A.N. Hey guys! Sorry this chapter took so long. My beta was kinda busy so I've decided to post this unbetared. Hope there's no big mistakes, I went over it myself but it's much harder to catch your own mistakes.

Enjoy!!

Chapter 6

Hermione had arrived on the twenty ninth of July. Her second night Harry performed his birthday ritual as he did every year. He stayed awake watching the clock he had conjured until it hit midnight before he whispered to himself, "Happy birthday Harry."

For some reason it was important for him to do this, it had come to mean something to him. Sure, his friends had always done something to mark the passing of another year but for most of his life he had lived with the Dursleys and they certainly did not celebrate his birthday and once the war started for real there was never really time for things like that.

The day passed normally enough, Harry aided Severus in the making of a burn paste before being sent off to Madame Pomfrey for a check up, she declared him nearly perfectly healed.

"Is there any pain remaining?" She asked as she pressed non-so-gently on a particularly deep scar on Harry's chest.

The birthday boy considered carefully, his pain threshold was so high that he simply did not register pain until it reached a certain level, his mind blocked it out as it had been trained to. "There is a slight discomfort but truly Poppy do not worry yourself over it."

Madame Pomfrey tutted at him condescendingly, she had grown quite fond of this Harry Potter. He was an interesting patient. He obeyed her orders, however unwillingly, but always mocked her with a light in his eyes that showed he was only joking with her. His tolerance to pain was quite extraordinary, the only one she had ever encountered akin to him was Alastor Moody. Tapping him on the arm she indicated that he could put his shirt and robes back on.

Suddenly she recalled the date, "It is your birthday today is it not?" Lily and James Potter had always been so quiet on this day, as well as the 31st of October, remembering the son they had for barely a year.

Harry blinked in surprise. She knew his birthday? "Yes, it is." He replied evenly.

After passing him a potion that would cleanse his blood, the last of the list of potions he had been required to take since his release from the hospital wing and Poppy Pomfrey's care, the elderly matron smiled, "Happy birthday, Harry."

"Thank you." Harry returned her smile and then headed back to the rest of the castle. He had been given the rest of the day off by Severus so he was headed to the library, now he was no longer a student he had access to the Restricted Section, and like Hermione, was taking full advantage of it. He would be meeting up with the young witch later that afternoon.

The Ravenclaw arrived right on time to the Great Hall for lunch, Harry had not yet gotten there, Lily and James Potter waved her over and whispered to her, switching to a different conversation when Harry arrived.

Later that day, Lily asked her 'son' to come to their quarters at eight o' clock.

Harry agreed easily. It was a common enough invitation. He thought nothing of it and continued on to the lake to meet Hermione.

Come eight o'clock Harry arrived at the portrait of a young girl watching a flock of sheep that guarded the Potter's rooms and knocked on the door that she revealed to him. Lily answered the door and ushered him in quickly.

It was dark. Before he had a chance to cast lumos he heard people should, "Surprise!" And the lights came on.

After putting his wand away, Harry still did not react well to being startled; he looked to his beaming parents and asked in a small voice, "What's going on?"

Lily seemed rather put out She would have thought that was obvious. "It's your birthday, Harry dear. Surely you did not think that we would simply ignore it."

When the young man flushed slightly and glanced away they all realised that was exactly what he had thought. What that revealed about his previous life was rather disturbing but they refused to dwell on that today.

They had spent the day decorating their rooms. Red, gold, silver, green, blue, yellow, purple, and orange balloons were floating around, randomly letting out the happy birthday tune when they hit something. A banner saying Happy 20th Birthday was hanging over the fireplace. Beside it was a picture of Harry that he did not recall being taken though it was quite clearly him and taken in the last couple of weeks.

Harry was led to the couch and took his seat as guest of honour in the lounge. The giving of gifts commenced much to Harry's embarrassment. Sure he had received birthday presents before but generally the giver had not been right there in front of him, that was usually at Christmas and then everyone had presents. It hadn't just been him.

Lily and James gave their present first. They had thought hard about it and decided to compile a photo album of the past nineteen years of their lives. It was decorated with sketches by them both along with comments and anecdotes about each photo. They had also gone to the Potter vault and retrieved the heir ring, traditionally given to children on their seventeenth birthday.

"We realise you might not want to wear this openly, it would raise a lot of questions, but it has a glamour cast over it. Only those who know you wear it will be able to see it." James correctly interpreted the look on Harry's face when he saw the platinum ring engraved with the Potter seal.

With a smile on his face Harry slid it onto his right hand. It felt like it belonged, a flash of magic told Harry that it had several old charms on it too. He had never seen this ring before, never knew it existed. He hadn't exactly had the time to go looking through the vaults in his universe.

"Thank you. It is lovely." He gently ran his finger over the engraving once before looking up at his parents, emotion clearly visible in his eyes.

Lily hugged him tightly before backing away and allowing Remus and Sirius to give their gift. Sirius held out his empty hands with a grin, "She didn't react well to being wrapped so we decided that she could introduce herself."

His husband whistled and an owl came flying through the open window. She landed in front of Harry and stared at him in interest, taking his measure.

For his part, Harry was stunned. It was a white snowy owl. His own beloved Hedwig had been shot down by the enemy months ago but this owl could have been her twin. Could it possibly be the same owl?

Remus saw Harry's confusion and said, "We went into the Emporium and this one just flew straight over to us. Landed on Sirius' shoulder. Wouldn't be moved as much as the owner tried. Apparently she had arrived there a week previously and had bitten anyone who had tried to go near her. I like to think that she knew who her owner should be."

"Hedwig?" Harry breathed. Tears filled his eyes but he would not allow them to fall.

The snowy owl tilted her head and then hooted, accepting the name. She hopped onto her new owner's shoulder and after nipping his ear affectionately was content to watch the rest the proceedings.

"Thank you, Remus, Sirius. She is beautiful."

Hermione had also gotten him a present, she had been informed about the party, by the Potters who had known about her sudden friendship with their new charge, that afternoon. Without the ability to go shopping beforehand she had given him her Hogwarts yearbook. It held pictures of everyone in her year, a little personal info, their NEWT score and their current choice in profession, it was also self-updating, like Hogwarts, A History.

"I thought that considering that these were actually your year mates as well it would be nice to know what happened to them." She confessed with a blush as Harry flicked to the page that displayed Ron Weasley. It said that he was currently in Auror training. 'Big surprise there.'

"It was a nice thought, Hermione. Thank you. Now I can see what they are doing here."

Her reply was interrupted by a knock on the door. Lily went to answer it. She came back and said it was for Harry.

With a look of confusion he went to the door. Who would be asking for him?

It was Severus. Surely Severus had not gotten him anything. Had he? Did he even know when his birthday was? He had given him the day off yes but had that not been random?

With a look of embarrassment, Severus handed his assistant a rolled up parchment before he could say anything.

Harry took it with a small smile. Breaking the seal, which he noticed was the official potion master's seal, he opened the parchment. What he read made his eyes wide. He looked up to Severus and breathed, "Really?"

On receipt of a nod Harry launched himself at the Potions Master. He hugged the man and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before regaining his senses

He bowed, "I thank you for this opportunity, Master Snape. I hope to learn much from you and to never disgrace your name."

"Come down to the lab tomorrow morning, I shall begin your instruction." Snape bowed slightly back before turning on his heel and leaving.

Harry understood that the man would not have wished to be invited in and respected that.

He returned to the living room and was bombarded with questions.

Holding up his hands for it to stop he answered them, "Severus has just taken me on as his apprentice."

Lily gave a squeal and ran over to hug Harry who was beginning to get used to this action from the older woman, she seemed to like hugging him a lot.

Hermione, from her seat in the corner, was busy piecing together clues. Who was Harry Evans? 'Is that really even his name?' She believed that Harry was. And his eyes were just like Lily Potter's, his hair just like James Potter's. Could he really not be related to them in any way? 'From a parallel universe as well...My age. The Potter's have taken him in. They treat him like a son, even throwing a party for his birthday..Oh dear Merlin. Could he actually be their son? His birthday is the same day as Harry Potter's. He looks like them. They seem so much happier since he arrived.' The Ravenclaw saw that Harry was about to blow out the candles on his cake. She took the opportunity to actually examine his features. Yes he resembled both of them. So not a cousin of Lily's as she had overheard from one of the professors but then Harry himself had told her that his being from a parallel universe was only known to a select few.

She sung Happy Birthday mechanically. Gazing at her old professors everything clicked into place. He was Harry Potter. 'How did he get here? How was he alive? Did Voldemort not go after him in his universe?'

Harry happened to glance up at her and his eyes grew wide at the understanding and recognition he saw in her eyes. He shook his head at her, his own eyes pleading for her to keep quiet.

She nodded, but she would want some answers later. She was prepared to wait. For now, it was his birthday party.

It was the next night before she got her answers. Impulsiveness was not one of Hermione's traits. She was patient. Though she craved knowledge she was able to wait until the time was right for it to revealed to her.

For his own part Harry was surprised that she had not demanded to know everything before now. His Hermione was never able to wait. This Hermione was slightly different. More patient. A Ravenclaw, not a Gryffindor.

But her patience was rewarded. She got some answers though perhaps not as many as she had hoped for. Harry told her that yes he was Harry Potter, he had not died like his counterpart here had, that he had reflected the killing curse because of his mother's sacrifice and lived. He said that he had been transported here by accident, a merging of spells. But that was it. Other than small questions Harry would not tell her anymore.

"Were we friends?"

Harry's eyes darkened, "Yes. You and Ron Weasley were my best friends. All three of us were in Gryffindor."

She pulled a face. Ron Weasley! He had tried to make her days at Hogwarts a living hell. Surely she could never have been his friend. But when she tried to ask more about it Harry would not tell her.

"What does it matter, 'Mione? You are not her. Knowing about her life would not be good for you. Any comparisons you would try to draw would be meaningless. For her life was shaped by different things than yours. She was not you anymore than you are her. Similar but different. Live your own life and be happy with it."

The Ravenclaw gazed in surprise at her friend. How could someone so young be so wise? Yes, now that he explained it she knew she would look and compare their lives, perhaps even do things simply because the other Hermione had even though they would be things that she would not.

"Alright then Harry. I won't mention this again. You are Harry Evans." To forget that would be dangerous. She knew Harry well enough to know that he did not want to draw attention to himself and to be revealed as Harry Potter would surely draw that.

Hermione had only come for a week and for her last days she and Harry only met up at mealtime and for drinks at night in Hogsmeade. Harry was occupied in the lab and with research projects and Hermione was busy in the Restricted Section that had been calling to her since she had been a student. She continued her work on dark charms and spent a lot of time in meetings with her old professors, Flitwick in particular. He was exceedingly proud of his pupil.

On her last night they were sat in the Three Broomsticks. "So Harry, what was your life like before?" She was a little drunk.

Harry, only very slightly tipsy himself, answered with a smile, "I guess it was pretty normal, you know, people trying to kill you, fighting to win the House Cup, catching the snitch, huge snakes petrifying people, Death Eaters pretending to be professors."

Hermione froze.

He laughed. "Relax 'Mione."

After a second she laughed with him yet there was something telling her that he wasn't actually joking. 'What kind of a world did you come from Harry?' It sounded horrible. No wonder he seemed so guarded. It hadn't escaped her notice that he had sat them in the corner of the pub with no one behind them and a clear view of the door.

The door that Professor Snape had just walked through. He didn't seem to spot them straight away but Harry caught his eye motioned to their table. With an expression that only Harry could decipher as torn Severus slowly approached their secluded corner.

"I trust I am not intruding?" He asked smoothly.

Hermione shook her head, as the comment had seemed to be directed at her, "Not at all Professor. Harry and I were just having a drink to send me off. I return to university tomorrow." She explained.

Severus inclined his head in acknowledgement, "I believe you were working on your thesis?"

"Yes. A study on how dark charms only differ from light ones because of their intent."

And so began a debate on charms, spells and even potions that continued some hours. Harry was glad for his tutoring in his world or he would never have been able to keep up with the conversation.

The intelligent witch excused herself from their company at eleven o'clock. Harry offered to walk her back to Hogwarts but she insisted that he stay in the pub. And so Harry and Severus were left sat at the table in the Three Broomsticks.

"Miss Granger is a very intelligent young witch." Severus commented, watching his companion out of the corner of his eye.

Harry agreed, "Yes, she is. I'm so glad that I could meet her here."

The older wizard tilted his head slightly, "Did you know her before?"

He nodded. "She was one of my best friends. It is almost as if nothing has changed. But I cannot forget the sight of her lying on the floor of the Burrow after the raid. Poor Ron was devastated."

"Ronald Weasley?"

"Yes. They were married."

"Weasley and Granger have never been an item. He used to mock her at school and I believe during their first years he often made her cry."

Harry smiled, the people were the same but how different their lives were. He hadn't asked Hermione about anyone he used to know and she had certainly never mentioned Ron but still, Hermione without Ron, it was odd. 'But then again, Quirrell was never DADA professor so there was never the troll and we never had to go rescue her and Hermione wasn't even sorted into Gryffindor in this world. "It's weird. Knowing all these things about people but it didn't actually happen to them and they have no idea about any of it or who I am." Harry confessed. He had obviously drunk more than he had intended.

"I suppose it is to be expected. No one has ever travelled to another universe, to common knowledge. I hope you do not regret your decision to stay. "

Harry looked up into Severus' eyes, "Never."

Severus had drunk more than Harry. Perhaps because of that he misunderstood Harry's meaning, "I suppose not. All the people you cared about are at least alive here and you can re-build relationships with some of them. Miss Granger as a prime example." You see our dear Potions Professor had convinced himself that Harry and Hermione were an item, or if not yet then it was only a matter of time.

His companion was not willing to get into this at the moment, he understood what Severus was not saying but decided that it would be best to wait, at least till the man was no longer intoxicated, to explain his leanings. "I think we should be getting back to Hogwarts, Severus."

The elder man nodded and, after downing the remainder of his drink, rose steadily to his feet and headed for the door with Harry following behind him.

They walked up to the castle in a companionable silence. Harry was thinking about the time he had actually done this with the old Severus Snape. They had only once actually gone out to drink and had been attacked by Death Eaters on their way back, after that Snape had refused to go anywhere with him if alcohol was going to be involved. Though he had to admit, even drunk Severus was really in control of himself. The only way to tell he was even under the influence was the slight shining of his eyes and the fact that he was more likely to speak his mind.

Severus, on the other hand, was distracted by thoughts of the beguiling young man walking beside him. 'Why did I sit with them? And why did I drink so much?!' He thought to himself furiously. 'Oh yeah. Couldn't stand seeing them together without alcohol.' It didn't occur to Severus that what he had witnessed was simply two friends having a drink. The man had convinced himself that there was something between them.

Severus saw Harry to his door, it was on the way to his chambers.

The younger man hissed the password and then turned to his companion. "Goodnight Severus."

"Goodnight Harry." Before Severus carried on walking the portrait of Salazar Slytherin had reappeared and smirked knowingly at him. The Potions Master sneered at the founder before sweeping down the corridor to his own chamber, desperately trying to keep the image of Harry undressing for the night out of his mind.

Harry said goodbye to Hermione the next morning. When she was gone Harry finally managed to explore Moaning Myrtle's bathroom. He had the morning off from his apprentice duties. The chamber opened as easily as it had in his second year. Though this time Harry had the sense to cast a thorough cleaning charm on the shoot before sliding down it. There were skeletons littering the floor like last time. They crunched underfoot as Harry carefully moved towards the tunnel, cautious because he knew the basilisk was still here in this universe.

He soon found himself in the great antechamber where he had faced the young Tom Riddle. Still the basilisk had not shown itself so Harry called out to it, [Basilisk, please show yourself.]

The stone mouth of Salazar Slytherin opened and it appeared slowly, [Who calls me?] The snake was just as big as he remembered. Adrenaline began pumping around his body as he took in the huge figure.

Harry cast his eyes down, avoiding eye contact with the deadly eyes, [I do. My name is Harry Potter.]

The snake came to a stop before him, [It has been many seasons since there has been a speaker come to me. Why are you here?]

[I wish to make sure that the nestlings at the school are safe from you.] There was no word for children in Parseltongue, the closest translation Harry could get was nestlings.

The basilisk's head moved from side to side in what Harry took to be anger, [I would never hurt nestlings. I was put here to protect the young ones that live above.]

'Yes, the very large snake with the ability to kill with a single glance was angry. Well done Harry. Good job.' But he had to get an answer. [Yet there was someone, about 60 years ago who released you and a nestling was killed.]

There was remorse in the hissing, [I did not mean to kill her. I told her to close her eyes but she did not understand me and looked straight at me before I had managed to lower my second eyelids.]

[Wait.] Harry interrupted, [You have two eyelids?] Shock entered his voice.

[Of course. We only use our true gaze to hunt prey. You may safely look at me now, Harry Potter.]

Still in shock Harry lifted his gaze and finally looked upon the giant snake. It was easily 40 feet long.

[Do you have a name?] He suddenly realised that he could not keep calling it snake.

The basilisk loved its head in what was unmistakeably a nod. [My first master called me Hamila.]

'So it is a female.' [Hamila, what do you do during the sun hours?] Again, there was no literal translation for day either.

[I have been in hibernation for many years, Harry Potter. You awoke me with your call.] She paused for a moment, her tongue flicking out, tasting him.

The silence echoed around the hall. Harry could not help but notice that Hamila was a wonderful specimen of a snake. Her scales alone would make Severus happier than Harry had ever seen him. He wondered if he could convince her to allow him to take some of her sheddings.

She appeared to come to a decision. [Harry Potter, would you be my bonded?]

Harry froze. Bonded? [What does that mean?]

Hamila coiled herself into a ball and lowered her head closer to Harry's. [It means that I would be able to tell if you were in danger. I would protect you and in return I would have you to provide me with food and shelter. It is a magical bond and can only be ended by the death of one.]

The young wizard was still confused, [Why would you want to bind yourself to me, Hamila?]

[You remind me of my first bonded. You are strong and will care for me.] She obviously meant Salazar Slytherin.

'Well when you put it that way…' [Alright Hamila. I will be your bonded.]

Before he could even process the movement Hamila struck. When Harry came to he felt a burning pain in his shoulder and felt something resting on his stomach. It was a miniature basilisk. [Hamila?]

[Yes, Master?] The snake raised her head and flicked her tongue out to check he was alright.

He groaned as he raised himself onto his elbows. He had a killer headache. [What did you do to me?]

[We are now bonded. I had to bite you to bond us.] Her tone was patient, as though explaining something simple to a child.

Harry just had one more question, [How are you smaller?]

[I became this size during the bonding. I would be of no use to you at my previous size.] Hamila was now about a metre and a half long.

Now over his dizziness Harry attempted to stand; Hamila wound herself around his neck comfortably. Looking around the huge chamber for the first time Harry realised that it wasn't as big as he had remembered. The first time he had been here he hadn't exactly had much time for examining the place; he had been too busy fighting for his life.

The doorway which Hamila had come through was still open and there was a small light coming from it. Harry walked to it and discovered a small office. It was very cosy. A roaring fire, no doubt due to magic, which had kept the office warm enough for Hamila to sleep peacefully for so many centuries. There was a portrait on the chimney. It was currently blank but Harry had the sneaky suspicion that this was where Salazar went when he disappeared from guarding his chamber. Sneaky bastard. He'd told Harry that he went to visit an old friend. 'I guess that is true.'

Deciding to come and investigate more closely at a later date, it was getting late, Harry left the chamber and conjured a ladder to get back to the surface.

He dropped Hamila off in his room before rushing to the Great Hall.

Lily Potter called out to him, "Harry, where have you been all day?"

Harry bit his lip. He didn't want to tell everyone about the Chamber and Hamila, he would introduce her but just not as the basilisk that had been living underneath the school for the past thousand years. Instead he said, "I was solving a problem before it became one."

Everyone who heard it frowned in confusion but Harry refused to answer any more questions.

He seated himself next to Severus as usual, the only person who had not questioned him.

A few minutes passed before his companion turned his head slightly and muttered, "I guess you are mourning the loss of Miss Granger? The two of you seemed to be close."

Harry picked up on the subtle undertone of the comment and frowned slightly. Hadn't Severus picked up on the fact that he was gay yet? "I miss my friend yes but not in the way I believe you mean. Hermione is the wrong gender for me, I'm afraid."

A look of surprise crossed the Potion Master's face before he schooled it into nonchalance. "You are homosexual?"

Finding it hard to contain his smile Harry nodded, "Obviously."

"So you're not interested in Granger?"

Poor Severus, he didn't seem to be able to get passed that. 'He must have really convinced himself that we were involved.' "No, Severus. I'm not interested in Hermione. There is, however, someone I am interested in at Hogwarts."

Severus simply nodded before turning back to his plate, face carefully blank. That was the last he mentioned of it.

It was a week later before anyone found out about Hamila. Severus had come to Harry's chambers for drinks and a talk as had become their custom since his apprenticeship had begun and was waiting for his apprentice to get ready when the snake had slithered out of Harry's bedroom and headed straight for him.

Harry had told her of his feelings for the older man and she was curious to 'taste' him for herself.

The Potions Master failed to notice the snake coming towards him but when she wound herself up his leg he certainly didn't. He froze in horror; he recognised the snake as a deadly one though he wasn't entirely sure of the species. Severus attempted to remain calm while carefully reaching for his wand.

Hamila used the conveniently placed appendage to lever herself higher. She was now level with his face. Her tongue flicked out at him.

By this time Harry had realised that Hamila was no longer in the room with him and rushed into the living room.

He saw the panic on Severus' face and called out, "It's alright, Sev. She likes you. She won't hurt you."

Sensing her bonded close by Hamila turned and hissed, [He desires to mate with you, Master. I can taste it. His pheromone levels rose when you entered.] She slid down to the floor and over to wind herself around Harry's shoulders, she hissed in his ear, [Why do you not take him as your mate? I am sure you would have strong young.]

The blush that spread across Harry's face made Severus curious even though he was still in shock.

[Things are different for humans, Hamila. I cannot simply mate with him. There are other things to consider too. He may desire me but I do not know if he would want me as a mate.] It was difficult to explain such human concepts to a snake. Things were so much easier for them; eat, sleep and mate, though not always in that order.

Severus interrupted, "Perhaps I should return at a more convenient time?"

Harry burst out in Parseltongue, [No!] He caught himself and changed into English, "No, please stay Severus. I apologise. I would like to introduce you to Hamila. She was Salazar Slytherin's bonded serpent and he left her in the Chamber of Secrets, that is where I went last week when no one could find me."

The elder man frowned in confusion, "I thought you said that Slytherin had left a basilisk in the Chamber."

With a grin Harry replied, "He did. Hamila bonded herself to me and that is why she is so small. Her natural size is about 40 feet long."

Severus blanched. He had looked straight into the snake's eyes as it had 'smelt' him. 'How could I still be here? Everyone knows that the gaze of a basilisk is deadly.' "And her eyes?"

"Ahh. I wondered at that as well. Apparently she has two eyelids. They only use their killing gaze for hunting prey. They do not have to kill."

Now intrigued Severus moved closer to the snake lying placidly across Harry's shoulders bent on examining her.

Hamila revelled in the attention, [I like your mate, Master. You have chosen well.]

Once again Harry flushed red, Severus noted. He raised a dark eyebrow in questioning.

Harry coughed, "She likes the attention."

Severus didn't believe that was what she had said but left the subject alone. Recalling something Harry had said earlier he repeated it with a smirk on his face, "Sev?"

He decided that the blush looked positively edible on Harry and had to stop his thoughts from wondering just how far it spread. You see our dear Potions Master had once again got the wrong idea. He had now convinced himself that it was Steven McCloud that Harry was interested in because he had spoken to him at dinner a few times. It was inconceivable to him that Harry might be attracted to him. Harry Potter simply couldn't be interested in Severus Snape.

"Sorry about that. It just slipped out."

Severus shrugged, "It's fine." No one had called him 'Sev' since his mother had died.

The smile that he was graced with in response warmed his heart. Merlin, he wanted this young man!