconvenient questions, Sirius will jump to conclusions – and one day Snape will have to explain what really happened.
THE BEGINNING
"Enter." Dumbledore opens the door. "What's the matter, Albus?"
"You screamed."
"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you up." Snape opens a chest and pulls out a black leather harness. "Guerra, come." The giant animal paces towards him. Dumbledore marvels Snape's mare – she's really impressive. Sleipnirs have been Dark wizards' steeds since millennia. It is said that one of them crossed a Pegasus with a dragon and Dumbledore considers it possible. Sleipnirs are winged horses, similar to Thestrals – that is, they're also black and can turn invisible with their rider at will. Still, they're faster than Thestrals and much bigger: Guerra is 7'2'' in her withers. Here the similarities between them and Pegasi end. Their wings aren't eagle-like but similar to dragon or bat ones. Sleipnirs' eyes are scarlet and their pupils are narrow and vertical and their fangs indicate they don't feed on grass. Snape tightens the girth and checks the length of stirrups.
"Are you leaving, Severus?" Just a nod. "Where are you going?"
"Ecuador."
"On Guerra?"
"Yes."
"Across the Atlantic?"
"Do you happen to know another way from England to South America, Albus?"
"Can she fly across the ocean?"
"Do not insult her. Her ancestors were the best warhorses in the world. Sure she can!"
"But why? It'll take you some time!" Snape fastens his traveling cloak carefully.
"Because" – he explains, hiding a curved dagger inside his robes – "There's no Floo network there. It was destroyed in the war. Moreover, Apparating malfunctions as well."
"You could travel by Floo to Florida and then…"
"Floo network is controlled by the MOM, Albus. I don't want them to know where and when I'm going. Not to mention that there can be Lord's spies sniffing around."
"What if Voldemort summons you?"
"Don't worry. I have my ways and means." – he answers curtly.
"But what for?" Snape wordlessly hands him Guapeza's letter.
"Severus" – whispers Dumbledore flabbergasted – "Do you really think this girl is your daughter?"
"200% sure."
"Why?"
"Look" – Snape shows him photos Guapeza sent. Dumbledore looks at them with interest. Carmen is a very tall, strong-built, brown-skinned girl with waist long, straight hair, hair so ebony like Severus' one. Her eyes are big, fathomless and blue. "A new chip off an old block." – says Snape. "My distinct cheekbones, my uneven eyebrows… And so similar to Joanne. She is mine. She made contact with me, after all and possesses Jo's Animagus form."
"What can she turn into?"
"A Sleipnir."
"You didn't know about her existence, did you?"
"I wouldn't have left her if I had known. She's my flesh." You could blame the Romanoffs of many things but they've always cared about their family and were ready to protect their kids like Cerberus protects the gates of hell.
"But why didn't Joanne tell you? I thought she loved you."
"She did. I suppose I know why" – smiles Snape wryly – "She loved me but one day simply dropped me. Just left without a word of explanation. I believe she learnt I was a Death Eater. She fought Voldemort, Albus, since the very beginning of the war, though she was Dark all her life. She didn't want to frame me in; on the other hand she didn't want to continue a relationship based on lies. When our daughter was born he asked Guapeza to look after the baby and came back to England and" – he's voice is very low now – "died protecting these bloody McKinnons who had kicked her out."
"And her death made you change sides."
"That was the one of the reasons."
"What are you going to do then?"
"Tell Carmen the truth. Bring her here, if she agrees."
"She must be 17, right?" Snape nods. "So the 7th year. She was in Gattacca, I suppose."
"I don't think so."
"Why?"
"Because" – Snape points at another photo, where Carmen is a few years younger – "She is wearing the badge of Artanigra, not Gattacca. The latter school, Albus, though teaching LIGHT magic" – a sarcastic sneer twists his face – "would never admit her. First, because they don't want Muggleborns – and Carmen had no father so she couldn't have proved she was a Pureblood; second – you can see she isn't white. Racial prejudices aren't just Dark Lord's specialty so Carmen went to Artanigra. It's a very good school, though teaches many spells considered Dark in Europe. Moreover" – he adds – "I think Carmen lost a year or two because of that war they ended a few months ago."
"Do you think she fought?..."
"As you know many Artanigra witches and wizards took part in it, usually fighting AGAINST" – he stresses this word – "the Dark Lady."
"But your daughter is just 17!"
"She's old enough. Look" – she points at the first photo – "See her cheek?" Dumbledore wipes his glasses – indeed, there are a few long, parallel scars running across her cheek.
"You think she got that in a fight?"
"You don't get so regular scars in a battle. I'd blame a dungeon."
"You mean tortures?"
"And what do you think? I have the same scars on my shoulder. This curse was Dark Lady's favorite, you know. One of my potions' colleagues from Mexico told me."
"Do you think she was in her hands?" Snape just shrugs.
"That's possible."
"And what if she worked FOR the Dark Lady?"
"I worked for the Dark Lord once. Albus, I don't know anything – whom Carmen supported, whether she changed sides like quite a few did… We'll see. Still, she's my daughter and I have to help her. Jo and me were Alphas so she must be one, too. She needs somebody who knows what's happening with her."
"Are you leaving right now?"
"Yes, I am. So" – he checks his luggage once more – "Draco is moving in early in the morning. Narcissa was in Ravenclaw, she has great brains, and realized what's happening to the boy. The Malfoys have already sent me 1000 Galleons asking me to "deal with the problem" as they have written. I just obliged them to keep their mouths shut. They will, no doubt, they don't want a vampire in the family."
"What if Voldemort summons him when you're away?"
"He has to go. You know spells that make a vampire controllable for 12 hours or so, Albus, just don't overdose them, as their aftereffects are highly unpleasant. And look after Draco, please" – he looks straight into Dumbledore's eyes – "it's too much for him. He has so many problems to cope with – don't let him do anything stupid."
"All right, Severus."
"Don't let anyone ask him stupid questions and so on. Oh" – he adds – "And Potter must leave his relatives. Now."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ask Tanathos for details. You must do something. Bring him here, or to the Weasleys or to the Grangers… If you could have put defenses around that house, you can put around another one."
"They're his family, Severus…"
"SO WHAT?!" – bellows Snape. "Do you prefer to wait till they kick him out?! No one will abuse Lily's child as long as I'm alive!"
"You have always been harsh to him yourself."
"I admit that but I'd never touch him, Albus, let alone beat him, even if he were my prisoner. And I wouldn't keep him hungry. He's James' cub so I dislike him but I know the limits." He turns on his heel, beckoning Guerra to follow him.
"Don't you bridle her?" Snape halts in the doorway.
"I learnt to ride before I learnt to walk. I need neither a bit nor a stirrup. I've saddled her just for convenience as the journey will last quite long."
1st August
Harry smiles, seeing the Burrow. Finally, Dumbledore allowed him to visit his friends. The atmosphere here differs so much from this on Privet Drive.
"Good to see you" – smiles Ron. "Haven't that Muggles starved you to death?"
"Nearly." – smiles Harry wryly.
The next few days were very pleasant. They have been spending hours playing Quidditch, swimming (Charlie teaches Harry to swim) but Harry is also learning. Crackers' books are full of interesting but difficult stuff – spells, charms, incantations and also potions' formulas. He keeps his studies in secret, though – this stuff could lead to tricky questions and Harry would like to avoid them. Who knows how the Weasleys would react, learning that Lily was a Dark witch once.
"You're incredible" – Ron shakes his head. "It's quite dark already and you managed to catch the Snitch! How have you done that?"
"It isn't dark." – answers Harry.
"It is." Hermione, who's also come to the Burrow because her parents are abroad, stares at him suspiciously but says nothing. Harry sighs – it's still quite bright!
"By the way, Harry" – she says – "Where are your glasses?"
"Er…" It's hard to explain. He just woke up early in the morning a few days ago and put them on but the world remained blurred. When he pulled them off, it came back to focus. "I've seen some Muggle doctors this summer and they helped me with my eyes. I don't need glasses anymore." A downright lie, of course but what else should he say?
"All of you! Supper!" – shouts out Mrs. Weasley. The food in the Burrow has always been delicious but this time Harry can hardly swallow anything. The supper seems to be much too salty and spicy. Moreover, it's so noisy in the kitchen! He's always enjoyed the warm atmosphere in the Burrow but now he can't endure the noise so many chatting people are making. He's also never noticed before that Mr. Weasley's eau de Cologne has such a strong scent. He forces some more not to be rude but Hermione notices that.
"What's wrong with you, Harry?"
"No… nothing." – he splutters. "Just my stomach aches a bit, you know. Maybe I should go to bed. I'm sorry" – he runs out of the kitchen, unable to tolerate the smells and the sounds anymore. He locks himself up in the toilet, still trying to stop the attack of nausea but his stomach is protesting like crazy.
When he finally goes out, he nearly bumps into Hermione, who's looking at him, both worried and suspicious.
"The food didn't do you good." – she says slowly. "You were throwing up."
"So what?" – he replies angrily. "Maybe that's because of Snape's potions."
"These potions do not cause such side effects. I've read about them; they're completely safe for the user."
"Maybe he cartwheeled too many times on this broomstick today." – Mr. Weasley interrupts her. "Go to bed, Harry. Tomorrow you'll be all right."
Harry falls on his bed, squeezing the Crystal of Hope in his hand. Suddenly, it starts shining, its light fills the whole room slowly and, unexpectedly, Harry finds himself in the familiar castle.
The vision
He's in the Gryffindor Tower, in the girls' dorm. It must be late at night, as all the students are asleep. Suddenly, one of them, very cautiously and slowly, pulls the wand from below her pillow and whispers "Duerme". Then she gets up and pulls her shoes on. Harry blinks – the girl seems not to notice his presence, though he's standing really close to her. Suddenly he comprehends what's going on – he must be in somebody's memory again. She sneaks out of the Tower and heads for Ravenclaw dorm. Somebody's already waiting for her – it's a boy one-two years older than she.
"Finally" – he whispers. "I thought Filch caught you."
"I have my ways and means to avoid him." – she replies. They are descending to the dungeons, walking slowly and silently. They pass Snape's lab, Potion's class and keep descending. Harry's never been in this part of the castle before. The girl lights the candles with a spell and Harry notices there are another two people waiting for them. One is the mulatto girl, wearing Slytherin robes, the other one is a Hufflepuff with strange, scarlet eyes and crimson hair.
"At last" – whispers the Slytherin. "Dumbledore didn't allow us in. He's changed the password; you must break it."
"Sure." – answers the Gryffindor and pulls a few things out of her pocket. Harry gasps, recognizing Cracker's stuff. He steps towards the girl and his heart jolts, as he notices her emerald eyes.
The Gryffindor kneels down at the wall and starts examining it carefully, inch by inch. After a few minutes she smiles triumphantly, touches it with her wand and murmurs a spell. Harry recognizes it as one of cracking spells he's already learnt. The wall slides aside wordlessly, letting them in and shuts behind them.
"Will we be able to come back?" – asks the Ravenclaw boy.
"Sure." – replies the Gryffindor. "We did it a few times before." Suddenly, a high-pitched, loud cry shakes the walls. It lasts and lasts, growing higher and louder. Harry presses his hands against his ears but the sound keeps boring into his brain, driving him crazy but it goes quieter gradually and finally stops.
"That's why Dumbledore put him into this room, not his usual one. That attack was terrible."
"Just because this snake-eyed bastard took him for Christmas. They were training a lot and he's a brutal guy." – growls the Hufflepuff. "Must have cursed him too much during dueling or something."
"I doubt his connection with him will do him good."
"It'll give him pain and shame; victory and glory" – says the Hufflepuff in a deep, unnatural voice.
"Could you stop predicting for a moment?" – grins the Ravenclaw. "Still telling me I won't see my 17th birthday?"
"Death from Auror's hand." – growls the scarlet-eyed Hufflepuff. "Leave England or you're dead."
"Oh, come on" – the Ravenclaw waves his hand impatiently. Another cry shakes the walls.
"Transform" – commands the Gryffindor. To Harry's great surprise, two of them change shape. He's so flabbergasted he doesn't know whom to look at. The Slytherin and the Hufflepuff kept their form a bit similar to human one – but the difference makes Harry wince. He wouldn't care meeting SOMETHING like that. They aren't werewolves because they're quite human-like but their claws and fangs make him shudder. It looks as if somebody merged a predator with a human… Terrible, but neither the Ravenclaw nor the Gryffindor even wink. They all run towards another door, huge and made of steel and the Gryffindor pulls out the key – Harry sees it's similar to the one his Mum sent him – and it takes her less than 15 seconds to deal with the lock. The door opens with a loud creak and the same yell echoes against the walls.
"Nox!" – shouts the Slytherin, putting the candles out.
"GO AWAY!!!" – shrieks somebody. "GO!!!" – his voice turns into an unbearable yell, full of pain and fury but the four don't escape. They wait till he goes quiet a bit and then the two non-humans (???) approach him slowly, muttering spells under their breath. Harry can see the one they came to visit – and the very sight makes him shudder. He's even more animal-like than the other two. It's a boy, chained to the wall with the same chains Harry saw in the Pensieve when witnessing the trials – but double ones. His hands are clenching and unclenching and he's drawing and hiding his claws, scratching the stones. His snout – Harry wouldn't call it a face – is twisted with pain; foam and blood are dripping from his lips and his curved fangs try to grasp an invisible enemy. Still, the other two show neither fear nor disgust and after a few minutes their spells – and their presence itself – calms him down. He stops yelling and struggling. He's just hanging on his chains, panting.
"Are you all right?" – whispers the Slytherin girl gently.
"He didn't put the candles out." – whispers the chained boy with pain in his voice. "He didn't let you in."
"We don't need the Headmaster's permission to come in." – murmurs the Hufflepuff angrily. "Uni, come." The Gryffindor, who was standing near to the door approaches the - Harry isn't sure how to call this strange three – the beasts. The Gryffindor's auburn hair are elongating and turning snow-white; her fists clench and transform into hooves; hide starts covering her hands and legs – she's a Unicorn! The chained one shudders and snaps but the Unicorn shows no fear and the white muzzle gently touches his chest. Just now Harry notices there are deep scars on his skin, as if somebody cut him with a sword or something. He moans quietly as the Unicorn's muzzle touches his cheek. She's just standing like that for a while, touching him and his claws disappear; his snout starts turning into a normal face but Harry can't see who he is.
"He didn't put the candles out." – the boy repeats quietly.
"But we did." – smiles the Slytherin girl. The Unicorn takes a step back and transforms into a human again. The boy yelps, transforming, and his claws scratch the stones again but she doesn't wince. She approaches him slowly, talking to him in a low voice all the time. Her tiny hand touches his clawed palm and his fingers clench on hers, doing her no harm.
"Easy" – whispers the Gryffindor, wiping the boy's long black hair off his snout, as if she weren't afraid of the fangs. She steps even closer, hugging the boy and kissing him in the cheek. Harry shudders, watching this; he wouldn't touch the creature to save his life, let alone kiss him. The girl sets the boy free.
"You're mental." – says the latter, rubbing his wrists. "Professor Dumbledore would expel you, if he knew…"
"But he doesn't." – smiles the Ravenclaw.
"Lets go hunting." – grins the Slytherin girl.
"Could we go with you?" – asks the Gryffindor.
"You aren't fast enough."
"Indeed?" – she laughs, transforming.
"Oh, right. And you, Ro?" – he stares at the Ravenclaw.
"I have a Thestral, remember?" They sneak out of the castle, carefully avoiding Filch and head towards the Forbidden Forest…
End of vision
Harry wakes up with a start, still squeezing the Crystal in his hand. Was his dream the truth or but a raving of his tormented mind? Was this girl his mother? Was the predicting Hufflepuff Nemesis? Oh, my… The snake-eyed bastard – was it Voldemort? If so, this chained guy was… No. Impossible. It must have been but a dream. His brain mixed his Cracker knowledge with Sirius' revelations about the Animals and turned it into a wild nightmare. Such creatures do not exist. They weren't werewolves (Harry saw Professor Lupin a year ago) and he remembers from his essay about vampires that they are different, too – they just have fangs and claws but, except of that, they look like humans. It was just a strange nightmare. He's sitting on his bed, staring through the window. Though the lights are off, he can see many details. His senses are very sharp. Strange. Even Ron and Hermione noticed that. What's going on? Maybe that's another effect of his connection with Voldemort? Or maybe some wizards simply are like that? Snape, for example. He's always noticed many things the others haven't, has been able to recognize many plants and potions only by their smell and seemed to be able to read minds. "Power of Mind…" The words of Nemesis the Seer echo in his head. Maybe… That's this power? He isn't able to fall asleep this night.
He descends to the kitchen very early in the morning - he's really hungry. Moreover, the smell of meat is literally tormenting him. No, he isn't hungry – he's starving!
"Oh, that's you, Harry" – smiles Mrs. Weasley, beckoning him a chair. "I haven't heard you entering. You must be hungry, if I'm not mistaken?"
"Oh, yes."
"So, help yourself. It's half an hour to breakfast but if you didn't have a supper yesterday… What would you like? Jam? Honey?"
"I could smell the sausages…"
"I'm frying them. You must wait till they're ready. By the way, could you take care of them for a moment? I'd go to the garden and pick some flowers."
"Of course." He's looking at the sausages and their smell is driving him crazy.
The smell.
Meat.
Now.
They are half-raw.
Meat. Now.
Ok, just one sausage…
"Harry!" Mrs. Weasley drops her flowers to the floor. My, what a fool he is – standing by the oven with the last (LAST!!!) sausage in his hand…
"I'm so sorry." – he blushes. "I… I just… I was so hungry and… I don't know how it happened." – he stutters.
"No problem, Harry" – Mrs. Weasley hugs him reassuringly. "You didn't have supper last night. Don't worry, I'll fry new ones."
Two hours later, Quidditch match
"You're crazy!" – shouts Charlie out. "I could play for England but you – you're simply incredible! How do you manage to swerve SO FAST? I didn't even notice you! You're like an arrow!"
"I have the Firebolt."
"You're better than Krum. You're like Joanne McKinnon." – says Mr. Weasley who has been watching the match. Harry hardly keeps his balance. Sirius mentioned her in his letter! She was murdered by Voldemort…
"Who was she?"
"The greatest Seeker I've ever seen, Harry." – explains Mr. Weasley. "Played for Harpies and never lost. I wasn't working in the MOM in that time but as a helper in their team – you know I kept the pitch in order and so on. She was more than incredible. She was fast like a lighting and everything. Some people said she used the Dark Arts or something – and wouldn't put it past her. She died protecting her family from You-Know-Who – and killed many Death Eaters in the fight. I happened to read the Aurors' report – she must have used really advanced and difficult curses before he got her. Poor girl. I remember her as a player – she always trained most. She was strong like an animal and agile like a cat. She could do tricks many considered impossible, you know. I remember once her broomstick gave – they weren't as reliable as today – and she fell from fifty feet or so – but I'd bet my life she slowed down in the air – and landed safely. Of course she denied everything but I witnessed that! I also remember she could jump fifteen feet up in the air with a somersault to mount her broomstick. She never did it in the public only when she was training alone – but I saw it once. She was – well – like a big cat, you know."
20th August, Diagonal Alley
Harry and his friends go shopping, accompanied by Sirius in his Animagus form. First, they buy the books and then the robes because Harry needs new ones – he's grown a lot this summer.
"Look!" – Ron whispers to him. "Malfoy!" Indeed Draco's going with a girl and a boy they don't know. The girl is tall and strong, with her raven black hair flying loose in the wind. Her cheek is covered with a few long scars. The boy has shoulder-long crimson hair and scarlet eyes.
"What a weirdo!" – murmurs Hermione but Harry feels a sudden urge to leave the shop and join them, even Malfoy. No need; they're heading to the shop.
"Potter" – hisses Draco malevolently – "Again with these fans of yours, scarhead?"
"Shut up, Malfoy." – growls Ron.
"Oh, want to spit slugs out again?" – sneers Draco and turns to the shopkeeper. "School robes for my friends." Harry, Ron and Hermione wordlessly watch as they're measuring their stuff. Finally, Hermione breaks the silence.
"You are going to Hogwarts aren't you?" The boy nods.
"I'm Hermione Granger and this is Ron Weasley."
"And FAMOUS Harry Potter." – sneers Draco. "If you don't want to get in trouble don't talk to them. They're riff-raff."
"I suppose we could introduce ourselves, Draco" – replies the boy calmly – "as we're going to be sorted and they'll hear our names anyhow. Redeye. Salazar Redeye."
"Carmen McKinnon." – says the scarred girl, staring at Harry with her fathomless blue eyes. "Are you one of us?.." Malfoy kicks her in the ankle. "This is Potter." – he whispers. "All right" – he turns to the shopkeeper again – "How much?" He pays and they leave without a word.
"What a bighead." – murmurs Ron angrily. "Riff-raff!"
"Come on, he's Malfoy" – replies Hermione. "Have you noticed he as the only one had a shirt with long sleeves?"
"Do you think he's already a…" – Ron doesn't finish the sentence.
"Wouldn't put it past him." – murmurs Harry. "He was carrying a dagger, by the way."
"A dagger?"
"Haven't you seen? With the hilt shaped like a Phoenix with ruby eyes. His old man must have given a pretty fortune for it."
"Sometimes I wish I were Malfoy." – sighs Ron, staring at his second-hand books.
31st August
"Packed your things already?" – says Hermione.
"Yeah." – answers Harry, lifting his luggage. Suddenly he lets go with a scream and grasps his left shoulder.
"Harry, what's wrong with you?" – Sirius leaps to his feet. Luckily, the Weasleys know he's innocent and he may stay with Harry for a few days.
"Nothing." A downright lie. A few days ago he was woken up by pain. It wasn't very strong but even Snape's Pain Potion wasn't able to stop it. He discovered he has a wound on his shoulder – or rather four of them – just tiny, red spots but they ache and sometimes hurt like crazy. Harry has no idea how he got them but they don't want to heal, just the opposite.
"Show me." – commands Sirius and Harry reluctantly obeys him. "What happened?"
"I don't remember." – replies Harry. It'd be rather stupid to admit he doesn't know, wouldn't it? Hermione looks at the wounds and turns pale as chalk.
"What happened?" – Harry raises his eyebrows.
"Don't touch me!" – she screams hysterically and bolts out of the room.
"What's wrong with her?" – asks Harry.
"I don't know." – answers Sirius – "but I'll go and ask her." Harry waits till his footsteps die in the corridor and then follows him, trying to be as silent as possible. It's quite easy, to be honest. Good he has the Eavesdropper, too - it allows him to hear their talk from a long distance.
"Hermione" – his voice is shaking – "You must be right. It was Snape! You say you've never seen another one?"
"Only Snape. It could be him. Can't you see that Harry's senses sharpened? He even is moving like Snape! Still, he's a bastard but he wouldn't do that, I suppose. Why should he risk Professor Dumbledore's ire? He isn't stupid! He could have found another victim! I don't know whether he's trustworthy but even if he serves You-Know-Who he wouldn't do that!"
"Yeah" – replies Sirius – "It would make Harry immortal!"
"It's a myth." – replies Hermione. "They stop ageing after reaching maturity and some curses don't harm them, for example Avada Kedavra, but they do die."
"Still if he's a loyal Death Eater, he wouldn't increase Harry's endurance." – sighs Sirius.
"And if he's loyal to Professor Dumbledore he wouldn't harm Harry." Sirius is silent for a moment.
"Lily" – he whispers. "She trusted him! He must have put her under Imperius curse or something… Oh, I'll teach him…" – he turns on his heel, transforms and bolts out of sight.
"SIRIUS!!!" – shouts Hermione out but he isn't listening.
Harry's has been standing in the darkness for at least thirty minutes after she was gone. What did they mean? OK, his wound is strange but why was Hermione afraid of him? What did they mean about Snape? That he made this wound? Rubbish, he'd remember that… Unless Snape obliviated him afterwards. He comes back to his room and examines the swollen wound carefully. It looks like a bite…
A bite.
Is Snape a vampire? Sometimes Fred and George suggested that but only as a joke. A nonsense. Would Professor Dumbledore hire him then? Well, he hired a werewolf and a half-giant and trusts Snape in spite of his Death Eater past. Wouldn't put it past him – but as Hermione concluded, whatever side Snape supports, he wouldn't bite him. Rubbish. Hermione and Sirius just jumped to conclusions. It must have been some nasty insects or maybe a spider that bit Harry in his sleep.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The schools:
"Duerme" – "sleep". Spanish native speakers, don't kill me!
Gattacca – no wonder they are racists! GATTACCA is a title of a movie about a future society in which people aren't born normally – but a perfect society with perfect genes is selected. If you have wrong genes – you're but a scum… The word GATTACCA itself has no meaning – but it's a piece of DNA code, simply.
Artanigra – OK, pseudolatin: "art" + „nigra" (dark, black). The name explains everything, I suppose.
