Author's Note: This chapter is dedicated to Miss Panther, whom I am now indebted to. Thank you so much for the wonderful advice! This chapter will be the first of three, making up "Death of Aphrodite", meaning it will be like three parts of one chapter, due to my procrastination. I'll try to let the story flow out more and let the characters personalities shine through. This whole chapter, actually, is mostly about the characters, so a lot of action isn't expected. I admit the plot is quite busy, so I'll slow it down so everything works out. This doesn't mean that relatively nothing will happen in my chapters, it just means that I'm taking time to make the story more advanced and (hopefully) more interesting.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I only own the plot, poetry in this fanfiction, and my original characters, Lena, Davis, Nathan, and Alexander. This was made for nonprofit purposes.
Death of Aphrodite: PreparationsAphrodite, the beautiful
Was asked to choose and bless one human thing
She chose friendship, and the children sang her ballads, for with true friendship
They were blessed, so they continued to sing.
Oh, Aphrodite, the beautiful
Blessed love and friendship true,
But with the taint that friendship might take
She slowly started to become sickly and bruise.
Harry rubbed his forehead. He had to go settle down in Snape's quarters today, meaning that he inevitably would be seeing Snape. Slowly, but surely, Harry followed Dobby to Snape's quarters. Dobby had been so excited to see Harry alive and well, though Harry had to wonder why he wouldn't be alive and well, that he jumped up every few seconds, just bubbling with joy.
"Harry Potter, sir, this is where Dumblydore told Dobby to leave you. Wishing you good luck, see, for the man here is frightening, just frightening! Reminds me of my old master he does." Harry noted that Dobby was getting better at saying Dumbledore. Dobby bowed, before disappearing with a snap of his fingers.
Harry waited in front of the blank wall, wondering if Snape was ever going to come out of there to help Harry enter. The wall was blank, and though mildew wasn't growing on the walls, he could easily smell the wetness in the air. He was starting to perspire. Hermione and Ron were probably looking for him. They both seemed to enjoy Alexander's company though. Alexander was what everyone wanted him to be like: a little James, proud in his own right. Snape seemed to appear out of nowhere.
"Hurry up, Harry," he said darkly. Harry tried to pretend that Snape hadn't just called him by his first name. Harry was shown to his room, and he began to unpack, but not before hiding his large bag full of Slytherin-touched things in his closet. The room was comfy but held that same odd, wet smell.
"Harry, we need to talk," Harry nearly laughed when he heard that statement. It sounded like Snape and he were in a relationship together and it currently was on the rocks.
"Okay," Harry said as he followed Snape into a room with dark, velvety green carpet. A table was set for two and candles were lit to light the dark room, along with a quick, "Lumos!" from Snape. Harry had a distinct feeling that he was being romanced. He blushed as he sat down.
"What is it?" Snape asked.
"Um…nothing." Harry responded as he fidgeted.
"As you know, you will be staying in my rooms."
"Yes. Excuse me but is there any reason as to why I'm sitting at a table?" Harry asked only to realize the question came out wrong.
"Yes, you are sitting here to eat."
"I thought we were eating in the Great Hall?"
"Not tonight you aren't."
"Oh…"
"There are certain rules we must establish. You will not touch my property without permission from me. Also,"
"What?"
"What are you trying to hide?"
"What do you mean?"
Snape stood up, and pushed Harry back into his room, then opened the closet door with a flourish.
"What's in here?" He said coyly.
"Erm,"
"If you won't tell me anything, this won't work." Harry spun out the long tale of the ring and his room and all of the things in it. Snape bent down to open the bag, so Harry got a glimpse of his hair close up. On impulse, he reached out to finger the strands, only to have Snape snap back with a wand aimed at Harry's throat.
"Watch it," Snape said, a thin smile spreading on his face, "I have killed people before."
Harry shivered and sat on his bed watching Snape dig through the bag. He seemed to be having fun examining some potions components. Suddenly Snape stopped. He started to look at Harry in a funny way, as if eager to get something from him. Harry's eyes were full of clouded emotions.
"Harry," Snape started, "Have you ever bled yourself while in your animagus form?"
"No! Why?"
"Dementor's blood has never been collected in its raw form. It would be a useful potion exponent. Who knows, it might cure your beast friend from being a wolf."
"He's not a beast! I don't think I…"
"I'll give you until tomorrow to decide. These items are amazing. We can use a lot of them in your training. I think we should work on Occlumency tonight, before dinner. You might vomit all over my carpet if it's vice versa."
"Fine," Harry said sighing.
It was only at this point that Harry began to realize what a strange man Severus Snape was. He was what someone with lesser vocabulary would call a weirdo. Harry could likeness himself to Snape in one major way that made putting up with the man much easier. No one understood either of them. Harry followed Snape into Snape's private potion's lab. Snape cast the spell before Harry realized what was happening.
Harry pushed him out, but only after a few minutes. "Not good enough," Snape responded softly. He tried again and again and again. Harry was exhausted, lying on the floor gasping. "Slightly better," Snape responded, "That is if your opponent isn't the Dark Lord." Harry, with a burst of anger spoke, "Legilimens!" He saw Snape, younger, probably in fifth year. Harry's father stood above him with knives, stabbing him, blood everywhere. No screams, only James's laughter. Laughing at Snape's pain, laughing, laughing, laughing… Harry pulled himself out of Snape's mind.
Harry ran to the bathroom only to keel over and vomit. "Lies, lies, lies…" Harry said, tears dancing on his face. The blood pooling over the knife stayed in Harry' mind. "It's not true," Harry said softly.
"Harry," Snape said coldly, "This is another reason that you shouldn't intrude my memories. Now that you have, though, I can only say that it was partly accident. Your father was under the influence of Resox. That potion makes one give in to their darker tendencies and wants. Yes, he had control over his actions, but his mind was put in a prejudiced, near-minded state. I couldn't fight back and that is what happened."
"Is that why you took the Mark?"
"That is none of your business!"
"I need to know… I need to know. I promise, you can have some of my animagus form's blood, but I need to know." Harry was laying facedown, hair tumbling over his face.
"Partly, it was. Your father hadn't reached to such an extent of cruelty until he started dating with Lily. I blamed her influence. It seemed to me that she wanted to use him to climb her way up to society, and poisoned his mind even more to sway him her way."
"How can you," Harry's tone was breathless, "How can you talk so calmly about it?"
"Potter," Snape snapped, "I think we've had enough of that for one night. Now can I ask you a question? Just for curiosity's sake, your hair never does grow longer, you don't take potions for that or get it clipped, nor are you using glamourie."
"I thought know one noticed," Harry's muffled response came out as he looked up, "Let me show you why."
Harry fiddled with his hair for a while, taking out all sorts of clips. His hair was less messy, but still thick in quality. It fell to his mid-back.
"Why, oh why, do you go through all that trouble?" Snape asked; eyes completely focused on the boy-who-lived.
"Well, my hair was that short for awhile. Then I went to the Wizarding world and everyone praised me saying I looked just like my father, and how great a person my father was and I wanted to stay that way. So, when my hair grew longer, I pinned it up, casting slight veil charm on my hair to make it look as if my ends weren't pinned up, as if they were cut. I just got so used to it, I forgot my hair wasn't so messy. Well, I guess it's time to break my image."
"Interesting. Harry, your father was under a potion—"
"That does not excuse him. I really don't want to talk about this, or see him."
"You are just prolonging the inevitable. You might not have to," Snape stopped mid-sentence, "Potter!"
Harry watched, amused, as Snape's face paled to a stark white color.
"Get out of my sight!" Snape said suddenly, eyes wild with anger.
"But," Harry tried to speak, confused at what had just changed Snape's mood so suddenly.
"Out, now!"
Harry ran to his room, angrily glaring at his mirror. His reflection mocked him. Snape seemed like a normal person, well nearly normal, and then he did something like that. All that anger and rage was directed to him. He shouldn't have been surprised; Snape always seemed to be able to fit an insult somewhere in anything that resembled a conversation wit Harry.
Harry laughed. It was partly his fault. He had been playing Snape like a fool. The remark about him being his best friend was only to confuse the man even more. This is probably what he deserved for lying to the git. Harry left Snape's quarters, searching for his friends. "Gryffindor Tower," he muttered. He marveled at how inconvenient this situation was. It was wrong and terrible. His friends were having fun in Gryffindor Tower, probably, being kids before the world spat them out and laughed cruelly at their bare bodies. Harry grimaced. What would he tell his friends? Moreover, the question was how much he was going to tell them.
The Fat Lady was mystified at another student. This one didn't know the password.
"Please open up," Harry pleaded. When he realized she wasn't giving in, he rapped on her portrait, yelling, ignoring her angered wails.
"Harry!" Hermione said, her voice filled with glee. She was being carried princess-style by Davis. Harry's eyes darkened.
"Hi Hermione, Davis." He went through the portrait into the common room. Lena spoke first.
"I'm sorry Harry, about what I said, but it's the truth."
"That wasn't the truth. That was your perception of the truth. You plainly said to me that I am a danger to all those around me." Harry stared into her hazel eyes defiantly.
"Harry! Can't you see I'm trying to be nice? Whenever I try to open up to you, you push me away. I'm your sister; is it really that hard to make an effort to get to know me?"
"I'm not sure. Just as you said, we all could've died because of me. I think that is pushing me away from you! I'm just doing what you practically told me to do," Harry smiled softly, "I'm avoiding you. That way I won't endanger you nearly as much, eh?" Lena slapped him hard on his face, leaving a right red mark on his face. Harry had his wand out, more out of instinct than anything.
He lowered it, mind suddenly deciding to bring up Snape's memory of James Potter. Harry, unknowingly, sneered. He was the spawn of that man, shared the same bloodline! Then again, he and the Dark Lord shared the same blood since fourth year. This girl looked a lot like his father. Harry winced. "But I'm not responsible for my father's actions," Harry thought, not realizing he had just spoke his thoughts.
"Harry," Hermione looked to Ron for support, "We need to talk."
"Huh?"
"See! That's what we need to talk about, you zoning off and mumbling odd things, your disappearing acts, and this Snape thing and everything!"
"I have a lot of things on my mind, Hermione, and spent a lot of time alone. It's just odd to start telling people like you my dreams and thoughts, secrets and just regular stuff."
"What do you mean, people like her?" Ron asked, ears slightly red.
"He means mudbloods, Ron, people like me!" Hermione burst into tears and ran into another room, Davis following her.
"I didn't mean that, I meant such open, kind people. Sometimes I don't think I deserve your friendship, even if you guys are irritating sometimes."
"Why didn't you say that then? You know how girls are, always jumping to conclusions!" Ron said. Lena sighed, rolling her eyes at Ron's remark.
"Harry, you have major damage control to cover. Mom was talking to her yesterday, and kinda made it seem like she didn't want Hermione to be dating Davis. She was just telling her the risks of having a squib or non-magical children when a half-blood, Davis, and a muggleborn have children. Hermione's been so self-conscious since then, and when you said that, well, you kinda were the straw that broke the camel's back. And for that," Lena was about to slap Harry again but Harry deftly caught her hand and twisted it, pushing down harshly on a prominent vein on her wrist. She wailed, and Harry let go.
"I'd like it if you wouldn't try to hit me again, Ms. Potter," Harry's tone was cold with all the rage and confusion that had come to him after what had happened with Snape.
Harry nodded at the furious Ron (Are you okay, Lena?) and chased after Hermione. He smiled for he had finally found her. Then he saw her. The girl was sobbing into Davis's lap, as he comforted her. Then Nathan walked in, asking what had happened. Deep red hair spiraled down his face as he listened to Davis reply. They were twins, Harry remembered, though not identical.
"You shouldn't listen to him," Nathan spoke softly with a deep voice Harry envied, "He shouldn't matter to a pretty girl like you. Maybe he was a good person once, but from what I've seen since I've known him," Nathan paused to stroke Hermione's hair and gently pull her face upwards to his, ignoring Davis's furious glare, "He's been misusing his friendship with you. You're a wise woman, not a smart child. If he can't accept that, then he was never really your friend." He lowered his face as if he was going to kiss her, but he whispered in her ear instead.
Harry couldn't hear whatever Nathan had said, but he noticed Hermione's eyes widened, a tear streaking her face, as she softly spoke "no…" Harry noticed that Nathan's eyes, though the woeful expression, were smiling and focused on him. Davis pushed his brother away from Hermione, glaring at him.
"Ms. Granger, what is it?" Hermione's lips moved but she didn't utter a word.
"I hate him! I hate him! How could he?" Hermione burst into sobs. Davis rocked her, humming to her softly. Answers would surely come later.
"Hermione," Harry finally decided to enter the room, "I didn't mean 'people like you' in that way! I meant it as people who were so kind and open with me." Hermione seemed relieved, as if waking from a bad dream, and smiled.
"Wait Hermione," Nathan's deep voice instilled, "He was listening in on our private conversation all that time! He might be just saying this to keep your trust so he can misuse you again! Think, Hermione, dear, sweet, Hermione, you will listen to him after he did and said that?" Nathan's voice took a breathy tone when he said "that." Harry knew that whatever "that" was, it was the thing Nathan spoke to her in her ear.
"Harry, please leave," Hermione said softly, "Leave, I said! Leave now!" Her tone became hysterical and angry.
"Did you not hear her, she said to leave. Can't you see that you aren't wanted?" Nathan nearly purred. Davis frowned and stood up, making his way towards Harry.
"Harry," Davis whispered, "Nathan and I really don't get along. Now it seems like he's trying to break Hermione and I up. He's using you as leverage, I think. But understand that Nathan has never lied in his life. Whatever he's got on you, it's true, and he probably used a few things you said and put them together to make something entirely worse. Good luck."
Davis kissed Hermione's forehead and picked her up, taking her away from Nathan. Harry stood, not really understanding what had just happened. Nathan left the room thinking, "All my life, Harry, I was the best older brother. I have found out that I am obviously no competition to the boy-who-lived, no matter how cruel you are to them. I have seen Hermione, and she is a sweet wise woman. You do not deserve her for you taint her existence. I will take away her from you just as you've taken away my sweet sister away from me. Davis, I'm sorry, but it is nothing personal."
Harry walked away, his mind playing a broken chord over and over and over again. The chord was entirely funereal. All Harry could comprehend was that today, two people had yelled at him to leave with rage in their eyes, so he must be a freak just like the Dursleys always said…
She begged the healing gods to tell her what was wrong
They laughed at Aphrodite, goddess so sweet, you see,
For when friendships true were tainted and broken
She knew she would soon cease to be.
So that was the death of great Aphrodite
Humbled by what she had blessed
For friendships torn and tainted did scratch her
Until she bled to death.
Hope you enjoyed! Please Review, for your reviews make updates happen more often, though I will update soon either way. Reviews help me get an idea of how the general readers look upon my fanfic. Miss Panther, if you are reading this, I have change my
